The Late Student

Imagine you're reading about yourself:

You made your plans to practice yoga today. You had a lot to get done, but you arranged the events so you could make it to class. You walk in, roll out the mat, get your props, and anxiously await the class to start. You've made it to your yoga mat. Life's assundry of minor or major challenges get the mental message to step aside for awhile. It's time for you to breathe without thinking.You're among a group of  25 or so fellow students who love this particular class. Everyone is positioned with respective space and it would require multiple people moving and re-aligning their mats if someone came in after the door closed. The collective energy of practitioners is getting in sync and you're ready to practice. The teacher is greeting new people and surveying the lay of the land. It's almost time.

Another two people make it in the room. Adjustments are made to create their space. Its okay because class is scheduled to start in a few more minutes. You are so glad you are where you are. The time has come. The door in the front of the room has been closed. The teacher starts the class with a grounding pose, a few words to inspire and conscious breathing begins. It feels so good to move and breathe as the teacher guides you from pose to pose. Time ceases to exist...until the door opens...ten minutes after the class started.

The zone you've aquired is broken because someone has chosen to wade through the people in an effort to find a place to fit in. Multiple people are required to move to make this happen. The teacher keeps guiding, but you have to stop where you were to make room. A sense of aggravation emerges as this person rolls out their mat, sets their stuff down, and actually tries to make small talk while getting in place.

You resume your practice and work on releasing the negative energy of aggravation the person next to you ignited. "Breathe. Okay, where are we in the practice? Ok...let's see if I can get back in the zone....I wonder if the other people in here are feeling the same way? Maybe its just me. Breathe. The door even has a sign that states "in consideration of others, no entrance when door is closed."
I made it on time...I dealt with traffic...okay...be like a yogi and relax!"

You get flowing again and the mind chatter starts to fade. Feeling the energy and you get back in the zone. Your arms reach up for the sky in the Sun Salutation and as you flow into your forward fold, the door opens again. "Seriously? The class started 15 minutes ago!"

The couple peers in to determine their spot and walk right on in. Multiple adjustments of mat placement is made to accomodate them.

"Thank God they're not trying to squeeze in by me...can't believe they're being this inconsiderate! Note to Self...don't stress if you're going to be late to class...it apparently does not matter to the teacher."

I write this scenario as a sequel to the article about manners and yoga. Truthfully, I was surprised to have quite a few teachers defend/justify people being late for class. So, I felt compelled to address this apparently mixed emotion issue of being on time. We have edges we flirt with in a yoga practice. How far past the edge is time allowed to be crossed?

There are various circumstances that determine if tardiness is kosher or not. If it is a room that is not normally full and a late comer would not disturb others, that is one thing. If it is a class that is very full and requires multiple re-arrangements on behalf of those who are present, that's another issue. If you own your own studio and have a relaxed policy on attendance, that's your choice. If you teach for a company that clearly states their policy, I suggest you follow their policy....or, roll the dice if a complaint is made.

Remember, from a business perspective, people who come to practice yoga are also paying customers. Professionalism in any field, including yoga, needs to maintain certain standards. Perfection is not the expectation; however, a foundation of well established manners should be expected and practiced by everyone. The late individual may have really needed yoga. But, maybe the closed door was a message to teach him one of the Niyamas he needs to practice. It could be Santosa (contentment). Maybe the late one needs to find contentment in the challenge faced when dealing with the issues that made this yoga class not happen. Maybe it was karma. But, I digress...this is not the subject of debate.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will come" can be used in defense on both sides of this fence.

 Perhaps the teacher is the late student giving the yoga teacher an opportunity to practice Ahimsa. This limb not only includes having compassion for all living things, but also exercising our responsibilities. As a teacher, you are responsible for all the students who took the time to come to class. It is all a choice based on a plethora of dynamics. When is late too late? What about the established late person(s)? What about the larger group that practices timeliness? They need a good yoga practice just as much as the late student.

 We are each other's teachers and students in this collective practice.

Personally, if I approached a door that stated, "in consideration of others, no entrance when door is closed", I would not enter...irregardless of how desperate I needed to practice. I would take it as a karmic hint to practice alone.

