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by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  The fifth limb of yoga is pratyahara, or withdrawal of the senses. A pivotal moment on our journey, pratyahara bridges the gap between the external and internal limbs. Let’s recap the first four limbs so we can understand the importance of turning our attention inward. The first limb, yama, provides us with ethical standards to live by. These 5 yamas create a foundation for the remaining limbs. The yamas are: 1. Ahimsa – nonviolence 2. Satya – truthfulness 3. Asteya – non-stealing 4. Brahmacharya – moderation 5. Aparigraha – non-possessiveness Niyama is the second limb. Niyamas teach us the importance of self-discipline by providing us with healthy habits to abide by daily. The 5 niyamas are: 1. Saucha – cleanliness 2. Santosha – contentment 3. Tapas – restraint 4. Svadhyaya – study of scriptures, study of the self 5. Isvara pranidhana – worship of the Lord, surrender of the ego Asana is the third limb of yoga. There is a common misconception that our poses are the most important part of our yoga practice. The fact that asana is the third limb, not the eighth, demonstrates that the poses we practice are meant to guide us towards something greater and more challenging. Asanas are meant to pave the way for the remaining five limbs by creating openness in our physical bodies. A healthy, adaptable body is necessary to concentrate and meditate, both of which require control. By learning how to control our bodies through asanas, we can effortlessly control our minds during meditation. The fourth limb is pranayama. In a way similar to asana, pranayama prepares the body for meditation and stillness. By controlling our breath, we are exercising a different form of self-control. This time, we are controlling an internal process. The breath is an action that we often neglect; pranayama forces us to begin to look inward and control what is going on inside us. Focusing inward prepares us for the fifth limb, pratyahara. Pratyahara can be translated as withdrawal of the senses. It can also mean ‘moving towards the opposite’. Essentially, pratyahara asks us to move away from what we normally do in the external world. The first four limbs all deal with what happens outside us. We start by working on our ethics, refining and putting into practice principles that make us grounded. We then move to our poses; we learn how to use our bodies to quiet our restless minds. Last is the breath. The breath is the key to unlocking the potential for growth that is buried within us. Once we feel connected to our breath, our bodies, and ourselves, we can withdraw inward with ease. “Pratyahara… the movement of the mind toward silence rather than toward things.” Not a second goes by where we are not constantly bombarded with information. Our senses are victim to a ceaseless stream of stimulation. So much of our lives take place around us, outside us. The fifth limb of yoga begs us to take a break from the external world and look inward instead. Our senses are powerful masters. They are good at distracting us from what is important. They demand our attention and give us no other choice but to listen. When the senses take over, we jump from one impulsive action to another, never stopping along the way for a rest. Add to this the continuous barrage of information we are subjected to from technology, media, people, etc. and it’s easy to see how our lives pass us by. Withdrawal from the senses and from the external world allows us to be capable of two things: detaching and re-evaluating. In this case, we are detaching from the external world and all the ‘things’ in it that bring us further away from enlightenment. These are things like material possessions, relationships that are no longer beneficial, and beliefs that are no longer true. We must let go of what appeases our senses so that we can begin to silence them. We must also re-evaluate ourselves. We should take a good look at who we are, what we are doing, and where we are on our spiritual journey. Perhaps some yamas or niyamas have fallen to the wayside while focusing more on asanas. Perhaps we have forgotten why we started this journey in the first place. And perhaps objectively looking at oneself is the best thing you could ever do. Change is good, and pratyahara helps us realize what needs to be changed and how to change it. Eventually, through detachment and re-evaluation, we will be able to easily withdraw from the world and look inward. We will start to exist inside our bodies and inside our minds instead of just out in the world. Pratyahara brings us back to ourselves and gives us an inexplicable sense of peace. “What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Here are a few simple ways to start practicing pratyahara in your everyday life: Technology detox
Make sure to check in next Wednesday when we delve into the sixth limb, dharana, or concentration. 
