Who is John Galt?

In a recent marketing plan from yoga clothing company, Lululemon, they have had an outpouring of praise and unrest and even screaming opposition.  All to a not so simple question.  Who is John Galt?  For those of you that are unfamiliar, John Galt is a character from Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged".   Like many books that push the line, this book steps over that line.  For many, like myself, this book changed my life.  But you must look beyond what seems to be political ramblings and look at the philosophy behind what Rand is stating.  Then you get to something truly mind-blowing.

Putting the fact that a company is putting this out there… lets take a look for a second about the fundamental basis of not only the book Atlas Shrugged but the principles of yoga, based on classical texts such as the yoga sutras.

Who is John Galt? He was a man that didn’t believe that people were entitled to anything and that they had to work hard for what they did achieve. Some may call this a selfish path but isn’t this a path that we all should take? Isn’t this entitled mind set what got us all into the trouble we are in? We must do the work, stand by our work and fight for what we believe in.

I was driving home and heard mention of this uproar on the radio and how people are appalled that anyone would suggest those that are doing yoga are being asked to be self absorbed. “Yoga is a community building activity” is what they said. And I ask you… is it? In the Yoga Sutras it never talks about the community action. It only refers to the work the individual must do. Yes, yoga is a selfish practice. how lovely is that? Only with the work we do on ourselves can any change happen with in our community. So in the end, I agree that yoga is a community building activity but the individual work can not be overshadowed. We get what we work for. We are not entitled to anything within our community. If you do the work, you will see a positive outcome.

Look at the philosophy behind the reference. Yes, Ayn Rand was very political but that is not the only point. Politics does not equal Philosophy. The point is that it comes back to philosophy. And philosophy is sharing of thoughts. It was based on debate and opening your mind to create conversation. I am not entitled to my own opinion. I will do my work to understand something deeper then the surface.

And if anything else... congratulations to a company that has opened up the minds of so many to engage us into discussion.  Rock the boat and ask those uncomfortable questions that most are to scared to ask!

That well know phrase... "Do as I say, not as I as I do" has become so well known that it is now expected by most.  Isn't it so much easier to give advice then take your own words of small wisdoms?  We move forward through our own experiences and either learn from them and move forward or ignore them and get stuck in the same place (or most unfavorably move backwards).  Each experience builds on the last and eventually become patterns or habits.  In Sanskrit and yogic philosophy this is referred to as vasanas (experiences) building onto vasanas and becoming samskaras (patterns).  Samskaras are not necessarily a bad thing.  There are many supportive patterns (learning to drive safely, reacting to an overflowing toilet, comforting a small child that has fallen down).  But there are also patterns that should be reflected upon and worked on to make change.  These can hold us down and cause us suffering.

As a teacher, I find myself leading group or private classes in which I hope that I offer a sense of serenity, calm, and inspiration.  It is always interesting to step in front of a group of people that look to you to hold space for them.  To offer a sanctuary for them to work on their samskaras.  Teachers are put into a position that we must step away from that common and incorrect phrase...

As we are all human, we all have suffering.  We feel, we have emotions, we have challenges and for most of us not in seclusion in a cave somewhere to find enlightenment, we have interactions with others in the world.  I have found the last couple of years (and more specifically, the last year) being ones of introspection, reflection and processing.  Getting out of my own way has been proving to be quite difficult.  Changing patterns even harder.  But what this tumultuous adventure has proven is that I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have been forced to look at my own dark corners and shine a little light in them.  This has been intense at times and fascinating most of the time.  Even in moments of blubbering tears, I couldn't help but mutter how cool it was to have that experience.  And it evolves.  I am now understanding of the importance of a personal practice.  And even more so, a teacher to give you that practice.  As we all now from past experiences, the hardest things to deal with and change are the things that we don't necessarily see so easily.  Thank you to my teacher.... thank you for holding space and inspiring me to be a better person.

Be in the moment even when....

We often talk of being present and in the moment.  On a good day, when the stars seem to align just right and everything seems to work just the way we were hoping, it seems like we can do anything.  We can watch attentively and enjoy each moment when it comes.  But how about when life gets chaotic? or when you are stressed?  Or how about when someone you love is hurting?

Yesterday I found myself trying to stay present even though my beloved cat was ill.  She grew up with me in New York City.  She gave me support and love when I felt the city was dooming me.  She greeted me with nothing but love and excitement after a long, weary day. She made me smile and laugh with the greatest of ease.  She drove across country with me, braving the unknown and having total trust in me.  She has been uprooted and asked to make change to many times and she does it with grace.  But the moment she gets sick, she is a sad little kitty.  With no way to let me know what is wrong, I allow myself to be swept away with worry and doubt.

