Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Gotta keep things fresh
How easy it is to fall into a set of routines. Everyday-life can of course be sweet, and there's definitely comfort and joy to be found in routines. Like my morning coffee ritual for instance. That said, I believe that it's good to shake things up a bit every now and then; to get some freshness in life.
Even living here in New York, where much is utterly different than life in Oslo, I have after 5 months in the city now gotten my routines; a sense of everyday life (which is a pretty lovely life, so no complaining here:)). Attending yoga classes at the Yogaworks' Soho location has become a part of that every day living here. I have found some wonderfully skilled and inspirational teachers whose classes I take on a regular basis. There is much to be said about studying with one or a few teachers on a regular basis. You get to go deeper into the certain style of teaching, your teacher gets to know your practice and your body, and might help you design a specific sequence if needed. Maybe there's a curriculum or a philosophical tread (like the Sutras) through out the season.
I find that my practice has become deeper and stronger with the consistency that follows studying with the same teachers over time.
That said; I've also felt the need for something new and fresh lately. So when one of my teachers was away for tonight's class, I decided to go to ISHTA http://www.ishtayoga.com/ for a drop in class. And what a lovely experience it was. Not a bad word about the Soho location at Yogaworks; I love the Spa vibe with the sauna and the showers. It was so good, however, to do yoga at a small studio again. The room was not too big, and there were about 15 people in class. Michael Bartelle, the instructor, had a voice as smooth as caramel, his instructions were clear and there was a lovely ease to him. It was an open level class with basic poses. I went very deep into my practice, moving slowly from one asana to the next became a moving meditation.
So when we feel that things become a bit stagnant and life looses some of its magic, simply changing things up a bit might bring some vibrancy and color back to those gray January days. And we're not talking about big life changes here. Walking a new path home from the subway, wearing a red sweater if all you usually wear is black, going to a hip hop concert if all you ever listen to is rock, checking out a new studio every now and then...
And then maybe that freshness also allows you to appreciate your old routines more as well:)
I look forward to continue practicing with my dear teachers, and will, every now and then check out new studios, styles and teachers; to keep everything fresh. I might even go to a spinning class soon...
Even living here in New York, where much is utterly different than life in Oslo, I have after 5 months in the city now gotten my routines; a sense of everyday life (which is a pretty lovely life, so no complaining here:)). Attending yoga classes at the Yogaworks' Soho location has become a part of that every day living here. I have found some wonderfully skilled and inspirational teachers whose classes I take on a regular basis. There is much to be said about studying with one or a few teachers on a regular basis. You get to go deeper into the certain style of teaching, your teacher gets to know your practice and your body, and might help you design a specific sequence if needed. Maybe there's a curriculum or a philosophical tread (like the Sutras) through out the season.
I find that my practice has become deeper and stronger with the consistency that follows studying with the same teachers over time.
That said; I've also felt the need for something new and fresh lately. So when one of my teachers was away for tonight's class, I decided to go to ISHTA http://www.ishtayoga.com/ for a drop in class. And what a lovely experience it was. Not a bad word about the Soho location at Yogaworks; I love the Spa vibe with the sauna and the showers. It was so good, however, to do yoga at a small studio again. The room was not too big, and there were about 15 people in class. Michael Bartelle, the instructor, had a voice as smooth as caramel, his instructions were clear and there was a lovely ease to him. It was an open level class with basic poses. I went very deep into my practice, moving slowly from one asana to the next became a moving meditation.
So when we feel that things become a bit stagnant and life looses some of its magic, simply changing things up a bit might bring some vibrancy and color back to those gray January days. And we're not talking about big life changes here. Walking a new path home from the subway, wearing a red sweater if all you usually wear is black, going to a hip hop concert if all you ever listen to is rock, checking out a new studio every now and then...
And then maybe that freshness also allows you to appreciate your old routines more as well:)
I look forward to continue practicing with my dear teachers, and will, every now and then check out new studios, styles and teachers; to keep everything fresh. I might even go to a spinning class soon...
Words of wisdom from the wise
"There is nowhere to go. You are already there."
Indian proverb
"Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness."
The Buddha (c. 563-c.483 BC)
"Sit in reverie and watch
The changing colour of the the waves that break
Upon the idle seashore of the mind."
Henry Wads Worth Longfellow (1807-1882)
"The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for your soul to reside in."
BKS Iyengar (b. 1918)
"May the outward and inward man be at one."
Socrates (469-399 BC)
"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not to be endured
and endure what cannot be cured."
BKS Iyengar
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
African proverb
"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."
Lao Tzu (c. 604-531 BC)
"Who looks outside, dreams
who looks inside, awakens."
Carl Jung (1875-1961)
Indian proverb
"Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness."
The Buddha (c. 563-c.483 BC)
"Sit in reverie and watch
The changing colour of the the waves that break
Upon the idle seashore of the mind."
Henry Wads Worth Longfellow (1807-1882)
"The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for your soul to reside in."
BKS Iyengar (b. 1918)
"May the outward and inward man be at one."
Socrates (469-399 BC)
"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not to be endured
and endure what cannot be cured."
BKS Iyengar
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
African proverb
"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."
Lao Tzu (c. 604-531 BC)
"Who looks outside, dreams
who looks inside, awakens."
Carl Jung (1875-1961)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Suggested donation is $20, but if you're short on cash you pay what you can. http://www.metmuseum.org/
Letting go of unconsious bodily patterns of holding and gripping
"We hold so much" as my mentor Paula Lynch often says. It's true; unfortunately very few of us are completely tension free. Emotional stress has a way of planting itself in our bodies. Just take a moment right now to scan your body as you're either sitting, laying or standing up while reading this. Chances are that you can probably feel yourself holding or gripping somewhere in your body right now. (If not, great for you:)
This gripping is often unconscious and won't necessarily change over night unless we become mindful of it.
So what to do? Simply allow yourself to check in on your body several times during the day. Close your eyes, let go of whatever you were doing and take a couple of minutes to BREATHE.
Smooth and deep inhalations and exhalations through your nose. For the first while simple pay attention to your breath. If you find that your mind wanders, if you become restless and start thinking about a thousand other things (which is completely normal; our minds wander, that's 'what the mind likes to do' as my teacher Jenny Aurthur would say) simply try to bring your attention back to your breath. You can tap in to this moment of breathing and letting go anywhere and anytime. In your office, on the subway, while walking, standing in line at the post office...
Now, after you've payed attention to your breath for a while, see if you can try sending your breath to the places in your body where you feel the tension. It might be your neck, shoulders, maybe the place in between your eyebrows. Imagine that you're creating space and softness in the tense areas on your INHALATION, and that you're letting go on the EHALATIONS. Inhale a soft space, exhale let go. And repeat this for about 15-20 breath cycles. Or longer.
See if you can become mindful of how you hold your body throughout the day. Do you always sway your hips to one side while standing? Do you always carry around your bag on your left shoulder? How do you sit while watching TV, being on the computer? Do you clench your jaws while being angry or stressed?
Tension build-ups in our bodies happen as we walk through life and these bodily patterns are often unconscious, so for them to change it might take a while, but don't be discouraged; by becoming more mindful and changing old habitual patterns, our holding and gripping will most likely diminish with time.
So try carrying your bag on the right shoulder, try standing up tall with an erect spine while waiting in line. If you find yourself clenching your jaws; relax them instead and let your tongue relax by letting it lay in the pit pf your mouth.
Even if you don't practice a full yoga sequence (or if you're not even into yoga), see if you can make time for a 5-10 min SAVANSANA (corps pose) sometimes during your day or night.This pose encourages the relaxation response. If this doesn't tell you anything check out; http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482
for a description of the pose.
To quote Mr Iyengar on Savasana in his book Light on Yoga;
"To tame Prana depends upon the nerves. Steady, smooth, fine and deep breathing without any jerking movements of the body soothes the nerves and calms the mind. The stresses of modern civilisation are a strain on the nerves for which Savasana is the best antidote."
I will post a lovely and relaxing RESTORATIVE yoga sequence later this week, together with some simple breathing and meditation techniques.
This gripping is often unconscious and won't necessarily change over night unless we become mindful of it.
So what to do? Simply allow yourself to check in on your body several times during the day. Close your eyes, let go of whatever you were doing and take a couple of minutes to BREATHE.
Smooth and deep inhalations and exhalations through your nose. For the first while simple pay attention to your breath. If you find that your mind wanders, if you become restless and start thinking about a thousand other things (which is completely normal; our minds wander, that's 'what the mind likes to do' as my teacher Jenny Aurthur would say) simply try to bring your attention back to your breath. You can tap in to this moment of breathing and letting go anywhere and anytime. In your office, on the subway, while walking, standing in line at the post office...
Now, after you've payed attention to your breath for a while, see if you can try sending your breath to the places in your body where you feel the tension. It might be your neck, shoulders, maybe the place in between your eyebrows. Imagine that you're creating space and softness in the tense areas on your INHALATION, and that you're letting go on the EHALATIONS. Inhale a soft space, exhale let go. And repeat this for about 15-20 breath cycles. Or longer.
See if you can become mindful of how you hold your body throughout the day. Do you always sway your hips to one side while standing? Do you always carry around your bag on your left shoulder? How do you sit while watching TV, being on the computer? Do you clench your jaws while being angry or stressed?
Tension build-ups in our bodies happen as we walk through life and these bodily patterns are often unconscious, so for them to change it might take a while, but don't be discouraged; by becoming more mindful and changing old habitual patterns, our holding and gripping will most likely diminish with time.
So try carrying your bag on the right shoulder, try standing up tall with an erect spine while waiting in line. If you find yourself clenching your jaws; relax them instead and let your tongue relax by letting it lay in the pit pf your mouth.
