Letting Go

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana

It seems that letting go is the hardest thing for people to do in their practice (and in their lives). We hold on to this idea that we can't do something or if we really let go of something we will be left with nothing. That's not true. When we let go of everything we become free. Truly free. Think about it.

I hear all the time people say they can't do yoga because they can't even touch their toes. Let go of the idea that you can't touch your toes. Who cares if you can't reach that far. Yoga is not all about how far you can bend or twist or reach. It's about trying or even pretending. I tell my students all the time that we sometimes just pretend to be in the full pose. There is no such thing as a perfect pose anyway. There is only your pose and where you are in that pose at that moment. Your poses will change every single time you practice so why hold on to the idea that you can't do something? You may not touch your toes today but will you tomorrow? A year from now?

If you let go of those things you can't do you will start to be amazed at all of the things you can do.

Bad blogger! Bah, no excuses. It is what it is. Start fresh and move forward. See the light at the end of the tunnel (or bridge)? Yes, me too.

Stand Tall

Vrksasana (vrik-SHAHS-anna) - Tree Pose

When I describe this pose in class I always tell people to think of the standing leg like the trunk of the tree, root your feet into the earth, then extend your arms up like branches. "When in the pose do not think about losing your balance as falling! Think of it as swaying in the wind." It's amazing how many people start to stand more steady. You see on their faces a look of understanding and so many people have said after class how they like it described that way.

When we change the way we think about yoga poses we can sometimes unlock the secret of the pose.

Santosha - Contentment

Not a pose but one of the Niyama's of Yoga. I thought it important to follow up my little pity party post with a reminder that life really is good. I have so much in my life that truly is fulfilling. Sometimes a day can get overwhelming and just feel wrong. Other times it's fine. Today is fine. Today is beautiful. I get to go teach yoga this morning. How lucky am I?! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I wake up excited to get to the studio at 5:45am! (Remind me that I said that when it gets freezing cold and I'm whining about going outside that early in the morning.)

The moral to this post is that I am over myself! No more crying in my beer. I am CONTENT! The other moral to this story is hormones are a bitch!

Empty

I have had a lot of time to think this weekend. I have had some interesting interactions with people lately that have left me feeling a little sad and disappointed. I don't really care to expand on that since it is really is a very personal matter, and I don't want to put other individuals business out in the open. Lets just say that after many months of reaching out to people and trying really hard to establish friendships with locals I have been left out of a lot. I had no idea how much until this weekend.

This leaves me with my empty mailbox up there and why I choose that pictures. It's empty, but I looked inside and there is so much that goes on behind the emptiness. I have decided to fill up my box with good stuff. I have great kids, who are certainly finding their own way in the world, but still look to me to be there when they need me. I can do that. I have two great jobs that I am passionate about and once I can get my studio in a year round usable condition will be able to fill my time with yoga and photography. The next thing I'd like to find to fill up my box is something creative that I can work on in my free time (haha). I am thinking about jewelry making. I loved working with metal when I took a class at the fair.

This is one of those to be continued posts. I am not really sure how it is all going to end up. I do apologize for the down tone of the post, but it's been a down kind of weekend.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna) - Downward Facing Dog

adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog

This picture is several years old. I think it's time to do some more yoga photography. If I do self-portraits, I must remember to buy a remote shutter release. Using the timer sucks! I recently did some work with a local friend/yoga instructor. It was so fun and the pictures turned out beautifully. Need more of that, I think.

Surrender

Uttanasana (OOT-tan-AHS-ahna) - Standing Forward Bend

ut = intense
tan = to stretch or extend

This seems like such a simple pose. You just fold forward, right? Well, it's not that easy for some people. When I first started getting serious about my practice (crap, I'm old) 8 years ago, I couldn't even touch my toes. My hands came to my shins. This picture was taken March 6, 2006. As you can see only my fingertips touched the floor. 3 years later I can place my palms to the floor. It's a long slow process but with work and regular practice our bodies start to feel comfortable in poses and we begin to get deeper in them. Eventually I'll be able to fold over entirely placing my chest to my thighs. It might take 5 years, and I'm ok with that. I know I'll get there. We all get where we are going when we set an intention and work towards a goal. Make your intentions clear. Trust the universe to help move you along but trust yourself to move you along. You have the power within you to accomplish your goals. Trust and surrender to a process.