Sunday, September 30, 2012

Yoga Girl's beginnings--

I think Yoga was always in my soul.

Check this out.

Shoulder stand and Butterfly.

Om Shanti!



Friday, September 21, 2012

I continue to learn Yogic lessons by walking the dog.  I take deeper breaths, watch for falling stars and notice how many spider webs there are this year.  In the past year and a half with Yoga Dog, I've met more people in the neighborhood and spent much more time outdoors. 

He reminds me that life is about living in the moment.  All moments are new, a new smell, another person to meet, another squirrel to watch.  I'm always fascinated watching him jump into the car not knowing where we are going but excited for the journey.  This is how I want to live.

I hope he knows how grateful I am for him.

-- Thank you all for the wonderful summer of Yoga.  Now that I am back to my day job, I am already planning drama club rehearsals and feel right back in the hectic web of it all.  But I am trying to remember that although I am busy, all of it are things I have chosen to do, and all of them bring me much joy. 

And so here's to staying in the joy amidst the hustle!

Tomorrow's Outdoor Yoga, no one has emailed me about joining me and so I've decided to cancel it. 
You can join us for an environmental walk and dance performance in Hopewell tomorrow at 2:30-- called Dancescapes NJ.  http://www.passagetheatre.org/index.php/mainstage/dancescapes-nj

Then Global Mala on Sunday!  So excited-- Outdoor Yoga in a football field with thousands of Yogis chanting 108 Om's and then practicing Yoga together.  Really, it's only a donation of $27 and if that doesn't work for you they won't turn anyone away-- it's a beautiful event.  And my not-so-secret political crush will be there-- Mr. Corey Booker.  So-- you know, it's worth checking that out!
http://globalmalanj.org/

And then I'm celebrating my nephew's year of living after his unfortunate brain injury.  AVM they call it.  Last year at this time I think he was in a medically induced coma.  He's such a sweetie, so glad he's up and around, making us all laugh again.

Well, enjoy the last night of summer.

Blessings to all!

Namaste,
Yoga Girl

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Teaching Yoga

Teaching Yoga is so much different for me than teaching theatre.  For one thing I start by thinking that I'm not teaching-- I'm sharing and I ask for Guruji Rev. Jaganath to teach the class through me.  That way I do not have to worry.  It works.  I sometime arrive tired and rushed from my day, but taking a moment to ask for Guruji's help really makes everything go smoothly.  I feel lighter, less in my head and more in my heart. 

Tonight though, I asked for Guruji's help and for some reason I had the thought to ask his master, Swami Satchidananda too.  I was really tired tonight, and I had a double class of Yoga ahead of me.  I was teaching my class and subbing for the next class' teacher.  The moment I did that, boy the energy changed.  What I've learned about Sri Gurudev Satchidananda was that he believed that Yoga didn't have to be so serious.  He believed in laughter and enjoying the class.  And so I think his spirit influenced me tonight.  Boy was I goofy.  I mistakenly said the wrong hand a few times as we stretch up to the sky during a twist and we laughed as I said that this was the Laughter Yoga portion of the evening.  And so thank you Guruji and Gurudev for guiding me today.

I highly recommend teaching to anyone who is thinking of taking a teacher's training.  So wonderful.  You really get more energy back than you give out.  It's energizing.  I also wouldn't have learned so much about Yoga's history, philosophy, healing abilities, etc. if I didn't study with such great teachers.

You might want to think about it.


And all of my Yoga teacher friend out there-- do you ever think of yourself as a prism at the end of class during final relaxation.  I'm sending out good, healing energy and lately I picture myself as a prism taking energy from the center of the world (more specifically that white light in the All Faiths meditation room at Yogaville) and sending out to all my students.  
You ever imagine yourself a prism?  It's kinda cool-- rainbows shooting out of my palms.  Okay enough-- my Yoga students might think I'm crazy.

Well, I am, but in a good way I hope.

Be well, be light, be the light!

Om Shanti,
Yoga Girl

P.S. This Friday night is Satsang with Sri Guruji Rev. Jaganath at Akasha in Colts Neck.  I highly recommend your attendance.  Having such a master of Yoga so close, it's a shame if you don't hear him at least once in your life.  And once you do, I bet you'll want more.

Outdoor Yoga Sat. at 9am.  $5 donation.  Mercer County Park Marina Pavilion.  Dinesh is teaching and I'll be there too!

Monday, September 10, 2012

It's Yoga Time!

Had so much fun in Massachusetts this weekend dancing at a friend's wedding and doing Yoga to the sound of ocean waves.  Ahhh.

Bear Skin Neck, Rockport, MA
Behind the cute little shops of sea glass, jewelry, Tibetan art and scarves is the most beautiful blue water.  I have to go back and kayak.  But for now I loved doing Yoga in the mornings and meditating to the sound of the water.  Check out my very stylish white sports socks under the sandals-- very stylish, aren't I?  It's getting a bit chilly.  What you don't see in this picture because I wanted not to show off how much of a wimp I am-- is a grey wool sweater I was wearing to walk around in.  But the socks give it away- I was cold.  Autumn is definitely upon us. 

How is the end of your summer going?  Where did you do Yoga this summer?  Send pictures!  Send stories!  I'd love to hear all about it!

Yoga at Mercer County Park is continuing with Dinesh.  Check out our new Facebook page YOGA Matt-ers!  Yoga Matt-ers

We're trying to continue the outdoor Yoga indoors-- so let us know if you have a suggestion of where 5-10 of us can continue practicing together and donating the proceeds to the Yoga Life Society. 

Also very, very excited about the Global Mala event!  $27 to go practice outdoors with 1,000 other Yogis, chant Om 108 times with Shiva Rea and Corey Booker!  I can't wait to be in their presence.  If you're going to the event, let us know so we can all meet up and put our mats next to one another. Click on this link to sign up or get more information...
globalmalanj

And another great opportunity/event-- the Yoga Life Society retreat has just opened up the retreat to those who can't come to the whole event but want to come to just one day -- really great teachers, food, fun and tranquil surroundings!  Go on the website and check out more information:  yogalifesociety.com

Be well and remember that every moment can be Yoga time if you want it to be!

Namaste,
Yoga Girl

Inside during the Rockport trip, doing Yoga to wake up.  Can you read the TV?  I think it says urgency!  Funny that's how I felt-- Yoga must do now!