tsmith2

Heart~ Day #7 (Week #4)

Sun, 03 May 2020 12:45:50 GMT

May 3

“There is a light in the core of our being that calls us home—one that can only be seen with closed eyes; We can feel it as a radiance in the center of our chest. This light of loving awareness is always here, regardless of our conditioning. It does not matter how many dark paths we have traveled or how many wounds we have inflicted or sustained as we have unknowingly stumbled toward this inner radiance. It does not matter how long we have sleepwalked, seduced by our desires and fears. This call persists until it is answered, until we surrender to who we really are. When we do, we feel ourselves at home wherever we are. A hidden beauty reveals itself in our ordinary life. As the true nature of our Deep Hear is unveiled, we feel increasingly grateful for no reason—grateful to simply be.”

—John J. Prendergast, PHD, The Deep Heart

SUN!~ Day #6 (Week #4)

Sat, 02 May 2020 13:42:51 GMT

May 2

Seems like it’s been rainy, windy, dreary for eons. Which may have helped us shelter inside a bit more. I remember reading years and years ago in a Seth book that weather can be influenced, and even created by mass human emotion. Why not? We are far more powerful than we currently acknowledge, and science is beginning to validate many phenomena that had seemed inconceivable before. Those seemingly endless days of “bad” weather seemed congruent with the emotional tone of covid her in New England. And now SUN! Glorious, warming, invigorating, hope-filled Sun! Today I will be outside basking and gardening and thanking. And I’m sure the whole neighborhood, and most of New England will go outside, stand with our faces to the sun and breathe a huge healing breath of joy. And maybe the collective energy of that will resonate out across the word as a promise of brighter days to come.

Getting Loud~ Day #5 (Week #4)

Fri, 01 May 2020 13:11:51 GMT

May 1

Quiet is great. Quiet feels essential to what is being asked of me during this time and I’m meditating more and deeper than before covid… and then yesterday I needed to get loud. I put on some old favorite music, sang my lungs out (an added bonus of working from home) and danced in my chair like no one was watching (another bonus). I felt a huge burst of release from all the heavy, dreary, rainy days that seem to be part of this. Yes yoga is fantastic in every way AND crazy uninhibited dancing to ecstatic music is also manna for the soul.

May All Beings Benefit~ Day #4 (Week #4)

Fri, 01 May 2020 13:08:42 GMT

April 30

Every time I remember this Tibetan Buddhist practice, I am stunned by how it shifts my state. At the start of an activity, offering that all being benefit through my actions, opens my awareness to the interconnectedness of Being. As my husband and I walked in the woods yesterday, I remembered to greet the forest and honor its gifts of beauty, clean air, and profound demonstration of emergence and dissolution. I could feel a Presence acknowledging my greeting and it felt so right to offer our walk to the healing and benefit of all beings all over the world. I remember how it stunned me in teacher training to read the Bhagavad Gita where it said we are responsible for our actions, but not entitled to the fruits of our actions; that is up to Lord Shiva (the Absolute). I’m asking to remember more and more with each thing I do, to offer that all beings be blessed. And when I add the physical movement of putting my hand on my heart, it compounds the intensity of the expression. It may not go any further than my own Presence, but in that, it does everything.

Dill Pickle Potato Chips~ Day #3 (Week #4)

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 12:26:49 GMT

April 29

I’m starting to get anxious. I have a full time job as a graphic designer and all our work has dried up since the world has stopped holding conferences. Thankfully my boss assures me that she won’t lay me off, but days and now weeks of little or no work are stoking the anxiety machine in my brain, which is well-oiled and running on all cylinders already. The brain notices this discomfort and offers that something to eat will make me feel better….and WHOA! Those chips are AWESOME. So I pound down several thousand calories worth. And YIKES! Now I feel WORSE! Better have more chips so I don’t have to feel this. No Bueno. My coach always says notice that the worst that can happen is a feeling…WHAT? And 100% confidence comes when you are willing to actually feel all the feelings. So today I will feel the call of those chips and sit and breathe YES to the tsunamis of anxiety. I will soften the dam of resistance and unwillingness and simply sit and breathe and be with all of it…but OMG those chips are AWESOME!

Shouldstorm~ Day #2 (Week #4)

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 02:17:35 GMT

April 28

With all this “extra” time on my hands, I should have a spotless house, a pristine garden, a checked-off “to do” list. Nope. All the drives and ambitions to build my coaching practice, market my art, start a podcast, seem to have lost their charge right now. Instead, the stillness calls me to take this pause and explore it. Slow down even more and feel deeper into not-doing. The shouldstorm ruffles my feathers and I get up to do something and notice it lost its charge. Stillness calls me back to witness this slowing down. For the first time ever, the incredible acceleration of the world’s doings is being forced to pause. Something is asking us to feel deeper inside to an authenticity that is connected to nature, to honoring, to something far more sublime than doing — BEING. So I go into the woods and feel it all; the decay and growth, the eating and being eaten, the full spectrum of Life arising and dissolving back to the Oneness. I let the shouldstorms do their rain of guilt and shame, and rest in spacious Wonder that has infinite room for all of it.

Refuge~ Day #1 (Week #4)

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:08:06 GMT

April 27

The human brain is hardwired to filter for dangers and threats. Finding them, it puts the whole system on alert with hormonal and electrochemical readiness for fight, flight or freeze. And this creative human brain offers us a continuous stream of potential catastrophes, thinking it is helping us prepare for whatever comes. The brain goes on overdrive, our muscles tense, our breathing gets shallow and choppy, and bloodflow is diverted from organic to muscular systems, so we might notice digestive issues, sleep challenges, inability to calm the mind and body. And then we come to our mat and re-member, drawing all the bits and pieces of attention from the “out there” to the exquisite sensations of muscles moving, breath deepening, and feet finding their roots. As a person who has struggled with anxiety for decades, I find refuge through yoga and meditation. Dropping out of that narrative in my head down into the depths of sensation through breath and movement is the medicine that reliably and consistently offers me relief from this overactive brain. It would not be an overstatement to say yoga has been my salvation, and it is my greatest privilege and honor to share that with this community. Think of it — our yoga practice gives us the tools to manage our state and become the healing presence that ripples out to our loved ones, and beyond.

This is Timeless~ Day #7 (Week 3)

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 12:39:00 GMT

April 26

A friend sent me this poem she found.

"And people stayed at home

And read books

And listened

And they rested

And did exercises

And made art and played

And learned new ways of being

And stopped and listened

More deeply

Someone meditated, someone prayed

Someone met their shadow

And people began to think differently

And people healed.

And in the absence of people who

Lived in ignorant ways

Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,

The earth began to heal

And when the danger ended and

People found themselves

They grieved for the dead

And made new choices

And dreamed of new visions

And created new ways of living

And completely healed the earth

Just as they were healed."

Time travel~ Day #6 (Week 3)

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 15:12:23 GMT

April 25

Is anyone else baking bread? Slow boiling chicken carcasses? Planting vegetable seeds? Having meaningful conversations over a home-cooked meal? Playing board games? Have we time traveled back to pre-Industrial Revolution days? Does Mother Nature have something to say? I’m a ponderer and at the moment, I can’t stop pondering. I just can’t fathom what’s going on. In fact, everything’s going on. Not enough food. Too much oil. Disappearing jobs. Vanishing income. Grounded airplanes. Cancelled sports. Cancelled school. Shuttered stores. Shuttered movie theaters. Closed restaurants. Closed yoga studios. Closed museums. People sick and people dying. Overwhelmed hospitals. Life is now lived in our homes. Because we have to stay home, because our entire families are now under one roof all day long, naturally we’re trying new things. At least I am. Time has slowed down enough for us to catch up with ourselves and with each other. We’re learning new things about ourselves and about each other. I think I was born into the wrong era. Slowed down time actually energizes me. And surprisingly, my days are busier than ever. More meaningful than ever. And I’m not even getting into my car. I’m reading more, cooking more, gardening more. There is so much to learn, so much to practice, so much to do. There is a sense of urgency in the air - with so much unknown ahead of us, it feels vital to be productive, to expand our reach and to stay involved. Daily jobs, for those lucky enough to have one, gives structure to our days, so the unstructured time, the time we once used up on our commutes, feels like a privilege, an opportunity to try something new. Whatever we choose to do with this time, I hope its value will endure when we’ve returned to our normal lives, if they’re ever normal again.

