I did my first official yoga pose in a dance studio in the dark New York winter of 1998. I grew up calling it candlestick, but my dancer buddy told me it was a shoulder stand, the Queen of the yoga postures, and that sounded pretty alright to me. I also had the opportunity to […]
About two hundred homeless men and women recently taught me the power of words. The lesson felt new, even after I’ve been a writer for years, even after I’ve learned two new languages, and even after I’ve excavated each sentence of several spiritual books and texts. One of these books was The Four Agreements by […]
Why do you practice Ashtanga Yoga? I initially started to practice yoga to stay healthy and fit when I was in my early 20s. I had no idea what Ashtanga or Mysore was. Frankly, I was terrified to even say the opening Sanskrit chant, because I was brought up Catholic and believed that chanting was […]
Go on, admit it. It’s irresistible. And you have no power to control yourself. Because Mardi Gras Madness is real. You try to resist scarfing down every single scrumptious king cake that wafts your way. You want to stop after one or even two daiquiris. But you can’t. And each year you start the season […]
How often do you meet someone who really wows you? It’s rare to be wowed. I was wowed while teaching yoga. This doesn’t happen often. Nicole approached Balance Yoga to ask about classes. I urged her to try Mysore style classes, precisely because instructors work closely with students, almost like a group private session. Most people are scared […]
At Balance Yoga & Wellness we are on a mission to help you to live a happier more engaged life. How? We want to help you to develop healthy habits – yoga, stress management, meditation, positive thinking, and healthy habits. And healthy eating can rock your world – if you do it right. Here is a […]
Meditate. Does this word conjure up an image of a serene person in lotus position on an exotic beach? But does the thought of trying it send shivers of fear up your spine? You’re probably aware of all the benefits of meditation – clear mind, reduced stress, happier outlook, inner peace. **Sigh.** Why is it […]
Have you noticed a tickle in your throat, sniffles, or itchy eyes as autumn breezes blow in? I’m here to introduce you to Ayurveda, India’s 1000-year old medical system. Ayurveda helps you to prevent diseases before they rear their rotten heads. The seasons bring changes in the amount of daylight, temperature, and humidity. These changes […]
Last summer I got dumped, unceremoniously and without warning. Within five months of moving to New Orleans to start our new life together, my beautiful future bride had moved out and into the suburbs. I was left alone in a big house with a lot of pets and a lot of self-pity. I had some […]
Vacation is over. School is in session. Your task list at work is mounting. Your kids have tons of after-school activities that demand your attention. You had strong intentions of keeping your summertime workouts, yoga and light eating. You knew that you’d be very busy in the fall. The big, lurking, looming problem is many […]