Tune in, drop out....

From Morcheeba's album "Who Can You Trust?" I've been loving this 
album on during my at home Yoga practice, 
great for long hot baths too!

Reflections of New Beginnings

Last week was the Jewish New Year- Rosh Hashanah. On this holiday we dip apples in honey to remind us of the sweetness to come in the new year. Today is Yum Kippur- a day of reflecting on the past year, traditionally you are "atoning for your sins under the eyes of God". I prefer a much lighter interpretation of this holiday, taking the time to think about what I got out of the past year and what I hope to accomplish in the new year.... What lessons were learned? What needs to be let go? What needs to be held on to? Is there anything standing in the way? 

Reflection allows us to turn our senses inward and explore our own body and mind. So much of our time and energy is spent in the material aspects of the world, how often do people really take time to just look within themselves? Introspection is a vital part of personal evolution: checking in with our thoughts, emotions, and physical body, finding the kinks and clearing them out every so often. Giving yourself a day like this once a year allows you to find our own inner truth and renewal.  


This year Yom Kippur lands on the last of day of Mercury's retrograde (today!). Mercury has been in retrograde since September 7th. When Mercury is in retrograde we are supposed to give ourselves time to catch up with ourselves and reflect. You might find ideas, people, and insights hiding that tend to surface during this time. It's not a good time to make commitments or changes, instead it is recommended to just sit on ideas, observe life around you, and reflect until Mercury is back to normal. 

With Mercury on it's way out of retrograde, the season turning to fall, and the new year that is upon us, it's a perfect time for a fresh start.  Release old patterns to make way for new ones, feed what is ready to grow, face the fears that have been holding you back, build the strength, deepen the connections. Contentment brings happiness, but we must be proactive in our lives to find contentment. 

New Year-New Season-New Beginnings! Give Thanks! 

"Breathe More, Try Less"

In a yoga class I took with Lori at Om Shala Yoga , she said “Breath more, Try less”. That became my personal mantra for the rest of class. I started breathing more, accepting more, and letting go more. Keeping this mantra with me for the next few weeks, I decided to stop pushing and tried letting things happen in their own time. Finding contentment in the present moment instead of trying to perfect it.  


“we intensify our practice until we make progress in the preceding step, practicing patiently without forcing the breath or body.”- T.K.V Desikachar   
Effort is important when working toward a goal but when there is excess effort resulting in tension we need to step back. It's a four letter word: TIME, and with time comes patience. Time allows for integration and regeneration. It takes time to heal the body, make life changes, write a good paper, get comfortable in new circumstances. Trying too hard, pushing, and rushing things into place doesn't ever do any good.     

Yoga is a practice that teaches to be content with ourselves as we are- recognize our own starting point, accept it and learn it. There is infinite time for evolution and the present is perfect.  Yoga practice reminds me that it’s not about perfection or quantity- it’s about integrity and quality.  

Yoga Sutra 2.42: From an attitude of contentment, unexcelled happiness, mental comfort, joy, and satisfaction is obtained.

The Humboldt Lotus Collective

Lotus Collective is the Yoga Club at HSU which I co-run. I also teach a *free class* Thursdays at 6pm in Founders Hall 166!

Our aim is to provide a collective space where students can learn about and practice yoga for free at HSU. We hold weekly classes of meditation and yoga led by certified students and instructors from the local community.
All levels are welcome and encouraged. If you are new to yoga, this is an excellent place to begin your practice in a safe, open, respectful, and peaceful student environment. If you are more advanced, this is a great place for you to strengthen and deepen your practice while helping to establish a yoga community on campus.

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