It's Time

I made this playlist the morning of Obama's inauguration...and it's flowing so nicely in class this week!  I don't really know how I pick what's gonna go on a mix in particular.  It just kind of comes out, not so different than the way I teach my yoga classes I suppose.  It's all about tapping into your third eye.  ;)  Check out these tunes:

1. Tori Amos:  Yo George

2. Jenny Lewis:  Godspeed     (send off to W.)

3. Anthony Hamilton:  Soul's on Fire   (lighting up our soul's with Obama!)

4. Mum: Blessed Brambles   *time to chill out...and move forward

5. David Newman:  Bajarang Bali

6. Bon Iver:  Blood Bank

7. Bruno Merz:  Nine Sixteen

8. Bon Iver: Beach Baby

9. Avi & Celia:  Seven Years

10. Bruno Merz:  Serenade

11. Bon Iver:  Babys

12. Jack Johnson:  It's All Understood

13. Bon Iver:  Woods

14. David Newman:  Ganesh Gayatri/Rising Sun

15. Mum:  Please Sing my Spring Reverb

16. Mum:  Finally We are No One

And me?  Finally heading off to Dominica for some yoga, healing, new friends, nature, and adventure!  See ya in February!

"Be like the bird who, halting in her flight, On boughs too slight, Feels them give way beneath her, Yet sings, knowing she hath wings."

-Victor Hugo

Mid-January Moon Mode

1. Johan Johannsson:  Melodia (III)

2. Tori Amos:  Pretty Good Year

3. Jenny Lewis:  Sing a Song for Them       

4. Miss Tess:  I Got the Fever     

*Playing TOAD every Sunday this month

5. Bat for Lashes:  The Wizard

6. Anthony Hamilton:  Fallin' in Love       

*will make you want to dance during your asana

7. Rilo Kiley:  The Silver Lining

8. Adele:  Daydreamer

9. Bob Marley:  The Sun is Shining        

*an ode to the fact that I'll be heading into the sun soon!

10. Qwill:  Laugh

11. Calexico:  Slowness

12. Avi & Celia:  Zephyr                         

*playing TOAD tomorrow night, 10pm, check them out

13. Hot Chip:  Look After Me

14. Bat for Lashes:  I'm on Fire

15. Mum:  I'm 9 Today

16. Mum:  There is a Number of Small Things

17. Amiina: Untitled 3

So it's an interesting time, this mid-January feel that we've got going on.  I've been not feeling up to par physically and hoping that rest and lots of tea will push sickness away from me.  I'm trying the skill of staying positive and joyful to see if that will help.  Everyone seems to be in a strange mood as of late.  But guess what?  Obama is heading into the white house in just a few days now, the days are actually starting to feel a little bit longer, I'm heading to Dominica very soon (in which you can still come if you want), there is lots of beautiful music and art to help you smile during this winter, and yoga will always help you heal.  Plus, I'm feeling that spark coming on.  You know...when that burst of creativity is on the tip of your tongue and you're just gearing up for when it comes bursting through your skin?!  Yes.  Not sure if it will come from my ukelele, harmonica, jewelry-making, acting, or yoga.  But it's there and it's welcome at any time now.  The key is trying to keep feeding it through things and people that inspire you.  That's pretty much what I got for ya at the moment.  

My classes at Shobu Aikido (34 Allen St. in Union Sq., Somerville) are now at 6:30pm every Monday and Friday.  It's very peaceful.  A huge serene space where all I have on are twinkling lights.  You can come for 75 min. of a slow, restorative vinyasa flow.  Find a little bit of curiosity within, some more peace of mind, and some openness to what you can achieve as the winter carries on.  A great way to start and end your work week.  

And I'm always at Karma in Cambridge if you want a slightly more active flow, or an intense power flow.  Hope to see you all on the mat before the end of next week and my trip.  Happy weekend ahead!

P.S. Pose of the moment to try to find some of that open heart?  Dhanurasana, bow pose (the one I'm demonstrating in the pic above).  Doesn't have to be intense, just fly on your belly and open to what you might be storing inside.  

Some things to look forward to this month

Winter is in full force.  Yes.  But so far so good, right?  We're just 9 days into the new year and I continue to encourage you to find transformation and inspiration within yourselves to stay hopeful and positive about your own future.  Part of it remains staying present and taking it one day at a time.  Finding things to look forward to...one day at a time.  It can be tough going in these dark days.  But when we care for each other, it can help us from hardening.  Never underestimate the power you have to make someone smile, laugh, sing, feel, and be here.  We all have that power and it's what will help us move forward in peace.  

With the full moon in Cancer upon us tomorrow, it's reminding us to discover our divine ambition.  To reflect on how we can develop the spiritual relationships within ourselves in order to commit to what we desire to accomplish and get grounded to caring for each other in these tough times as a whole.  Connecting to the divine whole that we are as a local community, a family, a loved one, or a stranger on the street.  Keep your eyes open.  Let the moon's light shine down on you from the winter sky and tell you it's secret.  

