Finding Home

                              A friend asked me, "Are you happy with your life now?"                 A memory came up today of me surfing. I remember the instant I decided to let go of fear for the possibility of something bigger than me-- bliss.   I remember the poignant lesson of moving with the seasons, of flowing with the impermanent nature of elements.  To surf the waves, I needed to let go and surrender. To live this gifted and given life, all the more. What is this if not bliss? And what is bliss if not quite simply peace? So my answer to the question whether I'm happy is "While I no longer surf or do many other things that used to give me so much joy, I find numerous moments of bliss. And this is enough." This life is enough.       "The love you offer yourself when you let go of fear will be astounding." - Alison Malee

Utthita Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose is one of the most memorable and significant poses for me. It was the pose where a teacher, four years ago did something so simple yet compelling enough to make me still remember it to the day and remind me how to guide others as well when I am teaching. She cued me to shift my bottom hand to move further up my knee instead of reaching down to my foot, allowing my upper body to open, emphasizing the lateral stretch whilst keeping the spine in safe alignment. At the time, I didn't have the flexibility to do the full expression of the pose. It was a simple adjustment but it was powerful enough to evoke insights that have been my constant guide in my own personal practice on and off the mat. This particular teaching moment and without question my 200-hour teacher training with Santosha Yoga Institute.  First, to understand what the pose is for. What is its primary intention? This refers to the anatomical / physiological goal of the pos