Music, Music, Music (A 2015 KISS MY ASANA Prequel Sequel) March 2, 2015
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 31-Day Challenge, Books, Changing Perspectives, Donate, Hope, Karma Yoga, Mantra, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Movies, Music, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Texas, Twin Cities, Vipassana, Writing, Yoga.Tags: adaptive yoga, KISS MY ASANA, Mind Body Solutions, music
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So if you’re feelin’ down and out, got no place to go now
Just sing along to the music y’all, let it fill your soul now
Because everyone deserves music, sweet music
– “Everyone Deserves Music” by Michael Franti & Spearhead
My best friend in college always said life has a soundtrack. I know, everybody says that now – there’s even an app for that – but this was back in the 80’s/90’s and it wasn’t a thing, it just was. And what it was to me was true, in part, because I had been hearing a super eclectic soundtrack all my life.
I heard all the sounds of the country, mixed with all the sounds of the city. I heard vinyl and 8-track tapes before cassettes. I spent a good portion of my younger days thinking my Beatles-crazed friends were fans of Wes Montgomery. I was in a girl band that sang songs like “Lettuce Entertain You.” And I once got a speeding ticket for flying down an open highway to Mahalia Jackson (with my maternal great-grandmother and grandmother in the car).
My maternal great-grandfather owned a super club on the Chitlin’ Circuit; my dad played first chair trumpet in high school – even though he was tone deaf; my immediate family took road trips where most of the stations along the way played old school country; one of my maternal great-uncles had a basement full of classical; one of my first cassettes was dubbed “Hollering Oats” by my family; my mother took me to my first live rock concert; and at some point along the way my friend J. Ben taught me it was OK to play rhythm & blues, country, and heavy metal on the same mixed tape – you just had to have a theme…or not.
There are answers in the music
And there are answers in the words
– “Be Good” by Hothouse Flowers
Fast forward to now. After years of working in the performing arts, I started teaching yoga. I’m quick to tell people that I didn’t take the teacher training to teach – I took it so I could answer questions. What I had no way of knowing when I started this little adventure was that some of the questions I would end up answering would be about the music I play during class.
Rewind to my first yoga classes. There was no prerecorded soundtrack. In fact, I think I practiced for a couple of years before I took a class with music, and another couple of years before I practiced with a teacher who played non-classical/instrumental music.
Rie Congelio introduced me to musicians that (at the time) weren’t being played on the radio (in the U. S.) and taught me how much fun it could be to flow to your breath, while simultaneously dancing to the music. Down the road I would be spend a year practicing to Steve Ross’s eclectic soundtrack on Oxygen’s Inhale; look into the physiological, neurological, and emotional effects of music; and eventually practice in studios where people just basically played a bunch of random stuff because it had the “right” tempo and it was something they liked to hear.
What hasn’t ever left me; however, was what preceded my musical conversation with Rie. I was in Savasana trying to figure out why the very quiet song seemed so familiar to me, and why my body seemed to be so tuned into it. When I spoke to Rie after class, she said she picked the song because it was soothing and it was in Gaelic; and therefore, unlikely to be a distraction (seeing as we were in Southeast Texas). Little did she know I was studying Gaelic at the time or, that in that moment, I would start really thinking about how much music could enhance or undermine the practice of yoga as meditation.
And every cry is a song
And every song is a prayer
And our prayer must be heard
Fill the air
– “Isn’t It Amazing” by Hothouse Flowers
Music can serve as white noise (or maybe it’s brown noise). It can serve as an extra wall, filtering out distraction from outside the practice space. It can serve as a controlled distraction, a known quantity, to hone our focus/concentration. It can also, unfortunately, just be a distraction. And yet, I know people who never “hear” the music – even when I play Ozzy Osbourne – and I know people who will practice to a song for years before they listen to it. Other people will go so deep into the song, they get beyond it.
