Since my last post, 9 days ago, much has changed in my life. I say 'much' because one person has left my life and that person had been present and loving me for 64+ years (if you count the days in the womb) - my Mother.
She was 87, had been ill for the past 2-3 months, and had lived an almost-reclusive life for several years. I wish these last few years had been different for her, but they weren't -- the result of losing a child (my brother) before his time.
I received the news last Sunday (just a week ago), about this time of morning. A phone call from the assisted living facility telling me she had passed. On Monday, I was on a plane to Spokane where I was met by my cousin. Love my cousin -- he had already taken care of several important things, paving the way for me to do what I needed to do: finish with arrangements, clean out her apartment, meet with a lawyer, move apartment items to storage or Goodwill, and - finally - celebrate her life with family. All went smoothly, and my husband, son and I returned to San Diego yesterday (Friday). So few days to take care of 87 years.
There is still work to be done. Storage unit to be cleaned out and bequests to be handled. Certainly not 87 years worth of work, however.
So glad I had been able to visit my Mother 2 weeks ago, if only for a few days.
I am back, getting ready to move back into my routine. Interesting that as I spent time on FB this morning, I felt much more able to speak out, and much more questioning about the motives of this 'business' we are in -- yoga. It is, after all, now a 'business' -- witness the maneuverings of YogaGlo (attempting to 'patent' the way they film classes for subscribers). To me, it represents shooting themselves in the foot. I also am looking at all the promotions, 'selfies', attempts to promote oneself (including mine). Wondering if it is really what we ought to be doing, or could it be done differently.
Teaching is what I really want to do, not promote, not film, not post pictures of myself or the words I write in this blog. Yoga is a valuable tool to wellness - physical and emotional. I just wish people would come to me for that reason, not because I'm cute (not) and popular (double not). I wish people would come to my classes because they want to learn about yoga, refine their practice, laugh a bit, enjoy experiencing the wisdom of their bodies -- such good stuff.
The week will bring some new experiences and new classes into my realm. I'll keep you posted on my website, www.skillfulyoga.com, because it is - after all - a 'business', as much as I don't like the idea.
Hope you have a great and peaceful Sunday,
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
ONE-MINUTE HOLDS (!?!?!?!)
The title pretty much sums up our Wednesday Wisdom Warriors practice. Desiree put together a nice series of poses, each to be held for one minute.
Let's be clear here, these were not un-strenuous poses. She included poses like Warrior I & III, Trichonasana, Parvritta Trichonasana, Supta Virasana, Hanumanasana, and - not to forget - handstand and Urdhva Dhanurasana, plus about 40 others (remember, this is a 2-hour practice).
I have to say that I enjoyed the practice. As we remained in poses, breathing as deeply as the pose allowed, I could feel my body shifting gradually into a more refined shape of the pose asked for. My challenge, as always, was the handstand and Urdhva moments.
My goal is to work on both those two latter poses more diligently this year. I have to admit that I almost had given up on handstand - just figured I will never be able to kick up, let alone hold it for any period of time, so why keep trying (and - be still my ego - embarrassing myself). However, I just read a blog from the Core Walking website that offers some new ideas to consider (www.corewalking.com). With new and untried possibilities, I can hardly give up, can I?
Wisdom Warriors is one of the sources of my teaching 'ideas' -- we practice, I then teach a WW practice in Temecula on Thursdays and I use much of the same stuff. I even use some in my Gentler classes. For example, in both groups yesterday, we did long holds on the poses. I didn't have the timer figured ('chakra chimes' app on the iPhone), so we counted breaths, which - interestingly - makes things more manageable for some students.
Not only do I feel the body shift, but yesterday I noticed an interesting correlation - one I hadn't thought of before. I am always asking students to weight the 4 corners of their feet equally. It offers stability to their poses, firing muscles in the legs to help support them. Sometime in the past few days, I read another blog post from the above-mentioned site regarding the affect of pressing through the inner edge of our feet on our inner thighs. So, as we practiced yesterday, I tried to notice. In prasarita padottanasana (wide-legged forward fold), if you allow the feet to weight on the outside edge it's pretty comfortable, especially if you are holding for a minute or so. However, if you distribute the weight through the 4 corners (with just a bit more emphasis on the inner edge), you will feel your inner thighs begin to rev up. Try it -- but, hold the pose for several breaths, settle into the pose, then try it. Interesting. (And, I wasn't the only person noticing it!)
So, another Gentle Class to teach today (Friday), 11:45am at Living Yoga. And, Saturday -- a treat -- I'll guest teach an 8:45 am class at the MAC yoga studio right here in Fallbrook. If you are close, stop by; would love to have a nice group.
Hope you all have a great day!
Let's be clear here, these were not un-strenuous poses. She included poses like Warrior I & III, Trichonasana, Parvritta Trichonasana, Supta Virasana, Hanumanasana, and - not to forget - handstand and Urdhva Dhanurasana, plus about 40 others (remember, this is a 2-hour practice).
I have to say that I enjoyed the practice. As we remained in poses, breathing as deeply as the pose allowed, I could feel my body shifting gradually into a more refined shape of the pose asked for. My challenge, as always, was the handstand and Urdhva moments.
My goal is to work on both those two latter poses more diligently this year. I have to admit that I almost had given up on handstand - just figured I will never be able to kick up, let alone hold it for any period of time, so why keep trying (and - be still my ego - embarrassing myself). However, I just read a blog from the Core Walking website that offers some new ideas to consider (www.corewalking.com). With new and untried possibilities, I can hardly give up, can I?
Wisdom Warriors is one of the sources of my teaching 'ideas' -- we practice, I then teach a WW practice in Temecula on Thursdays and I use much of the same stuff. I even use some in my Gentler classes. For example, in both groups yesterday, we did long holds on the poses. I didn't have the timer figured ('chakra chimes' app on the iPhone), so we counted breaths, which - interestingly - makes things more manageable for some students.
Not only do I feel the body shift, but yesterday I noticed an interesting correlation - one I hadn't thought of before. I am always asking students to weight the 4 corners of their feet equally. It offers stability to their poses, firing muscles in the legs to help support them. Sometime in the past few days, I read another blog post from the above-mentioned site regarding the affect of pressing through the inner edge of our feet on our inner thighs. So, as we practiced yesterday, I tried to notice. In prasarita padottanasana (wide-legged forward fold), if you allow the feet to weight on the outside edge it's pretty comfortable, especially if you are holding for a minute or so. However, if you distribute the weight through the 4 corners (with just a bit more emphasis on the inner edge), you will feel your inner thighs begin to rev up. Try it -- but, hold the pose for several breaths, settle into the pose, then try it. Interesting. (And, I wasn't the only person noticing it!)
So, another Gentle Class to teach today (Friday), 11:45am at Living Yoga. And, Saturday -- a treat -- I'll guest teach an 8:45 am class at the MAC yoga studio right here in Fallbrook. If you are close, stop by; would love to have a nice group.
Hope you all have a great day!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
FACEBOOK FUN
Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I have truly appreciated Facebook in the past 2+ years. When I moved from Salt Lake to Fallbrook, Facebook provided a conduit to the yoga community -- both in Salt Lake and throughout the U.S. (and world). It has also been a source of awareness for workshops, trainings, etc. -- invaluable for someone like me who LOVES continuing education.
As I was reading the posts on my home page this morning (as I do almost every morning), I was struck by some of the phrasing used by participants. Since many I have become acquainted with through Facebook, there really is no way I can truly know what they are talking about -- however, I thought it would be fun to interpret some in this blog post. Plus, list some of the great posts of this morning. So, here goes:
"GREAT GAME UTES" -- Obviously, this person is from Utah and is a fan of the U. of U. football team. Not much more needs said.
"Feeling handstands today" -- Well, we can safely say what this yoga instructor (and her students) are in for.
"Wisdom Words: Deepen your observation, soften your determination" - one of my favorite 'posters', this instructor always has something to say that is smart, a bit radical, and sometimes rebellious. I will think about this particular quote for a long while.
"Balanced core tone is worth cultivating" - If you are not familiar with this persons blog/website, you probably just said "huh?". This is a post to draw attention to his blog (The Head in Plank Position blog.corewalking.com The position of the head in plank can show you a lot about someone's core.) Interesting and worth the read.
"If you send this bit__ up it can't go down" - I just said 'huh?' Her close friends - based on comments - know what she's talking about, I don't.
And, finally --
"CHANCE has his very own WANTED poster" - This post from the group (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County) from which we adopted Klaus - the senior German Shepherd who LOVES my husband. He's been with us 2 years now; great dog!
I have come to believe that Facebook, in addition to being a communication tool, is also a venting tool. Some days, we have to say something to someone. And, perhaps the safest person to say it to is the anonymous Facebook page. Secretly, however, we hope that the intended recipient of our comments reads (and understands) what we are saying. Enough on that.
A busy week back to teaching. Some schedule shifts are happening in the next week or two, so will keep students posted. Hopefully, these shifts will suit students and - at least - lessen the travel time.
Tomorrow is my son, Derek's, 39th birthday. Wow!! His sons, the grand-dudes, also are having birthdays -- Carson in July, Brady on 9/18, and Jack in November. Busy season for birthdays!
My Mother's health continues to improve, I hope. She's had a rough couple months (mentioned before), and hopefully she will be back in her apartment soon!
Notice, I do my 'venting' and explaining through this blog.
Hope you all have a good week!
As I was reading the posts on my home page this morning (as I do almost every morning), I was struck by some of the phrasing used by participants. Since many I have become acquainted with through Facebook, there really is no way I can truly know what they are talking about -- however, I thought it would be fun to interpret some in this blog post. Plus, list some of the great posts of this morning. So, here goes:
"GREAT GAME UTES" -- Obviously, this person is from Utah and is a fan of the U. of U. football team. Not much more needs said.
"Feeling handstands today" -- Well, we can safely say what this yoga instructor (and her students) are in for.
"Wisdom Words: Deepen your observation, soften your determination" - one of my favorite 'posters', this instructor always has something to say that is smart, a bit radical, and sometimes rebellious. I will think about this particular quote for a long while.
"Balanced core tone is worth cultivating" - If you are not familiar with this persons blog/website, you probably just said "huh?". This is a post to draw attention to his blog (The Head in Plank Position blog.corewalking.com The position of the head in plank can show you a lot about someone's core.) Interesting and worth the read.
"If you send this bit__ up it can't go down" - I just said 'huh?' Her close friends - based on comments - know what she's talking about, I don't.
And, finally --
"CHANCE has his very own WANTED poster" - This post from the group (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County) from which we adopted Klaus - the senior German Shepherd who LOVES my husband. He's been with us 2 years now; great dog!
I have come to believe that Facebook, in addition to being a communication tool, is also a venting tool. Some days, we have to say something to someone. And, perhaps the safest person to say it to is the anonymous Facebook page. Secretly, however, we hope that the intended recipient of our comments reads (and understands) what we are saying. Enough on that.
A busy week back to teaching. Some schedule shifts are happening in the next week or two, so will keep students posted. Hopefully, these shifts will suit students and - at least - lessen the travel time.
Tomorrow is my son, Derek's, 39th birthday. Wow!! His sons, the grand-dudes, also are having birthdays -- Carson in July, Brady on 9/18, and Jack in November. Busy season for birthdays!
My Mother's health continues to improve, I hope. She's had a rough couple months (mentioned before), and hopefully she will be back in her apartment soon!
Notice, I do my 'venting' and explaining through this blog.
Hope you all have a good week!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
NOTHING ABOUT YOGA (well, maybe just a little)
I started this with the intention of focusing on just our vacation (which is almost over). I then realized that it's been a LONG time since I've written and a lot has happened yoga-wise; so, the parentheses.
We are on vacation, the longest in a while -- 7 whole days in Idaho. We / I've done a lot while here -- experienced sunshine and epic thunderstorms (in my realm of thunderstorm memory), taken a good hike, done some wonderful yoga with my friend and mentor - Sundari, spent one day on the Snake River fly fishing, read a book and parts of a couple others, and - now - writing in the blog.
Tomorrow, I head to Spokane to visit family; especially my Mom, who has had a rough couple of months. Howard will head back to San Diego to relieve our housesitter of 'dog duties'.
This trip to Idaho has proven a bit challenging -- the clothes dryer (or, I should say outlet to the dryer) has malfunctioned, leaving me hanging clothes outside to dry (not such a bad thing); the TV satellite is not working (more of an issue for Howard than for me, but after a few days I have to admit I missed it a bit). And, the BIG news -- moose in the yard!!! Two, so far -- one, with a huge velvet rack of antlers; the second, younger with a smaller rack. Very calm and happy to just munch on our volunteer aspens, which is fine with us. I think this house appeals to them, since there is not much activity -- the caretaker drops in, but for a few months, that's been about it. One of our neighbors (about .5 mile away) actually had SEVEN in her yard. Our fishing guide's theory is that the wolves are multiplying and pushing moose, elk, deer, etc., down into the valley.
In case you're not familiar with moose, they can be dangerous. As I was trimming bushes, I kept a close eye on the trees behind me (where we first spotted them). What was my escape plan? To crawl under the deck (with the spiders, other bugs, mice, etc. -- pleasant thought).
We also had a skunk in the yard this morning -- a big fluffy fellow (or girl), who we left well enough alone! Didn't even take a picture.
As to yoga, I still teach a lot, I still go to Wisdom Warriors as much as possible, and -- the biggest news -- is that I finally met Douglas Brooks. He and Noah co-taught a 3-day workshop in Los Angeles. Fun to do some energetic yoga (sweat dripping-kind), and to listen to Dr. Brooks. Much easier in person than on CD's.
Just arrived home from a nice dinner in Jackson; to find that my iron does not work either -- not that I wanted to do a bunch of ironing on my last day of true vacation, but Howard does need a dress shirt for his travel tomorrow. Will try another outlet or two, see if it starts up.
Hope you've had a nice Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing all my friends next week!
We are on vacation, the longest in a while -- 7 whole days in Idaho. We / I've done a lot while here -- experienced sunshine and epic thunderstorms (in my realm of thunderstorm memory), taken a good hike, done some wonderful yoga with my friend and mentor - Sundari, spent one day on the Snake River fly fishing, read a book and parts of a couple others, and - now - writing in the blog.
Tomorrow, I head to Spokane to visit family; especially my Mom, who has had a rough couple of months. Howard will head back to San Diego to relieve our housesitter of 'dog duties'.
This trip to Idaho has proven a bit challenging -- the clothes dryer (or, I should say outlet to the dryer) has malfunctioned, leaving me hanging clothes outside to dry (not such a bad thing); the TV satellite is not working (more of an issue for Howard than for me, but after a few days I have to admit I missed it a bit). And, the BIG news -- moose in the yard!!! Two, so far -- one, with a huge velvet rack of antlers; the second, younger with a smaller rack. Very calm and happy to just munch on our volunteer aspens, which is fine with us. I think this house appeals to them, since there is not much activity -- the caretaker drops in, but for a few months, that's been about it. One of our neighbors (about .5 mile away) actually had SEVEN in her yard. Our fishing guide's theory is that the wolves are multiplying and pushing moose, elk, deer, etc., down into the valley.
In case you're not familiar with moose, they can be dangerous. As I was trimming bushes, I kept a close eye on the trees behind me (where we first spotted them). What was my escape plan? To crawl under the deck (with the spiders, other bugs, mice, etc. -- pleasant thought).
We also had a skunk in the yard this morning -- a big fluffy fellow (or girl), who we left well enough alone! Didn't even take a picture.
As to yoga, I still teach a lot, I still go to Wisdom Warriors as much as possible, and -- the biggest news -- is that I finally met Douglas Brooks. He and Noah co-taught a 3-day workshop in Los Angeles. Fun to do some energetic yoga (sweat dripping-kind), and to listen to Dr. Brooks. Much easier in person than on CD's.
Just arrived home from a nice dinner in Jackson; to find that my iron does not work either -- not that I wanted to do a bunch of ironing on my last day of true vacation, but Howard does need a dress shirt for his travel tomorrow. Will try another outlet or two, see if it starts up.
Hope you've had a nice Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing all my friends next week!
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