Eliza showed up just  after class concluded 2 Thursdays ago (Feb 9) when she was 9 1/2 months old and we got a little footage to share with all of you. As a point of contrast, just thought to make this short video clip as a before and after.

Here are more videos (and links to stories) of Ashleigh and Eliza:

Feature Video of Ashleigh During Pregnancy

Eliza Comes to Class

Hiking with Eliza

Video: Mommy and Me Yoga

Eliza: On the Road with the Rentals

Let me tell the behind-the-scenes story…

I received this great brass Tibetan bell (thank you, Nancy B!) that might normally be used outside a door or in a garden or anywhere it can hang. I of course wanted to use it along with our meditation circle – hence I needed a stand so it could be self-supportive.

Without reflecting more than a second, I thought I would ask Kirk for some help in this regard. So one recent Saturday morning before class I told Kirk about the need for a stand and offered him to take the bell. Rather than take the bell, he casually eye-balled its size between his outstretched thumb and pinky and said, “Let me see what I can do.”

What you see above is the creative-genius type of outcome. Kirk was in his backyard and saw these twigs from his holly tree and then threaded one through the other as a joint or bracing point, and then flattened the ends so it would “stand” and then made a little niche where the bell could hang.

Is this not a work of natural beauty?

And yes, we did of course use it at last Thursday’s meditation circle and it made the gathering all the more charming…

Thank you Nancy and Kirk for your wonderful contributions of generosity and creativity.

Over the last 2 weeks, the John Friend scandal has been uncovered, if not blown open, and brought to the fore. A link describing the chain of events is below.

While there are many angles to evaluate this issue, perhaps the most beneficial one is that which forces us to (re)consider two fundamental questions: (1) What is yoga and (2) who is a yogi. These inquiries help in reconciling the John Friend scandal as well as preventing similar episodes in the future. Plus they fuel us with a grander vision for our practice.

We can say that yoga is about the transformation of the whole human personality from selfishness to selflessness, from crude materialistic desire to true spiritual longing. It is the process of converting jiivatman (unit consciousness) to Paramatman (Supreme Consciousness). That is what is expressed in the following sutra:

Saḿyogo yoga ityukto jiivátmá Paramátmanah.

Yoga then is not about having a big following, doing a particular posture, or “wowing” people with words. Yoga is far more about sincerity, honesty, and living for a high ideal. It is the journey from crude to subtle, through discipline, not indulgence.

If we try to define the yogi by materialistic standards like the size of their following, the slickness of their website, their physical appearance, or any other such manner, we are bound to be led astray. Unfortunately, in the contemporary American yoga movement, that seems to happen.

And when it does, we find inadequate people given far too much influence, respect and stature, and a terrible downfall ensues.

On the path of yoga and spirituality, the only way to measure a person’s progress is by their conduct: The totality thereof, not just how one behaves when on stage. Rather we must examine each and every iota of how a person lives – eating, sleeping, drinking, spending, talking, & more – and then we can best understand the quality of their mind. Then we can understand their mental standard.

What a person contemplates will be transformed into action, sooner or later. A person cannot do something that they did not first think about doing. First comes the thought, then the action. A person cannot hit someone else without that idea of hitting taking form in the mind; a person cannot sit for meditation without first thinking of doing meditation. That is why it is said, as you think, so you become. A person’s life takes the shape of their thought process, i.e what they contemplate.

The path of  yoga then is all about one’s mental ideation or standard of thought. And that inner thought becomes evident as it gets transformed into external action. So yoga itself is the journey toward a sublime ideal and the yogi is one whose conduct reflects that pure state of mind that will lead them to that ideal.

To name someone as a yogi without considering the above formula is bound to create problems. Undeserving candidates will be glorified with the title of yogi, when in fact their mental status has nothing to do with yoga. That is what happened with John Friend and others like him in the contemporary yoga movement where establishments like Yoga Journal etc are quick to appoint one as yogi-raj, when that person has not the least bit quality for such a coronation. Naturally, a mess ensues. That is why materialistic standards can never be used to evaluate who is a yogi.

Ultimately, this John Friend scandal has nothing to do with yoga and everything to do with the contemporary American yoga movement or yoga scene. Witnessing such a demise will hopefully lead us to reconsider our standards. That will help tremendously in bringing today’s yoga scene onto the path of yoga – the path of benevolence and supreme fulfillment where discipline and conduct, not indulgence and popularity, are our guiding principles.

