Understanding Tamas
Tamas is often viewed as just a negative force, but the truth is much more nuanced than that.
Understanding Rajas: Energy & Action in Yoga
In yoga philosophy, the three gunas, sattva, rajas, and tamas, describe the qualities of nature that shape our mind, energy, and actions. Last time I wrote about saatva, the quality of
Cultivating Sattva: The Heart of a Mindful Yoga Practice
When sattva is strong, our mind feels steady, our body feels balanced, and our heart feels at peace. It is the state where we see things as they are
Somatic Yoga: What It Is, How It Works, and Why Practicing It Matters
Somatic yoga classes blend gentle movement, mindful awareness, and deep rest. Often the motions are slow and deliberate, sometimes so small they seem barely noticeable from the outside.
Sthira Sukham Asanam: The Balance of Strength and Ease in Yoga and Life
Yoga Sutra 2.46 in its brevity, offers a powerful teaching not only for how we approach our time on the mat, but also how we live, breathe, and sit with ourselves.
Gentle Summer Cleanse: Ayurvedic Rituals for Seasonal Transition
Nourish your body, calm your nerves, and reset your energy as the heat rises
Easy Kitchari Recipe for Seasonal Balance
Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish known for its balancing properties and ease of digestion. It’s especially beneficial during seasonal transitions,
Yoga Sutra 1.2 ~ What is yoga?
The ancient roots of yoga go far beyond physical postures. At its heart, yoga is a practice of mental stillness
Yoga: A Life-Changing Tool for Healing from Substance Abuse
Much of my yoga teaching is with incarcerated people in prison and juvenile detention, and when working with that population there is a strong current of substance abuse. Sometimes it’s
Yamas ~ Yoga’s Ethical Guidance for Liberation
Now seems like an auspicious time to revisit the basic concepts of ethics. One of the foundational texts in yoga is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It was most likely
Navigating the Change of Seasons
Are you feeling a bit scattered or restless as the winter sets in? You’re not alone.
Vihara: Ancient Wisdom Wants You to Live Well
Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to glow with health and happiness? Let me introduce you to a concept from Ayurveda called vihara
Reclining Hero’s Pose – a Supported Deep Backbend
Backbends can do wonders for your body and mind, and they’re a perfect way to energize your practice. When you stretch into a backbend, you’re opening up your chest and
Find Your Dosha with an Ayurvedic Assessment
Understanding your dosha and how it shapes your body, mind, and daily life can unlock powerful insights into feeling your best.
How to do Abhyanga (Self Oil Massage) Without Breaking Your Neck
Abhyanga, self-massage with oil, is pretty much just what it sounds like. You massage your self with oil. Seem simple enough, but one of the first reactions I often hear is “OMG i’m going to get oil all over the house” and especially people worry about slipping on an oily bathroom floor or shower. Trust, me there are simple ways to make abhyanga work for you.
Spine Health & Scoliosis Yoga Practice
Even mild scoliotic curvature of the spine can have subtle yet significant impacts on overall well-being both physically as well as energetically. Yoga can help!
Learning to Notice: The Subtle Power of Awareness
One of the most profound gifts yoga offers is the ability to truly notice what’s going on inside us. At first glance, this may seem simple—maybe we notice tension in
Oh, the Wonders (& Tragedies) of Your Colon!
Five fascinating facts about the human colon: Yoga & Your Large Intestine Yoga can be a powerful support for colon health in several ways, helping us stay regular, reducing stress,
A Short Pratice to Send You Off to Blissful Slumber
About 30% of American’s don’t get enough quality sleep and a lot of those folks either have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. A portion of people can’t sleep due
Nadi Shodhana – a Perfect Breath Practice Just for You
Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, is such a simple yet powerful practice with many benefits for both your mind and body. It’s a wonderful way to calm your nervous
Drink Golden Milk to Stay Golden in Life
Golden Milk is a warm, nourishing drink made from turmeric, milk (or plant-based milk), and other spices like cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. It’s a staple in Ayurveda, where it’s
Exploring the nanocosm – our deeply connected subtle being
As years go by our yoga practice tends to get more and more subtle. When we first start out, we engage big muscles and move them in large, sometimes, hamhanded
Ojas – The key to a vibrant healthy life
In Ayurveda, ojas is considered the essence of vitality and immunity. It represents the purest form of energy produced from the digestion of food, experiences, and emotions. Ojas is thought
The End of a (Somewhat Brief) Era
The yoga studio I have been teaching at in San Anselmo for the last two years is closing their physical location and going to an online only model. It’s a
Teaching Yoga in Prison
Teaching Yoga in Prison: A Path to Rehabilitation Some of you may know that I teach yoga in prison to the incarcerated. Once a week, I’m at San Quentin, and
Big Change to Sunday Mornings
Starting on May 26, my Sunday morning yoga classes will be held at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center (no longer at the Woodacre Improvement Club). The SGVCC offers a
Living the Sattvic lifestyle
Living the sattvic lifestyle Living the sattvic lifestyle What is Sattva? In Ayurveda, Sattva is one of the three essential qualities or “gunas” that influence the nature of all living
Anatomy Geek Safe Space: You, Your Neurons & Neuroplasticity
Just in case you are not one the fortunate ones who receive my monthly newsletter (you can sign up for it back only homepage), I present to you this Anatomy
After a meal, take a walk
Walking after a meal is next level self care. In Ayurveda there is a recommendation to take at least 100 steps after eating, but if you can make that into
Signs that you’re on the right track
One way to tell if we are eating in a healthful manner is to notice how we feel after we eat. Ideally you will feel: