less and less

I feel like I've finally found my sadhana. The challenge is really having it and still having something new to say as a teacher on a daily basis. I can't talk about Sri Ramakrishna, the Uddhava Gita, the spirituality in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Bhakti Sutras of Narada in every class. And as someone pointed out to me recently, I "teach the crazy poses at the end of Light on Yoga." Which is true. But that's the direction of my personal, physical practice. There's a lot less movement, and it doesn't change that much from day to day but it is pretty advanced in its focused simplicity. Most days I feel like I truly have something to say and offer that has the potential to resonate with someone. But there are those days when I'm trying to give people what I think they want. Even if it is what they want, and I'm able to do it well on any given day, I don't know how I feel about it.

inspired to dance (one day)

It's shots like this that make me want to make the pilgrimage to India. The celebration and the ritual are inspiring. And right now it seems like everyone I know is making the trek. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for not packing up and just doing it. I'm just so daunted by the other side of India: the poverty, the tensions in the region, and the very real chance of getting ill. I hope that I'm able to make the journey one day, just to dance naked with the sadhus, celebrating God.

(photo by Swiatek Wojtkowiak)

Devotion by the Ocean

It's time to retreat! I'm off to Costa Rica again in April (5-11). This time I'll be joined by my friend Astrud.

I know what the economic turmoil is doing to everyone's pocket so we've kept the price down for this adventure: $1,008 for a double occupancy bungalow, and $700 for a triple occupancy room. That covers lodging, two meals each day and all the yoga.

Feel free to e-mail me with questions or to let me know you're interested. See the full details at www.yogawithkeith.com/costarica.html.

Pavana Suta Hanumana Ki Jai!

2 in 1 month

This is the month when the forward-bend photos of me are in Yoga Journal. I knew that November was the publication date. I haven't seen the issue yet because I've been in Alabama for the last few days where a current issue is hard to come by. But I've been hearing through the yoga-vine that the spread turned out great.

On my way to the airport this morning - one last try at finding the new YJ - I popped into a Barnes & Noble. No luck. "Probably later today", I was told. So I grabbed a copy of Yoga + Joyful Living to add to my in-flight reading stack. While doing my initial flip-through who do I come across but ME.

I answered an ad from New York photographer David Sachs three years ago calling for yoga models. I got the gig, did the shoot, and had all but forgotten about it until recently when I saw a shot (in Yoga+) of the woman - I really wish I could remember her name. I think it is Ayo, but is was three years ago - who was modeling the day I was. I remember the photogrpher being really pleased with the pictures, both the solo shots as well as some partner pictures. At the time I was told that all the pictures were for stock photography, so I've always known they could show up anywhere, anytime. When I saw a picture of my co-yogi show up in the last issue of Yoga+, I did think for a moment that maybe I would show up in print at some point soon. And then I forgot. Then today, unexpected as much as expected there I was. Just kind of kooky that Yoga+ would coincide with YJ, and that I would see it today. Must be the full moon.

got it!

It's on with Yoga Journal. Like my voice teacher Margery used to say, "A little free advertising never hurts."

modeling?

I got an e-mail from Yoga Journal, wanting to know if I would like to audition to be the model for the Home Practice section focusing on forward bending scheduled for print some time in the fall. I thought, why not? Who knows if I'll be the guy or not but I sent in the pictures (thanks Cookie). Have a look at the slideshow (there are a few extra shots in there from some professionals).

freed(om) time

When I decided not to have knee surgery this past winter, I made the decision that I have to have two days off from physical practice. It means practicing in other ways. So yesterday was Alter-Cleaning-Day. Dusting and chanting. Re-dressed Ganesh. Now that's my kind of day off! Om Gum Gum Ganapatayei Namaha!

flip, float, and fly

Flip, Float & Fly at Laughing Lotus SF

Saturday, July 12, 4 -6 PM
$20

An afternoon of playful exploration through inversions, arm balances, and gravity defying FUN! Working solo, with partners, and in small groups we will tap into our truest nature and become LIGHT itself. Familiar shapes will move away from the wall, unfamiliar shapes will spark new curiosities, and the known and unknown will change places. OPEN to All levels.

