I recently went home to Spartanburg to visit my family during Spring Break. Recently, when I am back in my home town, I go check out the local yoga studio called Yogalicious. While it is not the little slice of Nirvana that is Amsa, it is fairly friendly and has its own quirky charms. Spartanburg is putting a lot of effort into revitalizing its downtown and so several older buildings have been re-purposed into different contemporary businesses. Yogalicious is part of this effort and is located inside an old building that I think used to be some sort of factory. It is bright and cheery inside the studio itself, but if you enter from one side of the building, it is like walking through a burnt out husk in some sort of post apocalyptic future. If anyone has seen the movie "9" I think Yogalicious is the kind of sanctuary the little rag people would use to do yoga in and recharge in-between dodging the war machine animals.
Anyways, I went to three very different classes and conveniently enough, learned three good lessons
. The first one was a yoga basics class that I was able to persuade my mom to join me in. I have previously taken classes with my brother and my wife and it is always a really special experience to share yoga with someone you care about. My mom taught me a really important lesson in this class. I often get frustrated when I can not do some of the poses, especially if it seems like everyone else is nailing it. My mom could not do around half of the poses since she was a true beginner and a little out of shape from her hectic life. At the end of the class though, she gave me a hug and told me how excited and happy she was to have done so much in her first class. I may have been stretching my body farther than her, but her heart was definitely opened wider than mine.
The second class I went to was Ashtanga style, fast paced with the heat cranked up. I didn't really learn something new during that class, but I found out something right afterwards that made me re-evaluate some of my foolish earlier decisions. In the yoga basics class I took with my mom, almost everyone was either a little older or out of shape or both. I consider myself to be out of shape also by the way. The instructor gave us fairly basic poses which makes sense given the class composition and the title of the class. However, one person on the mat next to me would consistently do more advanced variations with the instructor's encouragement. I was a little miffed since it was not like these variations were being offered to the class as a whole. Additionally, my cursory evaluation of the student had them pegged as a relative beginner due to appearance and the way they did one of the early poses (I think it was half moon). I really had to struggle to not attempt the more advanced variations even though clearly they were not being offered to me. On one pose, I even did the variation I am used to and was adjusted back into a simpler form. So I found out later that the "student" was actually another instructor at the studio. Even if they had not been though, there are so many things wrong with my attitude and decision making process here. I let circumstances outside my mat mess up what I was doing. I could have hurt myself. I disrespected the instructor by not following her instructions. I also judged someone I don't know based on a quick couple glances and their one momentary wobble in one pose. Judging is a bad practice in general and it was sloppy judgement at that. Lastly, the whole experience impacted my focus not just at the time, but during a subsequent class as well. I don't know if it makes it better or worse, but I know in my head not to do stuff like this. Just got to breath and take advantage of the opportunity the next practice offers.
My third class was a fun one and I didn't act like a petulant toddler, so that's a plus... It was a hour long yoga for lunch kinda standard class with a few neat twists. We had out mats set up as crosses and did a lot of transitions from lunges to straddles thanks to the additional padded space. The instructor, Marie, was very hands on and gave us all a lot of adjustments and opportunities to repeat poses until we made some improvement and could replicate it. We did some asanas a little different than I am used to with an overall emphasis on opening up and never rounding. I don't think I would want it to be the style I always had to do, but as a change of pace and a learning experience it was great. So I learned (or technically had reinforced I suppose) that new experiences can be fun and the more open you are, the more you can learn and enjoy.
So that was my little trip into the land of the licious. I will be back soon with more Amsa and maybe I can even get back to one class at a time...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Class #51-63 With Kimberly, Sara, Anne, Shannon and Eeyore?!
So in case you were wondering, I didn't die or quit yoga. The long delay has been due to two (that's fun to say, try it, due to two, due to two...)factors. Life has been overwhelmingly busy lately and I have been trying to find a way to express some yoga related internal struggles without sounding like either a spoiled brat or Hobbes (the Leviathan author, not the stuffed tiger). Basically, I have some self image problems and a lot of trust issues. Yoga is actually helping with both of those, but the process can sometimes be a painful one. As briefly as possible, I am not a big fan of myself and often feel compelled to compete to "make up" for how inadequate I feel. Of course that does not really fix anything. So even in yoga I find myself really wanting to do flashy poses and beat myself up when I am not making as much progress as I would like. The inconsistency of my body and what poses are available day in and day out is also a source or much frustration. Some days I am able to laugh at myself in a healthy way, mentally shrug at my misplaced priorities and then get refocus. Too many times I find myself glancing around the room and comparing or "competing" with my fellow students. Aside from the obvious physical health risks of pushing too hard to get into a pose I am not ready for, there is a lot of mental damage being done by tying my self worth with what I can do on my mat.
Thankfully, Amsa is a place to grow not only physically, but mentally and even spiritually. I am not going to go into the whole yoga as religion or religion substitute debate right now (though I have thought a lot about it) but I will say that I feel introspection and a careful examination of the choices we make in our daily lives is a logical progression as a person deepens their practice. So basically, I am saying that I have been making some pretty poor yoga related choices, but I am aware of these choices and I am also aware that simply being depressed or angry about those choices is not productive. I have been receiving a lot of good counsel recently and I think some of it is slowly sinking into my head. There is so much more to learn incorporate at Amsa than the asanas. Hopefully I can listen and absorb the wisdom available to me. My inner voice sounds a lot like the eternally pessimistic Eeyore right now, but it is pretty loud in there and who knows what I may find if I can still my thoughts. My wife Amanda recently told me that I am full of Pooh (I can only assume she meant the lovable happy bear. I thought asking for clarification might not be a good idea). Here's hoping that a grand adventure is just around the corner...
Thankfully, Amsa is a place to grow not only physically, but mentally and even spiritually. I am not going to go into the whole yoga as religion or religion substitute debate right now (though I have thought a lot about it) but I will say that I feel introspection and a careful examination of the choices we make in our daily lives is a logical progression as a person deepens their practice. So basically, I am saying that I have been making some pretty poor yoga related choices, but I am aware of these choices and I am also aware that simply being depressed or angry about those choices is not productive. I have been receiving a lot of good counsel recently and I think some of it is slowly sinking into my head. There is so much more to learn incorporate at Amsa than the asanas. Hopefully I can listen and absorb the wisdom available to me. My inner voice sounds a lot like the eternally pessimistic Eeyore right now, but it is pretty loud in there and who knows what I may find if I can still my thoughts. My wife Amanda recently told me that I am full of Pooh (I can only assume she meant the lovable happy bear. I thought asking for clarification might not be a good idea). Here's hoping that a grand adventure is just around the corner...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Class # 50 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Well it took a little longer than I would have hoped, but 50 yoga classes is still pretty cool. No anger or melancholy this time, just thankfulness for all the friends I have supporting me and the great instructors I have helping me get better every class. You guys all rock! Since it is a bit of a milestone I am going to do the top five lessons I have learned so far so I (and others too I suppose) can look back later and have a snapshot of where I was at after class # 50.
1) It all comes back to the breath. The asanas are great and I really enjoy how they make me feel, but without the flow of the breath it is just not the same. I have had one class where I had halfway decent breath and it is a whole other level than yoga without good breath.
2) Yoga for me is all about connecting with others. I have met so many nice and nurturing people through yoga that it actually has shifted my perception of people in general a few percentage points. I know ultimately I am the only one who can choose to practice and push myself to go deeper, but knowing there are others around me who I like and respect makes me want to take this journey as far as I can.
3) Amsa Yoga is a very special place. You may not know this about me if you know me through yoga, but I can be kind of a grumpy guy. Reality often falls short of my expectations. But class after class, the instructors at Amsa just keep helping me and the others students improve our bodies and minds with their knowledge and above all, their giving spirits. They "namaste"d me when I could not namaste myself. Thank you.
4) Every day, every class, every pose is different. Someday I am going to internalize this. For now I just have to keep reminding myself that yoga is a winding road and not a straight path up a mountain. Some days certain poses and variations will be available and some days they will be not. All I can is give it my all and make peace with what is not safely attainable.
5) It is okay to smile. Yoga and life can be fun even if you are trying really hard. Funny things happen and they should be accepted as gifts and not scornfully discarded. If you can't laugh and share with those around you, what's the point?
Well that's what I have gotten out of yoga so far. Thanks for reading and feel free to stick around for the next 300 or so...
P.S. Thanks Kimberly for helping with my half moon pose today and for your patience in general. Yoga Explosion!
1) It all comes back to the breath. The asanas are great and I really enjoy how they make me feel, but without the flow of the breath it is just not the same. I have had one class where I had halfway decent breath and it is a whole other level than yoga without good breath.
