Category: Healthy Activities

It’s always been that so why now?

When I realized I wanted to study the application of Yoga as a healing modality, while still engaged in it for its fitness benefits, I had to stop worrying about the “brand” “styles” or “schools” of yoga – it’s all yoga and that’s what attracted me to Niroga Institute – I of course revere all these styles and teachers but how about a no-name, non-categorized, non-labeled yoga … it could be that but it’s not Ashtanga, again, it could be but but it’s not Iyengar, it’s not Jivamukti, not Kundalini (don’t get me wrong – I love them all but do any non-teachers really care? Everything just sort of … depends) it’s not Para or Baptise power yoga or vinyasa flow, it’s not yin or yang or fusion – it’s not about one charismatic guru here as many experts are invited to share their yoga and its teachings; wisdom that are all-encompassing – it’s not any one “style” that dominates which sometimes can get a bit divisive or exclusive, even dogmatic looking on from the outside – Rather, this is … INCLUSIVE and INVITING – it’s UN-like diversity, a multi-cuisine kitchen of omnivorous tastes. Whatever style one engages in, it can change, grow, develop over a whole life span of time. Why restrict ourselves. In fact, I notice, one may start out Ashtanga in their 20’s but gradually move onto a more Iyengar style … there are stages, as noted by Srivatsa Ramaswami in his book, Yoga for the Three Stages of Life. So yoga style is not separated into different factions but all-embracing breathing evolving practice that’s uniquely personal. Pure yoga, Raja Yoga, in its authentic but transplanted form to serve the needs of the community here, right HERE; not India, not thousands of years ago but NOW – here and now. It’s about blurring the lines of distinctions between various “styles” of yoga to find more the common weaving thread to serve all people … So … Yoga Therapy Teachers Training Month 2 … here I come.

The first weekend returning from Tokyo- suffering that jet lag of getting up 3am, then 4 am in the mornings. My circadian clock is a mess. A bit fuzzy light headed during the day. Okay, in fact, so ready to set up for restorative yoga … I had looked forward to spending quality time with family (dealing with emotions of “guilt”) but rather the weekend was spent in my teacher training intensive for the Yoga Therapy certification. Yes, I do have the 200 hours from Yoga Alliance and one would ask – isn’t that enough? Well, yes, it’s enough with all the self studies I do but still… I really wanted an evidence of my studies to be more concrete … in a form of piece of paper that I can frame:) La, la la:) It’s the goal setting and the sense of accomplishment I seek. It’s a source of Joy for me. One may scoff at such need for validation but … as a professional, I think it’s important to always improve and better oneself so really, it’s about serving better; to be more effective. & formalized education from the field experts really is invaluable. I also hope to be able to refer and be referred. That is, I want to refer to other professionals when somethings are beyond my scope and that I want to know. What is the scope, really. I will know. Then with confidence and humility, I can better serve.

Recently, it came as a surprise that Yoga Alliance came out publicly to state that the organization does not approve of Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher to use the word “therapy” to describe the class that such a teacher offers OR – what’s worst – to call herself/himself a “yoga therapist”. (It’s been more a marketing tool rather than what’s really genuine anyway, you say?) This makes sense that in a way it’s a protection so that we can keep teaching yoga without having to be more heavily regulated as once we enter the healthcare world, a more mainstream healthcare world, the liabilities are enormous. You would need a malpractice insurance, etc. to further protect yourself and that … must be avoided as yoga has always in essence is about … liberation. Freedom.

BUT what about what we value yoga for framed in another way … that, is to many – Yoga is also about HEALING. After all without the healing, there’s no freedom, is there? If you feel broken (assured, you are never broken) or hurt, There’s no sense of FREEDOM, no experience of liberation because reaching that state is only possible through empowerment to be self-reliant.
If we are somehow limited and enslaved to the lessor of ourselves by way of suffering all kinds of discomforts, pain, physical, psychic and emotional … we need the HEALING before that feeling called bliss, that sense of lightness and freedom to enter our vacabulary. So What about that aspect? The aspect of healing to be a prerequisite to ultimately benefit from what yoga promises – transformative liberation. So if one is attracted to more that aspect of yoga – a practice that unleashes that healer within to be the “restored” Self, then what? So in terms of credentialing – there’s certification to show some level of knowledge and competency in the discipline of “yoga therapy” approved under IAYT or International Association of Yoga Therapist. This is different from Yoga Alliance and thus not limiting us in the ways we offer what we feel is invaluable – yoga therapy. Within the licensing for Yoga Alliance, there’s the basic 200 hours; then onto 500 hours for the more serious track; then within the 200 hours and the 500 hours, if you have the initial “E” tacked onto “RYT”, it signifies that you are also an “educator” and that you may teach for certification level classes/courses. I am just on this natural trajectory to explore and know more … thus, call me crazy. Embarked on 800 hours Yoga Therapy training this year… Crazy or not, already it’s making a difference in the way I approach my teachings …my own practice, my life, myself vis a vis others.

Anyway … I am yoga’ed out and found this “required” reading by my mentor, Judith H. Lasater to be the gem to start this week, this Monday. I can’t wait to see her this Thursday for our invitational workshop – it fits right into my formal training in the yoga therapeutics – what ideal timing can one ask for this to come my way? It was meant to be?:

Our mind is all we have.
They are all we have ever had.
And they are all we can offer others. …
If you are perpetually angry, depressed, confused, and unloving,
or your attention is elsewhere, it won’t matter
how successful you become or who is in your life –
You won’t enjoy any of it.

– Sam Harris from “A Guide to Spirituality without Religion”.

So

there:)

My intention/resolve for this week is:

To reset my circadian rhythm to align with the natural tempo of the world I live in.
To regain that generosity and kindness towards Self and others, most especially by being forgiving and …
“Radically Present”*, enabling me to better see the light and goodness in others, otherwise missed when one is especially tired.
To engage in self-care to regenerate, recharge and boost my energy, chi, prana – whatever you want to call it – so that I may realign with my true radiant soul.

Yes, my intention is to be AWAKE under the sun; asleep and dreaming under the soft sheen of moonlight when the darkness closes in …
To find the luminous light within, guided by wisdom handed down by my fore-bearers ingrained in my DNA … in gratitude, I am here.

New Moon this week !