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