October 10th, 2011
I recently read a wonderful book, Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman. In it she mentions the concept of a Favor Bank and it tickled my fancy to share it all with you. It is really quite simple, yet so very profound. It is a mindset and a practice. And with the way the finances of the world are these days it is a breath of fresh air for many of us when it comes to banking. We can engage in this form of prosperity no matter what the finances of the world are doing.
So what is this Favor Bank? Let’s start by defining a favor by saying that a favor is something we do for others, with no expectation of anything in return, and in the act of doing the favor it feels good for all parties. So with that understanding a few other key things may come to mind. To begin with, most often you will be asked to do the favor (that way you are not forcing your desire on someone else.) Then find it in your heart to say yes, and let go of any thoughts of how it will be returned to you. Lastly keep your eye on the way it is feeling for you, and being received by the other.
Yes that’s right, let’s pause here and remember when doing a favor it mustn’t feel good for only one person! You can’t push someone over to do them a favor, nor take advantage of others. Key to the workings of the Favor Bank is that we make our transactions with free will and an open heart. Everyone feels the worth, joy and benefit. Kaching, a deposit and withdrawal is happening simultaneously!
Now here is how the Favor Bank has been viable for centuries. Each time you do a favor for someone you are making a deposit into the Favor Bank. Sounds easy, right? Many of us love to do favors. We are happy to, and may even go out of our way to do a favor for others as it makes us feel good to be in the light of gratitude.
But as the author reminds us, for the health of the “bank” we must remember to participate in withdrawals as well! Don’t get stuck in the “doing” of favors only. Be open to receiving them as well. When others offer to do something kind for us, it is extremely important to remember to accept it as a withdrawal from the Favor Bank. When asked, “Is there something I can help with” take a moment to see if it is your time to make a withdrawal, and open to receiving this wonderful gift.
Yes that’s right unlike other banks, you will receive a gift with each deposit and withdrawal. No fees. No penalties. No time limits. The interest on your capital deposit will cover you for a lifetime. So enjoy the rewards, with no fear of retributions. This bank is user friendly. May you hear the sound of prosperity often, “kaching!”
Posted in Articles, Spirit | 4 Comments »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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!
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