Say the word “festival” in Perth and it conjures up images of rowdy crowds boozing it up and jumping around in mosh pits to music so loud it makes your ears bleed.

But the BaliSpirit Festival in Ubud, the art and cultural centre of Bali just north of Kuta, is a wholly different picture. the Big Day Out it’s certainly not.

Instead of thrashing about in a mosh pit, you can take a yoga class surrounded by lush gardens. instead of sweating it out on a sports oval, you can get some healing bodywork in the pool; and instead of queuing to pay for exorbitantly priced alcoholic drinks, you can get fresh organic food and juices for next to nothing.

Now in its fourth year, the BaliSpirit Festival bills itself as “a leader among a new generation of festivals for the rapidly growing holistic travel marketplace”.

According to one of its Balinese co-founders, Kadek Gunarta: “The inspiration of the festival is to bring people from all over the world to come here and have an incredible experience. everybody comes home with a little bit of inspiration . . . to start something good.”

In 2008, Kadek and his team organised the first BaliSpirit Festival in just three months. He says the event “lost money spectacularly”, but he still honoured its commitment to donate money to several local charities.

Since then, the festival has grown significantly, with ticket sales doubling each year. Last year, more than 4000 people from around the world attended the festival, and organisers expect an increase on that figure this year.

More than 100 workshops will be held over five days at two separate venues. a 10-minute shuttle bus ride from Ubud, the Purnati Centre for the Arts, with its green lawns and river, will host about 25 a day, in yoga, meditation and dance, in six different pavilions; and nightly concerts will be held at the Arma Arts Centre, minutes from the centre of town.

Yoga

Some of the biggest names in the yoga world will offer different types of yoga, including instructors who have developed their own styles. some of the highlights will include Kundalini yoga, designed to open the body’s energy channels, and Dynamic Vinyasa Flow, which combines yoga with live music.

Most of the workshops will be open level, with easier options for beginners, while for more advanced yogis there will be workshops on how to develop a personal practice. the festival caters for all ages.

Dance and Energy

People are urged to let go of their inhibitions and “dance like no one’s watching”. Highlights will include Hoop Dance Yoga which uses a hula hoop to strengthen and stretch the body and Yoga Meets Dance, a “fun and energetic” workshop inspired by the five elements of nature.

And if you’ve wanted to learn fire twirling, a safe way to start is with Play Poi, a form of dance where weights are swung in a rhythmical pattern. you can graduate to using fire later.

Meditation and Healing

The pool at the Purnati Centre isn’t just for cooling off between workshops – it doubles as a healing space. described as a “water dance”, Watsu bodywork uses techniques from Shiatsu massage to create an extremely nurturing experience.

Supported by flotation devices, participants will get to relax while the Watsu practitioner does all the work and moves their limbs for them in what’s described as a “blissful” experience.

Other highlights will include Pranayama workshops where participants learn ancient breathing techniques to free up the flow of energy in the body.

Music

If you’ve wanted to have a go at African drumming or Indian chanting, the festival is your chance. More than 100 musicians will take part, both in workshops during the day and concerts at night. Delhi to Dublin is a group of five musicians who “mash up electronic and world music” using exotic-sounding instruments like the tabla, dhol and electric sitar.

Another highlight will be Indonesian artist Susu Ibu, who collaborates with artists from around the world to create multimedia projects which weave music, dance, the spoken word and film together.

Dharma Fair

This is a space to chill out in between workshops, with organic and raw food, and seminars in health and healing. Sessions include massage, natural facials, iridology and reiki.

FACT FILE

• the festival is from March 23-27 in Ubud, Bali. a three- day pass is US$350, a five-day pass is US$580 and a VIP pass is US$680.

• For tickets and accommodation, visit balispiritfestival.com.

