A Note from John...

Greetings and Namaste fellow Yogis and Yoginis,

Hope this finds you all well and breathing beautifully!

I wanted to say hello to all of you since it's been a while since I've taught my classes regularly. I thought it would be a good idea to let you know where I've been, where I'm going, and why.

I have a spinal condition - technically it is advanced stenosis, as well as arthritis at the L4-5 location. My Yoga practice usually keeps me in good shape and strength in this area, yet occasionally a disc protrudes or ruptures causing severe symptoms (sciatica) and loss of mobility.

Recently, I have been struggling with a new incident of this situation. The physician has urged me to take a rest from teaching my normal classes and let this settle down on its own. The usual healing time period for this type of injury is 6-8 weeks. I'm about half-way through this now. At this point, surgery does not seem necessary.

It is very difficult for me to be away from what I truly love doing, and the people I enjoy being around so much. Yet, it is better for me to be a true practitioner of "Ahimsa" and be non-harming towards myself. I am also, at this point in time, not really able to teach at the level I wish to and that all of you expect from my classes.

That being said, I will not be teaching my classes for another few weeks. I don't think I need to tell all of you how sad accepting and surrendering to this truth is for me. However, should I be reckless, I could compromise my teaching future for the long-term. This is what the "moment" calls for...

Luckily, Devi Yoga is full of amazing and capable teachers, and I assure all of you my classes will be handled with the instructors you already know and love; and please know I will be doing everything in my power to heal and return to the studio as soon as my health allows. I expect this will be in early-mid January.

I wish you all the happiest and most peaceful of holidays; I will think of all of you whenever I am still, meditating and practicing my breath of intention - sending love to each from the deepest depth of my heart.

Please: if you have any questions, comments, suggestions or just want to holler at me, feel free to contact me at johnb@devi-yoga.com.

Much Metta,

John Berg