That will be of tremendous benefit to all: Teachers, seekers, students, aspirants – everybody. And it will bring integrity to the contemporary American yoga movement.

Note: For those not aware, the blogger Yoga Dork was the first to report the John Friend scandal and this post is a time-line of the events with links to many of the related stories.

On Sunday March 18th from 6-8 pm at Anne Arundel Community College (Arnold Md), Edgewater Acupuncture will host the screening of a new documentary by filmmaker Brian Lindstrom at AACC’s CALT buildling Rm 107.

We had a full house for today’s Yoga Anatomy: Practice & Prevention seminar. After brief introductions by Shawn (our resident DPT) and myself, the program transitioned into a highly interactive session: Full of queries, life accounts, practice and the near constant exchange of information.

We transitioned from seated breathing (expanding the belly and rib cage) to forward bends (are we stretching our hamstrings or back), to table and down dog (where we explored the shoulders and spine), to low lunges (where we worked on maintaining our core), to sphinx, cobra and friends (spinal extension) to child (ahhh).

Then up for standing balance (working from the core) to lunges (glut strength anyone) to triangle (bend the  knee just enough that the instructor cannot see) to therapeutic exercises (knees, wrists, hips & more) to supine poses (gentleness to close out) and finally a short shavasana.

Here the point is that our journeying was slow wherein Shawn highlighted the operative anatomical features and addressed common ailments and injuries. No matter one’s level, it really was an eye-opening experience where we explored our human laboratory and gained insight into our bodies and our practice.

Here are but a few of the many thoughts that participants had to share. “The best part of the seminar was…”

- The back and forth between yoga and pt information. It was easy to apply the information Shawn gave to my practice and I noticed several improvements right away.

- Everything! Q & A always helpful and other peoples’ experiences.

- Even without asking personal things about my own lower back issues, I learned how to manage it, when to do backbends vs forward bends, many variations of both in case something is uncomfortable, how to read my pain, and the idea that it could be a lopsided glut. Who knew?

- The basic theme of explaining what goes on anatomically as we move. Also the use of clear, layman’s language with analogies.

- The hints! Especially the persistent reminder to tighten the core – I think that alone will really improve my practice!

- And there were so many more – and I hope those who attended will write more about their experiences in the comments of this post!!

Thanks to all who came – you brought your energy, inquisitiveness, engagement and so much more to make this a successful workshop. Shawn and I look forward to seeing you again soon – at the next one!

Come see, hear and meet Katie as she is our latest student spotlight. Watch her short video and be sure to listen to her podcast below…

Katie as you will hear in her podcast (below) has a lot going on in life, but you would never know it by her practice where she is the essence of  “calm, cool & collected.” Katie is a regular in our Yoga for Strength & Fitness classes in Galesville, and when not totally immersed in life’s callings, she has been known to go to Bermuda to visit family…

Listen to Katie’s below podcast, hear her tales, and find out what she is hiding within…

(See & hear our other Student Spotlights…)

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The following recipe and write-up comes to us by way of Kim F, who is a regular attendee of our Friday class.

Kim writes: Since watching Forks over Knives, I’ve been on a quest to find and share meatless and delicious recipes. This one is a keeper!  (Click here to download Pisachio-Crusted Eggplant Recipe.)

The only adjustments I suggest are 1 T. of tomato spread on each cutlet (instead of 2) and I brushed on a bit of EEOV instead of using cooking spray.  If you want to make it richer, a slight sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese under the pistachios is nice.  Cook time of 15 mins was perfect, 20 made them a bit too mushy.  3 slices per person with a small salad made a nice, quick dinner or lunch.  (After peeling and slicing eggplant, I always lightly salt both sides, set aside for 30 mins on cookie sheets to let them sweat, rinse off all salt and pat dry to remove bitterness before beginning any recipe-but you can skip it if short on time.)  Enjoy!

Thanks so much Kim for sharing that with us!!

More Recipes Available…

For those interested in more meatless / vegan recipes, check out
this great e-booklet of vegetarian recipes sent to us by Andrea.

This is the tale of how the Giannini’s & Johnson’s visited the new Basmati Indian restaurant which opened last week in Annapolis. Here goes…

Last weekend, a new Indian restaurant had a very successful grand opening in Annapolis.

