Reconnection Day

Today's class was about reconnecting to the Source...
Of course we have many religions discussing and telling us What that Is.
My point is that their Is Something and in Yoga we are taking time to "get online" as Erich talks about in his class.
We even did a little free-form yoga at the end before savasana...
I guess today was one of my versions of Papa Bear's class vibe,
Though I didn't have the time for those great pauses, as he speaks, that I love so much...

So starting with some of that dialogue, it lead us into alternate nostril breathing.
Syncing both hemispheres of our brain, the inhale with the exhale...
Noticing the four parts of the breathe. Having the students notice if the mind becomes involved.
I shared as a surfer, how holding the finished exhale is like the oddest thing for me...
This reminds me of a place where I am trapped under the waves, waiting for my freedom & the surface.
So I remind that we don't have to react to the mind's fears or distractions...
I like to remind these things to help in setting the tone for the practice of awareness.

My intention was to flow more quickly into postures and try to make the class a little more challenging.
I did a little cheat sheet of reminders right before class, of things we could do during some of the sequences...
But I never did look at it and ended up pretty much doing them all :-)
I did play "the BREAD" CD from the Jam Session... love it!

Several students brought friends and I can hear the whispers of anticipation of my "humouristic flow."
I did start with a "let's get to business" approach and the class seemed very receptive of my lesson.
But the silly, "riddling of science and spirit" (not sure what to call it?), of course was there to keep things Light.
I know it is my style of teaching and since they come, I accept this journey of sharing yoga.
Erich really captures it in this video... "as I get into this... I'm talking about YOGA"

So on the drive home this night, I don't second guess,
or disagree with what occurred or critique the process of what was done...
I think I was able to be more centered going in, though I was a little nervous (not sure why?)

I still had a minor expectation (private matter of the heart) :-)
But felt like I did well channeling the Truth...
Better than other nights?? Not sure... I think I always seem to, for the most part.
Was it because "I did everything on the list"... NO

Funny, there were a few people that left during the class, which doesn't happen usually...
I guess some people don't need a whole hours dose of Asana :-)
Maybe this evening I got the DSL high speed hook up.
I do feel good about what we were all able to download.

One Note:
I did mention during class how students have always chosen to sit at the feet of the Masters...
and as Uma said "the mind clears and becomes blank." Instantaneously Present.
I came to realize that their must be some cool "WiFi hook up" in those instances...

I give Thanks to the Masters who were present Tonight :-)

Not for very long

I had an experience on Saturday that has stuck with me for awhile...
Strange how it came to be, but obviously was meant to happen.

As a teacher... it is a unique tool we have to hold space, to reach to the place the student is at, to try and "see" where they are "coming from."
This requires us to hold our own space while we keep the "impeccable boundaries" that are between us
For we are a "conduit" for the Higher Powers. Only to lead, not to take on anything.

So the lesson I received was interesting because I have for years now, usually stated during our final twisting poses to "look towards your blind spot". Which is a clever way to have the students get the transverse motion in their cervical spine. This is a great way to get the full benefits of the posture and I've even had some older people come back and "thank me for saving them from having an accident." Which always makes me laugh and remind them that they are the one to be grateful for doing their work. :-)

So on Saturday, as Eric and were driving up to Lake Arrowhead to go climb...
We came onto a scene where this motorcyclist had been downed by another driver.
Passing only feet from him in the middle of the freeway and seeing his friend on his knees beside him with that look in his eyes. I cannot forget... and there was nothing any of us could do. Its moments like that, that seems to make our lives move in slow motion. With the unenviable Truth that reminds us of how temporary this all is for us.
I have been saying for many class sessions lately, "look in your blind spot... there may be a motorcyclist there!"
It really rang true this weekend.

When your going climbing, imagining what was going on in this friend's head and the feelings in his heart...
I really had to practice keeping those boundaries.
And you can wonder about all the "what ifs" and "what kind of sign is this for me?"
But FEAR is a bastard and the Truth will only get fogged by it...
I know God never wastes opportunities to teach us.

So I am reminded of the frailty in this life...
To witness others, but walk my own path.
To be true to the teachings I am given and share them with as many others as possible.
To realize when you find the climb you hiked 40 minutes for and find the first bolt "missing?!"...
that it may not be worth it to climb up 25ft to clip the "second" with no protection.

THIS life is NOT for very long, but I will do my part to enjoy it and get as much of it as possible.
Its a fine line some times, make the most it and don't forget the blind spots!

this Thing called Love...

I've been focusing on a mental theme, as well as a physical goal when teaching classes this semester...
For me, a good class has some verbal lessons as well as some challenging poses.
As Kira reminded us, we teach what we need ourselves...
I look to combine compassion with determination.

