Yoga ruins your life?
Watch this video and see what I really mean:
Namaste,
Z
Friday, August 30, 2013
Yoga Ruins Your Life:
Namaste,
Z
Friday, April 5, 2013
In The Presence of a Guru (or 2):
Today, I will be meeting two of the most inspirational Ashtangis and teachers/gurus in the world. Sharath Jois (grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) and Saraswathi Jois (daughter of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) will be coming to Charlottesville, VA to do a yoga practice and lecture on Ashtanga Yoga.
I signed up and registered today and, quite literally, had tears in my eyes. These are the happiest tears I’ve cried in a very, very long time.
Ashtanga Yoga came into my life a year and a half ago at yoga teacher training. It was brand new to me and quite daunting. But I immediately fell in love with it. It changed my body so quickly, inside and out, in ways that I never imagined possible. After graduating from “yoga school” I kind of fell off the bandwagon of my Ashtanga practice (that’s what having 3 jobs will do to a lady..oy!). But, in the last few weeks, something has kept telling me to get back to it. So I started practicing it again at home, 6 days a week and remembered why I love it so much. I feel so strong when I practice, and it helps me work through my “junk”. I’ve said for so long how I would love to study with Sharath, because I find him so awe-inspiring and amazing. I always thought, however, that my only opportunity to do that would be to travel to Mysore, India.
And then, today, one of my girlfriends from yoga school texted me if I was going to UVA on Friday. I had no clue what she was talking about. When she told me that Sharath and Saraswathi would be there doing a workshop, I immediately jumped up and down, and started crying from pure excitement and happiness. I immediately signed up and registered for it.
I cannot believe that this is happening. Being in the presence of Guruji’s lineage is going to be so amazing.
This week can’t go by fast enough!
This little yogi is in a state of pure bliss and happiness and excitement right now.
Ashtanga Yoga came into my life a year and a half ago at yoga teacher training. It was brand new to me and quite daunting. But I immediately fell in love with it. It changed my body so quickly, inside and out, in ways that I never imagined possible. After graduating from “yoga school” I kind of fell off the bandwagon of my Ashtanga practice (that’s what having 3 jobs will do to a lady..oy!). But, in the last few weeks, something has kept telling me to get back to it. So I started practicing it again at home, 6 days a week and remembered why I love it so much. I feel so strong when I practice, and it helps me work through my “junk”. I’ve said for so long how I would love to study with Sharath, because I find him so awe-inspiring and amazing. I always thought, however, that my only opportunity to do that would be to travel to Mysore, India.
And then, today, one of my girlfriends from yoga school texted me if I was going to UVA on Friday. I had no clue what she was talking about. When she told me that Sharath and Saraswathi would be there doing a workshop, I immediately jumped up and down, and started crying from pure excitement and happiness. I immediately signed up and registered for it.
I cannot believe that this is happening. Being in the presence of Guruji’s lineage is going to be so amazing.
This week can’t go by fast enough!
This little yogi is in a state of pure bliss and happiness and excitement right now.
Here’s the link: http://www.uvacontemplation.org/gurusongrounds
Monday, April 1, 2013
Getting out of a funk:
Sometimes, you just get in a funk. You don't know why. Maybe it's the lack of sleep? Maybe it's the fact that the weather is crazy (67 one day, BLIZZARD THE NEXT)? Maybe it's having 3 jobs and a lack of free time to spend doing things you really crave and need to feel less zombified? I don't know. But sometimes, sometimes you just get in a funk. And then you read a quote from a fellow yoga teacher that really resonates with you and zaps you out of your daze:
“Having a bad day? Going through a rough patch? Life crisis? Don’t panic. In the words of Liz Gilbert - don’t fall apart, it becomes a habit. Stay calm and know that you are where you are right now for a very important reason. Life will never give you something you can’t handle. It will all make sense in a little while, but for now: Go back to basics. Drink water. Breathe deeply. Eat foods that heal. Surround yourself with loving people. Read books that resonate with your soul. Go for a walk in the woods, on the beach, in the park, in your backyard…anywhere you can breathe fresh air and see the sky above. Close your eyes. Connect. Remind yourself of the things you have to be grateful for, and let the words ‘Thank You’ become your most important mantra. You can do this. You are strong, you are whole, and you are not alone.” - Rachel Brathen
“Having a bad day? Going through a rough patch? Life crisis? Don’t panic. In the words of Liz Gilbert - don’t fall apart, it becomes a habit. Stay calm and know that you are where you are right now for a very important reason. Life will never give you something you can’t handle. It will all make sense in a little while, but for now: Go back to basics. Drink water. Breathe deeply. Eat foods that heal. Surround yourself with loving people. Read books that resonate with your soul. Go for a walk in the woods, on the beach, in the park, in your backyard…anywhere you can breathe fresh air and see the sky above. Close your eyes. Connect. Remind yourself of the things you have to be grateful for, and let the words ‘Thank You’ become your most important mantra. You can do this. You are strong, you are whole, and you are not alone.” - Rachel Brathen
Time to find happy again.
Om shanti,
Om shanti,
Z
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
30 Before 30:
I jumped on the bandwagon and created a list of 30 things I would love to accomplish before I turn 30. This gives me 5 years. That's do-able...ish...right?
- See the Grand Canyon.
- Rescue a dog and give him his forever home.
- Own a home.
- Complete a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training (already have the 200-hour one under my belt).
- Own and run a yoga studio, OR at least be in the serious process of getting to that point in my career.
- Travel to India and get back to the source.
- Forgive everyone who has ever hurt me.
- Forgive myself.
- Hike part of the Appalachian Trail.
