Feeling down? It's February and a few lovely days sprinkle in here and there, but we've reached the time of year that many people get the winter blahs, looking forward to the spring days ahead. In keeping with yoga's philosophy of staying in the present moment, how can we enjoy this time of year? One truly excellent way would be to get outside and start digging around! Maybe trimming some of the dead plants from last year, or raking a few errant leaves that have swirled back into the yard. Possibly turning the compost pile, or gathering any fallen bark or twigs. If you don't have a yard of your own, ask any family or friends if they need a hand, yard work is tough to get to for many people these days, they'll be so grateful to you for your energy!
It turns out this won't just make your friends and neighbors happy, it will make you happy!! According to a recent study at the University of Bristol, the bacteria in dirt have the ability to boost seretonin levels in the brain! A girl I knew in high school once shared with me a phrase that for some reason has stuck in my head: "God make dirt, dirt don't hurt", funny what science often matches to old sayings and phrases. Many farmers and other planters will also tell you they feel good after a solid day working with the earth. In one study lung cancer patients anecdotally reported quality of life improvements after being treated with these soil bacteria. In another study, mice exposed to these bacteria were very interesting, choosing to swim instead of sink when placed in water. Yet another set of researchers have found seretonin to play a role in the immune system response but further research is of course needed to better understand this role. Read more detail about these thoughts here on the BBC's article about dirt boosting happiness.
I came across a very interesting few stories from a seasoned teacher, related to the power of positive thinking as well. This stemmed from my examining the research on how thought directed at water molecules could possibly affect the beauty of the crystals that they form, a bit of controversial research conducted by Masaru Emoto, a Japanese author. Teacher Xiua Shu shares these amazing stories about the power of optimistic thought on the web page PureInsight.org. Included are how trees grew strong, a fish tank stayed clean, and the story of two young girls fighting cancer.
Let us all pledge to remain as positive as we can. Sending this happiness to others (plant, animal, or person) may help them as well. Funny how the earth could make us happy, and maybe we can return the favor!
Namaste,
Kat
2.16.2009
2.08.2009
Without violence
The world is full of violence, unfortunately. Some say it may just be a part of human nature but this is definitely not the only way we can respond. The "news" reaches us daily, from drug lord atrocities, to military casualties, to crimes right in our own city or neighborhood. It assaults us but even as we are forced to absorb it we must continue with our day and so in order to cope, we develop a shield. We find justification for the violence, or think that it will not extend to us, or accept it as a requirement of living. Some maybe even turn the news off, trying to block it out. Some philosophies find additional ways to deal with this toxic presence and one concept in yoga may help us not only simply cope, but rather return a different way of being back to the world.
Ahimsa is the sanskrit word that literally means "without violence". In other words, the goal that we do no harm, that we do not kill or harm others. In some versions, this can extend even to a bug on the sidewalk, or plants in the garden. Entwined in this overall idea is that violence of every kind can entail negative karmic consequences, but I honestly feel that even if we do not follow the ideas of karma, violence or acceptance of it in any form can be damaging to us.
What can we do to practice ahimsa? We might first try to expose ourselves to less violence, in order to increase our sensitivity to it. Seeking out comedies over horrors, or dramas over weapon flicks could be one step. We might chose to read the news online rather that hear conflict after murder on the nightly news. Next we can work on this in our interactions with others. Violence can exist in tone or thought even when subtle, so trying to find kindness towards everyone that we interact with can reduce any even mildly violent tendencies. Thinking of someone each person helps or loves, or thinking of their best traits may help, if it someone that is not necessarily our best friend. This might allow them to find ahimsa as well, and become more peaceful and positive.
In yoga, we can be careful with our own limits, not pushing ourselves to pain or if we experience any, finding a very safe place to recover and rest. Conversely as we find a peaceful place, enjoying and reveling in the delight! This can even include internal comments to ourselves. Do we speak lovingly to ourselves or even about ourselves to others?
The bottom line here is, love yourself, do not be violent to yourself in any way. Take the time to care for yourself, listen to your needs, and work to meet them as best you can. This will begin to emanate kindness and peace to all aspects of your life. Perhaps someday this will be the world.
Namaste,
Kat
Ahimsa is the sanskrit word that literally means "without violence". In other words, the goal that we do no harm, that we do not kill or harm others. In some versions, this can extend even to a bug on the sidewalk, or plants in the garden. Entwined in this overall idea is that violence of every kind can entail negative karmic consequences, but I honestly feel that even if we do not follow the ideas of karma, violence or acceptance of it in any form can be damaging to us.
