NICE 'BIRTHDAY' DAY

We had a bit of a rocky start, but Howard's Birthday Day went pretty well after that.

What rocky start?  The class I was teaching in Carlsbad created a rush-rush aspect to the morning, which is not the way we like weekends to go. Hurry through the coffee & conversation aspect of the morning, rush to walk the dogs, scramble to find phone, race up the drive - like that.   Then, as we drove a few blocks away from home, it became apparent he thought we were going to Temecula -- wrong!  That added to the stress a bit, but - in the end - I made it to class, he made it to a 24-Hour Fitness somewhere, and we re-connected for coffee and grocery shopping after.

The class I taught was another small one -- I am getting superb at teaching small classes.  This one, 4 people.  I realized the other day that I hadn't taught ardha chandrasana (or chapasana) for a long time, so that was the apex pose for this class. It fit well with my theme (madhya - or middle/center - again), and I focused on muscular energy and organic extension as the alignment principles.

After rushing, teaching, shopping, we came home and I finished up some homework for my Certification mentor. You guessed it - the process continues.  I received very good feedback from her on my video, yet there remain a couple things to get more of into my classes -- more going back to the theme and more linking instructions.

FYI, 2 years ago, I felt I was too 'soft' when teaching. I knew the stuff, but the transmission just didn't 'pack much punch'.  At that time, Christina Sell was offering her first on-line mentoring program. She has 'punch', so I signed up immediately. My teaching expanded greatly and my 'punch' improved. Why tell you this? Well, now I have too much 'punch' -- as in I am pretty directive when teaching:  "step your leg back", "move to plank", like that.  I have gone so far into the 'punch' that I have eliminated much of the linking.  Need to find the madhya (middle), more balance of 'punch' and linking to create flow.

Interesting to receive feedback. Feedback that isn't what you wanted, yet you still feel good about it. (FYI, I wanted her to say "yes, it's good enough, you're Certified"; didn't happen.)

I heard someone talking the other day about a friend who submitted a video and, when it wasn't approved, has become discouraged, 'hurt' and has stepped back from the process.  I wonder what part of 'this is a learning process' was missed in the Immersions and Teacher Trainings that person attended. Didn't they hear that the video will be assessed and they might be asked to do more; or were they just sure the first one would pass?  I don't know this person, or I might go to them and say "look at the video again with your assessor's comments in hand". Stay open and I'll bet you see what they saw -- enhance (correct) that; then do it again. This is training us, whether we want to think it or not.  It will never be an immediate 'pass'. Enough on that. Oh, and I'd add: "you better get used to it, because every year someone will evaluate your classes, should you decide to return to the journey". There, that's enough.

Today? The formal Birthday Party. We've planned chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (because chocolate and vanilla are our two grand-dudes' (Jack & Brady) favorites.  Other 'fun' activities: pick up the yard a bit more, help put the shed back in order, laundry (no, that's done), housework - especially picking up pet hair (that's never done).

Have a great Sunday, or "enjoying the weather wherever you are, have a great day!"  (practice linking, practice linking, practice linking),

AS WORRISOME AS IT SEEMS . . .

this, too, shall pass; it has passed. A blip on the radar of life (not a little blip, but it's happened and it's over). Now to watch and see what happens.  (This whole first paragraph relates to my last post; if you read it, it makes sense. If not, that's o.k. too.)

I think it's interesting to take a mental inventory this morning and see that I am not nearly so 'upset' or 'saddened' or whatever, as I was 2 days ago.  It must be true, what they say, that 'life goes on', just a bit differently.

Thursday I taught two fun classes.  The first, in Carlsbad, was a group of ladies - all with yoga experience, but new to Anusara. One had studied Iyengar, another Bikram; not sure about the rest. Interesting to work with a student who wants both worlds -- Bikram and Anusara.  The questions like "In my Bikram classes, the instructor asks me to lock my knees; you say not to do that. Which is correct?"  Questions like that cause me to 'plead the fifth' or to say "I believe the flow of prana is blocked when we 'lock' a joint. My advice: do what you feel is best for your body while being respectful of whatever style of class you're in.".  How's that for walking the 'fine line'.

