Is This Good For You?

Recently in an Arlington group yoga class, I had a student ask me this question (“Is this good for you?”) during some wrists stretches I was instructing.  I admit wrists exercises can create uncomfortable feelings, particularly if you never stretch them, but it’s funny how people equate “feeling” with bad.

Our bodies speak to us through sensation.  Yoga teaches us to discern between good, healthy pain and bad, piercing pain.  In daily life, comfortable sensations often go unnoticed.  It’s the uncomfortable feelings/pain that grab our attention.

As yogis we learn to listen to our bodies and differentiate between good vs. bad pain.  And for non-yogis it’s often not a good thing when the body is in pain because it usually means a muscle/tendon/ligament has been overstretched, strained or torn, etc. unintentionally due to physical neglect and/or poor habits.  Possibly a red flag should go up.  Harmful pain is usually described as sharp, piercing and throbbing –all signs something is out of whack and a physician should be consulted.

Good pain is what I sometimes describe as blissful discomfort – you’re giving your body the attention it deserves and the body is saying thank you via tranquil sensations.   Through mindful movement on the yoga mat, you learn to breathe into poses and stay even though they may be physically and mentally challenging.  More importantly, you begin to feel the difference between being challenged with blissful vs. potentially injurious pain.

So I responded to my yoga student’s “is this good for you?” question with the following answer.  “Is having a baby a good thing even though the pain can be extremely sensational?  When you run marathons (which she does) and you’re in pain is that good or bad pain?”  It’s really a matter of perspective.

To conclude, the wrists are extremely delicate, used constantly and receive very little attention.  Considering there are 27 bones in each wrist (plus a slew of muscles & tendons) doesn’t it make sense to give them a little attention?  As with many things in life, preventative maintenance is key.  And as I tell all my yoga students, “you’re in charge on the yoga mat –and off – so back off if it doesn’t feel right!”

Fearing the Truth

Less than two weeks from now I will be in Montana (never been) for Level II (never been) teacher training with Baron Baptiste.  This training is focused on living the life of a Sannyasin, a seeker of truth/a spiritual warrior.

As much as I desire to seek transformation and uncover the authentic me, I possess an equal amount of fear.  Some might wonder what I mean by fear – how could deepening my practice and learning more about yoga create fear?  Here are my fears:  Fear of the process.  Fear of not knowing the agenda for each day of the eight days I’m there (I will NOT be in control so forget the day planner).  Fear of being uncomfortable/embarrassed.   Maybe a little fear of going to the vast land of MT as I unravel among strangers (but I do hear it’s beautiful).  And of course, fear of what I will learn about myself.

The irony of life I’m realizing is that we are taught as children to seek more/be better/bigger/stronger than we are, study more, play more sports, learn a musical instrument, go to a good college, etc. but how many of us are really happy?!!  Sure all of those learnings contribute to our life journey, but they also pull us away from living from our core being; the essence of who we are as individuals.  So in many ways, Level II teacher training is about reversing a lot of what’s been “expected” of me and showing up just as I am.  What’s so hard about that?

Often I tell my yoga students “you are perfect/beautiful just as you are.”  Some roll their eyes, others shift uncomfortably on their mats and the remaining few look quizzical.  The reality is we are all perfect deep within.  We each possess a divine spark – it’s what makes us unique.  Unfortunately for many of us our spark is so dim we’ve lost sight of it in an effort to conform to what others expect from us or expect us to be.

I believe I am lucky in that found my calling at the relatively young age of 34   – teaching yoga full-time yoga.  It took time, courage and patience to overcome obstacles and reclaim my spark of light but I found it!  I also believe I have so much more to offer.  And that’s what I’m hoping Level II will uncover –what else do I have to offer?  Can I shine brighter?  What is my truth?

Change is scary.  The unknown is scary, but the greatest points of transformation often are in the places we least want to venture.  To be continued when I return from Level II early/mid-July.  Namaste.

Celebrate Life!

Last Wednesday (May 27), I turned 37.  Not really a magical birthday number but since the moment I woke up that day, I’ve been blessed with many, many birthday wishes and treats –facebook, birthday cards, e-cards, phone calls, cocktails, lunches/brunches, dinners, gifts, flowers.  I even received a purple, thickly feathered boa with a matching tiara.  Don’t believe me?  See my facebook profile pic for proof!

What I’ve realized over the last week is the best gifts in life are immeasurable –relationships.  Relationships equate to love, learning and laughter.  Of course they also include tears and tension, but it’s from those traits that we grow, become stronger as individuals and strengthen our bonds (relationships).

Every day since my actual birthday I have received something which is wild to me but very much appreciated.  I’m certain the end of the fun, gifts and wishes will be ending in the near future.  But I’m also certain I will continue to be blessed by my many dear friends and family throughout the year.  Just having them in my life, makes life worth celebrating!

So is it coincidence on the 8th day of entering my 38th year of life (as my Mom would say) that I was given a t-shirt that reads “Celebrate Life!”  My dear friend Paula who owns Dancing Mind Yoga, a Baptiste Affiliate Studio in Northern Virginia/DC area, gave it to me as I recently committed to teaching weekly at her studio.

We usually think of celebrations in life as events with lots of people (those we have relations with), occurring in a group/party format.  And yes, this past week of birthday festivities falls in that category for me.  But celebrating life is also about what we do for ourselves –the accomplishments we achieve and goals we reach.  By committing to teaching at Dancing Mind Yoga, I’m committing to a community and a new path of growth.  Growth, commitment and overcoming fear/obstacles always give way to celebration.

Again, I go back to relationships/connections.  It’s the students in the new studio that will challenge me and force me to show up in more ways than one.  These are different relationships than friends and family but nonetheless just as important in the celebration of my life.

Thanks to all who have made the entrance into my new year so very special! It truly has been, and continues to be, a memorable birthday week in more ways than I can express.  I feel humbled and honored by all the attention I’ve received and ecstatic about my “new year” ahead.