(originally sent 10/08/26)
This one time, I taught myself how to pronounce the name of the incredible psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi — so I could speak about his work in my yoga classes.
He is famous for having coined the term “Flow State” and literally wrote the book on it (it’s great, but if you prefer listening, he has an awesome TED talk here.)
Flow state refers to when you are completely absorbed in an activity to the point where the outside world disappears and the result is a feeling of wholeness, or happiness.
It is not so far removed from the yogic concept of saṁyama that Patañjali introduces in chapter 3 of the yoga sūtras. This is where the practice of dhārana (concentraton), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (yogic bliss/oneness) simultaneously creates “the flashing light of intuitive insight”.
This past week I have used my autistic hyperfixation (my saṁyama, if you will) to go deep into teacher training — editing, formatting and beauitfying the manual and practice log for 2027.
Every year that passes, these documents become more sacred and more refined; I add more hand-drawn images by Felix, I edit the structure to be easier to follow, and I love the entire process.
Sometimes I think I would have been very happy as a graphic designer.
So when I started the updating process this week, I felt myself lock in — hard. It felt like the entire world vanished around me and I became one with the project at hand.
I also decided to change the dates slightly for the training for 2027 – bringing the Opening Immersion forward a few weeks to begin on Feb 4th, so we will be finished in time for Dark Mofo.
This will be the fourth year in a row for Golden Yoga School to take place, and the first time at Udara Movement Studio.
I will continue to make the training available for interstate and overseas folks by recording and livestreaming, so that wherever you are in the world, and whatever is going on in your life — you have the opportunity to join us.
Accessibility has always been at the heart of my offerings. It’s part of why I write this newsletter for you every week, and record/edit/publish a podcast episode with Keith every week — I really believe that anyone who has a desire to learn about yoga should have access.
If you are curious, feeling the call; whether it is to teach or to deepen your practice, it would be my honour to guide you and share these teachings that have been passed down from teacher to student for so many generations.
Early bird is available until Halloween.
May you have many moments where the world around you disappears and you are absorbed in the flashing light of intuitive insight.
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