YOGA NEWBIES WELCOME!

Oh, this is so exciting!  Karen Guzak, Yoga Circle owner and teacher, is teaching FREE Intro to Yoga classes on selected Sundays this summer from 1:00-2:30 -- July 5th, August 2nd, August 15th. This is your chance!!!

Are you Yoga-curious?  Now's the time to give it a try.  My advice -- just do it!  Really.  You won't find a kinder, gentler studio.  No wall-to-wall sweaty bodies, no scary headstands, no teachers shouting out instruction over their headsets.  This is a place to come for a warm greeting, a slow move through basic asana (poses) and lots and lots of encouragement.

Of course I, too, was a little terrified my first time in the studio.  I've written in this blog about being a newbie.  (Look at some of the earliest posts in the archives.)  It can be intimidating when you don't know your Downward Dog from your Huckleberry Hound.  And what's with all those blocks and straps and blankets?  Well, they are "props" and you will get instruction in how to use them -- or not.  Everything is optional and there to help you in whatever way you need support.  It's OK to be clumsy; it's OK to be confused; it's OK to laugh; it's OK to fall out of a pose; it's even OK to fart (yes, there is a blog post about that too.)

Yoga Circle attracts women and men of all ages and all body sizes and types.  Some are lithe and limber, others stiff and sore or injured.  Some are slim and muscular and some are ample and curvy.  You WILL fit in!

The best piece of advice I would give is to leave your critical voice at home.  You know the one -- the mean girl or guy who whispers in your ear all the ways in which you screw up, or warns you of all the ways you will embarrass yourself.   That voice is not invited.  Lock it in the car in the parking lot.  You are on an adventure of discovery.  You want to strengthen your body and calm your mind.  And you don't want any gruff for efforts.

On this one I speak from recent experience.  Every day is a newbie day.  I've been practicing yoga for 6-7 years and at this morning's class I fell on my back while in an unsupported Boat Pose.  Boom!  And poses that generally are easy for me seemed hard and even impossible today.  I had to get firm with my critical whisperer and silence her!  Our bodies need different things at different times.  Our strength and flexibility wax and wane for many reasons.  If I listened to the "you can't do it" critic every time I made a mistake, I'd have quit long ago.  But I know that a regular practice reaps real and tangible benefits over the long haul.

Come with a smile, a willing attitude, a Beginner's Mind and just have fun!  You CAN do it!©

Namaste,
   donnajurene

INTENTION. ATTENTION. ATTITUDE.

Intention.  Attention.  Attitude.  How often do we hear Karen speak of this in class?  A lot.  Because it is so wise.

We set an Intention, we give that Intention our Attention, and we adjust our Attitude to ensure we are finding meaning and joy in the process.  How does this manifest for you?

Every January, instead of a New Year's Resolution (so short-lived!), I set an intention for the year.  This started many years ago in my women's group where we share our individual intentions and promise to hold each other accountable for keeping the intention in mind and manifesting as the year progresses.  One year my intention was to "public" my closeted creativity.  It was the year I first read my poetry publicly and organized and facilitated a monthly Ecstatic Dance event.  My Intention to reveal my desire to share those creative pursuits (in spite of fear and trepidation -- what if I failed???), was met with my Attention to how I'd do that (the poetry open mics and promoting the dance thing), held together by the glue of assuming an Attitude of "why not?...just do it!"  

I find it easy to set the Intention.  There are so many things I "intend"!  The list is endless.  But sometimes I get bogged down in the Attention phase.  There are also so many distractions as well and opportunities to procrastinate.  "Later."  "Next week."  "Next month."  And Attitude?  Well, in class recently when a sister yogi talked about a Society of Optimists, I asked if they allowed Pessimists in. I struggle with a glass half-empty default.  I think my life's work might be to adjust my attitude to one of optimism.  I'm often successful, but it's a system over-ride to get there.  So my Attitude about the Intention is often where I struggle.  Yet, every year I have been able to find an Intention to which to give my Attention and have developed the Attitude to find success -- or at least deep learning in the struggle.