Holistic spirit of Bali

SUNDAY, FEB. 13COMMUNITY EVENTSApplebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast to support the Norristown Area High School Band will be held 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Grill & Bar, 555 S. Trooper Road, Norristown. Tickets: $7, adults; $5, children under 5, available at band practice and through music students or by calling 610-584-4773. Limited amount of tickets sold at the door.Conshohocken Art League annual tea will be 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mary Wood Park House, 120 E. fifth Ave., Conshohocken. Guest speaker will be Monica Zimmerman from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Snow date (over 3 inches) is Feb. 20. Information: Judy Alexy at 610-825-9280 or log onto ConshohockenArtLeague.org.an Afternoon with Mary Todd Lincoln, hosted by the Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb St., Norristown, begins at 2 p.m. Historical interpreter and actor Melissa Yiaski Rabinsky will portray the troubled first lady as she recounts stories of her childhood in Kentucky, her family, courtship with mr. Lincoln, the loss of her children, her years in the White House and her 1876 insanity trial instigated by her son, Robert. Free, open to the public. Parking available in the rear lot.Information: 610-272-0297 or e-mail Cross-country ski clinic will be 1 p.m. at Green Lane Park, Depp Creek Pavilion, snow or not, for ages 10 and over. Improve technique for maximum glide, learn about equipment, clubs, places to ski. On-snow instruction, if conditions permit. Bring your own skis. Free. Pre-registration required by calling 215-234-4528. Information: phs.montcopa.org.Cabin Fever used Book Sale, 1 to 5 p.m. at Lower Providence Community Library, 50 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, features a Book Boutique with nearly new items, collectibles, signed copies. Shop the Bag Sale ($5 per bag) through Feb. 20. Thousands of gently used books for all ages and interests. Proceeds go to the library. Information: lowerprovidencelibrary.org or 610-666-6640.HEALTHAmerican Red Cross blood drive ASCU – bus (platelet donations) will be at Beth Sholom, 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Appointments: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.orgSUPPORT GROUPSThe Suburban 7 Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. in the Walkup Room, Mercy Suburban Hospital, DeKalb Pike, East Norriton.King of Prussia Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. at the good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Henderson and Valley Forge roads, King of Prussia. Information: 215-923-7900.King of Prussia Alcoholics Anonymous day meetings take place 7 a.m. daily and noon Monday through Friday at Upper Merion Baptist Church, Valley Forge and Gen. Steuben roads, King of Prussia.Solo Por Hoy, Spanish speaking Alcoholics Anonymous, meets 1:40 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Thursday behind St. Patrick’s Church, 714 DeKalb St., Norristown.Third Step Group, Alcoholics Anonymous, meets 2 p.m. at Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church, 1921 W. Main St. Jeffersonville.Fresh start Group, Alcoholics Anonymous, meets 8 p.m. at Norriton Presbyterian Church, 608 Trooper Road at Germantown Pike, East Norriton.Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. in the Commons, Eagleville Hospital, 100 Eagleville Road, Eagleville. Information: 610-539-6000.New Beginnings Al-Anon family group meets at 7 p.m. at Green Tree Church, Oaks.Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Route 724 and Bonnie Brae Road, Spring City.Overcomers Outreach care group for those affected by substance abuse or difficult relational situations, meets 7 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays at Church of the Saviour, 651 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne. Information: 610-688-6338, ext. 268.Addicts Victorious Support Group meets at 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the Christian Church of Divine Truth, 6065 E. Wister St., Philadelphia.MONDAY, FEB. 14COMMUNITY EVENTSStewart Middle School, 1315 W. Marshall St., Norristown, is collecting for Soldier Care Packages, Drop off any items at the school, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Karen’s Kloset, a charitable endeavor in Norristown, is being organized to help dress women for job interviews and is seeking donations of good-conditioned, well cared for, clean and stylish clothing. Being accepted are suits, dresses, blouses and sweaters, shoes, handbags, jewelry and coats. Especially needed are women’s plus size (18 and larger) and shoes in 9.5 and larger and wide width. Information, appointment: 610-277-2532.Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell St., Norristown, offers infant/toddler story time, with stories, songs, fingerplays and creative movement or ages birth through 3 years and their caregivers, at 9:30 and again at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Department second floor. no registration is necessary. Valentine Bingo is 4 to 4:45 p.m. Children’s Department for ages kindergarten and up. Information: 610-278-5100, ext. 3.Lower Providence Comunity Library, 50 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, offers story time at 10:30 a.m. for infants to age 2 and at 11:15 a.m. older 2s and 3-year-olds. Information: 610-666-6640 or lowerprovidencelibrary.org.Wissahickon Valley Public Library, Blue Bell Branch, 650 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, hosts storytime for all ages at 10:30 a.m. Knitting group meets 11 a.m. year-round for those who want to work on a project or observe and learn. Hatha yoga is at 1:30 p.m. Bring a mat and towel. Fee: $20 for eight classes or drop-in for $5 per class. Tai chi class led by Dr. Kurt Findeisen is at 3 p.m. Fee: $20 for eight classes or drop-in for $5 per class. At 7 p.m., Socrates Cafe discusses various issues, led by Sam Frederick. Free. Information: 215-643-1320 or wvpl.org.Royersford Free Public Library, 200 S. Fourth Ave., Royersford, offers story times, 10:15 a.m. for children of any age and 11:15 a.m. for ages 3 and older. Free, no registration required. Information: mc.npl.org, choose Royersford Branch or call 610-948-7277.Bookmobile of the Montgomery Library District will visit Norriton Square Shopping Center, ShopRite, 55 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.English as a second language classes are offered by the Literacy Council of Norristown, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Airy and DeKalb streets, Norristown. Information: 610-292-8515 or visit LcnLit.org.Learn-to-Line-Dance Classes take place 7 p.m. at the Norristown Maenner Chor Club, 920 Haws Ave., Norristown. Sign-in by 6:45 p.m. Dances include Philly line, soul line and some country line. Information: Joanne at 610-322-2986 or joannemurray47@yahoo.com; or Carol at 484-919-3690 or ORGANIZATIONSKnit-Knights Group meets 6:30 p.m. weekly at the Conshohocken Free Library, 301 Fayette St., Conshohocken. all are welcome to join in knitting, crocheting, conversation and “knit-networking” with a chance to learn new skills and share them in a relaxed environment. Numerous handmade items are donated to charity. Information: Peggy at 610-828-0568 or the library at 610-825-1656 or tinyurl.com/knotch.Collegeville Business Network Group (CBNG) weekly breakfast meeting, 8 to 9 a.m. at Collegeville Dinner, 290 E. Main St., Collegeville. Cost: $10. New members welcome. all attendees give a 30-second commercial. Opportunity to sign-up for 10-minute presentation. Business cards exchanged. Information: Barbara Ayling at 610-489-6881 or Babe4899@aol.com; or Rick Bergami at 484-921-4150.the Liberty Belles is seeking women singers who would like to experience barbershop harmony. Rehearsals are Mondays at 7 p.m. at St. John’s U.C.C. Church, Main and Richardson streets, Lansdale. Ability to read music is helpful but not necessary. Information: 610-584-4238.HEALTHAmerican Red Cross blood drive will be at Montgomery County Community College (West), 101 College Drive James I. Mullen Community Room 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments or information: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or redcrossblood.org/.Montgomery County Health Department is using an appointment system for immunizations Immunizations remain free for residents. Call the Health Center nearest you to make an appointment: Norristown – 610-278-5145; Pottstown – 610-979-5040 or Willow Grove – 215-784-5415.Free blood pressure screening daily at the Medicine Shoppe, 2109 W. Main St., Jeffersonville. Information: 610-539-7282.Free back and spinal screening and blood pressure checks, weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., at DeKalb Chiropractic Center, 106 DeKalb St., Bridgeport. Information: 610-272-4181.Free, informative, spinal care workshops on such topics as fibromyalgia, migraines, overall health and more will be given by Dr. Benjamin Grisafi, 6:15 p.m. at 507 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton. Information: 610-275-3355.RESALE SHOPSBelfry Bargains Thrift Shop, operated by the Church of the Messiah, Route 202, just south of Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd, is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Clothing, toys, bric-a-brac, housewares and collectibles. Donations also accepted. Information: 215-699-3441.Crossroad Gift & Thrift Shop, 139 W. Main St., Norristown, a registered nonprofit thrift store, sells clothing for the whole family, small household items and furniture, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with proceeds benefiting Mennonite Central Committee, a worldwide relief and service agency. MCC’s Counter-Top Collection Box Project