The "Why"

If you live in a city like Denver or Boulder, there is a LOT going on in the yoga community. Every weekend there is a workshop or eight, there are the studio classes, and there are special guests, these amazing yoga and philosophy teachers who come from a far to spend time teaching and sharing their wisdom. Sometimes you feel like you should be at every one of these events. It seems like everyone else is able to make them all, so you can too. Sure you may have a full-time job, children, a part-time job, pets, animals, reading to do for trainings, and homework, but you can fit in three more events, right?

I remember early on in my teacher training, I felt a bit of the panic set in. Maybe I couldn't attend all the events, was I less of a yogini? Did that make me less qualified to teach? I brought up my fears and frustrations with my yoga mentor and Iyengar style teacher and she asked me, "why do you want to teach?". It took me a minute to respond, and then I said something that sounded very much like this, 

Because yoga has changed my life. It's allowed me to live with depression in a way that feels sustainable and it has made the other aspects of my life easier, for lack of a better word. This is a gift and I want to share it. I want to make yoga accessible.

She asked me to write it down. I did. We also talked it through a bit more and the gist was, attend the events and classes that were going to best serve me and my students at this time. While a wealth of knowledge is available it doesn't mean you have to devour it all at once. A teacher who has time to marinate and bring these new elements and skills is a lot better off than a teacher who is too exhausted and over exerted to absorb anything new.

I go back to that piece of paper every time I begin to waver. Recently I took on too much. Not that my goals were too big just too much for one person in a short amount of time. I refined my schedule, re-assessed my offerings as far a teacher and also within my consulting business. A huge weight has been lifted from me. I am happier, I am sleeping better, I have more energy. I sound like a perky commercial.

I recognize it's scary taking on new endeavors, both for myself and for my students. In order to honor them I have to honor myself. If you're evolving something in your life, beginning a new training program or project, or just want to do better for yourself I really encourage to put it down on paper. Write down the "Why". You're "Why" may change and develop and come back to its orginal iteration over time. However, in the darker times of doubt, worry, fear, the "Why" brings a bit of light to your path. After all, we can all use a little light to guide our way.

The Yamas and Niyamas - Cupcake Style!

I have been fairly quiet about my Yoga Teacher Training experience so far. It has been great but also a lot of work and something that pushes back. We were recently tasked to write out our perception of the Yamas and Niyamas. I thought it might be worth sharing, below is what I came up with.

Sometimes the Yamas and Niyamas are very easy to understand and conceptualize. Other times they’re like a painting by Salvadore Dali, just when you think you get it, you don’t get it. So I like to look at them from a contemporary point of view.



The Yamas

Ahimsa
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all” Thumper from Bambi.

Sure he is a cartoon rabbit but he’s got the idea. Don’t be hurtful, don’t be harmful. Speak kindly, act kindly, think kindly. It’s not limited to your actions towards others but also toward yourself.



Satya
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” – Oscar Wilde

Sometimes the belief in Satya is so strong that we lose sight. Do we insist on being honest to the point of hurting someone, thus violating Ahimsa. Don’t lie, don’t betray, but recognize as Oscar Wilde said, it isn’t always simple to be truthful. Practice kind honesty.



Asteya
“If you have to lie, cheat, and steal, you just aren’t doing it right” – Donald Trump

Donald Trump, one of the wealthiest men in the world, who has seen fortune come and go and come back again, doesn’t believe in stealing. If you have to take what is not yours then you’re doing it wrong. Do not take what is not yours, whether it is a material item or credit for someone’s thoughts and ideas.



Brahmacarya
“It means something to me. You can't just go off shagging anybody anymore. And if you could, I wouldn't because I'm not like that.” – Vanessa, Austin Powers

Often interpreted as “celibacy”, Brahmacarya is more about keeping your connections sacred. Guard your body, heart, and mind. Don’t share your essence until you know the person you’re sharing it with is someone who you treasure.



Aparigraha
“If you’re not greedy you will go far, you will live in happiness too... like the oompa.... loompa.... doompity do.” – Oompa Loompa, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Greed is consuming, greed has consequences. Whether you’re hording money, power, or the spotlight it will come back to harm you. Don’t do it. Be like the Oompa Loompa. Be blissful by living with moderation and balance.



The Niyamas

Sauca
“Tonight's lecture: ‘What's wrong with celebrating sobriety by getting drunk?’" Betty, 28 Days

Cleanliness and purity….yes this is Sauca. However, it also goes further for me. Be introspective about what you’re doing to your body and mind. Are you working against yourself? Do you make it through a gorgeous and detoxifying session of yoga to then go out for martinis, bar food, and gossip? If you work hard to keep yourself clean, then keep it clean.



Santosa
“The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday - but never jam today.” The White Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass

Sometimes everything in the past looks great. If only you could be back there you would be happy. Or you know that once you get that raise, lose those 10 pounds, have a beautiful house, your life will be wonderful. Sure, maybe. However, Santosa isn’t about finding perfection. Santosa is knowing that life will never be what it was, it will never be what it is, however knowing you’re doing what you can and on the right path and being content there.



Tapas
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” Tom Robbins

Dedication, commitment, igniting the fire within and keeping it stoked. This is Tapas. However recognize that in our austerity we sometimes have to evolve and change in order to maintain the commitment.



Svadhyaya
“To acquire knowledge, one must study. To acquire wisdom one must observe.” - Marilyn vos Savant

The quest for knowledge is not limited to books and classes. Observe the world, observe yourself. Learn by looking out, learn by looking in.



Isvara pranidhana
“At fifteen, life had taught me undeniably, that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.” Maya Angelou

Sometimes all we can do is let go. Often people recognize this in our darkest hours, surrender to your higher power and you will find the path. This is true of the brightest times in our life as well, when you’ve reached that peak, surrender to find the next path.