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by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  The fourth limb of yoga is pranayama, which can be translated as ‘life force extension.’ Let’s briefly review the first 3 limbs before we start to learn about the power of our breath. The first limb is yama, which means restraint. The five yamas shape our daily behaviors as well as provide a firm foundation for our other seven limbs to be built upon. The yamas are: 1. Ahimsa – nonviolence 2. Satya – truthfulness 3. Asteya – non-stealing 4. Brahmacharya – moderation 5. Aparigraha – non-possessiveness The second limb of yoga is niyama, meaning observance. The five niyamas are daily habits that lead to a healthy life. They also continue our journey through the eight limbs. The niyamas are: 1. Saucha – cleanliness 2. Santosha – contentment 3. Tapas – restraint 4. Svadhyaya – study of scriptures, study of the self 5. Isvara pranidhana – worship of the Lord, surrender of the ego The third limb of yoga is asana, otherwise known as pose. Asanas are designed to create space in our bodies so we may cultivate discipline and the ability to concentrate. Essentially, asanas pave the way for the remaining five limbs that focus more on the meditative aspect of our yoga journey. In order to meditate effectively and comfortably, our body and mind must be controlled; the poses we practice help develop that control. It is important to note that ‘mastering’ a pose does not mean the pose is physically perfect, ‘mastering’ a pose is when we can practice our asanas with a body and mind that are free from tension and restlessness. Once our bodies are at ease, we are able to use discipline and concentration to meditate and move through the remaining limbs. Now for the fourth limb, pranayama! Translated as ‘life force extension’, pranayama focuses on breath control and the extremely important link between the mind, the body, the spirit, and the breath. “A long and subtle breath establishes a calm mind. A calm mind is the foundation for everything great.” Breath is life. It is a fundamental part of our physiology and yet days can go by where we don’t ever even think about the breath, let alone control it. The breath is the key to everything; it gives us life and controls our energy. Tuning into the breath is a rejuvenating and revitalizing practice that can and will change your life. Pranayama, like asana, helps to prepare the body for meditation. Asana works to make the body limber and cooperative so the practice of being still in meditation is comfortable. Pranayama functions in a similar way; it allows us to practice our control and discipline in preparation for meditation. When we tune into our breath, either on or off the mat, we are exercising self-control, this self-control is required for a meditation practice. Sitting in stillness and silence is a task that seems simple enough but is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. It is easy to become frustrated when you are trying to meditate, to be still, and your mind will not stop wandering. Without self-control, it is easy to quit. With self-control, you can stop the incessant chatter in your mind and be at peace. The combination of pranayama and asana is a powerful one, to say the least. The asanas prepare our bodies for meditation while pranayama prepares our minds for meditation. One of the most effective ways to combine the third and fourth limbs is through a breathing technique called ujjayi. Ujjayi is a form of pranayama that is both energizing and soothing. It helps to release tension and stress in the body while quieting the mind. Lastly, when done properly it can massage the internal organs. Ujjayi translates to victorious breath and is often practiced during an asana practice. Below is the breakdown of ujjayi pranayama:
“Breathe deeply until sweet air extinguishes the burn of fear in your lungs and every breath is a beautiful refusal to become anything less than infinite.” We are officially half way through our eight limbs of yoga journey! The first four limbs focus on refining our personalities, gaining control over our bodies, and developing an awareness of our breath. This prepares us for the remaining four limbs in which we work towards attaining a higher state of consciousness. Next up is pratyahara, also known as withdrawal of the senses.  by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  The third limb of yoga is asana, or pose. Before we go into detail about the physical side of yoga, let’s recall the first two limbs. The first limb is yama, which means restraint. These shape our daily behaviors and provide us with a strong foundation we can build other limbs upon. The five yamas are: 1. Ahimsa – nonviolence 2. Satya – truthfulness 3. Asteya – non-stealing 4. Brahmacharya – moderation 5. Aparigraha – non-possessiveness The second limb is niyama, which means observance. These are recommended habits for a healthy life that also help continue our journey through the eight limbs. The five niyamas are: 1. Saucha – cleanliness