Being on time for a scheduled class is a simple issue. It can be made complicated with various philosophic viewpoints. But, the truth is, use your intuitive instinct of what feels right or wrong and act accordingly. It might be uncomfortable; however, if you follow your intuition, you will reveal a stronger reflection of yourself to not only others...but, to your own Self.

Embrace Simplicity

A yoga practice can appear complicated when a novice watches experienced yogis do their moves. It is understandable why one would hesitate getting on the mat. Not to mention the plethora of styles that are emerging on what seems a daily basis. The photos of serious twists and balance can push the "not me" button in the mind of one on the fence of giving yoga a try.

Here's the deal...it is a practice. Start simple, stay simple. The more you practice, what appeared too complicated to even attempt will eventually join the ranks of what is simple in your practice. Practice to embrace the inner workings of the body as you immerse yourself in a move.

It takes life experience to truly embrace the philosophy of "keep it simple." The word simplicity implies there are no bells and whistles to enjoy. One assumes simplicity lacks complexity; however, this assumption is wrong. It is the perceiver's choice to feel and absorb the details of what appears to lack substance. The heart and mind are given time to synchronize. Allow that to happen and feel what happens.

Leonardo da Vinci said: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Teaching a magnificent woman, who is handling the challenges of cancer, expanded my appreciation of simplicity with just one pose. Still weak from a recent chemo treatment, we focused on breathing and grounding poses to stabilize and nourish. Dandasana (Staff pose) revealed the magic of stillness.

To help the spine re-learn the action of being straight and strong, she sat with her back against the wall. The shoulders were rolled back and down so that she could feel the scapulas gently press the wall. The straight arms pressing on the palms into the Earth enhanced the sense of strength. The dorsi flexed feet of extended legs with engaged quadriceps activated the leg muscles. She was strong without force.

As she inhaled, she felt inspired. As she exhaled, she felt the flow of energy move. A simple pose with complex results. Anatomically, the body was active while the mind  relaxed. The synaptic connections in the brain relayed the message to release the enzymes that ignite the internal pharmacy to deliver the chemicals to restore. It is only when the body is in the parasympathetic state the immune system can truly function.

The connection to the Earth in an active, conscious state provided stability and confidence. Taking time to push fears into the ground to be recycled awakened a sense of well-being. Psychologically, the mind experienced a new perspective and truly enjoyed the beauty of the present moment. Each moment built onto the next moment and a new bridge was crossed.

The envisioning of a golden thread coming down from above into the crown of the head added to the strength of the pose. I could see her be lifted up ever so slightly. I guided her to "see" each organ smile...then, each cell. The power of smiling added to her input of positive energy. In fact, her Dandasana transcended from being a pose to a sophisticated state of being.

Ten minutes of Staff pose felt like a timeless sense of bliss. Simple...yet, not. To guide and interconnect with this state of being was a gift for both of us. The uniting of the energies emerged with the simple action of being present and aware of the details. Healing was taking place.

After our practice, she felt more energy, no more pain, and the color of the skin was vibrant. I share this story for those blessed with good health and those in pursuit of homestasis. There is always plenty to learn why and how something works. But, sometimes just letting it happen without mental interference is just what the mind, body, and spirit needs.

Practice sophisticated simplicity. You might find it was just what you have been seeking.

Break Down and Break Open

You never know your strength until life decides to knock you down and see how you're going to get back up. Everyone has a story of challenges that pushed them to their edge forcing them to make choices that landed them where they are now. You walk by people every day and have no idea what they have achieved, overcome or are bravely facing now. You may be one of those folks whose life has thrown you a curve ball and you're doing what you can to keep it together.

We've all been there. It is commonly known as 'fighting life's battles'. It seems like we're always fighting something. Do we really win? Does it have to be a win or lose mentality? Have we made victory synomynous with happiness?

How about a twist of perspective? Forget the fighting concept. We weren't born to fight life...we were born to experience it, grow from it, and most importantly, live it. It seems that those that have faced the biggest challenges have blazed the trails for others to step on. Consider your challenges an opportunity to break new ground. Think like the Phoenix...eventually, out of the ashes of your prior life, you can rise up again...higher and with a better perspective.

