Immune Boon

Cold and flu season has already started and this year it's even more potent with the onset of swineflu. There's a general feeling of anxiety and fear spreading too as we try to protect our loved ones, our little ones and ourselves from getting sick. We can do common sense things like washing our hands a lot, eating better, taking vitamins, getting more sleep, exercising, etc. And we can also amp up our yoga practice.

I'm not saying that yoga is a cure all, but it has definitley been proven to strengthen the immune system. Add to your yoga practice, some meditation and breath work, and you have yourself a powerful "cocktail" to keeping you healthy during this tough outbreak. In Yoga Journal's article on 38 Ways Yoga Keeps You Fit: (in regards to the immune system), here are some motivational reasons to practice yoga daily.

1) Going with the flow: Yoga gets your blood flowing, which helps your circulation, which means you get more oxygen to your cells, which function better as a result. Healthier cells fight off better when you come under attack. If you get sick, you may not be sick for long.

2) Lymph Lesson: when you contract and stretch your muscles, move organs around, and come in an out of yoga postures, you increase the drainage of lymph. This helps the lymphatic system fight infection and dispose of toxins at the cellular level. Again, you're able to fight anything off stronger and more efficiently.

3) Fighting the worry worts: Yoga lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone that can build up in our bodies. And we all know that an abundance of stress, compromises your immune system.

4) Poop Scoop: sorry to bring this tidbit up, but when you practice yoga, the stretching and relaxation helps to alleviate constipation, getting rid of those toxins that your body might otherwise hold on to. Ayurveda, a sister science to yoga, confirms that alot of illness is born by not getting rid of those toxins in the body, they build up over time and this leads to illness and even disease.

So, what can you do? If you aren't an advanced yogi or a beginner, you can do just some simple poses to keep you feeling fit, loose and relaxed. A 20 minute practice of some sun salutations, twists, simple inversions in addition with deep belly breathing and a 5 minute meditation session is enough to keep the immune system rocking during this flu season.

Blessings and good health,
Susan

Facing what dogs you

I have major resistance to inversions. It's a kinder way of saying that they are not my favorite poses to do or to teach. There, I've said it. It's out in the open and I can't take it back. But let me back track. What's an inversion, you might be asking? In yoga, it's a pose like Handstand, Headstand, Shoulderstand, or Forearmstand. Basically, flip yourself upside down, and you've got yourself an inversion.

Inversions are my nemesis. They've dogged me my entire yoga practicing and teaching life. Try as I might, I just couldn't kick my legs and flip up and have my arms or wrists suppport me. Was it weak shoulders or back? Was it that my core wasn't strong enough to keep me engaged in the pose? Or was it my incredible fear of falling over and breaking my neck? Uhhh...yes, all of the above. So, I limited my inversions . I was just not the yogi who could freeform into headstand in the middle of the room. I couldn't do it and told myself that, repeatedly.

But as I'm reading Stephen Copes, "The Wisdom of Yoga," he says, this..."in yoga, what you practice, becomes stronger." Well, Duh...no wonder I couldn't do inversions, I didn't practice them enough to make them stronger.

For months I've been practicing more poses to strengthen my arms, my abs, shoulders, etc. And coming at it with a perspective of fun instead of fear, I'm finally able to do forearmstand and headstand against the wall and moving my legs off. Is it perfect? Absolutely not, but at least I can get my butt over my head and invert and not have a complete panic attack doing it. It's actually, dare I say it, fun and I'm beginning to reap the benefits.

Namaste,

Susan

The Journey

Maybe you were like me this past Monday night and got stuck in that horrible traffic jam caused by an accident between a motorcyclist and a truck. Sadly, the motorcyclist died. I was on my way to teach a yoga class and was stuck in that traffic for 3 hours. I never did make it to my class. Normally, I am a very punctual person and hate to be late for anything. When I am running severely late, I start to panic, get grouchy and get mad at the world for inconveniencing me. But that day was different. That day, I made conscious choice to think and react differently. Because even though I couldn't do yoga or teach yoga, I could be yoga.

I started to focus on my breath and that began to help me change my perspective on the situation. I knew I wasn't going to make it to class, so I called my friend to cancel it, and that took care of the stress of that. So, I'm still stuck and breathing and... listening to talk radio. That helped, but I could still do more. I know what took the edge of immediately, was thinking about the 2 main people involved in the accident. I knew one had died and I began to think about him and his family and friends. I began to think about how and when his family would be told and how their lives would change forever because of this one day. I began to pray for them and I began to pray for us because we're stuck here, all trying to get to our destinations.

We eventually would get to our destinations, but I questioned metaphorically why we wanted to get to them and get to them so quickly? It seems we all want to get some place, that we miss out on the actual journey along the way. It's the same with yoga. We all want the end result (that perfect, advanced pose) but we end up missing the point of it all, the hard work along the way. Transformation doesn't come when you reach the end. Transformation comes at every step along the way. I learned nothing when I got home that night safely to my husband. I learned everything sitting in my car, stuck on 75.

The joy is in the journey, my teacher said. I hope you remember that when you are hurrying through your life.

Susan

Nama what?

A student came up to me after class and asked me, "what is it that you always say after class?" She was having some difficulty even pronouncing the word. And the word is "Namaste," prounounced (Nam uh stay.) It's a Sanskrit word we use in yoga, generally at the end of our class. Break the word down and it says this:

"Nama" = bow


"as" = I


"te" = you

Put it together it means, "bow me you" or "I bow to you." Generally, when someone asks me about this word, I tell them it means "the Divine in me, honors the Divine in you" or "the God in me salutes the God in you." And when we say it, we place our hands togther at the heart center (heart chakra) thumbs lightly touching the chest, eyes are closed and we bow the head. It can also be done with prayer hands at the third eye chakra, bowing the head and bringing the hands to the heart. Either version is a deep form of respect, aiding in our meditation and increasing the flow of Divine love.



To clarify even further, Aadil Palkhivala says this: "For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward his/her students and his/her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow-the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart."



Namaste,
Susan

Back to School

Ahhh, it's that time of year again. Time for fresh starts, new possibilities. No, I'm not talking about New Years Day. I'm talking about back to school time. I don't have children...yet, but I love this time of year because it brings back memories of being excited and scared of the newness of a new school year, of seeing friends you haven't seen in a while, getting to know new teachers, learning new things and being challenged.

As adults, we don't get much of that experience anymore. We're in the thick of things with our jobs, raising kids, keeping the house clean, etc. We just don't get the opportunity to put ourselves in a traditional learning environment and become a student again.

In yoga, like many other things in life, there are opportunities out there to learn and put yourself back into that "classroom" environment. You can:

~ Go with a friend to a yoga or meditation retreat. Most vary in length from 2 weeks to as short a as weekend.

~ Sign up for a yoga teacher training. At 200 hours, you're sure to learn more than just the postures. Most are designed for those who either want to teach or just deepen their own practice.

~ Try a yoga workshop around town. Many studios bring in local or national teachers for a week or weekend to broaden your understanding of the ancient wisdom of yoga.

~ Take a class from a different teacher or a different style. If your love is hot yoga, why not take an Iyengar class to mix things up a bit.

~ And if money is an issue and you can't afford any of the above, head to your local bookstore or library and start reading about what your teachers are telling you. Sometimes picking up a book on yogic philosophy or technique can add a different dimension to your physical practice.

Below are some links to yoga studios or venues around town that offer workshops or different classes starting. Please click on their schedules for more information. Also, if you've never been out to Grailville in Loveland, the Cinci Sangha is coming soon if you want to practice in a community of yogis. (through Yogahome)

http://www.radiantfitness.com/news.html
http://www.yogahome.net/
http://www.cincinnatiyoga.org/
http://www.shineyoga.com/
http://www.yogagarage.com/

Blessings,

Susan

Practicing Stillness

In my classes this week I encouraged my students to add Pratyahara which is the "conscious withdrawal of energy from the senses" into their practice. To me I define it as "going within" or momentarily leaving the material world and entering a place of stillness. It's important to do this often because it induces a quality of calm in this chaotic world.

I don't know that there is any trick to it, but when you are engaged in your yoga practice or any day to day activities, like maybe a long walk, see if you can tap into the tranquil internal world within. It takes practice, and definitely with your breath you can at least begin to see the benefits of shutting out the external chatter of the world around you. Slowly the practice will guide you from the physical work the body does in the asanas towards the mental practices of meditation towards complete bliss.

Peace,

Susan

Practicing in Pain

It's been almost three weeks since I fell jogging, twisting my ankle horribly. The swelling and pain are still present, but I still have to teach and continue with my own yogic regimen....which initiates the question, "how do you still practice yoga in the midst of an injury?" And the answer is...VERY CAREFULLY.

Of course it really depends on the type of injury you have. If broken bones or protruding discs are involved, then you would have to most likely curtail your practice for a while till your injury is healed. But, if you have something in between, like a sprained ankle or a frozen shoulder, you will have to modify your practice and be smart about it. Do your own research and talk to your teacher and create a plan so that you are not causing further damage.

Yoga teaches us patience and deep respect for our bodies when we're perfectly healthy and when we're not. Sure when you hurt yourself it's a drag, but perhaps the real lesson in the injury is telling you to slow down, pay attention and go deeper physically and mentally into your yoga practice, in ways you may not have imagined.

Blessings,
Susan