Often when people begin to practice Anusara Yoga and they first hear about the philosophy, the life view, and the approach, they find themselves thinking, “Wow, this is exactly what I believe and how I try to live. I can’t believe there is a system out there, a group of people who have the same beliefs.” This is precisely how it happened for me when the Anusara method found me in 2002.  It was as if some part inside of me already knew these ideas to be true but I did not yet have the words to articulate it.  My heart felt blissfully at home in a community of like-minded and like-hearted people. Over the years, many of my students have shared these same feelings that the Anusara philosophy truly resonates deep within their hearts.

Recently this same theme was illuminated while I was teaching a 50-hour Anusara Immersion in Shanghai, China. In this particular Immersion, nine countries of origin were represented and all but one of the students currently lived in China. Leading an Immersion is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.  Normally, over the span of several months I get the privilege of watching as hearts gradually expand and open and the participants are empowered to create life changes both large and small. Yet in just seven days in China great transformation occurred. It was truly a powerful experience, and an honor to witness.

In the first few days of the Immersion the students were very reserved and they did not want to speak or share their thoughts.  However, over seven days these 20 people shifted; friendships were born, stories began to unfold and express themselves, and hearts were blown wide open.   By the end of the Immersion a beautiful community had formed and everyone wanted to speak! On the last day we sat in our closing circle and these faces that had started out as shy and hesitant, had now softened and were expressing tears and laughter. Each of them had touched the light of their own hearts and were experiencing true joy. What was even more exceptional was the realization that this happened only after seven days of immersing in Anusara Yoga.  Everyone in the group felt that this perspective on life and method of practice resonated deeply in their hearts, and even though they hadn’t known it, this was exactly what they had been looking for.

The significance of this transformation was beautifully expressed by a French woman in our group, who commented that one of the best parts of the experience for her was witnessing the Chinese students open up and share their stories. This woman had been living and working in Shanghai for five years, and despite having worked there for all of that time, she had never really been able to get to know her Chinese colleagues. After only seven days in an Anusara Immersion she was so happy to be learning about her Chinese peers and neighbors. While the society and culture around them would remain unchanged, for these 20 participants, true transformation had occurred. Their hearts were wide open, emanating their inner light.  It makes me smile to think that they will share this radiance with others around them.

It is basic human nature that our hearts long to reconnect with their source. The method of Anusara provides a gateway to our natural selves. It gives us an opportunity to self-reflect, to listen deeply, and to hear the inner desires of our hearts. With this knowledge we can better set our intentions and align with our higher vision, bringing it into manifestation. When we are living in alignment with our deepest beliefs, life becomes more joyful. My experience teaching in China has shown me that when the heart feels at home, the boundaries that prevent us from experiencing our natural self dissolve and what is left is the pure joy of the heart to delight in this gift of life.

Anusara Yoga Immersion, Shangai, China, June 2011

Sigh… I have arrived in Bali. Though I love to travel and explore new places there is something very special about this island and I am delighted to be back. I could feel it right away.

What struck me the most when I was here for the first time three years ago was the extraordinary beauty in everything. In addition to the magnificent natural environment the Balinese people revere art and creativity which seems to be woven into every aspect of their culture. Even the most basic everyday items are presented in an exquisite way.

The word we use for this kind of beauty in yoga is shri. Like most Sanskrit words shri cannot be defined with one English word. Shri is the goddess Lakshmi; she is divine beauty both elegant and graceful. Shri is splendor; the magnificent light that shines from the rays of the sun, gleams off the water and twinkles from one’s eyes. Shri is abundant and reminds us that there is always more; the universe is expanding. Shri is sacred and affirms life.

So as I was saying, Bali is the embodiment of shri. This tropical island is lush and green speckled with vibrantly colored flowers. The light is exquisite and glistens off the greenery and sparkles in the faces of it’s people.  Everything is adorned with a touch of shri.