Sun Salutations~ Day #5 (Week 3)

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 13:05:54 GMT

April 24

Alone on my mat, I’ve discovered the joy of sun salutations. They’re all I need for a complete yoga practice. When time is limited, or I’m easily distracted, I often do a short warm up and then do Sun Salutations till my mind shuts up and my body loosens and nothing else in life matters. Whether it’s A or B series, repeating repeating repeating soothes tension, calms nerve endings, strengthens our immune system. The more sun salutations I do, the more I release emotional crap built up in my muscles causing sluggishness and pain. One breath, one movement never works better than during a smooth-flowing sun salutation. I did a little digging and learned that some yogis, probably the most hard core traditionalists (or Vicki), practice 108 sun salutations in a row. This practice is reserved for the change of the seasons, the winter and summer solstice, and the spring and fall equinox. Some yogis like to practice 108 Sun Salutations for the new year, and for other big life events, like a marriage or a birth in the family. It sounds a bit daunting. I’m generally good for about 5-10 of each series before I feel I have to move on, but it does seem like a formidable challenge in these days of formidable challenges. For now, I’m thinking small. My next Sun Salutation practice will be facing the sun, soaking up its strength, its warmth and its dose of Vitamin D. That’s all I can ask for in these strange and unknown times.

My New Yoga Community~ Day #4 (Week 3)

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:21:42 GMT

April 23

Practicing alone. Alone alone, alone together or together-together; they’re vastly different yet equally valuable. In the end it’s a wash. Practicing is practicing, whenever, wherever, whatever. In my current housing situation, my yoga community is small but thrilling. My daughter and her fiancé are acro-yogis, short for acrobatic yoga, the ultimate together-together practice. A former gymnast, acro-yoga fulfills my daughter’s love of acrobatics and keeps her fit. She lucked out that her boyfriend was willing to learn, or maybe that’s what love’s all about. Anyway, three years into their practice, I marvel at their intensity, their devotion to their practice. Every day after work, they practice new routines, old routines, they attempt new moves, they repeat old moves with focus and pure passion. As they’re living in their own little house up the hill, I don’t actually watch them practice; I watch the videos which highlight the process, including the stumbles and the successes. Lately, with more time on their hands, and with friends hungry to learn, they’ve been making tutorials. My husband and I gave it a try the other day. Suffice it to say, with close to 20 years of regular yoga under my belt, I was humbled by its difficulty, the strength and balance needed even for the simplest of poses. My respect for their practice has grown exponentially, a silver lining to this messed up moment. It’s given us the gift of time with our children, as challenging as it is at times. After years of empty-nesting, this means sharing our daily lives with our fully-independent, adult children. I am happy to have the time to learn how they spend their days - how hard they work at their jobs, how and when they exercise, how they relax after work, what and when they eat, how they relate to each other and to us - all things I haven’t been a part of for years. Now, if it lasts until 2021, the shine might wear off. In the meantime, check out acro.and.chill on Instagram. And take a tutorial if you dare.

Yoga and thorny vines~ Day #3 (Week 3)

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 14:46:49 GMT

April 22

You learn a lot about yourself sheltering in place deep in the woods alongside the wild and beautiful ocean in the early days of spring. My family is here, of course, so I am far from alone, but surprisingly, my secluded hilltop fills me with mixed emotions. Like everyone, I am terrified of the mysterious virus crashing its way through society, lashing on to anyone who comes into its path. I want to hide till it goes away. I feel helpless and vulnerable, but on the other hand, I am happy. I welcome the quiet, the solitude, the forced pause we all must endure. I feel intense gratitude for my home in the woods far away from the sad, life-sucking chaos this virus is bringing to metropolitan areas. I also feel intense gratitude to be surrounded by trees - oaks, beech, beetlebung, cedar, holly, and high bush blueberry - but upon closer look, I noticed that miles and miles of thorny vines are wrapped around each and every tree in sight. Having rarely spent considerable time here in March and April, I hadn’t realized how invasive they are. Kinda like the coronavirus, these thick, green, (SHARP!) vines spread fast, climbing to the top of the tallest tree, winding around trunks, limbs, the tiniest of branches, and choking out life. With this newfound time, I have gone to battle. My daily meditation is now beneath a tree, under a bush, cutting and yanking the thorny vines from their helpless and vulnerable victims. For hours each day, I focus on undoing the knotted, entwined, lecherous vines that cling so tightly I have to rip them off their prey, sometimes even hanging on them to loosen their grip. Besides the holes in my fingers and the bruises on my legs, it’s satisfying work. Strangely. In this time of global illness, loss of jobs and tragic death, I feel less helpless. I am saving the trees from their own vulnerable and tragic demise. One by one. I am focused, my mind is calm, my breathing is deep and steady, my body works on its own. This meditative activity gives me time away from the news, the deep sadness, the lack of answers, the unknown future, the unimaginable losses, whatever may occupy my thoughts. You do not need a mat to experience the positive effects of meditation. Grab your loppers and save a tree. One by one.

Yoga in the Natural World~ Day #2 (Week 3)

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:35:23 GMT

April 21

Does it seem to anyone else that the birds are singing louder than usual? That the grass looks greener than you remembered from last year? That the daffodils are strong and brilliant in their eye-popping yellows and oranges? That the earth is breathing again? Could this really be the result of a world stopped in its tracks, halting its daily output of pollution, its endless lines of traffic, and its overall congestion? When’s the last time you’ve had time to watch spring evolve? If we allow ourselves the time, we have a precious opportunity to notice the natural world. And even better, our senses are unbound by our own lack of constant movement and distraction. Spring is a time of growth and revitalization, a time when we cherish longer days, warmer air, new flowers sprouting and the sweet notes of birdsong. Interestingly, my yoga practice has evolved too. Many days start or end on my mat, inside like the days of old, but more and more days wind their way outdoors, lured by the light and the fresh air. I wander through wooded paths, meander along the edge of the ocean, hop over streams, climb rocks, crawl in and out of emerging vegetable beds, and lastly, seeking rest, I sit with my eyes closed feeling the cool spring air and the warming sun on my face and filling my mind with the happy sounds of spring. This too is yoga. Paying attention, noticing, slowing down, finding calm and strength and gratitude in the eternal powers of the natural world. These days, I’m grateful for both kind of days.

Yoga in Place~ Day #1 (Week 3)

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:31:15 GMT

April 20

Isolation. Confinement. Lockdown. Shelter in place. Words of terror for some and words of freedom for others. With lots of hours, days and weeks to think about the terrifying and uncharted world in which we are living, some may settle in to new routines and others may resist. I fall into the former category, settling in and tuning out. Kind of like being on your yoga mat in a sea of different people, often unknown. When you walk onto your mat, your intention is to settle in and hopefully, to tune out. Words of terror for some and words of freedom for others. Strangely similar one to the other. But yoga is meant to be a practice that connects our minds and bodies, slows down the chattering and awakens our physical beings. In this particular moment in time, yoga practice has to work doubly hard to connect our frightened, anxious, worrisome minds with our tense house-bound bodies. Finding the time and space to practice is in itself a challenge, and also a privilege. With a houseful of my own, and with multiple adult children and husband WFH, when I can’t find a quiet space indoors on my mat, I’m finding solace, space and focus outside in the springtime forests that surround me. This I know is a luxury, a social distancing privilege, but a walk outside in the cool, crisp air can benefit everyone’s body and mind, no matter its state and no matter where you are. So get outside every day, tune in to your surroundings and breathe in each step as if it’s your last.

Bio: Judy B. has been practicing at OTM since 2002 when it all began (it actually all began in her barn!). She is a trained yoga teacher, an artist, a writer and a nature lover.

Recovery~ Day #7 (Week 2)

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:55:05 GMT

April 19

Last fall, I underwent significant surgery that altered my life and required many months of healing. Fortunately, I had my yoga practice to physically and mentally prepare me for surgery, guide me through the tough times, and take me beyond. The most powerful way that yoga made a difference is gratitude – appreciation for all the people caring for me and all the resources marshaled on my behalf.

