Thursday, January 29, 2015

HOME TO YOGA CIRCLE

I am loyal to Yoga Circle Studio.   I love the teachers, the beautiful surroundings, the friendly, familiar faces I find there when I walk in the door.  I rarely go elsewhere to practice.

But this week my husband and I are in Ashland, Oregon for 5 days, enjoying a reunion rendezvous with my niece and her husband visiting here from Sedona.  She and I decided to take a Yoga class together and found a studio near where we are staying.

Immediately I assumed I'd be left in the dust in a huge, crowded roomful of groovy young yogis power-flowing their way through asanas that challenge me.  I gave myself permission to spend an hour in Child's Pose.  I reminded myself I don't have to keep up with anyone.  I repeated the mantra, "Meet yourself right where you are."

So, when we arrived and found ourselves in a small room with 5 other women -- all appearing to be in their 50's and 60's and at about my practice level, my anxiety melted away.  I stopped judging myself and commenced to judging the instructor.  (True confession.)

He was a delightful young man, very kind and encouraging, with a style one might define as uber casual and maybe just a wee bit "loose" for my taste.  He opened by telling us he is a former skateboarder who discovered Yoga while in college.  He is also a rapper and then did a pretty great rap to start class that was uplifting and encouraging about being present to life.  Then he led us through a varied asana practice that was not difficult but a little disjointed.  On your back, now on your knees, now stand, no...wait a minute, let's get back onto our backs again...

He also spent a fair amount of time instructing us on how to go from Downward Dog to Lunge by kicking one leg forward in one fluid motion.  The others in class seemed hell-bent on getting this down and wanted to do it over and over.  I wondered why this was so important?   I just put my foot where it landed (about 6 inches from the ideal location) and edged it up between my hands, like I always do, ready for the pose.

At one point he suggested we do "partner stretches".  The idea was that dyads would take turns -- first one person gets into a crouched position and the other sits on that person's sacrum, draping themselves in a backbend over the the back of the person on the floor.  This supposedly felt good to both.   I've seen partner yoga performed many times.

But here's the thing -- nobody is allowed to mess with my back.  I have had back issues flare from even an aggressive massage, siactica leveling me for about ten days one time.  I don't want an adult sitting on my bent sacrum, nor do I want to do a backbend over someone else's body, nor, even though I'm not a prude about touchy-feely stuff, do I feel super great about doing this with strangers.  My niece had opted out due to an injury.  I opted out due to "I don't wanna."

Next he suggested one partner get into a Downward Dog, the other stand behind her with a strap folded over the lower back of the person in Down Dog and threaded between her parted legs, then pulling both ends of the strap taut to give the back a nice stretch/pull.  My niece and I did that one but when she made a "50 Shades of Grey" joke and I cracked up, people did wonder who these out-of-town troublemakers in class were!  (We were not that far out of line...everyone talked through most of the class;  it was not my usual meditative experience.)

Here are some parts I liked:  Just before Savasana the instructor passed around a small bottle of essential oil and invited us to use a few drops to give ourselves a foot massage.  I loved the aromatherapy of the exercise and my feet felt great!  He had us start and end practice with chanting three "Oms".  I love that, it's so centering and to me it's like a giving a blessing to my practice.  He also chanted for us the student/teacher chant that Elizabeth at Yoga Circle is teaching us in her 8 Limbs class on Wednesday afternoons.  I love chanting.

At the end there was a short Savasana, basically a super-speed guided visualization to relax each body part, but it was hard to do since he was guiding us so quickly from toes, to ankles to knees and up to cranium at warp speed.   Still, I found a few moments of relaxation and finally a chance to turn inward in meditation.

As we were rolling up mats, our instructor announced he had Hip Hop CDs for sale and encouraged us to check out his music website.  I think he is a man of many talents and interests strung together to make a living and I don't fault him for that.  Like I said, he was very nice.

Here's what I missed:  A thoughtful and well-orchestrated series of asanas, a focus on breath and turning inward; an explanation of why and how the asanas help our bodies both on the mat and in our lives; soft, meditative music; a few well-placed comments or giggles from students, without ongoing conversation; a time/place/mood that allows me to be totally in my own space, working my own edge, not worried about how I might hurt someone or be hurt; a long, quiet Savasana with enough props to make myself comfortable and relaxed.

What I learned:  Again, over and over, why do I assume at the outset that my own practice will pale in comparison to another's?  My practice is perfect as it is.  My studio rocks.  I have all I need and feel incredibly grateful for what I have found in my own backyard.  Yoga Circle...don't ever leave me!

Namaste,  donnajurene

Photo Credit:  branislav ostojic@rf123.com

Thursday, January 22, 2015

FOOTBALL YOGIS

GO HAWKS!  Yep, I'm a football fan.  And not just a "Susie come lately, fair-weather, jump on the winning bandwagon fan.  I've been there for years.  My training for being loyal, win or lose, was growing up near Chicago as a die-hard Cubs fan.  If you know anything about sports, you know that is an exercise in fortitude.  Also I grew up with two brothers, I married a jock, and have two sports-crazed sons.  I can't help it.

Anyway, even non-fans may have heard that the Seahawks mounted a come-back in a game last Sunday that catapulted them to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row -- a feat only accomplished by a very few teams.  On my personal blog http://myviewfromhere-donna.blogspot.com I wrote a series of football posts last  year (in the archives January & February 2014) about the Hawks.  I took a fair amount of grief from friends who cannot get behind professional sports in general and football in particular.  I won't go into all the pros and cons, the psychological and sociological aspects of fandom, but the point of this post is to say....the Seahawks do it differently.

I had some ideas about how to tell you about their incorporation of yoga and meditation into their game, but I've been running across articles all week already written about this phenomenon, so I'm going to cheat and just link you to a couple of those.

My favorite lines in this short article:  "It dawned on me that our quarterback was practicing yoga before our eyes! What I was looking at, was the embodiment of a yogi dancing in the fire of life while keeping his inner space as calm and vast as possible."

http://seattleyoganews.com/yoga-seahawks-super-bowl-again/

This is a long article from 2013 talking about the team and how it deviated form the norm, using meditation and yoga in training.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9581925/seattle-seahawks-use-unusual-techniques-practice-espn-magazine hi 

"On this Sunday morning, it starts with meditation with Gervais, whom Carroll began to integrate into the program in 2011, at first working on the fringes as a consultant, then becoming a sideline regular last year.  For the newcomers to his sessions, Gervais keeps them short, about six minutes.  For those with some experience, he prepares longer, more individual meditations.  No one is required to be here, yet about 20 players show up at various times every week to breathe in, breathe out, and open their minds.  The entire roster also participates in yoga class, which players enjoyed so much last year as an optional activity that the staff decided to make it a mandated part of player workouts this year."


Last night I was watching a post-game interview with quarterback, Russell Wilson, who was asked how he kept his focus after playing arguably the worst game of his career for 3-1/2 quarters, with dropped passes, fumbles, interceptions, and facing a 99.9% probability of losing this conference championship game with 3 minutes left to play -- before mounting the miracle come-back.

His reply:  "You just stay in the moment, you know.  I think that's a collective effort; I think that's what we did best and that's what allowed us to make the plays we needed to make and just be in the moment;  play one play at a time and have that kind of quiet mind..."
If 26-year-old Russell Wilson, in only his 3rd year as an NFL quarterback, can clear his mind of negative chatter when the game is all but lost, in a huge hometown stadium filled with 75,000 screaming fans,  I should be able to focus on my breath and asana practice on the mat.  
Inspiration comes in many forms and from many sources.  ©
Namaste...   donnajurene

Photo Credit: ESPN Gallery

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

DEAR YOGA TEACHERS...

Dear Yoga Circle Teachers,
Please don't take this the wrong way.  You are all quite wonderful.  But there is one teeny, tiny problem….

I don't yet have a "yoga butt".  I hold you responsible.

Oh sure, I do notice my strength, balance, and flexibility have improved dramatically.  My alignment is better.  My anxiety levels have dropped significantly since learning to breathe mindfully and meditate regularly.  I feel safe, accepted, and loved as part of the Yoga Circle community.  Laughter and silliness in class is a welcome respite some days when I take myself too seriously.

Still….when does the yoga butt get built?  You know the one -- rounded, pert, firm -- like the ones in Yoga Journal magazine, filling out the Prana pants.  Obviously there is something missing from your classes.  Or perhaps there is some sort of magic potion or lotion that I could try.  Maybe you could stock that on one of the merchandise shelves.

Also, a yoga waistline would be nice.  Either that or never, ever open those curtains covering the mirrors again.  I got a glance at my spare tire the other day and found it to be quite startling and not at all in keeping with the image in my mind's eye when I "see" myself doing seated twist.  Of course, I understand there could be some distortion in the mirror -- that happens to me a lot.

Well, another year is soon upon us. You may want to add one more to your list of resolutions.  Repeat after me:  "This is the year I will really and truly give donna a yoga butt and a slim waistline.  Promise!" ©

Thank you, all.  And Namaste...donnajurene

PS  HaHa!  Karen promptly posted a Best Yoga Butt Exercises link on the Yoga Circle Facebook page!  Love it! Thanks!  https://www.facebook.com/YogaCircleStudio?fref=nf

Photo Credit: davidmakings@123RF




Friday, January 16, 2015

"I NEVER GET SICK"....OH, REALLY?

Arrgggg..... A week ago today I woke up with a sore throat and stuffy nose.  I gave myself until noon to get better, because....I NEVER GET SICK!  Last winter I had nary a sniffle and can't recall the last time I had anything resembling the flu.  (Frantically knocking on wood now.)

But...a bug got me this winter.  A "common cold" and not the flu, thankfully, but annoying and wearying enough.  I've missed many Yoga Circle classes and have not done much practice at home either.  But this morning I finally Googled "yoga postures for nasal congestion".  Up popped a helpful list of recommended asanas:  http://yoganonymous.com/5-yoga-poses-to-relieve-colds-congestion/   I'm sorry.  I can't do most of these with ease on my strongest days, let alone in my weakened condition.  Sheesh!

Another search gave me this more complete menu of advice:  http://www.gaiamtv.com/article/3-yoga-practices-sinus-relief

ASANA:

That's more like it -- the "Beginner" series, anyway, lists asanas I can do easily -- Child's Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Forward Fold, Rabbit Pose.   But I see some of the others from the first link in the intermediate/advanced category, so I guess they really do the trick -- Shoulder Stand, Plow Pose, Headstand.  Maybe I'll give them a try with a bunch of modifications and props, such that I'm likely to deem them ineffective, but what the heck..worth a try.

NETI POT NASAL IRRIGATION:

The Neti Pot is something I've been using.  Do you use a Neti Pot to clear nasal passages?  While some find it soothing, I believe it's more akin to a waterboarding experience, but that may just be my aversion to getting water up my nose and a sensitive gag reflex.  So I struggle through the procedure, with some reluctance and much procrastination, after which I feel much, much better....for a while.  It doesn't cure anything and needs to be repeated, but it does help a lot in the short term.

I took a photo of my Neti Pot, in a beautiful still life pose, for this blog post.  I have spared you the photos I found online of folks demo-ing Neti Pot use in a more graphic manner.  Also, I would just like to add, any photo taken of me in mid-process would likely make you sick, if you are not already.

PRANAYAMA:

Mindful breathing is another thing I've been trying to do -- when I can breathe through my stuffed nose.

Belly Breathing -- deep slow breaths, watching the rise and fall of the belly.  Love this one and I've been doing it a lot.

Calming Breath -- I do this one when I am feeling anxious or about to go on stage for a poetry reading or emcee'ing something or other as I do occasionally.  It is very relaxing, but not so easy to do when one or other nostril is blocked!

Breath of Fire -- I think this one is fun and funny, but I mostly just start to hyperventilate in short order.  Need further practice.

So, even though I am not at the studio much while I sniffle and cough my way through this, I am with you in spirit, Neti pot at the ready and mindfully breathing into a nasal draining posture of self-care.  Carry on!  And may you be well.  ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

SHARING IS CARING

So, it turns out that four weeks of almost daily eggnog lattes and/or peppermint mochas, which pair nicely with frosted sugar cookies and milk chocolate fudge, will result in maybe an itsy bit of weight gain.  Who knew?!?

So, here's me in the early stages of 2015, three to five pounds heavier (depending upon how gingerly I step on the scale at various times throughout the day), once again vowing to move this rockin' bod back into pre-holiday form (at which time I was also promising to move this bod into a more svelte version of itself even then).  Some people just love a challenge.

A friend of mine recently completed yoga teacher training and has started a Facebook Group for support of those who want to pursue a home practice.  I joined her group.  She posts lots of great videos and "challenges" and tips and advice and people post photos or comments about how it's going for them.  I figured on the days when I have other commitments, but have time for a short asana practice, I can just stream one of the videos and still get in a few poses between other things going on in my day.  Plus, it's fun to see others posting about their own struggles and triumphs.

I vowed to start a 30 Minutes of Yoga for 30 Days Challenge on January 1st.  This is never a good idea.  I ended up skipping the first day -- Rose Parade, Bowl Games, leftovers…hmmm.  So I did the first day of the Challenge on January 2nd.  Then I skipped January 3rd, but did some weight-lifting instead.  Then I skipped January 4th and 5th because…I was busy.  Today is January 6th and I'll be going to Yoga Circle and I'm super glad of that since...

This at home thing might not work out for me.  Or... I might take this challenge not so much as 30 days of Yoga, but 30 days of exploring why I sabotage my own best interest.  I am watching my mind and it mostly says…"do it later", "do it later"…. and later never feels like a good time either.   My mind is also noticing my preferences (like writing) over what feels effortful (like moving).  I'm also working on accepting the basics of who I am and what thrills and motivates me and what doesn't, then challenging those ingrained assumptions, and moving toward a more peaceful balance between ease and effort.  I'm tired of the struggle.

And that's the beginning of the intention I will craft for 2015.  No more struggle.  How about you?  How do you ease into those things that challenge you?  How accepting are you of yourself, just as you are?  Where can you find a peaceful coexistence with all the parts of yourself?  ©

Namaste, friends, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!   donnajurene

Photo Credit: stylephotographs@www.123rf.com