Monday night's Yoga Nidra really put a kink in my plans. My 40-day plan, that is.
For the first half of this challenge, I had done a pretty good job of putting aside my doubt and frustration, choosing my intentions at the beginning of class carefully (it is almost always "I am here for me"), and ignoring a growing sadness in my chest, a dissappointment in myself. You see, it's been a long time since I've had to learn something new and practice patience in the length of time it takes to learn something new. I grew up a dancer and for years I danced and I was good at it. I was so young when I started, I don't remember struggling to be good at it. I played a musical instrument almost my entire childhood and though I struggled sometimes, for the mostly part it came quite naturally to me. Same with the work in my adult life. When I fell into the work I have done for 12 years now, I knew it was meant for me and even with the detours I've taken, it's always been a second nature.
I feel like yoga is right for me. I have the same sense as I did as a dancer, a musician and now a fundraiser. But yoga. Yoga is a completely opposite practice of anything else I've done. It is learned differently, in ways my body and mind have never been exposed to. It is the first big life-altering thing I've done that feels right in my soul, but my body doesn't seem to follow. In other words, this learning curve is much bigger than anything else I've learned in life. It's bigger than me, bigger than life itself.
Like I've said before, we're told and we read that one person cannot achieve perfection in yoga in their lifetime. And while I love the idea of always being a student of yoga, never being bored, falling into the same mundane routine, always learning something new that is rewarding and fulfilling, I have found myself at a hard point in this practice. Yoga Nidra got in my head. It got in my HEAD. And while I realize this is the purpose of it, I couldn't have anticipated the effects of it after just one class.
My regular Tuesday beginner's series class was really tough on me. I felt off, overwhelmed, distracted. It was also the night we were taught Camel Pose (Ustrasana). The camel pose opens up the Heart Chakra and is associated with love and inner emotions (hope, fear, despair, envy, compassion, anger.) According to Lexi Yoga, camel pose results in "a rush of enporphins and a flush of emotions." I hadn't even moved into the modified, prop-supported camel pose fully when I felt a very unfamiliar and overwhelming feeling in my chest and had to pull myself out and sit in child's pose while the rest of class practiced camel pose. Intense.
In previous posts, I've written about a few emotional experiences I've had so far, such as with the gong. But what is happening right now isn't a one-time thing. It's as if there are many layers to this journey and before Yoga Nidra, I'd barely scratched the surface. Yoga Nidra peeled back a really thick layer that was hiding self-doubt, regret, fear, and dissapointment.
To be continued...
Showing posts with label class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label class. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Yoga Nidra
Sunday's 108 Sun Salutation practice left me in massive pain. Sore muscles and sore other things I didn't know COULD be sore. Ouch. Lifting a glass to drink water was painful. But at the same time I felt fantastic, accomplished and I had this constant urge to do half Sun Salutations. And while that's all well and good, I knew I needed to quiet my mind and my body.
Day 15 I went to my first Yoga Nidra class. Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation done mostly while laying on the back in a prop supported Savasana. What I didn't expect, but experienced and now understand, is that Yoga Nidra is an extremely personal and private experience. So all I will say about last night's class is this:
1) I finally understand what the books and yoga teachers mean when they say yoga isn't just a physical practice; that I can be "practicing" yoga without asanas.
2) I had an amazing experience in class and look forward to going each week to deepen my Yoga Nidra practice.
I hope you are all well and taking good care of yourself. Whatever you've chosen to change in your life for 40 days and beyond, may you be supported, motivated, and loved.
Namaste.
Day 15 I went to my first Yoga Nidra class. Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation done mostly while laying on the back in a prop supported Savasana. What I didn't expect, but experienced and now understand, is that Yoga Nidra is an extremely personal and private experience. So all I will say about last night's class is this:
1) I finally understand what the books and yoga teachers mean when they say yoga isn't just a physical practice; that I can be "practicing" yoga without asanas.
