reflections on svadyaya

First off, you might ask, what is svadyaya? For those that have been practicing "yoga" a while, you know it is one of the niyamas. For those that are newer to the practice, it's an introduction to something new beyond the asana (physical) practice.

Yoga Sutras: Sadhana Pada
Svadyaya, self-inquiry, encompasses all learning, reflection and experience, which result in a greater understanding of our own fundamental nature. It includes the study of sacred texts or any books that resonate with us in a way that moves us toward the light. Self-study is perhaps the most crucial of the niyamas because at some point we must all reconcile to the fact that although higher consciousness is within everyone’s grasp, no guru, priest or other person can do the work for us. Sri Ramana Maharshi, the great Indian saint who left his body in 1950, advocated self-inquiry as the primary proponent of sadhana (daily practice). He guided his followers toward freedom from ego-illusion by instructing them to always look to the source of the “I-thought.”

If you have attended my yoga classes before, I constantly ask this question and challenge YOU to take your own inventory. From this place of self-inquiry, where are we showing up? where are we not? When we reach a plateau, how do we continue to "stoke the fire" and commit to growth?

This has been coming up in several areas in my life: in marriage, as a student, as a teacher, in my professional work, etc.

In marriage, I continue to ask myself, how can I keep showing up BIG for Shadd? I am learning that it's the smallest things count the most. Continuously practicing listening, patience, and compassion, and did I mention patience:) Thinking outside myself. Being more selfless and more of a team player.

As a student, carving out the time to get on my mat with other teachers that inspire me to GROW outside of what I KNOW. Taking the time to read the books that inspire me to learn more about Ayurveda, health, and wellness. I love knowledge but it's experience where we gain wisdom.

As a teacher, it's been listening to my students. So many of you (friends and family included) are challenging me out of my comfort zone and for that, I am so grateful. I have been teaching Power Vinyasa/Vinyasa flow for a while now and there has been a tremendous shift in my teaching. I am passionate about the vinyasa practice AND I am excited to keep on learning.

Most recently I have been reflecting on what it is to be an "instructor" and what it is to be a "teacher". For some, they might be the same thing. For me, it's different. My highest intention is to "spark" the self-inquiry within, whether it be through my verbal instruction, assists, or inspiration. Coming up on seven years of instructing yoga, I feel like I have reached a plateau and I am committed to my growth. In my very first teacher training with Baron Baptiste, I remember that we had to stand up in front of the group of 100+ and we had to commit to the process and commit to making it good for ourselves and for everyone sharing the experience. I am still commited to that....I am committed to becoming a better yoga teacher.

There are some exciting things in store for deepening my studies/teaching in the upcoming year:
• continue teaching in the prison (and igniting some other projects for Community Yoga Austin)
• Street Yoga Training
• completing Anusara™Immersion with Christina Sell at Breath and Body Yoga
• diving more into Ayurveda
• completing final module (Chakra Vinyasa) with Shiva Rea to complete my 300hr Prana Flow™ TT
• leading some retreats that have been in the incubator for quite sometime

And the years to come...
• Therapeutics training
• A.R.T. training
• Ashtanga TT
• Human Anatomy

In my professional work, it's how can I continue to show up BIG everyday for our clients. How can I support in making the entire process amazing from start to finish? How can I be that source of inspiration that gets them excited about all of the amazing POSSIBILITIES that are available at their fingertips. This work is an extension of the yoga practice, really! I LOVE what I do and LOVE the amazing people I get to co-create with on a daily basis. SO much gratitude:)

All things to ponder, grow, and reflect upon...

If you are interested in learning more about deepening your "yoga" practice, join me this weekend at LifeTime Fitness South as we dive into the Eight Limbs of Yoga and discuss how we can incorporate the yogic principles into our daily routines.

LIVING YOUR YOGA
Saturday, November 13
2-4pm
$25
Register at Member Activities or at mylt.com
***As a side note, we are currently working on opening workshops at LTF open the public.

