Why another blog? Because I love this practice. It has done so much for me. I am happy to share what I have learned and what I experience with you. I often find myself considering doing "yoga entries" on my various blogs or other social media. But I think a dedicated place for a dedicated practice is the way to go. So let's begin!

Where do we start? Start where you are of course!

My first notes:

I practice Hatha Yoga. I learned at The Integral Yoga Institute in New York City in the mid-1990's. The Integral Yoga deals with the whole individual - all the different aspects that make up who we are. There are no gaps. You can take as much or as little as you want.

I use a metronome app on my phone, on a low volume, to dial up one-second counts (60 beats per minute or, BPM) and count my breath as I do the asanas or poses. Count 6 beats (or seconds) of breath in, and 6 beats out. Do this 5 times and you have 1 minute of time which is what you'll use to hold the asanas, and the relaxation periods as well. This is very important and VERY powerful. Your breath IS your life and training the breath calms the mind. This is everything.

I never used to practice to music but I've found a shakuahachi (japanese bamboo flute) CD that I just love for this purpose. It's called "Komuso" by Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. Its not "music" in the traditional sense but flute blown meditations called "Sui-Zen" or "Blowing Zen'. Of course this is not necessary for practice, but very beautiful and relaxing.

I have had turns of total dedication to yoga practice and spans of years where I just basically forgot all about it, even as I fondly recalled the times that I was practicing regularly. Those were the times that I felt the best in my life, when I had a regular practice.

So life knocked me around a bit and earlier this year I realized it was time to get back to it. I felt simply awful: physically, mentally and perhaps most important, spiritually. Totally lost. Not happy. Frustrated all the time. That was almost three months ago. Now I'm back. I feel alive again. Interested in living. Curious about what's there if I go deeper. I've lost 20 pounds - more to come I'm sure. I'm stretched and toned and have three times the energy I did just a short time ago.

I've realized I want to teach and the Teacher Training will eventually be something that's a part of this blog as well - but for now, its all about the practice. Welcome!