“I Can’t Do That! I’m Too _______ ”

As a yoga teacher, I hear so many reasons why someone “thinks” they can’t do a pose.  My arms aren’t long enough, I’m too round in the belly, I’m too tall, I’m not that flexible, my boobs are too big…you name it, I’ve heard it. 

Yoga embraces imperfections.  Yoga “introduces you to you”, just as you are.  We each have our own list of imperfections we see in ourselves both on and off the mat.  The challenge of yoga resides in learning to embrace where you are in your body, mind and life and work with it.  Work with it just as it is.  This work is called practice.  And practice is challenging. 

From this place of challenge, you start to see yoga as a discipline.  Challenges bring you back to your mat and keep you alive in life.  Challenges encourage change.  Change results in growth.   And the more you can discipline yourself to step onto your mat and face “what is”, the stronger you’ll grow —mentally, physically and emotionally. 

Let me clarify what I mean by the word “stronger”.  I simply mean you’ll start to feel more in touch with your true Self —your individuality, spirit and beauty.  Once you can connect with and accept your Self just as you are, there’s a feeling of power that naturally resonants from the inside out.  You’ll feel it.  Others will see it. 

No one is perfect.  Wouldn’t the world be an extremely bland place to live if we were all perfect?  I certainly think so.   

Let your spirit shine and chant “Yes, I can”.  Namaste.       

Nose Breathing –why?

Almost all yoga breathing is practiced inhaling and exhaling through the nose.  Often I’m asked why? 

Below is my very short response.  For a more thorough answer, please see the related articles I’ve included at the end of this entry. 

On a basic level, as you inhale through the nose, it purifies the air upon entry into the body – filtering pollutants such as dust, pollen and bacteria.  When the breath exits through the nose, we tend to exhale a bit slower than letting it exit through the mouth.  This is important because when the breath slows down (especially the exhale), the nervous system relaxes which in turn leads to reducing stress.    

From a yogic perspective, the nose plays a critical role in funneling energy throughout the body.  Yogic texts describe the nadis, a network of energy channels residing at the base of the spine, as flowing up through the body and out of the nose.  The three key nadis commonly described are:  ida, pingala and sushumna.  Ida flows to the left nostril and is considered passive energy.  Pingala flows to the right nostril and is active energy.  Connecting the two, and bringing balance into the body, is sushumna.  Sushumna is said to send this balanced energy up to the third eye to quiet the mind and in turn relax the body.

I tried to keep this short, but this isn’t an easy question to answer as the nose is a complex body part -who knew!?!?!?!  The nose performs more than 30 functions which I think is pretty amazing.  The best thing to remember is the nose is for breathing, the mouth is for eating. 

This answer is simply based on a few things I’ve learned over the last couple of years.  If you have more details, please add them here.

Related sources:  http://bodytalk.typepad.com/new_body_blog/2007/04/the_eastern_way_1.html 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Nose-Is-For-Breathing-Your-Mouth-Is-For-Eating&id=285358 

http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/561_1.cfm

VANITY FAIR June issue –get it!

If you haven’t done so already, drop by your local bookstore and check out the June issue of Vanity Fair.  This is not a magazine I typically scan but it’s worth doing so this month. 

There are 20 pages covering the world’s greatest yoga masters of today.  To name a few, there are beautiful photos with extremely brief bios on living yoga gurus Iyengar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and TKV Desikachar as well as American masters John Friend, Shiva Rea, David Life, Sharon Gannon, Gurmukh, Rodney Yee and more.  It’s really a nice spread of so many inspirational yoga teachers. 

Oh, and be sure to check out the black & white photo of Dharma Mittra.  He’s the one we have to thank for the poster displaying 908 asanas –which is on my list to purchase.     

Check out www.abellaYOGA.com

Have you been there lately?  A few changes.  Constructive feedback/comments appreciated.

Shanti.

Yoga at the Philadelphia Art Museum –May 20

I have a fond place in my heart for Philly.  Growing up in DE, I recall my Grandmother taking me to Philly during Christmas time to see the Christmas displays at the “big” department stores –Wanemaker’s, Strawbridge’s, etc.   My parents would take me and my sister up there periodically to do some “city” shopping. 
Dover, DE lacked and still lacks real shopping.  Anyway, I always thought I’d end up living in Philly.  Who knew I’d move to DC after college and really like it.  Anyway, this caught my eye…YOGA UNITES for Living Beyond Breast Cancer:  A powerful and meaningful event.

When:  Sunday, May 20, 2007, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Where:  on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Hundreds of breast cancer survivors and supporters gather for an outdoor yoga class and Healthy Living Expo to share the healing benefits of yoga, and to raise funds for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization serving women affected by breast cancer.