It takes tremendous courage to break down, break open and re-build oneself. If you accept and welcome the assistance the Cosmos surreptitiously sends, you will review the past with humble gratitude. If you think you're problems are cataclysmic, rest assured, there is many a person you would not trade places with. We are each given what we can handle. When we need help, it comes. The secret is that it is not always who or what you think it should be. Trust your intuition...your heart will whisper that it is ok. This trust applies to the potential giver, as well.

We must help each other get out of this "fight or flight" mode. Our thoughts that put us on defense mode turn off the cell's constant work of maintaining homestasis. Negative thoughts ignites negative energy. Energy manifests into the physical. Keep feeding the same energy and the same results will expand. Declaring war on anything, including cancer, nourishes it. When you mentally face rough times with grace...the body responds in kind.

Let's quit delcaring "war" on whatever we're trying to eradicate or change. It's not working.

Einstein was correct when he said "we can't solve problems by using the same level of thinking we used that created them."
It is time to break down walls of illusions and break open an improved mindset. Instead of "war on cancer"; how about pursuit of health? Forget "war on terrorism"...what about the original "liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness for all"? The media has done a fine job of promoting and justifying "wars" of multiple fronts; however, the problems appear to remain stable and strong.

Everyday, you make a conscious choice about your impact on others. Read more, learn more, break down ingrained beliefs that aren't just. If actions are harmful, physically, mentally, or emotionally on another...it is wrong. Justification via religious doctrines or current laws don't make a wrong right...only on paper.

What does this have to do with yoga? Nothing and everything. Without my years of practice, I doubt I would think from this perspective. The physical practice broke down some walls of illusion. Do you need to practice yoga to achieve this? No. Many a great mind has left their words of wisdom without ever hitting the mat.

But, since you have multiple forms of access to yoga...why not try it? It might be the catalyst you need to see more, feel more, be more of who you were destined to become.

Shavasana, Tears and Yoga

Once in awhile, unexpected emotions ignite a need to cry after a yoga practice. It is usually an unanticipated energy that finds its way to be released when you surrender in Shavasana. If you let those good tears roll down and out, instead of fighting to hold them in, you are allowing your practice to finish its purpose. The original intention may not coincide with the results...but, let the energies move.

Believe me, you are not the only one in the room having this experience. Nor, is it likely to be a one time event. Emotions change like the ocean waves roll in and out. Some are turbulent. Some are placid. The one consistentency is change. Change is better than being static. If the waters didn't move, a film of bacteria would grow and devour the vibrant life that loves to move. Consider the tears a moving of residual "stuff".

The incredible heart that beats around 100,000 times a day for you needs you to listen to it...respect it...show it some love. It shows its love to you in countless ways. Let it show you the way. Allow it to move what needs to be brought in or flushed out...

Your heart, all 10 ounces of it, does so much more than beat since you were around six weeks in the womb until the day your energy returns to the Cosmos. This magnificent muscle has a mind of its own and has an energy force that resonates far past your body. The brain might be able to memorize facts, create incredible technology, and figure out how to get home; but, the heart knows more. After all, it has its own neurological sytem within it. It actually communicates to the brain with its brilliantly designed system of neurotransmittors and receives messages sent back. Unlike the brain, it does not have an ego to impair its decision making. The heart's choices are a reflection of truth. The slightest integration of the ego distorts a reflection....like seeing your reflection in the water beomes misaligned by a pebble that plunks in a few feet away.

Fighting to hold the tears is the ego's effort of staying in control of everything. Don't let the ego be the boss of you. And, don't let emotions stirred by negative sources be food for that ego. Bad things do happen; I am not oblivious to that fact. History continues to repeat itself in many ways. If we watched the news (and believed all of it as complete truth), we'd all eventually roll in the fetal position and wait for the end. But, I must not digress to another topic. We need to stay focused on the heart of  what matters.

All crying is not indicative of negative emotions. Difficult times will certainly rear the emotions attached to them. Anger, sadness, fear...we all experience their unwelcome waves. The key is not to let yourself keep riding that wave...the longer you ride it, the harder the crash. Permit yourself to let it move out. Fatty foods and lack of exercise are not the only things that build road blocks in your heart. The enzymes and overload of action based hormones (cortisol, adrenaline and epinephrine) can build the plaque that restricts your heart of the nice flow of oxygenated blood it keeps moving around you.

What about tears of happiness, sheer awareness of being or gratitude for the moment? I think those are the most delicious, salty tears of all. Permit yourself to experience it. The awareness of time and needing more of something evaporates.

I'll never forget the magnificent practice I had at the White Lotus Foundation. Great energy, challenging moves with a new approach, fabulous like-minded people in the same room...each breath felt like the gift it is. During Shavasana, I let my body relax and felt the delicious energy resonate from my skin. Then, the unexpected happened. The song I had listened to literally hundreds of times, Anthem by Leonard Cohen began to play.

 Instead of just hearing the music and words, I felt it and tears rolled from the corners of my eyes. I was smiling. My heart felt what Leonard's magnetic voice was expressing. My mind was quiet so I could feel more deeply. Instead of squeezing the eyes to suppress the tears, I let them come to the surface and roll down and kiss my cheeks. All was right in my world and my heart felt love.

My practice was complete. I was not in a gap...I felt like I was standing on a bridge that connected the gap and looked in a new direction.

I read a quote that is so true in many ways: "The gap between more and enough never shortens." ~Jimmy John

Seek to enjoy the merging of those gaps in your Shavasana. It takes practice. It requires surrender. But when it happens, it makes you truly appreciate a deeper edge of Shavasana.

 The body may be still, but the spirit just got a moment to dance freely. If it takes a few tears to do it, let them roll. Your heart will continue to thank you long after you leave the mat.

Rock, Paper, Scissors and Yoga



Never lose your sense of humor!




Remember playing rock, paper, scissors? Sometimes we did it just for fun. At home, it was done to see who had to do a dreaded chore. I confess, my husband and I still do it to see who gets to unload the dishwasher. We bite our nails trying to get into each other's mind, strategically calculating how to counter the other's anticipated move.The worst that can happen is one of us has to do what we had to do anyway. Better case, one gets a "hall pass" and gets to enjoy a brief moment of victory. Either way, it is fun to practice your intuition.

The simple beauty of this game is the strength one part has over one while having to surrender another. Not one of the three is a more dominant force. It boils down to the moment of choice. In yoga, we practice the balance of mind, body and spirit. Spirit trumps the mind and body; but for analogy's sake, let's say it is equal.

It can be hard to make yourself practice. Work, responsibilities, and even the weather can weaken the drive to do it. You know it's good. You feel great during and after the practice. I can't recall a time I ever regretted doing a practice. Like most things, it is just a matter of getting started. May I suggest you play a form of  rock, paper, scissors (R.P.S.) with yourself when you're lacking motivation. Learn to use mind, body or spirit and see who gets you to the mat.

Somedays, your body lacks the physical desire to move. You're feeling lazy or tired. The mind has to flex it's muscles to persuade you to go. After the practice, the body and mind feel like they have both won. Then, there are those days when your brain feels like it has been beaten down with an onslaught of thinking. But, the body needs its yoga fix and overrides the mind's nay-saying and makes its way to the mat. Both mind and body bask in Shavasana wondering why there was resistance in the first place.

The body and mind work together to keep themselves in check.

Then, you have those days when both body and mind have no intention of doing yoga. Granted, you do not have to practice every day; however, if you let the gaps between practice get too long, the magic can dwindle. The Spirit has to step in to get both entities motivated. If you're not playing with all three entities, you have no chance of "winning". The only "losing" of anything is not even trying. It is effort that opens doors we never may have seen.

You use your intuition when determining what source your R.P.S. opponent will pound on the fist. Sometimes, you're right, sometimes not...but, at least you're playing. Not honing and nourishing all three core parts of your Self is choosing not to play the game of life. There is no win or lose. Like yoga, life is a practice. Make it fun. Confront the challenges. Go for a win.There is nothing wrong with pursuing a victory in something you're passionate about. Recognize the opponent within yourself and choose the hand that can override it. Unlike traditional R.P.S., there's no guesswork...you're the only player.

 In yoga, it can be as simple as doing a great plank. You feel strong, balance is equally distributed, and you're not evening straining. You are the plank. It feels great because the mind, body and spirit are working as one. Those delicious moments make you appreciate the delicate interchange of roles they play during your practice. It is a great game to play...because no matter what force dominates for the moment, you still win.

