The Yoga Room - Christy DeBurton Yoga

The Video Every Yogi Needs To See!

2011-12-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

"The Fuzz Speech." Be warned: The video includes a few images of a human cadaver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FtSP-tkSug&feature=player_embedded#!

Spirituality vs. Self-Help

2011-11-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

"Spirituality is about learning to truly love yourself by giving your Self the space to grow out of your own enlightened potential, rather than trying to become who or what you "think" you are supposed to be."

- B. Riggs

Flow

2011-11-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

A documentary worth watching, especially if you are a bottled water drinker who wants to know more about where the water you drink actually comes from. There is an interesting piece about the Nestle Corp, and how they have been taking groundwater from right here in Michigan, for free, to bottle and sell for billions of dollars in profits, and the effects it has having on the community and environment they're taking it from. And this is happening all over the world. We need to educate ourselves.

http://www.flowthefilm.com/

Gratitude Facebook Post

2011-11-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Just read a 'gratitude post' from a friend who took a random yoga class from a teacher who, after seeing her modify postures beyond what was instructed, pulled her aside and asked her to not do anything she was not having the class do. The friend said she was so grateful for yoga studios where "a sacred space is held for ALL levels of practice; a teacher will never intrude upon a student's personal exploration; and each student is deeply committed to growth (most likely to happen when we go beyond the limits of instruction, and with the flow of our own intuition)."

I loved this, and hope you all agree that you find that space here in my yoga classes at The Yoga Room too!

Yoga Resources

2011-09-07T14:30:00.001-07:00

Many students ask about the books I read in class. You can find a list of a handful of books on yoga that I recommend on the Yoga Immersion Page on my web site:

http://www.christydeburton.com/immersion.htm

Also, please consider joining our yoga book club to go more in-depth with your study of yoga!

Wisdom from the Yoga Sutra

2011-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

Misapprehension is considered to be the most frequent activity of the mind. It may occur through faulty observation or the misinterpretation of what is seen. It is due to our inability to understand in depth what we see, often as a result of past experiences and conditioning.

The aim of Yoga practice is to recognize and control the causes of misapprehension.

Yoga Music Playlists - Week of 6/20/11

2011-06-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

Several people mentioned how much they loved the mix of chants I used in my Hatha classes this week. They are some of my favorites. Here they are:

Aad Guray - Deva Premal - Dakshina
Jap Man Sat Nam - Snatam Kaur - Anand
Ishq'allah - Miten - Songs for the Inner Lover
People of Love - Snatam Kaur - Celebrate Peace
Ma - Girish - Reveal
Wah Yantee - Guru Ganesha Singh - Game of Chants
Long Time Sun - Hari Bhajan Kaur
Deep Blue Sea - Snatam Kaur - Celebrate Peace
Ma - Guru Ganesha Singh - Pure Ganesha
Ra Ma Da Sa - Snatam Kaur - Grace

For Vinyasa this week, I played the album Drum Prayer by Steve Gordon.

Yoga Music - Week of 6/13/11

2011-06-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

Some of you asked if I was playing James Taylor in class this week. Actually, it was music by Alanis Morrissette's brother, Wade Imre Morrisette.

I have two of his albums that I use for yoga: Sargam Scales of Music and Strong as Diamonds. Check them out!

Letting Go

2011-04-26T09:49:00.001-07:00

Some of you asked if I could type out the reading I shared this week in my classes, where our intention was using our yoga practice to let go. It is from the book Meditations from the Mat. Here it is...

"To begin, we let go. We let go of our thoughts, our old scripts, our expectations, our darkness. The solution is not to fight but to let go. We let go of everything and hold on to nothing. Over and over again, on the mat and off, we let go. This letting go is a purification...In our letting go we create an emptiness, a space that health and grace will move into."

