Driving Ourselves Into the Ground...

"Way to give it 110%"
"Atta Girl"
"No Pain. No Gain"
"Go For It!
"Don't Give Up...Keep Going"

Sound familiar?

It does to me. It was a revolving door of dialogue that was spoken to me as I was growing up and well into my adult years and words that I no doubt, spewed out to the thousands of fitness classes I've taught over the years. As a young athlete, it was ingrained into my being that if you didn't give it all you had, you weren't a team player or were "soft". You had to push it to your limits every time. You know, "leave it out on the court, or in the gym, or on the balance beam".

But what about the yoga mat? Do I need to give it 100% every time I step onto my mat in order to be a good yogi?

This past week, I asked the students who attend my more challenging classes what it would be like to give it just 70%. What would it feel like to dial it back a bit?

When I was asked that question, my answer was "I don't know, as I always give it 110%..."

With the holiday season in full swing, what would it be like to practice yoga (or anything else) at a lower intensity? Would this be a supportive way of helping you to not overdo it? I suspect it would. And for those high-reaching achievers, how about throwing in some restorative yoga where you are fully supported and allowed to rest. Yes. I said it...rest.

So when our natural tendency is to shove it into high gear, take a moment and put it on a 70% cruise control. It might actually be more challenging than stepping on the gas.

Keeping the Peace

It's been about a month since we returned from our Australian retreat and holiday. During that time, we had some deeply reflective and peaceful days that left us with a strong residue and feeling of wanting to hold onto that experience once we arrived back home. But how?

How do we hold onto that peaceful feeling when we step back into being busy, getting back to work, catching up with people and sorting the laundry? So often, it feels as though the holiday was just some distant dream and now that we're back home, the craziness is beginning all over again.

One thing that stood out for me during this past trip was how easy it is to get distracted by unnecessary happenings and dialogue. Part of my return-home strategy is that I have been on a news fast. No morning news. No evening news. No newspapers. No news radio. Why? Because the news doesn't make me feel good. And I have found that by not watching the news, I don't become invested in drama that doesn't concern me. If it's an issue that does concern me, it seems to finds its way into my awareness through other people talking about it. I get wind of what's going on, but I don't invest any unnecessary energy in it.

I've also been sticking with my daily meditation routine and trying to slow down to be in the moment more and more frequently.

I can call up an image of my Aussie trip, of sitting on the beach as the sun rose over the Coral Sea and feel the experience all over again, even if I'm sitting at my computer or driving my car.

Further, it reminds me of the basic need we have to find our own way to being in quiet. To find our own peace. To look after the relationship that we have with ourselves.

As the holidays approach, try to do things more slowly, with focus and attention. Slow down. Breathe. And of course, eat and share this Thanksgiving with loved ones. They will benefit from being near a peaceful you.

One Step At A Time

When One Teaches
Two People Learn

I came across this saying within the past couple of weeks, presented by one of my teachers-Judith Hanson Lasater. And as often happens, I see the saying and think "that's cool" and then don't think about it again.

That is, until a situation happens and then...POP...it lands back in my awareness. My thought for this week is based around this experience happening throughout this past week of teaching classes.

I often think it would be a great idea to have a camera when someone attends their first yoga class. But, as you can imagine, the other implications from this thought may not be agreeable, so the camera is my own memory and mind's eye of how the student looked and acted.

One of the most blessed moments that I experience in teaching is that I will be progessing through a class, look up and seemingly in a sudden swift moment, I am hit by the brilliance of my students! Once again I think, "WOW! I wish I had a camera because you all look so amazing! When did it happen that you all turned into yogis?"

It's probably not dissimilar to a parent looking at their own kids and thinking, "when did you grow up and learn so much? Did I miss something?"

In those moments, it is reaffirmed that consistency is the key. Stepping onto our yoga mat (or into any other endeavor) with a clear intention and purpose in practice on a regular basis equals progress.

When I teach I become a student each and every time. My students teach me to be patient, to be present, to hold the space for all that comes into the practice from the outside world and to remember that I don't know it all.

I hold such gratitude to the many students who have been in front of me. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to keep becoming a better teacher. And, I am humbled by how much I still am able to learn.

