Every now and then I catch myself saying something in class, and immediately feel a cringe run through my body. Not that I said anything inappropriate (though I have to guard myself against that from time to time) or mean-spirited (that's really not in my nature...often). No, sometimes I say something that just doesn't sound like ME. Sometimes it's something I pick up from another teacher, but more often it's when I am trying to sound deep, profound and yoga-like. As soon as it's out of my mouth I feel the eyes of the entire class on me, and they are rolling.
I'm probably the only person who is accutely aware of when this happens. But every time it does, I feel like I've let the class down. After all, they made time in their day to come to my class, and they deserve something better than some recycled, re-hashed, regurgitated philosphical BS. Some of these pearls are prefaced with the words, "It is said that..." or "I'm told...," but often I'm just spouting something that I thought sounded clever. That's really just another way of saying, "I have no firsthand knowledge of this, but I don't want to appear ignorant so I'm going to hide behind this mask for a minute and I hope you don't notice."
Now I'm not saying that every morsel that trips off my tongue needs to be an epiphany or even an original thought...after all, there is so much written on the subject of yoga by people far more experienced than I, so I don't have to try to reinvent the wheel each time I teach. But, as a teacher, the one unique thing I have to offer is my own personal experience with whatever it is that I'm teaching. If my students want to know what Seane Corn or Pema Chodron or Cyndi Lee have to say on a particular subject, there are plenty of resources available. I might reference their wisdom, but if all I have to offer is what someone else says, then I might as well pop in a DVD and let the students follow that.
I've come a long way in finding my "authentic voice" as a teacher, but there is still plenty of room for growth. If I'm lucky, I'll continue learning and growing and gaining more and more experiences to draw from to illustrate the points I'm trying to make in class. But I guess in putting this out there, I'm holding myself accountable. Or at least keeping myself aware.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
What's the appeal?
I often wonder...what is it that draws people to yoga? I'm sure each of your reasons would be unique. Are you looking to be challenged physically, mentally and spiritually? Or do you get enough of a challenge in your everyday life, and just want a place that is a happy and peaceful refuge?
Is it the workout? If it's just the physical aspect, then why yoga?
Is it the spiritual aspect? If so, then why not go to a more traditional house of worship?
Is it the sense of community? Why not volunteer?
What is it that keeps YOU coming to class?
Is it the workout? If it's just the physical aspect, then why yoga?
Is it the spiritual aspect? If so, then why not go to a more traditional house of worship?
Is it the sense of community? Why not volunteer?
What is it that keeps YOU coming to class?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Small Victories
I remember when I was a relatively new yoga student, and I imagined that I would be fully content if I could only get up into a headstand away from the wall. I tried and tried and tried, and after months (and falling through a wall) I finally got there. Of course, the next day I had completely lost the ability, and it took several more weeks before I was able to make my way up into the pose again. But by that time, I had my sights set on another "unachievable" pose: Handstand.
Throughout my yoga "career" I continually find poses that seem nearly impossible. Some I've been able to achieve, some I'm still working on. What I've learned, though, is that achievement of a particular pose is really immaterial, though it's still very exciting and empowering. (I also take a great deal of delight whenever one of my students, after weeks or even months of practice, achieves a goal that they set for themselves.) The important thing is that we keep trying and practicing. We keep taking action, and once in a while we can even let go of our attachment to the results of our efforts. For me, that is when yoga transcends the physical and the practice becomes an expression of play and of joy.
But not all of the achievements come from turning ourselves upside down, or twisting ourselves into a contortion that human beings should not be able to do. I teach a Chair Yoga class for a group of (primarily) seniors. Most of them have mobility issues of one type or another. Over the months that I've been teaching this class, I've seen definite improvement in all of the students, but it's really their dedication and commitment that inspires me. A few weeks ago, a new gentleman joined our class. He's roughly in his mid-eighties, and except for using a cane for balance, he appeared to be in relatively good health. He did complain of some balance issues, but mainly he felt "out of juice." I was immediately won over by his slightly mischievous personality. Anytime I asked him to do anything, he just chuckled to himself, as if to say "OK, I'll try, but don't expect too much."
Today, just four weeks into the session, he showed up without his cane, claiming he "forgot it." We worked on some seated breathing and stretching, all accompanied by his chuckle of resignation, then got up and worked on some standing poses to help with balance. We finished off with some seated twists, seated forward folds and a seated meditation/relaxation. At the end of class, the gentleman stood up (again, without the cane), and said, "Watch this." He bent over, reached down to the floor as if he were picking something up, then stood back up. He said that when he started the class, he couldn't even get halfway there, and walking without his cane was impossible. He said that once in a while throughout the day he even remembers to take some slow deep breaths. "I still feel out of juice, but this has helped," he chuckled as he left.
I've been witness to yoga's transformative effects in my own life, and I've seen students achieve inversions, binds and arm balances that they thought were impossible. I've been very happy and proud of each of them. I don't think, though, that I've ever felt as much satisfaction as a teacher as I did this morning when this gentleman told me that he could tie his own shoes for the first time in a long time.
Throughout my yoga "career" I continually find poses that seem nearly impossible. Some I've been able to achieve, some I'm still working on. What I've learned, though, is that achievement of a particular pose is really immaterial, though it's still very exciting and empowering. (I also take a great deal of delight whenever one of my students, after weeks or even months of practice, achieves a goal that they set for themselves.) The important thing is that we keep trying and practicing. We keep taking action, and once in a while we can even let go of our attachment to the results of our efforts. For me, that is when yoga transcends the physical and the practice becomes an expression of play and of joy.
But not all of the achievements come from turning ourselves upside down, or twisting ourselves into a contortion that human beings should not be able to do. I teach a Chair Yoga class for a group of (primarily) seniors. Most of them have mobility issues of one type or another. Over the months that I've been teaching this class, I've seen definite improvement in all of the students, but it's really their dedication and commitment that inspires me. A few weeks ago, a new gentleman joined our class. He's roughly in his mid-eighties, and except for using a cane for balance, he appeared to be in relatively good health. He did complain of some balance issues, but mainly he felt "out of juice." I was immediately won over by his slightly mischievous personality. Anytime I asked him to do anything, he just chuckled to himself, as if to say "OK, I'll try, but don't expect too much."
Today, just four weeks into the session, he showed up without his cane, claiming he "forgot it." We worked on some seated breathing and stretching, all accompanied by his chuckle of resignation, then got up and worked on some standing poses to help with balance. We finished off with some seated twists, seated forward folds and a seated meditation/relaxation. At the end of class, the gentleman stood up (again, without the cane), and said, "Watch this." He bent over, reached down to the floor as if he were picking something up, then stood back up. He said that when he started the class, he couldn't even get halfway there, and walking without his cane was impossible. He said that once in a while throughout the day he even remembers to take some slow deep breaths. "I still feel out of juice, but this has helped," he chuckled as he left.
I've been witness to yoga's transformative effects in my own life, and I've seen students achieve inversions, binds and arm balances that they thought were impossible. I've been very happy and proud of each of them. I don't think, though, that I've ever felt as much satisfaction as a teacher as I did this morning when this gentleman told me that he could tie his own shoes for the first time in a long time.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
IYA Fall Yoga Retreat - Day Three
Today was the final day of the IYA retreat. I'm a bit sad. As ready as I was to come home, I was having a great time hanging out with many friends, both old and new. There was a great energy and synergy going on.
So, last night I went down to socialize, but the only others there were prenatal teacher Jean Arnold and her husband and ADORABLE little boy. Jean and I had not officially met, even though we both taught at the same studio for a while, and it was great to get to know her a bit.
Got a bit more sleep last night, though I was still interrupted at about 2 a.m. by some folks returning from the downstairs bar. Reminded me of living back in NYC. I skipped Dona Robinson's Pranayama this a.m., opting for some sleep instead. Too bad, I'm sure it was wonderful. Dona is such a well-respected teacher in this area, and her depth of knowledge is amazing. My Adjustments and Alignment workshop went well, though I wish I had 2 more hours. We only got to about 4 or 5 poses, and really didn't get a chance to fully explore these.
The final workshop I went to was on the use of sound and chanting to enhance our pranayama and asana practice. Led by Devin McGuire, this was a unique method (to me, at least) of utilizing sound in order to locate and engage the bandhas, as well as a way to practice breath awareness, retention and suspension. I'm hoping that Devin is open to bringing his workshop up north...I think it would be very welcome at one of the studios I teach at.
Ended the day with lunch with some members of the IYA board. I'm considering volunteering, but probably not as a Chairperson. I'm sure there's more opportunities for service.
As always, I left the retreat feeling inspired, uplifted, and hopeful for the role of yoga in our State.
Namaste to all my friends and yoga buddies!
So, last night I went down to socialize, but the only others there were prenatal teacher Jean Arnold and her husband and ADORABLE little boy. Jean and I had not officially met, even though we both taught at the same studio for a while, and it was great to get to know her a bit.