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 1/24/11

2011-01-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

Some of you were asking about the beautiful music I was playing for our 4th Chakra (Heart) classes this week. Here's a sampling:

Jap Man Sat Nam, Snatam Kaur, Anand
Sat Patim, Deva Premal, Songs for the inner lover
Paramaysareh, Snatam Kaur, Anand
We are people, Snatam Kaur, Celebrate peace
Rise up, Guru Singh, Game of chants
Mul mantra, Snatam Kaur, Anand
I am, Guru Singh, Game of chants
People of love, Snatam Kaur, Celebrate peace
Wah yantee, Guru Singh, Game of chants
Deep blue sea, Snatam Kaur, Celebrate peace
Ma, Guru Singh, Pure Ganesha
Ra ma da sa, Snatam Kaur, Grace

Vinyasa Music Playlist - Week of 12/6/10

2010-12-08T08:30:00.001-08:00

Some of you asked me to share my playlist for this week's Vinyasa classes. Here you go!

Woman At The Well - Tim Story - Glass Green
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black
Gódan daginn - Sigur Rós - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Living - Moby - Songs 1993-1998
Une Annee Sans Lumiere - Arcade Fire - Funeral
Another Likely Story - Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
No Surprise - James Yuill - No Surprise - EP
You Are Here - Sam Bisbee - High
Fireflies - Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Edge of the Ocean (Duotone Mix) - Ivy - The Best Of Chillout Past and Present
Vapour Trail - Ride - Nowhere
Breathe Me (Ulrich Schnauss Remix) - Sia - Colour The Small One
First Cool Hive - Moby - Songs 1993-1998
Kiss of Bliss - Jamie Lawerence & Steve Gorn - OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Reading Those Letters - Tim Story - Glass Green

Fall Colors Yoga Retreat

2010-10-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

A group of ten yogis and yoginis just returned from a beautiful weekend in northern Michigan at Song of the Morning Yoga Retreat Center. We enjoyed 4 different yoga classes: a Yin class upon arrival Friday evening, an Energy Flow class to wake us up Saturday morning, a fun Partner Yoga & Thai Yoga Massage class Saturday evening, and a vigorous Ashtanga practice Sunday morning.

The weather was absolutely perfect for us--sunny, blue skies and about 70 degrees. The cloudless skies also meant lots of stars at night. There is no place better to see the stars than out in the woods at Song of the Morning. There is no light pollution; there is no sound pollution. Just the sounds of nature: the wind through the trees, the critters in the woods, the ducks on the lake, the river gurgling.

Besides yoga classes, retreatants enjoyed a silent meditation walk, hikes in the woods, mountain biking on one of Michigan's epic trails, canoeing on the lake, relaxing massages and delicious vegetarian meals. We also enjoyed a sense of community, all being able to share this wonderful experience together.

If you have been thinking about going on a yoga retreat but, for one reason or another, have kept putting it off, I urge you to seize the day! As I know any of the retreatants from our Fall Colors Weekend Retreat will tell you, it is a healing, uplifting, nourishing experience.

Does Anybody Read This???

2010-09-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Just checking to see if anybody actually looks at this blog for music lists, inspiration, etc. If you do, please let me know!

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 9/7/10

2010-09-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week in my classes...

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
A mix of songs by Natacha Atlas and Azam Ali

Hatha classes:
A mix of songs from the albums 'Om Yoga Mix, Part 2' and 'Nataraja'

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 8/30/10

2010-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week in my classes:

Hatha classes:
Nadama & Shastro: ZeNotes

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Rasa: Union & Devotion mix

Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu

2010-08-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

The mantra that I chose for this week reminds us that we don't just do our yoga practice for ourselves, but for all beings. This mantra means:
May this world be established with a sense of peace, well-being and happiness.
It is an invocation for harmony and blessings for all of creation.
So the next time you're on your mat, send that good yoga energy you're cultivating out to the whole world!

