Tibet - 50 years of exile
March 3rd, 2010There are some amazing and important events this week that you should try to attend if you can. They are in support of the Tibetan community that had been in exile since the Chinese invaded them in the 1950s. My teacher, Gelek Rimpoche, rode out in the back of a truck and never saw his parents again. Trungpa Rimpoche walked out through the mountains, only moving at night and it took months. These are the good stories. It is still going on. The children, elders, monks, nuns and all the Tibetans really need our help. They have given us so much with their beautiful dharma teachings.
Tomorrow night — at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine — a big concert with Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Bobby McFerrin and others hosted by Ann Curry — it’s not expensive and it will be super fun, I guarantee
Go to www.tibetfund.org to learn about the events, to contribute or to sponsor a person. I have sponsored an elder before and it is so good to do that. You will feel good, too. You can sponsor a child, a monk, a nun — read their stories. It is so moving. We are all connected - do what you can.
Thank you.
Deep retreat with Rimpoche
March 1st, 2010Just got home today from a 10 day retreat with Gelek Rimpoche in Michigan. It snowed almost every day. I am sleep deprived and deeply moved by the entire retreat. Rimpoche was so inspiring. His stamina is incredible — way beyond any of his younger, more fit, students….like me. I am looking forward to sleeping some this week because my dreams have been filled with mantras lately. Which isn’t a bad thing…
My precious guru.
OM yoga at Lululemon
March 1st, 2010OM yoga was the studio of the month at NYC’s Union Square Lululemon and it was fun!
Here is Sarah, me and Margi. They were so nice to come to the class I taught to support me and OM. I had just returned to NYC from Costa Rica and I was in a daze of coldness but somehow there I was. They asked me if I would teach a class for them on the Presidents Day holiday at 8am! Of course, I said yes — if it could be at 11. We settled on 10am and they even opened the store late to accommodate the class. So that was super nice and I tried my best to do a good job.
Here were the wonderful yogis and yoginis at the class!
This was one of the yoginis in attendance and I asked her if I could take her picture because I thought her curled bangs were so cute.
This is the glamorous Sarah Trelease, OM yoga ambassador to Lululemon. Wearing sunglasses as all ambassadresses should!
I’m excited…
February 16th, 2010…about the awesome, smart, fun and inspiring Neil Theise coming to OM yoga tomorrow night to give a talk on STEM CELLS AND THE SCIENCE OF BEING.
It’s Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 7-8:30. Click this link for more info:
http://www.omyoga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181:feb-17-stem-cells-a-the-science-of-being&catid=96&Itemid=93
http://www.omyoga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181:feb-17-stem-cells-a-the-science-of-being&catid=96&Itemid=93
from Pura Vida to Big Apple
February 15th, 2010Going home. Saying, See you soon. Saying, Can I sit in the front seat of the van? Because the 2.5 trip to the airport is half on very bumpy, very dusty roads. urp.
Sometimes we had to share the road with cows.
And cowboys.
Now we are back in the concrete jungle and we say Muchas Gracias to Costa Rica for sharing with us the beauty of Pura Vida.
last OM yoga class in CR
February 15th, 2010Our last class was co-taught by all three of us teachers. First Edward led us in a restorative pose and a warm-up vinyasa. Then since we were all totally in love with each other at this point in the retreat, it seemed like the right thing for me to lead a partner class. What fun! I structured it in a way that everybody had a chance to partner with everyone else.
Melanie, the smallest, with Edward, the largest. So cute.
OM yoga warriors -- fearless and gentle.
Sometimes it takes two to triangle.
Cherie and Liza -- so beautiful.
Liz and Edward -- so happy.
David finished our last class together by ringing the bell and leading us in shamata. Then he talked a bit about re-entry, to balance our beginning talk about what it means to retreat.
That night there was a concert -- here is Liz, Melanie, Suzy and Irene -- cuddling on the couch and loving the music. Later all the OMmies got up and took over the dance floor!
watching clouds, birds and thoughts
February 15th, 2010
After morning yoga, I spent some quality time staring into space, watching clouds and birds. Just like watching thoughts coming and going.
And....buying jewelry from local designer, Ashley. Her company is called Adorning Aphrodite. Each gemstone has a meaning. Steve is amazed at us gals.
OM yoga in Costa Rica — last day
February 15th, 2010Here are some pictures from our last day of the retreat. Don’t be jealous — it was such a great success that we will definitely have an OM yoga at Blue Spirit retreat again in winter 2011.
After a stretch class with Edward from 7-7:30 and another totally delicious breakfast, Dave gave a dharma talk from 9-10:30.
Enraptured yogis/dharma students.
MIndfully meditating Edward.
Then right into yoga from 10:30-12ish. Palms were up today, in the position of both giving and receiving.
I taught a warm-up vinyasa that included side bending on both sides, and twists -- both open and closed. Do you know the difference and what they prepare you for?
There's always something to work on in Downward Dog, isn't there?
Baby cobra and lion had a baby.
The reminder of a light touch.
More coming but now I have to go to Lululemon and teach a free class 10-11. Come on down!
Morning OM yoga
February 12th, 2010My class played a joke on me yesterday.
They set up their mats at all angles! Messing with my head - whoa...
With the mats nicely organized, we had our class.
Distributing weight and effort, like a tea bag in hot water.
