One of the places I teach has a mirror-lined wall. I encourage students to use it for alignment, when appropriate, but to keep the focus inside.
That said, I’d like to take a momentary break from the spiritual to appreciate the, ahem, more physical benefits of yoga. Think of it as an added inspiration for the New Year, or, enjoy on a purely visual level.
No one came to class tonight. I’m not surprised. The holidays are full of resting, traveling and overeating. When Christmas is done, New Year’s is right around the corner. It’s all too much.
But this might be the very best time to get on the mat. Even if it’s only for ten minutes. Taking time for yourself, to breathe deeply, and to move is a gift we all deserve to give to ourselves.
Happy New Year, Yogis.
[image via mac]
Despite my many years being a human, I’m still somehow shocked when “yoga people” display human traits – like rudeness, disrespect or just plain absentmindedness.
When a “regular” business person fails to return my call, I chalk it up to business. But when a “yoga” person does the same thing, I am not so willing to shrug it off.
I was even surprised to run in to a yoga teacher of mine at a bar. How dare she have a glass of wine, when even I am here to meditate on booze and peanuts!
Of course, I acknowledge we are all simply people. Some seeking more actively or more loudly than others. But I think I somehow expect more from people who I know are trying. Am I harder on “yoga people” than I am on everyone else?
And where do I fit in to this package if I consider myself a yoga person? I certainly try to be mindful. But, just like anyone else, I get frustrated with the person in front of me online, or the cab that won’t drive me home. Do I have an even higher responsibility to keep my cool if I’m carrying my yoga bag over my shoulder?
Do we all judge people who claim to be trying to mindful even more harshly when they’re not? If so, why do we do this? Is it an ego thing? Some sort of schadenfreude at their inability to be perfect?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Comments: open.
December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?
Almost a year ago, I went to an introductory night for yoga teacher training at the Open Center – just to see. I sat there for a couple of hours letting the joy and wisdom of the program leaders wash over me. Before the evening was over, I knew I’d be jumping on board – for better or worse.
Even though the decision was made, I found myself up at the front of the room approaching Priti, one of our beautiful teachers. Before I knew it, I just blurted out: I’m scared! And without a moment’s hesitation, she embraced me. I was so overwhelmed at that moment, and so, so nurtured. I still get choked up thinking about it.
The journey to becoming a teacher has surprised me (and still surprises me!) in its simplicity, and in its challenges. I mean, frankly, there are times where I am a complete mess – as a yoga teacher and as a functioning adult. But this challenge has touched me to the core and changed the way I approach life for the better, even with the fear and the mess.
December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?
This year L.O. and I pulled up our roots, quit our full-time jobs and spent three weeks across the country in Oregon. I’d been to Portland once before, only for a couple of days, but I fell in love with Oregon right away.
Away from New York and into the wild, it felt like another world. Someplace to actually be able to breathe. We hiked, we lounged around and read, we went to the coast and spent the day in sweaters on the beach – probably my favorite combination of all time. Oregon was made for open skies and hot tea and being just as exhausted from activity as I was from sloth.
I came home centered and ready to set “the plan” – a more balanced lifestyle with yoga teaching and freelance advertising work – into motion.
martinis and mantras 