for now is for support of churches and partner organizations to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS to provide treatment and nutrition for those who are ill for children who have been oprhaned by AIDS. Visitors’ loose change helps greatly. Information: 610-275-3772.Marian’s Attic, 255 Town Center Road, Valley Forge Shopping Center, King of Prussia, is open for donations and sales of gently used clothing, jewelry, decorator items, collectibles, artwork and housewares. Tax receipts are given. Shop hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the shop benefits the programs of Laurel House, which provides a safe haven for abused women and their children. Information: 610-337-3068.SAAC’s fifth Avenue shop at the Montgomery County Senior Center, 536 George St., Norristown, is open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Clothing, knick-knacks and more. Donations accepted 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Large-size clothing is especially appreciated. Information: 610-275-1960.Sweet Repeats Thrift Shop, 499 E. Walnut St., North Wales (sponsored by the Lamb Foundation that supports disabled adults), features furniture, collectibles, household items and clothing. Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday. Information: 215-661-8800.the Well Thrift Shop, 107 E. Fourth Ave., Conshohocken, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday Clothing, household goods, books, etc. Volunteers and donations always welcome. Operated by Colonial Neighborhood Council.SUPPORT GROUPSDivorceCare, a support group for separated and divorced men and women, begins 6:30 p.m. at Fairview Village Church, 3044 W. Germantown Pike, Eagleville. Information: 610-539-3333, ext. 249 or Overcomers (Celebrate Recovery) meets 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church, 1208 Green St., Norristown.Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfuctional Families meets 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Green Tree Church of the Brethren, 1078 Egypt Road. Information: Ed, 610-937-5514.Montgomery County Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Mondays at Calvary Episcopal Church, Fourth and Fayette streets, Conshohocken.Conshohocken Recovery AA Group meets 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Fourth and Harry streets, Conshohocken, for those with alcohol and drug problems.King of Prussia Alcoholics Anonymous meetings take place 7 a.m. daily at Upper Merion Baptist Church, Valley Forge and Gen. Steuben roads, King of Prussia, and at noon at Church of Christ, 590 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, Monday through Friday.Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. in the dining room at Valley Forge Medical Center & Hospital, 1033 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton. Alanon, for families of alcoholics, meets 8:30 p.m. in the Wolffe Conference Room, and Alateen, for teens with alcoholic family members, meets 8:30 p.m. in the Therapy Room. Information: 610-539-8500.Nar-Anon family group meeting, Bryn Mawr Group, 8:30 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer, New Gulph and Pennswood roads, Bryn Mawr. Beginners meet at 7:30 p.m. for further listing information or to leave message, call the Nar-Anon Hot Line at 215-446-8452.Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7:30 p.m. at Renaissance Nutrition Center, 2500 DeKalb Pike, Suite 200, East Norriton.Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7 a.m. at Church of Christ, 590 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia. Handicapped accessible. Information: Carolyn at 267-255-2639.fifth Chapter Group, Alcoholics Anonymous, meets 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, DeKalb Pike and Hancock Avenue, East Norriton.First Step Valley Forge Group, Alcoholics Anonymous, meets 8:30 p.m. at Valley Forge Medical Center, 1033 W. Germantown Pike, Norristown.Co-Dependents Anonymous Chestnut Hill Group meets 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Teenagers Inc., 105 Bethlehem Pike, Chestnut Hill, across the street from the Chestnut Hill East train station. Co-Dependents Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence and the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. Information: Chuck S. at 267-253-9562 or visit Suicide Anonymous, a 12-step program to help people end chronic thoughts of suicide and death, meets first and third Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Montgomery County Human Services Center, Conference Room C, 1430 DeKalb St., Norristown. Entrance and parking off Fornance Street. Information: 484-580-8049.Tender Transitions, a support group for all new moms, meets 11 a.m. Mondays at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, 1600 E. High St., Pottstown, in the Maternity and Women’s Health Center, second floor. Information: 610-327-7213. 