This practice is also available to me when I come to class.  After I've gathered my props and arranged my mat, I stand at the back edge, bringing my hands together in Namaste, eyes closed, head slightly bowed.   I set an intention for the class.  I've done this almost from Day 1 of walking into a yoga studio.  My yoga practice is sacred to me and my intention is to treat it as such.  My Intention is to focus on my own practice, to give it my full Attention.  I remind myself to assume a humble Attitude; to not get competitive with myself or others, be open to and aware of emotions and judgments that may arise, and to appreciate the transformation that will occur within me.  Because the Hindu god Shiva dances away the old, creating chaos in the process, to make way for the new, I invoke his name: Om Namah Shivaya.  

This simple ritual of Intention, Attention, Attitude is transformative.  It works anywhere, for anything we are engaged in.   Give it a try! ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY

We did it!  United Nations International Yoga Day -- June 21, 2015.  The first ever.  Click on this link for some amazing photographs of the event taken all over the globe yesterday.
http://mashable.com/2015/06/21/photos-international-yoga-day/

Alas, the Associate Press forgot to come to Snohomish.  But there were plenty of cameras on hand and I took a few shots with my phone.  But most of those I've borrowed for this blog post are from the Unity Day Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/UNITYdia?fref=ts  I don't think they will mind -- the goal I heard expressed over and over is that we will spread the word and build this event for years to come.  A worthy goal, because it was a fabulous opportunity to practice and find inspiration from yoga masters, wellness practitioners, meditation teachers, and fellow yogis alike.  What a joyful gathering!

I showed up well before 10:00 a.m. to be sure to be there when our own Karen Guzak was introduced and gave welcoming remarks, initially reminding the crowd that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called us to action with these words:

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition.  It embodies unity of mind and boyd; thought and account; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being.  Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world, and Nature.  By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, Yoga can help us deal with with climate change.  Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day."
                                                                                                           
Karen, who of course is Yoga Circle Studio owner and lead teacher AND Mayor of Snohomish,  challenged us to bring yoga into the world, using the tools of yoga to make our relationships and our communities better.  She offered this inspiring quote:

"Politics and spirituality are two sides of the sam coin.  Politics is the driving force visible to the outside; spirituality is the internal force driving the consciousness to open up to the world and conjoin it.  Politics bared of spiritual awareness always leads to violence and the abuse of power.  Spirituality without political engagement resembles an escape from the world." -- Gundula Schatz

Grounding ourselves in our bodies, turning inward to achieve self-knowledge and healing, creating connections to others and the wider world were also the lessons of Aadil Palkhivala, founder of Purna Yoga and International Yoga Master teacher and lecturer.  Over the next hour, he led us in a round of nine sun salutations, interspersed with wise words of teaching about how yoga serves the individual and serves the world.  Yoga's aim is not to transcend ourselves and the world but to know ourselves deeply and to serve with compassion.  So inspiring!  And he was funny and engaging.

He started us out with a very slow progression through the Sun Salutation asana.  I had ended up in the front row in front of the stage --not at all where I'd have chosen to be, but wanted to be close enough to get a few photos and before I knew it we were into the asana practice and it seemed rude at that point to pack up and move to the back.  So I stayed.  All was well until about 2/3 of the way through when the asana instruction speeded up significantly and the flow from one posture to the next was faster than I normally move.  I could tell I was a beat (or two or three) behind the instruction at various points.  But I decided to send my ego packing and just go with it at my own pace (in the blazing hot sun, I might add!  SUN Salutation was accurate!)

I knew I could only stay until about noon, since a big Fathers Day gathering was happening at home.   I regretted the conflict.  I would have loved to partake in all that was being offered -- information on Auravedic, meditation instruction, more yoga asana (even a class just for kids!)...  What a wonderful opportunity to sample from the Yoga well of wisdom.  I did have time to buy a very cool new Yoga t-shirt from one of the venders and enjoy a yummy lavender-mint kombucha tea!  It was fun to greet old friends and chat with so many Indian people who shared their culture through dance, dress, food, and music. Did you know a new Hindu temple is being built in Bothell?  A very kind man explained it to me and invited me (all!) to come.  The opportunities to know our neighbors of another culture abound through Yoga.

I don't know what the estimated attendance was throughout the day (I'd guess 75 for the morning asana in which I participated).   I was happy to see that our Congressional Representative Rick Larsen came by to join in practice in the afternoon.   (Here he is at the front of the stage, in gray, and chatting with Karen.)

While numbers were sparse compared to the larger gatherings over the globe, Aadil coined our local effort a "seed" event -- one that will grow and grow and be unrecognizable in the future, when hundreds gather in Snohomish County to celebrate the healing powers of Yoga.   I agree...See you next year!

