On Monday August 16th, Rod Stryker sent an email out to his database confessing that from “August 2018 to September 2019 I engaged in an intermittent, but consistent emotional relationship with a student that culminated in a single physical and intimate interaction.” A power abuse had happened. He went on to say that this violated …
How to Unhook from an Emotionally Unavailable Partner
Once upon a time, many years ago, I met a man. He appeared interested in me but I didn’t know if I was interested in him. We hung out. We talked. We shared stories. There was something there but I didn’t know what it was and I was having a difficult time reading what this …
An example of Śāmbhava Upāya in action
According to Abhinavagupta, a master of the Tantrik lineages, there are three skilful means to liberation, or Upāya, of which one is śāmbhava upāya. He first outlined this framework in Tantrāloka around 10 centuries ago. The first is the Embodied Means (ānava upāya), which focuses on practices that use the body, breath and imagination, focusing …
A Tale of Mat Resistance, and Practicing Anyway
Mat resistance. Happens to the best of us, no matter how long we’ve been practicing. Here’s a glimpse into a moment of mat resistance in my life, back in 2013. Notice how I respond to it, notice the process, notice life isn’t all peaches and cream because I’m practicing yoga everyday. ***** It’s been a …
The 1000 Day Tantrik Yoga Practice: Failed Attempt #2
It was October, 2018. I was catching a ride to Day 3 of a three-day workshop with Ana Forrest & Jose Calarco. Nikki – giving me a ride – and I were talking about mountains and the energy they embody. I was sharing my recent experiences in Glenorchy, where I would sit outside at sunset …
The 1000 Day Tantrik Yoga Practice: Failed Attempt #1
I’ve been doing Forty Day practices for over a decade now. At first, it took great dedication, commitment and mindfulness to practice yoga every day for forty days in a row, especially when I was doing the same practice each day, like a Tantrik Yoga practice. I learned so much about myself, how my mind worked, …