For hours, as I was trying to do work that had a deadline, I kept getting pulled away.  Although there was nothing I could really do but make sure she drank some water or milk, I couldn't let my mind stay on the task at hand.  Eventually, replete with worry, I took her to the vet.  $180 later, her full of fluids and antibiotics in hand, we came back home.  Still not 100% she is acting more like herself this morning.  And yet, I still worry.  Did I need to bring her to the vet?  Would she have gotten better if I just let her be?  Is there something else wrong?

Oh the capacity of the human mind.  We all have so much work to do to understand ourselves.  I find, even yet, that when faced with a mystery that doesn't give us all the information we want to ease our minds, we work so hard to stray.  But remembering those times that the stars were all well aligned and things work the way we hope gives a little space to come back to the present moment and be.

Greatness in Gratitude

As we ease our way, although it seems slowly, into summer I am reminded to take in each moment as it comes.  Finally I am able to put away those thick winter sweaters and pull out my comfortable dresses and skirts.  As that gentle warm breeze brushes past, I fall into gratitude.  I live for these days where the sun shines and birds sing outside my window.  I love spending my mornings off outside in my garden, drinking my coffee, waking up slowly with a good book.  The world around me awakens with me.  It comes to life all around me.  I look around as I am out and about and smile to myself because everyone else around me has a spring in their step and a smile upon their face as well.  What a different scene then just a month ago!

Even as I type, my schedule over the next couple of months is filling up.  Of course I want to make the most of the summer months.  Haven't I been waiting for this for so long?  As much as I want to, I can't drop everything to spend all my time in the woods next to a campfire or on a trail.  I can't forgo responsibility to sit in a park watching people for hours on end.  But I have the opportunity to slow down and take in even the smallest of moments.   I can find many opportunities to bring my practice off our mat and into the world.  And in those blissful moments that I can sneak off to the woods, I bow in gratitude that I have that time to do so.  I open my heart even wider to let in all that surrounds me so I can come back renewed and rejuvenated.  As in all aspects of our lives, we must inspire ourselves with the dance of life.  Juggling responsibility and freedom.  Basking in time and space.  Finding ourselves. 

What you want or what you need???

Whether you are a long time yogi or new to the practice, it is sometimes difficult to step past our ideas of what we want a yoga class to be. Our ideas are shaped in part by our previous experiences and inquires. Sometimes we rely on how something makes us feel. On those brief moments, we can sidestep all of that and just enjoy all that is presented to us. This is the journey of the yogi. What is more important; what we want or what we need?

Working in yoga studios for the past eight years, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to speak with many yogis. Whether they were coming out of a class with bliss in their eyes and a smile on their face or leaving half way through a class raging on about how horrible it was, it came down to a couple of important realizations. Of course, these are generalizations and everyone's experiences are different, unique to the person and the situation, and a result of many layers of previous experiences.

Many times we have an idea of what makes a good class or teacher and what doesn't. Is it really that important to have music in class? To end with a Savasana? Is it not a Vinyasa class if the student is not asked to do one Downward Facing Dog the entire class? Not really. Recently I had the opportunity to get feedback from a student that was unhappy with a class of a fellow teacher. He felt that the teacher was not prepared to teach this class as they did not put together a play list and didn't end the class with a Savasana. In the student's past experience, this was always a part of class. So in this particular instance he was taken to a new place, a class that challenged his preexisting ideas of what made a good class. In conversation, he was then exposed to a new idea that classes are designed according to many factors, such as, what time of day it was being taught at, who was in class, the level of those that were in class, and what focus is being decided upon. Many times, what we think we want is not what we need. Was the music a good distraction so he was not forced to be within himself? Maybe he could be whisked away and not have to focus on his breath or maybe music was a the perfect way to make time go by more quickly. Usually those things that we fight so strongly against, are exactly what we need to be doing.

As a teacher, it is a constant balance of whether we teach what students need or what they want. If we solely teach what they need, our class sizes begin to diminish. Who wants to go to a class that is always forcing us to face the uncomfortable? Or should we give in to the public desire to just feel good. I suppose it is somewhat dependent on the setting. I do feel strongly that as a yoga teacher, we have chosen to teach, to educate, to help our students progress on their journey. If I just wanted to instruct, I would be more prone to give a student the feel good fix they are looking for. But where on the journey is that leading... usually in a big circle. Uncomfortable as it may feel, be brave and venture out on the limb; that is where all the good fruit is. Face yourself and maybe you will find a new smile waiting there for you.

Be brave but also be intelligent on the journey. If you have a question, ask it. If you don't understand what you are being asked to do, venture an expedition of inquiry. As there are so many different styles, hundreds of training programs, and thousands of teachers; please don't walk blindly. Do your research. Find out where the teacher has studied, who their teacher is and what to expect from their classes. Even if a teacher does not have many years of teaching yoga under their belt, don't discredit their ability to teach. They may be just as qualified and knowledgeable as a long time veteran teacher. Quantity does not always equal quality. If you don't enjoy a class with a certain teacher, start a personal inquiry of what made you not enjoy the class. I would highly recommend attempting at least three times with the same teacher before continuing on your journey.

In the Western culture, home of the quick fix and impatience, we tend to view a yoga practice as an alternative to a trip to the gym... another workout. We are unsatisfied with a yoga practice that doesn't make us sweat or forces us to think. Is the necessary to work so hard? An asana practice, or a practice that involves moving our bodies into different shapes, is not meant to contort, manipulate or even work out our bodies. An asana practice is meant instead to prepare us for meditation, finding an opportunity to reflect, to be still, to find introspection. We are looking to achieve efficiency and intelligence of our physical body to also gain the same in our breath and mind. Less is more!

So coming back to the season change. Winter typically is a time that we are prone to less energy, focus, drive, more suseptable to despression, frustration and stress, can we expect to practice the same way as we did in the summer? Not really. Finding the Yin side of your practice, or as to say the calm, peaceful, relaxed, slow, or dark side our your practice, can have as much of a profound impact in your state.  As with a change of practice for the seasons we must also take into consideration the time of day.  Would a teacher be wise to ask you to get out of bed, go to the yoga studio and and then lay in a 15 minute savasana before you go to work?  Personally, I would need another couple cups of coffee before being able to fully function for work.  Or in an evening practice that is so strong with firey standing balances or arm balances?  Unless you work at night, it would probably not be advisable.  We must alter our practice according to the time of day, part of the month, and season of the year.

All of these factors can be overwhelming to think about.  That is one reason to seek out a teacher.  One that will guide you safely and intelligently through the many changes and facets of lives.  Teachers have chosen to study the why and how to be able to alleviate the confusion.  But as a student, please make sure you ask why if you don't understand something.

In the Krishnamacharya lineage it is said that a teacher should "give 90% of what a student wants and 10% of what they need".  Not a bad percentage for trying something new.

To my students, with great gratitude...

I sit here trying to put my thoughts together and I keep coming back to my students.  Maybe it is because Thanksgiving just passed or maybe it is because I just finished teaching two classes a couple of hours ago.  Either way, I reflect on what my students are.  As I teach, I look out to each person and see an amazing potential and unlimited spirit.  We join together, even for a short period of time, and walk a bit of our path together.  I first heard one of my teachers long ago state that their students were their best teacher.  At the moment, I guess I really didn't completely understand what that meant.  Each class I teach, I am offered a little more of the wisdom in that simple phrase.  My students are my best teacher. 

No matter how stressful, outrageous or frustrating my day turned out to be, walking into that studio changes everything.  It clears the slate and wipes away the troubles.  My mind begins to clear and my heart begins to warm.

With much reverence and respect, I bow to you every time you step upon your mat, every time you face the present moment, every time you allow me to learn from you.  As a teacher, I am continually in awe at the brilliance of those I am so lucky to encounter in class and out.  I wish to thank you for each smile, each moment of understanding and the opening of your heart to allow mine to open even more then I thought it could.  

namaste!

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

 

The month of October I have been having great fun playing with this pose in classes.  I have found over the years that instead of sharing my love for standing balance asanas  many have instead found great frustration.  I can understand this.  At first,  it takes great focus and determination.  But it doesn't have to be difficult.   

In exploring poses like this, I found that taking the focus off of the physical body and into the energetic body, a shift begins to happen.  I often teach the "opposition of force", meaning if you direct energy one way you must do the same in the opposite direction.  Great steadiness and balance can then occur while allowing the muscle/skeleton body to become quite efficient.  It has never been about "muscling".  By this I can mean many different things.  Have you ever tried to force a child to do something that they don't want to do?  Yeah, it never works out well.  There has to be an equal understanding of what you want and what they want.  

So keeping with this thought, if you can direct energy through your standing leg to root deeply through your standing foot, at the same time as directing energy out the crown of your head, you not only get a sense of grounding but lightness.   From here the adventure and exploration can really begin.  Freedom found.  Ease and a sense of relief from something that for many was dreaded.  Have fun!

 UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA - Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana is an asymmetrical standing balance that asks the yogi to
find patience, strength and fortitude.  This pose will help develop confidence, balance and
coordination.
STEP BY STEP
Find a deep rooting in standing foot to lengthen standing leg. Hips should remain even and
spine should be lengthened. Heart remains open and shoulders relaxed. Breath should be calm
and steady.
MODIFICATIONS
 If hamstrings or lower back are tight, don’t compromise the structure or your breath to force a
straight leg. Instead, bend the raised leg or use a strap around the foot.
VARIATIONS
• If appropriate, instead of holding big toe with index and middle finger, hold foot in hand
 while keeping heart open and spine erect.
• Parsva Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana - Opening leg to the side of body, making sure hips
 remain even.