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 8/23/10

2010-08-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week:

Hatha classes:
A compilation called "Soundings of the Planet"

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Woman At The Well, Tim Story, Glass Green
Truly, Madly, Deeply, Ray LaMontagne, Till the Sun Turns Black
Gódan daginn, Sigur Rós, Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Living, Moby, Songs 1993-1998
Une Annee Sans Lumiere, Arcade Fire, Funeral
Another Likely Story, Au Revoir Simone, Still Night, Still Light
No Surprise, James Yuill, No Surprise - EP
You Are Here, Sam Bisbee, High
Fireflies, Owl City, Ocean Eyes
Edge of the Ocean (Duotone Mix), Ivy, The Best Of Chillout Past and Present
Vapour Trail, Ride
Breathe Me (Ulrich Schnauss Remix), Sia
First Cool Hive, Moby, Songs 1993-1998

Savasana in all classes: Loka Samasta by Mantra Girl

Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo

2010-08-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

The mantra that I chose for this week is actually used at the beginning of traditional Kundalini yoga practices to tune in to your highest self. It means "Infinite Creative Consciousness, I call upon you. Divine Wisdom Within, I call upon you."

I take this to mean that we all have our own inner wisdom, inner guide, that we need to listen to. We have an opportunity on our yoga mats (and, if we meditate, during our meditation practice) to get quiet, to slow down, to turn our focus inward, and to connect to that inner guide. We have the answers we are looking for within ourselves. We just need to get quiet and learn to listen for them.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 8/16/10

2010-08-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my classes this week...

Vinyasa & Energy Flow:
Castles In The Sand, Unknown Guitarist, Sea Breeze
Nagual, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix
Swadisthana , Vive, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Durga Shakti, Shaman's Dream Project, Kerala Dream
Aegean Dub, Jef Stott, 2008 Amazon Free Sampler
Track 06, Azam Ali, Azam Ali
Ishq - Love and the Veil, Niyaz, 2008 Amazon Free Sampler
Qalanderi, Cheb I Sabbah, 2008 Amazon Free Sampler
Namaste, Beastie Boys, The In Sound from Way Out!
The Way You Dream, 1 Giant Leap featuring Michael Stipe & Asha Bhosle, 1 Giant Leap
Gentle Voice, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Sunset Reflections, Unknown Guitarist, Sea Breeze
Ong Namo, Snatam Kaur, Grace

Hatha:
This universe, Singh Kaur, This universe
Ong Namo, Snatam Kaur, Grace
Long Time Sun, Snatam Kaur, Grace
Aad Guray, Deva Premal, Dakshina
spark in the night, Singh Kaur, This universe
Ma, GuruGanesha Singh, Pure Ganesha

Om Shrim Mahalakshmyai Namah Mantra

2010-08-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Reverence to the power of Sri, the great goddess Lakshmi!

This mantra celebrates the power of Sri in the form of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. The word simultaneously means prosperity, elegance, radiant power and sacredness.

When you recognize the power of sri within you, it leads to contentment no matter what your circumstances. You'll feel less like grasping, and you'll be better able to experience gratitude for all that you have. Lakshmi teaches that the inner feeling that you have enough creates the experience of prosperity in your outer life, not the other way around. No matter how much time, money and love you have, you will always feel as though it's not enough until you can evoke and honor the sri within you. When you do this, what you have feels like more than enough.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 8/2/10

2010-08-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my classes this week:

Hatha classes:
Sri, Various Artists, Nataraja: Compiled By Shiva Rea
Kiss of Bliss, Jamie Lawerence & Steve Gorn, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Gentle Voice, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Durga Pahimam, Jai Uttal, Shakti Rhythms With Shiva Rea
Ganesha, Wah!, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
He Maha Lakshmi, David Newman, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Swadisthana, Vive, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra, Reema Datta, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Govinda Hare Gopala Hare, Krishna Das, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Nagual, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix
Sembahyang Pagi, Jalan Jalan, Bali

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Sri, Various Artists, Nataraja: Compiled By Shiva Rea
Gentle Voice, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Durga Pahimam, Jai Uttal, Shakti Rhythms With Shiva Rea
Ganesha, Wah!, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
He Maha Lakshmi, David Newman, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Guru Ma, Wade Imre Morissette, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Mahe Dev, Jai Uttal, Dial M for Mantra
Swadisthana, Vive, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra, Reema Datta, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Govinda Hare Gopala Hare, Krishna Das, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Sembahyang Pagi, Jalan Jalan, Bali

Adi Shakti Mantra for Security, Creativity & Abundance

2010-07-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

This mantra invokes the primary Creative Power which is manifest in the feminine. It will help you to be free of personal insecurities which block freedom of action. It is a mantra of devotion to the Kundalini, the Mother of all energies, which is the life force stored at the base of the spine. Call upon the strong, powerful shakti energy of this mantra to find security and create abundance in your life.

