Inspirational Yogis

I am so inspired by our chair yogis. 
All of these kind-hearted folks have come to our Tuesday morning Chair Yoga class because, for some reason or another, they are uncomfortable with getting up and down for work on the floor.  So we practice either sitting in chairs or standing beside them.  We work together to find ways to modify the poses for reconstructed hips, tender shoulders, and arthritic ankles, using the ties and the bricks and the chairs.

Today we sang "Happy Birthday" to Esta, who just turned 87.  She says, "You hurt as much if you stay home than if you come out, so you may as well come out."  Her philosophy: "Just keep moving." And she feels better at the end of class having worked out some of the kinks.

One of the most common reasons I hear for not trying yoga is "I'm not flexible enough."  Fortunately,  we don't begin with perfection in yoga.  You just start where your own feet are today, whether you are 87, just feel 87, or you want to be like Esta when you're 87.  

Today we watched the cardinals in the garden as we practiced our tree poses.  The crocuses are up and I'm happy we have this morning class. We enjoy sharing this morning of peacefulness and camaraderie, encouraging each other for the week ahead of us.

I hope that you all keep moving, that you decide to come out anyway and just start where you are today. 

Practice makes Peaceful

Last night at yoga I was the student while Ann was the teacher.  This is the absolute best thing about having a partner.  The snow was softly falling, when we laid down in relaxation we could see it through the tops of the big windows.  It felt like it was gently shimmering right down on us. It was hard to close my eyes and go within with such beauty all around.

We are on our second week of this new adventure.  In many ways, it feels as if it has always been.  A Reiki/Yogi friend of mine told me yesterday that she is so thrilled that we have accomplished our dreams without making our students uncomfortable with the thought of change. Change is scary.  Necessary, but scary.  Finding solutions to accommodate the need for change while minimizing fear is a great goal.  It's hard to accomplish great things while you are terrified. Not impossible, but it's easier when you can take a deep breath or two now and then. And speaking of breath...

As much as I love teaching yoga, I have to admit that doing yoga is better.  Or perhaps a better statement would be that finding a balance between teaching and doing is sublime.  I get to feed my need to share... and my need to breathe.  Ahhh, the breathing! When you teach, you sort of have to talk through the breath so the class understands, "Inhale.... Exhale".  When you are quietly holding a pose, focusing on the breath, riding the wave between expansion and relaxing... ahhh.  I love watching a student experiencing the beauty of a pose combined with a deep breath, seeing their shoulders suddenly melt and their feet spreading out on the ground as they sink deeper and deeper into the comfort of the pose.  There is nothing like total focus on the task at hand.

We are thrilled with the turnout for the classes.  I am so happy to see so many of my "old" yogis returning and reaffirming their commitment to their practice, and by doing so, their health.  I am delighted to meet so many new folk-- it's astonishing how many live right around the church, and hence, right in my neighborhood.  I've lived in my home for 27 years and rarely have met the people on my block... and yet here they are, enjoying Yoga... trying out Reiki... what an unexpected gift.  We are blessed with the opportunity to form a community.  A community based on seeking wellness, seeking kindness and laughter, what a joy!

See you soon :)

Stillness

When was the last time you took a moment to be still? Not sleep, and not vegging in front of the tv - which has its merits from time to time, but intentional stillness that is both physical and mental, even spiritual.

 If you're anything like me, it doesn't happen very often. This morning we began a study of stillness and what inhibits us from achieving it: our responsibilities, our relationships, pressure to achieve, to be movers and shakers.

 We looked at the verse Psalm 46:10 that says, "Be still and know that I am God."  There is a connection between stillness and connecting with the divine.

One of the books on my nightstand is 365 Tao Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao.  This meditation on stillness reads

Wind stirs the bamboo,
But once the wind passes,
The bamboo is silent.
Geese land on the chill pond,
But once the geese fly away,
There are no reflections.
In the same way,
Once the red dust passes,
The mind is still.


Is your mind full of red dust? What will it take for the red dust to settle?

Although many people are initially drawn to yoga for the fitness benefits, one of the primary goals of yoga is to still the mind.  In this stillness, a yogi can connect to that kingdom that is both within us and everywhere.

Next week, Linda is going to lead the class in a retreat into this stillness and silence, creating an opportunity for you to let your red dust pass from your mind.  Like yoga, we will practice.  We invite you to come join us as we still our bodies, our hearts, and that pesky red dust in our minds.

Everyday Yoga

Do you find yourself in yoga poses in your daily activity? Or do you ever turn your task at hand into yoga?

I recently had a relatively minor basement flooding problem that required some creative rescue plumbing (thanks Mark!), some fans and my wet-vac.  I don't know if you've ever tried to suck water out of a carpet, but my carpet vac works best if more pressure is applied.  So there I was on Saturday afternoon, on my knees in my basement, pressing my vacuum into my spongy carpet, wishing I was wrapping presents or editing my business plan or organizing my upcoming Sunday school class.  Basement flood-sucking was not my plan.

So I decided to connect the movement to my breath in a type of soggy sun salutation.  In a moment, my irritation evaporated and I was doing yoga instead of bailing my basement.

Have you ever had this happen?

Yoga is about connecting the body and the mind, the breath and the spirit. In the hustle leading up to the holidays, it is easy for us to let our practice slip, busy as we are putting everyone else first.  But whenever you take a moment for even one intentional breath, you have taken your yoga practice off the mat in class and into your life. 

I hope you are able to maintain your practice during the holidays.  We are still having class this week, at 4:30 & 7 on Monday and Thursday.  And if your family holiday plans prevent you from attending class, I hope you make some time to go to a quiet place and practice - even if it is only one intentional breath with your eyes closed in a check-out line.