h-OM-e Studio Love

Yesterday I was lucky to be able to attend Amanda’s Wednesday morning flow class at Yoga Birds. I practice at home alone quite a bit and always relish in the opportunity to practice with a group. And it was a ‘Full Circle Chakra’ class. The chakras are an energy system running along the central axis of the body laid out in Indian Tantric Philosophy. Essentially, practicing with the chakras as the forefront of class is inner-body energy work. And Amanda is FABULOUS at it. She has a great understanding of the chakras and the class systematically takes your awareness from the root chakra at the base of the tailbone to the crown chakra at the top of the head and then back down. She also organizes the room so that all of the mats are in a circle. Any of y’all who take my classes know that I am a stickler for straight lines and rows because it assists my observation of the classes’ alignment and foundation. And because I teach alignment based yoga asana, I have always understood the asana in straight lines. So, getting in a circle (which is out of my comfort zone) and going with the flow, trusting the Teacher, trusting my breath, and really going inside on a journey through the energy centers of my body…WHOA what an awesome experience!

Long before I opened Yoga Birds, I had the vision of what kind of yoga studio business I wanted to build in Fairhope. My first experiences of ‘yoga-studio’ yoga (and mind you there are lots of different ways and places to offer yoga to the community) were at Yoga Works in the late 90’s in Santa Monica, California. That is when and where the seeds of my vision for Yoga Birds were planted. Yoga Works is now a national yoga studio franchise and teacher training school. But back then, it was two studios--one on Santa Monica Blvd. and one on Montana Ave. Where at any time of day yogis had the choice of incredible classes in varied styles from highly trained teachers (Seane Corn, Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller, Natasha Rizopolous, Erich Schiffman—just to name a few). The classes were always and without fail great learning and practicing opportunities and the studio setting was always of great comfort. Life in Los Angeles as a mid 20-something was hectic, and whirlwindy, and wonderful and challenging. Walking through the threshold of the clean, peaceful, nag-champa scented, sweet -people filled studio—which was dedicated solely for the purpose of yoga and community-was not just a comfort but an enormous help for maintaining sanity and peace of mind. The big empty space, the wood floor, the nice yoga props…it was all part of the experience. My 4 years spent in Los Angeles, I took as many yoga classes at as many different places as I could. I went to every studio in town, local school gyms, church basements, Tai Chi studios, fitness centers, outside at the beach, in people’s living rooms, and more. Some classes were free, some were donation based, but most were $10-$15 to compensate the teacher and pay the overhead for the space. My ‘home’ practice studios were Yoga Works and The Iyengar Institute. For me, the experiences in the studio settings were unparalleled to the others and I had choices. So, to be able to take classes I did work-study at the studios to ‘rack-up’ class hours, I swept floors, I cleaned houses, and worked hard at my day job to have the money to pay for the valuable experience of practicing at the studios.

My vision for Yoga Birds is to be a dedicated space in service to this community to gather for top quality experiences. I aim for the studio to offer classes by highly trained Registered Yoga Teachers (one of the reasons for the Yoga Alliance Teacher Trainings) so that students not only have a worthwhile learning and practice experience –to advance in their understanding and deepen their practices of yoga , but also to maintain the space as a sanctuary for meditation, asana practice, and keeping good company - always in service to the community.

I recognize that teaching and practicing yoga is a great privilege and I am beyond grateful to the teachers and students who sustain Yoga Birds as how I envisioned it 10 years ago. And, I am LOVING being a student in my home studio! Namaste friends!

Flying Yoga Birdies

Yesterday’s foray into Eka Pada Galavasana, also known as One Leg Pose of The Sage Galavasa, or Flying Crow Pose or Flying Pigeon, apparently it has as many names as techniques involved in getting there. It is a pose found on the bottom row of the Level 2 Anusara Syllabus. So, it’s pretty juicy! There are so many components to this pose; Chaturanga, Pigeon, Crow, Warrior 3, to name a few. Not to mention a sustained connection to easeful flowing breath. The pose cultivates super concentration, because it requires mega concentration—which as we know, when we focus really ‘hard’ we often hold our breath. That is so interesting to me. No matter how ‘good’ you are at yoga, if this is your first dance with the flying pigeon, you will find it mystifying and necessary to spend some quality time practicing the component parts that build the pose, then put them together and work on the techniques that make the pose steady. Like my teacher Scotta said during her last visit to Yoga Birds, “place effort in the (alignment) principles that make the pose, not in the ‘final’ expression of the pose”. And then voila, Flying Pigeon welcomes you into his nest, instead of you feeling like an uninvited guest. Everyone did beautiful variations of their versions of the pose and worked really intelligently. It was strong group of YogaBirdies! More Flying Pigeon in my Anusara-Inspired classes this week (tonight at 6:15p and tomorrow at 9:15a).

Meditation classes went great! A very funny thing happened in the 5:30 session…the electricity went out 8 minutes into our 15 minute sitting. Which wouldn’t have caused a big disturbance IF the surge protector alarms hadn’t gone off (which of course they are designed to do and I should be grateful, knowing they are working properly, but back to my point). So before we began, in my intro, I asked the group that if there was noise or disturbance to use that as an opportunity to practice staying focused inwardly on the breath. Well, what a GREAT opportunity they had! When the alarms went off, I quietly rose from my seat and went to press the on/off buttons on the power strips. I couldn’t reach one of them as it is tucked behind some very strategically placed furniture. The ‘broomstick-as-extension-of-my-arm/finger-trick’ didn’t work. Meanwhile the beeping and buzzing is LOUD and obnoxious. And I am pretty sure I was huffing and puffing a bit. So I took a deep inhale, stood on one leg, folded forward, bent myself in a very complex and interesting asana and stretched my arm so that my fingertip met the off button. I am going to break that pose down, name it and add it to the list of 84,000 asana, because, I KNOW it is a new one. Aside from that, the meditation session was very gratifying for me and also for the group. And it WAS a great opportunity to practice. Because it was PERFECT~in the way that life is PERFECT. Just simply being alive and well enough to come to meditation at the studio….is PERFECTION. The electricity did not come back on and it was 97 degrees outside. Needless to say, Foundations was like a Hot Yoga class. We had a very full room, which made it even toastier. Everyone were great sports about it and I changed my class plan on the fly and we practiced Restoratives for the last 40 minutes of class…ending with supported Bridge, Shoulderstand, Halasana, and Legs Up The Wall. People LOVE Legs Up The Wall Pose. I think we will be doing it more this week, even though the A/C is back on. Psyched for another day of Living Yoga!

Ordinary Time

The day has started well. Early morning sitting and nadhi Shodhana. Followed by a short and energetic run around the neighborhood with Bear and Reggie. I am nourished by pleasant conversation over a cup of coffee with my husband and a fresh carrot apple ginger juice with a shot of Mila Chia for breakfast.

Today is the first day of leading Mindfulness Meditation at Yoga Birds. As usual, I am a little nervous about teaching a new class, but in a good way. I am excited to be able to present and hold the space for our community to sit in inner reflection together.

I want to ride my bike to work but I think it’s going to rain. It’s a perfect ride for a good warm up for the day. Asana will have to suffice. What a JOY! As ever, I am so grateful for my practices of sitting meditation, mindful breathing, and intention fueled movement. Thank you Lord!

Oil Change Light

The Oil Change light has been illuminating in my car for a couple of weeks. Everytime I get into the car it dings and lights up because apparently I need another reminder of OIL, my dependence on it, and therefore my little contribution to the enormous calamity in our Gulf. Everytime I pump gas I think about the birds, the fish, the beaches, the businesses…that are dying, partially by my own hand and my flagrant use of the oil. I know it sounds dramatic but it’s true. I drive 3 scenic miles to work everyday—sometimes two or three times. I drive anywhere and everywhere without the slightest thought of the impact my car and my lifestyle have on the resources of this beautiful planet—at least I used to. In my efforts to be a mindful, responsible citizen of the Earth and steward of the Mighty Gulf Coast, I must make changes in my oil consumption habits and awareness. Today I am picking up my old college mountain bike from Fairhope’s new bike shop. I have had it tuned-up and outfitted with a rack and saddle bags so that I can start riding my bike as often as I can as a means of transportation. Because I live in a town where it’s possible, and I am of sound body and mind to do it I really have no excuses. Not everyone is so blessed with this opportunity. But we must all do our parts by making conscious choices and taking skillful actions in whatever ways we can that are manageable and within our unique life circumstances, right? OK. So please join me and ask yourself how you might make a transition in lifestyle that could help The Gulf and well really The One Ocean. One Love One Ocean y’all! We're all in this together. PEACE!!

Ocean of Inner Space

Mobile Bay. Gulf Coast Alabama. It can not go without saying that we are all bracing for how the oil hemorrhage story unfolds. Emotions of grief, anger, fear and despair abound. Let us turn the tide from negativity and ask the question: What can I do in my community to help in this moment? Now more than ever we need the tools for honest, refined, practical care for ourselves in body, mind, breath, and heart. Yoga helps us navigate the ocean of our inner space. It brings us back to our natural calm equilibrium. Yoga provides the gifts of inner strength and muscular stability, a daily retreat from the constant noise, techniques to expand the breath, and recognition that the joy in our hearts remains no matter what challenges we must endure. Our best course of action is to take good care.

Fortitude. Clarity. Vibrancy. Compassion.

Stay strong and keep the faith.

Mother Nature Will Prevail!

Love, Melanie

BudDhat

Awakening in the State of WhoDat Nation

Black & Gold Grace TheSuperbowl

At Long Last!

SAINTS HAPPINESS SAINTS HAPPINESS

Mardi Gras Shakti

It is Mardi Gras. Knights of the Ecor Rouge specifically. My grandfather, JD Buffett was a charter member of The KOER. There's lots of his buddies still riding in the parade. It's also Black & Gold Superbowl Eve. Historic. The entire Buffett gene pool are raging Saints fans and celebrating tonight from Montana to Miami. And Mardi Gras in the middle!

The energy is buzzing globally.

Reading about Shakti in Swami Durgananda's The Heart of Meditation after this morning's meditation, I am more aware of a swirling pulling pulsating draw to go to the parade and be with LOTS of people and party downtown. It's cold. I am tired. I need sleep. The traffic is never so bad as at a Mardi Gras parade. I want to stay home, do the wise thing, and restore my energy for lots of teaching and practicing and studying yoga next week. But the pull of the energy is in my cells. It's coursing through my Buffett Blood and my HEART is in charge tonight. I will go with what is flowing through me.

All of a sudden I have on dancing shoes and glitter. I hear music and I will follow.

This fun runs deep!

It must be the Shakti...I think I am getting it.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!