When we sing Om, we know that it is made of four parts: A, U and M and the fourth part is the silence afterwards.

The "A" sound symbolizes Sarasvati since the "A" is the first letter of the alphabet.

The "U" sound is more refined and sustained and it is symbolized by Lakshmi.

And the "M" sound is symbolized by Kali, as it is the sound of dissolution.

The silence afterwards is the Turiya or the fourth part, the part of silence, of unmanifest, out of which everything arises.

So when we sing "Om" we are singing to the Goddesses and to the ground where everything arises.

That was the theme of today and we had a truly rocking practice this morning, including press up handstand with one leg in lotus and pressing up into urdhva dhanurasana from the floor with one leg up in the air (couldn't do it!). But I did go into full eka pada rajakapotasana #1 on both sides. Yes!

We had a 6 hour break and my friend Joy and I were able to explore this gorgeous island. We took the road to Hana and stopped by a bamboo forest. Unlike anything I've ever seen in my life! And then we went to a huge garden called, fittingly, "The Garden of Eden" and it actually lived up to its name. It's where the movie Jurassic Park was filmed. Beautiful waterfalls, lush exotic tress and flowers Peacocks frolicking around. I literally picked a guava fruit from a tree and took a bite. And the view, the view of the Pacific, takes your breath away and gives it back. Aloha! Maui is a place that I can see myself calling home one day... It's been a truly spectacular trip.

Our afternoon session might have been the best hip opener class I've ever been to. I know I sound hyperbolic but I swear there is something special and magical that has been going on throughout this week. John was so generous with his sharing, his alignment points, the way he answers questions... His sequencing was so divine that I decided not to take any notes because I didn't want to leave the space I was in. 

We were also lovingly assisted by Ruthie and Kenny who are just adorable and incredibly gifted. And lastly, the great musician Ty Burhoe honored us with his tabla music. As we were going deep in the hips, his music helped center us and focus. We went deep:

yogi dandasana, surya yantrasana, parivrrta janu sirsasana, supine lotus..

Ty also spoke quite lovingly and with great confidence about his own teacher.

I have cried so many times this week but the tears are of joy, they are cleansing me. I can't wait to get back to teach classes in LA and share what I've learned and hopefully channel John, Ram Dass and Maui. Mahalo.