2) I had an amazing experience in class and look forward to going each week to deepen my Yoga Nidra practice.
I hope you are all well and taking good care of yourself. Whatever you've chosen to change in your life for 40 days and beyond, may you be supported, motivated, and loved.
Namaste.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 13 and Day 14
Day 13:
Yesterday I woke up ripe with flared joints carried over from the stress of Thursday. On Friday, I took a "nap" for nearly 6 hours and followed that up with heavy sleep for another 9 hours. Needless to say, I was wiped out. So it was no surprise that my body wasn't feeling hip to the yoga challenge, but I wanted to go to a class. Luckily, there was a Restorative Yoga class late in the afternoon.
I had never been to one of these classes, though I had an idea of what it would be like. It was way more of what my body needed than I could have imagined. The class was guided through really great restorative poses, our bodies supported by props while we stayed in a pose for an extended amount of time. What really made the class special, though...that would be Everitt. This adorable, sweet man was so respectful of our bodies, totally aware that each of us was there to give our bodies a well-deserved break. He had a menagerie of metal bowls, each with their own tone which he played while we were in pose. When class was over, I felt AMAZING. This class was a big "DUH" for me. All of this yoga can take it's toll on a gal, but this class is a remedy for all the pulling and stretching and dancing around I put myself through each week. So I made an adjustment to my weekly schedule and though I'll miss Libby's a.m. class at the South location, I know this class will be exactly what I need to keep me going and prepare me for the days ahead.
Day 14:
Thank you Universe for Restorative Yoga! Without it I am certain I would not have been able to accomplish what I did today. 108 Sun Salutations. That's right. One Hundred and Eight. Actually, I had to stop a few times to rest and fix my hair (it was windy!), so I probably completed 106.
What an invigorating experience! It was a small group that met in Zilker Park across from Barton Springs pool and of the 4 students, one was me, two were my friends, and another girl plus the guide. Our guide was fantastic! She was so kind and encouraging to all of us. She did a few adjustments on me when in Downward-Facing Dog pose, which I totally appreciate. And at the end in Savasana, she laid a lavender eye pillow on our eyes and then went around to each of us to give our shoulders and neck and nice stretch. I'm glad my gals were there to do it with me (Meredith and Narissa, you girls rocked it!) and I look forward to doing it again. Side Note: My legs still feel like jelly and my arms feel like they are going to fall off my body. :)
About 108 Sun Salutations:
The number 108 is considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. It is also the number of beads on a mala (plus the guru bead), the distance connecting the earth, moon, and sun, and in India, there are 108 sacred sites (pithas.) Also in yoga, there are 108 sacred parts of the body (marma points.)
A Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is a series of poses almost always beginning and ending in Mountain Pose (Tadasana.) When doing 108, the series may be exactly the same each time, or they can be changed up a little bit with the instruction of a guide. Here's a video example of a Sun Salutation.
Namaste.
Yesterday I woke up ripe with flared joints carried over from the stress of Thursday. On Friday, I took a "nap" for nearly 6 hours and followed that up with heavy sleep for another 9 hours. Needless to say, I was wiped out. So it was no surprise that my body wasn't feeling hip to the yoga challenge, but I wanted to go to a class. Luckily, there was a Restorative Yoga class late in the afternoon.
I had never been to one of these classes, though I had an idea of what it would be like. It was way more of what my body needed than I could have imagined. The class was guided through really great restorative poses, our bodies supported by props while we stayed in a pose for an extended amount of time. What really made the class special, though...that would be Everitt. This adorable, sweet man was so respectful of our bodies, totally aware that each of us was there to give our bodies a well-deserved break. He had a menagerie of metal bowls, each with their own tone which he played while we were in pose. When class was over, I felt AMAZING. This class was a big "DUH" for me. All of this yoga can take it's toll on a gal, but this class is a remedy for all the pulling and stretching and dancing around I put myself through each week. So I made an adjustment to my weekly schedule and though I'll miss Libby's a.m. class at the South location, I know this class will be exactly what I need to keep me going and prepare me for the days ahead.
