Spring Yoga Musings

Well the last couple months have tested my patience, that's for sure. Between the red tape and ridiculous delays with the new yoga studio, all the landlord vs. tenant b.s. and the winter that seems to drag forever - I've been a little exasperated to say the least. Most days are spent trying to focus on other things while I wait for all these wrinkles to iron themselves out. It's definitely not fun when you feel like you're at the starting gates ready to take off and someone keeps delaying the firing of the gun. So I've been more like the village hermit these days - not venturing too far from my tiny town and occupying time catching up with friends and family. Which, admittedly, has been pretty fun. (a lil' tooo much fun!) ;)

This weekend is Easter. Which always seems to mark, for me, the official start to Spring. Finally some warmer weather and the smell of Earth blowing in through my open windows! Finally more daylight! Easter weekend always feels festive to me. Not just because of the long weekend with an extra day off, but because everything seems to be waking up around me. Plus -  I enjoy that some people refer to this week as "Holy Week". It's got a nice ring to it.

Spring inevitably always brings more people out to Yoga as well. The spring sessions seem to be filled with lots of new faces. Almost like people begin to unconsciously respond to the Earth stirring and rejuvenating around them...like something in their soul starts to urge them to get moving and re-invent themselves just like nature is doing. I love this. I absolutely LOVE seeing people trying Yoga for the first time.

In the beginning I know a lot of people are a bit lost in a Yoga class. I know I was when I first started! To this day I remember one of my early teachers ~ Carol Erickson in Nelson BC. I joined one of her spring sessions and felt completely overwhelmed for the first month or so. The class was large and everyone around me seemed so damned flexible and, well, I don't know - enlightened or something. I remember sweating and shaking and feeling like my legs were going to give out from underneath me. While everyone else just looked all dewy and relaxed. I remember specifically one class where Carol came to me during Prasarita Padottannasana (wide legged forward bend), and pressed me deeper into the pose cooing the whole time in her soft silky voice "it's ok...you can go much farther...much much farther." I swear I felt like my knee was going to give out while my hamstrings simultaneously ripped from their insertions. In my head I was thinking "wtf? How much further can I possibly go!?? This woman's gotta be off her rocker."

Now, I fold into that posture feeling nothing but a deep calm sense of utter relief. But back then - it actually kinda scared the bejeepers outta me! In the early days of my yoga practice there was always this sense of wondering whether my body could handle it or not. I felt almost like I wasn't sure I could trust my body not to give out, or give up, on me. Among other things, yoga taught me to trust myself. Really truly trust myself and my own body at the most base fundamental levels. Looking back it was as if I really had no idea of my own strength or resiliency. Since then - there's been many injuries, several illnesses, and countless trials and tribulations. All of which I somehow survived and came out stronger as a result of.

So if you're a newbie to yoga ~ try to remember everyone (including your teacher) had to start somewhere. You're never too old, too fat, too skinny or too far gone to begin to create positive change. Start wherever you are and work from there. Try to relax and enjoy the process. Be curious instead of intimidated. It's absolutely amazing what can be accomplished when you start to really listen to those internal nudgings that are trying to lead you to your most excellent self.

Things I Learned In 2012

For the most part I really enjoyed 2012. It was exciting, fast paced and unpredictable - a true Year of The Dragon! The last time we had a Dragon Year was 12 years ago during the whole Y2K fiasco. This year was no different with the Mayan predictions about the "end of the world".  While the world never actually ended it seems like certain archetypes, false ideals and social structures certainly have. I see things changing in magnificent ways! We are moving towards a more enlightened, less materialistic society. At least that's what I'm seeing from my vantage point. 2012 felt like a monumental one for sure.  I could have done without some of the drama...but overall it's been an interesting ride. This year certainly brought a few challenges. But it definitely helped me figure out what I really want and provided me with the opportunities to make some pretty amazing changes. I'm grateful for the lessons learned and for everyone I've met along the path thus far! 2013? Bring it.

-Resistance is futile. It really is. What you hold strong aversion to is actually what you end up attracting more of.