Mind, body, spirit...who's got the winning sign? They all do...because each has a vested interest in YOU!

Words from a Yogi's Mind

         Nothing is black or white...maturity is being able to appreciate and expand in the gray area.  We are each other's teachers. Your words and actions can either inspire or expire another's dream. Ultimately, it is their choice...but, energetic influence from another can be the push if one is sitting on the fence of doubt or fear of the unknown. Be someone's strength for you will need another's one day.

                                     Sometimes you have to look back to open the heart more.

Practice gripping to surrender. Have the revelation of the dichotomy of this intention. You will discover the power of being held together comes from within. Face fears and doubts with less resistance. Learn to balance of edges that reveal new horizons to experience. Keep the change within you growing and give away the goodness that manifests to make space for more to come. Invest well in your karmic bank account. The interest will continue to give back more than you imagined.

               Learn from history, but do not dwell on it. To focus on the past is setting the foundation to repeat it. This truth starts with each of us individually and moves exponentially. Anger, resentment, negative thoughts are energies that are kept strong by not releasing them. Each choice influences not just you, but all of us. Raise your energetic frequency by being grateful...for anything. The more you realize you do have, the more that will come. Nourish your soul by looking deeper within your heart. Listen to the faint whispers it wants you to hear. It will only be when you've set aside the negative static that you will hear. Give what it asks with gratitude for the opportunity.

Who am I?

Born at the edge of the United States in Key West, I started my life by the ocean. A girl not afraid to go into the deeper waters...determined to "sail away from safe harbor." Experiences pulled my mind and body back to the shallow waters for many years. Yoga revealed the light of living courageously that my fears had faded. Know that to have courage is all in the heart. The heart will not lead you astray.

Blessed with dreams coming true, laughter, happiness, peace, gratitude, transformation of health, hope, faith...all from the strongest, purest form of energy...Love. A plethora of experiences pushed me forward, pulled me back, connected me to my teachers and took me to the very edge. One choice would have pushed me over the edge without seeing beyond it. But, with the love of my soul mate and devoted guardian angel, I acquired the strength to truly see the horizon and immerse myself in it.

Yoga found me when I needed it most...and when I was ready. I am once again that little girl not afraid to delve deeper. I better understand the beauty and strength of Nature. A pursuer of being more, learning more, giving more and loving more. My life, like a wave that flows to the edge of the sands for a brief pause, is focused on enjoying that effervescent pause before it recedes to merge back with the ocean it never really left...

Things really do go full circle. You do not end up in the same place spiritually...rather, consider the cycle a Cosmic roll forward.

Is yoga the answer to what you seek or is yoga what you need to know what to ask? It may not be for you...but, you will never know if you do not try it.

I am sharing a small piece of a book that I am writing to inspire. We all have challenges, heartbreaks, fears countered by love, nourishing relationships, and achievements. Use all of them to experience life to the fullest....moment by moment. Get in tune with your true nature...not the assumed, "that's my just my luck" mindset. Just like the ocean water's wash away the sand castles we build on the beach...let the energy of your heart wash away the walls you have built in your mind. It takes effort, time, and practice; but it is, oh, so worth it.

            "Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

Breathing Life into Yoga

Irregardless if you have practiced yoga for a long time or you are new to it, the fuel that gives you the energy is your breathing. The average person unconsciously takes around 21,600 breaths a day. Calculate a year's worth and you have taken 7,884,000 breaths! Your breathing is what sustains life in every cell of your body and mind. Your breathing can be a reflection of inner emotions or used as a means to manage them.

       Let the breath help you explore and experience new places....

By practicing different breathing methods, you discover the power of the inhale and exhale. To focus on a four count inhale and four count exhale, you cut the average minute intake of 12-18 breaths in half. By letting yourself be engulfed with awareness of breathing, time perception changes.

Think about it. Using a four count breath in an hour practice, you breathe around 480 times. Making that change in breathing alters more than your oxygen intake. Notice how time flies during a great practice? Your perception of time has been altered by focused breathing. By being in the magical zone of a practice, time vanishes. An hour can feel like minutes. You stopped watching the clock and let go of time.

Or, rather...time lost its grip on you.

