6x Book 2.0

Hi!

I have been quiet during the holidays, dealing with everything everyone else has been dealing with, and more.  Life, Samsara. 

With this last week of the year upon us, I, like everyone, have been getting my sh#t together, working and thinking about how I can learn from this past year, how I can improve,  and lastly, how can I make feasible goals for 2013.

During my teacher training at Conquering Lion, we were taught a tool created by Geshe Michael Roach, the 6x Book,  and were told to use it during our entire training.  The 6x book is a notebook in which you keep track of things you are looking to change, and it is my inspiration for how I am going to keep track of my goals of 2013.

Let me explain how the 6x Book works (the Geshe Michael Roach version):

- You buy a notebook which can be easily be carried around with you.
- You pick 6 Kleshas,  or mind disturbances, that you would like to stop.  For example, judgment, jealousy, lying, etc.
- You write these down in the notebook with enough space underneath each label for notes.  1 day equals one page.
- During the day, check your 6x book often. Think and write down underneath each label what have you done about each klesha.  For example, if one of your kleshas is dishonesty, write down if you told a white lie. Or if it's jealousy, write down if you had a jealous thought.
- Then, make an effort to cancel your action.  For example, if you did lie, come clean.  Or if you had a jealous thought, compliment someone who makes you jealous.
- You can also write down if you actively did something to remove the klesha- for example, if you stopped from saying a nasty comment  about someone (this would go under Judgement), or if you retracted a white lie.
- At the end of the day, dedicate your efforts.

The 6x book changed my life.  I felt accountable for those things that I wanted to change and improve, successfully kept track of them, and I ultimately broke those habits and improved my life.

For the new year, I am creating an updated version of the 6x book, what I will call 6x Book 2.0. 
It will include Kleshas, Yamas, Niyamas, and goals.  So far, I have come up with this list:

- Studying
- Jealousy
- Honesty
- No judging
- Generosity
- Supporting family and loved ones.

Hopefully, by reapplying the habit of the 6x book,  I will be able to keep in mind the goals I have set for the new year, which are as follows (and relating to the above list)

- To share all my knowledge with my students
- To free myself from harmful thoughts about myself
- To live an honest life, where my integrity is crystal clear
- To stop judging others, so I can stop judging myself (big one for me in 2013)
- To save so that I can share thoughtlessly
- To provide support and love for those that are important to me.

I hope this helps you in figuring out how to keep up with your goals.  As you can see above, goals such as "have a big house" or "make X money" can also be applied to the 6x Book 2.0.  Make it work for you, and remind yourself every day of what you want. 

With Love,

P





 

The Yoga Sutras

Here is a great link about The Yoga Sutras.  Like footnotes.

Enjoy!

Love,

P 

Great reading

I have practiced Jivamukti for many years.  I love their style, and what they stand for. Here is a good read from Sharon Gannon.

I've been a little quiet, perhaps practicing satsang.  It's always needed.

Love,

P

Week of the forward folds

Bound Angle/Baddha Konasana

Pyramid pose/Parsvottanasa

Downward Facing Dog/Adho Mukha Svanasana

This week, we will be working on forward bends.  

Forward folds require our full attention.  Usually consisting of a deep stretch of our muscles, forward folds allow us to take a quiet moment to feel.  Those with tight hamstrings or hips may find forward folds very challenging, for the mind chatters as you try to go into the pose while "fighting" the tightness of the muscles. But the key is not to fight. it is to listen. By listening to the body, going deeper into the pose with each exhale, and maintaining the foundation of the pose, one can effectively combine the experience of the pose and transform it into a quiet moment in which the mind can breathe.  

This week, in order to help us prepare for meditation, we will carefully explore these sweet "forward folding" moments. By shifting the awareness further in from the physical sensations, perhaps we can all tap into a deeper dimension, the energy of the pose.  If we can stay inside our bodies during these folds, we will quiet the mind.  

With love,

P 

P.S.  Photos are from the yoga journal website link on forward bends.

Happy thanksgiving!

The most important things in life aren't things.

