The Practice of Non-Violence

Ahimsa — non-violence — is the first principle of classical yoga. It stands at the beginning of the Yoga Sutras, before posture, before breath, before anything. It establishes the atmosphere in which all practice unfolds.

The yamas and niyamas are more than principles. They are a guide to a way of being. The world is loud with conflict, and it can be hard to know what to do with that. When we come to the mat, something shifts. Reactivity settles. The nervous system finds its ground. We become, even briefly, steadier — more capable of discernment, more able to open our hearts to choose our response from a place of peace rather than reactivity from fear and anger.

Yoga, when integrated, is the cultivation of inner order, the yoking of body, mind, and spiritual awareness. Ahimsa sets the tone. I believe that the more of us who practice this — who tend to that inner steadiness — the more it extends outward, into our families, communities and the world beyond.

With care,
Tiffany

A Return — May Retreat at Tao Life Lodge

My friend and fellow practitioner Anna and I were talking — about the weight of the world, about what we could do. So many of us are carrying a tremendous amount right now, whether personal or a reflection of the disorder around us, and out of that conversation came an idea: what if we brought our practices together to offer something that could help? I have hosted my own retreats at Tao Life Lodge and have had the privilege of teaching alongside Anna on her retreats. Now, for the first time, we are coming together to offer something to our community. Anna is an acupuncturist and the keeper of Tao Life Lodge, a cozy Northwoods retreat center nestled among towering pines and calm water — warm, softly lit spaces indoors, a beautifully appointed studio that invites seekers to arrive, slow down, and go deeper. This retreat weaves together the wisdom of Indian and Chinese traditional medicine — yoga, breathwork, and acupuncture — as a way of lightening and balancing the weight of modern life, in this moment and beyond.

April Gatherings

April Classes & Events

All regular classes continue through April. One note: no Saturday class on April 8 — I will be at Pottery & Pours at Backchannel that morning.

A new Thursday class is now open at Lake Shala Yoga — see below.

Online — Via Zoom

In Person

New students are always welcome. No prior experience required.

Bharadvajasana

Seated Spinal Twist

A twist is a way of ringing out what has accumulated — tension, stagnation, the weight of winter. Bharadvajasana opens the chest, supports detoxification through the organs of digestion, and invites the spine to find its length. It is a pose that resonates in this moment and beyond.

What you need

A yoga mat or firm blanket  ·  A block or stack of blankets  ·  A bolster to sit on  ·  A chair, if sitting on the floor is not accessible for your knees and hips

Floor variation

Chair variation