Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
My confusing but humbling hand mudras
(note: The following post will be distinguishing what Jnana mudra and Chin mudra and their significance)
I'm nearing the end of my 6-month yoga teacher training. Before I can blog about my confounding knowledge of hand mudras, I need to unload my guilty conscience and apologize for not posting a lot onto this blog during my training. Although my intention sat tall, it sat too far away.
I am at a point now where the ball is rolling, I have my foundation of learning. It is now up to me to continue to learn, absorb, and translate. To embody this information, observe the changes within myself, and finally the most difficult; to transport this raw information, all of these experiences to others that wish to listen and learn.
I have decided that I love teaching, it's still new, it is still hard, and I am still figuring it all out for myself. I don't want to stop teaching, but I need to recognize when I don't know how to convey this new knowledge before I realize I am teaching it and don't know what I am even saying anymore!
Part of my final testing and experience is teaching a 6 week yoga series to the same people. This morning was day 4. The first week I started to ask my students to place their hands in Jnana mudra (pronounced as "Gian") and quickly realized I didn't know how to tell people why they needed to do this. So I went back to my class and I asked. I got a good answer which reiterated everything we had been learning, but of course I was still unable to get this into my own words.
I resigned to just ask people to place hands down or palms facing up gently resting on the knees depending on the effect desired (palms down = grounding, knowledge, jnana palms up = consciousness, receptiveness, openness to learn, chin)
I figured once I got the hang of this I would feel comfortable enough to ask people to place their fingers into this mudra or seal and I still would be able to convey their meanings. Today, I once more fumbled. I fumbled so badly I actually I had to say "I'm not sure where I am going with this, I think I need to start over" It was horrifying and embarrassing.
Fortunately my fiance is in the class and gave me some very honest but very good feedback. He told me that it was unfortunate that I got flustered and lost in my explanation but after that my voice became so controlled he thought I was reading everything word for word, so much so that (and I noticed this) he kept opening his eyes to peek at me to see if I was in fact doing this. He did say though that my voice returned to its natural tones once I started teaching the Asana. Probably because I was teaching something I am much more familiar with.
I can't say this was my best class taught, but it thus far has been one of the most humbling classes I have taught. so much so I've decided to go to my drawing board (this blog), and tell you about it and then explain what they are. I will do this in a way that I can understand and teach it. I do not ever want to enter a class and tell them that I don't know what I was trying to say ever again, and especially not at the very start of a class I am teaching!
I should have realized this since I am the type of learner that needs to physically be involved in the learning of it. It is completely one thing to practice and embody this mudra experiencing its benefits and listening to its explanations and and a complete other from me spelling out and translating this experience for myself. Until I do this I might as well say that I am just "winging it"! This is not a good teaching strategy for me!
I have always agreed to "teach what you know". Quite honestly, I thought I "knew" this. But this experience has taught me that I actually need to confidently know it well enough that I can translate it into my own words so that others too can have the experience to learn it. So from this point forward if I have not picked something apart with words, whether written or spoken, then I should not be presenting it to a group.
I vow to honestly Teach What I Know!
I would like to thank my students for being my teachers as well.
Hari Om Tat Sat
I'm nearing the end of my 6-month yoga teacher training. Before I can blog about my confounding knowledge of hand mudras, I need to unload my guilty conscience and apologize for not posting a lot onto this blog during my training. Although my intention sat tall, it sat too far away.
I am at a point now where the ball is rolling, I have my foundation of learning. It is now up to me to continue to learn, absorb, and translate. To embody this information, observe the changes within myself, and finally the most difficult; to transport this raw information, all of these experiences to others that wish to listen and learn.
I have decided that I love teaching, it's still new, it is still hard, and I am still figuring it all out for myself. I don't want to stop teaching, but I need to recognize when I don't know how to convey this new knowledge before I realize I am teaching it and don't know what I am even saying anymore!
