An open heart…

Posted by AB on Feb 14, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

“As we become more inwardly free from our conditioning and our fears, the love and connection that are possible in relationships tend to flow through us more naturally. As our defenses are lowered, our heart opens, and there is a natural desire to give from the generosity of the heart. We discover that genuine happiness in relationships is not a product of having our expectations met or getting what we want but rather it is the consequence of freely giving in order to bring happiness to another.”
-Ezra Bayda

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sounds of this February

Posted by AB on Feb 8, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

It seems different this year. There isn’t the crisp silence and snow crunch…however, the sounds are present. Have you listened to the birds this week? Are your ears open?

I am inspired by John Muir,1871 journal: (via mysticmamma )

“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

What do we mean by divine?

Posted by AB on Jan 13, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Here is a beautiful inspirational verse by the teaching partner of the great Yogi Sri Aurobindo – she is known simply as “The Mother”.  They guided an ashram together for many years in Pondicherry, India- focusing on the awakening of the divine within the human heart. They are certainly two of the great spiritual masters of the 20th century.   In response to the question: What do we mean by “divine”?, she answers:

                                                                                                                                                                           

Avocado goodness

Posted by AB on Jan 10, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Avocados are magic (or is it the sweetened condensed milk?)
We already had quite a long list of favorite ways to incorporate this smooth, colorful fruit and we are adding another! During our travels we had several delicious avocado beverages. We saw avocado trees, half eaten avos on the ground and learned that the fruit is mainly used in beverages. Yes, smoothies + juices! There were a couple guest houses that served guacamole…yum.
Yesterday, I decided to try the avocado shake recipe from a market in Phnom Penh:
Avocado
Sweetened condensed milk
Ice
Milk(not in original recipe)
Throw all things in the blender and you get a smooth, light green, sweet treat.
Super simple!

New Year, New Offerings…

Posted by AB on Jan 8, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Its good to be away.  Its also good to be home.  Time away is a wonderful opportunity to see the possibilities of life.  It is all too easy to get caught up in the pace of day to day living, and lose sight of how much of our lives we choose, and how those choices shape our path.  Traveling to other parts of the world is a good reminder of this.  There are many different ways to live upon this earth.

In going away and having a little space from one’s daily life, it is also good to be reaffirmed and return feeling that the lives we live are meaningful, joyful and sustainable.  Ever since I began to truly study yoga, it has been my desire to make the deeper spiritual and philosophical teachings of yoga accessible.  In my own experience these teachings have provided such a profound sense of peace, joy and connection.   It was with that vision that I returned to host the third annual New Years Day Yoga Workshop at One Yoga.  We had 37 people for an afternoon of yoga teaching and practice, self- reflection and intention setting for the year to come.  The workshop was based around the teaching that “Our life is the product of our deepest driving desires.”  In other words, what we desire most- consciously or unconsciously- is what dictates what we prioritize, what we choose and how our lives unfold as a result.

This workshop was an introduction to the teaching of the “Purusharthas”- desires of the soul.  This teaching says that all humans desire dharma (prupose), artha (the means to achieve one’s purpose), kama      (pleasure/joy) and moksha (freedom).  It could be said that the vast body of wisdom and practices known as yoga, is the cumulative result of the human search to fulfill those desires.  As the desire for meaning, means, pleasure and freedom shapes our experince, it is essential to clarify what we really desire, the patterns of thought and action keep us from realizing those desires, and what tools we have to empower the realization of our potential and purpose.   The workshop was an introduction to this process created by my teacher Rod Stryker, as detailed in his book “The Four Desires.”

I have had the opportunity to attend an intensive with Rod based  in these teachings, and to teach this workshop and the larger process of The Four Desires several times.  It never fails to amaze me in its relevance, universality, depth, intimacy and transformative potential.   This is profound process for all who are in search of meaning, freedom and joy.  It is also an extremely valuable process for those who feel called, but are challenged in actualizing that calling.  I am excited to be offering the longer process of The Four Desires in a Winter Weekend Immersion, Januray 26-29 at One Yoga.  Feel free to follow the link for more info.   If you are interested in more of Rod’s teaching, he will be in Minneapolis for a Five day training on Tantra, January 18-22.  You can find information about that intensive and all his teaching at www.parayoga.com

For those of you looking for opportunities to deepen your own practice and study of yoga, beginning Monday January 30th, I will be offering an 8-week Series on The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.  As the source of the Eight-limbed path of Yoga, it has been the definitive text in Classical Yoga philosophy and practice for 2000 years.  Its wisdom on the human condition and the practices of yoga as a path to freedom is profoundly valuable.  This course will focus on the essential teachings of The Yoga Sutra, meditation, the Yogic Mind and how to apply this wisdom to our lives.

I hope this new year finds you well.  As a teacher, I strive to offer authentic and relevant teachings of the yoga tradition.  As students, I hope that you strive to realize your innate potential for meaning, joy and freedom.  May this New Year inspire you to work tirelessly in pursuit of your Soul’s Desires, and to appreciate all that you are given.

Namaste, Ben

Home sweet home…

Posted by AB on Dec 30, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Boat
Bus
Airplane
Airplane
Airplane
Car
Many hours + many modes of transport and we are home!
Refreshed and sleepy.

Christmas on Koh Samet

Posted by AB on Dec 27, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

We are soaking up our final days on holiday on the Thai Island of Koh Samet. Emerald green waters washing over white sand under the deck of our bungalow. It has been a wonderful trip. Traveling is such an amazing way to gain perspective on ones’s life and the world we share. We are excited to return refreshed and renewed. With the New Year comes new offerings, beginning with the New Years Day workshop at One Yoga…hope to see you there:)
Xo