The Sri Dharma Mittra path to Self-Realization

Many years ago I found a brilliant teacher named Sri Dharma Mittra while I lived in NYC.  He taught a Yoga Class that had the authentic spiritual roots that I never seemed to find in any other Yoga Center in the western world.  It was a complete 8 Limb practice, and went beyond the common physical exercises that many would teach as yoga.  As an Indian, I appreciated the authenticity, the wisdom, and I had so many spiritual awakening experiences while in his class.  While I loved taking the Master Class, I also found myself taking Gentle Level Yoga, and Level 1 classes, because I just loved being in the East Side location, surrounded by loving pictures of Spiritual Masters, and around the energy of Sri Dharma Mittra.

Over time, I wanted to take the Dharma Mittra LOAY Yoga Teacher Training Course.  I saved up money to enroll, submit my application, and paid my deposit, but wound up cancelling.  At the time I broke my toe, and a studio where I taught asked that I lead my 200Hr Yoga Teacher Training Course there.  I figured there would be another time for it to happen for me.   In my Riya Yoga Course, (previously called Zoga Yoga), it is a requirement for students to attend Master Class with Sri Dharma Mittra, and I still request this of all students.

I left NYC to embark on traveling the globe and teaching Yoga, Ayurveda, Reiki and Yoga Teacher Trainings, as well as getting certified in Ashtanga Yoga while in India.  It has been an amazing experience, and somehow I missed taking class with Sri Dharma.  He has an incredible way of bringing spirituality into yoga asana classes that would often remind me of my beloved departed mother, who was my first guru.  I had the Maha Sadhana DVD, and on occasion would practice with it, but it was not really the same.  This year after completing my P.h.D. in Alternative Medicine with the focus on Yoga and Ayurveda, I knew I wanted to enroll in another Yoga Course either in India or with Sri Dharma Mittra.  While I love to teach, and share yoga with people, I also love to be a student to the practice itself.  Just as I was considering enrolling in the LOAY program, I traveled to Europe to teach yoga and wound up breaking my toe AGAIN. Same toe, different spot.

"When we understand the laws of Karma, we will see that everything is perfect" ~ Sri Dharma Mittra

I was grateful to only have broken my toe, considering a fell down a flight of stairs, it could have been much worse, but it discouraged me from enrolling in the course.  The healing process was slower, pain was more intense and my yoga practice was on the back burner, while the Belgium chocolates inspired a more cuddle worthy body frame.  When I conjured up the courage to get back on the yoga mat, I decided to enroll in the LOAY course.  I was a late entrant, but I was accepted into the program.  I knew the physical asana would be a challenge and modifications would be necessary.  Since I have nearly broken or fractured every bone in my body, I am accustomed to modifications, and my asana practice is always a moving prayer, which is always encouraged by Sri Dharma Mittra as he often quotes from the Bhagavad Gita and reminds us to make our practice an offering.

"Fix your mind and intelligence on Me alone and ultimately you will come to Me. Of this there is no doubt." ~ Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 12: 8

From September 7-14, I was immersed in the first module of the "Life of a Yogi" experience with 67 other Sadhakas under the guidance of Sri Dharma Mittra and brilliant mentors.  We had beautiful long days with asana classes, pranyama, dhyana, spiritual discourse, anatomy, and practice teaching sessions.  We were drenched in sweat and wrapped in bliss.  We were asked to embrace Mouna (Yogic Silence) during the training, which is something I also require of students who study with me, so I was happy to oblige as best I could.  It is amazing how much inner healing one can find in silence.  Despite choosing to be quiet, the energy of love and unity was resounding in the hearts, eyes, and smiles of my fellow yogis.

With my toe still bandaged, only recently gaining minor mobility, and a cervical spine injury that challenges my inversion practice, I was so grateful to be in the Dharma Mittra center once again.  I was home.  I released all expectations in terms of my asana practice and felt an incredible wave of gratitude.  I would lay my yoga mat in the same corner every day, with Sri Dharma and Hanuman's image on one side, and Lord Shiva on the other.

