Category: Yoga

By the observance of aparigraha, the yogi makes his life as simple as possible and trains his mind not to feel the loss or the lack of anything. Then everything he really needs will come to him by itself at the proper time.” 

–B.K.S. Iyengar

Have you ever started out with all good intentions but the Universe introduces obstacles when least expected – that while in scheme of all things, very trivial, so small and perhaps even irrelevant – and yet, you feel a bit deflated?

I have.

It’s not that you are defeated by these life’s curve-balls – of things not quite going as planned turn of events – but nevertheless, you feel depleted of your energy?

Have you ever thought about how to deal with and change the story-lines not going the way you planned ?

I have.

We all have.

I enjoy a silent class or class without any music typical of some yoga classes.  But that’s just it – while I enjoy that kind of class for “learning” as a yoga teacher where the yoga teacher is explaining every tissue, every muscle group, every movement, etc. as though yoga teacher him/herself fearing any pockets of silence or for pure relaxation (lettt goooo) as a yoga student- for my practice, and for my students, I enjoy sharing … positive sound vibes. Sounds are uplifting to the spirit.  Unless you are Srivatsa Ramaswami, a master to lead the sun salutation with chants, some chanting just does not seem authentic in my own humble opinion – even kind of a cultural appropriation-ish to be avoided – so least I can do is to offer my playlist as at Cal, I once interned for a DJ at the student radio station.  Love different genre of music only problem being I may get “stuck” on one track and play it over and over – I don’t get tired of things very easily !

Inspired, curated a playlist until midnight last night; exhausted crawl into bed but end up tossing and turning all night –  terrible or no sleep; not getting any shut eye, tracing the prior day to figure out the cause of this insomnia –  is it the Kombucha made with green and black tea, thus CAFFEINE?  Is it the stress of seeing a homeless treated unkindly at a food bank ?  Is it the to-do-list growing with unchecked items? Is it … this or that?  The mind races to find answers to this puzzle … rumination leads to answers only then to morph into constant chatter… clock reads 3am  … Good Morning – almost ran over a jogger who dashed out in front of our car …slamming on breaks; woken by the jolt – was the jogger in a runner’s high?  Unexpected swerve to avoid hitting her – a scare to drive an otherwise uneventful commute   … walk into a studio to teach yoga – relieved to be in a peaceful space – Yeay !  I love teaching yoga …

BUT

the stereo system just does not work  … sooooo …. the said playlist is not accessible.  Told there’s a problem with the stereo system … normally I would take that in a stride – of all days, the day after staying up late to curate a playlist when there was that stroke of insight to make a new one.  In fact, no other music comes on either … unable to retrieve any of my musical selection – the class time is upon us…

Have you ever set an intention to be very well prepared, striving for perfection? Or at the very least attached to a certain kind of class you wanted to put on?

I have.

Have you ever felt like … screaming in sheer frustration (esp. when sleep deprived) or crying in annoyance over little petty thing?  You know it’s really not a big deal … but still.

I have.

So does someone want to holler out a primal scream on my behalf so I don’t have to?  So that I can flush out the toxins of …attachments and ego from my system ?

Low Tide

New Moon

Super New Moon …

Tomorrow – Friday the 13th.

Yoga to the rescue … practice is essential.

Thank you for the reminder.

To which I respond – Yogis are people too:)

We have attachments to want certain outcome -it’s human.   It’s only that in teaching yoga, we want every single student to feel a little bit better after the class than before.

Recognizing we have the power and choice to shift our mindset from that of suppressed primal scream of annoyance to a resolute mindset more in alignment with our higher self, Self that is patient, compassionate and resilient.  That mindset echos the vibrant chant of OMMMMM … There’s no need to dwell on the past nor fear for the future – all is well.

Cessation of agitation …calming the fluctuations of the mind …  comes.

Gratitude to a student who stopped by after class to ask if he opened the shades the way I liked it for the class – wow – such a gentleman and all knowing.  Thank you – if the sounds weren’t right (or more like void), at least the lighting worked as … it’s the morning sunshine.  Sun salute – sun always shines in the hearts of those with grace – Namaste.