Shape of summer

Amazing blog post from an amazing yoga teacher.

The shape of summer classes has been irregular - and though I hope to be brought on regularly by studios/facilities that appeared enthusiastic when they first brought me on, I may have to make my own classes for this fall.
I will keep you all posted as best I can: Facebook being my best resource for advertising at this time.

An Edge Worth Redefining.

I found this outstanding essay this morning, something worth reading for sure. Here's a snippet:

While the ancient texts are valuable and interesting for some, they can often be interpreted in a way that serve more to confuse and confound rather then be of any practical use. Going about the activities of ones daily life is spiritual practice. Performing asana or studying ancient texts is only so good as it helps us in the effort of living. Reality is spirituality.

An authentic practice of Hatha Yoga takes place only in the context of ones life. The process of doing an asana is indicative of the process by which we live. In a pose, there is an amount of working the body that, with the breath, is appropriate in the given moment. The asana, and its benefit, will come about gradually without any injury or negative repercussion. If one is doing more then enough, the body will strain, the mind will tense, and the desired result is actually impeded. If one is doing less then enough, little or no action takes place. The same is true in Life. There is an amount of doing: jobs, apartments, relationships, all the things we do to make Life what we want it to be. There is also an amount of not doing, of just leaving it alone and not trying to make it any different then it already is. When we can find the balance between doing and not doing, Life is progressing and we are able to enjoy the endeavor. Some days you do more, some days you do less. It all depends on how you are feeling and what is happening in your life situation. “Advanced” practice is having the awareness to determine when enough is enough.

I cannot agree more - in fact, I was having a conversation online with members of my World of Warcraft guild about the recent success I had just yesterday teaching at the local Lululemon.
(Yup, I play WoW.)  One fellow described how he wasn't very good at all because his hamstrings are chronically tight and painful. I told him that pain is a warning, and that any instructor worth beans would encourage him to be gentle in any area prone to chronic injury, and that it is vital that HE HIMSELF not do anything to hurt himself. You can't put responsibility for your own body in someone else's hands - they can guide you, but if you are not ready to climb the mountain, then don't. You are the one in power.

I then described the idea of playing with one's edge - the place where stretch of exertion works right at the edge of your limits but not pushing past it into pain. Dabbling along the edge is where we seek growth past our current boundaries, but to maintain integrity of the whole, you must still care and defend them. Those edges are not just contained in our physical world but also emotional and mental.
I reminded him that he is not deficient as a person because of the limitations of his hamstrings - and while he LOLed, it is something that I have seen too often among my peers on the mat, practitioners who get down on themselves for not being able to do this or that pose. The same struggle happens with people getting motivated to workout or be active - they get down on themselves for not doing it before and so they feel bad and don't get themselves out the door at all. It too is an edge worth redefining.

So I encouraged him to seek a teacher in his city that he trusts (because one simply cannot assess somebody over WoW chat),  and reminded him to be gentle with himself and his body as he explores new territory.

Safe journeys!

Words to a fellow hooper, teacher and friend

Its no accident that this "revolving" that we do changes us, and how we interact with the world. We are evolving, we are growing, dreaming and doing. It is part of that great circle - as one part moves into the light, another retreats in shadow.

Stay in the center of the circle
and let all things take their course
-Lao Tzu-

Swadharma

Some great thoughts from Kate Mak, teacher at Yoga Santosha.

One of the biggest lessons I continue to learn for myself is letting go. As
many can relate, this is not easy and sometimes we would rather accept
living in states of extreme emotions such as fear, sadness, anxiety, anger,
disappointment and so many more than to let go.
Swadharma – the next right step.
No matter how many missteps you take… one, five, ten, hundreds,
thousands… the next step you take can be the right one. Do not worry
yourself about the past. Perhaps, you embarrassed yourself in acting in a way
that was unlike you. Perhaps, you said something in a situation that you did
not mean to say. Perhaps, you continue to hold yourself in the harshest of
judgments. It does not matter… swadharma… the next step you take, it can
be the right step and that is all that matters. Even if you stumble back, as
we will, do not be discouraged and continue with swadharma.
The yoga practice helps, your friends help, your family helps, your
community helps and deep in your heart of hearts… you know you are
capable and deserving of the next right step.

