It happens every time.
I go in to the class without expectations - only knowing that the class is going to be warm and that we usually start with subtle, small movements either on our backs or in a seated posture. Before other classes, I might warm up my spine and my hips a little bit....because at this stage in my yogic journey, I know my body well enough to know how to warm it up before I try challenging poses. But when I go to Theresa's class, I know she's got that covered.
Theresa Murphy that is. Then she begins. I mean, she begins...talking. (This is part of the "it" I mentioned at the beginning.) Many teachers (myself included) begin class with some kind of "centering" which may include breathing, focusing your attention into one-pointedness some way or another, finding an intention for the class, which is all well and good. This is a great way to get the mind cleared of extraneous thoughts, come to the here-and-now, and to be open in mind, body, spirit for your yoga asana practice. Then there's Theresa who speaks from a place not only of deep knowledge and experience of this practice, but a profound space of intuition. I've always known, or felt rather, that intuition is more intelligent than knowledge. You know those people who have the "gift of the gab" but at the end of the conversation you have no idea what was just said? With Theresa, the opposite is true. One sentence makes me feel like I've just been on a pilgrimage.
Sometimes she will talk at the beginning and throughout class about a physical attribute such as a specific muscle group that we might be working on for the day, "Reaching through the webbing of our fingertips," or "those small muscles on the sides of the gluteus that we rarely pay enough attention to." Other times her class themes are more abstract though in a way that I can only describe as ethereal. Today she spoke of "letting go of the "holding on" of the thoughts and actions that make us separate from each other, the environment and the space around us, and instead being with the present moment as a blissful connection to all that surrounds us."
I promise I didn't get that quote exactly right. In fact, there shouldn't even really be quotation marks around it. I'm not able to articulate the eloquence with which she rolls words out of her mouth, from that intuitive place inside her, that truly allows you, the student, to feel safe, connected, and like you were put on this earth to do great things....and of course to come to Theresa's class every week.
The class begins slow, as I mentioned, and you roll through the class not even for a moment being able to guess what might come next. In some flow classes and other types of asana (posture) classes, there seems to be a predictable rhythm at times, going through seated postures, standing poses, twists, etc. In Theresa's there is a delicious mystery at every turn. Sometimes this mystery is in the form of a crescent-lunge twist where your armpit is guided further towards your knee than you ever thought possible. Sometimes it's in the shape of Supta Virasana, a pose which for me has always been excruciating to the knees, but with Thersa's guidance of "scooping your belly hollow like a canoe" and "using your core more than you ever have before" and "letting your kidneys and tailbone fall away from each other," somehow I melt into the pose over a bolster like silk draped over a cushy French chaise.
By the end of the class, many times holding some kind of "peak pose" that I never thought I'd be capable of achieving, I always have some kind of breakthrough. This could be in the form of more open hips, a fuller heart, or something bigger like an easeful backbend or a light and strong handstand. I often go home after her class and sit in silence, feeling a sense of growth and accomplishment all in one, sometimes going over the poses or the subtle movements in my head, hoping that somewhere in my body, I've retained her teachings.
Then it happens again. That "it" I was telling you about. This "it" has happened to me after weekend-long yoga trainings or hours-long workshops, or when I've been in the presence of "big name" yoga or meditation teachers after long moments of meditation. This feeling of utter peace. This feeling of gratitude. This glimpse of spiritual enlightenment. Her words settle on a place in my heart that reminds me that I am in a place of comfort, that I am in a place of holy, and that I am in the right place, on this journey of mine, on this journey of ours, at the right time. This feeling of connectedness with all beings.
Theresa has a classy and articulate way of addressing world occurrences and relating them to our yoga practice. Today she referenced the awful shootings at the South Carolina church and told us a story of a Master who was asked by one of his students after one of the atomic bombs was dropped in WWII, "What kind of heart-mind would be able to create such a thing of destruction and hurt?" The Master replied, "The kind of mind that says, 'I like this, but I don't like that." She suggested again that we "let go of the "holding on" of the thoughts and actions that make us separate from each other," and once again, I felt a deep sense of knowing...a deep sense of...Theresa.
At the end of class we sit upright on our sits-bones and sound that universal sound of peace: one single Om. I am always the last to leave class. I sit there for a moment, letting it all sink in. I want to tell her all these things that I feel, every single class, but I'm never sure how to put it into words, so I sit, in gratitude, and hope she feels my grateful, emanating heart.
"A Yogi in Training" might sound like I'm new to the practice of yoga. Quite the contrary. I was exposed to yoga at a very young age, and only formally began taking classes in my early 20s...but recently my practice has been reaching new levels and I'm understanding more and more that I'll always be a yogi in training. There's so much to learn. There's so much room to grow. I have so much I want to share and express. Enjoy the journey with me. Om namah.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
2015: The Year of Intentions and Manifestations
For the past four years, I've done away with Resolutions. They don't work. It's very easy to make a resolution - to make a statement about what you want to do - but as many people know, it's quite another to stick with the process and to see it all the way through.
That's why four years ago, I resolved to do away with resolutions and instead invite in themes for the entire year. I wrote about my themes in my New Year's blog from last year which you can read here.
Each year, in addition to creating a "theme" for my entire year, I also write out goals. Last year, I wrote out 20 attainable goals in the front of my journal. I recently looked back at them and guess what? I only fully completed one of them. Sure, I made progress on a bunch more but I got to thinking, "How can I make sure I actually attain my goals?"
In 2014 I turned inward a lot. I was a homebody. I listened to loads of meditations, read tons of articles about how to dream big and how to go about chasing those dreams. The theme of setting intentions and allowing those intentions to manifest came up pretty frequently. I started writing my dreams over and over in different ways: in the present moment, in attainable little steps, by trying to use my senses and understand my feelings about what I wanted. As Eve Agee mentions, "Writing down how we feel will manifest what we want even quicker because our feelings activate the "Law of Attraction" and become a mighty force in our creation process."
I happened across webinars for year-long intentions, 90-day intentions and weekly intentions and how much this has helped the leaders I've been listening to and studying get focused on their business/relationship/health, etc. What was really powerful, however, was looking back at 2014 and being grateful - grateful for all of the people that came into my life, the natural power of essential oils that began to heal me, time spent with family and friends, becoming a yoga teacher, launching different parts of my business, and so much more. It made me realize that although not all of my 20 goals at the beginning of my journal were completely met, that we always have to leave room for surprises. In fact, part of the webinar I took part in regarding 90-day intentions instructed that after you set your intentions by first desiring them, then writing them down - you must let them go. Let your mind become clear and open to receive anything that may come your way.
I decided to look up the definition of resolution to remind myself of the actual meaning of the word and to confirm that what I was doing with intentions made any sense.
It sounds so definitive, doesn't it? Moreover, the example that is used is a negative one and actually creates anger in me when I read it. The first definition suggests that I make a decision now and the second that there is already some sort of controversial dispute happening.
Then, intention:
Ahhhhhhh. Now this seems more like it. I have an aim and a plan, and the example is much more positive in nature. As I write, I am already relaxing more and a smile is forming on my face. What's more interesting is the second definition, which is new to me - that it is also a healing process. This makes me feel better about my intentions already.
So perhaps you are still working on your goals for the year. Maybe this post will inspire you to create intentions for the first time. In reviewing all I learned from last year, I've realized my goals need to be reviewed constantly; they might change, and smaller goals and intentions should be made along the way if I truly want to attain them and it's a good way to hold myself accountable.
In 2012 I Expressed Myself Radically. In 2013 I tried to Connect, Collaborate and Create. 2014 was all about Giving and Gratitude. In 2015 I will create Intentions that turn into Manifestations.
Remember: "You are never given a Dream without also the Power to make it come true." Richard Bach
Happy New Year.
Om Namah
That's why four years ago, I resolved to do away with resolutions and instead invite in themes for the entire year. I wrote about my themes in my New Year's blog from last year which you can read here.
Each year, in addition to creating a "theme" for my entire year, I also write out goals. Last year, I wrote out 20 attainable goals in the front of my journal. I recently looked back at them and guess what? I only fully completed one of them. Sure, I made progress on a bunch more but I got to thinking, "How can I make sure I actually attain my goals?"
In 2014 I turned inward a lot. I was a homebody. I listened to loads of meditations, read tons of articles about how to dream big and how to go about chasing those dreams. The theme of setting intentions and allowing those intentions to manifest came up pretty frequently. I started writing my dreams over and over in different ways: in the present moment, in attainable little steps, by trying to use my senses and understand my feelings about what I wanted. As Eve Agee mentions, "Writing down how we feel will manifest what we want even quicker because our feelings activate the "Law of Attraction" and become a mighty force in our creation process."
I happened across webinars for year-long intentions, 90-day intentions and weekly intentions and how much this has helped the leaders I've been listening to and studying get focused on their business/relationship/health, etc. What was really powerful, however, was looking back at 2014 and being grateful - grateful for all of the people that came into my life, the natural power of essential oils that began to heal me, time spent with family and friends, becoming a yoga teacher, launching different parts of my business, and so much more. It made me realize that although not all of my 20 goals at the beginning of my journal were completely met, that we always have to leave room for surprises. In fact, part of the webinar I took part in regarding 90-day intentions instructed that after you set your intentions by first desiring them, then writing them down - you must let them go. Let your mind become clear and open to receive anything that may come your way.
I decided to look up the definition of resolution to remind myself of the actual meaning of the word and to confirm that what I was doing with intentions made any sense.
res·o·lu·tion
ˌrezəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n/
noun
plural noun: resolutions
- 1.a firm decision to do or not to do something."she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more"
- 2.the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
It sounds so definitive, doesn't it? Moreover, the example that is used is a negative one and actually creates anger in me when I read it. The first definition suggests that I make a decision now and the second that there is already some sort of controversial dispute happening.
Then, intention:
in·ten·tion
inˈten(t)SH(ə)n/
noun
- 1.a thing intended; an aim or plan."she was full of good intentions"
- MEDICINE
- 2.the healing process of a wound.
Ahhhhhhh. Now this seems more like it. I have an aim and a plan, and the example is much more positive in nature. As I write, I am already relaxing more and a smile is forming on my face. What's more interesting is the second definition, which is new to me - that it is also a healing process. This makes me feel better about my intentions already.
