Monday, April 19, 2010

Life Changes

We only have 5 more sessions in yoga training. I cannot believe the program has gone by so fast. Yesterday we did a bit of chanting and then as we started meditation I was all giggly. Mostly because we learned a new chant that did not have a definite end. And it went on FOREVER. I consciously tried to stop, but it was a slow moving freight train. It felt so uncomfortable that I wanted to laugh. In fact, I stifled my laugh so much that my face turned red and I added all of this heat to my body. Not pleasant to start sitting. And then I thought of this toy. The one that giggles when you shake it? I cannot find a photo, but you know the one I'm talking about. Well, that just made matters worse. My whole body started to shake and I thought I would have to leave the room. I wound up breathing through it and then meditating just fine. After meditation we got a little parable (aka talkin' to) about confusion. He ended with a punchline/buddhist thought that a number of us did not understand. We were told to meditate on it.

On more positive notes, our challenge for the day was to gather in groups of 4 and teach 30 minute classes. During meditation I "cheated" and came up with a good sequence. Okay it was not really cheating because I was not given the task until AFTER meditation, but still. I did not allow the thoughts to pass through like clouds. I was quietly thinking. However, when it came time for me to teach, we had done most of the those poses already and I became un-attached to doing what I mentally planned. Look at me getting all zen! So I just taught what felt good and what flowed together. Poses that I like, that we hadn't done yet, or hadn't done in a while. I mirrored, I got up and adjusted and better than that It felt good. I got good feedback on my nurturing quality and being totally present while teaching. My voice was also mentioned, however I have gotten to a place where my vocal quality is so strong and direct that when I ask the class to relax or soften, sometimes I instruct too harshly. The fine tuning is so much more enjoyable than feeling like I have no idea what I'm doing. After lunch we shared our experiences a bit and Shy asked if the training has also spilled into our daily lives. I know that it's changed my body and slowly, but surely it will continue changing my daily habits, as well.

In the health department, I woke up yesterday morning without a sore throat and my lymph nodes on the right side greatly reduced in size. There is still some congestion in my nose, but for the most part I feel great. To celebrate I had a wonderful dinner with Emily Pender who is in town for a conference. It was great to catch up with her since I have not seen her since I left Atlanta 2 and a half years ago. I was supposed to see Daniel May today, but he flew stand-by home, but I have plans to see Jillian St. Charles tomorrow night since she will be in town for business.

It will be great to share some more good news!

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