What can we do to practice ahimsa? We might first try to expose ourselves to less violence, in order to increase our sensitivity to it. Seeking out comedies over horrors, or dramas over weapon flicks could be one step. We might chose to read the news online rather that hear conflict after murder on the nightly news. Next we can work on this in our interactions with others. Violence can exist in tone or thought even when subtle, so trying to find kindness towards everyone that we interact with can reduce any even mildly violent tendencies. Thinking of someone each person helps or loves, or thinking of their best traits may help, if it someone that is not necessarily our best friend. This might allow them to find ahimsa as well, and become more peaceful and positive.
In yoga, we can be careful with our own limits, not pushing ourselves to pain or if we experience any, finding a very safe place to recover and rest. Conversely as we find a peaceful place, enjoying and reveling in the delight! This can even include internal comments to ourselves. Do we speak lovingly to ourselves or even about ourselves to others?
The bottom line here is, love yourself, do not be violent to yourself in any way. Take the time to care for yourself, listen to your needs, and work to meet them as best you can. This will begin to emanate kindness and peace to all aspects of your life. Perhaps someday this will be the world.
Namaste,
Kat
1.24.2009
Guided Imagery: What can it do for you?
As we practice yoga, each person moves through a series of asanas (postures) that engage the body and breath. However, we always contrast this activity at the end of each yoga class by finding ourselves in corpse pose, allowing the mind and body to clear and relax. Finding this calm and relaxing place allows us to encounter stillness and return to our life refreshed.
In the upcoming weeks and months of class, I plan to incorporate occasional guided imagery into the final moments of class. What is guided imagery? According to web md, this thought process is based on the fact that your mind and body are connected. Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state.
In some cases it may allow the subconscious mind to present discoveries and itself to the conscious mind. At other times, it is simply a way to see where we are and where we would like to be, carving out time and space for our imagination to flourish. In the hectic velocity of modern life, these moments of reflection and creativity may not be able to surface so easily. Through this process, I hope to help nourish the dreams and realizations of each yoga participant.
By the way, be sure to check out the new Barefoot Fitness Web Page to see our schedule, videos of some major yoga poses (featuring Emily Morris), and more!
Namaste,
Kat
In the upcoming weeks and months of class, I plan to incorporate occasional guided imagery into the final moments of class. What is guided imagery? According to web md, this thought process is based on the fact that your mind and body are connected. Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state.
In some cases it may allow the subconscious mind to present discoveries and itself to the conscious mind. At other times, it is simply a way to see where we are and where we would like to be, carving out time and space for our imagination to flourish. In the hectic velocity of modern life, these moments of reflection and creativity may not be able to surface so easily. Through this process, I hope to help nourish the dreams and realizations of each yoga participant.
By the way, be sure to check out the new Barefoot Fitness Web Page to see our schedule, videos of some major yoga poses (featuring Emily Morris), and more!
Namaste,
Kat
1.14.2009
Bringing Yoga to Work.
Today was a day off, sort of, I didn't teach 100+ rambunctious students so anything is pretty relaxing compared to that. From 8 to 11 am we had teacher meetings and a water quality presentation, then from 11 on, entering grades and getting ready for the new semester. I kinda overdid it. I could have left at 1pm because I had special permission, but I just kept doing more. I moved a large tree that weighs about 100 pounds. Really I did, I had to slide the pot onto a big flattened cardboard box and haul it across the room. Then I wanted a table up front and hauled/slide that, probably weighs 50 pounds and went about 40 feet, I have a lengthy science room. Whew. Exhaustion. My left arm was already a little sore from falling at my soccer game, I won't go into why a yoga lady fell kicking a free kick with no one anywhere near ;) I'm trying to figure that one out right now, definitely a lack of mind body connection at that moment!
Many of us can get into a zone at work. We soldier on, trying to get things done or squeeze to much into a short time frame. If we bring breathing to work, we bring yoga. Any time you find yourself rushing or stressing or just overdoing it, try this.
If you're sitting a lot at work, stand up in mountain, and if you're moving around a lot, take a load off, maybe even sit on the floor if you have a comfy spot. Close your eyes, and breath slowly. Think of a calm friendly place in your head and imagine yourself there. Maybe a sunny boardwalk, or a garden filled with beauty. Imagine this for at least 10 breaths, your self is going to resist your self and try to let your mind wander, but stick with it and you will let go at least a little. Let me know how it goes if you try this and if it works for you!
Namaste,
Kat
Many of us can get into a zone at work. We soldier on, trying to get things done or squeeze to much into a short time frame. If we bring breathing to work, we bring yoga. Any time you find yourself rushing or stressing or just overdoing it, try this.
If you're sitting a lot at work, stand up in mountain, and if you're moving around a lot, take a load off, maybe even sit on the floor if you have a comfy spot. Close your eyes, and breath slowly. Think of a calm friendly place in your head and imagine yourself there. Maybe a sunny boardwalk, or a garden filled with beauty. Imagine this for at least 10 breaths, your self is going to resist your self and try to let your mind wander, but stick with it and you will let go at least a little. Let me know how it goes if you try this and if it works for you!