Today I'm grateful for all the lessons life brings along, for they are an opportunity for growth. I'm grateful for conquering them with a tall stride or with my gaze down... It doesn't matter. I learned. I grew.

Thanks to all my friends and family for being part of this journey And for being there for me.

Happy thanksgiving!

Meditation challenge

From now until Christmas, all my classes will have about 5 minutes (3 minutes for one hour classes) meditations. Trust me, this makes all the difference while dealing with these hectic times. A meditation practice can change your life!

See you on the mat!


Love,

P

Embracing Change

Change is all around us. We have elected a president, the hurricane changed our shores, the cold weather arrived. In these times that change is all around us, all we have is ourselves to trust that these changes will bring prosperity.

I have been focusing on standing poses this week. By shifting our awareness in our foundation, we can withstand whatever is happening around us. Our integrity, love, and compassion serves that purpose outside of the mat. On the mat, our feet, our palms, gaze and breath.

Much love to all.

P

Go Yoga closed

Hi,

My class tomorrow is canceled. Sandy is coming through!

Everyone be safe!

Love,

P

Next week

I am going to sub the following classes next week:

Thursday at 9:00 am, quick fitness
Thursday at 8:15 pm, Go Yoga

Celebrating my boyfriends birthday!

Love,

Patricia

Niyamas, in a nut shell

Every Thursday at Go Yoga we have been studying the Yamas and Niyamas.  Last Thursday was the last installment of the course. Here is what we covered, in a nutshell.

The Niyamas are the personal commitments we make to subdue the mental chatter of our minds.  They are as follows:

(from Kimberly Theresa's Yoga Essentials Course I, The Essential Yoga Sutra, Donna Farhi's book Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness,  and T.K.V. Desikachar's The Heart of Yoga)


Shaucha:  To be clean.

When we practice yoga, we take care of our studio, our place of practice, we gather our props and neatly place them around us.  When we meditate, we clean our space before sitting down, we decorate our altars.  We prepare.

When we are getting ready to go out, we shower, clean our houses, etc.  We prepare.

All these rituals, or preparations, help ease our practice and create a comfortable space in which we can settle in.

Santosha:  To be contented with whatever we have.



This one is pretty popular.  Every religion has a different take on this.  In our practice on the mat, it is a practice to stay present, to be happy with the current moment.  If a pose feels too strenuous, or a pose feels awkward, it is ok to step back.  If the teacher is not doing a class as we expected, or if there is a pose that your body just won't do, to honor those emotions and let them go, create peace and dissolve anger.

Santosha should not be confused with "giving up."  Santosha is a practice to stay present and content with the present.  It means to practice patience.

It is to look at the glass half full, without the expectation of a result.  

Tapas:  To embrace hardships for higher goals.



The commitment we make every time we go to a yoga class is tapas.  The practice, is tapas.
Outside of the mat, the easiest way to practice tapas is to work hard!  We have all had goals we want to achieve, and know that the harder we work for them, the better the reward.  Tapas is that "burning enthusiasm" that keeps us working hard.

Swadhyaya:  To engage in regular study.



When we listen to our bodies and learn about ourselves, we are practicing Swadhyaya.  We can only achieve this practice by being open to what it is that we are learning.  To be curious about the lessons of every class, and every day.

I have a tattoo that says "I surrender to my teachers."  If everyone and everything that is presented to me is a lesson, therefore I surrender to what it is that I need to learn.  It is my reminder to practice this.

Practicing Swadhyaya is easy, as long as our hearts are open to lessons around us, within and outside of the mat.

Ishvarapranidhana:  Seek our master's blessings, or celebration of the spiritual.


Every book you read about the Yamas and Niyamas will give you a different take of what they mean.  Ishvarapranidhana was confusing to me, until I realized that to seek your master's blessings, or to surrender to God means to seek for your own blessings, to follow what works for you, as an individual.  And honor it.

We enter the classroom, we Om, we sit in our mat, and we honor ourselves, our bodies and our mind.  When we go to church, we honor Jesus. Whatever it is that you do to do to honor a higher power, is Ishvarapranidhana.

Honor yourself, make everything around you joyful, beautiful, a part of your journey, and suddenly, everything is beautiful.  

Love,

P

Falling behind.

Falling behind! 

I owe two of my past classes' material.  Forthcoming!

And schedule is updated below.

Also, visit my new website!  It's in the works.

Love,

P

ADDENDUM: To new schedule post

I failed to specify when Kat will be teaching the 7:00 am- and that's on MONDAYS.  I will continue to teach the 7:00 am wednesday class.  My complete schedule is below.

Lots of love,

P 

New Schedule

Fall is starting on Saturday, and with that, come all new classes!

Go Yoga has amazing new teachers and two new express classes.

Quick Fitness' beloved yoga teacher Cass Ghiorse (a student of one of my favorite teachers, Elena Brower) is going on maternity leave and I will be taking over her alignment based classes on Thursday at 9:00 am.  Katherine Colla, a dear friend, is now teaching the 7:00 am vinyasa yoga at Quick Fitness, Moriah Ray starts teaching restorative yoga on Sunday nights, and Hannah Gruber takes over the Wednesday and Saturday classes.

Get on it!  Because practicing yoga is better than _________.

Love,

P 

Yamas and Niyamas, continued

Aparigraha (non attachment)

Whether you just started your practice or you're a long term yogi/yogini, Aparigraha, or non-attachment, is another one of the Yamas (the last of the 5, per Master Patanjali) that is commonly used and heard around classes, blogs and yoga-related articles. 

Non-attachment on the mat starts from the beginning of your practice.  The moment you sit down and close your eyes,  in order to embrace your practice, you must separate yourself from the residues of your day.  We carry around the emotions and responses of our day, whether we know it or not (snappy, anyone?).  Sitting down on your mat before your practice and setting an intention to "let go" is the first step to begin a peaceful and refreshing practice. 

Secondly, non-attachment should be practiced in every pose in two different ways, firstly, removing the need to attach yourself to a result of the pose ("I really want to do that pose the student did") and as result, accepting your body and where it is at this present time.  Competition is part of the human condition, and seeing a room full of yogis, it is hard not to compare or watch those around you and see how they practice.  However, we are all different.  What you may be able to do is not what your neighbor may be able to do, and vice-versa.  Let go of what those around you are doing, and concentrate on your practice. As you do this, you will see that every step of the asana becomes important, rather than the end result. 

To practice Aparigraha outside of the mat is a lifetime goal.  There are monks that meditate on the practice of letting go for hours at a time.  After all, we are almost programmed to use our memories as a puzzle and attach everything in our lives to our experience.  Non-attachment is HARD!  I am sure that you can think of many things you are currently overly attached to (shoes?  that restaurant?  Your boyfriend?)  Non-attachment takes constant practice and effort.  Paying attention to the present is an easy antidote to being overly attached.  Also, being generous to others helps remove that selfishness. 

Lastly, to practice Non-attachment you don't have to give away all your material things and let go of everything, it simply means that if those items were to be taken from you, you'd be accepting of your present.  

With love,

P

P.S. I am super excited to be teaching the 9:00 am Thursday class at Quick Fitness!  If you are local to the Williamsburg/Greenpoint neighborhoods, the yoga community in this gym is a gem, and very hard to find in other gyms.  If you're interested in passing by, please let me know.

Satya

SATYA, or Truth

As mentioned last week, every Thursday at Go Yoga, we will discuss and apply to the asana practice the Yamas and Niyamas, or the "11 commandments of Yoga," as taught by Master Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.  This week, we will discuss Satya, or truth, and how it applies to our practice. 

In our every day practice, being truthful comes in numerous levels.  

Firstly, not lying.  Very simple.  Even JC taught us this.  If you do not lie, your mind is calm. Period.  Try telling a lie and having to keep up the lie.  It's exhausting.... 

Secondly, being true to oneself.  How does one achieve that?  By being truthful in our every day actions, so that all that comes from within us is true.  Having a good intention, being honest to oneself when it comes to our actions. Not lying to yourself....

