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!
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
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 »
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.
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
