Buddha Thailand with Offerings This week we explore the second Yama, Satya or truthfulness. As with Ahimsa, as yogis we strive to be truthful with our words, our actions and our intent, living with integrity, honesty and authenticity. Over the years, I have worked hard (and not without challenge) to practice the advice I learned as a child, “if you can’t say something nice, say nothing”. The Buddhists have principles of “right speech” which suggest that before we say anything

As I have in prior years, I began January with the plan of discussing the eight limbs of yoga; I planned to update and recycle my prior blogs. I pivoted. The first limb of yoga, the Yamas, is code of moral discipline. The first of the five yamas, ahimsa, is non harming (in work, thought and deed). As I browsed my prior blogs on the topic, I had to put my pen down (ok, stopped typing), and started to think. With all the turmoil in the world today it seemed it was approropriat

Clarifying what yoga is has always been an important part of my teaching. As one who was intimidated to take yoga classes and who did not summon courage to do so until age 40, I strive in my own practice to be clear in communicating my beliefs about what yoga is. Yoga is not an exercise regime, a religion or a cult. It is a spiritual practice which focuses on meditation, breathing and physical movements; the goal being harmony between mind and body.  The pursuit of yoga s

Over the past several years, I have explored the eight limbs of yoga at the beginning of each year. I plan to do a version of that this year, but in a less formalized way.   My feelings about New Year's resolutions are ambivalent. While I admire commitment to positive change, I also believe in living one’s life with a bit of flexibility built in. New Years resolutions tend to be rigid and unwavering, thus setting oneself up for failure and the ensuing negative feelings about

Rishikesh, India I have been less than inspired over the past few weeks. Between general sadness about the world and its conflicts, our domestic problems, and some family drama, it has been tough to find topics that I can write about and authentically provide wisdom or tools for. I am searching for tools myself! I know I need to lean into my personal practice more thoroughly, which I have been remiss in doing. In order to be the best version of a yogi to share with you, I mus