SHARING THE 'PEARLS'

I used to hold my 'pearls' close. Not sharing. I was 'selfish' (ouch). That was then, this is now; that time is history.

Today, I share my 'pearls'; as yoga teachers, we are here not only to teach our students, but to also teach our peers (and to be taught by them), to even teach our teachers on occasion. (A recent issue of YogaJournal addressed this - when it chronicled the relationships of several well-known yoga instructors.)

We keep our knowledge 'close to the vest' when we feel insecure and threatened. Maybe it's age, maybe it's a change of attitude, whatever it is -- it is now much easier for me to share.

Now, that doesn't mean that I'm going to spend $100, $200, or more for a training, then turn around and give all of my hard-earned notes to someone who didn't spend the money or time to participate in the same training. But, I will share 'pearls', dropping them along the way, sharing appropriate pearls with my peers. There are also some trainings I've participated in that are 'closed', meaning - especially in webinar situations - that the teacher leading the webinar has asked we not share the downloaded webinar contents with others who have not signed up. Of course, as I practice what I've learned (and, if people pay attention), the 'pearls' may become apparent. But, that's different.

Anyway, I've come a long way -- I enjoy sharing the teachings I feel are appropriate to be shared. No more do I hoard and keep my knowledge secret. It just feels better.

Have a great Tuesday!

SO MANY 'PEARLS'

I still vibrate with the inspiration offered me at the Gathering, earlier this week (seems it was longer ago, but - no, it was just this week). And, I find myself going back to my notebook over and over, looking for quotes, 'pearls' of wisdom, offered by the philosophers, the instructors, and by John during those 3 days.

Now, I wish I had taken more detailed notes. At the time, tho, it seemed important to just listen. Each time I would begin to write, I'd miss the next 'pearl'. A dual-edged decision to stop writing; leaving my memory in charge of remembering.

Well, remembering will be important in this post also -- the computer or the blog program decided to NOT save my entire post; leaving me to rely on memory to re-write it. Here goes:

I finished yesterday's post with the quote "Lean into your edge." Why? Because, for me, it is a great example for Monday's philosophy topic: Darshan / Sadhana. The sanskrit word, darshan, means 'the view' or 'sight'; sadhana means practice (meditation, asana/poses, spiritual practices, etc.). Think of darshan as the attitude, sadhana is the action, what I do in between is to align.

The best example I came up with in my previous post (now lost somewhere in 'cyberspace') was that every now and then I become stale -- perhaps it's a sign of boredom with teaching the same poses, using similar themes, or practicing the same sequence over and over. Fortunately, it is at those times that a training or workshop comes along. I attend, I learn, I push myself a bit farther than I have been doing on my own, I walk away re-invigorated, with a new 'view' of my practice, my goals, my abilities. Like that.

Darshan - the view - precedes sadhana. Why? Because it is darshan that empowers our sadhana. The view helps me avoid pitfalls; I take the philosophy / teachings in, let them vibrate, and they become the embodiment of my view. My darshan refreshes my sadhana.

So, darshan = attitude, the setting of the foundation. I align through my study. And, my sadhana is the action that comes from setting my foundation and aligning.

My opportunities for study have expanded, as well. These three scholars, Hareesh Wallis, Christopher Tompkins, and Eric Shaw, all offer on-line and in-person opportunities to study with them. I'll be checking them out -- each of them was down-to-earth, approachable, 'regular guys' (just really smart 'regular guys'), who each had a sense of humor. Those are the kind I need -- approachable, down-to-earth, regular, with some humor thrown in. I deal with the smart part more easily if the other qualities are there. Not to put 'smart' philosophers down, but philosophy, at times, goes right over my head -- I need to be able to connect; once connected, the understanding comes more easily.

Hope you have a great Saturday!

BACK TO NORMAL (?)

Yes, in Fallbrook, enjoying my early morning quiet time -- time to sit, time to have a cup of coffee, time to write, and time to contemplate the rest of this day.

