How many times have we heard the term f*ck buddies, or friends with benefits?

On vacation with a friend we spent a lot of time discussing this, mainly trying to decide if it was even conceivable. While exploring Ireland, we found ourselves coming back to this subject on many different occasions.

Our holiday looked like this: airport—pub—hotel—breakfast—old stuff—pub—sleep over a pub—breakfast—pub—oatmeal with Irish Mist (whiskey)—a Texan in a pub—breakfast—pub—looking for Colin Farrell and Jonathon Rhys Meyer…pub, pub, pub. You get the point. In my defense I actually was thinking of Will Farrell, and was  hoping for a glimpse of Henry the VIII.

Needless to say we may have proved two things. I now believe Guinness to be food group on it’s own, and it may very well be possible to have a friend with benefits. I also now know who Colin Ferrell is, I still love the Tudors, and I learned a ton about the views of others and sex. All because of Ireland, my friend Elle and a Texan.

I used to waver on my opinion about whether or not having a purely sexual relationship was possible, and when I started considering this as an option—post divorce—I realized there may be something to gain from emotional detachment and physical closeness with someone I absolutely trust. I thought about it long and hard (pun intended) before making an informed decision.

The majority of my female friends said that they do not think it works because someone always gets hurt. My male friends were all for it. My attention then turned to question who is getting hurt and why? If no one get’s hurt will it work?

It seemed to me this was being done the wrong way.

The women who spoke about the negative aspect of this type of relationship all admitted that they had developed an emotional attachment to their partner leaving them very hurt, and in the end their friendships suffered.

However, the men I spoke to also admitted to developing deeper emotional bonds, admitting that they backed off  so as not to ruin their friendships and at the same time hurt the women.

Both ways the friendship was being effected. And on some level everyone was developing attachment, either emotional or physical or both, to their partner.

Well, duh.

Why weren’t people seeing that this connection is natural and inevitable. Since the fourth century Plato has discussed human societal bonding. We are mammals and we bond with one another through touch. When we have a sexual relationship this creates a coupling—like it or not—for everyone involved.

If going into a situation that mutually benefits two consenting adults, why can’t ground rules be set up?

If you know your friend well enough then you would know if you are considering involvement with someone who is either desperate and clingy, or someone who is emotionally mature enough to understand it’s purely physical foundation. We are open with our friends.

This situation is not for someone you already have feelings for. You are setting yourself up for failure. If you have feelings for someone, be honest. What’s the worst that can happen? They may not feel the same way? You don’t know until you take that step. A key point though no matter which way you look at it though, is a sexual relationship will not create love.

Be realistic. Don’t go into this type of relationship thinking with your heart, or even worse thinking you can change the male friend who never wants to give up his bachelorhood and enjoys playing the field, or the female companion who is not ready for commitment and purposely keeps you in the friend zone. That is when you are going end up pulling something like this:

Or Maybe Like this:

Remember:it’s not Personal, it’s strictly business.

The most outspoken of all my male friends was the Texan I met in Ireland (go figure)—no, we were not f*ck buddies. He, like me, does believe in this type of relationship if you set up rules and established boundaries.

Maybe a pros and cons list will help?

Pros:
>emotional (yes, on some level it’s inevitable—be honest, take it for face value) and physical support
>self confidence (come on, you know you’ll feel sexy—maybe have a bit of swagger in your step)
>stress relief (enough said)
>great exercise (for the main act of intercourse it’s estimated that you can burn up to 200 calories, add foreplay to that and and you can increase the burn)

Cons:
>the likeliness of one person getting hurt is high (see pro number one)
>in the ideal friends with benefits situation both parties know there is no possibility of a long term relationship—that doesn’t mean that one or both participants will not meet someone else they could see themselves with. Ouch all around. Can the other person handle being left out?
>in theory a friendship would be unaffected by this type of thing, but in reality one stands to lose a good friend (if you were close enough to take the f*ck buddy leap, I’m guessing it would suck to loose them on any level)

I was involved in this sort of “relationship” earlier this year and we both fully understood:

>We were not “dating” each other.
>We were not “sexually involved” with other people.
>We did not discuss our relationship with other people and we were 100% honest with each other.

When we decided to end our involvement it was the easiest thing ever. No tears, no heartbreak, no drama. We are still friends, we have lunch and talk, we spend time together. Just not alone near a bed.

I fully believe this is type of thing is doable (pun intended), if you have realistic and compatible goals and open communication.

And an occasional Guinness.  Cheers.

Barack Obama has endorsed same sex marriage.

This is a historical moment. Obama is added to the list of officials who have publicly stated their support on the issue of same sex marriage. Joe Biden said he was “very comfortable” with it and Secretary Arne Duncan endorsed it all the way. This is for sure, a huge step in the right direction for our nation.

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.” —Barack Obama

Will a new gadget or wardrobe really make all the difference this year?  I cannot even believe that after the last two or three very uncomfortable years, financially, there is still a great segment of my fellow Americans who seem to be itching to dive right back into the perpetual stream of commercialization of the precious winter holidays celebrated by persons of all faiths (and some of no faith at all.)

In trying to make room in my heart for those that drive me more than a little crazy and use these irritations as a good ole learning experience, I have come up with my own list of what it is that I most desire this holiday season.  If you can’t beat em, join em…right?

I need more Time.  Time to cook good food and to share it with people who are important to me.  Time to read a few books that have nothing to do with history and offer an opportunity for my imagination to run amuck and even surprise me. Time to reflect and paint and listen to my breath even though the silence is filled with the maddening screams of the demons I have yet to fully face.  Time to ride my bike for any reason other than shedding those extra pounds I have accumulated this year.  Time for a personal practice at studios that I am not in charge of with teachers of talent and humility.  Time to feel sorry for myself and Time to dance in a room full of strangers without a shred of self-consciousness.  Time to have a more meaningful conversation with a few very important people to me and suss out some of the confusions of my life.

Touch.  A hug, a kiss, a massage.  Hands of others connected by arms and a loving intention to surround me and remind my fearful inner child that all is well with the world and that I am safe & loved.  I need to be TOUCHED in a way that is full of intimacy and that gives us the opportunity to grow so very much closer.

I want Space.  Wide open skies with tall trees that dance in the wind and share their deepest secrets with my soul.  Miles of ocean that crashes onto the shore in a symphony of colors and textures waist high & warm.  Mountains that peak beyond the clouds and the whispers of stardust from eons past.

Silence.  I would love to slay the million worries that bubble up daily distracting me from the moment at hand.  Silence the crying, the bombs, the pleas of those persecuted, the traffic, and the critics.  Silence the political bickering, the divisions, the excuses, and the voices of the past. It is time for a Silence that is comfortable between us.

Some Clarity. A little spiritual Clarity would be great place to start.  After that I would please like a few helpings of Clarity in all my relationships.  Ambiguity is senseless and I am not a mind reader.  For me & my part…  I love you.  I appreciate you.  I need you.  You are precious to me and there is nobody else like you in my life.  I am looking forward to our future (which is not at all guaranteed nor the most interesting or important part) and I am very very focused on being closer here and now.  We are sharing space my friends and I am all in!  To the best of my abilities I will work at being open with you & my hope is that my needs don’t ever sound like nagging.  In exchange I will take your answers & actions to heart and if we are not talking then in my mind I’m likely to hear that we have outgrown each other. Clarity means speaking the same language.

I crave Understanding.  I am not always at my best and sometimes I don’t shower for days.  I can be needy and selfish.  I require a place in your heart that is reserved only for me and in return you can expect the same.  Please Understand that I too am a work in progress and that I am fragile and have just as much to loose as you do.  When it gets dark and I am scared I need a little Understanding.

I desire Grace.  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  I call forth Grace to lead me through the uncomfortable periods of uncertainty with patience and emotional sobriety.