Sign up at http://www.lbbc.org or call (610) 645-4567.  Early registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 16. Day-of registration will be $35 for adults and $20 for children.

BALANCE -continued

Tagging on to my last post, another crucial thing to note in regards to physical balance is your external as well as internal (mental) environment.  For many of us, being off balanced in Vrksasana can be a reflection of being out of balance in our lives. 

Take a quick survey of your life, do you feel centered?  Are you being pulled down by spending too much of your energy doing things you dislike?  What if you could spend more time in the garden rather in front of your laptop?  Reevaluate –do you really need to do all of the things you dislike?  Yes, some are responsibilities that can’t be avoided but sometimes we get overpowered by thinking we have “to do” when we really can get by with doing less. 

Balance in yoga class is just as important as having a balanced life, a balanced diet and balanced tires on your car.  It doesn’t take much to throw our lives out of whack.  It does take some time though to get back to a point where feel centered and content.  Happy balancing!   

Why can I BALANCE better on one leg than the other?

As a yoga teacher, I am frequently asked this question.  It’s natural for our bodies to be off balance especially when the last time you may have balanced was on a balance beam in junior high gym class. 

Many of us are stronger in one arm than the other.  Obviously, the stronger arm plays a dominant role in our many mundane activities –reaching for a cup of coffee, brushing your teeth, writing, eating sushi (a few of my favorite thingsJ).  As you start to observe how you move through your daily chores, you’ll probably notice you lead with the same arm regardless of the activity.  The same goes with the legs.  Which leg do you usually engage first when climbing the stairs? 

Over time, we naturally become too dependent on the stronger side of the body.  The weaker side of the body becomes overly passive while the stronger side gets overworked.  This sends us off balance. 

Balancing poses in a yoga class give us an opportunity to bring the body back to neutral.  Many yoga poses work to bring the body into balance.  Standing poses like Garudasana and Vrksasana allow you to easily experience my point.  These require more than simply balancing on one leg.  Level hips, equal footing and a steady gaze with a flowing breath are just a few key elements to finding your balance. 

Start to observe how you move in your life, both on and off your mat.  Taking a few seconds a day to notate how you move can do wonders for your balance and your body.        

Follow-up from 4/26, weekend with Ana Forrest

As for trying a new yoga teacher, I spent a weekend in April up at Four Winds Yoga in
Pennington, NJ.  Ana Forrest was there to lead a 3 day workshop on “finding your spirit”.  Not only did I journey farther down the path of connecting with my spirit, I opened my eyes to a new teacher as well as a new, flowing (and heated) style of yoga.  As I often tell my students and those new to yoga, it’s so important to try different yoga teachers and styles as each has something to offer.  For me, some are much more profound than others.      

Prior to the workshop, I had heard mixed reviews on AF.  I’m a huge believer that everyone is entitled to their views.  I also believe that when listening to someone else’s experience that’s all you need to do…listen to them.  Take in what you wish, consider it and then see for yourself.   As an individual, the experience may or may not be different for you but you don’t know until you try.

I am now a follower of Forrest Yoga and am strongly considering Ana’s teacher training program in 2008.  I’m excited she will be at Down Dog Yoga (my studio of choice in
Washington, DC) in December 2007 as I will have another chance before the year ends to be in the presence of her spirit. 

Her commanding grace, touch and words rejuvenated my practice and gave me something to ponder as I consider the next phase of my teacher training.    

As I said on 4/26, how things change.  By simply trying a new style of yoga and a new teacher, I am reconsidering the path I’ll follow as a yoga student, where I want to go as a teacher and where I want to take my students in their journey.

What are you Doing over the Next Week?

The second annual DC Yoga Week is being held May 12-18.  This annual city-wide event is a great way for both new and experienced yogis living in the DC area to try yoga classes or experience a new yoga studio for free —or at a significantly reduced rate ($5).  Visit DCYogaWeek.com for participating studios.

To kick-off DC Yoga Week, lululemon will be hosting a launch party at their
Georgetown boutique on 5/11. 

What are Props?

Props come in all shapes and sizes and include blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters.  Blocks (either wood or foam) and straps are commonly found in many local yoga studios.  Why use them?  Props can take you into a pose that’s been out of your reach or simply enhance the experience of a pose you’ve been doing for a long time without aid.      

Depending on the style of yoga you practice, props may or may not play an active role.  For instance, in an Iyengar class the use of props are highly encouraged verses in a vinyasa class the teacher may only mention using a block or strap a couple of times. 

Experiment!  Be dependent on props one day and then the next day flow without them.  See how your body & mind responds to the poses with props and without.  View props as playful accessories to your yoga practice.