For example, are you giving that gift to someone because you mean it, or because you would like somehting in return?  Is your smile real?  If you've taken a yoga class, most likely you have heard teachers say that everything should come from a place of love, or the heart. This is Satya, folks.  When you love, you do good deeds for those you love.  Your life is truthful.  

Applying truth to your intentions and every day deeds, one becomes clear about where one is coming from, finding full integrity within oneself.  One does not have to worry about anything, for in your conscience, you know you've done well....  

Lastly, in our asana practice, Satya can be applied in so many different ways.  I would like to think that satya should be approached in the mat by maintaining a peaceful practice.  Surrendering to how you feel, surrendering to your body and how it is at that moment, allowing the dialogue in your head to conclude to that- PEACE....   Being ok..  

Truthfully accepting where you are at the moment. 

I discuss the last part in my classes a lot for it took me years to have that "whatever" attitude.  It's not an easy attitude to get... And if you have a major injury or a major crisis going on in life, this latter manner of practicing truth is almost impossible.  Your mind barely cooperates...   

I once practiced yoga right after a break up.  I was on the verge of tears the entire time and felt crappy about "wasting" a yoga class.  Should I have surrendered, and cried, I probably would have enjoyed the yoga class.   Should I have been ok with the fact that I was sad, giving my emotion a label, so I can accept it, would have been the key.  Instead, I was like "ok, I'll take the class, I'm fine."  I was avoiding how I was feeling.  Denying myself of that truth...  

In conclusion, the first two ways to practice Satya are easy, they just need to be watched and approached as a practice, in literal meaning.   The last one- surrendering where we are, in the mat or off, is much harder.  But if we have been honest and loving in our everyday life, at least we have that part of us which we can surrender to and we know it's a good place.   Surrendering to the moment, becomes a little easier.  

With lots of love,

P  

Introducing AHIMSA

Ahimsa, or non-violence, in Sanskrit

In the Yoga Sutras by Master Patanjali, Master Patanjali describes the Yamas (social disciplines) and Niyamas (self disciplines)  or what I like to call  the 11 Commandments of Yoga.  Ahimsa, or non violence, is the first of the Yamas.

Ahimsa is a multi layered term.  It means to be non violent in thoughts, actions and words.  It is a constant practice that involves how you interact with others and yourself.

Most people that are familiar with this term have heard it from teachers and styles of yoga that suggest adopting a vegetarian lifestyle as part of being a yogi.   Lots of yogis and yoginis take on being a vegetarian to avoid eating "violently" and as a manner to practice non-violence in their everyday life.

That form of practicing ahimsa did not work for me.  I drooled at the sight of a steak, and I felt weak and hungry all the time during my time as a vegetarian. So I went back to eating meat and have since done so.  

My real practice for Ahimsa started during my asana practice.  I would set an intentions at the beginning of class to listen to my body and mind, and to ensure that every pose I did was a gesture of non-violence.  In other words, to forget that crazy twist that left me gasping for air, to stop staring at others, to stop judging my body. It was a rewarding and nurturing way to practice.  And it worked.

Outside of the mat, Ahimsa proved much more challenging.  During a recent difficult period in my life, my friend and life coach Monica Park told me that I needed to speak to myself as if I was speaking to a vulnerable and sensitive friend, which at that moment, it's how I felt. Monica said that I should listen to myself, and write down how many times I was saying mean things to myself.  After doing this exercise,  I found that I was constantly telling myself the most HORRID things!  Some of the many are as follows:

- My last class sucked.
- That playlist sucked.
-  I look terrible in (insert item of clothing)
- I am a mean friend.
- I am weak and sensitive
- I am whiny
- I hate being sad.

During this difficult time of my life, and always, I was being violent with myself.

Monica helped me work on those issues.  "How can you be good to yourself today" she would tell me.

So I started by reassuring myself that I am loved, that I am a good teacher, friend, and girlfriend, roommate, etc etc. As corny as it sounds, telling yourself these words do make a difference.  I was constantly reminding myself of my goodness and I started to believe what I was saying.  I was being so nice to ME.  Ahimsa, my friends... Ahimsa.

This week we will practice Ahimsa on the mat.  Hopefully you will be able to find a way to practice Ahimsa off the mat, just the way that I did.