Upcoming Workshops

Kirtan Concert with Daphne Tse, Sanieh, Chris Roy, and friends Benefitting Haiti
Saturday, January 30
Yoga Vida 707
Time TBD

Inversions Workshop
Saturday, January 30
LifeTime Fitness South - LifeStudio
2-4pm
Register at the front desk or ask me!


Dog Rescue Karma Class benefiting Blue Dog Rescue
Saturday, February 6
Breath & Body Yoga
10-12pm
All proceeds will be donated to Blue Dog Rescue



PreNatal Yoga for the Pregnant Goddess
Breath & Body yoga
Sunday, February 21
2-4pm
$25 in advance / $30 day of
Register online or call the studio

40 Day Personal Revolution

Every year I do a 40 Day Personal Revolution,
based off Baron's Book.

It grounds me for the new year and I highly recommend it!

Week One : Presence
Week Two : Vitality
Week Three: Equanimity

Stay tuned for more updates as the 40 days unfolds...

Namaste

new auspicious beginnings begin 8/18

My Students always ask me how did you find yoga.
Yoga found me - and it saved my life, literally!

I reflect back when I first started practicing yoga here in Austin.
I took my very first class @ Yoga Yoga South. Then I remember taking my first Hatha
Flow class with Mike Matthews (who is an amazing Ashtanga teacher in town!)
I was in college and could care less about me and my spiritual walk but yoga was soon to change all of that.

I thus found myself becoming hooked on Bikram Yoga. I loved it and still think it is an amazing practice but agree it is not for everyone. BTW - the new YogaGroove space they redid looks amazing! Can't wait to go try the practice out again.

Moving along (as it is easy to rant while blogging).... I have always tried to find a way to marry my passions in life: yoga + marketing + account services + graphic design.
Hard to do at times but I am VERY persistent and won't stand to do just any job. I pour my heart and soul into what I do.

It has almost been a year and a half since I left nFusion, an amazing local interactive firm. There was only so much of Nokia Global e-communications that I could handle;) I do miss working with the people there. I specifically remember finding a company online called Namaste Interactive. When I find something I love, I research the heck out of it. I believe my horoscope says that people born on October 30 (the week of intensity, might I add) make great detectives. I love researching. Needless to say, I research Namaste Interactive from start to finish. I thought to myself, how incredible would it be to work with a team like that. WOW!!!! Along the path, I have met many amazing teachers, artists, etc. through the global yoga community.

A few months back, an acquaintance of mine was traveling through Austin and was wondering if she could play live music in someone's class. Gosh the beauty of Facebook. I love it so!!!! Daphne Tse ended up coming to Breath & Body Yoga to sing her angelic tunes during shavasana. Some of her friends ended up coming to class, including the beloved Chris Roy, CEO and Spiritual Entrepreneur of Namaste Interactive. I knew exactly of him as I had thought they lived in LA. Well, come to find out Namaste Interactive relocated to Austin, Texas. Double-take...did I hear that right?

After some emails, resume sending, conversation, more conversation, and meeting with the founding partners, I am SO pleased and SO thrilled to announce that I am hopping on board with the Namaste Interactive team as Client Services Guru to help spearhead their new email client, Namaste Light. Namaste Interactive works with amazing clients such as my yoga teacher Shiva Rea, Acacia Lifestyle (new site just launched), Yoga Tribe & Culture, Energy Muse, and MC Yogi to name a quick few.

WoW! I get to jump in the deep in and marry it all together, starting 8/18.
Cheers to new auspicious beginnings and working with a sweet, talented, creative, technologically-advanced team. I am deeply humbled and honored to be a part of this
movement.

Thank you sweet Jesus!

Interesting and up for discussion....

Yoga Instructor: Signs That Speaks for the Skills of a Yoga Instructor

Posted: May 20th, 2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 294 |

Yoga has been declared as an excellent method to combine meditation and exercise in order to attain the maximum benefits for physical as well as mental health. The art helps you to bring your body and mind in good harmony.

Joining a Yoga class is extremely beneficial. These classes are beneficial when it comes to learning certain challenging poses.

