April 26, 2016 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Attachment and Letting Go

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I’m sad to announce, that this is my last week teaching at Village Green Yoga and River Tree Yoga until June. Truly, I will miss teaching and my community. You guys bring such light to my life through your dedication, compassion and humor. But it is only a month and I will be back to my regular schedule very soon. In the interim, I have arranged for some excellent subs. So keep doing your yoga and your practice will grow from the wisdom of others.

As I prepare to spend the next month in Berkeley helping my father downsize to a small apartment in a continuing care community, I reflect on what this might mean for him, as well as for myself.

Moving is difficult for everyone. I have read that it is one of the top five stressors in life. I can’t even begin to imagine what it will be like for my father who is 95 and has lived in his current home for the majority of his adult life. He has not only lived in this house for over 50 years, he also designed it himself. It is perhaps his finest work as an architect and is truly a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. It sits on a wooded lot in the Berkeley hills with sweeping views across the San Francisco Bay. Floor to ceiling windows and doors on all sides, beautifully decorated with antiques from Europe and Asia; it is simultaneously inspiring and comforting. He is deeply attached to his home and the separation will be difficult for him. I think perhaps it is part of his identity, and so the stress of moving will be compounded by the separation from a part of his self.

I must also recognize that this is the home in which I grew up, so I am not only dealing with his loss, but I am also dealing with my own. Once he is moved, I will need to sell most of his/our belongings and let go of the security of having a place to land in the Bay Area; a place to share with family and friends, a place which I have always referred to as home. It is a home that is much loved and will be deeply missed.

And yet I am reminded of the yoga teachings concerning attachment. Our attachment to the past, to things being as they were; our attachment to the desire for things to be different from how they are now; and our attachment to material things in general can all lead to pain and suffering as well as distracting us from our ability to reside in the direct experience of the present moment. At this point I will spare you a full dissertation on all of Patanjali’s Sutras which discuss non-attachment, and only lead you in their direction.

Sutras I.12,I.15, I.16 – explains that through non-attachment we consciously realize that attachment can create short and long term negative effects.
Sutra II.3 – notes that the causes of suffering include ignorance, egoism, attachment, repulsion and fear.
Sutra II.7, II.8 – suggests that attachment is the consequence of pleasure as aversion is the consequence of pain.
Sutra II.39 – reminds us that persevering on the path non-covetousness leads to a deeper understanding of the meaning of life.

So, as I get myself ready for this seemingly Herculean task, I will hold fast to my yoga, the practice and the principles. I will remind myself that this too shall all pass. And that this is simply another step in the trajectory of my life. I am grateful to have lived in such a lovely home, grateful that my father has lived such a long and healthy life, and grateful that I have the flexibility to be able to help him in this difficult time.

I thank you in advance for your support and understanding. I look forward to seeing many of you this week, and send you wishes for a happy May.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

December 24, 2013 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Holiday Greetings and Abundance for 2014

Solstice Fire

Happy Holidays Everyone

As we turn the corner from darkness to light, we look to the New Year and see so many opportunities for expansion and fulfillment.

River Tree Yoga continues to grow, serving an enthusiastic population of yogis who love the woods, nature and their practice in equal measure. Yoga in the Pond Room has become a haven for many and our workshops an inspiration for all. I will continue to teach Wednesday nights 6:30-8:00pm, and alternating Saturday mornings at 9:30am.

Mark you calendar for January 19th, 1:00 – 4:00pm for Foundation for a New Beginning, the first workshop of the year will focus on Ten Fundamental yoga poses – perfect for building your home practice and/or deepening your understanding of the poses you see so often in class.

Village Green Yoga has also expanded, adding more teachers and opportunities for learning across a broad range of yoga styles and techniques. My classes continue to be popular with students frequently coming early to reserve their favorite spot.

