Yoga Bits
Morsels of yogic wisdom and information

 Nov. 7 - 13, 2011 

Kundalini Yoga
THIS WEEK

Thurs 7:30 p.m.

White Tantric Yoga
THIS SATURDAY
Nov 12 at UCLA
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
REGISTER NOW

Nov 20 in Pasadena
10 to 11:30 a.m. 
divider 
Mat Space Reservation
Click Here
to Reserve Mat Space
divider 
Join the Mailing List
divider 
Class Information
divider 
Questions?
What's Mine Is Yours
Except when it comes to a yoga practice 

 What is yoga after all? It is something that we experience

inside, deep within our being.

-- "The Heart of Yoga," by Desikachar 

 

Blank Yoga CanvasI wasn't always a yoga geek. I started out like many people: an inflexible, self-conscious newcomer so desperate for relief from my own life, which had imploded, that I was willing to be escorted to a yoga class.

 

I kept going back to the mat and eventually decided to take Kundalini yoga teacher training. No one was more surprised by that decision than me.

 

During training we did a series of personal sadhanas (a sadhana is a daily practice) by choosing a mantra or set of postures to practice consistently for 40-day cycles. During my first round, I had one of the freakiest, nastiest, funniest experiences I've ever had with a 40-day sadhana. At random unanticipated moments in the practice, I would spontaneously shout curse words! And I'm talking about really, really awful ones! It was like having hiccups only with a very loud potty mouth. I didn't know what on earth was causing it and I was apparently unable to predict or control it, which made me very grateful I was home alone. I sure hated that sadhana.

 

Forty days later when all (foul language) was said and done, I concluded that the sadhana was setting free something bitter and angry that I had buried long ago. I never put my finger on precisely what it was -- if there even was one particular cause -- but if, as Yogi Bhajan said, meditation is taking out the garbage, then my trash cans were empty.  

Later in the same teacher training, we were invited (that's teacher-training-speak for "mandatory") to show up at 2:30 a.m. for a two-and-a-half hour group meditation using a mantra known as "Long Ek Ong Kaar." That's right. Two and one-half hours of chanting. Loudly. (Click on the video to hear Long Ek Ong Kaars, beautifully demonstrated by Krishna Kaur.) I was mighty intimidated, especially since we were going to have a full training day after the meditation. I know, I know. I thought they were insane, too.Morning Call 

 

However, a most unexpected thing happened. I loved it. LOVED! I didn't last the entire time -- I think I dropped off with about 45 minutes to go -- but when it was over I felt fantastic. I was calm, alert and on a natural high. I moved easily through training that day and floated home in a wonderful mood.

 

Then there was White Tantric Yoga, an intense and precise all-day meditation practice that clears subconscious blocks. The mere thought of it made me dizzy but it was another course requirement. And it would have to be because I wasn't about to volunteer to meditate for eight hours straight.

 

I was really frightened to go -- as in panic-stricken. I'd heard just enough about the practice to scare me witless. I would have to wear all-white, including a white head covering. Each mediation would last between 11 and 62 minutes with breaks in between -- but I would not know ahead of time what the schedule was for the day. The meditations were to be done in pairs and, rumor had it, they frequently involved staring into the eyes of a partner. *Gulp*

 

Without getting into specifics, I made it through, and accomplishing something so challenging boosted my self-esteem. Later I heard someone say that one day of White Tantric Yoga burns off 40 years of karmic cycle. That was enough to keep me coming back. By that calculation, in the past three years I have burned off about 400 years of old karma. And not a moment too soon, right? You can register here for the next Los Angeles workshop, which is this coming Saturday, November 12, at UCLA. 

 

Had you suggested in the first couple of years of my yoga practice that I would someday do these meditations by choice, I would have rolled my eyes at you or simply ignored you for uttering such a preposterous thought. Yet I somehow kept going -- and ended up teaching no less. Why?

 

The answer is so simple: yoga makes me feel better.

 

Would the same activities make you feel better? Maybe. Maybe not. I do not know. Everyone is different and for that reason, we must experience a practice ourselves to determine its worth. My anecdotes are not intended to "sell" a particular technique or effect. They are illustrations of just how personal these experiences are -- and how an imperfect practice is still a practice.

 

So after your next yoga class (or any other activity for that matter), ask yourself how you feel. Is the "residue" of the practice in some way beneficial to you? Then let your experience be your guide toward your own answers. 

Sat Nam,
Mary

divider 
Mat Space Reservation
Click Here to Reserve Mat Space
divider 
armoryYoga at the Armory: November 20

Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena

Community Class

10 to 11:30 a.m. 

 

$15 suggested fee

 

ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Armory Center for the Arts
Community Room
145 N. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena CA 91103
Parking & Directions

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MAT & BLANKET. NONE ARE PROVIDED.
divider 
Where to Park for FREE in North Hollywood

Complimentary! Gratis! On the house! 


The NoHo Arts District is growing, which is wonderful news for this "revitalized" neighborhood. It also means that free parking options have diminished dramatically due to increased demand. So here are the new instructions for free parking when you come to yoga at my home studio:

 

Enter underground parking for The Lofts at NoHo Commons from Chandler Boulevard (cross street Fair, between Lankershim and Vineland). The signs will say "Resident Parking Only" but keep going. When you get to the bottom of the ramp, turn right into the Visitor Parking section. Park anywhere and dial 086 on the call box at the parking garage elevators. When I buzz you in, take the elevator to the 2nd Floor. Walk south across the courtyard (past the leasing office and the pool) toward the Weddington side of the building until you get to apartment 245.

 

 

guestALL GUESTS MUST ENTER THE BUILDING FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING (CHANDLER BOULEVARD).  

THERE IS NO MORE GUEST ENTRY FROM THE SOUTH SIDE (WEDDINGTON STREET).

divider 
Mat Space Reservation
Click Here to Reserve Mat Space
classesClasses for the Week of November 7

 

North Hollywood  

Thursday 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 11 a.m. 

 

divider 
Mat Space Reservation
Click Here to Reserve Mat Space
divider 
 descriptionCLASS DESCRIPTIONS

    

"Yoga" is a word that derives from the Sanskrit "jugat," which means to join together. The purpose of all yoga is to awaken consciousness. Various styles of yoga emphasize differing methods to achieve that awakening. No style of yoga is "better" or "worse" than another, they simply employ different methods for practice.

 

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga uses breath, sound and movement to create a awareness of and connection to mind, body and spirit. A typical class lasts 90 minutes. The session includes tuning in, warm up, a set of poses called a "kriya" designed by Yogi Bhajan for a specific effect (such as glandular balance or spinal flexibility), meditation, relaxation and closing.  

 

Hatha Yoga 

Hatha yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world. Hatha Yoga uses asana (postures) and conscious breathing in combination with mental focus to develop awareness, strength and flexibility, and relaxation. Poses and sequences common to Hatha yoga (such as sun salutations) are often part of the warm up for my Kundalini yoga classes. 

 

Private Classes

Private classes at my studio are available by appointment for $75.00 per class. You will benefit from personalized yoga sets and meditation specific to your needs and/or requests, typically lasting 90 minutes. For an additional transportation fee (based on mileage), I am able to provide private instruction in your cat-free home. 

 

divider 
policiesPOLICIES

 

Mat Space Reservations

Space is limited to six mats per class in North Hollywood. For this reason, online reservations are required to attend. Online reservations are requested, but not required, at locations other than my home studio. Private classes are by appointment only. Please email me to ask questions or make an appointment. 

 

Cancellations 

Students who cancel their mat space reservation with less than 24-hour notice will be asked to pay the full class fee. No charge for cancellations with more than 24-hours notice.  

 

Private Classes

Private classes at my studio are available by appointment for $75.00 per class. You will benefit from personalized yoga sets and meditation specific to your needs and/or requests, typically lasting 90 minutes. For an additional transportation fee (based on mileage), I am able to provide private instruction in your cat-free home.