Got a bit more sleep last night, though I was still interrupted at about 2 a.m. by some folks returning from the downstairs bar. Reminded me of living back in NYC. I skipped Dona Robinson's Pranayama this a.m., opting for some sleep instead. Too bad, I'm sure it was wonderful. Dona is such a well-respected teacher in this area, and her depth of knowledge is amazing. My Adjustments and Alignment workshop went well, though I wish I had 2 more hours. We only got to about 4 or 5 poses, and really didn't get a chance to fully explore these.
The final workshop I went to was on the use of sound and chanting to enhance our pranayama and asana practice. Led by Devin McGuire, this was a unique method (to me, at least) of utilizing sound in order to locate and engage the bandhas, as well as a way to practice breath awareness, retention and suspension. I'm hoping that Devin is open to bringing his workshop up north...I think it would be very welcome at one of the studios I teach at.
Ended the day with lunch with some members of the IYA board. I'm considering volunteering, but probably not as a Chairperson. I'm sure there's more opportunities for service.
As always, I left the retreat feeling inspired, uplifted, and hopeful for the role of yoga in our State.
Namaste to all my friends and yoga buddies!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
IYA Fall Yoga Retreat - Day Two
Here I am at 8 p.m., sitting in my hotel room while some yoga socializin' is beginning downstairs. I needed a few minutes to myself to reflect on the day (and rest my achin' knee!).
First, my hotel-neighbor was enjoying something funny on TV till about 2 a.m., so I got very little sleep. Still, I made it to the Pranayama class this morning, led by the wonderful Nancy Schalk. It was a wonderful way to start the day, though I had to run across the street to get a cup of coffee beforehand. The pranayama soothed my jangled nerves and I went forth balanced and serene to Ann Miller's Moon Salutation class. I've done Moon Salutations only a couple of times in the past, and despite their name, I find them very nice in the morning. A gentle, but by no means non-challenging way to heat and stretch the morning-tight muscles and joints. Ann does a wonderful job of preparing the body with simple yet powerful warm-ups, and then guides you through the Moon Salutation series 3 times, once for each day of the New Moon, with gradually increasing pace and depth.
I was very pleased with how my Inversion workshop went. I had about a dozen participants, which is a great number for a good energy level, but not so many that we couldn't do some individual work. Hopefully it was well received.
After an enjoyable lunch with some Yoga Buddies, I went to Nancy Schalk's Yoga Therapy class. I had to choose between that and a Restorative Yoga class. It was a tough choice, but I was afraid I'd fall asleep in Restorative, given the lack of sleep and the recent lunch. I got a lot of good info from Nancy that I hope to use in my Chair Yoga class.
Finally got a chance to take one of Sage Hale's Kripalu classes. I've heard such good things about her classes at Invoke, so I was pleased that she was here. Never taken a Kripalu class before...it's a bit slower than the vinyasa flow classes I usually prefer, but I found the class to be very powerful, and it left me with a very relaxed, energized feeling. Sage has a very nice manner as a teacher. She allows her slightly mischievous personality to come through nicely.
Thom Adams led an Iyengar class, which was very informative and challenging. Iyengar classes are a bit different in approach than other classes. The teacher demonstrates the pose, we go to our mats and work on it, then the teacher demonstrates the pose again, with more specific alignment issues to work with, and then we practice again. I got some good info from him on some alignment, as well as some good partner assists.
After dinner, I went to my friend Renee Bogard's Yoga Nidra (like an extended, guided Savasana). it was a great way to cap the day. Renee has a wonderful voice which is very soothing without being droning.
So, now I'm changing out of my comfy yoga clothes, putting on some jeans, and heading down to see what the festivities are. I may call it an early evening, though. I still have to finalize my class for tomorrow.
First, my hotel-neighbor was enjoying something funny on TV till about 2 a.m., so I got very little sleep. Still, I made it to the Pranayama class this morning, led by the wonderful Nancy Schalk. It was a wonderful way to start the day, though I had to run across the street to get a cup of coffee beforehand. The pranayama soothed my jangled nerves and I went forth balanced and serene to Ann Miller's Moon Salutation class. I've done Moon Salutations only a couple of times in the past, and despite their name, I find them very nice in the morning. A gentle, but by no means non-challenging way to heat and stretch the morning-tight muscles and joints. Ann does a wonderful job of preparing the body with simple yet powerful warm-ups, and then guides you through the Moon Salutation series 3 times, once for each day of the New Moon, with gradually increasing pace and depth.
I was very pleased with how my Inversion workshop went. I had about a dozen participants, which is a great number for a good energy level, but not so many that we couldn't do some individual work. Hopefully it was well received.
After an enjoyable lunch with some Yoga Buddies, I went to Nancy Schalk's Yoga Therapy class. I had to choose between that and a Restorative Yoga class. It was a tough choice, but I was afraid I'd fall asleep in Restorative, given the lack of sleep and the recent lunch. I got a lot of good info from Nancy that I hope to use in my Chair Yoga class.
Finally got a chance to take one of Sage Hale's Kripalu classes. I've heard such good things about her classes at Invoke, so I was pleased that she was here. Never taken a Kripalu class before...it's a bit slower than the vinyasa flow classes I usually prefer, but I found the class to be very powerful, and it left me with a very relaxed, energized feeling. Sage has a very nice manner as a teacher. She allows her slightly mischievous personality to come through nicely.
Thom Adams led an Iyengar class, which was very informative and challenging. Iyengar classes are a bit different in approach than other classes. The teacher demonstrates the pose, we go to our mats and work on it, then the teacher demonstrates the pose again, with more specific alignment issues to work with, and then we practice again. I got some good info from him on some alignment, as well as some good partner assists.
After dinner, I went to my friend Renee Bogard's Yoga Nidra (like an extended, guided Savasana). it was a great way to cap the day. Renee has a wonderful voice which is very soothing without being droning.
So, now I'm changing out of my comfy yoga clothes, putting on some jeans, and heading down to see what the festivities are. I may call it an early evening, though. I still have to finalize my class for tomorrow.
Friday, November 7, 2008
IYA Fall Yoga Retreat - Night One
Well, I got here around 9:30 p.m., so not a lot going on. There were a few people sitting around talking about how they got into yoga, what it means to them, and why they're here. Seems like a nice group. Different backgrounds and styles. My friend Andrea is here, and Eric Banter and his mother Linda are also here. It's always good to see some familiar faces.
There have been a few schedule changes, some I'm disappointed about. Overall, though, I'm really looking forward to spending the weekend learning and practicing. Oh, and teaching too. But mainly learning and practicing.
Gotta go...I want to make the 6:30 a.m. pranayama class!
There have been a few schedule changes, some I'm disappointed about. Overall, though, I'm really looking forward to spending the weekend learning and practicing. Oh, and teaching too. But mainly learning and practicing.
Gotta go...I want to make the 6:30 a.m. pranayama class!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
We Shall See
It's been so long since I've posted on here. Life has been incredibly busy and full (an amazing and much needed trip to Spain, a very exciting and challenging opportunity to do some fight choreography, some yoga workshops and retreats), and now things are starting to come to a low boil.
Like much of the country, I've also been wrapped up in the recent Presidential race. It's been exciting and energizing to witness so many people getting really involved in the process, from the debates to the media, to the actual voting. This is truly what makes our country so amazing. Despite some of the problems of our nation, despite some of the problems in the process, and even despite some of the devisiveness that political seasons can uncover, the fact that We The People have a say in how we want our country to be shaped is inspiring.
I was very pleased with how the election turned out. This was an historic moment for our nation. Our first President, elected of the people, by the people and for the people, who happens to be African-American. It gives me hope for the world that my grand-daughter will grow up in. It gives me hope for the way our country is now perceived in the world. It gives me hope on so many different fronts, but I am constantly reminded of my favorite Yoga parables:
There once was a farmer. One day the farmer’s only horse broke out of the corral and ran away. The farmer’s neighbors, all hearing of the horse running away, came to the farmer's house to view the corral. As they stood there, the neighbors all said, "Oh what bad luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
About a week later, the horse returned, bringing with it a whole herd of wild horses, which the farmer and his son quickly corralled. The neighbors, hearing of the corralling of the horses, came to see for themselves. As they stood there looking at the corral filled with horses, the neighbors said, "Oh what good luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
A couple of weeks later, the farmer's son's leg was badly broken when he was thrown from a horse he was trying to break. A few days later the broken leg became infected and the son became delirious with fever. The neighbors, all hearing of the incident, came to see the son. As they stood there, the neighbors said, "Oh what bad luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
At that same time in China, there was a war going on between two rival warlords. The warlord of the farmer's village was involved in this war. In need of more soldiers, he sent one of his captains to the village to conscript young men to fight in the war. When the captain came to take the farmer's son he found a young man with a broken leg who was delirious with fever. Knowing there was no way the son could fight, the captain left him there. A few days later, the son's fever broke. The neighbors, hearing of the son's not being taken to fight in the war and of his return to good health, all came to see him. As they stood there, each one said, "Oh what good luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
While I'm pleased with the outcome of the election, we really don't know how things are going to go. Right now, for many people, this seems like a fresh ray of hope. I was moved by President Elect Obama's speech on the eve of the election, as well as Senator McCain's. Was this an historic moment? Absolutely, but once we get past the historic significance, this election was won more on a desire for change in the country than the election of the first black President. I'm sure PE Obama would agree with that. As PE Obama stated in his speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change."
