If somebody said you were a donkey, I don't think you'd take it as a compliment. I, however, would like to be a bit more like a donkey. It's not the stubborn part of the donkey that interests me. Lord knows I've been working on softening my desire to dig in my heels and hold my position. So, the donkey quality that I'm fascinated by is the steadiness of doing the same work day after day.
This connection came to me after a great lesson from Certified Iyengar teacher, Betty Larsen. During one of her technique demonstrations, I commented on her phenomenal virasana. She told me, "You are just praising the donkey." I asked her what she meant. And she said, "If you do the work every day, this is just the fruit of the practice." "Alright," I said, "I am complimenting your ability to be the donkey and show up every day and do the work." "Fair enough," she remarked.
I'll tell you, it's hard to show up and do the fundamental work. We all want to express our movement in the biggest form possible. We're thinking, "Super size me!" and "I want to look like the women on the cover of the magazine!" The only way, I think, to safely move in that direction is to build a solid foundation focusing on fundamentals. Baby movements - sometimes micro - connected to breath with total awareness - feeling the difference - is how the shape shift occurs.
It takes a long time to plow a field. The donkey does not know this. It just keeps moving forward across the field of its existence. The donkey also does not know what seed is planted and if weeds or wheat will grow. The donkey doesn't wonder about rain or sunshine. It just steadily plods across the terrain. And when the donkey eats the wheat - the fruit of its labor - it does not make the connection to its dedicated work in the field.
As humans, we can make the connection. What we often lack is the patience to just keep walking in the same direction.
Working privately with students, I often get to witness their amazement of the power of the fundamental work. This week, a very athletic gentlemen couldn't stop laughing from feeling his body in a new way - marveling at the contrast after only doing Supta Padanghustasana on one side - and then pausing to feel the difference before continuing on with his second side.
These moments of witnessing the light come on helps remind me to stay steady with the work in my personal practice. And as my leg swelled to two times its normal size earlier this week - thanks to my joint disease - I offered gratitude to the donkey work that has returned me to my full potential within 2 days.
What we teach as movement therapists is powerful. I am a living testimony to the work - even if it is donkey work.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
If I Got a Tattoo...
Located at the beach, the gym where I've taught for over 15 years has phenomenal diversity. And we all rub off on one another. It's cool to witness not only how the generations influence one another, but also how folks from all walks of life make connections.
Last week, when I popped into a mat Pilates class taught by a good friend & teaching colleague, I was beside a long time fellow "gym rat"- a woman who's taken good care over the decades and continues to move with amazing grace combined with internal strength. As I unfurled my mat beside her, I noticed peeking out from beneath the hem of her paints - a vine - tattooed - and wrapping around her ankle. I asked her how far the vine traveled up her leg because I envisioned how awesome it would be if it followed one of the Spirals of Anusara Yoga.
Living and working in the beaches area has allowed me to see some amazing body art - especially at the gas station where folks are often filling their tank in not much more than their underwear or a bikini that covers even less!
So, after teaching this morning, I'm wondering if I ever get a tattoo - where and what would it be? This morning, one of the ideas we worked on is that the arms both draw into center and expand out. And in Anusara Yoga, we specifically draw into the heart space - the essence of who we are. This energy body idea also connects fully with anatomy and how we are structurally designed. You will totally get this if you study the arm lines via Tom Myers' Anatomy Trains.
From my studies, I know that the work of my hands is a reflection of my heart. As we joke in class, the more you connect with this idea of "the hands being the 'doers' of the heart" - the less apt you are to hit someone - the less likely you are to give them the finger. Because, really, truly - that is not your heart's work - that is not who you are.
So, here's where my tattoo would be placed. A pink heart - for the color of transformation. A green one for the color of the heart space in the energy body. And a blue heart - so my words also reflect the essence of my heart more fully.
Also from my studies, I know that the palm of our hands has incredible sensory perception. We feel a lot through our hands. We easily discern weight, texture, and temperature. I've heard that if you placed a quarter on your hand, there are more sensory nerve endings in that space than there are in your entire back. Our hands are meant to feel.
So, really, could I tolerate the sensation as the tattoo was designed on the palm of my hand? Am I really willing to feel that much? If I tattooed this place, would the sensory overload then lessen my ability to feel in my hand and eventually my heart? On the advice of respected tattoo artists, I think I'll pass.
May we lovingly hold our hearts in the palm of our hands. May the work we do in this world reflect our heart-felt desire. As we breathe, may our hearts feel the ever-present connection to the Great Heart.
Last week, when I popped into a mat Pilates class taught by a good friend & teaching colleague, I was beside a long time fellow "gym rat"- a woman who's taken good care over the decades and continues to move with amazing grace combined with internal strength. As I unfurled my mat beside her, I noticed peeking out from beneath the hem of her paints - a vine - tattooed - and wrapping around her ankle. I asked her how far the vine traveled up her leg because I envisioned how awesome it would be if it followed one of the Spirals of Anusara Yoga.
Living and working in the beaches area has allowed me to see some amazing body art - especially at the gas station where folks are often filling their tank in not much more than their underwear or a bikini that covers even less!
So, after teaching this morning, I'm wondering if I ever get a tattoo - where and what would it be? This morning, one of the ideas we worked on is that the arms both draw into center and expand out. And in Anusara Yoga, we specifically draw into the heart space - the essence of who we are. This energy body idea also connects fully with anatomy and how we are structurally designed. You will totally get this if you study the arm lines via Tom Myers' Anatomy Trains.
From my studies, I know that the work of my hands is a reflection of my heart. As we joke in class, the more you connect with this idea of "the hands being the 'doers' of the heart" - the less apt you are to hit someone - the less likely you are to give them the finger. Because, really, truly - that is not your heart's work - that is not who you are.
So, here's where my tattoo would be placed. A pink heart - for the color of transformation. A green one for the color of the heart space in the energy body. And a blue heart - so my words also reflect the essence of my heart more fully.
Also from my studies, I know that the palm of our hands has incredible sensory perception. We feel a lot through our hands. We easily discern weight, texture, and temperature. I've heard that if you placed a quarter on your hand, there are more sensory nerve endings in that space than there are in your entire back. Our hands are meant to feel.
So, really, could I tolerate the sensation as the tattoo was designed on the palm of my hand? Am I really willing to feel that much? If I tattooed this place, would the sensory overload then lessen my ability to feel in my hand and eventually my heart? On the advice of respected tattoo artists, I think I'll pass.
May we lovingly hold our hearts in the palm of our hands. May the work we do in this world reflect our heart-felt desire. As we breathe, may our hearts feel the ever-present connection to the Great Heart.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Savvy Students Do the Following...
In a recent Pilates Style article (July/August 2011), BASI Pilates Certified Instructor Danielle Connor offers students tips to help evaluate a movement teacher. I have paraphrased some of her words.
1. Has the teacher asked important questions about your health and the condition of your body?
2. Have they given you any background about themselves aside from their certification?
3. Do they have extensive knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology? It's not just about teaching the exercises; it's about knowing how the body works so the exercises are applied correctly and safely. Not only will you see quicker and better results if the instructor is able to explain how your body works, but you'll learn how to apply what is being taught to you to your everyday life.
4. Do they have a deep understanding of the exercises and how to apply them to your body?
5. Do they demonstrate and cue the exercises clearly?
6. Does the instructor have a clear eye? Are they catching muscle imbalances, movement patterns, weaknesses and strengths, areas of tightness or hyper-mobility? Are they providing proper, appropriate, and timely alignment cues?
7. Do they recognize how you learn?
8. Are they personable? Do you get a warm vibe from them? You want to know that the instructor you are working with genuinely cares about your well-being and your results.
1. Has the teacher asked important questions about your health and the condition of your body?
2. Have they given you any background about themselves aside from their certification?
3. Do they have extensive knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology? It's not just about teaching the exercises; it's about knowing how the body works so the exercises are applied correctly and safely. Not only will you see quicker and better results if the instructor is able to explain how your body works, but you'll learn how to apply what is being taught to you to your everyday life.
4. Do they have a deep understanding of the exercises and how to apply them to your body?
5. Do they demonstrate and cue the exercises clearly?
6. Does the instructor have a clear eye? Are they catching muscle imbalances, movement patterns, weaknesses and strengths, areas of tightness or hyper-mobility? Are they providing proper, appropriate, and timely alignment cues?
7. Do they recognize how you learn?
8. Are they personable? Do you get a warm vibe from them? You want to know that the instructor you are working with genuinely cares about your well-being and your results.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Choose Your Door
Following a great session of bodywork, I ran into a convenience store for more hydration. And there on the doors was the message of the day.
Push?
Pull?
On a massage table, you can feel that it requires both a push and a pull to open tissue. In Pilates & Yoga work, we are constantly cueing our students to draw into center (pull or muscle energy) and extend or radiate out from center (push or organic extension). My senior Yoga teacher, Jenny Otto, told me a long time ago that everything in the body is either a push or a pull.
Not only in our bodies, but also in other structures - there's a balance of forces. This balance of opposing forces is why the world's tallest building - Burj Khalifa in Dubai can rise over 2,700 feet and why the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge can span beyond 540,000 feet.
So, I'm thinking Push Pull is all about life.
When I met my husband nearly 20 years ago at a business meeting in D.C., we walked out of the building together. Being a gentleman, he allowed me to go through the doors first. He quickly remarked, "I see you pushed the door open." He then laughed and said, "I like to pull doors open."
That my friends is the story of our marriage: the delicate balance of the person who pushes and the one who pulls.
The family joke is that when it's time to leave... my husband is in the car waiting for us. My kids have even received a phone call telling them to get out the door because he is driving down the street. He literally PULLS us out the door by sitting in the car.
On the other hand, I PUSH my kids out the door. They have learned this lesson so well that they both are sitting in the car waiting for me when it's time to leave. I'm the last one out the door because I've pushed from behind.
In your life do you push more to get things done? Are you pushing forward? Leaning forward at the waist. Striving to get it done? Asking lots of questions? Constantly seeking?
Or do you pull more? Waiting for others to come toward you? Leaning back as you move forward. Do you listen more? Are you drawing energy off of other people?
What puts us in the middle in our bodies, our relationships, and the evolution of our life is the balanced action of both the push and the pull. So to find the balanced action you gotta figure out about you and know -- do you push more or do you pull more?
Observe as you go through doors that can go either way. What do you choose?
Another convenience store where I buy gas has doors that slide automatically on tracks to and from center to open and close. This fundamental imagery cue for connecting to Center was first taught to me by Vicki Sullivan. Imagine at your frontal hip bones 2 sliding doors. As you exhale, these doors slide to the center line of your body.
It's totally a Pull! And for a Pusher like me, it's what I need! Pull to Center and draw in. But even a Pusher can get too good at Pulling to Center. So, my second thought is "tack the sides of your waist back to the mat." That is a Push or expansion from Center.
If you are a mind/body teacher or serious student and have not read Mabel Todd's work (1880 - 1956), take advantage of the recent re-publishing of her first book, The Thinking Body
. You will recognize many current ideas that folks are making millions from -- ideas that originated with Mabel. While she wrote the book in the 1920's, her writing is clear, concise and current. When you read her words, you will feel like she's sitting next to you today simply explaining how the body works. Over the past few months, I've recommended the book to many teaching colleagues and all have been blown away!
Mabel's work will give you a better appreciation of the balancing forces of Push Pull in the body. There are lots of ways to learn more about you, your body, how it works, and how to create balanced action. This is just one option.
So, pick your door. How do you prefer to enter a space? Now, learn another way.
Push?
Pull?
On a massage table, you can feel that it requires both a push and a pull to open tissue. In Pilates & Yoga work, we are constantly cueing our students to draw into center (pull or muscle energy) and extend or radiate out from center (push or organic extension). My senior Yoga teacher, Jenny Otto, told me a long time ago that everything in the body is either a push or a pull. Not only in our bodies, but also in other structures - there's a balance of forces. This balance of opposing forces is why the world's tallest building - Burj Khalifa in Dubai can rise over 2,700 feet and why the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge can span beyond 540,000 feet.
So, I'm thinking Push Pull is all about life.
When I met my husband nearly 20 years ago at a business meeting in D.C., we walked out of the building together. Being a gentleman, he allowed me to go through the doors first. He quickly remarked, "I see you pushed the door open." He then laughed and said, "I like to pull doors open."
That my friends is the story of our marriage: the delicate balance of the person who pushes and the one who pulls.
The family joke is that when it's time to leave... my husband is in the car waiting for us. My kids have even received a phone call telling them to get out the door because he is driving down the street. He literally PULLS us out the door by sitting in the car.
On the other hand, I PUSH my kids out the door. They have learned this lesson so well that they both are sitting in the car waiting for me when it's time to leave. I'm the last one out the door because I've pushed from behind.
In your life do you push more to get things done? Are you pushing forward? Leaning forward at the waist. Striving to get it done? Asking lots of questions? Constantly seeking?
Or do you pull more? Waiting for others to come toward you? Leaning back as you move forward. Do you listen more? Are you drawing energy off of other people?
What puts us in the middle in our bodies, our relationships, and the evolution of our life is the balanced action of both the push and the pull. So to find the balanced action you gotta figure out about you and know -- do you push more or do you pull more?
Observe as you go through doors that can go either way. What do you choose?
Another convenience store where I buy gas has doors that slide automatically on tracks to and from center to open and close. This fundamental imagery cue for connecting to Center was first taught to me by Vicki Sullivan. Imagine at your frontal hip bones 2 sliding doors. As you exhale, these doors slide to the center line of your body.
It's totally a Pull! And for a Pusher like me, it's what I need! Pull to Center and draw in. But even a Pusher can get too good at Pulling to Center. So, my second thought is "tack the sides of your waist back to the mat." That is a Push or expansion from Center.
If you are a mind/body teacher or serious student and have not read Mabel Todd's work (1880 - 1956), take advantage of the recent re-publishing of her first book, The Thinking Body
. You will recognize many current ideas that folks are making millions from -- ideas that originated with Mabel. While she wrote the book in the 1920's, her writing is clear, concise and current. When you read her words, you will feel like she's sitting next to you today simply explaining how the body works. Over the past few months, I've recommended the book to many teaching colleagues and all have been blown away!Mabel's work will give you a better appreciation of the balancing forces of Push Pull in the body. There are lots of ways to learn more about you, your body, how it works, and how to create balanced action. This is just one option.
So, pick your door. How do you prefer to enter a space? Now, learn another way.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Remind Me, Who's in Charge?
When I need to get quiet and listen, I walk - no matter the weather. For a walk, Jacksonville's beaches have been spectacular these past few days! And the beach has been covered by my favorite shell family - Olividae. Shells from the Olive family have their own color and design due to a dye the animal secretes continuously over its lifetime.
My home is decorated in a style called "Beach Garbage." All over our house, you will find shark's teeth, sea glass, and sea shells sorted and arranged in containers. So, when I walk the beach, I am often looking to add to my garbage collection.
I deal with a lot of garbage.
These past few days, I've been troubled by the question,
A walk on a shell filled beach gave me time to commune with God. As I filled my bag with incredible Olive shells, I could not believe the abundance! As I scooped up shells in clumps of 2's and 3's, I thought,
A Starfish is a rare find as well as an abundance of Olive shells!
Like those Olives, we each secrete continuously over our lifetime - creating our own unique outer shell in both color and pattern. And the best part? We, like the Olives, are ALL beautiful!
Some of us are ready to be discovered in the sun on the beach. Others need more time in the ocean.
I deal with a lot of garbage.
These past few days, I've been troubled by the question,
"Am I doing enough to bring Peace into my life and the world?"Triggering my query was a homeless man's unprovoked verbal barrage while I loaded food for Mission House. Instead of feeling uplifted by what I thought was a generous, selfless act, I spent the remainder of the day confused and with tears in my eyes.
A walk on a shell filled beach gave me time to commune with God. As I filled my bag with incredible Olive shells, I could not believe the abundance! As I scooped up shells in clumps of 2's and 3's, I thought,
"This is like service work. We can touch people quickly who are ready to receive."I also wondered about timing.