Breathing slowly and deeply can calm you. Breathing rapidly can energize you. Breathing in response to negative emotions can progress them to another level. Your brain has neurotransmitters to respond to how you inhale and exhale. Good deep breathing tells the brain to tell the body that all is well by releasing serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). These transmitters and hormones send the message of bliss, focus, calmness, and happiness throughout the body.

Shallow rapid breathing ignites the sympathetic nervous system to get ready to fight. Cortisol , cortisone and adrenaline tell the body to slow down digestion, suppress the immune system  and make sleep a challenge. Let the overflow of these hormones and neurotransmitters fire away and your body can surrender to illness. This "fight or flight" mode was not designed to be the dominant force in your body. It does serve a purpose in times of emergency. Unfortunately, stress unconsciously propels individuals to breathe shallow and imbalance of hormones wreak havoc on the inside.

Done consciously, you can use rapid breathing to your benefit. "Breath of fire" is to inhale and exhale rapidly by taking a smaller intake of air. To do breath of fire while in a pose, such as Downward Dog, for a minute can get you charged up. It is energizing and wakes up another realm of senses. To integrate rapid breathing in a morning practice can give an extra boost of adrenaline to the body to use. The difference in using it in a practice vs. response to stress is that you're the one in control. You are using your body's resources to your advantage. You might find your need for caffeine replaced by a few minutes of breath of fire!

The classic Ujjayi breath (ocean breath) is a staple in breathing to practice. All breathing is done through the nose. The space in the throat is slightly constricted in order to produce the audible sound of air passing through...like a wave in the ocean. To do it, you make the effort to swallow and retain the engagement of the throat. It is not a tight hold...just enough tension to feel and hear the breathing. When you release, the air you breathe becomes quiet again.

Ocean breath gives the mind something else to listen to instead of thoughts. It improves your sense of linking breath with movement. It is calming and energizing at the same time. Also, by practicing ocean breath for a few minutes after you practice, it helps to move out  lactic acid that built up in the muscles you just worked. You minimize soreness by this breathing technique.

The body and mind work together. It is up to you to lead them and respect their matrix. Consider conscious breathing a practice within a practice. There are numerous other breathing techniques to experience. The key is to keep it a focus and the intuition of what will serve you best to practice will grow stronger.

Manners, Setting the Rules and Yoga

Okay...to my chagrin, I feel compelled to write about what should be an instilled practice of life; but, apparently, it is fading. I am talking about basic manners...not thinking it is all about you...and that there are other people who your actions affect. To keep this subject from turning into a book, we'll just focus on basic yoga manners. There aren't a lot of "rules"; but, the few that shouldn't have to be verbally expressed will be broken if not addressed.

 The age bracket of yogis is all over the board and one would assume that only the younger generation is guilty of being "un-yogi" like while on the mat. But, that is not the case. Let me just say this...the group of awesome yogis I have taught for three years (around 30 solid regulars) have not ignited me to write this article. Subbing for other people's classes have. Kind of solidified my belief in like minded unite together.

Anyway, here are some BASICS of good manners while practicing with a group of people.

1. When the teacher starts talking to set the tone for the class...you stop talking. Show respect for the others who came to practice. To keep whispering is rude...to look at the teacher with aggravation when she tries to signal you to be quiet is so high school. If it annoys you to be quiet, skip class.

2. Keeping your cell phone nearby with the audible beep on is so rude. Yoga is an hour of time to work your body and mind. Choosing to keep other options near the mat is counter-productive. Plus, it is especially aggravating to anyone who hears it. Seriously, leave the phone in the car...you can call them back. (You really can live without a cell phone.) If you're expecting an important call, you probably should not have come to class. Do it at home instead.

3. Leaving during Shavasana. Wow. This is the ultimate act of inconsideration to others. Unless, it is an emergency, you can chill out for a few minutes. It is the best part! If you have somewhere you need to be, you leave before the transition to Shavasana takes place...not during. If you're feeling extra considerate, tell the teacher you will have to leave early so she or he can be aware. And, don't drag your departure out...slowly rolling the mat, assessing your items you laid out, etc. Get up and go. There are other people in a zone that get disturbed. Seriously, this is a time to let the body absorb to the molecular level everything you just did. It works.

I have read articles of other teachers bringing up these exact same issues and not knowing what to do. It is simple, but it takes a little courage. Set your foundation of expectations on the front end. When I was less experienced, I tolerated these issues more than I care to remember. However, when my edge of tolerance had been crossed, I nicely announced class etiquette expectations. Things changed instantly.

The few people who had a negative vibe got the message and went elsewhere. Personally, I was glad. The good stayed and grew. What started out as a class of around 12-15 turned out into a class in which people have to be turned away almost every week due to lack of space. I took for granted the unspoken, yet understood, manners of yogis until I recently subbed.

Manners should not fade into the past. Opening the door for another, using your car signal for a turn alert, saying excuse me or thank you or just moving over a bit to make space for another should be a regular practice. You know you appreciate it when it is done for you. Well, karma expects you to keep it going.

If you do not like the teacher or the style of yoga they are teaching, you can leave. But, you can use it as a practice to build tolerance, compassion, or patience for yourself. If not motivated or driven to glean from the experience, then just be considerate of the others that took the time to get on the mat. Make it quick and please make the effort to let the door close quietly. Save the dramatic exit for the theater.

All yoga teachers have different energies and styles and the same goes for the students. Some mix and some don't. And, that's OK. The important thing is to practice kindness and good manners for everyone involved. No student is more important than another...and we're all students...especially the teacher. We are all learning the dynamics of energy, physical and non-physical, together. A group practice can become an intuitive team. No words need to be said. The body feels and the mind knows. We feel each other's energy.
Disrespecting the code of manners disturbs the peace...so to speak.

Lastly, if the three basic yoga etiquette rules seem unreasonable...you're probably better off taking a Zumba class. The loud music and dancing might be what you need at this time. Don't get me wrong, Zumba is great; but, yoga is a conscious practice of infinite levels. You will know when it feels right. To force yourself to do something you're not truly interested in is probably the root of disregarding the rules. Just a guess.

Remember..."when the student is ready, the teacher will come."      Just don't be late:)

Smiles, Humor and Yoga

Yoga class can be a time to work the body so you can relax the mind. We set intentions for our practice. We move to the teacher's words of direction and try to remember to breathe. Some teachers call the poses by their Sanskrit names, some use the translation name, and some do a blend of both. Some use music, some don't. Some are avidly devoted to the style they learned and some like a fusion of styles. Bottom line is this: as long as the students are benefiting from what or how you teach, the rest is technicalities.

But...there is one thing we should not forget. Never lose your sense of humor....especially in yoga. After all, the ultimate intention of yoga is to unite the mind, body and spirit. You have to be relaxed to enable  things to blend together. There is something energetically relaxing and recharging when you can smile and maybe laugh during a practice. I know...because I decided to give my class an extra good dose of fun in our most recent practice.

Intention set: Smile when you hear that song that resonates with you. Let the smile's energy radiate in your moves. No more, no less.

Music: Fun...a blend of great artists ranging from Leonard Cohen, the Bee Gees, Michael Franti and some classic R&B and other styles of music mixed in between. There is magic in music. The right sound can get you in a zone that nothing else can. There is a reason there are so many people with a musical gift. It is an expression of inner creativity that has to be expressed. It can create a meditative practice that sheer silence does not. Perhaps when I reach enlightenment, my opinion will change...but, I have a feeling that will take some time because I really love the energy of music. After all, it is an expression of Love.

Guiding: Have fun with the moves. Respect and feel what the body is saying is right and what is not right for you now. Enjoy the move or pose. REALLY feel what is going on within the body each moment. Staying in tune with the physical nuances of the practice keeps the mind surreptitiously focused. If it drifts to enjoy the vibes of a great song...so be it. No need to be so serious. Who said being spiritual meant having to be as serious as we are about all the craziness that seems to surround us? Who determined that consciously communicating with the Higher Power has to be done in a somber mode? After all, we aren't the original creators of smiles, humor and yoga. We are simply expressions of the Source. And, variety is an apparent preference...just take a look around.

It really is all about balance....everything. There are times when we need a "serious" practice to get focus. Then, there are times when we just need to lighten our mental loads and have fun. Yoga is not about learning a foreign language, the history of it (unless you desire) or precision. If we don't watch ourselves, we can inadvertently turn what is a practice into a chore to mark off the check list. That would be sad....because the heart of it would be forgotten. Don't get caught up in the concepts of what is important to others. Staying true to yourself will manifest the practice you seek.

