Wednesday, September 24, 2014

YOGA AND THE ATHABASKAN GAMES

There's always a danger in asking, "Do ya miss me?"  You might be met with a bit of a blank stare, a slight head tilt, a furrowed brow and the unspoken question:  "Um, have you been gone?"  So, I won't ask…

But I am missing you, dear Yoga Circle Studio!  I had that darned car accident on September 2nd that put me out of commission physically, then I was away for a week of "working" vacation, then home again this week, but with no vehicle to get to the studio until my new car arrives (hopefully next week!)  I think I've only been in the studio a couple of times this whole month.  Sadness!

I just want to report in that I've been doing some stretches and simple, restorative yoga at home, but it's not the same.  It's not the same as driving the 20 minute route I love so much along the river to get there; not the same as seeing familiar cars in the lot, familiar faces in the studio; not the same as soaking in the beauty of the studio's lovingly created decor; not the same as rolling out my mat in one of my usual spots, gathering my props, and sitting for a few moments of silence before class starts; not the same as hearing the soft, soothing music over the speakers and being led through asana practice by any of the wise, funny, encouraging Yoga Circle teachers; not the same as the getting a gentle massaging touch during shavasana that feels so healing; not the same as gathering up my gear, rewarding myself with a handful of the fruit and nut mix on the countertop and heading back out on the road, for the drive home and back into the rest of my day.  I miss you so!

At home there are distractions and interruptions.  It's hard to find that "sacred space" feeling, both internally and externally, that seems so much a part of Yoga Circle.   I find myself feeling impatient and frustrated and isolated.  I want to get back to my go and do life!

Today as I sat in modified Hero's Pose, I wondered again why my knees hurt so in this pose.  I felt mad at my body!  Others seem to be able to sit back on their legs with no effort at all and find rest in this pose.  For me it is one pose I simply cannot do.  My body won't let me.  Then I started to ponder the ways in which bodies move, or don't; how to train for certain poses and how the benefits of making slow progress can eventually allow us to live better, more flexible and balanced lives -- not just in body, but in spirit.

My rumminations brought to mind that during the Denali National Park portion of our recent Alaska trip, we went on a nature hike with two young women who talked about the geology of the area as well as the cultural heritage of the Native peoples of Alaska.  The young Athabaskan woman spoke of something I'd never heard of:  Arctic Winter Games.  This is a specialized "Olympic"-style competition where athletes compete in traditional culture games which mimic or enhance the real-world skills needed to survive in harsh Northern climates.  She showed us photos of some of the competitors and also demonstrated one skill at which she excelled and had won medals - the "One-Handed Reach".

Right on the gravel path she dropped to her knees, tucked one arm snugly at the base of her ribcage, and lifted her entire body off the ground, balancing on one hand as she reached with the other as far in the air as she could - which in competition would be to reach a ball suspended on a string and her reach would be measured length.  She was amazingly strong (look at her!) and proud of her accomplishments.  She demonstrated a couple of other "games" as well and I was so intrigued that I came home and Googled to learn more.  Here is a video demonstration of several more games:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8kY_YsOCA

Now, what does any of this have to do with yoga?  I believe that our asana practice has much in common with the games of a people far from India, but who have developed within their own culture a way to hone their physical skills in service to spirit and survival.  Both borrow from the natural world, imitating the postures of animals.  Both ask us to move in ways not immediately natural to our own way of life, but with applications to any way of life, and certainly to strength and vitality.

In this time of quiet for me, this time of staying home and staying in a calmer state of mind, I find I am learning that restorative yoga is just what I need right now to pause, reflect, and feel a connection to lands and customs on opposite sides of our globe, but with much to teach if only we slow down and listen. ©

Namaste...donnajurene

Saturday, September 13, 2014

THE WALKING WOUNDED, HEALING

Some days the studio seems like a haven for the walking wounded.  This past Thursday was just such a day.

I hadn't been in to practice for 9 days, having been in a car accident the week prior.  When I got there I was feeling a bit fragile -- still a bit sore and a bit sad.  But I knew that I was ready to come back, taking it slow and easy and modifying many of the asanas to care for my healing body.    Karen noted aloud that I had been in an accident…then mentioned her own toe injury, another student had taken a fall, and on any given day there are hip and wrist issues, lower back pains, those recovering from surgery…

We all show up at one time or another with bodies that need tending, healing, strengthening, and limbering.  My guess is that some of us want to push ourselves back to health -- or some notion of health from bygone days.  It's often better, I think, to recognize a "new normal" for ourselves and be content with what "is" in the present while we find our "this is my body today" asana edge.  It serves no one to re-injure ourselves.  Plus, it's great practice in self-compassion and gratitude.

I found this on the mat on Thursday.  I had spent the previous nine days mourning the fact of the accident, bemoaning my disrupted life, and grieving losing my totaled car -- a little Prius that I loved.  I was moving through the class, following Karen's instruction slowly and intentionally, aware of my body in every moment.  Then she directed us to lie on our stomachs and "just relax…slump your body and let go of any tension or striving…"  I did and suddenly my mat was wet with tears.