Even if you don't practice a full yoga sequence (or if you're not even into yoga), see if you can make time for a 5-10 min SAVANSANA (corps pose) sometimes during your day or night.This pose encourages the relaxation response. If this doesn't tell you anything check out; http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482
for a description of the pose.
To quote Mr Iyengar on Savasana in his book Light on Yoga;
"To tame Prana depends upon the nerves. Steady, smooth, fine and deep breathing without any jerking movements of the body soothes the nerves and calms the mind. The stresses of modern civilisation are a strain on the nerves for which Savasana is the best antidote."
I will post a lovely and relaxing RESTORATIVE yoga sequence later this week, together with some simple breathing and meditation techniques.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The art of staying undisturbed
Sutra 2.8
DUHKHANUSAYI DVESAH
Duhka = pain, anusayi= follows with, dveshah= aversion
Aversion is that which follows identification with painful experiences.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Fear, aversion and avoidance are strong negative feelings we sometimes (or often) come across in our yoga practice when faced with a challenging pose such as a deep back bend or an inversion. All of a sudden the peaceful, non reactive state of mind that you had a moment ago vanishes out the door as soon as the teacher tells you to bring your mats to the wall for some Adho Mucha Vrksasanas; Handstands. Sounds familiar?
Like me today in my lovely teacher Jenny Aurthur's class. I felt that my practice was steady and soft, I was peaceful, sharp and present. When transitioning from Downdog to the first Handstand however, my chill spirits left me and my busy monkey mind took over. Yes, I did get up, but for a moment the non reactive part of me disappeared and my deep, smooth breaths were suddenly non excising. By bringing my focus back to my breath however, the third time I went up my handstand felt like any other asana, just a shape I made my body take, and I managed again to keep my focus on the alignment points and my steady breath.
So how to stay undisturbed and non reactive when faced upon challenges, such as an inversion? That's were it gets interesting, and that's where the true core of yoga lays.
R. Freeman writes about this in his book The Mirror of Yoga;
"... In this process of yoga, feelings of extreme fear and avoidance often arise when we first encounter change, impermanence, and the deeply rooted patterns of feeling within the body.
[...] but as we continue to practice by inviting the mind to stay with whatever is arising, rather than grasping onto pleasant perceptions and rejecting those things we see as unpleasant, then the nectar of the practice unfolds as the mind dissolves into the core of the heart reveling the interconnected meta pattern, the matrix of all things." p.71
One of my other dear teachers, Carrie Owerko, often refers to our yoga class as a low stake environment, meaning that it's a great platform in which we can work on our fears, issues and anxieties so that we become better equipped to endure the even greater challenges in our lives; off our mats.
And that is one of the things that makes me love yoga and makes come back to my practice again and again, every day; All the asanas that we do, these shapes we put our bodies in, all the deep breathing , the focus, the presence, the meditation initially help us live better lives off our mats.
DUHKHANUSAYI DVESAH
Duhka = pain, anusayi= follows with, dveshah= aversion
Aversion is that which follows identification with painful experiences.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Fear, aversion and avoidance are strong negative feelings we sometimes (or often) come across in our yoga practice when faced with a challenging pose such as a deep back bend or an inversion. All of a sudden the peaceful, non reactive state of mind that you had a moment ago vanishes out the door as soon as the teacher tells you to bring your mats to the wall for some Adho Mucha Vrksasanas; Handstands. Sounds familiar?
Like me today in my lovely teacher Jenny Aurthur's class. I felt that my practice was steady and soft, I was peaceful, sharp and present. When transitioning from Downdog to the first Handstand however, my chill spirits left me and my busy monkey mind took over. Yes, I did get up, but for a moment the non reactive part of me disappeared and my deep, smooth breaths were suddenly non excising. By bringing my focus back to my breath however, the third time I went up my handstand felt like any other asana, just a shape I made my body take, and I managed again to keep my focus on the alignment points and my steady breath.
So how to stay undisturbed and non reactive when faced upon challenges, such as an inversion? That's were it gets interesting, and that's where the true core of yoga lays.
R. Freeman writes about this in his book The Mirror of Yoga;
"... In this process of yoga, feelings of extreme fear and avoidance often arise when we first encounter change, impermanence, and the deeply rooted patterns of feeling within the body.
[...] but as we continue to practice by inviting the mind to stay with whatever is arising, rather than grasping onto pleasant perceptions and rejecting those things we see as unpleasant, then the nectar of the practice unfolds as the mind dissolves into the core of the heart reveling the interconnected meta pattern, the matrix of all things." p.71
One of my other dear teachers, Carrie Owerko, often refers to our yoga class as a low stake environment, meaning that it's a great platform in which we can work on our fears, issues and anxieties so that we become better equipped to endure the even greater challenges in our lives; off our mats.
And that is one of the things that makes me love yoga and makes come back to my practice again and again, every day; All the asanas that we do, these shapes we put our bodies in, all the deep breathing , the focus, the presence, the meditation initially help us live better lives off our mats.
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