Fridays are usually pretty laid back for me -- I teach one class (10 am Gentle Yoga), then the rest of the day is mine to do with as I please.
Yesterday, however, I offered to help a friend by subbing one of her corporate classes. Got there in the nick of time, and walked into 4 people who were (or were not?) very happy to see me. I took the plunge and began talking.
My friend's focus this month in this class is core power. Since I haven't seen specifically what she's been doing to cultivate that, I began with my trusty Hanuman story (remembering his power). We centered, started warming up (I used this opportunity to practice a drill to help me find fewer words), then began moving through a few sun salutations. A couple more wandered in, bringing the number to 6, and we continued. I noticed - almost immediately - that several people were working on automatic pilot, doing my friend's version of salutations -- then when they realized I hadn't asked them to do that, they had to get back in sync. An opportunity to pause for a 'beginner mind' reminder; how the presence of a sub gives us the gift of going back to that beginner mind and listening. No more auto pilot.
Core power is a good, great goal -- but, where does it come from? So, we moved from sun salutations to vasisthasana variations - from very modified to stacked feet (opportunity to demo ACTIVE feet -- drawing energy up into the pose, allowing power to permeate the entire body - especially the core - and then the organic expansion happens); then one foot in vrksasana; then WILD THING. My "air band" demo of Wild Thing (the song) brought forth laughter (oh no!), and the ice was broken. From there some eka pada rajakapotasana variations, including quad stretches Moved to dhanurasana. The hour nearly over, they cooled down a bit and took a short savasana.
Well, it was fun - and an opportunity to teach with abandon. I may sub for her again (I will, if asked), I may not -- so, I allowed myself to throw off my self-imposed limitations and go for it.
Sundari has had me do a similar exercise over the past year -- throw away the script and just teach. It's fun -- it is challenging but also very freeing. I love scripts, I love to know exactly where I'm headed. I now have a new direction that I love, as well.
Almost 60 (22 days) and doing 'air band' demos !?!?!? I guess getting older has some freeing elements to it, as well (if I allow them in).
Enjoy your Saturday,
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
LAUGHING & THINKING DURING YOGA -- HORRORS ! (& 23 DAYS)
Over the past 36 hours, I've read several Facebook and blog entries (and comments) regarding laughter during yoga classes, as well as thinking. As in, some students are aghast at a class where laughter is accepted, and/or they simply want to be led through a series of movements as if they had a ring through their nose (pardon me - I have strong feelings here.)
I must have come into the world of yoga from another door, because yoga without laughter and without thinking - for me - is not yoga, it doesn't make me feel good, and it doesn't challenge me to look further than the surface, past the movement.
Why laugh? I'm not saying the whole class has to be a stand-up comedy act for me to enjoy it, but a teacher who can't utter a funny comment once in a while, or tolerate a bit of laughter from the group is (in my book) limited. Here's an example of the power of laughter: in a training in Tucson -- I think, I do know it was with John Friend. He said something, or perhaps a student demo'ing for him said something, that was a bit goofy and a few people started to giggle. The giggling soon expanded to a roomful of laughter. It died down after about a minute or so.
Then, out of the center of the room, came one individual round of laughter which caused the entire room to erupt again. This happened 3-4 times. John laughed along, tolerating perhaps the last round, then put us back to work. We had been working hard before this lapse of laughter, and we continued to work hard after; that period of uninhibited laughter took the edge off our work; for me, it took me back to my reasons for being there -- to learn, to enjoy, to NOT over-effort (kind of like letting the steam out of the pressure cooker).
Why think? Not sure about you, but I feel like the instructor doesn't think I have a brain when each and every move is spelled out and explained to me. I enjoy the sense of empowerment I get when I have to think. Thinking begins with listening. Listening is hard work, in itself. Then carrying out the instruction, while thinking "did I get it; do I understand?", makes me feel good. I also enjoy figuring things out -- like, if I do this, my knee hurts; if I change it in this way, the knee doesn't hurt - voila! Empowering my students to do a bit of thinking for themselves gives them confidence; I see growth in their poses because they're listening to me, embracing what I've said, and carrying it out in their poses. Good for them, good for me.
