GETTING SERIOUS HERE:

Just over a month since my last post, where I talked a bit about Yoga Therapy (as an adjunct therapy to healthcare and wellness providers).  

Over the past weekend I finished my final project in my second-to-last class of the Yoga Therapy Program I'm enrolled in at Loyola Marymount University.  It was a 30+ minute zoom presentation on Parkinson's Disease, focusing on the incorporation of movement and voice activation when working with clients who have Parkinson's. Let me know if you'd like to see or learn more. 

Just 60 more hours, working through TeleHealth, and I am done with 4+ years of training and ready to move ahead.  

Throughout my teaching career, I have noticed the students who attend my classes are often unaware of what they are capable of.  Their strength, their resilience, has been clouded over by years of inattention.  Once in a yoga class, with only themselves to focus on, that cloud lifts -- people remember the strength, regain their power, and return many times to a more confident self.  I plan to replicate that 'cloud lifting' for many more.

So, what will I do with this expanded knowledge? First, I am going to create an awareness of me and my skills.  

How?  

1)    The website is being built as I write this.  It will highlight my yoga teaching and introduce readers to the Yoga Therapy training I have.  For some, Yoga Therapy is a new field to be explored, especially when faced with a chronic condition and/or injury.  Yoga Therapy is a one-to-one work, offering my clients a place to speak and be heard; to move effectively based on condition(s); to breathe efficiently.  

2)    I am kicking my backside back to writing in this blog -- to bring awareness to me and my journey.

3)    I will be starting a newsletter (soon).

4)    I've been on Facebook for a long time, time to give Instagram a try.  

I'd love to take you with me on this journey.  If you would share your e-mail with me, I'll put you on the list for my NEW newsletter - once published, and also share the unveiling of my website.  As one of my teachers used to say:  'It's gonna be great."

Please share your e-mail with me at leslie.l.salmon@gmail.com.  In the subject line, write BLOG, and I'll pay extra attention to your communication. 

Thanks for reading!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN & WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?

WHERE HAVE I BEEN & WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it.  I laugh each time I see a particular ad on television where a young girl jumps out of bed, excited for school, runs to her computer and then realizes the situation we are in.  Her head plops down onto the computer keyboard as if saying 'Oh, No!!!!'

And, I am continually impressed by the ways people are keeping themselves busy.  To quote one of the students in my yoga teacher training -- it's hard to believe that I am SO busy during a time when almost everything is shut down.

I've been busy as well.  My Yoga Therapy classes at Loyola Marymount Univ. in LA are now coming to me via Zoom.  I've signed up for numerous classes and courses related to yoga teaching and therapy.  I've been doing both professional (yoga) and recreational (fiction) reading.  I've pulled out the guitars (again) and have been practicing almost every day (I'm even logging date/time/what I've practiced and on which guitar).  On a side note -- you do know that no decent guitar player has only ONE guitar, don't you?  Well, I'm not in that 'decent' category yet, but I do have 3 guitars waiting to be practiced on.  One must always be prepared.

I thought I'd take some time today to talk about Yoga Therapy.  So, here goes:

All yoga has the potential to be healing. Yoga Therapy is the specific application of yogic tools—postures/exercises, breathwork, meditation techniques, and more—to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. Many people first learn about yoga through its physical practices, but a common misconception is that it’s only about stretching or poses. In fact, yoga therapy can help people who can’t move at all, as well as active individuals!

The yogic model of health is unique because it addresses every aspect of life rather than considering each body part or system separately. Yoga Therapy is a safe way of working with the natural capacity of your body and mind to optimize well-being and affect healing.

A general public yoga class can certainly ease everyday aches, pains, and mood complaints. But a yoga therapy session goes much further because it is tailored to an individual, as opposed to the group.

My training as a Yoga Therapist has focused on detailed exploration of the body, mental health, breath work, all to help me assess and keep my clients safe. I work with you to address your specific goals while considering any limitations you might be experiencing. The practices I, as a Yoga Therapist, recommend could include:

• Movement ranging from gentle to vigorous
• Breathing techniques
• Meditation or visualization practices
• Physical postures that address specific areas of discomfort or musculoskeletal imbalances
• Any combination of tools like these!

It all depends on what you need to increase your health and well-being. It is NOT a replacement for conventional medical treatments, it is an adjunct methodology.  

So, what happens today - July 22?  Each day, I look at the calendar just to keep myself straight.  It used to be so automatic (pre-Covid), jump out of bed, ready to go, with a plan in mind.  Some days now it is more of a 'muddle' (an untidy or disorganized state).  But, today, I spend several hours with the graduating group of Yoga Teachers who have spent much longer than they planned with me, due to the closures.  We will be done by the end of the month.  Then - for all of us - a much-needed break.  

Have a great day, wear your mask & take care!

PANOPLY

In the last few years, when I do post on this blog, I am almost embarrassed to see the time passed since my last post. I say 'almost', since I know I've been busy. So, excuses aside, here goes:

Yesterday, I was teaching my usual 10:30am Anusara Class at Sage Yoga in Fallbrook (CA). I considered myself fortunate that many chose to struggle through the rain to come to class. Remember, I do live in So. Cal., where rain, fire and earthquakes are stay-at-home or evacuate events (evacuate for the last two - fire & earthquakes). In the case of rain, many choose to stay cozy on their sofas or - giving them the benefit of the doubt - maybe they're taking care of erosion issues, roof leaks, flooded surface streets.  Anyway, everyone showed up yesterday despite the rain.

And, don't get me wrong, no one's complaining about the rain, since we need it; but, it is a change from our otherwise warm and sunny days.

So, back to teaching.

We are going through the sequence I'd prepared and during one particular pose (often fraught with struggle), the word 'panoply' almost comes out of my mouth. How that word got into my head is a mystery.  I held back, since I wasn't sure what the word meant. I had an idea, but not sure enough to throw it out, especially with all those pairs of eyes watching me.

What did I do? I asked the room -- 'does anyone know what the word 'panoply' means?'  (A clue here that my classes run the gamut of asana, anatomy, vocabulary, self-inquiry, etc., etc.)  No answer, but I did get promise to find out.

I came home and looked it up, because by now you're waiting on the edge of your seats for just what it means; so, here goes:

PANOPLY:  A noun meaning a complete or impressive collection of things, as in "a deliciously inventive panoply of ideas"; also, a splendid display and/or a complete set of arms or suit of armor (that's from history, since the word comes from the Greek, Panoplia, meaning 'suit of armor')

Therefore, I could have used the word (the context of yesterday's event escapes me now) - as an impressive collection of poses (or something like that).

When I guide the TT's at Sage, we do word drills -- I'll offer up 5-6 commonly heard words in yoga classes (like put, bring, take, etc.) and ask students to pull out their Thesaurus and find some alternatives. It's a good exercise, bringing out some creative ways of offering instructions/guidance.

And, in my world otherwise?

Teaching 4-5 classes each week; a new TT group will begin later this month; and I continue my studies at Loyola Marymount (in LA) to become certified as a yoga therapist (1.5 years to go until completion).

Enjoy your day,

LOTS HAS HAPPENED . . .

Since my last post.  Here is a brief list of happenings in my life and teaching:

1.  I've enrolled and been participating in the Yoga Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount / Los Angeles.

2.  My classes, for a reason unknown to me, have grown to double the size of last year (and, are remaining stable).

3.  I am guiding the 5th 200-Hour Teacher Training at Sage Yoga Studios in Fallbrook.

4.  We got a new puppy (well, he's almost 16 months old now). Because he is a barker - in particular at one neighbor; we believe that neighbor shot him in the eye with a BB gun.

5.  Grandsons are growing UP -- one will graduate from high school this Spring and is off to college in the Fall.

To expand on the above:

1.  In October, when we returned from our month in Driggs, I was 'hungry' -- not for food, but for more knowledge. I had looked at the Yoga Therapist program last year (2016), decided it was too complicated to get in and looked away. In October 2017, I looked at it again. Applied. And was accepted into the second level of a four-level program.  My rationale for level 2, was that level 1 involved muscles and skeleton and I've had lots of study there; level 2 involves respiratory, endocrine, ayurveda, etc. -- elements I find lacking in my knowledge base. The level 2 program is one year in length -- averaging to one weekend per month. I drive to LA on Saturday morning, spend the afternoon in lecture, then spend the night, more lecture on Sunday morning/afternoon, and finish up on Sunday about 5pm, and home.  Except for the drive, it has been good for me to expand my horizon.

At this point, I don't see myself as a one-on-one yoga therapist, but I do see myself being better able to work with the students who walk into my classes with an injury, chronic condition or complaint.

2.  An added bonus to #1 is that my classes have grown since returning to Fallbrook in October 2017. I almost hate to write that, might jinx it.  Anyway, the four classes I teach in mornings are doing well, and I have hopes the one 5:30 class I started last month will grow with awareness.

Am I teaching differently? I think, yes. I am not afraid (afraid of losing people) to delve into the energetics of the body - bhandas, kleshas, koshas, chakras, etc. I also am emphasizing that there is much more to yoga than asana. This is a result of #1 (above); as I hear very experienced and knowledgeable teachers/therapists talk about yoga's affect on individuals.

And, I must admit, it is wonderful to be in a room of people who stick with me week after week.

3.  The 5th Teacher Training is well underway. These are small trainings. Since Reyna (studio owner) and I are main teachers for the program, 4-6 people is about the max for their benefit. This training is a bit different from previous ones, in that I started them teaching in week 2 of the 16-week course. We still do anatomy, philosophy, teaching methodology, but the actual teaching (I feel) will serve them as they move on after this course.

4.  Yes, the puppy - Beau. He is a great dog -- energetic, smart -- but not what we've been used to in past dogs. How? Well, he doesn't enjoy people other than myself and Howard. He'll tolerate them, but it's best to let him do the approaching rather than try to reach out to him. We got Beau to keep our younger 'old' dog company, in the event the old 'old' dog passes (he has a liver tumor). At this point all three are going strong - which is a good thing.  Beau is an English Shepherd - his breed's job is to protect the 'farm'. And he has had an ongoing feud with one neighbor. Began playfully, but has gotten a bit more assertive with age. Last month, I came home to find his eye full of blood, the result of a BB lodged between eyeball and lid. Since the feuding neighbor is the only neighbor bordering the area of our yard fenced for dogs, we asked him if he did it. He admitted he didn't think the gun was loaded. Then denied it to sheriff's. (It's a crime, you know, to harm an animal.) So, we are in the midst of trying to save eyesight in the affected eye, and deal with the neighbor. Enough.

5.  And, the grandsons -- growing!!! Jake will graduate high school, then go to college; Nick plays basketball and is trying his hand at some thespian work.  The So. Cal. Grandsons are now 7, 9 and 11 years of age -- all playing soccer, football and lacrosse! Not sure how parents do it, but they are all at their games on time and ready.  We'll go to the HS graduation in Kansas in May; in the meantime, we have lots of games to choose from for the younger 3.

After months of neglecting this blog; it seems I've written a novel. I hope I'll be able to shorten my diatribes in the future and with more regularity.

In the meantime, take care!

A GREAT DAY . . .

Just a few minutes to write about some of the comments I heard on my teaching after one of my Thursday classes:

First, from a 17-year-old:
I feel so good in your class, everyone was friendly and welcoming, and I look forward to making the studio my home.

Second, from a 70-year-old: 
You offer so much.

Third, from a 50-year-old:  
You are different from any instructor I've experienced.

Let me just say that if you read my blog regularly, you know that different (in my book) is a good thing.

Different moves us out of our comfort zone.

Don't get me wrong -- these are the good things said. I know there are people who come to my class once (ONE TIME) and never return. I am not everyone's 'cup of tea' and I don't hope to be. Each of us will find the teacher who speaks to them.

Enough -- have a great day!

TIME TO WRITE . . .

It's been a while since the last post and I thought (the other day) -- I have a lot of stuff to write about. So, here goes:

First, I am coming to the end of the third 200-hr Teacher Training I have been guide to here in Fallbrook. It's been a great ride (and, one that will continue). As I look over graduates, I see several teaching at Sage Yoga in Fallbrook; I hear that some are teaching in other venues (Connected Warriors or to friends or to co-workers). One or two are actively seeking me out as a mentor - a great compliment.  All-in-all this has been a rewarding growth and learning experience.

Growth and learning? Aren't I supposed to be teaching them to teach? Of course, but teaching can only be accomplished with a large supply of knowledge. I am re-reading the books I read for my own Certification process (AND, understanding more!?!?!?). I've also explored and found some great books to supplement the training. And, the students who populate the trainings have been wonderful teachers, as well.

Students as teachers? Just like in the public classes I teach, each person brings a unique perspective to our Teacher Training program. One may have a background in massage therapy or personal training, giving them another view of anatomy; another may be in the service industry, offering us a valuable glimpse at the importance of customer service and boundaries; I could go on - through each of the 11 graduates and 5 almost-graduates - but that would create a LONG post, so I won't.

To enhance MY teaching skills:

1.  I'm enrolled in another webinar with Christina Sell -- this one titled "Finding Depth in the Basics". I am always impressed with the quantity and quality of material presented by Christina - she doesn't disappoint.

2.  I've also travelled to Idaho for two 5-day sessions with Sundari in the last 8 months - one on the Chakras, the second on sequencing. The community Sundari has created is amazing and each time I study with her I come away with new skills and greater sensitivity. I have another one planned, just not sure of dates yet.

3.  In March, I will check Darren Rhodes off my 'to do' list when I attend a workshop in Tucson conducted by him and Sam Rice (FYI, I have long hoped to study with Darren.) Looking forward to a new experience.

4.  And, in August, I have registered for my 4th 'Raising Your Vibration' intensive (5 days) with Desiree Rumbaugh and Andrew Rivin. Yes!