As we all deal with the effects of Covid-19, let us be thankful for the scientists, health care professionals, retail clerks, farm workers, delivery drivers and many others who provide our essentials. Their efforts and our collective willingness to physically distance speaks to a society committed to caring and not just consuming.

Healing from Covid will be a long and difficult process and a personal yoga practice can bring calm strength and resilience to the challenges ahead. Based on my personal healing experience, rather than react with rancor and recrimination, I encourage us all to pave the road to recovery with gratitude.

Home~ Day #6 (Week 2)

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 13:08:39 GMT

April 18

The other day a friend of mine commented that during this stay-at-home period she is doing a lot more yoga. A home practice lends itself to digging deeper into the physical and mental spaces that call to be opened up. There are conveniences home yoga – no commute to a studio, no worries about what you are wearing, less judging your performance to others, easy bathroom breaks. And when you join online classes, you can swim in the miraculous flow of electrons that keeps us connected.

The week before the Covid-19 lockdown I led a yoga class for inmates at the Northeastern Correctional Center in Concord, otherwise known as the prison farm. About a dozen men enthusiastically engaged in meditation and movement themed around noticing the body and calming the mind. After class, several guys asked if they could have more classes and the prison official present said that could be a possibility.

But not now, of course. People in institutions are particularly virus vulnerable, as are those living in crowded apartments or on the street. For most of us home is our safe space and I ache at the thought of not having one. Home happens to rhyme with the sound of Om. Voice either out loud and the reverberations are both personal and universal.

Being/Doing~ Day #5 (Week 2)

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 15:12:35 GMT

April 17

For many years Home Depot used the tagline “More Saving. More Doing.” Often, I would think to myself that the equivalent yoga tagline could be “Less Doing. More Being.” Thinking along those lines, I recall a teacher suggesting that we be the pose not just do the pose. “You are the strong mountain, the humble warrior, the flowing dancer.” And the other day during class Gregor reflected that a particular pose is simply the form of yoga leading toward the state of yoga. To me the form is the doing – the state is the being.
It turns out that a few months ago Home Depot switched their tagline to “How doers get more done.” According to their VP of brand marketing, “Our purpose is to empower doers. Helping doers get more done is what this campaign is about.” Hum. I wonder if a yoga VP of brand marketing might say, “Our purpose is to empower beings. Helping beings get more being is what this campaign is about.”
As yoga practitioners what is the being we want? I offer this from Nicolai Bachman in The Path of the Yoga Sutras. “ The purpose of yoga is clarification of our individual field of consciousness in order to perceive external events clearly and connect to our inner light of awareness.” I will then add that, as sentient beings, we can then move forward into the world with equanimity for all.

Smile~ Day #4 (Week 2)

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 13:00:30 GMT

April 16

A yoga teacher friend often suggests smiling at the conclusion of savasana. When I do, it makes my spirit lift. But not only that, I’ve discovered that a full face smile can also lift my spine. The more I smile the more opening wraps around from the front of my chest to the back until my shoulder blades relax and widen into an inverted smile (think rainbow). Spirit and spine united with a smile. This connection is especially useful in balance poses where I have found that a small smile brings me up and relaxes the breath - it takes concentrated effort to clench your teeth and hold your breath while smiling.

In the yoga world we have the image of the fat laughing Buddha and there is even an entire wing of yoga devoted to laughter as described in this Yoga Journal article https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/laughter-cure . And for an even wider view of the power of the smile, you might want to check out this TED talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_gutman_the_hidden_power_of_smiling?language=en

In tough times a smile might just lighten the load a little bit, while a frown might just bring you down. Perhaps the smile is another pose to add to our yoga toolbox.

Outdoors~ Day #3 (Week 2)

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:59:32 GMT

April 15

Take your yoga to the outdoor studio. No walls or ceilings to limit your view. Meld your inner landscape with the outer. Root into the earth. Sway with the wind. Drink the fresh air. Follow the warmth of the sun. Find a favorite pose. Play with your shadow. But what if someone sees me? What would they say? What would they think of me? Should I care? Of course I should care, but what should I care about?

I stand tall in tree pose to honor the oak. I see the world upside down in dog pose. I simply sit and ride the planet. If doing this gives me a sense of well-being and feeds my inner wonder, then that’s’ what I should care about most – not what other people think. On the next sunny afternoon, as I go through a warrior series with my shadow partner and I encounter a curious neighbor I’ll just have to figure out how to explain what I am doing. Maybe they will want to join me. Probably not, but that’s fine, too.

Breath~ Day #2 (Week 2)

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:52:37 GMT

April 14

When people ask me how I am doing, I reply, “I’m breathing.” We are in a time when breath is on everyone’s mind. In ordinary daily life we don’t concentrate on breathing, otherwise it would be hard to think or do much of anything. In yoga, breath is our foundation. We mindfully nurture the life force that surges deep within. We follow the breath. We lead with the breath. We use the breath to gauge our strength and resilience. For Covid-19 patients such measurements become a matter of life or death. It’s interesting that breathing exercises recommended for Covid patients so closing follow what we do in yoga. Long slow inhales and exhales with pauses in between. Intentional breaths while face down (sphinx, cobra) and face up (bridge) and on the side (planks). Obviously, yoga doesn’t prevent Covid-19 (although if our president did yoga he might think it does), but, certainly, nurturing breath is a healthy practice with only positive side effects. So now, hold that breath and give thanks for the next.

Rooting~ Day #1 (Week 2)

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 12:11:52 GMT

April 12

On these nice spring days, with not much else to do, many of us may be working in the yard. The other day I decided to attack the thick bittersweet vines entangled along the neighbor’s fence. Like most problems, getting rid of an invasive requires getting to the roots. Superficial pruning just makes the roots go deeper and wider. Getting to the roots requires digging with a pick axe. Digging with a pick axe demands a full body effort. A full body effort calls for yoga. Stand tall and strong in mountain. Connect with deliberate breath. Inhale – from feet through hips into shoulders to arms – and raise the pick axe overhead. Exhale – from arms, shoulders, hips and feet - and thrust down into the ground. Repeat with effort and ease. No clenching of teeth. No holding of breath. Swing high, swing low – most of all - swing slow. Until, tendril by tendril, the invader loses its grip and we taste the sweet sweat of success.

Bio:
Richard Fahlander is a Concord writer, educator and artist. He has practiced yoga regularly for the past five years and completed yoga teacher training in May 2019.

Path to the Present~ Day #7

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 11:45:26 GMT

April 12

As the week ends with Passover and Easter today, it feels a little daunting to find the right metaphor or theme for this final day of blogging. What comes to mind, after seven days of yoga and solitary walks with Sasha, without music, podcasts, or phones, is the power of contemplation, prayer, silence, and the time and space to be alone with one’s own thoughts. I come back to my introductory blog where I talked about the conditions needed to listen to my internal voice, intuition, and quite nudging.

In the busy-ness of everyday, pre-Covid-19 life, it’s easy for me to spend my entire day reacting to information, stimulus and other’s thoughts and opinions. In the physical space of the studio, sometimes there are other influences and stimulus to capture my attention, but in the solitude of my own bedroom, on my yoga mat, I’m virtually with so many others, but physically alone. Svasana happens in a different way because I can turn my computer off and spend as long as I want in the stillness of the pose.

When I was walking today, through the streets of Piedmont, California, since our park paths through the woods are closed, I came down this street of beautiful spring flowers. I came back to it later today to take the picture, and when I looked back at the photo, I saw the path. No real beginning and no real end, just like our life right now. It reminded me that the certainty is in the quiet of the present moment… always.

Yoga, Interrupted~ Day #6

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 14:11:32 GMT

April 11

If you’ve folllowed this week’s blog from the beginning, you know that I started this week off saying yes. The first was to re-commit to yoga everyday and blog about it. Everything is better with yoga, so how I could I think I could go through this stressful time without it? My second yes was to adopting a rescue dog. Neither commitment required much thought. Both were instantaneous.

