My First Teachers
I was born and raised on the east coast as the youngest child into a very caring, lucky and at times wild family. They became and continue to be my most important teachers. My mother's fearless compassion and unstoppable energy, my father's intellect and worldly wisdom, my sister's constant protection and concern for all and her drive to succeed in everything she sets her mind to and my brother's endless wit, charisma and passion in the world, these were my guiding stars as I navigated my childhood. At the right time my stepfather showed up and I was soon replacing my Styx and Kenny Rogers 8 tracks for Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin and learning everything a teen really wants to know by eavesdropping on the fascinating conversations that he and his motorcycling friends brought into the house. At that time they taught me what it means to watch out for those who have no one to watch out for them. The family continues to grow with new teachers in the form of my rock steady stepmother and the very unrock like constant movement and joy of my nieces and nephews.
Without a doubt it is their constant kindness that is the reason for everything good in my life.
Just as I was losing my way my heart teacher, the renunciate Murray Rogers showed up in my living room. He was an unlikely guest in our suburban home with his white hair and massive heart adorned in hand woven robes and the from a small ashram in North India. Murray was the founder of Jyotiniketan a community of deeply devoted spiritual practitioners in the Christian/ Hindu tradition. Jyotiniketan was a rare place. Rooted in the real teachings of Christ of non-violence, compassion, and service, and drawing heavily on the wisdom of the Vedic scriptural traditions and the Advaita Vedanta non-dual traditions. Under Murray's influence Jyotiniketan became a pilgrimage site for some of the greatest spiritual minds of the West and the East.
Without a doubt it is their constant kindness that is the reason for everything good in my life.
Just as I was losing my way my heart teacher, the renunciate Murray Rogers showed up in my living room. He was an unlikely guest in our suburban home with his white hair and massive heart adorned in hand woven robes and the from a small ashram in North India. Murray was the founder of Jyotiniketan a community of deeply devoted spiritual practitioners in the Christian/ Hindu tradition. Jyotiniketan was a rare place. Rooted in the real teachings of Christ of non-violence, compassion, and service, and drawing heavily on the wisdom of the Vedic scriptural traditions and the Advaita Vedanta non-dual traditions. Under Murray's influence Jyotiniketan became a pilgrimage site for some of the greatest spiritual minds of the West and the East.
Meditation and Scripture
Under my teachers guidance, at 14, I began studying meditation and the scriptural traditions of Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism. In high school I also began doing retreats at the Zen Mountain Monastery in upstate New York under the guidance of John Daido Loori.
After leaving home I spent a year hitchhiking around the west visiting and living in different monastic communities and meeting a variety of spiritual teachers. In 1990 I was introduced to Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices while studying at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Soon I was studying with the great Lama Zopa Rinpoche and other well-known teachers while serving on the Board of "Land of Medicine Buddha" in Santa Cruz, California. After some time learning the Tibetan systems, Murray suggested I spend a little time with the Trappist Benedictines. In 1996 I spent a summer living in the cloistered walls of the Abbey of Gethsemani, in Bardstown, Kentucky. In 2003 after getting a bachelors degree in Psychology and spending a year studying in North India I met Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. I currently study under them as well as teach at Diamond Mountain University in Bowie, Arizona. I have taught meditation, scripture and yoga throughout the world. I love working with populations that are not initially interested in meditation or "spiritual" topics. My goal is to keep the conversations honest and applicable to the real world. In addition to traveling, I teach weekly classes at Yoga Oasis and St. Philips Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona. I also co-host a weekly talk show, Grey Matter, on Clear Channel's, 92.9 The Mountain.
After leaving home I spent a year hitchhiking around the west visiting and living in different monastic communities and meeting a variety of spiritual teachers. In 1990 I was introduced to Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices while studying at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Soon I was studying with the great Lama Zopa Rinpoche and other well-known teachers while serving on the Board of "Land of Medicine Buddha" in Santa Cruz, California. After some time learning the Tibetan systems, Murray suggested I spend a little time with the Trappist Benedictines. In 1996 I spent a summer living in the cloistered walls of the Abbey of Gethsemani, in Bardstown, Kentucky. In 2003 after getting a bachelors degree in Psychology and spending a year studying in North India I met Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. I currently study under them as well as teach at Diamond Mountain University in Bowie, Arizona. I have taught meditation, scripture and yoga throughout the world. I love working with populations that are not initially interested in meditation or "spiritual" topics. My goal is to keep the conversations honest and applicable to the real world. In addition to traveling, I teach weekly classes at Yoga Oasis and St. Philips Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona. I also co-host a weekly talk show, Grey Matter, on Clear Channel's, 92.9 The Mountain.
Yoga
I first began practicing Yoga in 1993 in Santa Cruz. At that point it was just a way of allowing me to sit in meditation with more ease. Meeting Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally I started to study the deeper dimensions of yoga and it's affects on the subtle body. Feeling very drawn to these teachings I left my job and traveled with them for 3 months around the country. With them I had a chance to meet and practice with some of the worlds greatest masters. After touring around the country I completed a formal Yoga Teacher Training in Ashtanga Yoga with Master Baba Hari Das. I am presently inspired by the alignment principles of Anusara in relation to the philosophy of Tibetan Heart Yoga.
I teach workshops around the country as well as weekly classes in Tucson, AZ.
In my classes and workshops I try to actualize the words of the great yogi, Dharma Mitra, "no fun, no yoga."
I teach workshops around the country as well as weekly classes in Tucson, AZ.
In my classes and workshops I try to actualize the words of the great yogi, Dharma Mitra, "no fun, no yoga."
Music and the Performing Arts
I have always been deeply drawn to the arts and have found some priceless jewel in the territory between absurdity and beauty. My guru in this world has been Shri Shri Jay Ruby who taught me that movement could unlock mysteries and that music could realign hearts. My godfather of music is the deeply committed pianist Francis Martineu.
I completed initial formal training in the classical arts of North India under the tutelage of Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. I continued studies in music and dance with Dr. Rajana Shrivasti and Parashu Ram Pandi in Banaras, India.
For over 15 years I have been honored and blessed to be a part of the multi-generational dance company Human Nature based out of Flagstaff, AZ. They simply are my soul family and my spiritual midwives.
For 10 years I have also worked extensivley with the physical theater company the Carpet Bag Brigade based out of San Francisco, CA. I was one of three original members and I have toured with them throughout the country, performing, writing and composing scores that continue to be performed all over the world.
I direct the Shaktipat Marching Band, a hip hop inspired, dharma infused all percussion marching band in Tucson, Arizona.
In 2008 local rock legend Bradford "Dr. Diamond" Trojan and I joined forces with the exquisite Glenda "the good witch" Canizales to form the hard rocking band "Diamond Driver". We are dedicated to volume, drive, and liberation.
I completed initial formal training in the classical arts of North India under the tutelage of Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. I continued studies in music and dance with Dr. Rajana Shrivasti and Parashu Ram Pandi in Banaras, India.
For over 15 years I have been honored and blessed to be a part of the multi-generational dance company Human Nature based out of Flagstaff, AZ. They simply are my soul family and my spiritual midwives.
For 10 years I have also worked extensivley with the physical theater company the Carpet Bag Brigade based out of San Francisco, CA. I was one of three original members and I have toured with them throughout the country, performing, writing and composing scores that continue to be performed all over the world.
I direct the Shaktipat Marching Band, a hip hop inspired, dharma infused all percussion marching band in Tucson, Arizona.
In 2008 local rock legend Bradford "Dr. Diamond" Trojan and I joined forces with the exquisite Glenda "the good witch" Canizales to form the hard rocking band "Diamond Driver". We are dedicated to volume, drive, and liberation.
