Inspiration and Angels at I Can Do it, Toronto 2014

One of the teachers who has inspired my life and my teachings with yoga students is Louise Hay (Author of "You Can Heal Your Life").  Louise's approach to the power of affirmation, is in many ways the power of the yogic concept of mantra.  I am a firm believer that we are spiritual beings living a human experience, so prayer, meditation, yoga, and the idea that our loved ones and angels watch over us, is something I have both experienced and believe in.  For years I have been fond of the books & Angel Cards of Doreen Virtue.  Since childhood I have experienced, and believed that angels surround us, guide us and intercede for us.  This is the back story to my recent weekend with a line up of incredible teachers at I Can Do It, Toronto, 2014.

Radleigh Valentine, Doreen Virtue and Michael.

After 3 months teaching yoga in India, I was eager to learn, but something more for my heart & spirit rather than physical asana.  Being a fan of the work of Doreen Virtue, I thought it would be fun to enroll in her Angel Card Reading Certification Course.  I think I purchased my first Angel Cards 10 years ago, gifted many to friends, found another in Ireland, and most recently a deck while on journey to India.  To be in the presence of Doreen, Radleigh Valentine, and Doreen's husband Michael was like being taught by Angels.  It was a magical experience, and Doreen spoke to me after the certification course, confirming many things I already had felt about myself after reading her brilliant book "Realms of the Earth Angels".  Radleigh had the most joyful spirit, and all three of them inspired the entire crowd of 500 in the most profound way.

With Dr. Brian Weiss

The biggest inspiration to attending this weekend was finding the book recently in India "Many Lives, Many Masters" by Dr. Brian Weiss, which has been recommended to me for years, and I finally found it.  After reading the book, I raced to as many book stores in North India and South India to find more of his work.  I read through 3 more books, and I am currently reading Miracles Happen.  After experiencing the healing power of hypnosis (past life regression) last year, and reading this book, I was eager to attend his workshop or meet him.  This manifested quick at I Can Do It.  Dr. Brian Weiss put us (a jam packed crowd at Roy Thomson Hall) through an incredible past life regression.

Immaculee Ilibagiz, (Author of Let to Tell) who shared her incredible story of being a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, experiencing the miracle of surviving from her prayer of the rosary (a prayer dear to my heart), and forgiveness of the people who murdered her family and tribe.  Her ability to forgive people who killed her family, and her conviction to her faith in Christ Jesus as the example of forgiveness led the entire crowd to a standing ovation.  Regardless of your religion, focused prayer is meditation, rosary is much like mantra on positive words, which can transform fear/hurt into love.  Forgiveness is the key to spiritual liberation, in yoga we would call this the mastery of the 2nd sutra (Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodaha), because unforgiveness is the seed to quieting the monkey mind.  It was so incredible to listen to this beautiful woman, and a blessing to meet her. 

I truly loved every minute of this weekend, and felt inspired by every teacher/author!  Anita Moorjani shared her incredible story of having stage 4 cancer, coma, and returning to share her story of the importance to "LOVE YOURSELF".  Alex Woodard led people to tears with songs and tales from his recent book "For the Sender".  Julie Daniluk inspired people to be conscious of what they eat, and understanding the "why" behind it.  I loved her because nutrition and foods that heal has always been something I love and share with my yoga students.  We also had the beautiful experience of doing some Kundalini Kriya's with Gabrielle Bernstein, which was much fun!  She is full of energy, honesty, and joy, with the message to all of us to "be the light so others recognize their light in yours"!  

This was a weekend of Yoga for the Mind & Spirit, and I am grateful for all of it.  The common thread of a "Course in Miracles" was weaved through many of the speakers, and while I would love to highlight all of them, I'd rather suggest that if you get a chance to go to a Hay House Event, please go!!!  Your heart and soul will be filled with inspiration and joy!

Yoga with Mary

After my time at the Zendo, my very first Yoga class was with Mary Krensavage, 10 am-ish at the Reebok Sports Club. Mary is an amazing Dharma Yoga Instructor who teaches wonderful Yoga Classes. Her classes are creative, challenging and incredibly balancing to the mind-body & spirit. She was actually subbing the class this particular morning. I had taken class with Mary before, when she had played her "Rock" playlist. Like many yoga teachers she has a few "playlists" to pick from for her yoga classes. The "Rock" - playlist yoga class had us flowing through sweaty vinyasa flows where we did push-ups after every chuturanga, it was awesome!

I knew I was in for an awesome challenge at 10 am with Mary, on a Monday morning, after coming from a week of sitting hours and hours.....oh WOW!

