Bon soir, mes amis.
Study group yesterday was happenin'. Chrissy rocked in leading the call and response Siva Mantra! We did a few rounds of nadi shodana (alternate nostril breathing) and then took turns leading vinyasas. We just about got through the entire sequence, including the floor series, with verbal adjustments.
Even when someone was leading, others would throw in alternate verbal adjustments...we were really trying to cover as many corrections as we could in an effort to build the basket from which we'll later draw just a few adjustments (pose by pose) during a class. I figure having 6-10 adjustments in the bag for each pose is a really strong start for us. As Katey tells us, we may only use 2 or 3 per pose during a class - choosing them by rote, by inspiration, or by looking around at the room and calling out particular adjustments that need to be made - but we don't always want to use the same 2 or 3.
That would be boring as bikram.
------
Aparigraha - Non-possessiveness
Here and now, I give it away...a herculean effort of imperfection.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bxu4Du7M08YsZTRjZTc1ZjgtM2JkNC00N2FjLWFkOWYtOTIzMjE3ZGVhMDk2&hl=en&authkey=CI6v9ooI
Karma yoga...it's easier than hatha.
Z
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Brahmacarya - Nonexcess or the Cultivation & Preservation of Prana
Thanks to those who made the little study session yesterday. In brief, we opened with Siva Mantra, did some kapala-bhati, then - split between working on Sanskrit names and sequencing - went through the whole Hot Flow Fusion without verbal adjustments and only with the Sanskrit.
It was harder than my rear thigh in virabhadrasana 2.
Study group is on for Wednesday morning at 11:30am, but since the Wade Morissette workshop begins Friday evening, I'm not going to make it Friday at 4-5:30p. The small studio is still booked for us during that time, but picking things back up on Monday might make more sense. I'll let you know times for next week when I know.
-----
I think I'm getting sick for the first time in over a year, but I'm not sure. Within hours of class being done this weekend - which was at the end of the stretch when I completed the 30-day - my body/mind started shutting down. Achy bones, fuzzy brainpan, tired, tired, tired. Not the usual response to our weekends together.
Here's my self-reflective diagnosis: See, I'm one of those yogis who's guilty of anticipating the countdown in certain poses (it's true...blush). And it always irks me a little when Katey plays with the count - - -
3.........4........4 and a half........4 annnndddd soooommmme moooooorrrre........FIVE!
Well, I think my brain made some secret deal with my body in the bliss time which in essence was "listen, body, you get me through these 30 days of hell yoga and I'll give you 3 days of jelly roll donuts and single malt scotch."
Who's to judge the bliss time?
-----
For those of you having trouble identifying the rhomboids, go see Black Swan (like I did tonight). Ballerina rhomboids all over the freakin' place.
--------
Cassandra - yep, 5 yamas (social ethics) and 5 niyamas (personal ethics). not sure what notes got you confused, but the book is a good reference. we're all looking forward to having you back in class...we need a little chi to balance the prana. ;-)
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Brahmacarya - Nonexcess or the Cultivation & Preservation of Prana
Speaking of Black Swan, I have something quick to say about Brahmacarya. Frankly, there's too much rattling around in my noodle (mixed metaphor, sorry) to address this yama with any modicum of respect. But a little goes a long way, to stay true to a theme.
The road to nonexcess leads, naturally, to repression. If we were to continue to temper our desires (misaligned, though they may be), if we were to continue to take in one less strawberry than our mouth demands, or to stay our hand from reaching out to a fading lover, we would soon find ourselves bereft of the deepest expression of animal/human/earthbody nature...which is the full experience of desire. Angels don't feel love or hate, buddhas are kinda boring. People, on the other hand, can be fascinating and passionate and wild.
My challenge as a spiritual animal is to cultivate deep desire - desire aligned with my divine purpose - and to take action on that desire toward the highest good of all.
That's all I'm sayin'. Don't forget to cultivate that which you intend to trim.
Peace and potatoes.
k
It was harder than my rear thigh in virabhadrasana 2.
Study group is on for Wednesday morning at 11:30am, but since the Wade Morissette workshop begins Friday evening, I'm not going to make it Friday at 4-5:30p. The small studio is still booked for us during that time, but picking things back up on Monday might make more sense. I'll let you know times for next week when I know.