Sunday Morning Vinyasa has grown to become such a warm and nurturing community of yogis, that we all look forward to the weekend, just so we can spend our Sunday mornings together yoga-ing, laughing and healing.
Monday & Wednesday morning’s Hatha Integration Class is the workshop class for the studio. Come and explore your favorite asanas, practice pranayama and meditation. Study and Inquiry are the hallmark of this alignment-based class. So much to learn, so many ways to deepen.
Tuesday & Thursday Mid-Day Bliss/Gentle is just exactly that; a gentle exploration of posture and breathe, which is massages the mind, body and spirit. An hour of movement in the middle of the day – a beautiful way to renew and inspire.
Tuesdays and Thursday Evening Vinyasa Flow is a steady and playful sequence tuned to some awesome vibes, designed to get the heart rate up and the stress out.

I offer to all a bow of gratitude for your continued support throughout the years. It has been an honor and pleasure to be your teacher, as you continue to be my muse.

May the blessings of the season and the twinkle of bright lights bring joy and peace to you and your loved ones.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

July 10, 2013 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Summer Workshop in Cannon Beach

Discovering the Heart of Yoga

Dynamic Sequencing for Stability, Strength & Intentional Alignment

Moving from our core not only stabilizes our practice, it also invites us deeper into our selves. Core strength refers not only to the strengthening and toning of the abdominal muscles which hold us in standing poses and allow us to float gracefully upward in inversions, it also refers to our ability to connect to the emotional essence of who we are, so that we may stand in our essence and act from our heart.

This workshop will help you discover the strength and stamina you need to live and move from the center of your being. We will explore a range of asanas, including backbends and inversions, as well as breath work (pranayama) and meditation.

Saturday, August 17th, 1:00 – 4:00pm

Cannon Beach Yoga Arts

$40, pre-registration strongly recommended

Workshop limited to 15 students

Register online at:

Cannonbeachyogaarts.com

(503) 440 – 1649

April 20, 2013 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Sunday Morning Salutations

Tomorrow is Earth Day.

Time for Sun Salutations to celebrate and honor our beautiful, amazing, inspiring, and nourishing mother earth.

Class will start at 9:45 in the Down Stairs studio at Village Green Yoga.

Join us for a very special class designed to celebrate our connections to the earth, each other and our deepest wisdom.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

December 7, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Meditating in Difficult Times

The most common reason people say they don’t meditate is that they can’t find the time.

Imagine you actually have found the time and you’re feeling pretty good about your meditation practice. You are committed. Some how you found a way to set aside 10, 20, 40 minutes a day a few times a week to meditate. You didn’t think you could do it, but you did, and you are enjoying the benefits of your practice.

And then life throws you a curve ball. You thought your life was busy before, but now it is outrageous.

Welcome to my life.

I am a full-time mom. I teach yoga part-time. I am involved in several volunteer projects, and I have a home and yard to maintain. I practice yoga and meditate daily. My plate is full, but somehow I get it all done – usually.

Then comes the holiday season. My daughter is a ballet dancer, so there is a lot of shuffling to and fro for Nutcracker rehearsals. Add in the holiday decorating, present preparation, cooking projects, and shopping. Add in a workshop or two, and my plate begins to get very full. Breath, practice, meditate, I remind myself.

But the world continues to conspire against me. Two weeks ago, I got an early morning call from my 92-year-old father that he has had a stroke and is in the E.R. As he lives in Berkeley and I live in Seattle, I found myself spending a lot of time on the phone trying to figure out care options for him. Breathe, practice, meditate, I remind myself. Turns out he didn’t have a stroke and is released from the hospital after two days. Still weak and unsteady, but no longer in need of hospital care. Unfortunately, he falls three days later and needs to go back to the E.R. Clearly I can’t manage the situation from afar, and thus an unplanned trip to the Bay Area is required – immediately. Breath, practice, meditate, I remind myself.

I called Alaska Airlines and bought a last-minute ticket. I scurry around and find folks to cover my classes. I dash out to the store and stock up on frozen meals and fresh fruit for my kids to eat while I am gone. I write out to-do lists for them. I send notes to neighbors asking them to watch out for my kids. Pack a bag and off I go. I spend 4 days in Berkeley taking care of my father; dressing his wounds, helping him find new patterns for life, talking to doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, buying medical supplies, setting up care, oh, and did I mention trying to be a good mom to my kids back at home….

