Reading from Class: Re-inspiration on 7 years of Teaching

Thanks for visiting. This month marks my 7th year of teaching. I am so grateful for this. Here’s inspiration I found last year from Philippe Vernier and a post I shared this time last year.

“Do not wait for strength before setting out, for immobility will weaken you further. Do not wait to see clearly before starting; one has to walk toward the light. When you take the first step and accomplish that tiny little act, the necessity of which may be apparent only to you, you will be astonished to feel that the effort, rather than exhausting your strength, has doubled it—and that you already see more clearly what you have to do next.” – Philippe Vernier

“This past April, marked my 6th year of teaching and this quote also used in class really resonated with me on many levels. As I continue this path, I am grateful for the faith and time and energy you have put into practicing with me. I am truly grateful and honored by your support. I very hesitantly dipped my toe into teaching, doubting myself all along the way. Despite the constant fear of failure, I was inspired by a feeling of something important and right about taking the steps that let me share my love for this practice and serve.”

Reading from Class: “Balance is the state of the Present…”by Iyengar

“Balance is the state of the present – the here and now. If you balance in
the present, you are living in Eternity. (…) One has to find the median
line in each asana so that the energy is properly distributed. When one
wavers from the median line, then one goes either to the past or the
future.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

Reading from Class: Awareness (…for the Earth)

Early Earth Day Inspiration:

“There is nobody on the planet, neither those whom we see as the oppressed nor those whom we see as the oppressor, who doesn’t have what it takes to wake up. We all need support and encouragement to be aware of what we think, what we say, and what we do. Notice your opinions. If you find yourself becoming aggressive about your opinions, notice that. If you find yourself being nonaggressive, notice that. Cultivating a mind that does not grasp at right and wrong, you will find a fresh state of being. The ultimate cessation of suffering comes from that. Finally, never give up on yourself. Then you will never give up on others. Wholeheartedly do what it takes to awaken your clear-seeing intelligence, but one day at a time, one moment at a time. If we live that way, we will benefit this earth.” ~ Pema Chödrön

Playlist: 3/30 6p Exhale Chill

Per Request. Tonight’s Exhale Chill Playlist:

Send Off — Explosions in the Sky & David Wingo
Calgary – Bon Iver
Song for Zula – Phosphorescent
Lost and Found (Gang Colours Remix) – Lianne La Havas
I Feel That Too – Jessie Baylin
The Graveyard Near The House – The Airborne Toxic Event
Yellow Light – Of Monsters and Men
Wilhelms Scream – James Blake
Try – Nelly Furtado
Up In Flames – Coldplay
Hard Believer – First Aid Kit
The Unchanging – Donna De Lory
Sing – Liz Glow

Reading from Class: All Possibilities – Spring Inspiration from Sri Robert Adams

“It’s never too late to completely change your entire life. To become a better person. To become an asset to this world. To be of service to humanity. To transcend your Earthly predicament with love, compassion and humility. Never believe it is too late to rise to a higher vision. Each day is a fresh, beautiful opportunity to attain a pure heart. Correct your actions. Become a living embodiment of the Supreme; full of wisdom and loving kindness. All that is of Good will lift you up into Ultimate Reality when you emanate Goodness. The Illumined Ones will assist you. You are not alone. You will attract that which you are in your heart.”  ~ Sri Robert Adams

On my way home tonight, I was filled with gratitude and fortune to have found my way to this practice of yoga (10 years ago practice and 7 years ago teaching).  One of the beautiful benefits I received from the practice is the experience of All Possibilities.  I have experienced this with my practice and with students.  There are many poses that I was quick to dismiss as unsafe or impossible that have become possible.

In life there have been many opportunities that I was quick to dismiss as unsafe and impossible or just not for me, including the practice of yoga itself and especially teaching, which I especially viewed as unsafe.  Instead of listening and acting on the “voice of reason,” I credit the practice with supporting my decision to take the opportunity to start teaching in order to serve and grow.  The most inspiring and sustaining part of teaching, the part that really warms my heart continues to be witnessing how this practice has benefited the lives of students more than they ever could have imagined.

Spring Clearing w/ Ana Forrest

Happy Spring!

Spring reflects a time of renewal.   Besides the promotional emails touting “Spring has Sprung,” I have yet to see visible signs of its return — minus the resurrection of the Hubway Bike Rental Stations around the city (so excited!).

I just read this article from Ana Forrest and Yoga U online and it offers a great reminder to use this time to renew our connection to spirit — innate inner goodness or beauty in all of us.  Here is the link:

Ana Forrest on Clearing Psychic Smog: Learning to Walk in Beauty

Reading from Class: Charles Dickens and Impermanence

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind
blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” – Charles Dickens

This is a favorite I love sharing this time of year.  Living in Boston it is easy to relate to these words and impermanence, as is demonstrated by the weather.  Being present with the reality and inherent impermanence of life through the practice of acceptance and non-attachment can support our happiness.

 

 

Reading from Class: Regular Practice Can Change Your Life by Erich Schiffmann

100% agreed.  As I approach my 10 year mark, I am so grateful for this practice.

“The regular practice of yoga can change your life in very profound ways. Do not underestimate the value of being balanced, centered, and coordinated, of being strong and light, of being more flexible, without pain, experiencing the subsequent feelings of invisibility or transparency, and of being more sensitive.”     –Erich Schiffmann