I often feel motivated to sit down and write a little something to share.  For whatever reason, the inspiration hits and I’ll take time to put my thoughts on paper.  Sometimes I never post what I write.  I just go through the process and see what comes of it.  I just allow the words flow from my head to my fingers to the keyboard.  This happened just recently.  I wrote a piece without much thought going in and I just let the thoughts flow onto the laptop screen.  When I wrote it, even while I was writing it, I knew it was a tad bit harsh.  I share the piece with Deborah and she confirmed my concerns.  We both agreed that what I had written was not ready for primetime.  At the same time, though, we both that the message was important and that it was worth explaining my thoughts that went into that first strongly worded draft.  So here goes.

Lindsay Majer, the most recent addition to our family of teachers at Iyengar Yoga Asheville, describes four of her personality characteristics as follows: the ability to adapt to new situations, a continuous learner of life, a deep curiosity about the natural world, and a passionate interest in exploring the subtle inner body.

Most of us are familiar with yoga poses (asana) and often times when we think of yoga that is what we think of. Images of some contorted body position are what come to mind when someone mentions yoga. However, asana is only third limb of the eight limbs of yoga although it does serve as a great way into the practice. So then what is pranayama, how do I practice “it” and what would it be like to attend a pranayama class?

…if you gravitate towards the ideas of the important though controversial German philosopher Martin Heidegger and other existentialists, then you already have much in common with our student of the month, Leslie MacAvoy, who has been a professor, in the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at East Tennessee State University since 2000, and is ending her 12-year position as Chair of the Department this June. Leslie’s Ph.D Dissertation from McGill University was titled “The Dialogicality of Dasein: Conversation and Encounter with/in Heidegger’s Being and Time.”

How can we respond to this resistance we find? How about starting by not believing your thoughts? Do you really not have five minutes to spare? How about challenging that belief by opening your mat and taking one single pose that you like? Maybe try your favorite pose and then see what happens.

Mapping the Inner and Outer Landscape

It’s a suitable metaphor, and one that would embarrass him greatly, to describe scientist and Iyengar Yoga Asheville teacher Ned Gardiner as an example of deep space: a man of many layers. A global thinker, outdoor enthusiast, motorcycle rider, banjo player, husband, father, dedicated yoga student, and eager yoga teacher, Ned likens his ongoing interest in satellite imagery to Pratyahara, the fifth limb of yoga, in which we practice withdrawing the senses from the outer world in order to heighten our inner awareness. Ned sees this practice as taking a “snapshot of our internal self” so that gradually we come to learn who we truly are.

Laura Peery has been transforming porcelain into ceramic works of art for nearly 40 years. If you’ve ever worked with clay—either wheel thrown or hand built—you know that the delicacy of the finished form belies the strength, dexterity, and steadiness required to create it. In Laura’s case, her functional vessels, whimsical figures, and other objects start as slabs of porcelain that she rolls and pounds to reach the desired thickness, cuts into pieces and assembles, and then finishes with details such as flowers, leaves, swirls, and buttons. Not surprisingly, Laura appreciates yoga for the combination of form, grace, physical stamina, and inner and outer balance it requires. Her work and her practice fit together like the distinctive porcelain pieces she skillfully fashions.

We received a great response to the survey we sent out in October. Thanks so much for sharing your views. It’s very important to us to regularly understand how we’re doing in meeting your needs.

Here are the highlights.