Now I am back, playing catch up. But through it all, my meditation and yoga has saved me. Yes, it was modified. I practiced 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there, wherever I could fit it in. And it did make such a difference. Meditation on the plane made the flight go more quickly. I couldn’t get up and meditate and do yoga in the morning before I needing to care for my father, but I could fit it in when he rested, before I spoke with the doctors, after I made meals or just before bed. Whenever and wherever, and always it helped me to be clearer, calmer, more energetic, compassionate and patient.

The last one on that list is the most important. I am not a saint. I get tired and overwhelmed and frustrated. All of us do. We are all just trying to do the best we can with what we are given.

So if you are kicking yourself because you have let your practice slip, stop kicking. Instead take 5 minutes sometime today, just to stop and breathe. Nothing big, just that – breathe and be. Maybe you will find another 5 minutes later on when you can stretch or do an asana. The important thing is to give yourself that time and to notice how you feel afterwards. That is meditation. That is yoga. That is healing.

Before I close, I want to say a few thanks:

To my yogi friends/teachers who covered my classes at the last-minute – you guys are the best.
To all my students for being the best and most understanding students ever.
To my friends here and in the Bay Area who kept checking-up on me and supporting me.
To the guy on the airplane who gave me a ride home at 11:00 at night.
To the staff at Alta Bates Hospital for taking such good care of my Dad.
To the doctors and nurses and therapists who have been so helpful and informative.
And to my wonderful husband and kids for being so loving and understanding.

Shalom & Namaste
Happy Chanukah
Diana Bonyhadi

P.S: How do you like the falling snow?

September 15, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Facebook – What’s the Point?

Warning this may not seem to have anything to do with yoga. And then again, if yoga is all about being present and aware of everything we do, and how we do it, and if we are trying to live on the eightfold path…. then this has everything to do with yoga.

Did you notice that I have not been on Facebook for a while? It’s true, sometime back in July, I decided to give a give Facebook a wide berth.

Perhaps it was due to spending some time with my friend Gail Hand, author of the recently published guidebook to Facebook entitled: Are You SURE You Want to Post That? This is a great little book, providing essential guidelines on what is appropriate to post on line.

Her book got me thinking about what I was posting on Facebook and why. I had begun to notice that Facebook had become a repository for self-marketing, self-aggrandizement, basic to-do lists and/or manifestations of discontent: “Buy my product, pat my back, I did so many errands today, I won X, or my work is killing me and politics are crazy.”

And before I knew it, I couldn’t think of a single reason to post anything to Facebook. I mean, did folks really want to see my pictures of summer hikes, my gorgeous children, or the 22 pounds of berries I picked and made into jam? Was it necessary for me to clog up the pages of Facebook with announcements of my upcoming classes and workshops. Or was anyone really interested in knowing where I went or reading my thoughts on reality, consciousness or esoteric musings on the nature of the planet?

And so I gave up Facebook. Didn’t even open that tab for close to two months. And I am sorry to say I didn’t miss it. Nope, no withdrawals symptoms here. Periodically it did cross my mind to anti-up and use the FB to do a bit of marketing (self-aggrandizement), but that seemed selfish, so I kept the tab closed. And then there were those moments when I wanted to know how my kids were doing, but that struck me as voyeuristic, so I picked up the phone and called them instead.

Did I save time? Probably, because once you check your status, and all your friends’ statuses and look at everyone’s pictures, an hour (or two) can easily pass you by. I did notice that the amount of time I spent in front of my computer screen decreased, which I think is a good thing. Did I miss reading everyone’s posts? Surprisingly, I did not. I don’t know if I missed anything really important, but the world seems to have gone on just fine without me. Did I feel better/more superior for not “doing” Facebook? Thankfully, No. Did anyone notice that I wasn’t posting or responding to post on FB? – I don’t know, and I kinda sorta doubt it.

So not only could I not find a reason to post, I also could not find a reason to read, scan, peruse, or sleuth about in the bowels of Facebook. The longer I stayed away, the harder it was to consider going back. But as you can see, this is all written in past tense, so go back, I must have.

