Stand Tall

Vrksasana (vrik-SHAHS-anna) - Tree Pose

When I describe this pose in class I always tell people to think of the standing leg like the trunk of the tree, root your feet into the earth, then extend your arms up like branches. "When in the pose do not think about losing your balance as falling! Think of it as swaying in the wind." It's amazing how many people start to stand more steady. You see on their faces a look of understanding and so many people have said after class how they like it described that way.

When we change the way we think about yoga poses we can sometimes unlock the secret of the pose.

Santosha - Contentment

Not a pose but one of the Niyama's of Yoga. I thought it important to follow up my little pity party post with a reminder that life really is good. I have so much in my life that truly is fulfilling. Sometimes a day can get overwhelming and just feel wrong. Other times it's fine. Today is fine. Today is beautiful. I get to go teach yoga this morning. How lucky am I?! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I wake up excited to get to the studio at 5:45am! (Remind me that I said that when it gets freezing cold and I'm whining about going outside that early in the morning.)

The moral to this post is that I am over myself! No more crying in my beer. I am CONTENT! The other moral to this story is hormones are a bitch!

Empty

I have had a lot of time to think this weekend. I have had some interesting interactions with people lately that have left me feeling a little sad and disappointed. I don't really care to expand on that since it is really is a very personal matter, and I don't want to put other individuals business out in the open. Lets just say that after many months of reaching out to people and trying really hard to establish friendships with locals I have been left out of a lot. I had no idea how much until this weekend.

This leaves me with my empty mailbox up there and why I choose that pictures. It's empty, but I looked inside and there is so much that goes on behind the emptiness. I have decided to fill up my box with good stuff. I have great kids, who are certainly finding their own way in the world, but still look to me to be there when they need me. I can do that. I have two great jobs that I am passionate about and once I can get my studio in a year round usable condition will be able to fill my time with yoga and photography. The next thing I'd like to find to fill up my box is something creative that I can work on in my free time (haha). I am thinking about jewelry making. I loved working with metal when I took a class at the fair.

This is one of those to be continued posts. I am not really sure how it is all going to end up. I do apologize for the down tone of the post, but it's been a down kind of weekend.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna) - Downward Facing Dog

adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog

This picture is several years old. I think it's time to do some more yoga photography. If I do self-portraits, I must remember to buy a remote shutter release. Using the timer sucks! I recently did some work with a local friend/yoga instructor. It was so fun and the pictures turned out beautifully. Need more of that, I think.

Surrender

Uttanasana (OOT-tan-AHS-ahna) - Standing Forward Bend

ut = intense
tan = to stretch or extend

This seems like such a simple pose. You just fold forward, right? Well, it's not that easy for some people. When I first started getting serious about my practice (crap, I'm old) 8 years ago, I couldn't even touch my toes. My hands came to my shins. This picture was taken March 6, 2006. As you can see only my fingertips touched the floor. 3 years later I can place my palms to the floor. It's a long slow process but with work and regular practice our bodies start to feel comfortable in poses and we begin to get deeper in them. Eventually I'll be able to fold over entirely placing my chest to my thighs. It might take 5 years, and I'm ok with that. I know I'll get there. We all get where we are going when we set an intention and work towards a goal. Make your intentions clear. Trust the universe to help move you along but trust yourself to move you along. You have the power within you to accomplish your goals. Trust and surrender to a process.

Ta-da!

I am attempting to learn the Sanskrit words for yoga poses. No, it's not just to confuse my students! I am learning them because I feel it's important to know the original word for poses, and I believe it's respectful to the origins of yoga. There is consistency in using Sanskrit since there is only one word for each pose. There are many different English names for poses.

Luckily, I have been fortunate enough to have had instructors who used Sanskrit words so I already know a lot. I thought about posting a word a day here. I am not married to the idea yet. If I do, I'd like it to be more than just a word, but I don't know if I have the time to sit and write a blog about each word I post. I have tried many times to do a 365 project with my photography and fail each year. Let's just say I'll post a word when I can and we will see where this takes us. Yes, I like that.

Tadasana (tah-DAHS-anna) - Mountain Pose

Means steady and erect like a mountain.

I remember this word by thinking "ta-da, I'm here to do yoga"! I know it's silly but it helped me remember. Word association is a good thing!

Nailed it!

I have such a hard time teaching a gentle yoga class. It just isn't in my nature to slow down! I have a hard time sequencing a 45 minute class without sun salutations. It's some kind of mental block. A couple weeks ago I was asked to sub a gentle class. I really took the time an hour before to think about it and put myself in a person with limitations shoes. It was hard! I went to the studio and the first couple of people groaned when they saw me. Ouch! I promised I would take it easy on them. Promised!

As we start I really slow my breath down and think through every pose before I put them into it. I watched them carefully to see when they finally made it into the pose and gave instruction on a modified version when I saw them struggle. We stretched slowly and with purpose. I enjoyed the pace and could see the excitement on a few students faces as they made it in and out of poses they struggled with before. With proper instruction and slowing down they gained confidence and body awareness. With a proper instruction I gain a sense of confidence that I could help them gain body awareness.

At the end of class one of my students looked at me with a smile on her face and said "You nailed it! I feel great!". Big sigh. I finally got it right. Now I hope next time I sub that class they will be excited to see me instead of rolling their eyes!