Archive for ‘Articles’
Excersing Responds-Ability
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Sitting there, take a breath and feel what is going on inside you right now. Can you feel your breath moving your physical body? Are there any thoughts flying around in your mind? Can you feel the response or reaction in your body? Excitement, irritation, tension, joy, a desire to strike out, run or hold your breath? What is the mind/body communicating you right now?
Each moment there are thousands of neurological activations happening in your body. Each thought generates an electrical spark, which has a chemical reaction and all of this is triggered by your personal Samskara (habit.) When we practice yoga, we become fine-tuned to all that is going on, and awakened to the response/reactions. Choice is born from that awareness, we become Response-Able.
Take another breath. What is happening now?
It is that practice in yoga that is the key to your transformation. When you become aware of what is happening now, and aware of what you are feeling, your choices broaden. When you are unaware of what is going on, your habits or conditional reactions will govern you. It is like the movie Groundhog Day, when everything just keeps repeating itself and you don’t know why nor do you like it. As you become more familiar with what is happening, what you are feeling, and what thoughts you are thinking you will begin to see the moment when a reaction can become simply a response.
Think of it this way, a response is the feeling you have about what is happening. It is the result of the stimulus in the moment. Have you ever heard a choir sing, and then the responds? That is what is happening in your body. The mind has a thought and the body sings the responds with a feeling. A reaction is what you are doing with that responds (and often it is not for the highest good.) We all have had those moments when we react to something, and then soon after regretted what we said or did. Would you like to avoid feeling regret?
Underlining the transition from a response to reactions is very often the inability to accept was is happening. This is a whole other subject for an article, but is key to this one as well. Accepting what is happening in a given moment can be so very tricky for some, as it implies that you are condoning it. Number ONE understanding of acceptance is that it is simply stating what is happening in the moment. It is neither condoning it nor stating that it will continue. When we can accept what is happening we simple see the presence clearly. From there we can make choices that serve us, and continue to amplify feelings that inspire us.
For instance imagine it is raining right now. If you start flying off the handle, not accepting that it is raining, how would you feel? What choices might you make? How wet would you be? On the other hand, when you accept that it is raining you may find your umbrella, enjoy the free car wash and be happy for the plants in your yard.
Learn to be more present in the feelings you are having, and let the response factor guide you. If what is happening in a given moment is creating a feeling just be with it. Be in the feeling and let your mind hear it. “I’m feeling _____________(name the feeling) right now.” Creating some space to observe the feeling before jumping into action gives you the opportunity to give a broadened perspective on it. Maybe all you need to do is feel it. Let your Response-Ability be exercised daily, simply take a breath and feel what is going on now.
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Uncategorized, Yoga Philosophy | No Comments »
Receptivity
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
I’ve been observing the concept of receptivity lately, pondering its power and gifts. Teaching Yin yoga gifts me with the opportunity to explore receptivity, as it is one of the wonderful elements of Yin nature. Receptivity is the ability to be open and fully receive which allows us to live life in limitless ways, including well-being, ease, and prosperity.
As I am teaching I notice the great ability of many of our students to push through, to resist, to go up against with such tenacity. All of this is wonderful in its nature of Yang expressed physically, yet what about its counterpart? What is your ability to be whole and fully engaged in life like? Take a look at your receptivity ability.
Are you able to openly receive? Savasana is a wonderful pose to check in with your receptivity. Are you able to be alert or do you shut down during it? Check in the next time you are doing savasana and feel your sensitivity in the pose. As you settle into the pose invite your whole body to be receptive to the floor supporting you. Relax into the support and steadiness of gravity holding you to Earth. Receive each breath with ease, allowing a sense of flow to be dominate. Unravel the nature of Yang that may be showing up wanting to push away, shut down, or be active. Lie in the stillness and openly embrace it. Or at least watch the desire to get up and run!
Receptivity simply allows. It is the quality of life that embraces a friendly, approachable nature. It is inviting and allowing life. When we live life in its wholeness we can flow from Yin to Yang as each current situation or moment dictates. In clear awareness we can be blending our receptive nature with our ability to repel. Being or doing, it’s your call every moment of the day. May you explore receptivity today, and discover its innate nature and gifts.
Tags: recepetivity, savasana, Yin Yoga
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Spirit, Yoga Philosophy | No Comments »
Hugs, Nancy
Sunday, July 17th, 2011
Some of you may notice that I sign off on my emails “Hugs, Nancy.” I thought I’d share with you how that came to be.
It was after the events of 9/11 when I was struck by all of the hatred that was one of the results of that time. I could understand the pain, and the cry for action but I was personally disturbed by the hatred that seemed to be the strong common thread for so many. I felt there was a loss of compassion and love in the response to the event that I believed would be the most vital way to come together and heal.
I wondered what I could do in this deep time of suffering. In my home, by my computer, I pondered the situation. The answer came in a small reminder of the power of love through human contact. I began to extend to all, in each of my emails a hug.
This hug was a reminder that we are all connected. To touch one another when we can in person, and through the web of connection that is the internet I found a way to vibrate love through a virtual hug. I know it was a simple thought born of a time of deep suffering, but sometimes that is all we need to begin healing. A hug.
I continue to feel the power of this salutation. I had the experience in May of seeing that power in action when I participated in a Free Global Hugs day in Key West. To feel human contact, to touch heart to heart, and to open up to others was a tremendous experience.
I believe it is only when we are disconnected from one another that we can inflict pain. When we believe that we are all living on the same planet, in the same community, part of the same family, even with all of our differences, we care for one another. It is my faith, and from there I extend to each of you as part of my family… Hugs, Nancy
Posted in Articles, Spirit | 2 Comments »
We are Well
Friday, February 4th, 2011
By: Don Bartolone
As a yoga instructor and Thai Yoga practitioner, I am awed by the resilience and well being of the body. I have observed how some people become focused on what they perceive is wrong with them, which negates the well being that is inherent in their health status. It is such a privilege to serve as a guide on this journey back to this connection to their health and well being. As I meet each person I see their light and their wholeness. I believe this gets communicated on some level and thus we begin each session.
When we initiate mindful breathing and body alignment in class or in a private session, I begin to see almost instantly their recognition of their own life force. Moving toward new possibilities for “feeling good,” they expand their awareness of what may seem like some dormant inner strength coming to the surface. Moving into yoga postures or receiving an adjusting touch to open or lengthen in the body, calls forth this sense of energy that has been minimized with the spot light being on the “problem.”
It’s so rewarding to share this type of awakening whether we’re working within the physical, emotional or mental bodies. If they are feeling sad about something, they are not really just sad nor are they depressed people. I love helping them to realize that in most instances, there is also a part of them that is OK, if not great. It’s the same with the physical body.
I recall the day that a woman in a wheel chair planned to watch our yoga class. She was rehabbing from a knee injury and responded that otherwise she felt fine. She opened to my invitation to join the class and after the class she shared that she felt great. It was a gift to all of us, her willingness to open to the experience, as we witnessed her finding her way through class with a connection to her well being, while honoring her knee’s fragile condition.
I am so grateful for this reminder that we are neither our illness nor pain of the day. Although we may fluctuate in moments of other sensations, thoughts and emotions this well being is alive and well within each of us. We are a tremendous reserve of wellbeing.
Posted in Articles, Bodywork, Inspirations from Class | 1 Comment »
The Art of Yoga
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
Recently I was pondering the concept of Art. My mind jumped with questions. What is considered Art? Does Yoga fit into that concept? Why am I thinking of all this?
When I first think of Art I think of paintings, drawings, museums and past Art classes in school. The beauty of color, form, light and shadow arise in my mind. Immediately I find myself thinking of music, the vibration and sound of instruments calling out creativity. Then I see dancers moving, expressing, and flowing with the beat and rhythm of that sound. I hear the clacking of a keyboard as a writer pulls together words that evoke emotions, sensory experiences and stories.
I think of Art as the expression of life that uplifts spirit. That brings me to yoga. The beauty that can be felt, expressed and savored during a practice uplifts me each time I step onto my mat. There is a fragrance to my practice (and it is not my mat), one of sweetness, transformation, nature and spirit. As a teacher I am double blessed, as I get to be the player and the audience as I watch others in the Art of Yoga, and the transformations that are inspired.
My teacher created a style of yoga that I continue to teach called Alchemia. Alchemia is the feminine form of alchemy, the art of transformation. We use breathe to help guide the transformation with yin nature allowing energy to move with the breath. The artist in me sees it in others as their expression shift from fear, confusion, exhaustion, or uncertainty to one of discovery, expression, joy, and bliss. Countless times a student walks into our studio, on the beach dragging with them their woes, worries, stress and concerns. I then bear witness to their recreating their thoughts, feelings and physical expressions as nature, and yoga inspire creation in them.
The Art of Yoga is one of creativity and transformation. It touches people deeply and uplifts spirit. For many who feel fractured, disconnected and limited yoga has been an elixir that bathes them with life force, connects them to source and leaves them feeling whole. Yoga as Art? I say absolutely, with a touch of magic as spirit leaps forth.
Tags: art, yoga
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Spirit, yoga | No Comments »