Just 23 days - the wisdom of six (6) decades staring me in the face.
Have a great Friday and laugh about something today -- even if it's to laugh at yourself,
I must have come into the world of yoga from another door, because yoga without laughter and without thinking - for me - is not yoga, it doesn't make me feel good, and it doesn't challenge me to look further than the surface, past the movement.
Why laugh? I'm not saying the whole class has to be a stand-up comedy act for me to enjoy it, but a teacher who can't utter a funny comment once in a while, or tolerate a bit of laughter from the group is (in my book) limited. Here's an example of the power of laughter: in a training in Tucson -- I think, I do know it was with John Friend. He said something, or perhaps a student demo'ing for him said something, that was a bit goofy and a few people started to giggle. The giggling soon expanded to a roomful of laughter. It died down after about a minute or so.
Then, out of the center of the room, came one individual round of laughter which caused the entire room to erupt again. This happened 3-4 times. John laughed along, tolerating perhaps the last round, then put us back to work. We had been working hard before this lapse of laughter, and we continued to work hard after; that period of uninhibited laughter took the edge off our work; for me, it took me back to my reasons for being there -- to learn, to enjoy, to NOT over-effort (kind of like letting the steam out of the pressure cooker).
Why think? Not sure about you, but I feel like the instructor doesn't think I have a brain when each and every move is spelled out and explained to me. I enjoy the sense of empowerment I get when I have to think. Thinking begins with listening. Listening is hard work, in itself. Then carrying out the instruction, while thinking "did I get it; do I understand?", makes me feel good. I also enjoy figuring things out -- like, if I do this, my knee hurts; if I change it in this way, the knee doesn't hurt - voila! Empowering my students to do a bit of thinking for themselves gives them confidence; I see growth in their poses because they're listening to me, embracing what I've said, and carrying it out in their poses. Good for them, good for me.
Just 23 days - the wisdom of six (6) decades staring me in the face.
Have a great Friday and laugh about something today -- even if it's to laugh at yourself,
Thursday, November 5, 2009
24 DAYS & A NEW LANGUAGE
If you read yesterday's post, you know I began 'twittering'. This morning, I decided it would be a good idea to learn exactly how to go about this new venture. Unfortunately, I have yet to find the easy step-by-step instructions. I seem to have stepped right into something that's so developed, it feels like I'm a beginning skier being taken to a black diamond slope. Makes my head hurt!
I decided to read about 'hashtags' (in my vernacular, the pound - # - sign). After reading about them, I still do not know WHY they are used. If anyone can help, please let me know. The good thing: I've probably used the word 'vernacular' once in the past 25 years -- so, all this will expand my vocabulary if nothing else.
Enough -- maybe I'll twitter something today; then see what happens. And perhaps, like Facebook, things will become clearer as I work with it.
Video'd my Gentle Yoga Class yesterday. I did this just for me, besides I'm not sure that it would be viewable by anyone but myself. Especially since, during the quad stretches, there was considerable groaning, complaining, and even the previously heard "gentle my a_ _" utterance. Obviously, I don't do that kind of stretching often or enough. I hope this comment doesn't affect attendance (if anyone is reading from the class). Remember, the poses we need to do most are usually the least comfortable poses for us!
Today, Wayne's class and then pilates with Cindy (4th time this week!). Why 4 times? She asked me to step in for another student during her (Cindy's) evaluation. I found out she speaks the truth -- many pilates instructors get up close and personal as they teach. Lots of guiding, manually adjusting, etc., all to give us - the student - a tactile reference (another very rarely used word).
I'll teach YogaHour at 4 pm, then Yoga Specific at 5:45 pm (tonight's topic: Hips).
And - finally - your daily reminder: just 24 days!
Hope your day goes well,
I decided to read about 'hashtags' (in my vernacular, the pound - # - sign). After reading about them, I still do not know WHY they are used. If anyone can help, please let me know. The good thing: I've probably used the word 'vernacular' once in the past 25 years -- so, all this will expand my vocabulary if nothing else.
Enough -- maybe I'll twitter something today; then see what happens. And perhaps, like Facebook, things will become clearer as I work with it.
