Yoga-tude

Yoga rooms are always filled with excitement and new experiences. So much energy is ready to be exchanged. Sometimes negative energy finds its way into class. Individuals get frustrated or appear to be frustrated with something within the room.

Whether it is a personal practice, a community practice or guiding a practice the mood can change quickly when I allow negative energy to enter my mind. The mood can be easily uncomfortable if I bring in my personal issues. It is always a challenge to leave those at the door when you are really feeling down. An instructor can also make an assumption that the participants are not appreciating or choosing to judge the Yoga provided. There are numerous reasons for a bad yoga-tude but it is important to brush them off. Certain Yoga students have instruction preference, a specific style, or an instructor. Some really do not know how they ended up in a yoga practice and just feel completely uncomfortable. Before rushing to conclusions do you best to communicate with the apparent frustrated students. With out interrupting the entire class just giving personal attention to new students or uncomfortable students can really relieve the energy. Try your best not to give into the yoga-tude.

Do not give up on the people who enter your Yoga room for class. Some where deep down they wish to practice and his or her body is saying let me practice! The experience you provide to them may change his or her yoga-tude. If that uncomfortable students finds some benefit there is a high possibility that they shall return and find more peace within his or her own practice.

Try not to get caught up in your own yoga-tude and open yourself to the student who is struggling the most in class. If they look miserable- it does not hurt to just ask or help them out. Opening yourself to the student will make you more vulnerable. This may help open the communication lines and bring the student to a more comfortable level.

Good and bad experiences have come my way. One time I helped a student because I noticed he was very uncomfortable and he rolled up his mat and left. Other times students have approached me after class and thanked me for my guidance. It is somewhat unpredictable how people will react but giving your whole heart can only make you feel like you made an effort.

Say good-bye to your yoga-tude and hello to just plain old Yoga. much love. peace love + fangs. xx

But I am not Flexible...

Yoga class does not require only flexible people. Flexibility is not the only reason people practice yoga. Yoga has benefits beyond how far you can spread your legs in the splat position. Honestly, the asana (postures) portion is only one amazing yoga aspect. Yoga can be experienced through breathing, relaxing the mind and every day life.
Asana practice appears to be the most familiar form of yoga to western civilization. I am not trying to be prejudice but a large portion of the men I talk to believe that yoga is a female stretching activity. FYI, there are lots of flavors of Yoga. The next comments I hear are based on the individual's personal restraints: 1) Flexibility, 2) Embarassment. An amazing University dorm mate struggled with flexibility. Due to scoliosis (curvature of the spine) the ability to sit straight with legs extended is still IMPOSSIBLE. In last night's phone conversation she reminded me of her scoliosis. I had completely forgot about her discomfort while in a seated posture with her legs extended. She quickly informed me that Yoga is not something she will ever be doing and her reason is flexibility. The conversation was amazing because she just got engaged after four years of true love! Congrats. I am sure George and Laura will attend the ceremony.

It was also a wonderful conversation because as a teacher people with physical restraints are always coming into the Yoga class. Individuals want to learn how to work their body in a way that they are comfortable with its abilities. Some individuals are not interested in the practice of Yoga and some really think they cannot do it! As a Yoga practictioner I do my best to share my personal Yoga story and encourage individuals to stay open minded with Yoga and life in general. It is hard to completely say no to something harmless when you have never tried.

Finally, for all those people who are not doing Yoga because they are inflexible I think you should re-think your reasoning. Avoiding Yoga because you are not interested is one reason but flexibility is a silly excuse.

much love + peace to everyone.

Different Yoga Teachers

Yoga teachers are not indestructible. Their bodies breakdown and they get sick, too. Sometimes they need a holiday or a break from teaching. When a teacher becomes unavailable to teach they must get a substitute teacher. The substitute is often doing a favor for the instructor and taking on an opportunity to teach a new group of students. The new instructor might be looking for further insight from a different group of students. Instruction is often a huge learning experience, too.

It is frustrating when you are planning to attend a class and your favorite instructor is not going to be available. Some students and instructors have specific time slots open to attending group practices. The set itinerary is what we want and can be easily frustrated when it is altered.

Are we still a yogi when we get frustrated about a change in our itinerary? The yoga class is still going to be available it is going to only have a different instructor. Have we become control freaks who do not want our time to be manipulated by someone we have not selected? So much anger can occur when a simple change occurs. Anger before a yoga class is never something that anyone really desires. Personally, I strongly dislike emotional waste and try my best not to get consumed by the change of instructor. Going with the flow and just being present is my yogic standpoint but it is a challenge on some occasions.

Finally, out of common courtesy the instructor should make an effort to alert his or her students if there is a substitute instructor. Some of us just need to get in a different mental framework in order to accept a new instructor. At the same time, yoga students need to return to their yoga roots. The idea of accepting each yoga practice which in turn will teach the calming of the chitta vritti.

Students pay money to attend most yoga classes. The money donated to each class can go a long way. The money is supporting the studios' bills. It is also, supporting the instructors ability to live and learn more about everyone's common interest, yoga. The yoga studio that I am a member of gives generously to the community and provides exceptionally cheap yoga classes. I am proud to teach and learn from the studio's community each day I walk through those doors.

If money is not the reason for frustration with the change in teacher than maybe it is important to search deeper for an answer. There are a million different ways a class can be instructed. Allowing exposure to different teachers and styles of yoga can only broaden your practice and mental state. If a particular teacher does not suit your fancy than choose a private or home practice where you can reach further into your own personal practice. There are so many benefits to practicing in a group setting and on your own. Enjoy the two worlds can only help you enlighten more people with your love and peace of mind. Relax it is just yoga.

Share Your Energy

As the weather takes a sharp turn many of us are finding ourselves sick and/or overwhelmed. Cool weather can place a huge shock on the human body and it is important for us to ease into the changes. Yoga classes can head south when everyone is feeling tired and negative. It is the yoga instructors job to help alleviate the strain and negative emotions bringing down the class energy. While in a dreary yoga class, yogis with energy should try their best to help relieve the negativity by smiling or by maintaining an open heart throughout his or her practice.

In life we are always in a rush and it is beneficial to apply gentle yoga skills to the "stressful" daily obstacles. Humans cannot be in "perfect" form each day but as a yogi I believe it is my duty to share the good energy when it is present within myself. The expression, "smiles are contagious" stands true even in a yoga class. Making everyone feel accepted and comfortable can go a long way. Kind, soothing energy is all we need to make a practice feel amazing.

Stay healthy and help those out who are having a hard day. Spread the love and it will come right back to you.

namaste

Long Lines @ the Coffee Shop

How do coffee shop businesses thrive? Great marketing schemes with over priced caffeine products- what more could a consumer ask for? Maybe this is why more yoga studios are leaning toward providing the coffee and tea on location. Individuals can line up for two fabulous items- caffeine and yoga.

Yoga provides the body, mind and spirit with numerous benefits while coffee appears to more human attention. Yoga has been around for longer than the early 1800s. Maybe humans have been doing yoga for so long that they are just not that into it!?

Yesterday, I was walking to teach a yoga class on University campus and the line at Starbucks was all the way out the door. There must have been 20 people in line and about 25 people sitting in and around the coffee shop. Yoga loving individuals have an easy time imagining the same demand pattern to practice asanas, pranayam and meditation. A Southern US campus location might have an impact on the demand for yoga because of preconceived ideas about mind + body exercises.

The long line outside the campus coffee shop really struck me. I cannot begin to comprehend the desire and relationship humans have with caffeine because I have no experience. My only experience is with yoga. Yoga has proven to be my daily mental high and/or relaxation.

I invite those who enjoy there coffee every day to come out and try a couple of yoga classes. Maybe you can find a balance between the two.

yoga + cycling

Lately biking to Yoga class has not been something I love and adore.