One of the first things I was taught, almost right after 'look for the good FIRST', was don't 'dis' another yoga style.

I had a very brief lunch with my son (he's a busy guy), then home to let dogs out for a bit, then up to Temecula to teach a 4pm 'Basic' class.

My 'regular' 3 were in attendance; the twins and their mother. The one who does not like yoga is coming along.  I think there is bribery happening for that young person (I heard "you do this or no Halloween party"). Whatever. I try to stay in the madhya (middle) -- not being too nice, but not too unfeeling to teenage emotions.  I had fun and I think - based on the laughter - that they all enjoyed the class, as well.

FYI, I have no problem with bribery or whatever it takes. I remember doing the same with my son -- he wanted to quit soccer, to skateboard and surf instead; I believed playing soccer would expose him to another type of friend and get him involved in team activities. Ended up soccer paid for a good portion of his college education and the 'team' aspect of the sport now supports his work ethic. Moms sometimes do know best.  (BTW, he still plays soccer each week and surfs on occasion.)

No class on Friday; dog to vet, laundry, some long-overdue yardwork (taking out some truly ugly plants), homework for my Certification mentor, and then a drive to airport to pick up husband. The drive was rewarded with dinner out -- I love when that happens.

Got a last-minute request to sub this morning, so off to teach in a couple hours.  It's also Howard's birthday today; we will celebrate formally tomorrow with dinner, cake, presents -- all at the Grand-Dudes' house.

Hope you have a great Saturday!

THE ELEPHANT . . .

There's a phrase often heard when something disturbing happens, which refers to the "elephant in the middle of the room".  As in, there are some things said, but the reasons (the real meat) are left for you to wonder about (hence, the elephant).  There's 'something' out there that isn't being said or revealed.

That's my concern now, as I contemplate the resignation of two of Anusara's well-known Certified instructors. Why? And, why now? And, what changed?  (Maybe there is more than one elephant in the room; there are certainly - in my mind - more questions.)

The announcement from John Friend told us what we needed to know -- they resigned, he accepted the resignation. Then comes a letter from one of the resignees, telling me that resigning Certification was simply tearing up a 'piece of paper' (paraphrasing here). Wait - hold the presses. That just doesn't gel. This person has been a big force in my movement towards that 'piece of paper', a major influence, a person I've quoted and complimented time and time again. Now, to casually drop a 'bomb' and to tell me that it's just a 'piece of paper' is not acceptable (to me).

Many are willing (based on comments on Facebook and responses to the above-mentioned letter) to live and let live, offer congratulations and well wishes. I want more. I want to know why.  I want the 'elephant' to reveal itself.  And, I want to know that what I've worked for for 7+ years (that 'piece of paper') is not just something to cast off with platitudes of 'friendship is stronger than a piece of paper'.

As I write this, I admit to myself that I am not close enough to any of the people involved to ever know the real reasons.  They may reveal themselves over time, or maybe never. I'll just have to get used to it.

My journey to Certification continues.  I still want that 'piece of paper' -- it has value, more than just as gilded paper -- it encapsulates a period of time in my life of growth and expansion, of pushing myself more than ever in the previous 50+ years, and - certainly - of new friendships. It's a BIG deal to me.

My best to John Friend and the two who have resigned.

Have a good Thursday,

DEFINE 'ADVANCED'

Here is what my MacBook dictionary says:

Advanced: far on or ahead in development or progress, OR, new and not yet generally accepted.

I looked this up as a result of one person's comment yesterday evening. In what context? I was telling the person about the Sunday 'advanced' class I taught (see yesterday's post). I mentioned the pose, the students attending, their reaction to the sequence. And, what did this person say? "do you think you worked them hard enough?"

Wait, stop the presses, think (or not). Where in the definition above does it say anything about "work hard enough"? And, come to think of it, doesn't just thinking about the pose, vishvamitrasana, conjure up thoughts of hard work?

But, back to my original thought -- why, when people think of an 'advanced' class, do they automatically go to the words 'work hard', 'tough', 'brutal', 'sweat-producing' -- words that do not appear anywhere in the definition of 'advanced' (think progress, development, new). Maybe if you used the word 'work' in the right sentence, it could apply; something like "she worked hard to make progress".

So, I am seriously thinking about what people expect when they attend an 'advanced' yoga class. Do students get up in the morning and think "I want to get my rear-end kicked today, so I'll go to an 'advanced' class." or are they considering the new, the development, the progress they will make in a class labeled with the word 'advanced'?

Based on the comment I heard yesterday, I worry that we (yoga teachers, in general) have promoted an image of tough, brutal, sweat-producing when we recommend our 'advanced' classes. As in, how many chaturanga dandasana's can a class include, on top of handstands, backbends, twists, etc. Why?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good sweat once in a while. What I enjoy even more is to work hard (with or without the sweat), and make progress in my yoga practice -- even if that progress is simply making an ordinary uttanasana extraordinary. To me, that is 'advanced'. (Can't seem to get off this ordinary/extraordinary train of thought.)

All this is a 'rant', as C. Sell so aptly labels some of her blog posts. This one may not be as eloquent as hers, but I think it's food for thought. I plan to promote 'advanced' classes as places to hone our yoga skills; truly embrace citananda -- awareness and the ability to create beauty through that awareness. 'Advanced' classes require I walk in with a beginner mind, just like every other class -- the ability to step back, be the student, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, learn and grow. Enough.

Today? House and yardwork, a meeting with our financial planner, pick up a light I've had re-wired, then - taking a cooking class on Indian cuisine.

Hope your Wednesday is a good one,

A FIRST - FOR ME AND THEM

I was asked to 'guest-teach' a class this past weekend: Sunday morning's 9:30 Advanced/Intermediate Yoga Class at Living Yoga in Temecula.

This was a last-minute request, one laced with desperation, so I accepted. Normally I avoid 'advanced-intermediate' like the plague. Why? Not because I can't, but because I question my skills at teaching this level of student. As in, will they get what they came for? Will I be able to work them hard enough? There's also the fact that many of the poses taught in this level of class are not poses I normally practice (many dvesha poses here); how does one teach what one doesn't practice well?

I accepted anyway. Decided to kick myself out of my 'basic' comfort zone right into 'advanced'.

My worries began late Saturday; I procastinated, however -- which is my nature. Sunday morning (EARLY), I was up looking through tried-and-true lesson plans (all for 'basic' classes). How to make those 'advanced'? Nothing clicked.

Then I stumbled on an article written by Christina Sell which would take students to vishvamitrasana. It was an abbreviated plan -- meaning the valuable pieces were there; I had to add 'filler' -- a down dog here, a chaturanga dandasana there, instructions to get to the floor, like that. I began typing, including the sequence she suggested, adding poses I thought would be valuable, voila! Print it out and off to the studio.

Just 4 came to class on Sunday. We began. About 20 minutes into the class, a case of 'major misgivings' began to seep into my confidence reservoir -- as in "what do I think I'm doing, trying to teach these people ANYTHING"? My choices -- stick it out or walk out. Made the right decision to stick it out and continued. It got easier, students were welcoming, they laughed, they worked hard - following all instructions to the letter.

We reached the knee-down version of vishvamitrasana. One student, a yoga teacher herself, said "Oh, this is the pose I see in all the magazines. I've always wanted to do it, but have never been able to get to it." We continued. Knee-down went well; on to the full version. That also went well. Ecstatic laughter in the room, even from one 'not-quite-to-the-pose' student - who was cheering the rest on. Time almost up, a relaxed cool-down, a centering pose, savasana, and closing comments.

Then, an ovation -- from students to me.

I came clean about the article, and I've thanked Christina for helping me experience this grand moment -- a chance to teach a great class to attentive students. I also must acknowledge that I was able to transmit it all effectively. I still get goose bumps just thinking about the looks on their faces (and the giggles) when they came down from their poses. So great!

