CAFATERIA-STYLE YOGI

I love yoga, and have an eclectic taste for the practice. I enjoy my freedom to pick and choose what I like best from each discipline of Hatha Yoga. I've taken classes in Restorative, Yin, Kundalini, Bikram, Power, Vinyasa Flow, Prana Flow, Forrest Yoga, Ashtanga, Iyengar as well as Anusara-based and Dharma-inspired yoga classes. In each class, my body experiences an "ah-ha" moment. The "ah-ha" can sometimes be subtle or muted, and other times it's a verbal "oh, ah-haaa!" and then, there are the rare moments when my "ah-ha" is more like "boo-hoo" and I'm bawling in a yoga pose. My practice is a beautiful hodge-podge of these moments. And I love that whatever class I take, and with whomever is the teacher, I experience a shift in my practice on the mat that transforms my life.

I have been cautioned by some people for my eclectic taste which they consider to be "cafeteria-style." They warn with good reason, saying that I should have one teacher or guru to follow so a) I don't get hurt b) I don't get lost and c) I don't get in over my head with all the emotional stuff that comes up with practicing yoga. And there are times, that I think I should only practice one discipline of yoga or study with only one teacher. But, each time I think that, my mind, body and spirit say, "No!" because I like to blend the different teachings together to create my own style.

For me, yoga is an intimate practice in getting to know myself. I learn from different teachers how to get my body into different poses so that I can heal old wounds, let go of burdens, build self confidence and forgive myself and others. As a yoga teacher, my role is to guide students through a practice that deepens their connection to mind, body and spirit. I believe that a teacher is not there to tell the student what to do, but rather he or she is there to provide the framework each person needs to focus their mind, connect with their breath, and cultivate body awareness.

In today's world, Yoga caters to someone like me, who is a "cafeteria-style" yogi. A person can easily find different styles of Hatha Yoga to practice. You can take a class in your neighborhood or online. You can go on a yoga retreat. You can find classes on individual's blogs or a collective blog like Elephant Journal. You can Youtube yoga videos, buy a yoga DVD, or subscribe to a  website like YogaGlo. And of course, you can study yoga from a book. A great breakdown of the practice is Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar. 

One of the most incredible ways I experience all kinds of yoga all at once is by going to a yoga festival! I've volunteered at Wanderlust Yoga in Tahoe, immersed myself in yoga at the Yoga Journal Conference SF, and blissed-out at Bhakti Fest. And there are so many more I want to go to! Yoga festivals are amazing places because you can take classes from so many different Master Teachers. I've taken classes from Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, Anna Forrest, Bryan Kest, Baron Baptise, Kia Miller and others at the festivals. 

This is me chanting the Hanuman Chalisa at Bhakti Fest.

The are many different paths in yoga, as there are in life. Each path leads us to the same place, that  quiet space inside. No matter what style of yoga you choose to practice, remember to BREATHE! And trust in the one true guru that lives inside you.

*Namaste*