Namaste,
Kat
12.29.2008
Counteracting Consumerism: We don't need no Stimulation
Ah, the economy. What is "the economy" anyway? It is certainly not economical in nature. Our country has spent a chunk of money that we did not have and now we are going to quantitatively ease billions more into print, theoretically fighting deflation and probably lighting the match under inflation, although when it will ignite is unknown. Personally, I'm up to here with economic stimulation. I think most of us need a rest and they're going to force us to charge back out and spend more! Let's consider a new idea, producerism. Create more than we take!
What led to our current problems? Pretty much a lot of people buying things that they couldn't afford. Some shady CEOs el al took it from there. Things we didn't need. Cavernous houses, shiny new cars, stuff, matter, atoms and now some people are losing jobs so the things that aren't paid for become an even steeper and more costly burden. It's stressful to have too much, whether it's someone handing you a huge plate of food, too many gifts over the holidays, so many items to sort and place and clean and try to use. How can we get out of this cycle? We didn't enter in consciously, we were born into it. But to exit this pattern, we will have to be very conscious and proactive.
Yoga can help us let go of our consumerism by sharing with us the yamas and niyamas, the first two of eight limbs within the yoga philosophy. Particularly, aparigraha and satya will remind us of what we need to gain the strength to stand strong against the cultural drive to buy buy buy. Aparigraha can also be called non-possessiveness and is about letting go of greed, and taking only what is necessary. This might mean we chose to live in an apartment for now, or purchase a used car that will get good mileage, or maybe drive our current car until it honestly won't go anymore. This means we will have to resist the urge to give in to another cultural pressure, conspicuous consumption, aka keeping up with the Joneses. Satya can help us by highlighting truthfulness within ourselves. We must ask what really makes us happy at the end of each day. When we honestly answer, the breathless rush to acquire will be stilled .
I am not saying this is easy. I am not saying we can always attain it. This is years of ingrained pressure from tv, billboards, and people around us. However, I am making an effort to consider what I have and what I really need, and working to give away what I do not need. Here are a few ideas to try. If you already do these, see if you can make it better, or more frequent.
If you have any other ideas, please, comment here. Here's resolving to practice aparigraha and satya in 2009. Please practice these New Year's Eve too, and I will see you for yoga soon :) Thank you for being open to "producerism". May we all create rather than consume in the coming year!
Namaste,
Kat
What led to our current problems? Pretty much a lot of people buying things that they couldn't afford. Some shady CEOs el al took it from there. Things we didn't need. Cavernous houses, shiny new cars, stuff, matter, atoms and now some people are losing jobs so the things that aren't paid for become an even steeper and more costly burden. It's stressful to have too much, whether it's someone handing you a huge plate of food, too many gifts over the holidays, so many items to sort and place and clean and try to use. How can we get out of this cycle? We didn't enter in consciously, we were born into it. But to exit this pattern, we will have to be very conscious and proactive.
Yoga can help us let go of our consumerism by sharing with us the yamas and niyamas, the first two of eight limbs within the yoga philosophy. Particularly, aparigraha and satya will remind us of what we need to gain the strength to stand strong against the cultural drive to buy buy buy. Aparigraha can also be called non-possessiveness and is about letting go of greed, and taking only what is necessary. This might mean we chose to live in an apartment for now, or purchase a used car that will get good mileage, or maybe drive our current car until it honestly won't go anymore. This means we will have to resist the urge to give in to another cultural pressure, conspicuous consumption, aka keeping up with the Joneses. Satya can help us by highlighting truthfulness within ourselves. We must ask what really makes us happy at the end of each day. When we honestly answer, the breathless rush to acquire will be stilled .
I am not saying this is easy. I am not saying we can always attain it. This is years of ingrained pressure from tv, billboards, and people around us. However, I am making an effort to consider what I have and what I really need, and working to give away what I do not need. Here are a few ideas to try. If you already do these, see if you can make it better, or more frequent.
- Consider having an exchange with friends. Bring any items you don't want or need any more (clothes, books, gifts you could not use) and see who might have a real need for it. At the end, box everything up and take it to a place where it will be used, salvation army or to a school in a poor area, they will find someone that needs it, trust me. There is so much need in these places that it can knock you over if you don't steel yourself. A lot of the need isn't even material. Think about giving your time to someone, friend, family, or stranger.
- Recycle. Have two trash cans so it just flows easily. Make a list of what can be recycled and take a little time to make sure the system you create works and is manageable. Make a visit to the recycling center something enjoyable, go with a friend and have coffee after. Allow yourself to feel so good about letting go, just as our culture makes us feel good when we bring home bags of something new.
- Sort mail and cancel any magazines you don't really buy from. Usually you can just email them to remove you from the list. Make a stack of 10 and it will take you 10 minutes. Think of all the recycling you won't have to do later!!
