Long time yoga blogger, YogaDawg, announced yesterday that he is calling it quits to pursue his passion for painting.

For years his blog, My Itchy Third Eye, and website, YogaDawg.com, have provided us with hilarious yoga satire that  reminded us not to take our yoga too seriously.

We'll miss you, YogaDawg! You are a true ARTIST in every way.

Posted by Erica Rodefer on February 3, 2010 2:20 PM Permalink Comments (0)

Today, The New York Times City Room blog posted that Bryn Chrisman, a vinyasa flow yoga teacher in New York City, will be responding to readers' questions "about her path to yoga, her current job, her practice, kirtan and other matters of interest."

I think anything like this that gives yoga teachers exposure and lets them explain their story is great. But when I scrolled down to look at the questions that were asked I was a little surprised to see questions seeking answers to serious medical questions (how to lower high blood pressure?), spiritual guidance, and how much meditation practice is required to be "be a good yoga practitioner." (Check the City Room blog again on Wednesday to see her answers to some of these questions.)

I'm sure Ms. Chrisman is very knowledgeable--but surely she doesn't have the answers to all of those questions! Who does!?

It just makes me wonder, why is there such a big misconception out there out there that all yoga teachers are experts in all things medical and spiritual? Do you trust your teacher enough to ask him for medical advice? Where do you draw the line?

Posted by Erica Rodefer on February 1, 2010 4:37 PM Permalink Comments (9)

There was a great panel discussion today on tantra moderated by Yoga Journal editor-in-chief Kaitlin Quistgaard, and featuring scholar Sally Kempton, Parayoga founder Rod Stryker, and Anusara teacher Sianna Sherman. In the discussion, Rod identified Tantra as literally translating to mean the word "weave", and he spoke of it as "weaving spiritual awareness into every day life". (Sianna followed that up by saying that shortly after she discovered tantra, she signed up for a weaving class to learn to understand the tradition better!)

The three teachers talked about their yogic paths, the importance of shaktipat (or spiritual transmission), and how asana relates to tantra. Rod spoke, in particular, about the body being "the altar" of your worldly experience, and asana being a good tool to clean that altar up.

Erin blogged more below about the talk, so check out what she had to say. I thought it was lovely and informative.

Posted by Karen Macklin on February 1, 2010 2:08 AM Permalink Comments (0)

I was so exhausted from all the inspiration this weekend that I almost skipped the group savasana led by David Swenson.  For some reason, just as I was turning to exit the revolving door of the Hyatt onto the San Francisco streets, my feet veered right and I made my way to one last class.

I am glad I slithered down the stairs to the giant ballroom and wearily let my mat unroll one last time.  David's southern accent and light humor soothed a room packed with tired yogis one last time, allowing us to share in a communal renewing of shared breath, soaking in the bombardment of knowledge, subtly rearranging our bodies, and finally reawakening us to a deep sense of peace. 

My body is tired, but my spirit is renewed. 

Posted by Erin Chalfant on January 31, 2010 9:05 PM Permalink Comments (1)

Saul David Raye was one of my favorite teachers of the conference.  He has a glowing, calm presence and an ease in teaching that is without entirely without ego.  We spent the first hour discussing as an introduction to the Life Bliss meditation and then went deeper into the five sheaths (body, mind, emotions, intuition and soul) and the transformation we would work on in five techniques for each area (chaotic breathing, humming, chakra awareness, un-clutching and chanting).

It's difficult to explain a meditation without experiencing it, but the techniques truly worked to turn off the logical mind and create that nice "blue sky" spaciousness of the vipassana traditions.  He also touched on ways the meditation has been used for somatic therapy and specifically in the treatment of depression.  He said, above all it is not so much about what you do, but it is how you do it that matters.

We ran out of time at the end, but he gave us a brief overview of the chakras and the key to unlocking each one.

1. fantasy...learn to be here now
2. fear...learn to trust your creative flow
3. worry/negativity...learn to have faith and trust yourself
4. need for approval...learn to cultivate self-love
5. jealousy...remind yourself of the scientific fact of your distinct uniqueness
6. ego/seriousness...teach yourself simplicity and sincerity
7. discontent...learn to be grateful for small miracles such as breath and sunrises

Posted by Erin Chalfant on January 31, 2010 8:50 PM Permalink Comments (0)

Much like the members of the panel, I don't know where to start with this one.  Each member of the panel (Sianna Sherman, Rod Stryker and Sally Kempton) was packed with valuable knowledge and adept at sharing this information.  Below are a few highlights, paraphrased because the good quotes were coming in such rapid timing.

Briefly, what is Tantra?
Any moment of awe, wonder, embrace.--Rod
Also: tapestry, weaving of spiritual experience into the fabric of everyday life, scientific system or method, freedom and the thread that unites all the aspects of yoga in one.

How does one become initiated or find a teacher?
Only he who becomes mad with the idea will truly see the light.--Rod
Wet log or dry log?  The wet one cannot be lit, but the dry one is ready to be ignited.--Sianna
A teacher's role is to guide transformation, creating space for this kindling.--Sally

How does one do the work of tantra?
You can overcome any obstacle. You can achieve almost anything, if you can only learn to harness your power. --Rod
Dissolve the elements that restrict freedom...emotional indulgence, etc.--Sally

(As a follow up)  Where is the best place to start?
Find a powerful mantra, and believe in it whole-heartedly.  Mantras are very transformational.--Sally

Posted by Erin Chalfant on January 31, 2010 8:33 PM Permalink Comments (0)

This was my first class with Seane Corn, and it is easy to see why she is such a yoga superstar.  Her sequencing is scientific and her personality is magnetic.  Seane, with her distinctive east-coast accent, has a way of conveying large amounts of information in digestible segments:  at the end of two hours I knew she grew up in and idyllic town in Jersey, why she was passionate about the environment (dumping in a local stream and high cancer rates in her town), all the causes she supports (Haiti, Aids, Africa and urban areas in the U.S.), that a whiff of styrofoam makes her homesick(her family owns a styrofoam plant), emotional eating patterns (sugar addiction and lonely cravings for perogies), religious background (Jewish mother and catholic father) and even a little about her digestion (lets just say traveling screws it up).

I also know how to sequence a strong detox flow class (open, compress and twist), why I need to detox in the first place (chemicals, pollution, processed food), and I have a new diet plan to improve every realm of my life (more energy, less headaches, emotional stability). Also, after she explained some of the places she visits, I am curious to learn more about the Seva Challenge and Off the Mat, Into the World.

I was breathless after this one.  Her passion and efficiency was inspiring. 

Posted by Erin Chalfant on January 31, 2010 8:09 PM Permalink Comments (1)