Happy Valentine’s Day!

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.”

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!

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

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

We are at the airport in Yangon, Myanmar heading back to Thailand for a few days of beach and sun before returning to the frozen tundra of home. Everyone knows Minneapolis is a small town. We were again reminded how small the world is when on our 3 day trek we met the former boyfriend of one of my yoga students. Now we sit among familiar faces that have traveled a similar Myanmar itinerary. A couple that sat near us at dinner last night, a couple that watched the sunset over Bagan atop the same temple…we are boarding the plane soon, have a wonderful holiday week.
Xo

After three glorious days, we arrived in Inle Lake. It is a floating city in the middle of a lake in the mountain valley. The homes, villages, shops, farms and markets of the lake are connected by water canals and traditional SE Asian longboats are the means of transportation. We enjoyed two days of traveling thru the floating gardens, markets, workshops- while resting with the calmness of the lake.

We then flew to the ancient city of Bagan. It is a plain of 4400 Buddhist temples built from 1000-1200 C.E. it is the work of a king who had a midlife conversion to the Buddhist life, though based on the size, scope and historical accounts of their building, he may have missed some of the fundamental tenets. In any case, it is a wonder to behold.

Sorry for the brief update, this is the first wifi we have seen here, and our plane is boarding soon. We’ll try to post a few pictures. Have a joyous holiday.

With love, a + b