Already Basmati, as it is named, is brimming with positive reviews on-line.

And Annie, one of our resident yoginis dined there last Sunday with husband Kirk, and the foursome was rounded out with Coni and Bob.

Here is Annie’s description of her meal and dining experience:

We spent a delightful afternoon at the grand opening of Basmati, near the Harbor Center. In order to sample as much as possible, we opted for the lunch buffet:  delicous alu methi (spicy potatoes), vegetable korma (mixed vegetables in yogurt sauce), saag paneer (cheese and creamy spinach), warm, toasty naan, vegetable biryani (fragrantly spiced rice)…and my favorite, dessert: gulab jamun (deep fried cottage cheese balls in honey) with rice pudding! We washed it all down with mango lassi (a yogurt and mango smoothie!)…a real treat, and we can’t wait to go back…

Here is Coni’s review…as you will see – she (& Bob) actually went there twice – first on Saturday as invited guests for the open house and then on Sunday with the Johnson’s.

I have never had Indian food before and had no idea what to expect.  We were invited to their open house where a wonderful variety of food was available buffet style.  I didn’t read the descriptions and tried a little bit of almost everything.  There was not a dish there that I would not have gone back to order.  So the next day with good friends from our Renaissance Yoga family, the Giannini family returned.  All at the table opted for the buffet.  My personal favorites were the vegetable pakora and the chicken tiki masala.  Mango lassi was served by the owner, Debendra Sapkota, and were a great addition to the meal.  We all left feeling way too full and already talking about what we will order on our return trip!

Basmati Indian Cuisine
2444 Solomons Island Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
410.266.6355

Look what opened this week at the San Francisco Airport: The Yoga Room…

And yes in case you were wondering, San Francisco Airport already has a place for meditation known as the reflection room:

“This tranquil space is perfect to get away from the hubbub. There is no eating, sleeping or talking on cell phones so you can be assured some quiet time contemplating planes taxiing silently by.”

So there you have it…coming to south county soon!!

Two Great Restorative Workshops
Presented By Special Guest Teacher: Sara Duke

Restorative Yoga: Discovery & Practice
Sun, April 1, 10a – 12:30p
$30 by Mar 26; Register Now (limited spaces)

Restoring & Rebuilding the Inner Core
Sun, April 1, 2p – 4p
$25 by Mar 26; Register Now

Galesville Memorial Hall

We wish to wholeheartedly welcome Sara Duke of Duluth, MN who will be coming to our area to present two wonderful restorative yoga workshops on April 1, 2012.

Sara and I met a few years ago as bloggers on the YJ blogsite and our relationship grew from there. She was instrumental in helping me develop the restorative workshops that I have presented to date and now we are fortunate to have her come to Galesville.

Sara and her husband are great travelers and are embarking on a mega tour of the US. When Sara contacted me saying that she was coming to the mid-Atlantic region in early spring, I was eager to have her come – for a variety of reasons: To finally meet her in-person, to have her meet our community and join in on some classes, and most certainly to have her share her expertise and present a workshop (or two!)

Sara is a wonderfully warm person and I really hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to take one or both of her below workshops. More about Sara is posted below her workshops descriptions…

Restorative Yoga: Discovery and Practice
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Galesville Memorial Hall

This workshop will explain what Restorative Yoga is, talk about the risks and benefits, and introduce a number of postures that students can do at home. Students will: learn to become comfortable with multiple props; get familiar with how to set up each pose; learn options for using furniture and blankets at home to set up their poses; and learn to feel signs of discomfort in their own body and what to do to make themselves comfortable. Following this discovery process, students will be treated to a Restorative Yoga class which will include a short Yoga Nidra session.

Yes I would like to register now for Restorative Yoga: Discovery & Practice.

Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, Galesville Memorial Hall

In this introduction to the Inner Core we will discuss the main elements of the Inner Core, what can cause Inner Core dysfunction, and what you can do to gain or regain positive function.

How do you know if you would benefit from Inner Core work?

- Do you have back pain, neck pain, a tight jaw, incontinence, trouble sitting or standing still without propping? Any of these symptoms may indicate a need to restore the function of the Inner Core.
- Are you an athlete? Inner core work will help your performance.
- Do you need to “lock” your joints in your Yoga poses to support yourself? Inner Core work will support you from the inside out.
- Are you pregnant or have you had a baby? Inner Core work will help create a stronger support for you and your baby and will help you return to full function after giving birth.