2) Yoga for me is all about connecting with others. I have met so many nice and nurturing people through yoga that it actually has shifted my perception of people in general a few percentage points. I know ultimately I am the only one who can choose to practice and push myself to go deeper, but knowing there are others around me who I like and respect makes me want to take this journey as far as I can.
3) Amsa Yoga is a very special place. You may not know this about me if you know me through yoga, but I can be kind of a grumpy guy. Reality often falls short of my expectations. But class after class, the instructors at Amsa just keep helping me and the others students improve our bodies and minds with their knowledge and above all, their giving spirits. They "namaste"d me when I could not namaste myself. Thank you.
4) Every day, every class, every pose is different. Someday I am going to internalize this. For now I just have to keep reminding myself that yoga is a winding road and not a straight path up a mountain. Some days certain poses and variations will be available and some days they will be not. All I can is give it my all and make peace with what is not safely attainable.
5) It is okay to smile. Yoga and life can be fun even if you are trying really hard. Funny things happen and they should be accepted as gifts and not scornfully discarded. If you can't laugh and share with those around you, what's the point?
Well that's what I have gotten out of yoga so far. Thanks for reading and feel free to stick around for the next 300 or so...
P.S. Thanks Kimberly for helping with my half moon pose today and for your patience in general. Yoga Explosion!
Class #49 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
This class was a little weird but wound up going really well. Begin Giant TangentYoga seems to be largely mental. At the very least, my personal practice has wild fluctuations that I attribute mostly to my fluctuating mental states. So shortly before this class started I was a bit put out by some actions that I would consider faux pas. I won't go into them other than to say the person I was offended by is not anyone that you would know if you are reading this. If my act was better together than I would not have been annoyed in the first place or even if I was annoyed, I would have been able to simply note it, detach, and continue on. Neither of those things happened. Instead I wound up in a mental place I have not been in awhile. As I have mentioned before, I used to be very competitive and active with a variety of mental pursuits you can play in tournament settings. Most of the times I have been successful, I have had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and played mad but focused. Since I have gotten into yoga, it's not really a frame of mind that I have had that often and I am fine with that. Yoga has helped me be a kinder and more patient person and if that takes a bit of my competitive edge away, that is a good trade for both me and my loved ones. Anyways, for whatever reason I found myself practicing this class mad but focused. End Giant Tangent
Good: Welcome back Standing Forward Bend Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 ! An old favorite was back and better than ever as I got the palms of my hands on the floor next to my feet. I don't remember doing that before. While it is more than possible that I have found a way to mess up one of the simplest poses in yoga, for now I am pumped that I made some progress.
Bad: Aside from my omnipresent breathing issues I am pretty much okay with how most of the asanas went. I had some trouble keeping balance and had to come out in one side of Dancer Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 but if you had told me a couple months ago that I could do it at all I would have just laughed. I also just took a breath and got ready for whatever would come next, which is a better response than I usually have when I mess up.
Yummy: I am definitely getting into a better rhythm with Sara. It is hard for me to explain, but some of the focuses and transitions make more sense to my body now that I am a little more flexible. It's kinda like rereading a good book. You get some fun stuff the first time or two through and then you get some really cool details and additional layers of depth later on. I also really appreciate the adjustments she gave that helped me maximize some of the stretches and twists we got into.
So check back soon for #50 and wish me luck as I try to make some ground up this weekend.
Good: Welcome back Standing Forward Bend Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 ! An old favorite was back and better than ever as I got the palms of my hands on the floor next to my feet. I don't remember doing that before. While it is more than possible that I have found a way to mess up one of the simplest poses in yoga, for now I am pumped that I made some progress.
Bad: Aside from my omnipresent breathing issues I am pretty much okay with how most of the asanas went. I had some trouble keeping balance and had to come out in one side of Dancer Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 but if you had told me a couple months ago that I could do it at all I would have just laughed. I also just took a breath and got ready for whatever would come next, which is a better response than I usually have when I mess up.
Yummy: I am definitely getting into a better rhythm with Sara. It is hard for me to explain, but some of the focuses and transitions make more sense to my body now that I am a little more flexible. It's kinda like rereading a good book. You get some fun stuff the first time or two through and then you get some really cool details and additional layers of depth later on. I also really appreciate the adjustments she gave that helped me maximize some of the stretches and twists we got into.