Day 14:
Thank you Universe for Restorative Yoga! Without it I am certain I would not have been able to accomplish what I did today. 108 Sun Salutations. That's right. One Hundred and Eight. Actually, I had to stop a few times to rest and fix my hair (it was windy!), so I probably completed 106.
What an invigorating experience! It was a small group that met in Zilker Park across from Barton Springs pool and of the 4 students, one was me, two were my friends, and another girl plus the guide. Our guide was fantastic! She was so kind and encouraging to all of us. She did a few adjustments on me when in Downward-Facing Dog pose, which I totally appreciate. And at the end in Savasana, she laid a lavender eye pillow on our eyes and then went around to each of us to give our shoulders and neck and nice stretch. I'm glad my gals were there to do it with me (Meredith and Narissa, you girls rocked it!) and I look forward to doing it again. Side Note: My legs still feel like jelly and my arms feel like they are going to fall off my body. :)
About 108 Sun Salutations:
The number 108 is considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. It is also the number of beads on a mala (plus the guru bead), the distance connecting the earth, moon, and sun, and in India, there are 108 sacred sites (pithas.) Also in yoga, there are 108 sacred parts of the body (marma points.)
A Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is a series of poses almost always beginning and ending in Mountain Pose (Tadasana.) When doing 108, the series may be exactly the same each time, or they can be changed up a little bit with the instruction of a guide. Here's a video example of a Sun Salutation.
Namaste.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 11 -or- The Day I Cried Through Yoga Class
Today was a shit day. It's my blog. I can say shit.
Someone I care about really hurt my heart and all day I carried that pain with me. I cried all day at work and I HATE crying at work. By the end of the day, I was trying to come up with excuses to not go to yoga class. I didn't want to be around people. I wanted beers, maybe a cigarette. Driving home I remembered that this was one of the classes in my beginner's series I had missed last session. So I went.
The stress of the day caused a flare in my joints. Downward-facing dog made my wrists feel like they were going to crack in half. Tree pose was a massive FAIL. My lips were trembling like a little child who lost their blankie while I was trying to not cry. Then we did the Pigeon Pose. Oh, Pigeon Pose, how you slay me. I lost it. I could not stop those tears. The thing about Pigeon Pose is, you're there for quiet a while. It's a very emotionally detoxing pose. I guess it served it's purpose for me, but I'm fairly certain Matt (the new guy from a couple of posts back) thought I was a little nuts. I saw him glance at me. (Sorry, Matt!)
I don't feel better and my heart still hurts. But yoga was there for me when I needed it, even though I didn't want it. What I wanted was a night full of beers and cigarettes. What I needed was yoga. I remember this quote, but I don't remember where I read it:
"The universe will give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it."
Namaste.
Someone I care about really hurt my heart and all day I carried that pain with me. I cried all day at work and I HATE crying at work. By the end of the day, I was trying to come up with excuses to not go to yoga class. I didn't want to be around people. I wanted beers, maybe a cigarette. Driving home I remembered that this was one of the classes in my beginner's series I had missed last session. So I went.
The stress of the day caused a flare in my joints. Downward-facing dog made my wrists feel like they were going to crack in half. Tree pose was a massive FAIL. My lips were trembling like a little child who lost their blankie while I was trying to not cry. Then we did the Pigeon Pose. Oh, Pigeon Pose, how you slay me. I lost it. I could not stop those tears. The thing about Pigeon Pose is, you're there for quiet a while. It's a very emotionally detoxing pose. I guess it served it's purpose for me, but I'm fairly certain Matt (the new guy from a couple of posts back) thought I was a little nuts. I saw him glance at me. (Sorry, Matt!)
