Facebook

In the beginning, I resisted Facebook.  I didn't really get it.  I didn't have time for it.  If I had time, I wanted to connect with people in person, or at least on the phone.

Then I opened Sanctuary Power Yoga (www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com), and everything I read & everyone I talked to pointed to Facebook as a powerful (mostly free) tool to market your business.

I complained a lot about Facebook.  I didn't understand it (I'm still not sure I do).  There was no instruction manual (aside from google - I complained about that too).  I whined because no one liked us.  (we've come a long way since then!) If it weren't for the studio, I would have jumped ship on FB a long time ago.

Honestly, I still don't really get Facebook.  Yes, it's nice to see what friends across the country are doing (and by friends, I mean real friends - people I have met in person).  It's easy to send someone a message.  To track down someone you've lost touch with.  And of course, it's still mostly free to post about your business.

But given free time, I would rather grab a coffee with a friend.  I'd rather call up a friend across the country, even if I just get her voicemail - at least I get to hear her voice.  I'd rather read a book to our son, or talk to my husband, or do laundry or dishes (well, maybe not dishes).

Facebook gives the illusion of connecting with people.  But I believe real connection happens in the moment.  In being present.  In person, when possible.  The ability to look someone in the eyes when you are talking to them.  To touch them.  That is real connection.  And I also believe that this is what we need more of in our world.

That's one of the reasons I opened Sanctuary Power Yoga & it's one of the many things I love about it.  I see people come in as strangers, practice next to each other day after day, and then one day...they find they are friends.  The studio fosters connection & community & we all benefit from that.  I think many of us take that feeling of connection & carry it out into the world with us.  And we find ourselves making more personal connections in other places - work, the store, on the street.

More personal connection.  More eye contact.  More touch.  Yes, I realize the irony of this post, as many of you are probably reading it on FB.  But after this, try it.  Let your interactions today be more personal.  Make a connection.

We're All Human

There are some really great yoga teachers out.  Some are world renowned.  Some famous in their city.  Some, just loved by their small yoga community (and that's saying alot). 

I've often thought that the best teachers are the ones who walk their talk - practice what they teach, if you will.  And what I love about great teachers is the messages they impart.  Insight & wisdom on how to be a better person or how to live a more peaceful existence.  They share their experiences & their mistakes, what they've learned & how they've grown.  They let us see that they are humans, on a path, just doing their best like the rest of us.

The human part is important...really important.  Even great teachers are human.  They make mistakes.  They go astray - sometimes in really big ways & that attracts alot of attention.  Sometimes they hurt people.  Does that make them bad teachers?  Does it make them bad people?

I think everyone probably has different ideas about this.  But I was thinking that we do need to remember that we're all human.  That we all do make mistakes.  Being a great teacher means practicing what you teach.  But being a great student, or more importantly being a compassionate human, means remembering that is a practice.  It's a practice for the student.  It's a practice for the teacher.  And really, we're all students.  Its remembering that every time you make a mistake - in the studio or out - you just need more practice.  Remember it about yourself.  But also remember it about those great teachers.

 

10 Reasons to be Grateful for Living in New England in March

This morning our son said he wanted to buy popsicles because we hadn't had them since the summer & that was "a really, really long time ago".  It does seem like it was a long time ago!  And with everyone complaining about the cold (including me) I thought I'd try it put a different spin on things...so here are:




10 Reasons to be Grateful for Living in New England in March


1. Beautiful sunsets
2.  Strangers talking to one another, even if it is about weather:)
3. Winter sports - snowshoeing, skiing
4.  Animal tracks in the snow
5. Days are longer!
6. It's March, not February - Spring is that much closer.
7. Continued need for flannel sheets
8. No landslides
9.  Heated yoga feels even better when it's 9 degrees out! (www.sanctuarypoweryoga.com)
10.  This one is up to you - fill in the blank!

This is yoga off the mat - finding gratitude any way, every day!