If the yoga teacher plays an important role in learning the postures in the best and most beneficial way, you need to be really careful when it comes to choosing one for yourself. There are bad instructors as well as good instructors. You need to take certain points in to consideration when choosing the best for yourself.

Remember that a yoga instructor will always show you certain signs and hints. These signs will let you know about the abilities and experience of the coach. Here are some signs to watch out for:

- Signs to watch out for

a) A good teacher will observe and then welcome the students prior to starting the class. The instructor would appreciate the student for who they are, their unique skill and abilities. In general, you would find a positive attitude toward the yoga class.

b) There are several challenges one needs to face while learning yoga. Some of the postures of the yoga class would be quite challenging. Hence, people suffering from injuries, including minor ones should be extremely careful. These questions are usually put forward by a yoga instructor at the beginning of the class. The instructor would also check for the injuries of other problems prior to beginning the class.

c) Once, the physical examination is over, the teacher will keep in mind, the poses that are opt for the students who are well, for those who have certain injuries or health related problems.

d) A skilled instructor will definitely explain and demonstrate a particular pose. He or she would specially emphasis on the challenging ones in order to make the students understand about these poses from the starting till the end.

e) If your coach is skilled and veteran, then he will make it a point to explain you the poses clearly and in a variety of ways. Sometimes, students are unable to perceive a pose correctly in a particular way.

f) A good instructor will know exactly how to teach. He or she will notice even subtle weaknesses and errors and know how to correct them gracefully. If the teacher is skilled enough, he or she will definitely understand that you are putting in your 100% to the class and will encourage you gently to perform in a better way.

g) Once the class ends, a yoga instructor will definitely ask the students about how they are feeling.

h) Make sure that your yoga instructor ends the class with Savasana or Dead Man’s pose. Good meditation poses will enhance yoga.

i) At last, the instructor will thank the students for attending the class just as he welcomes you in the beginning.

Do you have HYDE in your closet?

I love the unexpected.
A couple weeks back, I received an email from the lovely Hyde.
The make fabulous organic cotton yoga pieces.

Somehow in cyberspace, they found my blog and offered to send me a couple
of pieces of their clothing. The marketer in me was like AHA! Yes, what a great
way to market yoga clothing. Go to the source: yoga teachers. We do afterall
get to wear lovely yoga clothes daily and get to show them off in our classes.

Sure enough a week or so later, I received two pieces in the mail.

I LOVE ORGANIC COTTON! It breathes well and it is so soft to the touch.
And now I am more familiar with this line from the kind gesture from Hyde.

I recommend you try some today!!!!!
Great stuff.
I can't wait to have more to add to my yoga gear line-up.

And they keep giving.....
Visit their website today and enter promo code "MALIA" and receive 20% your next order.

Thank you Hyde.
Thank you yoga community.

Namaste!

suffering is optional

From this months YJ - a great reminder:

In 2:15 of the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali teaches that suffering is caused by change, unfullfilled longing, habits, and fluctuations in energy. Not even the most enlightened among us is immune. But in the next sutra, Patanjali offers some hope when he says that we can "prevent the suffering that is yet to come."

Patanjali teaches that we can have pain, yet not suffer. If we accept the inevitability of life's twists and turns and find the opportunity for growth in the struggles we face, we can prevent the unnecessary, self-inflicted suffering that comes from such feelings as guilt, blame, and regret. We can't avoid Hardship in life, but through the practice of yoga, we can learn to see that Our true nature remains unchanged, and so we find peace and ease, even In the midst of difficulty.

turning muck into a beautiful sculpture

Living YOGA is my teacher - on and off the mat. Breathing, grounding, being in the moment.
I truly believe we are sent certain situations and circumstances to grow stronger from.
Whether that be an argument, or someone hitting my car, or just feeling down in the dumps.

My mother has also been a great teacher. She always been a HUGE light in my life and is always great about sending me thoughts and inspirations. One I would like to share:

There was A blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
Hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always
There for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
The world, I will marry you.'

One day, Someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
Came off, she was able to see everything, including her Boyfriend.

He asked Her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
Girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
Sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected
That. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
Led her to refuse to marry him.