So, I say...smile on and off your mat. Let the energy of music move you on and off your mat. Remember (or, learn) how to laugh at yourself when you do less than your perception of acceptable. Don't be afraid to be yourself....you're the you we've been blessed to be given. You are a shining star that was created for certain eyes to see or hear. Follow your own star; otherwise, you will be searching too far.

"Shine on a stranger with no dream"...practice and "walk in a field of gold"...and just smile. The details will become apparent when you open yourself up a bit more each time. If you can smile or feel a bit lighter after your practice, something right happened for you. It is that simple.

Location, Getting Personal, and Yoga

A group yoga practice is not only a physical work out. It is a dynamic weaving of unseen, but strongly felt energies within the four walls. It is interesting to observe and listen to yogis as they enter the room before practice. It is relentlessly stated to check the ego at the door during your practice; however, no one said anything about before the practice. 

 Most of us are creatures of habit. In yoga, we manifest greater strength, balance and flexibility with habitual practice. These changes are relatively slow at first. Once a solid foundation and understanding of yoga is in place, then courage to take it to the next personal level emerges. The location within the room reveals another facet. Being blessed to have a solid group of regulars mixed with a few new yogis each class, I have noticed a pattern of placement. Location and who is next to you can and does make a difference in a practice. Just like a yoga practice, it reflects personal preferences.

The regulars who have their preferred square of the neighborhood show up earlier than others to get the mat in place. It could be in the back of the room, next to the wall, or in the front row. The key is that they get the same spot. Stake your spot enough and others will know it is your spot and reserve it for you.There are strategic reasons for keeping the same place. Perhaps it is comforting and feels more personal to practice in the same place among a lot of strangers. Perhaps it gives space for a quick exit if desired. Perhaps it keeps the anticipation of the unexpected moves in a practice balanced with the familiarity of being in a routine place. It is very personal...after all, your location will be your home for that time.

Then, you have the group that go straight to the back of the room. It is the first to fill up.  Often, it is those who want others to be oblivious of their moves. That is common for new people to yoga until the confidence gets stronger. Or, just like in school, you can have a group of folks who like to hang together. In the back of the room, you can get away with a little quiet chit chat and giggling. Trust me, the more things change, the more they stay the same. There are a group of 4 women that have been coming to my class for three years. They are strong, smart, funny and kind. One would assume that with the roles they play in life professionally, they would be in the front of the class. Instead, they enjoy the back of the room. Even their placement of selves in the row has not changed. They make great neighbors. It is a very personal sharing of good vibes.

The group in the front don't want to miss anything. Struggling to see or hear among the surrounding yogis is eliminated by being front and center. I would not be surprised if seating was a choice in school, the front row was the place usually picked by these folks. Personally,  I sit in the front of the class as a yoga student and did it when I was in school. Focus was easier to maintain by minimizing distractions. But, the two other students who plant themselves upfront admit that they are hard of hearing and being in the front eliminates that challenge. Plus, there is something about having direct eye contact and being within an arm's reach of who is leading you.

Those that reside in the middle are a mixed group. The ones that mark their spot early are always by the wall. Smart move for stability. Never have I seen someone place their mat squarely in the middle unless it was the last option available. Kind of like airplane seating. The middle is the last to fill for the poor folks who didn't get a ticket early enough. But, they make themselves comfortable in the place they found and get over it.(But, a mental note is made to come a bit earlier next time.)

Couples stay together. Friends stay together. Regulars stay together. Late comers blend in. Everyone becomes silent as the door closes. We close our eyes, consciously breathe, and set our intentions. Collectively, it is a beautiful dance we practice together. The intermingling of  the new with the old...feeling grounded in your chosen or destined place...and being a good neighbor to those around you is a fascinating and beautiful practice to observe.

Once the door is closed and the practice begins, the ego gets the message to take a back seat. A group practices together, yet individually at the same time. The blending of unspoken personalities, location, and united good intentions makes time fly as we enjoy the experience of self discovery together.Who ever thought "location, location, location" just might apply to a yoga class?