Asanas/Posture of the month:

Photo by Michael Aronoff

Mary looks so happy in this pose, though I know some of you with tight hips are less than thrilled to practice this pose that is supposed to look like a cow's face. Here are some tips to practice this posture and hopefully find some bliss while you are at it!

1. Start by sitting in Dandasana (staff pose), legs out in front of you.
2. Bend the left knee and place the left foot beside your right buttock so that lt heel touches the right buttock.
3. Raise the right leg and place the right thigh over the left one.
4. Place the right foot next to the left buttock.
5. Keep the toes pointing sideways.
6. Raise the left arm up, bend it at the elbow and place the left palm on your right shoulder blade
7. Lower the right arm, bend it at the elbow and raise the right forearm up behind the back until the right hand is in between the shoulder blades.
8. Clasp the hands behind the back 
9. Keep the neck and head upright and look straight ahead.
10. After a comfortable time period unclasp the hands, and straighten the legs
11. Repeat the pose on the other side for the same length of time

If you choose, you can bend forward bringing the chest closer to the knees

Please avoid this pose if:

• You have serious back or shoulder problems.
• If there is pain in the knees or hips, try not to extend the feet too far back.

Physical Benefits

Gomukhasana stimulates the kidneys (which is great for detoxing!)

It is also helpful in relieving ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sexual malfunction. The muscles of the lower back, buttocks and the knees are properly stretched so Gomukhasana is beneficial in backache, sciatica and rheumatism. Pelvic and reproductive organs are toned and massaged by regular practice of this pose.

Spiritual Benefits:

Photo by Leslie Kahan

"Phew, for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself..."whines Thom Yorke on his band Radiohead's song "Karma Police." There's a reason why that song by the iconic British hipster band is so darn popular. Can't we all agree that, at certain times, we lose our footing and forget who we are, what we're doing, and what our greater purpose is?

"A man's own self is his friend. A man's own self is his foe," according the Bhagavad Gita. These days, amid the time-suck of social networking, reality shows, aesthetically obsessed tabloids, high-school reunions, and the compare-and-despair glowing trainwreck that is Facebook, it's hard to stay focused on what it is that makes us, well, us. It's a heck of a lot easier to peer inside the cyber-windows of other people and base our lives around what they have that we don't.

Similarly, the Bhagavad Gita also says, "There are three gates leading to Hell: lust, anger, and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul." I think they may also lead to iPhone self-portraits and upgrades for Photoshop, but that's just me.

It's really hard to stay focused on ourselves and what makes us happy when we're constantly bombarded by the perceived successes of others. It almost becomes a habit to look for this disparity between the accumulated goodies of other people and our self-perceived lack. Why don't we have that twinkling-eyed husband, the constantly hugging family, the shiny new car, or email-blasted promotion?

It's hard to remember that things that are picture perfect are usually just that, perfect in pictures...and only in pictures. The artifice of the next best thing often leads us away from being our best selves. Our desire to seem "better" -- new and improved! -- can actually lead us away from what can really makes us happy and what contributes to the greater good. On our mat this may be when we hold our breath during difficult poses, or when we willingly abstain from trying an asana in fear of failing at that pose that eludes us, that one we'll "never" do...while the prettier, skinnier yogini on the mat next to us does it with all of her bandhas visibly locked. And with better hair.

Want to know the mantra that can solve all of these problems? It's easy, and it isn't in Sanskrit:

Who cares!

Let go of the negative self-talk and remember who you are.

Not who you are under the About section on Facebook. I mean what makes you YOU.

By letting go of the lust for things that we think will make us seem better, the greed for an unattainable "more" that will finally make us happy, and the jealousy that can rise up when we see someone else receiving those coveted things, we'll probably be more successful at attaining santosha, or the niyama of contentment. And what is contentment, beyond just being happy with ourselves and what we have today?

The yogic manual of social behavior, known as the yamas, are principles that are much easier to follow than the directions for assembling Ikea furniture. (Which might not be saying much.) Among them is aparigraha, which may look like a diagnosis of a rare dermatological condition, but actually means "non-possessiveness." This can mean not being greedy in simple ways, like not hoarding food or cats, but it can also mean letting go of that relentless, deceptive desire for "more" -- more lipglosses, more Facebook friends, more "pins" on Pintrest, whatever.

Getting rid of this craving and dismantling the carrot-and-stick chase that's devoid of any real satisfaction can help realign ourselves with our best selves. Think about it with regard to your practice: if you stop trying to yank yourself into that fancy-looking bind, maybe your exhale can help you to twist deeper; if you stop trying to muscle into that arm balance, perhaps you can connect to your inner quiet and locate the gentle strength to float within your own breath.

Finding the ease in the effort, both in our practice and in those moments outside of our yoga pants, we can explore the gratification in just living our lives. And isn't that collective joy the ultimate, and most awesome, goal? Even if it ain't as flashy as a Hipstamatic print of ourselves rockin' that new, sexy outfit, it sure as hell is more satisfying. And, without the distraction of comparison, we can learn to delight in the joy of others, as well as reconnecting to what can bring our lives more light.

Just don't listen to too much Radiohead. It runs the risk of making you think too much. 

Wed-Sun May 1st-5th

You may attend Module 3 before Module 1 or 2.

05/01/13 WED - Day 1 Methodology
From Skin to Soul - 5 Elements + Koshas, Vayus & Bodies
05/02/13 THU - Day 2 Anatomy
Inner Music of the Soul - Kinesiology Movement Classification & Body Rhythms
05/03/13 FRI - Day 3 Philosophy
Flying on the Wings of Wisdom & Compassion - Preya & Shreya
05/04/13 SAT - Day 4 Yoga Therapy
Peeling the Layers of the Self - Seeing & Reading Bodies
05/05/13 SUN - Day 5 Chinese Medicine & Yoga
Dancing in the Lightness of Chi - Classical Chinese Meridians & Heavenly Stems