Will this election, and the next four years be all many people are hoping and expecting? "We shall see."
Like much of the country, I've also been wrapped up in the recent Presidential race. It's been exciting and energizing to witness so many people getting really involved in the process, from the debates to the media, to the actual voting. This is truly what makes our country so amazing. Despite some of the problems of our nation, despite some of the problems in the process, and even despite some of the devisiveness that political seasons can uncover, the fact that We The People have a say in how we want our country to be shaped is inspiring.
I was very pleased with how the election turned out. This was an historic moment for our nation. Our first President, elected of the people, by the people and for the people, who happens to be African-American. It gives me hope for the world that my grand-daughter will grow up in. It gives me hope for the way our country is now perceived in the world. It gives me hope on so many different fronts, but I am constantly reminded of my favorite Yoga parables:
There once was a farmer. One day the farmer’s only horse broke out of the corral and ran away. The farmer’s neighbors, all hearing of the horse running away, came to the farmer's house to view the corral. As they stood there, the neighbors all said, "Oh what bad luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
About a week later, the horse returned, bringing with it a whole herd of wild horses, which the farmer and his son quickly corralled. The neighbors, hearing of the corralling of the horses, came to see for themselves. As they stood there looking at the corral filled with horses, the neighbors said, "Oh what good luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
A couple of weeks later, the farmer's son's leg was badly broken when he was thrown from a horse he was trying to break. A few days later the broken leg became infected and the son became delirious with fever. The neighbors, all hearing of the incident, came to see the son. As they stood there, the neighbors said, "Oh what bad luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
At that same time in China, there was a war going on between two rival warlords. The warlord of the farmer's village was involved in this war. In need of more soldiers, he sent one of his captains to the village to conscript young men to fight in the war. When the captain came to take the farmer's son he found a young man with a broken leg who was delirious with fever. Knowing there was no way the son could fight, the captain left him there. A few days later, the son's fever broke. The neighbors, hearing of the son's not being taken to fight in the war and of his return to good health, all came to see him. As they stood there, each one said, "Oh what good luck!" The farmer replied, "We shall see."
While I'm pleased with the outcome of the election, we really don't know how things are going to go. Right now, for many people, this seems like a fresh ray of hope. I was moved by President Elect Obama's speech on the eve of the election, as well as Senator McCain's. Was this an historic moment? Absolutely, but once we get past the historic significance, this election was won more on a desire for change in the country than the election of the first black President. I'm sure PE Obama would agree with that. As PE Obama stated in his speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change."
Will this election, and the next four years be all many people are hoping and expecting? "We shall see."
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
In my recent newsletter, I suggested that we could find ways to ease suffering and be of service close to home. Here are some ideas that I came up with, but I'd like to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas:
1. Volunteer at Nursing Home/Adult Day Care
2. Volunteer at Hospitals
3. Start a canned food drive for needy families
4. Start a diaper drive for needy families
5. Volunteer to read to visually challenged individuals
6. Volunteer for IRIS
7. Volunteer at your local library
8. Clean out your closets and donate gently used coats and clothing to shelters
9. Donate gently used business wear to organizations such as Dress for Success or Career Gear
10. Volunteer to clean up parks and rivers
11. Maintain one of the neighborhood flower beds
12. Start a neighborhood beautification task force
13. Volunteer at the Humane Society
14. Volunteer to do Animal Rescue Transport
15. Help an elderly neighbor or relative with yard work
16. Offer to do the grocery shopping for a home-bound individual
17. Offer to take an elderly relative’s pet for a walk
18. Offer to babysit one evening a month for an overworked young couple
19. Volunteer at your local house of worship
20. Volunteer to help clean or do clerical work for a local yoga studio
Don’t wait to be asked…when you see something that needs to be done, just do it!
1. Volunteer at Nursing Home/Adult Day Care
2. Volunteer at Hospitals
3. Start a canned food drive for needy families
4. Start a diaper drive for needy families
5. Volunteer to read to visually challenged individuals
6. Volunteer for IRIS
7. Volunteer at your local library
8. Clean out your closets and donate gently used coats and clothing to shelters
9. Donate gently used business wear to organizations such as Dress for Success or Career Gear
10. Volunteer to clean up parks and rivers
11. Maintain one of the neighborhood flower beds
12. Start a neighborhood beautification task force
13. Volunteer at the Humane Society
14. Volunteer to do Animal Rescue Transport
15. Help an elderly neighbor or relative with yard work
16. Offer to do the grocery shopping for a home-bound individual
17. Offer to take an elderly relative’s pet for a walk
18. Offer to babysit one evening a month for an overworked young couple
19. Volunteer at your local house of worship
20. Volunteer to help clean or do clerical work for a local yoga studio
Don’t wait to be asked…when you see something that needs to be done, just do it!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
A couple of years ago, someone close to me went through a series of life altering events: her oldest daughter had gotten married and was expecting a baby, her new son-in-law was getting ready to ship off to Iraq, her son was moving out of the house, her dog which she'd had for over 10 years was getting older and having many life-threatening health problems. She had a lot on her plate. Suddenly, she found herself unable to sleep, unable to sit still, unable to focus at work. In addition to a mild anti-anxiety prescription, her doctor recommeded that she try yoga to help her deal with all the new stress in her life. She and I worked together and found that what helped her the most was the deep, controlled mindful breathing.
This is the time of year when there are many changes in our lives. School is starting, some people send their children away to college for the first time, many parents enter the "empty nester" phase of their lives, vacation season is over, and work picks up. Weekends, spent at the pool or on vacation for the last several months, are now filled with sporting events and other "extracurricular" activities. The days start to grow shorter, the leaves change color, the evenings cool off. As a nation we're also on the verge of making decisions as to the leadership of our country.
Our yoga practice teaches us that all things have a begnning, a middle and an end. We enter a pose, we abide in the pose for a period of time, and then we exit the pose. In vinyasa yoga we link these moments together with our breath. We enter our asana practice with a full, energizing, pranic inhale. We may stay in this pose for a single breath, or for several breaths, but ultimately we know we must leave the pose. We do so with a slow, controlled, mindful exhale, allowing the shape of the pose to fall away, or morph into an entirely new shape. When we become adept at this practice, our bodies and our breath form a dance of our spirit. Our mind begins to focus and all of the chatter begins to quiet and silence. Through this practice of entering, abiding and leaving, we learn to deal with other transitions in our lives, staying connected and grounded through this process of mindful awareness to our breathing.
I recently made the choice to let go of a class that I had been teaching almost since I began teaching. A new opportunity presented itself which I found to be very exciting and will help me continue to grow as a teacher. It was a difficult decision to make. I have seen the regular students in the class blossom into beautiful practitioners. Attendance had recently jumped. My ego rebelled against the idea of moving on, but after some reflection and meditation I realized that it was time. I will benefit from the new challenge, and they will benefit from a fresh perspective. We all just need to stay connected to our breath throughout the process.
To my Saturday Morning Source Yoga students, you have inspired me, and taught me so much. I am a better teacher, and person, because of all of you. Namaste.
This is the time of year when there are many changes in our lives. School is starting, some people send their children away to college for the first time, many parents enter the "empty nester" phase of their lives, vacation season is over, and work picks up. Weekends, spent at the pool or on vacation for the last several months, are now filled with sporting events and other "extracurricular" activities. The days start to grow shorter, the leaves change color, the evenings cool off. As a nation we're also on the verge of making decisions as to the leadership of our country.
Our yoga practice teaches us that all things have a begnning, a middle and an end. We enter a pose, we abide in the pose for a period of time, and then we exit the pose. In vinyasa yoga we link these moments together with our breath. We enter our asana practice with a full, energizing, pranic inhale. We may stay in this pose for a single breath, or for several breaths, but ultimately we know we must leave the pose. We do so with a slow, controlled, mindful exhale, allowing the shape of the pose to fall away, or morph into an entirely new shape. When we become adept at this practice, our bodies and our breath form a dance of our spirit. Our mind begins to focus and all of the chatter begins to quiet and silence. Through this practice of entering, abiding and leaving, we learn to deal with other transitions in our lives, staying connected and grounded through this process of mindful awareness to our breathing.
I recently made the choice to let go of a class that I had been teaching almost since I began teaching. A new opportunity presented itself which I found to be very exciting and will help me continue to grow as a teacher. It was a difficult decision to make. I have seen the regular students in the class blossom into beautiful practitioners. Attendance had recently jumped. My ego rebelled against the idea of moving on, but after some reflection and meditation I realized that it was time. I will benefit from the new challenge, and they will benefit from a fresh perspective. We all just need to stay connected to our breath throughout the process.