I apologize for not posting during the remaining 2 days of the Inspired Gathering at Wanderlust; just too much to do every day (beginning at 7 am and concluding at 6 pm). Early mornings (5 am) were dedicated to quiet time, a bit of computer work, and getting ready for the day. By the end of the day, my greatest desire was to sit, contemplate, and sleep. The time in between went like this:

7 am Meditation / Pranayama with John Friend

9 am 90-Minute Yoga Class, also with John

11 am Roundtable Philosophy Discussion with John,

Christopher Tompkins, Eric Shaw, and Hareesh Wallis

Noon Lunch

2-4 pm Breakout sessions (sequencing, theming/languaging,

adjustments, or therapeutics)

4:30 Philosophy with Hareesh (Mon), Eric (Tues), Christopher (Weds)

The campus for this curriculum is a cluster of hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses called The Village at Squaw. It rests at the bottom of great ski mountains, and is surrounded on one side by needed parking lots; on the other by open space leading to the base of several ski runs. On this open side, was located our 'school' - a cluster of tents, bamboo structures, artists' displays. I'm telling you this because, in three days of schlepping bag, blanket, hat, mat, whatever, back and forth -- we not only exercised our minds, but our bodies got a good feeling for being a bellman in a hotel. Enough on that.

As I mentioned on Monday, the camaraderie was EXCEPTIONAL. Everyone so grateful to be together in this first gathering of Anusara-Inspired™ instructors, and so appreciative of the learning opportunities presented to us during the 3 days.

My learning opportunities took a slight detour during the time at the gathering. I had planned a diverse curriculum; however, Monday's session on sequencing left me yearning for more on this topic, so I continued on that vein. Monday was with Denise Benitez; Tuesday, Christina Sell; and Wednesday, Noah Maze. All exceptional instructors and all with their own styles of teaching (and sequencing). Interesting that there was no repetition of information -- Denise offered a sampling of her method and her knowledge in a discussion format; Christina offered us a hands-on, teach-by-example sequencing class, with us the students and her the teacher (duh!), then gave us some opportunity to ask questions; Noah got out his big paper and easel, showing us the method he uses when sequencing, peppered with some teaching examples which we acted out. From each I took nuggets of information to add to my 'toolbag'.

I also had opportunities to connect and re-connect with friends old and new. And, as I mentioned on Monday, I did carry out my intention -- introducing myself whenever I found myself in awkward silence with another instructor not yet known to me; or starting up conversations with people I had met in the past, but - perhaps - didn't know very well. There also were opportunities to approach instructors who I've admired from a distance and actually talk to them! (That's stepping out of my comfort zone for sure.)

We drove all night on Wednesday to get home early on Thursday. 2 hours of sleep does not make for a very social or invigorated Leslie, so I rested most of the day yesterday. Then, it was in to Carlsbad for dinner with the Grand-Dudes and their parents. A wonderful way to end the day.

Things go back to regular schedule now. Teaching, studying, and video'ing (yes, I am ready to do another video). That's another blog topic.

Hope you have a great Friday! My mantra for this (and future) days:

"LEAN INTO YOUR EDGE"

(compliments of the Wallis, Tompkins and Shaw)

WE'VE ARRIVED; WATCH OUT WANDERLUST!

I rode up from San Diego to Squaw Valley yesterday with two newer friends -- women I've met through my teaching in Temecula (Doreen and Elissa, for you Temecula students). Elissa's daughter rode 97% of the way with us, leaving us to spend the weekend with her Aunt, Uncle and 'big' cousins outside of Sacramento.

It is always amazing to me to witness the camaraderie that develops between people who barely know each other but share this love for yoga, Anusara® yoga in particular. We shared driving, tho thanks to Elissa, Doreen and I spent shorter stints at the wheel. Within minutes of us entering the car, we fell into an easy banter than continued all the way to Squaw (that would be about 11 hours later!). Yoga, life in general, all were discussed. Interesting that there was no negative, it was all good talk; uplifting and, at times, peppered with laughter. Good stuff.

Once in Squaw Valley, we found my room, then walked the grounds which were being set up in anticipation of this big week of Wanderlust. FYI, Wanderlust is a festival featuring the many styles of yoga and is held several times each year at varying locations around the U.S. If you were to attend the entire festival, you would be able to experience several styles of yoga and the many well-known instructors who teach them. This year, Anusara-Inspired™ yoga instructors are gathering for the 3 days prior to the official start of Wanderlust for our first-ever Inspired Gathering; fortunately, for us, Certified Instructors were invited (in addition to those teaching formally), and we will all benefit from their presence and knowledge.

Once we had done our tour, we parted company -- Doreen and Elissa off to meet Shannon -- me off to take a well-deserved nap (did I mention that we had left my house in Fallbrook at 3:30 a.m.?

Rested up, it was time to clean up and head down for the Opening Ceremony. Everyone gathered under the canopy (looks like about 250-300 people, including the entire corps of instructors (Anusara® Certified and Inspired™) from Temecula, Riverside, etc. -- Ashley, Shannon, Lisa, Elissa, Doreen and me). John talked about the evolution of the training process for Anusara® teachers, introduced the Certified instructors who are attending and who will offer their knowledge over the 3 days. What did I notice? A relaxed and congenial attitude among the crowd -- this is good; I set my intention to help foster that over the 3 days. The learning will be intense, but that doesn't mean I have to be intense, as well. I need to relax, learn, have fun, enjoy my friends - new and old, and leave on Wednesday feeling rejuvenated and with lots of great information to influence my teaching and practice. (watch out!)

Today? Meditation at 7 am, followed by breakfast, followed by a 90-minute practice, followed by a philosophy discussion -- these activities all happen with John. Lunch. Then, I go to the breakout classes I've selected on topics like sequencing, therapeutics, philosophy (more?), languaging. Will write more as I go along.

Hope you have a great Monday!

AND NEXT, WANDERLUST INSPIRED GATHERING

I love to be in John Friend's presence; truly love it -- so inspiring, so heart-warming, so fun, etc. And, I find I do things in his presence that I can't (or won't) outside of it (i.e. when in his presence, I rarely go to my knees before lowering to chaturanga dandasana; I will always go to my knees with other instructors or when practicing alone). Why, I wonder? Perhaps because, somewhere deep, I want to do my best, impress, or -- I'd rather think -- that this happens because he is just that motivating.

No matter the reason, I know it happens; just not sure of the reason.

So, here comes Wanderlust and THE FIRST formal gathering of Anusara-Inspired™ Yoga Instructors. 3 days filled with practice and study with John in the mornings; afternoons scheduled with other instructors - teachers I have long hoped to study with and who will offer me different paths to understand and embrace theming, therapeutics, philosophy, etc.

I would be lying if I said I was over-the-top excited. I am happy to be going; glad I can participate; I feel it's important to participate. However, excited? Not much. And, as I sit here, I wonder why.

The only reason I can come up with is that, as much as I enjoy any opportunity to study with John, I have become a bit spoiled over the years with opportunities to do that in settings with 60-100 people in attendance. This promises 300, 500, maybe 700 co-participants. Way too many, in my mind. Why? too many opportunities to look at the younger, thinner, more skilled; this will be my anava mala's playground multipled x several hundred.

Perhaps now that I've said it, admitted it, I'll go with a lighter heart. Kind of like when you speak it, it loses it's power. Let's hope that's the truth of the matter.

Tomorrow morning, I'll join friends for the drive north to Lake Tahoe. I am glad for that (had initially thought I'd be driving alone). We'll study, practice, meditate, hang out, for 3 days, then climb in the car for the drive home on Wednesday afternoon.

So, now that I've said it out loud -- at least in 'blog' land, perhaps I will get excited. I am good enough. As a small pin BJ Galvan selected for Martin & Jordan Kirk's Immersion graduates many years ago says: "Accept Your Greatness". I have that pin in a safe spot, a spot that I look at every day. To remind myself, I am great. It's the 'remind' part I need to get rid of (hope that makes sense). I am great.

Hope your Saturday is a 'great' one!

USE THOSE GLUTES!

Several years ago, I attended a weekend workshop in Springdale, UT (Ann Rutz' community of Anusara yogis), for which Desiree Rumbaugh was our guide. In fact, I think her theme for the weekend had something to do with GPS; tho, this morning, I can't remember the exact title (it was a good one, however).

