I am what I am. This is an old mantra. Last time, I saw it tattooed on a girl's shoulder in a climbing gym.

But that said, I want to reassure you that behind this journal is a real human, made of muscles and bones, brain and eyes, all that perishable stuff PLUS something else. You can catch a glimpse of this something, if you sit comfortably, really quiet with your eyes closed and spine straight in a chair or on a cushion. I believe that all living creatures share this spirit that spans their physical lives.

Howdy!

I start teaching a Dynamic Hatha class at the new yoga studio in Emeryville:

http://www.squareoneyoga.com/

Don't be a stranger and come by. Thursdays, 9:30am.

Love and peace.

Wow! 11,898,156 views and counting...

I like intense seekers. People who are passionate about their spiritual path. They don't joke around.
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Let your mind settle in. For to contemplate on the notion of suffering, one needs a clear mind in a good, comfortable place. Only from that place, one can look at suffering without fear, with a sense of curiosity.

There are many forms of suffering. The Buddha describes is as the suffering of birth, aging, illness, death, of being separated from what you love, of being exposed to the things that you don't like, of not getting what you want. All of us experience these forms of suffering in our lifetime. What's the big deal? The big deal is in the acceptance. The radical idea of the first noble truth is the acknowledgment of suffering. The untrained mind immediately rushes for the "safe" thought: there must be the way out! There are other "truths", right? But lets stay with this radical idea about suffering for a second. Lets look at it, analyze it, break it down.

Suffering is connected with attachment or aversion. By developing clinging to a form or feeling, we produce dependency in our mind. But nothing is permanent. Sooner or later, the situation will change and this form or feeling will be unattainable for us. The time will come when our bodies will not be able to perform the magnificent asanas of a "modern" yogi. Will we suffer? The time will come and our loved parents will die. Will we suffer? These are almost inevitable events, but what about those that we cannot predict? There is suffering and there is no way around it.

Accept it while you can.

Taught my first restorative class today.

• Constructive rest
• Setubanda supported on a bolster
• Heart Roll
• Supported Child Pose
• Cross-legged forward bend (head on a block)
• Supta Virasana supported on a bolster (or two blocks - one between scapula, one head)
• Viparita Karani
• Shavasana

Next time, I will try to mix it up a little. May be introduce the poses differently. But people actually liked it. It was good to teach it in a gym too.

I meant to say that I heard this guy's talk and he actually has a good point. Death is

- inevitable
- you never know when it comes
- nothing stays with you. all is left behind.

That we know.  But to brighten things up he says there is the Buddha, there is Non-Self.  It's all nice mandala, like any idea.

Tonight, I assisted teaching a yoga class for homeless people. The program was started by my fellow student Marty Fleetwood in association with Piedmont Yoga Studio. The classes are held in a community center in downtown Oakland.

There were about 12 students. The average age around 45-50. Their bodies - stiff, their minds - restless. When instructed, they readily moved their limbs but the movements were so tight and jerky. We used a lot of props - chairs, blankets, blocks - purchased by Marty's organization specifically for this program.

The main revelation for me was the importance of human touch. Living in a harsh and urban street environment, these people have very hard time relaxing. But when I touched them with care and compassion striking their shoulder blades down the back, I could feel their bodies softening right under my hands. And not just the area of touch. The whole body. The expression of their faces. Calming and soothing.

"The idea that you gain happiness by giving things away doesn't come automatically... But with practice you find that it's true. After all, when you give, you put yourself in a position of wealth. The gift is proof that you have more than enough." (Thanissaro Bhikkhu)

young years. gotta love NY. and the color girls go tu du-du-du...

time travel
space travel
... you got the idea :)

climbing a mountain and base-jumping from the top.  i know how to do the first part, it is the jumping that makes it extreme

One of the most difficult questions of the first time yoga teacher is "What sequence should I teach?". Try one from this article by Richard Rosen. 

Interesting that my earliest childhood memory came back to me in Shavasana - a relaxation pose at the end of a yoga practice. Laying down in Shavasana and looking through a muddied skylight window, I vividly remembered this:

I am about 3 or 4 waiting for my mother to pick me up from a daycare. Attending a Soviet daycare was not the most pleasant experience, believe me. We would get punished for anything including "not sleeping" during the afternoon sleep time. A teacher took the cover off me, once, leaving me on my bed naked and exposed to the humiliation of other kids. That's why I am standing by the window crying, looking out at the courtyard. Cold, autumn rain splashes against the window. I feel completely abandoned until I see a figure of the most precious person in the world entering the gate and walking across the yard to fetch me.

I could never understand the expression "sexual identity".  It is soooo limiting like a Soviet era passport.

I am time, the destroyer of all; I have come to
consume the world. Even without your participation,
all the warriors gathered here will die.

Therefore arise, Arjuna; conquer your enemies and
enjoy the glory of sovereignty. I have already slain
all these warriors; you will only be my instrument.

-Bhagavad Gita (11:32)

Last night, I attended Rusty Wells' regular Monday night class in the Castro. WOW! If you are wondering what a Californian yoga happening might look like, this is it.  300 people mat to mat, in the same big room chanting, moving, sweating, breathing...  Amazing!  The instructions are like slogans.  Three assistance move along the rows adjusting hot bodies.  Loud music blasting from the stereo not interfering with the charisma of the teacher.  One wonders what makes him so special.

If you like Vinnyasa and don't mind practicing in close proximity to the others, this class is a must.  Don't forget to bring a towel.  You'll need it ;)

Have you seen this letter? It's rated #3 on reddit.com.

Here is the full text:

Dear Red States...

We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and
we're taking the other Blue States with us.

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