Yoga is the Journey of the Self through the Self
to the Self – The Bhagavad Gita
This quote was on the cover of a graduation gift from Tianna Meriage-Reiter, one of our esteemed teachers from Niroga Institute’s advance yoga therapist training. Tianna is well versed in physiology and anatomy as a physical therapist but … what sets her apart is her understanding of our needs.
Please revisit this post from my first year yoga therapist training HERE:)
One of the most valuable learning we did during our 2-year Yoga Therapist training was not only the top-down from a dozen+ esteemed master teachers, but even more essential was the deep learning we did through each other, being that each of us brought our yoga experience (some very seasoned teachers with extensive experience!:), life experience and skill-set to share at the circle. Every month we had a yoga philosophy reading and a write up on that reading; then we also had the practical homework of designing a sequence with justifications and insights based on what we learned the preceding month which we shared and took turn leading a class of presenting a case and/or research. The critiquing by self and from others were unforgiving and could say, harsh, but helpful. It was not the 200 hrs. TT where we just said nice things to each other for we did not want to judge, criticize in any way – but just be liked. Uh uh, not here – the critiquing, while very tactful and kindly delivered, it was sometimes a bit harsh BUT we learned from it. A lot:) Then we learned from each other – there were several cohorts who excelled in writing and somewhere in their essays, there was reference to just that – the title above. She believed that a certain style of yoga was not what she needed and it turned out … much to the contrary, the yoga style she thought she did not need was ultimately the practice the guru prescribed and she needed the most. Like the harshest critic, that practice you avoid because, let’s face it, you are not “good” at it – that, in fact, was what she needed the most. That conclusion she arrived at after deep and unflinching self-study where the guru is the dispeller of darkness.
Enjoyed subbing tonight’s restorative class. Had a break from teaching weekly restorative class for couple of years and … by returning to teach it by fluke, I realized how much I owed my healing to that particular practice. I had been blessed with such knowledgeable teacher (Judith Hanson Lasater) and I am filled with gratitude that the teacher appeared when I needed that teaching. Release of endorphins through a sweaty practice is beneficial – maybe you feel you are burning calories by sweating but … after the bliss, what if you are drained and depleted even more? In fact, a scientific studies have shown that reduced cortisol level leads to most effective weight loss if that is your intention for your yoga and exercise program … not merely mindlessly running the treadmill watching yet another screen. The bitter the medicine the most effective a guru knows and she also knows nothing wrong with that elixir of bliss – so – take the medicine and the elixir – BOTH.
Anyway, I mix-&-match my yoga practice and that blended style works for me. What about you? Are you intentional in manifesting the desires and needs we have to connect with our higher selves?
Whether you are a runner, dancer, spinner/cyclists … any athletic endeavors – any sports you are passionate about – you will be better at it if you incorporate yoga in the training or the warm up or in recovery. The healing comes with more ease and speed. Namaste:)
ahhh… SUN in the face ! Spring is here:) & so is the much needed rain – we are blessed !
