Joe Kulak to me, is a super cool yoga teacher. His Yoga for Snowboarding Workshop gave me a great inspiration and a great foundation for this winter season. Joe won a silver metal in Boardercross at the 2007 USASA National Snowboarding Championships. He is a Certified Yoga and Martial Arts instructor. http://www.joekulakyoga.com

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After taking teacher’s training course in yoga , the one piece I was not not good at was incorporating meditation into my daily life. I had a hard time meditating , being skeptical about just sitting still -a typical type A personality. Recently, I attended a yoga conference offered by Omega where I browsed through an amazing assortment of books + Cd’s for sale and discovered “Relax into Greatness” by Rod Stryker. I popped in Rod’s CD on an unusually quiet Saturday at my apartment. I followed the instructions as best I could and without any great expectations, in less than 10 minutes, I zoned out. I wasn’t asleep nor was I awake, I was somewhere in between. I think I actually achieved, what is called Yoga Nidra.

Intrigued about this state of mind, I did some research and learned that Yoga Nidra is a universally known feature of deep sleep where there are no images in the mind. It is a conscious but deep sleep. I came to learn that lucky for me and my random Cd purchase, that Rod Stryker is widely considered to be one of the pre-eminent yoga and meditation teachers in the United States.

Yoga Nidra is very well documented and eons old. Another expert source, Swami J, came up in my intense Google search and I recommend visiting his website for more detailed background and historical information on the subject. The Swami’s site that is packed with information, just reading it can put you into a state of total relaxation.

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There is an amazing series of Buddhist classes being offered in Hoboken through the Chakrasambara Buddhist Center in NYC. The series is taught by Buddhist Nun, Kelsang Tsoglam, who offers incredibly insightful teachings that include meditation. For a busy person, meditation seems like the last thing you have time for, but after even an evening with Tsoglam, you will quickly realize how essential meditation can be. The next series starts on Monday, January 7th at Devotion Yoga Studio at 7:45pm.

I ran into my favorite Buddhist nun on the streets of NY ( what are the chances of that) , she was carrying an eight foot White Tara dressed in her super styling robe. Tsoglam has a unique ability to communicate the principles and practices of Buddhism and makes them relevant for the average “layperson” and inspiring to those who are more knowledgeable. She offers insights that can apply to the lifestyles of busy urbanites that can be applied with ease. She describes her upcoming series as ..

The Confidence To Change :
“The purpose of practicing Buddhist meditation is to change who we are…to improve who we are. In this series we will develop deep insights into our true nature and through this we will naturally acquire confidence in our potential for transformation. Combining this confidence with Buddhist spiritual practice will enable us to become the person we truly wish to be. ”

Chakrasambara Meditation Center:
http://www.meditationinnewyork.org/mcnj-hoboken-hudson.php

The book that we reference in the series:

Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey by Kelsang Gyatso
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0948006757

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The more you practice yoga, the more you are encouraged to start your own practice at home. This is no easy task, even if you are an advanced student of yoga. There is one style of yoga , known as Ashtanga, that is based on doing a series of poses ( asanas) in the same order, making it , a perfect system for a home or personal practice.

There is a master teacher, David Swenson, that I would recommend. He is a very cool guy, who grew up in California living among surfer dudes, after leaving the Midwest at young age. David Swenson began practicing yoga in 1969 at the age of 13. David’s introduction to Ashtanga came in 1973 when he met David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff ( yoga teachers) in Encinitas, California. In 1975 David and Nancy brought K. Pattabhi Jois ( Ashtanga master) to the U.S. for the first time and Swenson was fortunate enough to be there. David then initiated studies directly with the K. Pattabhi Jois . David made his first trip to Mysore in 1977 and learned the full Ashtanga system as it was originally taught by K. Pattabhi Jois. David Swenson is recognized today as one of the worlds foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga Yoga. http://www.davidswenson.com/.

To learm more about Ashtanga and K. Pattabhi Jois , visit http://www.ayri.org/.

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Life of a Yogi - are 200 & 500 hour teacher trainings based on the eight limbs and nine forms of Yoga. They are designed from years of practices that Dharma did himself to become a yogi. Each student is prescribed spiritual programs that will totally charge and change their life to become a calm, content and better person. The results have been miraculous and the essence of these ancient teaching come to life for each individual to use in this world of constant distractions. These yoga teachers, thru Dharmaji’s guidance become much more than just teachers, “they become Yogis”.
http://www.dharmayogacenter.com/classes/brochure.php

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I had the pleasure of taking Aadil Palkhivala’s Purna Yoga Master Class during the Omega Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Aadil’s approach to yoga was something brand new to me-his wisdom and his guidance during this class was a glimpse into both ancient wisdom and modern realities. Aadil began the study of yoga with B.K.S. Iyengar at the age of 7 and was introduced to the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother at the age of 10. He was certified by Iyengar at age 22.

Aadil and his wife Mirra co-founded Purna Yoga. The philosophy of Purna Yoga reminds us that yoga is far more than a system of exercise. “Yoga is not to be performed ; yoga is to be lived”-Aadil Palkhivala. I learned that Aadil has degrees in law, physics and mathematics, and is a certified Shiatsu and Swedish bodywork therapist and a clinical hypnotherapist, a federally certified Naturopath and an Ayurvedic Health Science Practitioner. He brings all of this knowledge “on the mat” and somehow magically and naturally you can take what you experienced with you “off the mat” and apply it to your life- to be enjoyed “now”.

