KIRTAN, RAGA, AND WORLD MUSIC

Last month I wrote a blog post about Kirtan.   Click below for more information about this lovely practice of devotional chanting:  http://circlingthemat.blogspot.com/2015/12/make-joyful-noise-kirtan-coming-to-yoga.html

Want the condensed version?
Kirtan is:
1.  Devotional singing/chanting in the Hindu tradition (simple melodies)  (You DO NOT have to have a great voice, anyone can do it!)
2.  A place to "rest" your mind as the repetitive words become a meditative mantra.
3.  Usually in Sanskrit, but easy enough to pronounce (and lyric sheets are available)
4.  Call and response: the leader sings a line and the participants repeat the line (easy!)
5.  Sweetly meditative and/or rousing and uplifting (clapping, even dancing, greatly encouraged if so moved!)
6.  Not a performance, but a participatory experience -- after each song, sit in a time of silence to feel the resonance of the experience (no applause).
7.  Fun!  Moving!  Meditative!  Community building!

Yoga Circle will host a Kirtan (and more!) by Richard Russell on 2/13/16.  It's a perfect opportunity to treat your Valentine Heart to an evening of love.   Kirtan is generally NOT available to us locally; I usually have to drive to Seattle to go to a Kirtan, so this is a special opportunity and if we support it, we can build a Kirtan community here too!

Potluck at 6:00.  Kirtan at 7:00.  Hope to see you there!!! ©

HAVE EMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO ARE HURTING - A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

Nope.  I haven't written much this month.  I apologize to anyone who missed me and especially to Karen, with whom I have an agreement to write a few blog posts every month.  I'll be back on track soon.

But you know...sometimes there are no words.

Our family has been sitting vigil, not in person because we live 2000 miles apart, but in spirit, with my younger brother who last Friday lost his life to cancer.  It has been a horrific year, since the cancer we thought cured had recurred.  Aggressive chemo regimens didn't work so he discontinued treatment in June and hoped to make it through the holidays.  He did.

I have been so blessed to receive much love and support throughout this time and especially in the past few days since his passing.  Say what you will about social media, it feels good to get those messages of condolence in our 21st Century modes of communication online.  I've gotten phone calls, emails, texts, and cards.  Also flowers.  I have some amazing friends.

Then Karen posted this excellent video to the Yoga Circle Facebook page and I had to share it again here.  Empathy.  What Brene Brown says in this little video is so true. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

Empathy is "feeling with" the person who is hurting; no silver linings.  I have had a truckload of empathy since Friday.  I am grateful. ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

SLIDING BACKWARD

The devil made me do it.  That evil little munchkin who whispers in my ear:  "It's OK....you're hungry!  This is breakfast; you can work it off.  Just eat salad the rest of the day..."

I meet a friend for breakfast once a week, on a day that also happens to be my regular Yoga day.  And my "regular" days seem to have gotten infrequent over the holidays what with lots going on in addition to my 3 days/week Granny Nanny job.  So it turns out I didn't make it to the studio again last week.  Consequently, I was ready this morning.  I was EAGER.  I fully intended to eat a light breakfast and show up on the mat full of vigor.

Unfortunately, that little devil talked me out of the eggs and cottage cheese combo I had intended to order and instead I ended up with a plate of eggs, bacon, and French Toast in front of me.  I hardly know how that happened.  I guess the words came out of my mouth and the waitress brought what I asked for, but really, I don't think it was actually me speaking.

So on the mat, I felt anything but vigorous, or light, or limber.  Mostly I felt like a garden slug with a bit of a bloated tummy and a deep desire to just do 90 minutes of Savasana -- under a rock.  But I made it through the class, following instructions and moving into a deeply meditative state of attentiveness .... on the clock.  Oh, yes, I wanted to be somewhere else; not there.

I could immediately tell I had taken far too many days off from practice.  I was stiff, my wrists hurt, I didn't bend or balance with anything like my usual (haha) grace.  I reminded myself that Yoga is NOT optional, but necessary for me to maintain my girlish figure and youthful exuberance.  Also, to maintain my ability to get out of a chair, which is more the point as I grow into elder years.

I also realized that the five pounds I gained over the holidays was now draped with some heft over my thighs in Child's Pose, there to remind me that every bite I eat moves directly and with some rapidity to my abdomen, there to set up a squatter's camp of stubborn insistence on its right to remain regardless of subsequent calorie restriction or treadmill activity.

I tried to be thankful that I at least had thrown in some "on the spur of the moment" at home poses during my classroom hiatus, but that is nothing like a full-on 90 minute class, which is so much more intentional and challenging than a few brief Downward Dogs and Forward Folds in the living room.

I have decided NOT to beat myself up about this little backslide.  I know I can get back in the Yoga Groove.  I know how amazing I feel and how good it is for me to do this practice.

And the weight will come off again as soon as I get on Angie's List and find an Exorcist. ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

Photo Credit: pixabay.com