- Go for 30 days with no sugar.
- See the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco.
- Learn to tango.
- Be less fearful of the unknown and new experiences.
- Actually start to let people in again. I've been really hurt in the past so I have these walls built up, and I'd love to break them down and have more faith that not everyone is there to screw you over. This one will be a challenge, but I'll try.
- Learn how to drive a stick shift.
- Take a cooking class.
- Host a dinner party.
- Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, FL.
- Go on a hot air balloon ride.
- Attend a silent meditation retreat.
- Run a half-marathon. I am not a natural runner (but I'm working on it), so that's why I didn't aim for a marathon (yet). Maybe in another lifetime?
- Surprise my family with a really awesome gift, like a cruise or a cool trip or something.
- Read the Bhagavad Gita once a year.
- Love singing again.
- Pincha Mayurasana. 'nough said.
- Get my fortune told by a fortune-teller.
- Try acupuncture.
- Try paddle-boarding. Preferably somewhere tropical.
- See the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Plaza in NYC.
- Sing and act on the stage again, any stage at all. Part of me really misses it.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Surrender.
My yoga mat.
My space heater.
My living room.
My yoga practice.
My sweat.
My tears.
My brokenness.
My struggles and burdens.
My surrender to:
Love, strength, grace, mercy
And complete healing with time.
What does your practice do for you? Do you let yourself surrender to it completely, or are you still grasping and holding onto the things that need to be let go in order to set you free?
Om shanti,
Z
My space heater.
My living room.
My yoga practice.
My sweat.
My tears.
My brokenness.
My struggles and burdens.
My surrender to:
Love, strength, grace, mercy
And complete healing with time.
What does your practice do for you? Do you let yourself surrender to it completely, or are you still grasping and holding onto the things that need to be let go in order to set you free?
Om shanti,
Z
Friday, December 14, 2012
Today.
I don't have any children of my own. But I do have 12 beautiful, wonderful preschoolers that I get to spend my mornings with. Today's events have been utterly heartbreaking. I just keep thinking about how little and beautiful these children were. The loss of any life is always hard, but when it's a child it's so much harder because you mourn what little of life they had, and the long life and dreams they'll never see.
And I hate how so many people used today's events to argue about gun control laws in our country. Yes, something needs to be done, but arguing over it on Facebook and Twitter right after the news broke was inappropriate. Well, I thought it was inappropriate at least.
We send so much hate to each other too often. Where's the love? Where's the support, especially after such a tragic event? Can't we just have today to mourn the loss of children who no longer have a future and those adults who tried to protect them? Just one day of focusing on what matters - friends, family, life, - instead of being at each other's throats trying to prove our points?
I'm thankful that I got to spend my morning surrounded by twelve 4-year olds. I'm thankful that I got to hear them laugh and read them stories and hold their hands.
Sandy Hook, you are in my prayers and in my heart.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa
And I hate how so many people used today's events to argue about gun control laws in our country. Yes, something needs to be done, but arguing over it on Facebook and Twitter right after the news broke was inappropriate. Well, I thought it was inappropriate at least.
We send so much hate to each other too often. Where's the love? Where's the support, especially after such a tragic event? Can't we just have today to mourn the loss of children who no longer have a future and those adults who tried to protect them? Just one day of focusing on what matters - friends, family, life, - instead of being at each other's throats trying to prove our points?
I'm thankful that I got to spend my morning surrounded by twelve 4-year olds. I'm thankful that I got to hear them laugh and read them stories and hold their hands.
Sandy Hook, you are in my prayers and in my heart.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa
Friday, December 7, 2012
Note to Self.
Dear Self,
When you get that sad feeling, like you could cry at any second, you're really just tired. Or getting sick. Trust me on this one.
You should unplug more often. Let "relaxing on the couch" be just that...not "sitting on the couch while working and emailing and sequencing yoga classes and lesson planning". Your mind needs rest just as much as your body does.
Think before you speak - not just about what you say but how you say it - because despite your intentions sometimes your tone sounds really, well...snobby.
It's okay that you run out of steam - both physically and mentally - more quickly than others. Being fragile is not a weakness, but not listening to your body is.
Working hard is important, but depending on God is more important. All the work in the world doesn't even come close to His ability to give you what you truly need.
Everything will work out. It almost always does. And if it doesn't? Who cares.
Always remember to completely unplug the straightening iron before leaving the house because if you don't you'll spend all day wondering if you left it on.
It's okay that you're so close to your family. It's not weird. It's a gift. Cherish it.
You need to start washing your jeans more. It's pretty gross that you rarely do.
Watch more good movies. It's good for you.
Love,
Z
When you get that sad feeling, like you could cry at any second, you're really just tired. Or getting sick. Trust me on this one.
You should unplug more often. Let "relaxing on the couch" be just that...not "sitting on the couch while working and emailing and sequencing yoga classes and lesson planning". Your mind needs rest just as much as your body does.
Think before you speak - not just about what you say but how you say it - because despite your intentions sometimes your tone sounds really, well...snobby.
It's okay that you run out of steam - both physically and mentally - more quickly than others. Being fragile is not a weakness, but not listening to your body is.
Working hard is important, but depending on God is more important. All the work in the world doesn't even come close to His ability to give you what you truly need.
Everything will work out. It almost always does. And if it doesn't? Who cares.
Always remember to completely unplug the straightening iron before leaving the house because if you don't you'll spend all day wondering if you left it on.
It's okay that you're so close to your family. It's not weird. It's a gift. Cherish it.
You need to start washing your jeans more. It's pretty gross that you rarely do.
Watch more good movies. It's good for you.
Love,
Z
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