Edwin Bryant translates sutra 1.33 as, “By cultivating an attitude of friendship toward those who are happy (maitri), compassion toward those in distress (karuna), joy toward those who are virtuous (mudita), and equanimity toward those who are non-virtuous (upeksa), lucidity arises in the mind.” He further explains that through this practice, sattva is generated and steadiness is achieved allowing us to see our true essence clearly.

Much of yoga practice is about purifying the body and mind, as removing our obstacles unveils the true Self. When we practice maitri, we cleanse ourselves of the poison of jealousy and envy. When we practice karuna, we weaken the desire to inflict harm on others. When we practice mudita, we are feeding the positive practice of celebrating joy in our lives and in others. When we practice upeksa, we are removing the contamination of intolerance to those who may choose another path than our own. These four practices (which parallel the teachings of the Buddha), help us cultivate mindfulness off the mat and into our relationships and social interactions.

So set your intention this holiday season to practice sutra 1.33 and see if you experience more lucidity in your festivities. May Peace and Joy be with you always.

My response to anyone who asks me about what “style” of yoga we teach at Prairie Yoga is often the same, “We teach yoga, not styles.” Having practiced and trained in many styles of yoga, I feel it is important to teach the underlying foundation common to all yoga. The essence of many yoga styles is similar, the emphasis makes them different. Some focus more on breath-synchromized movement and others focus more on alignment. Some are more meditative, others more physical. There are benefits to all of these intentions. I prefer to be loyal to my student’s needs, not to a specific yoga style or tradition. Which means if a student needs more of one thing and less of another, I will provide that. Having experience in several traditions allows me to draw from a deep well of techniques.

At Praire Yoga, we do have a few teachers who specialize in one style, such as Iyengar Yoga or Forrest Yoga. I think it is wonderful to have people who are loyal to one style so that they can plunge deep into one method. Then we can all learn from their unique perspective. For most of the teachers at Prairie Yoga though, we learn as much as we can from a variety of methods and blend the best of the traditions into our own unique teaching. That is why most of our classes are simply described by their level of difficulty. If you are a beginner, look for a class labeled Level 1. Intermediates- Level 2; and advanced classes are described as Level 3. Take a few classes at the level appropriate for you. Then enjoy the class knowing our teachers have your long-term health interests in mind.

Kindly,
Lori

I hope you are enjoying summer as much as I am. Besides plunging deeper into my yoga practice, I vacationed in Italy with my family, saw the Dalai Lama twice, and have been spending lots of time outside- biking, walking and gardening.

I am inspired by the Italians’ deep appreciation for quality in their food, art and life. They savor their meals, surround themselves with beauty and take time to enjoy their lives. The benefits of slowing down and being fully present is a lesson I have learned over and over again in yoga. I remember one of my teachers, Aadil Palkhivala, saying, “If you live your life in the fast lane, do you really want to reach the finish line first?”

We can apply that wisdom to our own yoga practice. There are many beneficial yoga styles and techniques. There are also some with less integrity. How do we evaluate which are high quality? Here’s a checklist which may help:

1. The teaching provides you with long-term health benefits. Rather than reinforcing old habits, the teacher helps you develop new, healthy patterns of movement. By correcting alignment and muscle imbalances, our yoga can improve our life. You feel better mentally, physically and spiritually. Be wary of classes that dismiss the importance of alignment; you may just aggravate your imbalances.  
2. There is an intelligence and intention to the class and each part of the sequence prepares you for the next stage. Simple movements build toward complex poses.  
3. The class is paced so that you can be fully mindful of everything you do. The teacher directs your focus and guides you to an edge of sensation that is appropriate for you. You are instructed on how to work deeper without strain and encouraged to ease off as needed. You do not feel rushed.
4. Your attention is drawn inward throughout the class and time is provided for reflection. You notice your breath, where you feel alert and where you feel dull. You learn something about yourself.
5. The teaching promotes moderation rather than extremism. You leave the class feeling balanced, rather than depleted or over-stimulated. 

6. You have more energy throughout your day.
7. You enjoy the class and look forward to attending. Yoga should make you feel good and be fun too!  

At Prairie Yoga, we believe that each student is unique and always changing. There is no one style that is suitable for everyone all the time. I think it’s wise to focus less on style and more on substance. So, throw out your preconcieved ideas about different yoga traditions and experiment a little with the variety of offerings at the studio. You might be hesitant at first because something is unfamiliar to you, but give it time. All of our teachers have your long-term health in mind. 

Enjoy the dog days of summer,
Lori

I am happy Spring is finally here! This is the season to embrace the new…new beginnings, new habits, new ideas… It is a great opportunity to make a shift. What do you really want out of your life? Greater health? More energy? A more stable financial situation? More time for friends and family?

Yoga teaches us that we have a choice: to let our senses and mind lead us astray or we can steer our own life. In order to make a healthy decision, we must look inward to understand who we are. Not who we think we are, but who we really are. We will be happiest when we choose the path that aligns with our true nature.

Every time you practice yoga, you are learning more about your Self. One day you may learn that your hamstrings are tight at the beginning of practice but they loosen up after standing poses. On another day, you notice that you tend to avoid an instruction that is challenging for you, but that if you follow the instruction you feel better afterwards. The path to health and happiness requires perseverance and moxie! It also requires time to reflect and absorb what you are learning.

