Beloved Anusara

I too like so many other students and teachers passionate about Anusara and John have felt the desire to say something about the article written by the New York Times. If you have not yet had a look then be sure to check it out. I don't feel that the author was truly able to capture what Ansuara is all about. In fact it is very difficult to capture an experience or to speak from your heart clearly about it.

Our London kula traveled to Detroit to study with John when the Times were shooting pics of the class. There are so many things that tugged on my heart strings about they way it was written I needed some time to process and step back. After coming back from Paris and having the joy of getting to spend 7 days with John (the most amount of time since I first met him back in 2007) was an absolute expanding experience. John is a source of light, knowledge and love for those that choose to walk with him on this path.

I believe that the article did a crappy job of truly describing what John has created, which in my opinion is a style of yoga that touches your heart, spirit and opens the body. Before yoga I suffered like many others from addictions, like an eating disorder, shopping addiction, gambling issues and many others and only really truly began to heal my life when I was introduced to Anusara Yoga. I had tried and was also passionate about other styles of yoga (particularly hot yoga and vinyasa) when I first started in 2003. I found that the Anusara teachers (Todd Norian and Ann Greene) were so welcoming of me and supportive, I remember sitting in awe at The Toronto Yoga Show in 2004 at how many people were going up and hugging them both. I knew exactly what they were talking about after spending only a few hours as a student in the loving guidance. I gained so much clarity on yoga were I felt more confused then ever by studying all the different types with the subtle but powerful underlying philosophies.

In the article the author refers to John as 'doughy' and I think WTF, how can you talk about this man that has helped so many of us on so many levels heal and love life, how can you call him 'doughy'. John is an unwavering presence at the core of the Anusara system. He created a yoga that frankly works miracles of healing through his no nonsense biomechanical and yet deeply spiritual teachings. I have healed not only my injuries but my heart with Anusara and the amazing teachers that I have been blessed with.

I am sadly guilty and working each day to grow as a student and teacher when speaking of other types of yoga. I don't feel any shift, or do some yoga teachers even mention why I am practicing yoga, what are the deeper meanings or even say anything at all about spirit, in fact some yoga teachers are told not to talk about it in their classes. Again I have to question that. I have been to yoga classes with "certified teachers" that don't have a clue about alignment and actually set their students up for injuries some very serious. I have been adjusted out of good alignment by teachers but never an Anusara teacher. I went to a class in Windsor where the teacher was blasting Lady Gaga while showing us her vinyasa home practice, blasted by heat dishes at the front of the class, while the rest of the class lingered in what I see as dangerous alignment.

Part of the Anusara system that is so powerful is the certification process. If the teacher is certified I know I am going to have a great class, learn, expand, meet new people, and other than that I just don't have confidence in some of the yoga teachers out there. I don't question that their heart is in the right place and they truly want to serve their community but they don't have sufficient training or any at all for that matter. As a student first I have been to some horrible classes and with the rise of yoga's popularity it seems to me like that is more and more common.

I am a huge spokesperson for Anusara since yes like many others my life has evolved in a way I never ever thought possible and I send my deepest, sweetest gratitude to my teachers Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Martin Kirk, Noah, Tara, Ross, and so on.... and especially to John for all that he has done for this world. He deserves all the successes that he has and if you are open can teach you how to remember your own worthiness and live an inspired, fun, happy and healthy life too.

Peace and blessings,
Mindy

Here is the article
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/magazine/25Yoga-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

Gratitude

Well I am happy to be back in Canada, with my family (pug and Marty). We were in Paris for almost 2 weeks and it was so spectacular. What a radical expansion it is to visit a new country, see their culture, eat the food. We saw so many things that were new I can barely keep it all straight, it seems like a blur. That trip to Paris was a huge marker for me and what I dream of.

I am closer and closer to getting certified. Each time I study with John, I get it more and more and more. John Friend is one of the most inspiring yoga teacher that has walked this planet. What he does every day is so amazing, that it is truly a blessing to be able to spend my time learning and growing under his watchful eye. My dream means that I must travel and Paris was a stepping stone on that path. I am planning to go to the next training with him in New Mexico and by then will be almost ready to write the exam and take the next few steps on this amazing path of teacher training.