LOVE.  more love.  Brotherly Love.  Love of a Parent.  Love from friends and Love from a communicating and thoughtful Lover.  The Love that comes from quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts & physical touch.  Love that is unconditional and Love that is unexpected.  Love of neighbor and Love of Self.  Love that is patient and kind and rewarding and that grows and flowers with the seasons of life.  What else is there than LOVE?

Box it, bottle it, wrap it and mail it.  Better yet, swing on by and let’s exchange our gifts in person on the mat.  Let us breath and move to the pulse of mother earth and let us empower, embrace, and ignite our hearts.  These are the holiday gifts that mean the most and that will truly allow us to SHINE!!

What’s on your list?

I know that I am ultimately responsible for my actions and reactions. With this knowledge, I’ve certainly grown more aware of how I live each moment as my life has progressed, but I’m amazed at how I keep waking up to little negative, pestering habits that are no longer serving me and making my life infinitely more difficult. So, I am openly sharing some of my biggest violations and revelations that have helped me along the path of yoga.

1. Not being able to laugh at myself

I used to fluctuate between being totally silly and taking myself WAY too seriously all in the same day. I remember in my 20’s getting so upset over events of the past or worrying about the future that I would literally lose entire days to the fluctuations that were going on in my mind. And I constantly worried about my weight and appearance. Meditation and yoga (all limbs) have given me tremendous perspective on the physical part of my appearance. I know if I put good stuff in, then more good stuff appears physically (more on this in #2!), but without a heavy attachment to looking a certain way. I have done this by sticking to a spiritual regimen of eating organic, vegan food, getting plenty of outdoor activity, adequate asana practice, sleep, and stopping negative thoughts before they take over. Now, I’m only about 75% cured of my mental fluctuations, but I certainly have the ability to reign them in… and most importantly, laugh at myself.

2. Having a negative body image

This has been one of my biggest challenges to overcome. I used to look in the mirror and see someone who was 10, perhaps even 20 pounds heavier than me. It was a way for me to control what was out of control for me as a child. This negative pattern of thinking trickled into adulthood. But, really — aside from gaining and losing the freshman 15 in college, I’ve always been the same weight. Amazing how little clarity I had about the fact that I’ve really always been at a healthy weight. I have a very different view of my body now. I see it as the home or vessel I inhabit while I’m in this plane of existence. I treat it with utmost respect by consuming a mostly vegan and organic diet. I do balance this out with the occasional red wine or beer splurge and I love, love, love dark chocolate. Bottom line is, I have consciously chosen to not stress out about food since I keep nothing but healthy stuff in stock! My time is too precious to go on a diet, count calories or step on a scale every day.

3. Being ridiculously unorganized

The vata in me always has some unfinished project going. You should see the disarray in the cabinet beneath my computer desk. Every time it opens, things fall out and I likely have mail in there from two months ago. Sigh… I am a work in progress. On the flip side, there are times when I really have it all together and love the way that feels. I am attempting to simply make peace with the fact that I can be pretty scattered at times and go from there.

4. Becoming caught up in gossip

I don’t get this one, because I’ve been the subject of gossip and swore I’d never take part in it because I know how much it stings to find out someone’s been chattering behind your back. However, the human in me has succumbed to being a little gossipy at times. I can, however, remember each and every time I spoke in a negative way about someone and I can honestly say I felt it in my bones. Anytime I’ve taken part in being gossipy, I get a sick and head-aching feeling. A sign that (pardon the cliché) if you can’t say something nice you really shouldn’t say anything.

5. Losing my temper

The pitta in me does lose it from time to time. Usually my family gets the brunt of this. I get frustrated when I’m out of balance and I do come unglued occasionally. When this happens, I try to remember how important it is to re-frame why I’m upset in the first place. And, I feel so fortunate to have the tool of breath awareness to turn to when my pitta jets need some cooling. When I’m angered, I do my best to pause BEFORE I react . I first ask myself the question; am I harming myself or someone else with my words or actions even in the smallest of ways? And, I often ponder this quote by author Grenville Kleiser before choosing to react negatively The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you. So being happy = being kind.