Yogi wisdom - fear, community & coming together

I just read this great article...
I know a lot of you will be lost on the yoga references but I really think it has something to offer my friends as I am seeing a similarity in many of the communities that I find myself a part of.
The article is about a new development in the Anusara yoga community, where teachers are intentionally moving away from their "guru".

Its about taking a look at the power you give over to others. Its about how you wield your own power. Its about building the community around us with real tangible steps and taking care of each other. Its about the fear within ourselves, acknowledging boundaries and how in overcoming fear one can empower themselves, and be accountable not only to themselves but to the whole.

I see facets of all of these thoughts within my communities - in various stages, in various ways. Not sure what I'm talking about? Think about where the most drama in your life & that surrounding community. Think about where you get the most fulfillment in your life & that community. The interplay of community is everywhere. Still not obvious? Think about your city's Occupy movements. Some paths are unsustainable, and as humans we are made to come together. Partnerships & marriages, families, companies & corporations - I feel that these all can become one's tribe.
We are growing and changing each day as individuals. We simply cannot stay the same as a community and because the shifts that are happening around us are bringing us into an interdependent network, our choices are effecting the whole.

My first crochet pattern - Luxurious Neck Cozy

So after some prodding from a dear friend, I am publishing my first crochet pattern.
Really, its just a guideline to making something cool... but here it is.
Enjoy!

*********

Luxurious Neck Cozy

So you have a ball or two of yarn that caught your eye at the store and you’ve got no idea what to do with it now... Or maybe you’ve got remnants of awesome yarn that won’t add up to enough for something on your list of things to make?
Well, here is my free-styled method to making a neck –cozy. I suppose you could call it a cowl, but with a little extra here and there, it could become whatever you need: add a hood, make it longer like a scarf, keep it small and it could be a head-wrap or something.
You make the magic. Here we go:

The Yarn:
There are really no rules here.
I would suggest that you stick with a hook sized somewhat close to the hook suggested on the ball band if you want to create a fabric that will have enough mass to cuddle you, and likewise choosing a hook that is much larger than suggested will create a lovely airy fabric that can be soft without making you too hot. If going with 2 strands, go bigger.
In these examples, I have used 2 strands of Lion Brand Suede that was left over from previous projects- probably close to the 78gram/2.75oz ball, and used my 11.5mm hook because the chenille was so darn grippy (but so very cozy).
Just try it out and see what happens.

No Rules - Guidelines:
If you want to make a warm cozy that wraps around your face, we’re going to make a chain that is roughly from the tip of your nose, around your head and ears (take into account if you wear your hair in a ponytail that will be over/inside it)and back to the tip of your nose. Customize this to fit by adding a finger or two or three to the tip of your nose and adding enough chains to go around the face comfortably. The more fingers you add into the equation, the looser the cozy, and the more it will drape loosely around your face & neck.

Go ahead and start crocheting your first row using your favorite stitch, using the appropriate amount of chains to create proper stitch height. Maybe you’ll do all your rows in the one yarn color; maybe you’ll switch off randomly or make a pattern. Crochet as many rows as suits your creation: Is it tall and close and meant to keep winters’ chill away? Is it loose and delicate, protecting your neck from the rough wool of your jacket?
With this purpose in mind, you may have a clearer idea of how to bring it all together- a kilt pin or shawl stick can let you free-style how you wear it. Buttons can create firm lines or provide anchor points for even the most delicate of cozies. You could even be a rebel and join the whole thing into a solid tube or try twisting it first to give it that sophisticated Mobius look!
I personally found it easier to create button holes by chaining where I needed holes and then solid edging on along the sides, but you can do it however you want. No rules – no, really!
Oh yeah, weave in those pesky ends.