-----
I think I'm getting sick for the first time in over a year, but I'm not sure. Within hours of class being done this weekend - which was at the end of the stretch when I completed the 30-day - my body/mind started shutting down. Achy bones, fuzzy brainpan, tired, tired, tired. Not the usual response to our weekends together.
Here's my self-reflective diagnosis: See, I'm one of those yogis who's guilty of anticipating the countdown in certain poses (it's true...blush). And it always irks me a little when Katey plays with the count - - -
3.........4........4 and a half........4 annnndddd soooommmme moooooorrrre........FIVE!
Well, I think my brain made some secret deal with my body in the bliss time which in essence was "listen, body, you get me through these 30 days of hell yoga and I'll give you 3 days of jelly roll donuts and single malt scotch."
Who's to judge the bliss time?
-----
For those of you having trouble identifying the rhomboids, go see Black Swan (like I did tonight). Ballerina rhomboids all over the freakin' place.
--------
Cassandra - yep, 5 yamas (social ethics) and 5 niyamas (personal ethics). not sure what notes got you confused, but the book is a good reference. we're all looking forward to having you back in class...we need a little chi to balance the prana. ;-)
-------------
Brahmacarya - Nonexcess or the Cultivation & Preservation of Prana
Speaking of Black Swan, I have something quick to say about Brahmacarya. Frankly, there's too much rattling around in my noodle (mixed metaphor, sorry) to address this yama with any modicum of respect. But a little goes a long way, to stay true to a theme.
The road to nonexcess leads, naturally, to repression. If we were to continue to temper our desires (misaligned, though they may be), if we were to continue to take in one less strawberry than our mouth demands, or to stay our hand from reaching out to a fading lover, we would soon find ourselves bereft of the deepest expression of animal/human/earthbody nature...which is the full experience of desire. Angels don't feel love or hate, buddhas are kinda boring. People, on the other hand, can be fascinating and passionate and wild.
My challenge as a spiritual animal is to cultivate deep desire - desire aligned with my divine purpose - and to take action on that desire toward the highest good of all.
That's all I'm sayin'. Don't forget to cultivate that which you intend to trim.
Peace and potatoes.
k
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Asteya - Nonstealing
Okay, first things first. - Oy vey it's hard to sit on that floor all freakin' weekend!!!
And here's why. We've spoiled ourselves as a culture with the invention of the chair. All the couches, all the car seats, all the desk work gives us endless opportunities to sit with poor posture. We dump and slump and relax in lazy ways that restrict our breathing (that's bad), crook our spine (that's terrible) and allow our hips to use only a fraction of their joint potential (terribly bad).
Sitting on the floor (with or without a block/bolster/cusion) - as indigenous people do all over the world, as they do in every dojo, every talking circle, every satsang, every studio and hermit cave in the world - is one of the secrets to long life.
No shit.
And like many secrets to life, it hurts at first. It sucks, really, and is easy to skip over with the aid of a comfy recliner or just super bad posture. (I'm not taking about you decadent crazy creek folks...you're still on the floor with us!) But the more we practice sitting like we all did today during meditation - strong and effortless, straight yet flexible - the longer it's gonna take us to get old.
I'm 73% positive of it.
-------
Asteya - Nonstealing
Remember when Spicoli was battling it out with Mr. Hand in Fast Times at Ridgemont High? After a pizza delivery interrupts Mr. Hand's math class, he accuses Spicoli of stealing the class' time. The reply (in full valley dude surfer talk): "Well..haha... if you're here and I'm here..haha...doesn't that make it OUR time?"
"Then I guess that makes this OUR pizza," gets Mr. Hand the laugh (and a giant slice of pepperoni).
Moral being that at the end of the day (or the end of the cosmic cycle), don't all things balance out? And isn't the universe a place of infinite abundance? --- If that's that --- karma washes away all samskara and the universe holds nothing back from those who truly desire it ---- then how can I steal anything anyway?
Obviously, I'm having trouble with this one...Asteya...I haven't soaked it in or I'm not in the mood for it...but I can say that here I really feel the strong "duality" aspect of Patanjali which J&K were talking about. The very idea of stealing presupposes ownership and lines in the sand and separation.
If someone "steals" my time, I give it to them and then ease my way away or redirect the focus...but I never really feel robbed. If I can't be fully present with my kids or my lovers or whomever because I have another true desire that's pulling me to action...I have to go and work on it or I will shrivel a little (and so will those around me). If nature didn't want me to drain my engine oil at the Kincaid Park parking lot, then she would have put up a sign, ya know?
(fine, scratch that last one)
I don't know...this Yama isn't resonating with me right now.
Maybe I just stole too much candy as a kid (ganesh bless Patti!) and don't want to talk about it.
So, there! Thbbbth!
"...and it all boils down to one quotable phrase,
...if you love something, give it away..."
And here's why. We've spoiled ourselves as a culture with the invention of the chair. All the couches, all the car seats, all the desk work gives us endless opportunities to sit with poor posture. We dump and slump and relax in lazy ways that restrict our breathing (that's bad), crook our spine (that's terrible) and allow our hips to use only a fraction of their joint potential (terribly bad).
Sitting on the floor (with or without a block/bolster/cusion) - as indigenous people do all over the world, as they do in every dojo, every talking circle, every satsang, every studio and hermit cave in the world - is one of the secrets to long life.
No shit.
And like many secrets to life, it hurts at first. It sucks, really, and is easy to skip over with the aid of a comfy recliner or just super bad posture. (I'm not taking about you decadent crazy creek folks...you're still on the floor with us!) But the more we practice sitting like we all did today during meditation - strong and effortless, straight yet flexible - the longer it's gonna take us to get old.
I'm 73% positive of it.
-------
Asteya - Nonstealing
Remember when Spicoli was battling it out with Mr. Hand in Fast Times at Ridgemont High? After a pizza delivery interrupts Mr. Hand's math class, he accuses Spicoli of stealing the class' time. The reply (in full valley dude surfer talk): "Well..haha... if you're here and I'm here..haha...doesn't that make it OUR time?"
"Then I guess that makes this OUR pizza," gets Mr. Hand the laugh (and a giant slice of pepperoni).
Moral being that at the end of the day (or the end of the cosmic cycle), don't all things balance out? And isn't the universe a place of infinite abundance? --- If that's that --- karma washes away all samskara and the universe holds nothing back from those who truly desire it ---- then how can I steal anything anyway?
Obviously, I'm having trouble with this one...Asteya...I haven't soaked it in or I'm not in the mood for it...but I can say that here I really feel the strong "duality" aspect of Patanjali which J&K were talking about. The very idea of stealing presupposes ownership and lines in the sand and separation.
If someone "steals" my time, I give it to them and then ease my way away or redirect the focus...but I never really feel robbed. If I can't be fully present with my kids or my lovers or whomever because I have another true desire that's pulling me to action...I have to go and work on it or I will shrivel a little (and so will those around me). If nature didn't want me to drain my engine oil at the Kincaid Park parking lot, then she would have put up a sign, ya know?
(fine, scratch that last one)
I don't know...this Yama isn't resonating with me right now.
Maybe I just stole too much candy as a kid (ganesh bless Patti!) and don't want to talk about it.
So, there! Thbbbth!
"...and it all boils down to one quotable phrase,
...if you love something, give it away..."
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Satya - Truth
My, my...what an amazing class today! The opening asana practice was slow and deliberate, full of love and expression, an ideal way to spend a Saturday morning. (True dat.)
Katey - I wonder sometimes what inspires the variations you deliver in the overall "hot flow fusion" sequence. They are always welcomed, seldom obvious and somehow manage to get each and every one of our individual vibes into an orchestrated pulse. You are an amazing yogini and seem to lead us deeper and deeper each time we practice!
The anatomy work we've been doing is a blast. (I hope y'all can mostly tolerate my spastic passion for it...please let me know if I need to commentate less!) It's interesting to me that thinking about my body and how it works (in yoga) is bringing me so much closer to my body (and my yoga). Often we're rightly encouraged to drop our minds and "delve inward" in yoga...this anatomy biz allows me to delve inward with my mind fully engaged. It's a win-win for a thought addict like me!
--------
Satya - Truth
Staying extra true to my word that I'd make a few entries on the yamas, I'm going to add a quickie here on satya.
Like the question (koan) Tom asked us prior to our meditation practice last weekend: "where do your experiences lie inside of you?", I wonder where lies the source of truth? And more importantly, what manner of skillful living will bring truth more clearly to me - whether I'm working on relationship issues, planning an adventure, or shopping for vegetables - how best can I access TRUTH in my moment-to-moment life?
A core tenet of Buddhism is impermanence - all things change, so let everything go.
Taoists will tell you that the Tao that can be named is not the Tao.
India's great Mahabharata wisely surmises that "time leaves nothing true forever."
So, where is TRUTH and how can I claim it?!?!
Katey - I wonder sometimes what inspires the variations you deliver in the overall "hot flow fusion" sequence. They are always welcomed, seldom obvious and somehow manage to get each and every one of our individual vibes into an orchestrated pulse. You are an amazing yogini and seem to lead us deeper and deeper each time we practice!
The anatomy work we've been doing is a blast. (I hope y'all can mostly tolerate my spastic passion for it...please let me know if I need to commentate less!) It's interesting to me that thinking about my body and how it works (in yoga) is bringing me so much closer to my body (and my yoga). Often we're rightly encouraged to drop our minds and "delve inward" in yoga...this anatomy biz allows me to delve inward with my mind fully engaged. It's a win-win for a thought addict like me!
--------
Satya - Truth
Staying extra true to my word that I'd make a few entries on the yamas, I'm going to add a quickie here on satya.
Like the question (koan) Tom asked us prior to our meditation practice last weekend: "where do your experiences lie inside of you?", I wonder where lies the source of truth? And more importantly, what manner of skillful living will bring truth more clearly to me - whether I'm working on relationship issues, planning an adventure, or shopping for vegetables - how best can I access TRUTH in my moment-to-moment life?
A core tenet of Buddhism is impermanence - all things change, so let everything go.
Taoists will tell you that the Tao that can be named is not the Tao.
India's great Mahabharata wisely surmises that "time leaves nothing true forever."
So, where is TRUTH and how can I claim it?!?!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Ahimsa - Nonviolence
Hey, y'all.
I'm going to offer my next few entries on this yoga thread to the Yamas and Niyamas. Just some light (lite?) reflections, meanderings and off-the-cuff jazz. Nothing too solid here...trust.
------
The ethics and moral philosophy of yoga....who knew, right?
-------
Ahimsa - Nonviolence
Beautifully spoken tonight when Patti (sp?) introduced us to the depth of these teachings by way of "nuance". To paraphrase, for each element of the Yamas and Niyamas (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, etc), there are many subtle levels in which one could be practicing or exploring. Every individual enters their own moment by moment experience of these precepts with a different state of mind, a different set of memories, a different belly full of food.
One moment, we feel ourselves outpouring divine love and the next it's all we can do to keep from screaming at some asshole who cuts us off in traffic. Nuances of nonviolence. Aberrations of ahimsa.
So here's what I'm really thinking about: Daniel and Arjuna, a malnourished mahatma, and the very delicious beer I'm holding in my hand. Let me explain.
In class a few weekends ago, Daniel and Josh (et. al.!) were having a conversation regarding the Bhagavad Gita. The gem that really had them lit up at this point was the poetic irony or the holy paradox or the super SNAFU that Arjuna found himself in when Krishna explained to him that in order to do his duty to the universe, he was going to have to kill all of the people he loved (his family-enemies on the battlefield).
Enter: nuances of ahimsa. How, asks Daniel and Arjuna, can one know that [through their yoga] they're purified enough, strong and clear enough, grounded and connected enough to trust that the action in front of them - no matter how challenging or even horrific it seems on the surface - is guided toward the highest good of all beings?
I dunno.
But Arjuna decided that the line between he and his highest gift to the world (victory of the battle) went straight through some ugly shit. As a god among men or whatever he was, Arjuna expanded his awareness or experience of ahimsa far beyond the karma and suffering he saw right in front of him. And hi-5 ganesh for that because if he had played the new-age wimp and thrown up a lazy peace sign, I think the sun would have exploded or something.
Ghandi: a man whose name is nearly synonymous with the ideal of "peace" was capable of extreme acts of violence.....against himself, at least - i.e. fasting till near death on more than one occasion - a violent sacrifice which caused suffering among millions who adored him but was part of a greater vision of ahimsa...a vision to heal the infection of British imperialism, to free Mahabharata - Great India - etc.
And then there's me and my beer (which, sadly, is gone now). It's just a wee bitty 12-oz act of violence...hard to use that word, really...but how again does it serve me? How does this soft poison help express my greatest gifts to the universe? (there's a joke somewhere here about buzzed blogging!) How does this single act of "loving" beer right now fit in to ahimsa and my yogic path?
I'll have to ponder that...yes indeed.
I'm going to offer my next few entries on this yoga thread to the Yamas and Niyamas. Just some light (lite?) reflections, meanderings and off-the-cuff jazz. Nothing too solid here...trust.
------
The ethics and moral philosophy of yoga....who knew, right?
-------
Ahimsa - Nonviolence
Beautifully spoken tonight when Patti (sp?) introduced us to the depth of these teachings by way of "nuance". To paraphrase, for each element of the Yamas and Niyamas (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, etc), there are many subtle levels in which one could be practicing or exploring. Every individual enters their own moment by moment experience of these precepts with a different state of mind, a different set of memories, a different belly full of food.
One moment, we feel ourselves outpouring divine love and the next it's all we can do to keep from screaming at some asshole who cuts us off in traffic. Nuances of nonviolence. Aberrations of ahimsa.
So here's what I'm really thinking about: Daniel and Arjuna, a malnourished mahatma, and the very delicious beer I'm holding in my hand. Let me explain.
In class a few weekends ago, Daniel and Josh (et. al.!) were having a conversation regarding the Bhagavad Gita. The gem that really had them lit up at this point was the poetic irony or the holy paradox or the super SNAFU that Arjuna found himself in when Krishna explained to him that in order to do his duty to the universe, he was going to have to kill all of the people he loved (his family-enemies on the battlefield).
Enter: nuances of ahimsa. How, asks Daniel and Arjuna, can one know that [through their yoga] they're purified enough, strong and clear enough, grounded and connected enough to trust that the action in front of them - no matter how challenging or even horrific it seems on the surface - is guided toward the highest good of all beings?
I dunno.
But Arjuna decided that the line between he and his highest gift to the world (victory of the battle) went straight through some ugly shit. As a god among men or whatever he was, Arjuna expanded his awareness or experience of ahimsa far beyond the karma and suffering he saw right in front of him. And hi-5 ganesh for that because if he had played the new-age wimp and thrown up a lazy peace sign, I think the sun would have exploded or something.
Ghandi: a man whose name is nearly synonymous with the ideal of "peace" was capable of extreme acts of violence.....against himself, at least - i.e. fasting till near death on more than one occasion - a violent sacrifice which caused suffering among millions who adored him but was part of a greater vision of ahimsa...a vision to heal the infection of British imperialism, to free Mahabharata - Great India - etc.
And then there's me and my beer (which, sadly, is gone now). It's just a wee bitty 12-oz act of violence...hard to use that word, really...but how again does it serve me? How does this soft poison help express my greatest gifts to the universe? (there's a joke somewhere here about buzzed blogging!) How does this single act of "loving" beer right now fit in to ahimsa and my yogic path?
I'll have to ponder that...yes indeed.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Little Engine Yoga ®
There are a few common qualities I find myself cherishing in the yoga teachers who have inspired me.
Overwhelmingly, it's simply the "energy" of the teacher that brings me back to their specific class. But it's also their skill in leading the class through a balanced and deep practice, their knowledge of yoga anatomy and alignment (which keeps my body safe and progressing to new levels), and of course, their freakish ability to do crazy arm balancing tricks.
For many of us, one of the qualities in a yoga teacher which inspires us most - which Katey has talked about (and embodies beautifully!) is the gift of being somewhat lyrical and poetic in the delivery of class. What could otherwise be cheesy aerobicise narrative - "squeeze those cheeseburgers out of those buns" - an actual line I remember from the 80's exercise classic Buns of Steel - becomes "let your heart shine"......"open up"......"become the mountain". And far beyond these simple, yet nurturing phrases, I'm really drawn to a teacher who naturally weaves (or sutures, if you prefer) little gems of wisdom into the "script", stone drops of universal philosophy in the pond of our yoga....bloooop.
All of that brings me to a gemstone I want to share with you, one that has caused me some ripples lately, which comes from the mouth of Josh (that sounds like the name of a cult!). In essence, it goes like this:
"In this pose, don't compare yourself to where you were yesterday or where you want to be tomorrow, don't worry about what others are doing. Self-judgement is completely contraindicated in yoga - it only creates tension and closure and has no place in your practice."
-----
I couldn't keep my balance today in class...falling all over the place in standing bow and tree...hell, I even was tipsy in dadayamana bibhaktapada pascimottanasana! (Now you know it was bad.)
But with some reflection, I realized that the more and more annoyed I got because I couldn't stand on one stupid leg, the harder the whole affair became. Balancing poses like dominoes came falling over into my zen and restricting the flow of prana, creating a sense of separation even from my own self. Over dramatic, maybe, but you catch my drift.
If there is such a thing as bad yoga, it's the yoga you tell yourself is bad yoga.
With every inhale, find new space.
With every exhale, explore that space.
Z
Overwhelmingly, it's simply the "energy" of the teacher that brings me back to their specific class. But it's also their skill in leading the class through a balanced and deep practice, their knowledge of yoga anatomy and alignment (which keeps my body safe and progressing to new levels), and of course, their freakish ability to do crazy arm balancing tricks.
For many of us, one of the qualities in a yoga teacher which inspires us most - which Katey has talked about (and embodies beautifully!) is the gift of being somewhat lyrical and poetic in the delivery of class. What could otherwise be cheesy aerobicise narrative - "squeeze those cheeseburgers out of those buns" - an actual line I remember from the 80's exercise classic Buns of Steel - becomes "let your heart shine"......"open up"......"become the mountain". And far beyond these simple, yet nurturing phrases, I'm really drawn to a teacher who naturally weaves (or sutures, if you prefer) little gems of wisdom into the "script", stone drops of universal philosophy in the pond of our yoga....bloooop.
All of that brings me to a gemstone I want to share with you, one that has caused me some ripples lately, which comes from the mouth of Josh (that sounds like the name of a cult!). In essence, it goes like this:
"In this pose, don't compare yourself to where you were yesterday or where you want to be tomorrow, don't worry about what others are doing. Self-judgement is completely contraindicated in yoga - it only creates tension and closure and has no place in your practice."
-----
I couldn't keep my balance today in class...falling all over the place in standing bow and tree...hell, I even was tipsy in dadayamana bibhaktapada pascimottanasana! (Now you know it was bad.)
But with some reflection, I realized that the more and more annoyed I got because I couldn't stand on one stupid leg, the harder the whole affair became. Balancing poses like dominoes came falling over into my zen and restricting the flow of prana, creating a sense of separation even from my own self. Over dramatic, maybe, but you catch my drift.
If there is such a thing as bad yoga, it's the yoga you tell yourself is bad yoga.
With every inhale, find new space.
With every exhale, explore that space.
Z
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It Fills My Cup...
Thank you Kevin for starting this blog! It is not only entertaining but also helps to make all of the work that we are doing in teacher training, yoga classes, our own study very real and a safe place to share. Like you I am having 'ah hah' moments left and right!!! Even tonight I was feeling a little off balance and weak but I slowed my practice down, paid more attention to my breath and made modifications in any poses that I could. I came out of practice feeling so much better, grateful that I had a practice to go to and I appreciated my body and my mind for not giving up today but enjoying movement. My normal mode of operating is to push hard to perform as I normally would and not accept that today I need to take some extra care.
So the moments I want to share are my Monday mornings after a weekend of teacher training. I don't know about you guys but even after 21 hours of class over the weekend I am always nervous about being tired, groggy and drained of energy come Monday morning. NOT SO!!!! I have found the days after a yoga weekend are so much lighter, happier and I am overflowing with energy. I feel so fortunate to have found something that fills up my cup with energy and light removing the damage from the things that empty the same cup.
I am interested to know if anyone else has experienced this??? I hope so because it feels amazing.
KMc
So the moments I want to share are my Monday mornings after a weekend of teacher training. I don't know about you guys but even after 21 hours of class over the weekend I am always nervous about being tired, groggy and drained of energy come Monday morning. NOT SO!!!! I have found the days after a yoga weekend are so much lighter, happier and I am overflowing with energy. I feel so fortunate to have found something that fills up my cup with energy and light removing the damage from the things that empty the same cup.
I am interested to know if anyone else has experienced this??? I hope so because it feels amazing.
KMc
Internalization of the Senses
This video brought me to an entirely new level of pratyahara. I trust it will do the same for you.
Drips from the Mat
Hello y'all.
I wanted to share another of my wee little revelations. First, let me say that most of my "aha" moments of late have simply been me finally hearing what it is that Katey or Josh (or Rick or whomever) has been saying all along. The quip that's sinking in to my stubborn mind-body over the past week goes something like this:
"...and flow. Remember, vinyasa is your time, move with your own breath. A single inhale or exhale for each move of the flow."
Well, I've been experimenting with this and taking my vinyasas, especially the early ones, really really slow. In part, that's because at the beginning of practice, my breath isn't huffing and puffing yet, so moving honestly with my breath means my vinyasa is going to be slow. Another reason is that as class continues, tapas builds and I start breathing harder, if I've already committed to nice slow vinyasas, I maintain better control of my breath for more of the class (near the end of the standing series, I'm still gasping, but I'm gasping mindfully). Ultimately, using vinyasa to slow my practice down - instead of it being the part that makes flow yoga so intense - allows me to come into the subsequent poses or sequences with greater reserves of energy and breath.
Yes, no, maybe?
----
On another note, I wanted to say that I had a sort of peak moment in class yesterday, even though I was squished up in balasana while others were practicing.
Let me set the scene: Ustrasana (camel). Ashtanga Heidi is right in front of me, looking pretty good (uh, I mean her form...I mean her YOGA form!). She has her hands on her heels, strong legs, nice arching back...a really good camel pose. Then, sensing opportunity for growth, in sweeps Katey. She works some serious voodoo, places a hand on Heidi's heart and one on her back (something like that) and leads Heidi, layer by layer, deeper into the pose. By the end of it, Heidi's head was almost resting on the bottoms of her feet.
I have no idea if either of them were in magic yoga land like I was (I'm in child pose at this point, mind you), but I have to say it was like a flower not knowing what to do next until the sunlit strikes its closed petals - and voilá! A blooming.
Thank you both for that!
Z
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PS - Costco on Dimond has the VitaMix in right now, as they do twice a year. It's spendy, but certainly the most treasured appliance in my kitchen. From fresh juice to fresh ground flour, it's like the blender from hell. Also, Freddies has that coconut water everyone's been drinking - $3 for a good-size carton in the nat. foods section.
I wanted to share another of my wee little revelations. First, let me say that most of my "aha" moments of late have simply been me finally hearing what it is that Katey or Josh (or Rick or whomever) has been saying all along. The quip that's sinking in to my stubborn mind-body over the past week goes something like this:
"...and flow. Remember, vinyasa is your time, move with your own breath. A single inhale or exhale for each move of the flow."
Well, I've been experimenting with this and taking my vinyasas, especially the early ones, really really slow. In part, that's because at the beginning of practice, my breath isn't huffing and puffing yet, so moving honestly with my breath means my vinyasa is going to be slow. Another reason is that as class continues, tapas builds and I start breathing harder, if I've already committed to nice slow vinyasas, I maintain better control of my breath for more of the class (near the end of the standing series, I'm still gasping, but I'm gasping mindfully). Ultimately, using vinyasa to slow my practice down - instead of it being the part that makes flow yoga so intense - allows me to come into the subsequent poses or sequences with greater reserves of energy and breath.
