jaen's Page

Today I went to a day-long meditation retreat taught by Sharon Salzberg on the subject of equanimity. She gave several short dharma talks and took questions in the morning and at the end. Otherwise, we alternated sitting and walking meditations all day; social silence was an option and most people (me included) chose it. It was sunny and about 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside, so the walking periods were outdoors on the playground (the retreat was held at an elementary school, in the all-purpose… Continue

On Saturday I will teach a yoga class at which I will be observed and assessed to see if my teaching contains the necessary elements of the Anusara method. This will be a special free class at the studio, so there may be many students I have never seen before. I don't have to show mastery of everything, I just need to show that my teaching can legally and legitimately be called "Anusara-inspired." My evaluator will write a report and send it to Anusara Yoga , presumably for others to read, or pe… Continue

For this winter term at the studio, I decided to continue for a little longer taking "Yoga III" with the senior teacher who owns the studio and makes our whole yoga world happen with her lovely and incredible energy. Every class term I have to decide-- is now the time that I formally give up working on taking my asana practice "to the next level"? Or is there still something to be learned from attempting physically challenging postures in the company of others? And would my kapha nature triumph… Continue

One of my goals for the new year had been to put another week-long silent retreat on my calendar, and yesterday I did that by applying for a metta retreat in June at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, VT. I don't know any of the teachers, but my own meditation teachers recommend it, so I feel assured that it will be a safe environment for continuing my practice. I had hoped to do it later in the year, but could not find anything suitable that didn't conflict with something else.

A… Continue

So Monday night I arrived at the church with the intention to set up my teaching space and then practice before my students arrived. But when I got there, the room was entirely full of tables, chairs, rugs, and equipment. The school that uses the space during the day had (again) forgotten their agreement (with the church, not with me personally) to push their stuff to the sides on Mondays so we can have yoga in there. I felt anger come up, let go of the idea of pushing it way instantly, let it f… Continue