Love - "Prema"

I spotted a woman's tattoo on her foot today, it looked like this...

...Beautiful!

Truth - "Sat" (in Sanskirt)

What is Truth?

Well according to the Dictionary truth is: 

“3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like

  4. the state or character of being true.

  5. actuality or actual existence.

  7. honesty; Integrity; truthfulness

10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.”

The last few classes I have attended the instructors have presented “Truth” as the moto for the class.  

Tonights class had me thinking about it a little more.  For truth to come, honesty needs to be walking along side. This honesty needs to be to both yourself and towards others.  With truth and honest, freedom will arrive.

Have you ever noticed when you have been keeping a secret or a thought to yourself or even away from yourself, a denial, you feel heavy inside?  But when you finally admit to it and allow the truth to come forward, there is always relief?  That is the freedom being provided.

If we could always be honest and truthful, think how light we all would feel!  It would feel maybe as though we were floating through our lives with ease.

Its funny thinking about this. I always think of excuses as to why I might not be completely honest. Although I strive to always be truthful, sometimes I catch myself not always being so to myself and I know it doesn’t give me freedom, but I can’t always be ready to let everything go. I don’t always feel strong enough.

The other part of being true and honest is through your actions and with your life.  To be true to yourself you need to treat your body as though it was a sanctuary. Keep yourself healthy, keep your mind happy and strong, keep your eyes open and your heart warm.  By doing this you will also feel the best you can be, and by this you will hold the strength to be honest in your life and follow your heart so that you can keep truth in your life.

Is there one thing that you can let go of and allow truth and honesty in? 

AcroYoga

I think how people come to different styles of yoga is always different but the one thing that can be uniform is a passion that is discovered, which is what makes them come back for more.  Jaqui Wan from London was hosting a AcroYoga Workshop this past weekend at Moksana in Victoria. Jaqui mentioned that she uniformly hears from people that the reason they fall in love with Acro Yoga is its playfulness and the excitement that builds up inside when practicing, while still being very relaxing.  This I would say is true, Acro Yoga allows for everyone’s inner child to be freed and without fail it brings a whole new dimension of possibilities for your everyday practice.  I don’t know that Acro Yoga would fit everyones individual personality but I do believe that everyone can benefit from a bit of Acro Yoga in their practice.

I am a rag doll, I can be touched, I can be bent (if physically permitting), and I am always willing to try something.  And the beautiful thing with Acro Yoga is that if you have the correct balance it really is not difficult.  So truly the only thing that should hold people back is a nervousness of touching others.  If you asked me a year ago I probably would have said that yoga happens on the mat only and my mat is my sanctuary; my own personal bubble.  But I love it when an instructor comes and moves me to where I should be or when there is a body worker to come and give my back a quick massage (that has to be the best! although a bit distracting cause all I can think is when will it be my turn!!!).

The other beautiful thing with AcroYoga, which I really felt I benefited from, is that by having another person doing the pose literally with you, the deepness of the pose really goes that much further!  You get to places you might not have gotten to without that bit of assistance.

AcroYoga began in 2004 in San Francisco by Jenny and Jason, originally being called ContactYoga.  It was not until April 2005 that it was named AcroYoga.  To date there are upwards of 120 Certified AcroYoga Teachers worldwide, with none in Canada.  Emelia Fedy who was assisting our class at Moksana in Victoria, has just been accepted to do her 200 hours to become an instructor through Jenny and James’s school.  She will become our resident BC instructor, but more specifically Vancouver.  I am extremely excited for her and will be keeping an eye out for her classes late this fall or winter.   (so excited!)

Similar to Anusara Training to become a certified instructor you need to have accumulated so much experience and have attended certain workshops or conferences before being allowed to take the training.  for now I will not aspire to become an instructor in AcroYoga but I will continue it has a hobby until maybe one day I will add it to my repertoire of teachables, of course once I am a certified instructor!

If their is anyone out there who is looking for a willing partner drop me a line.  I’m working on my Boyfriend, but he’s just not biting the bait! 


Next Step, get the pose guide and DVD!

Contact Partner Yoga

Today my partner and I had the pleasure to experience Contact Partner Yoga.  I am half bendy and very willing and well simply put this was my partner’s first yoga class, not including my attempts to have him “stretch” with me.  The class was held at the Yyoga Yaletown location with Chris Brandt and Marita Wieser from SOL Yoga Center (http://www.solyogaadventures.com/home).

I felt that this would be a great way to introduce yoga to Mark while also taking the benefit of cementing trust in our relationship while getting a bit of touchy feely-ness out of it too. There was a very nice progression of poses.  We started simply with our backs against each other and then progressing to some arm wrap shoulder opening and then some co-ordinating twists and push up chair poses.  Then the first trust exercise.  

Simple really, they had us stand back to back with our legs a bit wider then our hips, adjusting width according to height.  Then we were to reach back and grab onto each others hips, bend over, then one hand at a time attach between our legs (left to left hand).  Once this part is settled and balance is found, each party can lean back and feel the stretch in the shoulders and the hamstrings, its great!  When ready reverse actions to get back up.

