Food for thought friends!

"the mediocre teacher tells.
the good teacher explains.
the superb teacher demonstrates.
the great teacher inspires."


william a. ward

Partner Yoga

3 classes and a lot of flexibility later and starting to feel like a grasp of the style is trickling into the brain.

Class #1 Moses (Michael Kulp) in November, Thai massage and Flying yoga, fun and amazingly difficult.

Class#2 Annie F. at the Yoga Shelter last night. 2 hours of almost brutally difficult postures and a whole lot of fun!

Class#3 Johnny Kest tonight. So deep and mind calming, still in a daze!

Recommendation is to take as many as you can to experience it all. All 3 classes were completely different and amazing experiences!

soup

I burned a pot of pea soup today, really! I burned soup! It smelled so terrible it was nauseating!

yoga website vs blog

The yoga-poses-and-beyond.com website has way more organized information. To find it, scroll down and find the picture of me on the right side of the screen, just click on me. This blog is a rambling of personal experiences, kind of like a mental safe deposit box. Sometimes "unloading" the brain is cathartic. Both are updated and a new blog has been added for more ramblings of a suburban soul. It is Tales of a suburban life, it is here on blogspot and easy to find by going to the profile link and scrolling down to the bottom. Blogs are listed, just click.

Finding balance

Balance or equanimity are the goal of yoga. Balance in mind, body and spirit. Finding balance requires the ego to be set aside and the universal goodness to take primary precedence.

EGO EGO where are thou not an EGO

EGO is the manifestation of an attachment to the sense of self. My goal is to eliminate the I from my oral and written vocabulary. This will be a challenge but will make a sense of presence and attention to detail a must! Wish luck this way...see trying already!

Effortless effort

My teacher made an observation of my "effortless effort" during class today. I felt as if I was not trying but just enjoying each breath to it's fullest and each posture to it's maximum. I left the vinyasa class completely refreshed and exhilarated. In the past I left the class feeling physically exhausted and so tired that I had to sleep for a few hours after. The difference was that I used to "try" too hard and never let the softness in. I was too physically competitive and used up too much energy. There is a concept of economizing energy during a practice. I found that today like never before! I love being able to learn and grow with each new experience!!

I made excellent vegetarian burritos for dinner today, I was famished and really enjoyed the spiciness of the soy choritzo and the creaminess of the re fried beans. Warm, soothing comfort foods are the perfect cure-all for cold winter nights!

Yoga as an inward journey

The greatest benefit of yoga has been the ability to tune inward and disassociate from the environment. This is a double edged sword to some extent as I have become very sensitive to noise, noxious smells and over stimulation. It is almost as if my brain has "reset" to a calmer place. Our last girl's night out dancing left me craving a cup of tea and a snuggle with my puppies...far cry from my dancing until 2 am days.

Calm, quiet contemplation.

Yoga Day USA

Hey Yogis! Check out local classes at studios and Yoga Day USA affiliated events! All good studios offer either a free class or a community class to bring yoga to the community, without putting payment first. This is my commitment to my community by bringing donation classes to the greater Plymouth area. It is called Karma yoga, selfless service to others.

Yoga Day USA

Center for Yoga Teacher Training review

A friend requested info regarding the teacher training program that I completed last year. Blogging on the Blackberry isn't fun so I'll keep it short and sweet until I get to sit at my desktop:

I can safely with all seriousness, that it was one of the best experiences of my life! I wish every person could go through it with openness to learn and grow.It is really 6 months of course work crammed into 3, so it's important to really stick with reading the books and completing journal entries daily. I have become more disciplined and less impulsive.

I am free of cravings (shopping and foods) and relish the sense of calmness that my practice has brought to my life. Go! Sign up and embark on the journey to your better self! I would not have believed it if Johnny had said that I would have changed so much, I am amazed.

Parasitic blogging, a personal note to Jindi

Sadly, for a short time, I have to moderate comments because someone using the blogger name Jindi had been parasitically commenting on my blog in an attempt to promote his or her products. I am open to reviewing products, retreats and "teacher training" programs and then blog my opinion of it, however, for anyone to respond to a blog posting with a sales pitch and a link back to their website...Hmmm not cool. I don't know who you are or if what you promote is valid. Please spend your time developing your own blog.