In Yoga Sutra 1.2 Patanjali writes “yogash citta vritti nirodhah” (“Yoga ceases the fluctuation of the mind.”) Inherent in this statement is that fact that the mind fluctuates. Left to its own devices, the mind will, at some point, start looking for a distraction. So I give the mind music for several reasons. First, in some meditation traditions people are told to think the word “thinking” when their mind starts wandering. It’s a reminder to get back to the meditation. When I pick a theme for my classes, I also start picking music that supports the theme by serving as a reminder when the mind wanders. Second, Patanjali (in YS 1.17) outlines four (4) levels of attention/concentration/meditation: (1) gross, (2) subtle, (3) bliss, (4) and absorption. In their commentary on YS 1.17, Geshe Michael Roach and Christy McNally compare the levels to (1) being aware that music is playing; (2) examining the words and melody (maybe humming or singing along); (3) enjoying the song, being overcome by its beauty; and (4) being so absorbed that nothing else matters, everything else disappears. Finally, research has shown that when people hear a song they haven’t heard in a long time, their blood pressure changes. Breathing and breath awareness can also change because of the tempo, volume, and musical key.
This is a song that nobody knows
I couldn’t begin to describe how it goes
But it makes me cry or laugh right out loud
It’s a song that I sing when there’s no one around
– “When There’s No One Around” by Garth Brooks
Last April, I posted 30 Poses in 30 Days for the KISS MY ASANA Yogathon. I am doing the yogathon again this April to raise money and awareness for the adaptive yoga programs at Mind Body Solutions. This year, however, we are gearing up early. So, in an effort to get people excited about practicing yoga (or practicing more yoga), I’m posting 30 Songs in 30 Days during March. I know, I know, some of you are already thinking, “Hold up, Myra, March has 31 days.” Yes, it’s true, and since this post has at least a baker’s dozen linked song references, plus two (2) unlinked song references, AND one song contains at least ten (10) musical Easter eggs, consider each one a little musical lagniappe (a little something extra, freely given with a purchase).
~ Thanks for spending a little time with me. NAMASTE ~
(Check out Freegal at the Hennepin Public Library.)
Remembering Things To Come – Getting Ready for 2015: A New Year of Possibilities January 3, 2015
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 108 Sun Salutations, Books, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Fitness, Health, Hope, Japa, Japa-Ajapa, Karma, Mala, Mantra, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, New Year, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Surya Namaskar, Twin Cities, Writing, Yoga.Tags: D. J. Shadow, Sun Salutations
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“It is happening again. It is happening again. [Deep breath in. Deep chuckle out.”
– from D. J. Shadow’s “What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 – Blue Sky Revisit)” / “Transmission 3” on Endtroducing…
If your computer, iPod, Cd player, or other music maker is on repeat – and you’re listening to D. J. Shadow’s debut album – the end is the beginning, and the last words are prophetic. Sometimes when I play this song in class, everything syncs up and we are starting the second side of a challenging sequence: so, we are at the beginning, the end, and the middle – and the words are highly prophetic. Last year, as I prepared to lead 108 Sun Salutations for New Year’s Day, I realized everything was syncing up: we were at the end of one year, the beginning of a new year, and in the middle of a week – and I was getting ready to do 108 Sun Salutations three (count them, 3!!!) times. Suddenly, D. J. Shadow’s chuckle was highly prophetic.
But, the fact that I counted out 324 Sun Salutations – and that several people (myself included) spent part of New Year’s Day thinking D. J. Shadow’s highly prophetic words with utter disbelief – isn’t what started me thinking this song should be one of our 2014 theme songs. No, my reasoning was a little deeper than that.
“Why would we want to go back to where we were so many years ago?” (D. J. Shadow)
We just can’t seem to help ourselves. On the mat, we find our thoughts involuntarily wandering to situations and people seemingly out of context. Try as hard as we might to stay focused on the here and now – as opposed to that arbitrary thing that happened in 1979, with that person who shall remain nameless – our mind seems to have, well, a mind of its own. It goes back again, and again, and again, like a random paragraph from Swann’s Way.