This summer, I am taking a sabbatical from teaching to give myself time to absorb and reflect. Prairie Yoga began in October 2006 when we were first approved as a 500 hour registered Yoga Alliance teacher training. After five years, it is time to give my mind significant space so I can refresh my energy. You’ll still see me at the studio- taking more classes as a student with the best team of yoga instructors in the Midwest!

Enjoy the freshness of the season,
Lori

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad likens our Self to a great fish swimming between two banks of a river. There are times in life when difficulties arise and I feel like a great fish getting tossed into the banks of the river. Through my many years of yoga practice, I have learned to become less disturbed by life’s challenges. I am deeply grateful for the wonderful yoga teachers who have taught me how to keep steady and flow with the current, even in the midst of a storm.

One of those dear teachers is Tias Little, who will be here in April. I have studied with Tias for ten years and his teaching is always evolving. I was fortunate to study with him again just a few weeks ago in St. Louis and I returned inspired once again. For those of you who have never studied with Tias, I encourage you to attend his all day class, “The Ilio-Femoral Elixir,” on Friday, April 15. Tias’s mindful teaching is a rich tapestry of asana, meditation and anatomy, spiced up with a very clever wit.  

If you check out our Prairie Yoga website, you can read several articles I have written about Tias over the years for Yoga Chicago. Just click on the links to the articles on the left side of the page. 

We welcome a new teacher, Lynda Carr, to our Prairie Yoga teaching staff. Lynda is one of our most regular students, a graduate of our 200-hour yoga teacher training and is almost finished with the 500-hour certification. Learn more about Lynda in our teacher profile and experience her dynamic teaching style on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. 

Stay steady,
Lori

Winds blustered in last week, bringing Autumn officially with them. Change can be swift and sudden like the weather and, at other times, change creeps so slowly we don’t even notice.

Are you noticing the benefits of your yoga practice? When you first begin yoga, the change is often quite obvious- your back feels better, your hamstrings start to unwind, your shoulders and neck begin to unglue, you sleep more soundly, and your energy increases. Through consistent practice, one penetrates deeper layers: you remain calm in situations which would have previously made you react, you are less judgmental and more compassionate, you are more present and appreciative of each moment, and you feel joy and contentment more often.

The yoga sutras teach us that there are different types of students from mild to intense and that the speed of success depends upon one’s degree of commitment. The more you practice yoga, the more you will benefit.

If you are a regular at the studio, or want to commit yourself to yoga at least twice per week, consider becoming an unlimited monthly member. You will save a great deal and can attend as many yoga classes as you want. We find that our monthly members come to the studio more often, some as much as 5-6 times per week. This month we are offering a special on memberships so it is a great time to commit yourself to a more consistent yoga practice.

Whether you are a member or a drop-in, we appreciate all of our students. Thank you for making Prairie Yoga part of your yoga practice.

Gratefully,
Lori

LISLE, Ill., July 28, 2010 – Yoga for Cancer Survivors will be offered beginning Wednesdays, August 4th, 6-7 pm at the new Central DuPage Hospital Cancer Center, 4405 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville, IL.

Yoga helps to increase flexibility, reduce anxiety and stress, support the immune system and enhance overall well-being. Poses are modified to adapt to all levels of experience, flexibility and limitations and are open to all. The program is free and open to cancer survivors and their families, but registration is required. Call LivingWell today at 630-262-1111 to reserve your place. A medical release and health history form will be required prior to participation.

Call LivingWell today for information on additional programs offered in Geneva, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Warrenville.

LivingWell is a provider of non-medical support at no cost for people living with cancer.

Prairie Yoga is a yoga center and yoga teacher training school for 200 and 500 hour teachers located in Lisle, Illinois.

About LivingWell
LivingWell Cancer Resource Center provides information and support services that address the challenges of people living with cancer, their family members and their friends. All services are provided at no charge to participants. LivingWell offers networking and support groups, educational programs, mind-body fitness classes, youth programs, a library, individual psychological and nutritional counseling and other services. The center is at 1803 W. State St. in Geneva and on the Web at www.LivingWellCRC.org. LivingWell is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be called at 630-262-1111. LivingWell is a certified 501(c) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of Delnor Heath System.

Summer is here. This is my favorite time of the year. Time to let loose from our yearly schedule and spend more time with family and friends. I love being outside gardening, riding bikes and taking long walks.

Did you know you can practice yoga and enjoy the beautiful weather too? The Sanskrit word yoga means “union, connection, relationship, or skill in action.” Any activity you do with full awareness can become part of your yoga practice. Take a walk and feel the contact of the earth along the sole of your foot. Notice the sensations that arise with each step. Listen attentively to the sounds that surround you. Feel the heat of the sun on your skin. By being mindful and fully present in whatever you do, you are practicing yoga.

The studio has been lively this month. We have some new classes this summer: Yoga Basics 101 on Thursday evenings and Vinyasa 1-2 on Thursday mornings. Speaking of summer heat, Motomi is teaching Tuesday evenings with the studio heated to about 85 degrees. Stop by and try out our new classes!

Warmly,
Lori