Video'd my Gentle Yoga Class yesterday. I did this just for me, besides I'm not sure that it would be viewable by anyone but myself. Especially since, during the quad stretches, there was considerable groaning, complaining, and even the previously heard "gentle my a_ _" utterance. Obviously, I don't do that kind of stretching often or enough. I hope this comment doesn't affect attendance (if anyone is reading from the class). Remember, the poses we need to do most are usually the least comfortable poses for us!
Today, Wayne's class and then pilates with Cindy (4th time this week!). Why 4 times? She asked me to step in for another student during her (Cindy's) evaluation. I found out she speaks the truth -- many pilates instructors get up close and personal as they teach. Lots of guiding, manually adjusting, etc., all to give us - the student - a tactile reference (another very rarely used word).
I'll teach YogaHour at 4 pm, then Yoga Specific at 5:45 pm (tonight's topic: Hips).
And - finally - your daily reminder: just 24 days!
Hope your day goes well,
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
BLOG, FACEBOOK, NOW TWITTER (?) & 25 DAYS
I established a twitter account this morning -- wrote in my first entry: "exploring twitter - expanding my world". All this technology, all these passwords, all this writing -- it's all growth. (I don't even really know what twitter is, but why not!)
Before I get too involved in this entry, tho, today is my oldest Grandson's birthday; so, Happy Birthday, Jake!
I got a lot of response from yesterday's blog -- that "in my heart" exercise hit home for a number of people and - because this blog is seen on Facebook - many of the comments came via that source.
I'm excited, also, because my friend, mentor, teacher - Sundari - has begun blogging about the training in Jackson (and she joined Facebook!). As I read her first entry, describing our after-hours walks through the museum, I was transported right back there. Having never been in or thought about being in a museum after hours - upon reflection, it was a very extraordinary experience. No background chatter, no one walking in front of or around you to get to the next piece, no distractions - just the works of art to be 'heard'. Great stuff. Check out her blog (link under "blogs/websites I love").
It has been a stress-filled Fall for this Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher. Since the Spring, I have dealt with the Dept. of Workforce Services regarding the status of teachers at my studio (independent contractors vs. employees). We are almost at the end of that road, but that road will take a turn and the future of teaching at this studio will assume a different color -- that of instructors conducting themselves as a business. Not an easy transition, but do-able and important. What does "conduct as a business" mean? LLC, business license, advertising/marketing themselves, insuring themselves, teaching at other locales as well as privates. Many already do some of this -- the regimentation of it all will be not-so-palatable for some.
On the positive side -- Workforce Services went back through 2006 and assessed $$$ up to this past quarter and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There is a $$$ penalty, but my auditor is working with me to get that waived. Fingers crossed.
On other matters -- the road construction around the studio is just about finished. Some orange cones along the side of the road (marking BIG holes one wouldn't want their car to venture into), some metal plates covering other hazards; but - for the most part - done for the winter. Our parking lot is a bit messed up, with the elimination of one entry. That has people parking all over, driving every which way -- kind of feels like an "every person for themselves" mentality. Hopefully, that will calm and the landlord will re-stripe our parking lot -- giving us all some guidance.
My Mother is home from the hospital -- lots of help going in to the house to help both Mom & Dad. Daily calls from my Dad, asking questions, wondering when I'm going to be up there (not for a few weeks). I feel some guilt for not having run right up to help, but it wasn't a serious issue that caused my Mother's hospitalization; and there was plentiful help to be had and already in place. So, I'll try to let that guilt go for now.
Other smaller issues -- teachers deciding to vacate spots on the schedule and the need for a new furnace at the studio (a resultant rent increase).
Some days it has really been difficult to be "in my heart". My old mantra, 'this too shall pass', has been used repeatedly. I'm looking forward to better times for the studio and more "in my heart" moments.
Almost forgot -- just 25 days!
Enjoy your day,
Before I get too involved in this entry, tho, today is my oldest Grandson's birthday; so, Happy Birthday, Jake!
I got a lot of response from yesterday's blog -- that "in my heart" exercise hit home for a number of people and - because this blog is seen on Facebook - many of the comments came via that source.