I decided to go the route of fasting for the week of training, and because the daily asana classes are challenging, I allowed myself to have water, coconut water and an apple during the day.  On 2 occasions I added a vegan health bar to my day, but I wanted to do fasting during the day as much as possible.  One night I was missing the comforting tastes of Indian cuisine, so I opted for a Palak Channa Roti (Spinach and Chick Pea), which somehow was not prepared so well and led to food poisoning the next day.  Nothing beats fever, abdominal pain, and running to the bathroom frequently while immersed in multiple intense asana classes during the day.  This truly was purification.  Every day, my heart was brimming with even more gratitude than I thought possible.

Daily spiritual discourse and Master Class with Sri Dharma Mittra, beautiful Kirtan led by Adam Frei and other Dharma yogis, Anatomy with the beautiful Jessica Crow, and daily pranyama and asana classes under the guidance of Yoshio Hama (Active Meditation), Mark Kan, Andrew Jones,  Kim Jeblick, and Lori Bebber, we were all feeling incredibly blessed with every breath during this week.  We also had a beautiful inversion workshop with Yoshio.

During the week, we spent time in small groups where we had the chance to practice teaching under the guidance of our mentor.   I am very grateful for my mentor, Benjamin Smielowitz and group members that made this first week an incredible experience.  We all learned from each other.

I am not sure what I did in a past life to have been so lucky to learn from Sri Dharma Mittra, but I am overflowing with gratitude.

अथ योगानुशासनम् ॥१॥
atha yoga-anuśāsanam ||1||
Yoga in the here and now: an introduction to the study and practice of yoga ||1|| 

With the first module complete, NOW the Life Of a Yogi path to self-realization begins, as we are required to abide by a Sattvic Diet, daily self practice of asana, meditation, pranayama, required reading and journaling.  We reunite in November, when we will be so fortunate to have a workshop/performance with Kirtan Guru, Krishna Das.  For those interested in deepening their yoga practice or enrolling in a Yoga Teacher Training, the one to learn with is no one other than Sri Dharma Mittra.  

Happy 74th Birthday Sri Dharma Mittra!

Wishing a Happy 74th Birthday to Sri Dharma Mittra! 

The teacher who continues to inspire hearts everywhere to deepen their yoga practice.  I am sure that Dharma Yoga West was buzzing with Yogis.  I recall a few times we celebrated Dharma ji's birthday and it was always beautiful with some Vegan Treats!  Thank you Dharma ji for being such a jewel for the Yoga Community. 

Wishing you tremendous blessings on this beautiful day!

Dharma Yoga East & Karma Yoga

“Reduce your wants and lead a happy and contented life. Never hurt the feelings of others and be kind to all. Think of God as soon as you get up and when you go to bed.” Sri Dharma Mittra

Last month I heard the sad news that Dharma East was closing. This news was very sad, as the studio was a magical place. A small studio where many Yogis (my colleges and friends) would gather in a packed Master classes, led by one of the only people in NYC worthy of the title Guru, Sri Dharma Mittra. His knowledge of yoga, and practice is inspirational beyond anything I have experienced in the Western World. As I have been in India since January teaching yoga, and also becoming a certified Ashtanga Yogi, I was unable to attend a final class at this amazing studio in NYC. Since I left NYC, I tell my students that it is not the building or the teacher that makes the experience of yoga, but rather the dedication to the practice by the student/yoga aspirant....I do make an exception for Sri Dharma, as he is nothing short of remarkable. A real gift to the NYC community of Yoga.

Last year, I took time from my super busy schedule of teaching Yoga Asana, and spent a few months doing daily Karma Yoga at Dharma West. Like many yogis who love the teaching of Sri Dharma, I spent a good amount of time there taking daily (life changing) classes, and offering my time & service as a Karma Yogi with tremendous gratitude for the classes I was blessed to take with Sri Dharma. Karma Yoga is a wonderful way to purify your Karma, to serve with gratitude to your guru or place of practice, and a chance to give back to the practice that allows you to receive & give to others. Karma Yoga is a path of Yoga, that as a Yogi we need to practice. While I was there doing errands, cleaning, attending the front desk, tending to the shop, preparing Teacher Training certificates and anything asked of me.....one day Sri Dharma's beautiful wife, asked me to model for the amazing line of Yoga Clothing. We modeled many of the wonderful hoodies, hats, and shirts....and some of the pictures made it to the online store. It was an honor to do anything that was required at the Dharma West Temple.

