From Charles Matkin

I took a workshop with him in near-hurricane conditions out on Long Island a couple of weeks ago--and then today found this awesome quote by him from a Yoga Journal interview from probably 2008:

"...yoga and spirituality won't fix your emotional life...They're incredible tools. But you can meditate to numb your feelings, too, and that gets you nowhere. I think meditation works best when you use it to see more clearly what's going on inside, so you can act from a more balanced place."

He makes spiritual practice make sense! I'm such a fan now, much more than when I used to see him on the Yoga Zone videos (yes, I had them on VHS, my mom gave me several about 10 yeras ago) and TV show from the early 00's.

Frost Valley YMCA Women's Wellness Retreat 2010

I had a great time teaching yoga at this year's retreat which had the theme of integrating mind, body, and spirit. I was interviewed for a short web video clip and got to demo yoga on camera, a first which made me realize how much I want to do videos besides my audio podcasts. The yoga sessions were fun for me, mixing yoga and reiki and talking about how the practice relates to life.

The Catskill mountains were beautiful and I did yoga in the brisk mountain air Saturday after giving a private reiki session and taking a meditation class. No less than 5 deer paused to watch me. They were skittish--snorting and stomping a bit, not knowing what to make of the quiet, barely moving human being. I beamed them a little reiki so they would hopefully not get run over as they seemed to be undecided about crossing the road once they decided I was no threat and they walked by. Always good to see animal fight or flight to learn about my own which I practice yoga to help heal.

I explored watercolors in a workshop as part of my ongoing Artist's Way work. (I'm on Week 8! Been doing morning pages but not religiously and sort of doing the artist's dates.) I'm messy but I guess that's OK, I got colors on paper and that's working the throat/creative chakra.

As usual, my friends from Long Island drove me home which kept the spirit of the retreat alive for a few more hours, thank goodness.

IntenSati

I tried a DVD of the IntenSati workout today with Patricia Moreno, who does a very good DVD also by Gaiam for kickboxing. It was good for my heart rate; the affirmations I followed along by ear only, not by voice. I liked the cultivation of gratitude mostly. Although repetitious at times I thought the rhythmic movements were good exercise and grounding and the hour went by pretty fast.

My most recent Kundalini video, Solar Power, was actually not as intense as the other Raviana DVD for the solar plexus chakra called Navel Power but it felt like a solid session and I enjoyed Ana Brett's circa 1984-looking "relax" orange t-shirt. I'm dabbling in their recent all-meditation DVD and liking it because it gives me focus.

The ipod is the smartest thing I've ever bought! I listen to many an ignored meditation mp3 on the subway now. Vidya, Bodhipaksa, and a set from Whole Foods called Meditations to Change Your Mind as well as the CD for Energy Moves. I may not develop real concentration with my on-the-go practice but now I stand a chance at relaxation.

I've done some reiki exchange but, other than finding a new studio space to rent, have not much going on with the teaching except that at the end of the month is my annual teaching at Frost Valley!

Krishna Das on Long Island

Another great Long Island spiritual event! I saw Krishna Das with David Nichtern--NY dharma teacher who I honestly maybe heard 7 years ago but am not sure-- on guitar. I can't believe I didn't readily know who he was, I've heard him during yoga classes a million times, he was recognizable immediately. We chanted lots of sanskrit stuff, some in English, basically praising God. It was ecstatic, some folks were dancing around during the fast chants.

Other spiritual practice of late? I tried Journey Through the Chakras, a holistic practice from Ravi Singh and Ana Brett. Did a great class with my friend Susan, classic Dharma Mittra style that I can only do about 75% of actually. Working on tai chi form fundamentals--the full form broken down--I really have to pay attention now, help! Had a fantastic, amazing retreat with Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia--she's like Lilias Folan, a mature, composed, and vital lady who feels nurturing. It was a tremendous retreat that helped me with meditation. I also heard Sandra Weinberg last week, and she gave a funny, real Dharma Talk--this is also related to New York Insight.

Then, in the spirit of a true "sandwich" retreat, another long weekend with my regular group at Garrison. Love the silence and nature. It's an escape without the escapism. It's tough, there are tears, tiredness. It's worth it.

And my regular teacher gave a class last night on joy, how it's needed for meditation. Indeed, just being with the mind when it's suffering deeply can be way too much. Trying to start Vipassana meditation after 9/11 was ridiculous, I can't believe I tried for so long. I still barely sit, mostly rely on retreats for what I feel is meaningful practice.

Here's to whatever lies ahead in the new year and decade. The flow of chi, reiki, prana...