Somatically speaking, such thoughts may not be as random as they appear. Yoga teaches us that we hold our experiences in our bodies. So, it stands to reason, when we’re working the body we are also working though our years. The physical practice sometimes becomes a practice of systematic reflection. Pose-wise, we often move from Child’s Pose (Balasana) or Corpse Pose (Savasana); through the approximation of learning to stand and walk – think Table Pose to Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to Forward Fold (Uttanasana) to Equal Standing/Mountain Pose (Samasthiti/Tadasana) (video); then we explore and play; until we slow down, move into Corpse Pose (Savasana), and ultimately roll over to start all over again. Energy-wise, we typically move from our childhood (first chakra/wheel), through our developmental stages (second and third chakras/wheels), into our “maturity” stages (fourth and fifth chakras/wheels), and then to the unknown that lies beyond (sixth and seventh chakras/wheels).
But, even people who don’t practice yoga spend a fair amount of time reflecting on their lives. At the beginning and end of a year, right around our birthdays, whenever we experience one of life’s big milestones, and/or when the seasons change, we think about where we’ve been and where we’re going. Making resolutions (or just good old-fashioned planning) seems like a natural part of this reflection process, because as long as we are are actually living there is some part of us wanting to learn and grow. Yet, a good portion of us will get stuck thinking about the past, and approximately 80% of us will set goals we won’t achieve – which, at some point will have us lamenting the past. Perhaps equally significant is the fact that regardless of when we celebrate a new year or a birthday – or even observe the changing of the seasons – we will almost always find ourselves in situations we’ve dealt with in the past.
“And why should we want to live a life that’s past and never more?” (D. J. Shadow)
The wise old wives tell us we’ll repeat the same situations until we learn the lessons. And, let’s be honest, sometimes we’re that kid who keeps failing the class. What the wise old wives don’t tell us is that we can move on to the next grade, but we’re still going to be struggling with the same material. We can blame our (master) teachers, we can blame life, we can even blame the wise old wives; however, at some point we need to cowboy (or cowgirl) up and take responsibility for being where you are.
Karma is a word we throw around, sometimes without really thinking about what it literally means. We focus on the idea of destiny, fate, or retribution and reward. However, karma is the Sanskrit word for work, action, deed. It is everything we think, say, and do. Obviously, one way to think about karma is in the context of reincarnation. But, what if you don’t believe in reincarnation or the idea that you will keep living lives until you live (or get it) “right” – whatever that means? Have you considered what happens if you just look at this life you’re living and the ramifications of the work/karma you’re doing? Have you considered the fact that everything you think, say, do in this moment leads to another thought, word, and deed in the next moment? Look back at that last link where Don Juan speaks to Carlos Castaneda in Journey to Ixtlan.
So, in that interest, have you assumed responsibility for being here?
“This is not a dream….We are unable to transmit due to conscious neural interference….You are receiving this broadcast in order to alter the events you are….” (D. J. Shadow)
At some point, on or off the mat, we all want to skip to the end and reap our rewards. We want to ignore the seemingly random thoughts and sensations so we can get to the good stuff. We want, not only a passing grade, but all the accolades which come with it. We want, not only what we’ve earned, but also what we desire. And, at some point, on and off the mat, we are confronted with….what we’ve already done.
I started this post on January 3rd (2014). It was intended as a “sample” of themes and motifs for the year (2014). But, the year got away from me – and this post sat over in the draft column…waiting to see if I’d dust it off and update it. Or, if I’d just trash it. I’d like to say it was waiting patiently. But, that’s not how my mind works. So, sometimes, it was taunting me. Other times it was encouraging me. Finally, it was speaking to me.
Not surprisingly, a year later (to the date) it sounds a lot like D. J. Shadow….
