This is me, receiving my teacher's certification. 7 years ago I traveled to India to become certified as a Yoga teacher. Forever it will be one of my most memorable experiences. For a month, I lived at an ashram in South India. I was completely immersed in Yogic philosophy, asana (physical practice), meditation, chanting (Bhakti Yoga) and anatomy. Our days began with a bell ringing in the courtyard at 4:30AM. We'd gather in the main hall for an hour of meditation, followed by a 2-hour asana class. Then breakfast, lecture, lunch, and more lecture. We'd spend our late afternoons completing our assigned chores/jobs around the ashram (Karma Yoga) and daily homework. We ate dinner (on the floor, with our hands - traditional Indian style) and during our hour of free time, many of us were studying, memorizing, and practicing how to teach to our fellow students. We'd finish each day with a 2-hour Yoga class and an hour of meditation. Our 'lights out curfew' was 10PM, though most of us were asleep well before that. I remember how terrified I was to teach to the group (there were 70 of us). There was so much to remember, on top of keeping an eye on the clock, getting my rights and lefts in order, moving around the room, keeping my voice audible, and managing to remember all the Sanskrit names for the Yoga poses. This was a very traditional style of Yoga I trained in, and we chanted at the beginning and the end of class... in Sanskrit! SO much to remember. AND we were being critiqued by our peers, so we had THAT to agonize and worry about as well. When I think back to that time, I wouldn't have predicted I'd be running a Yoga studio... in Port Angeles, WA. It's interesting to look back on my life, and see those corners that completely changed my life and took me in new directions. Sometimes the corners were predictable, and welcomed. Sometimes they were sharp, came out of nowhere, slapped me in the face, and made me question EVERYthing. These corners are the scaffolding we build our unique stories upon. I've taught many, many classes since those first days as a teacher, and though I'm not nearly as nervous anymore, I still get butterflies when I teach. I get butterflies because my job is important to me. I take my job seriously. Human beings are willing to show up, and let go, and feel exposed to vulnerability, and I'm proud of the fact that I get to hold the space for them them to do that. I get to share what I love with others, and together, we are transforming the world. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it's enough, and then I remind myself that change can ONLY begin with us. If I've helped raise a few spirits during my day, I'm pleased. If I've helped a person feel good about them self, or helped someone shed the weight of emotional turmoil for an hour... I feel like my day has gone well. These people will leave the studio feeling affected, and they will in turn affect others in powerful ways. This IS enough. This is EVERYTHING. To view more photos of my time in India, the link below will take you to one of my albums.
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Imagine how different our world could be, if everyone decided to be a little more kind, a little less judgmental, and a lot more understanding. What would your interactions with others be like if they were receptive to what you have to say, and accepted you exactly as you are? How wonderful might your relationships be, if everyone you care for acknowledged the things you do, and loved you unconditionally, with a wide-open heart? What if it starts with us? (Because, it does.) Does anyone else feel prickly and closed off when life gets 'hard'? If money is tight, or we're arguing with a spouse, or our kids aren't listening, or our work isn't valued, or our actions have been misunderstood, we get very HUMAN. Maybe we cry, maybe we scream and yell and swear, maybe we slam doors, maybe we run away, maybe we shut down and go inwards. Maybe we get angry and hurt others with our words or actions. It looks different for everyone.... What if we chose to soften when things get hard? What if, instead of knee-jerk reacting, we stayed with the discomfort, and took a breath? What might THAT look like. It's scary, hey? Vulnerable, absolutely. Why... why would we DO this? Why would we put ourselves through this, when perhaps it isn't even OUR FAULT? Because, if we truly want to see a shift in our lives, it starts with us. And if we can imagine our interactions with others to be graceful and easy and lovely... it starts with us. So, where do we start? I know this really great remedy. It's called Yoga. What an incredible teacher, this Yoga, because it can bring to light all of the parts of us that we wish to see in others, and vice versa. Yoga can rekindle flames we thought were extinguished, and it can remind us that we really ARE okay, and in fact, we are MORE than okay. And isn't that wonderful? These gentle reminders are often all the nudge we need before we're soon looking at life from a new vantage point. But, it's doesn't work unless we actually put it into action. Just as we know, if we eat lots of junk food we're likely to put on weight, if we spend all our money, we'll be broke... if we don't give ourselves the gift of space, and breath, and mindful movement... our lives aren't going to flow as smoothly. Which brings me back to my first thought.... Imagine how different our world could be, if everyone decided to be a little more kind, a little less judgmental, and a lot more understanding. It starts with us. You have a bottomless bank of kindness. And you can spend as much as you like.
Let's challenge ourselves to drain the bank, every day. In fact, let's say that we MUST drain it. And by tomorrow it will be completely replenished! Kindness doesn't cost a thing, and it can be the most valuable thing you give, all day. Have fun!! XXX |
Who am i?I'm a busy gal with lots of things on the go. I'm a new mom, I'm a business owner, I'm a Canadian living in the Pacific NorthWest. I'm a wife, I'm a creative, free-thinking, wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve Yogini who likes to write about whatever's on my mind. I carve my own path, and strive to live my life without permission or validation from others. I'm moved to tears when I get to witness those bold enough to step out of their comfort zones, and I'll passionately stand for anyone willing to be own their unique, authentic, genuine, vibrant self. Archives
September 2017
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