Springdale is a unique community in Southern Utah (almost down I-15 to St. George); off the beaten path and at the entrance to Zions National Park. If you know anything of Utah and the terrain of this park, you have an idea of Springdale's beauty. Small town, geography making it difficult for the population to get out-of-control. I've traveled down there for several workshops and have learned the people are passionate about their community, their politics and having fun! I even participated in a "Green Jello Eating Contest" one year when a workshop fell on the weekend of St Patrick's day celebrations (I lost).

Enough with the memory lane journey, and back to Desiree's workshop.

As we practiced that weekend, I think her main emphasis was kidney loop. She did, however, take us on a brief journey to the glutes and that, my friends, has changed my yoga life.

Paraphrasing here: "In neutral table, extend your right leg hip height, straight and strong, heel reaching to wall behind you. Hold this, 5 minutes." What? 5 (as in FIVE) minutes?!?!?!? Yes, 5 (as in FIVE).

Once that 5 minutes was done, my right glutes were quivering, screaming, painfully making their presence known. Well, once that FIVE minutes was finished, we released, took a breath and lifted the left leg. For another 5 (as in FIVE) minutes.

This, she explained, was going to do wonders for our hamstrings. Strengthening and then using the glutes in our yoga poses would alleviate the need for our hamstrings to do all the work.

It's hard work, and it's something I'd never thought of before -- glutes working? Don't they just kind of hang out back there? No, they need to work. Look at this image:

Notice that the gluteus maximus (gm) covers the upper hamstring muscle connections. When the muscles of the backside are healthily strong, I am able to activate them, I imagine the gm (and it's associated muscles) caressing those connections and assisting in all the forward folding, lengthening, hamstring-activating poses I can think of. Ahhh, be still my heart.

Life, with this added knowledge, has never been the same. I literally very rarely (if at all) experience those twinges of pain at the top of the hamstrings that used to plague my practice.

Why do I think of this today? Yesterday, in class, a student asked for some help with painful upper hamstring 'stuff'. What did we do? Not 5 (as in FIVE) minutes, but at least 10 breaths on each side to wake them up. (Remember, I am trying to grow class populations here, not decimate them!) Then we stood with balls of feet on a roll, heels on floor, and moved slowly through several uttanasanas, and then to parsvottonasana on each side. Then slowly through several simple surya's, All the while I'm reminding students 'engage your glutes', 'don't let go, keep them active through the entire movement', like that. Broken record stuff.

So, that's the story of 'use those glutes'. If you haven't heard it or tried it, do so. Marvelous, underused muscles on the backside, just waiting for their opportunity to shine!

Hope your Wednesday is a good one (getting my hair cut; after all, Wanderlust is just around the corner)!

THANKS TO LOOPS & SPIRALS . . .

July 2011, will be remembered as a month of re-connecting. I've already written about Lesley and my old/new friendship (go back to this past Wednesday's post). Out of the blue yesterday came an e-mail from another 'old' friend.

This friend I met in Miami six years ago at the first Teacher Training I attended with JF (John Friend). She and I neighbor'd in the first morning's session, and got to know each other through conversations and partnering.

One important thing to know about Teacher Trainings is that they are challenging. Not simply because I am trying to learn everything being said by the instructor, but add to that the many personalities, egos (yes, egos, including mine) in the room, and differing expectations. It (the training) can come right up to my face and give me a good 'slap', no matter what level of instructor/student I am at that point in time. And, it doesn't even have to be my 'stuff' I'm worried about.

This 'old/new' friend (first name, Lisa) and I both had our share of challenges that week - physical and emotional; fortunately, we had become acquainted that first morning and could bolster each other through the moments that threatened to make a 'train wreck' of the experience. We both survived that first training with JF and, for me, the rest is history you (the reader) may know.

This week, in doing research on loops & spirals, Lisa came upon a blog I wrote about the topic many months ago. She sent me an e-mail, I responded, and we are now Facebook friends -- I look forward to getting reacquainted in the time ahead.

BTW, carpet is in and it looks and feels great. Now dusting off furniture, and unpacking more boxes that had been waiting for this to be accomplished.

Hope your Sunday is a good one!