6. Wishing I could master a certain pose

My rational mind knows I won’t get as much out of the physical practice of yoga if I’m going for achievement of postures. However, I’ve been guilty of putting myself on deadline for tackling poses that I find particularly challenging. I do, and will continue to have a few that I work on for a few weeks at a time during my home practice. However, I can honestly say that when I participating in the discipline of physical yoga simply for the sake of the practice  — the asanas become more enjoyable, beneficial and even more effortless. Ah, once again, yoga as a lovely metaphor for life! If only I could always live my life with this sense of detachment…  I’m getting there.

In Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali he says that once the junction created by ignorance is removed, the Seer rests in his own true nature. He is referring to our true nature  which is that of freedom and liberation. So once we remove our deep habits (samskaras), Patanjali says we should be able to guide others to do the same. Satchidananda writes when a strong person crosses a turbulent river, he or she will not walk away after crossing but will stand on the bank and pull everyone else.

Before we knew him as the man responsible for introducing us to the ease and beauty of Apple’s design and technology, he was a college dropout turned Buddhist. Just a month into his first job (at Atari) he quit, packed his bags for India, and went on the search for spiritual enlightenment. When he returned to California (shaved head, in Buddhist garb), he was ready to start his life as a new man, an entrepreneur, a creator. He saw computers as the tools to unleash human creativity. In the early ’80s Jobs and his pals built the Apple Macintosh.

Watch the video below — Steve Jobs introduces the Macintosh.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“What makes Macintosh great is that the people working on it were musicians and poets and artists and zoologists and historians who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world,” Jobs said in a 1996 PBS documentary.

Jobs aimed to work with people who loved their job as much as he did. Love is what has always fueled his career, love that inspired him to create, and love that kept him going (let’s not forget he was fired from the company he started in 1985), and love that built his family. Love was his model for life.

“I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

Today nearly everyone that has touched a mouse, emailed a photo, or rocked out to an MP3 player has been touched by this man. He was the guru of the technology, enlightened.

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.” -Steve Jobs

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.

Namaste, Steve Jobs.

First: Take everything you’ve ever learned and everything

You’ve yet to discover and place it in a box labeled Thank You.

Second: Take a picture of your face and remember

That in ten years time you will be amazed at how gorgeous you were.

Be amazed now.

Third: Find someplace to live.

Make sure it has the ability to let light fall

Across the room in such a way that every so often,

You’ll stop and mouth the words “Ah, sunlight.”

Before you finish dusting the books.

Don’t let the books get dusty.

Open them and reread your favorite sentences

Or give the books away.

Fourth: Fall in love.

Touch. More than you think.

Have a child if you want one.

If you don’t, don’t.

Let your child out into the world

Discovering for themselves just how magical

It is. Or it isn’t.

It’s theirs to decide.

Give your child a lot of books.

Fifth: Get a job.

Remember this job is not who you are.

You get to open the silk door of You,

And decide, over and over, as many times as you like,

Just who you are.

Your job will feed you and your children if you have them.

If you forget this step,

You will be reminded of it if you ever lose your job.

“No, my job can’t be who I am

because here I am still standing in line at the post office tapping

my feet, thinking my thoughts and moving my arms,

and yet I have no job but still, I am.

I am.”

Sixth: Do yoga.

Let your body discover what it’s like to move

without your brain holding it’s hand.

Tell your brain to take a hike.

Let your body believe fully in it’s own powers.

Let every person you’ve stored inside your muscles out every so often,

to breathe.

Seventh: Do things that make you feel good.

Let your joy be contagious and spread through

Your home, your job, your children.

Let it spread through the world

Like a virus so that when you forget it,

Every so often, you’ll catch it from someone else.