With love,

P



  

Summer reading list

When on the beach!

- Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff (for studying)

- In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson (leisure and suspense)

- Anything by his Holiness the Dalai Lama. I'm reading "Healing Anger." You should know some basics of Buddhism to read this.

- Let the Right One In (vampire tale for adults)

- Daily Readings from Everyday a Friday by Joel Osteen. although Osteen appeals to a mostly Christian audience, he is amazing at pointing out the basics of being a good person in an universal language. Those of us that know that God has many names and forms will appreciate this book. It touches on the basics of living your life in a manner that will make you and those around you happy. Surprise nice read.

What are You reading?

With love,

P

This week

I will be on vacation this week, this year my family and I are going to Mexico! Thus all my classes are subbed at Quick Fitness and at Go Yoga.

Happy Summer!

Love,

P

What your practice can do for you

I love to sit down before my yoga practice and watch those moments in which my heart beat begins to slow down and my breath becomes deep.  It takes me about one minute.  It is that sensation that I yearn during my practice.  As I move,  it feels as if I have begun a journey of going off into another world. I carefully watch my thoughts and I feel them disappear as my breath deepens.  It's a wonderful, wonderful feeling.  

The Ajna chakra, or your Third Eye, is responsible for this shift into inner awareness.  As you watch yourself enter that deep dimension within you past your heartbeat, into your energy body, your third eye opens.  Your awareness shifts and turns within, rather than focusing on outside factors.  

Let your practice guide you and allow you to go deep into these moments.  Be curious and watch how you react to your practice.  Do certain poses make you want to leave the room?  Or do they feel delicious?  Is there mental chatter during your inversion at the end of the practice?  These type of moments and connections, are a crucial part of your practice.   Ease into them with an open heart. 

love,

p

The Third Eye Chakra symbol

Today

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny

Karma Yoga

An owner of a yoga studio I worked at once said to me that getting up to teach an empty 7:00 am class was a form of Karma Yoga, or "discipline of selfless action."  I, as a young(er) teacher, was not impressed by this  "excuse." I did not enjoy getting up so early, and I blamed the time (7:00 am) and the studio (it was fairly new). I blamed everything around me for that experience.   I would wake up at 6:00 am, ride my bike to the studio and would be so upset when no one showed up. 

I continued to teach and grow as a teacher, and now I can say that I completely agree with her.  That empty class was a form of Karma Yoga, for I was giving without expecting a return.  At first, without wanting to, for I was not happy with the empty class.  But getting up early to teach evolved into a practice of providing a service without expectation on a return, monetary or mentally.  It was a beautiful lesson on Aparigraha, or attachment.     

There are so many ways we can practice Karma Yoga.  Some examples are: 

- Volunteering.  Giving 2 hours of your time per month is so little.  It makes a hell of a difference in someone else's budget or life.  

- Teaching for free.  Whether it is teaching a free class at a donation based studio, teaching younger teachers to do adjustments, or teaching free meditation to someone who clearly needs it is a great way to practice your skills and helping others at the same time.

- Offering your services to someone as a gift.  Whether it is to cook for a sick friend, make a drink for your busy girlfriend, or just offer an ear to someone lonely.  

The key to Karma Yoga is to not expect something back.  Give your all with full intention, from your heart. 

Alan Finger

Check out this wonderful entry on meditation from the meditation master Alan Finger.  18 minutes to Oneness.  I believe it. 

Practice with me

I will be subbing for the amazing Stacy while she's away in Italy- catch me at Go teaching on Thursdays at noon from mid June to mid July. I don't teach open levels at the moment so do expect the classes to be a mix of sweaty and sweet creative flow, I am so inspired right now!

Also, I am back teaching full time! No more music festivals, graduations for now... At least until mid July... So catch me at my regular scheduled classes.

Love!

P

Memorial Day

Greetings from Miami!

I hope everyone is having a safe memorial day weekend! Happy beginning of summer!

Love,

P

Hangout!

I am back in rainy NYC after going to the Gulf Shores for the Hangout festival, which was amazing.