Shortly after this we began the flying poses.  What a ride!  I’m not even going to try to explain this to you for fear you might try it without someone to spot you.  Mark and I had issues with these, partially due to arms not being steady and legs not getting straight.  I would say though I made a good base!  

The final flying pose they had us try was a reverse flying pose.  You balance on your bases feet while they hold onto your ankles and lift you up. The first time Mark literally bucked me off and I nearly fell onto the couple behind us!  Then Chris came and spotted me and helped Mark get proper alignment in the pose and I got up there and it was such a splendid feeling.

The final most relaxing and giving part of the workshop was the massaging we gave to our partners starting at the feel and legs then the shoulders and head.  What a treat!

I would say for 20 dollars a person this was an excellent experience and one I wouldn’t mind exploring a bit more with my partner, but also with someone who might know a bit more then me or at least someone comfortable at yoga and enjoys a bit of contact. Any takers?

I would check them out, they host regular workshops both family and partner at their home studio in Whiterock. In the city though there is a contact family workshop on May 9th and a contact partner workshop on May 30th at Semperviva. Also June 9 Yyoga Yaletown will host them for another workshop.  Find a friend, convince a partner, or even ask me, I would be happy to join you on your journey!

Namaste

Doga - The next generation of Yogis

I stumbled across this on YouTube last night, a cross between crazy and sheer genius... I just don't know.

Salute to the Sun

As my little friend to the left is kindly demonstrating, the most basic and heart warming sequence is the sun salutation, in my humble opinion of course. Learning the sun salutation is a great base for expanding any practice. Also its simplicity and ease is a great way to start your day to energize yourself and help the blood begin to flow. Doing a few rounds of the basic sun salutation is a great alternative when you are pressed for time and just need a quickie between errands.

I learned the sun salutation series shortly after I moved to Vancouver and had discovered that a single yoga class was considerably more expensive then back home, along with everything else in this city. I wasn't going to let yoga completely fall to the way side, so I needed to develop my own abilities and devote time to my mat that wasn't going to take food off the table. The sun salutations turned out to be the perfect base for my growth.

When I begin an unguided practice I will often start with one or two rounds before adding different variations of poses depending on how I felt that day. Now for the lesson...

The sun salutation is a series of twelve postures that are coordinated to your breath in a flow of movement. How long you hold each pose is up to you, what pace you choose can decide the pace and intensity of your practice.

Get out your mat and let’s begin...

1. Come to the top of your mat and stand in tadasana, or mountain pose. This can be with hands by your side or at hearts centre. Start by taking a few deep breaths creating an even rhythm in and out.

2. On your next breath sweep your arms straight up above your head like you are exalting to the skies above.  Lift and open your chest while taking a deep breath in as you lean back ever so slightly.

3. On your exhale sweep your arms to the ground into Utanasana, bend your knees as you need to and bring your stomach to your thighs and hands tented on the ground.

4. On your inhale step your right leg back into a lunge.

5. Exhale and step your left leg back. Now you are in plank pose. Your hands should be shoulder width apart and fairly directly below your shoulders. Be sure not to cramp your wrists, you should feel like you are pushing your body back and your toes resisting, this will make the next transitions more graceful. Breathe in as you hold this pose.

6. On your exhale lower yourself into chataranga dadasana. Here your stomach is not quite on the ground, you are just holding yourself arms bent and just above the ground.

7. As you inhale roll your toes under and place your weight onto the tops of your feet and straighten your arms to Upward Facing Dog. Lift your heart up and gently look up without compressing your spine. If you do feel any compression or pinching in this pose enter into sphinx pose instead.

8. Without moving your hands push your toes back under your feet and as you breathe out move into Downward Facing Dog. Here you can walk your legs (bend your left and then your right knee as needed) to stretch your calves.

9. As you inhale step your left leg forward into lunge.

10. Now bring your right leg forward as you enter into downward fold. Remember to breathe out, don't hold it in.

11. With a refreshing breath in sweep your arms up above your head once again, and with a slight back bend.

12. Finally as you exhale lower your arms back to hearts centre or to either side of your body.





You have now completed a sun salutation. As you repeat this pose switch legs and as you become more familiar and more comfortable you begin adding other poses or sequences to the sun salutation like exalted warrior.

Sun salutation's mould-ability is what makes it such a great sequence and the perfect tool for both beginner and seasoned yogis alike.

Namaste



*All photos are curtosy of http://www.yogajournal.com/* Thank you!

How do you keep motivated?

During this thirty day challenge, my goal is not to do thirty days worth of yoga, but to try for six sessions a week. If I was trying for all thirty days, I would already have failed.

Let’s be honest, who realistically has the time to commute and do a yoga session every single day? I certainly don't. There are certain people in my life that would feel rather neglected. I already have enough going on to fill that possibility. So that leaves me with a home practice. I have armed myself with knowledge of poses to practice in my living room along with podcasts off Itunes for when I'm looking for something more creative. Podcasts tend to push me harder than my hodgepodge of asanas that I try to call routines; it also prevents me from becoming distracted or bored of thinking of the next pose to move into.