Now let’s learn more about the next limb, asana! There are two important lessons to be learned about this limb based on its position within the eight limbs. The first lesson is that asanas, or poses, are NOT the first limb. This means that they are not the foundation for the remaining seven limbs. Instead, our asanas come after the yamas and niyamas, demonstrating that a daily practice of restraints and observances is required for us to efficiently work on our poses. The second lesson is that asanas are NOT the eighth limb. This shows that they are not the culmination of the previous seven limbs. If our asanas were the overall goal of our spiritual journey, perfecting poses would be the key to enlightenment. We can all agree that is not true nor is it possible since there is no such thing as perfection when to comes to our poses. Instead, asanas help guide us towards the next limbs by clearing space in the body and mind. “The purpose of asana is to help purify the body.” – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois When we begin to work on the third limb of yoga, it is crucial to keep our yamas and niyamas in mind. Asana practice is meant to help bring the first two limbs onto the mat. For example, santosha means we are content with our bodies, no matter how much they may change from one day to the next. Saucha means keeping our yoga mats and props clean and tidy as well as coming into class with a refreshed body. When we put our restraints and observances into practice, we are then able to truly practice our poses. We can also look at the third limb as a stepping-stone to the remaining five limbs. The poses that we practice are designed to help us develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate. Asanas can also help free us of physical distractions so that we are better able to control our bodies. Once we have control over our bodies, we can begin to cultivate control over the mind. Discipline, concentration, and control of our bodies and minds are what allow us to be able to meditate. Patanjali said, “Posture is mastered by freeing the body and mind from tension and restlessness and meditating on the infinite.” The third limb of yoga allows our bodies to be cooperative and limber so we may sit and meditate. “This down-to-earth, flesh-and-bones practice is simply one of the most direct and expedient ways to meet yourself. This limb of yoga practice reattaches us to our body. In reattaching ourselves to our bodies we reattach ourselves to the responsibility of living a life guided by the undeniable wisdom of our body.” Next week we will move on to the fourth limb of yoga, pranayama, and learn about the significance of the breath.  by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  This week I have the pleasure of introducing Jill White to the Austin Yoga Tree community! Jill is our extremely dedicated studio manager who is always the first to volunteer to help and regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty. Not only does Jill oversee the daily ins and outs of the studio, but she is also our designated restorative yoga guru! Make sure to catch Jill on the mat for soothing tunes and poses that will change your life. She teaches our Candlelight Restorative on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm as well as the Restorative Yoga class on Saturdays at 11:00 am. But wait, that's not all! Jill and her husband are also our gong gurus! Keep your eyes peeled for the next gong concert, they are not to be missed! Let's hear from Jill...
Tell us about your yoga journey! Several years ago, the company where I worked offered yoga during the lunch hour. The teacher was fabulous and I began attending her classes at a local studio. I loved yoga so much that I decided to become certified to teach. Because I started practicing at the tender age of 47, I have a soft spot for teaching people who are new to yoga and who might be a little nervous about it. I have attended advanced teacher trainings in order to learn to teach people with M.S. and mobility issues. I am also certified in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy techniques. Why do you practice yoga? I practice yoga because it improves every aspect of my life. What is your pose of the moment and why? If I had to choose, it would have to be Supta Baddha Konasa or Reclining Bound Angle pose for it's calming and restorative effects. My students frequently ask for it! You just got out of a soulful, sweaty yoga class, what do you do next? Drink water and relish the 'post yoga class glow.' What is one goal that you are currently working towards? To make the time to read all the wonderful yoga related books sitting on my bookshelves! What is your spirit animal? I do not know, but since I live with and adore many dogs, it ought to be the wolf! What does the word “mindful” mean to you? It means focusing on one thing at a time. My dogs remind me to do this every single day when I walk them. They are intent on the walk, one smell at a time. They stop every few feet and worshipfully sniff whatever is under their noses (frankly, I do not actually want to know the source of the odor). I mean they REALLY know how to blank out everything else around them and just drink in one thing at a time! by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  The week’s blog post begins with a short story… The other day, while a friend and I were talking about our weekends, I brought up the topic of brunch. We both agreed that brunch is the best meal to ever exist ever and should be celebrated as often as possible. I then continued to say that I had had avocado toast with my brunch and that it was absolutely to die for. He then replied with a confused look and said, “What is avocado toast?” That was the moment I knew exactly what I had to write a blog post about. To me, it is a crime that people are out living their lives not knowing what avocado toast is. That is how life changing it is. SERIOUSLY. So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… AVOCADO TOAST! For those of you asking yourself the same question my friend asked, avocado toast is exactly what it sounds like: you take an avocado and put it on toast. Sounds simple BUT when the toast