On Saturday and Sunday we woke up early and assisted in Kelly's class. Brave yogis and yoginis made it out to practice in the yummy sunshine. I even got to demo the class on Sunday, and boy am I sore! Garth Stevenson provided us with beautiful tunes. It was just beautiful!

The festival itself was very well organized, clean, and vast. The crowd was very hippy and happy. There was not one arrest made during the festival. People were there to basically have fun! I discovered a band called The Lumineers, and saw the Red Hot Chili peppers. It was madness. And I am grateful!

Patricia

Retreats!

My lovely friend and amazing teacher Joanna Benevides is featured at North End Yoga's 2013 retreat to Tulum!

This gives you plenty of time to save and make it happen...

If you have not been to Tulum, you are truly missing out.  Tulum, which means "The land of the turtles" truly is paradise; the beach as blue as a pool,  the sand bright and white, and huge turtles everywhere.  The ruins are magical, and the food is, well, Mexican!!!  I call it paradise with breakfast tacos.  It can't get any better than that.

Click here for more information!

Beautiful Video!

The amazing Pete Longworth created this video of my favorite studio (to teach and practice).  I make a cameo towards the end :)

Click here to check it out!

Revised schedule

Hi All!

I feel very lucky for this weekend I get to go and support my teacher Kelly Morris at the Hangout Festival in Alabama!  I also celebrate my birthday on Saturday, so it should be great!

I am also going away next week to support my sister who graduates from law school, so I am away the latter part of the week.  Please check the schedule below for an updated schedule.  Also, check Go Yoga's calendar for their schedule is amended next weekend for the holiday.

Have a safe and fun weekend!

Patricia 

Your Teachers, and common sense

A Lama, or teacher, tells 3 of his students to go rob a bank. Two of them go and rob it, no questions asked. The third one tells his Lama that he didn't feel it was correct, so he didn't. The Lama then tells all three students that only one student passed the test, the one that questioned the Lama and didn't rob the bank.

Totally makes sense, right?

Whenever one practices yoga asana, although your teacher may tell you to do something, a hard pose such as an arm balance, if it doesn't feel right, why do it? If you don't understand it, why put yourself in danger?

It's the same with a spiritual practice. If it doesn't make sense to you, why follow it?

We all have that voice inside of us, our intuition, and it is so important to follow and honor it.

Ask questions, study, seek answers. Follow your gut.

Love,

Patricia

Yesterday

I had a lot of fun filming yesterday, let's hope it turns out well!

I am in all my regular scheduled classes this week. Hope to see you!

Yoga video!

I'm filming a yoga video series starting tomorrow for oneyoga.tv! I'm very excited :) details to come!

Beautiful Beach Yogini

I am excited that I will be participating and supporting my Teacher Kelly Morris at the Hangout Festival in Alabama!

Noon class at Go on Mondays

I will no longer teach the Monday at noon open level at Go. The amazing Dana Courtney, returns from Costa Rica and will take over this class. I'm looking forward to taking her class!!!!

Love,

P

Benefit class at Go Yoga

The New York Yoga world is being attacked by the state. They want to add taxes to the classes, among other things.

Timothy Lynch will be hosting a benefit class for the organization helping sort this mess, Yoga for NY. The class is this Wednesday at noon at Go Yoga. Class cards welcome. I will be there! For more info please visit www.goyoga.ws

You have the tools to get through it!

Today we practiced a challenging variation of side plank. During the practice, I encouraged students to work their warm up and focus on the small things that sometimes we think do not matter while we warm up- the way you place your back foot, the back of the body, things you can't immediately feel.  The immediate things we count on, breath and bandhas, to place them second, just for today.  We explored leaning back a little bit further into poses, almost as trying to fall back, but trusting that our bodies have the tools to stay strong and we that the foundations of the pose create that.

On and off the mat, the secondary things, things we can't immediately see, do matter.  The immediate ones, the ones we know are our strengths, are what we always count on...  But how about the things that we don't think about?

Letting go of the wish of control situations and trusting ourselves that we have the tools within us are part of our every day practice of yoga.

