inner power yoga

Last week I attended a full led Ashtanga primary class with Sharath Jois in NYC. The class was part of the grand opening of the newest Jois Yoga Studio in Greenwich, CT. Easily a couple hundred yogis were in attendance; enough to fill the entire gymnasium floor of the Chinatown YMCA. Mostly NY Ashtangis plus a number of travelers like me. As we arrived, we dropped our bags in the back, laid out our mats and began chatting it up with each other. Among the mats I noticed some yogitoes (mine included) and NO PROPS.

Having never practiced Ashtanga with Sharath, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of how much time he’d spend talking with us before starting; however, given that primary would take up to 2 hours I was sure he’d keep it brief. And that he did. Sharath and his mother, Saraswathi walked into the room and everyone rose instinctively and silently assuming samasthiti. Sharath smiled, greeted us softly and said something I could not hear but that made those who heard him chuckle. The room softened. Just as I silently prayed for the acoustics to kick in Sharath began the Ashtanga opening mantra, call and response and the acoustics gods delivered.

From what I’ve seen of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois on You Tube and such, he had an endearing sense of humor. This gift has been passed on to Sharath. Somehow in the fifth navasana and in tolasana he managed to make us laugh. If you “like” Jois Yoga on Facebook, you’ll see that most everyone had “yoga faces” in tolasana. I define a yoga face as a smooth forehead, eyes probably closed and slight upturn of the lips during a particularly intricate asana. Yep, that picture was taken at about was at count 9 and a half. Amazing. Just one thing though… if you do come across this picture (property of Jois Yoga so I decided not to include it in my blog) you’ll see that I do not have yoga face. An medial meniscal tear I got by walking in heels on my way to church made tolasana a challenge, and my ego showed up in that shot. Not pretty!

At the end, Sharath gathered us for a brief talk and he spoke of yoga?cittav?ttinirodha?, the gift of the practice his grandfather brought to the west, the patenting of yoga and his hopes that given his demanding teaching schedule that he would return to see us again. We met him with blissful agreement, appreciative gazes, nods of understanding and hope. The talk was not long, for it was Saturday and Greenwich was surely calling, as was the New York Yoga Journal Conference, bus departures and Saturday friends and errands. Posted by Jessica – 200 RYT Vinyasa

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

I hope you are looking forward to the holiday season this year starting with Thanksgiving in a few short weeks. Practicing gratitude for our big and small blessings in a daily basis makes life so much more rewarding and sweeter! Practice giving thanks and appreciate all the abundance instead of focusing on what’s lacking in your life! We have so much to be thankful for!

Here is a short testimonial from one of our wonderful students, Irene, on how her yoga practice has helped her and what she is grateful for. Thank you for sharing, Irene!

“I am very grateful to be practicing and to be a part of the IPY community. I was diagnosed with epilepsy 13 years ago after having our son. I have been lucky to have the incredible support from my family, my friends, my faith, my amazing neurologist and the love, inspiration and motivation of my son, Jack.

While practicing and continuing to learn from the incredible teachers and students at our IPY community, I believe that yoga can help individuals with epilepsy. Seizures are triggered by imbalances in the nervous system, stress and other reasons still unknown. Yoga is about finding balance, develop awareness, calming the nervous system while managing stress and lessen anxiety.

IPY and yoga have given me so much, and now its my time to give back. I have been given the privilege to speak to the Northern VA Epilepsy Group Chapter about how yoga has helped me and hopefully I can help others. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment! Do what makes you feel good and the rest will come!”

As a small token of our gratitude to YOU, we will randomly select one of our students to receive a free 1 month unlimited pass to IPY on Thanksgiving day! Please leave your name and email address in our Suggestion Box by the Front Desk! Thank you for your support!

We look forward to seeing you on your mat this month in our studio!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

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Introduction to Yoga with Tiffany Coombs (5 week series)

Stepping into a yoga studio filled with students who seemed to know exactly what they are doing can be intimidating for newcomers. We have designed a 5 week program to give you the perfect start to join our classes or to make sure that you are doing all the poses right, offering help if needed.

For more information, please see our website under Events and Workshops.

We would like to limit the size of our group to give as much attention as our private clients receive in their sessions. Here is a testimonial from Mary, one of our private students, about her experience with Tiffany at IPY. Thank you, Mary!