Now that we are hope, I am so grateful for no-smoking by-laws. It seems that so many people smoke in Paris, old and very young. I was a bit taken back by it all, it made me feel sick many times. I rode the waves of health from a terrible cramping episode the day before the training, that had me bed ridden, possibly from drinking the water, but not sure, to moments of feeling great, followed by well more sickness, throwing up and just feeling out of sorts digestion wise. Back home I am so grateful for all the food, veggies and fruits that was have access to and especially the kitchen. Food is so important, we must enjoy what we eat, who we are eating with and how we are eating.

om peace,
Mindy

From Paris with Love Vol.3

This is such an amazing place, I am loving my time learning from John and all the other students here. I have noticed that at times I am so emotional, i just start to cry, tears that are truly originating from a deep gratitude to be able to recieve this knowledge from John. I know, just like in the past, that every time I step fully onto the path of Anusara, I am a new person, stronger, more sensitive, more attuned, more physically aligned.

We just got back from the Eiffel Tower where there is a huge line up to take the elevator up, but a small line up for the stairs. Today was hot, the hottest it's been since we have been here and I was all for taking the stairs. Staris are a really good idea since it has been very difficult for us to find food other than the amazing fresh breads and cheeses and I am pretty sure that I will be bringing back some extra weight from Paris and it is not from souveniers either. Everyone enjoys the experience of food here, we are too but honestly I miss my juicer.

bon soir,
Mindy

From Paris with Love Vol 2.

I did intend to blog much more but it is so amazing here I am just always out taking everything in. We went on a bike tour (crazy, I will NEVER EVER complain about traffic and the drivers in London, you would know if you have been to Paris). The bike tour ended with an awesome boat ride on the Seine River and through Paris highlighting all of the amazing buildings that make the Paris skyline so amazing. The Eiffel Tower sparkles with thousands of lights every night on the hour, it is beautiful!!!

Now to update you on the Teacher Training with John. The training is going amazing. Each day is intense and full. The room has about 130 students from 17 different countries (there are a few other Canadians, woowhoo!!!!). There are translators for both French and Spanish. We have begun doing some practice teaching and each day it gets a bit more layered. I was finally able to make a comment out loud in the class, I was sweating, my heart was racing and my face was beat red. I have so much respect for John and this system I always want to be clear and speak intelligently. He is randomly calling on us to get up in front of the room and teach. I pray that he asks me and that he doesn't know I am there at the same time.

He is so supportive of all of the students and we have been speaking a lot on Adhikara, which is studentship. It is important for you to know what type of student you are since the amount of knowledge I can share with you depends upon your desire to know and ask questions. I promise to be the best student always, so that i can better serve all my students. This training only solidfies why I am here, why I am teaching yoga.

For all my friends and kula back home I am sending you love everyday! I am dedicated to this system fully and will stay focused on every detail while i am here. Please stay cool, I hear that there is a wicked heat wave back home. Breathe in through you mouth making a small o-shape (like sucking air up through a straw), this can help cool your body temperature.

Missing you all,
Mindy

John Friend in Paris

I am always amazed but never surprised at how everthing aligns. I have to begin by thanking you for sending me healing vibes yesterday. Just over 24 hours ago I was bedridden with cramps and feeling horrible. I posted that I was in need of some extra love and energy and show up for John's workshop and the first topic of discussion is how when we think of someone we can actually change their electromagnetic field. John's class was so great today! As soon as we sat to center he asked us what our intention was, what did we offer, what did we need? I needed to remember I am worthy, I am divine, I am healing with every breath and I immediately began to feel better when I aligned myself with something bigger than the painful cramps that still lingered. Now a few hours later and wine, bread, cheese and wonderful company with Marty and Robin I feel on top of the world. The Effiel tower is so amazing tonight, it is sparkling with tons of lights.
bon nuit mon amie,
Mindy