I woke up this morning with a sore throat. I looked outside my window to see ashes piling over my car; the fires in California continue to rage and the air is murky.

I thought of how much dust there is in the air and was reminded of something from yoga philosophy, that we have "dusts" or impurities (in Sanskrit malas) and they cover the mirror in which we see ourselves and others...

So classes this week are going to be inspired by the malas, in particular the main one: anava mala.

Anava Mala is the main "dust" that settles over us, making us all feel that we are lacking, that we are not enough, that "if only I had (fill in the blank: more money, less body weight, a boyfriend, a baby...) then I would be happy.

The malas are universal and even though it seems counterintuitive,  they are an opportunity for us to connect with the fullness that already exists, that is already there, that is really who we are.

So- Classes this week have to do with the theme of: purifying the dust and the heart attribute is: contentment.

"When we purify ourselves, we remember that we are content in our basic essence."

I worked with the First Principle, reminding the students to create length in their side bodies so that they can "open up to the idea that they have all that they need inside." In other words, whenever we feel that we are lacking something, may we remember that we have all that we need inside.

*At one moment I reminded them to use their ujjayi breath as purification, as a way to cleanse the air.

*And with each exhale, exhale "as if you are getting rid of anything that stands in the way of seeing and being in your own light."

*I reminded the students that in tantra, purification is not necessarily about cleansing or cleaning but rather about making whole. So I reminded the students that our physical practice is a way of bringing every part of our body back together, to create a sense of wholeness. That every part of the body has a role to play in helping us be whole again, and thus feel content.

*Did a lot of twists which are incredibly purifying and neutralizing asanas.

Something to work on:

*Class today was more twisty and forward bendy, which meant that there were no backbends or crazy ass poses and at times I am under the impression that students want to work REALLY HARD all the time (especially in LA) and I have to pause and remind myself that  there are different ways of working hard. Sometimes bowing down and being still in a pose is the hardest.

*Have to be careful not to bring too much to the table (ie, philosophy, esoteric stuff, go off on my riffs) remember to keep things simple.

*Ran a little bit late which is unusual for me, I like to end on time, and didn't have a chance to do a meditation today which might have been nice...

*Need to trust in myself more and in what I have to offer as a teacher....