happy new year. may 2010 bring you peace and happiness.
namaste.
xxx
12/31/2009
12/21/2009
the gift that keeps on giving.
today i was thinking about what makes me happy. (like you do) and on the train to yoga i decided that learning really sets off a fire in me. if i had my way i would just keep taking intensive workshops on yoga and anything else that struck my fancy and i would be incredibly happy. sadly, with my needing to pay rent and oh, eat... that isn't so much in the cards for me right now.
but then, strangely enough, i got a present. the opportunity to teach a public class because a substitute didn't show up. and while it was terrifying (i like to have a little more planning than "do do doo, i'm going to yoga... never mind i'm teaching an hour long class") it also left me feeling so invigorated and happy. even now as i am replaying the class in my mind and scrutinizing everything i did and said - i realized that this was learning in it's finest. just because you are the "teacher" does not mean that you are not constantly learning from yourself and from your students. knowing this is the best present i could ever ask for, as it will continue to give me hope and happiness for months and (god willing) years to come.
xxx
but then, strangely enough, i got a present. the opportunity to teach a public class because a substitute didn't show up. and while it was terrifying (i like to have a little more planning than "do do doo, i'm going to yoga... never mind i'm teaching an hour long class") it also left me feeling so invigorated and happy. even now as i am replaying the class in my mind and scrutinizing everything i did and said - i realized that this was learning in it's finest. just because you are the "teacher" does not mean that you are not constantly learning from yourself and from your students. knowing this is the best present i could ever ask for, as it will continue to give me hope and happiness for months and (god willing) years to come.
xxx
12/16/2009
yoga as transformation.
i can't believe we only have four more weekends left it somehow doesn't seem like enough. but on the same token, i am extremely energized and excited for what is yet to come.
we had the opportunity to learn about the subtle body from an ayurvedic healer this sunday and i walked away with the same amount of wonder and enthusiasm as an 8 year old on christmas morning. we learned about the body's natural energy pulses and chakras. we also learned how to test for healthy energy and chakras and what to do in order to fix one if it's out of whack. even now as i write this, i can't stop thinking about how she called us healers. ... i had never thought of it like that. yes yoga makes you feel better, but really a healer? i like the sound of that.
another idea that has energized me is that yoga is about transformation. while it is easier for me (and others) to notice the physical embodiment of the transformation that occurs along with an asana practice, now the non-physical one is catching up with me. while having dinner with a friend this week, she said something along the lines of "listen to you, all your responses are so philosophical." was i really responding so differently? granted i haven't seen her in about two months, was that really enough time for me to all of the sudden respond differently in everyday conversation? while mulling this over during a yoga practice last night, i was reminded of how quickly my physical body has changed over the course of this training. just over three months ago i wasn't able to hold a steady chaturanga, i had never even attempted an inversion... and now i am holding 4 minute shoulder stands and a 5 minute downward dog. if the physical body can catch up in such a relatively short period of time, why not the mind? i guess like most westerners i was a bit naive on how powerful the physical asana practice can be and how it's effects can reverberate through your entire being.
happy holidays.
xxx
we had the opportunity to learn about the subtle body from an ayurvedic healer this sunday and i walked away with the same amount of wonder and enthusiasm as an 8 year old on christmas morning. we learned about the body's natural energy pulses and chakras. we also learned how to test for healthy energy and chakras and what to do in order to fix one if it's out of whack. even now as i write this, i can't stop thinking about how she called us healers. ... i had never thought of it like that. yes yoga makes you feel better, but really a healer? i like the sound of that.
another idea that has energized me is that yoga is about transformation. while it is easier for me (and others) to notice the physical embodiment of the transformation that occurs along with an asana practice, now the non-physical one is catching up with me. while having dinner with a friend this week, she said something along the lines of "listen to you, all your responses are so philosophical." was i really responding so differently? granted i haven't seen her in about two months, was that really enough time for me to all of the sudden respond differently in everyday conversation? while mulling this over during a yoga practice last night, i was reminded of how quickly my physical body has changed over the course of this training. just over three months ago i wasn't able to hold a steady chaturanga, i had never even attempted an inversion... and now i am holding 4 minute shoulder stands and a 5 minute downward dog. if the physical body can catch up in such a relatively short period of time, why not the mind? i guess like most westerners i was a bit naive on how powerful the physical asana practice can be and how it's effects can reverberate through your entire being.
happy holidays.
xxx
12/02/2009
thankful.
i am more than halfway done with the yogaworks teacher training program. i honestly cannot believe how much time has gone by. i have learned so much and yet i feel like there is still so much more i need to learn before i feel like i will be ready to be out on my own, teaching. then again, like most things i suppose this is something that you should never stop working at or learning about.
lately, it has become abundantly clear that i need to make some changes in my life. while this has the potential to be disconcerting, and in the past i could easily see myself being devastated by some of the challenges i have faced recently. this has only reminded me why i am so thankful for my practice. nothing that has been happening defines me and that is incredibly freeing.
xxx
lately, it has become abundantly clear that i need to make some changes in my life. while this has the potential to be disconcerting, and in the past i could easily see myself being devastated by some of the challenges i have faced recently. this has only reminded me why i am so thankful for my practice. nothing that has been happening defines me and that is incredibly freeing.
xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)