If you were in class this weekend, you may have heard me talk about the "peace pool." I like to imagine it as a vast reservoir of peaceful energy that we can either contribute to or draw from. When we need peace, it’s reassuring to know we can pull from this pool. And let’s be honest, we all have moments when we're running low. But just as important, when we're feeling grounded, calm, and truly at peace, we can make a deposit, contributing to the collective well-being of others.
Does it really work like this? Think about how you feel in the presence of a positive, happy person—it lifts your spirits, doesn’t it? On the other hand, spending time with a negative person can leave you feeling drained. Why? Because we all radiate energy, and that energy inevitably impacts those around us. Sometimes, we can even tap into energy from afar.


Last night, for example, I was in Asbury Park when Bruce Springsteen was playing a huge concert. I didn’t have tickets, and truthfully, I don’t know much of his music (I grew up in the Bronx during the disco era, and then moved on to New Wave—so there was no "Boss" in my early life, nothing personal Bruce!). The excitement in the air was contagious—people were dancing in the streets, and the joy was palpable. Even without being inside the venue, I could feel the happiness and energy radiating through the entire town. It was like I was bathed in the peace pool without even trying.
So how do we give more to the peace pool? We start by engaging in activities that bring us inner peace. And how do we receive from it? Through gratitude and devotion. When we focus on these, we’re immediately plunged into the pool, and what's beautiful is that even when we take, we find ourselves giving right back almost instantly.


We have some upcoming events that will help you dive deeper into this peace pool. Guided meditation with Deb is a sure way to experience how giving from the heart brings more peace into your life. The upcoming workshop with Alex and Sarah will fill you with wonder and ease, while the Divine Feminine event will guide you toward reconnecting with your innate source of joy.
TRE helps to clear blockages so you can see that you are actually IN the peace pool.
Check out the upcoming workshops and let yourself be immersed in this beautiful and beneficial pool of peace!

My teacher Mukunda often reminded us that one of the best paths to higher consciousness is asking good questions. In the Yoga Sutras, this is known as Svadhyaya, or self-study. Mukunda would challenge us to ask ourselves an essential question: "Is what I am doing giving me what I want?" This question is powerful, and its true depth is revealed only when we sincerely apply it to ourselves.
What question could you ask yourself that might lead to an awakening? A full yoga practice—whether through asana, meditation, or mindfulness—offers a fertile ground for self-inquiry. For mindfulness, the question might be as simple as, "Am I aware right now?" In meditation, we could ask, "Am I lost in my monkey mind, or am I focused on my intended object—whether a mantra, a candle flame, or the breath?" During asana, we might consider, "Is this pose causing harm (himsa) or is it sattvic (harmonious)?" If the pose is causing harm, we can then ask, "Do I want to create harm in my own body, or would I rather cultivate santosha (contentment) through a more harmonious practice?"

Can you see the progression? By asking ourselves simple questions, we open the door to deeper inquiries that can lead to moments of enlightenment—if we are paying attention. Mukunda emphasized that discovering our own truth is the most healing aspect of a yoga practice, and he believed that this truth is the key to its therapeutic power.

We have a choice: we can follow the path of inquiry as it builds a structure leading to true awareness, or we can stop at the surface, claiming we already know the answers, and remain stuck in patterns that may cause our own suffering. To build a structure of higher consciousness, we must avoid limiting responses like "I already know this," "I completely understand," or "This is as good as it gets." These statements cut off the path to deeper questioning and prevent us from constructing a stronger, more stable foundation that leads to wisdom. Instead, try flipping these statements to questions like this: "What don't I know about this?" "Is there more to understand?" "Can this be better?" The less we rush to find answers, the more we will truly understand. This is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
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This fall we have plenty of workshops that will help you ask better questions, whether they are about your asana practice (Yoga Immersion, Restore and Renew, Yoga Basics), what you mind is doing (Meditation, TRE) and if you are truly being mindful (well, all of the workshops really).

check out the workshops here

What question will you start with?