To my Saturday Morning Source Yoga students, you have inspired me, and taught me so much. I am a better teacher, and person, because of all of you. Namaste.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Making a Difference
On Saturday, September 28 I will be teaching possibly the most important class I've taught in my brief teaching career.
My friend, Pamela Broyles, is trying to raise $20,000 to take part in the Off The Mat, Into The World Seva Challenge. This year, Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling are partnering with the Cambodian Children's Fund to conduct a yoga-based leadership training course in one of the poorest regions of the world - the garbage dumps of Cambodia where small children fend for their families by picking through the trash. During the trip, Pamela will be working directly with the children at one of the five CCF orphanages, and helping to erect a water well in a local village.
The $20,000 fund-raising goal is a requirement to demonstrate that the participants have the qualities of leadership that allow them to rally support and achieve significant goals. While a portion of the money will go to fund Pamela's trip, 90% of the remaining proceeds will be given to CCF to help support their efforts in caring and educating the children and their families. Off the Mat, Into the World® will retain the final 10% of the proceeds. This money will be used to support their charitable programs, which include paying a select number of yoga teachers in the United States willing to commit to volunteering to teach yoga to children in the inner-city educational system, juvenile detention centers, shelters, etc., once a week for one year.
To help Pamela achieve her goal, I will be teaching a 2 1/2 hour heart-opening, service-themed yoga class on Sunday, September 28 beginning at 10 a.m. at Invoke Yoga & Pilates. Suggested donation is $25. My goal is to raise $1,000, every penny of which will go to Pamela. That's only 40 people at the suggested donation level. Please help me spread the word to other yogis in our community, and to other studio owners. I'm happy to send flyers to help promote this event.
Other donations can be made online or in the mail:
Online:
1. Simply click the following link and instructions on the page:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=24100
2. Be sure to choose 'Seva Challenge' from the drop down menu, and select ‘Pamela Broyles’ from the list of names.
3. All online donations are SECURED by GroundSpring.org.
By Mail:
1. To make a donation via check, please send to:
Off the Mat, Into the World®P.O. Box 748Venice, CA 90294
*Make checks payable to The Engage Network, and write Pamela Broyles on the MEMO line.
*All donations will go to The Engage Network, a 501c3 tax exempt organization.
My friend, Pamela Broyles, is trying to raise $20,000 to take part in the Off The Mat, Into The World Seva Challenge. This year, Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling are partnering with the Cambodian Children's Fund to conduct a yoga-based leadership training course in one of the poorest regions of the world - the garbage dumps of Cambodia where small children fend for their families by picking through the trash. During the trip, Pamela will be working directly with the children at one of the five CCF orphanages, and helping to erect a water well in a local village.
The $20,000 fund-raising goal is a requirement to demonstrate that the participants have the qualities of leadership that allow them to rally support and achieve significant goals. While a portion of the money will go to fund Pamela's trip, 90% of the remaining proceeds will be given to CCF to help support their efforts in caring and educating the children and their families. Off the Mat, Into the World® will retain the final 10% of the proceeds. This money will be used to support their charitable programs, which include paying a select number of yoga teachers in the United States willing to commit to volunteering to teach yoga to children in the inner-city educational system, juvenile detention centers, shelters, etc., once a week for one year.
To help Pamela achieve her goal, I will be teaching a 2 1/2 hour heart-opening, service-themed yoga class on Sunday, September 28 beginning at 10 a.m. at Invoke Yoga & Pilates. Suggested donation is $25. My goal is to raise $1,000, every penny of which will go to Pamela. That's only 40 people at the suggested donation level. Please help me spread the word to other yogis in our community, and to other studio owners. I'm happy to send flyers to help promote this event.
Other donations can be made online or in the mail:
Online:
1. Simply click the following link and instructions on the page:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=24100
2. Be sure to choose 'Seva Challenge' from the drop down menu, and select ‘Pamela Broyles’ from the list of names.
3. All online donations are SECURED by GroundSpring.org.
By Mail:
1. To make a donation via check, please send to:
Off the Mat, Into the World®P.O. Box 748Venice, CA 90294
*Make checks payable to The Engage Network, and write Pamela Broyles on the MEMO line.
*All donations will go to The Engage Network, a 501c3 tax exempt organization.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Present Tense
Sometimes we don't know how much we've grown until we find the right yardstick.
Last week I went to my 30th high school reunion (which seems impossible, but there it is). I was a bit nervous about going; high school was not my best time. I was a shy, scrawny, awkward kid. I didn't really fit in with any particular group, though I usually hung out with the "smart" kids. I figured I had a better chance of acceptance there than with the "jocks." It would be another couple of years before I discovered booze and drugs, so the "stoners" scared me. I was very sensitive to everyone else's opinion of me, and spent far too much time trying to be someone I wasn't...usually unsuccessfully. Also, I've never stayed in touch with anyone from high school, so I wasn't even sure if I would know anyone, or if anyone would remember me. Still, I had a desire to go. I think part of it was because the idea made me uncomfortable, I figured I had to go. I got this from my yoga practice...when I encounter a pose that I don't like or that is difficult for me I work on it a lot, trying to "make friends" with it. As my college professor used to say, "Anything we resist, persists."
So, the night of the reunion I'm getting butterflies. As someone once told me, though, the trick isn't to get rid of the butterflies, it's to make them fly in formation. So, I shower, shave, put on some nice clothes and my wife and I head over to the event. While standing at the registration table, a woman approaches me and introduces herself. She sees my name tag, and says "Oh, are you M's brother?" (I have a step-sister who was in the same class as me) "Yes! Yes I am, are you a friend of hers?" "Yes, we were friends in junior high. My name's J. " She then looked at me closer, and said, "My gosh you've changed...you used to be UGLY!"
For a moment, maybe a split-second, I was once again a shy, scrawny, awkward kid. I was ready to bolt, but then I took a breath, smiled, and came back to reality. The truth is, I'm not that person anymore. The woman was right, I have changed. Physically, yes, but more to the point I'm much more comfortable in my own skin. In the 30 years since high school, I've gone to college, started a theater company, moved to New York, had multiple jobs, had a son, fallen in and out of love (several times!), married a wonderful woman, built a house, travelled, had a granddaughter, started a fairly successful yoga business...I've had 30 years of experiences that have led me to this place where I am now. None of us are the same as we were 30 years ago. Most of us aren't the same as we were 5 years ago. Or even 1 year ago. "Well, it's been a while. We've all changed a bit," I replied (...I think...at least that's what I hope I said...I was still a little rocked by "You used to be UGLY!")
The beauty of our yoga practice is that it reminds us that the most important moment in our lives is right-here-right-now-present-tense. What happened in the past may have shaped who we are, but it's not who we are. The Downward Dog that we did yesterday has no bearing on the Downward Dog we do today. The Warrior pose we did at the beginning of today's practice might have loosened up our hips and legs a bit, but it's not the same Warrior pose we did half-way through our practice. We may have learned from the meditation we did last week, but today our minds are grasping onto an entirely different set of circumstances and chatter. As long as we can feel our feet, our seat, our hands or our head touching the ground, we have a sense of where we are, and as long as we're willing to have the courage to deal with what comes out of that, we develop a sense of who we are.
Later in the evening I spotted a guy across the room who used to terrorize me when I was in elementary school. Every day he'd sit behind me on the bus and whisper in my ear that he was gonna kill me, or kick my ass, or some such thing. Even though he never touched me, I was scared to death of him. Now, seeing him as an approaching-middle-aged, tired-looking man, he didn't seem so scary. Still, I knew that I had to talk to him. Simply because the thought of talking to him made me uncomfortable. So, I approached and introduced myself. A big smile crossed his face, and he greeted me with a warm handshake. We had a very pleasant conversation, and remarked on how nice it was to see everyone again. That was it...no big confrontation, no sobbing apology, just two adults who no longer bore any resemblance to the 10-year-old children on the bus. I realized that if I had changed in all those years, so had he.
Last week I went to my 30th high school reunion (which seems impossible, but there it is). I was a bit nervous about going; high school was not my best time. I was a shy, scrawny, awkward kid. I didn't really fit in with any particular group, though I usually hung out with the "smart" kids. I figured I had a better chance of acceptance there than with the "jocks." It would be another couple of years before I discovered booze and drugs, so the "stoners" scared me. I was very sensitive to everyone else's opinion of me, and spent far too much time trying to be someone I wasn't...usually unsuccessfully. Also, I've never stayed in touch with anyone from high school, so I wasn't even sure if I would know anyone, or if anyone would remember me. Still, I had a desire to go. I think part of it was because the idea made me uncomfortable, I figured I had to go. I got this from my yoga practice...when I encounter a pose that I don't like or that is difficult for me I work on it a lot, trying to "make friends" with it. As my college professor used to say, "Anything we resist, persists."
