Yoga with Hope

It was so fitting to spend this Mother's Day weekend with this Tim! I completed a training program with him, his wife, and the Miami Life Center staff in 2021. Right after the training I went to visit my parents, and my mom's dementia had progressed to the point that she didn't know who I was. I kept hearing Tim's voice telling me to "Be Strong". Even though I was developing stronger muscles, Ashtanga yoga was really helping me to be stronger in my mind. This year, my mom can't really even talk on the phone, but I was happy and had a great weekend. If I never do another asana or nail pincha, it won't matter. I am strong! Thank you so much, Tim! And thanks to Jimmy, Bo, and The Yoga Shala Everett for a great weekend!

Today marks 7 years living without my thyroid. I'm not only living, I'm improving every day. I remember beginning my yoga journey in bed with yin poses, as the tumor on my thyroid was compressing my airway and I spent most of my time exhausted. One day, I stumbled on an Ashtanga yoga video. I fell in love with the practice before I could be a practitioner. I learned the asana names before setting foot into an actual shala. I just knew I wanted to practice Ashtanga yoga! I think I'm doing it!

7 years ago, I couldn't do a downward facing dog.

7 years ago, I couldn't get a full breath of air.

7 years ago, we spent the holidays waiting on cancer results.

7 years ago, I couldn't look upwards.

7 years ago, the doctor didn't know if I would be able to talk.

Today, I can breathe, flow, look up, and even use my voice to teach others. What will I do over the next 7 years? Probably more yoga.

What can you do over the next 7 years?

Got home yesterday from an amazing week teaching yoga . The weather was perfect, the spa was amazing, and all the staff were friendly! They not only had yoga, but a gym and water aerobics in the pool every day. This is definitely a trip I would do again!

My project for August is this 2nd series twist. Two years ago when this photo was taken, it wasnt partcof my daily practice, but it looked pretty good. Now, I can't bind the hand. It's interesting how some asanas come and go. What I thought I would never do, I now do with ease. What was once easy, I can't do anymore. I just keep practicing.

I will try to remember to take a picture of this one in a month, but it could take longer to look like this again. I'm ok with that. It's part of the journey.

"Practice what you teach and teach what you practice" I hear this quite often, and see the value in it. Tonight, I am teaching a Rocket inspired basics class. I don't get as much opportunity to practice Rocket yoga as I would like, although I practice the same shapes in my morning Mysore practice. But to refresh my brain, this morning I did a home Rocket basics practice. I enjoyed it and hope tonight's students will too! Have you ever tried this style? If not, consider it. Also, if you are a yoga teacher, do you make time to practice? It's so important!

There is an art to both giving and receiving hands on assists in yoga. Establishing trust and having good communication is so important. You may have a good reason to decline an assist-injury, fatigue, or something outside of practice that is weighing you down. Your teacher may have a good reason for you to give something a try with their support and help. Often, my teachers have me try something that I don't believe I can do. I have learned that if they believe I can do it it's usually worth giving it a try. Sometimes it takes having someone else believe in you for you to believe in yourself.

These photos were from a hands on assists class of the 50 hour Rocket training . I had a wonderful time learning and making new friends! Oh and I have a rocket certification now. I hope to add on the 2nd 50 hours in the future.

Apparently it take 2 people to help me in pincha. Lol

This amazing lady comes to chair yoga faithfully, and always has a smile on her face. Today we celebrated her 89th birthday in class. You are never too old!

Managed a decent home practice this morning before teaching. Often I would have skipped it since I teach multiple tines today, plus my left shoulder is being bothersome, but consistency is my focus for 2024. So I got on my mat. Things felt good, and I especially appreciated my little cheer squad. "That was the awesomest! I love your yoga tricks, Grandme." I don't hear that at my shala. Of course, I don't want anyone there calling me Grandma;)

I'm going for more in 2024. More of what? Consistency. Being more consistent with my practice, with my food choices (although I may have consistently had too much pizza last year), drills, and study. This is not a resolution really. I have made those in the past-lose a certain amount of weight, read a certain amount, hike so many miles. I typically fail. I think just aiming to be more consistent than last year is attainable. There can be the tendency to start something and then quit when it gets hard. What if instead of quitting you just leaned in and consistently continued?

Take time to pause from the busyness during this season. Focus your attention. Inhale and exhale with intention. And possibly look at things from a new perspective-upside down even.