Jen Pastiloff, after a particularly focused Annie Carpenter class on Sep 20, 2011

Most of the women I speak with are frustrated.  They are powerful, hold amazing jobs, have gobs of responsibilities, they make time for charity and fashion is not lost on them. Yet with all their sparkle and charm they are frustrated with chores, and dating, with marriage, and their jobs, paying the bills, and the government, and that really awesome yogi, god bless her soul, that can do every posture with ease and doesn’t seem to think it has anything to do with the fact that she is shaped like a twig (yet eats like a trucker).

How does she do that anyway?

Speaking of Frustrating: How about beach bugs and sand in your butt, and bad take out, and that one yogi who’s an all high & mighty sorta fake zen type of gal that picks fights with others yet smiles to your face?  How about the fact that our education system is broken?… Though I should mention there is a man in Harlem who is actually trying to do something about it in spite of the unions…mostly women… Frustrations from mothers everywhere that had no idea that they had a birth choice, not to mention the sisters who are perfectly happy being “cool aunt so and so” and are sick and tired of being made to feel like they are less of a woman if they choose not to push one of those little suckers out of her yoga uterus…

Then there are the elections that are still months away and yet for some reason we have to hear from them (the wanna bzz) on the news singing their salvation songs in between occasions when they are speaking down to us poor folk who couldn’t possibly make a decision for ourselves (never mind we run companies and households thank you very much)….and when was the last time any of you had the opportunity and energy to shave your legs and go out on the town with the girls in hopes of being flirted with by somebody who actually has a college education or a job they are passionate about; never mind the prospect of a naughty jaunt to the ladies room for a quickie between courses…It’s been so long for some of us that we’d even take a same sex fling under the right conditions thanks to Katy Perry.

Which brings me to the biggest frustration I hear every single day… something about passion, and touching, and some stretching assistance that does not include a yoga mat or the need for a ponytail; which is bad from what I understand and really only a gateway drug to other disastrous hair options like feathers and glitter and the double pony….

I guess what I have to say is that there seems to be a lot of negativity that could be solved with a little heavy breathing (if not ujjayi) but then we have to maybe worry about all those pesky party prizes that we really don’t want to bring home from a weekend at the coast, or the bar, or from the random guy that lives on the fifth floor for that fact… even though his blue jeans fit oh so perfectly and he is only mildly low on self esteem (which most of us could handle under the barren circumstances of the past few months).

Not that I have a solution mind you, but I would love the brothers out there to hear it from at least one of us publicly that though we love to do a hundred vinyasas three times a week we would also, if not more so, love to not be in charge and to be pleasantly surprised by something other than bad breath or a tone that is condescending…or speaking in general because words are not really necessary for what we want….let me break it down boys….we are horny.  We do yoga all the time and we want to dance like rocks stars with moves like jagger and knock our socks off! So, if you can help with that then that would be great…

If not, got any friends cause we are feeling somewhat desperate.

Clearly.

I hear it many times a week.  Since you boys have been all doom and gloom over the end of the world and since you don’t seem to have anybody new to drop your fancy explosives on let me take a moment to remind you that you’ve forgotten to tend to your gardens and we are wilting over here in hot yoga…can’t a girl get an O without the OM?!!

That’s another thing I should address that as a yoga teacher I am baffled and honored and highly entertained by the stories you each share with me and so let me take this opportunity to wave my “you are awesome” banner high and praise you for your bravery, your spunk, and your very clear need to make out more.

I heard you.  Hopefully some of the men will hear this and take heed.  ( I almost wrote head…also funny and morbidly appropriate)  Good Luck With That!

Looking forward to connecting on Twitter @shelleyadelle to hear how it goes ;0)

Kevin Clash faced a lot of opposition growing up chasing his dream to work with Jim Henson and The Muppets. As a little boy he spent hours sewing puppets together, and in high school he was picked on for playing with dolls. But after graduation, he chased his dream to New York City, ready to climb onto the set of Sesame Street given the chance. Then, when puppeteer Richard Hunt gave up on the gangly red puppet, Clash got his chance. No one at Sesame Street had been able to develop a successful personality for Elmo.

