At first it looks simple enough. You bend over as if in uttanasana. You extend one leg behind and hold it there while balancing on the other. Then comes the tricky part: As you balance on one leg, you extend you arms to the left and right while bending in the extended leg closer to your hip AND bending down on the other leg as well. Done right it looks like an albatross. As for my asana, thankfully, I have no where to check– The yogi next to me blocks the mirror-I have only my inner feeling and thigh pain to use for assessment. How good am I at the Albatross pose? Ask my friend in front. She well tell you.

I plan to learn more about yoga poses and their names. That way I can write more accurately about our practice. I enjoy talking about the periphery of yoga–the essence minus the posture-such as feelings, peaceful moments, meditation, the challenge of living harmoniously: Over and over I have made connections with yoga as it manifests outside the class. At this point I want to refocus on asana. The reason being, the very basic physical movement sometimes releases a tide of hubris. One day, a couple of weeks ago, I experienced the mind body connection yoga makes. We were in the middle of the class and I was having trouble concentrating- no surprise. Suddenly during a hip rotation a knot came untied. I could feel the potent release of whatever it was I was holding– inside the tissue, inside my heart inside my brain. Instantly a change of state came over me and stuck with me throughout the rest of the class all the way to the drive home.

That’s why I want to study what we do. I want to learn why and how the body yields its own healing to the heart and mind. If my elbow, my knee, my shoulder, my thigh, my skin looks no different, why do I feel so much better? Where does this” bettering” start? I would like to know, and I plan to find out.

A strong armor in a dark field.

The most amazing things happen unasked, like you receive a gift personalized to your very needs. Outside the raucous of communication, someone asks and someone gives without so much as leaving a sound byte in the air. How does this happen?

In our yoga class, traditional Hatha yoga sits along side a modern genteel approach: Modify the pose; Find what your body will allow today; Move do not stay stuck. Such is the language that informs us again and again that “less is more in yoga.” This means that the feeblest of our twists and extensions can leave us feeling invigorated, if only we center our attention to the concept of “ahimsa,” non violence(Do not beat a performance out of your body. Cherish what it can already do today).

This incredible language that weaves the heart, mind, body, and soul of every class, belongs to the intuitive strengths of our yoga teacher, Rafael. This intuitive strength leaves us with that incredible gift exactly tailored to our personal wish. In other words, we receive the kind of class we want for that day.

That single transforming pose enters our practice as if an invisible guiding hand had steered our wish toward fulfillment automatically, magically, without fanfare.

That happened today.I walked in class with an innate need to stretch my lower back, especially that left hip which had borne some sharp pain the previous evening. And what pose should we start off with?–Piegon pose, Bridge pose, variations of the Bow pose and other transitional forms of leg/hip stretches. In the middle of the class I realized the working wonder of this Yoga magic: changing, healing, cleansing one part at a time, one student at a time, one wish at a time. My wish was its command.

That’s how this Yoga gives, fulfills. One can only wonder: How does it happen?

Back home, some things were simply taken for granted. Like lighting the small silver lamp, “samai” in our tiny, non-ornate altar. How ornate could it get in the cramped match box style “flat” in Mumbai? Still, mother would usually leave whatever she was doing to take care of the chief twilight business- go brighten the wall altar in our kitchen and invite goddess Laxmi’s auspicious presence. Laxmi followed the footsteps of the incoming light, however small, knocking only on those doors that had illumined Laxmi’s path with the first welcoming light of the evening hours. The rest, those that had forgotten to light the “samai,” she would dutifully forget to visit.

Lighting the “diwa” always involved chanting the evening prayers– invocations to goddess Laxmi to enter the abode and bless the household with health, wealth, and happiness. One line says, “Since I bow to the brilliant flame of this light, destroy all the ‘enemy tendencies’ that reside within.” Without ever paying much attention to the significance of this small daily practice in our childhood, the memories of that lit altar stay with me to this day. There is something to be said about oil lamps or candles and how miraculously they change the energy of a room. The bright lit candles along the church pews at a friends evening wedding, many years ago, stirred similar feelings of quiet, tranquil beauty. Acknowledging light, and then ushering it in, through the gentle resolute way of lighting a lamp or a candle during the fading hours of the day keep me linked to the chain of this long line of tradition that continues to hold meaning for me in ageless, boundless ways.

I remember Grandma’s hands joined quickly in prayer, even as her eyes shut instantly, just as soon as someone flicked on the only light switch of her living room. Always amused to see this programmed reaction, I now wish for the same depth of feeling and gratitude as the unfailing devotion of this resolute woman. She did not let by a single turn of the light, without acknowledging her nod to its divine presence. That’s why we light the evening lamp in our house, because of my mother and grandmother and all our combined families put together so that we too may acknowledge the power of light over the presence of darkness, wherever we are.