This particular class was packed, and she played her "Zen" playlist. An amazing play list of soft music that echoes in the heart and soul. I was joined by my friends/Sensei's, Joseph & David. The playlist couldn't have been more fitting for me personally, since I was fresh from the Zendo. Amazing, peaceful music that guided us through a class of mega hip-openers. She started class with a lovely meditation, integrating a story of the new timers set on the walk/don't walk street signals. She was telling us to embrace our own time, and avoid pushing or rushing to nail a pose and rather just be present to where our body needs to be. Mary had us flowing through a wildly creative, and challenging vinyasa, with her harmonious voice to lead us in the occasional breath cue. Mary gives breath cues almost like a song, you can't help but extend your inhalation as she swoops the word into a magnificent crescendo. During the beginning of class, a crystal that I had kept in my sports bra popped right out and onto my yoga mat, Joseph noticed it, and we both shared a little laugh.

The class had a deja-vu moment for me.....So here we go, flash back years ago, when Dharma East was the main Dharma Center in NYC, it was packed with the regulars, amazing bendy, flying yogis, and I was in class with my ankle bandaged up. I was in a little bit of pain, but wanted to take Dharma's class so badly, that I had taken a cab from my Upper West Side yoga class, just to attend. I was so grateful to be there, even if I knew physically it would be a challenge. We went through a literal "race" of Surya Namaskar. Sri Dharma challenged the entire room to "beat him", of course none of us did, and a specific song played when I rose my head up to the last Tadasna, simultaneously, Mary Krensavage, who I didn't know personally, except as a familiar friendly face at Dharma's, with her hair in adorable pig tails, was directly across from me in this Massive Ocean of yogis packed into Dharma East, smiled at me. Her smile made me feel so amazing. Energetically she was sending me love & positive energy. I had a moment of feeling like I didn't belong in the Master Level class, since I knew my ankle was a little sore, but her comforting smiles made me feel reassured to stay with my breath and my heart filled with gratitude. As we progressed through class, Dharma came and adjusted me into a deeper variation of Pigeon, it felt heavenly.

So Fast Forward to this DE-JA-VU moment....Well, in this "Zen" class, I am in a forward fold, hands wrapped around my calves, and the same song comes on, I slowly stand up and see Mary smiling. A flood of grateful tears began to fill my eyes, as the moment couldn't have been more perfect.

I thanked Mary after class for another brilliant experience, and told her about my Deja-vu experience. We hugged, laughed and her eyes started to tear, as she actually remembered that specific moment.

Regardless of if you have an injury that forces you to modify your practice, or apprehension due to a break from your regular Yoga practice....Embrace the moment, embrace each breath, surrender to that Portion of God within your heart, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Yoga has an amazing way to connect your mind-body-spirit and remind you of the beauties of life.

Thank you so much Mary for amazing classes! I love to practice with you! ~ Om Shanti

Yoga For Dudes is Back

Once again we (Bamboomoves) will be having the amazing "Yoga For Dudes Workshop"! Sunday November 21st at 4pm, after the FREE Meditation Workshop which will be at 2pm. The first workshop for men only was a wonderful experience. This exclusive workshop allows men to embrace the practice fully. The workshop itself was built around the theme of balance. The questions raised and discovered in the last workshop were:

• Imagine your life if you had everything you needed
• What if you had everything you needed but didn't realize it?
• How do you find balance between wants and needs?
• How do you find balance with who you are?

Yoga answers these questions and many more. While some may focus on the physical benefits of strength, flexibility, rehabilitation from injury, it is also the most amazing way to bring balance to the mind, body and spirit.

In many ways men have fallen victim to the limiting beliefs placed on society through various forms of media, creating a role and identity of a man should be. Men should ask themselves, what role do you want to play? Do you want to be in control of your senses? Do you want to be in touch with the core essence of who you are? Do you want a life that is limitless? If so, yoga is for you!

Although many don't realize that Yoga was originally intended for the Elite Warriors of India because somehow in the Western World it is being embraced by Women, the practice itself is very much like special ops, designing a mans mind, body and spirit to overcome obstacles and conquer everything with a calm mind first. It is time for men to reclaim their heritage and take back the yoga practice! No more letting limiting beliefs run your life guys, join us at Bamboomoves for an amazing experience!

Some people who have embraced the yoga practice and are a shinning example of the Mind, Body, Spirit connection include: The entire LAKERS TEAM, Sting, Evander Holyfield, Russell Simmons, Madonna, and NOW YOU!!!!

If you know a guy, are dating a guy, are married to a guy, related to a guy, and most importantly if you are a guy, Come join us at Bamboomoves BX, Sunday November 21st at 4pm for our Yoga for Dudes workshop. Check the Bamboomoves Website for more details.

Also feel free to check out our amazing & hilarious Commercial for Yoga for Dudes, starring some of our outstanding yoga students/participants, yoga instructors and shot by our Rockin' Studio Owner, Michael Baez.