Day 221 Intention ~ Practice

Day 221 Intention ~ Practice

There is a joke that yoga teachers never get to practice once they start teaching because they are always teaching. Well, my practice has also gotten a little bit lost, not from teaching too much, but from having injuries here and there. 

But, this morning, I went to my first Ashtanga (shorter version) class in a long time and it was fantastic!! I am still nursing my shoulder a bit from George the dog dragging me to the ground last month, so I couldn't go full force like I used to, but it was still good to be in class with other people, practicing. 

The last month or so I have been being very careful not to injure or strain that shoulder anymore, so I've been doing very slow and more restorative practices, but I LOVE Ashtanga!!

Glad to be back! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 123 Intention ~ Love What I Do

Day 123 Intention ~ Love What I Do (again!)

I get to teach yoga, almost everyday. It is a really rewarding job emotionally for me. I am lucky. In my life, I have had jobs that I have enjoyed, but not felt fulfilled or jobs that I haven't enjoyed so much and was definitely not fulfilled, but now, I love my job. Yes, it's a hustle. Yes, it's hard work (whether you believe that or not.) Yes, I struggle financially sometimes to do it...okay, more than sometimes. :) But, I feel "richer" than I ever have in my life and that is worth it.

I have a student that usually goes to yin classes or to my yin + slow flow and restoratives class. This morning, she ventured into my Ashtanga class! Now, I am not a strict strict Ashtanga teacher and we aren't doing a full primary series in that class. It is a shorter hour long class that I pretty much follow the shorter versions that David Swenson offers up in his Ashtanga book. I think that it is a great base for learning vinyasa flow and the basic poses in a way that is accessible in order to build your practice. 

She came in and took the challenge! It was her first full vinyasa class and she did great. I am never sure how people will transition, but as she described afterwards, "It seemed to flow like water." Perfect. She loved it and I am excited to have been the one to start her on her vinyasa journey. 

These are the days that I am particularly reminded how much I love what I do. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 89 Intention ~ Spring Clean

Day 89 Intention ~ Spring Clean

Perhaps a cleanse is in order...at the very least, a buckle down on my eating habits needs to happen. A spring cleaning of sorts. Ever since going vegan (and discovering delicious vegan baked treats) my diet has fallen into a no man's land of sugary "good"ness. Ugh. Sluggishness, laziness and just a general gross feeling have joined in the fun. 

So, today, my intention is to get back on the healthy food track...so really, this intention will spread much longer than today. It's been good so far with kale and other fruits, veggies and whole grains in my meals today. Crossing fingers, I can stick to it and break my newly formed habits. 

Spring is a great time to reassess your habits, food and exercise related. With the weather breaking, people come out of the wood work and get more active. There is a "lighter" energy about town and our diets should follow. Moving away from the heavy chilis, soups, stews, potatoes, fatty foods and meals that comforted us in the cold winter months and allowing fruits and fresh salads to move in to keep us light and energized. 

Our yoga practices even can take on a lighter tone. While in winter, we tend to find grounding and comfort through many seated forward folds, more yin and restorative poses and perhaps a slower pace in class, spring and summer is a time to float and move a little bit faster. Jumping, flipping, twisting, balancing and back bends are great poses to help us spring clean the body and allow us to greet the world with a great big smile. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia