Archive for ‘Uncategorized’
Fairy Godmother or Dream Squasher?
Monday, December 19th, 2011
The power of Yoga permeates our practice no matter which angle we approach it from. As we stretch, breathe bigger, quiet the mind and/or challenge our bodies things begin to change. A broadening of ourselves cracks open and we begin to see new possibilities on many levels. What we believed to be impossible at one point in our lives begins to seem not only possible but is already happening in our lives and all around us. We begin to dream of new possibilities, and see them realized.
As I was biking the island yesterday I began to have these thoughts and images around how we relate to one another when it comes to dreaming. It seems that there is a cultural conditioning, which is well accepted, to be what I will call a Dream Squasher. We may not realize we have that habit, or condition. We may even validate our actions with reasoning like, “but I need to help them out so they don’t get hurt,” or “I need to speak my truth.” In the end what we are inflicting on one another is another opinion (often unasked for) that pulls the rug out from the dreaming process.
Do you recognize this behavior in yourself? Want to set it free? First recognize your habitual responses that start in the gut and find their way to your tongue that are less than supportive, or down right undermining. You’ll also need to be clearly aware of when someone is sharing a dream, notice your conditioned need to squash it, and take a breath.
Here is your time to step onto the platform called supportive. No Fairy Godmother (nor Godfather) leaves home without this bit of magic. If you want to become a Fairy Godmother then first you will need to learn to charge your responses and words with the magic of support, inspiration and empowerment. These powerful three are the fairy dust we all are brightened and encouraged by.
Support is the way in which we keep something or someone “upright”. We sustain and provide help when asked for, and belief in the dream. We even stretch our own awareness to see how this dream will and can become a reality.
Inspiration is a stimulus energy that helps the creative process to mature. It is like compost that nourishes the dreaming process. There is the moment when we first begin to share our dreams that catches our breath, and we await the next “inspiration.” The Fairy Godmother gets to stimulate that inspiration, that intake of new ideas, and breathes energy into it.
Empowerment is the fine art of creating space for power to be declared. We bring the quality of esteem alive by giving high regard and consideration to another’s ideas or dreams which is like hypercharging the concept. With great dexterity we step aside and create the space for the manifestation of another’s dream. Pow!
Our transformation is complete as we begin to hear our words transform from discouraging, disapproval, and disempowering to our magic 3 – support, inspiration and empowerment. Responds like, “what are you thinking”, or “did you consider…” become, “wow, that’s sounds wonderful” or “I love hearing how excited you are with this idea, and I know you can bring it alive with the passion you are feeling.”
As with many transformational processes, the “feel good” quality is symbiotic. The benefits are felt by both the dreamer and you. There is such a rush when you are dreaming your dream and someone else creates the space and energy for it to be realized. As you support another that rush flies through you as well. I guess that’s why it is often called divine. Here is to more of us on the path of Fairydom.
Posted in Inspirations from Class, Spirit, Uncategorized, yoga | No Comments »
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 »
Surrender based Community
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Surrrender
I often speak of Surrender in Yin yoga class, as it is one of the powerful qualities of yin.
I notice for many the word surrender brings up an emotional resistance, a big NO in their system. Some wince across their brow, while others stiffen their bodies, and then there are those that shut down or tune out. For them the word brings up a disempowering energy, a “them over me” concept, the image of a white flag waving “I give up.” But that is just one way to think about surrender.
Many of you have heard me define Surrender as the choice you make to become something bigger or greater than you are. The powerful nature of this Surrender is that you make the choice. YOU recognize that there is something out there greater than you, and you choose to become part of it. YOGA defined as Unity happens in that moment. You unite with the divine. You become part of something, no longer alone out there. You transform yourself, gifting many.
During our first class back on Cape Cod, with 34 voices, I heard that moment when we chanted our first OM together. The blending and uniting of our voices and spirits brought a tickle to my soul and tears of joy to my heart. Did you feel it? In the simple act of chanting OM we became one, we created Community.
Community is a crucial part of thriving on this planet that has been a bit elusive for many of us in our current culture. For so many of us, our lifestyle trends have left us feeling separate or alone. Creating a space on the yoga deck, where we can bond, connect and Surrender into community is just as important to me as a yoga instructor, as where your foot goes in a pose. It is an intentional offering that I bring to our practice on the beach.
We unite with one another. We Surrender with Nature. We unite with our practice. We Surrender to the divine. YOGA! See you on the beach, and get your Surrender on!
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
The Power of Hugs
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
May 8th I participated in my first Global Free Hug event. Yes, there truly is an event for giving away free hugs, and it is awesome! We were part of the southernmost Global huggers, as we gathered near the Southernmost Point in Key West. For almost 2 hours we stood by as people lined up to take pictures by the large buoy marker that symbolizes the southernmost point on the continental US. It is one of the big tourist spots in Key West, and a great place to hug people.
Holding a sign that said FREE HUGS on one side, and on the other side of the sign it was written in about 5 other languages, we started opening our arms, and hearts to hug. It is so interesting to see the reactions. Some people just love the idea of a hug, both giving and receiving, while others were not open at all. I loved watching as the “fence sitters” would pause, hesitate, then smile and open to it.
