Kids Yoga Party!

Happy birthday, sweet five year old Dylan.


Thomas the Tank does yoga.

Being Present

Just over a year ago, I experienced an affliction of the most babbling mind on earth - a mind possessed by all things outside me. And though I knew how to meditate, had practiced yoga for many years, drenched myself in Buddhist readings, believed with the strongest conviction that I should "Be Here Now"...I couldn't. I couldn't be present. I didn't even know what it was.

I went for long bike rides. There were many days of long bike rides on the Delaware Canal path and all over the beautiful countryside of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Bike rides do seem to have a way of clearing the cob webs of the mind, and I would experience an ease, a loosening....but not presence.

In fact, I can remember trying so earnestly to be present that I'd be talking to myself - "I am seeing the canal, I am seeing this meadow, I am feeling the rumble of the earth beneath my wheels, I am sweating". A narration of observations. Such an enormous effort! Kind of like contracting a muscle as tight as you can, so you know you have that muscle. You actually feel less when you're all locked up. All the subtlety is gone.

To be alive so long and to not truly be able to experience presence seems a very peculiar thing. How can it be such a difficult skill and not just a natural tendency? I am alive. I should know how to feel fully alive. How can I not know how to be present?

What IS presence?

Before I began writing this blog, I googled the topic. I found nothing I believed. It's weird that so many of us agree we need to be present, but seem to have little idea what that really means. Presence seems so illusive. Subjective. We're all making up our own definitions. Hallmark writes cards about it.

I think that it's probably not subjective at all. It's universal. It's the same for all of us. And it either takes tons and tons of practice to achieve or it arrives in an instant - unannounced - like in the face of a beautiful sunset or in the pain of a broken heart. Life has its ways of waking us up, and all of a sudden, we're Here - Now. Then the sunset is over, or the broken hearted brain moves into action, and we're...There - Then. Lol - someone should write that book - "Be There Then".

Well, I can happily happily report that I am now a great dabbler in the present moment. And so I think I may have discovered why being present is such a hard thing to write about, and why googling it turned out to be so dissatisfying.

I can't describe it.

Yet, I'd say, being present is not much of anything. It's just being in my body. Being really in my body. And to elaborate would probably bring me further away from what I mean. BUT I will say that it has been my meditation practice - my meditation and my yoga - that has helped me immensely to know the home that is me. To feel whole and connected inside my body, inside this moment - to have a sense of immediate contact with me, not removed by one step, not distanced by narration.

From this very grounded feeling of being inside my skin, I become more connected with all the space outside me. For one second here. For one second there. But most importantly - for when I need it. I have access. I can come back to me. And be part of it all. And I can stay.

When I need to - like a well trained dog - I stay.

I am here now...for at least some of the moments.

What some lovely yogis and yoginis are saying about The Karma Garage

Val's yoga class is a phenomenal experience to improve strength, flexibility, balance, stress relief, posture and movement quality. She tailors it to each individual's needs with cues for alignment and her gentle touch is just righ. As a fellow physical therapist, she plans the sessions with vast expertise and progression focusing on different areas of the body each session. The setting is beautiful - peaceful and relaxing and her choice of music is very fun! I highly recommend taking a class to see for yourself!
Laura Davison PT

The Karma Garage yoga experience with Val Turner is a beautiful one.
Val gently guides you through the yoga experience in her beautifully
designed studio filled with light and comforting colors. I have taken yoga for many years but Val adjusted my postures in ways that are new to me and that my body could immediately feel were taking me where it wanted to go. In her class, I feel cared for and very comfortable.
Janet Hudak Boddy

A session at the Karma Garage is wonderful for the body, the brain, and the soul.
Val attends to each individual in the class, challenging, coaxing, supporting, and
celebrating with us. The class is filled with good humor, good music, and fun!
Colleen Maloney

I love Valerie's attention to detail and ability to know just what I need. With a great sense of humor, she guides me to working with my body and a level of awareness that is hard to achieve on my own.
My only regret is that I can't get to the Karma Garage as often as I need or want to!
Best Regards,
Karen

Hi Val,
You introduced me to yoga this year and at first I must admit, I was unsure. Because of my own fears though. You totally make a person feel very comfortable and make it known that it’s possible for anybody to participate. You know just how to adjust to what that person is capable of doing. I leave tired but I also feel all the stress that I carry around with me is gone for a while. It amazes me how much stress I feel on a normal basis and how for that little time after Yoga It goes away. Thank you for your patience and kindness. It’s a pleasure to know you.
Terry

Hi Val,
I would like to thank you immensely for your yoga instruction. I had some experience with yoga years ago. I tried it on my own and didn't get very far and was probably doing everything wrong.
Since I started with the Karma Garage this past January, I have been feeling great and you have done things for my neck that are marvelous. Even though I am a beginner, you inspire me to try to improve to a more advance level. You make the class about body and mind. Your facility is class A, with an at home feel. You've definitely made yoga a big part of my life.
I would recommend your classes to everyone.
jim e roney (@)==#

hi val
just wanted to let you know how very much i enjoyed class yesterday. it's just what i've been needing for a long time. i was sore last night, and tired but i slept well and feel like my body got some use in parts that hadn't been moved in ages.
d


Val,
I miss The Karma Garage!!!! After my first class I felt such an overwhelming sense of relaxation but with an adreneline edge....like after really great sex. Tired, relaxed, and oh so happy in my body!
Laura L.



I am so grateful and honored to have worked with all of you.
Namaste.
Val

Thank you, Terry, for this beautiful, beautiful blessing.