Downdog For Roaddogs: Yoga for Rock and Roll Tours and Other Cosmic Journeys of the Heart: September 3, 2017

There are few things that move me out of my comfort zone more than handstand unsupported by a wall. Excitement aside, the act of going upside down, with only my hands in contact with the earth is disorienting, fatiguing, and challenges many of my habitual patterns of being.

It has a lot in common with going out on tour with a rock band, and lately I’ve had a lot of practice with both.

My sweetheart, David, has been a touring musician for over 50 years. We’ve been together for 13, and really, really together for the last 3, as I’ve quit my day job as a yoga teacher to go out on the road with him, full time.

The ancient yoga texts don’t say much about how to align your handstand, but they do say a lot about how to align your heart. And more than any handstand, I want to learn how to be a good partner, daughter, aunt, friend and human being.  It just so happens, to align my heart with my life entails crisis-crossing the country a few dozen times for over 100 shows a year. Like handstand, it’s an opportunity to practice yoga, for real, and I simply can’t resist.

When I first started touring, I was afraid my yoga practice would drift into the ether. But just the opposite happened, and if anything I’m more in Love with yoga than ever. This blog, Downdog For Roaddogs is about road-tested yoga practices that stretch my heart in such wondrous and unexpected ways, I just have to share.

I’ve been blogging for a while and, similar to handstand and to touring, finding connection with community is key to the joy. As the yogi Bill Wilson once said, “without help it is too much for us”.  Please come along for the ride on this yoga inspired journey where we will be touring far and wide, but mainly traveling deep in the path of the heart.

Namaste