Day 355 Intention ~ A Shout Out

Day 355 Intention ~ A Shout Out

It's hard to believe that there are only 10 more days this year! Today I want to send out a shout out to all of my yoga students that I am lucky enough to teach. You are all so unique, talented, smart, funny & beautiful. Everytime I have the pleasure of having you on your mat in my class, I learn something from you. And, let's face it, without you, I wouldn't be able to do this personal dream job for a living.

So, thank you.

Happy Holidays & I look forward to serving you in 2014!

Til tomorrow...namaste

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 345 Intention ~ Keep Learning

Day 345 Intention ~ Keep Learning

There is so much going on in this world, in this life, that there is no reason to not keep learning through it all. It keeps life exciting and new and helps us from becoming stagnant. 

Besides, nobody likes a know it all anyhow!

In yoga, I am still always learning. I have been teaching for just about 4 years now, and practiced for years longer than that, but yet, I still learn something every class I take. It may not be about a pose, but often, it's something about myself. How I react to certain movements, what it brings out in my body and my mind...and, yes, no day is ever exactly the same. 

When I was in teacher training, I remember it being said at one point that as soon as you think you know it all, you know nothing. I have always tried to keep that in mind as I teach and as I take class. I think it's a great mantra for beyond the class too. 

As soon as we think we know everything, we start to close ourselves off in a way. We aren't open to new ideas, we are definitely never wrong and we slowly become all about the ego again. I, me, mine. We forget that we are all living and breathing as one, it may appear we are living separate existences, and from certain angles we are, but in the grand scope of the universe and life, we are all part of the same beating energy and breath. What I do effects you and vice versa and on and on. So, let's try to keep open. 

Breathe deep, lift your chest and your heart and open your arms to the universe and all it has to offer. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 284 Intention ~ Keep On Learning

Day 284 Intention ~ Keep On Learning

Now, believe me, I learn something every time I teach a class. My students teach me a lot. It is a rare occurrence on my yoga salary to get to go to a formal workshop for teachers with an acclaimed teacher. 

Today is one of those days! I am so excited. 

Max Strom, who I adore, is in town this weekend. Although I am only able to attend today's workshop and tomorrow mornings class, I am so excited to allow myself some time to rejuvenate, get re-inspired and learn from someone that I have a lot of respect for in the yoga world. If you don't know who I am talking about, check out his information here.

It is important for all of us teachers and humans to continue to learn throughout our lives. It keeps the mind working, it keeps (for teachers) our teaching fresh and heck, no one likes the person who thinks they know it all, right???

So, I am off! Have a great Friday.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 262 Intention ~ Go Easy

Day 262 Intention ~ Go Easy

Trying to take it easy today, even with 5 classes to teach. Four down, one to go this evening. With the fall schedule coming into play, and the busier schedule upon me, I fear that I have run myself down a little bit. When I got home last night, I was worried that I was falling ill early in the season for me. 

In this yoga profession, having a cold is not an option. So, I am listening to the cues today and going easy on myself. 

Luckily, I have this break in the day to rest and get it together for class this evening. 

In yoga, we get to learn our bodies cues. We become so familiar with how our shoulders, arms, legs, back, etc. feel in poses and moving through the poses, that we know when something just isn't right. We learn to listen to what our body is telling us that day. How far it can go, push further or pull back a bit that day. The key is accepting and being okay with what your body is telling you any given day. 

Learning to apply these lessons in our regular life off the mat is helpful too. When to push for that promotion or raise, how to assess a situation and deal with it, how we handle stress, and even when to call in sick. Allow the body to rest and heal when it needs it. 

So, that is what is going to happen here this afternoon. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 226 Intention ~ Continue Learning

Day 226 Intention ~ Continue Learning

Keeping our brain working and learning new things throughout our lives helps us with preventing senility in old age. Teaching yoga is always a constant learning process. I learn from my students every class I teach. I try to learn new things to do in class to teach, but sometimes I get caught up in a rut and teach the same things over and over. 

This fall a new challenge is coming to me. I am putting together a meditation group at one of the venues that I teach. I have been doing tons of reading on the subject, which has made me feel more focused and calm just reading about it! 

But the reality is, I am learning a lot about it. Different methods, different parts of ourselves and our lives that we can work with through meditation. It is pretty exciting. 

I encourage you to continue studying in this life, no matter what the topic. Learning really is fun if it is something you love. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 165 Intention ~ Start a Summer Learning Series

Day 165 Intention ~ Start a Summer Learning Series

I have been thinking about my 500 hour training so much lately, but can't afford it. I have this desire and hunger to delve deeper into my yoga knowledge and practice that it feels almost uncontrollable. In lieu of my finances, I have decided to start a summer learning series...with myself! This is the perfect time of year to start this as classes tend to slow down while people are vacationing and/or enjoying other outdoor activities. 

To do this, I am going to go through several of my yoga books with a fine toothed comb & advance my knowledge. Starting with anatomy books, and moving into the more philosophical. If I study for at least one hour a day, I feel as if I will quench some of this thirst. This will also make my own practice and my teaching better.

Meanwhile, I will save my money and perhaps get to start my 500 hour training sometime next year. I hope so! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia