a new thursday morning

I'd been looking forward to my usual Thursday morning yoga class all week, only to find out this morning that the studio's schedule had changed. Somehow it always feels so personal when "your class" is the one that's moved, cancelled, or altered in any way. I have to admit that my first reaction was a mix of anger, disappointment, and that sensation of "how will my Thursday mornings ever be the same?!!!" But after that initial emotional reaction, I realized it was really just a matter of perspective. My Thursday mornings will not be the same, but they'll be great in other ways! This is not the end of anything but the opportunity to try something new, to explore what Boston has to offer on Thursday mornings, to take a new class with a new teacher and to practice being flexible, open, and willing to move with this ever-shifting life as opposed to resisting it :-)

The power of yoga - on your mat or in your chair!

When an opportunity to challenge myself presents itself, either in my own personal practice or in a teaching capacity, I almost always take it on. Such was the case when I was recently invited to teach yoga at a conference in Rhode Island. As more details came to light, I realized that I had agreed to teach a section on "Transformation from Within" with the main focus being on yoga postures that can be done sitting in a chair. As I began researching "chair yoga" I was blown away by all of the articles and material that resulted from my google search. I was able to put together almost a full class for my seated friends (only without all of the "funky" transitions that I normally sprinkle in to keep things interesting!)

I had absolutely no idea what to expect - were these people with physical or mental limitations? Or were they just so busy working at a desk all day that they couldn't find time to exercise? I came to find out that it was neither really. They were people who worked at a desk all day and just needed some sort of release; something to ease tense necks and anxious minds, something to help keep them energized and focused throughout the day. They were just as much in need of yoga and just as capable as all of my students and friends who have the luxury of making it to their mats on a regular basis, only my new friends needed something different than one 60-90 minute experience. They needed to learn how to practice yoga throughout the day, when their eyes could no longer focus on a computer screen and their shoulders needed to be chiseled away from their ears. And even though my new friends practiced almost entirely in their chairs, they still had to work through mental and physical challenges and they still had to remain present and focused on breath, presenting the same opportunity for growth and observation as my regular vinyasa classes.

In the same way that a mat-based class warms up, peaks, and cools down, all the while challenging students' minds to relax and anxieties and stresses to lessen, so did this chair yoga class. We were a bunch of blissed-out yogis leaving that conference center on Friday evening... but there were no mats, no "yoga clothes", no expectations. I was once again reminded of how yoga is SO MUCH MORE than just physical exercise. It's a complete experience, whether you're sitting at your desk, stuck in traffic, running errands, or on your mat. It's a time for you to focus solely on uniting your mind, your body, and your breath. No matter where you are, you can always bring a little more yoga into your life and move through your experiences with a little more openness in body and mind and a greater appreciation for your self and for all of your blessings.

The million dollar question: which mat should I buy???

I started practicing yoga nearly 10 years ago, and I had one well-used and beloved mat up until a couple of years ago. It was a bright pink Wai Lana mat purchased on a whim from TJ Max or Marshall's. That mat had (and still has!) such a special place in my heart despite it's deficiencies (way too soft, incredibly slippery, narrow, etc.), mostly because it had supported me through my whole yoga journey from the very beginning. But I'd known for a while that it was time for a "big girl" mat... something that could withstand hours of hot yoga, something that could support me through inversions and balancing postures without the added not-so-easy-to-balance-on cushioning. Plus, I sweat a LOT and I really need something that keeps its stickiness. Wheels and arm balances are challenging enough; worrying about whether one hand would slip out from under me was something that I was ready to let go of! So I finally threw in the towel (in some ways) and started exploring the world of yoga mats.

In the past few years I've developed quite the mat collection, but I return to the same two mats over and over again: my Manduka eKO (www.manduka.com;http://www.amazon.com/Manduka-5mm-Eco-Friendly-Yoga-Acai/dp/B001HX36QE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1295824724&sr=8-5), and "The Mat" made by Lululemon (http://reviews.lululemon.com/7834/The_Mat/reviews.htm). They both have a very strong smell as both are made from rubber, but the smell does fade quickly if you leave the mat unrolled for a few days. Just a little sacrifice that comes with being eco-friendly! Both are also slightly longer and wider than than most mats you'd find at sporting goods stores or department stores.

The eKO mat is thinner, and has a patterned surface which is a little sticky and has some grip, but in a hot yoga class it does become slippery and I still need a towel (my favorite: the manduka towel by far!! Sold at lululemon or online). The great thing is that the manduka towel fits perfectly on the manduka mat and really sticks to the mat, so it doesn't slide around and I feel completely grounded through my practice. On the other hand, The Mat does has a smooth surface but is much stickier than the eKO. The Mat is designed to be used without a towel as it absorbs sweat and therefore should provide a dry, sticky surface throughout your practice. Normally The Mat is true to its design, but if I'm in a really hot class I simply sweat too much and too fast so I still need a towel, only the towel doesn't stick to the mat that well.