Namaste,  donnajurene

(India Photo Credit: Reuters Adam Abidi)

TREADING WATER WITH SHIVA

I feel like I am treading water.  No, not because I've taken up Paddleboard Yoga, even though that looks really cool!  Lots of photos of beautiful women doing Lord of the Dance Pose (Natarajasana) on a paddleboard floating on calm, glassy-watered lakes is inspiring for a summer yoga practice.  But my treading water feeling is the proverbial "trying to keep my head above water" analogy of having a life that is so full with tasks and responsibilities and challenges right now that I feel I've lost my equilibrium.

We live in a big old house that we love.  It's on a big piece of property with a great view.   A couple of years ago we took part of it to finally create large berms and garden beds and raised gardens for veggies.  A couple of city kids trying to go all nature-y.  I'd say it still has "potential" as it teaches me what will grow and what won't, where.  Also the deer are thanking for me all the fresh young greens of ornamental plants, shrubs and lettuce. And who knew?...weeds keep growing after one has already weeded the whole thing TWICE this spring and summer.  Plus, the old sprinkler system doesn't reach to all of the new beds, so auxiliary hoses and hand watering got added to the schedule.  Gardening is starting to feel like raising kids!

On top of that the old LP siding has finally leaked enough to cause alarm -- and a new siding project on one side of our house is underway.   We are "do it yourself-ers", so that along with replacing some windows and painting the whole house over the coming weeks is Job One right now.  We tell ourselves all this lifting, lugging, physical labor keeps our bodies in good shape and I do feel strong.  (See me beating my chest at this point.)  I also feel tired.

Let's add to that the Granny Nanny care I provide three days a week for our new granddaughter (along with my husband on days he isn't working at his part-time job or household projects) as well as being in leadership at my Unitarian Universalist church and serving on a bunch committees.  And, sadly, an extended family member has been battling a cancer that won't quit, so a bittersweet trip across the country for a visit is now also on the horizon, as I hold him in my heart with love until then.

I bet you can relate.  I'm not unique.  All of us have lives that are so full at times that it's hard to sort out where any "down time" can come or how to prioritize all the things we need to do, many on a deadline, and then try to add in all the things we want to do which can refresh and renew -- spending time with friends, watching a movie, gathering the family for a meal, staring out the window at a 4:00 a.m. sunrise, which is at least beautiful if you are suffering from a bit of stress-induced insomnia.  (Me, today.)

I know it's important, especially now, to carve out time for meditation, yoga, healthy eating, aerobic activity, and rest.  Yet, isn't it true that when we most need this intentional self-care, we neglect it as a "low priority"?  I do.  My meditation practice has disappeared -- at least the "sitting" meditation I like to do.  I tell myself I am doing "mindful" meditation as I go about my day, challenging myself to stay in the present moment, but too often my mind is racing ahead, planning the future.   I'm eating well and moving my body, thanks to my new FitBit exercise tracker which is motivating me to hit my "steps" goals and take the stairs whenever I can, which in my house is a lot.  As for Yoga...oh dear.

Two weeks ago I didn't make it into the studio at all.  Last week I was determined, so got there on Tuesday and Saturday.  This week, I don't know -- I have baby-care every day this week.  I may need to resort to a "home practice", which I can do, but not with the same enthusiasm.   Besides, just the act of walking into Yoga Circle calms me.  So beautiful, so familiar, so nurturing.  I feel myself melting into the present moment without struggle, focusing only on the movements of my body, and eventually the stillness of my mind.  I find gratitude.

Gratitude for my health, for the abundance of my life, for my beautiful home and yard, my family, my friends, my community.  All the things that seem like chores are really a blessing.  Transitions can be challenging and I feel like so many parts of my life are transitioning now, needing my attention.  On the other side of this "busy" season will come a peaceful respite, like the waves of the ocean, ebbing and flowing.  That's life.

Lord Shiva, in the Hindu tradition, is the God of Transition.  He "dances" the world into chaos and destruction which creates room for renewal.  He is the Lord of the Dance, Nataraja, and from him comes that Dancer Pose.

Maybe I'm not treading water after all.  Maybe I'm dancing toward renewal.  Jaya Shiva Skankara (Victory to the Auspicious One, Destroyer of Obstacles).

Namaste,  donnajurene