This has little to do with yoga, yet a lot to do with our approach to yoga, so you are going to hear about it.
Yesterday was my first private pilates session with Cindy. Cindy is a yoga teacher (has studied extensively with Sianna, Desiree, Adam, etc.), plus she appears to just love ANY form of physical activity (including letting her husband drag her along to hike up a mountain, just to ski down it). Her zest for life is contagious, and it's good for me to 'hang out' with her -- I need to get a little more 'out there'.
Now, she is going for a Certification as a Pilates Instructor -- no easy feat, from her description. 500 hours of 'serious as a heart attack' (her words, not mine) lessons, practice, observation, teaching, etc. I am fortunate that she asked me to work with her weekly to hone her skills.
I think Pilates will be good for me. Why? To firm my core, to lengthen some muscles, to improve balance, and - most importantly to me - to take me out of my comfort zone.
Other side benefits: to strengthen a friendship, talk, laugh, practice that 'beginner mind' I harped about yesterday -- all good things.
Isn't that chitananda? Awareness & beauty/bliss -- just in a different package.
Now, back to yoga -- I'm going to Wayne's class this morning. He's given me some good tips that, I hope, will open my hips.
Take care,
About Me
- Leslie Salmon
- Fallbrook, California
- I have been teaching yoga since 2003 (and began my yoga practice in 1998 at the age of 48). I have maintained E-RYT 500 status with Yoga Alliance since 2007, and in 2013 received my Certification through the Anusara School of Hatha Yoga. In classes, I love to to hear people remark - "I didn't know I could do that!" or "Why do I work so hard, yet feel so good?". When not teaching or practicing yoga, time spent with husband, Grand-Dudes and family, and friends is time well spent. Learning, whether it be from a philosophy scholar, an asana teacher or from my students, is a life-long process -- all have lessons to offer me. I am listening - with space in my heart and mind - to all the voices around me. Thank you for reading.
3 comments:
Hi Leslie,
I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. I'm starting to teach again and looking for more opportunities also and your down to earth approach is so encouraging.
I also love the Leonard Cohen..so much that I kinda borrowed it..since it speaks to, I think aging, expression and viability in our culture..
Much love,
Marlene
Thank you for the nice compliment -- this blog is bringing out a part of me long under wraps! As to Leonard Cohen - I borrowed it from Karen @ Garden Street Yoga, so I don't mind your using it. Love back, Les
Les--You didn't tell them that you are a "ringer" for pilates and after your first lesson are no longer at a "beginner" level--it's just like yoga, it never gets any easier, you just do harder stuff with better form, alignment, understanding, and increased awareness of the mind-body connection! XO C
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