When I was at art school the wife of one of the instructors gave a yoga class once a week. Sometimes I went to it, sometimes I didn't. Then I graduated, moved to New York CIty, and didn't think much about yoga, for twenty years. I was as unfit as the next person when I found yoga again - or yoga found me. I
mention this because unlike many instructors, I don't have a background as a professional dancer, or an athlete. I'm a regular person who took up yoga at the age of 40 and proof that's it's never too late to do so.

My somewhat middle-aged foray began when I moved to Calgary ten years ago and began to take Iyengar-style classes once or twice a week. I did this for a few years and became flexible and learned alot about alignment, but still was not physically strong. Then one day - here the story gets a bit embarrassing - I was at the Lululemon in Mission. The salesperson had amazing biceps, like Madonna's.
"I want your arms," I said to her. "Astanga yoga", she replied. It turned out she taught Astanga, and she suggested I try out a class at the studio where she taught, the Yoga Shala. I took one class and was hooked. Over time, I found myself practicing twice a week, then three times, and eventually most mornings. As David Swenson says, quoting the alchemists: "through repetition, the magic is forced to arise." Doing the primary series in its proper sequence day after day affected all aspects of my life, first physically, and then mentally, and spiritually.

In 2006 I had the profound experience of practicing in
Mysore, India at the AYRI with Guruji, Saraswati and Sharath. Here in the west, I've been priviledged to learn from many teachers, particularly Fiona Stang, David Swenson, and my good friends Harmony Lichty and Jeff Lichty. And every day I learn from the students and teachers who make up the community here at the Yoga Shala.

P.S. I still don't have biceps like Madonna's. But yoga eventually teaches you that a great body, while often a by-product of a commited practice, is so not the point.

"No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Samuel Beckett