During my teacher training in early 2007, I was told that the real practice would begin after the training was over. How were we, the students, going to incorporate yoga into our lives in the real world?

As it turned out, for the next two years yoga was my professional life and a bit of personal life as well as I was the manager and a teacher at Pilgrimage. I breathed yoga, both figuratively and literally. I had access to beautiful teachers and classes throughout the day. I would meditate with Sujantra on Tuesday evenings. I had my space, and my practice was a constant friend.

When I started on this 15-month travel journey with my husband Tom, I left that consistency behind.

During travel, I struggled to find my own practice without a studio and without the guidance of an instructor. I had also left my yoga mat in Buenos Aires, and struggled without that tool as well. I would try with a bath towel, or simply on grass, and both left me slipping and sliding. I tried various yoga studios and teachers, and outside of my first two months in Buenos Aires, I struggled to find a teacher and a studio that I connected with, that I believed in. Aside from some breathing exercises, my practice effectively took a break for two months.

And then I visited a friend who asked that we practice on her roof. I unrolled the two camping pads that we had been traveling with, walked up onto her terrace over looking the city of Cordoba, and practiced morning yoga. It felt so good. My body was tight, but it welcomed the movement, and the breath.

Since that morning, I’ve unrolled that trusty camping pad made out of foam, and regained my practice. In the hostels, I’ll practice in the morning in-between my bed and the bathroom. Or I’ll go outside in the chilly mountain air for more connection with nature.

My practice is not that long or in depth. I’ll take about five minutes standing, breathing, and finding my intention. I’ll move slowly, starting with five to ten sun salutations, feeling the connection to my breath and body. Perhaps that will be it, and I’ll join my hands at my heart and say ‘Namaste.’ Other days I’ll continue, playing with balance, twists, backbends, and inversions. I’ll let my body and breath lead the way, not feeling attachment to a length of time or specific asanas.

Even after my two month break, my body still knew the movements. My mind relished the pause. My breath took me deeper. My inner spirit knew the practice as well, and welcomed me back.

You can keep up with Blair’s travels at her blog www.tomandblair.com.

75% off most books in the store. Come find some inspiring literature and bring it home.

Last month, Sujantra was interviewed by North Park News for an article on the studio. Below is the website of North Park News. Click on the article to be brought to a PDF. Enjoy the pictures!

http://north-park-news.com/index.html

Walking into my morning den with a sense of purpose and knowing desire sure to be fulfilled, I, the modern day caffeine addict enters the womb of the green goddess. Uttering a medley coded words, I create the beverage of my desire, to be magically manifested by the speedy, well trained barista. The enthusiastic cadence of  voices surrounding me reveals a morning crowd assured of fulfilling their bodily longings.

In this stylized, post-modern opium den all are equal. Doctor, lawyer, painter and priest: all of us stand at the altar of the liquid. Momentarily satisfied in the knowledge that soon the green mermaid will pour her brew liquid into our veins and brains.

How does this relate to yoga? Yoga teaches us to observe the movement of our thoughts and desires: both physical and mental. In the ability to observe ourselves we stand a chance to become the observer…to become the self: that element of ourselves which transcends our fleeting longings and desires. Find that in your yoga and you will find the flow of joy which is self-effulgent: a joy which depends on nothing other than its own existence for satisfaction.

Hello Everyone!

We’re starting to play with blogs on our site. We’ll have guest blogs from our teachers, as well as Sujantra’s faithful welcome blog each month. We hope everyone is having a beautiful month, and enjoying this winter weather!

Sujantra McKeever
Know Thyself

Starting this Spring, we will begin our annual Teacher Training Program. The entire program lasts eight months and is divided into three phases. You can take any or all of the phases.

The program is designed to be a way for you to explore, in depth, the ancient art of yoga. You will not only experience the joys of yoga practice, but you will also learn to share that joy with family, friends, and the public.

Yoga means union. The union of mind, body, breath, and community.

By exploring yoga, you learn about yourself and others. We are all unique, yet we are all quite similar. The depths to which you know yourself are the depths to which you know others. To know the universe, know thyself.

Join us for the experience of a lifetime!