TIME TO LEARN MORE ...

Going through my usual routine this a.m., and - while visiting Facebook - noticed a friend's comment about her state-of-mind.  Comments concurred; that it is a challenging time right now to 'keep our cool'.  One comment referred to 'Mercury Retrograde' and referenced a blog.  


Well, as with many things, I've not paid a lot of attention to Astrology in my life.  As I've become immersed in my practice and training, I hear more about it -- in particular the phenomenon referred to as 'Mercury Retrograde'.  Time to learn more.  Google.  Read.  Here is an excerpt from an on-line site (I looked at several and this, to me, gave an understandable and relatable explanation of the astrological phenomenon MR.):


Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 15, 2010
"What is Mercury Retrograde? Three, and sometimes four, times a year, the planet Mercury appears to be moving backwards in the sky for a period of approximately 3 weeks. "Appears" is the key word here, because, technically speaking, no planet actually moves backwards in their orbits around the Sun. In fact, they don't even slow down. Retrograde-station-direct cycles are essentially illusions that result from our point of view from Earth, simply because the Earth is also orbiting the Sun at a different speed than the other planets. Mercury turns retrograde more frequently than any other planet. It can never be more than 28 degrees from the Sun, and whenever it reaches its furthest distance from the Sun, it appears to change direction.


As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our "lower" mind--how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde. Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It's a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.


There is a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently--through different filters--and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized. Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can actually re-connect us to other means of communication, such as when there is an unexpected power outage and we're forced off the computer and television, finding different and often satisfying ways to entertain ourselves."


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So, now we know.  One person's astrologic interpretation stated that this is a good time to clear out old issues and align for new movement in our life.  I like that -- sets the stage for the shift in my teaching.  Which, interestingly, I felt strongly yesterday.  


Yesterday's YogaHour included a nice group of 7 students; 3 newer to the practice (as in, they had each done one class prior to yesterday's).  Additionally, one had a number of physical issues which didn't create pain, but did affect movement.  What 'shift' did I feel?  A comfort level teaching the levels of experience and the compromised physical issues that presented themselves.  I was able to teach, have fun, tell a story as we moved through Warriors I, II & III (Virabhadra's "birth" -- especially fun since one of the students in class had great dreadlocks), all while incorporating my one-word theme of 'expansion'.   


Today?  A new class - Yoga for Tots (not taught by me).  I'll go in to orient the instructor to the studio.  The class runs 9-9:35 am; then at 10 am, I will teach Gentle Yoga.  Tonight - Sally Kempton Teleconference.  


Enjoy your Wednesday,