Today? Back to regular schedule -- 10:30 'basic' class in Carlsbad, 2pm Therepeutic/Gentle Class in Temecula, 4:30pm Pre/Postnatal Class in Temecula. Inbetween? A bit of driving.

Hope your Tuesday is great!

WHEW!

Taking care of youngest Grand-Dude, Carson, for 2 days and nights was fun; enjoyable; good bonding; all that, but I am stiff and sore today. And, last night, I could not keep my eyes open past 7pm. Could it be that one 1yr old can have that affect on me? I suppose so.

Gives me expanded respect and admiration for Jessie & Derek (son & daughter-in-law) who do this every day with our 3 youngest Grand-dudes; all under the age of 5. Triple WHEW!

FYI, they took a 2-day 'vacation' with their 2 older sons (ages 4 and 3) to Disneyland; hooking up with the other set of grandparents in that experience. Carson, age 1, would have spent his days in a stroller, wanting to be out and enjoying things; but unable to due to his age, size, comprehension of the experience. Better that he remain at home with me (or, rather, that I spend a couple nights in his home).

All this rambling to tell you that I've been away from my regular routine.

Now, home and back to the routine stream of things -- teaching, house- and yardwork, study, etc.

I did teach yesterday -- continuing with my theme of 'mudhya' and working students into some arm balances. It was fun and I am developing a 'usual' group of 3 (the family I mentioned in an earlier blog). They, plus one, made up the class yesterday. Not only are poses looking more polished, there are more smiles and even a bit of laughter as they get to know me and, I guess, develop a comfort level that it's o.k. to express like that.

Even better was watching the effect of the 4th student's advanced practice on the other three. Everyone 'kicked it up a notch', thanks to David's presence in the class. Even hand placement changed, became more precise and dedicated.

Today? Not much, except to settle back in. The weekend holds promise for yoga with friends -- a heavy-duty practice on Saturday, teaching on Sunday, then a partner workshop. Fun!

Hope your Friday is a good one!

17 (count'em SEVENTEEN)

The number of students in my Library yoga class yesterday -- 17. Be still my heart!

At 2:45, I sat with 2 students waiting (and chatting). I was beginning to worry; normally this class arrives early, with one or two sneaking in at the last minute. At 2:50, in walks a friend from the yoga classes I've been attending at the studio in Temecula. So, we're at 3. Then -- it was like the gates opened and in came the remaining 14. Amazing!

Many said they had seen my flier at the Library and were impressed with it. I'd better take a closer look at it. I didn't create it, but had glanced at it briefly. One of the repeated comments was that it is so simple, yet effective. Good work, flier-creator whoever you are!

What did we work on? Madhya, the Sanskrit word for middle. One of my favorite words. It kind of rolls off the tongue the more you say it (pronounced mud-ya). And, it so effectively describes the balance between effort and surrender. For this group, I especially wanted them to 'get' that, in our asymmetrical standing poses, we often feel discomfort in the front leg. In my experience, that happens because we are not asking both legs to share in the work of the pose. Usually the front leg takes the brunt of the work, and the back leg just kind of 'hangs out', waiting - for what, I don't know. I hoped to bring the madhya to their attention in these poses -- equally working both legs, embracing the midline, enjoying a more easeful, stable foundation.

What happened? At the completion of side one of a modified parsvakonasana, I asked for feedback (FYI, during the pose, I'd asked students to fire up the back leg, especially if the front leg was beginning to 'complain'.) One new-to-me student spoke up, saying that 'yes' the discomfort did go away. There were several nodding heads accompanying her comment. Yes!

I love moments like that -- when one student will speak up, validating what I had been trying to relay to them in my comments and instructions. Sometimes, I have to pry it out of people (shyness?); this time, there was little hesitation -- even better!

Today? I am taking care of youngest grand-dude (Carson) for 2 nights / 2.5 days. This is a biggie for me and his parents -- a first. I'm excited to experience it; not sure how he feels about it - tho, at 1yr, I doubt he will realize much is happening except that he won't see his parents and siblings for a couple nights. (We'll see; I'll keep you posted.)

Hope your Tuesday is a good one!