If you have not gone to practice at Dharma West, please do. Classes with Sri Dharma will inspire you more than you can imagine, the quality of class is amazing, the classes led by Dharma Yogis are remarkable...... The energy is unlike any other studio in NYC.....and the clothing is super cute. I look forward to practicing at the Dharma West Temple once again. Thank you Sri Dharma & the Dharma Yoga Asana Center family for including me in your family.....Om Prema

Pictures: Sri Dharma Mittra & Ambria in the No Yoga No Peace, Know Yoga Know Peace Hoodie.

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

Sri Dharma Mittra

The most amazing Yoga Instructor, Sri Dharma Mittra has inspired my life and the lives of many other Yoga enthusiasts in NYC and all over the world. Yesterday at Master Class, my body was tired and he gave the most challenging class I ever encountered.....IT WAS AMAZING!! At one point he came to adjust me in the fourth round of Vasisthasana (Side Plank)....and my arm was ready to collapse from fatigue. While the asana sequence can be challenging....the part I love about Master Class is that it is truly a Divine experience. Some of my friends say it is like visiting God, because Dharma encourages us to surrender & be receptive to the Grace of God throughout the class. You can go to the class and whatever you are going through, he will speak of in his words, teach through the asana, challenge you, inspire you and bring you to a healing experience. He is 72 years young, and an inspiration to everyone to take up the Yoga Practice. I have been soaking up as many Yoga Classes this week with Sri Dharma as I could because he is really that amazing! Myself and many of my fellow Yoga Instructors take his class as often as possible....because he is the best! After class we had our psychic development with pranayama exercises that awaken the energy in our nadi channels, purify and stimulate the pituitary gland, and leave you feeling like you can soar in the sky. I thanked Sri Dharma for being such a huge impact on my Yoga journey & was grateful to have a picture with this Amazing teacher.

Photo: Sri Dharma Mittra & Ambria

Everything is Perfect - Sri Dharma Mittra

In the evening Meditation class with Sri Dharma Mittra he read from the Self Realization book. He went on to discuss the Kosha's, the importance of understanding Karma, Non- Attachement, and much more. One key phrase he said stood out to me...."Everything is Perfect".....meaning every situation is a result of Karmic patterns or obligations, and therefore it is perfect. This concept inspires us to accept situations in our lives and surrender to the Portion of God within our heart. If we all embraced the concept "everything is perfect" we would be so calm is something he pointed out. Happiness, Gratitude, Acceptance, Love, Compassion & forgiveness all stem from the ability to accept the fact that everything is perfect.

Sometimes in our lives everything is not perfect, at least that is how we perceive it. We may have been abused, disrespected, suffered grief, bullied, falsely accused, or even just suffering from our own sadness or illness.....Can we come to acceptance that everything is perfect? Can we be non-attached to the outcome? Can we be non attached to the situation? This deep concept is yet another reason why Yoga is a practice.....it may take time to have that self-realization. As we develop our Body with the ability to let go & surrender into challenging asana, without the ego as judge over the result, perhaps we can do the same with our Mind that is constantly running over scenarios, pointing fingers, leaning towards apathy and instead accept that "everything is perfect". When we accept that "everything is perfect" we do not look for fame, we do not lean to blame, we look and lean to God. When we embrace the concept "everything is perfect", we are calm, content, and more than likely practicing the Yamas & Niyamas. With dedicated practice and being receptive, anything is possible. Thank you again Sri Dharma for an amazing class!!! You have been a perfect part of my Yoga Journey while here in NYC.