I'm excited, also, because my friend, mentor, teacher - Sundari - has begun blogging about the training in Jackson (and she joined Facebook!). As I read her first entry, describing our after-hours walks through the museum, I was transported right back there. Having never been in or thought about being in a museum after hours - upon reflection, it was a very extraordinary experience. No background chatter, no one walking in front of or around you to get to the next piece, no distractions - just the works of art to be 'heard'. Great stuff. Check out her blog (link under "blogs/websites I love").
It has been a stress-filled Fall for this Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher. Since the Spring, I have dealt with the Dept. of Workforce Services regarding the status of teachers at my studio (independent contractors vs. employees). We are almost at the end of that road, but that road will take a turn and the future of teaching at this studio will assume a different color -- that of instructors conducting themselves as a business. Not an easy transition, but do-able and important. What does "conduct as a business" mean? LLC, business license, advertising/marketing themselves, insuring themselves, teaching at other locales as well as privates. Many already do some of this -- the regimentation of it all will be not-so-palatable for some.
On the positive side -- Workforce Services went back through 2006 and assessed $$$ up to this past quarter and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There is a $$$ penalty, but my auditor is working with me to get that waived. Fingers crossed.
On other matters -- the road construction around the studio is just about finished. Some orange cones along the side of the road (marking BIG holes one wouldn't want their car to venture into), some metal plates covering other hazards; but - for the most part - done for the winter. Our parking lot is a bit messed up, with the elimination of one entry. That has people parking all over, driving every which way -- kind of feels like an "every person for themselves" mentality. Hopefully, that will calm and the landlord will re-stripe our parking lot -- giving us all some guidance.
My Mother is home from the hospital -- lots of help going in to the house to help both Mom & Dad. Daily calls from my Dad, asking questions, wondering when I'm going to be up there (not for a few weeks). I feel some guilt for not having run right up to help, but it wasn't a serious issue that caused my Mother's hospitalization; and there was plentiful help to be had and already in place. So, I'll try to let that guilt go for now.
Other smaller issues -- teachers deciding to vacate spots on the schedule and the need for a new furnace at the studio (a resultant rent increase).
Some days it has really been difficult to be "in my heart". My old mantra, 'this too shall pass', has been used repeatedly. I'm looking forward to better times for the studio and more "in my heart" moments.
Almost forgot -- just 25 days!
Enjoy your day,
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
26 DAYS & A REMINDER (COINCIDENCE?)
Yesterday, after sending my e-newsletter to students and friends, I received a very nice comment from one student.
I believe it shows a great deal of personal growth and integrity to sit down and write a totally complimentary e-mail. An e-mail intended to do nothing but provide positive feedback to the recipient. For me, it's a growth experience -- I love doing it, but it's out of that old 'comfort zone'; for others, it may be easy. Not sure how it is for the student who wrote me, but it was so meaningful to have someone notice and take the time to write it down and then send it.
So, what's the coincidence and reminder? The power of positive speaking.
This morning, a close friend mentioned the negative rhetoric overheard from co-workers about their work situation. I was in the middle of reviewing my "Yoga of Discipline" book, so looked for some appropriate quotes that could be used in response. I didn't come up with any direct quotes for this situation, but I did come away with this feeling: Negative speech is like negative prana (energy). We lose our power when we allow speech to flow without discrimination, without some kind of check.
The next coincidence / reminder? At the training last week, we were given a quiz and the person with the most correct answers won a prize. I won -- it was a quiz with 11 questions, all relating to what we observed in the museum where the training was being held. As a prize, I received a set of "Angel Therapy Oracle Cards". Every day or so, I draw a card. What did I draw this morning? "Cancel, Clear, Delete" Meaning: Negative affirmations are to be swept away, replaced with positive, radiant intentions.
Try this exercise: Sit with yourself, and write 10 sentences; 5 begin with "I am in my heart when I _______." The other 5 begin with "I am not in my heart when I __________." Example: "I am in my heart when I call an old friend." "I am not in my heart when I gossip." Like that. Don't think too much, just write. (It's even better if you can do it with an understanding friend and they can respond in kind.) Sundari asked us to do this exercise in our training last week -- powerful reminder.
