Wow! It's been another busy week with no time to actually type up my entries...not to worry, it's all written down and am just typing and editing into the blog.
Day 23 - March 2, 2010
Tried to leave work early to get a Moksha class in before teaching today, but that didn't work out. So as soon as things slowed down at the office (around 3pm), I bolted out the door and headed straight for Soul Strength before my 5:15pm students start arriving. Made it to the studio and did another 90-minute Powerflow podcast. Can you believe I almost did a handstand today? But after my little "crow falling flat on my face" incident, I decided to bypass going into a complete handstand without a spotter - probably a good decision.
I'm glad I was able to get a practice in before class because it was three back to back to back classes and I didn't get home until after 10pm! It was a looooong day, plus I had to be up at 5:15am the next morning to teach a 75-minute Moksha class...phew! Fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Day 24 - March 3, 2010
Today, I didn't get a chance to practice before teaching. Luckily, only one student showed up to class - he's regular - so we practiced together - I thought it might be kinda like a silent class, but with me giving minimal verbal cues as I practiced alongside him.
Verdict: It was a nice change. We flowed together and held postures together. BUT, I must admit though that it's not the same as being guided through a class or practicing alone, but having a "partner" to do a semi-home practice with tonight was a change. It wasn't my best class ever, but it definitely gave me more food for thought about dedicating time for my OWN practice. My intention was to practice with him, yet I was still teaching, so it really wasn't my own practice per-say.
Lesson: Make time for my OWN practice - be guided through a practice by someone else, or practice alone - in my own space, on my own time.
Day 25 - March 4, 2010
Thursdays sure are great days for me to make it to the Moksha studio to get my sweat on! I sweat-ed it out to Natalie's 60-minute Moksha class and it felt great! I'm so grateful that I discovered Moksha Yoga. Every time I do a class in the hot studio, I feel so alive. The heat definitely makes me happy and now that the sun is setting a little later, there is such a beautiful light in the studio during the 4pm classes that it really blisses me out. Ahhhh....all warm and fuzzy from Moksha. Moksha, Moksha, Moksha...thank you Ted and Jess for Moksha Yoga :)
Day 26 - March 5, 2010
Finally! A powerflow class in the hot studio. I left work early to head to the Moksha studio for Angela's 60-minute powerflow class. Can I say that it was a kick-a$$ class? I love powerflow, and I love powerflow in the hot studio even more! Angela leads a strong class and I think that all the powerflow podcasts I've been doing over the last week or so have made me stronger. During class today, I felt like I meditated through the class, from beginning to end I was in a trance-like state - i just flowed from one posture to another without much thought and was amazed at what my body was capable of doing. I even did crow again....yes, I did crow again...well mostly - I got both feet up and then straight away hopped back into plank. I think I'm doing "chicken" instead of crow...must get the courage back to find my crow.
Oh, and this evening, I found out that I got into Baptiste Level 1 training - heading to the Catskills of NY June 5-12...w00T!
Day 27 - March 6, 2010
Today was a practice of listening and a practice of patience. I met with my business partner today and we had some serious discussions about what our expectations are of each other and of the business. Sometime, I feel like she doesn't listen to me, so I get defensive and stubborn. Tonight, I listened to her without commenting....and by doing so, we found some middle ground. Plus, I learned about some of her insecurities (she is such a confident woman that I didn't think she had any insecurities) and it made me realize that she's only human too. No asana practice, but definitely a lot of lessons learned today.
Day 28 - March 7, 2010
Woke up early and headed to Soul Strength to practice before teaching this morning. It's amazing what an early morning practice does for the soul. It always makes me day a little happier and starts my day off in such a peaceful way. Sometimes when I practice right before teaching, I don't always have time to do a long Savasana, but I love knowing that I got my practice in and I shared some loving intentions to the world before my day even begins. Namaste.
There was a 3-hr yogaton at West Edmonton Mall today to benefit the Haiti Relief Fund, so I helped to adjust the participants. Then there was a meditation at the end with 108 OM's...Wow! It was such a blessing to be a part of such a beautiful gesture of offering peaceful and loving vibes to the people who need our help.
I can't believe there's only 2 more days of this challenge/journey...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 22
Hmmm....I'm starting to run out of things to say about my daily asana practice. It always feels good to move through the asana.
Actually, come to think of it, I was thinking earlier today that a daily practice is becoming somewhat of a habit now. It often feels like something is missing if leave my practice until later on in the day. I intend to continue practicing daily after this 30-day challenge/journey ends. Amazing that it's day 22 for me already...guess that's what yoga is all about, eh? One breath at a time, one day at a time...that mantra sure is resonating with me these days.
Actually, come to think of it, I was thinking earlier today that a daily practice is becoming somewhat of a habit now. It often feels like something is missing if leave my practice until later on in the day. I intend to continue practicing daily after this 30-day challenge/journey ends. Amazing that it's day 22 for me already...guess that's what yoga is all about, eh? One breath at a time, one day at a time...that mantra sure is resonating with me these days.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 21
Practice today was meditative. I flowed from one asana into another as if in a trance. It was really weird because from the moment I began my first sun salutation to savasana, I felt fluid and free through out my entire practice. When I was done with my practice, I felt so refreshed and light, but oddly enough, like I didn't even practice at all. I've never felt this way after practice before - a feeling that I want to remember and take with me into all my other practices. Not that I'm expecting to feel like this everytime I practice, but just to remember the feeling from today's practice and to take that sense of peace with me into all my other practices.