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo, Namo
Sarab a Shakti, Sarab a Shakti, Sarab a Shakti, Namo, Namo
Prithum Bhagvatee, Prithum Bhagvatee, Prithum Bhagvatee, Namo Namo
Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo, Namo

Translation:
Primal Power, I call upon you!
All-Encompassing Power and Energy, I call upon you!
That through which Divine Creates, I call upon you!
Creative Power of the Kundalini, Divine Mother Power, I call upon you!

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 7/26/10

2010-07-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

This week I am playing select songs from Mantra Girl's albums Truth and Trinity in all of my classes, including our 'mantra for the week,' her version of the Adi Shakti mantra.

Siri Gaitri Mantra for Healing

2010-07-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

This week I shared the Mantra for Healing in my classes. It goes like this:
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung

When we hear, say, think or chant this mantra, we should visualize someone who needs some healing energy (including ourselves). This healing could be physical, mental or emotional. We visualize this person as totally radiant, strong and healthy.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 7/19/10

2010-07-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've been playing in my yoga classes this week:

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Krishna Das - Krishna Das: Greatest Hits

Hatha classes:
Snatam Kaur - a mix of songs from her albums Shanti and Grace

For savasana in all classes, I've played Ra Ma Da Sa by Snatam Kaur, a version of the mantra for healing.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 7/12/10

2010-07-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here's what is playing in my classes this week:

Hatha classes:
Deuter: Sea & Silence

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Rasa: Union & Devotion mix

For savasana, I'm playing the mantra Aad Guray by Deval Premal

Aad Guray Mantra

2010-07-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

This week we are focusing on the Aad Guray mantra in my classes. It goes like this:

Aad Guray Nameh, Jugaad Guray Nameh, Sat Guray Nameh, Siri Guroo Dayvay Nameh

Its literal translation is:

I bow to the primal wisdom
I bow to the truth that has existed throughout the ages
I bow to True Wisdom
I bow to the Great Divine Wisdom

It is a mantra of protection and is recited to invoke the protective energy of the universe. It is often spoken before driving a car to create a protective energy around those in the car. (I thought this was fitting after my car accident this past weekend!) It also helps to bring clarity when there is doubt and opens to a sense of guidance from our highest Self.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 6/28/10

2010-06-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my classes this week:

Hatha classes:
OK, I have to be honest, I have no idea what the name of this CD is. It was a gift from one of my students who just returned from China, and it is all in Chinese! If anyone can translate it, please let me know!

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Truly, Madly, Deeply, Ray LaMontagne, Till the Sun Turns Black
Gódan daginn, Sigur Rós, Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Another Likely Story, Au Revoir Simone, Still Night, Still Light
This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Re-Edit), James Yuill, This Sweet Love (EP)
No Surprise, James Yuill, No Surprise - EP
Natural High, Tosca, Natural High - Single
Mango, Sascha Funke, Mango
A Pain That I'm Used To (Jacques Lu Cont Remix), Depeche Mode, A Pain That I'm Used To (DJ Version) - EP
Pure, Mystical Sun, Deeperworlds
Living, Moby, Songs 1993-1998
Track 04, Amrit Kirtan Sacred Circle

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 6/21/10

2010-06-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

This week, in honor of the Summer Solstice, we are doing some mellower, Yin and Yinyasa sequences in my classes--to balance out that intense sun energy. My music selections are, likewise, a bit more mellow.

Hatha classes:
Ambience Minimus - Liquid Mind

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Drala - Drala

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 6/14/10

2010-06-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my classes this week...

Vinyasa & Energy Flow:
Devotion & Union mix - Rasa

Hatha classes:
OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 6/7/10

2010-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here's what is playing in my yoga classes this week...

