Meditation....

You know all that chatter that comes to your brain the minute you try to sit down and meditate? Well, the Buddhists call those thoughts "Hindrances". They hinder you from having a quiet mind and being able to connect to your inner Self. The trick is to realize that you cant stop them. Just accept them and observe the thoughts. Dont waste your energy trying to fight it -- use your energy to find some space for your mind. Just observe the thoughts. Dont judge yourself. Be compassionate with yourself.

Observation makes you have a different relationship to life's events. You can be with things in different ways. No judgement is needed. That is where the learning happens -- with no judgement -- learn to let go and just be there.

Sharon Salzberg told me this... she gives lectures on meditation at the Tibet House on a regular basis. I highly recommend attending her talks.

Massage Therapist Extraordinaire !
Looking for a great deep tissue massage ? Elizabeth is here for you !

She works at a women-only spa in SoHo and she is a fabulous massage therapist (and a yogini) ! Elizabeth leans more towards a deep medical massage and uses a "firm hand". Perfect for helping you heal or getting the kinks out.

SoHo Sanctuary -- 119 Mercer Street, NYC (between Prince and Spring) 212-334-5550.

Weekend Yoga Retreat October 26-28

Many of my students are thinking about coming to the yoga weekend retreat up at the ashram with me October 26-28. I encourage you all to come. When we did this in February, we had such a good time that our students requested that we do it again.

Here are some FAQ:
Where is the ashram?
The ashram is 1 hour outside of NYC. Close to Bear Mountain or Woodbury Commons Mall. The ashram is on 85 acres of beautiful land with woods, hiking trails and a small lake.
How do I get there?
You can get a bus from Port Authority to Monroe, NY or Woodbury Commons. It is about a 1 hour ride and the round trip ticket is about $34. When you get to Monroe or Woodbury Commons, you take a local taxi to the ashram (10 minute ride) -- taxi fare about $10-12. If anyone is driving up, we try to organize a car pool so some of you can come up together. It doesnt always work, but we try.
When do I have to get there?
We have not yet decided our teaching schedule, but the general idea is for everybody to get to the ashram by around 6-7pm on Friday evening. We have an introduction meeting, get you all settled and maybe have a meditation. Of course, if you want to come up earlier and hang out by yourself at the ashram all day Friday, that's cool too. I do that.
What is the cost ?
$330 dorm room, and $375 semi-private room. The price is all inclusive. That includes your room, 3 vegetarian meals a day, Anusara yoga classes, yoga nidra with Roop Verma's sitar, my pranic meditation, satsang, kirtan, fire purification ceremony, walks around the lake.... everything is included. We work hard to keep our prices low so that everyone can afford to come. The only way you could incur additional costs is if you shop at the small gift store or make an appointment for a private massage.
Can I get a private room?
Not really. This is an ashram and everything is shared. The rooms have a minimum of 2 single beds or 6 bunk beds (dorm). The bathrooms are down the hall. Everything is kept clean and immaculate for you. By the way, there are no locks on the doors so leave valuables at home. And yes, the dorms are uni-sex.
Can I share a room with my friend ?
of course. The earlier you make reservations, the better we can try to accommodate your room requests.

What if I am a beginner in yoga?

No matter! we welcome beginners ! In fact, it would be a great experience for you if you are a beginner because it would be an opportunity for you to feel the true experience of yoga.
Are there any rules ?
We are at an ashram. We do not allow smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs or any other behaviour that is harmful to your health or others. All food is vegan or vegetarian. And honestly, caffeine is hard to come by there too (but you can smuggle in some instant coffee).

If you have any questions about the yoga weekend retreat, feel free to contact me by email via this blogsite.

or email me at quietyoga@msn.com

Chief Looking Horse at IYI on Oct 4th, 2007

Native American Chief Looking Horse is a well recognized messenger of Peace and founder of the World Peace and Prayer Day. He has won multiple international peace prizes, including recognition from the United Nations with the Juliet Hollister Award.

IYI is hosting this special guest. Come and participate with us, learn the peace traditions and wisdom from a spiritual leader of our Native American people.

Thurs Oct 4th- 8.30PM $25

Integral Yoga Institute

227 West 13th Street, NYC

AHIMSA

Ahimsa means "nonviolence" or "do no harm" -- this extends to not killing animals for food or fur, not spreading mean gossip about another person, and to treat your neighbor as you would like to be treated. Non violence also includes how you treat yourself -- be kind to yourself. If your yoga practice is not what you had hoped today, dont be down on yourself. Just try again tomorrow.

Martin Luther King learned of Ahimsa through reading about Mahatma Gandhi and his peaceful movement to liberate India from British rule, and through the principles of non-violence, Dr. King led peaceful demonstrations for the civil rights movement in America.

"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.

Literally speaking, ahimsa means non-violence towards life but it has much higher meaning. It means that you may not offend anybody; you may not harbor uncharitable thought, even in connection with those whom you consider your enemies. To one who follows this doctrine, there are no enemies. A man who believes in the efficacy of this doctrine finds in the ultimate stage, when he is about to reach the goal, the whole world at his feet. If you express your love—ahimsa—in such a manner that it impresses itself indelibly upon your so-called enemy, he must return that love.

This doctrine tells us that we may guard the honor of those under our charge by delivering our own lives into the hands of the man who would commit the sacrilege. And that requires far greater courage than delivering of blows.

Ahimsa or non-injury, of course, implies non-killing. But, non-injury is not merely non-killing. In its comprehensive meaning, ahimsa or non-injury means entire abstinence from causing any pain or harm to another living being, either by thought, word, or deed. Non-injury requires a harmless mind, mouth, and hand. " - Mahatma Gandhi