Call Laughing Lotus SF to register
415 355 1600
www.laughinglotus.com

the responsibility of the mantle

Last night I shared with my class a mantra that is still fairly new to me: Aham Brahmasmi. Swami Sivanada Radha - in her book Mantras Words of Power (timeless books) - translates this as "I am Brahman" or "I am God". That's big.

At first, choosing to chant this mantra can seem a bit tricky; I have visions of someone being cautioned against taking the Lord's name in vain or a flash of lightning striking down the infidel. With deeper reflection I begin to realize that this mantra is a reminder, much like Om Purnamadah, that I am the reflection of and therefore very much a part of God.

My teacher Rabbi Gelberman would always remind me and my budding ministers that one of our 'jobs' is to be an inspiration worthy of being called the reflection of the Divine. Not always easy. Sometimes when we are on this path to our highest self, seeking to rediscover oneness something unplanned begins to happen : separation. We start to reconnect with the Divine but begin to put walls up between us and those who may not be on the path or who are perhaps on a different path. If all the paths on the mountain lead to the same peak, then how can we allow ourselves such a stumble? Because we are human, and we think with our heads more than our hearts. So this mantra is the tool to help reset or readjust our perceptions and sight so that we can take on the responsibility of the mantle of being a joy-filled, walking, talking piece of God.

See you at the top. Enjoy the journey!

happy happenings

A couple upcoming events where I get to share my love for the practice.

"Happiness is the goal of yoga - the goal of life."
-David Life and Sharon Gannon

*************

Friday Night Kirtan Party!
Starting February 1st
with Keith & Friends at 8pm
Entrance By Donation

Come Blow your Heart Wide Open with the Ecstatic Practice and
Celebration of KIRTAN, the Yoga of Sound & Devotion

EVERY Friday night
Laughing Lotus Yoga Center - San Francisco
3271 16th Street at Dolores


*************

PARTNER YOGA
with Indigo Stray & Keith Borden
Saturday, February 9th
1pm - 3pm
International Orange Spa
internationalorange.com/yoga/workshops.html

PARTNERWORKSHOP: Get tangled up and have fun with partner yoga. Learn to use connection to another yogi, both physically and energetically, to stretch and release deeper into your practice. Classic yoga postures will be included along with creative partner shapes. Find new stability, fall over, and LAUGH! No experience necessary for this playful sequence of postures.

All levels welcome.
Workshop cost is $60 per couple. $30 per individual.
Please call (415) 563-5000 or see the front desk to pre-register.
Space will be limited to 20 students.
Walk-ins will be accepted should space permit.

for everyone

I know that Christmas isn't everyone's holiday but love and celebration belong to all people, everywhere.

May you be happy.
May you be free from suffering.
May you have light and love in your life.
May there be peace and joy throughout the lands!

Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu.

apples and oranges

I will not be unkind or speak ill here because I don't like the idea of the internet being an open forum to spew venomous opinions. However, being back to teaching in SF has officially killed the buzz that New York gave me. I can admit it: I'm an addict. Yes, I'm addicted to the warmth and joy and curiosity and excitement that New Yorkers bring to their mat. Frankly I'm not sure why you'd come to the mat without those things. I keep waiting for that "tremendous" feeling that's supposed to behind the letting go... And I know that there's some resistance on my part, but there's plenty coming from the other side. Teaching to love brings out love. Why would I want to teach to anything else? And I don't mean love for me, but love of life and the practice of becoming your best and True Self. I know that nothing will ever keep me from my own practice and my own path but I fear that my new surroundings have the potential to make me step away from sharing the practice I love so much.

Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tan-nirodhah (Sutra I.12)

The movements of the mind are stilled through consistent practice and non-attachment to the outcome.

empty space

I'm staying with friends in my building while I'm back in New York because my apartment is empty and on the market. My friends have a beautiful 8 month old daughter - she's like a little Sita. Since I'm out at Nataraj Yoga in Port Washington today my practice was one of the first orders of the day. I got out of their way and went down to practice in my place. Talk about freaky. Laying my mat in the spot where it lay for years was really the only thing that felt familiar in my empty space. That aprtment is so clearly not where I live anymore. It was almost like today's practice was some sort of farewell: a coda to the final movement of my New York Suite.

yogi on the run

I'm trying to decide if it always felt like this, or if it's just because I've been away for the last few months. Did I run around this much while I was living here? Did it wear me down like this, and I've just blocked it out? Or is it because I'm getting around on foot and carrying so much stuff? I don't know. But being a yogi on the run feels a little less than good right now. That being said, at least every time I stop running I'm in the company of amazing people who make it all worth it.