If you can't see these tools within you, reach around you! on the mat, these are the props we use to facilitate poses, blocks, straps etc. Off the mat, these are things like our loved ones, our yoga practice, our friends and teachers.  Make it a journey to find the hidden tools within you to deal with challenges.

We all have the tools.  We just have to be open to see what these are.  They do not pop up immediately..  But that's what practice is for :)

Love,

P 

Change happens

We can't control the changes that happen around us, nor to us. Part of understanding this, is understanding the karma that ripens all the time, from seeds planted yesterday, or many years ago. Understanding this, and letting light shine through the holes that some of these changes bring are part of the acceptance and ultimately, bring us growth and happiness.

What we can do, and what we can control, is the seeds we plant now. Plant seeds that will cultivate good karma. Make others happy, live honestly, be good to yourself and those around you. Flowers will bloom soon after.

When you get too busy

School has reached that point that requires my full attention. I now cram to plan my classes, privates and to write good and clear papers.

I would love to be that person that sleeps early, meditates every day, teaches, plans, and has time for it all. but I have a life and like many, try to balance it all.

I find that the key to balance is saying no. I say no to commitments that may overwhelm me, traveling to far or are too long. It's not being selfish, it's the opposite. If i go somewhere and have something pressing, i cant be present. I'd rather cancel any meeting or commitment instead of being stressed and not there.

The same goes for the mat, saying no to that pose that gives you some stress is good for you! You can always take up the challenge another day.

Give your all to a little rather than a little to all you can.

Love,

P

Playlist

Dreams vs. Reality

Our mind can't tell the difference between a dream and reality, a memory or the present moment.  This is why dreams become so vivid; sometimes we can even kick. punch, scream and cry.  Our mind is just replaying impressions thus making us feel the emotions related to the dream.  

The same goes for memories.  Every time you replay a happy memory, this triggers an immediate calmness feeling- this is why sometimes meditation is placed in your favorite beach or place, your mind finds immediate comfort.  

More importantly, the same goes for painful memories or events. Every time you replay a painful event in your mind, your body feels the same emotion you felt at that moment-  sadness, fear, whatever, thus causing havoc not only mentally, but physically for our body goes into protection mode.   Replaying painful memories is dangerous and unhealthy.   

I good trick I found when I am replaying an event over and over is to go for a walk and look directly at all the objects around me and analyze them, I look at cars, roads, people, clothing and think of their color, year, whatever characteristics I can think of. I stay like this for about 20 minutes so that I can preoccupy my mind with something else and let the painful memory fade away.  

Of course, a yoga class is a healthy and effective way to to this as well.  The hour and half of not thinking makes us feel refreshed and happy.  

Next time you're replaying something painful in your mind, just stop!  

Big hugs,

P 

One month challenge

I am starting another challenge this month where I plan to practice five days a week, sometimes twice a day. It's a great (and crazy) way to breeze through February.

I plan on visiting all my favorite and new teachers all around. I will do the Greenhouse Holistic challenge. I am looking forward to returning to see one of my favorites, Lisa Jacobson at The Shala, wanna check out Sheri Uzlander at Pablo Fitness and hear John Son's amazing Dharma at The Three Jewels.

I'm looking forward to seeing my favorite teachers along with meeting new ones.

Hope to see you at the mat!

Cow Face Arms

Arm variations

Full Pose

Whenever I teach cowface arms in class, the energy of the room changes.  This pose causes a lot of frustration.

Cowface arms is an intense stretch of the chest, shoulders and triceps.  This pose is an excellent way to release the entire shoulder girdle and helps open the heart, physically by opening the muscles so that we feel lighter, and the challenge presented in the pose helps us surrender to the moment, creating a direct path to the present.  In case of pain or discomfort, there are many variations (above) that one can do.  One can also gently grab opposite elbows, thus also facilitating an opening of the heart.

Accept the challenge, and breathe.

xoxo,

P 

Classes this week

I'm going away for the weekend, heading to Cape Cod with some of my favorite people of all time. Nevertheless, I am subbing out Friday and Sunday at Quick Fitness and Monday at Go Yoga. Tricia Napor is subbing for me at QF, and Jessica Crow is at Go.

