the theme of this weeks sequence. These two qualities can seem so opposite but as I've been noticing lately, opposites need each other to exist. You can't know light without darkness, joy without sorrow, freedom without steadiness, etc. And some say this is a dual philosophy while others see it as more of a spectrum.
Well I have enjoyed a lot of freedom this summer by increasing my steadiness, in my practice, in my teaching, in my goals. I found some freedom in handstand on Sunday at Hannah and Mark's goodbye class. My partner, Jason, steadied me and then I hugged the midline to continue the steadiness. He let go and I was free for maybe 10 seconds? It felt amazing!
I've always been the type of person who got bored with steadiness. I enjoyed the freedom I thought a lack of steadiness gave me. But that really wasn't true freedom, it was drama, turmoil. Anyone who is participating in the unsteadiness of the economy knows that isn't true freedom!
So find some steadiness in your life, your practice. Draw in and enjoy the freedom...
Opening the Heart
Photo by Andrea Turner
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
celebrate!
This week I am using a Christina Sell sequence from June that focused on the celebration aspect of our practice. It's interesting how we can sometimes forget how great it is that we can practice. A lot of times we come to our mat with our problems, our worries or even our hopes but how often do we come in celebration? I know I originally came to yoga in hopes of losing weight and getting in better shape. Or so I thought - my subconsciousness came for other reasons. Turns out we all end up coming for the same reason ultimately - to know and understand ourselves better.
But in that quest of self-knowledge, we can bury ourselves in questions, deep thought, pushing ourselves, then love. All of this is great work and not to be avoided. But somewhere in there is some lightness, a reason to celebrate! After we have done the diligent work of rediscovering our true nature, we should celebrate! Celebrate expressing your true nature both on and off the mat!
I've felt a lot more celebratory this summer and I hope that you all take some time to celebrate as well!
But in that quest of self-knowledge, we can bury ourselves in questions, deep thought, pushing ourselves, then love. All of this is great work and not to be avoided. But somewhere in there is some lightness, a reason to celebrate! After we have done the diligent work of rediscovering our true nature, we should celebrate! Celebrate expressing your true nature both on and off the mat!
I've felt a lot more celebratory this summer and I hope that you all take some time to celebrate as well!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
accepting what is
Well I'm back from Niagara Falls - we had a great time. I'm so grateful for this time off and being able to spend it with my family. It's also great to get back home to my Austin family!
I finished Christina's book on the way home (Yoga from the Inside Out). It was so thoughtful and thought-inspiring. One section discussed accepting what "is". It really spoke to me as I tend to be very critical and have high standards for myself and others. So really, I never want to accept what is. I'm always looking to what could be or should be. She made the example that if you can't accept what is currently, than it would be like trying to take a trip from say New York (I can't remember the exact locations) to California. But you don't accept you are in New York but cling to where you think you should be, say Texas. So you refuse directions from New York and use directions from Texas. Needless to say you would get lost and confused quickly and probably give up.
I definitely have felt this way. One funny way that I do this is not to weigh myself. It doesn't change how much I weigh but then I get to choose how much I think I weigh. Of course, my choice is what I think I should weigh. I know this is silly and yet I still do it. I even had a friend a few years ago point it out to me. I wore shorter shorts to ACL but was self-conscious the whole time. He mentioned that I needed to accept my thighs =)
Christina's book was about much more than the physical although really what is physical reflects what goes on emotionally, spiritually. I am trying to accept what is each day, including my weight which I have been checking on for real this summer!
I finished Christina's book on the way home (Yoga from the Inside Out). It was so thoughtful and thought-inspiring. One section discussed accepting what "is". It really spoke to me as I tend to be very critical and have high standards for myself and others. So really, I never want to accept what is. I'm always looking to what could be or should be. She made the example that if you can't accept what is currently, than it would be like trying to take a trip from say New York (I can't remember the exact locations) to California. But you don't accept you are in New York but cling to where you think you should be, say Texas. So you refuse directions from New York and use directions from Texas. Needless to say you would get lost and confused quickly and probably give up.
I definitely have felt this way. One funny way that I do this is not to weigh myself. It doesn't change how much I weigh but then I get to choose how much I think I weigh. Of course, my choice is what I think I should weigh. I know this is silly and yet I still do it. I even had a friend a few years ago point it out to me. I wore shorter shorts to ACL but was self-conscious the whole time. He mentioned that I needed to accept my thighs =)
Christina's book was about much more than the physical although really what is physical reflects what goes on emotionally, spiritually. I am trying to accept what is each day, including my weight which I have been checking on for real this summer!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Teachers
So here I am in Niagara Falls, blogging! Sticking to my commitment=) Anyways...
On the way here, I was reading my Anusara Teacher Training Manual and getting so excited about the new things I am learning each time I go into study. I had read the manual already but there were items I had forgotten and/or had completely missed. It reminded me how important my teachers are to me. In fact, one of the passages was discussing how important it was to honor your teachers when you teach.
I honor not only my yoga teachers but all who have taught me something in my lifetime. I am here with my grandmother who has taught me so much. And what's great about her is that she would say the same about me. In fact, she taught me that you never stop learning (or at least you never want to) and that you can learn from anyone if you just listen, just try. Not only that, you can learn from experiences.
As I am a teacher, I feel this great responsibility. I honor and thank my teachers for all they have done to prepare me for this responsibility. I hope I can put this honor into action throughout all my classes. Thank you!!!
On the way here, I was reading my Anusara Teacher Training Manual and getting so excited about the new things I am learning each time I go into study. I had read the manual already but there were items I had forgotten and/or had completely missed. It reminded me how important my teachers are to me. In fact, one of the passages was discussing how important it was to honor your teachers when you teach.
I honor not only my yoga teachers but all who have taught me something in my lifetime. I am here with my grandmother who has taught me so much. And what's great about her is that she would say the same about me. In fact, she taught me that you never stop learning (or at least you never want to) and that you can learn from anyone if you just listen, just try. Not only that, you can learn from experiences.
As I am a teacher, I feel this great responsibility. I honor and thank my teachers for all they have done to prepare me for this responsibility. I hope I can put this honor into action throughout all my classes. Thank you!!!
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