And to top it all off...Team Canada won the men's gold medal hockey game today! Go Canada Go!!
And to top it all off...Team Canada won the men's gold medal hockey game today! Go Canada Go!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 20
Not many thoughts about today's practice. Pretty regular. I breathed, I bended, I twisted, I folded, I savasana-ed (?).
It was an average practice with no major feelings to it. Guess that means it was a good practice. A little ho-hum, but a good one because I think I'm learning to deal with my reactions to certain postures. Not sure what else to say. I could keep on typing to fill the void and make sure I get a full paragraph or two in, but I'm done. It was a good yoga practice today.
It was an average practice with no major feelings to it. Guess that means it was a good practice. A little ho-hum, but a good one because I think I'm learning to deal with my reactions to certain postures. Not sure what else to say. I could keep on typing to fill the void and make sure I get a full paragraph or two in, but I'm done. It was a good yoga practice today.
30-Day Journey, Day 19
I got home from work famished. I had some dinner and had every intention to do some yoga after dinner settled. Guess what happened? I fell asleep. I slept and slept until morning. Can't believe I missed doing yoga. I must have been exhausted from this week and I guess my yoga for day 19 was to get some sleep, think about how much I have been over working myself, and try to find a little more balance in my life.
30-Day Journey, Day 18 (Yoga Safari 4)
So guess what Day 18/Yoga Safari 4 is?? Podcast Powerflow with Kinndli :)
I was so excited when I got home, eager to start my class. Got into child's pose and when we got up into downward dog, I REALLY had to pee! OMG! I couldn't even hold it...so I went to pee and resarted the class.
Much better start to class the second time around. I haven't been able to get to a powerflow class at MYE in a long time, so it felt awesome to flow it out - Baptiste styles! I breathed, flowed, held postures to their full extent...and I attempted getting all the way up in crow. Well, I did it! I made it up into crow with both feet up! I was like, "look at me! look at me!" - I tipped my face up slightly and BOOM! I fell flat on my chin...skidded a couple inches across my hardwood floor, skinned my chin, skinned my shoulder, rebruised my right knee (which, by the way is finally starting to heal from my fall a couple weeks ago). But i did it! I got up into crow! woo hoo! I made it through the rest of class without a hitch and savasana was sweet and relaxed.
One thing that i took away from this class that I am going to try next time I teach is guiding students to find Ujayi breath...in childs pose, she guided the class to inhale through the nose and exhale with a "haaa" sound through the mouth, then the guided the class to continue the "haaa" exhale, but this time through the nose and slightly constricting the back of the throat. I thought that was a great tool.
My question about which powerflow training to go to has been answered...I'm going to apply for Baptiste Level 1 teacher training in October. So excited!
I was so excited when I got home, eager to start my class. Got into child's pose and when we got up into downward dog, I REALLY had to pee! OMG! I couldn't even hold it...so I went to pee and resarted the class.
Much better start to class the second time around. I haven't been able to get to a powerflow class at MYE in a long time, so it felt awesome to flow it out - Baptiste styles! I breathed, flowed, held postures to their full extent...and I attempted getting all the way up in crow. Well, I did it! I made it up into crow with both feet up! I was like, "look at me! look at me!" - I tipped my face up slightly and BOOM! I fell flat on my chin...skidded a couple inches across my hardwood floor, skinned my chin, skinned my shoulder, rebruised my right knee (which, by the way is finally starting to heal from my fall a couple weeks ago). But i did it! I got up into crow! woo hoo! I made it through the rest of class without a hitch and savasana was sweet and relaxed.
One thing that i took away from this class that I am going to try next time I teach is guiding students to find Ujayi breath...in childs pose, she guided the class to inhale through the nose and exhale with a "haaa" sound through the mouth, then the guided the class to continue the "haaa" exhale, but this time through the nose and slightly constricting the back of the throat. I thought that was a great tool.
My question about which powerflow training to go to has been answered...I'm going to apply for Baptiste Level 1 teacher training in October. So excited!
30-Day Journey, Day 17
I've been researching the pros and cons of Powerflow teacher training with various teachers...Baptiste, Absolute Yoga, Janet Stone, Shiva Rae. So I ordered DVD's from Janet Stone and Shiva Rae. Read and re-read Baptiste's and Absolute Yoga's websites. Then all of a sudden, it struck me! Podcast yoga classes! I went on iTunes and found than Kinndli has podcasts. I remember really connecting with her when I took a class at Moksha Yoga North York a few years back. So i played one of her 20-minute powerflow classes and wow! it's felt great to reconnect with her energy (eventhough it was on podcast). I only had a half hour of time to practice, so I couldn't play another podcast to do a full class - too bad, because I felt very energized after the brief 20-minute flow.
Floated about the rest of the evening.
Floated about the rest of the evening.
30-Day Journey, Day 16
Sweating it out with Natalie at MYE. This 60-minutes class went by too fast. I felt like I could have used a longer standing series, but with the time constraints we had to get to the seated series at some point in time. This was a PACKED class...so many people breathing, bending, twisting and sweating together. The vibe was awesome! One thought that kept going through my mind was "I love the music!" - maybe that's why I had a great class?! I was connecting with the music, Natalie's instruction and my breath. Namaste.
30-Day Journey, Day 15 (Feb 22) - Yoga Safari 3
Getting caught up on my blogs from this week...I have everything journaled on paper as I haven't had a chance to log on to Blogger. Here goes...