Here I was at my beloved yoga studio, surrounded by familiar faces, all of us showing up to this practice on that particular day likely with our own list of aches, pains, and griefs.  I was overcome with gratitude for my bruised but functioning and recovering body, for the fact that no one in the accident was seriously injured, for the refuge I find in yoga that strengthens not just my body, but my spirit as well.

When we were then directed to raise our bodies to our hands and knees, the first thing my eyes landed upon was the bouquet of bright, brilliant, beautiful amazing gifts of nature in the center of the room -- Mike's prize-winning dahlias.  He nurtures these beauties in a year-round cycle of planting, growing, harvesting, and resting…and along the way they bring such joy to so many just by their presence, including being in a yoga studio, on a Thursday, in a place where grief and joy are the "edge" we find when we slow down and feel it all -- body and soul -- every single day. May each of us find such brilliance in our own imperfect lives, ever changing bodies, ever shining spirits. ©

Namaste...donnajurene

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

LEVITY WITH THE LEVEYS

I flirted with sitting meditation for many years.  I liked the idea of it.  I went to workshops occasionally, which were wonderful and motivating -- for about three days post-workshop.  Then I slipped into my old pattern of finding all manner of important things to do instead of meditating (dishes, laundry, TV…)

About three years ago I found myself in a state of anxiety that seemed relentless, due to a health scare I'd experienced.  I was desperate to find some relief from the "what-ifs" and "what's thats" that plagued me.  I turned to yoga to get in touch with my body and then took another stab at sitting meditation to try to calm my mind.  I had lots meditating friends and there was an ongoing meditation circle at my UU Fellowship.  I started attending there and also joined a group that met at a dear friend's home every week.  We were mostly novices, seekers, explorers of this path.  We mostly read about Buddhism and Insight Meditation and had a special affection for Pema Chodron, a prolific writer and Buddhist monk who has influenced and supported millions with her wise books, videos, and audio recordings.

Two from our group also told us of local resources for learning more about meditation.  They had gone to a summer week-long "camp" experience focused on meditation, facilitated by Joel & Michelle Levey.  They came home raving, transformed, kick-started in their practice.  They also said any who wanted could attend the Levey's Sangha (group of meditators) at their home in Seattle whenever they were in town and not traveling.  Just show up, drop a free-will donation in the basket, and take a seat.

So, that's what my husband and I did.  It took a bit of looking to find their home in the wintery rain and darkness of their Seattle neighborhood, but walking up the short path to their front door felt like a transition already.  We entered, relative beginners, and found a large group of folks already assembled in a living room that had been transformed into a meditation space, with cushions on the floor, pillowed window seats, folding chairs, and a futon.  Inspirational wall hangings and colorful representations of Eastern religious deities and artifacts hung on the walls.  The people all seemed to know each other and we felt a bit like outsiders from up in Snohomish County, but we weren't there to make friends.  We were there to deepen our practice with teachers of great renown.

At the appointed time, Joel and Michelle appeared and took their places facing the circle of people gathered.  I expected some great reverence, some bowing or something.  Mostly there were greetings of "Hi!  How are ya?" and much laughter.  Laughter!  I knew all would be well.

They spoke brief words of welcome and offered an introduction to the evening.  Then Joel guided us into a time of meditation where we sat silently together for about 40 minutes.   My mind was all over the place, as usual, for about the first 10 minutes, then I settled in, then I got uncomfortable and shifted my position, then my mind went wild with the usual "How much longer?" thoughts, then I settled in again, then more fidgeting, then more thinking, then more calm and peace….

After the meditation there was a time of sharing and questions.  Throughout the discussion  Joel and Michelle wove personal stories with ancient teachings with modern research into the benefits of meditation in a relaxed teaching style.  They were funny, encouraging, and down-to-earth, listening to and responding to each person, whether an experienced meditation practitioner or a beginner, with equal thoughtfulness.

We went back a few more times but found the commute to be more than we wanted to take on.  Our UU minister at the time was also a certified meditation teacher through Deepok Chopra's school and we decided to sit in meditation and study with him locally.  Still, my experience with the Leveys was an important step on the journey to finding a practice that is now a daily part of my life.  I read their books, receive their daily emails containing words of wisdom, and know that the work they are doing to bring this healing practice to others is work of the heart and soul.

I've been meditating regularly for over three years now, and I still fidget, still notice my "monkey mind" running amok while I breathe into relaxation.   But at some point most of those distractions fade away and when that happens, even for brief moments, noticing the space between the thoughts, the stillness of the body,  I feel I've touched the possibilities of deep peace that meditation brings to those who sit, silently, and breathe. ©

Namaste...donnajurene

Here's a video of Joel and Michelle Levey from the Yoga Circle archives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynqc0GYfEs