Friday, February 27, 2009

Yoga is this


I found this quote on one of my favorite teacher's websites. I have seen it there before, and every time I do, I smile, and understand yoga a little bit more. My teacher's name is Genny Kapuler, and the quote is from the poet Elizabeth Bishop (that is her lovely profile in the picture)

"It is like what we imagine knowledge to be: dark, salt, clear, moving, utterly free."

Saturday, February 21, 2009

my grandmother's yogic story

My grandma told me how she used to work in an office in New York with a blind woman. This coworker liked to sit in her office chair with her hands on her lap, palms turned up toward the ceiling.

When my grandmother asked her why she sat like that, the woman answered that it was a gesture of acceptance. My grandmother was a pretty tough cookie, but this really made her feel, and retell the story to me, long before I was a yoga teacher.

If you would like to try, sit tall and close your eyes. Place your hands on your thighs, palms facing up. Imagine one small bird resting on each upturned palm. Take a few breaths and under your closed eyes imagine the color of the bird's feathers and the delicacy of their faces. Now imagine the small birds gently flying up and away, leaving your hands as light as their feathers were.
Stay for as long as you like and breathe.
I think my Grandma would approve :)

Saturday, February 14, 2009

karma?


I have a student who gets really frustrated and stressed by the world around her. She's yells at it. She yells at the family dog. She yells at the housekeeper.
The thing is, when she yells at whomever, she is really yelling at herself. It is her own body and mind that reverberates with negative noise.
I told her that if you throw a ball against a wall like that, it's going to come back to hit you in the nose. It will produce stress.
The flip side of this dilemma is very beautiful and easy. You only have to practice being gentle. Then you will find yourself sweeter to yourself.
Its why giving someone a present can make you feel so good.
Give love and you will feel love!

(happy valentine's day)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

yogi words


my friend amy, a most fabulous illustrator just sent an email asking for yogi word suggestions. I wrote a bunch down, and then I thought they looked so pretty I wanted to put them here too, for the lovely you.

present
space
open
stretch
strengthen
lift
root
asana
surrender
sit
the names of the poses...
heart
body
mind
relaxation
om