One week in the states

One week ago, I left Israel. This week I am sitting next to the lake in Madison, WI, but my heart is still in Israel and with the Israelis and Palestinians I am so fortunate to work with. My kiddos go back to school soon, and I will be planning my return trip right away. OTYF will be back, and soon!


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Location:N Lake St,Madison,United States

Such a day.

Today we brainstormed with Nahed, Lisa, Nihad and Nihad's beautiful mother. I wish I could explain what happened in the room in a house (filled with three families) in Sur Baher, but we all left changed and inspired. OTYF has a vision of empowering people to create centers of possibility for Israelis and Palestinians. And we created the idea of a place to support and inspire. Nihad, soon to be an OTYF sponsored teacher and reiki practioner, is pictured in the photo in full abaya and niqab.


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Best. Day. Ever.

Today Olive Tree Yoga Foundation made it to Israeli tv! We haven't seen it yet, but we have reliable reports that I was filmed teaching a yoga class to the protesters on Rothschild in Tel Aviv!! We have a young technological wizard on the case, so we hope to have a YouTube link soon.

OTYF's class at Ella Yoga on the Namal tonight was INSANE! Karen and I both left knowing we brought incredible energy and love. The students all asked when we were coming back -- soon, Ella Yoga, soon! OTYF workshop weekend, anyone?


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Location:Tel Aviv

Protests and yoga in Tel Aviv

We are about to depart, and how incredible that we are going to Tel Aviv on the day of the giant protests. I was in the middle of the protests in Madison, and now I will be an observer of these. I look forward to looking for Shlomi and Nikki in the middle of the mass of people. Let's see who we find! OTYF is lucky to witness an important event in Israel.


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Location:Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, here we come!

Tomorrow we leave for Tel Aviv, to teach at Ella Yoga! I'm excited to see all the people I have connected with and excited to be with a new group of students! Shabbat has refueled me amazingly. Karen and her family knew I needed to sleep and let me sleep for most of 24 hours. I am back on top of my game and ready to go! Watch out, Tel Aviv, I'm bringing the yoga!


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What your donations are creating

Today I sat on a stoop in the Old City of Jerusalem and co-created something powerful. Lisa, Karen and I are going to offer to sponsor an amazing woman. I will wait to get her permission to give her personal details, but know that the decision to sponsor her came so naturally and suddenly that we all cried. Okay, let's be honest: I wept. Luckily I was in Jerusalem, and I doubt that big displays of emotion are unusual here.

Olive Tree Yoga Foundation came into it's own today. A woman who cares deeply for the transformation and well-being of others through reiki, yoga, and healing circles, who cares for 7 children on her own, and who counts every last shekel to support her family and expand her work will have some more shekels to help her shine her light brighter and with more ease and with a wider range of influence. Thank you, Olive Tree Yoga Foundation donors. You are making a difference in this world.

Further information will follow after out meeting on Tuesday. Expect pictures, details, and a huge glow that you will be able to feel all the way to North America!








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Location:Jerusalem

Listening and hearing

Until we are willing to listen to a person, we aren't willing to transform. I have been listening a lot lately, and recognize that there are times when I stop listening because I think I know what people are saying. I hear them speak, but I don't listen. I might think to myself "alrighty, I know what's coming here. I'll just think about my sandwich for a second." And the true listening begins at the MOMENT you want to stop listening. Just as in yoga, where the pose begins the moment you want to get out and the practice begins the moment you want to leave the room for a suddenly remembered meeting, listening begins the moment you want to turn off the listening.

And learning begins the moment you want to stop hearing and listening and start blabbing. I have also noticed that I talk when I am tired of listening. "This is intense, so I'm going to talk about my day." I am learning to live in that intense space of learning and listening. I have chosen a path where I have pledged to listen and learn from everyone, not just people who think just like I do, without turning off and ignoring their wisdom. And this, I believe, is the powerful practice for me this trip. I remain dedicated to listening, learning, and being okay about not presenting any grand ideas. I am here to listen and learn to each person. And that is where my practice is.


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Powerful yoga and yogis in Israel

I am so, so lucky that I listen to my vibes, just like Mom taught me. Last night, on a whim, I decided to get up early to practice at Flow Power Yoga Studio in Jerusalem. I am so grateful I did. I met two incredible women: Adelle Levy and Chaya Bracha Adelson. Adelle taught the flow class and Chaya Bracha is the studio owner, and we all went for coffee together. It turned into a three hour power meeting, and we were joined by the always amazing Karen Zivan. By the end of the three hours, we had made powerful connections, discussed aliyah, discussed what I learned in Bethlehem, and I got to listen to the three amazing Israeli yoga teachers talk about yoga here. And now I am teaching an all-women workshop next Monday at Flow Power at 9 am! I can't wait to bring the OTYF love to the yogis of Jerusalem!




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Location:Jerusalem