Turn up your internal heat with a renewing sequence designed to stimulate your endocrine system. This “characteristically Sarah” blend of hatha asanas and kundalini kriyas will bring balance to your metabolism, moods and muscles; making you feel great all over!
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Feeling overwhelmed by outside influences? In this day and age of media saturation it is sometimes hard not to be affected by news surrounding global economic “meltdown.” Before you know it your attitude shifts into negative gear and your sense of control begins to slip. The antidote: keep the mind open. Staying mentally flexible helps you to accept change as an inevitable part of life and grants you a perspective of opportunity where others may see darkness.
Yoga practice emphasizes the undeniable mind-body connection that exists in all of us. Taking care of the body helps the mind better attune to the cycle of change. Join Sarah for a restorative sequence of five hip opening postures that will release tension in the body and in turn, soothe the mind.
Last year I blew out my left knee in a skiing accident. It was absolutely devastating. My immediate thoughts hovered frantically around concern about getting back to teaching yoga, wondering if my knee was ever going to be the same, even stressing about how I would pay my bills. The incident shook my center and rattled my being. Reality set in when the results to the MRI came back – a torn ACl, medial and lateral meniscus.
I decided to have surgery. After two weeks of immobilization, the bandages were removed and what a shock. I didn’t recognize my own leg. It looked awful. Memories of my mother, post car crash, came flooding back from 13 years before. The nervous tension, post traumatic stress, the anxiety. More fears and questions started racing through my brain. How will I recover? Will I ever be free from pain? Will I learn to walk normally again? My husband looked at me and said, “Adi, this is your yoga, do your yoga.” He left me for about an hour and I started breathing. I began practicing a calming breathing technique that immediately returned me to the moment. My fears and assumptions about the future began to dissolve as I came back to center.
From that day on the healing really began, and my injury became my teacher.
When you have a physical limitation, a chronic illness, pain, or an injury, sometimes you have to learn how to get out of your own way. Instead of harping on the negative, it can be an opportunity to grow awareness and sensitivity within your body and mind. By really tuning in and coming back to the moment, you can learn so much about the way you handle resistance and/or difficulty and begin to cater to your needs. Your level of compassion expands significantly for yourself and others.
Martin Luther King said, “The measure of a man is not determined during times of ease and comfort, the measure of a man is determined during times of difficulty and challenge.” Our challenge is our therapy if we are willing to open and learn from the experience.
I have read all of your comments and feedback, and am so touched and inspired by how much our classes have encouraged and impacted so many. In particular, I read about limitations that some of you are working with, and how you have progressed by really listening to your body and modifying your postures.
This is yoga. It is not forcing, it is not critical, it is not competing with yourself or others. Yoga is listening and feeling, even when what we hear and feel is difficult. From that space we become our own teachers and learn more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined.
It has been one year since my surgery and I still struggle with pain and physical limitations. I have allowed myself to slow down and accept the change that is present in my body. One lesson learned from this obstacle has been to truly uncover the intricacies of how yoga really works. For me it is not about perfecting the physical body, it is about being present. From there I can listen; and through listening, I come to know myself.
By the end of winter I’m ready to escape from frosty Jackson Hole and venture off to a warm and relaxing environment. Last year I experienced the Haramara Retreat Center in Sayulita, Mexico and FELL IN LOVE! The moment I stepped foot onto this gorgeous property overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. All of my worries slipped away as the stunning surroundings offered up a profound connection to nature and its harmony. Haramara is an amazing place to practice yoga, eat healthy & decadent food, soak up the sun and have fun!
I’ve decided to go back with some students from Jackson and we invite you and your friends to come along for a week of pure Mexican bliss! Every day will be filled with yoga, pranayama, meditation, and some yummy thai massage. You’ll also have free time to peruse local attractions, check out the surf spots, maybe take a lesson or two, or straight lounge on the beach! This will be an inspiring and supportive environment to expand your Yoga practice! ☺
When: May 9-16, 2009
Where: Haramara Retreat Center Sayulita, Mexico
With: Adi Amar & Angela Tong
Who Should Come?: All Levels… That’s You!
How: email us at info@tetonyoga.com to reserve your spot.
Neesha on El Potrero Chico
Living life fully for me has included a recent trip to Mexico. I rang in 2009 at the feet of some very powerful limestone cliffs called “El Potrero Chico”.
The questing into the unknown was done in a Volkswagen Westfalia named “Baby J” with my beloved Mark. It was great always having a mini-home (even if it didn’t go for a few days). Hardships of travel become opportunities to remain grounded in my Self and be skillful in action; mindful, kind, and in alignment with the highest good.
I gained new insight in climbing – the power of intention rewarded me on a hard climb – it was only my intention that kept me from not giving up. I gained insight and strength by pushing myself beyond my normal routines. I also learned how to pause and listen in uncomfortable situations. Overall, the time was sprinkled by mostly sunny days, new friends, a rekindled adoration of Mexican dogs, culture, growth, love, and fun!
Neesha teaches.
Every one I meet reflects another face of this amazing existence. Lucky me! I get to come and see you! Come and get your yoga groove on if you are in the following areas!
Jan 30 – Feb 1 I will be in New Orleans (swanriveryoga.com). Certified Anusara teacher, Cat McCarthy and I are teaching “You’ve gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em… The Gambler Weekend”. We are going to weave these tantric metaphors for life into a fun weekend workshop for all levels. For more information, here is a link: http://swanriveryoga.com/events/2009/events_january_2009.html#Gambler
No one wants to show up on a long awaited vacation and be burned out after the first day. Adi shows us a short routine to help build much needed strength for all such occasions. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a skier, water skier, mountain biker, or just a shopper. If you practice this series daily for a couple weeks before your vacation you will definitely feel the difference.
I am still vibrating in the wake of 800 yogis playing together in Estes Park, CO a few weeks ago for the first ever Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering! We convened together with beloved teachers and friends from around the world to celebrate our connection, weaving our unique personalities into one colorful, creative display of living art and yoga!
At this 3-day gathering, we began each morning with a guided meditation. Sally Kempton, Douglas Brooks and Bill Mahoney led the group through profound inward journeys. After that, John Friend led all 800 of us through a yoga practice for 3 hours. His ability to extend himself to everyone is phenomenal. As he skillfully led us through masterful sequencing, he focused on embodying basic virtues of the heart.
I spent Monday afternoon with Douglas Brooks. Like a sponge, I soaked up his inspired and light filled reflections on the Bhagavad Gita. One of the most profound teachings I walked away with was an opportunity to open up the midline of my own experience- to become Read the rest of this entry »
Paige and Adi
Are you ever so touched by something that tears well up in your eyes and your heart thumps through your chest, compelling you to reach out and say thank you? Thank you to someone who has made a difference and is living in fullest expression of selfless service and dedication?
Paige Elenson has cultivated her passion to serve the world through an amazing foundation called the Africa Yoga Project. I was honored to meet Paige at a Baron Baptiste workshop in Park City, UT this past weekend. Her journey is an inspiration to me, and a reflection of how you can take your yoga off of your mat to empower and support communities and people all over the world.