There's been alot of activity in the yoga world this week - alot of back & forth about yoga & whether or not it's good for you. Personally, my life is better with yoga in it. Every time I practice yoga, I feel better & I am grateful that the Universe brought this practice into my life.
If you've read my blog before, you know I have been teaching heated power yoga for more than 10 years & have my own studio, Sanctuary Power Yoga. I have my 200 hour certification through Yoga Alliance & have taught with & learned from, many gifted, talented teachers.
Part of what I teach is asana - physical poses. It's these physical posesthat attracts so many people in our culture. Part of the attraction is the movement - the vinyasa, the flow. Not many of us are ready to sit down & meditate for 60 or 90 minutes. Part of the attraction is the prospect of losing weight, getting stronger, more physically fit. I believe that for every person who comes in the door, there's a distinct, special reason that brings them to the practice. I also believe that whatever the reason, at the heart of that reason is self-care. It may not manifest as that initially, but I believe that if you scratch beneath the surface of weight loss or "just looking better" you find that people want to feel better. Feel better about themselves & who they are.
Unfortunately, in many cases we've been conditioned to do more, push harder, "feel the burn". And that can lead to injury. Not just when practicing asana, but when doing anything. Although you're pushing yourself physically, there's a real disconnect from your physical body. You're listening to your ego & voices from the past (and present) telling you that you're good enough, that you shouldn't "wimp out". You're not listening to your body...or your heart...or your spirit. And you wind up beating yourself up. And it doesn't feel good on so many levels.
I said that part of what I teach is asana. The other part of what I teach is yoga. That's not to say that asana, the physical piece, isn't yoga, but it's only a small part of yoga. So yes, I teach asana. But as I teach that, I also teach about the other pieces of yoga. I teach self-care - listening to your body, your heart & spirit - and learning to trust yourself. I teach breathing (pranayama), I teach compassion, love & non-violence (yamas), contentment (niyamas), focus (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and the possibility of samadhi.
To an outsider (and sometimes to a new student) it may look & feel like I'm just teaching a physical workout. Squats, lunges, pushups. But that's only a part of it. I'm teaching yoga - I'm teaching to a person's whole being. From my whole being. I'm teaching to their body, their mind, their heart & their spirit. And I'm asking them to feel connected to all that. I'm asking them to feel their littlest toe on the ground. And their heart swelling to the sky. In this moment.
That's integration, union - all the pieces of yourself uniting & becoming whole again. That union is yoga. It feels good. And that has to be good for you.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Reality
I'll admit it, I've been known to get sucked into some of those "reality" dating shows. Not quality programming, as far as I'm concerned. And really, nothing but a waste of time. (No offense to anyone out there who loves these shows or who might be involved with them).
Here's the thing...you could "fall in love" with just about anyone, on those shows. Participants are sent off to beautiful, exotic locations. They stay in wonderful accommodations. They have nothing to worry to about when they're there. They simply need to focus on themselves & "finding love".
Back at home....work, bills, traffic, sick kids or parents, a broken car, laundry...it's a different story.
As crazy as this sounds, the same holds true for yoga. Practicing yoga is comparatively easy when you go off on a retreat. When you remove yourself from the details & demands of your everyday life. When you surround yourself with like minded people. And your only concern is practicing your yoga. Pretty easy.
Back at home....work, bills, traffic, sick kids or parents, a broken car, laundry...it's a different story. These things become obstacles & excuses as to why we can't practice.
Maintaining a loving relationship in the face of the demands & details of everyday life can be challenging. Rewarding & worth it beyond words, but challenging.
Practicing yoga in the face of the demands & details of everyday life can be challenging. Rewarding & worth it beyond words, but challenging.
Finding time for yourself, to get on your mat, and practice asana (the physical poses). Finding the strength & patience to practice yamas & niyamas (the "10 commandments" of yoga). This is challenging in the face of your everyday life - but this is where you need it the most. This is where you, and everyone around you, will benefit the most.
Your practice is meant to be taken off your mat - into your everyday life. What you learn in the studio, on your mat, at a retreat, in a bootcamp - this is meant to be carried into your everyday life. And by taking your yoga off your mat, by living your yoga, you show others how they too can benefit from this practice.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Here's the thing...you could "fall in love" with just about anyone, on those shows. Participants are sent off to beautiful, exotic locations. They stay in wonderful accommodations. They have nothing to worry to about when they're there. They simply need to focus on themselves & "finding love".
Back at home....work, bills, traffic, sick kids or parents, a broken car, laundry...it's a different story.
As crazy as this sounds, the same holds true for yoga. Practicing yoga is comparatively easy when you go off on a retreat. When you remove yourself from the details & demands of your everyday life. When you surround yourself with like minded people. And your only concern is practicing your yoga. Pretty easy.
Back at home....work, bills, traffic, sick kids or parents, a broken car, laundry...it's a different story. These things become obstacles & excuses as to why we can't practice.
Maintaining a loving relationship in the face of the demands & details of everyday life can be challenging. Rewarding & worth it beyond words, but challenging.
Practicing yoga in the face of the demands & details of everyday life can be challenging. Rewarding & worth it beyond words, but challenging.
Finding time for yourself, to get on your mat, and practice asana (the physical poses). Finding the strength & patience to practice yamas & niyamas (the "10 commandments" of yoga). This is challenging in the face of your everyday life - but this is where you need it the most. This is where you, and everyone around you, will benefit the most.
Your practice is meant to be taken off your mat - into your everyday life. What you learn in the studio, on your mat, at a retreat, in a bootcamp - this is meant to be carried into your everyday life. And by taking your yoga off your mat, by living your yoga, you show others how they too can benefit from this practice.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Commitment
I pass a local gym on the way to my studio, Sanctuary Power Yoga (http://www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com/). It has a sign out front about joining. It lists the monthly cost & says "no commitment".
Now, I get it - it means you can sign up for one month & not have to commit to a year of paying your monthly membership fee if you change your mind about the place.
But it strikes me as funny...no commitment.
I get a lot of questions about what it takes to join Sanctuary. You don't have to join, there aren't membership fees. Anyone can show up for any class. You can pay for one class at a time. You can buy a series of classes or purchase a monthly unlimited pass - lots of options. For me, yoga is about options & making the practice accessible to everyone.
But yoga does take one thing - commitment.
Commitment to yourself. To your health & well-being. To peace of mind. To feeling better.
You name it, and you'll find it on your mat.
But you need to make that commitment.
Whether it's yoga, or going to the gym, or biking, or walking - it does require commitment. And it does take time. There aren't any quick fixes, (despite what some commercials would have you believe).
And that's the great thing about yoga - with that commitment to yourself, you can begin anytime, anywhere. You just need to show up. And keep showing up.
Make the commitment.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Now, I get it - it means you can sign up for one month & not have to commit to a year of paying your monthly membership fee if you change your mind about the place.
But it strikes me as funny...no commitment.
I get a lot of questions about what it takes to join Sanctuary. You don't have to join, there aren't membership fees. Anyone can show up for any class. You can pay for one class at a time. You can buy a series of classes or purchase a monthly unlimited pass - lots of options. For me, yoga is about options & making the practice accessible to everyone.
But yoga does take one thing - commitment.
Commitment to yourself. To your health & well-being. To peace of mind. To feeling better.
You name it, and you'll find it on your mat.
But you need to make that commitment.
Whether it's yoga, or going to the gym, or biking, or walking - it does require commitment. And it does take time. There aren't any quick fixes, (despite what some commercials would have you believe).
And that's the great thing about yoga - with that commitment to yourself, you can begin anytime, anywhere. You just need to show up. And keep showing up.
Make the commitment.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Sunday, December 18, 2011
'Tis the Season
Alot of people love this time of year - the Holiday Season. I love this time of year. I love the way stores & houses look decorated in lights as you pass by at night. I love the smell of evergreen & putting a tree up in our home. I enjoy the spirit of the season - goodwill & peace & giving. I enjoy spending time together with friends & extended family members that, in some cases, we only see once or twice a year. I love the anticipation of the first snowfall (or in the case of this year - the second snowfall).
But for other people, this time of year is very challenging. Feeling the loss dear friends or close family members make it difficult to embrace the joy of the season. Having family members or friends serving in the military & overseas also make it hard not to worry.
As a yoga teacher, I've always tried to be mindful that different significant days & times of year mean different things to different people. On any day, you can never know what someone is thinking or feeling (unless they share it with you) and I've found that Holidays heighten that.
The holiday season serves a good reminder to never assume anything about others. You can't know why someone dislikes a holiday...even when they give you a reason, there may be a bigger back-story that they aren't sharing. When someone cuts you off in traffic, or "takes" your parking space - it probably has nothing to do with you. Maybe they're on their way to the hospital to see a loved one for the last time. Maybe they have to get home in time for their babysitter.
In the spirit of the holidays, try reserving judgement of others & how they act. Actions taken by others are not necessarily actions against you. And often the people that we are quickest to judge are actually the people that most need our love.
This season, when you find yourself forming a criticism of someone or their actions - whether it's someone you know or a total stranger - pause for a moment. Instead of thinking, or speaking, or acting harshly - offer loving thoughts, kind words or a generous gesture. Remember that you don't know what's going on in another person's head or their life. And what they might need most, is kindness & love from you.
Sound crazy? So crazy that it might work. You might not see it work. You might never know if it works. But you will feel it. You will feel better. You will be part of spreading the spirit of the season.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
But for other people, this time of year is very challenging. Feeling the loss dear friends or close family members make it difficult to embrace the joy of the season. Having family members or friends serving in the military & overseas also make it hard not to worry.
As a yoga teacher, I've always tried to be mindful that different significant days & times of year mean different things to different people. On any day, you can never know what someone is thinking or feeling (unless they share it with you) and I've found that Holidays heighten that.
The holiday season serves a good reminder to never assume anything about others. You can't know why someone dislikes a holiday...even when they give you a reason, there may be a bigger back-story that they aren't sharing. When someone cuts you off in traffic, or "takes" your parking space - it probably has nothing to do with you. Maybe they're on their way to the hospital to see a loved one for the last time. Maybe they have to get home in time for their babysitter.
In the spirit of the holidays, try reserving judgement of others & how they act. Actions taken by others are not necessarily actions against you. And often the people that we are quickest to judge are actually the people that most need our love.
This season, when you find yourself forming a criticism of someone or their actions - whether it's someone you know or a total stranger - pause for a moment. Instead of thinking, or speaking, or acting harshly - offer loving thoughts, kind words or a generous gesture. Remember that you don't know what's going on in another person's head or their life. And what they might need most, is kindness & love from you.
Sound crazy? So crazy that it might work. You might not see it work. You might never know if it works. But you will feel it. You will feel better. You will be part of spreading the spirit of the season.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
This is challenging
The style of yoga I teach - heated power yoga - can be pretty challenging. The room is heated to around 90 degrees, we move alot - it's a physically challenging practice, and you move your body in ways that are unusual & atypical in everyday life. I usually don't play music, so there's no distraction. It's just you, on your mat, in your body, with your breath.
At times, it can be uncomfortable. New poses, new sequences of poses (class is never exactly the same twice), the heat, holding poses longer than you might like. I remind seasoned students & new students alike to try walking their feet father apart, to sit their hips lower, to raise their arms higher. In essence, I encourage them to move out of their comfort zone & try something different - dig a little deeper. I also repeatedly remind students to rest when they feel it's needed. For many, this is moving out of their comfort zone.
Even though this style of yoga is challenging, it's not about pushing & doing more. It is about finding your strength. Your calm. Your center. You learn (I've learned) that if you can find these things within in you as you hold a challenging pose, if you can take rest when everyone else is moving, then you just might be able to find these qualities I your life when things get uncomfortable.
It is about taking your practice off the mat.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
At times, it can be uncomfortable. New poses, new sequences of poses (class is never exactly the same twice), the heat, holding poses longer than you might like. I remind seasoned students & new students alike to try walking their feet father apart, to sit their hips lower, to raise their arms higher. In essence, I encourage them to move out of their comfort zone & try something different - dig a little deeper. I also repeatedly remind students to rest when they feel it's needed. For many, this is moving out of their comfort zone.
Even though this style of yoga is challenging, it's not about pushing & doing more. It is about finding your strength. Your calm. Your center. You learn (I've learned) that if you can find these things within in you as you hold a challenging pose, if you can take rest when everyone else is moving, then you just might be able to find these qualities I your life when things get uncomfortable.
It is about taking your practice off the mat.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is tomorrow & with it, the start of the holiday season for many.
Thanksgiving Day - a day for Giving Thanks. A day of Peace & Grace. Pretty simple.
And yet, in my visits to the grocery store & those "big box stores" this week, what I have seen has been anything but peaceful & graceful...people arguing over parking spaces & yelling at the cashiers.
And tomorrow night, many stores will open around midnight to give people a jump start on Black Friday shopping deals. Pretty complicated, if you ask me.
