a moment

Surrender

I had my second workshop on Sunday gone..it was so interesting and there were more then a few light bulb moments throughout the day. The focus of the day was Metaphysics, which basically, explains how the body reflects what is going on at a deeper level inside the mind, psyche or soul. As we moved through the body parts and explored how each body parts manifestation it was like a fog was lifting. For me all of the previous study I had done with Psychology and counselling connected to these new learning alike a spiders web . So simple, so straight forward and so fundamental.

There were some beautiful insights shared by others in the class which I captured in my notebook...so wonderful to hear from people with different backgrounds. And as challenging as it was, I was able to teach a couple of Asanas! very strange to hear the words coming out of my mouth...yes I was nervous but  I also felt like it helped me immensely to start thinking of myself as a teacher and to use the language and look at alignment etc. All in all a wonderful day.

I was chatting to a beautiful teacher after class the other day about breathing into the pose and she said that the she embodies the word surrender when she exhales deeper into a pose. I think this is such a powerful word and visually takes me there straight away. I have noticed myself suing this word a couple of times since then...something resonating with me. It was so encouraging and inspiring to talk to this teacher...I am glad I did.

Level twooooooooooo

Wow!! Just got back from a level 2 Vinyasa class and I feel wonderful. It completely challenged me but the instructor was fantastic. I am completely head over heels for the way yoga makes me feel. I have had a particularly difficult afternoon with my 3 children and the class really shifted my focus, put things into perspective and the closing meditation (in complete silence) was invigorating.

I feel like I need to read about nutrition as well. I feel as though i am letting myself down with what I am putting into my body, which feels like a contradiction at the moment.

breaking it down

I have been reading up on the four paths of yoga; Jnana,Karma,Bhakti and Raja. It is interesting that when Yoga is mentioned,largely in the western world, the physical postures are immediately brought to mind. It is what a lot of people know Yoga to be. I have quickly becoming increasingly aware that the postures are really only a small component of Yoga.. perhaps we should be calling it posture Class? :) I have so much to learn about the four paths and am keen to find a book to assist with my learning. Will have to return to the reading list. Can't wait for the second workshop on Sunday!!

Daily Mantra

Daily Mantra

Finding a happy place

The last two Classes I have been to have really allowed me to focus on my breathing. I have come to realise using my breath is what helps me to maintain focus, move peacefully through the postures and push myself to my edge by breathing into the sensations. I am so enjoying my practice and using mediation daily has started to become a lovely personal space for me and a real compliment to the Asanas. I still struggle to fully still my mind in meditation but hope that this will improve with time. I have been using mini Mantras at the start of the day to set myself up for the day. Today as I walked the kids up to school it was "I am calm, confident and centred".I am keen to read more about the metaphysical aspects of Yoga and a little deeper into the history of Yoga.

 On another note, I watched a Vinyasa flow sequence done on the beach today and was really inspired. How beautiful to do Yoga to the sounds of the ocean.