Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I've heard you use the quote, Life is ... not how it's supposed to be. What do you mean by that?

A: Ha ha ... that’s going to be the title of my book if I ever write it :-) It’s based on what I’ve been told, what I’ve read, what I’ve believed. Apparently, we don’t always get what we want. Life’s not supposed to be a certain way, it just is. The experience of how things could be or should be is made up in our mind. Our happiness hinges on whether our real life experience matchs up with the imagined experience of our mind. Crazy... really, when you think about it. Externally, humans have created a lot of rules about how to play this game called life. Internally, this leads to a lot of the angst we suffer for no reason. That doesn’t mean we give up. It just means we pay better attention to what is. That is the experience of being present. That is Yoga. Letting go of how the world should be and paying attention to how it is, will lead us to live more effective lives.




Q: Can I come to your class if I am a beginner?



A: Yes. My class is designed to be accessible to beginners as well as advanced students. Pay attention to how you feel. Err on the side of doing less. Be aware of the urge to keep up with others and always keep in mind that this practice is about taking care of yourself. Always start with what you can do and add on to that. If you are pain free, able to breathe fully, then it's a good pose for you. If you feel pain or can't sustain a pose, stop! My favorite instruction is to be where you're at :-)

Q: How often should I practice Yoga?

A: Every breathing moment for the rest of your life. Just kidding :-) Take "should" out of the question and decide what you want for an outcome. That will help you determine how often you need to practice. 1-2 times a week to maintain what you've got. 3-4 times a week to increase your strength and range. 5-6 times per week if you are very motivated to achieve some specific end result. 7 times a week ... give it a break, you're being obsessive.




Q: What should I do if I arrive a few minutes late?



A: Respect the people who were able to get there on time and be as quiet as possible. Refrain from peeling off gortex, during the meditation. Slip into the washroom to change and wait for the meditation to end before you roll out your mat. If you are chronically late you might ask yourself some questions about the payoff for showing up late.




Q: What do you say at the end of the class?



A: Namaste. It’s a formal Indian salutation that means the light (or the spirit) in me sees the light in you. By the end of our practice the energy in the room has shifted and I truly believe we are more open to each other. It sounds a lot like have-a-nice-day which works just as well.

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