From Stephanie Sandleben, at Kula Yoga:

Stephanie: So, in my own practice, I’ve been thinking about the difference between sensation, and tapas. And realizing that they’re not the same thing.

Rough quote, I’m forgetting more of it, but her words hit the spot. It’s taken me years to realize that yoga is not the Marines, pain is not “a sign of weakness leaving the body.” Tapas, the purifying burn that is a big reason we practice asana, is achieved through appropriate challenges for the body. Not masochism and ignorance.

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Tara Stiles

The new house of (Tara) Stiles, Strala Yoga is a breath of fresh air downtown. I finally stopped by last week. A beautiful loft on Broadway and Houston, Strala has magical light and expansive space. A cozy little corner of art and couches invites you to move in. There’s a long wall of mirrors in the back, from its previous life as a Crunch gym, but that only adds to the Real World Yoga feeling. I kind of don’t want to share such a gorgeous uncrowded space, but I have to support their admirable affordable pricing — just $10 for all classes! Even the 90-minute ones! And those with Ms. Supermodel herself.

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Tanya Namad

I was tempted to skip yoga today. Forty mile an hour winds kept me from crossing Third Avenue; my umbrella simply wasn’t going to make it to York. But, literally one minute after I’d given up, the cross-town bus arrived like a knight in screechy armor. I made it to class just a few minutes late.

Tanya Namad, a recent graduate of Atmananda Yoga, invited me up to her vinyasa class at New York Yoga. I did my first teacher training at Atmananda (albeit with different faculty), so I just hoped I wouldn’t be too adrift in memory bliss.

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There’s an event worth attention this Saturday. Ashtanga Yoga New York is holding a benefit for Odanadi, an organization in Mysore, India, that fights human trafficking (forced prostitution and modern-day slavery) and helps rehabilitate its victims with education, housing, and yoga.

YOGA STOPS TRAFFICK is a one-day global yoga event to raise awareness about human trafficking in India. On March 13th, 2010, Yogis around the world will roll out their mats for a mass sun salutation, to take a stand against trafficking and show their support to its millions of victims.

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Oh no no no

It turns out that yoga in the back of the office is the best idea ever! We’re going to keep it up through March.

The focus is “desk job decompression:” yoga poses to counteract all those ruinous hours at our laptops. We usually do 15 minutes of simple stretches to wake up the wrists, ankles and spine, then about 45 minutes of standing poses, and a guided relaxation at the end.

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Alan Finger

Yesterday morning I headed up to Union Square. Slushy weather and train delays didn’t help the trip, and I began my meditation practice a bit early as I tried to let the irritable thoughts float up and away.

9:35 was still a fine time to arrive, it turns out. I settled onto a bolster and blanket in the middle of the large, elegant room. Plain white walls and smooth dark floors led up to a colorfully preserved door frame, in front of which sat a beaming Alan Finger.

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Computer counterposes, by donation. We’re turning the GreenSpaces office into a yoga studio! Mondays in February, bring your mat to Tribeca. We’ll practice some dana yoga.

Classes are by donation; you can leave a hundred dollars, or just a smile! Buddhists call the act of giving dana, it’s a way to escape greed and cultivate kindness. It doesn’t have to be money; it can be time, a friendly ear, a happy word. Whatever’s appropriate to the situation, and yourself.

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Curious about acupuncture? Gotham Wellness is offering another happy hour tomorrow. I went last month and really enjoyed it. Stephanie, the founder, is warm, smart, and (practically) painless.

Happy Hour Acupuncture will take place this Friday, January 22 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  This will be the last happy hour until February 19th. Feel free to drop in anytime from 5:30-7 pm.  If you prefer to secure an appointment, please reserve your spot by paying in advance.

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More yoga in Harlem! And a free event. Graceline Court, a new condo in Harlem, is offering cooking classes and yoga classes this Saturday, January 23rd.

• Cooking demonstrations and tastings by Whole Foods Market chefs, focusing on how to cook and eat healthy in the New Year
• Small-group yoga classes taught by expert instructors from Harlem Yoga Studio
• Light refreshments
• Tours of Graceline Court will be available upon request.

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Wear your yoga clothes to work tomorrow — GreenSpaces NY is having an all-day open house. Bring your laptop, hang out and work with fellow downtown entrepreneurs.

The theme is “healthy living,” so there are some special offerings to help you work better! Including a free yoga class with Yogoer :)

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