My best friend, Dave says “Yoga” is the Sanskrit word, meaning “Look at me everybody, I’m a circus freak!” Uh, that’s close, I suppose… I am familiar with a slightly different approach to both the word and the practice.
Yoga is a science of the angles and triangles of the body. It is an experience of united energy. Through breath, movement, stillness, sound and intention, a practitioner can be completely “One” with themselves, the Earth and the Universe. Uh, one can also lower stress, blood pressure and the chances of road-rage. Not a bad thing to add to your life.
My personal practice involves my own Christian background, Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan, Kundalini and Hatha Yogas. I am sure that sounds like a strange mix but it works for me. My introduction to yoga was Kundalin yoga, brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan. It is fast acting and provided the healing my body, mind and spirit needed at the time. Kundalini targets the spine and the central nervous system. It is particularly effective in treating disorders of the mind, addictions, and chronic illness. It builds the body’s nervous system and it does this quickly. When I came to my first Kundalini class, I was in the middle of an intense physical crisis. I was instantly hooked on the yoga because I saw my results quickly and watched my body become stronger almost immediately. After practicing Kundalini I was moved and inspired to enter into deeper yoga and meditation practices.
The effect of yoga on my daily life is immeasurable. It has also left a lasting impression on my artwork. It has opened the door to new possibilities and abilities in every area of my life. Most of all, it makes me feel more positive, interested and involved in the world around me.
Though my practice has expanded and changed and will continue to do so, I reserve at least one day every week for a full Kundalini sadhana (morning practice). I think part of the reason is the beauty of the mantras which make-up a little over one hour of the experience.
I am a trained and certified instructor, practicing from my studio in Erin, and I love every minute of my classes. The goal of any teacher should be to make their student(s) 10 times stronger and better practitioners than the instructor. The teachings are the real power in the class and not the teacher. There is no space for a big head at the front of the room. Goodness knows as I have a small studio as it is.
I will work on adding information, ideas and images to this area of my site as much as possible. Please feel free to visit as often as you like or to contact me regarding either the art of yoga or the yoga of art.