If you have any other ideas, please, comment here. Here's resolving to practice aparigraha and satya in 2009. Please practice these New Year's Eve too, and I will see you for yoga soon :) Thank you for being open to "producerism". May we all create rather than consume in the coming year!
Namaste,
Kat
12.24.2008
Finding Home Wherever you Are!
Many people head home around the holidays. It turns out that his word has many meanings, and that is an understatement! On dictionary.com (click to read them all), there are 31 different definitions or relationships. And just as complex is the experience of returning home. For some of us this trek is a common thing, for others it might be yearly or less. And others may even go to a new place, to be with those important to them and creating home there. No matter how often or where we go, going home can bring us into connection with our past, those things that have shaped us, old roles and expectations that might or might not fit with who we are right now. This can be a very positive thing and may also be a difficult experience at times.
Yoga teaches us to seek and find the present moment and so as we go home, we might be faced with how the present and past get along. If we can allow ourselves to be who we are today, we are able to stay true to our yoga frame of mind. In fact, actually doing some asanas daily (poses) may aid in finding this capacity within ourselves and allow us to relax and shake away from falling into the past. While the old memories can be wonderful, nostalgia may not be and so grounding ourselves in the "right now" will aid in making each journey home a new and fresh delight. Consider sharing what is new and present in your life, and also listening to the present experiences of your loves ones. In addition, as we look forward to a New Year, we will be able to find ourselves happy and at peace, balanced and prepared, yet taking all things as them come.
Namaste,
Kat
Yoga teaches us to seek and find the present moment and so as we go home, we might be faced with how the present and past get along. If we can allow ourselves to be who we are today, we are able to stay true to our yoga frame of mind. In fact, actually doing some asanas daily (poses) may aid in finding this capacity within ourselves and allow us to relax and shake away from falling into the past. While the old memories can be wonderful, nostalgia may not be and so grounding ourselves in the "right now" will aid in making each journey home a new and fresh delight. Consider sharing what is new and present in your life, and also listening to the present experiences of your loves ones. In addition, as we look forward to a New Year, we will be able to find ourselves happy and at peace, balanced and prepared, yet taking all things as them come.
Namaste,
Kat
12.14.2008
Yin Yoga
We have all seen that funky little black and white symbol. I sometimes imagine two whales circling, a balanced swirl, a hippie anthem on par with tie-die. However, we can also ask, what is the meaning behind this ancient Chinese concept, and how can we incorporate these ideas into yoga and our lives? Today we will consider the yin side, and leave the yang half for a toastier moment.
According to Wikipedia, (see link here yin yang):
"Yin is usually characterized as slow, soft, insubstantial, diffuse, cold, wet, and tranquil. It is generally associated with the feminine, birth and generation, and with the night."
In terms of the seasons, this appears to relate to the winter facet of life. Ice, rain, sleet, snow, shortened dark days, quiet long nights. Maybe a strong full moon allowing white glittering glows to shine in through the frosty window.
How then can yin relate to our yoga practice? I believe we can consciously welcome yin, related to our path in yoga. One might easily wonder how long it takes to do yoga right, or really find a pose. The truth is, a pose can always be right and found. This occurs when we are able to embrace the tranquility or yin of our current experience of a pose, rather than pushing on to anything else. Change does come in yoga and of course we allow ourselves this path as well, but it will happen gradually, and at times almost imperceptibly. While we may seek strength, warmth, energy, and growth, it is also okay to move slowly and softly.
So, whether you love Restoration and Gentle yoga, or Ashtanga Bikram Power moments, perhaps give the other side a chance to submerge in your practice, and you may notice that both together actually fit, like a key in a lock or a loving hug.
Namaste,
Kat
According to Wikipedia, (see link here yin yang):
"Yin is usually characterized as slow, soft, insubstantial, diffuse, cold, wet, and tranquil. It is generally associated with the feminine, birth and generation, and with the night."
In terms of the seasons, this appears to relate to the winter facet of life. Ice, rain, sleet, snow, shortened dark days, quiet long nights. Maybe a strong full moon allowing white glittering glows to shine in through the frosty window.
How then can yin relate to our yoga practice? I believe we can consciously welcome yin, related to our path in yoga. One might easily wonder how long it takes to do yoga right, or really find a pose. The truth is, a pose can always be right and found. This occurs when we are able to embrace the tranquility or yin of our current experience of a pose, rather than pushing on to anything else. Change does come in yoga and of course we allow ourselves this path as well, but it will happen gradually, and at times almost imperceptibly. While we may seek strength, warmth, energy, and growth, it is also okay to move slowly and softly.
So, whether you love Restoration and Gentle yoga, or Ashtanga Bikram Power moments, perhaps give the other side a chance to submerge in your practice, and you may notice that both together actually fit, like a key in a lock or a loving hug.
Namaste,
Kat
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