If anything in the above list is true for you, then you are someone who would benefit from learning about the Inner Core.

We will learn exercises to isolate the muscles of the pelvic floor, the pelvic girdle, the respiratory diaphragm, and the deep muscles of the spine. These are the “Core 4″ of the Inner Core. We will also learn to isolate the Core’s “helper” muscles and to stop the “bully” muscles from taking over. (Read More…)

Yes I would like to register now for Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core.

Sara Duke, E-RYT 200, began practicing Yoga in 1998 as a way to get out of pain. After 3 car accidents as a teenager, Sara’s neck and spine were misaligned and caused pain throughout her body. Sara found a teacher that taught her Therapeutic Yoga and the Inner Core – revolutionary practices that helped her get out of pain. She decided to take teacher training to learn more and completed the 200 hour teacher certification requirements through Yoga North’s Teacher Training program in 2008 (Certified through Yoga Alliance). Since then she has expanded her knowledge and deepened her practice through multiple in-depth trainings: Therapeutic Yoga, Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core, Thai Yoga Bodywork, Somatics, the Therapeutic Spinal Strip and Backbender, and many philosophy classes. She has a particular interest in practicing and teaching Restorative Yoga and Restoring the Inner Core.

(Note: In a spontaneous flow, wrote and posted this Sunday night 1/22/12, then noontime Monday had second thoughts & deleted it from this blog and my computer, & created this post. Then that evening, after receiving very positive response from Ashleigh (”great…really funny & creative”), did an emergency retrieval of this original post, and here it is. Now there are two posts, two distinctly different styles of the same topic. Yes, of course, tell us what you think. Moral of the Story: Don’t freak out after writing a blog post.)

Hi remember me – I’m Eliza Jane. I’m older & bolder these days (b. 4/23/11) and can do much more.

For instance, the other day I took Dad to this great park in Savannah, Ga during our recent road trip to Fla. I really dig road trips and I am glad I could show him this park – it is a favorite of mine.

Here is a bigger picture of me if you would like to see…

Well, if you don’t mind I’d like to review a bit of ancient history. Oh no, not the Greeks, Romans or Phoenicians. I mean me! You know when I spent all that time rolling around in that pitch-dark cabin, no electricity, no on-line connection, nor wi-fi. Was that the dark ages or what?!?  I couldn’t see a thing and thought I would never get out. Oh come on now, you’re not gonna lay that line on me: You don’t remember that movie… Well then what are you waiting for – see it again. Don’t even tell me you did not see it once. Heck, I am a flippin’ and a flyin’ the whole time.

Like I was saying. We took this road trip over the winter holiday as I wanted to get m & d out of dodge. But check this out. After I got the tent set up (by myself!) – down in the Fla. Keys – then they (m & d) got plumb lost. I was looking everywhere – inside the tent, outside the tent. You name it and I checked there. Spent the whole afternoon tracking them down to make sure they were OK. Totally spoiled my afternoon surfin’ plans. But what can you do – that is part of the sacrifice of having parents. It kinda comes with the package – goes with the territory.

I made this pic big also…

On the whole though the trip was pretty great – I mean what’s not to like about going south in wintertime. Besides, I worked out a deal where I actually got them to do most of the driving – so I could just chill in my captain’s chair. When I am in that seat, I just totally call all the shots. It makes Captain Kirk look like a water boy.

Well you saw how I took the D-A-D to the park. Well, he just could not keep the dang thing secret. Next thing I know, the M-O-M is fussin’ this way and that about why she didn’t get to go to no park. She was prancin’ about saying: “I did not get to go to the park!”.

At that point my options were few…

To settle the score, my sole and only recourse was to take the M-O-M to the beach. Pretty killer spot!! Yep, she was much happier. See her smiling again. Still I could not get her to listen to a thing. I told her six times to wear her sun-hat, but the girl would not listen. Again, all part of the hassle of doing anything with the ‘rentals.

Well what can I say, at least they have come a long way in the last 9 months!! For that I am ever-grateful.

So that is life in a nutshell. Tell me what is up with you…

P.S. Oh wait, one last thing, I have recently enrolled the M-O-M in baby sign language classes because up until now she & Pop do not get all my lingo. Like most parents, they are just behind the times – communication breakdown! So I have sought to nip the problem in the bud! Is there any other way.

