Buckets of Pooh (and not Winnie)         

There are three types of people.  The first type has a white bucket filled with sh*t.  They spill their sh*t and it runs and spread all over the floor where people step and slip on it.  The second type of person also has a bucket filled with sh*t.  They too, spill their sh!t and it runs all over the floor, spreading everywhere.  The second type, however, cleans up their sh!t the best they can.  The third person likewise has a bucket of sh!t . Spilling their bucket, they clean up their sh!t.  Then they help the first person clean up there's.  Which type of person are you?

I heard this metaphor from Dena Kingsberg at an ashtanga yoga workshop in San Francisco last week.  Dena and her husband, Jack, hold workshops worldwide and Dena is one of a handful of teachers certified by Patthabi Jois to teach the practice.  As an Aussie, she was unsure of the proper word to use the content of the buckets, but eventually settled on "sh!t".  It could have been in the delivery or I could have been ripe for the message, but it stuck with me.  Which type of person am I? 

We all probably know some Type 1 people and we may be one ourselves. These folks need the yellow, industrial, 26 quart Mop Bucket Wringer Combo with four 3 inch Casters from Amazon for $34.  Drama they've got and drama they're giving. Most likely, I'd say many of us are Type 2. We have our bucket of cr@p, and if we keep adding to it, it's going to eventually keep overflowing and spilling out for us and others to muck through.  And, spills are inevitable. Through various practices (and a lot of work)-12 steps, prayer, meditation, therapy, yoga, to name just a few-we learn not only to avoid adding to our bucket, but mopping up after ourselves.  Eventually we get more skillful at picking up our own cr@pola and, maybe, just maybe, we the develop the capacity to help others. I think this would be good.  I'm trying.  In the meantime, those nifty Swiffer sweepers with microfiber pads are look pretty handy.

I'm happy to be back to Yoga on Center.  I'm subbing for Lannie's on Monday at 9 a.m.  I always miss Mirka's awesome students and will get to see you on Thursday at 11:30.  Then, I'm honored to be asked by Hediyeh to teach her class on Friday in Occidental.  There's a very sweet studio, Anjenaya Yoga Studio, right in the heart of Occidental, on the second level of the Altamont Hotel.  It'll be an all levels class with some groovy music and vinyasa flow. And, there's always Howard's for a healthy breakfast after class.    

It's not like we need one more thing to do when we already have our hands full with jobs, kids, bills, global warming/cooling (depending on how you want to see it), debt ceilings, rising rents and falling home prices.  But, should you want to zone out a bit, check out

www.elephantjournal.com and Ms. Frischkorn's  Just Because I Practice Yoga Doesn't Mean I have to Like You . Click here to jump to it.  Elephant Journal is a nifty site in itself.  Wine and Yoga--click here .  

Not really, but almost.  I'm subbing a bunch this summer as our awesome teachers take some well-deserved time for trainings or family vacations.  Ann Austin, Westside Yoga Studio, and Devorah Blum  have generously offered to accept my passes whenever I'm teaching their classes.  

What's a class pass you ask?  Many of my students have found it most economical and convenient to purchase a 10 or 5 class pass with me ($100 and $55, respectively).  That's $10 a class.  Can't beat that.  

This is a great opportunity to check out Yoga Studio Ganesha or Westside Yoga Studio when I'm teaching.  Check my schedule and calendar for my dates.  Any questions?  Let me know.     

Get Your Dharma Here

I subscribe to Tricycle's Daily Dharma.  I know, I know, the last thing you need is more in your inbox.  But, I find these little daily missives helpful.  You can subscribe to them here   You could spend hours that you don't have just exploring their website. Here's one I thought you'd enjoy.

Polishing Our Hearts

We should be intent on cleansing and polishing our hearts so that they can gain release from their worries and preoccupations, the source of pain and discontent. Peace, coolness, and a bright happiness will arise within us, in the same way as when we unshackle ourselves from our encumbering burdens and debts. We'll be free-beyond the reach of all suffering and stress.

-Ajaan Lee, "Sowing the Seeds of Freedom"

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