Her Boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
Saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
They were yours, they were mine.'

This is How the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
Was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today Before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't Speak..

Before You complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
Who has nothing to eat.

Before You complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone
who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today Before you complain about life - Think of someone who went
Too early to heaven.

Before Whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who
Walks the same distance with their feet.

And when You are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
Unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your Job.

And when Depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on
Your face and think: you're alive and still Around.

namaste
see you in the flow~

new inspirations

For my whole life, the lie that is always stuck in my head is I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
I don't know the root source or where and when it manifested itself into me but it is suffocating at times. It comes and it goes but deep down I know that I AM GOOD ENOUGH.

Recently I have been reflecting upon the past 6 six years or so since I started practicing yoga.
Wow have things changed and evolved. Although I have veered off the path of studying with Baron Baptiste, I truly honor and humbly bow to his teachings. He will always be my first yoga teacher. His teachings are of truth and light. I think it is really easy to get caught up in SELF in this day and age, along with money and power. I am trying to figure out which path to take on this long journey ahead. How to inspire and give with intention.


Principles from Journey into Power that I am reflecting on:
• We are either now here or nowhere
• Be in the now and you will know how
• Growth is the most important thing there is
• In order to heal you need to feel
• Think less, be more
• We are the sum total of our reactions
• Don't try hard - try easy

• Build your house on a rock
• Establish neutral alignment
• Stack your joints
• Balance, Control, Surrender
• Work from the bones

COMMON MISTAKES
• Believing your doubts
• Despising the days of small beginnings
• Embracing tradition over intuition
• Not recognizing that the prize is in the process
• Falling into a trap of competition and comparison
• Not recognizing that sometimes less is more
• Not understanding your resistance

I will be leading two new intensives starting in July @ LifeTime Fitness - South Austin:

Beginner Yoga Intensive
Lifetime Fitness South Austin
July 7 - August 29
Email mbarnes@lifetimefitness.com to register

Journey Into Power - Intro to Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga
Lifetime Fitness South Austin
July 8 - August 28
Email mbarnes@lifetimefitness.com to register

don't despise the day of new beginnings

I have had a lot of beginners in class recently. It takes me back to my days training with Baron Baptiste. To him, I am ETERNALLY grateful for teaching me how to lead an OPEN level class.
It has come in so handy inside the classroom. I learn so much from beginner students. Thank you. I bow to you!!! Keep showing up and shining!!!

New Retreats I am working on....

After having a wonderful, relaxing time in Sonoma visiting with winemakers, I really would like to lead two retreats next year incorporating the big seasons for the wine world: bud-break in the spring and harvest in the fall. Great times to visit wine country.

Please let me know if you are interested and I will put you on the list.

More to come on these ideas.....
Thanks for your inspiration.

namaste,
malia

****memorial day vinyasa****

See you there - Yoga Vida 707 - 9:30am - Memorial Day!!!!!
Bring it:)

random acts of shavasana.....

Try it.....when your mind starts spinning....just lay down wherever you are and take a shavasana. Super liberating for the mind and body!!!!!!!!!

Lots of fun things on the horizon.......

I am becoming more and more involved with the Austin yoga community. It is just that...a community, or "kula", of people getting together sharing the love and knowledge of this amazing lineage of what we call YOGA.

With that said, there are some VERY exciting events coming up in the near future in your local Austin yoga community......

Date TBD
May 23 OR May 30
Breath & Body Yoga will be hosting a book signing for an amazing Sanskrit scholar
If you are wanting to dive deeper in your knowledge of Sanskrit - don't miss this great event!

May 30 & 31 at Bodhi Yoga - Bee Cave (their new studio)
Krista & Brock Cahill from YogaWorks (CA) will be here.
They will be teaching three workshops.
More information can be found at www.bodhiyoga.com>classes tab>workshops tab
Early bird registration ends May 15 - Sign up today!