The countdown begins...just 2 more weeks til I take off for Dominica to lead the vacation of healing, adventure, and fun!  I have such hope and joy to share on this journey.  There are still open spots to round out the intimate and lovely group.  Check it out and if your heart is ready to commit to something deeper and some light-hearted fun, then I encourage you to come along with me.  

Winter Yoga Utopia Retreat

Wednesday, Jan. 14:  Come to Grand (one of my fave stores in town) in Union Sq. for a special event hosted by Shobu Aikido!  The Shobu studio is where I teach slow flow vinyasa every Monday and Friday at 6pm.  I will be on hand, as well as the aikido masters, to talk about classes and the like.  We'll have sake to taste.  What better way to warm up and learn about something new on a winter night?  :)

Saturday, Jan. 17:  David Newman Kirtan Concert  

He is one of my fave kirtan singers and will be at South Boston Yoga!  7pm.  Click the link to sign up.  I'll be there letting my heart sing.  If you can't make it then, my friend and awesome teacher/mentor, Chanel Luck, is teaching a special class at the Armoury in Somerville that afternoon at 2 pm.  David will be there playing live during the special class.  Check it out.  

And if your soul needs some music to bring it alive...visit the website for TOAD located in Porter Sq.  Every Sunday this month is the brilliant Miss Tess.  Plus, many of my other fave local artists that I gain inspiration from are on the bill this month (Avi & Celia, Jesse Dee, Danielle Miraglia & Dana Price).  It's always free to get in and a nice way to stay cozy on a cold night.  

Listening to lots of interesting and fantastic music...new playlists to come soon!

xoxo

New Year = Surrender to Growth

Last night on New Year's Day, I held my free candlelit yoga class.  It was originally set for the winter solstice but was cancelled due to the blizzard that swept Boston.  I am certain now that this class was meant to take place last night instead.  Not only am I in a new and beautiful place just a couple weeks after the solstice but I feel everyone is.  We gathered on the first night of the new year, as it was very cold and still somewhat snowy outside, to restore our spirits and bodies with a soothing vinyasa practice.  I lit lots of candles and was overjoyed to see my students start to file into the large, open, serene room.  Old students, new students, friends, family of students, and all types of bodies and energies placed their mats down with smiles.  

After celebrating the start to the new year among a close set of friends in my apartment the eve before, this was the perfect opportunity to share in this renewed outlook and perspective to life.  The topic of the class?  Surrender.  Finding the many different ways one can surrender and then choosing one way, listening to your intuition, releasing that invisible tension of fear, letting go, and eventually just coasting on the new wave of energy that will guide you where you're meant to go.  

There was an energy in the space, with all the different people last night that I have never felt before.  As we saluted our spirits through down dogs, cobras, forward folds, and numerous heart-openers...I felt a surge of joy and peace that is beyond describing here.  Not only is it reassurance that I'm still on the path I'm meant to be on, but it's comforting to feel my own growth and surrender.  Though not always easy, it's a necessary path to go down.  And I can only hope that this new year will lead us all to a newfound self-discovery.  

Just a few more weeks now until my trek to the island of Dominica to lead a new journey through yoga and healing.  So many new goals this year, and new adventures to discover!  

New Year's Day Playlist:

1. Johann Johannsson: The Great God Pan is Dead

2.        "          "              : Melodia (I)

3. Miss Tess: When Tomorrow Comes    (she's a brilliant local artist, check her out every Sunday  in Jan. at TOAD in Porter Sq.)

4. Calexico: Panic Open String

5. Hem: Half Acre

6. Sigur Ros: Inni mer syngur vitleysingur

7. Anthony Hamilton: Fine Again             (such an uplifting jam for hope)

8. Calexico: Falling from Sleeves

9. Greg Knowles & Mike Taylor: Monsoon Wedding

10. David Newman: Radhe Suite I:  The Longing    (he's a fave kirtan singer of mine, coming to Boston Jan. 17)

11. Eddie Vedder: Rise

12. Ar Rahman & Suzanne: Latika's Theme

13. Sarah Fimm: Paradise

14. Sigur Ros: Med sud i eyrum

15. Mychael Danna: Your Good Name

16. Audrey: Northern Lights

17.      "      : Dalalven

18. Johann Johannsson: Fordlandia-Aerial View

19.     "                 "           : Melodia (IV)

20. Sigur Ros: Hoppipolla

21. David Newman: Radhe Suite III: The Union

"Courage does not always roar.  Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying...I will try again tomorrow."  (Thanks to Marilynn for this quote)

*And thanks to Gordon for the opportunities and enthusiasm to teach at Shobu Aikido, Wan for the great pics, Jenny for some of the songs, Naz for her constant help and support, and everyone who came or sent their love...it was beyond happiness for me and I continue to feel loved and grateful for each of you every day.