His studio and center are located in Bellevue, Washington. To learn more explore: www. aadil.com and www.yogacenters.com

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Dharma Mittra is the man who did all the poses for the Master Yoga Chart in 1984- offering it first to his Guru, Swami Kailashananda and then to all Yoga aspirants. He meticulously photographed himself in 908 Yoga Postures, then cut and pasted all the pictures (before the computer age) and designed this truly one of a kind masterpiece. Students at his center in 1983 recall the process as the Chart gradually grew and grew. They tell of the time, energy and enthusiasm Yogi Dharma devoted to its completion. It hangs in the most prestigious ashrams and centers worldwide, as a teaching tool and inspiration for all Yoga sadahkas (seekers of truth). It contains many postures rarely seen, and many secretly created by Dharma. Over the years, so many people have told us how important it has been to their practice of learning Hatha Yoga.

To buy or see the poster: http://www.dharmayogacenter.com/shop/posters.php

More about Sri Dharma Mittra–the following text is exactly from his website:

“Sri Dharma Mittra has spent most of his life in service to humanity, disseminating the ancient knowledge of how to achieve radiant health and spiritual development. Dharma was born in the late 1930’s, and has studied Yoga since 1958. After meeting his teacher guru, Sri Swami Kalaishananda, he immersed himself in intense study and practice of the classical eight limbs of Yoga, and nine years of dedication full time practice of Karma Yoga. He was accepted and initiated as a sannyasi (one who renounces the world in order to realize God). During these years Dharma had the esteemed honor of being the personal assistant to the Guru attending to all his needs. Sri Swami Kailashanada is known as the first Guru to bring the practice of Hatha Yoga to the west in the early 1950’s.

http://www.dharmayogacenter.com/dharma/press.php

Dharma taught only for his Guru with selfless expectation, after years as a full-time yogi and bramachari, a celibate religious student who lives with his teacher and devotes himself to the practice of spiritual disciplines. He was the main demonstrator for the Yoga asanas at the many lectures the Guru gave to the public in the 60’s and 70’s. After being a celebrated teacher for many years at his guru’s Ashram, he left in 1974 and founded the Yoga Asana Center, currently known as Dharma Mittra Yoga New York Center.

Dharma is the first main independent Yoga teacher on the East Coast, initiating hundreds of thousands on the path of Yogic practice and teaching. Dharma began disseminating this knowledge before “styles” of Yoga became popular, and has remained truthful to the original classical practice. Students from all walks and styles of Yoga love his teachings. Dharma has literally been teaching classes continuously everyday since he started in 1967. To this day he still makes himself available regularly to anyone who walks thru the doors of Dharma Mittra Yoga in need of help and direction. For his dedication and fortitude, he is known as “the Rock of Yoga”, and for his experience and knowledge the “Teacher’s Teacher”. Sri Dharma continues to inspire, enlighten, and reveal to Yoga teachers and practitioners today, the real meaning of Yoga. “It is my greatest joy to share with students this knowledge that I have acquired in the past 50 years of practice and study. Yoga practice will give one’s body the power and strength to have resistance to common illnesses and diseases. With proper encouragement and increased faith in the Guru, as one can improve his physical body and mental attitude rapidly, thereby igniting the higher motives of making ones self useful to himself and all mankind”.

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Mark Whitwell develops an authentic yoga practice for the individual, based on the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya and his son TKV Desikachar, with whom he enjoyed a relationship for more than twenty years. Mark’s teachings clarify the profound passion and relevance of ancient wisdom to contemporary life. The premise of Mark’s yoga philosophy is that yoga is that there is an appropriate yoga of body and breath for every person according to age, health, body type, and lifestyle. If the principles of yoga are applied taking into account the present situation of the person, anyone can enjoy the many benefits of yoga immediately. Yoga is not an alternative to an existing lifestyle, but can add value and clarity to a person’s life as it is. He encourages you to know that is is important to simply create your own personal practice.

Mark established the Heart of Yoga Association in 1998 as a Non-profit to provide yoga education worldwide to help communicate the principles of yoga practice to a wider audience. Mark’s most recent book is Yoga of Heart, published by Lantern Books. He teaches
globally and at the Heart of Yoga Studio in Los Angeles.

www.heartofyoga.com

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One of my favorite audio books is Getting Unstuck by Pema Chodron. This is a perfect Ipod download, because it is so nice to listen to it while you are on the ferry or the PATH to NYC. Pema uncovers this thing called shenpa. I describe shenpa as the deisre we have to scratch an itch –and the knowledge that scratching it won’t make it better, but we do it anyway…seriously listening to Pema on the audio is like attending an amazing college lecture that you never forget. I’m still a little stuck, but now I’m stuck on Getting Unstuck.

“It isn’t the things that happen to us in our lives that cause us to suffer, it’s how we relate to the things that happen to us that causes us to suffer.” Pema Chodron

Pema was also part of the PBS Series Faith and Reason moderated by Bill Moyers , you can see hear her interview in full and explore other great thinkers.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/faithandreason/portraits_chodron.html

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