Done
Delighted one
nears enlightenment
unfurling bark

This is a powerful process we have chosen to embark on. I am grateful for the courage.

Last summer, I broke 3 bones in my (R) foot. Being an extremely active individual who enjoys running, yoga, working out with weights, etc., this setback was a HUGE inconvenience, not to mention incredibly humbling experience! I have a new level of compassion for anyone I see in a boot, cast, on crutches, etc.

When I was finally able to return to yoga (probably about 8 weeks later; albeit, it SEEMED like an eternity…), my balance was extremely compromised on the (R).

I was about 6 months post injury when I heard about East Wind Yoga. The night of my first class, I informed Scott that I didn’t think I was going to be able to accomplish his balance poses on the (R). As he came over and steadied me into some intricate version of “Dancer’s Pose,” he replied: “I’m not interested in what you CAN’T DO; only in what you CAN DO.” (If you ever go to Scott’s class, you’ll hear that a lot…)

Scott, those words inspired me. I have been truly amazed at what I have been able to accomplish in your classes! My balance on the (R) is now as good, if not better than it is on the (L)… What I have learned over the last few months is that balance comes from the core; not from the foot or ankle. The key is in the breath. The added bonus is that my (R) ankle is now stronger than it was before the injury!

The body heals!! My personal experience has been that hot yoga has accelerated that process! Perhaps a key factor has been coming to the realization that “going to my edge” was (and continues to be) much further than I ever thought possible!

Thank you, Scott!

Namaste,
Loni

Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life,
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation of the dawn.

by Kalidasa, Indian Dramatist

I read This Yesterday and really made a impact in my life. I Woke up early morning today to go to the 6 am class at Auburn, and what a blessing…

There’s magic in those early hours, the transition time from dark to light, even that the your body is stiff, your mind is so clear and opened. It’s quiet outside. No Traficc, Everything feels fresh and new. The morning is promise, potential,and brings the thought that anything might be possible

Thnaks Inge for that amazing class, and Thanks Scott for gave it a try…

Karla

My first yoga class was probably the most intimidating class ever. Seriously. July 5, 2007: I walk in to EWY, nervous and out-of-shape. If my physical state didn’t make me uncomfortable enough, the other people in attendance of the class were as follows: Marilyn was instructing — SCOTT and some beautiful, tall pilates instructor were the other two people practicing. So, here I am, huffing and puffing and chubby through my first true yoga class, (which also happened to be Forrest) and in the presence of 3 other incredibly in-shape people. Yikes. I remember Marilyn said to me “You did great! So, we’ll see you tomorrow?” I just laughed at her – then I looked up and realized she was serious.

My first couple months went by rather similarly, as I had not yet realized how detrimental things like diet, coffee and alcohol can be… along with a practice of 1-3 times a week, I just wasn’t getting a whole lot out of yoga besides a workout. My practice waxed and waned throughout the next year, and in July of 2008 I left for the Peace Corps in West Africa. Finally getting the opportunity to travel and see other parts of the world, I was excited and terrified of the journey that lay at my feet. I was ready to live and learn in a new country and community. Little did I know, fate didn’t really have my same goals in mind.

I lasted 2 months in Africa. Not from lack of enthusiasm or love or dedication to the people of my country, my fellow volunteers or myself, but because I got pretty much every sickness/amoeba/ parasite that you can in a 3rd world country. I’ll spare you the details, but in 2 months time I went from being a healthy and care-free young woman, to enduring debilitating pains in various parts of my body. And nothing helped. At all. Every doctor said there was nothing wrong with me, and even if they did have the slightest clue, they would give me a prescription that did nothing.

So, by the time late October rolled around, I thought to myself that I need to get back into yoga and maybe that will help ease some of my (at this point) chronic pains. I walked in the door, and there stood the beautiful and ever-kind Lisa. I told her a little about my practice, what I had done within the past year, and that I couldn’t really even walk at a fast pace, let alone do anything cardio with having these severe pains. She was supportive, and the first class was surprisingly not terrible. It was hard, but not as bad and painful as I thought it would be. I continued on, going first 2 times a week, then making it up to 3, then 4 … this time mainly focusing on Flow instead of Hot like I had in the past. Destiny talked to me about how I need to breathe to the place of an injury, and think about its healing continuously while I practiced. Marilyn and Lisa, too, taught me how I have to focus my breath to become successful in my practice and to open up places of hurt…And the remarkable, amazing thing is that when I practiced yoga, my pains were significantly lessened.

And then it happened… one Sunday evening in Lisa’s class, I laid back in Sivasana, and realized the pain had gone. It was GONE. I just laid there and cried tears of joy from realizing that even if western medicine didn’t have an answer for me, I had other options – and those options cured me.

Yoga helps and nurtures us into becoming the beings that we are meant to be. If you love your body, eat and drink healthy, fresh food, and practice yoga, then you WILL be healthy. I am now practicing yoga 5-6 times a week, and I can finally start to feel the difference – the real difference. I can breathe in a way I never have before… and that makes me so happy. Plus, I look better than ever in my jeans! Namaste.

Well, I’ve experienced two out of the three at EWY. (Scott is also a sailor; does that count as the third connection?) My story is a typical one: total beginner, always wanted to try yoga, finally got around to it…yada, yada, yada. I don’t feel typical when I’m in the yoga studio, however; I sneak a sideways glance at my profile on the mirrored wall and can let myself get instantly depressed. Who is that huge person with that gigantic belly? No wonder I can barely touch my toes! What am I doing here? That’s when the tears come. Tears of anguish, frustration, but also of emotional and physical release. The EWY staff helps me realize that 1)I’m here, doing the best I can, 2) I can’t expect to do something perfectly that I’ve never tried before (although I want to), and 3) focus on possibilities, not limitations. I’ve had fellow students share with me yoga feats that they can now do that they couldn’t even imagine six months ago. What I like particularly is Scott’s teaching s!
tyle; he
truly “walks his talk.” His kindness and gentleness come from an inner core of strength, not a mere desire to be liked. My first time at yoga he made a simple but profound comment to me that rocked me to my core with its dead-on accuracy, but it was done with a desire to start the healing. That’s why I keep coming back, because there is so much nurturing, healing, and growth (also lots of sweating and heavy breathing!) at EWY. I know it may sound trite, but I’m stretching not only my body but my mind, my expectations, and my reality of what’s possible. Thank you, Scott and faculty.

A special thanks to Trish for making me feel on top of the world and being able to do things i dreamed of a year ago and to Ryan for making me feel muscles i didn’t even know existed!

Lastly to Scott for allowing me to experience this and for making me feel part of the community. Scott you really are amazing, keep up the good work!