Reading

I am working late and awaiting NIcole's arrival later this evening. I will probably get a few more files done then eat dinner and grab a cup of coffee before heading to pick her up. I am not driving home. That is an hour home and then to turn around and drive another 45 min. to the airport. Might as well work late and go straight from here.
Anyway, while taking a quick break I wondered upon this site.
If you read something today then read this

The part I really like:
When I speak of open, authentic honesty, I mean being truly connected to your higher self. Not the ego-dominated self, but your spirit, (or whatever word you’d like to use, the word is not important). When you’re tuned into this source that is bigger than your puny ego, your living from a state of unadulterated awareness.

When you’re acting from this state, you’re not thinking about whether what you’re doing is right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate. You act completely naturally, unafraid to express yourself authentically and freely. You’re not afraid to tell someone how you really feel or ask for something you need. It’s from this place that you experience bliss, because there is no ego holding you back from it. There is no hesitation when the ego is not present.

Mindfulness

So the past few weeks have been super busy!
I am slammed at work; which is a blessing. But with teaching and my own practice I've had very little time to update.
This week has been fun and crazy. I can't believe Nicole will be here TOMORROW!
I am so ready to see her, hug her and hang out! Will be fun!
Saturday we are going to my yoga class, a craft fair in Atlanta at Olympic Park Called ICE, then to seeEligthen Up! and also eat Vegan Chinese food.
Sunday we are heading to Chattanooga for the day then to the Master Class with Stephanie Keach! :)
Super excited for the entire weekend!

Yesterday I went to Flow Class at Balance. It was exactly what I needed (after some encouragement from Nicole)
Fun music, fun vinyasa.

Tonight we had a small class. It started off pretty funny. The fire alarm went off & they had to evacuate us. Apparently the Men's Sauna set it off. We had to wait for the Fire Department to declare it safe for return. The students asked if we could just start late and go over...there are no classes after mine in the mind/body room on Thursdays so why not!
So it was a fun class then we ended in Savasana. As I was leading them through a body scan before really diving into Savasana a young woman came over our PA system shouting "test test 123"
Apparently the Cycle room was connected to our PA. I never use a Mic so I had to run clear across the gym in my yoga pants and no shoes to tell her. It was very funny.
We did get into a deep savasana and then after had a good giggle.

Lately I have been reading more on Mindfulness. The concept of mindfulness practices in life are interesting to me (could be the Buddhist side perhaps)
I am reading a book Called The Mindful way through Depression
I've struggled on and off with this in my life (and every women in my family has also) It is just a good book to keep on hand. I am really enjoying it. It comes along with a CD with mindful mediation and mindful yoga practice.
I am also listening to Mindfulness for Beginners on my commute to work.
The theory of using Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for people who suffer from stress, pain or depression is interesting to me. Giving me more ideas of the things I want to learn about and share with others.

I am back at work with lost to do but wanted to quickly update.
Hope all is well!

Workin' up a sweat!

Hi internet people!

How is life so far this week?

It has been insanely busy at work. I’ve been a little too stressed out. I don’t like that…but then again who does?

Last night I headed to Balance Yoga for their Flow class. It was a packed class and we built up a lot of sweat!

We did a fun sequence and I enjoyed myself. I was happy with my progress with a few postures.

I am able to get up into Bird of Paradise (not the best picture of it). I did it on both sides (with my leg bent/not straight) which is an improvement.

I also got so excited because for the first time I got into Crow for all of 2 seconds with both feet off the ground!!
Or is this crane? I have no clue what it is.

That was huge for me because I’ve been trying that one for a long time (along with headstand)

I also got into side crow on my left side. My right side is almost there. It isn’t the picturesque pose…but it is a work in progress.

I can’t find a picture of it online. For me I am balancing my left thigh on my left and right elbows. Is that even side crow?

All in all it was Fun!

It is interesting how much your practice changes and progresses when you are consistent and present.

However, ever since I washed my Jade harmony mat it is loosing it’s grip to the floor beneath. It keeps bunching and moving when I jump forward and back. I know my Prana mat is larger and heavier and takes up more room in the class room. But it is the best mat so far. I need to try it out with a nice sweaty practice to ensure it doesn’t slip and it not…then I am bringing that mat everywhere!

Tonight I taught the first Thursday Yoga class at the gym. I had 8 people total. It was a good turn out.
We had a student who just found out she was pregnant and wanted to try yoga plus students of all ages.
It was a fun class. Mostly everyone was new (besides my 2 students that returned from Saturday) So we stuck with Sun Salutes, some standing postures, seated, core work, bridge, twists. The usual stuff you find in class.
I did have 2 girls come into class about 15 min. late (which I am learning is typical with a gym atmosphere) so no biggie right. If they miss the warm up then they just meet us in down dog and pick up where we are.
They missed the opening: are you new to yoga? Any injuries? We practice barefoot. Etc...
The only thing (which I am sure with most classes but I never noticed it before) is that they talked alot; kind of beneath my cues.
They would giggle when I would demonstrate the different modifications. Then after being in class 20 min....they left.

t was odd to me.

After class 2 students stayed behind to chat and said they enjoyed it. :) That always makes me feel good.

