This weekend so far I visited a beautiful new yoga studio that opened up in the Valley called "In Yoga" and took Danielle's flow class. She is a stunning and powerful teacher who guided us through a challenging and yet nurturing class.

Then, yesterday at Black Dog I took my friend's Tiffany's class. As usual she was so inspiring and clear- she really is one of the best teachers out there. We were focusing on Inner and Outer Spiral and everyone seemed to be working quite deeply and having a great time. Then I drove to Venice and took Halla Khouri's fertility workshop. I know, I'm not pregnant but I have a deep thirst for knowledge, and I'm always looking for ways to be of service to be students and several happen to be pregnant. Plus Halla wrote on her flier that this workshop was not only for mama's but for "anyone who wanted to bring in something new in their lives."

The workshop was too short- it was only two hours. The first hour was on introductions and it was by far the most moving aspect. I can sit, listen, and be a witness to other people's stories, especially if they are told in such a heartfelt way, all day long. Halla asked us to introduce ourselves, to say why we were there, to name a fear we currently have and a strength.  Almost every single woman that spoke (including me) shed a tear or two. When it was my turn I mentioned that I was there because I wanted to bring something new to my life and also to learn more ways to be of service to my students who are pregnant. As for my fear I said that I was raised in an incredibly conservative Latin household and was told from an early age, was to be a wife and a mother and that was the most important goal I could aim for. I rebelled quite strongly against that, instead looking for ways to give birth to myself and explore my inner and outer world. But now I find myself in my late thirties, having lived a full life- I have lived in foreign countries, I have travelled the world, I have fallen in and out of love several times, and now I find myself wondering if it is that I truly don't want kids? Or if I am still in reaction to my strict upbringing? I am in the question mark right now, and more will be revealed... Am I meant to be a mom?  Or am I meant to find other ways of nurturing and being motherly? Halla spoke that whenever we bring something new to the world our old fears creep up, our old traumas. And that we should look at them, get to know them without identifying with the. Know your fears so that we don't identify with them. 

This was my second time ever studying with Halla and I found her delightful, down to earth and wise. She is on her 8th month of pregnancy and she looked so beautiful.

One of the most moving things she said was that every birth is sacred- whether it's a cesarean birth or whether it is a home birth. I saw all the women nodding their heads in agreement and it was, again, such a powerful experience to sit in a circle of women and talk about such primal things. I felt like I was in the Red Tent with my sisters.  I think nowadays in our society we have become cut off from our ancestors, from our wise elders and it was so nurturing to get a glimpse of what it must have been like ages ago.

This mornings I woke up and went to my "church" which is of course the Farmer's Market. 

In a few minutes I'll be going soon to my friend's house who actually lost her baby. She and her husband have been, rightly so, devastated by this. This is the second time I'm going there and giving them a restorative class and guided meditation. I'm so honored to be able to do this for them and to see how it helps them a little bit. It has been an honor to witness my friend in her grief to watch her and her husband ask for help and receive help from the community. They are both so inspiring to me.

Then I go to Black Dog Yoga, where we have our Open House for our Level 1 Teacher Training which is happening again this year. it will be taught by Peter, Sigrid, Jenny and myself. So honored that they asked me again!

And maybe I'll take one more class today?

Been reading Mircea Eliade's classic book Yoga: Immortality and Freedom which is by far the densest book I've ever read. 

And I also drank the Swedish Kool-Aid and I'm on my second Stieg Larson's book of the Millenium trilogy, The Girl Who Played With Fire. And yes those books are addictive and good- I read the first one in two days last week when I went to PR.

Lastly, tonight is the show that I am completely obsessed over: "True Blood." I cannot wait. Sookie!!! Eric!!! 

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!