Category: Yoga

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Beautiful People Yoga

Yoga in New York:)

Took Jeffrey Villanueva’s class at NYC studio… All levels, all ages welcome? He was very patient and helped two tween kids get into a headstand while I did mine against a wall (which functions as my security blanket – yes, I’ve got it too – the fear of the “fall” – and cervical spine injury, having been rear ended in the 20’s, never been the same – treating my body with TLC) feeling a bit queazy from a subway ride right after breakfast.

I knew he was an excellent teacher but I had no idea he was this kind of a practitioner… quite amazing as I recall crossing this intersection in Times Square – usually there are taxis, buses and trucks nudging close to you; roll down the window shout outs; the honking; the sirens; the congestion; the urban strife… I recall clearly what a mess of an intersection this spot is, with taxi drivers and trucks practically owning the streets with onslaught of people in Manhattan’s theater district (Broadway, Baby:) – it would take quite a courage to just do his thing like this – not getting run over by those yellow cabs rushing the pedestrians. (Note – NO MAT on the asphalt!) Instead of being run over by them, look! (Superman?) He’s flying in Times Square! I attest to the craziness of that place and it’s amazing that with focus, strength and balance, he can just be in his own elements, in his body and practice – a natural- in a chaotic surroundings far from nature. It’s just such an inspiration as this video shows the calm within the turmoil expressed through graceful movement. Sounds contradictory? Calmness within Movement? Stillness in midst of Times Square? Even if us common mortals could never get to this, it’s like watching an Olympic feat or a Wimbleton match – just something to marvel at and appreciate what the body and mind is capable of with enough training, practice and … the will.

Of course when you see something like this, you might think yoga is not for you; it’s too acrobatic – I’m not a gymnast or an acrobat – but no worries. His class is quite not like this at all – yoga is not about being able to do the wow-poses – it’s about the intention…The video just shows what HIS body, with will and dedication is capable of at this snap-shot time and serves as an inspiration of human potential. It’s to inspire you & it is not to make you think – I can’t. Not for you to give-up and shrug, “There’s no fri…n way I can do this!” While your ego may beg to differ, It’s not about that – Once awhile ago, I could not do a certain pose and was getting frustrated with myself to which my instructor said – oh, it’s okay – just know that maybe and maybe not even 1% or less in our population could do it anyway – so it’s okay not to be able to do it of course. Tender smile… THANK YOU! (looking back, it probably saved me from a knee or hip replacement surgery later on) I was about to berate my body for not being able to do it – instead of loving my body for what it can do. In Jeffery’s class, he keeps it to the level of his students, never showing off (would not have known he’s this accomplished until I looked him up wondering if he taught other classes…), always a humble warrior with very beautiful eyes reflecting a very beautiful soul within. That soul happens to be riding in a body that flies with such control and precision. In utter awe…

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Beautiful People Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

An Epiphany

During my yoga teacher training certification journey, I was pleasantly surprised when two of my teachers I adore, Brenna Geehan & Jean Mazzei, said yoga is about “energy management”.
Among so many things, yoga is indeed about energy management. I could not agree with more! So many people appear “maxed out” – on the brink of a burn out. If they only found yoga not only as a means to “get in shape” or “workout” – you know, you are already in shape and you are already working out or working enough, right? We have to love our “perfect imperfections” – you are perfectly imperfect and that’s fine. You might start to realize that when you get on the mat and uncover that truth about you. Another awesome local teacher, Wendy used to say, “Just showing up is enough”. Just showing up. When you show up, everything takes care of itself. Now I understand what she meant.

Even if it seems impossible to allocate that time that you don’t have, accept that it’s okay to not do it all; accept that perfection is not an end-all; judgement (esp. targeting “self” version) is harmful; accept help, and take care of yourself. Think of yoga as where you learn the ultimate in energy management through the practice of acceptance and other life lessons often brought up in Buddhist teachings.
There are so many competing desires within each of us – mostly ego driven. We were taught sky’s the limit; you can do it all if you put your mind to it or try harder; that energy is boundless… if you only harness it. Really?

For those feeling inadequate for not having that “boundless” “abundant” energy – Be reassured, there’s nothing inherently wrong with you. This is when Yoga can come to the rescue! Find what’s true for you as you turn your attention inward. Practice of yoga, the kind taught by Gary Kraftsow is in fact a preventative medicine – by keeping your “balance”, you gain stability and from that stability comes real sense of freedom…that ushers in the energy once lost … the vibe of life if again felt.

Leaning in is not enough. We deserve better.
-Katrina Alcorn

Here’s her blog – For moms who can do it all but wonder why they should…

As a student and I am always a student, I tend to gravitate to those beautiful teachers who have their own life story to share – it makes that instructor that much more deeper and wiser with abilities to really connect… so again I come back to this quote:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen.”

― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Beautiful people do not just happen…

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Yoga

Magic Realism

“She was limited physically but no means spiritually…”
– Andrew Wyeth

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The above painting from MOMA is painted in a style known as “Magic Realism”… There are different styles in paintings as there are different styles in Yoga…

Restorative Yoga… What is it good for? NOT absolutely nothing – quite the contrary! Absolutely Everything!

So people might assume that my yoga practice is all about R&R. Well, actually, I love vigorous Vinyasa Flow as well as steady mindful alignment based Iyengar influenced practice; and all in between and the undefined. I love the blend and the whole – based on how you feel that day. You might say, I am an expert in none and beginner in all as expounded by Shunryu Suzuki. All yoga whatever style is beneficial but Restorative Yoga holds a special place for me – when my teacher Judith Lasater who is the co-founder of Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco, Yoga Journal, physical therapist, yoga instructor, a PhD and from what I hear, raised 3 kids while teaching full time, publishing best selling books, many other accolades I am not even privy to – when SHE, the accomplished and the wise yogini so many look up to said “there was a time in my life when the only and all yoga I did was Restorative Yoga” – it was an Ahhh-Hahhh moment. Super achievers and the most enlightened too, we all have different kind of needs at different times. Through that first hand experience she gained so much insights – and precious enlightenment she shares with us today. Our batteries need recharging and more frequently you do that, less likely you fall prey to various forms of modern disease that plagues even the most health conscious of us with good intentions.

That method of recharging our batteries – that is misunderstood. It can take various forms – yes; first thought – sleep? Movies? Wine tasting? Exercise some more to release endorphins and serotonin and feel “happy”! or too exhausted? Then…the infamous …”couch” work in front of TV or as in therapy?… all good and we deserve the slouching time too but even that fix-all meditation will lead nowhere without you “showing up” to uncover your own healing powers.

In restorative yoga, you are in yoga poses – it may not be that pretzel pose you saw on the magazine cover or the cool WOW arm balances and the inversions you are “fighting” with “burning” desires to “achieve” but it’s still yoga in a different, these days, novel kind of a way. It can almost be a serendipitous encounter … after a sweaty practice. OR it can be created methodically and with care in a therapeutic way.

We are again ready to re-engage in the “zone” with that once lost “flow” … able to relish the everyday miracles with clarity. Otherwise, everything is a fast forward and life will just zip by.

Transformation is such a big word but it does’t have to be big – small gradual shift is all it takes. To be able to see people transform before your eyes – vitality and beauty restored little by little, literally, like a battery recharing – it’s an honor – life is not all about work and play. Transformations is not about shedding that 50lbs or not aging to everyone’s amazement(though may happen); it’s a measurable unveiling of your true light and that light switch may have a dimmer – you can transform how your room looks – you have the hand on that dimmer.