Breakthrough List

Baron Baptiste’s Level I Teacher Training is designed to be challenging and transformative, physically and mentally.  It’s intended to break individuals out of their shells.  And trust me, it does.  Baron is a master at poking and prodding – in a good way.  His ultimate intention is to help individuals uncover what resides within so that we can be our true selves.  So we can be real.  So we can live an  authentic life.  And as yoga teachers, we can shine.

On the last day at Teacher Training in Mexico, Baron asked us each to jot down 10 things we learned about ourselves over the course of the week.  This list was technically referred to as a Breakthrough List.

At first I thought “10 things!”  I don’t have 10 breakthroughs.  Magically, once I started writing and reflecting on the week I easily exceeded 10.  My next few blog posts will give you a glimpse as to what I learned about myself.  It’s powerful stuff – I promise. 

Maya Tulum

I’m back from Mexico – in one piece with peace.  Maya Tulum is truly a serene escape.  Though, good for my skin, I have very little sun to show for spending 8 days in Mexico.  I think I was in the ocean for a total of 10 minutes the whole week.  That seems sinful, doesn’t it?!?!?!

The Level I Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste was physically and mentally intense but worth it!  Most of my time was spent in the yoga/meditation room with 100 yogis from around the world and Baron’s staff.  The week was full of ups and downs.  Thankfully I had a wonderful roommate, Gabriella, to commiserate with at the end of each day (when we weren’t sworn to an evening of silence).

I learned some new things about myself –and unlearned some things.  I journaled daily –some by choice; some by force (i.e. group exercise work that required writing).

I’m currently in the “reflecting mode” on what I learned and unlearned about myself.  Be sure to check back.  I promise to share my experience/revelations about myself/thoughts about Level I/etc. as best as I can over the next few posts.  In the meantime, please go to http://www.mayatulum.com to view some of the beauty Maya Tulum has to offer. 

Unravel

While I’m away, I share with you a quote about yoga from Max Strom, another amazing teacher who travels worldwide to share the beauty of yoga.

 “The goal is not to tie ourselves in knots – we’re already tied in knots.
 The aim is to untie the knots in our hearts.  
The aim is to unite with the ultimate, loving, and peaceful power in the universe.” 
- Max Strom

To learn more about Max, visit www.MaxStrom.com

Heading to Mexico

So I’ve been holding back…partially out of fear, partially out of excitement.  And frankly, I just didn’t know what to write.  Now I’m busting at the seams.

Tomorrow, bright and early, I fly out of Washington DC to Maya Tulum, Mexico for a full 7 days of teacher training with Baron Baptiste.  The week promises to be transformational in many ways.  To start, I’ll be sleeping in a hut with no running water and no electricity —not something I’m use to.  And yes, since it’s a teacher training, obviously I’m expecting to learn things I can take home and share with my students.  On a deeper level, I’ve been told that I’ll more than likely experience some personal change.

As I look back over my last few writings (here on the blog and in my journal), they’ve all included an element of “change”.  Have I subconsciously been preparing myself for a transformational change? 

I’m ready and open to whatever change is about to happen.  More to come…

Namaste.     

Seven Signs of Change

This post comes directly out of the following article http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/weekendlife/story.html?id=f00dabcc-d421-4760-a97d-c7eb4aae7d70 

You know you’re a “transformed” yoga practitioner when…

1.  You choose yoga over a stiff drink to calm down.

2.  In stressful interactions, you want to find out what the other person thinks.

3.  If someone cuts you off when driving, you tell yourself the other person just needs to get somewhere, and you let them go.

4.  You don’t have to tell anybody you practice yoga.

5.  You won’t go a day without yoga.

6.  If things fall through, you remember there’s always tomorrow.

7.  It doesn’t matter if you can get your foot behind your head.

“Change Happens” was my previous blog post and a couple of these would have fit in perfectly with that writing. 

Change Happens

Whether we want it or not, change surrounds us.  It lives within us.  Change makes our lives fun, interesting and oftentimes challenging.  Birth, daily living and death are all events that provoke change.  Sometimes we proactively create change; other times we simply react to it.  Regardless, change is a constant in life.

Many times we can’t control change and it isn’t always positive, though you do have a choice as to how you react to it.  Resisting change can usually negatively heighten the situation.  Being open to it can be transforming.

How can one go from one extreme to the other (resistance to openness)?  Or better yet, how can one find balance?  Slow down.  Step back and consider the “change event” at hand.  Get on the yoga mat or meditation cushion and sit with it.  Pay attention to the clues and subtle shifts that change offers.

Slowing down —whether you do yoga, mediate, tai chi or simply opt for long walks— provides an awareness of the constant flow of change within and around us.  By slowing down you’ll start to find balance between making changes and accepting/and or rejecting changes.  Time on your yoga mat will grant you opportunities to check in with how you view and react to every change that each moment offers.  Do you resist, judge reluctantly accept, or willingly receive change?  Depending on the “change” event, your answer will be different.

Yoga (or whatever your “slowing down” activity of choice is) doesn’t mean you’ll be a push-over or that you’ll push others over.  Change or no change, yoga will make you stronger and more intuitive to know what is right for you.  Whatever the situation, it’s in your control to decide if and how you’ll accept, reject, question or believe in every “change” that happens in your life.  Life is full of change so learn to manage it so that you can find a way to enjoy whatever comes your way.  

The Birth of Dekasana (Airplane)?

Yoga has been around for thousands of years.  And we all know airplanes have only been around a little over 100 years.  So I was thrown off when a student of mine asked this question during yoga class recently…If yoga is considered ancient, how can there be a pose called Airplane (Dekasana)?

Airplane is typically practiced by those who do some form of vinyasa style yoga.  Though I have yet to find an answer to my student’s very observant question, my assumption is that Airplane evolved from Warrior III and it was created in the mid 90’s as part of a new yoga style, Power Vinyasa.

Is Dekasana the modern day version of Warrior III?  Does anyone know?

What’s Your Magnificent Mission?

My Gemini horoscope for today:  “Self-depreciation is a crime! You were meant for a magnificent mission, which can only happen if you acknowledge your talents and commit to nurturing them.”  This is applicable to everyone who wants to live a fulfilling life, a magnificent mission.  And, who doesn’t want to do the things in life that bring joy?

For some, it’s easy to pursue their talents.  For others, it may be difficult to recognize the things in life that they’re good at doing.  For some, it can be the fear of what will happen if their talent(s) explodes into something more than they expected.  Others skip nurturing their talents because they don’t feel that it’s within the “norm” of what others expect.

Yoga has taught me that we each are unique.  Every individual has something special that resides within that no one else on this planet possesses.  It’s the responsibility of each of us to find, accept and nurture our uniqueness.  Let it shine through and don’t be shy about sharing who you are with others.  Living life from your heart, just as you are, is your mission.

Yoga has also increased my awareness of the importance of honoring those who we share this world with.  Every person and situation encountered has something to offer.  Be open to what each has to offer.  It’s the character and actions of each person that make life an evolving journey.

We really never know what each moment in time will hold.  So why not live life to its fullest and start living your magnificent mission?