(Non)Judgement/(Non)Violence

Judgement. They are so... I am so...  

One of the yogic principles that I find particularly challenging is that of non judgement.  The word used to describe this principle is ahimsa.  Ahimsa is also translated into nonviolence.  Non judgement and nonviolence.

So let's flip that principle for a second and think about the opposite.  If we use the same word to mean non judgement and nonviolence, do we effectively use the same principle to equate judgement and violence?  That feels really powerful to me.  Thinking about acts of judgement as acts of violence gives weight to the reality of what we do when we judge.

As the old adage goes, "we are our own worst critics."  By judging our thoughts, emotions and, often most harshly, our physical selves, we are effectively committing acts of violence against ourselves.  

 

In asana practice, the physical expression of yoga, we strive towards a posture.  This means we strive towards aligning our flesh and bones into proper alignment.   Proper is not to be confused with "prettiest" or "more graceful than".  Proper means proper for me.  I find myself practicing with a running monologue of "if only I could reach my hands further," or, "if I could get rid of this belly, I would get my head closer to my knee., " "if I push harder, this will look and feel better."  At the end of the day, it's all just an endless stream of self directed violence. Wishing my body would do or be something it won't is just another way of telling myself that I am not good enough. By fighting against the way my body is, I am beating myself up for being me. Wrapped up in the "if I could only" statements is inherent guilt and shame for not being something else. 

In class last night, the always insightful Corina Benner said "Yoga is as much about proportions as it is  about strength and endurance."  It was a huge ah-ha moment. What if my postures look and feel the way they do because of my proportions, not because my effort isn't good enough?  I have strength and constantly expanding endurance. Cataloguing inabilities devalues abilities.  My abilities are great and I learn more from this practice constantly.

I will continue to practice non judgement and nonviolence outwardly for others and inwardly for myself.

Namaste.
 

30 Days of Yoga: How it worked for me

A few people have asked about the nuts and bolts of how the 30 days of yoga process worked for me.  I share this in the spirit of community and offer my perspective.  I am NOT a yoga instructor and I don't pretend to be.  If yoga is new to you, please check out your local studio or connect with a certified teacher.  Their wisdom, especially in regards to safety and alignment, is invaluable!

"No day like today."--Jonathan Larson

For me, starting was the easy part.  This yoga journey started as problem solving. How do I fit more yoga into one very busy week? I live far away from the studio where I like to practice and I haven't found a class I like near me.  Going to class became super time consuming. And, honestly, too expensive for my budget.

So, I rolled out a mat, set a timer for 30 minutes, sat down and began with "Om".  The first time, I had no real plan.  It flowed better than I thought it would, but I learned a lot as I went on.  Most vinyasa classes that I've been to over the last 6 years have about the same structure, so I mimicked that very familiar pattern.

Reading
Opening Chant
Opening warm-up/stretch
Sun Salutations
Warrior series
Balance/Back-bending/Inversions
Seated postures
Savasana
Closing Chant

The classes I go to at studios are typically 90 minutes.  Throughout this 30 day process, I went to the studio about once a week.   At home, my goal was to find 30 minutes, but I would extend that whenever possible. 

In such a short practice, rather than picking a couple of pieces, I did at least one pose in each category and held them for at least 3 breaths.  This made the practice flow nicely and allowed for much customization.  30 minutes goes by quickly, but it's amazing how much more quickly you can move with intention when you aren't in a class and stopping for instruction. 

A typical practice would look like the following:

Reading- A reading from books with daily offerings. Short and to the point. Setting an intention that had something to do with theme of the reading.  Spend about a minute thinking about body parts or poses that might need attention.
Opening Chant- Om 3 times
Opening warm-up/stretch -  Gentle twists and a few rounds of cat/cow
Sun Salutations - At least 3 surya namaskara A followed by 3 surya namaskara B
Warrior series- Warrior 1, Warrior 2, Radiant Warrior, Extended Triangle, Wide-legged forward fold.
Balance/Back-Bending/Inversions- This one had the most variety and changed based on what I was working on that day.  But, I'd always pick something.  Maybe Bridge and Wheel, or Sleeping Pigeon, or Eagle.
Seated postures- Seated forward fold(s), a spinal twist
Savasana - Always. Always. Always.
Chant - Om once, sometimes followed by 3 Shanti's.

Again, this is what works for me.  I hope you find something that works for you to inspire your own practice!

Namaste.

30 Days of Yoga

30 days of yoga has come and gone.  When I started, I was sure that there would be a countdown.  Like one if those big easel pads of paper where you tear off the 25 to reveal the 24 underneath.  Maybe a desire to celebrate "10 more to go!"   But that's not what happened. Time flew by. 

Making time for this practice meant finding time in an already busy schedule.  For me, it meant waking up earlier.  I thought for sure that it would get really tiresome. But, it didn't. I very quickly established a new routine. 5:45 wake up. Walk the dog. Make lunches. Escape to my own personal yoga retreat.  Start the day smiling.

 There were days and times that were challenging. Days when I skipped the morning and found time in the evening.  There was the Saturday that I was so busy, I forgot altogether until 10pm after eating pizza. In contrast, there were other days when I forgot that I had already practiced in the morning and found myself inadvertently gearing up for round 2.

As the 30 days drew to a close, I began to feel a sense if impending loss.  A rise in anxiety, as if something precious was ending. This was a sweet time of reflection and growth, but I've come to understand that the end was really the beginning of something else.

One of the principles we explore when we practice yoga is renunciation.  During this 30 day growth spurt, I renounced the idea that yoga is merely a hobby for me. I renounced the idea that I practice solely for physical benefit. And, I renounced the notion that I don't have time to dive into this practice more fully.

All of that renunciation made room for the beautiful routines that have become my everyday.

Namaste.

Day 25/30 - Show up.

Sometimes it's that simple.

Show up. Show up. Just keep showing up.

Open your mind. Open your heart. Keep showing up. 

Make a list. Tell a friend. Say a prayer. Just keep showing the fuck up.

Then stop. Listen. Hear it. Feel it. And, go back for more.