Two AMAZING Days with Sri Dharma

Recently I participated in two days, back to back with Sri Dharma Mittra at the Dharma Yoga Center. Sri Dharma is a blessing to the city of New York, and especially to Yoga Instructors. As thursday is usually my day to go, my summer schedule has blessed me with a little more flexibility that allows me to take amazing classes! His class is remarkably challenging, inspirational and healing. While I have written many posts about Sri Dharma, it is because he is my favorite Instructor, and the favorite to many. From my Inversion Workshop on Sunday, to teaching 2 classes and taking 2 classes on Monday (one with Dharma), and then last night with Sri Dharma again, my body was a little sore.....but Dharma goes into the fullest expression of the pose with ease, grace, smiles and a sense of humour, as though his body has no tension at all. It is AMAZING!!! At the end of Monday nights class, my body was shaking with joy and fatigue.....as we laid down in Savasana, Dharma said one person is laying the wrong way.....I looked up and noticed it was me, and Dharma had a sweet jovial smile on his face and hands on his hips....I quickly adjusted myself & smiled back at him. After class he gave a wonderful talk on the Bhagavad Gita and pranayama. The way he ties in the Spiritual aspect of the practice to daily life is so amazing, and he lives it too! It is always lovely to meet friends and fellow Yoga Instructors in class as well.

During Savasana last night, Dharma came around and shook my legs and arms, any tension was gone, and I felt like I could sleep for days. After last nights class, my friend and I were speaking about how wonderful class was, and I said to my friend that Dharma's picture is on my altar, right next to Jesus, we both giggled, but she knew that it was true (it really is). He really is an incredible Teacher!

If this is what 72 years young looks like, everyone should practice yoga. I love how Dharma emphasizes the importance and aspect of vegetarianism as it relates to the Yoga Practice. Many times you will hear him say "without Yamas & Niyamas there is no yoga". He embodies Yoga in every way, and regardless of your level of ability, you can benefit from hearing his wise words, participating in his guided meditations & pranayama, experiencing the brilliant energy of the class, and witnessing inspirational Yogis as they practice with respect and reverence for their Guru. When you don't try to do the asana, he will encourage you to try, and advise you to not act like an old person (so fun)! While he has earned the title of "The teachers teacher", it is advised that everyone take the advantage of taking a class with this amazing Teacher. Sadly, I may be leaving NYC for a short while, and I must admit, I will miss Sri Dharma's classes very much! Thank you Sri Dharma for inspiring me, deepening my practice, inspiring my students, and teaching many people the beauty of Yoga.....you are a blessing to my life.

Happy Birthday Dharma

Last Thursday I had the chance to take Master Class with Dharma Mittra again. One of my lovely Teacher Trainees was taking class as part of her requirements and I was happy to join her. As always class is magical. I enter into the Temple, and the class is packed. The mats are configured different, rather than Dharma being positioned by the windows, he is near the wall by the entrance, and the carpet area is full. I walk to the back wall, catch a couple waves from fellow students, and situate myself. While my body was sore, and my allergies were activated, I was so grateful to be there. I surrendered my practice at the feet of God as an offering as I always do, and prepared for class. Ironically, my student, Stepanie was right in front of me. This is the second time that happened. We progressed into a class that was not nearly as physically challenging as most classes I had taken. My head was hurting as well as my shoulders due to a recent incident, so when it came to inversion, which if you know Dharma is pretty much the 4th pose in, I stayed in Childs Pose. Dharma came all the way to the back and knew something happened. He said "were you in an accident?" "did you hurt your neck", I tearfully said yes, and he laughed and said just do Shoulder Stand. He watched me go up and put my legs into lotus, and he saw that it was challenging, so kept close watch on me with loving eyes, and care. This was an amazing moment of surrender for me. I did not care that the entire room of yogis were facing me, or that I could not do a pose, I was in the moment and it was so magnificent. Again he came and suggested to kick myself up on the wall for handstand if I did not want to do forearm stand. He is so amazing when he demonstrates poses. I could feel that when he returned to the front he still maintained loving eyes on me, watching to make sure I was safe in my practice. Like with every class, he maintained his witty charm. At the end of class when we sat for psychic development, some beautiful cupcakes with candles were brought out, and the entire room of Yogis chanted Sita Ram, Happy Birthday and Dharma Blew out the candles. Afterwards he announced that he is 60 plus 12. It was such a beautiful class, and I am so thankful to have shared in the experience. Happy Birthday Sri Dharma Mittra.