Things that are happening again:
108 Sun Salutations – New Year’s Day 2015
7 Saturdays – Journey On and Off the Mat (Dates TBA)
Exploring the Wren Cycle – March 17, 2015
Kiss My Asana Yogathon – April 2015
New Things: ?????
~ May your new year be happy and free ~
I’ve got a heart lost in (your loving) kindness April 22, 2014
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 31-Day Challenge, Changing Perspectives, Donate, Faith, Fitness, Health, Hope, Karma, Karma Yoga, Love, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Super Heroes, Texas, Tragedy, Twin Cities, Uncategorized, Volunteer, Yoga.add a comment
“I’ve got a heart lost in kindness / A mind that’s mostly mindless / I can hold you up fore’er / I won’t let you down, I swear…” – Honeypot by Bob Schneider
“It was so inspiring and wonderful to be able to support MBS and share their mission with such an awesome group of yogis!” – Kari A.’s message to the 18 yogis who donated $349 at our donation-based class.
Every once in a while, I have one of those “yoga changed my life” moments. Sometimes the changes are small; sometimes they are large – and sometimes I don’t recognize them until years down the line.
On Saturday I had one of those “years down the line” moments as I stood in front of 19 people who had come to Nokomis Yoga for a donation-based class in support of Mind Body Solutions and the KISS MY ASANA yogathon. As I described how my first yoga experience tied into my first yoga experience with Matthew Sanford, my voice cracked and I almost cried because I realized I was achieving a goal: I was actively and mindfully giving back what I had been given.
Robert Boustany was my first yoga teacher. Before I ever met him, Robert taught me yoga was a healing practice – that not only could the physical practice be adapted for an injury or an illness, it had a holistic health application and could be most beneficial when someone is injured or ill. When I took my first class, he taught me yoga was more than a physical practice.
Over the years, as I studied with Robert and teachers trained by Robert, I was also coming in contact with people whose only intersection to yoga seemed to be me. These people had questions – questions, which (more often than not) centered around how yoga could help them deal with a specific discomfort or disease. Early on, I didn’t have any answers; but, I knew the answers were out there – and I knew my teachers had some of those answers.
But, these people I kept running into, most of them didn’t want to go to my teachers. They wanted answers from me, because they could see I was benefiting from yoga on a lot of different levels. So, I thought, one day I’ll go through teacher training just so I can deepen my own practice and answer some questions.
Fast forward 10+ years, and I’m in a northern town, standing on the opposite end of the Mississippi River from my hometown, practicing yoga with some of my yoga students (and a bunch of gorillas), while we’re being led by a man who is paralyzed from the waist down – and I rediscover that thing I had almost forgotten was accessible to everyone: Joy.
“Every time I take a look around me / I have to smile.”
– The World Exploded Into Love by Bob Schneider
Over the last few weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the loving kindness of my students. Some have generously offered their thoughts, prayers, and dedications to me and mine. Some have shared with me how they’re sharing their practice with their family and friends. Some have shared why they show up. Still others just show up – and make sure others show up.
However, the thing that continues to blow my mind is how yoga has affected people to the point that they are willing to give money to an organization and program dedicated to transforming “trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body.” They are willing to support something (to paraphrase Bob) that can only be seen “when you close your eyes / and open your heart.” The are willing to support the mind-body connection!
Saturday, I looked around at 19 open hearts – some of whom don’t even have a regular physical yoga practice – and I could feel the connection between my first yoga class, the handful of classes I’ve taken from Matthew Sanford, and the classes I’m teaching now. Saturday, I looked around at 19 open hearts – most of whom have never met or practiced yoga with Matt (or anyone considered “disabled”) – and I could feel the connection between our hearts and the hearts of the people who get to practice because we showed up on the mat. Saturday, I felt the spirit!