Hatha:
The Bells of Arcosanti - Daryl Simmons, David Blanski, Kate Price, Bor Simmons

Vinyasa & Energy Flow:
Shakti Rhythms with Shiva Rea - various artists

Brahmacharya

2010-05-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

The classical interpretation of brahmacharya is celibacy, but this yama can have a broader interpretation which includes preventing the dissipation of one's energy through the misuse of the senses. In a piece I've been reading from in my classes this week, the author says that we can experiment with this interpretation of brahmacharya off our mats any time we find ourselves in a difficult, challenging, stressful situation. When this happens, we can ask ourselves, "Can I let go of my tension and relax into this moment, knowing that the situation does not need my stress to resolve itself?" I thought this was a really good piece of advice that I'm going to try working on. Maybe it will resonate with you too.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 5/24/10

2010-05-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my yoga classes this week:

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
My Spirit Flies to You by Los Monjes Budistas

Hatha classes:
Kerala Dream by Shaman's Dream Project

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 5/17/10

2010-05-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week:

Hatha Classes:
Tim Story - Glass Green

Vinyasa & Energy Flow Classes:
Jai Uttal - Dial M for Mantra

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 5/10/10

2010-05-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing in my classes this week:

Hatha Classes:

Aad Guray, Deva Premal, Dakshina
Jap Man Sat Nam, Snatam Kaur, Anand
Ishq'allah, Miten, Songs for the inner lover
People of Love, Snatam Kaur, Celebrate Peace
Ma, Girish, Reveal
Wah Yantee, Guru Singh, Game of chants
Long Time Sun, Hari Bhajan Kaur
Deep Blue Sea, Snatam Kaur, Celebrate Peace
Ma, Guru Ganesha Singh, Pure Ganesha
Ra Ma Da Sa, Snatam Kaur, Grace

Vinyasa & Energy Flow Classes:

Shiva Invocation, Various Artists, Nataraja: Compiled By Shiva Rea
Such Great Heights, Iron & Wine, Garden State
Dark Water & Stars, Natural Calamity, Thicker Than Water
One Of These Things First, Nick Drake, Garden State
My Guru, Kalyanji Anandji, Thicker Than Water
Witchi Tai To, Harpers Bizarre, Thicker Than Water
Track 04, Mandalay, Solace
Track 06, Azam Ali, Azam Ali
New Slang, The Shins, Garden State
Don't Panic, Coldplay, Garden State
Caring Is Creepy, The Shins. Garden State
I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart, The White Stripes, Elephant
Track 06, Jet, Jet
Track 01, Zero 7, The Garden
In the Sun, Michael Stipe
Goodbye Hollywood Blvd, Ryan Adams
I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You, Colin Hay, Garden State
Sembahyang Pagi, Jalan Jalan, Bali

Clarity

2010-05-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

This week in my yoga classes, we concluded our practice with a meditation for clarity.

Putting our palms together over the 3rd eye, we ask for clarity of thought--a calm equanimous mind.
Putting our palms together over the lips, we ask for clarity of speech--to be able to say what we mean and mean what we say.
Putting our palms together over our heart, we ask for clarity of action--to take what we learn on our yoga mats and integrate it into our lives.

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 4/12/10

2010-04-14T08:08:00.001-07:00

Here's what's playing this week...

Hatha Classes:
Ambience Minimus - Liquid Mind

Vinyasa & Energy Flow Classes:
Drala - Drala

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 4/5/10

2010-04-08T10:03:00.001-07:00

Here's what's playing this week:

Hatha classes:
Glass Green - Tim Story

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Krishna Das Greatest Hits

Begin Within

2010-04-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

I seem to find a lot of inspiration from bumper stickers. This is what one of them said that I saw on a car in front of me last week. Good advice!

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 3/29/10

2010-03-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week...