Part of my final testing and experience is teaching a 6 week yoga series to the same people. This morning was day 4. The first week I started to ask my students to place their hands in Jnana mudra (pronounced as "Gian") and quickly realized I didn't know how to tell people why they needed to do this. So I went back to my class and I asked. I got a good answer which reiterated everything we had been learning, but of course I was still unable to get this into my own words.
I resigned to just ask people to place hands down or palms facing up gently resting on the knees depending on the effect desired (palms down = grounding, knowledge, jnana palms up = consciousness, receptiveness, openness to learn, chin)
I figured once I got the hang of this I would feel comfortable enough to ask people to place their fingers into this mudra or seal and I still would be able to convey their meanings. Today, I once more fumbled. I fumbled so badly I actually I had to say "I'm not sure where I am going with this, I think I need to start over" It was horrifying and embarrassing.
Fortunately my fiance is in the class and gave me some very honest but very good feedback. He told me that it was unfortunate that I got flustered and lost in my explanation but after that my voice became so controlled he thought I was reading everything word for word, so much so that (and I noticed this) he kept opening his eyes to peek at me to see if I was in fact doing this. He did say though that my voice returned to its natural tones once I started teaching the Asana. Probably because I was teaching something I am much more familiar with.
I can't say this was my best class taught, but it thus far has been one of the most humbling classes I have taught. so much so I've decided to go to my drawing board (this blog), and tell you about it and then explain what they are. I will do this in a way that I can understand and teach it. I do not ever want to enter a class and tell them that I don't know what I was trying to say ever again, and especially not at the very start of a class I am teaching!
I should have realized this since I am the type of learner that needs to physically be involved in the learning of it. It is completely one thing to practice and embody this mudra experiencing its benefits and listening to its explanations and and a complete other from me spelling out and translating this experience for myself. Until I do this I might as well say that I am just "winging it"! This is not a good teaching strategy for me!
I have always agreed to "teach what you know". Quite honestly, I thought I "knew" this. But this experience has taught me that I actually need to confidently know it well enough that I can translate it into my own words so that others too can have the experience to learn it. So from this point forward if I have not picked something apart with words, whether written or spoken, then I should not be presenting it to a group.
I vow to honestly Teach What I Know!
I would like to thank my students for being my teachers as well.
Hari Om Tat Sat
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The BEST Miso Gravy I can ever remember
I lived in Toronto for a couple of years and one of my favourite restaurants was Fresh by Juice for Life. When I think of Toronto those restaurants continue to remain as iconic memories of my time living there. Particularly the Queen East location. As a lifeguard, one of our staples were the spiced fries with Miso Gravy. Till this day I have never had anything to come close.
A few years back I was raving to someone from BC about how good the Miso Gravy had been. Well I soon found myself gifted with the Naam's miso gravy, not realizing who they were or what I had been given. Despite the rave reviews that I know it still receives and having had it fresh a few times now, I still can only say it is okay. Really, it does not even come as a close competitor. That vinegar flavour is too much, not creamy enough, and its kind of watery in texture.
You know when time starts to pass and you find yourself starting to think that, maybe what you are remembering isn't actually so or maybe it was over-glorified at the time.
Well this is not the case.
I found the recipe recently, but still had yet to make it. And having had it now, it was so good I decided everyone should be let in on this absolutely fabulous gravy.
I tweaked it slightly to make it less glutenous (Durum flour, although high in Protein is even higher in Gluten!). I think next time I might use Kamut flour since that is one of the best versions of flour out there; being a hardy, resilient, very nutritious ancient grain.
I highly recommend this for your fries or BBQ potato chips, burgers, tofu, broccoli... who am I kidding, really anything. I'm telling you it is just that good!
Also, by tweaking the recipe in a few different ways: it makes it mine, better, and honestly I don't feel as guilty posting the recipe.