I don't feel better and my heart still hurts. But yoga was there for me when I needed it, even though I didn't want it. What I wanted was a night full of beers and cigarettes. What I needed was yoga. I remember this quote, but I don't remember where I read it:
"The universe will give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it."
Namaste.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day 9 -or- The Day I Taught Someone Something
Last night was a beginner's series class, usually taught by Mollie but we had a sub because Mollie's getting married. Congrats Mollie!
Class was good and I learned a few things from our sub Karlie. Karlie teaches a different style of yoga and so having learned most fundamentals from Mollie thus far, I was a little thrown off. But Karlie is a talker and shared a lot insight and talked about the Sutras, which I really like. Love knowing the "whys" of yoga.
After I walked into class and set up my mat and props, a nice guy rolled out his mat next to me and asked if he could ask for my help. He explained that he missed the first two classes of the series and this was his first yoga class ever. So I explained the props to him and talked to him a little about what we learned in the first class. Luckily, I also had an extra set of the handouts from classes 1 and 2 so I gave them to him.
He was right next to me and so during practice I was very aware that he might be looking to me for how to do poses. I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself. I fell twice. I somehow cut my toe and had to leave class for a band aid. It wasn't until Savasana I realized that the Universe had honored me with an opportunity to help out someone else also on their own special yoga journey. When Karlie prompted us to show ourselves gratitude for coming to practice and opening our minds to yoga, I also thanked the Universe for allowing me to share my little knowledge with the lovely man next to me and promised to not let it weigh me down the next time.
I know very little about the entire practice of yoga. As I learned last night, people can practice yoga all of their life and never do an Asana (pose.) Yoga means "to unite" in most translations and is a combination of physical, mental, and verbal disciplines. Knowing this about yoga simply reminds me, once again, that I will always be a student of yoga. There is so much to know about this practice, my lifetime could never be long enough. Last night was an opportunity to transfer my passion and my experience to another, and this blog serves that same purpose.
I may have not said thank you enough for allowing me to share with you this journey. You don't have to be here reading this, but you are and I am grateful for you.
Namaste.
Class was good and I learned a few things from our sub Karlie. Karlie teaches a different style of yoga and so having learned most fundamentals from Mollie thus far, I was a little thrown off. But Karlie is a talker and shared a lot insight and talked about the Sutras, which I really like. Love knowing the "whys" of yoga.
After I walked into class and set up my mat and props, a nice guy rolled out his mat next to me and asked if he could ask for my help. He explained that he missed the first two classes of the series and this was his first yoga class ever. So I explained the props to him and talked to him a little about what we learned in the first class. Luckily, I also had an extra set of the handouts from classes 1 and 2 so I gave them to him.
He was right next to me and so during practice I was very aware that he might be looking to me for how to do poses. I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself. I fell twice. I somehow cut my toe and had to leave class for a band aid. It wasn't until Savasana I realized that the Universe had honored me with an opportunity to help out someone else also on their own special yoga journey. When Karlie prompted us to show ourselves gratitude for coming to practice and opening our minds to yoga, I also thanked the Universe for allowing me to share my little knowledge with the lovely man next to me and promised to not let it weigh me down the next time.
I know very little about the entire practice of yoga. As I learned last night, people can practice yoga all of their life and never do an Asana (pose.) Yoga means "to unite" in most translations and is a combination of physical, mental, and verbal disciplines. Knowing this about yoga simply reminds me, once again, that I will always be a student of yoga. There is so much to know about this practice, my lifetime could never be long enough. Last night was an opportunity to transfer my passion and my experience to another, and this blog serves that same purpose.
I may have not said thank you enough for allowing me to share with you this journey. You don't have to be here reading this, but you are and I am grateful for you.
Namaste.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 8 -or- The Day I Discovered Pigeon Pose
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I went to my first Hatha class last night. My beginner's series with Mollie is a Hatha class and I've also gone to Hatha Star (on-going beginner classes), but this was the first class of Hatha Yoga where I knew going into it I wouldn't have as much instruction and things would move along a little "faster."