“Searching on the Internet for a yoga studio that could meet my individual need for a “gentle yoga” approach, I came across several excellent comments about Ursula and her Inner Power Yoga studio. I wrote her an email message asking for her advice and recommendation in finding a program that would work for me. She suggested that I try an individual session with Tiffany Coombs, one of her yoga teachers with a special knack for working with beginners. From the first session I knew I had found the right fit. In an insightful way, Tiffany asked me about what I had thought I needed. She listened closely, blended her skills and instincts to design a mix of yoga poses and stretches to meet my needs. With each session I can feel a definite improvement!

The design of the studio is airy and quiet, scrupulously clean and peaceful! I am delighted to have found Tiffany, Ursula and this wonderful studio!”

When: 11/16-12/14, Wednesdays 11:30am – 1:00pm
Cost: $80

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New Class On Wednesday Afternoons

We are starting a new All Levels class on Wednesdays 4:30-5:45 pm with Tiffany Coombs. Please join us if this class fits more into your schedule!

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Isuaro Fernandez is Back!

Our favorite sensei, Isauro Fernandez is back to teach his signature Ki Power Vinyasa Master class on Sunday, November 20 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Isauro’s class was sold out in July, please make sure to register in advance if you would like to experience his passionate teaching style and wonderful spirit!

Created by Isauro Fernandez, Ki Power Vinyasa is a powerful and purposeful blend of sweat, strength and spirit. It combines the movement and breath of vinyasa with the grace, focus and physical intensity of the martial arts. Isauro challenges his students to embark on a journey of personal development to uncover their authenticity through movement, meditation and mantra.

This master class offers the opportunity to flow into an empowered and authentic self through an intense physical work out that is accessible to all levels. The class will begin with an inspirational talk and meditation followed by a 90 minute Ki Power Vinyasa flow and a closing meditation.

For more information, please visit: www.kipowervinyasa.com.

Cost: $35

We only have 5 more spaces left, please send us an email to register!

Details are on the Events page of our website.

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Thanksgiving Day Schedule

Thursday, November 24, join us for Thanksgiving Practice with Ursula 9:30-11:30 am.

Start your day with our IPY community to give thanks to all the abundance in our lives! Strong and sweaty flow, please no first timers!

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Save the Dates: Workshops Coming in December!

Sunday, December 4 1:00-3:30 pm – The Primary Series and Introduction to the Intermediate Series with Ursula Cox

Sunday, December 18 1:30-4:00 pm – Arm Balances and Inversions with Gregory Stuart

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April, 2010

My heart is racing. My breaths are too shallow and too fast. I can’t feel my arms, and my hands are shaking. My eyebrows are no defense against the sweat that is pouring from my forehead and into my eyes, stinging them raw.

Where am I?

I’m in my tiny little apartment in Tallahassee, FL.

What is going on here?

I’m having my very first panic attack.

How did I get here?

I’m here because I’ve had my shoulders hunched up high and my fists up in front of my face for what seems like forever, constantly on the lookout for life’s next suckerpunch.

I’m here because I hate myself for running away from the circus to join law school, even though I knew it wouldn’t make me happy.

I’m here because I’m pissed off at Death. Death, who stepped in the path of my gorgeous, kind, caring boyfriend’s motorcycle and took his life instantly. Death, who is slowly creeping up on my beloved aunt. Death, who is taking my mentor and adopted father piece by piece through a gruesome struggle with a disease I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I’m here because I’m throwing up a big middle finger at Death.

I’m here because I feel guilty for being 1,000 miles away from my screwed up family with no way to help any of them.

I’m here because I have no idea how my life got so fragmented and hectic. I’ve got two jobs, I run an organization, I’ve got a competition coming up, I’ve got finals in two weeks, and I’m absolutely terrified about what tomorrow will bring.

Today, 2011

My heart is racing. My breaths are too shallow and too fast. I can’t feel my arms, and my hands are shaking. My eyebrows are no defense against the sweat that is pouring off my forehead and into my eyes, stinging them raw.

Where am I?

I’m on my mat at Inner Power Yoga in Sterling, Virginia.

What is going on here?

I’m practicing yoga.