Yes, no, maybe?
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On another note, I wanted to say that I had a sort of peak moment in class yesterday, even though I was squished up in balasana while others were practicing.
Let me set the scene: Ustrasana (camel). Ashtanga Heidi is right in front of me, looking pretty good (uh, I mean her form...I mean her YOGA form!). She has her hands on her heels, strong legs, nice arching back...a really good camel pose. Then, sensing opportunity for growth, in sweeps Katey. She works some serious voodoo, places a hand on Heidi's heart and one on her back (something like that) and leads Heidi, layer by layer, deeper into the pose. By the end of it, Heidi's head was almost resting on the bottoms of her feet.
I have no idea if either of them were in magic yoga land like I was (I'm in child pose at this point, mind you), but I have to say it was like a flower not knowing what to do next until the sunlit strikes its closed petals - and voilá! A blooming.
Thank you both for that!
Z
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PS - Costco on Dimond has the VitaMix in right now, as they do twice a year. It's spendy, but certainly the most treasured appliance in my kitchen. From fresh juice to fresh ground flour, it's like the blender from hell. Also, Freddies has that coconut water everyone's been drinking - $3 for a good-size carton in the nat. foods section.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
It's A Practice
I loved it in class today when someone said something like "we don't 'do' yoga. we practice yoga."
That's becoming a bit of a theme for me of late as I realize more and more that yoga doesn't just "do" itself. We've got to be there to channel this ancient river of asana with all of our wits, all of our expression and all of our courage...that is, we have to practice perfectly...whatever that means for each of us individually, day to day.
I feel I'm at that part of the learning curve where yoga is going to become a lot more challenging for me...at least for now. I've got habits to witness and dissolve, muscles and bones to wake up and all sorts of internal dialogue to rewrite. Meanwhile, I've got to engage my inner thighs, roll my shoulder blades down my back and let my f'n heart melt!
Nevertheless, I'm offering to myself that commitment to root down and rise up to yoga, as best as I can.
Ugly though it may be at times - shaking, buckling at the knees, sweating like I have some kind of medical condition - I'm learning to live and love the practice as a means that needs no end.
And no more cheating in garudasana for me, no no no! I will bear down hard that last 10 seconds, I swear it!
Practice makes perfect, if you practice perfectly.
And you, my friends, practice perfectly. I'm honored to get to share so much time on the mat with all of you.
Namaste.
Ziji
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Here's the Daily Bandha link if you haven't signed up for it yet. Be sure to download the Tips and Techniques pdf.
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A Question: What are the 5 most important verbal adjustments you'd give for your 2 favorite poses?
Another Question: Do we sound like a bunch of robots when we move into our first trikonasana? click click click goes the front hip all across the class.
That's becoming a bit of a theme for me of late as I realize more and more that yoga doesn't just "do" itself. We've got to be there to channel this ancient river of asana with all of our wits, all of our expression and all of our courage...that is, we have to practice perfectly...whatever that means for each of us individually, day to day.
I feel I'm at that part of the learning curve where yoga is going to become a lot more challenging for me...at least for now. I've got habits to witness and dissolve, muscles and bones to wake up and all sorts of internal dialogue to rewrite. Meanwhile, I've got to engage my inner thighs, roll my shoulder blades down my back and let my f'n heart melt!
Nevertheless, I'm offering to myself that commitment to root down and rise up to yoga, as best as I can.
Ugly though it may be at times - shaking, buckling at the knees, sweating like I have some kind of medical condition - I'm learning to live and love the practice as a means that needs no end.
And no more cheating in garudasana for me, no no no! I will bear down hard that last 10 seconds, I swear it!
Practice makes perfect, if you practice perfectly.
And you, my friends, practice perfectly. I'm honored to get to share so much time on the mat with all of you.
Namaste.
Ziji
--------
Here's the Daily Bandha link if you haven't signed up for it yet. Be sure to download the Tips and Techniques pdf.
--------
A Question: What are the 5 most important verbal adjustments you'd give for your 2 favorite poses?
Another Question: Do we sound like a bunch of robots when we move into our first trikonasana? click click click goes the front hip all across the class.
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