“I knew that Elmo should represent love,” says Clash.

And Elmo came alive as Clash’s dream came true. Today the furry red monster is loved the world wide. Being Elmo is not only the inspirational story of Clash and his snuggly monster, but a heartwarming message to everyone about what it means to never give up on your dreams.

“If everybody else your age is doing something very different than what you’re doing, there’s always going to be someone saying that you might not succeed, you might not make any money with that,” says Clash. “All of those things will go away if your really focus on what makes you happy.”

Watch the trailer below for a sneak peak of Elmo love!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Being Elmo debuts in New York City October 21 — click here to find out when it comes to you!

Greetings,

I absolutely love it this time of year, Fall, the season of change!!

In this transition from summer to autumn, what do you feeling shifting & changing within yourself? This is always a great time of year to turn the gaze inwards and decide what seeds within ourselves we would like to nurture. I encourage you to nourish the seeds of self-love over the coming months. Such a great lesson I have been working with other the summer has been self-acceptance, releasing the need to be “perfect” and loving myself just as I am today. And that is not always easy, but if we can begin with accepting, understanding and cultivating compassion for ourselves then I believe we can cultivate love for ourselves, imperfections & all. The more we love ourselves, the more we will reflect that same love to all those around us! I will share a great quote I came across a few weeks ago, “When perfection ends, beauty begins.” ~Dr. Gopala Aiyar Sundaramoorthy

Many exciting events are ahead this fall and winter! I am thrilled to be going back to reconnect with all the wonderful students in Sonoma County and to spend time with my 2 best girlfriends, Kaetlin & Mariah! Teacher Training starts again Oct. 13th at Om Time here in Boulder and I have the pleasure of collaborating with Shannon Paige Schneider and Gina Caputo again this fall. While later this season, Shannon and I will be making a trip to the east coast to offer a weekend of “Skill in Action” to the students at Flow Together in New Cumberland, PA. Stay tuned for dates in Vail, CO at Vail Cascade & the Vail Athletic Club as well as at the Houstonian in Houston, TX this winter!!

And now is the perfect time to start planning a get away this Spring! Shannon & I will be hosting a retreat at Xinalani in Mexico March 31st – April 7th, 2012. Spaces for this intimate gathering are filling fast so put down your deposit today and make small monthly payments until it is time to escape to the beach and frolic in the jungle!!

In a couple weeks I will be moving into a new hOMe here in Boulder and I am very excited to announce that I will have my own studio to practice and teach privates!! So if you are interested in deepening your awareness of the practice, contact me by email to set up a private session or series of sessions. I love helping students find that alignment that works for their body so that they may carry that embodiment with them into the group classes & into their own home practice.

I hope to see you all on the mat very soon!

Lots of love~

Nancy Kate
Conscious Flow Yoga

Upcoming Events

October 21st, 2011
Binding to Freedom : Workshop 6 – 9pm @ Om Time
Boulder, CO
Learn More

October 22nd, 2011
Courage to Be yourSelf : Workshop 3 – 5:30pm @ Om Time
Boulder, CO
Learn More

November 3rd, 2011
Seeking EmPOWERment to Boldly Fly with Grace : Workshop 5:30 – 7:30pm @ Tadasana
Nederland, CO
Learn More

November 12th, 2011
The Great Teachers ~ Exploring Arm Balances to Teach Back Bends : Workshop 3 – 5:30pm @ Om Time
Boulder, CO
Learn More

Visit Nancy Kate’s website for more information & more workshop dates!

Teacher Training

Tillai Teacher Training – 200 hour YA accredited at Om Time in Boulder, CO Fall 2011 with Nancy Kate Williams, Shannon Paige Schneider, Gina Caputo & special guests!