How did I get here?

I’m here because I spent way too long in a fighting stance. Yoga is putting my fists down and rolling with the punches, because I know that sometimes life is going to punch me in the face. Yoga is knowing that life is going to knock me down whether I’m ready for it or not. And, more often than not, life is going to lift me up and take me on wild adventures, so yoga is unclenching my fists – because my hands are much better suited to holding on for the ride than for trying to block the inevitable.

I’m here because yoga is forgiving myself for making mistakes – even really big, expensive mistakes like running away from the circus to join law school. Even though law school probably wasn’t the right choice for me, and even though I’ll be paying for it until the end of time, I got an education there that I could never have received anywhere else. And I’m here because yoga is really listening to my heart, so that next time I won’t make a really big, expensive mistake, because I’ll be able to admit to myself when I’m only doing something because I think I “should.”

I’m here because yoga is knowing there are things I can’t fight, and learning to accept them. Death is certainly one of those things. Yes, Death took my boyfriend with no notice. Yes, Death took my aunt in January as we surrounded her hospital bed and tried to will it away. And yes, Death took my mentor in June after a long battle with ALS. So, even though I’ll pretty much never forgive Death for cutting their time far too short, I’m here because yoga is grieving and feeling. I’m here because yoga is being thankful that I got to have these people in my life at all, and yoga is being even more thankful that they loved me in return and that they taught me how to be a better person. I’m here because yoga is believing that I can open myself to others now and in the future, because one day Death will come for me, so in the meantime I should love as much as possible and I should use the lessons that my loved ones taught me.

I’m here because yoga is recognizing that guilt doesn’t do anybody any good. I’m here because yoga is choosing to take action to correct things when I am able to take action. I felt that being 1,000 miles away was too far from my family, so I moved back here to be closer to them. And even though this isn’t where I thought I’d be, yoga is being flexible. (And I’m here because yoga is loving your family and being strong for them, even if they are sometimes screwed up.)

I’m here because yoga is realizing that my life is whole and complete, even when some pieces go temporarily missing and things get chaotic. I’m here because yoga is living now, not dwelling in the past or worrying about the future.

Yoga is all of these things to me, and these things are all good things. They are all things that I want to cultivate within myself.

So today, I practice yoga. And when I’m lifting my body up into bakasana with sweat dripping from the tip of my nose, I’m not just lifting my body. I’m lifting those heavy thoughts so that my mind can get out from under the weight of them. I’m lifting my body up every day so that I can stop fighting and forgive, listen, know, and accept. When I’m struggling with my backbends, I’m not working towards opening my heart in the physical sense. I’m working on opening my emotional heart. I’m opening my heart so that I can grieve, feel, be thankful, and believe. Every day on the mat, I work on taking action where and when I can. With each practice, I’m learning to be flexible, to love, and to be strong. As I flow from pose to pose, I feel more and more complete, present, and calm.

To me, this is yoga. And tomorrow, I’ll practice it again.

Life lessons from the mat

My left bicep and tricep and forearm too, are all visibly quivering. I have nearly my entire bodyweight resting on my left hand and am trying to focus on keeping my body in perfect parallel with the wall beside me. Is it over yet? How many breaths has it been? Am I going to fall? So many thoughts are racing through my mind, all milling around the central idea that I’m doubting my ability to hold this sideplank and would like to move on to another pose.

And then I remember: Breathe and wait. I don’t know if it’s my “mantra” but it’s a concept to which my yoga practice has enlightened me and it has profoundly influenced my life both on and off the mat. I say “enlightened” because I remember the exact moment during a challenging class when it occurred to me that as much as I tried to avoid the exertion of some poses, I was really just 5 breaths away from both relief and the positive results I sought. The rest of that class was effortless; I could do anything if I only had to do it for 5 breaths!

Historically, as a self-diagnosed overanalyzer, I’ve worked myself up into such emotional, seemingly dire personal dilemmas that I was sure there was no coming back to reality. Sleeping problems, chronic pain, headaches – I’d self-inflicted them all. And not only did I overanalyze everything but I required an immediate resolution to every problem I’d pinpointed. I needed a way to talk myself down from these panicked states and beginning my practice at Inner Power Yoga offered me that. Once I had the method, it wasn’t long before breathe and wait revealed itself.

For me, this mantra isn’t about letting life pass you by, it’s about giving yourself a set time period before making that hard decision, taking action or simply releasing the pose. It’s amazing how many situations have either taken care of themselves while I’m breathing or have become easy fixes once I’m centered and calm.

At times a bit of self doubt returns when I think, I’ll have to do sideplank again tomorrow. And the day after that… But I can’t worry about tomorrow. All I can focus on is these 5 breaths.

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Labor Day signals the end of summer filled with great experiences, wonderful beach vacations and warm sunshine to make us smile, but we can look forward to a brand new beginning with all its promises as we enter fall, which for many of us is our favorite season of the year.

What are your goals and plans for September? Do they include doing something that has scared you in the past and it takes courage to finally say, “let’s do it!”?

I have read it somewhere that courage isn’t an absence of fear, it’s doing what you are afraid to do. It’s having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory.

For a wonderful group, that means starting on an amazing and fulfilling path as they embark on their Teacher Training course with us starting in a few weeks. I could not be any more excited about sharing what I know and seeing them shine during the next six months!

So take a leap, and do something you have been afraid to do; be it skydiving or having a difficult conversation with someone to give you closure. Face the music and you face your fears! As John Henry Newman said, “Fear not that your life will come to an end but that it will never have a beginning.” You will be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

www.inner-power-yoga.com

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Labor Day Schedule

We have our Special Holiday All Levels Practice with Ursula from 9:30-11:30 am on Monday September 5. All other classes that day are canceled!

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Ki Power Vinyasa Master Class

Please mark your calendar for a great program coming up in November!

Our favorite sensei, Isauro Fernandez is back to teach his signature Ki Power Vinyasa Master class on Sunday, November 20 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Isauro’s class was sold out in July, please make sure to register in advance if you would like to experience his passionate teaching style and wonderful spirit!

Created by Isauro Fernandez, Ki Power Vinyasa is a powerful and purposeful blend of sweat, strength and spirit. It combines the movement and breath of vinyasa with the grace, focus and physical intensity of the martial arts. Isauro challenges his students to embark on a journey of personal development to uncover their authenticity through movement, meditation and mantra.

This master class offers the opportunity to flow into an empowered and authentic self through an intense physical work out that is accessible to all levels. The class will begin with an inspirational talk and meditation followed by a 90 minute Ki Power Vinyasa flow and a closing meditation.

For more information, please visit: www.kipowervinyasa.com.

Cost: $35

Details are on the Events page of our website. To register, send Ursula an email or call the studio at 703-795-8400.

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Back-to-school Special: 20 Class Pass Sale During the Month of September!

Now that the kids are back to school, and we are all back from vacation, jump start your yoga practice with a 20 Class Pass (good for 3 months) AND a 60 minute Private Session! This pass is perfect for you if you are coming back to your mat after some time away and would like more personalized attention to help your “trouble spots” or simply would like some one-on-one time to get your yoga questions answered.

Cost: $220 (savings of $95)

Please let Ursula know that you would like to take advantage of this offer!

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Congratulations Jessica!

And finally, we would like to congratulate our wonderful Jessica Howard who is now the new Ambassador for lululemon Athletica! We can’t imagine a better person to represent our favorite brand, and we are so proud of you, Jess!

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Isn’t it hard to believe that the first part of 2011 is already gone? I think, yes, but we have the second part of this year to look forward to. Many of us create vision boards, make a list goals to be accomplished during the year as we are more likely to achieve them if we commit them to paper. First know where your heart leads you, then figure out the steps you need to take to start heading to that direction. While it’s important to keep an ultimate goal in mind, do not forget to take the time to savor your special moments and celebrate your small victories!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

www.inner-power-yoga.com

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New Classes

Starting on 6/29, we will be adding a 6:15-7:15am All Levels class to our schedule on Wednesday mornings! Come and start your day with us!

We have also changed our Monday and Wednesday 7:45 pm classes to Yin/Yang Yoga. This class provides all the benefits of a balanced yoga practice — a great way to finish your day!

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July 4th Schedule

We will be having again a 2 hour All Levels Special Practice with Ursula at 9:30 am on Monday July 4th. All other classes that day are canceled!