So perhaps you are still working on your goals for the year. Maybe this post will inspire you to create intentions for the first time. In reviewing all I learned from last year, I've realized my goals need to be reviewed constantly; they might change, and smaller goals and intentions should be made along the way if I truly want to attain them and it's a good way to hold myself accountable.
In 2012 I Expressed Myself Radically. In 2013 I tried to Connect, Collaborate and Create. 2014 was all about Giving and Gratitude. In 2015 I will create Intentions that turn into Manifestations.
Remember: "You are never given a Dream without also the Power to make it come true." Richard Bach
Happy New Year.
Om Namah
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Self-Awareness
Teaching has taught me so much about myself. The more I teach, the more I crave to learn more so I can be the best possible leader and instructor for my students.
It is said by Buddhists that just by being around the dharma (Buddha teachings), even if you don't understand everything you hear, it does a world of good and breaks down your egoistic and conceptual mind.
I love to be inspired and to learn from yogis and scholars and leaders who are more experienced than me. So I couldn't think of a better way to start off my vacation than by attending the "Eight Verses of Mind Training" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a two-day workshop entitled "Soul Food" by international yoga teacher, Desiree Rumbaugh.
After chanting the Heart Sutras in Vietnamese, Sanskrit and English, the Dalai Lama began his teachings. One of the first things that struck me was when he mentioned that "the proper way to start to know the Buddha Dharma is here," pointing to his heart. He explained that it is necessary to continue to study and read teachings and practice meditation along with all of the other limbs of yoga, but it is just as important to have your own experiences and apply what you have learned to your own practice.
It was such a good introduction, or segue into my weekend with Desiree because her words of wisdom complemented so well the teachings of the Dalai Lama. She mentioned that here in the west, and all over the world, for that matter, those introduced to yoga focus so much attention on one limb of yoga - the asanas, or postures - when really the other seven limbs will help us so much in our posture practice and throughout our lives. She mentioned how important it is, as we age, to constantly oil this "machine", this human body, by performing the physical asanas and how this gives our body an innate intelligence to heal ourselves. Coupled with a "sitting" practice, this will keep our minds sharp as we make our way into our golden years.
When people who have never done one yoga posture in their life say to me, "I'm not flexible enough," I try to make them aware that this sentiment is far from a requirement for practicing yoga. Desiree reiterates this when she mentions that the whole point of yoga is self-awareness - that's it! What reminded me of the Dalai Lama's teaching was when she told a story about how, when you find yourself complaining about someone else and what they say, or what they do, and how this annoys you - stop and look at yourself. Really stop and see if this very thing that drives you insane is actually something inside of yourself that you might need to work on. The Dalai Lama says that 90% of the negative emotions that come out of our own mouths are just our own mental projections!
Imagine if you could stop and turn inward and fix it all on your own and turn all that anguish into peace?
That's exactly what we did in Desiree's workshop. With a contagious smile, and an effervescent demeanor, Desiree has a way of making difficult poses simple and fun. I was able to tackle a few different poses that I've struggled with in the past, namely Sirsasana II, Parsva Bakasana and Parivrttaikapada Sirsasana. What this "success" in poses mostly does for me, however, is remind me that if I work hard enough at something, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I always come out of these workshops with more tricks for my practice and that of my students, but also a renewed sense of self and an appreciation of the journey of self-awareness.
Check out some videos from the workshop here!
Full Wheel
Confidence in Cobra
Strength in Hand Stand
It is said by Buddhists that just by being around the dharma (Buddha teachings), even if you don't understand everything you hear, it does a world of good and breaks down your egoistic and conceptual mind.
I love to be inspired and to learn from yogis and scholars and leaders who are more experienced than me. So I couldn't think of a better way to start off my vacation than by attending the "Eight Verses of Mind Training" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a two-day workshop entitled "Soul Food" by international yoga teacher, Desiree Rumbaugh.
After chanting the Heart Sutras in Vietnamese, Sanskrit and English, the Dalai Lama began his teachings. One of the first things that struck me was when he mentioned that "the proper way to start to know the Buddha Dharma is here," pointing to his heart. He explained that it is necessary to continue to study and read teachings and practice meditation along with all of the other limbs of yoga, but it is just as important to have your own experiences and apply what you have learned to your own practice.
 |
| Pamphlet from "Eight Verses of Mind Training," Wang Theater, Boston, MA |
It was such a good introduction, or segue into my weekend with Desiree because her words of wisdom complemented so well the teachings of the Dalai Lama. She mentioned that here in the west, and all over the world, for that matter, those introduced to yoga focus so much attention on one limb of yoga - the asanas, or postures - when really the other seven limbs will help us so much in our posture practice and throughout our lives. She mentioned how important it is, as we age, to constantly oil this "machine", this human body, by performing the physical asanas and how this gives our body an innate intelligence to heal ourselves. Coupled with a "sitting" practice, this will keep our minds sharp as we make our way into our golden years.
 |
| Desiree Rumbaugh at West Hartford Yoga |
Imagine if you could stop and turn inward and fix it all on your own and turn all that anguish into peace?
That's exactly what we did in Desiree's workshop. With a contagious smile, and an effervescent demeanor, Desiree has a way of making difficult poses simple and fun. I was able to tackle a few different poses that I've struggled with in the past, namely Sirsasana II, Parsva Bakasana and Parivrttaikapada Sirsasana. What this "success" in poses mostly does for me, however, is remind me that if I work hard enough at something, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I always come out of these workshops with more tricks for my practice and that of my students, but also a renewed sense of self and an appreciation of the journey of self-awareness.
Check out some videos from the workshop here!
Full Wheel
Confidence in Cobra
Strength in Hand Stand
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Dear Teacher
Dear Yoga Teacher,
I needed to get this off my chest so you'd know how I feel.
I know you haven't seen me in class in a while.
Sometimes I just can't make it. I'm too tired. I've worked to much. I can't afford it this month. I'm involved in too much. I have an injury.
But I think about you a lot.
I think about how I'd feel when you'd tell me in downward dog to spread my fingers wide and push down through my index finger into the floor.
When I'd push through the balls of my feet and bend my knees, shooting my hips up to the air, how that extended my spine and sent my energy soaring.
I think about in a flow, how you'd cue the breath and remind me that the breath is what initiates movement.
I think about Warrior I - how a subtle nudge of my back foot could send my hips into alignment - in Warrior II - how just by telling me to be aware of my knee over my ankle, that I became mindful of not lunging too far.
In Tadasana, Mountain pose, the way you instructed to pick my toes up to feel the weight and energy under the balls of my feet and my heels was so awakening. I would then place my toes back down, but you'd tell me to keep that energy pulling up from the earth into my hips and to give my energy back to the earth. How a slight lengthening of the tailbone, shoulders down the back and my low belly in-and-up grounded me and made me feel so strong.
I think about you, yoga teacher, and how from these words, these words of wisdom, you planted a seed to allow me to know myself better; to allow me to become more aware of my actions, my thoughts, my character.
Because I was able to conquer Crow pose in your class last time I was there, the other day I took a chance in my business - a leap of faith. I knew I wouldn't fall far. And I knew I'd come out stronger because of it.
I think about in Triangle, when I hinge at the hips, how aware I have to be of my spine collapsing, lengthening from my hips, and extending my heart forward. I think about how this awareness has helped me to be aware of other subtleties in life - how I treat people - how I treat myself.
In twists, you teach us to twist first from our foundation; then lead with the heart - to let our gaze follow but to always stay in line with our heart. Off the mat I act with my heart first. Thank you for that.
Once in class the first pose you cued was handstand. You said, "I wanted you to feel what it was like to be present." Thank you for that, too. I think of that moment every time I notice I'm too much "in my head."
And sometimes it was the way you made me soften. After studying the Bhagavad Gita you had us believe we were the Atman - to find that power in our heartspace - and to lift up, full of love, into a full wheel. I've never forgotten that moment - when I felt like I could conquer the world.
So thank you - yoga teacher. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for teaching and doing what you were put on this earth to do. Thank you for giving a part of yourself to your students and sharing your gifts with the world.
You may not see me in class all the time, but you are always teaching me.
Om namah.
I needed to get this off my chest so you'd know how I feel.
I know you haven't seen me in class in a while.
Sometimes I just can't make it. I'm too tired. I've worked to much. I can't afford it this month. I'm involved in too much. I have an injury.
But I think about you a lot.
I think about how I'd feel when you'd tell me in downward dog to spread my fingers wide and push down through my index finger into the floor.
When I'd push through the balls of my feet and bend my knees, shooting my hips up to the air, how that extended my spine and sent my energy soaring.
I think about in a flow, how you'd cue the breath and remind me that the breath is what initiates movement.
I think about Warrior I - how a subtle nudge of my back foot could send my hips into alignment - in Warrior II - how just by telling me to be aware of my knee over my ankle, that I became mindful of not lunging too far.
In Tadasana, Mountain pose, the way you instructed to pick my toes up to feel the weight and energy under the balls of my feet and my heels was so awakening. I would then place my toes back down, but you'd tell me to keep that energy pulling up from the earth into my hips and to give my energy back to the earth. How a slight lengthening of the tailbone, shoulders down the back and my low belly in-and-up grounded me and made me feel so strong.
I think about you, yoga teacher, and how from these words, these words of wisdom, you planted a seed to allow me to know myself better; to allow me to become more aware of my actions, my thoughts, my character.
Because I was able to conquer Crow pose in your class last time I was there, the other day I took a chance in my business - a leap of faith. I knew I wouldn't fall far. And I knew I'd come out stronger because of it.
I think about in Triangle, when I hinge at the hips, how aware I have to be of my spine collapsing, lengthening from my hips, and extending my heart forward. I think about how this awareness has helped me to be aware of other subtleties in life - how I treat people - how I treat myself.
In twists, you teach us to twist first from our foundation; then lead with the heart - to let our gaze follow but to always stay in line with our heart. Off the mat I act with my heart first. Thank you for that.
Once in class the first pose you cued was handstand. You said, "I wanted you to feel what it was like to be present." Thank you for that, too. I think of that moment every time I notice I'm too much "in my head."
And sometimes it was the way you made me soften. After studying the Bhagavad Gita you had us believe we were the Atman - to find that power in our heartspace - and to lift up, full of love, into a full wheel. I've never forgotten that moment - when I felt like I could conquer the world.
So thank you - yoga teacher. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for teaching and doing what you were put on this earth to do. Thank you for giving a part of yourself to your students and sharing your gifts with the world.
You may not see me in class all the time, but you are always teaching me.
Om namah.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Feeling...Hole
Although I feel like I've been teaching for a while, with having taught private classes and having taken so many trainings, I finally and officially taught my first "Intro to Ashtanga" class the other day to a room full of students. I was a little anxious leading up to it. Since Ashtanga is such a unique and specific sequence and is something I trained in years ago, I wanted to make sure I practiced it enough to get the sequence perfect in my head and in my body.
In the hours leading up to the class, I practiced the entire Primary Series to feel it one more time before teaching - and then I was just excited. I felt so ready to impart the knowledge I had learned over so many years, from so many different sources, and really make it my own for my students.
The class was pretty full. I started out at the front of the class, demonstrating when I needed to, and walked around the room, helping people into poses or just showing them the pose up-close. Some people had been to an Intro-to-Ashtanga class before, and for some, this was their first time.
75 minutes go by of ujjayi breathing, vinyasa movement, upward and downward dogs, and finally...savasana. I spoke with a student in the class for a while afterwards who was so excited that I was teaching this particular style of yoga. I was glowing.
I went home and ate, hung around for a while, then I got out of my clothes to take a shower. I looked down at the pants I just threw in the hamper. My eyes grew big. I picked up the pants. There was a HUGE HOLE in the back of my cute pink yoga pants.
Like - not just a little hole that had started to unravel at the seam - I'm talking a RIP that started at the seam, and went to the middle of my @$$.
I was mortified.
I looked down to see what kind of undergarmets I had on. Black. Phew! Pink would've been better. Thoughts raced through my head, "When did this happen?" "Did I sit on something in the car?" "Did all my students see this or did this happen on the way home?"
Shocked, all I could do was get in the shower and laugh. I thought to myself, "I wonder which was worse - this, or when I walked out of a public bathroom with toilet paper hanging out of my pants."
A few days later, I finally emailed a student I knew in the class if she had noticed my "hole" to try and solve the mystery of when the rip actually happened. She replied, "I did notice it but because you had black on underneath I thought you knew and just wore tights. Hahaha. I thought to myself seems odd she would wear torn pants for her first time teaching but whatever."
Brilliant. First day on the job and I introduce my students to my gluteus maximus.
A few days later I went to a family party and I noticed my 9-year-old step-niece had a hole in the back of her shirt - I guess she had just ripped it playing outside. Apparently someone else had pointed it out to her earlier and when I said something, she felt embarassed. She had known the week prior that I was going to teach a class and I said to her, "Hey remember that yoga class I went to go teach the other day?" When I told her the story a huge smile of relief came over her cute little face and I realized that my "hole" had served it's purpose.
If yoga and meditation has taught me anything, it's been to go-with-the-flow and not care what other people think. And if I can inspire a 9-year-old to do the same, well then my job was successful.
Here's to feeling...hole.
Om namah.
In the hours leading up to the class, I practiced the entire Primary Series to feel it one more time before teaching - and then I was just excited. I felt so ready to impart the knowledge I had learned over so many years, from so many different sources, and really make it my own for my students.
The class was pretty full. I started out at the front of the class, demonstrating when I needed to, and walked around the room, helping people into poses or just showing them the pose up-close. Some people had been to an Intro-to-Ashtanga class before, and for some, this was their first time.
75 minutes go by of ujjayi breathing, vinyasa movement, upward and downward dogs, and finally...savasana. I spoke with a student in the class for a while afterwards who was so excited that I was teaching this particular style of yoga. I was glowing.
I went home and ate, hung around for a while, then I got out of my clothes to take a shower. I looked down at the pants I just threw in the hamper. My eyes grew big. I picked up the pants. There was a HUGE HOLE in the back of my cute pink yoga pants.
Like - not just a little hole that had started to unravel at the seam - I'm talking a RIP that started at the seam, and went to the middle of my @$$.
I was mortified.
I looked down to see what kind of undergarmets I had on. Black. Phew! Pink would've been better. Thoughts raced through my head, "When did this happen?" "Did I sit on something in the car?" "Did all my students see this or did this happen on the way home?"
Shocked, all I could do was get in the shower and laugh. I thought to myself, "I wonder which was worse - this, or when I walked out of a public bathroom with toilet paper hanging out of my pants."
A few days later, I finally emailed a student I knew in the class if she had noticed my "hole" to try and solve the mystery of when the rip actually happened. She replied, "I did notice it but because you had black on underneath I thought you knew and just wore tights. Hahaha. I thought to myself seems odd she would wear torn pants for her first time teaching but whatever."
Brilliant. First day on the job and I introduce my students to my gluteus maximus.
A few days later I went to a family party and I noticed my 9-year-old step-niece had a hole in the back of her shirt - I guess she had just ripped it playing outside. Apparently someone else had pointed it out to her earlier and when I said something, she felt embarassed. She had known the week prior that I was going to teach a class and I said to her, "Hey remember that yoga class I went to go teach the other day?" When I told her the story a huge smile of relief came over her cute little face and I realized that my "hole" had served it's purpose.
If yoga and meditation has taught me anything, it's been to go-with-the-flow and not care what other people think. And if I can inspire a 9-year-old to do the same, well then my job was successful.
Here's to feeling...hole.
Om namah.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Letting it all Go
Happy Spring! Mmm. I know - real happy. Today on my way to yoga class, ice pellets were hitting my face and covering my car! Oh well. I guess it's a good lesson to be in the moment and not get too excited over warm weather just yet - because it all may change.
That brings me to the topic at hand - letting go of what you think the outcome might be or of what may happen at any moment. From the teacher perspective, this lesson has presented it's way differently than when I was just a student of yoga.
That's right. After over a decade of practice, I now am itching to teach - a lot. I've completed almost 300 hours of teacher training over the past 3 years, not including the many workshops I've completed with some of the greatest teachers of our time. Over the past year, I've been teaching a weekly class of private students who graciously allow me to try out different sequences on them and who have noticed improvement in my tone, pace and assistance in postures. This particular 200-hour training will be finished in May. And as part of our requirements, we must observe 16 hours of classes at the studio, making notes on these very characteristics in the teacher.
Today I went to observe an intermediate class that one of my teacher-training instructors was leading. I ended up walking in the class with him and proceeded to the back of the room. I set up my yoga mat length-wise but folded it in half trying not to take up so much room. I always bring my iPad when I observe: I turn the sound off, fade the light until it's almost off, and the keypad is also silent. I really don't make a peep. I was way back in the corner but there's another group who like the back corner too: Beginner yogis.
Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I begin typing and observing the class. After about 5 minutes of cat/cow pose and then downward dog, a student near me dropped to her knees, turned to me and said, "Are you going to be doing that the whole class?"
"I'm observing the class," I said without much emotion.
"Would you mind doing that somewhere else? It's really distracting." I looked up to find my teacher's eyes which were gazing inquisitively in our direction and I motioned to him with shrugged shoulders, "Where do I go?"
He pointed to the front of the room and shrugged as well, as if to say, "I guess there?!"
I settled in as quietly as possible and continued observing but had wanted to write my feelings down. For a little while I felt bothered - not so much in the "I can't believe she told me to move" sense, but my mind raced around a bit: "I wonder if I'm bothering anybody else? I wonder if my iPad is really distracting. The pad of paper I had last week sounded so noisy - I thought this was better! I wonder if I'll ever be a great teacher. I hope she doesn't know I'm going to start teaching here next week." And this went on and on in my head for a few moments! I noticed a "breathe" cue from the teacher and started to relax. I came back to the present.
I began noticing this woman's practice. Since I was at the front of the room, I tried not to look up when the class was facing the front - there were enough down-dogs and side-of-the-mat poses for me to do that. This was an intermediate class and the woman who told me to move was far from intermediate. I started to breathe with an even deeper, relaxed breath and thought back to my beginning practices. All beginners want to stay at the back of the room. No beginner wants an advanced practitioner to notice or look at them. She must have felt unconfident and conscientious about her practice.
Later I spoke with my instructor who explained that it was fine to sit at the front, and like I had guessed, just better that I not stare into the class when they were trying to focus their drishti (focal point or gaze) at the front of the room.
I was feeling fine about the whole thing when I left and then noticed more ice had fallen all over the back window of my car. I turned the car on and started brushing away the blanket of sleet. The woman in the back of the room was walking out of the studio in her hospital scrubs after a shower and came over to me. "I'm so sorry I asked you to move - I just didn't want anyone to look at me!" I thanked her for telling me to do so, apologized that I was so close to her and said that I didn't mind at all - that I was happy to move to the front.
This small, kind gesture put a smile on my face and just reinforced that even though she communicated directly to me and it seemed that I was a real bother, her asking me to move actually had nothing to do with me at all. It was all about her feeling comfortable in her own body and in her own space.
So even though I was observing from a teacher perspective, I was a student once again - humbled by another student and by the lesson of letting it all go.
Om namah.
That brings me to the topic at hand - letting go of what you think the outcome might be or of what may happen at any moment. From the teacher perspective, this lesson has presented it's way differently than when I was just a student of yoga.
That's right. After over a decade of practice, I now am itching to teach - a lot. I've completed almost 300 hours of teacher training over the past 3 years, not including the many workshops I've completed with some of the greatest teachers of our time. Over the past year, I've been teaching a weekly class of private students who graciously allow me to try out different sequences on them and who have noticed improvement in my tone, pace and assistance in postures. This particular 200-hour training will be finished in May. And as part of our requirements, we must observe 16 hours of classes at the studio, making notes on these very characteristics in the teacher.
Today I went to observe an intermediate class that one of my teacher-training instructors was leading. I ended up walking in the class with him and proceeded to the back of the room. I set up my yoga mat length-wise but folded it in half trying not to take up so much room. I always bring my iPad when I observe: I turn the sound off, fade the light until it's almost off, and the keypad is also silent. I really don't make a peep. I was way back in the corner but there's another group who like the back corner too: Beginner yogis.
Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I begin typing and observing the class. After about 5 minutes of cat/cow pose and then downward dog, a student near me dropped to her knees, turned to me and said, "Are you going to be doing that the whole class?"
"I'm observing the class," I said without much emotion.
"Would you mind doing that somewhere else? It's really distracting." I looked up to find my teacher's eyes which were gazing inquisitively in our direction and I motioned to him with shrugged shoulders, "Where do I go?"
He pointed to the front of the room and shrugged as well, as if to say, "I guess there?!"
I settled in as quietly as possible and continued observing but had wanted to write my feelings down. For a little while I felt bothered - not so much in the "I can't believe she told me to move" sense, but my mind raced around a bit: "I wonder if I'm bothering anybody else? I wonder if my iPad is really distracting. The pad of paper I had last week sounded so noisy - I thought this was better! I wonder if I'll ever be a great teacher. I hope she doesn't know I'm going to start teaching here next week." And this went on and on in my head for a few moments! I noticed a "breathe" cue from the teacher and started to relax. I came back to the present.
I began noticing this woman's practice. Since I was at the front of the room, I tried not to look up when the class was facing the front - there were enough down-dogs and side-of-the-mat poses for me to do that. This was an intermediate class and the woman who told me to move was far from intermediate. I started to breathe with an even deeper, relaxed breath and thought back to my beginning practices. All beginners want to stay at the back of the room. No beginner wants an advanced practitioner to notice or look at them. She must have felt unconfident and conscientious about her practice.
Later I spoke with my instructor who explained that it was fine to sit at the front, and like I had guessed, just better that I not stare into the class when they were trying to focus their drishti (focal point or gaze) at the front of the room.
I was feeling fine about the whole thing when I left and then noticed more ice had fallen all over the back window of my car. I turned the car on and started brushing away the blanket of sleet. The woman in the back of the room was walking out of the studio in her hospital scrubs after a shower and came over to me. "I'm so sorry I asked you to move - I just didn't want anyone to look at me!" I thanked her for telling me to do so, apologized that I was so close to her and said that I didn't mind at all - that I was happy to move to the front.
This small, kind gesture put a smile on my face and just reinforced that even though she communicated directly to me and it seemed that I was a real bother, her asking me to move actually had nothing to do with me at all. It was all about her feeling comfortable in her own body and in her own space.
So even though I was observing from a teacher perspective, I was a student once again - humbled by another student and by the lesson of letting it all go.
Om namah.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Getting Real
To each his own. I truly believe that.
Letting the universe and the spirits that make it up take its course is just about all we can really do.
At the ripe ol' age of 31 I'm noticing a few things happening, all due in part to my continual reading of the dharma and yoga practice and training:
1) I am more aware that I (and we, and everybody) judge people. This can be as simple as thinking, "I really like that shirt," (positive judging) or "He really should not have worn that color," (negative judging) or "that bird must've flown a long journey to get here," (neutral judging).
2) I try to stay away from any kind of excessive judging - if our ego allows us to do it so naturally, why would we succumb to watching, or listening, or looking for it?
3) I try choose new friends more wisely, and don't take what my friends do or say as personally as I used to since we all have our own paths and journeys and essentially all come from different planets, so to speak.
I have a friend who watches a reality show every week. He says it "reinforces why you shouldn't have friends." He says it's a mindless show that allows him to unwind and decompress.
I would love a show of hands. The last time you were in a room full of shouting people - especially rich housewives who gossip about each other and each other's spouses and family (if you were ever so lucky) - do you feel at ease or "un-wound?"
I have absolutely no problem with anybody's habits, hobbies and extra-curricular activities - as long as they don't cause harm to someone else and it makes you happy - all the power to you. If I don't want to be involved, I'll let you know or I'll leave.
Watching a reality TV show about rich housewives' personal lives is not on the top of my list. Here's why.
A friend told me recently I had to "up my twitter game" in order to run a more successful business. I totally agree with this. I don't have a smart phone, however, and really don't like being on social media for more than an hour a day. She suggests I tweet every hour, at least. Ugh.
After a really successful twitter day with re-tweets and tags and #hashtags galore, I felt like I had brainfreeze. Legit. You know when you eat ice cream and you can't do anything to rid you of the pain that is permeating your brain? That's what I had. A complete Twitter freeze.
I get a similar feeling if I'm on the ol' FB too long. It's less hectic feeling, but it's as if I stopped breathing for a while and then someone woke me up and told me to breathe again. ahhhhh.
Think back to a time if you ever over-heard someone gossiping about someone else or talking about a topic that you felt really strongly about. Did you want to say something? Did you say something? Did you feel a pressure in your chest or your throat?
Take the above three sensations and put them all together in one big juicy package. That's how I feel - physically and mentally - after watching maybe even ten minutes of these kinds of reality TV shows. It takes me back to the middle school hallways - the high school locker room - the back of the bus (aha, huss that fuss).
Thich Nact Hahn would probably say something like: Watching this kind of behavior is akin to punching a pillow over and over again. Some psychologists in the western world recommend this action to rid yourself of anger. Thich Nact Hahn would say, this just reinforces the anger inside of you, building it up and making it worse.
The funny thing is - about my friend who watches this stuff and thinks it decompresses him - I wouldn't say his behavior either during or after watching the show is - peaceful. I usually sense agitation, frustration and stress. Being his yogi friend, I've tried to impart just a little peaceful wisdom on him so that the agitation doesn't sink into his physical body and make it worse. Problem is - this stuff is addicting.
Well - as I said - to each his own. The practice of yoga, after all, isn't for everyone. Maybe I live in a dream world. I mean, who knows what is real and unreal anyway?
All I know is that when I go and sit in silence or read some kind of dharma while my friend watches a shouting match over haircolor and man-stealing - we emerge with a very different definition of friends and of hope for the world.
In tribute to "getting back to reality" I bring you this Thursday throwback :)
Om namah.
Letting the universe and the spirits that make it up take its course is just about all we can really do.
At the ripe ol' age of 31 I'm noticing a few things happening, all due in part to my continual reading of the dharma and yoga practice and training:
1) I am more aware that I (and we, and everybody) judge people. This can be as simple as thinking, "I really like that shirt," (positive judging) or "He really should not have worn that color," (negative judging) or "that bird must've flown a long journey to get here," (neutral judging).
2) I try to stay away from any kind of excessive judging - if our ego allows us to do it so naturally, why would we succumb to watching, or listening, or looking for it?
3) I try choose new friends more wisely, and don't take what my friends do or say as personally as I used to since we all have our own paths and journeys and essentially all come from different planets, so to speak.
I have a friend who watches a reality show every week. He says it "reinforces why you shouldn't have friends." He says it's a mindless show that allows him to unwind and decompress.
I would love a show of hands. The last time you were in a room full of shouting people - especially rich housewives who gossip about each other and each other's spouses and family (if you were ever so lucky) - do you feel at ease or "un-wound?"
I have absolutely no problem with anybody's habits, hobbies and extra-curricular activities - as long as they don't cause harm to someone else and it makes you happy - all the power to you. If I don't want to be involved, I'll let you know or I'll leave.
Watching a reality TV show about rich housewives' personal lives is not on the top of my list. Here's why.
A friend told me recently I had to "up my twitter game" in order to run a more successful business. I totally agree with this. I don't have a smart phone, however, and really don't like being on social media for more than an hour a day. She suggests I tweet every hour, at least. Ugh.
After a really successful twitter day with re-tweets and tags and #hashtags galore, I felt like I had brainfreeze. Legit. You know when you eat ice cream and you can't do anything to rid you of the pain that is permeating your brain? That's what I had. A complete Twitter freeze.
I get a similar feeling if I'm on the ol' FB too long. It's less hectic feeling, but it's as if I stopped breathing for a while and then someone woke me up and told me to breathe again. ahhhhh.
Think back to a time if you ever over-heard someone gossiping about someone else or talking about a topic that you felt really strongly about. Did you want to say something? Did you say something? Did you feel a pressure in your chest or your throat?
Take the above three sensations and put them all together in one big juicy package. That's how I feel - physically and mentally - after watching maybe even ten minutes of these kinds of reality TV shows. It takes me back to the middle school hallways - the high school locker room - the back of the bus (aha, huss that fuss).
Thich Nact Hahn would probably say something like: Watching this kind of behavior is akin to punching a pillow over and over again. Some psychologists in the western world recommend this action to rid yourself of anger. Thich Nact Hahn would say, this just reinforces the anger inside of you, building it up and making it worse.
The funny thing is - about my friend who watches this stuff and thinks it decompresses him - I wouldn't say his behavior either during or after watching the show is - peaceful. I usually sense agitation, frustration and stress. Being his yogi friend, I've tried to impart just a little peaceful wisdom on him so that the agitation doesn't sink into his physical body and make it worse. Problem is - this stuff is addicting.
Well - as I said - to each his own. The practice of yoga, after all, isn't for everyone. Maybe I live in a dream world. I mean, who knows what is real and unreal anyway?
All I know is that when I go and sit in silence or read some kind of dharma while my friend watches a shouting match over haircolor and man-stealing - we emerge with a very different definition of friends and of hope for the world.
In tribute to "getting back to reality" I bring you this Thursday throwback :)
Om namah.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Letting it Happen
There's all sorts of reasons why our mood might change from moment to moment. We all have a million things going on at home, at work, with our parents, our siblings, our kids, not to mention what goes on in each of our minds. It's as if each of our heads is a different planet - all with different make-ups and with different ideas swirling around in there all day long.
No wonder we all react differently to every situation.
Have you ever wanted something to happen really badly - and then it doesn't happen - and then you realize it was better that that certain something didn't happen anyway? Like to buy that house, for example - you really thought your offer was going to be taken, and you had everything planned out in your head - only to find out that someone else beat you to it? Then you find out later the foundational beams were all rotted, and they had to spend a fortune tearing down the place - and you found a better one, for less money in a better location? Okay well maybe not that exactly. But try to remember a time when you got so wrapped up in a specific outcome and then it turns out that outcome was a bad idea all along.
Outcomes are like material things. It makes absolutely no sense to get attached to them. They might (and will) disappear someday and as far as outcomes go, they might not even happen.
The other day I was planning on going to a Flamenco-style music event in Boston. I had pre-paid and was happy to support the musicians and performers, one of whom I know, and I was so excited to see this unique performance. The last time I had seen or heard Flamenco-style dance and music was when I visited Madrid a few years back. The passion of that style of playing stuck with me and I was happy to share this gift with my man and bring him to Boston for the show.
Boston is in New England. It snows in New England. A lot.
The day of the show, another blizzard was predicted. Ticket sales were final. When you're not in the best of financial situations, when you have final-sale tickets, you'll do anything you can to make the show. But I heard the weatherman - and my man and I would be driving from Connecticut - so a 2-hour drive, at exactly the time the storm was supposed to hit - in a front-wheel-drive car? Not a good situation. Have you ever been stuck in a New England gridlock? (Tip: Always pack granola)
This put me in a bad mood. I called the Box office and they had informed me that "even in yesterday's storm when we had 12 inches of snow, we didn't cancel." Awesome.
I thought back to my New Year's theme: Gratitude and Giving. I breathed in and closed my eyes. I instantly released the mood that I had created - all in my mind - and the thought that missing the show was a bad thing. I thought of reasons why the universe was making me stay home that night. I could get into an accident. My throat felt a little sore so maybe I should stay home and rest. My hunnie has to go to Boston twice this week so he should stay home and rest too and save on gas. My mind was okay with all of these ideas, my heart felt better, and I considered the ticket payment a donation for the talented performers and for the organization running the show.
Next thing I know, I got a message informing me that "due to the city-wide parking ban and blizzard on the way, the show would be postponed. All ticket-holders would be refunded."
I smiled. Spirit had my back.
When I had released my tense thoughts, I realized that my intentions were good. When you give good intentions to the world, they'll come back to you tenfold. As Gabrielle Bernstein says, "Your intentions create your reality." The more negative your thought pattern, the more negative your mood and the mood of all those around you.
So we stayed home, and for the next three days I got to go to bed early and sleep in. My throat felt a lot better. On the third day, I got a call from a friend who wants me to sing at a memorial service - in two days. Done.
All these things were much better than trying to drive through a blizzard, don't you think?
More and more these days, I try to let things happen. Don't get me wrong - I still write out my goals every year, and every month, and sometimes every week to try to create the reality that I want. And I create smaller goals with baby steps to put those goals into action. But I'm not so much attached to the outcome. I know spirit's got something in store for me as long as I have faith in spirit.
Plan big - and then try to let it happen. Breathe in to your mood changes. Be aware. Enjoy the ride.
Om Namah
No wonder we all react differently to every situation.
Have you ever wanted something to happen really badly - and then it doesn't happen - and then you realize it was better that that certain something didn't happen anyway? Like to buy that house, for example - you really thought your offer was going to be taken, and you had everything planned out in your head - only to find out that someone else beat you to it? Then you find out later the foundational beams were all rotted, and they had to spend a fortune tearing down the place - and you found a better one, for less money in a better location? Okay well maybe not that exactly. But try to remember a time when you got so wrapped up in a specific outcome and then it turns out that outcome was a bad idea all along.
Outcomes are like material things. It makes absolutely no sense to get attached to them. They might (and will) disappear someday and as far as outcomes go, they might not even happen.
The other day I was planning on going to a Flamenco-style music event in Boston. I had pre-paid and was happy to support the musicians and performers, one of whom I know, and I was so excited to see this unique performance. The last time I had seen or heard Flamenco-style dance and music was when I visited Madrid a few years back. The passion of that style of playing stuck with me and I was happy to share this gift with my man and bring him to Boston for the show.
Boston is in New England. It snows in New England. A lot.
The day of the show, another blizzard was predicted. Ticket sales were final. When you're not in the best of financial situations, when you have final-sale tickets, you'll do anything you can to make the show. But I heard the weatherman - and my man and I would be driving from Connecticut - so a 2-hour drive, at exactly the time the storm was supposed to hit - in a front-wheel-drive car? Not a good situation. Have you ever been stuck in a New England gridlock? (Tip: Always pack granola)
This put me in a bad mood. I called the Box office and they had informed me that "even in yesterday's storm when we had 12 inches of snow, we didn't cancel." Awesome.
I thought back to my New Year's theme: Gratitude and Giving. I breathed in and closed my eyes. I instantly released the mood that I had created - all in my mind - and the thought that missing the show was a bad thing. I thought of reasons why the universe was making me stay home that night. I could get into an accident. My throat felt a little sore so maybe I should stay home and rest. My hunnie has to go to Boston twice this week so he should stay home and rest too and save on gas. My mind was okay with all of these ideas, my heart felt better, and I considered the ticket payment a donation for the talented performers and for the organization running the show.
Next thing I know, I got a message informing me that "due to the city-wide parking ban and blizzard on the way, the show would be postponed. All ticket-holders would be refunded."
I smiled. Spirit had my back.
When I had released my tense thoughts, I realized that my intentions were good. When you give good intentions to the world, they'll come back to you tenfold. As Gabrielle Bernstein says, "Your intentions create your reality." The more negative your thought pattern, the more negative your mood and the mood of all those around you.
So we stayed home, and for the next three days I got to go to bed early and sleep in. My throat felt a lot better. On the third day, I got a call from a friend who wants me to sing at a memorial service - in two days. Done.
All these things were much better than trying to drive through a blizzard, don't you think?
More and more these days, I try to let things happen. Don't get me wrong - I still write out my goals every year, and every month, and sometimes every week to try to create the reality that I want. And I create smaller goals with baby steps to put those goals into action. But I'm not so much attached to the outcome. I know spirit's got something in store for me as long as I have faith in spirit.
Plan big - and then try to let it happen. Breathe in to your mood changes. Be aware. Enjoy the ride.
Om Namah
Monday, January 13, 2014
Snow Days and Setting Intentions
 |
Sometimes after a few vacation days off, you might feel ready to go back to work to mingle with colleagues, to get out of the house...I know the feeling. After being sick and in bed for over 13 hours a day from Christmas through New Year's, I was pretty ready to get out of the house and start my daily routines.
Then two more days of snow came. I would've been fine with getting into a warm car, then hanging out in a warm office, reconnect with folks, but because work was closed and i didn't want to really hang out too much outside after a long sickness, I hunkered down again. Instead of laying around and falling into a state of boredom, however, I tapped into my storage of yoga wisdom and decided to take advantage of this extended vacation. I set an intention for the day: To clean and disinfect my space, to study some of my yoga teacher training materials, and to write down all of my 2014 goals (since I usually do this on New Year's but was in bed by 10pm after winning a Michael Jackson karaoke contest!). Snow days, if you are lucky enough to experience one or two and not have to always shovel your way into work, are an amazing gift. It is the perfect time to get centered and reconnect with the "self" that we tend to lose throughout our busy lives. If I don't have to rush out the door early in the morning, I make sure I wake up slowly, perform all my shoulder exercises (for an impingement injury), meditate with my favorite blanket over my shoulders, and do some light stretching (if not a whole asana practice!) Just to share a few 2014 goals with you, of course Giving is more or less the theme of my 2014 - giving of my time, giving my ear, my heart, etc. Another is to dance my ass off for at least 20 minutes once a month. I was going to make this once a week, but I have so many other monthly goals that I limited each goal to once a month and thought that would be more attainable. Another one was to attend some kind of social networking event each month which I have already accomplished in January by attending a Worcester Local First event at The Perfect Game.  If you haven't written down your 2014 goals, there's still time. Don't know where to start? Write down maybe one thing you want to accomplish this year and then one thing you will do this month that will take you one step closer to attaining it. If that was easy, add another thing for this month. I hope that this year you have enough snow days or can create enough snow-day-like days or even just little chunks of time where you can set goals to accomplish whatever it is you set out to accomplish. I hope you feel and believe that you are perfect exactly the way that you are, but that if you want to learn something new or better yourself in some way, that all it takes is setting an intention, and taking small steps to achieve your goals.
Happy 2014!
Namaste. |
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
A Year of Gratitude and Giving
I started a new twist on resolutions a couple years ago. I was feeling "stuck" and wanted to be more expressive and adventurous. My resolution that year was to "Express Myself Radically." I wrote an album-worth of songs and attended a four-day long yoga/music festival in VT alone - to name a couple acts of expression. It was sort of a year to be selfish but I like to think of it as having been a self-restore kind of journey.
The next year I was feeling a little more settled. I wanted to connect with more people and was also feeling creative. My theme was to "Connect, Collaborate, Create." I moved back home to central MA, attended tons of social networking events, recorded my album with incredibly talented musicians and put together a wedding singing video, and had a few pow-wows with some inspirational friends where we talked about our aspirations and goals for the future.
By the end of 2013, however, a new feeling started to stir. I know 2014 will still be a creative and collaborative year. I think I might even express myself some more with some new writing - but something is missing. These last two years were "inward" years for healing that needed to take place. This year will be in the shape of a heart - and giving will come first.
I start to see a pattern build near the end of each year that tells me what my next year's theme or goal will be. I started to feel this overwhelming sense of gratitude - for friends I had spent the past decade with in the Seacoast, for old friends who I fell right back into a groove with in Massachusetts, for mentors, colleagues, family. Then all of a sudden at work a colleague came around with a bag of "gratitude messages" where each tiny folded envelope had a quote of gratitude inside. I taped it above my computer and read it every day. I liked the idea so much and couldn't believe that what just happened to me was exactly what I had been thinking for my theme of 2014, that I went online to research right away where this idea came from. Beth Gross-Santos is a store owner and an acquaintance of mine in the Seacoast of NH and I immediately sent her a note of thanks for spreading her great idea and putting it into action. She, in turn, was grateful to hear from me and this is where the chain of gratitude begins!
I also recently received a Facebook invitation for "Pay it Forward weekend", which will take place the weekend of January 17 - 19, 2014. The idea is to perform small acts of kindness to people who you think need it or to a perfect stranger - just because. As I read recently in one of my yoga teacher-training writings, in so many words: "When you give more, you will receive more and when you receive more, your heart will open to give more."
These acts can be as small as saying something polite, holding the door open for someone, or stopping your car for someone to cross the street. Maybe you do these things already. But sometimes we look behind us and say, "Oh, someone else will get that for her," or "he's already half-way through the door so he looks like he's got it." Going out of your way to just share your intent on helping might warm that person's day who may have otherwise got started out on "the wrong side of the bed" (which I don't believe in, by the way! You can always turn it back to the "right side!).
The act can be a little more than that too if you're feeling especially generous. You can go through the "cash only" toll and pay for someone behind you. You can pay for someone's coffee - or throw some money in meters on the side of a busy parking street. Leave money in a random place in a grocery or book store and make someone's day!
If you're short on cash but not on time, maybe you volunteer in order to give. Maybe you write a letter to someone you haven't seen in a while or bake something or make a meal and offer it to a neighbor, friend, or stranger.
The possibilities of giving are endless.
And why just limit them to that one weekend? Too often we see thoughtful people near the holidays and near resolution-time but then it quickly fades into the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced society and egoistic daily lives. Just stopping and recognizing this is step one.
As a writer from MindBodyGreen suggests:
This is what I had in mind when I wrote some of the lyrics to my song, Short Little Lines: "The smile on your face - is sent in a million tiny waves - like the sun giving power through it's rays - to everyone."
When you give, let it feel like the sun's rays upon your face - knowing everyone around you can feel it too.
Let me know what you are grateful for and what you intend to give - today, tomorrow, sometime soon.
1. I am grateful for
The next year I was feeling a little more settled. I wanted to connect with more people and was also feeling creative. My theme was to "Connect, Collaborate, Create." I moved back home to central MA, attended tons of social networking events, recorded my album with incredibly talented musicians and put together a wedding singing video, and had a few pow-wows with some inspirational friends where we talked about our aspirations and goals for the future.
By the end of 2013, however, a new feeling started to stir. I know 2014 will still be a creative and collaborative year. I think I might even express myself some more with some new writing - but something is missing. These last two years were "inward" years for healing that needed to take place. This year will be in the shape of a heart - and giving will come first.
"Gratitude feels so good because it is the state of mind closest to your natural state in which you were born to live."
-Abraham-Hicks
I start to see a pattern build near the end of each year that tells me what my next year's theme or goal will be. I started to feel this overwhelming sense of gratitude - for friends I had spent the past decade with in the Seacoast, for old friends who I fell right back into a groove with in Massachusetts, for mentors, colleagues, family. Then all of a sudden at work a colleague came around with a bag of "gratitude messages" where each tiny folded envelope had a quote of gratitude inside. I taped it above my computer and read it every day. I liked the idea so much and couldn't believe that what just happened to me was exactly what I had been thinking for my theme of 2014, that I went online to research right away where this idea came from. Beth Gross-Santos is a store owner and an acquaintance of mine in the Seacoast of NH and I immediately sent her a note of thanks for spreading her great idea and putting it into action. She, in turn, was grateful to hear from me and this is where the chain of gratitude begins!
I also recently received a Facebook invitation for "Pay it Forward weekend", which will take place the weekend of January 17 - 19, 2014. The idea is to perform small acts of kindness to people who you think need it or to a perfect stranger - just because. As I read recently in one of my yoga teacher-training writings, in so many words: "When you give more, you will receive more and when you receive more, your heart will open to give more."
These acts can be as small as saying something polite, holding the door open for someone, or stopping your car for someone to cross the street. Maybe you do these things already. But sometimes we look behind us and say, "Oh, someone else will get that for her," or "he's already half-way through the door so he looks like he's got it." Going out of your way to just share your intent on helping might warm that person's day who may have otherwise got started out on "the wrong side of the bed" (which I don't believe in, by the way! You can always turn it back to the "right side!).
The act can be a little more than that too if you're feeling especially generous. You can go through the "cash only" toll and pay for someone behind you. You can pay for someone's coffee - or throw some money in meters on the side of a busy parking street. Leave money in a random place in a grocery or book store and make someone's day!
If you're short on cash but not on time, maybe you volunteer in order to give. Maybe you write a letter to someone you haven't seen in a while or bake something or make a meal and offer it to a neighbor, friend, or stranger.
The possibilities of giving are endless.
And why just limit them to that one weekend? Too often we see thoughtful people near the holidays and near resolution-time but then it quickly fades into the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced society and egoistic daily lives. Just stopping and recognizing this is step one.
As a writer from MindBodyGreen suggests:
"Give more hugs. Physical affection is amazing for your health, your happiness, and even your waistline! It lowers blood pressure, stress, and cortisol levels. It prevents illness by supporting your immune system and prevents depression and anxiety. It boosts your oxytocin and serotonin levels, making you feel happier, calmer, and more secure. Basically, hugs are like free therapy. So get your hugging on! Shoot for at least 4 hugs a day, and make them count."
In 2014 I hope you realize that you are affluent. You are rich in so many ways, non-monetarily speaking, which I hope you will come to see or I hope you know already. These are things you can be proud of and happy with and which you can already use to give to others. Doing good deeds is like skipping a stone across a pond - you make the first contact but this ripples out and creates hundreds of little waves all the way out to the edges of the pond and beyond that initial act. This is what I had in mind when I wrote some of the lyrics to my song, Short Little Lines: "The smile on your face - is sent in a million tiny waves - like the sun giving power through it's rays - to everyone."
When you give, let it feel like the sun's rays upon your face - knowing everyone around you can feel it too.
Let me know what you are grateful for and what you intend to give - today, tomorrow, sometime soon.
1. I am grateful for
Today I give
2. I am grateful for
Today I give
I'd love to hear your thoughts about random acts of kindness that you've done, that you've seen others do, or that you hope to do this year!
Happy 2014!
Om namah
I'd love to hear your thoughts about random acts of kindness that you've done, that you've seen others do, or that you hope to do this year!
Happy 2014!
Om namah
Monday, December 9, 2013
Meditation is so Scary
I don't blame you for not trying. I mean, really.... Sitting down in a comfortable spot to try and clear your mind from a stressful and noisy day just to gain a little peace and quiet - terrifying, I know.
People need noise. Rather, people seem to need outside noise to distract them. To distract them from what, you ask? The noise in their own head.
Why do you turn your TV on? For entertainment, sure. To relax? To numb out the rest of the world and do something "mindless?"
Believe it or not, you are filling your mind with just as much "noise" as when you were thinking about work on your afternoon commute home.
Sit still just for a minute. I don't care where you are. If you are at work, close your eyes and breathe in. Just notice how long your inhale is - but don't change it. Breathe out and just recognize that you are breathing. Now take an intentional inhale in, and make it a bit more audible by slightly closing off the back of your throat to make it sound like a wave. Same for the exhale. Now feel your belly expand on your next inhale and pause for a second at the top of your breath. Exhale, making it audible, feeling your core tighten as you push all the air out. Pause at the end of the out-breath. Open your eyes. You were just consciously aware of your breath for a few moments in time. In this moment. Wasn't that scary?!?!!?
This simple tool is something you can do ANY time of day, ANY day of the week, ANYtime, ANYwhere.
Are you ever home alone and find yourself getting fidgety? If you don't turn the TV on, you grab your phone and if you're sick of playing with apps or checking in on social media, you just have to call someone - just to find out what they're doing - or - to hear yourself talk. Sound familiar?
We find it so boring to be by ourselves sometimes, and even more than that - scary. Not so much that something is going to happen to us or that someone will do something to us but what the mind is actually capable of thinking or leading us to believe.
I have a friend who spends much of his time thinking about how he wants a different job opportunity to pop up so he can feel happy. I have another friend who is always trying to fill up every minute of her calendar so she doesn't have to stay home alone. I see people who worry about what might happen in a job situation or who are looking outside of themselves for some kind of fulfillment - and they look for distraction, a hobby, someone to hang out with to try and get their mind off of the stresses in their lives and on to something else - ANYthing - other than being by themselves.
I crave solitude. I love when I have that rare opportunity when all is quiet around me when I wake up, or moments before I lay my head on my pillow. Not that I don't love being around people - it's one of my favorite things. I also don't mind watching TV once in a while if I think I will learn something from it or be entertained. But to get an opportunity in the busyness of life to sit and be aware of your breath - which allows you to cultivate awareness - is something to value and to take advantage of. Even if you are watching TV - try to be aware of why you are watching it. Are you watching it to be entertained or to run from something in your mind? If you're running, it's going to be right there again when the show or movie ends.
I was recently in a meditation class and the teacher invited us to talk about our experience with meditation at home. I commented at how lucky I feel when I stop at a red light! I invite you to try the above exercise on breathing the next time you are stopped at a red light or in a traffic jam...except...uhhh...don't close your eyes. You will realize that you can use and come back to this tool at every moment during the day when your mind starts wandering and creating stories.
Meditation is a scary word. But you can change the word if you want. Just call it "Being aware of why you are doing something in this moment." Just call it "Being."
Jon Kabat-Zinn points it out clearly: "We tend to be particularly unaware that we are thinking virtually all the time." Now liken this to an athlete or, if you are one, think about running for 3 days without stopping. Think about swimming for a week without a break. Your body needs rest. In order for muscles to grow and be healthy, they need rest and nutrition. Your mind needs rest. Some people might think, "Well, yea, that's what sleeping is for!" But have you ever gone to bed thinking about something that is stressing you out, and then woken up thinking about that same thing? Your mind didn't rest.
Kabat-Zinn likens this "mindstream" that is constantly flowing to a river. Imagine you are caught up in this fast-flowing river that takes you places (in your mind) that are scary, fast-moving, dangerous. "Meditation means learning how to get out of this current, sit by its bank and listen to it, and then use its energies to guide us rather than to tyrannize us." Jon Kabat-Zinn
Next time you are not in traffic, try the above exercise again and if you notice a thought come up, just be aware of it - notice that it is a thought flowing in this noisy river - and just let it float by. Tomorrow, try it again. You'll notice that you'll start to be aware of the present moment in the strangest places - in traffic when someone cuts you off, at work when you're feeling stressed, when the kids are crying and you can't seem to get anything done. Or, you might want to try a little of the Bad Boys Woosah technique - whatever works. Just start to be aware of when you've disappeared to your own mind (Hello in there!) and that your breath is always there to bring you into the now.
Om Namah
People need noise. Rather, people seem to need outside noise to distract them. To distract them from what, you ask? The noise in their own head.
Why do you turn your TV on? For entertainment, sure. To relax? To numb out the rest of the world and do something "mindless?"
Believe it or not, you are filling your mind with just as much "noise" as when you were thinking about work on your afternoon commute home.
Sit still just for a minute. I don't care where you are. If you are at work, close your eyes and breathe in. Just notice how long your inhale is - but don't change it. Breathe out and just recognize that you are breathing. Now take an intentional inhale in, and make it a bit more audible by slightly closing off the back of your throat to make it sound like a wave. Same for the exhale. Now feel your belly expand on your next inhale and pause for a second at the top of your breath. Exhale, making it audible, feeling your core tighten as you push all the air out. Pause at the end of the out-breath. Open your eyes. You were just consciously aware of your breath for a few moments in time. In this moment. Wasn't that scary?!?!!?
This simple tool is something you can do ANY time of day, ANY day of the week, ANYtime, ANYwhere.
Are you ever home alone and find yourself getting fidgety? If you don't turn the TV on, you grab your phone and if you're sick of playing with apps or checking in on social media, you just have to call someone - just to find out what they're doing - or - to hear yourself talk. Sound familiar?
We find it so boring to be by ourselves sometimes, and even more than that - scary. Not so much that something is going to happen to us or that someone will do something to us but what the mind is actually capable of thinking or leading us to believe.
I have a friend who spends much of his time thinking about how he wants a different job opportunity to pop up so he can feel happy. I have another friend who is always trying to fill up every minute of her calendar so she doesn't have to stay home alone. I see people who worry about what might happen in a job situation or who are looking outside of themselves for some kind of fulfillment - and they look for distraction, a hobby, someone to hang out with to try and get their mind off of the stresses in their lives and on to something else - ANYthing - other than being by themselves.
I crave solitude. I love when I have that rare opportunity when all is quiet around me when I wake up, or moments before I lay my head on my pillow. Not that I don't love being around people - it's one of my favorite things. I also don't mind watching TV once in a while if I think I will learn something from it or be entertained. But to get an opportunity in the busyness of life to sit and be aware of your breath - which allows you to cultivate awareness - is something to value and to take advantage of. Even if you are watching TV - try to be aware of why you are watching it. Are you watching it to be entertained or to run from something in your mind? If you're running, it's going to be right there again when the show or movie ends.
I was recently in a meditation class and the teacher invited us to talk about our experience with meditation at home. I commented at how lucky I feel when I stop at a red light! I invite you to try the above exercise on breathing the next time you are stopped at a red light or in a traffic jam...except...uhhh...don't close your eyes. You will realize that you can use and come back to this tool at every moment during the day when your mind starts wandering and creating stories.
Meditation is a scary word. But you can change the word if you want. Just call it "Being aware of why you are doing something in this moment." Just call it "Being."
Jon Kabat-Zinn points it out clearly: "We tend to be particularly unaware that we are thinking virtually all the time." Now liken this to an athlete or, if you are one, think about running for 3 days without stopping. Think about swimming for a week without a break. Your body needs rest. In order for muscles to grow and be healthy, they need rest and nutrition. Your mind needs rest. Some people might think, "Well, yea, that's what sleeping is for!" But have you ever gone to bed thinking about something that is stressing you out, and then woken up thinking about that same thing? Your mind didn't rest.
Kabat-Zinn likens this "mindstream" that is constantly flowing to a river. Imagine you are caught up in this fast-flowing river that takes you places (in your mind) that are scary, fast-moving, dangerous. "Meditation means learning how to get out of this current, sit by its bank and listen to it, and then use its energies to guide us rather than to tyrannize us." Jon Kabat-Zinn
Next time you are not in traffic, try the above exercise again and if you notice a thought come up, just be aware of it - notice that it is a thought flowing in this noisy river - and just let it float by. Tomorrow, try it again. You'll notice that you'll start to be aware of the present moment in the strangest places - in traffic when someone cuts you off, at work when you're feeling stressed, when the kids are crying and you can't seem to get anything done. Or, you might want to try a little of the Bad Boys Woosah technique - whatever works. Just start to be aware of when you've disappeared to your own mind (Hello in there!) and that your breath is always there to bring you into the now.
Om Namah
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Gee - you, are You.
Remember when you were little and your mom or dad or caretaker said you have to brush your teeth? At first you probably stuck the toothbrush in your mouth, moved it around a little, and yelled, "I brushed!" There's nothing really exotic or entertaining about brushing your teeth, but then when you were forced to go to the dentist every year, and someone started poking at your mouth and telling you that "you have to brush your teeth" and "you will get cavities if you don't brush your teeth," at some point you started to listen. You started to feel your teeth were cleaner. You started to notice that your breath actually smells better when you consistently brush. Believe it or not your immune system is healthier when you brush your teeth daily.
This metaphor is just one of the ways that David Ji explained how a daily routine of...let's call it...clarity...is as beneficial to your body and mind, and as important, as brushing your teeth.
We could all use a daily dose of clarity, don't you think? You know that feeling you get sometimes when you wake up in the morning - that you never really got to relax after work - that you never really left work, at least in your head? It would be so nice to feel a sense of ease and serenity in the morning as we open our eyes, and in the evening right before putting our heads on the pillow again.
David Ji taught me how to find 16 seconds of clarity. Think of something that's bothering you right now. What is causing your tension? A project? A person? Picture that thing or person in your mind. Now close your eyes. Breathe in for four seconds. Notice the empty space when you breathe in for four, just before you exhale for four seconds. Now fill up your belly on an inhale for four seconds and pay attention to this breath. Again, notice the space at the top of your inhale. And now exhale for a final four. For that 16 seconds, did you forget about that thing or person that was causing you tension? Exactly. (If you didn't, try that practice again.)
I had the opportunity to attend a Lululemon event where David Ji was the feature teacher. He had a very simple way of telling us that you can find this clarity whenever you want, throughout each day, in every situation - as long as you include it in your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth. Another exercise you can do, if you get bored with the above 16-second exercise in clarity, is to breathe in and fill your heart with love. Fill it until it's brimming over with the energy of love. Now exhale and send it to everyone in your family. Fill it up again on an inhale and then exhale, sending it to all your friends. Now breathe in, fill your heart up again and on the exhale, send it out to all your teachers - past, present, future, traditional teachers and everyone you've ever learned from. Again, inhale, fill your heart, and send it to those with whom you have a grievance. Now fill it up again and send your exhale of love to every sentient being on this planet. Open your eyes.
Don't you feel better?
We tend to try and find happiness outside of ourselves. The truth is - we have all the clarity and happiness we need, right there inside of us. We just felt it, concentrating on our breath! The guru (our spiritual teacher, mentor) is already inside of us. "After all," David Ji explains, "how do you spell guru? Gee - you are You!"
Try to schedule in 16 seconds of clarity into your routine - maybe in the seconds before you brush your teeth in the morning. Try to schedule another 16 seconds before bed - and continue this while you lay in bed until you fall asleep. Maybe these seconds will extend into minutes and you'll be amazed at the physical (and mental, and all-over) benefits you'll feel from adding this healthy practice to your day.
Namaste.
We could all use a daily dose of clarity, don't you think? You know that feeling you get sometimes when you wake up in the morning - that you never really got to relax after work - that you never really left work, at least in your head? It would be so nice to feel a sense of ease and serenity in the morning as we open our eyes, and in the evening right before putting our heads on the pillow again.
David Ji taught me how to find 16 seconds of clarity. Think of something that's bothering you right now. What is causing your tension? A project? A person? Picture that thing or person in your mind. Now close your eyes. Breathe in for four seconds. Notice the empty space when you breathe in for four, just before you exhale for four seconds. Now fill up your belly on an inhale for four seconds and pay attention to this breath. Again, notice the space at the top of your inhale. And now exhale for a final four. For that 16 seconds, did you forget about that thing or person that was causing you tension? Exactly. (If you didn't, try that practice again.)
I had the opportunity to attend a Lululemon event where David Ji was the feature teacher. He had a very simple way of telling us that you can find this clarity whenever you want, throughout each day, in every situation - as long as you include it in your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth. Another exercise you can do, if you get bored with the above 16-second exercise in clarity, is to breathe in and fill your heart with love. Fill it until it's brimming over with the energy of love. Now exhale and send it to everyone in your family. Fill it up again on an inhale and then exhale, sending it to all your friends. Now breathe in, fill your heart up again and on the exhale, send it out to all your teachers - past, present, future, traditional teachers and everyone you've ever learned from. Again, inhale, fill your heart, and send it to those with whom you have a grievance. Now fill it up again and send your exhale of love to every sentient being on this planet. Open your eyes.
Don't you feel better?
We tend to try and find happiness outside of ourselves. The truth is - we have all the clarity and happiness we need, right there inside of us. We just felt it, concentrating on our breath! The guru (our spiritual teacher, mentor) is already inside of us. "After all," David Ji explains, "how do you spell guru? Gee - you are You!"
Try to schedule in 16 seconds of clarity into your routine - maybe in the seconds before you brush your teeth in the morning. Try to schedule another 16 seconds before bed - and continue this while you lay in bed until you fall asleep. Maybe these seconds will extend into minutes and you'll be amazed at the physical (and mental, and all-over) benefits you'll feel from adding this healthy practice to your day.
Namaste.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
A Yogini in Miami
My main squeeze, "El," and I have been talking about going on a "real" vacation. A couple weeks ago we finally made that happen by taking a trip to Miami. We mixed it in with a little bit of work, because we're both too ancy to just sit around for a whole week on the beach!
After a VERY eventful morning at the airport (that's a whole other blog post) we finally made it to his friend's house where we met he and his wife and their lovely little girl, Victoria.
I could tell right away that Victoria was set in her ways. She was also someone whose trust you had to win over first before she'd be your friend. Victoria is 2 years old.
I quickly gained that trust when I very enthusiastically began reading some of her books to her, played "tea party" with her dolls and stuffed animals and kicked the soccer ball around. She always wanted to play. At one point, she jumped up on the ball for some reason, and before I could reach her, crashed to the ground. She looked at me, my eyes wide, and just got up and brushed off. I would have cried my eyes out.
One parent is very calm and quiet while the other is more animated. However, during our entire stay, I never heard a voice raised once. Victoria seemed to listen very intently and knew how to use her manners - and, spoke very eloquently - for a 2-year-old.
Later in the evening Victoria's mom (who was 4 months pregnant) and I wanted to escape the Miami heat while the boys caught up outside by the grill. Victoria, naturally, came with us, and we began playing "ball" again, but this time, as it was late, I was trying to give mom a rest and encouraged Victoria to just sit and roll the ball with me, back and forth. All of a sudden, she seemed to do this stretchy yoga pose, so of course I took the opportunity to show her a few more.
We stretched our legs out wide, straightened our hips, and leaned forward with our elbows on the ground: Upavistha Konasana. We crossed our legs for a little Lotus pose. We went on our bellies and stretched like a bow: Dhanurasana. We even did a twisted bow pose that I think we made up! She wanted more. I've tried to teach kids yoga before and a 10-minute attention span was all I got. When I stopped for just a second, she was creating her own poses right before my eyes!
