FULL OF IT

Good Morning, Class.  Today we will explore the suffix "ful" and a curious evolution in our common usage of such.

One would agree, wouldn't one, that beautiful means "full of beauty"?  Likewise, fearful would indicate a feeling of "full of fear"; artful, "full of art" (or artistic ability); fanciful "full of 'fancy' or whimsy"; wonderful, "full of wonder"; graceful, "full of grace"...and so on.  There are many examples.  Take a moment to think of some.  It's fun.

In class yesterday Karen began to talk of being careful, but with a twist.  She meant that we should be full of care for ourselves, and I started to wonder....when did "Be careful" turn into an admonishment meaning "avoid disaster!"  We shout, "Be careful!" to toddlers learning to use stairs; to teenagers driving for the first time; to husbands with a bad knee still doing Double Diamond gladed runs on his snowboard.  (OK, maybe that's just me, but he did hit a tree one time and ended up with bruised ribs.)

Be careful, of course, does indicate a desire for our loved one, or ourself, to take care in a myriad of ways to stay healthy and whole, but we use the term as a warning, issued as a limitation.

These days we are being told to embrace radical acceptance and to seek activities that are renewing and refreshing and we call it "self-care".  Aren't we actually engaging in being "care-FULL" when we lie on the massage table, take a nap, read a book, meet a friend for coffee, enjoy a healthful (full of health!) meal, or step onto our yoga mats?

And if we are reclaiming careful, let's also give a shout-out to awful.  How about instead of that word most typically meaning something terrible, no good, and to be avoided, we instead looked at the world from a place of being "full of awe".

Yes!  I think one of my New Year Intentions (I refuse to make short-term resolutions, but I do set long-term intentions), is to reclaim the words "careful" and "awful" -- removing them from the negative connotation of something to be feared, something that can harm, something to avoid -- to a way of being in the world that uplifts me, reminds me to care for myself in a positive way and to be appreciative and grateful for life's mysteries.  I want to be "full of care"  and "full of awe" in a way that enhances my life.

Let's all greet 2019 by being very, very care-full and very, very awe-full!  ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

SCHOOL DAZE

Oh my!  What have I done????

Over a period of 2-3 weeks, I picked up the brochure numerous times, read it, and put it down again on top of the stack of other brochures.  One day  I stuck one in my purse and took it home.  The next day I brought it back.  One day I told my husband about my inkling and he asked why I was hesitating.  He was encouraging.  Still, I hesitated.  I took home another brochure.  I left it on my desk so I'd see it every day.  Finally, finally I listened to the small, still voice that was whispering "Yes, do it."

I finally picked up the Yoga Teacher training brochure and committed.  I've registered for Karen and Elizabeth's 200-hour course which will start in January and go through July.  Oh my...

Why was I hesitating?  Well, there was this:  Who am I to think I could actually teach yoga to anyone???  I can't do all the poses; I'm not deeply steeped in the yogic philosophy; I know almost nothing about human anatomy; I've got some aches and pains and some days I feel like a beginner even after practicing for over 10 years.

Then there was that huge time commitment at a time in my life when I'm actively avoiding ongoing commitments.  I'm retired!  I don't have to do anything!  But there it was --one weekend a month for six months I'll be in class Thursday from 5:30-8:30, Friday and Saturday 10:00-6:00, and Sunday 9:00-5:30.  It all culminates with a 5 day intensive retreat in July.  That is a lot!  Plus I gotta think there will be homework.

Another smaller, yet real concern was my age.  I'll be 68 years old next week.  Isn't a bit late to be starting something new?  I imagined everyone else in the class being young, fit, and vivacious, with body hugging cute outfits and yoga butts -- not like me in my hoodie cuz I tend to be chilly, prone to migraines, plantar facititis, a glitchy hip, a crooked scoliosis-leaning spine, and a wee touch of occasional anxiety.  Plus, I have not taken formal study in anything in many, many years.  I didn't want to be the slow learner.

What brought me around?  Curiosity.  Challenge.  Passion.  Vision.  Community.

I may not know much about yoga philosophy and human anatomy, but I really want to learn about both!  I'm excited about this most of all.  I like the challenge of delving into a course of study and I can already feel the 'first day of school' anticipation I used to feel as a kid.  I was one of those who loved school and the possibilities of worlds to discover contained in every textbook and syllabus.

I'm passionate about yoga.  That doesn't mean I am an obsessive practitioner, but I am an evangelist for the benefits to mind, body, and spirit of the practice and I'm always grateful for having incorporated it into my life.  I tout the practice to others at every opportunity.  Yoga is a metaphor for life...it's all right there on the mat if you are open to it.

I want to deepen my own practice with this study, foremost, but occasionally I have fantasies of teaching informally in settings for kids and older people.  I volunteer in my granddaughter's 3rd grade classroom and I can imagine introducing simple breathing and asana there; also at my other granddaughter's preschool.  At the other end of the age spectrum, I have a vision of taking simple yoga practices into Adult Family Homes.  My mother lived in one of these and I loved visiting with her and residents there, but saw the isolation from activities that are more available in other more institutional "senior living" settings. I think it would be fun and beneficial for them to have a "yoga day".

I don't know if any of that will come to pass.  I'm taking it one step at a time.  For now I'm looking forward to joining Karen and Elizabeth, to meeting the other students, and to forming our little community of learners -- risking, laughing, learning, and growing together.

(And NO, I'm not too old!  I'm a strong advocate for stamping out ageism and this is my way of acknowledging that while I might have some hesitancy, that won't stop me!  I'm ready to rock this yoga teacher thing!)©

Namaste, donnajurene