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 ~
Calling All Karma Yogis April 17, 2014
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 31-Day Challenge, Books, Changing Perspectives, Donate, Faith, Fitness, Health, Hope, Karma, Karma Yoga, Love, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, Peace, Philosophy, Science, Surya Namaskar, Twin Cities, Volunteer, Writing, Yoga.add a comment
“a karma yogi devoted to service to spread truth & peace” – from Be The Change by MC Yogi
We’ve reached Day 17 of the Kiss My Asana Yogathon! And, while you may think you’ve missed the boat, it’s not even close. You still have multiple ways to give and to practice, including these three (3).
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If you haven’t started the 30 Poses in 30 Days, follow this 30 days link, and either start with today – no matter what day it is – or start from the beginning. This is your chance to practice more yoga – even if you haven’t ever practiced.
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You can still join my Joyful team by making a donation here.
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For the ultimate Kiss My Asana experience, join Kari Anderson and me this Saturday (April 19th, at 3:30 PM) for a donation based yoga experience at Nokomis Yoga. This 90-minute Kiss My Asana event will be inspired by Matthew Sanford’s teachings and the spirits of everyone practicing yoga together – regardless of their size, shape, or physical and mental abilities. We’re going to have some energetic fun and donate all the proceeds to Mind Body Solutions. The class is open to all abilities, but we have very limited space. Please RSVP at ajoyfulpractice at gmail.com if you would like to join us.
XOXOXO
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! ~
A Day 20 Treat January 30, 2011
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in 21-Day Challenge, 40-Day Challenge, Changing Perspectives, Fitness, Health, Love, Mantra, Meditation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Texas, Twin Cities, Yoga.1 comment so far
Day 20
Two days of Jason Crandell in a row is a full mind-body-spirit treat. On some level, I knew it was coming. (My housemate and I had discussed it.) But, I wasn’t really prepared for how the continuity and integrity of the practice would leave me feeling…sated, satisfied, seriously relaxed.
I started the day with my 5 minute silent meditation and a condensed version of the practice I was going to lead at the Y. I’ll admit that the way my body (not to mention my mind and spirit) felt after these last few days encouraged me to get a little carried away on the mat. I wanted to do everything, put together bits and pieces from the previous day’s practice – and the previous weeks. I had to keep reminding myself that on we were getting ready for a in addition to “letting the love flow” I was headed towards a peak pose: Pincha Mayurasana.
By the time I made it downtown, I was more than a little distracted by some family news. Part of me really wanted to cancel class. Part of me really wanted to go home. But, I was in one of those situations where canceling class, and even going “home,” weren’t going to solve anything. I needed to breathe, and slow down. Turns out, reminding myself of the love all around helped too. The class was fun and, I think, illuminating for some. Even though a forearm stand is a pretty advanced inversion, doing it with a wall and props – or even sticking to one of the modifications, like Dolphin Dog – is accessible to almost anyone.
After class, I stayed in the studio and completed the 18 Minute So Hum meditation. My body felt good and my mind was fairly focused. Ultimately, it was very soothing for my spirit.
Saturday was a busy day leading up to a busy evening. My housemate says we all have cabin fever, and maybe that’s true. I just know it felt good, at the end of the day, to just sit still for a minute before rushing back into the fray. Eventually, I got around to finishing out my daily practice. I practiced the 30-Minute Tension Release Side Bends with Jason Crandell in the late afternoon/early evening. This was a perfect unwinding sequence. The poses were simply, easy to follow (even though some versions were a little unusual), and intense. In fact, the intensity of the stretches kind of surprised me given how “little” we seemed to be doing. I could easily see doing this sequence just before bed or combining it with another video, or two, for a more energetic practice. About midway through, I couldn’t help but wonder how this sequence would feel as a way to open the body up for Visvamitrasana.
Hmmm, something to look forward to doing in week 4. Smile.
A Joyful Practice 