"When is it not the right time for me to be involved? Like what happened with the homeless man. What could have been different to enrich the encounter? Where did I go wrong? What could I do to remain open and positive?"I knew he was clearly angry and a danger to me. As I pondered these thoughts, I reached for another Olive shell. And as the tide came in, the shell slipped through my fingers. And God said to me,
"It's not your job. Let him return to swimming in my vast ocean. One day he will return to the beach. He is not yours. He's mine. Don't worry. I have him."Feeling comforted, I strode the beach - picking up speed until I arrived at an overload of Olive shells. They were everywhere! I froze. Took a few steps. I was overwhelmed and didn't know which one to pick up. I asked God,
"How will I know when it's time? How will I know which ones to pick up?"The answer,
"Keep going. I will give you special signs. What I want you to do will be clear."At that moment, I looked down. And there was a Starfish.
A Starfish is a rare find as well as an abundance of Olive shells!
Like those Olives, we each secrete continuously over our lifetime - creating our own unique outer shell in both color and pattern. And the best part? We, like the Olives, are ALL beautiful!
Some of us are ready to be discovered in the sun on the beach. Others need more time in the ocean.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Of Service
36 hours from now it will all be over. Kitchen will be clean. Linens washed. Lights out. And I'll be in bed.
400 people fed.
For the past 7 years, I've coordinated the volunteer effort at our church for First Communion Dinner. We begin setting up for tomorrow night's dinner in an hour.
I always marvel at how folks come together to pull off big events. A dark, empty echo-filled space turns into a magical, festive gathering filled with light and laughter and then returns to its original state. This is the wave cycle of all manifestation.
People come together to be of service - to serve one another. It's what I believe we are called to do.
Today, I enjoyed a morning Yoga practice with a room of strangers, a well versed teacher, and an accomplished group of musicians - coming together to be of service to the greater Jacksonville community.
This morning, I was given the gift of a new awareness of how to be humble and serve with an open heart. Appropriate as I head into my service work this afternoon!
In the physical practice of Yoga, the asanas or postures, we often think of forward bending as a time to bow down to the Highest. Typically, in forward bends, I connect with the inward turn, the opportunity to reflect on my own heart while bowing to the Great Heart.
This morning, while in Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose), I went into a forward bend. The Assistant came by and walked his fingers up my spine from just behind my heart to the base of my neck. A soft, gentle reminder was all that I needed.
While we are honoring the Divine Heart, we long to connect to this Love. So, even in a forward bend, we have the opportunity to "Lift up our hearts to the Lord."
I guess I've been caught up in the idea that my heart lifts in backbends and standing poses.
Wow, what a thought that I can be close to the earth in a position of surrender and still extend my heart - reaching and expanding into the Presence that connects us all.
I knew this. I just needed a reminder. I needed someone to serve me.
The lights are still on. We are all gathered here. And it's not time, yet, for our final rest. So, let's keep feeding one another!
May we continue to serve well.
400 people fed.
For the past 7 years, I've coordinated the volunteer effort at our church for First Communion Dinner. We begin setting up for tomorrow night's dinner in an hour.
I always marvel at how folks come together to pull off big events. A dark, empty echo-filled space turns into a magical, festive gathering filled with light and laughter and then returns to its original state. This is the wave cycle of all manifestation.
People come together to be of service - to serve one another. It's what I believe we are called to do.
Today, I enjoyed a morning Yoga practice with a room of strangers, a well versed teacher, and an accomplished group of musicians - coming together to be of service to the greater Jacksonville community.
This morning, I was given the gift of a new awareness of how to be humble and serve with an open heart. Appropriate as I head into my service work this afternoon!
In the physical practice of Yoga, the asanas or postures, we often think of forward bending as a time to bow down to the Highest. Typically, in forward bends, I connect with the inward turn, the opportunity to reflect on my own heart while bowing to the Great Heart.
This morning, while in Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose), I went into a forward bend. The Assistant came by and walked his fingers up my spine from just behind my heart to the base of my neck. A soft, gentle reminder was all that I needed.
While we are honoring the Divine Heart, we long to connect to this Love. So, even in a forward bend, we have the opportunity to "Lift up our hearts to the Lord."
I guess I've been caught up in the idea that my heart lifts in backbends and standing poses.
Wow, what a thought that I can be close to the earth in a position of surrender and still extend my heart - reaching and expanding into the Presence that connects us all.
I knew this. I just needed a reminder. I needed someone to serve me.
The lights are still on. We are all gathered here. And it's not time, yet, for our final rest. So, let's keep feeding one another!
May we continue to serve well.
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