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Isauro Fernandez is Back on July 10th!

Isauro’s last Master Class was a huge hit last month, and now he is coming back again to lead his signature ki power vinyasa flow at IPY! The two-hour class will be held Sunday, July 10th at 11:30am.

Created by Isauro Fernandez, Ki Power Vinyasa is a powerful and purposeful blend of sweat, strength and spirit. It combines the movement and breath of vinyasa with the grace, focus and physical intensity of the martial arts. Isauro challenges his students to embark on a journey of personal development to uncover their authenticity through movement, meditation and mantra.

This master class offers the opportunity to flow into an empowered and authentic self through an intense physical work out that is accessible to all levels. The class will begin with an inspirational talk and meditation followed by a 90 minute Ki Power Vinyasa flow and a closing meditation.

For more information, please visit: www.kipowervinyasa.com.

Cost: $35

Details are on the Events page of our website. To register, send Ursula an email or call the studio at 703-795-8400.

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The IPY Boutique has EXPANDED

The beautiful yoga bags made by Diversion Designs are as popular as ever, come and see their new colors for the summer. We are also carrying flattering yoga clothes from Zobha, and hip tops from Third Eye Thread. We are also very excited to offer handmade and unique malas designed by Kris Loya. Come and check them out!

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Our RYT 200 hour Teacher Training Course Starting in September is Filling Up!

We will be offering our IPY TT again this year. If you are interested, please see the Training page on our website for details and read what our graduates said about our program.

We had a wonderful group last year, and this year’s is shaping up to be just as special!

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Best Yoga Studio in NoVA 2011 BY Northern Virginia Magazine

We are humbled and grateful for those of you who voted for us to win the honor of Best Yoga Studio in NoVA! This is a special recognition for our small studio, and we would like to thank you for your continued support! All of us at IPY care and appreciate each and every one of you, and feel blessed to be part of our growing community!

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Spring has finally arrived, so now we can enjoy longer and warmer days full of sunshine and blooming trees around us. Many of us would like to make the most of every hour and day we are gifted, and as a result, our daily schedule is packed and our to-do list is long, making us feel overwhelmed, always trying to catch up.

Is this the only way to get everything done, to feel accomplished and successful? Days, even weeks can just fly by without us taking a break or just being without having something to do.

Success in life is a journey and not a destination. Is our daily life balanced enough, so we can truly appreciate and enjoy special moments that make living worthwhile? Can we leave some empty space in our daily planner – paper or electronic? Perhaps our intention for this new season can be to enjoy life with our loved ones more and taking on less. To reflect on the purpose of your life rather than taking up mental space and energy obsessing about others.

Take good care of yourself, your health, and make a conscious choice of how you spend your time! If you feel your yoga practice is nourishing you and positively influence your life and all the choices you make off the mat, then take the time to come to the studio or to practice at home. As one of our favorite yoga teachers, David Swenson, often say, “I have never had a practice I have regretted, but I have regretted when I did not practice.”

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers
www.inner-power-yoga.com

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Yoga for the Cure – 1:00-3:30p, Sunday 4/10

IPY is proud to sponsor this special fundraising yoga class taught by Tiffany Coombs. Proceeds go to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

For more information, please see the flyer. To inquire or to register, please send Ursula an email.

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Mother’s Day Yoga Class – 2:00-3:30p, Sunday 5/8

Do something different this year! Join Mariana and her daughter, Tatyana for a special mother-daughter yoga class celebrating your unique bond!

Cost: $25/mother and daughter (ages 7 and up)

To inquire or to register, please send Ursula an email.

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Ki Power Vinyasa 2 Hour Master Class: The Way of the Warrior – 1:00-3:00p, Sunday 5/15

Created by Isauro Fernandez, Ki Power Vinyasa is a powerful and purposeful blend of sweat, strength and spirit. It combines the movement and breath of vinyasa with the grace, focus and physical intensity of the martial arts. Isauro challenges his students to embark on a journey of personal development to uncover their authenticity through movement, meditation and
mantra.

This master class offers the opportunity to flow into an empowered and authentic self through an intense physical work out that is accessible to all levels. The class will begin with an inspirational talk and meditation followed by a 90 minute Ki Power Vinyasa flow and a closing meditation.