Day 15 was Sattva Yoga at the Yoga Loft. Sarah was the teacher and she was great. I learned a few tips about how to introduce balancing postures and alignment to beginner yogis. She had such a great light about her and I really enjoyed the class. Although it was a foundations class, I really had a good class. My focus, breathing and dedication to listening to this teacher helped me dig deep inside myself to get into postures that I have been afraid to do before...headstand anyone? Yeah, I did a headstand. It was only for a few seconds and it was assisted, but I did it! I was stoked! :)
In the past, I was hesitant to go to a Sattva class because someone told me that it wasn't a good "workout". I'm glad that I went to the class. I liked how she described alignment to the class...be a pillar, tall and stacked - even when you raise your arms, keep your shoulders, hips and knees stacked on top of eachother. Great tool! I found myself growing taller with every breath! As for taking postures from this class into my Moksha teaching, I find that there are similarities in how alignment is taught, some postures were similar, but with vairation ie) toppling tree with arms outreached and then she instructed us into Warrior III, very cool and probably good tools for Moksha Level 2 teaching.
Then we sat and meditated for about 10 minutes at the end of class...i really liked this. An extension of Savasana, was what I thought. Very cool, very zen.
Day 15 was Sattva Yoga at the Yoga Loft. Sarah was the teacher and she was great. I learned a few tips about how to introduce balancing postures and alignment to beginner yogis. She had such a great light about her and I really enjoyed the class. Although it was a foundations class, I really had a good class. My focus, breathing and dedication to listening to this teacher helped me dig deep inside myself to get into postures that I have been afraid to do before...headstand anyone? Yeah, I did a headstand. It was only for a few seconds and it was assisted, but I did it! I was stoked! :)
In the past, I was hesitant to go to a Sattva class because someone told me that it wasn't a good "workout". I'm glad that I went to the class. I liked how she described alignment to the class...be a pillar, tall and stacked - even when you raise your arms, keep your shoulders, hips and knees stacked on top of eachother. Great tool! I found myself growing taller with every breath! As for taking postures from this class into my Moksha teaching, I find that there are similarities in how alignment is taught, some postures were similar, but with vairation ie) toppling tree with arms outreached and then she instructed us into Warrior III, very cool and probably good tools for Moksha Level 2 teaching.
Then we sat and meditated for about 10 minutes at the end of class...i really liked this. An extension of Savasana, was what I thought. Very cool, very zen.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 14
It has been too long since my last Yin Yoga class at Moksha Yoga Edmonton...my hips now feel open and my mind is clear. As with all Yin classes, I felt some resistance in my hips at the beginning of class. Then as Erika Bhadu crooned her sultry voice from the speakers, I remembered to breathe, relax, and allow my hip flexors to open up wtih every exhale. By the time class was done and I settled into Savasana, I was in complete bliss and ahhhhhh sweet open hips.
The last thing I remembered was wishing namaste because when I opened my eyes, the room was empty! Haha...guess I really needed that class and maybe some sleep too!
The last thing I remembered was wishing namaste because when I opened my eyes, the room was empty! Haha...guess I really needed that class and maybe some sleep too!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 13
I gazed mindfully and softly at the flurries swirling outside as I breathed and moved my way through the Moksha standing series this morning. It was a quiet and peaceful morning and being able to practice in the comfort of my home felt made me feel so peaceful and so grateful for having a space at home to practice in.
I have also been feeling very nostalgic over the last couple of weeks; thinking about the wonderful people I met at teacher training last July. I wanted to reconnect with the feelings and emotions we shared during our twice daily practices. I stood at the top of my mat in tadasana and breathed. The intention of sending love to my sangha came to mind and that was how I started practice this morning. As I moved through the asanas, I felt light and happy - reconnected with feelings that I thought were lost. Nothing more needs to be said today.
I dedicate this entry to all my fellow Mokshies...peace and much love, Jackie
I have also been feeling very nostalgic over the last couple of weeks; thinking about the wonderful people I met at teacher training last July. I wanted to reconnect with the feelings and emotions we shared during our twice daily practices. I stood at the top of my mat in tadasana and breathed. The intention of sending love to my sangha came to mind and that was how I started practice this morning. As I moved through the asanas, I felt light and happy - reconnected with feelings that I thought were lost. Nothing more needs to be said today.
I dedicate this entry to all my fellow Mokshies...peace and much love, Jackie
Friday, February 19, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 12
It's funny how the mind works. I resisted practicing today. Although consciously, I told myself that I was going to a class today, it seemed that subconsciously, I was doing everything in my power to not practice today.
1. I didn't take either a change of clothes or my yoga mat with me when I left the house this morning.
2. I lost track of time at work and did not leave to make it to class on time.
3. I told myself that I would leave soon so that I could practice at home before getting ready to meet my friend for dinner, instead I kept on looking for more work to do and ended staying at work even later - on a Friday!
4. I told myself that I would do some yoga to wind down from the day after dinner. I got home from dinner so overstuffed with fish & chips and lemon sour cream pie!
Eventually, I laid my mat down on the living room floor, turned on a yoga podcast and decided to breath, stretch, and twist for only 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, I am done. I practiced. It is a late practice, but I committed to a daily practice for 30 days and I did it. I must admit that I didn't feel very good for most of the practice because I was still so full and bloated from dinner - but I did it and I'm glad that I did it. Now I can sleep peacefully knowing that I did what I committed to do 12 days ago.
I can commit to something and stick to it...even when I am resisting. YES! I can persevere!
Namaste.