Tillai University is an unconventional, in-depth, transformational community training for those who want to authentically deepen their sadhana and for those looking for a powerful introduction to the path of teaching Yoga. Evolving out of the confluence of the delightful practices of yogic tradition, philosophy, history, breathwork, bodywork, asana and meditation, Tillai University provides a perfect setting to develop the Yogic Heart, one devoted to life, to supporting love and becoming a humble servant of change through Yoga.

Appropriate for all levels of soul warriors, heart acrobats and scholars of life’s juiciness. This is the place for us to spread our toes, open our hearts, serve life and swing from the tree of tradition and practice. You will learn the art and science of practicing yoga to serve your deepest heart, to teach yoga to serve the heart of the world.

October 13th – 16th & 20th – 23rd
November 10th – 13th & 17th – 20th
December 8th – 11th & 15th – 18th

For more information and to apply please visit omtime.com

Stay tuned for 300 hour dates starting January 2012 with Nancy Kate, Shannon, Gina and many special guests!!!

Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.       
~Charlotte Casi

While I believe this to be true, I’ve encountered those who wonder if the teachings would conflict with their own faith. While there are myriad ways yoga has the ability to cultivate a deep spirituality, by itself it is not a religion. While it does have its roots in Hinduism and is often practiced by people of the Hindu faith, there are no limitations on who can practice. I, and many others like me, feel that yoga transcends religious dogma and has the ability to be a strong uniting force for people of all faiths.

In both yoga studios and health clubs where I have taught and practiced, I’ve seen people of all religions — Muslim, Jewish, several branches of Christianity (including, but not limited to, Mormon and Catholic) and others unite to practice this ancient ritual of moving in and through poses as a means of feeling more connected and more at ease. There are many forms of yoga that go beyond the physical postures. One example is Bhakti yoga, or devotion, which can be used by people of any faith. Your devotion or prayer can be based on whatever faith or religion you subscribe to.

The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text that Gandhi referred to as the manual for mankind, says yoga is evenness of mind and that yoga is skill in action. The story of Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna is the story of the inner conflict that plays out within our consciousness and the struggle to find balance between the forces of both light and darkness that exist within all of us.

Gandhi, of course, made radical changes in India without going to war, and he studied the Gita tirelessly and lived by its teachings. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, a Baptist preacher and scholar, was so moved by a lecture given by Gandhi that he based the entire American civil rights movement that changed the course of history in the U.S. on those same principles. Gandhi’s nonviolent and successful civil disobedience against British rule in India earned him the name Mahatma, which means “great soul.” Dr. King’s mission for social change was inspired by Mahatma’s words, through our pain we will make them see their injustice. Both men proved that peace can bring profound change even though they were on different religious paths.

In many yoga studios you’ll see various deities, including Hindu Gods and Goddesses, especially the Buddha. Yoga is not Buddhism, but the Buddha himself practiced yoga. Hatha yoga (the yoga of physical postures) prepares the mind for meditation by making the body comfortable through breath and postures. Buddhists practice mindfulness meditation. In both yoga and Buddhism, there is an exploration of the koshas which are the layers of the subtle body. In temple and in church, silent prayer is a form of meditation — and meditation a form of prayer.

I like Dr. Timothy McCall’s perspective in his book Yoga as Medicine — there is certainly a spiritual side to yoga, but you don’t have to subscribe to any particular beliefs to benefit from it. It’s probably more appropriate to view yoga as somewhat akin to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Like AA, yoga has a spiritual dimension that you can focus on or totally ignore, depending on what’s most useful to you. Like AA, yoga is compatible with any religion, or none, if that’s your preference.

For me, the ancient teachings of yoga and meditation are particularly appealing because they teach love, acceptance, harmony and forgiveness. Having more of these things in my own life has been deeply healing. As a teacher of Hatha yoga and someone who studies the spiritual side of yoga tirelessly, I see that my responsibility is to meet each student at the place where they choose to start their journey.

While we explore together, we all need to be respectful that our paths may be similar, yet they may also be very different. Keeping this in mind, hopefully we all share the same ultimate goal of shifting our own energies to be more peaceful and share that peacefulness and good energy with everyone around us.