It was at the beginning of this week. I don’t know how it happened. But somehow, the tab popped open and I stayed to look. The good news, the fantastic news, is that the first thing I saw was a lovely comment on the beauty of the planet, then an inspirational picture of my good friend and fellow yogi, followed by an announcement/invitation to a cause I really care about. Facebook showed me beauty, gave me inspiration and made me smile.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a reason to contribute a post that would not fall into the category of bragging, marketing or kevetching. I still can’t answer the question “why post?” without the answer boiling down to “come see the cool things I am doing or thinking about” and that still sounds like showing off or bragging to me. But maybe that is ok.

In this busy busy world where computers and cell phones are a way of life, Facebook is now an important marketing tool and a social connector. Yes, it can be a vehicle for simply sharing the tedium of one’s life, or it can be a vehicle of inspiration and change. As with all things, the choice will be our own. And it will be up to each of us to answer the question: what am I posting and why does it matter?

I welcome your thoughts on this. How do you “use” Facebook? Why do you use Facebook? How much time do you spend on Facebook? And anything else you think is important to consider when choosing to go to or post to the big FB.

Have a great week

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

September 1, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Appreciating the Labors of Living

Hello Everyone,

This weekend marks the official end of summer. Folks are bounding out for their final fling; boating, hiking, beaching, capturing live music. I hope that this weekend you will find some time to celebrate and honor the labors that you have put forth this year.

Often times we find ourselves running from one thing on our “to-do” list to the next. We wonder if we will ever get it all done. By the time we are half way through that list, we are already building the next list. It is this busy-ness of living that wears us down. Without taking time out to appreciate all that we have done, we will forever feel like the mouse on the wheel; spinning and spinning, yet going no where.

This is, I think one of the true gifts of meditation. We set aside time to be in stillness. We give ourselves permission to step off the spinning wheel of the doing and busy-ness of living. This is really hard to do, believe me, I know. I really like my lists. I am a doer of the highest order. And while we may stop our physical activities, the mind is still trying to keep it all going. It takes time for the mind to slow down, and stop making lists and telling stories. But if we get in the habit of sitting, every day, if even for a just a little bit, our bodies and our minds begin to look forward to this time of not doing, to this time of being. If you are new to meditation, or are looking for a refresher class, I will be hosting a meditation workshop September 22 at Village Green Yoga.

So, I am grateful for Labor Day Weekend. I am grateful I have the time to pause and reflect on all that I have done this year. I am grateful to all the workers – that would be all of us – who make this life possible. So a big shout out to farmers, truckers, engineers, laborers, office workers, cooks, writers, yogis, scientists, teachers, all of you who put your time and energy into making a living and making a life. Thank you for your labors of living.

Have a great weekend. Step with ease into the Fall. Lots of interesting things will be happening in the Seattle yoga community. My contributions include a couple of workshops and a meditation circle to begin in October, after I return from a meditation trip to India. A brief summary of my schedule is listed below, more details available through the links.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

Upcoming Events:

Loving Your Sun – A workshop exploring the fun-damentals of the sun salutation series

Intro to Meditation – A workshop offering tips and tools to help your meditation practice.

Class Schedule

Day Time Style Location

Monday 9:30 – 11:00 Hatha Integration Village Green Yoga

Tuesday Noon – 1:00 Hatha Integration Swedish Hospital

Tuesday 5:30 – 6:45 Vinyasa Flow Village Green Yoga

Wednesday 9:30 – 11:00 Hatha Integration Village Green Yoga

Thursday Noon – 1:00 Hatha Integration Swedish Hospital

Thursday 5:30 – 6:45 Vinyasa Flow Village Green Yoga

Sunday 9:30 – 11:00 Sunday Salutations Village Green Yoga

July 21, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

I Do Not Live Here Alone

I came across this poem today, and since its been so long since I’ve done a post I thought I would keep it short and sweet. I do believe that everything we do is interconnected. That every action is significant, and that every person is important and perfect.

I Do Not Live Here Alone

Each breath I take affects the air all around me

 Each word I utter falls on someone else’s ears.

That which I touch is felt by another .

That which I do will certainly affect another .

That which I do not, will also affect another.

We never know how far-reaching something we say or do  really is, until it returns to us.

And it always does.

All things in life form a circle .

Whether or or not we see the circle.

I do not live here alone.

April 25, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Meditation Blog – I will always be a beginner

So I have been meditating off and on for over 20 years. That seems like a long time when I put it down on paper. But in actuality, it feels like a short time. Why? Because I still feel like such a beginner.

