When I was only a few years into vipassana meditation practice in the 1990s, I took a 10-day silent retreat. This was my fourth retreat like this, and I was aware that there would be some physical discomfort, especially the first few days. Every retreat I had taken up to that point had brought me …

Continue reading “What is Zafu? What Yoga’s Vayus can do for your meditation”

Revolved Camel Pose has many of the same benefits that traditional Camel Pose. Your lumbar spine is mobilized by the backbend, while your thoracic spine is mobilized by twisting. It expands the chest and stretches your hip flexors. Camel Pose, like all backbends is a great alternative to sitting for long periods of time. Camel …

Continue reading “Parvrtta Ustrasana: Revolved Camel Pose”

If I had to choose one quality that distinguishes a great yoga teacher from a bad one, it would have to be humility. There are many other qualities that are important, such as knowledge, education, commitment, integrity, honesty and kindness, and discernment. In a very real sense, humility is the key to all of these …

Continue reading “Yoga for Beginners: Humility in Yoga Practice”

Do you recall your elementary schoolteachers telling you to put your head on your desks? Yes, I do. It was a long time ago, but I still remember it as a way to give rowdy children a moment of calm. Our rowdiness may not be a problem for yoga practitioners. However, a few minutes of …

Continue reading “Bolster Your Downward Facing Dog Pose”

A 30 year old yoga student returned to class a few years back. After a long hiatus, he told me that he was ready to return to yoga. He had been unable to continue his practice for many years because of his busy schedule. He was hesitant to return until now because of another thing. …

Continue reading “Hone Your Yoga Teaching Language”

The mundane can be transformed into something transcendent by slowing down the pace of life. It shows us how simple we can appreciate simplicity. An old friend of mine had moved to Baja years ago, so I went on a vacation there. I took a walk along a deserted beach one morning. My pace became …

Continue reading “Slowing down: The power of pausing”

I am privileged to lead a mindfulness class at Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden each summer. Our practice area is next to a small waterfall. Hearing meditation is often performed to the beat of running water, birdsong, and the gentle breeze. It is a peaceful area to practice most of the time. However, there are times when weed-whackers …

Continue reading “You can find peace in less-than-perfect conditions.”