Many of you may recall the pregnancy and birth of Eliza Jane (b. 4/23/11) featured here in this video. Well here she is 9 months later, thereabouts as some of the below photos are from late December.

Here is Eliza along with her father, Matt, at a park in Savannah, Ga (I believe). They took a family car camping trip from Maryland to the Florida Keys over the holidays.

Personally, I was very taken by Eliza’s posture and positioning, looking extremely steady and ready for a 9 month old. Not to mention her keen, clear-eyed gaze toward the camera. See this larger image.

While in Florida they did some sleeping out-of-doors. And here below is Eliza taking care of things in and around the tent.

So Eliza is being exposed to all kinds of life experiences including winter camping – even if it is in the south!

Here is a larger version of this photo.

Some of you may also recall that Eliza came to a yoga class not too long back – and a very short video clip was made of her time in class.

Finally, here we have mom, Ashleigh, along with Eliza at the beach. A great mother-daughter combo.

When Ashleigh and I spoke after yoga last Friday, she also informed me of a class she & Eliza are taking: Sign Language for children (or a similar type of title.)

The yogis say that there are 6 stages to language / communication. The first four are 100% non-verbal: Based on aspects like thought, ideation, inspiration, and feeling. Then it is only the 5th and 6th stage (vocal cords & tongue), where sound is involved. Teaching sign language then to an infant seems like an ideal way to further that unspoken communication link between parent and child.

Absolutely wonderful to receive this update on Eliza and family and we look forward to more in the future! Thanks so much for sharing…

In our on-going Student-Spotlight series, meet Linda and hear her dramatic account of how she has just recently made it back onto the mat after a traumatic injury.

Below please find a short video of Linda in action PLUS an audio file where she recounts her story.

As you will hear in her below audio file, Linda has had to work hard for an entire calendar year to get back onto the mat after a fateful injury. She shares her story with full candor, sincerity and courage.

For years, Linda was very regular in our classes attending 3+ sessions a week with her unlimited pass. Not only did she progress in her practice but Linda also became an integral member of our yoga community. Everyone appreciates her kind, warm, and joyous spirit.

I knew Linda had a long road in recovery, so when I saw her walk in the other day – fleet afoot and looking light and bright as can be – I was truly taken and moved by her presence.

Thanks Linda for showing us the way!!

(Here are more Student Spotlight posts…)

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Meditation:
History, Culture, & Practice

Sun, Mar 11, 2012
2:00p – 4:30p

Galesville Memorial Hall

$22 by Mar 7;
$27 after Mar 7

Register Today

Meditation, or sadhana (literally meaning “effort”), is the foundation of all yogic practices. The vast arena of yoga stands upon the realization gained from meditation. In this seminar we will explore the ancient roots of this great practice from a historical, cultural, and spiritual perspective.

Why did those yogis of old meditate and what did they aim to achieve? In addition, we will apply those age-old principles to modern day life. Alas, theory without practice is but a meaningless pursuit, so say the yogis. Hence we will interweave meditative techniques and practices throughout the session.

This seminar is a time to deepen your understanding of yogic thought and learn how meditation can become a more active element of your life. Whether you follow a regular meditation practice or not, this is a seminar for you to come and explore the intuitional and spiritual foundations of yoga. All are welcome.

Yes, I want to register now…

A central theme of yoga is doing what is most natural for your body – this brings vitality, strength, and longevity.

In the above video, Professor Pig brings forth many salient points in his endeavor to lead humans onto the point of health and well-being through food choices that are suited towards their (i.e. human) biological & anatomical make-up.

Of course there are many reasons for choosing a plant-base diet – human health, environmental concerns and ecology, animal well-being, and more. This particular video looks at human anatomy and physiology.

Yoga Day – 2012
Sat, Jan 21
Galesville Memorial Hall

Free Yoga All Morning Long!!

8a Gentle Yoga
9:15a Absolutely Abs
9:45a Yoga for Strength and Fitness

Last year we had a great, great turnout for this event where so many from the community practiced together in one flow, one heart, and one mind. Your presence is highly needed so please do come on out and spread the word to all…

Special Deals on Shirts – Just $5 & $10!!

New People Buying A Monthly Pass Save $15!!

And More…

Everyone is welcome – Bring Your Friends – Enjoy this Day of Practice