But what motivates me? For instance, right now I am writing this instead of setting up my mat in the living room and getting ready to practice for 20 minutes. It will be a great way to go to sleep, once I get to it, but the time is ticking.

Once I am on my mat and in a class I am committed and I am so very grateful for being blessed with the time and opportunity to practice in a very pleasant studio. But what I find difficult is getting from point A to my mat. I have found that friends are a great motivator, lots of free time helps. If I have a big open window to plan in advance I almost always make it to a class. Apparently a so called 30 day challenge isn't enough to get me go there more often or to set up shop at home. So how do I build a yoga habit?

One help/habit site says that I should:

Make myself accountable: well I'm good at ignoring that...!
Prioritize your life: well that is what I do already and what I am attempting to do with yoga, but I have to work, that's not an option, but I also don't want to give up my social life, I guess that’s why I love yoga with friends so much...
Set a time and have a practice time: well that's an ongoing problem, without a regular work schedule...pretty much impossible!
Educate yourself: Well I got one

So let’s see how I am doing, I've got one and a half out of four... not promising.

How do you motivate yourself in your practice? And most importantly keep yourself on track? Do you practice at home? how did you get yourself to practice daily?

Well off to get my 20 minutes of bliss!

The Story of OM

Last night my partner asked me what Om actually meant. And I realized that I only learnt the significance to Om in a practice a year ago. That was about 3 solid years of practice where I didn’t even know why we chanted Om while on our mats! I think the first year I generally opted out while sitting quietly.

It was descried to me as embodying the universe, both the beginning and the end. That OM exists in everything, although we may not notice it, the sound is present in all sounds. And the story to accompany this explanation was as creation began, the original vibrations manifested as the sound “OM”.

I really have enjoyed this explanation and it has brought meaning to me for this simple chant. I find it calming as I feel for those vibrations within my own throat and for the vibrations formed in the air by my peers chanting alongside me.

Another tidbit of meaning that I found on Wikipedia was that “The syllable is taken to consist of three phonemes, a, u and m, variously symbolizing the Three Vedas or the Hindu Trimurti or three stages in life ( birth, life and death ).”

I don’t yet understand what the Three Vedas are and am unfamiliar with Hinduism, but the three stages of life rings true. Being the beginning and the end and everything else in between is what OM in fact is. This is why a practice or a mantra begins and ends with “OM”, because it is “OM” that brings its meaning.

So now if you are curious try chanting OM next time you are by yourself. Open your throat up and feel the movement of the sound as it passes through your throat. Use your lungs as bellows and push the air through and the sound will feel natural. If you are still too shy, be sure to feel the vibrations in your next class as I always do when I am in practice. And it will be then I hope that you too will find its meaning in your heart.

Namaste

Accomplishing Crow pose

On the weekend I attended an Anusara class at the studio that I volunteer at. The instructor had us work on some arm balancing poses, crow/crane pose and side crane. I had only once come across a teacher ambitious enough to work on this pose with their students and that was already two years ago! (I'm not comfortable enough to attend an intermediate/advanced class yet!) But I have an itch (and a goal) to attempt more difficult and advanced asanas.
I had found this YouTube video a few weeks ago as I was working on strengthening my arms. Even a week ago I still was not able to find my balance or my trust in myself to master it. I still think this video was good and definitely worth sharing, but it certainly wasn't enough to finally "get it".
Perhaps it was the sheer exhaustion that this instructor had built breaking down all energy to think beyond her instructions. But still being able to get it four days later, on every try, I'm thinking it is her emphasis on making sure to look forward.
I no longer feel the pinching on my arms where my knees rest, nor do I hesitate when lifting my feet.
So for all of you trying to get your crow pose: lift your bum up, really! And look forward, stick that neck out and I guarantee, you will get it. Soon.

April 6, 2010 - Day 6 into the challenge

So here I am contemplating what I have already learned and what I wish to accomplish over the next 5 months.

Let’s start at the beginning... why 5 months? 5 months brings me into September. September is when I hope to begin Yoga Teacher Training at Langara College here in Vancouver. I have been practicing Yoga for well over four years now, mostly on and off, but always with an interest for there to be more. The first time I tried yoga though was about 7 years ago. My sister convinced me to try Bikrams yoga with her while still living in Toronto. She had already been practicing casually for awhile but was interested in this popular style that she couldn't access in small town Peterborough. Of course as a young idolizing sister I agreed and followed, dehydrated, to this class uncertain of what I was entering into. Three things I remember from that day was; the pristine of the studio, the sweating slipperiness, and the horrendous dizziness. I also remember passing out at the end of class during Savasana. Something I continued to do well into my first year of classes. I somehow would always be the last person out of class and often it would be the next class coming in that would stir me to life.

What I don't want this blog to become is a what I "should" be doing when I look around. I only should be looking at myself and being witness to my own transformation.

I will write here about what I learn about myself and about the practice of being a yogi.

Remember one thing - Yoga is a Practice NOT a Perfection!

Namaste!