And the people we meet were delightful! I hugged people from Serbia, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, and Cuba, not to mention Michigan, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California, Oregon, and Miami. Yes, I do think of Miami as a different “state” than Key West.
Some of my memorable moments included the bride and groom, just down from getting married at Bahia Honda, so young, happy and ready to celebrate. It was a delight to hug a group of “bikers” who just loved a good strong, yet gentle hug. Meeting a woman who had just moved to Key West a week ago and ended up joining us giving great hugs was a thrill. One couple was on a mission placing prayer flags around the world, and kismet had us there hugging when they came to the Southernmost Point. As the t-shirt says, Life is Good.
Most of the young children got right into the glee of the moment, especially when their parent’s gave them the “all’s clear” seal of approval. They almost giggled through the sheer pleasure of the spirit of the event. One young boy had the brightest smile when we finished our hug that still lingers with me today.
Only a few people held firm to not wanting a hug, and we honored their comfort level. I still scratch my head at one woman’s response when we offered up a hug to her and she replied “I haven’t had my dinner yet.” To each their own and I celebrate that!
I left for home riding joyfully down the street, and feeling a high I haven’t experienced in a long time. It lingered for hours, and then settled into a sweet sleep. Hugs are so powerful, may you feel one (or many) today.
May 8th I participated in my first Global Free Hug event. Yes, there truly is an event for giving away free hugs, and it is awesome! We were part of the southernmost Global huggers, as we gathered near the Southernmost Point in Key West. For almost 2 hours we stood by as people lined up to take pictures by the large buoy marker that symbolizes the southernmost point on the continental US. It is one of the big tourist spots in Key West, and a great place to hug people.
Holding a sign that said FREE HUGS on one side, and on the other side of the sign it was written in about 5 other languages, we started opening our arms, and hearts to hug. It is so interesting to see the reactions. Some people just love the idea of a hug, both giving and receiving, while others were not open at all. I loved watching as the “fence sitters” would pause, hesitate, then smile and open to it.
And the people we meet were delightful! I hugged people from Serbia, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, and Cuba, not to mention Michigan, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California, Oregon, and Miami. Yes, I do think of Miami as a different “state” than Key West.
Some of my memorable moments included the bride and groom, just down from getting married at Bahia Honda, so young, happy and ready to celebrate. It was a delight to hug a group of “bikers” who just loved a good strong, yet gentle hug. Meeting a woman who had just moved to Key West a week ago and ended up joining us giving great hugs was a thrill. One couple was on a mission placing prayer flags around the world, and kismet had us there hugging when they came to the Southernmost Point. As the t-shirt says, Life is Good.
Most of the young children got right into the glee of the moment, especially when their parent’s gave them the “all’s clear” seal of approval. They almost giggled through the sheer pleasure of the spirit of the event. One young boy had the brightest smile when we finished our hug that still lingers with me today.
Only a few people held firm to not wanting a hug, and we honored their comfort level. I still scratch my head at one woman’s response when we offered up a hug to her and she replied “I haven’t had my dinner yet.” To each their own and I celebrate that!
I left for home riding joyfully down the street, and feeling a high I haven’t experienced in a long time. It lingered for hours, and then settled into a sweet sleep. Hugs are so powerful, may you feel one (or many) today.
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Yoga with Dad
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
Recently I experienced a peak joyous moment in over 10 years of teaching Yoga. I got to share the experience with my 83 year old Dad while he took his first yoga class. Don was teaching, and I was assisting the class including giving Dad some modifications for his physical abilities. It was a remarkable experience to see him find his breath, sit next to him while he monitored himself, and found his way in and out of the poses.
My father has a new lease on life these days, as he started dialysis about 6 months ago. He feels 10 years younger than he did before dialysis, and really wants to enjoy life again. The fact that he visited us in Key West is a bit of a miracle, as he had sworn off travel back when he was feeling so sick from kidney failure. His ‘joie de vivre’ has him trying so many things, with a most adventurous spirit, including riding a bike, swimming, and now yoga.
Dad did the seated poses on a bench, making adjustments here and there. His lunges were so beautifully done with a block for his feet, as he leaned onto the picnic bench and stretched his legs. When the class did the standing sequences Dad moved onto his mat. Dad listened with such intensity to Don as he searched for the place in his body, or in his breath for each pose. At times he would look for assistance from me, for an alternative way or for support with balance but Dad also has a touch of the independent streak you may have seen in me. I loved honoring his wish to find his way, do it himself and help him when asked.
After doing the standing sequences of Warrior poses and Triangle, the class moved back to the ground and Dad back to the bench. Stretching out again I could hear his breathing shift from one of struggle to ease. He sipped in a longer breath and exhaled with the essense of calm that seems to ooze out of the pine trees and ocean. During Sivasana Dad sat back and took in the beauty, remarking later that he really enjoyed watching the pelicans. I sat next to him thinking that the next part of class, when we close the class with chanting, Dad would probably not join in. I love a good assumption blasted out of my mind, and when I heard Dad chanting Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti my heart leapt with delight!
I have learned so much from my Dad, and continue to do so. Sharing yoga with him I learned to keep an open mind, experience life each day with a sense of wonder and that we are only as old as we think. During the day Dad kept remarking on how good he felt. He wasn’t sure if it was the yoga, or being out on the beach. I know it was that and so much more.
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