Feathered Pipe Blog: Voice of the Wisdom Holders

As a long-time yoga practitioner and a burgeoning potter, I have been struck by how complementary the nature of the two practices are. Both incorporate a blend of science, art, and philosophy. There are methodologies and techniques to learn. Read More

What I value most in this precious life is health. Health to me means absence of disease, stable energy levels and emotions, steady appetite, regular bowel movements and a daily urge to be creative. My definition of health is strongly influenced by my practice and study in Ayurveda over the last few decades and I continue to appreciate the practical wisdom she offers. Read More

Beneath the layers of joy, adventure, and creativity lies a recognition that nurturing these facets in our lives not only contributes to healthy aging but also to vibrant, purposeful living. Read More

We are suffering because of ignorance. We are suffering because we don’t know how things work, because we don’t know who we are, and because we allow our thinking minds to overrule our inner voice. And we’re suffering needlessly. In other words, it can be circumvented. Read More

I’m sitting in a small cabin near Mt. Shasta, California, looking out at the beautiful Lake Siskiyou—a place I never knew existed until someone told me it was where I needed to be. As I take a moment to sip my warm tea, I notice that the tag on the tea bag has a message for me. It reads: Peace of mind comes piece by piece. Read More

Ignorance, by this definition, is imposing our egos and attachments (two more kleshas) on what we are trying to see. The greatest ignorance is not that which comes from being undereducated or illiterate, but from willfully ignoring the truth of ourselves and others. Wisdom is nothing more than the clear vision of innocence. Read More

We all dream.  But what dreams mean and why during REM sleep we see images that are rarely clear and often bizarre remains one of life’s mysteries.  What if dreams could be tapped into to help you in your waking life?  What if you could actually use the symbolism and stories to answer difficult questions or solve long burning life issues? Read More

Stillness is at the core of your being. As you get in touch with it you learn that you are part of God. You are as natural and legitimate an expression of Nature as a tree or cloud. The creative God Force will then guide you through life and help you make your most important decisions. Read More

Play is a powerful, lighthearted, and spontaneous medium for self discovery. Laughter, an integral part of playful yoga, triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural stress-busters. Approaching life in this manner, gives us permission to experience joy in the present moment. Read More

As long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated with the natural world. Growing up outside, amidst the towering mountains of Montana, living in alignment with the land and seasons and cradled under the big sky, foreshadowed something I would later rediscover through the practice of yoga in a BIG way – surrender. Read More

Anyone of any size and any age can significantly benefit from yoga. It can be done sitting in a chair, lying in bed, or actively in group classes. Yoga is truly for every body, but perhaps those of us who benefit the most are the students who, like me, used to never “fit in” or feel they were “not enough” because of their body size. In yoga, you do not have to ‘fit in.’ Read More

Anyone who has heard about the Feathered Pipe Ranch has heard about what a special place it is. I loved it from the first time I taught there, in 1975. In those days Montana was a lot more “exotic.” And a “yoga workshop” was just plain weird. When we 23 hearty souls gathered that July, we ate our dinners sitting around the kitchen table. Read More