So, the night of the reunion I'm getting butterflies. As someone once told me, though, the trick isn't to get rid of the butterflies, it's to make them fly in formation. So, I shower, shave, put on some nice clothes and my wife and I head over to the event. While standing at the registration table, a woman approaches me and introduces herself. She sees my name tag, and says "Oh, are you M's brother?" (I have a step-sister who was in the same class as me) "Yes! Yes I am, are you a friend of hers?" "Yes, we were friends in junior high. My name's J. " She then looked at me closer, and said, "My gosh you've changed...you used to be UGLY!"
For a moment, maybe a split-second, I was once again a shy, scrawny, awkward kid. I was ready to bolt, but then I took a breath, smiled, and came back to reality. The truth is, I'm not that person anymore. The woman was right, I have changed. Physically, yes, but more to the point I'm much more comfortable in my own skin. In the 30 years since high school, I've gone to college, started a theater company, moved to New York, had multiple jobs, had a son, fallen in and out of love (several times!), married a wonderful woman, built a house, travelled, had a granddaughter, started a fairly successful yoga business...I've had 30 years of experiences that have led me to this place where I am now. None of us are the same as we were 30 years ago. Most of us aren't the same as we were 5 years ago. Or even 1 year ago. "Well, it's been a while. We've all changed a bit," I replied (...I think...at least that's what I hope I said...I was still a little rocked by "You used to be UGLY!")
The beauty of our yoga practice is that it reminds us that the most important moment in our lives is right-here-right-now-present-tense. What happened in the past may have shaped who we are, but it's not who we are. The Downward Dog that we did yesterday has no bearing on the Downward Dog we do today. The Warrior pose we did at the beginning of today's practice might have loosened up our hips and legs a bit, but it's not the same Warrior pose we did half-way through our practice. We may have learned from the meditation we did last week, but today our minds are grasping onto an entirely different set of circumstances and chatter. As long as we can feel our feet, our seat, our hands or our head touching the ground, we have a sense of where we are, and as long as we're willing to have the courage to deal with what comes out of that, we develop a sense of who we are.
Later in the evening I spotted a guy across the room who used to terrorize me when I was in elementary school. Every day he'd sit behind me on the bus and whisper in my ear that he was gonna kill me, or kick my ass, or some such thing. Even though he never touched me, I was scared to death of him. Now, seeing him as an approaching-middle-aged, tired-looking man, he didn't seem so scary. Still, I knew that I had to talk to him. Simply because the thought of talking to him made me uncomfortable. So, I approached and introduced myself. A big smile crossed his face, and he greeted me with a warm handshake. We had a very pleasant conversation, and remarked on how nice it was to see everyone again. That was it...no big confrontation, no sobbing apology, just two adults who no longer bore any resemblance to the 10-year-old children on the bus. I realized that if I had changed in all those years, so had he.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Clearing the Path
My wife and I are big fans of many of the “makeover” types of reality shows. You know the kind: ordinary people whose wardrobes/homes/children have gotten completely out of control are given the chance to work with experts to re-design, re-organize, and re-cover their lives. The one theme that continually comes up is that the mess (for lack of a better term) is NEVER about the mess. Inevitably it’s about holding on to objects or ideas that at one time may have provided a sense of solace, well-being or justice, but have quit serving their purpose and have become obstacles to moving forward. The objects or ideas themselves have become the source of the chaos, and in many instances aren’t even being well-cared for. In one telling example, a couple’s house was over-run with clutter. As the expert was helping the couple sort through the chaos, it was clear that the wife didn’t want to let go of many of the objects because they reminded her of her mother, who had passed away a few years before. They eventually got to a box of china, which had been shoved in a corner and piled over with other boxes and bags of stuff. Most of it was chipped or damaged due to the condition it was being kept in, but still the woman couldn’t let go of it because it had been her mother’s. Finally, in a stroke of insight and compassion (mixed with a dose of harsh reality) the expert asked “This plate is not your mother, and if it were, would you want her to be kept in this condition?” It was painful, but the woman got it. She took the box of china outside, and smashed it, piece by piece, letting go of years of grief and anger. When she was finished, she didn’t just seem different; she LOOKED different; younger, lighter and less burdened. After that moment of clarity, she was able to move forward and let go of even more stuff that was blocking her path. In the end, she did keep a few meaningful mementos of her mother, which she was able to display proudly and care for properly.
In our yoga practice, we use observation, meditation, pranayama and asana to help identify and clear away all of the old, outdated, un-useful thoughts and ideas that clutter up our minds and bodies. Some of these obstructions manifest as tension in the body, some as distracting thoughts, and some as fear, resentment, uncertainty, anger or self-loathing. Many of these obstructions have, or had, a purpose: tension is the result of stress, and is a part of the “fight or flight” response that can be useful in dangerous situations; our ability to generate and follow thoughts are helpful in both the creative process as well as in developing plans of action and strategies; fear and uncertainty can help prevent us from injuring ourselves or others; anger, resentment and self-loathing, while not “healthy” emotions themselves, may be reactions to obstacles, real or perceived, facing us when we try to set and accomplish goals. The problem is when these natural tendencies start to run amok and create barriers to our ability to move forward. These tendencies sometimes are so ingrained, however, that we view them as a part of who we are, and the thought of letting go of them is about as appealing as hacking off one of our legs.
Just over 10 years ago, I was a very serious smoker. My feet didn’t hit the floor in the morning until I had a lit cigarette in my mouth. Then another one right after my shower with my coffee. Another as I got dressed, and still another as I walked to the subway. You get the picture. I was hooked. Not just physically and psychologically, either – I was terrified of what would happen to me if I gave them up. Having quit before, I knew what to expect in terms of the physical withdrawal (some liken it to quitting heroin), but what really scared me was what I would do with all the time that I spent smoking. If you figure it takes an average of 15 minutes to smoke a cigarette, and I was smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes a day, I was spending about 5 hours a day smoking. Granted, most of that time I was doing other things, but that’s still a lot of time to fill. The day that I quit, I hadn’t planned on it. I woke up with an un-opened pack on my dresser, and decided that I would see what it would be like if I delayed opening it until I was done with my shower. It wasn’t too bad, so I decided to delay opening it till I was done with my coffee. Since I had the extra time, I got dressed as I had my coffee and then I had more extra time on my hands, so I decided to start my walk to the subway a bit earlier, still delaying opening the pack, which of course I brought with me. I kept doing this for 3 days, finally deciding that I was committed to the idea of not opening the pack. After 2 weeks, I gave the pack to a friend of mine and I haven’t had a cigarette since.
As I suspected, there was now a vacuum of time that needed to be filled. I started going to a lot of movies. Then I started reading more. I took up roller-blading, and started to attempt several things that I’d always wanted to do, but never could find the time for. It was this path that led me to my first yoga class.
In our asana practice, we begin to notice tension in our bodies, which is a blockage of energy (prana) and, as I mentioned earlier, is the result of stress. As we begin to identify tension, we begin to find ways of releasing it. Sometimes that requires strengthening other parts of our body, sometimes it’s just a matter of re-alignment of the bones and muscles. Once we’ve released the tension, there is a void that is created where the blockage used to be. Something needs to fill that void, so we either re-introduce tension, or we keep it open allowing fresh prana to rush in. If we allow the fresh prana in, our pose seems fresher, more vibrant, more alive. We’re able to breathe more fully, and maintain a sense of well-being. Usually what happens, though, is that the tension re-settles into another area. So, we start the process again, identifying, releasing, creating space and watching what happens. Like a game of “hide and seek” we continue working with the tension in our bodies in this fashion until we eventually uncover all of the hiding spots and can abide in stillness and serenity. By consciously releasing tension, our practice becomes almost effortless and our minds have the opportunity to settle.
We do the same thing in our meditation practice. Once we’re able to still the body, we sit back and observe our thoughts. At first we just notice the thoughts as they arise, without judgment, and gently re-direct our awareness to our breath. Once we’re able to cultivate this observational, non-judgmental, “witness” approach to our thoughts, we begin to notice patterns arising. Going back to the television show analogy, sometimes the participants will be asked to sort their belongings into 3 piles – things to keep, things to discard, and things to repair. It’s the same with our thoughts. Are they serving us? If so, we’ll keep them around. If they’re not serving us, we work to remove or ignore them. Then there are those that might have been useful at one time, but due to abuse or neglect have become obstacles. Those we begin to work on to change alter or mend. As we begin to work with our thoughts in this manner, like the tension in our bodies, the thoughts start to re-appear in other areas or in other forms. So, we continue the process, seeking out their dark hiding places and shining the light of our discrimination on them. As we expose them and learn to release them, we create the void for fresh, new, positive thoughts to dwell.
We can continue this process into our relationships, our work situation, our living situation, whatever is causing disharmony, stress or barriers to our happiness. We observe, we identify, we apply our discrimination and then we take action to free ourselves from the bondage that has been created. Where are we harboring resentment? Where have we acted selfishly? Where are we holding onto things out of habit or obligation? Where are we using the things or situations in our lives as excuses to hold onto the past and rob ourselves of the present? We look closely and objectively at our choices and our role in creating each situation, and then take action to either repair it or release it. Sometimes, energized by this process, we may be tempted to discard everything and start fresh. Because these situations often involve other people, we need to make sure that we don’t create more chaos as we attempt to rid ourselves of un-happy situations. For this reason, it is wise to proceed on this path with the assistance of someone who can act as a guide or sounding board. Someone who has our best interests at heart, but who can also be objective and honest, and who can help us explore the choices we are making.
As we practice this, we become lighter, more vibrant, more filled with energy, and we’ve created the space for new, fresh and positive things to enter our lives. From time to time, we all need to do a little housecleaning. Sometimes we clean out a drawer, sometimes we tackle the attic. Regardless of how big or small the task, clearing away the things that are unused, broken or unnecessary will create space for new, healthy and positive energy to come into our lives.
In our yoga practice, we use observation, meditation, pranayama and asana to help identify and clear away all of the old, outdated, un-useful thoughts and ideas that clutter up our minds and bodies. Some of these obstructions manifest as tension in the body, some as distracting thoughts, and some as fear, resentment, uncertainty, anger or self-loathing. Many of these obstructions have, or had, a purpose: tension is the result of stress, and is a part of the “fight or flight” response that can be useful in dangerous situations; our ability to generate and follow thoughts are helpful in both the creative process as well as in developing plans of action and strategies; fear and uncertainty can help prevent us from injuring ourselves or others; anger, resentment and self-loathing, while not “healthy” emotions themselves, may be reactions to obstacles, real or perceived, facing us when we try to set and accomplish goals. The problem is when these natural tendencies start to run amok and create barriers to our ability to move forward. These tendencies sometimes are so ingrained, however, that we view them as a part of who we are, and the thought of letting go of them is about as appealing as hacking off one of our legs.
Just over 10 years ago, I was a very serious smoker. My feet didn’t hit the floor in the morning until I had a lit cigarette in my mouth. Then another one right after my shower with my coffee. Another as I got dressed, and still another as I walked to the subway. You get the picture. I was hooked. Not just physically and psychologically, either – I was terrified of what would happen to me if I gave them up. Having quit before, I knew what to expect in terms of the physical withdrawal (some liken it to quitting heroin), but what really scared me was what I would do with all the time that I spent smoking. If you figure it takes an average of 15 minutes to smoke a cigarette, and I was smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes a day, I was spending about 5 hours a day smoking. Granted, most of that time I was doing other things, but that’s still a lot of time to fill. The day that I quit, I hadn’t planned on it. I woke up with an un-opened pack on my dresser, and decided that I would see what it would be like if I delayed opening it until I was done with my shower. It wasn’t too bad, so I decided to delay opening it till I was done with my coffee. Since I had the extra time, I got dressed as I had my coffee and then I had more extra time on my hands, so I decided to start my walk to the subway a bit earlier, still delaying opening the pack, which of course I brought with me. I kept doing this for 3 days, finally deciding that I was committed to the idea of not opening the pack. After 2 weeks, I gave the pack to a friend of mine and I haven’t had a cigarette since.
As I suspected, there was now a vacuum of time that needed to be filled. I started going to a lot of movies. Then I started reading more. I took up roller-blading, and started to attempt several things that I’d always wanted to do, but never could find the time for. It was this path that led me to my first yoga class.
In our asana practice, we begin to notice tension in our bodies, which is a blockage of energy (prana) and, as I mentioned earlier, is the result of stress. As we begin to identify tension, we begin to find ways of releasing it. Sometimes that requires strengthening other parts of our body, sometimes it’s just a matter of re-alignment of the bones and muscles. Once we’ve released the tension, there is a void that is created where the blockage used to be. Something needs to fill that void, so we either re-introduce tension, or we keep it open allowing fresh prana to rush in. If we allow the fresh prana in, our pose seems fresher, more vibrant, more alive. We’re able to breathe more fully, and maintain a sense of well-being. Usually what happens, though, is that the tension re-settles into another area. So, we start the process again, identifying, releasing, creating space and watching what happens. Like a game of “hide and seek” we continue working with the tension in our bodies in this fashion until we eventually uncover all of the hiding spots and can abide in stillness and serenity. By consciously releasing tension, our practice becomes almost effortless and our minds have the opportunity to settle.
We do the same thing in our meditation practice. Once we’re able to still the body, we sit back and observe our thoughts. At first we just notice the thoughts as they arise, without judgment, and gently re-direct our awareness to our breath. Once we’re able to cultivate this observational, non-judgmental, “witness” approach to our thoughts, we begin to notice patterns arising. Going back to the television show analogy, sometimes the participants will be asked to sort their belongings into 3 piles – things to keep, things to discard, and things to repair. It’s the same with our thoughts. Are they serving us? If so, we’ll keep them around. If they’re not serving us, we work to remove or ignore them. Then there are those that might have been useful at one time, but due to abuse or neglect have become obstacles. Those we begin to work on to change alter or mend. As we begin to work with our thoughts in this manner, like the tension in our bodies, the thoughts start to re-appear in other areas or in other forms. So, we continue the process, seeking out their dark hiding places and shining the light of our discrimination on them. As we expose them and learn to release them, we create the void for fresh, new, positive thoughts to dwell.
We can continue this process into our relationships, our work situation, our living situation, whatever is causing disharmony, stress or barriers to our happiness. We observe, we identify, we apply our discrimination and then we take action to free ourselves from the bondage that has been created. Where are we harboring resentment? Where have we acted selfishly? Where are we holding onto things out of habit or obligation? Where are we using the things or situations in our lives as excuses to hold onto the past and rob ourselves of the present? We look closely and objectively at our choices and our role in creating each situation, and then take action to either repair it or release it. Sometimes, energized by this process, we may be tempted to discard everything and start fresh. Because these situations often involve other people, we need to make sure that we don’t create more chaos as we attempt to rid ourselves of un-happy situations. For this reason, it is wise to proceed on this path with the assistance of someone who can act as a guide or sounding board. Someone who has our best interests at heart, but who can also be objective and honest, and who can help us explore the choices we are making.
As we practice this, we become lighter, more vibrant, more filled with energy, and we’ve created the space for new, fresh and positive things to enter our lives. From time to time, we all need to do a little housecleaning. Sometimes we clean out a drawer, sometimes we tackle the attic. Regardless of how big or small the task, clearing away the things that are unused, broken or unnecessary will create space for new, healthy and positive energy to come into our lives.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Taming the Beast
About 20 years ago I was involved in a freak accident at the restaurant I was working at. A walk-in door slammed shut on my face, and I ended up with a hairline fracture in my jaw (quick note, having your jaw wired shut for 6 weeks is NOT a recommended weight loss strategy!). As a result of that accident, I've suffered from TMJ problems throughout my adult life. The main problem I have is that most tension in my body gravitates right to my jaw. With time, the ill-effects have lessened, but there was a time that the tension caused severe headaches, teeth-grinding and interrupted sleep. Tension in the jaw can also radiate out into the neck and shoulders, which can create their own health issues.
Tension in the body is generally the result of stress, either physical, mental or emotional. Un-checked, stress can lead to a variety of disorders such as heart disease and depression. Before I discovered yoga I used a lot of unhealthy means to try to deal with tension and stress in my life: alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, food, sex, spending...you name it, I probably tried it. The problem was, these methods only masked the symptoms, and in many cases started to cause other problems. I started to become unreliable at work; I was spending too much money and was always scrounging around to pay my rent and bills; I was isolating myself from family and friends. All of my coping tools stopped working. I had created a hamster-wheel of bad choices and un-resolved situations. It wasn’t until I was ready to look at and address the reality of my life that I was able to clean up some of the mess that I had made, thereby starting the process of releasing some of the pressure that had built up. With work, I started to be able to make choices that didn’t bring more chaos into my life. Stressful situations still arose, but instead of trying to hide from them or mask them, I learned to deal with them. It was this journey that led me to yoga, where I found a very healthy way to start to work off tension and begin to detoxify physically, so that I could start to detoxify emotionally and spiritually.
A life free from tension and stress isn't necessarily the goal of our yoga practice. As wonderful as that sounds, it's not terribly realistic. Everyone has stress of one kind or another in their lives. Denying the truth of this will cause our stress and tension to re-direct into other areas of our lives, or build up like a pressure cooker, waiting to burst forth in unhealthy ways. So, in our asana practice we deliberately put our bodies into very stressful situations, and then observe where we feel tension and restriction. We use our breath, our awareness and our attention to release the tension, thereby relieving the stress. We practice this physically so that we begin to become aware of the process, then we can start to apply it to our lives off the mat. Through this practice of self-observation we develop self-awareness, and then begin to identify those situations that trigger stress and tension, and begin to make choices based on those triggers.