Our community

The Devanand yoga center, is not a regular place for yoga, it is truly a community. Through the many years of the yoga center’s existence, the center has been dedicated to provide opportunity to participate in what a yoga commune we understand it to be. We are so grateful.

People do not seem to understand what it means when we explain this center to be a non-profit center. Our culture many times trains us is disbelieve and/or distrust. We truly are a group of individuals that wants to offer an opportunity to experience yoga non-commercially. We desire of this yoga center to be very personal. We do want the best, the most individually significant experience for each present. We do not care who the practitioner is, young, wise, in shape physically or spiritually, skin color, language, religion. We are interested in the REAL you. We want to really offer the opportunity for each to experience their true identity, our real Ego. We want to share what we have learned, and continue to learn. We want to continue to grow together, in support of each other. We understand this center is not for all. We are looking for that special person that is looking for “that” experience, that personal experience, through our body and mind, to remember our spirit.

In the Devanand yoga center we try so hard to bring an honest sentiment of caring and love to each activity of the center. We try not create expectations, because many times they bring disappointment. However, we always put our heart and soul when we are there. Sometimes it is more successful than others, and it is ok that way too. We will keep practicing…

We do think back on the many eyes, and voices, and hearts we have seen. We are so humbled to think back of all these years of seva, service for the love of others. This is our motivation to see the thousands of people that we have touched, and that have touched our souls.

Our only prayer is to continue to have the strength and clarity of mind to maintaining this space open, our center, your center. You are the special people that make this a special place. We only hope for the future; we gain motivation from the past; we want to serve in the present!

Namasté!

Yogini, writer/poet, teacher, irreplaceable friend!

I wish I had more to give you. Everyday, you offer me a way to silence my shuffle. God knows where this urban unrest comes from? Yet, in the soft amber light of the glowing candles we pause. Closing eyes is an option we can all take sometime. But what about the endless sinister suggestions that keep brewing a channel right down my middle? I am still rendering a new stop sign to that battle. “Give up already, I tell myself.” “No more tracking life, I admonish.” But I must keep admonishing myself. All the time.

Yesterday, your face looked beet root red. I concentrated on the trail of music, your brand of notes that lead us forward, and thought every new beginning made sense. For every new beginning makes a silent restoration of the past. Thus I paid homage to every ending note and stayed energized through every commencement. It would sure anatomize a new life. So when I glanced at your face and saw the flash of color spread across its horizon my hand rose tall and my arm lifted out from right underneath where will beats indifference. There I found my mystery buddy who awoke and responded to your daring happiness every time you raised or lowered the melody.

Just wanted to say I was there; I harmonized despite the battle and you showed mercy in flicking my flaws. Swept off my feet shall I say, by this Yoga!

Barsana Dham Yoga Retreat

Once you entered in the yoga center, you knew there was something special about this place.  The moment I saw you entering into the center, I knew there is something special about you.  The center is different, mystic, gentle, quiet and full of energy at the same time.  It is the place where we all leave our worries out, and throw ourselves in the arms of that energy in it.  It is with expectation, curiosity that you come through that door.  And I am so glad you did.  You never knew you were going to find you…

You come and participate with many words, weird words, Sanskrit words; and we chant together.  We take turns to listen to each other, to let the mind quiet down.  You let these powerful chant enter your being, and elevate your mood, prepare you for class.  Maybe you come and sit and participate, even without saying a word, with your hearts, and your own energy.  Your internal smile that breaks all barriers.  You gently close your eyes, looking inside, looking for your own truth, your heart.  You move your breath that just sits unmoved, holding keeping your deepest energy, inside.  And, you are reminded to just simply let it out, to exhale.  With that exhalation all the daily layers are peeled off, and you find your Self opened; the shoulders drop, the chest softens.  Then movement dances along with your breath.  Movement that invites muscles and nerves, bones and joints, fluids and blood, move in places you had forgotten were there.  The skin becomes alive, the senses deepen inward, and we feel moving floating, swimming in an ocean of energy; all seems intangible, maybe not logical, but equally real.

Sweat and effort come through your body.  The body takes you to places in your mind maybe forgotten.  Memories, distractions, things that were inside come running out.  The mind tries to hold on to things in the past, or expectations of the future.  The mind jumps, kicks, rebels, protests… Finally, the asanas take you deeper; you surrender.  The breath is fluent, the mind quiets down, the heart truly opens, the senses travel to unfathomable peaceful places.  We reach savasana…you let go, floating like a leaf carried but gentle wind.  Deep, imperceptible breath.

That special you that has walked through the yoga class at this little center in Houston – once or many times – has extended.  You are now everywhere.  You are in all corners of Houston, Clear Lake, Conroe, San Antonio, Austin, Galveston becoming

Enthusiastic Yogis

a doctor, Fort Davis being sharing yoga with others.  You are now in the East coast getting a better education, and the West coast pursuing your writer dreams.  You are North, way South, back in your home country.  You are in the UK, Netherlands, India, China, Colombia, South Africa, France, Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico… you are still in our hearts.  You make this yoga center.

I see this special person, walking in the yoga center.  That special heart.  That special soul, still part, connected.  I miss you.  I love you most for all that you give and that you are – really.

Namasté.

Present?

We are getting ready to one of the most important events in the year on our western world.  We are coming to the end of the calendar year.  These days can be so important physically and emotionally, but certainly spiritually.  ‘Tis the season for giving, celebrating, and welcoming new beginnings!

Yes, even in my older days these days are still full of significance.  In Christmas, Hanukah, etc, is all the symbolism of a spiritual rebirth.  Our western traditions pushes us to celebrate this rebirth.  We think of giving, sharing with loved ones, saying good bye to the old, and welcoming the new.

It is a special time of the year.  It is special because we think of all the many ways we can give thanks to the people we love.  It is the time of the year when we can take the time to plan out a special present, moment to show our gratitude towards the ones around us.  This is the time of the year where we extend our eyes beyond our family and friends to generously provide for others in need.  And this year has been a difficult year for many of us or around us.  Let’s give generously – from our heart. 

“What to give?” becomes our quest!  Simply, let us give time.  Should we start with ourselves?  Our inspiration and sincerity will become clear when our body and mind are connected, when we are in tune with who we are.  Take the time to stop, breath, reconnect.  Thus, our time with our loved ones, family or friends, will also be more significant.  Let’s give more of our time.  Real time.  Time is love.  Love is in demand.  We forget to be present, rather than to give presents.  It is the experiences shared in that time, not the price tag, the true gift.  Gifts are important, but maybe there is a most effective route to demonstrate our love.  A smile, a small note, a hand held, a time to listen, those are the memories that become gifts. 

I was recently reminded that love is the best healing gift you can offer to someone.  When we are able to spend time, to sit, and lovingly listen, then magical things happen.  God, Providence, Spirit, Mother Nature, Winter always, all ways invites us to tap into listening.  The entire city was invited to experience the beautiful and intriguing phenomenon of snow.  It only took a few minutes for me to be outside and just stand in awe…and listen.  I could truly listen through the silence of Nature.  It was in that moments that I experienced that internal conversation.  Those seconds were sufficient to become aware of that internal fire inside of me – that strength that gives, welcomes, experiences, forgives, empathizes, celebrates.  It is in that spirit that we find our fortitude to offer that peace to someone else.  I had to turn to a total stranger and share the moment of snow, quietness, joy!

We are always reminded, ‘Tis the season to give; to give of one Self.

This winter I’d like to release a paper boat down a river, a lake, or a lagoon. It can carry all the burdens of my past–those experiences that fall our way wordlessly, like snow, without asking, and remain there until the light of realization. They too have a purpose which, whether we understand it or not, make our world a gentler, more compassionate place. Only after the boat has moved away can I begin to move in a new direction forward- – that is not to say we need deny any part of ourselves. It is only to accept that ‘I’ am at the center of things that happen to me from the left and right, and that I can always stay connected to that endless resource, Me.

That is my hope and affirmation for the Holidays. That is why I want to thank all those people in my life, my spouse for one, who have stood by me through my seasons and loved me despite.

Which brings me to the snow last week: Who would have thought we’d receive these snow flurries? Watching the snow slowly unite with the grounds and the rooftops was like watching the miracle of our world from inside a snow globe, heaven and bliss put together in a noiseless, tranquil dream. Was it really happening? Were we actually witnessing this glory of winter? As I watched my front yard transform into a Christmas greeting card I was greedy for more. I could not decide which room gave a better view of the joy outside, which broad window side provided perfection. So I made my way from room to room, upstairs and downstairs trying to freeze frame the gorgeous new slumber party all around. And I decided I could not pick a prize winning entry. The views were all quite breathtaking: the burnt-orange maple with neat sides of chunky whites, the jovial crepe myrtle sporting snow studs at the tip of each bare twig, and humble grass wearing an outer planetary angelic look. Why, nature had announced ‘twas the season!’ It was time to bring out the bright blue globes of serenity, the deep green holly of abundance, and shiny red bows of more love for loved ones.

Nature had just finished off a refreshing new canvass. How about we added color of our own from our renewed selves? Watch that paper boat sail far, far away, like snow because of snow?

Here’s wishing everyone a bright green red and gold merry Christmas. May the joy be yours as much as the peace of a soft, white, magical snowfall.