However, the lead instructor in my training suggested that we not proselytize yoga, but instead wait to field questions from those persons who might be interested. He said that a person who is ready to make a change in his or her life will see the light and happiness in our hearts and approach us to inquire about that special spark.

Years later, I work and practice at Pilgrimage. Everyday I notice and smile at all the beautiful sparks around me. I am one of those lucky people who truly enjoys coming to work. The teachers spark, the students spark, and the staff sparks. Coming into the studio, it’s impossible not to absorb this light and feel more loved, more light. Students will often mention to me that Pilgrimage feels very “right” to them, as if they’d been brought here at just the right time in their lives.

I would have to agree as I feel the same way. Observing a busy Thursday night at the studio with students chatting after class and teachers welcoming new faces, I can be fairly certain that these sparks are contagious. –Michelle Laxton

At this point in my yoga life, I consider gentle and restorative yoga classes to be extra sweet treats I give myself as often as possible. I think Meredith May, a staff writer at the San Francisco Chronicle described restorative yoga beautifully when she said:

“The point is not to stretch but to relax, turn inward and stop thinking. Practitioners use props such as blocks, bolsters, pillows and blankets to build forts they can lean or lie on. Falling asleep is allowed.”

The American lifestyle rarely includes time for relaxation, which is something that offers incredible mental, physical, and emotional benefits. I understand that for many finding time to exercise is challenging enough, let alone time to relax and decompress. If that’s your situation right now, perhaps you might consider committing to just one mellow class per month. While it might not seem like a lot, this class might become something that you look forward to and something that helps reduce your headaches or ease your back pain.

For more information on restorative yoga, check out the article from the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned above by clicking on the link below. –Michelle Laxton

(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/18/DDDE1BDCLK.DTL)

The comments I love hearing most from students are: “I can’t believe I did that!”; and “That was the first time I was able to balance in X pose!” Yoga can offer us more peaceful minds and at the same time, it can provide us newfound confidence and a child-like playfulness. Balancing on your hands, flipping upside down, and even tumbling to the ground can be a whole lot of fun. — Michelle Laxton

Each year I set the same intention: to breath deeply. It’s something I don’t do enough and something that is tremendously beneficial to my health. Every time I turn on my cell phone, I see my opening message, “Breath deeply”, and I do just that. When I wake up in the morning and brush my teeth, I read “Breath deeply” on a note posted on my bathroom mirror and I do just that. As I see it, I take an absolute minimum of four deep breaths each day thanks to my intention and feel much better for it.

I am particularly fond of this intention because there is no option to fail. I succeed constantly by reading these little reminders and taking big belly breaths. My intention makes me feel good and is 100% positive. If you don’t have an intention this year maybe you’d like to take a few extra deep breaths each day or a few extra smiles. You’re success is guaranteed. –Michelle Laxton

As in most Eastern thought, an idea cannot merely be thought of; to truly be known it must be experienced as well.  Sanskrit is an experiencial language meaning that woven into the technology of the language is the actual physical, mental and emotional experience of that linguistic concept-symbol that is being uttered.  Unfortunatley for most modern humans our ability to sense the subtleties inherent within mystical practices and traditions such as sacred language, sound and geometry has become atrophied.  According to Hazrat Inayat Kahn, a Sufi teacher and mystic, once we have been made aware of our limitations of perception, this is where the opening to our true sense of knowledge can begin.

OM is a great place to start.

OM is broken down into four parts:

(HU) -A -U-Mmmm.

HU = Spirit;  A = The Infinite Energy / the Divine;  U = the transmission of the Infinite Energy; M = the containment / embodiment of the Infinite Energy.  The resonant mmmmm at the end is the resonant vibration and expression of the Infinite Energy within its embodiment.

A (Divine) > U (transmission) > M (embodiment)…..mmmm (expression, life, human).

The utterance of OM is a recognition of the embodiment of Infinite Energy that resides in each of us.  It is also the pure experience of the embodiment of this energy, and the mmmmm fills us and moves through us.  Don’t take my word for it, try and see :).

It can be thought in this way:  The “A” is hot water; the “U” is the pouring of the water into a bottle; the “M” is the containment of the water within the bottle and putting the stopper on; the “mmmmm” is the feeling of heat emanating from the bottle.

Then if we were to hold this bottle, we could not say that it is the bottle that is hot, but the water within that is the source of the heat.