For more information, please visit: www.kipowervinyasa.com.

Cost: $35

To inquire or register, please send Ursula an email.

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IPY Teacher Training starting in September!

Congratulations again to our wonderful group of graduated trainees who are now RYT 200s! You did such an amazing work during the six months, and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!

Our new Teacher Training program starts in September, 2011 and will end in February, 2012. For details, including early bird prices and dates, see our website.

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

At Inner Power Yoga, we recently held an Introduction to Meditation Workshop which had filled long before the date, a sign that more and more of us are interested in developing and maintaining this challenging yet potentially life changing practice. Lately it seems like meditation is everywhere, or am I just more aware?! You can see so many relevant postings on Facebook, Twitter, and with new books coming out and studies being published on this subject.

The reasons to come to our cushions are just as varied as the reasons to come to our mats. Among the many benefits effecting our minds and bodies are:

• lower blood pressure and cholesterol level
• quicker recovery from stress
• less emotional reactivity, anxiety, depression
• increased empathy, creativity and self-acceptance
• heightened level of clarity, concentration and focus

One of the main reasons so many of us take the time to meditate is to feel more balanced in life. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by our many responsibilities in life, by all the roles we play, and by the feeling that we get pulled too hard in one too many direction. If you think you are too busy to sit for five minutes a day….. then you probably need ten minutes! Don’t wait until you feel like you are sleepwalking most of the time or being on automatic pilot going from one task to another. Try to wake up a few minutes earlier in the morning or close your door after lunch to tap into the silence and stillness within. There is no bad way or bad time to meditate, give it a try for 21 days and you will notice a difference in how your days are unfolding.

As always, if you have any questions or would like more guidance, please let us know!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

www.inner-power-yoga.com

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Kids Yoga

Our next session will start soon! Please register early, space is limited! Reserve your spot by emailing Ursula or calling the studio at 703-795-8400.

3/8 – 4/12, Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15 pm (6-9 years old) $96
3/10 – 4/14, Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 pm (10-13 years old) $96

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School Teachers Yoga

We are pleased to offer a 6 week session geared to the wonderful school teachers in the community. The class will be a gentle flow in the middle of the week, suitable for beginners. This session is our way to say thank you to all the people who are educating the next generation. Please email Ursula to register for this session.

3/10 – 4/14, Wednesdays from 4:15-5:15 pm $60

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Northern Virginia Magazine’s Best Of List

We love having you in our studio, and we hope you feel the same. Please visit Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Best Of” section to vote for Inner Power Yoga! It only takes a moment to register, and we would very much appreciate your support of our studio.

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Spring Special

Three months unlimited yoga and one private yoga session for $320 ($85 savings)

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Schedule Changes

Tiffany will be teaching the Tuesday 12 noon and Mariana the Sunday 9:30 am class. As of 3/11, the Friday 9:30 am class will be Ashtanga.

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IPY Favorite of the Month!

We would like to recommend for all of our yogis and yoginis to check out Subway Bhaktis beautiful and inspiring music on www.subwaybhaktis.com

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Anniversary Party Thank You

Thank you so much for all who came to our One Year Anniversary Party, we loved celebrating our First Birthday with you!

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Congratulations Teacher Trainees!

And last but most certainly not least! We are so very proud of our graduating IPY Teachers Trainees! You are all very unique and have so much to offer! Be a guiding light as you spread your passion and love of yoga!

“Born of this luminous wisdom is a subliminal impression that prevents other impressions from arising.” (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter I, verse 50).

My yoga practice has enabled my transformation, allowing my uniqueness to gradually come to fruition. Through my practice, I have learned that yoga affects primarily my mind. I’ve come to learn that I am not the same person I was yesterday, or the same person before I began my yoga journey; a journey of discovery. With yoga, I continuously grow and learn every minute, every hour of the day. Each step I take, I embrace it wholeheartedly, and remind myself that the outcome will be enjoyable. Yoga shows me the way; it illuminates my path. My old barriers, which contained hidden fears, no longer have occupancy within me.