May 30 & 31 at Castle Hill Fitness presents
The Alchemy of Yoga: Bringing Spirit to Life in what Matters Most
with Christina Sell and Craig Williams
To register call Castle Hill 512-478-4567

I will be teaching a PreNatal Vinyasa Teacher Training Module for Gioconda's 200-hour Teacher Training program on June 6 at Castle Hill Fitness. I have received a lot of encouraging feedback from teachers and students and am planning on starting to offer this as a quarterly teacher training intensive starting in 2010, along with some other fun things!!!

Simon Park will be at Bodhi Yoga - Bee Cave June 19-21
More info on that to come!

I love my job and bow to everyone that makes my job possible.
I look forward to seeing you in the flow!!!!!!!!!!!

Love and light,
malia

fluid power with shiva rea, san francisco 2009

Fluid Power with Shiva Rea - what a juicy experience at YogaTree in the Castro!
3.5 days of fluid, rasa-fied prana vinyasa flow, along with SoundTherapy Guest Teacher, Alex ????
4 days of fun with my soul sister, Denean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rejuvenated and ready to share my inspiration!

New classes:
Yoga Vida 707
Mondays - 9:30am
Tuesdays - Noon (showers available!)

For complete teaching schedule look to the left:)

Yoga Vida 707 Grand Opening this week!!!!!!!!!

Hot yogis/yoginis,
Welcome Yoga Vida 707 to Austin.
The new location is located downtown off 7th and West
at 707 West 7th Street.

Friday night starting at 6:30 there will be a party with great people, all of our teachers,
firedancers, food, libations, etc.

Then on Saturday, all classes at that location will be complimentary.

For more information or to sign up for the email list,
visit Yoga Vida's website.
The teaching schedule for both locations will also be on the website.

I would love to have you in my classes at BOTH locations:
Thursday - 6:30pm - Yoga Vida Westlake
Monday - 9:30am - Yoga Vida 707
Tuesday - Noon - Yoga Vida 707

Namaste!
I look forward to seeing you at BOTH locations.

Dharma Mittra Tonight

Bodhi Events is honored to present Sri Dharma Mittra this evening.

We are so excited he is here.
Pranams as we open our eyes and ears to learn from a master of yoga asana.

Namaste!
See you there.

AT&T Conference Center
(off University Ave)
Salon C
6-10pm

Call me if you have any questions
cell 512-296-5024

choices

Quite amazing really that I handled today so calmly.
It is called living your yoga.
When you lock your keys in your car while on a simple errand,
no need to overreact. Just breathe and keep on keepin' on, I told myself.

I got a free scooter ride out of it, too!

I reflected on how much energy it would have taken for me to go nuts
about my mistake today. Instead, the breath was there. no judgement,
although I did reflect on how much attachment I have to my car:)
ie: i am a texas native.

Live in the flow. Live and let live.
Forget and forgive (thy self)

Lokah
Samasta
Sukhino
Bhavantu

May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwill.
May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwill.
May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwill.
Peace peace peace

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better & happier.
Be the living expression of God's kindness:
Kindness in your face
Kindness in your eyes
Kindness in your smile

Om Shanti
Om Peace

show up and burn brightly

despite what comes up when you are teaching,
when you show up 110% and teach to the best of your ability,
you can walk away from you mat and know that you did the best you could do

you show up.
you burn brightly.
you share what you know.
then, move along in the flow.

namaste!

when you open up and trust

For such a long time now, I have known that my dharma, my duty, is not just with one thing in partiular. My friend, Johnny, likes to call me the yogamarketingbrowniegirl. It is so bizarre, but when I focus on solely one thing, my world spins out of orbit. But when I am doing several things, my world is balanced. So, if you did not know, I teach yoga (obviously) and when I am not doing that, I am planning yoga events with local studios, and doing sales/marketing for Mary Louise Butters Brownies.

I used to want to control, control, control, but now I find myself letting go and riding the moment more and more.

I keep coming back to the book, Meditations on the Mat by Rolf Gates.
This book is so powerful. The quotes, the meditations, and essays.

Ride the moment. Relish in it:)

Today my sutra, theme, was santosha. Finding contentment in the struggle, in the ease.