Monday Mantra: Words
“The words you speak become the house you live in.” – Hafiz I have been thinking a lot about words lately. Word choice in particular. I am exploring the impact and effectiveness of language used to inspire, as well as the subtlety and sensitivity required in more delicate moments. As a teacher, language is … Continue reading
Moving Out
When I first began to study yoga, I was instantly drawn to the recurring theme of moving from out to in. The eight-limbed path of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, commonly viewed as a ladder with eight rungs, outlines a framework for yoga practice. Beginning with the yamas, which are ethical restraints and disciplines, and ending with … Continue reading
On the Mat: Barefoot
The first thing I do when I come home is put down my heavy bag and take off my shoes. Despite spending years negotiating various dance shoe wear, my favorite way to be on my feet has always been wearing bare soles. After any summer rainstorm, I was out in my bare feet kicking up … Continue reading
Monday Mantra: Pause
The Buddha told a parable in a sutra: A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked … Continue reading
Gently Resilient
Gently resilient. I have fallen in love with this pairing of words devised by Drake, an attendee of Tuesday night’s discussion at Shambhala Meditation Center of New York. In being asked who he was and how he aspired to be, he offered those two incredibly specific, and perhaps uncommonly paired, words: Gently. Resilient. As an … Continue reading
Monday Mantra: Fear
“Fear is excitement without breath.” – Robert Heller Our Children’s Program Coordinator, Cara Surico, shared this quote with us in her Sunday Off the Grid post in reference to her summer teaching at the Putney School in Vermont. If you didn’t read the post yesterday, go see what she has to say about this quote and … Continue reading
Off the Grid: A Summer Reflection in Vermont
Summer is alive and well with the elemental effects of fire and water upon us. It is a time to nurture and repair, create and process, sing and dance! I am currently living at the Putney School, which is located on a spectacular hilltop in southern Vermont. Studios, performance spaces, classrooms, and dormitories are centrally … Continue reading
Monday Mantra: Gratitude
” I already have everything I need.” It is easy in today’s consumer culture to live in a constant state of wanting. You might find yourself wanting a better apartment or wishing to get a new dress for an event. You set your eyes on the newest phone model or the latest gadget for your … Continue reading
Memory Collection
If you ever came to my apartment, you might notice that while I have beautiful artwork hanging, I do not have personal photographs of people or memories anywhere in view. If you traveled back in time with me to visit any dorm room I occupied or even my bedroom growing up, limited-photo-living has always been … Continue reading
On the Mat: Summer Intensive Restorative Pose #4
Upper neck and shoulders dominated recent aches for my NYU Tisch Dance summer crew. This week’s posture is complex and delivers both stretch and space for the upper and lower body. It is a fun one to say in Sanskrit, Gomukhasana, and to “see” per its English translation, Cow Face Pose. If you look at … Continue reading
mindbodybrew 