Tension in the body is generally the result of stress, either physical, mental or emotional. Un-checked, stress can lead to a variety of disorders such as heart disease and depression. Before I discovered yoga I used a lot of unhealthy means to try to deal with tension and stress in my life: alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, food, sex, spending...you name it, I probably tried it. The problem was, these methods only masked the symptoms, and in many cases started to cause other problems. I started to become unreliable at work; I was spending too much money and was always scrounging around to pay my rent and bills; I was isolating myself from family and friends. All of my coping tools stopped working. I had created a hamster-wheel of bad choices and un-resolved situations. It wasn’t until I was ready to look at and address the reality of my life that I was able to clean up some of the mess that I had made, thereby starting the process of releasing some of the pressure that had built up. With work, I started to be able to make choices that didn’t bring more chaos into my life. Stressful situations still arose, but instead of trying to hide from them or mask them, I learned to deal with them. It was this journey that led me to yoga, where I found a very healthy way to start to work off tension and begin to detoxify physically, so that I could start to detoxify emotionally and spiritually.
A life free from tension and stress isn't necessarily the goal of our yoga practice. As wonderful as that sounds, it's not terribly realistic. Everyone has stress of one kind or another in their lives. Denying the truth of this will cause our stress and tension to re-direct into other areas of our lives, or build up like a pressure cooker, waiting to burst forth in unhealthy ways. So, in our asana practice we deliberately put our bodies into very stressful situations, and then observe where we feel tension and restriction. We use our breath, our awareness and our attention to release the tension, thereby relieving the stress. We practice this physically so that we begin to become aware of the process, then we can start to apply it to our lives off the mat. Through this practice of self-observation we develop self-awareness, and then begin to identify those situations that trigger stress and tension, and begin to make choices based on those triggers.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Corn Thoughts
So, on Thursday evening I attended the Seane Corn vinyasa class at Cityoga. Sometimes an event or a person is hyped so much that the reality is a bit of a disappointment. I'm happy to report that this was not the case. It's clear why Seane is such a popular and in-demand instructor. Her passion for using her yoga practice as a means of service to mankind is infectious. The theme for this class was Living Like You Mean It, sort of a riff on my favorite Gandhi quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The entire practice was a spirit-charging call to arms to live life with authenticity and passion, and to let go of all of the stories and narratives that we tell ourselves which keep us from living our lives fully and free from darkness and suffering. Approach life from a standpoint of love and service, and make the embodiment of those principles our practice, starting with treating ourselves with compassion (a favorite theme of mine). Remembering always that we are human, and we'll fail, but that we can pick ourselves back up, dust ourselves off and try again. That, like our yoga, our life is practice, not perfection.
The asana portion of the class was very intense. She gives very clear instruction, and works every part of your body and spirit. She's also very funny and down-to-earth. She masterfully weaves the theme of her class into the physical practice, something that I am slowly learning to do. She highlighted some poses (like chaturanga dandasana) by workshopping them and being very precise about which muscle engagements we were working with. The class was packed (which reminded me so much of NY classes), and the energy in the room was amazing. I was sweating heavily by 15 minutes into the practice, partly because of the heat generated by the students, partly due to the long holds that she employs. While none of the poses were too crazy or advanced, the sequencing and holds made for a very challenging, demanding practice. Toxins were pouring out of me, and at one point Seane suggested that I turn my mat over so that I didn't slip. Fortunately I had my YogiToes mat in my bag, so I took an opportunity to go get it. I had wanted to do the entire class, but had to take a couple of breaks, once to use the bathroom during Dhanurasana, and once during a twisting series due to the results of some poor dietary choices (I'll spare everyone the gross details).
As I posted earlier, there is a reason why many of these instructors are so popular and in-demand. Not only are they master practitioners, but they also let their practice inform all areas of their lives. Their insights come from years of practice and study. They embody the meaning of the word "yoga" in the way that they unite their practice and their lives, creating a very authentic, organic approach to each, because at some point there ceases to be a separation. Life and practice become one.
I look forward to taking more of Seane's classes in the future, and also look forward to taking classes from other teachers coming through town. Stay tuned for info about other in-coming teachers!
The asana portion of the class was very intense. She gives very clear instruction, and works every part of your body and spirit. She's also very funny and down-to-earth. She masterfully weaves the theme of her class into the physical practice, something that I am slowly learning to do. She highlighted some poses (like chaturanga dandasana) by workshopping them and being very precise about which muscle engagements we were working with. The class was packed (which reminded me so much of NY classes), and the energy in the room was amazing. I was sweating heavily by 15 minutes into the practice, partly because of the heat generated by the students, partly due to the long holds that she employs. While none of the poses were too crazy or advanced, the sequencing and holds made for a very challenging, demanding practice. Toxins were pouring out of me, and at one point Seane suggested that I turn my mat over so that I didn't slip. Fortunately I had my YogiToes mat in my bag, so I took an opportunity to go get it. I had wanted to do the entire class, but had to take a couple of breaks, once to use the bathroom during Dhanurasana, and once during a twisting series due to the results of some poor dietary choices (I'll spare everyone the gross details).
As I posted earlier, there is a reason why many of these instructors are so popular and in-demand. Not only are they master practitioners, but they also let their practice inform all areas of their lives. Their insights come from years of practice and study. They embody the meaning of the word "yoga" in the way that they unite their practice and their lives, creating a very authentic, organic approach to each, because at some point there ceases to be a separation. Life and practice become one.
I look forward to taking more of Seane's classes in the future, and also look forward to taking classes from other teachers coming through town. Stay tuned for info about other in-coming teachers!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Down-Dog Dayz
The dog days of summer are upon us. Actually, according to our dogs, it's already too hot. On our walk this morning, our dog Zoey looked at me as if to say "You've GOT to be KIDDING!" So, I practiced some compassion for our fur-bearing friend and cut the walk short. When I next saw Zoey, she was in her favorite spot: under our bed with her back feet sticking out. She looks like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of OZ.
With summer comes a downturn in class attendance. This happens pretty much across the board. People go on vacation, they want to spend more time outside, they want to go to the pool, etc. This happens every year, yet every year I have a moment of panic. Maybe I suck as a teacher? Maybe people only come to my class when there's nothing better to do? Maybe this whole yoga-teaching experiment was a HUGE mistake? Then a student comes up to me and tells me how much they enjoy my class. A studio contacts me about teaching a workshop in the fall. All of a sudden life is wonderful and maybe it's just summer after all.
Ego, ego, ego...blah, blah, blah.
When I was first starting to learn pranayama, I had a tough time with any practice where we had to retain the exhale. The first time I tried it, I made it 2 seconds before the panic set in...isn't the teacher ever going to let us inhale? I feel like I'm drowning, how long can this possibly go on why won't she tell us to breathe can't she see my face turning red and blue and then finally the instruction to inhale comes and I gasp in a big gulp of air and start panting much like Zoey this morning on our walk. We try it again, and again, and yet again and after a while I became more comfortable with the practice. I still couldn't retain the exhale for long, but I was able to control my inhale. I became aware of when I started to feel panic, and was able to either relax, or allow myself to take a slow, controlled inhale.
I sometimes get this same panic feeling when I take a class with an instructor who I'm not familiar with, or when I'm asked to hold a pose longer than I'm comfortable with or asked to do "just one more" repetition of a vinyasa sequence. Through the practice of pranayama and breath retention, though, I have become very aware of when I start to hold onto my breath as if it's my last, when I have a tendency to want to throw up my hands in frustration, or when I genuinely need to release. I've learned that surrender isn't failure, but rather putting my trust in something far greater than myself. Most importantly, I've learned that there are very few things that I can't do for just one more breath.
Hopefully next summer I'll remember that class attendance drops off, and recognize that it's not a comment on me personally. Hopefully I'll be able to meet this with grace and equanimity, and remember to breathe. Hopefully I'll be able to offer myself the same compassion that I offered to Zoey.
Have a great rest of the summer!
With summer comes a downturn in class attendance. This happens pretty much across the board. People go on vacation, they want to spend more time outside, they want to go to the pool, etc. This happens every year, yet every year I have a moment of panic. Maybe I suck as a teacher? Maybe people only come to my class when there's nothing better to do? Maybe this whole yoga-teaching experiment was a HUGE mistake? Then a student comes up to me and tells me how much they enjoy my class. A studio contacts me about teaching a workshop in the fall. All of a sudden life is wonderful and maybe it's just summer after all.
Ego, ego, ego...blah, blah, blah.
When I was first starting to learn pranayama, I had a tough time with any practice where we had to retain the exhale. The first time I tried it, I made it 2 seconds before the panic set in...isn't the teacher ever going to let us inhale? I feel like I'm drowning, how long can this possibly go on why won't she tell us to breathe can't she see my face turning red and blue and then finally the instruction to inhale comes and I gasp in a big gulp of air and start panting much like Zoey this morning on our walk. We try it again, and again, and yet again and after a while I became more comfortable with the practice. I still couldn't retain the exhale for long, but I was able to control my inhale. I became aware of when I started to feel panic, and was able to either relax, or allow myself to take a slow, controlled inhale.
