It’s my birthday today.

I have been thinking about what I want for my birthday and, well, what if I said that what all I want for my birthday is to provide you and your friends (no more than 3) a free private Vinyasa yoga lesson? Yup. That’s it. So, for next couple of days, my gift to you is 1 of 25 free private lessons between now and June 24 to help you and/or your friends explore yoga and begin to strengthen your asana practice.

So, go ahead, e-mail a friend, share the link with a friend, or take a free private one on one with me or a friend. If you are intimidated, let’s build confidence. If you want to build alignment and strengthen your practice, just complete the following link and share your interest with yoga:  

http://raveyoga.wufoo.com/forms/rave-yoga-sign-up-for-a-free-private-lesson/

Still curious and think there is a catch. There is none. Nope. Nada. No dinero. No exchange. I did my teacher training to bring yoga to the people. It’s my birthday gift to you if you are curious or simply have an interest in stepping outside your comfort zone.  The only requirement is you complete the above link and live in the Los Angeles Greater Metropolitan Area.

What qualifies me to  teach? How did I find yoga? What has been my experience with yoga? Blah blah blah… here are some basics.  I recently completed 200 Hours of Yoga Teacher Training with Kia Miller and Jesse Schein at YogaWorks in Santa Monica and have been taking classes three to four times a week since February of 2010.

I have completed a little over 1000 hours of classroom training with Kia Miller, Jesse Schein, Sara Ivanhoe, Vinnie Marino, Alexandria Crow, Patti Quintero and Vinne Marino at YogaWorks on Main and Montana Streets in Santa Monica, California. I have also taken numerous classes and workshops at Bhakti Fest, Tadasana and Wanderlust Festivals.

Here are some basics:

How did you first find Yoga?

In Seattle, I was going through heartbreak. I was always curious about yoga and wanted to try something new and different. So, I walked into Haute Yoga in Queen Anne when I saw a storefront promotion for $25 bucks for two weeks of unlimited classes. My impression after my first class was one of wonder and beautiful calm salted with a little Om, yeah, that felt amazing. My very first class was with Jenniferlyn Chiemingo. I can’t even begin to tell you how many adjustments she made on me in my very first class.

What is your favorite Yoga pose and why?

Hand Stand or as they say in sanskrit Adho Mukha Vrksasana. I guess because I believe that sometimes you have to lose balance to find balance. This Yoga pose humbles me every time.  Physically, the pose works the muscles of the legs, torso and arms at the same time. It is a rigorous pose that builds both strength and endurance through alignment. The non-physical benefits is that it is empowering and challenging, as well as liberating in providing me a different perspective – hello, I am upside down. By using my hands to ground me, it also literally helps me to step outside my comfort zone and, as such, it electrifies me every time.

What feeds your soul?

Moments of self reflection, laughter with music while walking, or on the beach cruiser heading south or north on the beach bike path, or an early morning cup of coffee with a friend walking on the beach.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

Tuesday Night food trucks with friends.

If you could only have 3 movies, or books, in your collection, what would they be?

Dead Poets Society, with Robin Williams. “Oh Captain my Captain.” Shawshank Redemption, with Tim Ribbons. “If you’ve come this far, maybe you’re willing to come a little further.” It’s a Wonderful Life, with James Stewart. “No man is a failure who has friends.”

What is your definition of strong?

Grace, flexibility, staying present and recognizing the gift in every moment, challenging or not.

What keeps you coming back to yoga?

The practice completely informs and nurtures every part of me; emotional, spiritual, physical. It allows me to detach from all the electronic currents of technology – my iPhone, laptop, internet, e-mail, etc.  I have been practicing yoga for two years 3 to 4 times a week. This past weekend I took 8 classes. Every time I do a forward fold and tie my shoe laces, I whisper a reverent prayer of gratitude for yoga. There is nothing else like it.  My life role as a brother, a son, a friend or in my work field of human resources and organization development, I give to the world, while in yoga I completely recharge. No matter how I feel, I try to go to class and always feel much better spiritually, emotionally and physically.

What classes do you usually attend?

I love taking level 2 and 2/3 classes with Kia Miller, Jesse Schein, Sara Ivanhoe, Vinnie Marino, Alexandria Crow, Patti Quinter, and Vinne Marino at YogaWorks on Main and Montana Streets in Santa Monica, California.

What is your favorite quote?

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Number 1:  “Without practice, nothing can be achieved.”