Yoga reveals to me my most intimate secrets. It gives me a purpose of self-realization. It allows me to see the secret wonders of our universe and the individuality of people I encounter. Yoga has helped me understand that freedom, my constant desire, is found within my own mind, body, and soul, and not in some faraway foreign country. My yoga practice resembles my faith; I will always hold it dear to my heart and return to it. Yoga awakens my soul, just the way my faith speaks to my soul.

The Niyama that I have embraced and continue to practice is ishvara pranidhana, which is self-surrender to the Divine. Yoga has ceased to be just a physical practice for me; it has also become a means to reach God. Yoga gives me a peaceful state of mind where I feel my connection to Him. I know that I have only touched the mere surface of this Niyama, but with my physical, meditative, and yoga text study, I hope one day that I may become one with the universe and God.

The Yama that requires more of my attention is brahmacharya, which is knowing and carefully selecting the area that I wish to devote my energy to; it’s about setting boundaries. Through my yoga practice, I have learned to respect myself first, respect my space and my time. Through that realization, I have learned the true meaning of a boundary. I used to think that a boundary was a selfish act, but now I see that a boundary is self-preservation; a love towards oneself.

My yoga practice allows me to find my inner peace. With my sustained practice, I hope to discover my authenticity. Through my yoga journey, I have been inspired to enjoy life and appreciate each breath I take. Namaste.

I used to ask myself if Yoga would change me into someone more insightful or maybe help me become a better person. What I’m slowly beginning to learn is to give myself a break! I’m already a decent person. Yoga will continue to help me find my best inner and outer self and continue to evolve from there.

Yama and Niyama are the first two of the eight limbs of Yoga. Yama to me means a behavior or attitude. The Yama that I’m doing my best to live by is Satya which means truthfulness. Sure, I’m honest I’m first generation Greek from New York, we’ve never had a problem being truthful. However, whose truth is it? And when do we offer it?

When do we speak the truth? If I feel true compassion towards another person and what they are saying, I would want the truth to benefit them. There’s not only a time and a place to speak the truth, but also how we choose to address it. It’s important to learn more about that person and where they are coming from. The truth will be kinder and will have more clarity when we take the time to learn more about an individual. It’s easy to say too much. Then the truth becomes this unnecessary chatter and sounds in genuine. Ujjayi breathing helps me think and keep my focus. I believe practicing meditation frequently will help as well.

Being truthful with myself doesn’t mean I have to be hard on myself all the time. During my corporate days (you know, wearing the high powered suit with the puffy shoulder pads.) I did well, but I didn’t believe in what I was doing at that time. I thought I had to be perfect. I found myself agreeing with people that I disagreed with. I thought if I would simply agree, this would help me succeed. Practicing Satya is helping me find my inner truth and hopefully articulate it more clearly. For me, this requires compassion, creativity and having an open mind. I’m learning to trust my intuition more. I threw wanting to be a perfectionist out the door. The rest will follow with practice.

Since we’re speaking of truthfulness, life’s obstacles do get in the way. I want to avoid sarcasm (it’s negative and unkind) when I’m listening to someone and I’m thinking “are you kidding me?” I’m better off not saying anything at all at that particular time. I think this is where the saying a “there’s a time and a place” comes in. I also want to avoid raising my voice due to my annoyance with others at times. At this point, if ujjayi breathing is simply not happening, I think of someone who has had a positive influence on me. This person is Grandmother. She is the epitome of sincerity and truthfulness. She made me see truth. In my mind, I bring myself back to spending my summers in Greece with her in her village and her farm from when I was five years old until I turned twenty-four. I never missed a summer. She was quiet and I honestly believe it was because she was comfortable with herself. When she had something to say it would resonate with everyone (all 20 of us!) at the table. The memories we made and her quiet, yet strong influence on me stretches beyond my Grandmother’s village in Greece and into my world here today. She was poor, but she found a way to humbly share with everyone. We would watch the movies that came into town from her balcony (talk about good theater seats!) I can picture her looking over the crowd of people in front of her in Athens airport. The minute she would see my face upon arrival, her eyes would well up with tears and she pushed her way through to hug my brother and I.

Our travels to Greece were made every year out of the love we have for our family. Love makes anything possible. The “union” in family as well as in yoga is filled with kindness, compassion, mindfulness and gentleness.

I’m blessed to know what positive truth feels like. It’s always been within. I’m learning you have to find it, embrace it and keep on learning.