What if it doesn’t turn out the way I want?
Take a deep breath.
Have you learned anything from working on this project that could make you a better crafter going forward?
Does crafting help you to relax or feel good about yourself? Did you enjoy the simple pleasure of working with yarn?

As far as I am concerned, your time/materials have been well spent if you enjoyed even a little of your time making something; and if your project turns out to be less than fantastic you could consider donating your creation to a local charity.

Copyrights & Jazz
I don’t own this idea. This is just a guideline to help you get inspired to make something that just might be awesome. Make gifts, share your crafty skills with others and hopefully share some of the goodness that crafting makes you feel with your community somehow.
Volunteer, donate - do good however it feels best to you.

This project was shared with love by Jen Gray (aka: wigglygirl on Ravelry) - February 2012.

Certified! -Now what?-

I have just completed the July Intensive Teacher Training at Yoga Passage.
250hours of intense yoga immersion - truly amazing!
My teachers were so radiant and wise, my peers were so compassionate, funny and humble... and now I too am a teacher!

And now I find myself wondering "where do I begin"?

The whole idea of yoga is the integration of the various components of a human being:
body/mind/spirit... which amplifies the experience of life and the influence we have on the world. Ever notice how those powerful moments in your life seem vibrant in your memories, and how when you are experiencing one your aren't thinking about how you have laundry to do when you get home. You are totally there: body/mind/spirit - fully present. This is the meaning of life, you know. To experience YOUR life! No one's gonna do it like you, so celebrate it!

Take care of your body. * Heal. Nourish. Stretch. Bend. Grow. Dance.
Take care of your mind. ** Stop. Awake. Gentle. Aware. Grow. Aspire.
Take care of your spirit. *** Cleanse . Nurture. Accept. Connect. Grow. Radiate Love.

You'll note that a common thread in my proposals for how to care for your self is GROW. Its a big part of what got us out of the oceans and thumbs to help us open pickle jars... adaptation! Evolution! Just because we are the dominant species on the planet does not mean we're done, kids. We've got a planet full of mess and still need to learn to play nice with everyone. (Yes, everyone.)

I bet you're thinking: but its hard enough to try to get time to do yoga let alone evolve and change the world. You can, but it starts with small steps. Even just being mindful about being a little extra gentle with your partner when they snap at you after a difficult day... Taking two minutes to stop and breathe when your feel a headache coming on... These little choices can create dramatic change because we come to notice that these small changes make a difference in how we feel about ourselves, our relationships and eventually the rest of the world.

So where do I start? Start with the most complex of asanas - The Smile.
Close your eyes and imagine your favorite person smiling at you. Feel their warmth as they wrap their arms around you for a big hug. You are safe. You are loved. Ahhh!
(*Go ahead and try it now - I'll wait.*)

There's a smile on your face isn't there? Its THIS smile that is connected with pure YOU-ness. Why do I say that? Because when we tap into that place where we are loved and accepted and safe, we tap into unconditional love and unconditional love can be shared with anyone and everyone. (Yes, everyone.)

And my challenge to everyone is to use this Smile of Unconditional Love.
Smile at yourself in the mirror in the morning. Smile at your children as you set off for work. Smile at the people along the way as you commute. Smile at work. Smile at the people who make your lunch. Smile at the people sitting nearby in the park. Smile when you find out that the deadline is really tomorrow and not next week as your were expecting. Smile, smile, smile.
Your smile may be the one that turned somebody's day around.

For your body- the smiling muscles help to clear the face and head from tension of the frontalis, temporalis, occipitalis and masseter (jaw) that can block proper blood flow throughout the head and rest of the body.
For your mind- creating the habit of smiling despite adversity prepares the mind for success because we have an ingrained association that when we smile, something good is going on. This can trigger the associated physiological responses that can actually help get our mind get the rest of the way there.
For your spirit- well, the stage has been set for a good experience. Be present and aware of this experience. Positive or negative, you will learn something. Be gentle with yourself as you practice.

Bright Blessings!