surgery

I had my MRI earlier this week. It confirms the suspicions: I have a tear in my right medial meniscus. I'm planning to have surgery early in the year (February or March). Hopefully it won't put me out of commission for too long.

back where it all began

I'm in New York for a few days doing some teaching. It was fantastic to be at LLNYC tonight, sharing class with everyone. There was such an outpouring of love welcoming me back, and it was a real blast to teach the nYc family again. I'm constantly struck by how the community at LLNYC consistently shows up ready, willing and open to everything. This isn't home any more but it's certainly good to be back.

under the knife?

I finally went to the Orthopedist at Kaiser Permanete yesterday about my knee. The pain has become more of a recurring character than I would like so it's time to do something about it. I'm not sure if that will be surgery yet, though if that means no more pain I think it's worth it. I'll find out more after they put me in the giant magnet later this week.

That's one of the sides of the practice rarely talked about. I move my body a lot and am constantly exploring the fullest range of movement possibilities. As a result there's a likelihood of joints and ligaments giving out more so than if I wasn't practicing. Does that mean I won't continue to have a dynamic practice? Doubtful. I continue to enjoy mixing it up so that not every day has to be all about the asana or the flow. It makes me think about those passages in the Hatha Yoga Pradipaka that say things like "one need only practice asana-x" or when poses are dedicated to a particular sage, suggesting that was the only pose that he practiced. Some days a shape is enough.

who dat?

I was in New Orleans last weekend, teaching at Wild Lotus Yoga. It was exactly what the Cosmic Doctor ordered. It felt great to practice in the warm, humid NOLA fall, and it's such a wonderful community of yogis down in the bayou. My body and mind were fed and refreshed. If you're ever there, you absolutely must drop in to experience their beautiful bhav. On the last night I had the privilege to jam with members of the Wild Lotus band. What a gift to be in the company of other bhaktis. Thanks and praise to you Sean, to you and your fabulous family of yogis.

Om Pavana Suta Hanumana ki Jai!

gimme what I need

The new center is open! Last night we had a full house, buzzing with old and new friends and family. It was great, except for the fact that I lost my voice. Oy. Not good timing. Not surprising with the stress and being overextended. Swaha. It was/is so bad that I wasn't sure I'd even be able to teach this morning. Somehow, by the grace of someone I had just enough voice to teach the very first class at Laughing Lotus San Francisco. Now my voice is gone again.

It was lovely to teach again! And people showed up! Really great people. For the first time since arriving in California, I feel completely like myself. I've always known that I love to teach but I'm not sure I realized just how much I NEED to teach. I'm okay with that.

could those be roots I feel?

I've been up and down ladders and scooting around dusty floors with a paintbrush in hand for the last week, helping to ready Laughing Lotus San Francisco. It's been tremendously rewarding being a part of the sub-molecular gestation of the new center. However, I'll be happy when we're finished. Not just because my body is beginning to object but because I'm ready to start teaching again. I miss it - it's been almost two months! I've never been away from teaching for so long. I know teaching will get the ball rolling on everything else too: it means I'll meet people and begin to form more of a sense of community. It's also a creative outlet for me, and I know it will get my deeper creative juices flowing again. Can't wait.

I'm back to shaking it up and out on my mat as well. It took a little while to feel at home in my new space but it's finally starting to feel like I can dance my own dance again. Probably helped that the clothes finally came off today. For some reason I've been apprehensive to practice naked here. Maybe because I live on a street with little houses, and I was/maybe still am convinced that the neighbors might be able to see in. So, I kept the blinds closed this morning - not ideal, since I'd like to enjoy the CA morning sun. But that took care of that concern and freed up the whole experience. Maybe tomorrow I won't keep the blinds closed. Besides who cares if the neighbors can see? Isn't part of the practice reveling in the glory of what God has crated and given us? If they're looking...well that's on them. Maybe they'll be inspired to unshackle themselves in some new way. Who knows?

Speaking of unshackling, I went to a class in Berkeley last week. I'm trying to be open. I think that will have to it's own post. For now I'll just say that I'll be glad when I'm able to share classes with my LL family again.