Whoa. Is faster even the right word? This class, led by Hannah, was awesome and kicked my ass, but it was faster, harder and sweatier than any of my classes that came before it. I think I did Downward-Facing Dog, or Adho Muhka Svanasana, more in this class than I've ever done in my life. -A side note: I really look forward to the day when, in Downward-Facing Dog, my heels touch all the way to the ground. I digress. - Things were going along nicely and I was smart enough to set up shop in the back of class so I could get a full view of other students in poses to help me along (I'm normally the geek student in the front row.) Then two things happened:
1) Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) - The first pose in Hatha I had not yet seen or attempted. Warrior I and Warrior II? Yes and yes. Love them. Feel confident I'm doing them right. But Warrior III, oh my. I thought I was going to fall on my head. I took the suggestion from Hannah to only do half Warrior III and leave my arms on the ground. But now I've issued myself a challenge, baby. I will dominate Warrior III!
2) Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) - What the heck is Pigeon Pose? I heard this "Now we'll move into Pigeon Pose." I thought I heard her incorrectly, but she said it again and I saw the gal in front of me do this wonky thing with her right leg and I thought "Oh no. No way. My body doesn't do that." Perhaps Hannah picked up on my panic, for she started explaining how to do the pose and Holy Pigeon Pose, Batman! This pose was MADE for me. I have over-extending joints in my knees, elbows and hips so getting my hips to do this was no problem. Once I found the right place for all of my limbs, it was really quite comfortable. Win!
Tonight is another beginner's series and I'm excited to continue these classes for the next three weeks as I learn the most basic and fundamental poses and "whys" of Hatha Yoga. But I will definitely keep going to Hannah's Monday night Hatha class because I know I can do it and that I will be challenged to push myself further. I gave myself a big pat on the back last night. :)
Namaste.
Whoa. Is faster even the right word? This class, led by Hannah, was awesome and kicked my ass, but it was faster, harder and sweatier than any of my classes that came before it. I think I did Downward-Facing Dog, or Adho Muhka Svanasana, more in this class than I've ever done in my life. -A side note: I really look forward to the day when, in Downward-Facing Dog, my heels touch all the way to the ground. I digress. - Things were going along nicely and I was smart enough to set up shop in the back of class so I could get a full view of other students in poses to help me along (I'm normally the geek student in the front row.) Then two things happened:
1) Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) - The first pose in Hatha I had not yet seen or attempted. Warrior I and Warrior II? Yes and yes. Love them. Feel confident I'm doing them right. But Warrior III, oh my. I thought I was going to fall on my head. I took the suggestion from Hannah to only do half Warrior III and leave my arms on the ground. But now I've issued myself a challenge, baby. I will dominate Warrior III!
2) Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) - What the heck is Pigeon Pose? I heard this "Now we'll move into Pigeon Pose." I thought I heard her incorrectly, but she said it again and I saw the gal in front of me do this wonky thing with her right leg and I thought "Oh no. No way. My body doesn't do that." Perhaps Hannah picked up on my panic, for she started explaining how to do the pose and Holy Pigeon Pose, Batman! This pose was MADE for me. I have over-extending joints in my knees, elbows and hips so getting my hips to do this was no problem. Once I found the right place for all of my limbs, it was really quite comfortable. Win!
 |
| Pigeon Pose |
Namaste.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Day 3 -or- The Day Yoga Kicked My Ass
I came this close (" ") to not going to class last night. It was a hurried day, a frustrating day, an exhausting day and I thought maybe my body needed a break. I knew I wouldn't be able to make the class I had intended to because it was at another location farther from my house. So, I looked at the schedule of my usual studio and the only class I could conceivably do without looking like a lost fool was Kundalini of Sound. I called the studio on my way home and asked if the class for an option for all levels and was told that it's an advanced class but newbies attend all of the time. I resided to go to the class if I got home in time to change and get there without being late.
