I just read a blog that questioned what the hardest yoga pose is. Well, the answer depends on who is trying to do it, of course. But I wonder at that type of question in the first place. Even experienced teachers sometimes inadvertently put pressure on their students, or themselves, to bend and flex into positions that a particular body is just not ready for (and might never be). There are many benefits to yoga, but there doesn’t need to be a ‘goal’ – the journey, the combination of breath and posture together (mind and body as one) is the goal. Does that sound counterintuitive? Of course there is intent, the ‘full posture’ is where we are heading and we do want to challenge ourselves, but it really doesn’t matter whether we achieve the full asana or not. Moving with purpose is all we need to do. Reach a comfortable (engaged) pose and breathe. Deeply. And focus. If we can do that, with awareness, then we have achieved our ‘goal’, we are on or in the journey. And we then reap the many benefits, both mentally and physically, a bonus.
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I just saw the following on Facebook and thought how pertinent it is, so I thought I would share. "A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything." It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down! -author unknown" From my own experiences, I know that it can be very difficult to put down those stresses. I fully recommend learning some relaxation techniques, I've made a note to blog some of the relaxation and meditation tips that helped me. Watch this space. Even before I started coaching and practising yoga, I always tried to accept what life throws at me. I call it 'character building' and it's become a bit of an 'in' joke amongst my friends. Now that I'm studying yoga in a little more depth, I am more aware the other 6 limbs of the 8 limbs of yoga (asana and pranayama being 2 of them): the first limb is the Yamas, guidelines for ethical standards and moral restraints, of which there are 5 main sections that cover such things as non-violence, consideration and compassion, truthfullness, honesty in behaviour, thought and intention, etc., etc.. The thing is, while I've always considered myself to be a fairly kind person, I do sometimes have lapses. I'm only human. Like last week, when I was driving my friend's lovely shiny red mini and a lady, in a hurry, ploughed into the back of me. Now actually, I was very good. I didn't say any bad words to her, but I wanted to. Very, very much. The upshot is, the car is ok (ish, needs a small repair which apparently needs a whole bumper change!) and I've got a stinking headache, sore back and am waiting for my second visit to the osteopath. My friend (who is currently on an extended holiday) was actually very ok with the whole thing and was more concerned about me than the car. So, tick one, I did manage to behave (if not entirely think) within the guidelines of Limb 1. Limb 2, Niyamas are observances and disciplines in our attitude to ourself, again 5 sections covering such things as cleanliness, purity, positive outlook, uncomplaining attitude, self study, mindfullness, reflection and self discovery. I've certainly tried to remain content, I have not minded (too much) that I have had to curtail my asana practice due to the injury, instead taking the opportunity to explore meditation and pranayama and to read and deepen my knowledge. But, I cannot help but feel totally and utterly frustrated that I have not been running for a few weeks, firstly due to a brief illness and now this. It is just so disappointing. I know I can't until my osteo gives me the all clear. It's frustrating. Well, I guess I can't be perfect, something to work towards ;-) I thought I'd share this article I just read, which I found interesting as I've been doing the same, or similar, for ages now, particularly the breathwork. I decided to stop chasing the distances and times 'at all costs' some time back and just enjoy my runs, be in the moment. I do still listen to music sometimes though. I think the bodyscanning is a really important element, and I'm sure this approach (plus the restorative yin yoga I practise) has helped me to stay running injury free. Check it out (it's a great site for interesting articles) bit.ly/15EAa6A A few weeks in and I have to say I am amazed at just how much we are learning. I'm loving the other students (mostly! I'll come back to that) and the tutors are really great. Conrad is a hoot and manages to get so much knowledge across in a very fun way and Annie is always there for you, to answer any query. There have been a few weird moments for me - I have to say that chanting was totally not my bag, however, I'm happy to learn and embrace almost everything that's thrown at me. Fun, fun, fun, I can't wait to start teaching! p.s. I thought the sunny photo would cheer you up, in this chilly weather! How amazing is this? The world's oldest marathon runner retires, aged 101, but that's not the most amazing thing for me about this story. What I think is truly inspirational