I tend to find alot of similarities between my yoga practice and the natural world. One comparison I find striking this year is the what is going on in my garden and what is happening in my practice. The Spring brings blooming in the garden. This year, so many things in the garden didn’t bloom on their regular schedule…no apple blossoms, very few iris. Extremely different from last year. My practice this Spring is also different than last year. I am teaching less this year and so my practice hours are less. With yoga, it is the quality, not necessarily the quantity. My garden is beautiful, although not the same as other years.

Come practice with us this Monday, May 21 from 6:30-8pm at the UU Church of Fresno. All are welcome! We will not have a practice the following Monday, May 28, Memorial Day.

Whether it is mediation or asana practice, how do you know if you are doing in right? Do you need someone to confirm that you are holding the pose correctly or what you are feeling in meditation is what you are “supposed to” feel? What I can tell you is that the more you practice both meditation and asana practice, this question will disappear. Those who remain concerned about “correctness”, usually don’t continue with the practice(s). That is because letting go of results, properness, and simply feeling the practices, is what we hope for.
It takes time and devotion to develop a practice that meets your own personal needs. Perhaps our Monday nite practice can fit into your journey. We meet at the UU Church of Fresno Monday, May 14 from 6:30-8pm. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a desire to be present and let go of expectations.

I hope you take the time to click on the above link (Click on “Never give up”). I cried as I watched this, at times with laughter and then with respect. Yoga played a large part of healing the ails I came with and continues to keep me without chronic pain (and likely, disability). This video is both a testimony to both the power of yoga and the power of the human spirit.
This Monday, May 7 is the first Monday of the month, which means yin yoga. Come and explore this form of yoga and what it can do for your body, mind, spirit. We meet at 6:30-8pm at the UU Church of Fresno on Alluvial in Clovis. Check this site for info on yin yoga.

There are so many reasons why we come to yoga practice. Likely, there are as many reasons as there are individuals practicing. To add to that, each day we approach our practice in a unique way because we are not the same everyday. Our bodies feel differently, our experiences that day reflect the mood we are in. When we come together to practice, we come to have a better self understanding. How can we understand another until we devote the energy to understanding ourselves?
Bring your desire to learn about your body, mind and spirit to our yoga practice on Monday, April 30,2012 at the UU Church of Fresno from 6:30-8:00 pm. This week our practice will be Ananda inspired. You can find more about Ananda yoga on this site.

Yoga calls “turning off the noise” pratyahara. Pratyahara is about withdrawing the senses from the external environment. Finding the quiet. Not so easy for some of us to do. Working with mind chatter is tough and the stimulating environment doesn’t help. You have to be very purposeful in turning off the iPod, the TV, the radio or whatever your distraction is. Of course we live in the world and because of that, we are not always in control of what goes on around us. But we can find time each day to turn off the world and its distractions and enjoy the peace and silence.

On Monday April 23 from 6:30-8pm come and join our yoga class for a bit of pratyahara and movement. Our class will focus on back care. We meet at the UU Church of Fresno on Alluvial in the sanctuary. Ahhhh the quite!!

If you think it, you can do it! So, maybe this pose(Peacock pose) is not your goal(!), but perhaps some other asana is. What is it? Can you challenge yourself to slowly work toward your goal? Strengthening, gaining balance, each step takes time and commitment. Just the act of coming to practice may be your challenge. Maybe sitting in meditation for 5 minutes comfortably is your goal. Whatever you desire, you must begin somewhere to accomplish your goal.
Join us on Monday April 16, 2012 for a yoga practice at the UU Church of Fresno from 6:30-8 pm in the sanctuary. Whatever your goal and challenges, you will find others to share with!

The germanic goddess of fertility, Ostara, reminds us that all the elements in our natural world are of great value. The winds of April help us to clear the dead wood and branches from our trees and our lives. Ostara is the one of foundation words for our word Easter. She reminds us that this lovely season of rebirth is not without it challenges, losses and change.
Come practice yoga with our practice group on Monday April 9,2012 from 6:30-8pm at the UU Church of Fresno. Located on Alluvial in Clovis we provide a gentle practice to help you in clearing out your own dead wood! All are welcome!

Our yoga group has been given the on going gift of practicing at the UU Church of Fresno, in Clovis. The grounds of the church is a wonderful place to stop and find a corner of nature to connect with. Come to class early and walk the grounds or find a bench to sit for a moment. Our practice begins at 6:30 on Monday nite March 19th. The daylight savings time adds a little day light to enjoy!