What else did I come up with from "Yoga of Discipline"? Lots of stuff; including: Before I speak, pause - that's a good place to cancel, clear, delete.
O.K., so 26 days -- are you excited yet? Going to Wayne's class this a.m., pilates this afternoon, teach at 4.
Enjoy your Tuesday,
I believe it shows a great deal of personal growth and integrity to sit down and write a totally complimentary e-mail. An e-mail intended to do nothing but provide positive feedback to the recipient. For me, it's a growth experience -- I love doing it, but it's out of that old 'comfort zone'; for others, it may be easy. Not sure how it is for the student who wrote me, but it was so meaningful to have someone notice and take the time to write it down and then send it.
So, what's the coincidence and reminder? The power of positive speaking.
This morning, a close friend mentioned the negative rhetoric overheard from co-workers about their work situation. I was in the middle of reviewing my "Yoga of Discipline" book, so looked for some appropriate quotes that could be used in response. I didn't come up with any direct quotes for this situation, but I did come away with this feeling: Negative speech is like negative prana (energy). We lose our power when we allow speech to flow without discrimination, without some kind of check.
The next coincidence / reminder? At the training last week, we were given a quiz and the person with the most correct answers won a prize. I won -- it was a quiz with 11 questions, all relating to what we observed in the museum where the training was being held. As a prize, I received a set of "Angel Therapy Oracle Cards". Every day or so, I draw a card. What did I draw this morning? "Cancel, Clear, Delete" Meaning: Negative affirmations are to be swept away, replaced with positive, radiant intentions.
Try this exercise: Sit with yourself, and write 10 sentences; 5 begin with "I am in my heart when I _______." The other 5 begin with "I am not in my heart when I __________." Example: "I am in my heart when I call an old friend." "I am not in my heart when I gossip." Like that. Don't think too much, just write. (It's even better if you can do it with an understanding friend and they can respond in kind.) Sundari asked us to do this exercise in our training last week -- powerful reminder.
What else did I come up with from "Yoga of Discipline"? Lots of stuff; including: Before I speak, pause - that's a good place to cancel, clear, delete.
O.K., so 26 days -- are you excited yet? Going to Wayne's class this a.m., pilates this afternoon, teach at 4.
Enjoy your Tuesday,
Monday, November 2, 2009
27 DAYS . . .
The countdown has replaced "blue flashlight". Not promising any fireworks at the end of this count, but it will provide fodder for this blog.
"Blue flashlight" reminded me of Jack, which means you get a Halloween story about him. He loves M&M's; so much, that he does not eat any other kind of candy (his choice). So, picture Trick or Treating -- as in, not every house will provide M&M's. How did he handle this? (My mental picture of the scene is that he got a bit upset when offered a candy other than M&M's.) At each house, he looked over the candy selection. If there were M&M's, great; if not, he was heard to say "Happy Halloween! No thank you." to the candy. Poor kid ended up with about six small bags of M&M's in his bag. In this case, being selective may not be such a bad thing; at least his Mother won't have to argue with him about what to eat when.
So, moving on. I perused some blogs this morning before entering mine -- the two I selected, Rajanaka Yoga (Douglas Brooks) and YogaNerd (Zhenja LaRosa) are so out of my league that I am sitting here in awe. Of course, they write in their blogs once a month -- lots of time to write an incredible, thought-filled, and informative blog entry. My style - writing every day or so - offers readers a bit more of the mundane, everyday topics (like flashlights & countdowns). Oh, well, it works for me.
My experience teaching this weekend was less than auspicious. It is interesting how the energy of one person can affect the entire class -- especially the instructor (me). I planned the class in advance, I reviewed, I also planned to video. First, the video camera would not record. So, after a couple minutes of fumbling with that, I gave up and moved on. The energy I speak about was palpable -- stoic, non-conversational, body language that said "don't mess with me". Interesting because I enjoy this person, and thought the feeling was mutual. Maybe just off to a bad start that morning(?).
As class progressed, things got better -- a bit of laughter, and a bit of conversation. Unfortunately, for me, I allowed my well-laid plans to be thrown off, and I found myself teaching from the technical instead of from the heart.
