Nervous Wreck? Triathlete? Wanna Go Deeper In Asana?

Does This Scenario Look Familiar?

Often I hear ..."When I get more flexible, I will come to see you in yoga".  If you have ever had an inkling of this thought, please read on...

Last week's Advanced Studies lesson hinged on the idea that flexibility is a function of the nervous system. Meaning, that when you are stretching, and  your body tells you (sometimes loudly) that you have reached the edge of the stretch, you have not really come to the end of the muscle's ability to lengthen, you have come the point where your nervous system can no longer handle the work. You have come to the current end point of comfort-ability, familiarity, and sustainability. Think about a pose like pigeon pose, or a seated forward fold (or some pose where you experience resistance). When you come to the place in the pose where sensation  overpowers breath and all of your senses, you (hopefully) back off to where you can breathe with ease and mindfulness. This discernment and mindful breath work at the 'edge of our ability' is actually the part of practice that is addressing and soothing the nervous system while simultaneously applying intense stimulus to 'go further'. It is in this moment that the body, breath, and subtle-body are sitting in 'round-table negotiations', communicating beyond the realm of intellect and language. The consistent practice of symbiosis of body, mind, breath, Spirit, and intention often allow us to move (possibly microscopically and incrementally) a little deeper into the pose, thereby cultivating more flexibility and a deep sense of calm where we once thought we were at 'the end of the rope'.  This lesson is applicable not only in asana, but in situations where we may need to cultivate a little bit more flexibility, but are facing resistance (whether our own or some other force's). Breathe in the face of challenge. Same lessons over and over, right?  It always comes back to the breath, doesn't it?
Meditation, pranayama, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, yin yoga...these are all practices that activate the parasympathetic nervous system which supports and is supported by quiet, calm, introspection, and the harmonizing of our energies. Interestingly, skillful resting practices are the key element to getting 'deeper' into our active adventures. Whether we are working 9-5 (or more), pursuing a triathlon season, engaging in an active asana yoga practice, raising kids in the beautifully hectic world, or simply feel frazzled, over-heated  and 'had it  up to here (insert hand gesture at forehead level)'...it's time to address taking care of your nervous system. Take time for breath practice, meditation, and the inner work of yoga to enhance and enrich the outer work in which we must or choose to endeavor. 

Re-Train Your Nervous System. Find Your Inner Peace

Check out these upcoming events I am offering at Yoga Birds.

Pranayama Yoga & Meditation
Saturday, June 30 , 1-5:30pm

 Meditations on Bhagavad Gita
Wednesdays,  July 11, 18, 25, 6-10pm
(asana practice followed by meditations and discussions)

Yoga Series For Brand New Beginners 
(go to week of July 10 at online schedule to sign up)
Tuesdays 5-6pm,  July 10, 17, 24, 31
(due to the progressive learning nature of the series, drop-ins are not permitted)

You CAN retrain your nervous system and reach new depths of peace in whatever you are doing... on and off the mat.

In PEACE LOVE PRACTICE & YOGA,

Melanie 

Time Zones

I came across this passage in morning reading about Centering Prayer which is an ancient Christian Prayer form that comes from Catholic tradition. I just love it when teachings from the religion of my birth and teachings of yoga and meditation intersect in sheer oneness and beauty.

The Greek Fathers distinguished between chronos and chairos. Chronos is chronological time: the steady flow of minutes, hours, days, and years. It moves along relentlessly, with steady, unflagging pace –no matter what is going on. It is totally equalitarian, flat, unvarying. Chairos is the time of grace, the fullness of the present moment, the all that is now. Each moment has its own uniqueness, its own fullness, its own quality. [Through methods of meditation and Centering Prayer we will more quickly) graduate into a life of chairos, a life that is filled with luminous Presence, great peace, a constancy in joy…--M Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O

One Big Om

The mindfulness meditation sessions at Yoga Birds this week have used sound and hearing as the primary objects of attention. It’s a simple yet profound technique of sustaining awareness on the soundscape around you. It is no surprise that most of us lose a connection with sounds of the present moment to the volume of inner-mind noise. Just awakening my awareness to the ‘sounds of silence’ …the hum of the fridge, the chirping crickets, the car passing outside my window…all bring me back to a presence of this seat, this moment, this breath. My usual whirling (or more like howling) mind ceases. I feel infinitely spacious and light. A unique, contented, restful quality descends upon me that is akin only to sitting meditation. I want to practice this state of awareness as much as possible so that I might learn to LIVE with this spaciousness all (or I would even settle for most) of the time. It is just so wonderful. Come sit with me!

I am still reading and enjoying and being guided by the wisdom in Ruiz’ The Four Agreements. After meditation today I took pen to paper and jotted down the following…

Be Impeccable with your word. = Truth.

Don’t make assumptions. = Reality.

Don’t take things personally. = Compassion.

Always do your best. = Action.

Truth (Satya). Reality (Tattva). Compassion (Karuna.). Action (Karma.).

SatyaTattvaKarunaKarma

I think I have found my Mantra! Whoa. Life is BIG! OM!

Ordinary Time

The day has started well. Early morning sitting and nadhi Shodhana. Followed by a short and energetic run around the neighborhood with Bear and Reggie. I am nourished by pleasant conversation over a cup of coffee with my husband and a fresh carrot apple ginger juice with a shot of Mila Chia for breakfast.

Today is the first day of leading Mindfulness Meditation at Yoga Birds. As usual, I am a little nervous about teaching a new class, but in a good way. I am excited to be able to present and hold the space for our community to sit in inner reflection together.

I want to ride my bike to work but I think it’s going to rain. It’s a perfect ride for a good warm up for the day. Asana will have to suffice. What a JOY! As ever, I am so grateful for my practices of sitting meditation, mindful breathing, and intention fueled movement. Thank you Lord!

Mardi Gras Shakti

It is Mardi Gras. Knights of the Ecor Rouge specifically. My grandfather, JD Buffett was a charter member of The KOER. There's lots of his buddies still riding in the parade. It's also Black & Gold Superbowl Eve. Historic. The entire Buffett gene pool are raging Saints fans and celebrating tonight from Montana to Miami. And Mardi Gras in the middle!

The energy is buzzing globally.

Reading about Shakti in Swami Durgananda's The Heart of Meditation after this morning's meditation, I am more aware of a swirling pulling pulsating draw to go to the parade and be with LOTS of people and party downtown. It's cold. I am tired. I need sleep. The traffic is never so bad as at a Mardi Gras parade. I want to stay home, do the wise thing, and restore my energy for lots of teaching and practicing and studying yoga next week. But the pull of the energy is in my cells. It's coursing through my Buffett Blood and my HEART is in charge tonight. I will go with what is flowing through me.

All of a sudden I have on dancing shoes and glitter. I hear music and I will follow.

This fun runs deep!

It must be the Shakti...I think I am getting it.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!