Featured Teacher

Whether I’m on the street, on the subway, or at work my asana practice comes with me as I
face the world. Anyone that has walked on the streets in NYC knows that there are internal
and external struggles we face daily, I’m not implying these challenges only exist in this city but
it’s where I have spent the last 20+ years. My asana practice helps me connect my body and my
mind, I get to work on making both pliable and strong. While on the mat I get to PRACTICE and
grow in a safe space, safe to make mistakes. During this time there is no waiting no hiding, I
face each asana head on. Sometimes flailing, sometimes falling. Always shrugging it off, getting
up and trying again its part of the process, or perhaps at times it is recognizing that it’s time to
move on and leave that moment in the past, there will be opportunities to tackle that challenge
another time. At times it’s as “simple” as reminding myself to breathe, developing connection
and awareness of my breath, “have I been holding my breath?” the same applies to life off the
mat. The moment I step out of my apt the balancing act starts. I flow as I walk down the street,
some days I am more flexible, more connected than others. Other times I collide, fall out of the
moment, get stuck in my head. I work on bending and flowing like I do on the mat creating
space, both internal and external. “Have I been breathing?” whatever mistakes are made it’s all
part of practicing. Flowing next to someone on the subway is not as easy as when I am flow
next to someone at the studio, the challenges are different next to a stranger. I am always
responsible for my own effort, no one can do the work for me, I am my teacher. The flow is
different when I am alongside someone at the studio. The lessons I learn during asana practice
are directly reflected in my regular life, neither of them is ever perfect, but I face both as
authentically me as I can possibly balance. Asana practice is only part of the big picture, the
road I am on, but I find inspiration and help from this particular step.