Upcoming schedule stuff:
**Beginning Feb 6, the Monday night Ashtanga at Yoga Garden will be from 6-7:15pm.
**February 18th Mysore will be cancelled, and check the Evolve and Yoga Garden websites before heading to Moon and Ashtanga classeson February 19-21. There will either be someone awesome subbing or the class will be cancelled - I'll keep you posted!
**I'm working on offering a couple of things in the next month or so - a Beginner Course in Ashtanga, and another Mysore Intensive - probably early March. I'll keep you posted on that as well...
And now for a few words...
"Meaningful change is not possible when one is trying to be something other than what they are" Arnold Besser
Matthew Sweeney offered this up as one of his favorite quotes in a workshop several years ago, and it's been rolling around in my mind since then, influencing how I practice and teach.
Practicing yoga is not about changing, or fixing, or adjusting. It's about digging down to find the true self that is already there, and is perfect. Brushing aside the distractions that come in the form of doubt, fear, desire, wanting to be someone or somewhere or something else, and finding those divine spaces within us where the truest, purest form of the ourselves lives.
In the context of a physical practice, alignment details, instructions, and even a set sequence of poses to practice can help the yogi to stay on the path, stay focused, with their eye on the prize.
In Ashtanga yoga, that path is very defined. There is a breath (vinyasa) assigned to each movement in the practice, or rather, a movement assigned to each breath. Once the student is familiar with that pattern (the sequence), they are free to explore more deeply with each practice, and at their own pace. But, as David Keil said in a recent interview (posted on the Elephant Journal - read here) "The practice is the teacher, and the teacher who is standing there is just guiding you along the way."
I love this because it brings to focus what is so different about Ashtanga yoga from other forms (a question I hear a lot). A truly deep and meaningful Ashtanga practice requires that the student commit the sequence to memory and practice it consistently, with diligence, over a period of time (months, years, decades perhaps). This means developing some sort of self-paced practice - either in a Mysore style class, or a home practice with guidance from a teacher. This way, the student can find their own way down their own path, to their own truth.
Namaste
Stacy
Photo Gallery
Mysore Intensive February 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year!
Well, I don't know about you all, but I'm jumping into 2012 with both feet! I helped lead the New Year's Day Yoga Mala at Yoga Garden on Sunday - which was really great, by the way! Very inspirational! We chose a "word of the year" to meditate on during the mala, and I chose Tapas - translated as burning zeal, enthusiasm, dedication. I'm looking forward to how that will play out this year - I have lots of ideas, and hope you will join me on my journey!
The rest of this week will be a busy one for me, with Power Flow at Yoga Garden on Thursday 12:30-1:30, and Moon at the Blue on Friday 6:30-8pm - on top of my regular schedule of classes. Details at the right - hope to see you all somewhere this week!
The rest of this week will be a busy one for me, with Power Flow at Yoga Garden on Thursday 12:30-1:30, and Moon at the Blue on Friday 6:30-8pm - on top of my regular schedule of classes. Details at the right - hope to see you all somewhere this week!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Take Care of Yourself!
So I made a quick comment at the end of my previous post to make sure to take care of yourself during this busy time of year. It felt like I hadn't really said what I wanted to say about that, so I'll try again:
Nobody knows how to take care of you better than you. I recently discovered that I am allergic to milk...recently being in the past year. What a difference that discovery had made in my life. I have more energy, I feel better, etc... Well, I accidentally had a bite of cheese on a sandwich the other day, and was surprised at how quickly and profoundly I was effected. It was a stupid thing, really - I just forgot to ask for my sandwich without cheese, and didn't want to spit it out and be rude. But it served as a confirmation to me that milk really doesn't agree with me, and how important it is that I am vigilant. Even if it is a little inconvenient for me and possibly for others, it is important that I take responsibility for speaking up, or avoiding foods (politely) that will make me sick.
My husband and I were recently with some friends playing a game - cornhole - and my husband's team mate was beginning to "choke" - couldn't make a shot. My hubby's advise? "RELAX!!!" His team mate's response? "Don't tell me to relax! That stresses me out more!!" Sometimes what would help someone else to deal with stress doesn't help us at all!
We all have something that we need to be vigilant about as far as taking care of ourselves. Whether its making sure we have the downtime we need, or the workout or yoga practice we need, or eating properly as much as possible in the face of all the temptations of the season. Even if it seems selfish or silly, or doesn't make sense to those around you...you are the only person who knows how to take care of yourself. Is your regular yoga practice or workout wearing you out rather than energizing you? Maybe it's a good time to try a softer practice - like a Yin or restorative practice. Is your regular softer practice leaving you needing something more vigorous to burn off that extra stress? What foods support you most and give you the energy you need to take on the extra holiday activities?
Take the time to tune in...without judgement...to what your needs are this holiday season.
Take Care...
Stacy
Oh yeah - one more schedule update - I'll be leading one section of the New Year's Day Yoga Mala at Yoga Garden this year - join us to burn away the stress and baggage of the last year, and start 2012 fresh!
Nobody knows how to take care of you better than you. I recently discovered that I am allergic to milk...recently being in the past year. What a difference that discovery had made in my life. I have more energy, I feel better, etc... Well, I accidentally had a bite of cheese on a sandwich the other day, and was surprised at how quickly and profoundly I was effected. It was a stupid thing, really - I just forgot to ask for my sandwich without cheese, and didn't want to spit it out and be rude. But it served as a confirmation to me that milk really doesn't agree with me, and how important it is that I am vigilant. Even if it is a little inconvenient for me and possibly for others, it is important that I take responsibility for speaking up, or avoiding foods (politely) that will make me sick.
