Not much I can say about this really. Following my practise outside the other day, where I enjoyed several standing postures and some glorious backbends, I had a long Savasana. Wrapped in sweatshirt and a fleece blanket, I fell victim to the 'yogi-cat', who appears, as if by magic, every time I roll out my mat. Sometimes she starts without me, and sometimes she just wants to share that little meditation moment at the end.
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One quick test run the week before, which exceeded my "15 minutes minimum running" goal by 15 minutes made me realise I would be able to do the yoga run on 14th September after all. It felt really weird, taking part in a event without the support of my family, but still, off I trotted. I arrived nice and early, spent some time finding my way around, and then set about the warm up. Hoola hoops. For some reason, I cannot do this anymore. As a kid, I could do it for hours, but as an adult, well, let's just say "epic fail". However, I can hoola hoop on both arms (at the same time, no less). I managed to meet my friend from yoga training, although we lost each other at the start. A quick shot of Prosecco and we were off, two trips around Battersea Park. We're very lucky in London, we have some amazing spaces in amongst all the buildings and humdrum. It was great to see plenty of marshalls, mostly with giant hands for silly high fives. There were a few serious runners there, but most of the people seemed to be yoga enthusiasts who also run. Having a glass of Prosecco between the run and the yoga probably wasn't the best idea, but it was fun. The yoga was pretty tough, I'm not used to Ashtanga and I had signed up for the intermediate/advanced class, forgetting that knowing the asanas and being able to do them at speed are two entirely different concepts! Despite this oversight, I had a great time, the yoga felt great after the run and then we were able to slosh back a couple more glasses of Prosecco, along with a beautiful sushi lunch and a natter. I really enjoyed the event, I met some lovely people, had a chance to catch up with my friend and just generally had a great time, I can recommend it for next year. No, I’m not talking about expensive summer holidays, I’m talking yoga. Kids yoga to be precise. Friday afternoons have never been so much fun as they have this holiday. A welcome relief from the Mon-Thurs commute, and quite frankly, the highlight of my week, has been the kids yoga classes that I’m running as part of summer camp at St Georges Hill Lawn Tennis Club. We’ve had Royal Baby inspired classes, Yoga Challenge themes, and the most amazing trip around the world, with fun (and sometimes quite silly) music from appropriate countries to accompany the postures and movements. We’ve had bumpy truck rides, rollercoaster rides, we’ve been elephants, lions, pigeons, penguins, sharks and surfers (warrior II). When Prince George showed up we were soldiers, corgis, storks, horses, deer, hares and, of course, we finished our asana practice with ‘happy baby’, what else… This has been one of the most rewarding summers for me, seeing the enjoyment and confidence growing in the children, having fun and acting like a kid with them (all adults should try it once in a while, it’s therapeutic!) and then seeing them all relaxing in their meditation at the end of the class. One group asked for more meditation, the completed 15 minutes, this is a big achievement for 5-12 year olds (the range in that particular class) and the fact they asked for more shows that downtime is sometimes what they really need. No stimulation from TV, computers, games consoles, siblings, parents: just some gentle music and a soothing voice to help them focus their mind, so they can relax fully. There is a great deal of emerging evidence that yoga and meditation provides huge health benefits to children, not only in calming them and managing behaviour and reducing their stress levels, but inspiring them too, building confidence, building strength and courage and most of all, building their self esteem. I’m actively looking for Weybridge/Walton/Chertsey area venues to run some public kids classes, so watch this space. I can’t wait… Photo copyright Kanua CLM I have a slight dilemma this week. I've been asked to cover my yoga teacher's class, while she deals with some urgent family business. Of course, I feel hugely honoured that she should trust me with her class. It's my normal Friday practice, so I will almost certainly know everyone and most of them know that I've been training as a teacher over the last 6 months. But, since I agreed to do it, I have come down with a really heavy cold, sore throat and now I'm coughing. I could possibly get away with dosing up, to allow me to lead the practice, but is that fair on the class? I don't think so. If I'm on the road to recovery, then maybe, but if I still feel the way I feel today, then I would expect that I'm highly contagious. So that gives me another dilemma - how soon should I alert my teacher to the fact that I may not be able to cover for her. Of course, I have someone who would cover my classes, who may be available, but it's not my class, my teacher may prefer to arrange her own cover. Then again, she has enough on her mind. Thinking clearly is not something I do well with a head full of cold! Perhaps I'll arrange cover as backup, if she doesn't have a plan 'B'. So what do you do when you have a cold? Do you turn up to work, share your germs with colleagues and possibly with clients? How well received is it when people do that? I'm all for working from home in these circumstances, but, since the transition from comms to yoga teacher, that has become a little tricky. Fingers crossed it'll only last 3 days and I will be fine by Friday! Picture from www.bagusjuga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sinus.jpg 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. 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! 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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