#24

This is the last post I need to do to for my teacher certification! I'm thrilled about this and hope to keep writing here when it seems fit. I have been keeping a yoga journal (not to be confused with Yoga Journal) chronicling my more personal yoga experiences. It has been a journey for me. A hard and wonderful certification that has seen the best and worst of me. I have seen most of the benefits in my personal practice but I am excited to see where teaching takes me.

On Tuesday my husband and I went for a 30 minute run together, and afterwards did some post run yoga. I have been out of the running scene for a bit and wanted to try a favorite video from our marathon training days. It's a very athletic practice focused on stretching the muscles when they are most supple. It felt so good to return to this place after over a year! I was minding my own business, when she moved us into downward facing dog. From all fours, I lifted my chin and sit bones, just like I have done myself and verbalized to students hundreds of times before, and scrolled back into downward facing. I can't figure out a way how to describe what happened without making it sound like I injured myself. It was exactly the opposite though: I slipping right into downward facing with my heels touching the ground.

Now there's some thing you should know about me: I have the tightest hamstrings in the world. I enjoy a lot of natural flexibility but when it comes to the hammies, I'm stiff as a board. Suddenly I had my heels down on the ground like it was the most normal thing in the world. Had my husband not been there to appreciate and confirm this moment to me I don't know if I would believe it happened. I wasn't 'working on' this. I hadn't even thought about it in months. Quite the opposite, actually; in some ways I was probably being too easy on myself and just bending my knees in downward-facing, not attempting at all to improve my flexibility. The warmness of my legs from running and the instruction from someone outside of myself, combined with the last two years of yoga practice all came together for quite possibly the most wonderful and most strange moment of my yoga life.

It's all about improvement. It's not about wishing for a body that can do a pose I saw on Instagram. It's not straining for something outside my ability. It's an appreciation for what I have learned and what I can learn, slowly and steadily working with what I have right now, on a journey to a wonderful place called 'What if?' Except it's more like a Bilbo Baggins type of an adventure rather than a 200 mph cross-country bullet train. Just because I can't do a pose now, doesn't mean I won't ever be able to; and on the other side of that, a pose that seems simple now could become out of reach at a future time. Practice here in the body you have right now. It is such a gift.

Thailand 2012

I didn't mean to buy 4 1/2 pounds of mangosteen. But I'm sure glad I did because we haven't had it since! Eat the mangosteen while you can. You never know when you'll be able to buy it again!

www.gobodhiyoga.com

Blank Slate

I am all about distraction-free yoga. I've written about a home practice before but I wanted to jot down some thoughts about how to be as free from distractions as possible anytime, anywhere practicing yoga.

• Dress in layers. Maybe I'm just cold all the time but I find so much comfy comfort in wearing a soft long sleeve shirt, long yoga pants and SOCKS. This isn't practical for a dynamic flow, but it sure feels nice during a restorative practice.
• I have really long hair. It can be hard to manage during a practice that involves inversions and laying on one's back. Long hair can get hot, hit you in the face during triangle, and it hasn't happened to me yet but I feel like I may someday step on it if I'm not careful! It may seem superficial, but managing my long hair means distractions are at a minimum. Here are my current favorite ways to do that:
• Long braid down the back. More contained than a regular ponytail and savasana-approved. Hairstyles should definitely be savasana approved.
• Headbands. Even if you don't have bangs, this is a way to keep hair from making an appearance into the face during yoga. I'm a big fan. Large or small, it's up to you.
• Bun over bun over bun. Also a favorite hairstyle for running marathons, this is the ultimate 'I don't want to think about my hair'-do. If you do it high enough, can definitely be savasana-approved! For added power, combine with headband.
• It's traditional to do yoga on an empty stomach. I tend to feel nauseous and languid when I haven't eaten in awhile. Not that I want to practice right after a full meal, but a little snack half an hour before can be helpful. I don't like trying to draw from an empty well.
• Speaking of empty wells, I have to have a water bottle nearby! Deep breathing can dry my the nose and throat and leave me feeling thirsty. It's better to prepare and not use it than not have water and wish you did.
• Keep it simple. Yoga is a very commercialized activity right now, but there is simply no need to buy into it. Towels, gloves, psychedelic pants, bright colored bras, special headbands, etc.. you could go bankrupt trying to keep up with the 'Yoga' that is being sold. If those things speak to you, great, but I find the more I look into that stuff the less I am probably doing yoga. A minimalistic approach is not a bad one to have.

www.gobodhiyoga.com

My affirmations

I have found affirmations to be a very powerful tool. They help me harness my own thoughts and use them in a powerful way to motivate and encourage myself. Don't we all need a little more of that from our own minds? Negative self-talk is very damaging and I find myself falling into that sometimes. Affirmations speak to our very subconscious in a way that can re-route those thoughts and help us think of and view ourselves more accurately: as beings of light with unlimited potential! Here is a list I have started and will continue adding to. Feel free to use these and adjust them to your own practice!

I am strong.

I am brilliant.

I am valuable.

People rely on me.

I am flexible. 

I have time to do and study yoga.

I am confident.

I can do anything I set my mind to do.

Yoga makes my body and mind happy.

I love to share wisdom with others.

A sound body, mind, and spirit are essential.

My voice is strong.

I listen to my body.

I bless myself and others.

I take opportunities.

I can do it.

www.gobodhiyoga.com

eddy

It has been awhile. Life is busy. Most days I don't feel like a yoga teacher. Most days I feel like a mom. Wife. Employee. Tired person. I don't have a lot of mind power to spend on extra things. I would love to do more. Have more money. Spend more time doing things I like. Do you know how long it has been since I got out my sewing machine? Or even put on my running shoes? I finished a book in December and that was a big deal. Life is composed of so many little things. Putting on clothes in the morning. Brushing teeth. Washing hair. And if you are a mom, changing diapers, thinking about nap time, laundry every week. They are like clockwork. Sometimes there isn't anything leftover. Right now I'm at a point in my life where I can hardly afford 'extras' so I think it has been hard for me to think that other people may see yoga as an extra that they don't have time for. I barely do. If you are choosing between yoga and a shower, please, I encourage you to take that shower. I am spent most days and you probably are, too. I don't want to feel like I'm selling anything. How is my yoga better than anyone else's? What is the point? Am I worth it? I know yoga is beneficial but I know your life is complicated. Mine is too. I feel defeated as a teacher. I'm so close to finishing my hours but I feel more clueless than I did when I started. Where do I go from here?

www.gobodhiyoga.com