For the standing sequence we started with Vrksasana, the King of all standing poses, but quickly moved into lunges, revolved triangle and I think we even through in a Wild Thing! I was thrilled. Her momma was, too and we even practiced long enough for her proud Papa to see.
I didn't get to practice too much on this trip, but teaching a 2-year old who was psyched to learn some poses? That made it all worth it! I'm sure she went right back to playing tea party with her Muppet, Bear and Ariel (yes, I believe those were the names) but just the thought of her retaining one little pose to practice when she's rolling around on the ground left me smiling the whole week.
It would've been too weird to ask to take a picture of a little girl I had just met doing yoga poses so you'll have to settle for this instead:
Namaste.
 |
| Palm Trees on South Beach. |
After a VERY eventful morning at the airport (that's a whole other blog post) we finally made it to his friend's house where we met he and his wife and their lovely little girl, Victoria.
I could tell right away that Victoria was set in her ways. She was also someone whose trust you had to win over first before she'd be your friend. Victoria is 2 years old.
I quickly gained that trust when I very enthusiastically began reading some of her books to her, played "tea party" with her dolls and stuffed animals and kicked the soccer ball around. She always wanted to play. At one point, she jumped up on the ball for some reason, and before I could reach her, crashed to the ground. She looked at me, my eyes wide, and just got up and brushed off. I would have cried my eyes out.
One parent is very calm and quiet while the other is more animated. However, during our entire stay, I never heard a voice raised once. Victoria seemed to listen very intently and knew how to use her manners - and, spoke very eloquently - for a 2-year-old.
Later in the evening Victoria's mom (who was 4 months pregnant) and I wanted to escape the Miami heat while the boys caught up outside by the grill. Victoria, naturally, came with us, and we began playing "ball" again, but this time, as it was late, I was trying to give mom a rest and encouraged Victoria to just sit and roll the ball with me, back and forth. All of a sudden, she seemed to do this stretchy yoga pose, so of course I took the opportunity to show her a few more.
We stretched our legs out wide, straightened our hips, and leaned forward with our elbows on the ground: Upavistha Konasana. We crossed our legs for a little Lotus pose. We went on our bellies and stretched like a bow: Dhanurasana. We even did a twisted bow pose that I think we made up! She wanted more. I've tried to teach kids yoga before and a 10-minute attention span was all I got. When I stopped for just a second, she was creating her own poses right before my eyes!
For the standing sequence we started with Vrksasana, the King of all standing poses, but quickly moved into lunges, revolved triangle and I think we even through in a Wild Thing! I was thrilled. Her momma was, too and we even practiced long enough for her proud Papa to see.
I didn't get to practice too much on this trip, but teaching a 2-year old who was psyched to learn some poses? That made it all worth it! I'm sure she went right back to playing tea party with her Muppet, Bear and Ariel (yes, I believe those were the names) but just the thought of her retaining one little pose to practice when she's rolling around on the ground left me smiling the whole week.
It would've been too weird to ask to take a picture of a little girl I had just met doing yoga poses so you'll have to settle for this instead:
 |
| Our morning hotel view. |
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Love What You Do
I am never bored. I don't remember the last time I was bored, but I'm sure it was probably sometime in high school...and back then it probably wasn't really boredom whatsoever, but more so my mental chatter telling me that whatever I was doing at the moment (homework, chores, being home instead of out getting in trouble) was useless and I should be out discovering the world.
I'm a curious kid. I remember hearing someone say in my youth, "You can't learn everything there is to know in this world - there's just too much!" and being determined to prove them wrong. Of course that notion is ridiculous and we all "know what we know and don't know what we don't know". Learning is endless.
Some of my biggest curiosities (this month) are about the kitchen. Cuisine. What we put in our bodies. I'm hosting a vegan party in a few weeks and the reason is threefold: 1) my friend found out she is allergic to milk 2) my dad is a heart attack patient and teaching him how to eat healthy is important to me 3) I'm obsessed with learning new recipes. Okay, and I'm a social butterfly who loves to have parties AND my garden is growing by the second - gotta do something with these veggies.
I like to use the vegetables that I know will come from the garden, and then search on awesome websites like Epicurious.com and KrisCarr.com to see what others have come up with. (Let me know your favorite summer recipes in the comments below!)
The other night I made squash-and-zucchini patties (omit the butter and make it healthier!) and stuffed mushrooms. This morning I made a home-grown kale, avocado, date, banana, blueberry, coconut water, turmeric, cinnamon smoothie for breakfast and tonight I finished the day off with homemade tabbouleh and hummus. So yum!
I'm a curious kid. I remember hearing someone say in my youth, "You can't learn everything there is to know in this world - there's just too much!" and being determined to prove them wrong. Of course that notion is ridiculous and we all "know what we know and don't know what we don't know". Learning is endless.
Some of my biggest curiosities (this month) are about the kitchen. Cuisine. What we put in our bodies. I'm hosting a vegan party in a few weeks and the reason is threefold: 1) my friend found out she is allergic to milk 2) my dad is a heart attack patient and teaching him how to eat healthy is important to me 3) I'm obsessed with learning new recipes. Okay, and I'm a social butterfly who loves to have parties AND my garden is growing by the second - gotta do something with these veggies.
I like to use the vegetables that I know will come from the garden, and then search on awesome websites like Epicurious.com and KrisCarr.com to see what others have come up with. (Let me know your favorite summer recipes in the comments below!)
The other night I made squash-and-zucchini patties (omit the butter and make it healthier!) and stuffed mushrooms. This morning I made a home-grown kale, avocado, date, banana, blueberry, coconut water, turmeric, cinnamon smoothie for breakfast and tonight I finished the day off with homemade tabbouleh and hummus. So yum!
 |
| All packed and ready to go! |
Why is this post called "Love What You Do?"
For the past few weeks and months I have been working the day job, editing my CD, doing photo shoots, creating a wedding video (all coming soon to a computer near you), teaching yoga, and when I come home I read about doing all these things better and try to get my meditation and yoga practice on. Oh yea....and visit my man, an hour away, once in a while...(sorry hunnie - I'll see you soon!).
But tonight I was so tired of the routine. I didn't want to get on the computer again. I didn't want to research or play my songs or edit videos or work on my taxes. I just felt like creating in the kitchen. So I chopped, I minced, I blended, I tasted, I blended some more, I added pinches and teaspoons...and in the end....S-A-T-I-S-F-A-C-T-I-O-N. If you haven't noticed, or haven't tried yet, food tastes so much better when you pick fresh organic ingredients from your own garden and prepare everything yourself. Truth.
My meditation practice has also taught me to love doing dishes. Why? It's one of the only times throughout the day that I actually get a moment to myself...to practice. In fact, everything you do or have to do should be an opportunity for you to practice. The ancient yogis say that red lights can be a blessing! Okay, sure sometimes you have to get that text in (but PLEASE PLEASE reconsider and wait til you get home!) but it can be a great time for becoming self-aware.
I am honestly baffled when I hear people say, "I'm bored." I guess I understand....I mean, once, many moons ago, I remember having that sentiment. But now you can plant a garden...or just one plant! You can learn how to cook one new meal. You can learn how to cook your first meal! Read that book you've been meaning to read. Or just the first chapter. Go visit someone who might need your smile today.
This month it's all about the curiosity of healthy eating and sharing that learned knowledge with those I love and who need it. What's your curiosity?
Om namah
Monday, July 22, 2013
Light, Energy, Heat
I love summer. I adore summer. You will never hear me complaining of the heat. I love to have that sweaty glow. I love the excuse to walk out the door and eat fresh veggies from the garden. I love waking up and deciding right then and there to pack up and go to the beach. I love summer thunderstorms.
The other night, it was finally the end of a six-day heatwave. There was a quick thunderstorm that came through in the early evening and the weather-folk predicted there would be more all night long. I have a constant, unwavering energy inside that disallows me from resting very often after work so I decided to give myself the day off and I watched three movies in a row!
With the lights off and perched right next to our large picture window, a spark of light caught my eye. It was the largest cloud of heat lightning I had ever seen. I turned off the TV and watched it for the next half hour until it disappeared over the treeline.
I watched the light energy bounce like a ping-pong ball in the upper right corner of this cloud mass. Then, like it was having a conversation and its partner took a minute to think it over before giving a thoughtful response, the bottom left corner responded with an equally charged answer. The next a was bigger, more enthusiastic proclamation, followed yet again by a just-as-bright bright reaction.
I was impassioned. That's what it felt like. I was an ardent being, just filled with a feeling of awe, much like what I'm sure it feels like when you're five years old and see fireworks for the first time.
When something like this passes before your eyes, when you feel this sensation, your mind goes clear. Your lips curl up. Your face becomes serene and you feel complete happiness. In this moment it's hard not to realize that you are part of something magnificent....that this world is something magnificent....that with the right mindset, you can do magnificent things.
I hope you reached for the stars on this magical Monday. I had an amazing meditation this morning, started working on my wedding singing blog, helped my mom (with my bro) start her pen and ink drawing blog, and was inspired to do yoga in the garden.
Om namah.
The other night, it was finally the end of a six-day heatwave. There was a quick thunderstorm that came through in the early evening and the weather-folk predicted there would be more all night long. I have a constant, unwavering energy inside that disallows me from resting very often after work so I decided to give myself the day off and I watched three movies in a row!
With the lights off and perched right next to our large picture window, a spark of light caught my eye. It was the largest cloud of heat lightning I had ever seen. I turned off the TV and watched it for the next half hour until it disappeared over the treeline.
I watched the light energy bounce like a ping-pong ball in the upper right corner of this cloud mass. Then, like it was having a conversation and its partner took a minute to think it over before giving a thoughtful response, the bottom left corner responded with an equally charged answer. The next a was bigger, more enthusiastic proclamation, followed yet again by a just-as-bright bright reaction.
I was impassioned. That's what it felt like. I was an ardent being, just filled with a feeling of awe, much like what I'm sure it feels like when you're five years old and see fireworks for the first time.
When something like this passes before your eyes, when you feel this sensation, your mind goes clear. Your lips curl up. Your face becomes serene and you feel complete happiness. In this moment it's hard not to realize that you are part of something magnificent....that this world is something magnificent....that with the right mindset, you can do magnificent things.
I hope you reached for the stars on this magical Monday. I had an amazing meditation this morning, started working on my wedding singing blog, helped my mom (with my bro) start her pen and ink drawing blog, and was inspired to do yoga in the garden.
Om namah.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)