1. I didn't take either a change of clothes or my yoga mat with me when I left the house this morning.
2. I lost track of time at work and did not leave to make it to class on time.
3. I told myself that I would leave soon so that I could practice at home before getting ready to meet my friend for dinner, instead I kept on looking for more work to do and ended staying at work even later - on a Friday!
4. I told myself that I would do some yoga to wind down from the day after dinner. I got home from dinner so overstuffed with fish & chips and lemon sour cream pie!
Eventually, I laid my mat down on the living room floor, turned on a yoga podcast and decided to breath, stretch, and twist for only 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, I am done. I practiced. It is a late practice, but I committed to a daily practice for 30 days and I did it. I must admit that I didn't feel very good for most of the practice because I was still so full and bloated from dinner - but I did it and I'm glad that I did it. Now I can sleep peacefully knowing that I did what I committed to do 12 days ago.
I can commit to something and stick to it...even when I am resisting. YES! I can persevere!
Namaste.
30-Day Journey, Day 11
It's been awhile since I've practiced at home along to a yoga DVD. Day 11 (yesterday) was prenatal yoga.
No, I am not pregnant. I have been certified to teach prenatal yoga since last October and haven't taught a prenatal class yet. I wanted to learn how it would feel to move through a prenatal yoga sequence. A few weeks ago, I purchased a DVD to practice with and to imagine what a pregnant woman would feel while moving from one asana to another in a prenatal sequence. Since I am not pregnant, nor have I ever been pregnant, it's difficult to determine if this particular sequence would be safe or comfortable for a mom-to-be. I guess that since the woman demonstrating the postures is pregnant and capable, then it should be pretty safe. By moving through the postures and feeling them in my own body, I think I know what modifications need to be done.
Yesterday's practice taught me that pregnant women are not as fragile as I think they are. Yesterday's practice also reminded me that I should re-read my notes from the prenatal yoga certification course if I want to teach a class to pregnant women anytime soon.
No, I am not pregnant. I have been certified to teach prenatal yoga since last October and haven't taught a prenatal class yet. I wanted to learn how it would feel to move through a prenatal yoga sequence. A few weeks ago, I purchased a DVD to practice with and to imagine what a pregnant woman would feel while moving from one asana to another in a prenatal sequence. Since I am not pregnant, nor have I ever been pregnant, it's difficult to determine if this particular sequence would be safe or comfortable for a mom-to-be. I guess that since the woman demonstrating the postures is pregnant and capable, then it should be pretty safe. By moving through the postures and feeling them in my own body, I think I know what modifications need to be done.
Yesterday's practice taught me that pregnant women are not as fragile as I think they are. Yesterday's practice also reminded me that I should re-read my notes from the prenatal yoga certification course if I want to teach a class to pregnant women anytime soon.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 10
Ok, so today I hit my metaphorical "wall". I did everything in my power (be it consciously or sub-consciously) to put off practicing today:
I stayed at work a little later than I needed to
I went to Staples to shop for home-office supplies
I opened up mail and even looked at flyers (ugh! I really dislike junk mail)
I played around with my iPod Touch
Then finally, it was 45 minutes before I had to teach and I decided to settle on my mat to get at least 20-minutes of practice in. So I set my timer on my iPod Touch for 10-minutes of meditation. I sat and tried to still my mind...breath in, breath out...(random thoughts)...inhale, exhale...(more random thoughts)...focus on the breath...(more thoughts)...and on it went in this manner until I suddenly felt like I was sitting for a really long time. I peeked open my eyes and I was in meditation for 15-minutes. The volume on my iPod was turned down low and I couldn't hear it.
By this time, I was feeling a little more motivated to practice. I did some sun salutations, some forward bends, and some prayer twists. I'm so glad that I didn't allow my procrastination to stop me from my practice today. Although it wasn't the best asana practice since I started this journey, I've decided to take this "bad" practice day, with all the other "great" parctice days I've had thus far.
I stayed at work a little later than I needed to
I went to Staples to shop for home-office supplies
I opened up mail and even looked at flyers (ugh! I really dislike junk mail)
I played around with my iPod Touch
Then finally, it was 45 minutes before I had to teach and I decided to settle on my mat to get at least 20-minutes of practice in. So I set my timer on my iPod Touch for 10-minutes of meditation. I sat and tried to still my mind...breath in, breath out...(random thoughts)...inhale, exhale...(more random thoughts)...focus on the breath...(more thoughts)...and on it went in this manner until I suddenly felt like I was sitting for a really long time. I peeked open my eyes and I was in meditation for 15-minutes. The volume on my iPod was turned down low and I couldn't hear it.
By this time, I was feeling a little more motivated to practice. I did some sun salutations, some forward bends, and some prayer twists. I'm so glad that I didn't allow my procrastination to stop me from my practice today. Although it wasn't the best asana practice since I started this journey, I've decided to take this "bad" practice day, with all the other "great" parctice days I've had thus far.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 9
Wow! Day 9...I can't believe that I am almost 1/3 of the way into this journey of practicing yoga asanas daily. I made it to a hot and sweaty Moksha yoga class today and had an AMAZING practice! I realized today that being led through a class allows me to get deeper into my practice because I'm not thinking about the next posture and instead allowing the instructor to guide me from one posture to the next.
One of the reasons why I had a great class today is that I just focused on one breath at a time and did not think about what asana comes next. Sure, there were times during practice where my thoughts turned into commentary instead of focus (i.e. hmmm...I love this playlist. I've played this same song druing my class, etc), but inevitably, I would come back to my breath and re-focus and continued having an amazing class. I even applied some of the teachings from last weekend's workshop, and my, oh my, how my prayer twist has changed! I normally struggle through that posture...today, I felt an ease that I have never experienced during prayer twist before. Not that my thighs did not burn, but I was able to get deep into the posture and kept focus on my breath - and instead of allowing the posture to get the best of me, I took it with one inhale at a time and one exhale at a time until the teacher guided us out of the hold. If I recall correctly (because class was a few hours ago), I even moved through the warrior series without coming out of the lunge once...on both sides! This is such a rarity! I'm so proud of myself! Maybe that's why my thighs are burning right now...haha.
It's time for bed...sleep, peaceful sleep is waiting for me. Good night.
One of the reasons why I had a great class today is that I just focused on one breath at a time and did not think about what asana comes next. Sure, there were times during practice where my thoughts turned into commentary instead of focus (i.e. hmmm...I love this playlist. I've played this same song druing my class, etc), but inevitably, I would come back to my breath and re-focus and continued having an amazing class. I even applied some of the teachings from last weekend's workshop, and my, oh my, how my prayer twist has changed! I normally struggle through that posture...today, I felt an ease that I have never experienced during prayer twist before. Not that my thighs did not burn, but I was able to get deep into the posture and kept focus on my breath - and instead of allowing the posture to get the best of me, I took it with one inhale at a time and one exhale at a time until the teacher guided us out of the hold. If I recall correctly (because class was a few hours ago), I even moved through the warrior series without coming out of the lunge once...on both sides! This is such a rarity! I'm so proud of myself! Maybe that's why my thighs are burning right now...haha.
It's time for bed...sleep, peaceful sleep is waiting for me. Good night.
Monday, February 15, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 8
Today is Family Day - a holiday. I did not really feel like practicing today because it is a holiday and also because was feeling kind of lazy - ok, not just kind of lazy, but actually feeling LAZY. But since I am committed to this 30-day journey, I made sure that I set time aside before teaching a class this evening to practice.
It was a quick 1/2 hour self practice and I went through some of the asana and pranayama techniques that I learned from the weekend workshop with Michael Stone. I must admit during my practice, I kept checking the clock to see if the 1/2 hour was up yet. During my practice, a funny thing happened, I realized that things you learn from workshops sure gets lost quickly. It's funny, because I was reminded of another little nugget of wisdom from Michael from the beginning of his lecture on Friday night. He asked us, "Why do we practice?" - the answer is "We practice to remember".
I am thankful that I made the time to practice some of the postures and techniques today, because I do want to remember the teachings from the weekend. I am also thankful that I have been given this opportunity to immerse myself into a daily practice for 30-days in order to remember the teachings from other classes I have taken in the past, to remember the teachings during teacher training only a few months ago, and most of all to remember that in order to be honest when I am teaching others, I need to practice what I teach.
It was a quick 1/2 hour self practice and I went through some of the asana and pranayama techniques that I learned from the weekend workshop with Michael Stone. I must admit during my practice, I kept checking the clock to see if the 1/2 hour was up yet. During my practice, a funny thing happened, I realized that things you learn from workshops sure gets lost quickly. It's funny, because I was reminded of another little nugget of wisdom from Michael from the beginning of his lecture on Friday night. He asked us, "Why do we practice?" - the answer is "We practice to remember".
I am thankful that I made the time to practice some of the postures and techniques today, because I do want to remember the teachings from the weekend. I am also thankful that I have been given this opportunity to immerse myself into a daily practice for 30-days in order to remember the teachings from other classes I have taken in the past, to remember the teachings during teacher training only a few months ago, and most of all to remember that in order to be honest when I am teaching others, I need to practice what I teach.
30-Day Jouney, Days 6 & 7 (Yoga Safari 1 & 2)
Days 6 & 7 were asana practice at a weekend long workshop at Yoga For Today with Michael Stone. What a great way complete my first week of this yoga journey! This is definitely turning into a journey of spirit, mind and body.
I truly enjoy Michael's style of teaching both yoga philosopy and asana. A lot of what he had to say this weekend really resonated with me and my thoughts about my life right now. A story he told us about being able to see the sun that is above the clouds on a gloomy rainy day gave me food for thought about my doldrums of winter. I keep thinking about getting away to some place warm and have been day dreaming about escaping the cold Edmonton winter. This has been going on for over a week now and I have been making myself miserable. After his story brought things into perspective for me, I've realized that I should just take winter with stride and know that spring and summer is just around the corner. In the meantime, I have my health, I have my family, I have my boyfriend, I have my friends...and they are all here with me right here, right now. I've realized that I need to keep this perspective or I'll just be miserable for the rest of the winter, since realistically and financially, I can't get away to a beach any time soon. Live in the moment and know that there is sunshine up there behind the clouds...sunshine is always there and without clouds every once in awhile, how can we really know how truly wonderful the feel of sun kissing your face is?
Yoga philosophy aside, asana practice this weekend was two days each of three and a half hour sessions! Phew! I sure was present for those classes - especially when he picked me to demostrate trikonasana and I held it for...I'm not sure how long. My legs were so wobbly when I got out of the posture, but it was weird, because although I could hear him lecturing in the background and other students asking questions, all I could feel was my breath flowing in and out of my body as I gazed at my dhristi (sp?) point. It helped that at the beginning of practice, Michael taught us the method of viloma pranayama and how it could help us find mula bhanda and he also guided us to the various dhristi points in each posture.
Michael told us that although he has practiced Ashtanga for many years, he does not subscribe to one style of practice. Instead he incorporates many different methods into his asana teachings and practices. His classes were challenging because his techniques of getting in and out of postures were different from any other style of asana that I have practiced. Some of his methods were even counter-intuitive (i.e. instead of expression with heart shining outward in trikonasana, he taught us to draw the kidneys and the ribs into eachother to get deeper into the posture). Although sometimes it didn't feel right to me, I still kept and open mind and practiced the way he taught the postures. As the end of the day, I felt that his teachings helped me deepen my practice in a way that I never expected.
There were a few postures that I will start incorporating into my own teaching. I am keen on practicing viloma pranayama more frequently and then teaching it to beginners. Especially since engaging mula bhanda is so important in many postures. I also can't wait to instruct more advanced students some of the deeper postures and to teach them that in order to get into these postures, you have to be patient with yourself, move with breath and not muscle into the asanas - especially some of the more advanced Moksha students. I find that many students who come to the Moksha studio often muscle their way into postures, but by using some of the verbal cues that Michale used this weekend can help me to be better able at gently guiding them through breath to find the posture.
The description of the second day of asana practice with Michael said "Inversions and Backbends". I signed up for this workshop, aside from enjoying Michael's lectures, was because I have a strong aversion to inversions. I am fearful of inversions, particularly headstands. I am afraid that I will lose control while in a headstand and end up injuring myself - perhaps even destroying my spinal cord and ending up a quadrapeligic...pretty fatalistic, eh? Anyway, I was kind of disappointed, yet relived, that we did not venture into headstands. However, I am glad to have been reinforced that any asana with your heart below your waist is considered an inversion - even downward dog - which is of my favourite postures!
I am glad that this 30-day challenge is turing out to be a 30-day yoga journey. One week into the challenge and already I am learing (and in come cases re-learning) things about myself and what brought me to the decision of becoming a yoga teacher in the first place. I hope to learn more about myself in the next 23-days.
I truly enjoy Michael's style of teaching both yoga philosopy and asana. A lot of what he had to say this weekend really resonated with me and my thoughts about my life right now. A story he told us about being able to see the sun that is above the clouds on a gloomy rainy day gave me food for thought about my doldrums of winter. I keep thinking about getting away to some place warm and have been day dreaming about escaping the cold Edmonton winter. This has been going on for over a week now and I have been making myself miserable. After his story brought things into perspective for me, I've realized that I should just take winter with stride and know that spring and summer is just around the corner. In the meantime, I have my health, I have my family, I have my boyfriend, I have my friends...and they are all here with me right here, right now. I've realized that I need to keep this perspective or I'll just be miserable for the rest of the winter, since realistically and financially, I can't get away to a beach any time soon. Live in the moment and know that there is sunshine up there behind the clouds...sunshine is always there and without clouds every once in awhile, how can we really know how truly wonderful the feel of sun kissing your face is?
Yoga philosophy aside, asana practice this weekend was two days each of three and a half hour sessions! Phew! I sure was present for those classes - especially when he picked me to demostrate trikonasana and I held it for...I'm not sure how long. My legs were so wobbly when I got out of the posture, but it was weird, because although I could hear him lecturing in the background and other students asking questions, all I could feel was my breath flowing in and out of my body as I gazed at my dhristi (sp?) point. It helped that at the beginning of practice, Michael taught us the method of viloma pranayama and how it could help us find mula bhanda and he also guided us to the various dhristi points in each posture.
Michael told us that although he has practiced Ashtanga for many years, he does not subscribe to one style of practice. Instead he incorporates many different methods into his asana teachings and practices. His classes were challenging because his techniques of getting in and out of postures were different from any other style of asana that I have practiced. Some of his methods were even counter-intuitive (i.e. instead of expression with heart shining outward in trikonasana, he taught us to draw the kidneys and the ribs into eachother to get deeper into the posture). Although sometimes it didn't feel right to me, I still kept and open mind and practiced the way he taught the postures. As the end of the day, I felt that his teachings helped me deepen my practice in a way that I never expected.
There were a few postures that I will start incorporating into my own teaching. I am keen on practicing viloma pranayama more frequently and then teaching it to beginners. Especially since engaging mula bhanda is so important in many postures. I also can't wait to instruct more advanced students some of the deeper postures and to teach them that in order to get into these postures, you have to be patient with yourself, move with breath and not muscle into the asanas - especially some of the more advanced Moksha students. I find that many students who come to the Moksha studio often muscle their way into postures, but by using some of the verbal cues that Michale used this weekend can help me to be better able at gently guiding them through breath to find the posture.
The description of the second day of asana practice with Michael said "Inversions and Backbends". I signed up for this workshop, aside from enjoying Michael's lectures, was because I have a strong aversion to inversions. I am fearful of inversions, particularly headstands. I am afraid that I will lose control while in a headstand and end up injuring myself - perhaps even destroying my spinal cord and ending up a quadrapeligic...pretty fatalistic, eh? Anyway, I was kind of disappointed, yet relived, that we did not venture into headstands. However, I am glad to have been reinforced that any asana with your heart below your waist is considered an inversion - even downward dog - which is of my favourite postures!
I am glad that this 30-day challenge is turing out to be a 30-day yoga journey. One week into the challenge and already I am learing (and in come cases re-learning) things about myself and what brought me to the decision of becoming a yoga teacher in the first place. I hope to learn more about myself in the next 23-days.