An overflowing cup of thanks to Kari’s friends, plus the Nokomis Yoga, Downtown-Minneapolis YMCA, and Blaisdell YMCA students who (collectively) have joyfully donated $544 to the MBS KISS MY ASANA yogathon. Thank you, also, to everyone who is on the mat this month.
Each of you, in your own way, is helping Mind Body Solutions achieve it’s goals. But, we’re not even close to done.
The KISS MY ASANA yogathon as a sing along moment. And, as Bob says, “Don’t fight the sing along.” Donate today!
~ LOKAH SOMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU ~
it’s a small world, after all April 6, 2013
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Buddhism, Donate, Faith, Fitness, Health, Hope, Karma, Karma Yoga, Love, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Surya Namaskar, Texas, Tragedy, Twin Cities, Volunteer, Writing, Yoga.Tags: community, finding hope, Karma Yoga
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Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It’s a small small world
~ lyrics by brothers Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman
In preparation for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney approached his staff songwriters and asked for one song to represent and honor the children of the world. No small task – for a couple of adults to pen words that could easily and succinctly sum up all the joys and sorrows of being a kid, in any country, in any culture, and in any language. But, somehow, the Sherman brothers did it. And, what started off as the theme song for the 1964 UNICEF pavilion sponsored by Pepsi, became one of the most recognizable and most translated songs in the world, as well as the signature and title of a popular boat ride featured in five (5) Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide.
And, every once in a while, something happens to remind us that it is a small world, after all.
Take yesterday, for instance: one of my regulars mentioned that the the Gorilla Yogis have an event coming up related to a kid in the Cities who needs a kidney transplant. She couldn’t remember the date (Saturday, April 13th) or the the kid’s name, but I wondered if maybe – just maybe – it was a Certain kid in particular.
it’s a world of laughter, a world or tears
it’s a world of hopes, its a world of fear
To the best of my knowledge, I have never met Ali Certain. We both teach yoga in the Twin Cities, share students and acquaintances, and several years ago I tried to take a class from her (but picked one of the few weekends she was out of town for a yoga intensive). I first heard about Ali because she is a certified Anusara teacher and I was curious about this practice that started in my old stomping ground. Despite the fact that I started my practice in Texas (and am in The Woodlands, Texas once a year), I’ve only ever practiced Anusara in the Twin Cities – and my initial practices were with Anusara-inspired teachers working on their certifications. I appreciated the practice, definitely got a lot out of it, but when I stopped going to Anusara classes at Nokomis Yoga I put the idea of practicing with Ali in the back of mind. When her name came up, I would think, ‘Oh yeah, I need to make time to check her out.’ Then I’d go back to my regular practice.
Fast forward several years, and I notice that one of the Anusara teachers who use to be at Nokomis, and who now resides in New York, had included a link to “A Certain Kind of Kidney” in her gmail chat status.
I clicked. I read a little of a post. Thought about three women from my teacher training – one who received a kidney from a living, non-relative; one who donated; one whose loved one was saved. Looked at pictures of this little boy Jack, who seems too cute and too alive to be so sick. And then…
I stopped reading what was then the most recent post. I went back to the beginning of the blog, the beginning of the story. I realized that even though I’ve never met this kid, we have less than six degrees of separation – we have a connection though his mother, through the yoga community, and through at least 4 states.
That connection made me wonder if I, or someone I know, has that certain kind of kidney.
there’s so much that we share
that it’s time we’re aware
it’s a small world after all
Most people are born with two (2) kidneys; however, most of us can live relatively normal lives with just one. Sure, if you donate a kidney, you’re probably going to have to give up contact sports. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t be physically fit and it doesn’t mean you can’t engage in vigorous activity. What it does mean is that you could save a life.
And who knows how that life could impact the world.
Of course, everybody doesn’t have Type O Blood (which is one of the requirements to donate to Jack) and everybody isn’t ready to be a living donor. According to LivingDonorsOnline, being ready means you are intellectually, emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually prepared for the all the donation entails.
However, not being ready to be a “living donor” doesn’t mean you have nothing to share.
There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Every time we step on a yoga mat, practice a sun salutation, let our hearts shine in a half moon, or smile in Balasana or Savasana, we are connected to people we may never meet. We have an opportunity to send a little hope and healing energy to someone who may be feeling puny or in need of a hug. We become part of a community, a village – which (to paraphrase the African proverb) can save a child.
And when you step on the mat at a Gorilla Yogis’ event, you get the chance to harness and magnify the power of that karmic connection by a making a physical/energetic/spiritual contribution – as well as a financial contribution – to a really great cause. Plus, it’s super fun!
If for some reason you are unable to join the Gorilla Yogis at the Thorp Building and Central Business Center (1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis) next Saturday afternoon, April 13th at 1 PM, please consider spending some time on your mat (somewhere, anywhere!) – and making a donation to Jack’s GoFundMe account. If you want more information about live kidney donations, check out The National Kidney Foundation’s website.
~ IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU ARE PART OF JACK’S VILLAGE! ~
108 Sun Salutations? Check! Now What? January 3, 2013
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 108 Sun Salutations, Buddhism, Changing Perspectives, Faith, Fitness, Food, Health, Hope, Japa, Japa-Ajapa, Karma, Mala, Mantra, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, New Year, Pain, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Suffering, Surya Namaskar, Twin Cities, Writing, Yoga.Tags: Surya Namaskar
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Practicing 108 Sun Salutations is the marathon of yoga. Of course, if you’ve never trained and then run a marathon, your body doesn’t know the difference. So, when you’re done, treat yourself as if you just ran 26 miles. Smile, breathe, and congratulate yourself. Maybe go out for some pasta. Definitely take Kathy T’s advice and enjoy an unapologetic 108-minute nap. (Best advice ever!!!)
Then what?
For your body
Relax and pamper yourself. Some research shows ice baths are helpful after a major endurance event. But, if you’re injury free, I’m all about keeping the muscles warm. Especially when it’s sub-0 outside the studio! So, indulge in a hot shower; soak in the tub with your favorite bath salts or bubbles; or combine one of the above with some time in the sauna or whirlpool. Take a restorative or yin yoga class to support and encourage deep tissue relaxation. For the ultimate indulgence, combine all of the above with a massage.
Literally and figuratively, put your feet up. Every pose in the sequence requires you to engage your feet and legs, while simultaneously activating your hips and core muscles. Decompress the lower body parts by spending some time in Viparita Karani (“Legs-Up-the-Wall”). This is a mild inversion that you can adjust as needed. If the shoulders and neck are out of sorts, place a blanket underneath the upper back. If the shoulders, hips, and low back need more tension release, elevate the sacrum and hips with a blanket, block, and/or a bolster. Keep the legs extended if you need the hamstring stretch. However, if they are already feeling overstretched after 216+ forward bends, release the hamstrings by bending the knees at a 90 degree angle and resting the shins on a chair, sofa, bench, or table. If it’s in your practice, explore more inversions.
A little hair of the dog is always good, but don’t go whole hog. Try Surya Namaskar C with Inch Worm and a modified Crescent (to stretch the psoas and quadricep of the back leg). Adding Chest Expansion to the lunge creates a nice stretch through the upper chest, shoulders, and a baby back bend for the low back.
Most importantly, listen to your body. When I finished the practice just before midnight on December 31st, my body was screaming for Gomukhasana (“Cow Face Pose”) legs. The next morning, when I could actually walk, I was really glad I listened. The second day after my practice, I added Garudasana (“Eagle Pose”) arms and Gomukhasana arms to the seated pose.
For your mind
Spend some quiet time just breathing, or contemplating how you felt before, during, and after the practice. A lot of people, myself included, expressed a little anxiousness before the practice. Take a moment to consider how much of the anxiety was fear of the unknown and fear of “failing,” and how much was actually anxiety about letting go.
