March 4, 1976. I was in my junior year at the University of Wisconsin in Madison when Joni Mitchell came to town for an upcoming sold out concert at the massive Dane County Coliseum. It was also the day of an incredible ice storm. I remember tree branches and power lines crashing down from the weight of the … Continue reading Joni Mitchell, Winter & Meditative Climbing
Month: February 2017
Viewing the Bali Sky from Fish Pose
November 15, 2016 I'm in Matsyasana, and this is what I see. When in Matsyasana - a yoga asana also referred to as fish pose - one lays down, elevates the chest and lowers the head backward...gently touching the top of the head to the floor. Even from this upside-down perspective, the Balinese morning sky above our retreat center looks magnificent. … Continue reading Viewing the Bali Sky from Fish Pose
Rice Fields & Waterfalls = Freedom
November 14, 2016 Bali's beauty blows me away. It's on display in a variety of places across it's 2,200 square miles, but no more so to me than in its rice fields and waterfalls. From our Jiwa Damai retreat center where I teach yoga I often walk through the nearby rice fields. The minute I … Continue reading Rice Fields & Waterfalls = Freedom
Writing about a Yoga World
Morning Yoga, Bali. October 2016This is the view on my first morning in Bali, October 5, 2016. I’m sweeping the area where I’ll teach yoga for the guests and workers at the Jiwa Damai Retreat Center I’m calling home for the next two months. Mostly I’m sweeping up any little pieces of gecko poop that landed … Continue reading Writing about a Yoga World
Bali Sacred Painting
November 9, 2016 "Selamat pagi semuanya semoga damai dan berbahagia!" We are visited today at Jiwa Damai Retreat Center by a local priest. His name is Made Swaba, but asks to be called Mr. Mangku. His opening greeting is in Balinese. In English that roughly translates to, "Good morning everyone may you have peace and happiness." … Continue reading Bali Sacred Painting
Working in the Organic Garden
October 17, 2016 "Watch out below!" After yoga each morning, I often work in the vast organic garden at the Jiwa Damai Retreat Center. There are over 300 towering coconut trees on the grounds. Occasionally during a day I'd hear a random coconut fall from a tree's peak, sliding loudly through the palms to crash with a thud … Continue reading Working in the Organic Garden
Yoga World 