Friday, February 12, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 5
I had a good practice today. I felt strong during the standing series of Mel's Yoga Strength class. I did question the intensity of the many sun-salutations, but worked through my resistance. Went back to the beginner's mind and just allowed myself to be led through class by the instructor. Once I did that my practice felt more fluid.
We did venture into some arm balancing postures and I still cannot get rid of my inner-critic when I try to get into an arm balancing posture. I feel like my hips are too heavy to be lifted into crows or scissor legs...how do I get over that? Perhaps learning to be a little fearless every once in awhile and just do it?!
I originally thought about doing 30 straight days of Moksha, but am very glad that I decided to dedicate this 30-day journey to doing what ever yoga practice that comes my way. I feel less stressed because I don't have to rush to the Moksha studio everyday! I plan my yoga around my life and thus far, I already feel more connected and committed to my daily personal practice than ever before.
This weekend is a weekend workshop with Michael Stone. can't wait to learn from him again.
Namaste.
We did venture into some arm balancing postures and I still cannot get rid of my inner-critic when I try to get into an arm balancing posture. I feel like my hips are too heavy to be lifted into crows or scissor legs...how do I get over that? Perhaps learning to be a little fearless every once in awhile and just do it?!
I originally thought about doing 30 straight days of Moksha, but am very glad that I decided to dedicate this 30-day journey to doing what ever yoga practice that comes my way. I feel less stressed because I don't have to rush to the Moksha studio everyday! I plan my yoga around my life and thus far, I already feel more connected and committed to my daily personal practice than ever before.
This weekend is a weekend workshop with Michael Stone. can't wait to learn from him again.
Namaste.
30-Day Journey, Day 4
60-min solo practice. Went to Soul Strength and got in a really good solo practice. The sun set gradually throughout my practice and the room was warm and comfortable. I felt like I could do anything today. I tried a few postures that I don't normally do - forward bend against the wall, supported wide-legged forward bend, "happy baby", shoulder stand...oh i think i may have *found* my shoulder stand. I felt so light in the shoulders and lower body today - it was amazing!
I was mentally focused throughout most of my practice today. There were points during practice where I was thinking about work or how I could incorporate some of the postures into my class. But for the most part, I was focused. Guess that's why I felt like it was a good practice. I was connected to my breath, and I was connected to my body - I even recognized the pain in my left big toe, especially during upward dog. I think I may have sprained it when I fell yesterday. I still hurt...hope I get better soon and don't have any major injuries!
Savasana felt BLISSFUL! I'm not sure how long I was in Savasana for, but it really is one of my favourite postures. I think that my mind really needs a break, which is why I truly welcomed Savasana today - Corpse Pose - I just had to BE on my mat. Ahhhhh, juicy, blissful Savasana.
Tomorrow is Yoga Strength with Mel...can't wait.
I was mentally focused throughout most of my practice today. There were points during practice where I was thinking about work or how I could incorporate some of the postures into my class. But for the most part, I was focused. Guess that's why I felt like it was a good practice. I was connected to my breath, and I was connected to my body - I even recognized the pain in my left big toe, especially during upward dog. I think I may have sprained it when I fell yesterday. I still hurt...hope I get better soon and don't have any major injuries!
Savasana felt BLISSFUL! I'm not sure how long I was in Savasana for, but it really is one of my favourite postures. I think that my mind really needs a break, which is why I truly welcomed Savasana today - Corpse Pose - I just had to BE on my mat. Ahhhhh, juicy, blissful Savasana.
Tomorrow is Yoga Strength with Mel...can't wait.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
30-Day Journey, Day 3
Yes, I have changed the title of my posts. I feel like the 30-Day Challenge should be more of a Jouney than a Challenge. Why? Because I don't feel that my yoga practice should be a challenge. My yoga practice should be a part of my life. My life is a journey...I accept my life in stride and I accept what comes my way throughout my journey through life. I feel that 30 straight days of personal yoga asana practice is a personal journey because I am travelling on my mat daily - accepting what comes my way on my mat.
Today I tripped and fell as I was running across the street to make it to the other side before the flashing hand stopped flashing. I hurt the palms of my hands, I hurt my knees, I ripped my pants and got mud all over my coat...but most of all, I hurt my EGO. What a lesson that was! My ego tells me on a daily basis that I am the most graceful speed-walker on my daily walk from the parkade to the office and back. Today, I learned that I cannot be attached to the idea that I am always a graceful speed-walker.
I took that lesson to my mat during today's practice. I didn't push too hard during class. I went about 90% of the way during the asanas, and I still felt like it was a great practice. I don't have to be the most graceful yogi in class.
I also learned humility and compassion for myself. I tend feel compassion for others when they are suffering, but hardly ever for myself. I am quite hard on myself. But today, I learned that if I am hurting (like my bruised hands, knees and ego), I need to be gentle with myself and to take it easy - this is what I tell my students to do all the time...guess it's time I listened to my own advice.
Day 3 of this 30 day journey has been a day of lessons. And I hope that the lessons continue.
Today I tripped and fell as I was running across the street to make it to the other side before the flashing hand stopped flashing. I hurt the palms of my hands, I hurt my knees, I ripped my pants and got mud all over my coat...but most of all, I hurt my EGO. What a lesson that was! My ego tells me on a daily basis that I am the most graceful speed-walker on my daily walk from the parkade to the office and back. Today, I learned that I cannot be attached to the idea that I am always a graceful speed-walker.
I took that lesson to my mat during today's practice. I didn't push too hard during class. I went about 90% of the way during the asanas, and I still felt like it was a great practice. I don't have to be the most graceful yogi in class.