Little did I know the ways Sasha would interrupt yoga, and judging by the number of dogs on the Zoom screen, this is a common occurrence. From licking my face during downward dog to barking ferociously at any new noise from an Amazon delivery at the door, to children laughing next door, or a mallard landing in the pool, yoga has been interrupted. Yet, it has never been easier to re-engage after that disruption. And the funny thing is the teachers are watching all of this on the screen. The stories they could tell!

Teachers have seen me leave my mat. Sasha was disturbing the entire neighborhood during Liz’ evening Yin Yoga, and then I had to leave 3 times during Ramsay’s 5 pm (2pm PDT) flow. What was I doing? My 85 year old dad escaped using a computer until Covid-19. He acquiesced to an iPhone a few years ago, but always has others forward emails. He still faxes, so it was a little startling when he needed me to set up his online bridge on Mom’s 8 year old PC. He and his regular Tuesday bridge group now play online bridge at bridgebase.com and talk on a conference call. For some reason, he kept getting bumped out of the game, so from down the hall I hear, “Susan… help me!” The long term solution? We bought him his very own Macbook Air, now fully loaded with bridgebase, Zoom, his gmail, and mine. I quite like this upgraded version, so if you see JQ Reynolds on the screen, it’s me, stealing his new computer.

And back to the dogs. One morning Ramsay mentioned the dogs on the screen and even suggested a “Dogs Day” when we’re all back in physical presence with one another. Later, I googled it and found out it’s a thing. Doga and its described in Wikipedia: “Doga brings laughter and joy, freeing people from feeling they must be perfect to practice,” and so many other reasons to have yoga, interrupted.

And as far as having life interrupted, I know that balancing working remotely with my nonprofit startup, caring for my mom, and adjusting to a rambunctious rescue is nothing compared to the working parents who are homeschooling and caring for young children, while balancing the rest of life. I just read a recent article, “The Parents are not All Right” and it affirms for so many that this balancing act is really, really hard.

I have a few suggestions for you. Common Sense Media has teamed with many companies to create wideopenschool.org which is a phenomenal support to teachers and parents alike. And I’d love for you to test out LookUp.live’s own LookUpChallenge.com. It’s a week of balance to practice with your family, created by Concord resident’s own Juliet Gildehaus, a member of the class of 2020. I could write an entire blog about the high school and college graduates of 2020. Deep sigh. I’m also going to be speaking, virtually, for the Concord Library on 4/16 at 7 pm on Listening to Gen Z: Tech/life balance during Covid-19. It’s for the whole family. Please reach out to me, Susan@lookup.live, for more info on that.

The Power of Music, Pigeon, and Spring Flowers~ Day #5

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 12:30:21 GMT

April 10

It was “Hips and Hamstrings” with Ori today, and it was so comforting to be in such familiar poses with Ori’s soothing voice “Deep breath in” and “Deep breath out.” My achy hips craved her floor sequence that took us shifting from right ankle on left thigh to reclining pigeon, to her signature pose where the reclined pigeon shifts to the left with the right foot on the floor.

I’m not sure why the hips are the source so much tension, stress, and feelings, but I always feel better after pigeon with the deep release of stored emotion. I think I’ll re-instate daily pigeon, even if I don’t get to a full class. Better yet, I’ve started practicing on my own outside while Sasha runs around in the yard. And it’s always nice to get a lick or two while breathing deeply into the sensations.

What’s really surprised me is the deep comfort from the familiarity of music. I’d forgotten the way Ori ends savasana with her melodic chanting. Even Sasha loved it as her ears perked up when she began. When Vicki played Krishna Dash this morning, images and memories of so many OTM classes over the last 15 years came flooding back.

Only 5 days back into yoga, and I feel like a different person. The new routine of the last two days has been a 6:30 am class, a long walk with Sasha, and when I’m a little imbalanced, a second yoga class during the day. While it’s easy to find an online or remote yoga class, the power comes from knowing I’m with my yoga community, and it’s so fun to see and chat with some of the friendly faces before practicing. Today, after meditation with Ori, a group of us had a Zoom chat for about 15 minutes after class ended. All I can say today is I am so grateful for you, OTM friends.

Mindful News Breaks~ Day #4

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 19:14:21 GMT

April 9

24/7 connectivity in the digital age is helping us connect to one another during this unprecented time, but also keeping me glued to the news. I can watch on television, scroll through twitter feeds, and click on short video clips thorughout the day (and night). It can take intention and concerted effort to pull myself away from updates and daily press conferences, and it almost always requires some aspect of mindfulness. Gratitude, solitude, and time outside have been my go tos.

Gratitude: It’s so easy to consider what I’m grateful for during yoga, but sometimes during a stressful moment, not so easy. We’ve created a reminder, a do it yourself gratitude wall, in the kitchen for the off yoga times. Each family member posts sticky notes that have accumulated over time.

Solitude might seem unusual in a home filled with multiple family members, especially if each is working or studying from home, relegated to separate corners of the house, but often convening in the kitchen throughout the day. Cal Newport, in his book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, explains that in our always on culture, we are suffering from solitude deprivation, but he doesn’t mean physical solitude. Rather, he talks about the lack of time we spend without stimulus of external information. Yoga is so great for this, but so is a moment or two in silence, stillness, and solitude, even if you are in a room with multiple family members.

Fresh Air and stepping outside of the house are essential breaks. We’re in the middle of Week 4 of Sheltering in Place, as counties in the California Bay Area were the first to issue an official mandate. We are now at the point where public parks are closed, games or sports that require hands to touch the same ball are banned, and other social distancing has ramped up. Having a dog has made the outdoors unavoidable, but with spring in the air, flowers budding, and warmer weather on the East Coast, going outside is one of my favorite ways to take a mindful news break.

Easing the Stress~Day #3

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 15:48:06 GMT

April 8

Some Covid-19 days feel almost normal, while others are extremely stressful. One day was exceptionally so. Maybe it was a string of rainy days here in California, I’m sure it was because I wasn’t practicing yoga. It was before I’d come back to the mat. In hindsight, “What was I thinking skipping yoga?”

I’d forgotten that stress and anxiety are contagious, and in a household with different competing stresses: health, finances, and cabin fever, there were a couple of days that topped the charts. Somehow remembering the contagion factor helped me breathe more deeply and commit to a yoga routine.

It seems so obvious. I know the strategies for managing this stress. I teach them, but I don’t always do them. I speak and write about the ways technology contribute to anxiety and stress the nervous system. Screen apnea was first researched by Linda Stone. Yes it’s a thing and is when we hold our breath when we check a text, email or Instagram. I believe it’s one of the reasons so many teens and college students are suffering from an increase in anxiety and depression. We send our nervous system into fight, flight or freeze each time we forget to exhale. Just living in the digital age creates a low hum of anxiety for all of us, so you can imagine what’s happening now when screen time is up along with this enormity of crisis our world is facing.

But yoga is all about coming back to the beginning, and in many ways, writing these short blogs have reminded me all over again. Somehow adopting a rescue dog who needs who needs to be walked on a daily, routine basis (without a phone or a screen) has made a big difference, too.

Late to the Party~ Day #2

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 14:44:40 GMT

April 7

I’m late to the OTM remote yoga party. Somehow I got swept up in the competing needs in a three generation household, settling into new routines with a rescue dog, and a bit of laziness. As the week progresses, virtual yoga will become my new daily normal as it has for so many of you. I’m sure you have several suggestions, but here are my initial top 10 reasons for practicing with OTM remotely.

1. You can come to class late and jump in at any time without disrupting others in the class.

2. You can turn on your video and get individual tips from the teachers.

3. And if you want to remain somewhat anonymous or practice in your pjs, you can keep your video off.

4. Your whole household can practice together, thus creating a community within the OTM community.

5. You don’t have to worry about the traffic coming through Concord Center.

6. You can buy the remote class pass and sign up for more than one class ahead of time, and spontaneously choose the one you want. (Or if you sleep through one on PST, you don’t have to miss yoga)

7. Your dog can practice downward dog with you along with the other dogs on the screen.

8. If you want an extra dose of yoga, but don’t want to practice twice, you can listen to a class while you cook, walk the dog, or work on a puzzle. The reminders to breathe and feel your feet permeate.

9. You can invite your friends and family outside of Concord to practice with you. I guarantee they will be hooked on the awesome OTM yoga!

10. And best of all for me, I can practice 3000 miles away and still feel connected to my OTM community.

The Big Yes.. Again~ Day #1

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 14:32:09 GMT

April 6

Greetings to all the On the Mat Yogis from afar at my parents’ home in Piedmont, California. But this is not as afar as 2016 when I last blogged for OTM while I taught yoga to young nuns in a monastery in Burma. My first blog entry then was called, “The Big Yes” where I wrote,

“Yoga teaches us to connect to our bodies, to the sensations we feel, to the intricacies of breath and movement. When we really connect on a daily basis, we begin to train ourselves to hear the answer from that deep intuitive place that wants you to live your life filled with more opportunities to say, “Yes!”

This past week, in the midst of sheltering in place in CA, with the heaviness of the news, I heard that deep intuitive voice and said yes again. This time it was to adopting Sasha, an 11 lb. chihuahua/beagle (or cheagle) rescue dog. Only a week in, but I wonder why I’ve waited so long for a dog.

What I’ve learned in this very short time with her is like yoga, pets bring us into the present moment. Throughout this week, after practicing with many of you, its important for me to continue to find mindful ways to take frequent breaks from technology, news, and worry. Sasha has empowered and reminded me that sometimes we need a little help calming the nervous system to come into the present moment when we’re not actually practicing yoga on the mat.

Day 31~ Poser

Sat, 23 Dec 2017 02:01:00 GMT

Everyone must have a pose they don’t like. Right now mine is Half Moon. I dread when I know it’s coming. After getting (often wrenching) myself into triangle the teacher invites us to move to Half Moon with a hand on a block. “Fly,” says Linda. “Flop,” I think. The too-tight connection through my hips between my raised and standing leg immediately forces my standing foot to turn in. I feel weak, feeble and unbalanced. Why can’t I make this work? What’s wrong with me? Triangle is hard enough. In my life off the mat, I work with young kids and when they get frustrated learning something new I tell them that they can either try or cry. If they just cry I can’t really do much to help; but if they try, I will be right there beside them. I guess maybe next time, rather than cry about it, I’ll at least try to fly.

Day 30~ Solstice Flow

Sat, 23 Dec 2017 01:57:00 GMT

Under a slivered moon, we gather around the solstice fire to appreciate the elemental life forces that surge around us. Bend to earth hands touch the ground – Ahhhh. Reach to the air arms overhead– Ooooh. Face to the fire arms bent– Haaaa. Dive to the water hands together – Mmmmm. Our bodies strum a universal tune as we join the chorus of the ages. On this longest night we honor the light within us, among us and beyond us. We depart with intentions for kindness, understanding and peace. Even though is this the darkest hour, light is returning.

Day 29~ Hey Guys

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:34:00 GMT

OK, since I’m a guy, I feel compelled to say something about our minority in the yoga community. Men ruled yoga until the latter years of the 20th century. Now it’s at least 80/20 women, although at OTM I have been in classes that are 50/50. I’m sure there is plenty of research about why more men don’t do yoga. Not competitive enough? Too touchy-feely? Teachers that tell you are doing “beautiful?” There’s a Yoga Barbie, why not a Yoga Ken? Whatever the reasons, I’m not here to make learned remarks. Rather, I offer some anecdotal observations about my fellow travelers. Guys generally sweat a lot more and sometimes are unaware of the mess they leave behind. There seems to be a disproportionate number of bald guys (like me) or am I just projecting? Guys aren’t into outfits very much – gym shorts or sweats and tee shirts work fine for most. You tend to hear more huffing and puffing and grunting and groaning from guys. Maybe it’s to prove how hard we are working. I’ve tried to think of what might attract more guys to practice yoga and I keep coming back to beer.

Day 28~ Hanging Out

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 12:30:00 GMT

I’m hanging out in downward facing dog for a while tonight. Everyone else may have moved on, but I am content to just lean down, laze around and appreciate the practice that has brought me here. Loosen that neck and jaw. Tent those hands a tiny bit and press through those thumbs and forefingers. Turn those biceps in and triceps out. Twist those inner quads up and away. Weigh down those heels and firm into the balls of those feet. Tilt that pelvis forward. What have I forgotten? Oh, yeah, keep my feet hip-width distance a part. Breathe. Relax. Relish the way that over time tiny changes can make a big difference. I guess it’s time to get back into the flow.

Day 27~ 12 Days of Yoga!

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 03:07:00 GMT

In the spirit of this holiday season I offer my very own version of the 12 Days of Christmas. I assume most of you know the tune and the repetitive structure. I doubt you would be able to turn this version into a flow, but feel free to try or maybe switch the order of the verses. However, please know that I am claiming my authorship rights should this go viral.
On the first day of yoga my yogi sent to me a Tall, Strong, Grounded Tree.
One the second day of yoga my yogi sent to me …
2 Forward Folds
3 Spinal Twists
4 Downward Dogs
5 Happy Babies
6 Mountains Rising
7 Dancers Floating
8 Airplanes Flying
9 Pigeons Folding
10 Bridges Bending
11 Children Posing
12 Warriors Standing

Day 26~ Medicine

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 03:06:00 GMT

“It’s medicine,” says Linda, as we hold and hold and hold a pose. “If it’s medicine, why won’t my health insurance cover yoga?,” I wonder to myself. Yoga measurably contributes to my overall health. Simply by being aware of my body and my breath (although at times it’s not so simple), I learn to take more control of my well-being. The marvels of modern medicine improve our lives in vital ways (antibiotics, surgery, cancer cures), but for many ordinary complaints of daily living (stress, back pain, imbalance) yoga is a proven safe and effective treatment (See The Science of Yoga by William Broad). A couple of doctor visits and a set of inconclusive diagnostic tests could easily cost as much as a year’s worth of yoga. Our health care system is mostly a sick care system with few incentives for those who devote time and resources to improving their health. And the situation is even more challenging for individuals living in low income and/or under-served communities. I don’t have a solution and our politicians certainly don’t seem to. So for now, I will take my yoga medicine and advocate for health care for all.

Day 25~ Everyday Everyway

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 02:51:00 GMT

It’s a busy holiday week ahead and how can we possibly make time for yoga? When I tell people that I’ve been doing yoga since last January, they often ask where and how often. After I give them the On the Mat pep talk, I say, “Actually, I’m kind of doing yoga most all the time.” I might be standing still talking to you at a holiday party, but inside and unseen I am also doing yoga. Stuck in traffic? How about breathing down my back from neck to hips. Frustrated by a long wait in line? How about mountain pose. As I write at the keyboard, I relax my shoulders back and wide. I press my heels to the floor with my inner thighs. I pace myself with breath. I close my eyes and search for the next sentence. I appreciate this exploration for a revelation that may or may not come. I am satisfied by my effort.

Day 24~ Cat & Cow

Sat, 16 Dec 2017 14:02:00 GMT

I decided that my yoga practice is all about cat and cow. But first I needed to learn which one breathes in (cow) and presses down, wide and out and which one breathes out (cat) and presses up, wide and out. Believe me, I kept getting mixed up. Today I feel this movement pattern as I flow between upward dog and downward dog. I use cat and cow to get deeper into a twist, whether I am standing or lying down. The only way I can fold into any kind of pigeon is to bring along my friends cat and cow. And, cat and cow help me find my favorite child’s pose. I’ve gotten so into cat and cow that I’ve been known to kind of purr and moo while doing them.

Day 23~ Playing Dead

Sat, 16 Dec 2017 13:59:00 GMT

Awake at 4:30 a.m. and pearl white light streams onto the bed. I look out the window and the full moon lies low in the sky. Is that what woke me? My mind goes busy, but I don’t want to rise. I stretch out on my back and deeply breathe in and out the calm, constant, pure glow of the moon. Savasana – corpse pose. I drift back to sleep and am dead to the world until it’s time to get up. Later, I recall the childhood game of playing dead with my friends. We would lie as still as possible, breathe as little as possible and try not to flick our eyes. Did we really know then what death was? Do we now? Perhaps one lesson of practice is a sense of play in the face of the unknown. When lying in Savasana we embrace our demise and, in so doing, affirm our being.