It can be simple. It can be a day spent with others - sharing time, perhaps a meal. Giving thanks for what we have & sharing that with others.
It can be a day full of Peace & Grace. A time to pause & enjoy life.
And the thing about Thanksgiving, is that it doesn't have to be limited to a single day in the year.
Thanksgiving Day can be every day. Every day can be a day to Give Thanks for who & what we have in our lives. Every day can be a day of Peace & Grace. And every day we can share this with others - people we know & love or complete strangers.
Every day can be simply a day of Thanksgiving.
May you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day - may it be full of Peace & Grace. And may every day be Thanksgiving Day.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Thanksgiving Day - a day for Giving Thanks. A day of Peace & Grace. Pretty simple.
And yet, in my visits to the grocery store & those "big box stores" this week, what I have seen has been anything but peaceful & graceful...people arguing over parking spaces & yelling at the cashiers.
And tomorrow night, many stores will open around midnight to give people a jump start on Black Friday shopping deals. Pretty complicated, if you ask me.
It can be simple. It can be a day spent with others - sharing time, perhaps a meal. Giving thanks for what we have & sharing that with others.
It can be a day full of Peace & Grace. A time to pause & enjoy life.
And the thing about Thanksgiving, is that it doesn't have to be limited to a single day in the year.
Thanksgiving Day can be every day. Every day can be a day to Give Thanks for who & what we have in our lives. Every day can be a day of Peace & Grace. And every day we can share this with others - people we know & love or complete strangers.
Every day can be simply a day of Thanksgiving.
May you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day - may it be full of Peace & Grace. And may every day be Thanksgiving Day.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Snowstorm
I missed posting for a couple weeks because, a couple weeks ago, our part of CT was hit by a massive snowstorm - a nor'easter, a blizzard. Two feet of snow. Record numbers without power. No heat, hot water, electricity, cable, internet, phone service. A real white out, if you will.
We are fortunate - we have a generator, so being without power was only a minor inconvenience. We were still able to shower, cook & even watch TV (videos). And our electricity was restored pretty quickly - after only 4 days.
Other folks weren't so lucky. Many were without electricity for almost 2 weeks. Many people woke up in cold, dark houses, went to work (if they were lucky - it was warm there) & came home to cold, dark houses.
For us, the good thing about the storm was spending more time with extended family & friends. We invited people to eat with us & stay with us. There was more time to connect & talk & enjoy one another because we weren't rushing off to check our email or watch TV.
And when power was restored, it was a huge relief. Life is, obviously, so much easier with electricity - with heat, lights, hot water & phone service.
Going without modern conveniences made me realize, once again, how fortunate we are for all that we have. Being able to enjoy friends & family made me realize, once again, how fortunate I am to have these people in my life.
Gratitude is something I have written about before. It's worth writing about again. We get stuck in our heads & the challenges of our lives & forget about how much we really have & how lucky we really are. It shouldn't take a snowstorm for us to remember this.
Gratitude is the highest vibration there is. When you find it & feel it, everything shifts. Within you & around you. Try it. Look at who & what you have in your life right now. Find & feel gratitude.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
We are fortunate - we have a generator, so being without power was only a minor inconvenience. We were still able to shower, cook & even watch TV (videos). And our electricity was restored pretty quickly - after only 4 days.
Other folks weren't so lucky. Many were without electricity for almost 2 weeks. Many people woke up in cold, dark houses, went to work (if they were lucky - it was warm there) & came home to cold, dark houses.
For us, the good thing about the storm was spending more time with extended family & friends. We invited people to eat with us & stay with us. There was more time to connect & talk & enjoy one another because we weren't rushing off to check our email or watch TV.
And when power was restored, it was a huge relief. Life is, obviously, so much easier with electricity - with heat, lights, hot water & phone service.
Going without modern conveniences made me realize, once again, how fortunate we are for all that we have. Being able to enjoy friends & family made me realize, once again, how fortunate I am to have these people in my life.
Gratitude is something I have written about before. It's worth writing about again. We get stuck in our heads & the challenges of our lives & forget about how much we really have & how lucky we really are. It shouldn't take a snowstorm for us to remember this.
Gratitude is the highest vibration there is. When you find it & feel it, everything shifts. Within you & around you. Try it. Look at who & what you have in your life right now. Find & feel gratitude.
You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/
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