I also learned humility and compassion for myself. I tend feel compassion for others when they are suffering, but hardly ever for myself. I am quite hard on myself. But today, I learned that if I am hurting (like my bruised hands, knees and ego), I need to be gentle with myself and to take it easy - this is what I tell my students to do all the time...guess it's time I listened to my own advice.
Day 3 of this 30 day journey has been a day of lessons. And I hope that the lessons continue.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
30-Day Challenge - Day 2
Made it to a Moksha class today! I left work earlier than usual and headed straight for the studio to make sure that I got in my hot and sweaty yoga practice. I signed in, went into the studio, laid my mat down, laid myself down on my mat, and read Michael Stone's, Yoga for a World Out of Balance while waiting for class to begin. The room was bright and sunny, the temperature hot, and the humidity high...the conditions were right for a great class. I put my book down after about 10 minutes of reading and settled into my pre-class Savasana.
Kylie was teaching today. I've never been to one of her classes and it was an AMAZING class! She led the class with a lot of humour and her instruction definitely pushed me to stay focused, yet have a strong practice. I felt very motivated today - perhaps it's because it's been over a week since I last went to a Moksha class. I couldn't see the mirror as there was someone directly in front of me, but I didn't allow that to inhibit my focus. I felt strong and I felt like I could have continued in the standing series a lot longer. I enjoyed the variations throughout the class - i.e.) eagle into toppling tree (must remember to use that in my classes sometime).
The highlight of class was final Savasana. Kylie played the island version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and guided the class to visualize ourselves on a beach or at the lake. This was the perfect mental get away as I have a severe case of cabin fever and it was a nice way to end the class by imagining that I was on a beach somewhere - even if it is for a few moments inside a hot studio on a beautiful sunny day in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Tonight I will sleep well.
Kylie was teaching today. I've never been to one of her classes and it was an AMAZING class! She led the class with a lot of humour and her instruction definitely pushed me to stay focused, yet have a strong practice. I felt very motivated today - perhaps it's because it's been over a week since I last went to a Moksha class. I couldn't see the mirror as there was someone directly in front of me, but I didn't allow that to inhibit my focus. I felt strong and I felt like I could have continued in the standing series a lot longer. I enjoyed the variations throughout the class - i.e.) eagle into toppling tree (must remember to use that in my classes sometime).
The highlight of class was final Savasana. Kylie played the island version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and guided the class to visualize ourselves on a beach or at the lake. This was the perfect mental get away as I have a severe case of cabin fever and it was a nice way to end the class by imagining that I was on a beach somewhere - even if it is for a few moments inside a hot studio on a beautiful sunny day in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Tonight I will sleep well.
Monday, February 8, 2010
30-Day Challenge - Day 1
I was hoping to begin my 30-day challenge with a hot and sweaty hour of Moksha Yoga. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at the studio, class was already full! Pretty disappointed, I headed over to my studio, Soul Strength Yoga & Fitness, to get my practice in. Knowing that I only had just over an hour to practice alone, I was a little uptight when I started off in child's pose...
...a few breaths and 5 sun salutations later, my monkey-mind calmed down and my heart opened up as I flowed to the sounds of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, the Pacific Ocean and Lila - it felt really good to know that I was getting my own practice in! Although I was focused on my breath and was being aware about the movements of my body, my focus was not totally on my asana practice. My monkey-mind would sneak in periodically and start thoughts racing about everything from "hmmm...i wonder if my students will be able to get into this posture" to "do i look dumb in this posture" to "what am I going to do about my day job" to "i want to be on a beach".
One of my hopes throughout this 30-day challenge journey, is that I learn to quiet my mind during my personal practice and not get so caught up in practicing for a class I am going to teach later or tomorrow. With the combination of home practices and class practices, I hope to find some stillness of mind as I move through the asanas without thought and without self-judgement.
As the standing series moved to the floor series of my practice, I felt good knowing that I made the time to practice today. I also felt good knowing that I made the commitment to begin my 30-day challenge today and followed through with it. Technically, this is my second attempt at the 30-day challenge and this time I am going to stay committed and stick with it. I am not going to let my day-job get in the way of completing this task.
I am looking forward to the next 29 days, one day at a time, one moment at a time, one breath at a time.
Namaste.
...a few breaths and 5 sun salutations later, my monkey-mind calmed down and my heart opened up as I flowed to the sounds of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, the Pacific Ocean and Lila - it felt really good to know that I was getting my own practice in! Although I was focused on my breath and was being aware about the movements of my body, my focus was not totally on my asana practice. My monkey-mind would sneak in periodically and start thoughts racing about everything from "hmmm...i wonder if my students will be able to get into this posture" to "do i look dumb in this posture" to "what am I going to do about my day job" to "i want to be on a beach".
One of my hopes throughout this 30-day challenge journey, is that I learn to quiet my mind during my personal practice and not get so caught up in practicing for a class I am going to teach later or tomorrow. With the combination of home practices and class practices, I hope to find some stillness of mind as I move through the asanas without thought and without self-judgement.
As the standing series moved to the floor series of my practice, I felt good knowing that I made the time to practice today. I also felt good knowing that I made the commitment to begin my 30-day challenge today and followed through with it. Technically, this is my second attempt at the 30-day challenge and this time I am going to stay committed and stick with it. I am not going to let my day-job get in the way of completing this task.
I am looking forward to the next 29 days, one day at a time, one moment at a time, one breath at a time.
Namaste.
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