Seeker of Truth

Thought I'd share a great poem by E.E. Cummings titled Seeker of Truth.

Seeker of truth

Follow no path
All paths lead where

Truth is here

No One's Going to Die Here Today, So Breath

I never really learned how to breath until I became a regular at my friend Lissy's yoga classes. She teaches yoga for climbers, skiers, bikers, core, and well no matter what class it is she'll kick your butt! One day, in a particularly hard skiers class, made significantly harder than usual because it had been dumping all weekend and of course we had all skied like mad and had tight legs and backs to show for it, Lissy said something along the lines of: 'no one's going to die here tonight, so breath....just suck it up and breath'. Lissy's never one to sugar coat it, but when you're in pigeon after frying your hip for the last 30 minutes (or so it feels) focusing the mind only on the breath, and not getting up kicking and screaming like a spoiled child, can be quite challenging.

But I took Lissy's comment to heart; no one is going to die today, so breath. Honestly have you ever seen someone struggling to stay in a deep forearm lunge just fall over and die? Joking aside this idea struck me deep and it changed my practice. Now I go to class and even when my IT bands are so tight you could strum them like a guitar, no matter how much my body screams, all I have to do is breath more. Inhale a little deeper to create space and exhale a little stronger to hug into center. It's amazing how the simple act of focusing on the breath can keep you present and in your body during the most hot and sweaty internal struggle fest that some yoga classes present.

When focusing on the breath in intense poses you should note the following: yes, you will feel your body and the deep sensations, but no you won't care because you're not allowing your mind to focus on anything other than breathing.

So how can we bring this lesson off the mat and into the world? No matter what the world throws your way, how can you use your warrior within to help you realize that no one it going to die here today? Just breath.

This too shall pass

It's April now and even though it's still dumping snow out here in Utah there are the signs of Spring. With Spring comes the budding of flowers, the hint of warm weather, and the reality of change. This Spring many things are changing in my life, and I have been trying to embrace them with open arms versus denial and repression.

For many reasons I have been veering in another direction from the path I had tried so carefully to lay out. Unfortunately veering can sometimes feel more like leaping off the deep end. Thus with this new direction my life has become as unsettled as a freshly shaken snow globe. In these times of the unknown I keep reminding myself that 'this too shall pass'.

'This too shall pass' is a proverb conveying that material things and events in ones life will come and go. This is a great phrase in times of despair or frustration, but it is also supposed to be used in times of elation and good fortune. It is a way for us to grow through our interactions with life. And a reminder that nothing is forever. Do not get attached to what you had or where you were going, do not dwell on the past or dream of the future. Be thankful for the present and whatever it brings.

Change can be a beautiful thing, scary, but beautiful. Embrace both.

Great song by a fellow VTer Bobby Kendes Things Are Changing  (song is in the right hand corner)

Arm Balances Anyone?

Photo By:JPenacoli 

Have you ever been at a party watching people do silly tricks showing off their often odd talents? Well now you can learn your own party trick, and maybe a little bit of inner balance while you're at it.

This is Bakasana (aka crow). First find yourself in an area without any sharp objects within rolling distance. Then come into a squatting position, big toes touching, knees flaring wide. Place your hands shoulder distance apart on the mat / floor. Piking up your hips bending into your elbows place your knees on the outside of your triceps (ideally put them up in your armpits). Hugging your knees into your arms engaging your core, rock your upper body forward starting the titter totter effect. Lift one foot at a time, and if you are able to get both feet off the ground keep that hugging into center with the legs and core.

Practice this a few times prior bringing this to your next gathering. And if you want a standing ovation practice chutting your legs back into Chaturanga.   ENJOY!

Some Yoga Comedy

OK, so lately the winter blues has been floating around town. As laughter is always the best medicine I thought that everyone would enjoy this short video:  http://bit.ly/9mXeSb

Barefoot Yoga Schedule

Like I mentioned, I am teaching yoga for Barefoot Yoga at Vitalize in Sugarhouse (2154 S Highland Dr). Check out our classes, your first one if FREE!! And prices are very affordable.

Can You Find Balance During the Holidays?

Every year when this time of year rolls around I say, next year I am going to start shopping earlier, I am going to purge on food and goodies less, not let the stressful shoppers add jet fuel to the already stressful ship flying through the holidays. Well, once again this idea has seemed to fail, or at least the priority fell by the wayside for one more year. Do you feel your days are crazed and the rushing around has up-heaved your inner balance and feeling of stability? How can we regain this balance and inner peace during such crazy times of the year?

Adding more grounding poses to our practice will aid in bringing us to a more rooted, and stabilized being. While you are in these poses, or any pose for that matter breath from the ground into the body through the rooted body parts. (ex. try breathing through your hands in down dog) Hold these poses for 5-10 breaths or so, moving slowly and deliberately, using your core for stabilization focusing on establishing a solid foundation prior to flowing into the next pose.  For example when flowing into Virabidrasana I (warrior I), bring the foot between the hands, and root down the back foot. Breath into this foundation, establishing your core engagement, maybe bringing the hands alongside the ears while keeping the chest glued to the thigh. With this strong foundation of the feet and core engagement, on a long inhale slowly lift the chest off the thigh, reaching the hands towards the sky. On your next exhale feel the feet rooting into the mat. Inhale, isometrically pulling the heels of your feet towards each other. While hugging in towards center breath into this pose. How can you find a peace and relaxation in this active pose? Can you keep the feet grounding while extending the arms towards the sky? Are you able to get the quality of Tadasana (mountain pose) in this Virabidrasana I? Meaning the feeling of stability, comfort, ease and rootedness. Now continue to flow through your practice in this mindful manner and see how stable and balanced you feel.

If you only have a few minutes: simply take your shoes and socks off, pressing your feet into the ground, maybe massaging them one at a time. Just by removing the barrier between our feet and the ground can be such a revelation in feeling inner stability, comfort and ease.

Happy Holidays! I hope you may stay balanced through this season.
Namaste