-My yoga practice is more inspiring to me now than ever before. I'm elated about the opening of my new studio - The Village Yogi. I'm trying to be patient but that's never really been one of my strong points ;)

-Once you decide what you want to do, commit to it, and start acting on your desire - the Universe brings more than you could even imagine for yourself to help you reach your goals. It's true. Action is key. It's not enough to simply "want"....you gotta act on what you want. Take tiny steps each day.

-I've said it before, I'll say it again, one needs one's own yoga practice for at least 5 years before they open a studio and claim to be a "yoga teacher". A 200 hr certification and a handful of months of practice is simply not enough practical knowledge. Those kind of teachers hurt people and need to re evaluate their reason for teaching. Just my opinion, of course.

- Every one says "life is short" but it's not until you lose someone you care about that you realize just exactly what that means. This year I've learned that life is too short not to do what I love. It's too short to waste time. Everything can change in an instant.

- Love is stronger than hate, stronger than death, stronger than someone`s judgement or ridiculousness. But you gotta love YOU first. From that - all good things come.

-Apparently I like mussels. Who knew!?

-Interestingly - raw zucchini in salads is also delicious. I always hated the texture of cooked zucchini. Blech - too mushy! But raw...it's amazing.

-Food is Medicine.

-Consistency is the key to everything - fitness, diet, relationships, life.

-I'm not a fan of "corporate" franchised yoga. I've worked for it, practiced in it, and researched it from the inside out. It's just not for me. Jus' sayin.

-The person/people who hurt you the most will one day become your biggest teacher(s) and most inspired motivation.

-Men & Women can absolutely be "just friends". But eventually sex will enter into it - even just as an awkward confused conversation. It's human nature.

-Good Friends are like Family to me. One and the same. Sometimes your friends choose people or behaviors you disagree with. But, like family, love is unconditional. Sometimes you gotta just let people make their own mistakes and try to be there for them the best you can.

-The best predictability of future behavior is past behavior. Sure, people change. But a cheater is usually always a cheater. A liar - usually stays a liar. I guess there's deep therapy for that kind of thing. But I don't personally know anyone that's worked for.

-Occasionally you meet people along the way who blow your mind. People you feel an immediate connection to - like you've known them for lifetimes. Those kind of connections can be intense; scary even.  If you love them,  and you truly feel like life would suck without them, fight for them! Because you'll spend the rest of your life wondering - wtf was that!? (which can be a mild form of torture actually)

-Misery loves company. If you need to distance yourself from people in your life who are threatened by your positivity or exuberance - do it! At least until you've fully adjusted to a new, positive, way of being. It doesn't have to be a permanent severing of your friendship(s), but it serves you to surround yourself with people who reflect back to you the qualities you admire and are cultivating in yourself and your own life.

-I'm not a fan of winter. I'm just not. In moderation - it's nice and refreshing. But months and months of snow and ice and cold....no thanks. One day I will spend half the year in my tropical home - which will probably be Costa Rica. Nothing less will do. It's what I need.

-Beware the sociopath - no heart, no conscience, no remorse. They exist... and usually show up in the form of very charismatic people promising you the world. To date I have known two(2). One of them swept me off my feet this year. It's interesting how we will question our own intuition when it comes to matters of the heart, isn't it? But really - if someone lies to you repeatedly, steals from you (and others) and repeatedly puts your safety in jeopardy, that person is NOT honorable. In fact, they are dangerous. Despite their smooth talking ways - do not be fooled. Getting entangled with people like that will only cause you harm and eventually destroy your life. Sometimes they come as a test I think; to help you gauge your self-worth. Have compassion, but do not be blind or manipulated by their projections - no matter how much they talk and how  confused they can make you feel. Get. Out. Fast. (and don't look back!)

-You can tell a lot about a man by what kind of father/uncle/friend he is to children.

-Worry is also futile. Find a way to squelch your anxieties - breathe, meditate, run, ride...whatever it takes. Worry causes unnecessary stress that can create a whole world of trouble for you! Ultimately, despite your incessant worries - everything is always working out in your favor. Always. Even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

-Trusting that All Is Well can seem an impossible feat at times. But this great mystery we call Life is just that - a lovely, impossibly deep yet ridiculously simple, interconnected mysterious web. And All IS Well.

-Love is Medicine.