Day 22~ OM

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:28:00 GMT

To Om or not to Om that is the question of the day. Some teachers begin and/or end a session with what is sometimes referred to as the sound of the universe. I haven’t taken a survey, but I assume that there are people that really like to chant Om as part of their practice and those that don’t so much. Yoga’s spiritual quality must be an attraction for some practitioners, while others focus on the physical side of the equation. Not that there is a distinct line between the two. I certainly feel a bit more connected with others when the class chants Om. I’ve noticed that the teachers most committed to Om voice the sound something like ahh-ooh-mmm and can sustain the chant for far longer than seems possible. Sometimes the echo of the final chord makes we think there is someone else in the room whose only job is to hold the Om. I wonder if an extended lesson on Om might be worth a try. When I asked Ramsey about the use of Om, she said that the choice comes down to what is authentic – for both the teacher and the students. This evening we chanted a collective Om in a warm room on a cold night and it felt just right.

Day 21~ Swimmingly

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:27:00 GMT

One of the times I know that yoga works for me is when I swim. After several months at OTM, the perennial tightness in my left hip eased and today while backstroking I noticed that it has basically disappeared. Wow! Where did it go? I smile up toward the pool roof and realize that I am relaxed and breathing with little effort. Although a pretty good swimmer, I have always struggled to stay afloat doing the backstroke. What changed? I put on my yoga thinking cap and paid close attention. I discover that rather than tilting my chin down or back like it used to, my chin remains level as my neck lengthens, my shoulders widen and my hips press down and away. My entire spine is more flexible which lifts me out of the water and helps me breathe free. I know it’s kind of complicated to picture, but awareness of subtlety is a lesson of yoga that can be applied to many aspects of our lives. Let’s just say that On the Mat has taken me from land to sea.

Day 20~ Tangled

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:19:00 GMT

I came to yoga with my hip and lower back feeling like a tangled ball of twine. For years my approach to relieving the tightness had been to squeeze harder and harder on the affected area. It sort of felt good to clench my muscles and then unclench them. Clench, unclench, repeat. Tonight Ramsay tells us to “use our limbs to stretch out the pose” and I appreciate how I’ve learned to wrap and stretch my muscles rather than clench them. It reminds me of how my mother-in-law would approach a pile of yarn that one of the grandkids had gotten into. Rather than pulling hard at twisted mess, like I would have done, she carefully and methodically pried away at the center until the tangle would almost miraculously come apart. While doing this, she often hummed to herself, which seems to be the equivalent of letting breath lead the way.

Day 19~ Down Dog Laughing

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:18:00 GMT

It was about two-thirds of the way through the class when I found myself laughing while in down dog. Not out loud, of course, but with sweat streaming and muscles straining I reached some point of euphoria. For a few seconds I felt so light I could have floated away. It‘s the kind of experience that you can’t intentionally construct. If you think about making happen it will never will. That’s one of the things I’ve found so intriguing about yoga practice. Yes, we go through the motions, but the motions are not what is most important, it’s the intention we find in the breath that fuels the motions. And the breath allows us to break away from patterns of the mind that get tied up in our muscles. Yoga is work and play, effort and release, and sometimes a good deep laugh.

Day 18~ Snow Day

Sat, 09 Dec 2017 21:29:00 GMT

The first snowfall of the season always brightens my spirit – that is once I rake the final leaves, retrieve the snow shovels and start the snow blower. All that activity leads me to take my aches and pains to OTM. On the one hand, I’m too sore for yoga, on the other hand, it will help me stretch and relax. The class begins on a welcome note when Loren expresses her visible excitement about the white flakes floating down. We move through elemental poses that build a strong foundation for practice and prepare us for the shoveling season. She keeps us strong, stable and focused. With legs lifted up the wall we share Savasana. I close my eyes and see snowflakes dancing in a dark sky. It looks like a movie. I am reminded of the way children gaze up into the icy white with mouths wide open. I think that at least once each winter we should all do the same. New snow is a marvel to behold and celebrate for soon the slush will be here.

Day 16~ Foot Block

Sat, 09 Dec 2017 00:22:00 GMT

“Bring your foot up to your thumb,” says the teacher, as we move from down dog. “Yeah, right,” I think. That level of flexibility is far beyond my aging male hips. But is it? So what if it is? Do I care? Such questions are at the heart of yoga motivation. There is an imaginary line between performing a pose to complete an external task and performing a pose to understand your inner self. Ideally, I suppose, the line should disappear altogether. After class, Sarah showed me how to use blocks under my hands in down dog to practice bringing my leg forward. Turns out I can put my foot by my thumb at the highest setting. I discover, to my surprise, that tight shoulder muscles are the first ones I feel. I assumed it would be my hips. I see that this approach could be a way to begin to lengthen and loosen my perennial problem areas. Should I work towards reaching the middle block, the lowest and then the floor? Do I get a trophy if I do?

Day 15~ Halfway Namaste

Sat, 09 Dec 2017 00:21:00 GMT

Most yoga classes incorporate Namaste at the beginning and/or end of practice. Until this year I never bothered to learn the translation of – “I bow to you” or “I bow to the divine in you.” I also learned that Namaste is an everyday respectful greeting in the Hindu community. In any case, I want […]

Day 14~ Yard Yoga

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 23:40:00 GMT

I spent a good chunk of today working outside after we had a tree by our house taken down. The tree guys left behind two giant piles of wood chips and a large collection of logs. The logs get cut up, go into the truck and out to the fire pit. The chips get loaded in a wheelbarrow and spread around the yard. Between each load I pause to pose – forward fold, a squat, child’s pose, down dog, knees to chest, spinal twists, and, in honor of our fallen friend, a couple of tree poses. Just a few minutes of intentional stretching and relaxation give me extra energy to work better and longer. And as I dig, lift, push and pull I try to remain conscious of wide shoulders, an engaged core, and a calm breath. If I could, I would whistle while I work, instead I hum a quiet tune and appreciate the chance to engage in useful physical labor.

Day 13~ A Conversation

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 02:07:00 GMT

We lie on our mats with a blanket rolled beneath our lower backs. Who knew such a simple task could cause so much discomfort – burning, aching, throbbing. At least that’s the way it is for me. Peter gently reminds us to consider whether or not you are being reactive or responsive to the sensation. If it’s too much you can back off he says. Yet, he tells us that you also could use this experience as opportunity to take your breath up and in and down between your shoulders and out through your lower back and, in so-doing, have a conversation with yourself about what is really happening. Sometimes pain is simply a message to pay attention. Today I am having a lively conversation and paying exquisite attention.

Day 12~ Horsing Around

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 13:50:00 GMT

A dozen or more equestrian girls galloped into OTM on Sunday morning. Their chatter washed over me as I lay down on my mat – still worn out from tree work the day before. Ramsey arranged us to make space and reminded the assembled multitude that yoga is not about the perfect pose, rather it’s being aware of what’s happening inside when we do the pose. With that we were off. At times I felt like an ancient island in youthful sea. We ran out of blocks, so I handed mine to a neighbor, who was clearly new to the practice. It felt good to help someone and to connect with poses without my usual equipment. In addition to the horse riders, the group included a family, husbands and wives, a number of other beginners, and a bunch of well-seasoned veterans. When Ramsey and I talked about this blog, she said, “I don’t want people to feel afraid of trying yoga.” The class today vividly demonstrated how wide open the yoga tent can be.

Day 11~ Bones

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 20:42:00 GMT

A sunny placid December afternoon draws me outdoors. I go into the woods and out to a field and along a wide path where I encounter a boulder. A glacier deposited it 10,000 or so years ago, but it was moved to this spot much more recently by some behemoth of a machine. I clamber up, gaze up, stretch up and pose with my shadow. High in the blue I spy a red tail hawk circling on the wind. I think about yoga teachers encouraging us to feel our bones. What I see above is an effortless skeleton in motion. I close my eyes and spread my bones into wings. A distant rumble interrupts my reverie. The rumble transforms to a piercing whine and roar as a fighter jet races overhead. Its hard metal edges slice compressed air into angry pieces. I hold my ears and watch the silver streak glisten into the horizon until it fades to another rumble. The silent hawk continues to soar above.