I talked to our new coordinator and got the okay to practice in the room after my yoga class on Thrusday (they aren't using that room on Thursdays)
So I turned the lights out and did a 45 min. practice. It was fun! I had music and all. I did 3 A and 3 B sun salutes. Some pigeon poses, some core work (becuase I need it too!) Handstand, Forearm stand and headstand with the wall, some backbends then closing.
Yummy! I did have some on-lookers. I tried to be in a corner of the room where no one could see me. Oh well.

I chatted with Nicole on my way home; I hope she likes her new haircut.
I fed chai, took a hot bath and now relaxing. Waiting for Denver to get home from Zenspace so we can eat a late dinner (that is the bad thing about our schedule)
I am ready for my weekend. How about you?

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

I received notification today from Miami LIfe Center that Sri K. Pattabhi Jois passed.

Early this morning we got news that Guruji, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, has passed. His presence has touched the lives of countless people all around the world. We are lucky to have met him and to consider him our teacher.


I never had the honor to practice in his presence.
We did travel to Islamorada last year, but he fell ill and was not able to travel.
Tonight I will dedicate an Ashtanga practice to him. He was and will continue to be such a huge part of the yoga community.
Om shanti shanti shanti.

Abs & Sinuses

So I realized something yesterday. At the gym we have this nice shiny new room for all the mat classes (Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates)
It is adorned with a ceiling to floor mirror; luckily all classes are held with very little light (which is great so people are not getting distracted)
I did my very best to not focus on the mirror as well (they use to really distract me)

During Purvottanasana with a table top modification I caught a glimps of myself. My buddha belly was on display and to be honest this whole thought shot through my head in a matter of seconds: "Engage my core. Everyone can see that I am not perfect and hoepfully that makes them feel a little more comfortable in their own skin. I actually dont feel insecure at all."
All of that raced through my mind; then onto the next pose.
But what I am reliving now is the last part. That I am not insecure of my body. That I am not perfect in my yoga pants, but I feel wonderful and healthy and alive. So all of that overpowers any ego-driven insecurities I used to feel. Which would haunt me often on my mat.
Nicole has witnessed this first hand while at Kripalu and other trips. I would talk about my shape, size, inability to get into postures. All of it is just another form of the ego. She called me out on it and that made me think, rather than just feel sorry for myself.

Also, it reminded me that typically (from what I've read) yoga is not really a place where you are trying to obtain a 6 pack.
The focus is on a strong yet supple core in order to support your spine. Strong is key.

Another thought shifting event was during class on Thrusday where I practiced at Balance; I wasn't feeling so great so my practice was at a slower pace. I had to go into child's pose a few times and skip a few vinyasas.
What is so important about that; is that I am listening to my body rather than the ego. I wasn't trying to keep up with the person next to me; or really even care. I was listening to my body and not going so far that I could injur myself or exhaust myself too early in the practice.
All of this is pretty huge within my own practice and growth. Don't get me wrong; during some poses on Thrusday I saw other students get into some awesome arm balances and for a split-second the ego knocked on my door. But instead of listening to it I just admired what their bodies could do (after I tried it a few times myslef)
For me that is practicing from a place of compassion; not ego.

Also, I was recently called a yoga nerd. And I fully accept that term of endearment! :) Marsha said that is why she liked me. I am fully aware of my yoga-geek personality. I honor that side :)

On another note I am fighting another sinus infection. I thought it was just typical allergies but I am super congested and all that fun stuff that comes along with it. I am taking Zyrtec D for congestion. I want to find some ways to allievate this without going to the Dr for antibiotics if possible. I get these infections twice a year and it is costly and something I would like to try and get under control myself.
I am feeling kindof crappy physically but hope to get on my mat a little later on.

Hope you are all enjoying a relaxing Sunday!

On the "ego" side of things...I am ready for my hair to grow long enough to put it in a pony tail or pig-tail braids. :)

My first class under my belt.

So I taught my "official" first yoga class today at the gym. It was a good sized class (around 13 people)
Had some things to get used to (the cd player, lights, air)
I made a good attempt to remind students about the principles of yoga (the foundation) being the breath, listening to your body, going over any injuries.
We worked on sun salutations, a lot of forward folds and a few hip openers. Lots of modifications and it was all around fun; with the only negative comment made was about the loud music from the body sculpt class next door in the aerobics room. Which is to be expected. They were rockin' out! :)
After class everyone clapped; which was different :)
I did close the class with Namaste'. After class I had a few students ask questions about DVDs, Books and if I taught somewhere else.
It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it.
This just solidifies the fact that this is what I love to do and I really really want to do for as long as I possibly can. :)

I also have the books for the Stephanie Keach's 230 hour. So I can start reading and prepare myself. In case (cross my fingers) I can afford to do the 230 hour later this year or next year.

I need to clean the house and not much else! Tomorrow we are planning to go to Zazen then to see a movie.
I hope everyone else is having a great weekend!

Master Class= Happy!

**Just paid for the Master Class with Stephanie Keach on 5/31 in Chatnooga**
I am very excited to practice and see my teacher again.
It might be one of the last time this year that I will practice with Stephanie!
Until I can save up the money for training in 2010.
Maybe if I make a ton of money I can make it for a weekend workshop in Asheville, but my main goal is saving for my training.