It’s been a while since I’ve written here. When I’m smack dab in the eye of a creative storm, inspiration for writing becomes that elusive shiny thing gleaming ever in the background waiting patiently for the storm to pass.
This recent respite began around the time I took the Seane Corn workshop at Yogaphoria. 
I was just beginning to re-enter my body after months of sciatic/SI joint discomfort which often left me at my most limited range of motion. Thankful for balance, these physical limitations yielded to a broader & deeper spiritual response. By the time I got to my mat, I was ready to revisit my edge.
Excited to take my body and mind to unexpected places – and sharing the experience with some of my favorite yogi(ni)s while meeting new friends – my anticipation met the reality with wonder and love. I was not disappointed.
Seane Corn, in addition to humoring my need for “the hair” shot, 
enhanced my personal practice while informing my newly developing “teacher’s mind.” Seane tapped into something much bigger than the individual, while bringing the work right back to the mat. We practiced asana in her beautifully specific style, detoxed our bodies while redirecting our thoughts, stepped in and out of various shadows and returned to the light.
Thank you, Melanie, for inviting bright stars into our universe, creating a most unique and formidable constellation under which we can all practice, contemplate and grow. Your bright light casts its glow wide enough to warm us all!
Still riding the incredible wave generated by that weekend, I hurled myself into planning for the two classes I was to teach to complete my teacher training program.*
Noticing that my back issues were in part due to tight hips, I decided to design a double sequence called, “Hippie Hippy Namaskar,” complete with groovy tunes. As the Surya Namaskars greet and salute the sun, these series would do the same for our hips and our inner hippies. (I think only one person fled the room to challenge authority and protest in the streets;-).
While I love the chants and verses that are often the soundtrack to a yoga class, I felt that a compilation of some of my favorite classic rock songs would be more appropriate to the theme. The first class was a diverse playlist including the Grateful Dead, The Beatles, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell and CSNY. The second class, but for the first song which was the Grateful Dead, was entirely Beatles. There’s something about snuggling close to your edge while hearing Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds that is strangely satisfying.
The outpouring of love was amazing! Friends filled the studio for both classes, adding that extra cushion of support that carried me through to Sivasana.
The songs I find myself gravitating toward for Sivasana all have references to death. This seems poetic to me since Sivasana is Corpse Pose. What a gift it is to have regular practice for this Final Pose, knowing that it is just a rehearsal. And hey, a melodic reminder is only that, a reminder set to music.
I have so much still to process from those first two classes as I embark on imagining future classes. Perhaps this examination will show up in the next blog. So, stay tuned…
* I am so grateful to have a number of wonderful yoga studios to embrace. I’ve said it before, but when I left NYC I was convinced that was the end to the standard of quality to which I had become accustomed. I am happy to say how wrong I was! In the nine years we’ve lived in Bucks County, the yoga world has exploded with amazing and various teachers, styles and studios. You know who you are! (Prancing Peacock, Yogaphoria, Yogasphere, YogaLove, Dig Yoga). If I’m missing any, please leave a comment with your favorite! Inclusion and diversity is what serves me and I hope you are nourished as much by the numerous offerings!!
I must mention Liz from the Prancing Peacock and thank her for meeting me where I am, allowing me to even entertain the idea of teaching this awesome practice! You are a most generous “River Guide.” 😉
Namaste!