Day 10~ Jaws

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 20:39:00 GMT

Jaws. No, not the movie. I can’t make it to a class so, I will improvise my way through the day. My intention is my jaw. Teachers often say, “Relax your jaw,” as we hold our planks until we shake or push up to our first down dog. Here then, is my personal jaw workout. At every opportunity I open it, stretch it, jut it, wriggle it, tilt it, turn it, circle it. All this jawboning soon gets into my neck. Pop goes a little bubble of tension at the base of my skull. Time to bring the jaw release through the shoulders (especially the left one). Ahhhh… My unbounded, jaw-fueled breath rambles down the spine and says hello to the hips and waves to the toes.

Day 9~ There’s Always Something

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 14:34:00 GMT

Here I am feeling good in the flow. With mostly-closed eyes I stretch out and back to the rhythm of the teacher’s voice. From down dog, to plank, to up dog and step to warrior-two. All is well as I rise and turn toward the strap wall. I open my eyes. Oops, everyone else is facing Monument Street, which means they all can see me in my mis-directional glory. All of a sudden all my fine feeling fades away into a self-conscious miasma of middle school angst. As discretely as possible, I switch positions and try to clear my mind of worry about what others are thinking, “Did you see that loser posing the wrong way?” Given the forgiving nature of yoga practitioners it’s more likely my mistake will evoke a smile of sympathy. Yet, no matter how many times we hear it said that mistakes are learning opportunities; it’s hard take hold of the notion when you actually make a mistake. I guess the lesson is that if I care so much about being “right” I should pay more attention. On the other hand maybe making the “wrong” turn during a positive experience is something to embrace.

Day 8~ Journey

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:36:00 GMT

I’m back at Hips and Hamstrings, which is where I began my OTM yoga experience last January. I arrived that first night unsure what to expect. I vividly recall the quiet warm room, the soft dim light, the patterns of breath and stretch, and most of all; I remember Ori’s beautiful voice that created an oasis of calm purpose. After that night I knew I had found a place to discover more about what was going on inside. Tonight, I arrive to find Sammy as our teacher. It’s the first time I’ve had a class with her and I wondered what she will share with us. As almost always happens in class, we are led to yet another place of discovery. At the final pose, I so much appreciate the journey.

Day 7~ Solitary Sharing

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:45:00 GMT

We learn early on that yoga is about what’s going on inside. Don’t worry about what others are up to. Focus on what works for you. Yet, most of us practice yoga most intentionally and vigorously in the company of others under the guidance of an experienced teacher. There is no way I could work like this at home I think, as I mop my brow and flop back into child’s pose. Up I go again inspired by the knowledge that my fellow mat mates are doing their best go deeper and stretch longer. After savasana we have completed a collective journey by following our own paths. Now it’s time to head back into the wider world strengthened by our unspoken shared experience.

Day 6~ Toes

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 03:10:00 GMT

“Spread your toes,” says our teacher as we reach our legs up high. Hmm, I have muscles in my toes? Of course I do, but when I try to spread them apart my toes hang tight together. I can move my toes up and down, but apart? I look at the teacher whose toes stand tall and wide almost like fingers on a hand. I think about folks without hands who do remarkable things with their feet. On to the next move.
Later, I practice spreading my toes while standing and realize that to make those little muscles work I need to stretch out big ones like my inner thighs, and go all the way up my back through my shoulders into my neck. Be sure to bring along breath. I feel like I’m mapping connections in my mind and once the toes begin to spread, if only a little, I find a quiet place of accomplishment. Today when I approached the mat my first thought was to be sure to spread my toes.

Day 5~ Into the Woods

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 02:37:00 GMT

It’s a bright, breezy, sunny Sunday morning with temps in the 40s. Won’t be many more days like this for a while, so it’s time to take my OTM practice on a bike ride into the woods. I pedal down a path of crunchy leaves and slick pine needles with my shoulders back and wide and my core consciously engaged. Measured deep breaths keep a comfortable pace. After a few miles, at just the right spot, hidden from the view of others and with a view for me, I dismount and move through a salutation to the glorious blue above. Maybe we should have a yoga class in the woods sometime. I lie on my back and watch a cloud parade of imagined animals. Languid and chill I rise to ride back home and am pricked by the thought that I’d better do a tick check when I get there.

Day 4~ In the Beginning

Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:10:00 GMT

During this month of my daily yoga posts I might as well try out something new, so today I cruised into Beginner Yoga with Loren. I’ve been practicing at OTM since January, but somehow missed or avoided the beginner class. After all, I’m no beginner! After just few minutes of Loren’s gentle, welcoming and, even, playful instruction, I discovered that I had missed an opportunity. To me this was a master class in yoga essentials. We focused on basic poses at a pace that let the form take hold. We took the time to make the minute adjustments that are at the heart of where we are and where we want to be in our practice. So, from now on my mantra is…Say it loud – I’m a beginner and proud.

Day 4~ In the Beginning

Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:10:00 GMT

Day 3~ The Morning After

Sat, 25 Nov 2017 00:22:00 GMT

This morning my mood is black, not because I was up too late and too filled-up with turkey, although both are true. No, I’m ornery because the sound of the Black Friday shopping frenzy is ringing in my ears. Buy now! Buy big! The more you spend the more you save! I want to visit my sister-in-law but I’m afraid to, because we have to pass a mall on the way and it could be a scene of consumer chaos. I yearn for the gift of quiet. As I roll into the OTM lot and park my bike, my mood begins to brighten. I find some space in the packed house, roll down on my mat and breathe. Julia helps us set our intentions and with calm determination we set forth. She pushes and pulls us through old places and into new spaces. Along the way I let go of my Black Friday irritation and revel in the light.

Day 3~ The Morning After

Sat, 25 Nov 2017 00:22:00 GMT

Day 2~ Thanksgiving Traditions

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:36:00 GMT

There certainly was a big appetite for yoga on Thanksgiving morning at OTM. More than forty of us squeezed into the warm room for the early class. “Breathe in yes and breathe out gratitude,” was Linda’s mantra for the day. And so we did, or at least tried. When my son was on the high school football team, I spent many Thanksgiving mornings cheering and freezing at the field. Then for several years I headed out to the 5K Turkey Trot, but my achy knees were less than pleased with my sole running effort of the year. Today, I think I found a new tradition. I’m not sure that I worked up as much hunger as my previous Thanksgiving endeavors; instead I was filled with a sense of calm accomplishment. On a wonderfully hectic day of too much cleaning, cooking, eating, drinking, talking, laughing and more cleaning, remember to breathe in goodness all around us and breathe out thanks for all we share.

Day 2~ Thanksgiving Traditions

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:36:00 GMT

Day 1~ In Gratitude

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 20:53:00 GMT

Thanksgiving greetings. From now until Christmas Eve I will be posting my thoughts as I practice yoga everyday. Often yoga teachers remind us to pause and be thankful for something in our lives. Right now I am thankful that I found On the Mat this past January. I brought along an aching left hip that chiropractic, physical therapy and other approaches helped, but could not heal. It got to the point that I had a hard time sleeping and was popping ibuprofens every night. One day at the swimming pool a guard saw me rubbing my lower back and suggested hot yoga. Hmm… I knew On the Mat was nearby, so I gave it a try. Now, after almost a year of teachers providing inspiration and me providing perspiration, the deep down hip discomfort is virtually gone. I’ve learned ways to use my mind, muscles and breath to both manage pain and improve overall fitness. As I share my perspective over the next month, I encourage you to reflect upon the ways that yoga and OTM have enhanced your life.

Day 1~ In Gratitude

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 20:53:00 GMT

Day 30~ The Record Shows, I Took The Blows, & Did It My Way

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:19:00 GMT

My month of doing yoga every day comes to a close today. It has been such a privilege to practice every day at a studio with such a wide range of talented teachers. I appreciate Ramsay and OTM giving me this opportunity to commit to a regular practice and thank anybody who took the time […]

Mentally, I always knew that this was a wonderful opening, but If I am completely honest, it is possible that I forgot how fortunate I was occasionally. Full confession – at a particularly low moment I yelled at my husband that I had to go to “F$%# yoga.” To state the obvious I was always glad I went, and came to notice that when I was most resistant to going, I often benefitted the most. I learned that a lot of my excuses for staying away from my mat where baloney. Apparently I am not too tired after work to go to an evening class and my body is not too stiff in the morning to attend. I can also occasionally make it to a mid-day class and my job is still there when I return. My personal end goal for this experience was to create some balance and consistency with my practice and break the old binge yoga habit. I know for me, it is really important to push myself and get moving and at this point it only happens when I am being led by a teacher. Having said that, mixing in slower, more gentle classes and regularly stretching at home is also needed to make sure I keep returning and am not scared off by too much repeated intensity. I am lucky that this balanced approach is supported by the range of offerings at OTM as long as I continue to show up.