We can also experience this in our Yoga postures.  The “A” is the beginning, the setting of the foundation, The “U” is getting into the posture, the “M” is the full expression of the posture and the natural ending of it, and the “mmmmmm” is the blissful experience resonating in our body-mind shortly after coming out of the posture.

This finally brings us to our Human-ness.

“Hu”  = spirit;  “Man” = mind / consciousness (”manas” from sanskrit)

Human = Divine Consciousness; and expression of the Infinite Energy

Another way of looking at this is that human-ness is the way through which God knows itself.

By chanting OM or gazing at the sacred symbol we are acknowledging that we are indeed an embodiment of the Divine Light and Energy that both contains  and permeates all of existence.  We exist in OM and OM exists within us.

Hope this enlightens your New Year!

Peace and Love,

Joshua Graner

A beaming example of inner and outer strength achieved through asana is the world-renowned yoga instructor, Ana Forrest. Ana has battled many challenges throughout her life including a physical handicap at birth, physical abuse, drug addiction, epilepsy, and bulimia. Today she is a strong woman and a beautiful yogini.

If you’re feeling weak in your body or your mind and looking for an inspirational boost, check out Ana’s yoga demonstration at the Yoga Journal conference a couple years back. –Michelle Laxton

Ana Forrest - Yoga Demonstration

It’s easy during the holidays to shelve your yoga practice for a few weeks in order to make space for the new influx of commitments. However, a break in your practice during a period of stress can do more harm than good. Time on your mat is time for you. You can release the thoughts and energy that burden your mind, body, and heart, making space for the part of you that you want to share most this time of year: the joy, love, and kindness that reside within. Next time you find yourself making plans for the day and crossing yoga class off your “to do” list, take a moment to consider what will best serve you, your family, and your friends. –Michelle Laxton

Going Within: Listening to your body is one of the most important parts of a yoga practice. By going within, a person really beings to feel the benefits of a yoga practice. I love to start my yoga practice first by taking inventory of my body, I ask myself “How am I feeling right now?” Then your yoga practice may revolve around those certain aspect that you are now aware of. The practice will be either a relaxing restorative practice or a more challenging practice or somewhere in-between. When a person begins to find calmness and they are able to settle into a pose, that is the time to bring your awareness inward continuing the journey within.


Finding Your Comfort Edge: When you enter an asana, you build a foundation for yourself. After about two to three deep breaths, you being to feel a sensation in your legs, shoulders or arms. As you stay in the posture for a longer period of time the sensation or the energy begins to flow more intensely. This is where a person finds there comfort edge and you either deepen yourself, stay right there or ease out a little bit. Its always fun to tiptoe over the edge and explore this new world of sensations within an asana you have been practicing for the past week, month or years.

GIving yourself a challenge and always listening to your body is the best way to honor your amazing and very unique body throughout a yoga practice.

To learn more about Tyler copy/paste the link web.me.com/tylerlavigne

While most weren’t ready to buy a mat and pop into tree pose, a few friends agreed to give yoga class a try. For some it stuck and others it didn’t, but I remember very clearly the joy I felt at having offered up my little slice of heaven.

Last week one of my long-time students brought four of her close girlfriends to class. They laid their mats one next to the other, giggled during class, and quietly helped one another when lost. It was an absolute joy to see and feel the warmth of friendship in class and made me fondly remember those moments when I shared yoga with loved ones.

While we certainly don’t want to push others to yoga, it’s a great feeling to share something you love. If you have a friend that is looking to get healthy, build community, or just get out of the house, bring him or her to yoga class! Your support and encouragement will undoubtedly make their experience and yours a whole lot sweeter. –Michelle Laxton

The first few breaths that happen to be deep and relaxed reveal the soothing effects of your earlier jog and healthful breakfast. The first few breaths that happen to be short and choppy reveal the stress caused by the traffic jam you encountered. The first few breaths that happen to be labored and tight reveal the pain felt from a disagreement with your partner.

In order to live our lives, working our jobs and caring for our families, we often feel the need to ignore our feelings. However, healing through yoga requires an open and observant mind. By watching the first few breaths of your practice, you may discover what situations throw you out of balance. When those same challenges arise in the future, you’ll be more connected to your mind-body-heart and therefore better able to keep your yogic cool. –Michelle Laxton