As yoga becomes more popular and new styles emerge, a yoga teacher's priority should always be her students' safety and well being. Lately I've subbed for other teachers and I'm mortified to see how students move into and out of poses. I've also noticed that many students are unable to move through different poses without visual cues. Admittedly, I still demonstrate more than I should and it's something I work on in each class. I try to improve me cues and encourage my students to feel rather than watch. In doing so I hope to encourage my students to explore movement in their own body not mine or their neighbour's. I want them to have the confidence nd mindfulness to practice on their own. It also gives me the chance to see how my students are moving and how I can help them move more purely.

Understandably, when I sub a class I've a different style that might need some time getting used to but I wonder if there is a general lack of adaptability to a new teaching style, a resistance to change or perhaps my cues aren't as universal as they need to be. Then again, these observations are most obvious when I sub for a fitness based class such as power yoga. In these cases, some students react with complete disinterest to my gentler teaching style and others express their gratitude for a change in perspective.

Ultimately, it comes down to the intention of the student. I know why I'm there and I know what yoga means to me. If students practice yoga just for fitness then they are not the students for me. There's still a little girl that wants to be liked by everyone and to make everyone happy. As I mature, however, I realize that this is impossible and unnecessary. By trying to please everyone I sacrifice a bit of my authenticity and I did too much of that as a biologist. Not to mention the students I do have are the best ones in the world!!

santosha - contentment in the present moment

The present moment is once again a fine teacher. How often do you wish "if only..."? Or "All I need is..."

Instead, what if you take a moment to be grateful, content for what it is you already have or for who you are? It's a tricky thing to do, especially when we are constantly bombarded with images and messages telling us otherwise. We create impossible expectations which feeds our ego and drives the endless cycle of mental chatter and negativity.

The key to overcoming our discontent is the practice of santosha or contentment (one of five niyamas - yogic observances). Living in the moment is the first step to embracing this concept. The amount of time and energy I spend thinking about what could be, what isn't or who I'm not; and how little time I spend on who I am and what I have is shocking. It's an eye opener and enough motivation for me to LET GO of these attachments. I've so much to be grateful for and it's a disservice to myself and insulting to the amazing people I have in my life not to recognize just how blessed I am. I'm lucky to have a roof over my head and food in my kitchen. I'm loved and supported by my family and friends. I'm on an incredible journey of self discovery and healing, one of which I'm excited to share.

Be gentle with yourself. Recognize and take solace with the knowledge that you're not alone. Take the time to breathe into the present moment and let go your attachment to perfection, expectation and to anything but the truth.

You have all you need for happiness, right now. You don’t need to change anything about yourself, or your life. You just need to see what’s already there. - http://zenhabits.net/uncover-happiness/

Namaste
NA

Stop thinking, and end your problems. - Laozi

I'm a thinker. There's no doubt about that, which is why the following quote resonates with me.

"Every once in a while, when we catch ourselves running with a train of thought, we should stop and consider how we got there, what triggered the thought , and whether it’s worth staying with it. [Thought as a Sense]

As an academic it was my job and pleasure to think critically. But there is a BIG difference between thinking critically and over thinking. Despite the voice above the cacophony of mental chatter, telling me to chill out, breathe, let go, intense emotions of my passionate idealism often get the better of me and exacerbate a vicious thinking cycle.

“I think and think and think, I‘ve thought myself out of happiness one million times, but never once into it.”  - Jonathan Safran Foer

Yoga and meditation are my salvation. Connecting with the breath and developing an awareness around sensation and emotion is about tuning into our intuition and listening to what our body is telling us. As part of a greater whole, we are infinitely wise and this collective wisdom is not found in politics, academia or even popular religious dogma. Of course, in reality, my over analytical brain often responds with "what is that feeling?" "what does it mean?" "why am I feeling this?"; and my superhero grip on attachments, especially the kind that doesn't serve me (are there any other kind?) keeps me stuck everywhere but the present moment.

Calming the mind and shifting from a "thinking place" to a "feeling place" is most definitely easier said than done, but it's all about the journey. And what a wild journey it is as I continually return and follow my breath wherever it may take me.

Happy mindful, travels!
Namaste
Nancy-Anne

somewhere on this journey...

Since my last entry, there was and continues to be a lot of learning and growing. The catalyzing lesson of 2013 was the power of authenticity. Of being yourself and of being present. The more time I spend in the moment, the more focused and confident I feel. And often the results are profound.When you live from one breath to another you create the space for things to happen as they are meant to, and the results are mind blowing. Of course this is much easier said than done and I'm always reminding myself that it's part of my journey.

The first step to realizing my authenticity was overcoming my fear of judgement and failure. Deep down I know these fears are unfounded and silly conquering these fears is not easy. The ego is a powerful beast but your breath is more powerful.

When I connect with my breath, I'm gifted with a personal connection, sensation or something more tangible. At this point in my journey it's hard to articulate the reward but at the very least it's a renewed sense of confidence, an inkling of my potential. The icing on the cake? Everybody has their own fears and obstacles which they need to overcome. You aren't alone. And when we take the time to breath and hang out in the moment while practicing yoga or meditation you will not be disappointed.

 So simply, slow down and see where your breath takes you.



“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” 
― C.G. Jung

“Live authentically. Why would you continue to compromise something that's beautiful to create something that is fake?” 
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free