This Fall I rededicated myself to my meditation practice. I promised myself I would meditate at least twenty minutes a day every day of the week. Twenty minutes isn’t that long. Particularly if you think of what a small fraction it is of a twenty-four hour day. But actually taking out twenty minutes from every day to meditate has been harder than you might think.

And it is not that I don’t want to meditate. I do. In fact, I love meditating. It’s just that I can find all sorts of reasons to procrastinate – too much going on around me, I might be interrupted, I just need to make that phone call, and return an email, I woke up late, I will get to it later….

The trick I have found is to either do it first thing in the morning, or at mid-day during my lunch break. Getting to it in the evening never seems to work.

You can probably tell by all this that I haven’t always meditated every day, but I think that getting to it at least 5 days a week is a good start.

Now about those 20 years of practice. I have learned/tried a lot of different styles of meditation. Living in the Bay Area in the 1970’s, Transcendental Meditation (TM) was all the rage. Since then I experimented with several other kinds of meditation, with varying degrees of satisfaction.

I can’t say there is one best way to do it. I view all the different styles as useful paths to get to the same place. Some are more rigid and demanding than others. All offer tools and techniques to assist you in your journey. The main thing I have found is that it takes patience and practice.

Here are few tools I have found to be very helpful this year.

Listen to Dharma Talks: They are readily available on the internet. Google Dharma talks and see where it takes you. I have over the past year had the privilege to listen to so many wise teachers just by checking out their audio blogs online. I have learned so much about myself and my practice, and the Dharma path.

Insight Meditation Timer: This is a handy app available for both Droid and IPhone formats. I turn my phone to silent mode, and choose a preset timer, and off I go. I have created several presets, so that I can choose whether I will have a 10, 20 or 40 minute meditation. I love the interval gongs and the ending gongs, and the journal and statistics options are helpful. It is also nice to see who else around the world is meditating with you.

Find a Teacher: Meditation is both hard and easy. It is helpful to have someone you trust to whom you can direct your questions. You will be amazed at what you discover about yourself and your mind while in meditation. Having someone to talk to about your experiences and to guide you is nourishing.

Meditate with Others: If you have a commitment to share meditation space with others it will help to ensure that you will actually practice on that day at that time. This is the obvious benefit. But there is also the amazing energy of being in the same room with other folks who are meditating. Their energy will support your energy. For all you know, they too could be wondering about the dust in their navel, but maybe, just maybe, they are deeply connected to the energies of the universe, and that is good mojo.

Give Yourself a Break: Okay, so you skipped the meditation this morning. The world won’t end. Okay, so you spent your entire meditation doing your errands in your head. That’s happens too. Meditation is not about being perfect. It is about learning; learning to watch the mind, learning to calm the mind, learning to learn and learning to connect. Meditation is about everything else and nothing else, and so, it is about learning to give yourself a break.

Yes, after all these years I am still a beginner. I don’t know what my meditation practice will yield on any given day. I don’t know if I will be able to sit comfortably or not. I don’t know if I will have one of those amazing moments of connection and stillness. I may have none or a may feel transported for the entire session. But I do know, that just by trying, my response to my world has gotten calmer, and for that I am grateful.

Shalom & Namaste
Diana Bonyhadi

April 20, 2012 by Diana Gould Bonyhadi

Yoga Videos Worth Thinking About

Hi Everyone,

It has been a busy couple of weeks around here. I have been on vacation with my children. Driven from Seattle to San Francisco and back again. Gone on a journey from Slavery to Freedom, eating the whole way, and have launched a meditation circle, just because folks seemed interested.

There has been lot of interesting news out in the yoga world. It amazes me how much one can learn about the yoga world by keeping their eyes on their computer. But as you know, sitting in front of a computer is not one of my favorite things to do, so I do it in fits in spurts. I admire all of you super active bloggers and yogis.

Anyway, I came across these videos over the past couple of days and they continue to tumble around in my head.

I haven’t decided if I really like the first one, or if it really bugs me. The yoga is amazing, but there are a couple of other details about it that leave me wondering. What do you think?
.