Why mention this? Because I will learn from it. I can learn that my bad start, my bad mood, when projected into a room has the potential to affect other people and their experience. I'm not sure that happened (that others were affected); maybe only I began stuttering and stammering as a result. Perhaps no one else noticed or cared. But, I did. What's that about? And, because people are people, I'd better figure out a way to handle it in the future.
Enjoy your Monday,
"Blue flashlight" reminded me of Jack, which means you get a Halloween story about him. He loves M&M's; so much, that he does not eat any other kind of candy (his choice). So, picture Trick or Treating -- as in, not every house will provide M&M's. How did he handle this? (My mental picture of the scene is that he got a bit upset when offered a candy other than M&M's.) At each house, he looked over the candy selection. If there were M&M's, great; if not, he was heard to say "Happy Halloween! No thank you." to the candy. Poor kid ended up with about six small bags of M&M's in his bag. In this case, being selective may not be such a bad thing; at least his Mother won't have to argue with him about what to eat when.
So, moving on. I perused some blogs this morning before entering mine -- the two I selected, Rajanaka Yoga (Douglas Brooks) and YogaNerd (Zhenja LaRosa) are so out of my league that I am sitting here in awe. Of course, they write in their blogs once a month -- lots of time to write an incredible, thought-filled, and informative blog entry. My style - writing every day or so - offers readers a bit more of the mundane, everyday topics (like flashlights & countdowns). Oh, well, it works for me.
My experience teaching this weekend was less than auspicious. It is interesting how the energy of one person can affect the entire class -- especially the instructor (me). I planned the class in advance, I reviewed, I also planned to video. First, the video camera would not record. So, after a couple minutes of fumbling with that, I gave up and moved on. The energy I speak about was palpable -- stoic, non-conversational, body language that said "don't mess with me". Interesting because I enjoy this person, and thought the feeling was mutual. Maybe just off to a bad start that morning(?).
As class progressed, things got better -- a bit of laughter, and a bit of conversation. Unfortunately, for me, I allowed my well-laid plans to be thrown off, and I found myself teaching from the technical instead of from the heart.
Why mention this? Because I will learn from it. I can learn that my bad start, my bad mood, when projected into a room has the potential to affect other people and their experience. I'm not sure that happened (that others were affected); maybe only I began stuttering and stammering as a result. Perhaps no one else noticed or cared. But, I did. What's that about? And, because people are people, I'd better figure out a way to handle it in the future.
Enjoy your Monday,
Sunday, November 1, 2009
COUNTING DOWN . . .
In 28 days I will reach a milestone in my life ("28 Days" was also the name of a movie about a recovering substance abuser - Sandra Bullock). Mine isn't about substance abuse, but it is a MAJOR birthday.
I don't write this so I'll get cards, gifts and letters (or e-mails), but as part of my acceptance (back to that word, again) of this particular birthday. It will be my 60th.
At the training I was at last week, on the first day, Sundari asked the youngest and the oldest to teach a pose to the group -- guess who was the 'oldest'? That has rarely happened in the past; better get used to it. And, as I listened to Sundari and John, I am reminded that I am also older than my teachers!
More on being older, later -- it's going to be a long month for you and me.
Short blog this a.m. Going in to the studio to do some cleaning before the 9:30 class. The studio's furnace was replaced yesterday afternoon - I hope successfully. There may be some residual clean-up from that project, plus I noticed the mirrors were a bit smeared as I taught yesterday.
Hope you have a nice Sunday,
I don't write this so I'll get cards, gifts and letters (or e-mails), but as part of my acceptance (back to that word, again) of this particular birthday. It will be my 60th.
At the training I was at last week, on the first day, Sundari asked the youngest and the oldest to teach a pose to the group -- guess who was the 'oldest'? That has rarely happened in the past; better get used to it. And, as I listened to Sundari and John, I am reminded that I am also older than my teachers!
More on being older, later -- it's going to be a long month for you and me.
Short blog this a.m. Going in to the studio to do some cleaning before the 9:30 class. The studio's furnace was replaced yesterday afternoon - I hope successfully. There may be some residual clean-up from that project, plus I noticed the mirrors were a bit smeared as I taught yesterday.
Hope you have a nice Sunday,
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