Category: Yoga

Feeling so much better having attended a Therapeutic Yoga class during lunch today. The class is very well attended by students ranging from age 13 all the way to looks like, maybe 70’s. With nearly 50 students, I was surprised and then not so surprised. He masterfully creates the sense of safety and trust based on actual expertise – of course, people are drawn to that. I was inspired that there’s so much need out there that this teacher was able to respond to … it’s gentle and yet quite challenging; it’s relaxing but better than caffeine awakening, it’s calming and yet … super energizing. It’s quite the Yin & Yang and I loved it. This teacher led us to replenish ourselves physically, mentally and energetically. To me, the session rather reminded me of a class I took in Tokyo last summer – it’s caring and gentle but … challenging in a non-competitive way. You may even work up a light sweat:)

Inspired, getting mini-presents ready tonight for the loyal students who practiced being “present” this year by simply showing up … it’s a gift for sure to have students who give me the opportunity to blend what I’ve learned and try things out. I am filled with gratitude for their true “flexibility” – here’s the next two days as we head into Christmas Eve …Quite saddened that I am no longer teaching the Sunday night restorative class I had the honor of holding space for the last nearly 3 years. Having attended the 3 Invitational sessions with Judith this year – irony of ironies, I don’t get to share all that knowledge in that particular style I love – Yet Sunday evening is a tough time slot …for me with the training and impending travels and subbing frowned upon…as attached and wistful as I was … sometimes one has to let go one thing to let something else enter … it looks to be a sign from the higher self.

Besides, so happy for the lovely yogini who took over – it’s so sweet to have more yoga teachers who want to spread this kind of quiet yet powerful practice also. We are blessed:)

Thursday @ 7:40 am @ Bay Club, Redwood Shores – Yin Yoga
Friday @ 9:30 am @ Bay Club, subbing for lovely Ms. C – Hatha Yoga

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Wish had someone take a photo of me actually doing this … Actually maybe not as I don’t want potential students to think yoga is too hard and then never try it – this kind of supported scorpion is for us “fanatics” – for the everyday gentle yoga, there’s no striving. This kind of stuff only do with experienced teacher by your side … unless you grew up as a gymnast. For the rest of us, we need a good teacher,



Who get anatomy and movements … then one can be fearless and revel … it’s fascinating.

Lizzie Lasater, daughter of Judith Lasater is spreading this fascination among yoga teachers – with Embodied Anatomy Q&A with Mary Richards and of course, her mama, Judith. Perfect for the anatomy geeks who find learning this so invaluable.

“Embodied Movement Literacy” is all about doing ! Yes, Lizzie – we are sharing our practice. That’s why practice comes fist.
I love this talk on Yoga Body, which is THE title of a book Judith wrote some time ago and used as our teacher training text book… which is so interesting especially when you realize you are learning so much about the body for yoga when yoga is ultimately about the … mind. The conscious mind. So erudite – “Irony of ironies” indeed Judith – “We need a fit body in order to meditate” that was the original idea … Why? Why is meditating a big deal? Because it’s the tool for minimizing, overcoming suffering and ultimately, a gateway to the spiritual enlightenment … and scientifically and medically, it’s been proven that meditation relieves stress, alleviates anxiety and depression, increases the brain’s grey matter and allows for graceful aging (that some people like to call “anti-” aging – I am not ANTI to aging. I don’t oppose it at all – why resist the natural course of what’s to be?).

What a find ! She does not allow photo taking other than for personal study use in her workshops so this is quite a find – a vintage Judith photo from that incredible source – yes, the internet – apparently from 1977!!! Such a honor that I received this personal adjustment from the icon herself at the Invitational 🙂 Yes that’s a 10lb sandbag above my greater trochanter… which I was fearful about having placed but as it turns out – nothing to fear. It serves as a support to stabilize further. Thank you Judith!

Really love this mother-daughter relationship! It’s lovely to see that support they have for each other … Lizzie does, however, have that image “perfect” yoga body. She’s lean and strong and to me have that perfect yoga body exuding glowy health – so it’s even more refreshing to hear this. It’s a crazy world we live in if someone with that “perfect” a body may have to withstand scrutiny and judgement.

She’s right – that’s it. I teach stress management skills and work on the mind that uses the body as a gateway. That’s what I do. Who am I to? I actually think I am well qualified having dealt with inordinate amount of stress that almost knocked me over but I rose above it with – yoga. No more inordinate than anybody else’s perhaps, as everyone has a story … everyone may have a cross to bear … and we probably all do just at different times of our lives. It’s the timing of it all.

Better looking body ??? may be just a by-product along this path but eyes on the prize of what’s really essential. As someone whose body weight has yo’yo’ed between 115lbs to 134 lbs in the last 3 years, I know stress plays a large role in weight management and consequently how you feel and … look. While, yes, there’s “Upside to Stress”, there is no upside to “chronic” stress. Let’s take care of it. Yoga works.

At Moon Gate:)
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Presented the YT year end research and protocol this Sunday. When I signed up for advance certification in yoga therapy, I did not dream that I would be required to give a formal talk at the year end – I mean for the 200 hrs. certification years ago, we had a trial yoga class to teach and that was actually doing yoga of course – teach yoga … yes. But this was different. Teaching yoga vs. talking about specific chronic issues that yoga can help with and why and how …Western methods vs. this modality. There was a bit of wry smile and laughs when R, the program director, in an effort to alleviate the stress level said something to the effect that – Public speaking ranks #2 only after death (!!!) in the ranking of people’s fears. More on this later only to say that for now, “all is well” the last of the affirmation shared by my cohort.

I can report that (1) it’s really hard to condense hours of research and readings into mere 15 minutes and wow the audience the way TED talks are designed to do; (2) I was very happy to learn so much from each other – each, so well versed and knowledgeable in the matter that brought out their passion for this healing arts. Digesting and integrating all that knowledge today …

So

Here is my Affirmation I wrote up during those 10 minute breaks – I am flattered that some peers asked for it so here, I recite it again:

I embrace this time of change.
I do not dwell on the losses and choose my language wisely.
I accept the natural course of all that is unfolding
& honor this special time with reverence.

I am filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity.
I am blessed to be given this season of renewal.
Offerings complete, rejoice in the prize of release and relief.
Taking comfort in the beauty I recognize as if for the first time,
I invite the lightness of the feminine spirit that nourishes and sustains.

I feel the luminous lunar light that reveals the beauty of this season.
I sense the synchronicity of the Universe in the waxing and the waning of the moon.
Universal cycle of renewal resides in nature I take part in.
Connected to that eternal cycle of beauty, I take joy in taking responsibility for my own well-being.
I take better care of myself so that I may care for others with empathy and compassion.
Bathing in the soft lunar light, I am filled with gratitude for this beauty in the renewal.
Beauty is all around and within us.
Namaste:)