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Boredom is all in the mind – The new prescription…Introspection

IMG_5195IMG_5198_01IMG_3207IMG_5084I know people who claim they cannot sit still; with sense of humor, suspect undiagnosed adult ADD or ADHD-ish tendencies… They know meditation is the key but revved up, they cannot sit long enough to wind down, let alone, for the brain waves to settle.  They worry Yin or Restorative yoga may be too boring as the thought of holding a pose; staying still seems so excruciating.  Their meditation requires guided visualization to give mind something to follow and think about or … otherwise their mind fills up “My Cup Runneth Over”, racing with one thought after another.

Physically, they have to be on the move or else… they get the blues or feel frustrated and their mind will … again drift off and wonder, cranking out one noise after another.  These people must work tirelessly and if they were to do any yoga(usually they don’t because they are in “tougher” fitness programs with incessant LOUD BEAT), they have to work hard at a sweaty hard class filled with challenging poses struggling to somehow strike that magazine cover pose as though in some contest for the most bendy prezel pose or the most amazing flight. Usually they are in pain but push themselves with great effort.  Believe it or not, I am actually describing a bit of myself; or former me.  I love “tough” “hard” “challenging” “sweaty” classes and used to scoff at anything using props thinking that use of props meant you are not “advance” but somehow either a “beginner” with all the help you can get or have some physical limitations requiring aides like a disabled person needing crutches or braces.(& isn’t that great?)  I also used to get “stressed” and “upset” if I could not do an advance pose … beating myself up for not being able to do this or that pose and going to one workshop after another to master “it”.

What changed for me?.

What changed me?  How did this change in mindset take place?

Mind tamed, I now see yoga more a method of all-encompassing self-care and also as … service.  All encompassing because it’s not just caring for the body but also the mind and spiritual well-being (praying alone does not help for many).  Now I see yoga props as supportive friends  – they allow the pose to blossom and open without the strain, allowing the wholesome balance to take place without any stress, while getting the same benefits without the muscular tension.  Your tendons and connective tissues, facia are all allowed to relax and thereby increase the range of motion.  All this, while your muscles are eased and flexed with tenderness. When people treat themselves with more kindness, self-love and compassion; they will treat others with more kindness and compassion.  That has a multiplier effect I think.  This world will become a better place to live for all of us and for our children and their children.  When you are relaxed and renewed with serene mind, your ego does not play part in shaping your thoughts in a manner that is hurtful.

Yesterday I was in a “tough” “hard” (but now “fun”) class and the instructor said “you cannot master yoga because it’s not a place you are striving to get to.”  Reminded Yoga is not something you master.  I am blessed with many amazing teachers – we learn a lot from each other.  Yoga is not a quest – there’s nowhere to reach.  It’s all within your grasp within us.

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By Kay T. Ananda

Yoga brings Joy!
Joy to your body, heart, soul and allows your mind to settle all the debris to the bottom of the lake, ripples gently subsides so that like that shining water, your lake in your mind is still and crystal clear. Only then, you can find your truth... when your mind clears and all distractions are gone, leaving you - stillness and clarity. Peace.
Dog is doing yoga all the time and brings you laughs!
Anger is borne out of fear; how do we find that fearless path of inner peace?
Why Bark when you can Wag to express your JOY Joy joy !!!???
無心でしっぽをふる喜びを表すあの子犬のようなJOYを糧に無理ない、各自のコンデイションに寄り添いながらもチャレンジ精神をとりかえす…そんなヨーガを:)
全米ヨガアライアンス公認ヨガ講師養成コース修了、リストラティブヨガ指導者認定登録、アメリカRYT500登録インストラクター、800hrsヨガセラピーIAYT今現在一瞬ThisMoment&NOWをCELEBRATEするカリフォルニア*ライフ!

帰国子女としてニューヨーク、テヘラン、カリフォルニアと転々、いずれ東京に帰る意識で日本語高等部卒大卒後シリコンバレーにとどまる。ヨガはカリフォルニア州立、バークレー大学時代、ストレス解消に効くと教授に教わり試してみるが... 合わずジャズサイズ、ウェイトトレーニング、エアロビックスのクラスに移転の20代、30代、産後、過労で体調を崩し大病も治癒。死ぬかと思った~大病後、久しぶりに足を踏み入れたヨガスタジオのヨガが大学時代のスローでポーズごと器械体操ごとく、つまらなーいヨガとはまったく違い進化していた。流れる踊りの振り付け的なヨガに魅せられる。数々の流派があることを習い、数種類のスタイルを試す。ビクラム、ホット、アイヤンガー、ヴィンヤサ、アシュタンガ・パワー、などなど。数年前サンフランシスコにて、ヨガアライアンス認定インストラクター養成を経て、インストラクター証書習得。同じ年にキッズヨガインストラクター証書ゲット。リストラテイブヨガ、インストラクター認定、陰ヨガのインターン、アシスト後、陰とヴィンヤサ、レギュラーハタクラスを教える。又プライベート、セミプライベートレッスンをクライアントのニーズの合わせ、ヨガセラピストとしてセラピー集中ヨガ提供。その為に2年間のアドバンスコースに挑みc-IAYT証書習得!ヨガ療法士としてIAYT(国際ヨガセラピスト協会)認定のヨガセラピスト、C-IAYT(Certified-IAYT) 10年以上、ベイクラブ、ヨガスタジオ、シリコンバレー社などで子育て中週4-5回レギュラーレッスンの講師を務める。3月2020にあの頃は最後とは知らずの週2教えていたスタジオにてのインパーソンヨガクラスを後に…遠方介護ニーズとコロナ禍を機に当分はパブリッククラスリードからはリタイア。
自分自身が心と体の調和で得た平穏…日常の小ちゃな事に見出す喜びをヨガ愛好者のどなたとでもと共有できたらと願うばかり。ジョイを共有し、ジョイフルライフを。そう、もし犬に例えるのであれば、恐れや威嚇で吠えまくる犬ではなく、シッポふりふり笑顔で愛と喜びに満ちた心持をヨガを通しシャア。恥じる気持ち等恐れず誰でもできる自身ジョイフルヨガを肝に銘じりたい。LOVE LOVE LOVE:)Shanti Shanti Shanti:)