As a cycling commuter, riding the busy streets is one of my daily practices. My cycling destination is almost always a yoga studio, another daily practice. Cycling can be a mind numbing experience but lately I have been on edge. Angry motorists are not interested in sharing the road with a pretty yellow bike. Not to say that looks are everything but I really thought that a nice looking bicycle would soften a motorist's perspective in regards to sharing the road.

Weekly, I am exposed to people with very dirty mouths. Driver's angry tone and rude assumptions sink deep into my sensitive skin. My long commutes are when I get multiple opinions shouted at me. In effort to understand the anger and verbal abuse, I think of the reasons one would yell at a cyclists. Safety is a big concern. A cyclist should always obey the stop lights, stay on the right side of the road, perform hand signals, have proper night lights, and share the road with other motorists.

Dirty and loud mouths are only creating more road rage and distracting cyclists from focusing on form. Throwing a cyclist off balance, by yelling or honking the horn, could result in a catastrophe.

Emotional control under the deepest amount of frustration can be next to impossible. Heading to yoga class on your bicycle should not be a negative experience. Calming the mind in order to surpass the rotten motorists has become a huge challenge. The heart races and the cyclists feel guilty for slowing down traffic.

Cyclists should recognize the good they are producing for the earth. Bicycles have a small eco-footprint. They do not release dirty air pollution and they help keep the human body in strong physical shape. One less car on the road reduces the number of cars lined up at each light. The cyclist is actually making more space on the road for those who need faster transportation. The cyclist is helping to show people how to practice there nursery school skills such as sharing and caring. The cyclist is not in the power to talk back but the cyclist sets an example for the misinformed, less educated or confused individual with a big scary truck. The cyclist is not at fault when they obey the rules of the road.

Finally, bicycles are not among the strong breeds of transportation. The idea of slow and steady wins the race may be true from an environmental standpoint or even when the cyclist can pass all the vehicles stuck in a huge traffic jam. I ride my bicycle all over town in effort to stay in shape, reduce fuel consumption, reduce expenses and set an example. I ride my bicycle to yoga because I was to focus and relax before I enter the studio. I do not ride my bicycle to be harassed or to lose control of my emotions. I love my daily practices and will continue them for as long as I live. Karma is real. Namaste.

calm down... chita vritti :)

Yoga practices are unique in so many ways.

The biggest challenge while instructing a class is producing individual peace and enjoyment. As an instructor, I work hard to feel the physical and emotional energy in the class. If midway through a powerful practice I sense students weakening or loosing energy, I change the downward spiral by turning the music or changing the asana structure. I even let the students know when I sensing their lack of energy. Keeping an open communication forum helps students to calm their mind fluctuations. At times I remind them to just keep up with their own physical abilities but it is not always an easy task when we come from such competitive environments. University students are used to competing for grades and it is hard to remove the energy while on campus.

Quite frequently my mind cannot fully comprehend how the class is enjoying the practice due to students' signs of discomfort or distracting actions. When I notice a couple of students not enjoying their practice or perhaps, assume that students are not enjoying the practice, I begin to panic. Remembering what leg we are using or the next asana in the flow is often lost forever. The pressure of presenting to a class for 60-90 minutes can seem like forever when you get caught up in an uncomfortable moment. I guess yoga teachers judge sometimes!? Fortunately, not all my yoga class that I instruct are consumed by my mental fluctuations but in some cases I find myself portraying the uncomfortable student in a practice that I am attending.

As a student I should try hard to accept what is presented. Finding a balance in each class does not always happen but slowly I am working to train myself to accept that good that comes from each practice. Often I find myself attending class and hoping for a specific instructor. Sometimes that instructor is ill or had to switch to help balance the schedule. The bottom line is that most teachers do not try hard to miss classes and they get sick sometimes too. Yoga instructors are not in a constant meditative state and that is okay.

This post is dedicated to all those practitioners who are having a hard time relaxing during instruction and practice. Relax because I believe that yoga has a greater good than we may think sometimes. ~ namaste ~