gdp's Comments

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : My teacher is gone. ~ Leslie Kaminoff

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 17:15:52 +0000

"That’s the thing with dementia—you begin mourning long before your loved one dies." brought me to tears. So many people (literally millions) mourn with you - not just for the yogi, your teacher, but through losing a loved one to the fog of dementia. It is SO hard to lose someone to dementia - to see their bodies in front of you while the personality & intellect dissolves before your very eyes. Equally hard when the people, the family, around the person proceed for so long like nothing is wrong and then dress it up or even hide it. I watched my great-grandmother and my grandfather disappear before my very eyes and am forever haunted by the experience, forever wondering if it will happen to me, to my children. Thank you for sharing openly - you inspire others to share openly in our own families and communities.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Embracing the Divine Feminine after a Trip to the White House. ~ Gina Garcia

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:27:12 +0000

Love this - thanks for bringing up this icky topic & addressing it so beautifully!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Was Jesus a Buddhist (or a yogi, or whatever?)

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:25:35 +0000

Your sentence "If divine revelation were meant to consist primarily in teachings, then Mary would have written a book instead of having a baby." is so spot-on. Thank you for writing this and thank you, EJ, for posting. I think a lot of us who have found yoga are in the same boat: I've been trying to reconcile the church teachings of my youth with both what I feel intuitively and what I find in other teachings, including Gnostic texts. I think there is often a misunderstanding that the politics involved with the interpretations and application of those interpreted teachings (that are easy for us to identify in Christianity, considering our education is generally based on European history) haven't happened in other religions, too - yes, even the "eastern" ones. These teachings are inside of each and every one of us - I think that what really matters is that every now and then, someone finds a way to say what we all feel inside and help us find our way.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Mon, 9 May 2011 16:45:22 +0000

Yes! It's a beautiful thing when our practice spills off our mat into our lives and the lives of others.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Mon, 9 May 2011 16:44:17 +0000

Excellent points & perspective - thank you! Just like when I get grouchy it's time for me to go to a yoga class, it's time for him to go organize his tools when things get a little too heavy.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Fri, 6 May 2011 18:09:50 +0000

Thanks Bob! I think leaving everything the way it is will be fine - love the additional tweet title.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Fri, 6 May 2011 18:01:51 +0000

thanks! Elephant Journal put those great stock photos in with my piece. (So no, that is not actually my husband up top, but it is an excellent representation of him in his element.) Your comment reminds me of the story I've heard a million times (well, feels like a million) in classes (here's the supershort version): Teacher takes Student to garden for lesson. Points at fish pond. T: "How many fish?" S: "Ten" T: "How many ponds" St: "one" T: "You sure about that? Count again." St: "Um, One pond." T: "Look closely, count again." St: "WTF there is one effing pond here." Teacher: "Ten fish, ten ponds."

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Fri, 6 May 2011 00:37:23 +0000

Beautiful! Thanks so much for this enhancement and for posting on FB & Twitter!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Fri, 6 May 2011 00:35:36 +0000

Thanks so much!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : How You Can Be a Yogi Without Doing Yoga. ~ Emily Taggart

Thu, 5 May 2011 20:54:33 +0000

Thanks, Carolyn! Like everything, it sure takes practice - well, for me it does :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Dear Self: You Have My Permission to Suck. ~ Emily Taggart

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:44:54 +0000

You are so welcome!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Dear Self: You Have My Permission to Suck. ~ Emily Taggart

Fri, 3 Dec 2010 23:48:34 +0000

You are so welcome! Thanks for your kind comment and for dedicating the work you do to children with autism! xoxo

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Bloom Where You’re Planted. ~ Emily Taggart

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 18:12:43 +0000

Thank you so much, mssunbug, and best of luck in your unpacking - you have a huge support network out here cheering you on!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Bloom Where You’re Planted. ~ Emily Taggart

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 01:21:54 +0000

(mletag is me, Emily Taggart, by the way) You are SO welcome. So many of us basically have the same story, which I find both beautiful and humbling - it IS namaste. Thanks for your kind words and sharing your your thoughts.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Bloom Where You’re Planted. ~ Emily Taggart

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 01:17:30 +0000

thank you for sharing your article & bringing up the mystical aspects of Christianity. You are so right, there is so much beauty and direct connection to Divine Love in Christianity that unfortunately gets upstaged by wolves in sheep's clothing. I look forward to checking out the resources you're suggesting and diving deeper in this path.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Why I Will Never Go To Burning Man.

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:33:45 +0000

So glad you wrote this! I have also been told, very seriously and enthusiastically, why I would love it the same way the pentecostal kids used to try to get me to go to their church when I was a teen growing up in the bible belt. I am so glad Burning Man is there for the people who need it and feel at home there, but it is sooooo not for me.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : “The Downside to Down Dog”.

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:21:22 +0000

Beautiful & so powerfully honest. Thank you so much for sharing.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : "Fags" in Boulder.

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:50:44 +0000

I watched a documentary about Fred Phelps that ended with a pastor explaining Phelps is an example of someone who needs love the most but deserves it the least. Compassion is hard, especially when encountering such damaged human beings. In related news, Lady GaGa is awesome, great example of how to respond to hate and ignorance: http://jezebel.com/5590648/gaga-on-baptist-protes...

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : The Water’s On Fire.

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:51:28 +0000

Beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Have you Experienced: Sexual Harassment in Yoga Class?

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 06:41:34 +0000

I think it is important for teachers and fellow students to keep an eye out for the comfort and safety of students. I think it is the responsibility of the teachers and the students - students, if you see a repeat offender, bring it up with a teacher! If you see someone in an awkward situation, make a stand. Two recent experiences: A class was pretty empty and a guy came really late. He unrolled his mat right behind mine - his mat was touching mine. I made it part of my practice to stay in my space and not let his energy cross the line...until In warrior II, he leaned forward and tapped my hand. I looked back and he was grinning at me. I had nowhere to go - there were people close all around me but other areas of the room were wide open. The teacher immediately came over and tactfully suggested he move - she saw how freaked out I was. My love for that teacher doubled from that seemingly small act. Also - Look out for creepy tattoo guy (as in creepiest back tattoo ever - it involves a warrior and a baby) who seems to only loose ujjayi breath in Warrior II, extended side angle, or any twist that gives him access to blow on my back under the guise of active breath. Gross!