So bottom line: if you are someone who doesn't practice in high heat (or you do practice in high heat but you are one of the lucky ones who still doesn't have to ring your clothes out after class no matter how hot the room) then I would recommend The Mat. If you practice in high heat and sweat a ton (or even if you practice in unheated rooms and sweat a ton) then I would recommend the eKO along with a Manduka towel. Honestly though, I don't think you could go wrong with either option! Happy mat shopping!

Complimentary Alignment Series - Saturdays starting 1/8/11

I am so incredibly excited to announce that Lorraine and I will be co-teaching a 4 week alignment series sponsored by Lululemon starting this Saturday! Come to one or come to all of them and learn a ton about your body, how it's meant to work, how it's not meant to work, and how to use this knowledge to deepen your practice. It will be workshop format and we will break things down, offer tons of assists, and time for discussion. Hope to see you there!

Title: Power, Intention, and Alignment in the New Year!
Date: 4 Week Series: Saturdays 1:30-2:45pm, 1/8/11 - 1/29/11
Place: Prana Power Yoga, Winchester

Join us for our COMPLIMENTARY January Yoga Class Series!! Ambassadors Lorraine and Amanda are teaching a fun and informative alignment series at Prana Power Yoga in Winchester, starting THIS Saturday January 8th! You will learn how to deepen your yoga practice and experience your own strength and power in each posture. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, they will help you experience strong alignment through practice and hands on assists!! Get ready to ground your self in strength and lightness - 2011 is your year!

Latitude Power Yoga Class Sunday 12/26 - Cancelled!

I updated my calendar but wanted to make sure everyone knows that the 10:30am Power Yoga class at Latitude is CANCELLED this Sunday, December 26th. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season! I feel so much gratitude and love for everyone who has shared a little of their love for yoga with me and I look forward to seeing you in the new year! Your presence is a gift week after week, thank you!!

Diwali and my inner light

Lately I've been acutely aware of my inner light, enjoying its warmth and glow when it's shining bright, and feeling a sense of heaviness and frustration when it's dimmer than I'd like it to be. Life is pretty amazing right now, as far as its filled with workshops, classes, trainings, conversations, and teachings which keep me in a constant state of contemplation and joy. In a yoga studio, on my mat, or with my teachers, my whole heart and body seem to burn with this light and I'm graced with this sense that everything is right in my world. A challenging class or a tough pranayama practice? That's the easy part. The challenge is to maintain that glow when I transition back to my daily responsibilities, back to my office, back to "real life". For a while it felt manageable, I knew that inside something was changing and everything around me just seemed to pause as this seed of transformation was planted and nurtured. And now, as I feel things getting BETTER and BETTER and as my heart opens up more and more to new possibilities, new ideas, and new practices, participation in the "real life" part of my days seems to coincide with a slightly dimmer light. Sometimes it feels like I'm just playing the role of the person that people expect me to be, externally stuck in this role that I've internally shed somewhere along the way. Funny how sometimes when we move through periods of transformation and spiritual, physical, or emotional growth we tend to also have growing pains, and we become much more aware of where we need a little more love and focus in our lives. My reiki teacher told me that I am meant to be exactly where I am right now and that when my light is no longer needed there, then I will be allowed to move on. So now I must practice patience. I must nurture my light and stay connected with it while the kinks of the transformation process are worked out.

In thinking about the idea of inner light, I came across an article on Diwali (The Festival of Lights) on www.spiritualityandpractice.com. Coinciding with the start of the new year, Diwali is, amongst other things, a time when we are encouraged to look inward, to find our truth, to evaluate thoughts, words, actions, to better understand any negative behaviors. It's a time to reflect on how we can "shine our light out into the world." According to Mahatma Gandhi, Diwali reminds us to "be the change you want to see in the world." Well, why wait until the New Year? I think I'll start right now. To celebrate this day and to begin this process of spiritual change, we are given a Vedic chant to recite:

Om Asato Ma Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Lead us from untruth to truth
From darkness to light
From death to immortality
Om Peace Peace Peace

I continue to seek my own truth, to listen to my self, to allow my light to shine brighter, stronger, further, and MORE. And I want to see millions of other bright lights walking with me, our lights merging and growing together to create one gigantic burning light in this world. Spreading the ideas of truth, of presence, of simply being, and of taking this life one moment at a time, one breath at a time.

So, for now, I cherish everything. I continue to fulfill my role, trusting that this is where I am meant to be at the moment. Taking the time to check in with my truth, to re-evaluate often, and to recharge that light when it tires and dims so that I can share it with those who are seeking it and with those who may not even know that such a thing exists. For them, I will shine brighter.

Post-Thanksgiving Detox Flow COMING UP

It never gets tiresome to connect with that little voice inside that screams "I am SO BLESSED to be doing what I do!!" After another full and transforming weekend, I am filled with inspiration and can feel the continuing shift in my practice, my teaching, and my understanding of the powers of yoga and what it all means. I promise to share more details about EVERYTHING! BUT, for now, I just want to spread the word that Lorraine and I will be teaching a Detox Flow at Prana Winchester the day after Thanksgiving from 1-3pm. It's an all levels class that will focus on twists, backbends, and core strength and will help you shed all of the toxins and release any seasonal stress that has started to develop. Come have some fun with us!! The wonderful Lynn will be assisting and groovin tunes will support you throughout class! :-)