Hatha:
Sri, Various Artists, Nataraja
Mantra, Krishna Das, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Nagual, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix
Swadisthana, Vive, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Shri Krishna Govinda, Jai Uttal, Dial M for Mantra
Gentle Voice, Michael Hewett, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Shiva Invocation, Various Artists, Nataraja
Kiss of Bliss, Jamie Lawerence & Steve Gorn, OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2
Saraswataye, Various Artists, Nataraja
Surya, Jai Uttal & Ben Leinbach, Music For Yoga And Other Joys

Vinyasa & Energy Flow:
Sea of Vapours, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
OM, Wade Imre Morissette, Maha Moha: The Great Delusion
Nothing Without You (Tery Bina), Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
The Game, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
Tana Dery Na, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
Meena Devi (Goddess), Tulku, Season of Souls
Mausam & Escape, A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Guru Ma, Wade Imre Morissette, NuTONE Music to Inspire: Sampler - Fall 2008
Tracery, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
Fault Lines, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
All Our Ancestors,Tuu, All Our Ancestors
Shadow, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mustt Mustt
Latika's Theme, A.R. Rahman & Suzanne, Slumdog Millionaire
Sembahyang Pagi, Jalan Jalan, Bali

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 3/22/10

2010-03-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week:

Hatha classes:
A compilation called "Soundings of the Planet"

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
Woman At The Well, Tim Story, Glass Green
Truly, Madly, Deeply, Ray LaMontagne, Till the Sun Turns Black
Gódan daginn, Sigur Rós, Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Une Annee Sans Lumiere, Arcade Fire, Funeral
Another Likely Story, Au Revoir Simone, Still Night, Still Light
No Surprise, James Yuill, No Surprise - EP
You Are Here, Sam Bisbee, High
Fireflies, Owl City, Ocean Eyes
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Arcade Fire, Funeral
Rebellion (Lies), Arcade Fire, Funeral
Edge of the Ocean (Duotone Mix), Ivy, The Best Of Chillout Past and Present
Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles), Arcade Fire, Funeral
Living-instr, Moby, Songs 1993-1998
Reading Those Letters, Tim Story, Glass Green
Glass Green, Tim Story, Glass Green

By the way, if anybody has suggestions for music they'd like to hear in their yoga class, please send them my way!

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 3/15/10

2010-03-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here's what's playing this week:

Vinyasa & Energy Flow classes:
A mix of songs from the albums 'Union' and 'Devotion' by Rasa.

Hatha classes:
A mix of songs from the albums 'Truth' and 'Trinity' by Mantra Girl.
(By the way, I've got a couple extra 'Trinity' DVDs that Mantra Girl gave me for my students. If you're reading this post and want a FREE copy, email me!)

Yoga Music Playlist - Week of 3/8/10

2010-03-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

Students often ask me what music I'm playing in my yoga classes, so I thought I'd start posting my playlists each week. Here's what we've been listening to this week!

Energy Flow and Vinyasa Classes:
Track 02 - Anoushka Shankar
Living- Moby - Songs 1993-1998
Forever - Moby - Hotel
Nothing But The Sky - Ivy - In The Clear
Only Got One - Frou Frou
It's Good To Be In Love - Frou Frou
Dream About Me - Moby - Hotel
Slipping Away - Moby - Hotel
Lift Me Up - Moby - Hotel
Corners Of Your Mind - Ivy
Night Nurse - Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham - L'Avventura
Clear My Head - Ivy - In The Clear
Love Should - Moby - Hotel
Knives from Bavaria - Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham - L'Avventura
Out Walking - Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham - L'Avventura
Into The Blue - Moby - Songs 1993-1998
Kiss of Bliss - Jamie Lawerence & Steve Gorn - OM Yoga Mix, Pt. 2

Hatha Classes:
Guru Ram Das - Guru Hari Bhajan Kaur
Track 02 - Amrit Kirtan - Sacred Circle
Track 03 - Amrit Kirtan - Sacred Circle
Ong Namo - I Bow - Gurunam Singh - The Journey Home
Gobinday Mukunday - Eight Names Of The Divine - Gurunam Singh - The Journey Home
Track 05 - Amrit Kirtan Sacred Circle
Track 06 - Amrit Kirtan - Sacred Circle
Track 04 - Amrit Kirtan - Sacred Circle

Affirmations

2010-03-04T05:35:00.001-08:00

I'll be honest. Contrary to what some people believe, a yoga teacher's life is not all peaceful and stress-free. I have been particularly stressed-out the past few months, dealing with some unpleasant situations and relationships that have been challenging to say the least. Sometimes the stress is overwhelming. Doing yoga helps, but it's usually when I'm trying to fall asleep at night that all those negative thoughts start racing through my mind. That's when I remind myself of the affirmations that a therapist I once had recommended to me. All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe. The Universe is conspiring in my favor. I repeat the affirmations over and over to give my mind something else to focus on instead of the upsetting thoughts. I repeat them until my mind starts to believe them. They're like a mantra, and they work. I end up feeling more peaceful. All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe. The Universe is conspiring in my favor.

Om. Shanti. Peace.

When Chocolate and Chakras Collide

2010-01-27T08:19:00.001-08:00

A student just sent me the link to this interesting New York Times article about yoga. Thought I would pass it along!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/27yoga.html?pagewanted=1

Aparigraha & Gratitude

2009-09-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

This week in my yoga classes I have been talking about the yogic yama Aparigraha, which basically means non-coveting, not wanting what other people have or wishing we were like other people. I said that one of the ways we can stop ourselves from doing this, when we catch ourselves having those 'the grass is always greener' thoughts, is to stop and remember the good things that we have in our own lives. Even if our life seems pretty crappy at the moment, there are still things we can be grateful for. I mean, really, we have it better than most people in the rest of the world. We need to put things in perspective. So no sooner had I started talking about this in my classes than my friend Sara out in San Francisco sent me this link: http://www.gratitudechallenge.com/. The quote I liked best on the video is this one: "Even when, especially when, adversity strikes, gratitude has the power to help you thrive."

Abundance

2009-09-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

This past week in my yoga classes I have been talking about the yama "asteya," which means not stealing, but also realizing that we don't have to hold back or live in a place of fear, scarcity and lack, because the universe is abundant and will provide for us.

I have been working with this idea a lot this year on account of my impending divorce and the worries that go along with being able to manage a household on one income instead of two.

Well, I have to report that no sooner had I finished teaching all my classes about asteya that I saw this principle in play in my own life. For the past few weeks I have been seeing the beautiful dahlias for sale at the farmer's market but kept holding off buying any, thinking they were too expensive, and not knowing if I should really be spending the money on flowers for myself. Well, this week I finally decided that I deserved to have some beautiful flowers, so I bought some. Three days later, one of my Saturday morning yoga students came to class then went to the farmer's market herself after class. She came back a while later and handed me a huge mixed bouquet of flowers that she picked up there! Abundance!

That same day I asked one of my other students, who is a biker, about a problem I was having with my bike. She said she'd take a look at it after class. Not only did she take a look at it, she took my bike home, fixed the problem, put air in my tires and cleaned the chain! Abundance!

Later on that same day I volunteered as a 'bouncer' for the beer tent at the Home Grown Festival. One of my students was there and he graciously gave me 3 tickets for free drinks! And as I was enjoying sampling some of the local beers and hard cider (yes, if you're shocked, I do drink alcohol...everything in moderation is my motto!) with some friends, somebody walked by who was leaving and asked if I wanted his extra ticket that he wasn't going to use. Abundance!

So what do I need to remember from all of this? That the universe is abundant and will provide for me, and that I am worthy and deserving of this abundance. We all are.

My Stroke Of Insight

2009-09-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

This is the name of the book by Jill Bolte Taylor (a brain scientist) that we are reading for The Yoga Room's October book club. As someone who has been doing a lot of self-reflection lately, I am finding parts of this book really interesting.

One of my own insights upon reading the book is how the left side of my brain (the 'ego,' judmental, critical, monkey mind) is typically more dominant than my right side (the side that allows me to be present in the moment and be at peace). That is not a completely bad thing, though, because my left brain also allows me to be organized, deal well with finances, run my own business, and be a responsible human being!

Another thing I learned from reading the book is that there are certain limbic system (emotional) programs, like anger, that can be triggered *automatically* within us (in other words, that we can't control). However, it takes less than 90 seconds for the program to be triggered, surge through our body, and then be completely flushed out of our blood stream. So, if after 90 seconds have passed I remain angry, that is because I have chosen to let that circuit continue to run. In other words, we have a choice to hook into that neurocircuitry, or we can choose to move back over to the right brain, come back to the present moment, and allow the reaction to melt away as "fleeting physiology."