About 8 years ago I practiced Kundalini Yoga for a year, once or twice a week beginners classes. Until last night, I didn't have much recollection about the classes.
I arrived at the studio and watched the people who were walking into the class. They all had extra stuff: blankets, double mats and these fuzzy sheep skin mats. I decided to wait outside class for Guru Karam. She taught my classes 8 years ago and I wanted to check in with her to see if she thought it was a good fit for me. Her response? "Oh, yeah, You'll be fine! C'mon. C'mon now. Come in, it's fine!" (perhaps you can imagine my hesitation and her needing to coax me into the room.)
And it was fine. Kundalini was like riding a bicycle. Only a bicycle on a track with lots and lots of big, steep hills. Kundalini is all about matching the breath with repetitive motions, motions that engage multiple muscles and joints. It's intense. Last night's class was all about the digestive system (read: abdominal muscles.) We also did two meditations with chants (AWESOME).
But then, as we prepared for Savasana (also known as Corpse Pose or Resting Pose), Guru Karam said the "G" word. Gong. Even typing it I have to catch my breath. When she said she'd be playing the gong during Savasana, I suddenly remembered the power that gong had over me 8 years ago, which was also a very transformational time in my life. The gong is used in Kundalini yoga to facilitate the movement of Prana (vital life energy) through the body for healing.
Everyday I find affirmation that I am doing exactly what I need to be doing for myself during this 40 day journey.
My eyes welled up with tears before the gong even started. But on that first sound, tears started flowing from my eyes and I could not stop. The sound was so radiating and I felt it move through me starting at my heart center and vibrating like a raindrop in a pond throughout my whole body from the very middle to all of the very tips of all of me. And as we laid there for 10 minutes, I let the gong guide me through months of sadness, loss, worry, anger, and fear. Words I couldn't find before suddenly were right there with me. I was able to silently articulate my gratefulness to my father-in-law, my sweet kitty Henry, and my dear, dear dog Tucker for allowing me to be a part of their life while they were on this earth. These past few months have brought us such loss and I didn't know how to deal with all of it. I don't know how that gong does it, but it brings healing. And last night I started to heal.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. After the fiascoes of yesterday (still unhappy about that flat tire, Universe) I realize it was all a build up to prepare me for Kundalini class. I'm adding this class to my weekly schedule because I see its value in my journey. And also because the gong is like Lay's Chips ("you can't eat just one,") but without all of the fat and calories.
At the end of a Kundalini class, everyone sings Long Time Sun:
May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light that is within you
Guide your way on.
Namaste.
About 8 years ago I practiced Kundalini Yoga for a year, once or twice a week beginners classes. Until last night, I didn't have much recollection about the classes.
I arrived at the studio and watched the people who were walking into the class. They all had extra stuff: blankets, double mats and these fuzzy sheep skin mats. I decided to wait outside class for Guru Karam. She taught my classes 8 years ago and I wanted to check in with her to see if she thought it was a good fit for me. Her response? "Oh, yeah, You'll be fine! C'mon. C'mon now. Come in, it's fine!" (perhaps you can imagine my hesitation and her needing to coax me into the room.)
And it was fine. Kundalini was like riding a bicycle. Only a bicycle on a track with lots and lots of big, steep hills. Kundalini is all about matching the breath with repetitive motions, motions that engage multiple muscles and joints. It's intense. Last night's class was all about the digestive system (read: abdominal muscles.) We also did two meditations with chants (AWESOME).
But then, as we prepared for Savasana (also known as Corpse Pose or Resting Pose), Guru Karam said the "G" word. Gong. Even typing it I have to catch my breath. When she said she'd be playing the gong during Savasana, I suddenly remembered the power that gong had over me 8 years ago, which was also a very transformational time in my life. The gong is used in Kundalini yoga to facilitate the movement of Prana (vital life energy) through the body for healing.
Everyday I find affirmation that I am doing exactly what I need to be doing for myself during this 40 day journey.