I hope to share with you my experiences of the ways Bali and the people here express shri. Stay tuned…

I have just returned from the Anusara Yoga Certified Teacher’s gathering.  This year we were in beautiful, lush North Carolina. Thank you to the North Carolina Kula for being such wonderful hosts!

I have attended these gatherings for the past several years and each time it always amazes me how much more cohesive the group becomes.  It is clear the practice works!  During the past year John got super clear about his vision of Anusara yoga and it’s philosophy, Shiva Shakti Tantra so he spent quite a bit of time articulating and sharing with us candidly.

When John wrote his vision in 1997, he said, “Anusara Yoga is a Merry Band of bohemian artists…”.  While this vision and the Universal Principles of Alignment remain constant, our experience of them deepens and continues to unfold inside us to become us.

At the gathering John asked us, “What is your art?” He suggested that it is our Dharma to find our art and offer it.  It does not mean that you have to paint, dance, write poetry or go to circus school.  You could garden, cook, or take care of your family. But whatever it is that we each do, it can be done within the highest vision of Anusara yoga.

The very purpose of Tantric Yoga and the highest intention for the practice of Anusara yoga is Chit Ananda.  Chit means knowing your self and your Self.  Discovering your own unique talent, beauty and gifts AND connecting to that essence of the Divine Self within you that is at the core of everyone and everything.   Ananda is delighting in your life as the ecstatic expression of your self and your Self.  In other words, you offer your self in everything you do and to everyone you meet just by being who you are.

As each of us deepens our practice, it is natural for each of us to discover our self more fully and to cultivate our “art”. As the Merry Band grows we are attracting some of the most interesting, creative and wonderful beings on the planet.  When we synch with each other it becomes clear that our unity and our diversity are one in the same.  We are on the cutting edge of culture and spreading rapidly worldwide.  John’s vision of a Merry Band of Bohemian Artists has manifested, how cool is that!

It has been amazing to see so many of the same faces year after year and witness everyone becoming more of them self.  As teachers of the method we witness it in our students and it is so gratifying.  Each kula has it’s own incredible stories.  Both individually and collectively we are all spreading light and making the world a better place.

Bill Mahoney, a scholar at Davidson University came to speak with us.  All of his offerings were amazing.  One in particular idea he shared about is a Vedic notion I’ve also heard Douglas Brooks talk about, an underlying principle that organizes the universe called “ṛta”.  This word ṛta is the root of our word art.  It is truly everyone’s creative expression that organizes the universe.   It is what makes beauty and adds richness to our lives.

I came away from the gathering feeling excited, inspired and committed to the vision of Anusara yoga and am honored to be part of such an incredible community.  It is a tremendous blessing to live this life, doing what I love and sharing light with others.  I offer infinite pranams to John Friend for paving the way on this path and so much appreciation to all the students who show up week after week for the teachings.  My genuine desire is that we continue to grow and evolve together for many years to come.

I invite you to contemplate “What is your art?”  and consider that it is your Dharma to discover, cultivate and offer it.  May your yoga practice support you to blossom in all areas of your life.

With Great Love,
Stacey

Today our country celebrates the 233^rd birthday of our freedom and independence!

Tantric yoga teaches that the essence of our nature is perfectly free.  The word in Sanskrit for freedom is svatantrya, which literally means self-looming. The idea behind it is that we have complete free will to act, engage, participate, connect, and play in the world as we wish.

The Tantric path of yoga is not a path of isolating our self in a cave but rather a path of participation – we are invited to pursue our own vision and create relationships based on what is most important to us, what holds real value.

In other words, we are weaving our selves into a world that everyone else is freely weaving them self into too!  Therefore, the tantric universe is infinitely expanding.  In fact, the word tantra actually means a tapestry or a web.  The world is one giant web and each thread – you, me, and everyone else is affected by the way each of us chooses to engage in it.

Through the practice of yoga we learn to engage with skill, participate fully, deepen our connections with our self and the world around us and to make choices that bring more beauty, love, and peace in to the world.  We are invited to delight in our bodies, minds and hearts and celebrate freedom in every moment.

Happy 4^th!