Dharma Class with My Lovely Teacher Trainees

As I

mentioned before, with my free time on Thursday morning I like to venture to take Sri

Dharma Mittra's Master Class. Despite the fact that my arms were sore, my heart enjoys being in class with Dharma. This week my lovely Teacher Trainees went to take class as well. It is part of the requirements for them to graduate to take Master Class at Dharma's. While many may feel hesitant due to the challenging asana practice, it is so that they can learn from a master teacher, and experience the energy of the room. Many advanced students at Sri Dharma's can inspire people to deepen their practice. Sri Dharma himself is always full of inspiration, energy, wisdom, and a brilliant sense of humor. I had told the ladies that I always place my mat at the back of the room, and oddly enough, when I walked in they had lined their mats up on the exact place where I usually like to practice, Carolann was actually in my spot. My lovely friend Lauren was directly in front of my beautiful Teacher Trainees. It was so awesome to see that. I laid out my mat at the back of the room, like a little mouse, on the hardwood so not to disturb class. Master class on Thursdays always has Psychic Development, but this week, just before psychic development, Dharma encouraged students engage in some fun Acro Yoga or Partner Yoga. While class is always a challenge physically, it is also fun and spiritual at the same time.

The irony of today's Master Class is while I love Sri Dharma, his picture is on my altar, I joyfully wear the Mala given to me by his devotee (Andrew Tanner) that was on Sri Dharma's picture during the entire previous Teacher Training, I have only given humble smiles and whispery thank yous to Sri Dharma. I have never ever had a conversation with Dharma Mittra. Somehow, I manage to tap into the shy Indian girl (that is otherwise normally buried REALLY DEEP), and just give simple shy smiles of gratitude, reverence and awe to Sri Dharma. Normally just bowing my head with hands in Anjali Mudra. But here comes the irony, I was so pleased with these lovely Teacher Trainees for being "receptive" as Dharma says, for actually taking class, learning as he spent a good amount of time personally hands on adjusting them in the massive group of students, that I got my camera and rounded them up for a photo with Dharma. Initially I was about to take the photo (so shy I was not even thinking about being in the picture), but one of the lovely Dharma students saw me, and offered to snap the amazing pictures. Dharma not only posed in the middle of our group, he also decided to do two brilliant headstand variations in the middle (one on his finger tips and the other no hands). It was awesome! This Thursdays Master class was brilliant (as always), and I am so grateful to have shared the experience with these lovely ladies : Amber, Carolann, Latesha and Nicole. We were missing Armondo, Jessica, Margie and Steph, but maybe another time. I wished I could have stayed with the ladies and catch a bite to eat or juice, but I had to rush uptown to teach 4 classes of my own. Thank you Sri Dharma for blessing us with an amazing class, and for taking the time to stand on your head in our photos!!!

Photos: Amber, Latesha, Sri Dharma, Nicole, Carolaan, Ambria

Hanumanasana @ Dharma Mittra Center NYC

Hanumanasana is the pose named after the Chief Monkey Hanuman. This pose celebrates Hanumun's giant leap from the Southern tip of India to the Island of Sri Lanka. In America we also call this pose the splits. This past Monday, I was invited to join Andrew (Bamboomoves Yogi) to attend a Master Level Class at the Dharma Mittra Center. Admittedly, I was intimidated as I do not have a very advanced yoga practice. Aside from the fact that I was tremendously sore/tired from teaching 13 classes since Sunday that same week, and taking a few classes, I decided to go anyways. The class was as advanced as you can get. We came into Handstand in the second pose, I shouldn't say we because I kept one toe on the wall and prayed I wouldn't land on my face every time we went up. I say every time because we revisited the pose many times. We flipped from Side Plank to Wheel, and more. To be in the presence of this group of yogis was absolutely inspirational. Sri Dharma Mittra kindly adjusted me into poses, teased me when my attempts were comedic and demonstrated humble brilliance with his yoga practice. All the other students who were in class are truly inspirational to watch, and on occasion I found myself in Watch-asana. One of the poses we did in class was Hanumanasana. Sri Dharma and his advanced yogis demonstrated switching legs in the pose without moving from the position. WOW! I must say I loved every minute of the class, which has been my experience thus far at the Dharma Yoga Center. At the end of class, Andrew told me that the class was actually more challenging than usual, and I was feeling so elated like I was floating, it didn't register to me till later that it was a challenging two hours of advanced asana practice. Special thanks to Andrew for inviting me and to Sri Dharma Mittra for yet again providing an amazing yoga experience. Hanumanasana is an advanced pose and it is important to stretch out the legs and warm up before. Ultimately we want to be all the way down to the floor with arms over head, but since Yoga is a practice not a perfect, I am still working on it.

