Zen Squirrel Blog
Yoga and Facing Challenges
4 years ago I was a brand new yoga teacher. CC was my most loyal student at our local studio(not her real name). She was attentive, dedicated, and sweet. One day, when I cued "crow pose" (an arm balance), she seemed uncharacteristically negative about the pose. That day I promised her that we would keep trying and "one day we will get you in that pose". I didn't have enough experience to make such a promise, and I didn't even know my own limitations at the time. She seemed satisfied with my response, and we moved on. Every time I cued crow over the next 4 years, CC would attempt the pose, fall, smile, and move on with her practice without missing a beat. During a recent large class, and CC had her normal place in the back row. I cued crow, offering a few modifications, and began to assist the newer students. I heard a sound from the back row, and looked back to find CC grinning. She mouthed "I did it". How very cool to see her accomplish her goal. Just like any other week, she quickly returned to her practice.
Anyone who has been practicing yoga long enough has had some of these experiences. One of the things that I love about yoga, is it's lessons that apply to daily life. I find it so inspirational to be able to watch students working on their practices, accomplishing goals, and doing so with love and grace. How often are we reluctant to start something for fear of failure? How often do we have a bad attitude when things don't go our way? Here are a few ways to face your daily life like you do your yoga practice.
Try things that scare you, or seem just out of reach. You can do more than you know.
Face the task with a sense of humor. Nobody is perfect at everything, so don't expect yourself to be perfect either.
If you fail, move on graciously. There's always next time.
Keep with it. Dedication is the key to reaching your goals.
Believe in yourself. Starting something with the idea that you can't do it is like praying for something that you don't want to happen.
Encourage others. There is strength in numbers, so seek out other people with the same interests and/or goals.
Just yesterday I had my own accomplishment of the seemingly impossible task, the ellusive Firefly Pose. This had seemed impossible for years, and I deemed it because of my "tight hamstrings". Well, something snapped when I saw CC reach her goal. I tried Firefly with a fresh attitude. I saw possibilities rather than limitations, and you know what? My Firefly got off the ground. What is your Firefly? What are you ready to tackle on or off the mat?
Namaste - Beth
Intentions and Real Change
Several yoga classes begin with a meditation, or setting of an intention. This is a great time to bring focus to the question of you want/need from the day's practice. You may want to consider setting an intention on a daily, weekly, monthly basis or longer.
It takes practice to turn inward and discover what you truly want or need. Many of us were brought up to do as we were told. Sports were based on performance, and winning was the primary goal. The feeding of the spirit may have been a rare or completely void aspect of our everyday lives.
The practice of intention is well worth the investment. In January of 2014, I set my intention for the upcoming year. I asked myself who I wanted to be, and how I could make my life better. I decided that the wall I had built around my heart must come down. I had been able to do the work at my local yoga studio, but returned to my old habits during the rest of my life. The journey has been incredible and life changing. I have made connections with family, made new friends, and began recording my thoughts in this blog. I am more available for others now that I am more connected to myself.
All of this work on intentions and heart opening has allowed me to come to a simple conclusion that really shocked me. Maybe I could open up and ask for what I want in other situations. I thought of a situation that was far from ideal, and asked myself what my dream outcome would be. When I contacted the other parties involved, the final solution worked out better than the one that I proposed. This is so simple, but was also very profound. Imagine asking for what I wanted - shocking! I was able to use my energy to maintain connections with others, rather than using my resources in maintaining the wall around my heart.
Call it an intention, a dream, or a resolution. You can set goals that leads to emotional and personal growth. When you do this work, it improves all of your personal and professional interactions.
To get started, you need to reflect during some quiet time to yourself. You may prefer a daily walk in nature, prayer, meditation, yoga asana (postures), or a combination of a few of these things. Here are some steps to help you begin to find and work toward your intention.
1. As you begin, ask yourself what changes you'd like to see, and begin to visualize that change in your life.
2. Notice if there is any physical tension that is connected with that emotion or change. Breathe deeply and try to soften that tension.
3. When you find that feeling or situation arising in your everyday life, return to your breath and the softness. Remind yourself of the change that you want to make.
4. When you feel that change becoming habit, ask how you could expand it to create a better world.
You do not have to be satisfied with, "that's just the way that I am". You have the power to set an intention, make a change, create better thoughts and a better life. It will improve things for those around you as well! Change your inner dialog, change your physical response, and you can change the world!
Live your yoga every day - Beth