Monthly Archives: October 2014

Postcards

12 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Intention setting, Life Lessons

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Potential teaching faux pas – I used the same intention for two classes. But it’s a really good one.

I’ve been obsessed with a song lately and haven’t quite figured out why. The song is “Postcards” by James Blunt. I have been listening to it no less than 10 times per day for the past week. It’s catchy, upbeat, but it took me some time to figure out why I couldn’t get enough. And when I did figure it out, it makes perfect sense, matching up with where I am right now.

There is a line that goes like this: “I’m sending a postcard, I don’t care who sees what I’ve said. Or if the whole world knows what’s going on in my head.”

That line has power – sheer, utter, crazy power. It’s putting yourself out there so far, it’s both scary and exciting but who cares? Showing those spaces of ourselves is hard to do, especially when we’ve built up years of shielding. If we let our shields down, how much can we impact the lives of another? If we put it out there, how far and bright will our light shine? Those are the questions I posed to my classes.

Our asana practice on the mat teaches us to breathe into the pose, into the moment, to stay present and feel out the sensations. If we are able to successfully translate that off the mat, we can show a more accurate version of self; the version that we typically hide beneath layers of shielding and the version that we’re most often afraid of ourselves. My challenge, and it’s a personal one for me too, is to let my shields down, to keep my shields down, and to shine.

Perfectly imperfect

08 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Life Lessons, Yoga

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We have all seen the pictures on Instagram and other social media platforms – perfect yogi bodies, in the perfect lighting, with appropriate shadows, striking a stunning pose. Hell, I’m guilty of setting up a picture and then waiting for the “Likes” to start rolling in. These posts often include either a scripture reference explaining why THAT pose is important or how that pose makes the yogi feel.
But we’re missing out on our flaws. I have been concerned that non-yogis will either think these advanced asanas are easy to do and thereby risk injury. Or they get completely turned off by the perfect form, thinking they’ll never achieve that level of posture. It can be intimidating to walk into a classroom and see students in a beautiful expression of forward folding – back straight, legs strong, chest on thighs. I was working with a student standing on one leg in tree pose; her breath and energy were vivid reflections with her frustrations on not being able to stand easily on that leg. I walked behind her, activated my feet, slowed my own breathing, and lightly touched her shoulders. I asked her “Why do you care so much? Because I don’t.” Immediately her energy changed. Her breath slowed. And the tension she was allowing to build in her shoulders began to subside.
Why do we care so much? Yoga is supposed to be peaceful and healing. But rather, we’re making it about image. Do not misunderstand, I think there’s a time and a place for projecting an image of “perfect form,” but the world is also aching for honesty.
Ana Forrest called me out time and again on my push for perfection in my practice. I struggle daily with my mind dropping into old habits of critiques, judgement, and frustration when my forearm balance looks and feels accidental. But I’m beginning to catch my mind in these moments and tell it “who cares?” This is my practice today and it’s further along than it was yesterday but maybe not as far as tomorrow. So who cares?
As a yogi on Instagram, I’m going to start with myself…and knowingly and willingly post pictures of me that are not the best form, with horrendous lighting, and possibly a bulldog in the background wishing I’d let him nap. Since #stopanddropyoga is a thing, I’ll challenge yogis to hopefully read this blog and to post a #perfectlyimperfect photo.

Living with intent

02 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by in Intentions, Life Lessons

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As yogis, we come to our mat and set an intent – focus on breath; just be in the moment; work with no struggle. These intents often take our practice to another level. We let go from our bad habits to explore a yoga practice that strives to something else.
But how often do we strive to practice intent through life off the mat? Go through your daily rituals. Wake up, possibly coffee, maybe food, shower, work, maybe gym, maybe dinner, possibly hours of endless TV. Where in that schedule do we make time for self improvement? Do you set yourself up for failure or success from the moment you wake up?
My quite mundane mornings go like this typically for the first hour – wake up, neti (cleanse nasal cavities with saline solution), breakfast, walk the bulldog. During breakfast, I write. I jot out my daily ‘to do’ items, carrying over any items that are unfinished from the prior day.
I also set a daily intent. These intents have ranged from laugh a little more to the more serious – stop punishing myself when I’m not perfect. And as intents go, there are days that I’m really successful. And days that I’m not.
As October 1 (BY note: actually the 2nd as I forgot to hit post on this yesterday), I challenged my students today to set a monthly intent and how can they work on achieving that goal every day. That’s the beginning of a daily intent – seeing our destination and figuring out a path to make it happen. Studies have shown that it takes 21 repetitions (or days) to make an effective habit. So ask yourself – where do I want to be as a person on October 31 and what are the steps to get there? Post/share/do the work. Because the person you are now and the person you will be are worth it.