pops the sun starts to shine, when the avocado is cut babies laugh, when you mash the avocado puppies frolic in the grass, when the avocado is spread the heavens part, and finally when you take your first bite angels sing. See? Life changing. The base recipe for avocado toast couldn’t be simpler, however; the toppings you can choose to add are basically limitless. For this recipe, we roasted chopped sweet potatoes to spread on top of our base. Below are some of the benefits of avocado and sweet potato (in case you needed any more convincing to try this recipe 😉) Avocado An avocado is one of the healthiest ways to get the necessary fat in your diet. It is important to differentiate between the different kinds of fat: the most well known is the saturated fat which is not good for our bodies. Saturated fats clog our arteries and increase our risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fats are the healthy kind of fat that we want in our diet. Luckily, avocados are a good source of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Both types work to decrease bad cholesterol (LDL, low density lipoproteins) and can even increase good cholesterol (HDL, high density lipoproteins). Avocados can also help detox the body. First, avocados stimulate the natural detoxing ability of the liver. This maintains healthy, beautiful skin. Second, the vitamin B content assists the detox process while reducing redness and inflammation of the skin. Avocados are high in vitamin E. This nutrient functions as an antioxidant that keeps skin cells strong and hydrated. All in all, avocados provide us with good fats we need in our diet while working in many ways to keep our skin glowing. Sweet potato The unmistakable orange tint of sweet potatoes indicates high beta-carotene content. This antioxidant gets converted into vitamin A in the body, which packs a big beauty punch. Vitamin A keeps skin smooth, regenerates collagen to keep us looking young, and keeps cell division running effectively to aid with repair of the skin. The health of our teeth, hair, nails, and bones are improved by vitamin A as well. Since sweet potatoes are a complex carb, when we digest them there isn’t a spike in blood sugar. Spikes in blood sugar can often lead to skin issues such as acne and redness/inflammation. Thus eating sweet potatoes keeps our skin blemish-free while keeping us fuller longer. It’s time to taste! Try out the recipe below or top with any other toppings you would like! There is no wrong way or wrong thing to add to avocado toast. Amped up Avocado Toast serves 2 Toast:
Sweet potatoes:
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 by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  Before we delve into the second limb of yoga, let’s briefly recap what we learned last week. The eight limbs of yoga teach us how to live a healthy spiritual life. Each limb builds on the previous one, which demonstrates just how fundamental the first limbs are. It is also important to recognize that we are never completely finished learning about one limb. We are capable of advancing from one limb to the next but we must always remain focused and in tune with our restraints and observances, otherwise known as our yamas and niyamas. Our yamas and niyamas keep us grounded and focused on what is important in our lives. Yamas, or restraints, shape our daily behaviors and give us a code of conduct to abide by. Let’s review the 5 vital yamas. 1. Ahimsa – nonviolence
Second limb: Niyama The word niyama means observance. This limb teaches us about self-discipline. Niyamas are recommended habits for a healthy life and a prosperous spiritual journey. There are 5 niyamas. 1. Saucha – cleanliness
Check back in next Wednesday when we focus on the third limb, asanas, or poses!  by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone is having a fabulous long weekend! This week, we are talking to the exquisite Edith Troen. She is the other half of last week's interviewee, Jonathan and designated studio mama. Edith continuously pours her heart and soul into our yoga community and it shows! She is unrelenting in her pursuit of developing a thriving, welcoming, and supportive studio that provides others with the opportunity to have their lives changed by the practice of yoga. Let's learn more about Edith...
Tell us about your yoga journey! Wow! I’ll never forget my first yoga class! I went to my first yoga class when I was 21 years old. My friend basically had to drag me to go. I finally went; it was at one of those stuffy luxury gyms in LA. There were about six people in the room and it was uncomfortably silent. I thought it was crazy that I could hear everyone breathe, what seemed like intentionally loud. I hated it. It was boring. Quite frankly, I was so miserable during class that I can’t even remember what we did. All I remembered after that is that I HATED yoga! I was a runner and a spinner. Yoga was not for me; it was boring. Plus, all those beautiful stories in my head told me I was too good for this! Ten years later, my roommate Janelle invited to me to go to yoga in Santa Monica. I said, “hell no!” I told her that me and yoga did not like each other and that plus, I didn’t have money. She said she would pay for it and at that point I figured I might as well do it since I didn’t have anything else to do and I was really single; perhaps, I would meet some nice gentleman. I went. And when I showed up, I had to pay $2 for a rental mat since I didn’t own one…I was like, what the heck!!?? (That’s why we don’t charge for people to use our mats.) So, I found myself taking my first “real” yoga class with Bryan