Miso Gravy
4 1/2 Tbsp. Flour (White, Durum, or Kamut)
3/4 cup Nutritional Yeast (inactive)
1 2/3 cup Vegetable stock
2-4 Crushed Garlic cloves
1/3 cup Vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
3 Tbsp. Miso Paste (pick your favourite flavour, but I love
the red one from AKA Miso from the Organic
Amano Brand)
3/4 tsp. Finely ground Sea Salt (If the vegetable stock that
you are using is really high in salt I would perhaps
cut this to 1/2 tsp since the Miso and the Yeast both
bring a fair amount of saltiness)
Note: Last night I BBQ 3 Sweet potatoes cut into large thick slices and used those to dip into the gravy. today I'm thinking of pressing some tofu and making Tofu steaks with some roasted veggies on the side. I'm so excited
Enjoy!
Hari OM
A few years back I was raving to someone from BC about how good the Miso Gravy had been. Well I soon found myself gifted with the Naam's miso gravy, not realizing who they were or what I had been given. Despite the rave reviews that I know it still receives and having had it fresh a few times now, I still can only say it is okay. Really, it does not even come as a close competitor. That vinegar flavour is too much, not creamy enough, and its kind of watery in texture.
You know when time starts to pass and you find yourself starting to think that, maybe what you are remembering isn't actually so or maybe it was over-glorified at the time.
Well this is not the case.
I found the recipe recently, but still had yet to make it. And having had it now, it was so good I decided everyone should be let in on this absolutely fabulous gravy.
I tweaked it slightly to make it less glutenous (Durum flour, although high in Protein is even higher in Gluten!). I think next time I might use Kamut flour since that is one of the best versions of flour out there; being a hardy, resilient, very nutritious ancient grain.
I highly recommend this for your fries or BBQ potato chips, burgers, tofu, broccoli... who am I kidding, really anything. I'm telling you it is just that good!
Also, by tweaking the recipe in a few different ways: it makes it mine, better, and honestly I don't feel as guilty posting the recipe.
Miso Gravy
4 1/2 Tbsp. Flour (White, Durum, or Kamut)
3/4 cup Nutritional Yeast (inactive)
1 2/3 cup Vegetable stock
2-4 Crushed Garlic cloves
1/3 cup Vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
3 Tbsp. Miso Paste (pick your favourite flavour, but I love
the red one from AKA Miso from the Organic
Amano Brand)
3/4 tsp. Finely ground Sea Salt (If the vegetable stock that
you are using is really high in salt I would perhaps
cut this to 1/2 tsp since the Miso and the Yeast both
bring a fair amount of saltiness)
1. Mix the flour and the Nutritional Yeast together in a saucepan.
2. If your stock is fresh off the stove, take half a cup worth and cool it down to first mix with the flour-yeast combination. This will help you from cooking dumplings, flour mixes better cold then warm or hot. Whisk the broth into the dry ingredients.
3. On medium heat bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. after about 30 seconds of boiling you should notice it start to thicken.
4. Lower the heat adding the rest of the ingredients starting with the oil, thoroughly mixing everything until smooth. Serve warm.
Note: Last night I BBQ 3 Sweet potatoes cut into large thick slices and used those to dip into the gravy. today I'm thinking of pressing some tofu and making Tofu steaks with some roasted veggies on the side. I'm so excited
Enjoy!
Hari OM
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Crash Course on the The Bhagavad Gita
I first watched this a few months ago when I wanted to find out some more mythology and try to understand what articles I was reading was referring to.
We began discussing the history and philosophy of yoga which includes the vedas and the sutras. It is a beautiful and colourful history but it is also very complex so hard to understand.
I hadn't thought about this clip since I originally watched it, but after todays class I couldn't help but feel that having watched this and the film "Sita Sings the Blues" was a bit helpful.
I will try to recap a bit more in the next few days.
I hope you enjoy this bit of indian history.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Inspiration to be the best that you already are
Studying for my midterm test in my Yoga TT class I came across this quote that I can't remember reading before, but it hit a note with me this time around and I thought I should share it. Enjoy!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to so the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
~ Marianne Williamson
Nameste
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to so the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
~ Marianne Williamson
Nameste
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