Sandy's Yoga Blog Archive July 2008

Back to the Well

In a couple of weeks I'm going to Kripalu Center for a teacher's conference and a week-long workshop, and I'm really looking forward to it. I want to learn some new things to pass on to my students, and I'm looking forward to being completely immersed in yoga, yoga, yoga. When I did my teacher training there several years ago, I stayed for a month. The training was fantastic, but one of the most wonderful benefits was to be able to spend a whole month doing only that one thing. I had no other responsibilities -- no shopping, cooking, cleaning, going to one of the several jobs I had at the time, paying bills, trying to take care of everyone and everything. It was an amazing gift of time for myself because I could really focus and think and grow without the myriad distractions of daily life. Although the certification process was intense, the fact that I could devote all of my time and attention to it made it much easier.

Vacations are wonderful, but a yoga retreat is something else because you get to keep filling up: There's always another class, another dose of prana, another chance to go inside and go back home to yourself -- back to the well, to the Source. I'm going to miss my family while I'm gone, but I intend to savor every opportunity to just "be." 


Thinking about a retreat for yourself? Click these links:

Yoga in Costa Rica, Jan. 17, 2009

Yoga in Costa Rica, Jan 24, 2009

Yoga in Italy, Sept. 13, 2009

Kripalu Center

For a mini "retreat," check out the new fall workshops.

Jul 31, 2008 9:21 AM

Restorative Yoga

Since I returned from my vacation, my personal yoga practice has been rather short and gentle, I haven't felt like going to dance class, and although I made myself go on a walk yesterday, when I came to a lake I just stood there for a long time watching the ducks. Today I set the morning aside for a good, long yoga practice. As usual I started with pranayama so I could center myself and find out what kind of practice my body needs, and the next thing I knew I was getting out the bolsters for restorative yoga. As I relaxed in Viparita Karini (legs up the wall with a bolster under my hips), I wondered what was wrong with me -- why was I being so lazy? I got a very quick answer:  "I'm really tired." 

Of course I'm tired. In two-week's time I went from Virginia to Arizona, Nevada, New York, and back. We had a very active vacation with lots of hiking, and then the stimulation of visiting a whole lot of people. I spent hours cramped up in airplanes and cars, changed time zones, then came home Sunday night and got up early Monday morning to get back to my usual schedule. It makes sense that my body needs me to slow down and do a more restorative practice. Using bolsters and blankets, I did supported Setu Bhandasana / Bridge Pose: I really didn't feel like I had the strength to hold myself up in Bridge, so it was wonderful to be able to get the benefits of the pose without making a lot of effort. I did get my long practice in, and I'm glad that I listened to my body -- it was just what I needed. 

I found a great website with restorative poses: Click here IMG_1537for photos and instructions. Note that you can use rolled up mats or somewhat stiff blankets instead of bolsters.




 

Jul 10, 2008 11:55 AM

Allow Time for Relationships

Each week I choose something inspirational to read to my students in class. This week I'm reading an article by Eva Herriot called "Time Out: Finding Peace in a Harried World." It includes this sage advice:

Allow time for your relationships. Never get so hurried that your loved ones become unwelcome interruptions that leave you frustrated and irritable. Spend time with your partner, children, and friends. Give them your full attention and open yourself to connecting more deeply with them.

Wise words, indeed. . . 


Jul 9, 2008 11:32 AM

Outdoor Yoga

For me, it's a special treat to be able to do yoga outdoors. I get up early, before it gets too hot and sticky, and take my mat out to the back yard and put it in my favorite spot underneath a Weeping Cherry tree. Just as I would indoors, I start with pranayama to center myself and to help me better connect to my body so I can find out exactly what it needs on that particular day. Not only do I feel connected with my body, but I feel connected to nature. . . to the birds that are singing, the squirrels and chipmunks darting around, and to the trees and flowers that fill the yard. There's often a surprise when you do yoga outdoors: Sometimes you get a gentle shower as the trees shake off their excess moisture from the previous night's rain... sometimes a bird will come and watch ... sometimes the garbage truck loudly interrupts your meditation...  All of it reminds me that I am not the center of the world -- I am a part of it. The birds, squirrels, garbage men, and I are all going about our business -- separately yet in harmony.

Img1181

Tips for outdoor yoga: 

- Find a good spot! You don't need a lot of room, but find a spot that is fairly level and will be comfortable for you as far as sun & shade. If you don't have a yard, maybe there's a place in a park that will suit you.

- If you live in a hot climate, practice early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day. Early mornings are a time when nature is springing to life and there's an abundance of good energy.

- Don't worry about music, cd's, etc. Enjoy connecting with nature and letting your body lead your practice. 

- Don't try to control the environment. An ant might crawl on your mat; a neighbor might start up his lawn mower. Try to stay focused on the breath and the experience, knowing that you are part of the world and have to share it.

- Don't forget pranayama and meditation -- it feels wonderful to do these practices outside! 


Jul 1, 2008 9:34 AM
contact: sandy@joyfulheartyoga.com             Live Wide Open!