Consider the different variations and dedications, as well as how you reacted to each. Look back over any notes you made; maybe make some more.
Request additional information about something that was said or done, or music that was played during the practice.
For your spirit
Be still. Soak up, celebrate, and appreciate all you did. Give yourself permission to express any emotions that came up during or after the practice. Recognize that some of your emotional responses are going to come down the road. Notice them; acknowledge them; and honor them.
Review your sankalpa (“vow”, “intention”) and your guiding principle statements. Notice if the still resonate. The intention of the meditation was to start the process of setting an intention. What you wrote or thought during the practice was a first draft. Maybe it worked right off the bat. But if your tongue or mind tripped over the words, then or now, restate it.
Finally, remember that the sankalpa is not intended as a simple affirmation. It’s part of your heart song and it’s a message meant to be sent and received internally. If you meditate or pray, include the words in your mind the next time you sit, kneel, or walk. The next time you practice yoga, think of the words during your Savasana. The vow is particularly powerful when used during Yoga Nidra; so, find or download a class and relax your way to your goal!
For the teacher inside you
Notice where you felt the practice, physically and emotionally. Notice where you didn’t feel it. Being sore after the practice is a common experience; you’ve worked every part of your body, after all, and in some cases you’ve worked harder than normal. And everything you did before the practice was part of your training. The question is: how good was your training? Did you remember to bend your knees – or are your hamstrings sore because you forgot to bend your knees? How’s your core? Do your shoulders and low back ache because you worked the muscles in a different way? How are your feet, hips, and knees? What about your wrists and neck? How many of the 14 muscles in your shoulder girdles feel good versus stressed, sore, or fatigued?
OK, to be fair, that last question was my favorite trick question. Most of us don’t even realize we have 14 muscles in each of our shoulders. The point isn’t (necessarily) to identify them so much as to notice how you feel and to note if your are sore (or not) because you were ready for the practice (or not) or because at some point along the way you forgot to be mindful of your alignment.
Finally, noticing how you feel after practicing 108 Sun Salutations, along with the counterposes, gives you a good indication of what parts of your practice are working and where you can focus a little more awareness during the new year. Talk to your yoga teachers about what poses or sequences can help you build strength or flexibility in your weak areas.
For the teacher who led you
No matter where or when you practice, the person (or people) leading the practice will appreciate your feedback.
The 2013 Nokomis Yoga New Year’s practice was a first for many in my circle and a “multi-first” for me! While I have practiced and co-led 108 Sun Salutations at the YMCA for the Spring and Fall Equinoxes, this was my first time leading solo; my first time doing all 108 at Nokomis; and my first New Year’s practice with the guided meditation. Since I would love to do it again, please let me know how it felt for you. If you have a moment (now, or over the next 12 months), please let me know (via e-mail or comment on the blog) what you liked or didn’t like; what resonated and what fell flat; what you appreciated – even if you didn’t like it; and whether or not you would join me again for this type of event. I know Solveig would also appreciate a review for Nokomis Yoga, if you are on google+.
Many thanks and blessings to the 22 incredible people who shared their New Year’s Day with me. I feel honored and humbled to be a small part of your practice and I appreciate the energy and joy you put into the occasion.
~ Check out Tara Woltjen’s 2011 post on the Surya Namaskar backstory and for the wonderful poem “A Prayer to the Light” (which coincides so beautifully with the practice I included it in our "mindfulness round"). ~
~ Check out Tara Woltjen’s 2011 post on the Surya Namaskar backstory and for the wonderful poem “A Prayer to the Light” (which coincides so beautifully with the practice I included it in our "mindfulness round"). ~
Didn’t make it to a New Year’s Mala practice on January 1st? There’s still time! Several studios (including taraNa in Minneapolis) are hosting the practice on Saturday, January 5th!
Still sore? Recovery 108 is currently password protected.
A Joyful Practice 