i had every intention of using my recent time on the beach in california for asana practice. i rolled up my travel mat, stuffed it in the overhead bin, propped it up in the corner of my room for 3 days, then toted it (still rolled-up) back to the airport and another overhead bin for the flight back home. as it turned out, my inaugural 2013 practice was a return to a habit i acquired in late 2011 and had fallen away from this past fall -- friday evening hatha flow with Andreas at yogalife queen anne.

something nudged me to the studio tonight, rather than practicing on my own. i'm glad i listened. it felt good to build up some heat on a dark, january night. i needed to stretch my aching calf muscles from morning runs on the sand. most importantly, i got to be part of a community, to join my voice with others in a song for peace. i'd forgotten how much i appreciate the simplicity of his class -- a steady focus on breath and body with the occasional, yet perfectly intentioned reminder of something more. as if he's casually tossing out a comment about alignment, Andreas will speak to a sutra or remind us that being an advanced yogi is about being able to find ease, to back off even, in a physically challenging pose. tonight he offered one word to guide our focus for the new year in place of resolutions - santosha. one of the niyamas (ethics) in yoga, santosha means contentment. what a lovely reminder as i begin 2013. are there things i want, dreams i chase, regrets from the past? absolutely. but i can set those aside and dwell on my contentment. i have a good and full life and if most of it stayed just about as it is today for the rest of my days, i would be happy. i am happy. santosha.