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Happenings – timesherald.com

Watch KSAT’s ReportBACKGROUND: Yoga is an ancient practice, originating in India more than 5,000 years ago. it started as a mental and physical exercise system designed to prolong life, enhance health and promote personal freedom. the word

We’re almost a month into the new year and it’s time to take a look at how well those resolutions are holding up.

As always, drinking less, saving more cash and quitting smoking are at the top of our lists, along with the ever-present desire to get in shape. Like many, you may have signed up at the gym — and that could very well have been the last time you entered it. If the latter rings true, consider trying something different this year.

Yoga is both physically demanding and deeply spiritual, and when you’re practising it, it really feels like you’re taking time out for you (which may even be another one of your resolutions).

If you’ve only done yoga a couple of times before, or maybe never at all, doing a 30-day challenge is a great way to kick things off. No, I’m not crazy. A couple of months ago I tried it myself at North Vancouver’s Yogapod. the rules are pretty straightforward: practise yoga at least once a day for 30 days in a row. You can skip once a week but you must double-up on another day. You can also practise at a different studio once a week.

Week one was a rude awakening. It didn’t help that I started off in a hot tragically hips class after a late night — sweating profusely in a 40 C room while dehydrated is not a good time. Needless to say, I quit drinking for the rest of the challenge and it wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be. It was actually kind of a relief for my body and, frankly, my budget.

As things progressed, I got a feel for the different classes. Yin meditation is slow and balanced, with each posture being held for a few minutes. It’s a great way to unwind. Vinyasa flow and anusara-inspired seemed similar to me: both worked with sequences of postures and breath. We did partner work in a couple of anusara classes, which was a nice change of pace. one of my biggest fears as a newbie stepping into a yoga class was being surrounded by gorgeous, Lululemon-sporting women who would secretly smirk at my awkward down dogs and wobbly eagle pose. the first part of that came true, but I found nothing but support from instructors and classmates. Most of the time everyone was deep in concentration, attuned only to their personal practises.

Power yoga, which I did a few times at a downtown studio, is an intense, fast-paced workout that will leave you feeling strong and invigorated. and hot, as aforementioned, will leave you sweating like a racehorse, but in a good way. A detoxifying, 500-1,000 calories burned way.

So, did I finish the challenge? Hell yeah. But it wasn’t easy. There were days when I felt sick or tired, but laying in child’s pose is always an option. You can also talk to the instructor about working on a specific area like the hips or back.

Plus, the benefits were well worth all the hard work. I felt happier, healthier and tighter — in every area — and my clothes fit better. by the end of my 30 days I could almost do a handstand. well, I had attempted it at least.

Physical challenges aside, there’s a big time commitment involved. Luckily, classes are open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. most days; you just have to squeeze one in whenever it’s convenient.

Yogapod’s next 30-day challenge runs Feb 1-March 2. an orientation meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m., at the studio, located at 101-260 West Esplanade St. the cost is $108. Info: yogapod.com.

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Take the 30-day yoga challenge

Talking to Alison West, a yoga teacher’s teacher, on how to express physical notions in precise words.

On a recent frigid January morning in New York City, Alison West was working on cheering her roomful of yoga students. “Experience joy through liquid light coursing through your arteries,” she instructed them. Her communication with the class was somewhat hindered that day as she had lost her voice. “Pure joy, in yogic terms, is an intrinsic part of our being that we obscure as adults,” she adds in a whisper. “A child wakes up in the morning and experiences joy for no apparent cause, while we grownups look for causes for our joy.” Her laryngitis is somewhat ironic, as she’s just come back from a ten-day silent retreat. But normally, aside from backbends and handstands, what West does extremely well is talk.

Renaissance yogaAlison West, Ph.D., E-RYT, co-founder of the Yoga Union Center for Backcare and Scoliosis, is known for her dynamic and precise instruction and pioneering principles of practice. She has studied both Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga extensively, along with the philosophy of yoga and meditation. West is considered a teacher’s teacher; she conducts “gold standard” biannual 200-hour teacher training sessions. Her yoga therapy specialties include yoga for physical problems such as scoliosis, as well as for anxiety, depression, asthma, and diabetes.     But that’s only a piece of the story. West, who was born and raised in Europe of American parents, has a doctorate in art history from New York University, worked on the curatorial staff of the Frick Collection and taught art history as an assistant professor at Columbia. Her study From Pigalle to Préault: Neoclassicism and the Sublime in French Sculpture, 1760–1840, was published by Cambridge University Press in 1998. She also somehow managed to pursue a career as a contemporary dancer after studying ballet, though she came to yoga not through dance but from helping a friend with scoliosis.     She certainly doesn’t consider her academic career wasted. Anyone trained in analytic thinking, she feels, has acquired a skill that’s important for teaching yoga. every school of yoga has a different approach to language. Anusara, for instance, is verbally and philosophically predicated on opening the heart and body; Iyengar uses clarity to describe physical alignment; Ashtanga is silent apart from utterances of the names of poses or breaths and places importance on positioning the gaze to focus the mind. “Having trained as an art historian, I’m used to comparing forms with heightened visual acuity,” West remarks, and this visual sense helps her take in bodies and poses so as to compare what she sees with the “ideal,” although she is careful to point out that there is no absolute in the form of the pose. Different traditions have different approaches.. But what makes her that teacher’s teacher is her eloquence.     ”Speech inspires students to find something in their practice they might not otherwise have,” says West. Poetic allusion, lyrical speech, “inspired vision”? She uses them all. “the right metaphor helps students find a state of mind that’s normally inaccessible,” she continues. still, when she uses a phrase such as “directing energies” (which she says in yogic terms is very real, but to a Western mind merely a metaphor or simile), she’s also conscious that for some such “spiritual” language is meaningless. It’s irrelevant, as far as she’s concerned. “the great thing about yoga is that it meets you where you are, and this doesn’t prevent anyone from doing it.”

If it’s not the same, it’s not the sameThere’s no one way of saying or explaining something in yoga, in West’s opinion—”Simile, parable, demonstration, laughter — they all have their uses.” Demonstration, she says, is “writing with the body.” She may deliberately limit her teacher trainees’ ways of speaking to discourage them from using language that is too florid or to prevent them from trying to be too original: “I want them to be in command of what they want to say and gain confidence this way first.” West’s style may not be the enthusiastic, “Hike your tush!” type, but some teachers, she says, succeed by being colorful and vivid—the end result can put people at ease in a down-home way.     the one thing she feels every teacher must be is authentic, though each may express ideas differently and find his or her own imagery. For West, that imagery is all from her own practice and from life all around her. “I might say ‘Lengthen the sacrum,’ or ‘Lift the pubic bone,’ for instance. They’re different, but they may achieve similar results—only one will focus on the back of the body, the spine and bones, while the other is engaged with the soft front of the body and activity there,” she says, “and each has its own effect on the central nervous system.” These subtleties are important to West. “I often say, ‘if it’s not the same, it’s not the same,’ and what I mean by this is that something may be similar, but not identical. It’s important to really understand this talk of variation to fully appreciate change and how to grow.”

Hearing silenceWest says that she could never think of practicing yoga without concluding with the “corpse pose” or “savasana,” which is when students lie on their backs and let go. Savasana is said to help the mind and body relax and release stress and tension. “This lets students process the knowledge they might have gained in class, much the way sleep helps us process the day before,” says West. “We’re letting go of all doing—doing nothing while remaining conscious of doing nothing—that way we’re close to hearing silence.”

A Yoga Master Speaks