Image by David Blottner

Dharma Yoga

So, as I had mentioned in an earlier post, I worked up the courage to go to the Dharma Yoga Centre here in NYC, only to be delightfully enlightened. While, I have enjoyed classes with Amitai and Marvin because it worked with my schedule, I decided I wanted to take class with Sri Dharma Mittra. The wonderful people of Bamboomoves were kind enough to allow me to have a sub teach the evening class, while I took class with Sri Dharma Mittra himself. Ironically, while I took class at Dharma Mittra, there was a Dharma trained Yoga Instructor covering my class at Bamboomoves. The same day, my old wrist injury pain started to creep up in the worst way, I wrapped it up, and I told myself that it could be psychosomatic.

So it's Wednesday night, after teaching two Yogi Bean classes, I took a cab to the Dharma Yoga Centre. Luckily, as per Adams advice, I had registered the night before, and made it just in time. I quickly changed and noticed the sea of eager (obviously regular yogis) had filled up the carpeted area of the studio, facing the entrance way. This meant that with my sore, wrapped wrist, I would have to lay my mat in the direction facing them, and surrender to my breath. There were maybe four other people in the section I was in.

Class begins, with incredible Sun Salutations, and after what seemed to be 10 sweaty sun salutes, Sri Dharma Says "Let's Race and see who finishes first". Most everyone was damp and feeling it. As I was in plank pose, I peeked up, only to see that this nearly 80 year old Yogi, Sri Dharma, was pretty much done, and he did the salute with full extension of each pose. WOW!

We proceed, into twists, and he adjusts me into a pigeon variation that I haven't done in a year only to realize that sometimes when I teach a lot of beginners, I avoid allowing my body to go to full extension. From then on, I closed my eyes, concentrated on God's love and abundance in my life, surrendered my injured wrist, and my every breath as an offering to deepen my practice and grow closer in faith. IT WAS DEEP! I went into poses that I haven't done in a long time, and maintained closed eyes throughout class. The biggest challenge was the Side Plank on the side where my wrist was injured, but I did my best. Towards the end of class, I placed my legs over my head with ease, peeked my eyes open, and met eyes with Sri Dharma. He nodded his head, which gave me great comfort, and I closed my eyes and focused on my breath again. It was so profound to be a student in this class. Twice he adjusted me deeper into poses. Thankfully, we did not do headstand (which is a pose I need to work on), however, being in Shoulder Stand for as long as we were, FELT GREAT!

I had the best Savasana experience I have had in years. I saw Chakra related lights, felt tremendous love, and my wrist no longer hurt as it did all day, so I experienced a healing. I left class feeling light and free, knowing that any areas of my life that I needed to find forgiveness were made pure. I knew that this was the Spiritual experience I was yearning for. I decided to stay for the Psychic Development Course after the Yoga class, which was so wonderful!

While many yoga centers in NYC offer a great workout, with asana focused practice, and former dancers/performers as teachers (myself included), my spiritual upbringing longed for this experience. With every possible excuse not to go (the fact that I had to teach a yoga class, my sore wrist, my need to improve my headstand, and the fact that I had my mat facing the entire class), I am so thrilled I left my ego at the door and experienced a deepening of my yoga practice. I recommend everyone take a class at the center with Sri Dharma Mittra. The experience was truly life changing, so much so that I actually submitted my application for 500Hr teacher training with Sri Dharma Mittra the next day. Regardless, if I get accepted into the teacher training or not, this Yogi Guru has inspired my yoga practice tremendously, and words cannot express my gratitude for being able to take part in yoga class led by Sri Dharma Mittra. ~ Peace & hugs, Ambria