New Year’s is probably my favorite holiday (in spirit, not in typically exorbitant and excessively drunken practice). It’s about starting fresh with what you have, doing things you’ve been wanting to do, declaring your intentions for the next year. I’m not usually a resolution-maker; I’m kind of a self-improvement junkie so I’m always tweaking my [...]

I’ve recently noticed an upswing of “How to Become an Early Riser” articles (although I think it’s a topic that’s recycled more often than the magazines themselves), and I’m wondering if I should adjust my schedule. Getting up early satisfies the competitive achiever in us all — I remember one Saturday in college where I’d [...]

Dharma Mittra, the inimitable (or eminently imitable) senior teacher, just emailed these tips for the new year: Spend time Meditating. Meditation is unbroken concentration and the most effective type is self-reflection. Spend at least 15 minutes meditating every morning. Get serious about your practice! One must get serious and simply attending class is not enough. [...]

I was looking up Ayurvedic body type tests for my sister, and I found a great idea by New Age master (marketer) Deepak Chopra: Ayurvedic Daily Routine for All Doshas: Morning •    Rise early, ideally by six o’clock. •    Empty the bladder and bowels. •    Clean teeth. •    Massage with an ayurvedic oil. •    Take [...]

Last week I vacationed w/family in the Outer Banks. A big shady deck with an ocean view might just be my dream yoga spot, and I don’t even like the beach. I have not felt so motivated to get up and practice in a while. Morning practice was easy, and daily! My aunt and sister [...]

Since I got back from the retreat, I’ve actually kept up a morning practice. I always do pranayama: 3 rounds Breath of Fire (60, 75, 90 reps, and 60, 75, 90 second retentions) 5–10 rounds Alternate Nostril Breathing (inhale 4, hold 16, exhale 8 ) Sometimes I add my favorite sequence ever: the Kundalini Spinal [...]