Have a great week!

Seeking your dreams

I recently went to the teachings by Geshe Michael Roach on the Baghavad Gita. 

This year's teachings really spoke to me.  Geshela said something extremely simple and powerful-  In order to make your own dreams come true, make someone's dream come true first, this is the Path of Karma. 

If you chased your dreams this way, how beautiful would your life be? 

Do it! 

P 

Wanderlust line-up

I shy away from huge yoga events but some of my favorite teachers will be at this year's Wonderlust Festival, in particular, the one in Vermont, and I am really excited! 

From my direct lineage, my Teacher Kelly Morris and my mentor Lisa Jacobson will be teaching and Lama Marut will be doing a speakeasy event.  Also, Elena Brower (who I love) and Seane Corn will be there as well.  It should be a fantastic event, worth me surrendering to all I have against extremely large and public yoga events...

I'm looking forward!

Elements

This week I'm exploring in my classes how simple it is to connect with yourself during practice by bringing together the elements of water, air, fire and the earth and how they can be explored and combined in every asana pose. Your connection to the elements become key to your full presence and provide you with the necessary attention needed for you to fully draw yourself inward.

Try go for all four elements next time you practice on your own. Feel your palms and feet united with the earth, accept the fire your practice ignites, float through your poses like you're in the air, and lastly let the fluidity overwhelm you, like water.

If you try to obtain all elements you will feel grounded and secure. Present.

Xoxo,

P

Vulnerability

Our yoga practice is a gateway to acceptance. We find an open mind through vulnerability. Accepting this vulnerability is way that we can reach openness and accept ourselves fully, without reservations.

Think about this the next time you're in a difficult pose. By accepting how vulnerable it makes you feel at that moment, being present with that vulnerability will make your heart crack right open. Let these emotions serve you, rather than hurt you.



Love,

P

Amazing

The article that is rocking the yoga world

An article posted by the New York Times last week is causing an uproar within the yoga community, and with good reason.  The article brings to light how yoga can wreck your body if you don't approach it safely.

Well, duh!

It baffles me that the article has caused such an uproar because what I read about the possibilities of injuries during practice is common sense to me. Perhaps because I was not taught to teach in a manner that causes physical pain.  Or perhaps because I've exercised since I was 18.  Any physical activity has its related injuries and its wear and tears that we should deal.  The key is to know your body good enough and to listen to your body so that you know what works and what doesn't- following your instinct to avoid injury. 

Sadly, there are form of yoga that encourage pain and suffering, stating that pain is "mental," or that once the pain passes one should feel "liberated." I'm sorry, but physical pain is physical pain.  It's not something that we can magically turn off so we can get to the next level...  And, the next level of what? 

The eight limbs of yoga, in particular, the Yamas (ethical rules) and the Niyamas (restraints) describe the way that yoga asana should be approached.  Non attachment (aparigraha), and most importantly Ahimsa (non violence) should be a main focus at all times.  Master Patanjali knew what he was talking about.  Why do we try to change that now? 

The next time your teacher tells you to twist too much, or you feel dizzy, or the room is just too hot, just stop.  If something feels wrong, most likely it is.  The beauty of yoga asana is having the desire and eagerness to pay attention to what is going on inside you, so listen your own body and be full of compassion with YOURSELF when you practice.  Be truthful with yourself if something doesn't feel good.  It's that simple.  

Don't try this madness until you are completely ready!  

New Year, New Classes

I've now included a gadget with a calendar of my classes.  If you have any questions, please do write me.

As the new year approached, I heard the word intention coming from everywhere.  Intention sounds powerful, almost intimidating, but it is a very simple way to be happy.  If every single day we put good intentions behind our every day deeds, every single thing we do becomes powerful.  A very little intention becomes HUGE.  Like a brick on a castle, each intention being the brick, the castle being you...

Have a good day ya'll!

Love,

Patricia

Happy New Year

Every single time you step onto a mat is your chance to start new and begin a life changing journey.  No confetti or new year's hats are needed- just your intention and an open heart to desire change.

Happy New Year!

Love to all,

Patricia