This is something that I've been working with myself for a while now, and it feels so great to have this knowledge validated by an actual brain scientist! Yes, I have a choice about how I choose to perceive situations and can react to them from my left brain or my right brain...I can get hooked into an unpleasant situation, memory, argument, etc. and have my left brain keep obsessing over it or try to 'win,' or I can 'move over' to my right brain and realize that I can be compassionate and forgiving toward others who hurt me because no one is perfect, I don't have to take things personally and, instead of obsessing about past situations that will always have the same outcome, I can realign myself with the present moment and find some peace. IT IS A CHOICE.

Teaching My Teacher

2009-09-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

One of my yoga teachers, Jonny Kest, came and took one of my yoga classes for the first time ever yesterday. It was a real honor to have him at The Yoga Room. After all the yoga classes I have taken with him and everything I have learned from him that has made me a better yoga teacher, it was nice to be able to give something back. He said the class was awesome...thanks for the wonderful compliment, Jonny!

Love Wins

2009-08-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

A bumper sticker I saw on the way back from Lake Michigan today. Something to think about, especially when we're feeling less than loving.

Mindfulness as a Way to Liberation

2009-08-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I attended a Mindfulness Yoga workshop at the Ann Arbor Zen Temple with instructor Frank Jude Boccio. He is both a Buddhist practitioner and a yoga teacher. He had a very easy-to-understand explanation of The Four Noble Truths which goes right to the heart of what I have been working on in my own personal practice lately.

Dukkha - Literally meaning "wrong hole," as in a wheel that is mis-aligned, the Buddha reminds us that 'stuff happens.' We age, suffer illness and pain, are separated from what and whom we desire, are confronted with experiences we don't want, and then we die.

Samudaya - In response to dukkha, feelings arise. When experience is pleasant, we thirst to prolong it, getting caught in grasping and clinging; when unpleasant, we get caught in resistance, thirsting for things to be different; and when neutral, we become confused or caught in boredom and ignorance. We thirst for distraction and oblivion.

Nirodha - The practice of 'containment' or 'yoking.' We do not deny or suppress our feelings, but neither do we vent or express them as a strategy to avoid or eliminate them. Rather, through a mindfulness/meditation practice, we learn to contain our reactivity. By not reacting, we actually learn how to simply feel.

Marga - Once our conditioned reactivity has been contained, we are free to choose how to creatively and skillfully respond to our experience. Our life becomes the path of awakening.

Some good ideas to meditate on.

Karma Yoga & Tears

2009-08-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did some karma yoga by serving lunch at the Delonis Center, Ann Arbor's homeless shelter. I had worked in the kitchen there once before, preparing a meal, but this was my first time actually being in contact with the people who came in. What a humbling, emotional experience. I found myself fighting to hold back tears a few times. What were the tears from? Well, first of all, just compassion for my fellow human beings who are 'getting the short end of the stick' so-to-speak. Secondly, they were tears of empathy. I have been dealing with a lot of pain, sadness and unpleasantness in my life lately, and when I see those things in someone else, my heart just goes out to them; I can relate. Finally, the tears were of gratitude. I was reminded that no matter how painful my current situation is and how much I've lost, I still have a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator. I can sleep in my own bed at night, I have a job that pays my bills, and I have supportive friends and family (plus a bunch of awesome yoga students!). I am blessed, and I need to remind myself of that more often. We all do.

The Ego Is Not An Entity

2009-06-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

This week during my yoga classes I read a quote about the ego: "The ego is not an entity but an activity. It is contraction of the field of Radiance."

Don't we all need to be reminded of this? It is the ego that makes the (mostly) unconscious thoughts run continuously through our minds. It is the ego that makes us contract - in fear, in anger, in sadness.

We have an opportunity each time we come on to our yoga mats to remind ourselves that we are not our egos. Our true self, our true essence, is pure Radiance. When we can come from this place of radiance instead of from the ego, people and situations do not need to affect us negatively anymore. We expand instead of contracting--opening our hearts and opening our minds. This is what yoga is all about.