Imagine

On my way to the studio (http://www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com/), I pass a church with a sign out in front.

A few weeks ago, when it was really hot, the sign read "Think it's hot?  Imagine Hell."

It got my attention.

But I'll be honest, I didn't really know what to do with something like that.

The first thing that came to my mind, and what I said to my husband when I later told him about it, was "really?".

Really?  You want me to imagine Hell?  You want everyone who drives by & reads the sign to imagine Hell?

Now, I don't want to get into a debate about religion.  That's not what this is about.  I'm not criticizing.  I'm questioning.

Because I'm confident that there are plenty of people in our town, in our city, in our state, in our country, in our world - who will tell you they don't need to imagine Hell because they are living in it.  And I'm confident that there are plenty of other folks out there who will say they've seen it.

For me, it's a matter of deliberate creation.  I want to imagine what I DO want to experience (not the other way around).  Through my imagination, I want to  create what I want to see & live.

"Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world"
-John Lennon

You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/

Headstand

I can remember taking class as a new teacher & watching a seasoned yogi come gracefully & effortlessly into a basket headstand, without ever bending her legs - they just floated up off the floor.  And I remember thinking "I want to do that".

I can also remember, around that same time, standing in the lobby of the studio where I had just started teaching, talking to a seasoned teacher about wanting my own studio one day.  I had just started teaching already I knew it was what I wanted.  This was over 10 years ago.

Since I started practicing yoga, I have always maintained my practice.  Sometimes practicing as much as 90 minutes a day, 6 days a week.  Sometimes as little as 30 minutes a day 2 days a week.  But always, maintaining my practice.

In the last 10 years, I have had several jobs, taught at several different yoga studios & managed a couple.  Throughout it all, I maintained that I wanted & would have my own studio.

So many times I tried that headstand & just couldn't "do" it.  I thought "well, I need to give my body some time".

In the past few years, I've had a couple of opportunities to open yoga studios present themselves to me - but each time it wasn't quite right & I couldn't make it work.  And each time that happened, even though I was a little disappointed, I always thought "well, it's just not the time yet".

Everywhere I went - I took my yoga mat with me.  I once forgot it in the airport & bought another one when I arrived at my destination, even though I already had 3 mats back at home.

Everywhere I went - from Vermont to Florida - I found vacant spaces that I thought would be great for a yoga studio.

I have never given up my belief in the benefits of this practice.  Even when I couldn't "do" much of the practice.  I stayed patient & practiced what I could.

And even when it seemed impossible that I would have my own studio, I never gave up the belief that it would happen. It was ok - I stayed patient & thought about how it would feel when it did happen. 

And one day, when I wasn't thinking about, I mastered that basket headstand.  My legs just floated up off the floor. 

And then, when I least expected it, there was my yoga studio (http://www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com/).   Everything I imagined & more.

You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/

Why rush?

"Nature doesn't rush.  Life doesn't rush.  Only humans rush".

I heard another yoga instructor say this a few weeks ago & it stuck with me. 

I gave up rushing some time ago.  I'm not sure exactly how it happened. 

Here's what I remember: that feeling of being in my home, looking at the time & thinking I needed to leave right now or I would be late to teach.  That feeling of needing to get everything together right away so I could get going...that desperate feeling of needing to find my keys, my phone, my wallet...everything I needed to have in order to get out of the house.

I remember the last minute, frantic searching - not being able to find what I needed - only to finally realize that what I was looking for was already in my bag or in my car.

At some point I realized that the rushing was counter-productive.  When I was rushing, I was disconnected from what I was doing. I was thinking about where I was going, instead of focusing on where I was.  I was thinking that I would never get it together in time, instead of realizing that I had all the time I needed.  At some point I realized that the time I spent rushing around like a crazy person, snapping at my family, could just as easily be spent calming getting my things together. 

Rushing is really about not being present.  When you're rushing - either yourself or a process - you're focused on the future. You're giving your attention & energy to where you think you should be, instead of experiencing where you are.

When you are present - all of your energy & attention are on what you are doing at the moment.  Focused on accomplishing what you need to do right then & there.  One thing at a time.  When you keep your breath calm & even, you can stay calm & balanced.  Focusing on what you need to do at that moment helps get it done. 

This is what yoga has taught me & this is what I try to teach my students.  To breathe.  To focus in on what you are doing RIGHT NOW.  Take it one breath, one thing, at a time.  Let go of where you think you should be, or even where you want to be.  Embrace this moment.  Don't try to rush through it.  Even when it's challenging.  Take a class at my studio (http://www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com/aboutus.htm) & see what I mean.

Remember, because it's true..."nature doesn't rush. life doesn't rush..."  and you don't have to either. 

You can now read my blog at the Register Citizen: http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/