So check back soon for #50 and wish me luck as I try to make some ground up this weekend.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Class #48 Yoga for Lunch with Anne
Mmmm. Lunch yoga! I missed Pam's "breakfast" yoga so I was plenty hungry to stock up on some yummy
asanas before heading off to teach. Luckily, Anne was there to dish out some heaping helpings of delicious twists and wholesome core strength builders. Dang it, I have got to stop writing these when I am hungry or learn to make better metaphors. Anyways, here are some of the highlights:
Good: I am sure we have done it before, but I do not remember Shiva Twist PARIVRTTA NATARAJASANA in previous classes. Old or new, it is pretty sweet and definitely fun. Curiously, yoga journal does not seem to have a picture of it. I suppose it is possible I am misspelling it, but it's such a simple phrase...
Bad: Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 has been one of my favorite poses for awhile, but like a delicate flower it seems to require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and beautiful. Whenever I neglect half moon it wilts until I give it the time and attention it deserves. So I got through one Half Moon, but my other side was off kilter and wonky (that's an advanced technical yoga term). It's okay, I missed you Half Moon and we'll get you wholly back together in no time.
Yummy: Just really digging Anne's classes and especially the transitions lately. I am sure all the twists we did had nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it... It was also cool to see Queen of Broccoli and all around green thumber Christine. Good times all around.
Getting close to #50. Keeping the dream alive. See you soon!
asanas before heading off to teach. Luckily, Anne was there to dish out some heaping helpings of delicious twists and wholesome core strength builders. Dang it, I have got to stop writing these when I am hungry or learn to make better metaphors. Anyways, here are some of the highlights:
Good: I am sure we have done it before, but I do not remember Shiva Twist PARIVRTTA NATARAJASANA in previous classes. Old or new, it is pretty sweet and definitely fun. Curiously, yoga journal does not seem to have a picture of it. I suppose it is possible I am misspelling it, but it's such a simple phrase...
Bad: Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 has been one of my favorite poses for awhile, but like a delicate flower it seems to require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and beautiful. Whenever I neglect half moon it wilts until I give it the time and attention it deserves. So I got through one Half Moon, but my other side was off kilter and wonky (that's an advanced technical yoga term). It's okay, I missed you Half Moon and we'll get you wholly back together in no time.
Yummy: Just really digging Anne's classes and especially the transitions lately. I am sure all the twists we did had nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it... It was also cool to see Queen of Broccoli and all around green thumber Christine. Good times all around.
Getting close to #50. Keeping the dream alive. See you soon!
Class #47 Deep Stretch Yoga with Sara
No jokes this times, just a wonderful class with Sara that I actually remember what happened in. Let's get to it!
Good: Can't...Get...Enough...Triangles. Regular, reversed, left side, right side, in the rain, on a train, something about twisting and extending is just wonderful for me. That's it, I'm going to go do a couple right now.
Okay, I'm back. Just to clarify, my triangles still need work and I am very appreciative of the adjustments Sara gave me in this class. They are just so fun and simple like reverse bon bons that make your body better instead of worse while still being oh so delicious.
Bad: Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 on the other hand, continues to be an issue for me. My tummy, gender, and overall tightness combine to frequently make this "resting pose" a source of frustration for me. Wah, wah, wah, I know. I can't (or won't, I suppose) do much about one of those problems, but a tighter tummy is certainly something I can and will work on and breathing work should eventually pay dividends with tightness. Be warned, child's pose, I conquered hero's pose and I am coming for you next.
Yummy: So I got to hang out with Elizabeth which is always fun and we even did wheels together. Go Elizabeth! You rock and I really appreciate the encouragement you have given me. Super cool Katie was also there and has decided on her special phrase. Check out the cast of characters for the latest addition and keep an eye out in the future for other fun new people I am getting to know better through the power of yoga and specifically the wonderful community at Amsa.
Good: Can't...Get...Enough...Triangles. Regular, reversed, left side, right side, in the rain, on a train, something about twisting and extending is just wonderful for me. That's it, I'm going to go do a couple right now.
Okay, I'm back. Just to clarify, my triangles still need work and I am very appreciative of the adjustments Sara gave me in this class. They are just so fun and simple like reverse bon bons that make your body better instead of worse while still being oh so delicious.
Bad: Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 on the other hand, continues to be an issue for me. My tummy, gender, and overall tightness combine to frequently make this "resting pose" a source of frustration for me. Wah, wah, wah, I know. I can't (or won't, I suppose) do much about one of those problems, but a tighter tummy is certainly something I can and will work on and breathing work should eventually pay dividends with tightness. Be warned, child's pose, I conquered hero's pose and I am coming for you next.
Yummy: So I got to hang out with Elizabeth which is always fun and we even did wheels together. Go Elizabeth! You rock and I really appreciate the encouragement you have given me. Super cool Katie was also there and has decided on her special phrase. Check out the cast of characters for the latest addition and keep an eye out in the future for other fun new people I am getting to know better through the power of yoga and specifically the wonderful community at Amsa.
Class #45, 46 Yoga for Lunch with Anne and Gentle Yoga with Pam
Okay, so my life got super hectic and I misplaced my notes for these classes. All I remember is being frustrated I couldn't breath better and the oddity of having more guys than girls in Anne's classes. On the plus side, I went on a little trip immediately after Pam's class (left for the mountains approximately 11 minutes after class got out). I have a couple yogic anecdotes from that trip and some wonderfully bad yoga puns composed by either me or my wife during the drive.
I have been pretty frustrated about breathing lately aside from one transcendent class with Kimberly where I managed to keep breathing almost the whole time. I can do okay if the instructor reminds us during each pose when to inhale and exhale. Thanks for the training wheels. Someday I will learn to go solo, I promise. Anyways, we went on a couple walks and a fairly long hike up in the mountains and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could breath really well if I kept ting my breath to my steps. I know I would have been out of breath quickly if I had undergone the same exertion pre-yoga. Ahh yoga, it makes everything better (kinda like Texas Pete hot sauce only not as sticky). So instead of having to focus on getting enough oxygen and having to make a bunch of stops, I got to just enjoy the moment and be present in the beauty of nature.
Also while up in the mountains I was lucky enough to be staying at place with a beautiful view from its front yard. So each morning I would get up and greet the day with some downward dogs, warriors of various descriptions and too many triangles to count. I also found that a good way to ensure good from in chatturanga/ up dog, plank, down dog vinyasa is to just practice without a mat on some dewy grass. No belly scraping here. You also can not really get frustrated with yourself while drinking in the mountain air and little birdies are hopping around and singing to you.
Lastly here are some of the best (or worst depending on your temperament) yoga puns we came up with:
What kind of vehicle did the yogis take to the retreat?
An Omnibus...
Why did the advanced yoga teacher not have to wear a life jacket when out on the lake?
She had mastered boat pose...
Why did the yoga teacher give all her students squeaky toys and tennis balls?
She wanted to improve their down dogs...
Why did the yoga student always go to a Longhorn Restaurant after yoga class?
Her instructor ended each class by telling her to Nom-A-Steak...
And Finally,
Why did the yoga teacher have to hide all through Christmas?
She had gotten stuck in Bow pose...
No yoga jokes next time. I Promise. : )
I have been pretty frustrated about breathing lately aside from one transcendent class with Kimberly where I managed to keep breathing almost the whole time. I can do okay if the instructor reminds us during each pose when to inhale and exhale. Thanks for the training wheels. Someday I will learn to go solo, I promise. Anyways, we went on a couple walks and a fairly long hike up in the mountains and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could breath really well if I kept ting my breath to my steps. I know I would have been out of breath quickly if I had undergone the same exertion pre-yoga. Ahh yoga, it makes everything better (kinda like Texas Pete hot sauce only not as sticky). So instead of having to focus on getting enough oxygen and having to make a bunch of stops, I got to just enjoy the moment and be present in the beauty of nature.
Also while up in the mountains I was lucky enough to be staying at place with a beautiful view from its front yard. So each morning I would get up and greet the day with some downward dogs, warriors of various descriptions and too many triangles to count. I also found that a good way to ensure good from in chatturanga/ up dog, plank, down dog vinyasa is to just practice without a mat on some dewy grass. No belly scraping here. You also can not really get frustrated with yourself while drinking in the mountain air and little birdies are hopping around and singing to you.
Lastly here are some of the best (or worst depending on your temperament) yoga puns we came up with:
What kind of vehicle did the yogis take to the retreat?
An Omnibus...
Why did the advanced yoga teacher not have to wear a life jacket when out on the lake?
She had mastered boat pose...
Why did the yoga teacher give all her students squeaky toys and tennis balls?
She wanted to improve their down dogs...
Why did the yoga student always go to a Longhorn Restaurant after yoga class?
Her instructor ended each class by telling her to Nom-A-Steak...
And Finally,
Why did the yoga teacher have to hide all through Christmas?
She had gotten stuck in Bow pose...
No yoga jokes next time. I Promise. : )
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