My husband and I were recently with some friends playing a game - cornhole - and my husband's team mate was beginning to "choke" - couldn't make a shot. My hubby's advise? "RELAX!!!" His team mate's response? "Don't tell me to relax! That stresses me out more!!" Sometimes what would help someone else to deal with stress doesn't help us at all!
We all have something that we need to be vigilant about as far as taking care of ourselves. Whether its making sure we have the downtime we need, or the workout or yoga practice we need, or eating properly as much as possible in the face of all the temptations of the season. Even if it seems selfish or silly, or doesn't make sense to those around you...you are the only person who knows how to take care of yourself. Is your regular yoga practice or workout wearing you out rather than energizing you? Maybe it's a good time to try a softer practice - like a Yin or restorative practice. Is your regular softer practice leaving you needing something more vigorous to burn off that extra stress? What foods support you most and give you the energy you need to take on the extra holiday activities?
Take the time to tune in...without judgement...to what your needs are this holiday season.
Take Care...
Stacy
Oh yeah - one more schedule update - I'll be leading one section of the New Year's Day Yoga Mala at Yoga Garden this year - join us to burn away the stress and baggage of the last year, and start 2012 fresh!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Holiday Updates December 2011
Check the schedule at the right:
Moon Sequence cancelled 12/25/11 and 1/1/12
In Addition, I'll be at:
Yoga Garden on 12/15, 12:30-1:30 for Power Hour - I will rotate in every three weeks to teach this class - come see me next week, and two more dates in January - check the Yoga Garden Schedule for details.
Evolve-Namaste in Cary 12/16, and 12/23 9:30-11am, subbing for Miche's Yoga Bhoga. Come play with me! All levels welcome.
I recently video taped a couple of my practices...hopefully to share some bits with you all. So look for that coming soon, and a couple of workshops in the new year - one for beginners, and possibly a collaborative workshop with a fellow teacher. I'll keep you all posted!!
The holidays can get a little crazy for many of us, but remember to carve out some time for yourself! If we don't take care of ourselves, how can we expect to take care of others?
Happy Holidays
Stacy
Moon Sequence cancelled 12/25/11 and 1/1/12
In Addition, I'll be at:
Yoga Garden on 12/15, 12:30-1:30 for Power Hour - I will rotate in every three weeks to teach this class - come see me next week, and two more dates in January - check the Yoga Garden Schedule for details.
Evolve-Namaste in Cary 12/16, and 12/23 9:30-11am, subbing for Miche's Yoga Bhoga. Come play with me! All levels welcome.
I recently video taped a couple of my practices...hopefully to share some bits with you all. So look for that coming soon, and a couple of workshops in the new year - one for beginners, and possibly a collaborative workshop with a fellow teacher. I'll keep you all posted!!
The holidays can get a little crazy for many of us, but remember to carve out some time for yourself! If we don't take care of ourselves, how can we expect to take care of others?
Happy Holidays
Stacy
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
November Updates and Blog
Schedule updates first, then a blog post - hopefully the first of many posts in which I'd like to share my experiences and thoughts on my yoga practice on and off the mat.
It's so simple, really. The practice is already set out and waiting for me. All I have to do is come to my mat...which, admittedly, is not always so easy, but is simple! This morning I got up thinking I'd like to go to a class and do something different. So I went online and looked at the schedules for a couple of studios in my area. There were a couple of classes that looked interesting, but I wasn't really sure what to expect from them. Would this class have the backbending I really feel like I need today? Would that one be energetic enough? So I went to my mat, did my practice...and it felt great! That doesn't happen all the time...sometimes it's really hard to get to my mat, and when I do, its not the best practice ever, but I usually find something interesting there...even if it's just the realization that sometimes practice is not so easy. That's the thing about Ashtanga...It takes a little discipline to stick with it at times, but the payoff is definitely there, and the journey is one full of new discoveries. I do miss classes at times, and love to be led through a practice occasionally, just to test out some different paces and draw from that collective energy. But there is really nothing like a self-paced practice to really draw me into myself and allow that deeper exploration that is not always easy in a group setting.
- This Saturday's Mysore and Sunday's Moon Sequence classes are cancelled.
- New classes have been added at Evolve-Cary: Tuesdays 12:00-1:00pm Ashtanga Express level 1/2, and Thursdays 5:45-6:45pm Ashtanga Express Level 2. These classes will move quickly, so come ready to jump on the Ashtanga Express! ;-)
- The next Moon at the Blue is December 2. Join me at Blue Lotus for this great sequence to start your weekend off right!
- December 4 at Yoga Garden in Apex I'll be offering an Intro to Ashtanga workshop - save the date on your calendars, and keep checking the website for more details.
- Also look for more info on a Power Hour rotation at Noon on Thursdays at Yoga Garden - I'll be rotating with 2 other teachers for this class.
It's so simple, really. The practice is already set out and waiting for me. All I have to do is come to my mat...which, admittedly, is not always so easy, but is simple! This morning I got up thinking I'd like to go to a class and do something different. So I went online and looked at the schedules for a couple of studios in my area. There were a couple of classes that looked interesting, but I wasn't really sure what to expect from them. Would this class have the backbending I really feel like I need today? Would that one be energetic enough? So I went to my mat, did my practice...and it felt great! That doesn't happen all the time...sometimes it's really hard to get to my mat, and when I do, its not the best practice ever, but I usually find something interesting there...even if it's just the realization that sometimes practice is not so easy. That's the thing about Ashtanga...It takes a little discipline to stick with it at times, but the payoff is definitely there, and the journey is one full of new discoveries. I do miss classes at times, and love to be led through a practice occasionally, just to test out some different paces and draw from that collective energy. But there is really nothing like a self-paced practice to really draw me into myself and allow that deeper exploration that is not always easy in a group setting.
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