Metta, Tricia

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

With the year coming to a close and a new one approaching, it is good to take a moment to look back on times that challenged us and that helped us to grow. Branching out in new directions and trying (with an open mind) new experiences is a fun and fulfilling way to expand out horizons.


This year I tried flying and acro yoga, I went to my first conference and met some amazing people. I learned how to slow down. That was my major goal for 2009. It may seem simple but my hyper mind was like a wild stallion; meditation and yoga broke it...in a good way.

Set goals for 2010 that can be reached and that are simple enough for you to reflect on daily.

Metta, Tricia

Easy appetizer recipe

I made vegetarian empanadas for a dinner party that we went to last night. They were really good, and I thought you would like the recipe. It is posted to the yoga-poses-and-beyond.com website in the healthy recipe section. Check it out! Just click my face to take you to the website.

Fried Rice

Alex my oldest loves fried rice with Usuagri pork (from the Japanese market) it is very thinly shaved and rather fatty. I also use bok choi, shrooms and bean sprouts. He eats like there is no tomorrow!


I am almost dreading tomorrow, I have 7, yes 7 engagements from 9 am until 11 pm. 4 of those are classes in a 30 mile radius, cris crossing of course. 2 are parties, a Christmas party for Garrett's class and Bunco. I have to wait until 8:15 to even think of sitting down except for driving a million miles! Once tomorrow is over and I pass my teach back I will deserve a glass of wine! I'm really excited about Saturday night, our friends are hosting a dinner party and Jennifer is making a Peruvian dish that I have never tried! I am making vegetable empanadas, I'm going to make them very savory and the dough is rich and so flaky. A bottle of vino and it'll be a party!

Batter Blasters, not a gimmick

Alright I broke down and bought the organic pancake batter in a can that looks like whipping cream. The kids have been begging me to try it, so I did. They were actually really good.

I found a vegan version of kefir at Whole Foods Market. It is made with coconut milk, it's quite delicious and had the probiotics that are so beneficial to the body.

My website is technically done in many aspects but I will always have more to add as yoga is a living science and art. I am bored with it in some ways and miss blogging about my trifles in life.

I am enjoying being an aunt to my 10 month old nephew who is visiting from Hong Kong. I can hand him back and come home to my potty trained bunch.

I am looking forward to having some time off over the holidays. I need to get my purging complete, so all the Christmas ornaments that are no longer desirable are going to the Vietnam Vets of America. One phone call and they come and pick up all the stuff I can't find a home somewhere else for.

Sad week

A friend buried her husband today, I can't shake the feeling of her hugs at the funeral home. So deep and seeking comfort. How I wish I could take her pain away.

Fun day!

An ashtanga class in the morning then spent 2 and a half hours as an extra in a movie. More details to come later. It was so much fun!

more of a good thing

yoga yoga yoga! Well now that I got that off my chest, spent too much on itunes again. I am loving the music I have been finding lately.

Yoga Northville, MI

Classes at

Miss Harriet’s Dance Studio

133 W. Main Street, Suite 190 Northville. Located on the lower level of the Northville Square Mall.

Monday 8:15 pm, Tuesday 9:00 am & Thursday 9:00 am

NEW! Beginning November 7, Saturday 9:00 am

· This 60 minute Gentle Flow Yoga class will challenge you physically with emphasis on going within to listen to yourself.

· Learn to harness the power of your breath and find calm mindfulness.

· Students of all levels of fitness are encouraged to practice at their level; modifications are taught to enhance or lessen the intensity of postures.

· Classes taught on donation-basis, as donation is “the act of giving from the heart.” Enjoy yoga, free of hassles and contracts!

Students will need the following:

Comfortable clothing • Yoga mat • Towel • Water bottle

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early, remember to turn your cell phone off to allow yourself to commit your attention to your practice.


You are welcome as you are either a first time student or one with years of practice behind you.