Kest. Woo! That gave me the best high of my life. Forget running, forget spinning…hello, YOGA! Yoga became my new favorite activity. After work. After school. During the day and during weekends…yeah, all the time. After a few months of doing yoga non-stop, my good friend Trina told me I should take a class that would teach me alignment so that I could learn how to do the poses right and not hurt myself. A couple of months later, I met Jonathan. My own personal alignment teacher. SCORE!!! Not so single any more, huh! Yoga rocks! Why do you practice yoga? I now practice yoga because it helps me stay centered, listen to my body and connect with my soul. Yoga has helped heal many aspects of my life. I now know that I’m “not too good for this” but that yoga is perfect for me, and yoga and I are perfect for each other. We’ve become great friends. What is your pose of the moment and why? My favorite, all-time pose is half moon pose. I think it’s such a powerful, feminine pose. It’s challenging, physically and mentally, for me but I always learn something new about my body when I’m in this pose. You just got out of a soulful, sweaty yoga class, what do you do next? Drink tons of water! And then I usually thank my body for all it’s hard work. What is one goal that you are currently working towards? I’m trying to mediate for 20 minutes, thirty days straight. What is your spirit animal? A tiger. I don’t know if this is technically my spirit animal but I feel like I have the heart of a tiger. What does the word “mindful” mean to you? Being here now. Aware of my thoughts and sensations. Aware of my words. And NO JUDGEMENT - all is perfect just as it is. by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  You can’t go wrong with oats! They are versatile enough to be eaten for breakfast, dinner, or dessert and also provide plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber. On this Foodie Friday, we are shining the superfood spotlight on oats. So next time someone scoffs at your seemingly bland oatmeal breakfast, you can explain to them exactly why you are eating oats and why they should be too. Fiber Oats are high in both types of fiber, water-soluble and water-insoluble. Mainly, they provide us with water-soluble fiber that benefits the heart. As we digest soluble fiber, it picks up excess liquid in our intestinal tract, which forms a slow-moving gel. As the gel continues through our digestive system, it binds with low-density lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins or LDLs are a form of cholesterol that gets stuck in our arteries and leads to plaque build-up. This plaque can cause high blood pressure and added strain on the heart, which increases the risk of a heart attack. The good news is that oats remove the bad cholesterol from our system so that there is less plaque build-up and our hearts stay happy and healthy. On another note, the slow-moving gel that moves through our digestive system is the reason oats keep us feeling full; they take time to digest properly so we feel satisfied longer and there is less of a spike in blood sugar. The water-insoluble fiber in oats promotes a healthy digestive system. Insoluble fiber travels through our system and pushes out excess waste that may be stuck. This promotes healthy, regular bowel movements while decreasing our risk of developing colorectal cancer and other digestive issues like constipation or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Manganese To start, oats are extremely high in the nutrient manganese. Manganese helps maintain healthy hair and hair color and supports mitochondrial health. In addition, it helps heal wounds and builds bones and connective tissue. All in all, manganese may not be the most talked about nutrient but it is a nutrient not to be overlooked due to its wide range of healing abilities. Other good sources of this powerhouse healer are chickpeas, figs, green tea, and spinach. Iron Oats are also a good source of iron. Iron is crucial for the production of red blood cells as well as the transport of oxygen in the blood. When our iron levels are low, energy levels drop and light-headed spells begin. Like manganese, iron helps support shiny and strong hair while also strengthening our nails. Iron can be found in foods like kale, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and watermelon. Selenium Lastly, oats provide large amounts of the nutrient selenium. Selenium is an anti-aging nutrient that works to keep skin supple and youthful. One of the best sources of selenium is the Brazil nut. Evidently, oats are not a food to be taken lightly. They may not look like much but their nutrient content proves just how potent they truly are. The following is a recipe for baked oatmeal. This recipe is versatile enough to be served for breakfast or dessert, you choose! It can also be made ahead of time by preparing all the ingredients in the dish, keeping the dish in the fridge overnight, and putting it in the oven when you wake up. As always, feel free to experiment with the recipe and let me know how it goes! Baked Oatmeal serves 6
Directions:
 by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  The eight limbs of yoga are eight levels that act as guidelines for how to live a meaningful and fulfilled life. The limbs also serve as a code of conduct to live by in order to reach spiritual enlightenment. It is important to understand that the eight limbs build on each other; in other words, the first limbs are the foundation for our spiritual journey. A strong foundation allows us to move from one limb to the next, leading to the eighth limb, spiritual enlightenment. First, let’s talk about our spiritual journey; this term can seem daunting. The reality is that everyone who practices yoga may not see himself or herself as being on a spiritual journey. You may not have plans to renounce all material possessions and travel through the Himalayas. You may not have plans to spend your next vacation at an ashram. You may not have plans to quit your job and become a monk. Just because these are not your goals does not mean that you are not in the midst of a spiritual journey. Recall, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings have a human experience.” Everything you do is spiritual, whether you see it as such or not. Helping a friend move is spiritual. Adopting a dog from a shelter is spiritual. Love is spiritual. And these spiritual moments throughout the day are chances for us to progress on our journey. The eight limbs of yoga break down the steps on our spiritual journey and remind us what our foundation is composed of. First limb: Yama The word yama means restraint. Yamas are ethical standards that we should abide by in our daily lives. Yamas shape our everyday behaviors and how we conduct ourselves. There are 5 yamas. 1. Ahimsa – nonviolence
Stay tuned over the next 7 weeks as we delve deeper into the remaining 7 limbs!  by Catherine Madsen Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree  For this week's Mindful Monday we are interviewing one of our fearless leaders, Jonathan Troen! Jonathan and his wife Edith started Austin Yoga Tree in November of 2014 after moving from LA to Austin. One month later, they welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Mateo. Since opening the studio, they have both worked tirelessly to create a yoga community, not just a yoga studio. Let's get to know a little bit more about Jonathan...
Tell us about your yoga journey! I started yoga after a surgery. They resected my first rib, and then there were complications which affected movement in my shoulder and arm. I went through a year of physical therapy, working to gain full movement and strength in my right arm. After a year of physical therapy, the insurance company said I was done, so the doctor basically said, go try yoga, maybe that will help you. My first two yoga classes were horrible. I was told it was the best teacher in town, and that’s what I wanted, but I had no idea what was going on in class, and didn’t feel any better afterwards. I thought to myself, I’ll try this one more time, and tried another studio with another teacher. After class I felt amazing. There was this energy flowing around my whole body. I wanted more of that, so I kept coming back. Soon after, I realized that this yoga stuff was affecting my mind, not just my body. I had no intention of changing my brain. I thought it was fine the way it was. But all of sudden I started becoming calmer, less agitated and less stressed. I was happier. I was smiling more. I thought those were pretty cool side effects, and, of course, my arm was getting better. If you would have asked me back then if I would have ever been a yoga teacher, or considered owning a yoga studio, I would have thought you were crazy. I was fine spending my days interviewing bands and my evenings seeing concerts (that was my career at the time). But sometimes Yoga knows better than you, and sets you on the right path. That’s what it did for me. Why do you practice yoga? Simple: Less stress, more peace. That's one of the many gifts of yoga. And, I'm in a lot less physical pain when I practice. You just got out of a soulful, sweaty yoga class, what do you do next? Smile What is one thing on your bucket list? I'd like to go to India and study with Geeta Iyengar. Also dive in the Great Barrier Reef. Take a painting class. Learn Spanish. Oh wait, said "one thing". Never mind.... What is one goal that you are currently working towards? I have 3 goals: 1. To bring up our baby boy Mateo in a mindful manner, in a way that he learns to love himself first so that he can love others fully. I know I can't prevent him from experiencing pain, yet I'm hoping we can instill in him the understanding that he is a force in the world, and if he pays attention to that, and not all the outside forces, he can live a life filled with bliss. 2. To continue to grow and connect with my beautiful wife, Edith. This studio was her idea, not mine. I have so much to learn from her. 3. To grow this community we're calling Austin Yoga Tree into a fully sustainable, thriving community that will exist beyond us. While we started Austin Yoga Tree, it is certainly more than us. And while we expect to be here for a long time, we want to ensure that this community has a center, that it can sustain itself. No one should have a difficult time finding yoga or attending a yoga class. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to say YES to themselves. The foundation is here. And we are so grateful for the loving people we have met and have welcomed us here. We want to make sure we are giving back and building something people will be using for generations to come, long after we're gone. What is your spirit animal? I don't know if it's my spirit, but if I could be an animal I would be a Blue Footed Booby. You can see their mating dance here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z922by9_6Fw (I'm not a great dancer, but I think I can do this! What does the word “mindful” mean to you? The definition I use is this: Observing the present moment, with a sense of acceptance and a childlike curiosity. If you can do that, you can remove suffering, one moment at a time. |
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