Thank you again to Ramsay and all of the truly amazing teachers at OTM who generously share your talents and wisdom. While I may never be super bendy and pretzel-like, I feel a little transformed by the whole experience and have no plans to stay away again. Namaste

Day 30~ The Record Shows, I Took The Blows, & Did It My Way

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:19:00 GMT

Day 29~ Doubling Up

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:36:00 GMT

On my second to last day on this 31 day journey, I was out of town with no yoga class options so I tried something new – two short morning / evening home yoga sessions. I have to say, as somebody who tends to be all in or out and has the mentality of going to a long class or not doing anything at all, this option opened up some new possibilities. Just 15 minutes in the morning of being quiet on my mat and doing some gentle stretches and a few downward dogs was a lovely way to start the day. On the other end, after lots of walking followed by hours in the car, it felt wonderful to spend 20 minutes stretching and exploring some yoga poses. Think I am on to something here…

Day 29~ Doubling Up

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:36:00 GMT

Day 28~ Going Rogue

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:28:00 GMT

Today I went rogue and attended a class at another yoga studio. I know, crazy stuff. I couldn’t make any of the classes at OTM work with my schedule (full disclosure, the 8am class was an option if it hadn’t been for the extra glass of wine the previous evening) so it did seem like a good time to spread my wings…to the next town over…woo hoo! I attended a slow flow class that was very true to its name. It was an extremely peaceful, calming experience with some rather lovely music. Best part though was at the beginning of the class the instructor said she was really going to focus on Mountain pose. Hello?! Did she know that was the pose of the month at OTM (thanks to me, you’re welcome.) In the end, it is nice to go ‘off campus’ occasionally, but glad to know that I have a spot to return to that I love.

Day 28~ Going Rogue

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:28:00 GMT

Day 27~ Do Not Try This At Home

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:25:00 GMT

Today I went grocery shopping while starving, obviously this is never a good move. I hadn’t eaten all day, another bad move, and proceeded to inhale some curry chicken salad. None of these choices support my efforts to be more balanced in my approach to food and exercise, but the real problem arose when I went to yoga 30 minutes later with a tummy full of curry. Let’s just say not a good mix with a lot of heat and movement. It may be a long time before I eat chicken curry again but hopefully this series of bad choice would make me act differently in the future. You would think it would anyway…..

Day 27~ Do Not Try This At Home

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:25:00 GMT

Day 26~ Finding Peace In A Great Class

Sat, 28 Jan 2017 16:33:00 GMT

I have a friend who always says, “I would never ever talk to a friend the way I talk to myself.” I can often relate to her statement and wonder why I would chose to channel a negative voice when I can just as easily be kind to myself. There is something about the class that I went to today that I particularly love, not just because there is great instruction, but also because it somehow breeds acceptance within me about what I can do and what is not quite working. I leave feeling ok about my limitations and real gratitude for being able to participate in such a positive experience. The class has the effect of muting that unproductive negative voice.

Day 26~ Finding Peace In A Great Class

Sat, 28 Jan 2017 16:33:00 GMT

Day 25~ Reflections on Mat Placement

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 16:42:00 GMT

Great class today, wicked hard and time to go nighty noodles. Thought for the day: My perfect spot in a yoga class is in the back, preferably in a corner. When I am late and no spots are available in the back, I tend to put my mat close to a wall up front. Problem is, when we turn to said wall and everybody is behind me with no other yogis in sight, I am convinced I am doing something completely different then the rest of the class. Or possibly everybody has moved on to another series of poses and I am still standing their frozen in place. And when it is really quiet, I think could it be possible? could everybody have left the studio while I am left here holding warrior 2?

Day 25~ Reflections on Mat Placement

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 16:42:00 GMT

Day 24~ Block Ninja

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:06:00 GMT

I am a block ninja. I move them up, down and sideways with ease as needed, always keep them within reach and even use them during savasana. I have not always had this great talent. During my early days of yoga, I thought I was supposed to struggle and using blocks was kind of the wimps way out. Silly, silly me. Today in class, we were instructed to twist this way and that as often happens in a yoga class. While I could manage this super twist on one side, there was no way it was going to happen on the other side. As I pondered my next step and started to move into child’s pose, the teacher bent over and said it was all good – super twist or child’s pose were both going to do the trick. I think back to my early days of yoga and I think I would have taken this as a sign of defeat. Today however, I actually teared up a bit thinking about how great it felt to do exactly what worked for me.

Day 24~ Block Ninja

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:06:00 GMT

Day 23~ Yoga Instructor or SuperHero?

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 19:55:00 GMT

Sometimes I look at yoga instructors who are super bendy and strong and think they are superheroes. Talking while upside down…really? Or counting while holding a particularly painful pose while also offering supportive instruction…how is that possible? Not to mention how they maintain an even temperament? Don’t they every want to yell “for the fiftieth time, put your elbows by your side when lowering yourself from plank to the floor you fools!” Today the instructor shared that she is also working through an injury similar to the one I have been struggling with. I appreciated her sharing where she is working, particularly since she had ideas about how I could mend and strengthen myself. Very happy to know I have something in common with a yoga superhero, even if it is an injury.

Day 23~ Yoga Instructor or SuperHero?

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 19:55:00 GMT

Day 22~ The Mental Check Out

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:23:00 GMT

Just a little insight into my mindset today…when I arrived at class and was laying on my mat, the instructor walked in holding what I thought was a lit cigarette. Within moments I did realize that I was actually in a yoga studio where Marlboro Reds are not generally consumed and the teacher was actually holding incense. Unfortunately this lack of being genuinely present to my surroundings happens more frequently than I would like as I travel through daily routines. The good news is the class was too challenging for me to move through poses by rote and I was able to actually mentally arrive at the studio. As the teacher said in class, it is often when challenged that you become most aware and present to your circumstances. I will add in very tangible terms, there is no mentally checking out when you are trying to hold a difficult pose for what can feel like infinity.

Day 22~ The Mental Check Out

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:23:00 GMT

Day 21~ To Yoga or Not to Yoga

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:05:00 GMT

What is it about rainy, grey Sundays that just say newspaper, book, binge watching with a side of bagel and coffee please? I am all for shutting it down, but unfortunately I chose to live in New England where Sundays can often be grey and rainy. Regularly shutting it down does conflict with a general need to meet commitments not to mention getting my body moving. Today, after a morning of responsibilities, it was time to head to OTM. Guess what? I was so glad I went (Duh??!) If there is one lesson I can take away from this 31 day commitment, it is that often, when I am most resistant to attending a yoga class, I most need to attend. While I still have a serious case of the “I don’t want to go to work tomorrow Sunday blues,” the class today did add a needed skip in my step that hiding under my blankets would not have provided.

Day 21~ To Yoga or Not to Yoga

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:05:00 GMT

Day 20~ Easy Breezy

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 22:28:00 GMT

All of my marching today kept me away from the studio. It was an incredibly empowering and exciting day and as I headed home from Boston with my daughter we decided to celebrate with “dunch” (lunch/dinner). When I arrived home, I laid out my mat and got ready for some home yoga. Funny thing….yoga after eating does not make you feel light and breezy. Nonetheless, I persevered and stretched for 30 minutes. OK, persevered might be too strong a word for what I accomplished if I am being totally honest…I laid on my mat and did whatever stretching felt good and avoided all of those pesky poses that take too much energy. While it did feel wonderful and reminded me that there is always time for my practice with even light stretching making a difference in how I feel, I think tomorrow it is back to the professionals!

Day 20~ Easy Breezy

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 22:28:00 GMT