On teaching, I had a personal light-bulb moment this week. A student in one of my classes mentioned that she always thought her elbows were straight UNTIL she saw her reflection in the mirror during class. Then, as I was doing my practice at home one day, I looked at my elbows and noticed they were not as straight as I'd like, either. So, what to do? For me, I stood on my mat, raised my arms, and took my 'mind's eye' (as I call it) to my elbows. From the elbows, I extended through fingertips - without getting too rigid in the fingers. (Remember, I'm working the elbows.) And, it worked. I took it into class with me that day and tried it out; saying something like: "with your arms overhead, draw your attention to your elbows and, from the elbows, reach out through the fingertips to the ceiling".  Note that we had already done some shoulder work, which meant most had their arms alongside ears. Elbows were noticeably straighter.

And, at home, we have a new puppy. His name is 'Beau' - we call him 'Beau-dy', and he came to us from Utah. He's an English Shepherd, about 12 weeks old, and already 22+ pounds. So far, things are going well; a bit of an adjustment for us, not to mention the older 2 dogs, but we are doing o.k. and he's definitely a 'keeper'.

Off to a Saturday of Teacher Training. I hope you have a great day!

TODAY

Each Saturday morning, I review the schedule of the current Teacher Training for content -- what do I need to review or read or write for the group on any given day. One of today's topics is 'Listening Skills'.

Several years ago (more than 5), I wrote a blog on this topic. I thought, mistakenly -- 'I'll go to my blog and pull up that post, and use it'.  Wrong -- My blog used to have a different title and the blog program cannot (or will not) access that 'old' title content. So, I will write it again (everything bears repeating, doesn't it?).

In my previous post, I wrote that, over the years, I've come to look at listening with the attitude encompassed by the three A's of Anusara Yoga - Attitude, Alignment and Action.

FYI, my original post was written not just because I know that listening is a valuable skill for yoga teachers, but because I had experienced once too often being asked "How are you?", only to have the person inquiring look away to his/her next target of inquiry BEFORE hearing my response. That is just rude, in my book!

I considered the skills involved in truly listening and have tried to apply them to my encounters with people. So hear (here) goes:

ATTITUDE - When I have decided to engage with a person or people, I step into the 'listening' space. I make a conscious and concerted effort to think about this person's interests and the value of having someone 'listen' to what you (or I) have to say.

This came acutely to my attention in August of this year, when I was attending Desiree Rumbaugh and Andrew Rivins' "Raising Your Vibration" Intensive. Andrew had us gather into small groups of 3-4 people, and answer a specific list of 3-4 questions. We were instructed to listen, not offer commentary to another person's offering. When we finished, we re-gathered as one large group and he asked how that felt. Overwhelmingly, the comment was made "I felt heard". INTERESTING - and, this from a group of very social yoga teachers and students!

ALIGNMENT - Once the decision has been made to step into the 'listening' space, I 'align'. To me that means - I look the person in the eye and I open my ears to only their voice.

When you read my brief diatribe about 'how are you', you got the gist of 'alignment'. People who ask 'how are you?' perhaps have good intentions, want to be friendly and outgoing, etc., etc., BUT what happened when the question was out there? Eyes begin darting around the room, voices (other than the target's) are in their ears, they allow interruptions, and they may even get a bit 'fidgety' - as though trapped.

A good example is my second encounter with John Friend - my first was a retreat at Inner Harmony, which I had to leave early as a result of a family emergency. I next attended a weekend workshop in Tucson. After the workshop, I went to John to thank him - not just for the workshop, but also for the work he had done to establish a community of caring people (I had received many notes and communications after leaving Inner Harmony from fellow students). During our brief conversation, his eyes stayed on me. Another student came up to talk, interrupting us. He gracefully turned to her and asked her to wait for a few moments as he finished our conversation. John then turned back to me, I finished my words of appreciation - that was alignment, in my book; not to mention attitude.

ACTION - So, we've set our attitude, we are aligned, now for the work of 'listening', the action. I connect through the eyes, I open my ears to only their words, and I close my mouth.

How many times have you begun speaking to have someone say "Oh, that's happened to me and . . .".  You haven't finished your statement, you haven't been heard, you've been spoken over by your supposed listener's experience.

SUMMARY - Briefly, to summarize all this, when I decide to 'listen', I:
    1)   Decide that, no matter what, this person deserves (and wants) to be heard
    2)   Set my stance and make eye contact (for the duration)
    3)   I open my ears and I keep my mouth shut

This is not easy - we are living in a fast-paced world. I have places to go, things to do, and - sometimes - it takes some of that time to be kind. I have never regretted taking the time to listen to a student, a friend, and/or a family member.

Have a great day!