Bonjour mes ami’s….it seems as though time is moving a bit quicker with the travel days and workshop schedule I’ve been teaching the last weeks. There are adventures and exciting experiences EVERY DAY which has kept me from Blogging a bit more. But alas, I’ve carved out some time at a nice Amsterdam Cafe to share some of my Parisian weekend.

Even though time seems to be moving a faster forward, Paris seemed to actually take back in time with her deeply rich history and European flair. I had a few free days and was spending time with a special friend who met me in Paris and it really felt like we were in the Middle Ages…wandering the streets in amazement and enjoying the sweet delights and treats that Paris offers.

I took the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Gare du Nord and I love taking the train! Arriving at the station added to the ‘old world feel’ despite the fact that Gare du Nord is fully buzzing all the time. Police with dogs, military soldiers with BIG guns, African families in traditional clothes, tour groups from Wisconsin, couples, singles, trios, oh my… What a feast for a people watcher! And the city itself is loaded with architectural delights as well. Every corner has a monument, all the big streets meet at Plazas and fountains and churches emerge from the Earth every few hundred meters. The amount of stonework and architecture alone is enough to keep my tourist eye entertained. So I found my way to Rasa Yoga in the 6th Arrondissemont and was greeted by Indira, who is the new manager of the studio so Daniela, the owner of the studio, can be in Frankfurt to ginve birth to their first child! And Indira is Brasilian so I got to drop back into Portuguese. It was great, but rather confusing for my brain as I have a small understanding of French and love to try and speak and understand it when I am in Paris. But it was better in Portuguese! Then it was off to the flat where I was staying in the 11th and a bit of down time.

My first class was a ’substitute’ gig at Rasa which is always a bit interesting to fill in for a regular teacher (and class taught in French!). But it ended up being very sweet. My experience of Yoga in France is that in general, there is not much openness to new philosophies, ideas and ‘ways of being’ that Yoga cultivates….and the deep introspection is a bit confronting. But I was pleasantly surprised with the students who came to class and their willingness to be open to new teachings, methods of yoga and philosophy as I teach it in my class. Although the expressions on their faces didn’t reveal much (other then the pursed Parisian lips that I LOVE!), the words and acknowledgments after class showed their openness. However, this proved to be a select few who were making the conscious choice to practice yoga rather then the majority of the population that feels to be rather stuck in old ways of self-defeat and judgement. Yes, those are pretty strong words, but in the conversations I had with people in the streets and parks…there was a general feeling of “things in Paris are tough….we HAVE to work at jobs we don’t like in order to survive…and that’s the way it always has been and always will be.” It was pretty challenging for me, who lives in a world I create daily, to see people resigned by their situation to a life that feeds emotional stress and suffering.

But that also makes a great opportunity for Yoga to step in and reveal a deeper reality of breaking free from constructs of the mind and body that hold us back. I offered 3 workshops at Rasa and they all three were very different in their style, method and message. The first class was arm-balancing (my disguise to teach ‘How to break through things that hold you back’) and was on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM. My friend and I were in the park around noon and for one of the few times in my Yoga teacher life, I did not want to go! It was a beautiful day and I had it in my mind that no one would come to class. For one, there was my previous experiences of poorly attended workshops, two was the weather and three was that Paris was hosting Fete de la Musique, an annual street party for ALL of Paris to have music in the streets (more on the Fete soon). I then realized that the majority of the world (maybe even some you, dear blog readers!) experience this every day. That ‘going to work’ was not a complete joy and something that pulls you out of bed every day and that I should really be grateful for Yoga giving me the chance to do this work. So with a huge smile and re-programmed attitude, I headed to the studio and there were 10 people in class! Very cool! The class was great and everyone ‘got’ something for their practice and lives by learning these postures and principles of alignment (both of the bones / muscles and values / life!).

Then my second class, which I had even less expectations for, was my new offering “Won’t you take me to…Shanti Town; A Live Music Restorative Yoga Experience”. From 7PM - 9 PM on a beautiful Saturday night with Fete de La Musique beginning in the streets. I honestly did not think anyone would come, but was prepared fully to teach the class even if just 1 student came (this is something I teach about when I lead Teacher training….we, yoga teachers, are in the service industry and if I person wants to come practice / learn from me. I teach the best I possibly can). And 10 people came!!! I was completely inspired. The Fete de La Musique is about music in the city and bands and DJ’s set up in every possible nook and cranny of Paris to share their gifts…and the students came to this class for their own private Fete (French for ‘party’). So for the next 2 hours, I helped them into delicious poses lying on pillows and blankets and sang for them. All the while, the nature of restorative yoga is learning to let go….so there was lots of teaching on the effort that it takes to let go. Even when we think we are free, there are something other parts hiding and holding on deeper so we must really explore the inner environment to transform. It was a profound class (if I can say so myself!) and afterwards everyone was completely flying. I almost cried at the end with gratitude!

And in true David style…I wished the students well and prepared to head out for the Fete right away! My friend Jennifer and I headed out to streets and must have walked over 10 kilometers that night….from one band to the next with DJs in between. We danced in the Marais for hours! There were big brass bands playing New Orleans style jazz that got us sweating, singers with guitars tucked into passageways and funk groups rocking entire blocks! At one point, we stumbled on a DJ that was spinning some Arabic Drums and I felt my roots really coming out! That style of rythm has a profound effect on my hips and I went tribal for a while in the streets! At some point, we needed a break from the crowds and found out way down to the river where there were drum circles and groups of people singing…close to us were a group of older French men singing Folk songs and everyone was joining in on the Chorus. Across the water we could hear drums beating and by our sides couples were kissing and people were sleeping in the grass…Jennifer and I were completely transported back to the middle ages with this scene and I honestly felt as though I have been through many lifetimes doing this work of vibrational planetary healing. As the Sun began to rise, we ended up having to walk 30 minutes back to our flat and upon arrival crashed immediately in a very deep rest.

But it was shortlived as the alarm went off at 11:00 so I could prepare for my workshop at 2:00! I must admit, I’m no stranger to late nights and early mornings and felt great (although a little sore from all the walking / dancing) and led a very dynamic ‘Building to Backbends’ workshop. Again, there was a lot of Ah Ha moments in the practice with I would introduce new concepts of ideas and the workshop ends with 6 full Bow Backbends….whoa! It was very high vibe and I felt the opening of the students with each cycle.

Afterwards, it was out to the streets for a last Sunday afternoon.  Strawberry tarts, chocolates, cafes, falafels…tres delicious!  Jennifer had a flight back to Ibiza that night and I was off to Amsterdam the next day so we really just steeped in the energy of the city.

In my last conversation with Daniela (on the phone from Frankfurt), we acknowledged the difficulty of bringing healthy bodies, open minds a renewed spirituality to a city that is notoriously skeptical.  But this also is like job security for us!  There are many opportunities for transformation in Paris…and much room for acceptance and complete trust in the divine timing of things for us.  Leaving the city, I was feeling somewhat relieved that it was only a weekend there (it was challenging for my budget and diet) but was also very deeply in love and grateful with my life, which I’m sure is a trademark souvenir from Paris.

Now I’m in Amsterdam, feeling much more ‘local’ with a bike and laid back dress code!  I am hosted by my friend who opens her home to traveling yogi’s and gives us a sanctuary to rest, wash clothes, check emails etc…

I am teaching at Svaha Yoga this weekend and feel a lot of energy moving into the classes.  Next report….coming soon.