Honoring the Dark

Not all dark has to be scary or dreadful.


It was the summer solstice recently and I noticed several yoga classes offering 108 sun salutations to commemorate the day. It's a yoga tradition to do so.


If we have the most sun on that day, while I do believe it is important to be grateful for it, do we really need a practice that will create more fire? Ayurvedic thought gives us the idea that balance is the great wellness maker; if we have too much of anything, we need its' opposite to balance its' effects. While I didn't get to it right on the day, we are still lucky enough to have very long days for a while yet, so lets spend some time honoring the dark.


Our reality is dualistic. We have light so we must have dark. It is what we fill the dark with that makes it a comfort or a curse.


Empty yourself; breathe as if u were hollow. Create the most comfortable/comforting internal environment. Feel the dark soft and welcoming. Settle into the space as you would a giant, puffy chair. Feel at ease.

On Being Average

Life is always a work in progress. I've noticed that every day I have to get up and remember certain activities that help me with the process of change. There are things that stick because it's what I've always done. Then there's everything else. It's the work that I put in that is the real and lasting change that has allowed me to let go of some of my detrimental habits.
Before, for many years, I had resentment at the idea that I needed to change. What was wrong with me?! Wasn't I a decent person? Wasn't I free to do as I pleased? Yet at the same time I was not happy with myself. I looked funny and felt awkward and regretted my actions.
When I was in high school I hated the fact that I was average. I didn't do any work to try to become more, I just disliked the implication of being someone who could be lost in a crowd. (I don't remember from whom this was implied, it was just in my mind.) What I have come to learn and appreciate is that being that person helps me be a good yoga instructor. If I was someone who was effortlessly extraordinary, who would want to hear from me? People can relate to my way of thinking; to my way of seeing the world. And it is because they can relate that I can do my job in offering techniques which help to smooth the process of change.
I've spoken before of Swami Rama's The Art of Joyful Living. One of the things he recommends to increase happiness is to discover your duty in life and accept it. Maybe being average isn't exactly a duty but accepting it has made my life happier.


"Whatever you are, be a good one."
-Abraham Lincoln

Reality?

Lack of (true) perception coupled with sharp senses leads to suffering.


We all get so caught up in our stuff. Modern science has shown us that what we can perceive with our five senses is only 90% of what exists. Think about that. All the amazing, wonderful, miraculous phenomenon you experience or learn about regarding your world or our universe through your eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin is only a small part. Small! We are so reliant on out eyes yet we can't see all the different kinds of light there is nor magnetic fields. We can't hear all the pitches that animals can.

Now put this into the context of your own life. We tend to think we know all about our lives and that we know best. Yet we can hide things from ourselves. We choose to behave in ways that confirm the image we want of ourselves, instead of who we really are. Our unconscious minds are the 90% of our personal universes. With yoga we have a system of techniques with which we can begin to experience more of our reality.

A few years ago I went camping with family and ended up having a little time in the afternoon to breathe. We were camping by a lake and I found a spot with a nice view of the lake but that was semi private. My attention was preoccupied with getting a good view of the horizon. When I started drawing my awareness back to myself I found I had chosen a seat about a foot from a sapling. I was face to face with it, so to speak. I had to laugh at the image of someone coming upon me and finding that I had chosen to sit facing so close to this little tree. But I didn't even notice it as I settled myself down. That is everything you carry but don't want to see. Your attention has been focused away for so long that you can't even see the thing that's right in front of your face. So when others come upon u and see that thing immediately, u categorically deny it and waste some time being outraged.

What are you carrying that you have carried for so long that you don't even notice anymore? Look at yourself. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Take the time and be honest. Respect yourself enough to be honest.

A Strong Foundation Supports an Open Heart

Can you support your own heart?


Sometimes we have to be our own support system in tough times. This week's class focuses on our ability to be a self contained unit. That is not to say that we can't or shouldn't rely on others. But, we have all the elements we need to face challenges and over come them. We simply need to strengthen and open to the possibilities.


Asana this week will focus on strengthening the navel and opening the heart. We will find out what we are made of. Hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised by your ability.

Tapas

Tapas is a Sanskrit term that refers to heat or effort. (not the Spanish style of eating small portions) Just like many of the other ideas put forth in the practice of yoga it is a very practical means to achieve success in life. It is our human nature and free will in which our troubles arise.

This is a practice that I have had trouble with my whole life. Even before I was introduced to the concept of tapas I was resistant to any kind of self discipline. I don't think that I am unique in having the attitude of being able to do what I want and resisting any restraint. Fortunately for me it never went much farther then an excess of sugar. I have been able, with dedication to my practice, to reduce the number of self imposed negative influences on my behavior. But many of the circumstances in my life conspired to reduce the opportunity for indulging in these detrimental behaviors. Tapas is self imposed discipline. It is an internal character building exercise.

My current tapas practice is to stick to 2 cups of coffee (1/2 decaf) a day and to never buy Malano cookies again. (Seriously. Ever.) The degree of success that I'll have with this practice depends entirely on my willpower. The question becomes: is my intention stronger than my habit?

My teacher's teacher (Rod Styker) calls this a departure point in his Four Desires program. It is one small, maybe seemingly insignificant, change in your behavior that has the potential to lead to much bigger and better changes in your life.

While this process is undoubtedly one of internal fortitude we will practice asana this week with the intention of building heat to create resistance and work through that difficultly because you cannot do to your body without it affecting your mind.

It is a matter of the right ingredients. What can you do to become bigger than your habits? Yoga has a plethora of options but it is not the only thing you can do. There are many self help books, talk shows and videos. Find what works for you and stick with it.

For every difficulty I encounter and overcome, my gratitude for the practice of yoga in my life grows.