Writing from the Heart

Even though I never enjoyed writing, I started this yoga blog as a fun way to communicate with my students.  Of course I wondered, would people read it?  What would I write on a regular basis?

Shockingly, a lot of people actually like what I write.  Who knew my yoga off the mat would be interesting or even the least bit inspirational.  Who knew so many people, including my grandparents (Grandmom and Pop-Pop) and yogis from around the world, would be avid readers and comment on things I write.  Lastly, who knew I would be asked to review yoga products and promote them on my little yoga blog.  In fact, I’ve even been offered money to do so multiple times.

I have kept it my policy not to advertise on my blog.  I’ve turned down a few paid offers to post/promote other companies/websites, as I believe it would change the dynamic of this blog.  I like being “homegrown”, small and personal.  Frankly, this is probably a result of working too long in corporate America and being rubbed the wrong way.  Not everything in life is about money.

With that said, two small companies have recently caught my attention.  How?  One was the personal approach taken, and two; I like what they’re offering and the stories behind them.  Lastly, I find them both very creative.  See for yourself.  Visit Tickle My Chi and YogaMatic.

This blog is about whatever comes to mind and speaks to my heart.  I will continue to write from my heart and not get sidetracked or bribed to do something other than what speaks to me.  If you have started a yoga related business –yoga clothes, mats, jewelry, events – or opened a yoga studio, I’d love to hear from you.  If you’ve written a yoga book or yoga blog from your heart, I want to hear from you.  Let me know what inspired you.  Entrepreneurs all have a story.  I’d love to hear your story!

Calling All Yoga Teachers and Yoga Therapists – Read This

If you are a yoga therapist, read this.  If you are a yoga teacher interested in yoga therapy (like myself) and not quite clear on the differences, read this article “I’m Not a Yoga Therapist Anymore!”.

I recently joined the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) in an effort to better understand the field of yoga therapy.  I often have thought the term yoga therapy sounds like a temporary solution or short-term cure of using yoga to address physical health problems.  Yoga is so much more than that. I believe there are aspects of yoga that can benefit every individual on this planet.  It’s a practice that can be done anywhere, anytime of day, at any stage in one’s life.

Leslie Kaminoff is the author of this article.  Thank you Leslie for providing clarity to a term, yoga therapist, that I’ve been somewhat confused by.  As a yoga teacher/educator, I believe part of my role is to educate people on how to use what they already have to feel better about themselves, their lives and the world around them and have wondered how my work differs from that of a yoga therapist.  The definitions you provide of therapist vs. educator are very insightful.

I think this type of discussion is only the beginning of what is yet to come in the yoga world.  People are starting to pay attention.  Whether you call yourself a yoga therapist or teacher, you’re making a difference in people’s lives and that’s what matters most.  Don’t get bogged down by the terminology but it’s wise to understand the difference.  I would love to hear from other yoga teachers and therapists on this topic.  Chime in…

From the Outside In

One of my new corporate yoga students said to me yesterday “yoga is a lot more work than I expected.”    As with life, yoga requires some effort.  For many, yoga starts out being extremely physical, very external.  The mentally calming and spiritual elements of the practice can take time to be revealed.  This is why yoga is referred to as a “practice”.

The internal changes can be so subtle initially that you might not even notice them.  Slowly, as your asana practice evolves, the small changes become more apparent.  Then when you least expect it, an “ah-ha” moment happens.  This is yoga.

The kind of changes that trigger “ah-ha” moments vary drastically from person-to-person.  You might start to become more in-tune with your body’s biological rhythms.  You might subconsciously but actively engage your life force, the breath, more regularly.  Or you might start to trust your gut feelings (aka intuition).  You might even begin to realize that we are ALL connected in this world.  On a deeper level, you begin to feel your heart is connected and affected by everything and everyone around you.

Some call these “ah-ha” moments the sign of a transformation.  Others call it an awakening within.  Whatever your “ah-ha” moments are and whatever you call them, they signal your yoga is really more than just a physical form of exercise.  Yoga is a practice in being awake and alive from within, bringing you closer to the truth of who you really are.  Enjoy your journey to the inside.

Global Mala, Local Support

Let your support for world peace shine this weekend.  In conjunction with the United Nation’s Internal Peace Day (September 21, 2008), the Global Mala is an international yoga event being held in cities worldwide this weekend.  Be there!  Visit www.globalmala.org for an event near you.

If you aren’t fortunate enough to live in/near a host city, unroll your mat wherever you are.  You can participate in the Global Mala Project on an individual level.  Chant your favorite mantra 108 times.  Do 108 sun salutations.  Donate $108 to Trees for the Future.  You can make a difference!  Together, we will make a difference.   Peace all ways, always.

Being a Beginner

A couple weeks ago a friend invited me to go to a Budokon class.  My friend’s distinct words were “You’re strong, and you’ll be great at it because of all the yoga you do”.  Of course, I wasn’t sure exactly what I agreed to but it sounded like fun.  And as I always preach, “change is good”, right?

I’ll admit my yoga muscles were required.  As I fumbled around the class clueless, I was reminded of a) how uncoordinated I really am, and b) what its like for my beginner yoga students when they take a class for the very first time.  Not only was I the only first-timer in the room, which made me feel even more clueless, I had no idea what language the instructor was speaking. Budokon has pose names and they’re not Sanskrit (the language used for yoga asana).  The moves (aka poses) were a blend of martial arts and yoga.  Things started out slowly and I felt strong, but when the pace stepped up I was lost.

Being a beginner required me to be fully present –there was no room for zoning out or thinking about that evening’s dinner.  It also required me to be patient with myself and just enjoy the beginner experience. And as with anything, I was reminded that practice is the only way to move out of the beginner stage.  The funny thing is presence, patience and practice are concepts I teach as a yoga teacher.

If you’re feeling stale in your yoga practice or teaching, I encourage you to try something new – a new style of yoga, a Budokon class, hula hooping (my latest craze), salsa dancing or anything that requires you to step off your mat and laugh at yourself.  These new experiences are excellent reminders of how much fun it is to be a beginner and what’s required:  practice, patience, and presence.  Peace.

Why OM?

To start with, to Om is to chant.  Chanting is simply the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or phrases.  Chanting is a beautiful way to bring more life to your asana practice.

Om is the oldest chant in India.  Om, considered to be an all-pervading sound in the universe, connects us to everything around us and within us.  Comprised of three syllables –A, U, M – Om is pronounced AhhOohMmm.  Typically, at least one of these syllables is the first sound a baby makes.  In a yoga class, Om is usually chanted at the beginning and/or end of class.

Now to address the title of this blog post:  Why Om?  Chanting Om brings life into your body, presence to your mat and states your commitment to those around you. For most students in the West, it is one of the few sounds (other than breath) made in a yoga class.

The next time you Om, bring your attention to what you hear and feel.  Close your eyes, take a deep inhale and as you exhale begin your Om.  Notice the first sound of “Ahh”, hear the transition to “U” and its vibration, and feel the “Mmm” sound as it slowly exits your body.  Notice there’s a beginning, middle and end – creation, preservation and destruction.  These 3 characteristics also apply to everything that has sound which is everything and everyone that has energy in the universe.

September is Yoga Month

Yoga Month officially starts today, September 1, 2008.  It’s a 10 City Yoga Health Festival Tour and will benefit the Youth Health Alliance.  The select cities will host events throughout the month.  There will also be millions of health & social conscious individuals practicing yoga at thousands of yoga studios and homes around the world.

Get involved!  Participate as a student.  Volunteer as a studio or teacher.  For more information, visit www.yogamonth.org.

D.C. Yogis:  Put Sunday, 9/21 on your calendar.  D.C. Global Mala is where you need to be that day!  Please visit at www.dcglobalmala.com to find out how you can be a part of this beautiful event.