Categories
Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

Work, Play and … Rest

We are so accustomed to stress that stress is just a part of our everyday life.  In fact, for many of us, it’s unthinkable to be stress-free.  We may even be brainwashed in thinking that, if we are not highly or chronically stressed, then there’s something amiss and that we are not doing enough. We may even interpret being stress-free as being a lazy under-achiever… somehow inadequate.  Being stressed is wrongly defined as being productive. Or some people are very stressed and overwhelmed but they will not know it as such state of high alert and pressure.  To them, that’s the norm. And some take pride to say that they relish stress as though it’s a mark of true success and courage… a purple heart in this daily grind called … life.  Stress may be something they dismiss or for some, they may be in a state of total denial.

Ask one of those people who appear to be  carrying a huge load and you ask them, How are you?  They reply – oh, fine. Oh, it’s nothing. Oh, it’s a breeze.  It’s absolutely NO problem what-so-evvverrrr, Really!  What? Is it your pride and ego responding? What’s wrong with acceptance and admission that this load is an overload?   And that you are over-extended and over-taxed perhaps. Do those people go on muttering some mantra that goes, stress is good; it allows me to get things done.. repeat over and over, stress is good for me, stress is good for me… it makes me more productive… stress is needed…Really?  There’s nothing wrong with our coping skills if we admit things are not looking all that perfect as we juggle.  Also, know that getting help is not an admission of defeat AND you are still needed and loved if you are not doing all those things that garner admiration and awe and comments such as – “I don’t know how he/she does it? ”  To admit that maybe it’s okay to not do so much – That reality does not make you a loser.  No, not at all.  You are just human not super-human. You are of great value and service without having to do so much.  Just being, instead of constantly doing… is … okay.  Judith brings that message to all egocentric over-achievers that the world is not going to come apart or to an end if you “relax and renew”; in fact, it may become a better place.

If we do not manage this stress level  properly, then the body’s defenses break down, making us vulnerable to illness. And that’s just the physical toll we are referring to, not even touching on the emotional toll it might take –  It’s been said that up to 80% of ailments are attributed to stress.  Restorative yoga induces a state of deep relaxation and tranquility… The alpha… some even theta and delta state of relaxation is generated which leads to a special consciousness at which natural healing can take place…  Who wouldn’t want to feel refreshed and restored with a pure sense of well-being and inner harmony.

It’s hard to fully relax if various parts of your body is bothering you – whether it be aches and pains or tension and kinks… or… that dull blocked up stuck feeling, that hard to explain feeling of fatigue…so that’s why the help from our little friends for support (read “props”:) plus some … magic…at rescue:)

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If it’s something you LOVE.  If it’s your passion that you are DOING, then, it’s not stressful. It’s JOY.  Doing = Being when it’s your passion, isn’t it?  No sleep, no food… even then to me, it’s okay…that’s not stress.  You are doing what you love to do and that allows you to be present.

 

Categories
Beautiful People Yoga

I will be subbing at Bay Club, Redwood Shores Thursday morning so look me up if you are a member there or trying out the place.  The people there are very warm and whenever I step into the Club, I feel this positive energy and joyful vibes – thank you in advance for joining me as I cover for a fellow yogini and a beautiful soul, Myra.

Speaking of teaching, reading these words of the revered master, the late,  B.K.S. Iyengar and so humbled:  “Each pupil who comes to you comes with some new problems.  No two persons are alike.  Therefore, teaching cannot be parrot teaching.  Each pupil has to be studied….Do not differentiate between yourself and the pupil. … If there is a gap between teacher and student, it creates egoism in  the teacher and a communication gap between them.”

“When students come to me to learn, I treat them as God, as we are all children of God.  As a teacher, one must be a pupil within.”

Then this gem:

“So please do not practice yoga with the sole motive to become a teacher.  If occasion arises, accept to teach.  While learning, I never thought that I might have to teach.  The circumstances forced me to become a teacher.  If pupils did not come to me, I said that it was God’s wish that I devote my time to more practice.  And when pupils came, I would say to myself that it is God’s wish to serve them.  In both ways I took it as God’s grace.”

I am awe of this legendary guru’s teachings.. and that my teacher Judith learned directly from this legend gives me the goose bumps.  She imbues the guru’s wisdom, shining with her own passion and love for yoga.  I am so lucky to have had so many great teachers in my life, starting off with my parents and grandparents, the first teachers, then all the mentors yoga related and not… We learn so much from each other.  I love this human race:)

 

Categories
Beautiful Rituals Yoga

Tonight’s Lunar Aromayoga

If there is to be any, Lavender is the scent of choice for practically all the Restorative classes I have stepped into locally; but maybe because one of my private students and a friend is suffering from a flu  … tonight I changed to natural remedy of eucalyptus… and anyone in tonight’s class might have noticed I was suppressing a cough – no, no worries.   I do not have a cold – it’s a bit of an allergy due to confused plum tree blossoms flowering before spring..  my eyes are watering and my respiratory system was …       and selfishly my aromas were chosen to relieve me as much as, hopefully my students.  My “intention” was to have us step into a Native American forest… and I heard some sighs of  “ahhh”:)

*Majority requested  the optional White Sage spritz… a mist during modified Savasana so just in case, one did not know, White Sage is used to purify the space for rituals in Native Indian cultures…

Traditionally, Native Americans have used white sage as a holistic remedy to cure coughs and colds as well as reduce mucous secretions of the sinuses, lungs, and throat.  Thus, the White Sage spritz as a “choice” for tonight’s lunar class.  White sage has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties apparently substantiated in laboratory tests.

Those who know my obsession for a ritual in the everyday, you would know I would choose White Sage over lavender for tonight’s class .. White Sage is considered a sacred herb by Native American people and used in ceremonial rituals to purify the air by clearing away native energies.  It evokes our connection to nature, the sacred and the beautiful, our source.

**Here is an excerpt sourced from internet and I have no real scientific evidence to back it up but perhaps there’s a research out there… nevertheless, seems Native Americans have used it as “holy” herb and scent for a long long time:

“The American Indians referred to white sage as the king of all sages, and frequently used this herb for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.  In fact, it is believed that the term “Holy Smoke” originated from the American Indians “smudging” white sage to rid people and places of unwanted evil spirits, and to protect themselves from those spirits.  In addition, they believe that the smoke of sage attaches itself to negative energy found within a person, and removes it from their body.   …

**In addition to smudging, white sage may be used for topical applications by preparing teas, poultices, and/or oil infusions.  White sage is used in these applications because it has anti-fungal, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, calming, deodorizing, and healing properties.  White sage contains diterpenoids, which are compounds which have been shown to fight bacterial infections, and reduce allergy symptoms.  It also contains cineole, which acts as an anti-inflammatory/anti-bacterial agent.  Tannic acid content provides anti-fungal properties.  Sage is also used as an antipyretic; used as a sweat bath to reduce fever. White sage has a calming effect on the body and soul.  This is likely due to its miltirone content (a compound which performs similar to valium to reduce anxiety).  Finally, white sage contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds very similar to the female hormone estrogen.  Herbalists have used white sage to help treat the hot flashes that accompany menopause.” These claims found on the internet, I have no scientific data for but to me…it just plain smells wonderful… ahhh with a smile.

**Disclaimer:  Nothing in this article, or this blog for that matter is to be construed as medical advice; please consult your doctor before using any herbs for treatment purposes. Aroma is sometimes provided in class to serve only as a playful mood enhancement but not by any means for medical purposes.