My eyes welled up with tears before the gong even started. But on that first sound, tears started flowing from my eyes and I could not stop. The sound was so radiating and I felt it move through me starting at my heart center and vibrating like a raindrop in a pond throughout my whole body from the very middle to all of the very tips of all of me. And as we laid there for 10 minutes, I let the gong guide me through months of sadness, loss, worry, anger, and fear. Words I couldn't find before suddenly were right there with me. I was able to silently articulate my gratefulness to my father-in-law, my sweet kitty Henry, and my dear, dear dog Tucker for allowing me to be a part of their life while they were on this earth. These past few months have brought us such loss and I didn't know how to deal with all of it. I don't know how that gong does it, but it brings healing. And last night I started to heal.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. After the fiascoes of yesterday (still unhappy about that flat tire, Universe) I realize it was all a build up to prepare me for Kundalini class. I'm adding this class to my weekly schedule because I see its value in my journey. And also because the gong is like Lay's Chips ("you can't eat just one,") but without all of the fat and calories.
At the end of a Kundalini class, everyone sings Long Time Sun:
May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light that is within you
Guide your way on.
Namaste.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Day Two
I started my morning with an 11 minute meditation. Yes!
I went to class on Day Two. Yes!
And that's all I have to say about that.
I'm also reading a book during the 40 Days. The Secret Power of Yoga, by Nischala Joy Devi, feeds my most fundamental need to understand the "why" behind everything. The entire philosophy of yoga is based on Yoga Sutras. Devi translates each Sutra from a feminine perspective making understanding the "why" behind yoga easy to relate to. She also shares meditations and suggested practices to help integrate the Sutras into the new yogic lifestyle.
Tonight, I share with you a simple meditation from her book and invite you to sit on your bed in comfortable position, with your hands joined at your heart and allow your mind to repeat these words 2-3 times before going to sleep:
The Divine is the essence of all knowledge, wisdom, and love. Knowledge, wisdom, and love are the omnipresent teachers, in all beings.
Namaste.
I went to class on Day Two. Yes!
And that's all I have to say about that.
I'm also reading a book during the 40 Days. The Secret Power of Yoga, by Nischala Joy Devi, feeds my most fundamental need to understand the "why" behind everything. The entire philosophy of yoga is based on Yoga Sutras. Devi translates each Sutra from a feminine perspective making understanding the "why" behind yoga easy to relate to. She also shares meditations and suggested practices to help integrate the Sutras into the new yogic lifestyle.
Tonight, I share with you a simple meditation from her book and invite you to sit on your bed in comfortable position, with your hands joined at your heart and allow your mind to repeat these words 2-3 times before going to sleep:
The Divine is the essence of all knowledge, wisdom, and love. Knowledge, wisdom, and love are the omnipresent teachers, in all beings.
Namaste.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Day One
I feel amazing.
This morning I felt the opposite of amazing. From the moment my alarm went off at 6:45am, the universe was testing me. Testing my commitment to this 40-day journey. When the alarm went off, I felt completely unrested. It reminded me of the restless night I'd had. I hit the snooze button until 7:30, completely ignoring the fact that I needed to leave the house by 8am, and not before I completed an 11 minute meditation.
I motivated myself enough to sit still in meditation for 1 minute. I left the house, hair wet, at 8:05. I sat in traffic on MoPac, then had to stop by the office because I left paperwork there that I needed for my 9am dr. appt. Arrived at my appt. at 9:01am. When I turned in my new patient paperwork, I was asked for my insurance card. I realized my wallet was missing. Went back to my car, found the wallet, handed over the goods. Thankfully, the appointment was good and the doctor was really great. (Need a good allergist? I know one!)
At work, the day dragged on. On my mind all day was that I HAD to go to yoga class, akin to feeling like I HAD to go to the dentist. I was exhausted, I had a ton of work to get done, and what I really wanted to do was go home, put on pjs and watch Gilmore Girls reruns. My mind was jumbled with overwhelming thoughts of all the things that needed to be accomplished at work and at home.
