An Update

Hello. I see the Winter Storm has given way to some pleasant weather for you.
I have been out of touch and not so able to sit and write about Yoga and life in Santa Cruz.

I have had a sick family member and it has taken a lot of my time. I’d love to share some thoughts and several photos which sort of capture the essence of living on the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz.

First yogically, I have been working on washing my mind of the vṛttis. It’s the fluctuations of the mind that interfere with presence of mind; equanimity, and basically, drains us of energy we need to put toward more productive endeavors.
I have been taking class with Kofi Busia here, when my schedule permits. He says I think too much. I think too much in my asana. Hmmmm. It’s been an interesting thread to consider. And how does this thinking on the mat transfer to thinking off the mat, and I realize I too waste unnecessary energy on thinking about aspects of life that are not in the present, that don’t impact the present, and possible have no impact on anything at all.

I am trying to catch myself – take an extra breath; look at the sky (which I have been doing for decades as a way to re-assert presence); look at the water or a beautiful flower. Whatever is necessary to break the flow of vṛttis. I took a workshop with Lois Steinberg a couple of weeks ago. I had a cold and was not up for vigorous asana, but I wanted to participate. She said, ‘dry up the river of your vṛttis, and fill up the river of your practice.’ That is EXACTLY what I have been working on.

So, take a moment and check in with yourself off the mat. See where your thoughts go; what are your thought patterns. Are they serving your path of presence? Another thought that I came across at Eli’s school. In my own words: Everyday is a present, a gift and that is why we should live in the present.

OK, so I am trying to organize a trip back mid April. Details to follow.

Here are some photos of the sky from the spectacular view at the UC Santa Cruz campus, where I walk a couple days a week. Can you see the slight hint of the rainbow? It has been there in the same spot twice this past week. And the sky transforms as the sun begins to set.

A full moon rising photo from my house.
And, there is a home down the street that seems to have campers in front quite often. This week there was a converted bus and it was really ‘out there’, and I took the photo of the AUMs on the side.

I hope to write more regularly, and I have a few local classes to upload soon.
Peace!