So this last class incorporated the words from the movie I watched last weekend called Little Children.
The older woman in the movie told her son something about how humans go on through life though we know we will lose everything.
As Jaime stated in her article... "we are all on a journey on a ship that is doomed to sink."
Yet... we go on because deep-down we know the only thing we have is Love. LOVE is all there is...

I'm always amazed how the class session goes, because somehow the mental theme comes together...
not always easy since we only have an hour & most students are there for "the work-out" :-)
But I was even able to link in the movie the Titanic, keeping with the Kate Winslet theme!
There is always quite a bit of laughter... and they keep coming back, so something is happening for the better.

Still, there have been many of nights on the way home from class,
That I catch myself questioning what the !!!! am I doing??!
I ultimately whittle it down to some type of expectation...
Which always seems to humble me and allow for the compassion to heal.

As I mentioned in the last Jam Session we had...
I anticipate this to "self-reflective, doubting, mental sparring" to someday end. SOONER, rather than later!!
But I guess it would only mess up the vibe in which I find myself "co-teaching" with the Source.
If thats the case - than I can take it :-)

It seems easier to remind others of their human-ness and quite silly for me to forget my own.
But as Life shows us... it always comes back to us Full Circle,
and we realize that all we have really... is LOVE

I like Water

I don't care in what form these wonderful hydrogen and oxygen molecules get arranged...

I'll take it as a liquid, so soothing as I glide through it - in it - on the surface even.
Love it when the energy travels thousands of miles to create that flow and movement for me to play,
6+ feet of foam and fins, slicing up a face like a surgeon or artist painting on the blank canvas :-)



I'll take it as a frozen powder, so soft and cool.
Nothing like making new tracks on the virgin whiteness, as if nobody has ever been there before me - ever.
Though the wind may toss my hair, I cherish those silent moments - just me and the trees having a pillow fight with the pow-pow!

I'll take it as a vapor... cloud like ecstasy, with my wings spread wide.
Flying on to greater heights, reminding me that I am more then this body.
Sometimes I just stand on the cliffs edge, allowing the clouds to past right through me.

I guess I actually do care and feel blessed that I get to experience the whole spectrum and even appreciate the other dimensions I may not be aware of... yet.

Is talk cheap?!

I've noticed that yoga for me, the asana practice is best when mixed with words and stories...
Laughter is even better, since it does increase our vibration :-)

I've been using some idea/topic and rolling with it at the beginning of each class...
This helps since there is a transition from the pilates class right before the session I teach.
Connecting with the students and "setting a tone" seems to help me with the flow of class.
An hour isn't very long, so tuning in to a certain theme gives us a path to follow.

I am constantly amazed what comes up during the hour...
The trick is to stay focused and open to what speaks to me, and through me.
Allowing Truth to dictate our Pace and not let the mind "inter-fear" :-)

It has been a journey during these years of teaching and I am blessed to be inspired and to inspire others,
Life is best when it it is shared with others.
Balance those moments alone and enveloped by others...
"Happiness is only real when it is shared"

long, strange trip its been...

Been truckin' up to Ojai the last couple months...
Also seen good friends of my past...
Great way to get the cobwebs cleared and shake up my comfort zone :-)

Been blessed to meet and learn from many Masters and everyday people willing to share the truth.
It's good to Search, it's the only way to Find...
Reflection, when it is done in a healthy manner and done with an appreciative heart... is an amazing experience!
Seems to only strengthen my resolve to Walk the Path :-)

Sometimes I feel like I've lived many lifetimes in this Walk...
plus the things I've been shown from other lifetimes humbles me for this Path.
It is a great time to be Here Now.
May I fulfill all that I am capable of doing and sharing...

physics books + iMax movies = thoughts

... at the "after party" I was telling someone... "all we really got is this Body!"

Maybe thats why its so specific. Some kind of amazing time machine that can feel, plus have thoughts that lead to feelings and connects with everything around us...

Its a circular trip always coming back to you.
Inner and outer journeys...
Not much difference if you know how to "see"

A book talking about a finite universe, like the Earth and if we were to travel far enough, we would come back to a familiar place.
Life is a circular path, coming back to that what we like and dislike so that we learn... we get it and then on to the next experiences until we come to the Center.
This fights against the notion of infinity... you know that theory that has its own symbol with two circular patterns revolving back to each other. (turn your head 90 degrees and look at this symbol... 8 ...if you have forgotten :-)

Avatar movie depicts the Nonie of having that " cool, braided embilical cord" that they are able to connect with everything else in their world. Maybe that is what we are searching to find with our bodies... that way to really feel connection with life all around.
And some complain about violence... must the fight always push up against someone else and to be about taking from them??!

This world is abundance in action... and the Motion is always stirring up the next blessing or galaxy!