Take a moment to reflect upon the experience of being both a teacher and a student and place a seed of resonating gratitude into the process.

Om Shanti!

Uncertainty

Sometimes...life is hard...

It's not just limited to a certain place or even to a certain country. It seems to be everywhere and it seems to be really common these days with many people I've been coming into contact with expressing their challenges around it.

The "it" is uncertainty. An unknowing of what the future will hold.

Part of talking about uncertainty plays into a beautiful yogic lesson. That of impermanence and non-attachment. Everything changes. Everything is in some form of transition. We can believe as much as we like that what we create offers us "security". Really? How?

Does having a steady job mean that we feel no uncertainty? Does having wealth? Does having nothing bring us a greater sense of the unknown? Apparently not. I know people who have houses and jobs or no jobs and still feel incredibly unstable about the future.

My thought of the week is how do we sit in a place of uncertainty and not be overwhelmed by a feeling of gloom?

One practice is to focus on the present moment. The most immediate reminder of this moment is a long exhale and release of tension into "the now". Try it.

Inhale deeply. Pause for a moment.

Now exhale slowly. Pause again.

Do you feel like its an invitation to close your eyes and take a quiet moment inward? Well...it is!

Staying present doesn't mean not planning for our future. It means that we can truly only experience what is currently happening. If we choose to let our minds spend their time in the future, we lose our connection to the present moment.

Taking time to breathe and be present doesn't remove uncertainty. What it does do, is offers us a chance to choose how we react to the situation.

What choice of thought are you selecting?

Uncertainty

Sometimes...life is hard...

It's not just limited to a certain place or even to a certain country. It seems to be everywhere and it seems to be really common these days with many people I've been coming into contact with expressing their challenges around it.

The "it" is uncertainty. An unknowing of what the future will hold.

Part of talking about uncertainty plays into a beautiful yogic lesson. That of impermanence and non-attachment. Everything changes. Everything is in some form of transition. We can believe as much as we like that what we create offers us "security". Really? How?

Does having a steady job mean that we feel no uncertainty? Does having wealth? Does having nothing bring us a greater sense of the unknown? Apparently not. I know people who have houses and jobs or no jobs and still feel incredibly unstable about the future.

My thought of the week is how do we sit in a place of uncertainty and not be overwhelmed by a feeling of gloom?

One practice is to focus on the present moment. The most immediate reminder of this moment is a long exhale and release of tension into "the now". Try it.

Inhale deeply. Pause for a moment.

Now exhale slowly. Pause again.

Do you feel like its an invitation to close your eyes and take a quiet moment inward? Well...it is!

Staying present doesn't mean not planning for our future. It means that we can truly only experience what is currently happening. If we choose to let our minds spend their time in the future, we lose our connection to the present moment.

Taking time to breathe and be present doesn't remove uncertainty. What it does do, is offers us a chance to choose how we react to the situation.

What choice of thought are you selecting?

Just Enough

Just Enough

With my recent trip to Australia, I was able to have time to "just be". Most days presented themselves with the chance to connect with my most basic needs. I had a comfortable place to stay. I had healthy and delicious food. I was surrounded by loving people. We were in a stunning environment and each day was spent engaging in yoga, meditation and time in nature.

My basic needs were being met and then some. As I wrote last week, I was able to unplug in from the hectic schedule often present in daily life.

As I return to my work and personal schedule back here in the desert, I have been struck by how much I DON'T need on a daily basis. In many ways, we are incredibly fortunate to have such apparent abundance. As I cruised the aisles at Costco and the supermarkets it becomes overwhelming at how we have access to such an incredible amount of stuff.

I caught myself feeling tempted to toss an extra item into my basket (that could just about comfortably fit a Great Dane), but stopped as I asked myself the question...."but do I really need it?" Every time I asked this question, the answer was always the same..."no".

This is not a new thought, that "stuff" can't make us happy. More food from jumbo sized boxes doesn't feed our soul. Do we walk around in dazzled state of consumption to cover up the deeper questions our souls are asking?

Of course, only you can answer that question.

For myself, I trust that my happiness lies within me, begins deep inside my heart and is continually fed through my practice of yoga and creating a life that I love. That includes putting into my own basket, friends, family, positive thoughts and a fulfilling career.

What are you putting in your basket this week?