I sometimes get this same panic feeling when I take a class with an instructor who I'm not familiar with, or when I'm asked to hold a pose longer than I'm comfortable with or asked to do "just one more" repetition of a vinyasa sequence. Through the practice of pranayama and breath retention, though, I have become very aware of when I start to hold onto my breath as if it's my last, when I have a tendency to want to throw up my hands in frustration, or when I genuinely need to release. I've learned that surrender isn't failure, but rather putting my trust in something far greater than myself. Most importantly, I've learned that there are very few things that I can't do for just one more breath.
Hopefully next summer I'll remember that class attendance drops off, and recognize that it's not a comment on me personally. Hopefully I'll be able to meet this with grace and equanimity, and remember to breathe. Hopefully I'll be able to offer myself the same compassion that I offered to Zoey.
Have a great rest of the summer!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Continuing Ed
I'm very excited...on Thursday I'm finally getting the opportunity to study with a teacher who I've wanted to study with for a while, Seane Corn. The last few times she's been in Indy, either I've been busy or out of town.
The yoga community here in the Heartland is still in it's growing stages, so there are many fewer opportunities to study with world-class vinyasa teachers like Seane right here in our own back yard. When the opportunities like this arise, it's important that we, as a community, support them so that Indy will start to become a desired destination for these high-caliber teachers. Last year, when Doug Swenson came to town to do a weekend teacher training, there were only a handful of instructors who took advantage of the opportunity. Doug has been practicing and teaching all over the world since the 1970's...he has a deep understanding and unique perspective on our practice. Sadly, because of the small turnout, it will be more difficult to convince him to return in the future.
The Anusara Yoga community seems to have built up a network to support their master teachers, helping promote their workshops and spreading the word about their teachings. Since all change starts at home, I'm going to commit to spreading the word in the local ashtanga/vinyasa community about visiting teachers who would be of interest, and make every effort to support their local teachings. We, as yoga practitioners, will benefit from the experience and knowledge of these remarkable teachers. As a community coming together for these teachings, sharing our practices and our individual insights, can only make us stronger and more connected.
Check back later for my thoughts on Seane's class!
The yoga community here in the Heartland is still in it's growing stages, so there are many fewer opportunities to study with world-class vinyasa teachers like Seane right here in our own back yard. When the opportunities like this arise, it's important that we, as a community, support them so that Indy will start to become a desired destination for these high-caliber teachers. Last year, when Doug Swenson came to town to do a weekend teacher training, there were only a handful of instructors who took advantage of the opportunity. Doug has been practicing and teaching all over the world since the 1970's...he has a deep understanding and unique perspective on our practice. Sadly, because of the small turnout, it will be more difficult to convince him to return in the future.
The Anusara Yoga community seems to have built up a network to support their master teachers, helping promote their workshops and spreading the word about their teachings. Since all change starts at home, I'm going to commit to spreading the word in the local ashtanga/vinyasa community about visiting teachers who would be of interest, and make every effort to support their local teachings. We, as yoga practitioners, will benefit from the experience and knowledge of these remarkable teachers. As a community coming together for these teachings, sharing our practices and our individual insights, can only make us stronger and more connected.
Check back later for my thoughts on Seane's class!
Monday, July 14, 2008
My First Blog
So this is my first attempt at blogging. We'll see how it goes. To start things off (and this may be cheating a bit), I thought I'd share with you an article that I posted on my monthly e-newsletter.
Last year I was teaching yoga to a group of teenagers. At first I was focusing on all the things that I would with a group of adults: breath awareness alignment, concentration, etc. We worked on some basic Sun Salutations, several standing poses, some easy heart-openers and forward folds. After a while, I sensed that the teens were losing interest in working on many of the same things, so one day I worked with them on Bakasana (Crow Pose). Some flew, some fell, but overall everyone really enjoyed the challenge; one thing about teenagers, they're FEARLESS! Next week, I decided to work on Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand). Some of the kids practiced gymnastics, or were cheerleaders, so they were thrilled to be able to show off their abilities, and were also amazed that standing on their hands was doing yoga. The next week they rushed in, full of energy, doing cartwheels, handstands and a variety of other contortions, all the while asking "Is this yoga? Is THIS yoga? What about this?" After a few moments I got them to calm down enough to sit and focus. I explained that while many of the exercises that they were doing were indeed yoga poses,
the practice of yoga was more than just the crazy, twisty, bendy things that we do. I said it's sort of like when you're playing music, or dancing or even talking with your friends and everything becomes effortless and you lose track of time and you feel totally energized, like you're "in the zone." We practice working with our breath, our bodies and our concentration in a kind compassionate way so that we can maybe find "the zone" for ourselves.
The style of hatha yoga that I practice and teach, and that speaks to me the most, is vinyasa yoga. What appealed to me initially was the physical part of the practice. It was both challenging and fun, and, like the teenagers, I marvelled at some of the crazy things I could do. I was fortunate, though, to have teachers who framed their classes with personal anecdotes about how they were using their yoga practice (the other seven limbs)in their lives. At first I thought this was a massive waste of time. I mean, let's just get moving already! Slowly I started seeing some relevance between the stories and what we were doing in class. I started noticing when I was approaching the postures with aggression and when I was not being honest about my ability. I learned that sometimes I had to back away from certain poses in order to find more release. Then I started noticing how I had those same tendencies in my relationships with others and with myself. Like the proverbial onion, I started peeling away layers. I discovered how I was able to sometimes coordinate my breath, my body and my mind to achieve a state of meditation in the midst of the vinyasa flow.
Our yoga practice is like a chocolate chip cookie recipe (OK, if I think really hard, I can relate almost anything to chocolate chip cookies). If you eat just one part of it, say the chocolate chips, it may be tasty, but it's not a chocolate chip cookie. In order to make the cookies, you need the chocolate chips, the flour, the butter, the sugar, and even a pinch of salt. If you take the asana (postures) out of the yoga practice, you may get a good workout, but you're missing the elements that make it yoga. When we allow attention to our breath to guide our practice, when we concentrate and allow our mind to quiet, when we become intimately attuned to our senses and our bodies, and finally when we allow all of these ingredients to bake in the oven of devotion and compassion, then we have something delicious.
Last year I was teaching yoga to a group of teenagers. At first I was focusing on all the things that I would with a group of adults: breath awareness alignment, concentration, etc. We worked on some basic Sun Salutations, several standing poses, some easy heart-openers and forward folds. After a while, I sensed that the teens were losing interest in working on many of the same things, so one day I worked with them on Bakasana (Crow Pose). Some flew, some fell, but overall everyone really enjoyed the challenge; one thing about teenagers, they're FEARLESS! Next week, I decided to work on Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand). Some of the kids practiced gymnastics, or were cheerleaders, so they were thrilled to be able to show off their abilities, and were also amazed that standing on their hands was doing yoga. The next week they rushed in, full of energy, doing cartwheels, handstands and a variety of other contortions, all the while asking "Is this yoga? Is THIS yoga? What about this?" After a few moments I got them to calm down enough to sit and focus. I explained that while many of the exercises that they were doing were indeed yoga poses,
the practice of yoga was more than just the crazy, twisty, bendy things that we do. I said it's sort of like when you're playing music, or dancing or even talking with your friends and everything becomes effortless and you lose track of time and you feel totally energized, like you're "in the zone." We practice working with our breath, our bodies and our concentration in a kind compassionate way so that we can maybe find "the zone" for ourselves.
The style of hatha yoga that I practice and teach, and that speaks to me the most, is vinyasa yoga. What appealed to me initially was the physical part of the practice. It was both challenging and fun, and, like the teenagers, I marvelled at some of the crazy things I could do. I was fortunate, though, to have teachers who framed their classes with personal anecdotes about how they were using their yoga practice (the other seven limbs)in their lives. At first I thought this was a massive waste of time. I mean, let's just get moving already! Slowly I started seeing some relevance between the stories and what we were doing in class. I started noticing when I was approaching the postures with aggression and when I was not being honest about my ability. I learned that sometimes I had to back away from certain poses in order to find more release. Then I started noticing how I had those same tendencies in my relationships with others and with myself. Like the proverbial onion, I started peeling away layers. I discovered how I was able to sometimes coordinate my breath, my body and my mind to achieve a state of meditation in the midst of the vinyasa flow.
Our yoga practice is like a chocolate chip cookie recipe (OK, if I think really hard, I can relate almost anything to chocolate chip cookies). If you eat just one part of it, say the chocolate chips, it may be tasty, but it's not a chocolate chip cookie. In order to make the cookies, you need the chocolate chips, the flour, the butter, the sugar, and even a pinch of salt. If you take the asana (postures) out of the yoga practice, you may get a good workout, but you're missing the elements that make it yoga. When we allow attention to our breath to guide our practice, when we concentrate and allow our mind to quiet, when we become intimately attuned to our senses and our bodies, and finally when we allow all of these ingredients to bake in the oven of devotion and compassion, then we have something delicious.
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