is that this man, having suffered a double bereavement within a short time, decided to CHANGE HIS LIFE aged.........wait for it.............89! "Singh took up running at the age of 89 as a way to get over depression after his wife and son died in quick succession in India." Read all about it..... http://bit.ly/X6GzUy I have decided to run when I feel like it, not just on 'training' days (my, how far we have come from that huffing and puffing lady of 8 months ago that needed every minute of recovery), although I do seem to have had some gaps recently. So if I fancy a run but am planning a speed or stamina training the next day, I will just do an easy run. I'll see how I get on like that for a while, I know there are plenty of runners who run 5 or 6 times a week. I think the 3 times a week (or at least one rest day) is crucial during the 0-5K training, but I suspect I am capable of more, now I've graduated. I don't have a date for 10K yet, so it won't hurt if I experiment and mess up my training, I'm just enjoying it. oooohhhhhhhhhh, I'm so happy, happy, happy! Today I had someone drop me off at Hampton Court and I ran back along the river (after my warm up walk, of course) to Weybridge and then skirted the town on my way home. I set myself a 6.2 mile/10km goal, as I realised I'm only half a mile or so away with my current best distance. Soooooo, after one false start (looking for a loo, about 30 seconds into running, couldn't find one so decided I'd just have to wait), I set off along the path. It was very quiet today, only a couple of dog walkers and a couple of mums with their push chairs (although it was a bit muddy). I avoided the puddles to begin with, but was soon splishy splashing my way through them. I splashed a handful of water on my face and gulped some down at sunbury lock, but only missed a few steps to do so. Target met in one of the backroads in Weybridge, 6.2 miles at about 1 hour 9 minutes. Carried on running. 6.5 miles reached around 1.13.........carried on running 7 miles (YES I did say SEVEN MILES) completed in 1 hour 18 minutes. Whoop whoop, I am feeling really good. Had to dash home afterwards, eat a tracker in the shower, quick change and then up to the club for my yin yoga class. I was totally shattered and starving hungry, not quite as focused as usual for the first part, but settled in well. This restorative yoga practice was exactly what I needed, the achy thigh and achey knee/shin that had started to enter my conscious mind in the last mile of my run were no more. Not a single ache, just a great feeling of rejuvenation. Relaxed and then duly fed, I came home and developed a big headache. I suspect I didn't have enough water, so a litre later (and a small sherry before dinner) and I'm feeling great. So, who's a clever girl then? Must upload my stats now (to make sure I didn't just imagine the whole thing After many years of practising yoga, I've decided to take the plunge. It makes total sense to me, as a complement to my life coaching practice, to teach yoga. Not that every coachee will want yoga, or at least not necessarily from me, but it makes sense to offer a more holistic approach. I know this from my own experience. The focus and energy that yoga creates for you, can give you the strength of mind (and body) to tackle change. Sometimes change is easy, of course, it’s just a matter of identifying what you really want or need in your life. But some changes take a great deal of strength and preparation. Sometimes you need to warm up’ to the idea. And some are a little in between.
Teaching yoga is one of my personal life goals. I set this goal very recently. The idea of it had flitted in and out of my head for some time, of course, but I did what most people do, I laughed it off. Really, me, teach? “Don’t be silly”, said the negative little voice of my inner critic. I let it fob me off, several times, before remembering that I’m actually a coach. I know how to deal with pesky voices in my head (not actual voices, you understand). So I sat down and used some of the coaching tools on myself, dealing with my limiting beliefs (I’m not bendy enough, I don’t know enough about the history of yoga, I’ll never remember all those Sanskrit names, etc) and I looked at how it fits in with my values and my overall health/life balance goals. And do you know what? It fitted in very nicely, thank you very much. Of course, it wasn’t just a simple “oh, I’ll do this” and then it happens. No, no, no, my friend. A coach doesn’t wave a magic wand, the coachee (me in both cases this time) has to then go do some work towards the goal/s. But consider this, from a standing start in mid-January, when it was nothing but a dream, I am poised to begin my training. Tomorrow, in fact. How exciting! |
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I’m a life coach, yoga teacher, communications professional and fitness enthusiast. I’m a closet techie and science boff in my spare time. I’m also part-time slave and taxi driver to a 14 year old.
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