I have always been one to follow my heart and intuition. It is what called me to teach and brought me to Yoga Union. When I heard that one of my favorite traveling yoga teachers, Sianna Sherman, was going to be teaching a yearlong intensive at my neighborhood studio, Yoga Union in SE Portland, titled “Awakening Heart” I knew that I had to be a part of it. And, so on Friday, April 12th I embarked on a yearlong journey with Sianna and a few dozen others on the yogic path of Self discovery. 
This path of Sadhana , spiritual practices for awakening the heart, include all aspects of yoga: practices of asana, pranayama, chanting, meditation, and the overall integration of Tantra in our everyday lives. In the following year I am going to be writing down my experiences, reflections, and thoughts on this journey, blogging and posting photos along the way.
The first day of the “Awakening Heart Intensive,” also happened to coincide with the beginning of the remodeling of the new Yoga Union Studio/Community Center. Since the new space had been gutted out for the remodeling, but the work was not yet fully under way, it was an auspicious time to hold the first class on the same day as the start of the intensive. The intensive started out at the current location of Yoga Union with Sianna explaining the meaning of Sadhana as a spiritual journey and that we would all be embarking on this journey together, but it was something that started in all of our lives long ago. She emphasized the importance of bringing people together to practice and study and that Yoga Union is a space holding community together. She said that with the opening of the new studio “we can be like luminaries carrying the light from one space to the next” co-creating a sanctuary space with intention or sankalpa. This really resonated with me because Yoga Union is a place that has always been like a home away from home and a shelter from the storm, a place to study, to learn, to practice and to connect with my Portland community and the larger yoga community.
Todd – Thank you so much for all that you do. You inspire me and empower me by your integrity and your example. As one of your Sadaka partners in the Awakening Heart kula, I ask this every morning in my own practice: “What can I do to further support your practice and your utter transformation, upliftment and liberation into the Heart?” Because I too feel dedicated to you and to each one who walks this path with me.
Thank you, Paul. We are all reflections of each other on this path. I feel blessed to be in the company of such admirable people like you. To really do the work of refining ourselves and awakening the heart is not an easy task to undertake. By encouraging one another and supporting each other on this journey it makes it easier to stick with it and we are reminded that we are not alone. I have been keeping you and the rest of the Kula in my thoughts and prayers, as well. Blessings…Peace, Love, & Yoga
Wonderful