This week I feel inspired to work with sanskrit calligraphy. I took an online sanskrit calligraphy class on the American Sanskrit Institutes website, and found it a meditative process that connected me with the language and deeper aspects of yoga. During the Tai Ji workshop, the teacher, Chunglian Al Huang,  would live paint chinese symbols and relate them to the Tai Ji postures and meanings. He would draw a beautiful symbol and say, “…before I tell you what this means, let me show you!” He would go on and make huge movements and dramatic sounds to describe what the symbol meant. The way he intertwined visual art, symbolism and Tai Ji practice, along with music and dance was miraculous, and I still finding myself more and more impressed with his teaching techniques. He really incorporated all the arts, as well as western and eastern philosophy, while making it very fun, light hearted, and interesting. As a person who is working to become a better teacher and guide into spiritual practices, his work was some of the most inspirational I have ever experienced.

This sparked the idea to work on some sanskrit calligraphy, and use them as visual aids in classes. The original writing and sounds of the asanas are an integrative part of the experience.

I am at the last steps of grant writing class, and am working on the common grant application. I have started teaching a yoga class from 7:30-8:30am in CRC room 314! I am now teaching twice a week, and going to many classes, some part of the club and some off campus.  I have learned a tremendous amount teaching and have picked up a few regulars. Seeing people grow and seeing their minds and bodies transform is such a blessing.

It feels really good to offer a service that helps people bring more awareness and healing to themselves. I see people become more confident and in tune with their yoga every class, and from my personal experience, I know that that resonates out to other aspects of life. I think if we want to heal the world, we must start with ourselves, and the yoga lifestyle is one path that leads to liberation.