40 Day Challenge: Day 9 February 28, 2010

Today was a challenge in itself!

108 sun salutations to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation at Fusion Movement in Cambridge.
What an amazing challenge, and a roller coaster of emotions. It wasn’t quite as bad as I originally thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong… it was a challenge but I expected absolute exhaustion and what I found was waves of feelings of being unsure I could make it, to giving myself permission to take it a little easier, to feeling the group power of the surya namaskara mandala. I am so glad that I participated in this challenge that I’m almost wanting to do this on a more regular basis. It only took an hour so it’s not a huge commitment. Maybe before I really commit, I’ll see how I feel after the 48 hour mark

Jai

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40 Day Challenge: Day 8 February 27, 2010

Today I taught an amazing Ashtanga class. It felt really good. As usual I mixed up some rights and lefts but i never felt stuck. The class sort of rolled off the tongue. Sometimes we don’t know why we do what we do… we just do. If it’s right, go with it. Maybe intuition, a guide, the lord… whatever you believe is guiding you in this moment today where you need to be.

Later on I totally had deja vu. I once heard that deja vu is you recognizing that you’re on the right path. So here I am

xxox
t

40 Day Challenge: Day 7 February 26, 2010

Waking up to Sun Salutations.
Although we practice sun salutations a lot, I feel like they’re like an old pair of sweat pants. They may not be trendy or fancy but they feel good and therefore there is nothing wrong with coming back to them!
I like my sun salutations in the morning. I feel like they’re a great way to start the day… invite the sun to join us (especially at this time of year).
So try it… instead of morning coffee, try morning agni!

xxox
t

40 Day Challenge: Day 6 February 24, 2010

Today was another double shot. I think I preemptively took yesterday off knowing I was going to Ashtanga with Denise and then teaching right after today. Ashtanga was soo good. Although today wasn’t the best day in the world, I could see the correlation between my struggles off the mat and those on the mat. Even poses I normally feel very strong and secure in I struggled with. I felt especially insecure in Vasisthasana. I’ve practice this pose more and more over the past few month and felt pretty good about it. Today it was included in our flow and I could barely get there until closer to the end. Initially it added to my frustration around already feeling distracted and not centered. As the practice went on I realized that if I let go of the story I can let go of the restriction and holding in the practice and just feel it. Feel all of it, comfort and discomfort… all!

Namaste

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40 Day Callenge: Day 5 February 22, 2010

Yesterday was a break day!

Today I practiced with a Hillary podcast. It was great. Hillary’s classes tend to have an Anusara theme which I really enjoy. Very heart focused. Even when I feel physically challenged I can easily become re-inspired and re-energized by the heart focused language.
It reminds me about the importance of intention setting. Having an internal focal point that means something to you can keep you going on the toughest of poses or on the toughest of days!

Sat Nam

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40 Day Challenge: Day 4 February 20, 2010

Today i taught a work place yoga, finishing off a series. For our last class together I decided to put in vasisthasana. I’ve done some arm work with the group during our time together and continue to remind them that strong abs could ease low back issues. It’s interesting to a) practice with a group that is very mixed and b) watch a group that is very mixed. Everyones motivation, fitness level, muscle memory etc. is different, yet we all find our way to the mat.
She calls me with her siren song and to answer my heart sings back.

I also decided to open with Om. Always an interesting experience as again we all have different comfort levels. I encourage everyone to try it on. Chant Om (pronounced more like Aum), see how it feels.

Om Shanti
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40 Day Challenge: Day 3 February 19, 2010

A key part of blogging is remembering to post what you write rather then leaving it in draft form!

Today’s practice was a take it easy one. After the double class day I tried to focus more on release. Slow surya namaskars with long holds on adho mukka savanasana, twists and seated hamstring stretches were the name of the game. It’s a good place to notice the imbalances. To take inventory of what feels fatigued the most so that I can build strength and stamina there. Overall a short, sweet practice

Namaste
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40 Day Challenge: Day 2 February 18, 2010

Today’s practice had me in Denise’s Ashtanga Inspired class. And what an inspired class it was. I felt great. I didn’t fatigue as quickly as I have in some classes, though my legs were shaking pretty good on the right side of utthita parsvakonasana.
The thing about leg shaking is that you’re muscles are reaching their fatigue point. They’re running out of the chemicals that keep them holding on. Some part of me always wants to ride this out and see how much rather I can hold. That’s ego talking. Hold on till you can’t anymore, like you have something to prove.
Yoga’s not about that. A little break can go along way to preventing an injury and to honoring where you are today.

So whether you’re holding utthita parsvakonasana or the posture of working at your desk, take a break… Who knows what you’ll be able to hold after that!

Metta
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40 Day Challenge: Day 1 February 16, 2010

I’m beginning a 40 day challenge!
That means I’m committing to practicing for at least half an hour, every day for 40 days.
Why might you ask would one do this?
Well there are many reasons. 1) because it allows you to learn and experience yoga with yourself in a different way then when you have a one off home practice. You begin to explore a different sense of self awareness, 2) because it’s one of the best ways to build up a strong container and get all the elements of your practice solid in your mind and heart.

I’m going to base my challenge on the Ashtanga style. This means a more powerful, strength based, sweat inducing practice.

Today, I did just the half hour right after work. Helps me work out the sitting in a desk all day, antsy in the pantsy-ness that I tend to get. It felt good to know that I’m committing to bettering myself and in turn committing to sharing it with all of you (whomever you may be).
Keep checking here to hear about my challenges and triumphs. Leave comments to share some inspiration or if you’re looking for some yourself! I hope this inspires you to find a personal commitment of your own… not for me, but for you!

Metta,

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Love-fest Weekend February 15, 2010

I’m not a big V-Day person. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against love I just don’t think we have to have a holiday to remind us to love eachother more. That said, I rarely hear of anyone boycotting Thanksgiving. I’m trying to think more of Valentines Day, and now Family Day, as another Thanksgiving specifically geared towards being thankful for the loves in your life!

So with that said…

Love more and you’ll never regret it!

XXOX
t