"I am paying for these yoga classes." That's what I reminded myself. So, I changed into yoga clothes at the office, asked Erin to take a "before" picture of me so I could compare on day 40. And off to Day One I went.
Class was crowded. I happened to be in that one spot with just enough room around me that I need to move to accommodate the people who came in late. I shifted my mat at least 3 times, the 3rd time for a sweaty, stinky girl who came in with all her bike gear. I felt grr. I couldn't find my center.
Our teacher, Lizzy, started the class with a funny from a book she's reading about Zen lifestyle. It was, actually, funny. I felt a little weight lift from me with my silent chuckle. She then started talking about the 40-day challenge and what she was planning to do for 40 days. She asked the class to sign up for it and I felt good about already committing myself to the challenge. I took a moment to forgive myself for doubting my commitment all day and I felt grateful that I made the decision to come to class. We laid down on our backs for our first movement and I found my center. The crowded room was suddenly empty and I was there by myself. Just me and the instructor's voice.
Tonight in class I realized that today's theme was forgiveness. It's okay that I didn't do everything I set out to. I didn't starting reading my book (more on that tomorrow), I didn't get in 11 minutes of meditation. I have time to make these things happen. But I did go to class. And I'll go tomorrow and the 38 days after that.
I feel amazing. Namaste.
This morning I felt the opposite of amazing. From the moment my alarm went off at 6:45am, the universe was testing me. Testing my commitment to this 40-day journey. When the alarm went off, I felt completely unrested. It reminded me of the restless night I'd had. I hit the snooze button until 7:30, completely ignoring the fact that I needed to leave the house by 8am, and not before I completed an 11 minute meditation.
I motivated myself enough to sit still in meditation for 1 minute. I left the house, hair wet, at 8:05. I sat in traffic on MoPac, then had to stop by the office because I left paperwork there that I needed for my 9am dr. appt. Arrived at my appt. at 9:01am. When I turned in my new patient paperwork, I was asked for my insurance card. I realized my wallet was missing. Went back to my car, found the wallet, handed over the goods. Thankfully, the appointment was good and the doctor was really great. (Need a good allergist? I know one!)
At work, the day dragged on. On my mind all day was that I HAD to go to yoga class, akin to feeling like I HAD to go to the dentist. I was exhausted, I had a ton of work to get done, and what I really wanted to do was go home, put on pjs and watch Gilmore Girls reruns. My mind was jumbled with overwhelming thoughts of all the things that needed to be accomplished at work and at home.
"I am paying for these yoga classes." That's what I reminded myself. So, I changed into yoga clothes at the office, asked Erin to take a "before" picture of me so I could compare on day 40. And off to Day One I went.
Class was crowded. I happened to be in that one spot with just enough room around me that I need to move to accommodate the people who came in late. I shifted my mat at least 3 times, the 3rd time for a sweaty, stinky girl who came in with all her bike gear. I felt grr. I couldn't find my center.
Our teacher, Lizzy, started the class with a funny from a book she's reading about Zen lifestyle. It was, actually, funny. I felt a little weight lift from me with my silent chuckle. She then started talking about the 40-day challenge and what she was planning to do for 40 days. She asked the class to sign up for it and I felt good about already committing myself to the challenge. I took a moment to forgive myself for doubting my commitment all day and I felt grateful that I made the decision to come to class. We laid down on our backs for our first movement and I found my center. The crowded room was suddenly empty and I was there by myself. Just me and the instructor's voice.
Tonight in class I realized that today's theme was forgiveness. It's okay that I didn't do everything I set out to. I didn't starting reading my book (more on that tomorrow), I didn't get in 11 minutes of meditation. I have time to make these things happen. But I did go to class. And I'll go tomorrow and the 38 days after that.
I feel amazing. Namaste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)