Day 362 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

Day 362 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

Keeping up with the Joneses, it's the American way. From the car we drive to our home or even our yoga pants, we compare ourselves to our neighbors, family, friends, sometimes the person on the mat next to us.

With all of this comparing, how can we ever keep up? There will always be someone richer, prettier, with fancier clothes and an a wheel pose that looks like one of the arches in St. Louis.

In time, over the years, I have let go of comparing my practice to others. The more recent struggle has been while taking class. I have a tendency to compare the teachers teaching to my own. Unfortunately, no matter how great I think their class is, with all of this comparing, I am not present for class.

Today, while in a wonderful class, I caught this comparing starting up. Luckily, I realized it & told myself to let go of it so that I could get the most out of the class. Once I let go of it, instead of losing self-confidence in my own teaching, I found inspiration from this teacher.

Til tomorrow...

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 321 Intention ~ Continue My Studies

Day 321 Intention ~ Continue My Studies

Yesterday I went to an anatomy workshop. Whenever I go to anatomy lessons of any sort, even just in a regular class, I always leave feeling inadequate. Sure, I had some anatomy in my 200 hour teacher training, but the whole course was so much information, and frankly, I was interested more in the "cosmic consciousness" of it all that I left the training with a basic knowledge of yoga anatomy. 

This has always haunted me some in my head and the desire to study it more is always on my list of the 1000 things that I need to do, so, not surprisingly, it gets lost in the shuffle. 

After the workshop yesterday, my fire to learn is reignited. At this point in my teaching career, it is ridiculous that I should be feeling any doubt on the instructions that I am giving students. Now, I may never be a complete anatomy obsessed teacher as some are, and yes, I am jealous of their vast knowledge (and retention of that knowledge), but I will keep trying. Sometimes the information sticks, sometimes it doesn't, but if I don't continue to study it, then of course I won't remember/learn any of it. 

So, lesson today for all of us is, keep studying. Keep learning. Whatever it is that interests you. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you lose it.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 318 Intention ~ Keep Moving Forward

Day 318 Intention ~ Keep Moving Forward

"If you keep your head and heart going in the right direction, you won't have to worry about your feet." ~Nigerian proverb

Thanks for the reminder African proverbs calendar! 

We are all working towards something in this life. Sometimes things seem like they are working out great, sometimes we doubt what we are doing. Over the past year, many of you have read some of my issues on paying bills and teaching yoga for a living...they don't always go hand in hand. Those are the days (and they are the only days) that I question my decision to do this full-time. But, as I look back, I am so much happier than ever before. I feel more fulfilled in my "career" than ever before & new opportunities and growth keep happening as time has passed. 

So, when those moments of doubt arise, remember that Nigerian proverb and keep plugging away. If it is something you truly believe in and are willing to work hard, it will flourish one day. Hang in there. 

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 243 Intention ~ Drop It

Day 243 Intention ~ Drop It

One of those days today. Started the day off subbing a class. The usual insecurities arose in me and didn't subside as I watched a few of the students walk away when they discovered that their beloved teacher was not going to be there this morning. 

Although this is an expected behavior in a substitutes world, it still doesn't feel good. I was overtired and relishing in the fact that I actually have 2 days off (in a row!) after I taught these classes today, so I became a bit distracted during the first class that, of course, was the one I was subbing. I felt like I had marbles in my mouth and unfortunately, couldn't get the vision of people walking away rather than take my class out of my mind. Good ego check for me though I suppose. 

As class went on, I started to find presence with the students who were actually there...finally! By the time my regular class rolled around, I was back on my game. 

But then as I was leaving, feelings of self-doubt crept into my being again thinking about the morning class and how I didn't feel like it was my best teaching and no wonder those people didn't want to take my class, blah, blah, blah....

But, now that I have been beating myself up for the afternoon, it's time to DROP IT! It's not serving me to talk to myself this way. We all have off days...even yoga teachers. It's okay. Move forward. And, yes, rest for a couple days before getting back to it on Tuesday! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 151 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

Day 151 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

In the yoga classes that I teach, I often tell my students, especially if they are newer to the practice, to stop comparing themselves to others in the class. It gets you nowhere & we are all going to be in a different spot. Period. 

It just causes undue stress, insecurity, feelings of unworthiness, and on and on when we put ourselves through that type of comparison. 

Luckily, as far as my practice goes, I am accepting of where my practice is each time and I am thankful for it. Sure, there are times when I wish my left hip wasn't so much tighter than my right or that I could just float up into some amazing arm balance that I don't quite have...yet, but in general, I am okay with how my practiced has developed. I am the turtle of the yoga asana. It takes time & I am very very patient. 

Where I find myself making comparisons is in my teaching. If I go to a class, I often think about the wonderful things the teacher is saying and sequencing that we are doing, and I start to think that I am a horrible teacher! It's nuts. We all have something to offer & frankly, I am not a horrible teacher. But yet, I put myself through this almost every single time. Why??? It frustrates me to no end and in reality, I know it does me no good to do this to myself. 

The reality is, there is something to be learned from each & every teacher and yoga class out there. I encourage my students to check out other teachers, classes and yoga styles, but then downplay my own abilities to teach. 

NO MORE!!! I am so grateful for all my teachers, past, present & future (btw, this includes my students too-I learn something every time from them also).  

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 75 Intention ~ Realize How Far I Have Come.

Day 75 Intention ~ Realize How Far I've Come...

Today I did what I've been wanting to do for a loooong time. I reorganized and cleaned my yoga room. Heck, I may even be able to practice in there again! 

As I was cleaning out all of the random sheets of paper and old lesson plans and notebooks, I started skimming through some of them. And boy, I have come a long way since I started teaching. Now, I'm not saying this to be arrogant. I am saying this because, even these days, there are many times that I think that I just don't know anything. I'll take an amazing yoga class & think that there is no way my classes are possibly that inspiring or I'll read an article or yoga book, whatever it is and think, man, I am never gonna learn all this stuff! And no, it's not some sort of yoga teacher trying to be modest and ego-less banter in my head. I actually will think these things. 

But, looking back on the past few years through notes and old books, I realize that I have come a long way. I may not know everything, but I do know stuff. I have stuff to offer my students and that feels good. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia