HONOR YOUR EDGE
My Journey
When I was a U.S. Marine, stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, I trained for two years under Rached Maalouf in Escondido, CA. He directed me to Peri Ness at the Yoga Room in Encinitas, CA. This was truly a healing period for me when I needed it most, after returning home from serving my nation in combat. I found this type of yoga so healing and transformative that I wanted to be able to take it anywhere, and I wanted to share it with the world. I trained for two years under Peri Ness to become an Advanced Synergy Yoga (R) Instructor (500-hrs). I have taught many different people from all walks of life all over the world.
I have taught physical therapy patients in Point Arena, CA. I have taught civilians and military service members in San Diego, CA, Quantico, VA, Manama, Bahrain, and Stuttgart, Germany. I have taught actors in Oxford, England, and many more.
This style of yoga that I teach is hatha yoga and is holistic. It improves balance, strength, and flexibility, and hones intuition and will. Through this type of yoga, you will experience true healing.
Where Mind Body and spirit Meet
For Whom Is This Type of Yoga?
I have taught people in all walks of life, from cancer survivors to special operations warfighters. This yoga is for everyone. I teach in a way that is completely safe and foundational, meeting you where you are, and allowing you to go as far as you want, empowering you to find and honor your edge at all times. You do not have to "be" anything enough to take this form of yoga. You are ready and perfect just as you are.
Lineage
Parmahansa Yogananda brought yoga from India to the United States in the 1920s. He, with the aid of his brother, Bishnu Ghosh, handed down the divine flow of 26 postures specially designed to prepare the body for long periods of meditation, which has a byproduct of healing the body, mind, and spirit in extraordinary ways. They passed this flow to Swami Paramahansa Yogananda and Mani Finger, who passed this yoga down to my own teacher, Peri Ness-Defay. I trained with her for approximately two years before obtaining 500-hour Advanced Synergy Yoga (R) Certification. I return at least annually to reconnect and continue my training, to deepen my practice, and improve my teaching.
Preparation for Class
Ideally, this class is taught in a room of 99 degrees Farenheit, but it can be taught anywhere. Hydrating beforehand is helpful. Do your best not to eat at least two hours before you practice this yoga. Bring a mat if you have one, as well as a small towel or hand towel and some water. That's it!
What is Yoga?
Yoga means "union." Yoga is the eight-fold path to achieving cosmic consciousness. The first two steps deal with right living, Nama and Niyama, what to do, like living purely, and what not to do, such as nonviolence and non stealing and non hoarding. There are five principles under each of these "dos" and "do nots." The third and fourth steps are breath and posture, Pranayama and Asana. This is what we in the west usually envision when we think of Yoga. The way we move our bodies and breathe. Yes, that is essential, but that is not all of what Yoga is. The fifth through eighth steps are Interiorization, Concentration, Meditation, and the final step is Samadhi, or Cosmic Consciousness.
Yoga Retreats and Teacher Training
If you are interested in more than practicing yoga, if you would like to deepen your practice, learn even more, and perhaps even delve into the rewarding and soul-nourishing world of teaching, my own teacher Peri Ness-Defay holds annual and semi-annual retreats in the mountains of California. These retreats are extremely healing and life-changing.
What can I expect?
This type of yoga is intentional. It is healing. It is transformative. It helps you to release stress, which we all carry primarily in our shoulders, hips, and behind our eyes. It helps old habits to fall off. You may start to feel stronger in ways you didn't expect. It may help you heal from old dramas or traumas. You may start to realize the power of your breath. It also improves your posture.