Challenges of Teaching Yoga - (Project Post)

  I am writing this post dedicated to Ania G. for her Yoga Teaching Training project. Ania asked me what are the greatest challenges of being a yoga teacher and what would I advice to new yoga teachers.

 I guess the answer will vary from teacher to teacher. I don't considered myself a Yoga Teacher because I did not master yoga and I don't think I will never will. I surrender myself each day to the teachings of yoga and for now I can get a glimpse of what yoga is but I have still so much to learn about it, it's endless. In India they call Yoga Teachers as "asana" teachers. It's almost an insult to describe yourself as a yoga teacher, mastering Yoga it's like mastering life itself. Some students of Yoga gain respect and are called yoga teachers when they have been studying under a guidance of a guru for many years without interruption. Even thou maybe some teachers are not qualified spiritually to teach. I guess the sincere and devotion to the teaching of yoga and to one Guru is the best teacher.

  I call myself yoga teacher for the simple fact Im in the west and people call me like that. My job is to share my practice and what I learn from it. I remember when I finished my Yoga Teaching training and I thought I knew nothing. The more I open books to read and the more I practice I had the feeling that Yoga is so vast and it's an endless path of learning. That's is my greatest challenge. Everyday I make mistakes, every time I teach I learn something new. Teacher and students in the same room are not teacher and students. There is no separation. We are all learning from each other. We are all exchanging energies. We are learning anatomy, out and inner sensations. We are learning to deal with feelings. Positives and negatives. We are practicing together. We are all different and we all learn from each other. The mind need to be open to receive new information and to break through what we think it's possible and impossible.

  Advices for new yoga teachers? Keep up with your practice and studies, only teach what is from your own experience and do it from the heart :)

Namaste.

Surya Namaskara A

Surya Namaskara A

Surya in Sanskrit means Sun and Namaskar or Namaskara means to adore. Adoration/Salutation to the Sun. 

The Sun Salutations are like a prayer in movement. Each pose is connected with an inhalation and exhalation. Focusing in the breathing, bring the mind to the internal sensations of the body and slowly going into a meditative state, uniting body, mind and spirit.

The Sun Salutations in a physical aspect are like the warm ups for the practice. It's work on the shoulders, wrists, neck, hamstrings. Slowly allowing the body to get more flexible and stronger. The Sun Salutations are the base for future postures in the practice, so it's really important to do not skip them and work on them very precisely. Also during the Sun Salutations we learn how to breath, combining one movement and one breath (in or out, depending on the posture).

0 - Samasthiti: Feet together, big toes touching. Engaging the legs and the bandhas. Lengthening the spine. Relaxing the mind, arms beside the body, relaxing the shoulders and the chest. Creating a feeling of peace to start the practice.

1 - Ekam: Inhaling reaching with the arms up, palms touch. Gaze at the thumbs.

2 - Dwe: Exhaling fold forward. 

3 - Trini: Inhaling lengthening the spine, head up.

4 - Catvari: Exhale and either step or jump back to Chaturanga Dandasana. Lower down while keeping the gaze straight ahead. You may either hover one inch from the floor or take your torso fully down to the mat, whichever is more appropriate.

5 - Panca: Inhaling Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upper facing dog), straighten the arms and roll onto the tops of the feet. Engage the legs. Lift the chest high.

6 - Sat: Exhale Adho Mukha Svanasana (Down dog), as you push the hips up. Lengthen the spine from the sacrum to the top of the head.

7 - Sapta: Inhaling as you either jump or walk to the front. Lengthen the spine.

8 - Astau: Exhale fold forward.

9 - Nava: Inhaling raising both arms up, exhaling in Samasthiti.

(Repeat 5 times)

Army Ants

Ignorance falling like drops out of the tongue inside the eyes,
that's how I lost my sight
Like army ants
Marching the cycle of death
Our sin is to be blind
I keep walking in this spiral
to find the entrance to your soul
There are many ways to get to you
but they only see one or none
Just like army ants
Our sin is to be blind.

I had a dream once. Sometimes I have really vivid dreams that speak to me. This was one of them.
I dreamed I was hiking a mountain. I was not alone. Thousands of people were there hiking as well. Everybody was alone and we were hiking different directions. I felt a little lost, it was a bit confusing. I didn't know were to go. I was tired and dirty. After going up hill, down hill, rights and lefts, I found a little cave. I entered there. It was huge inside. So bright and so clean. The silence I can't describe. It was very powerful. I saw other people coming in from other holes from the walls. As I walked in I got a little embarrassed because my shoes had mud all over and that place was so clean, it was the Temple of the Temples. My shoes didn't make the ground there dirty. The feeling of peace of Awe was there.
After waking up I had a feeling of peace inside. I truly believe God speak to us through ourselves. We spend so many years of our lives trying to find God, peace and home. Its all inside us. Its alive in us. Each of us have our own way to find out. Different paths to the One.
May we never give up on to find our truth.
Namaste.

The truth is within - my story

The beginning of my text it will be an outflow but I promise by the middle or end it will make sense.

All my life I had/have people doubting of the potential of my dreams. Starting of course from my family.  I didn't have emotional or financial support to pursuit what I want to be or do. Its understandable...sometimes the parents want a brilliant and secured future for their children and their children dreams are just...lets say not good enough. When I was a young teen I enjoyed dancing. I was not great or the best in my school but I liked. My mom didn't believe that I could make a future out of it so I had to painfully quit my school dance. She wanted me to study for a college degree. She wanted me to be a doctor, a lawyer, a dentist or whatever sounds appropriate in the eyes of the society.  I remember that the only pleasurable feeling after dancing I had that resonated with me was when I was traveling, camping and being in the nature. But to travel you need money somehow. So I met some "hippie friends" they taught me how to make jewelry on the street. So I started making jewelry, selling on the street in Rio and to friends. Again I was criticized by family, by friends and other people, because I was acting like a homeless hippie girl. (I didn't give a fuck - 17 years old me)
I started traveling my whole country and it was great. Nothing it will pay the experience of what I did. I decided to go to college, but to study Tourism because you know why.  For my family it was better than nothing. I continued with my travels, selling jewelry and being myself.
I got to work with tourism and it was really stressful/fun times. One day (some years after college) I got an invitation from a friend to do some dance work for a TV program, I remember she said she really needed someone that looks like me, because the girl was suppose to do it got sick...Anyway I said ok. It was really cool to be in contact with dance and dancers again. There I met another girl that her job was to dance and travel, then I though wowww thats the dream job. We exchange contacts, she referred me to the company, I exchange materials with them and then I had airplane ticket and permission to work in USA in my mail just like that.
Then again some people didn't believed in me. Because I was not dancing for a long time, I was not considered professional dancer, I did not speak english well, I didn't have friends there etc ( I will be fine - 24 years old me) I didn't give up because it was really exciting to say no. I went, I met wonderful people, I danced, I rides elephants in the circus, I travelled most of all states of USA and I was myself. I ended up there for 7 years. No regrets.
During my ups and downs I found yoga. I was thirst to learn more than the physical aspects of the practice. I invested some money for the Yoga Teaching Training course there. Again people around me though it was unnecessary, waist of money and time. I was doing for myself, not envisioning to be a yoga teacher in the future and make money out of it. I decide to do it because I really felt I need to love me better and that was a gift from me to Me.
After a while I started teaching because it was fulfilling. I found my practice, I found my guru and teachers to continue to inspire my path.  I decided to dedicate my life to the studies of Ashtanga yoga and you know again I get " you will be doing the same thing everyday, you will get injuries or is too difficult etc...
I did not give up on my practice because I felt my whole heart in it. Thats the point. You need to find your heart in something to brings to you life purpose. Even in Mysore, India (Ashtanga yoga birthplace) I met people there practicing in the same Institute, that would skip classes for a run, bad mouth about the teacher (Sharath) skip led classes because it was hard and be there only for the external view for others, and to say yes I am a yoga teacher and I studied there but the truth inside it was No I am here only for my yoga teacher curriculum vitae. Unfortunately this person didn't enjoy the magic of surrendering to the teacher. Before I came to Poland also it was a big life decision. I had "people" that said I should not believe in love, not in my skills, that I would not be able to teach in english in Poland, I should not go because I don't speak the language and also Poland sucks, also I should not trust in men and I should not leave USA.
Don't let your dreams drawn into mud cause somebody else jealousy or frustrations.
And yes I came, Here I am. I trust myself, I trust in my truth and Im blessed because it comes from a place of love and surrendering.
Sorry for going on so long. What I want to say from the beginning is that don't let anyone rule your life, your feelings and your thoughts. Create a life you want to live in. Be whoever you wanna be. Live the deep dream you have inside your heart. Use your gift to uplift others. If you don't know your gift maybe its time to find out. But don't be something, don't be somewhere just cause! You are so special, so unique, nothing can be waisted in uncertain and pains. Believe you can do it and move from a place of love, respect and non attachment. Shine bright as 10.000 suns.
Namaste.

Decision Making Process - Living in Yoga

Inspired by a question that came up during a conversation today I got motivated to write this text.

Can decision making process be influenced by Yoga? Yes and No. Its depends.

The practice of Yoga give us tools to gain control of our minds through physical exercises ( Asanas and Pranayama ),Yamas  and Niyamas ( Moral codes and observances)(http://ashtangametamorphosis.blogspot.com/2014/02/benefits-of-yoga-in-your-body-and-life.html)

There are also the other limbs of Yoga, but the Yamas, Niyamas and Asanas are the ones in which our practice starts and where we start to purify ourselves on a physical and spiritual level.

If the "student" only practice physical exercises the benefits will be mostly in a physical level, as a healthier body. But even only practicing asanas after many years of practice with consistence, the student may notice a change in his behaviors, because conscious breath combine with the poses have a calming effect in the nervous system.  When the nervous system is calm and balanced (Ida and Pingala Channels, connected with the right and left nostrils), the brain works in harmony. When the brain is in harmony we think clearly and we don not act by impulse.

The most important tools the yoga practice give us are the Yamas and Niyamas. Without those the benefits of yoga are incomplete. When we apply those rules in our daily lives our choices and decisions are based in Truth and Love itself. So combining a strong heart with a balanced mind from the physical exercises, the practice of yoga Yes can definitely influence any aspect of your life.

How yoga affects your life is entirely up to you. Its your choice to follow this ancients teachings and be open to it. Its your choice to open your heart and embrace whatever is there deep inside yourself. You know your own truth and I believe this practice is sometimes like a mirror that allow us to see ourselves deeper and raw. A sincere practice of yoga with no attachment to results will build a strong connection to a power greater (God, or whatever you believe) than us and from that point you will flow into life intuitively according to your truth. 

Want to start practicing Yoga and don't know where to start? Here is my advice :)

Congratulations!!! You took the first step to the beginning of a beautiful journey to the center of yourself.
So what now?
People approach yoga in the beginning with different intentions. You may feel attract to start "yoga" because of health reasons, peace of mind, tone the body, maybe to be more flexible or more strong, maybe because looks cool or maybe because you feel curious about it. Anyway does not matter your reason, with time and practice yoga gives to you an immeasurable benefits for body and mind.
The first reason I approached a yoga class it was because of a annoying back pain I had for a long time.
Now a days its really easy to find asanas (postures) and materials online and on books on how to perform postures. I do not recommend this start specially if you are a beginner. I believe those videos of demonstrations should be taken more as an inspiration than a teacher substituter.
There are many many styles of yoga classes specially in the west. I recommend to try as much as possible different styles until you find one thats resonates with you.
I remember I tried so many styles, from gentle yoga, basic yoga, flow yoga, vinyasa yoga, Kundaline, hot yoga, Iyengar yoga (really liked) and Ashtanga yoga which is what I practice. I never have tried Birkam yoga so I have no opinion about it.
Each style of yoga fits people with different personalities and life styles and you just need to find one that fits yours. Does not matter what you choose because if you practice with love and devotion based on the Yamas and Niyamas (read my older post to understand better) the practice it you bring the mental, physical and spiritual benefits.
I recommend joining a yoga class of style of your choice and after some time when you figure out what is good for you (can take years, don't rush don't worry) stick with one teacher.
Its really important to practice with the same teacher, to create a teacher and student relationship. Is just like visiting the same doctor over the years. The doctor knows your body and health history and knows the exactly medicine and amount you should take.  Other good point about going to a yoga studio is the community and the motivation you get. People are there for different reason but there is support and respect and non judgment. Does not matter how you look in the posture or how well you do something, what really matters is how you feel.
Other advice is to follow your heart. Don't pressure yourself to do things, don't complicate....choose something that makes you feel good. Don't choose a style because of the labels or because looks cool or it is in fashion or because Lady Gaga is doing! (who cares!). The practice of yoga revels our authentic Self, its like looking in a mirror and observing everything pure and raw. So with that in mind find something thats feeds your soul and that makes you want to do it again and not something you force yourself to do it because other people are doing. In the end is just a breathing exercise synchronized with poses. The practice of yoga is mean to bring body, mind and soul in harmony so the poses are a very tiny part of what yoga is really about.
Happy journey!!!!

Second Series - Punishment in Paradise

  I'm not going to lie to you. My practice has been like a roller coaster. Since when I came back from Mysore this year it's being difficult to maintain the same energy and attitude towards my mat, which is very natural I guess. There I had my teacher, the support of the Shala and the point of attention only towards my practice. Also the weather was great...plus the coconuts in the end of the practice! I can't complain :)
 My practice since India got longer but even when I got exhausted there I had to keep going. Not because it was an obligation but because it was such a special moment and opportunity to practice at the Shala receiving adjustments and energy from my teacher. If you are in the same spot I am or if you have been through this (Please I need your advice :) we may understand each other. Practicing the Primary plus a chunk of the Second Series 6 days a week is so tiring! At least for me....
 Then I tried to come up with solutions like " I will do only primary and second if I still have energy " or I will do primary in the morning and second late afternoon" or " maybe second 3 times a week" and etc........ and what I noticed in y body is my nervous system being unbalanced reflecting through my body and my thoughts.
  The second series or Nadi Shodhana its a practice build to clean the nervous system and this series is to challenge the nervous system using asanas as a false, self-imposed stress so that you practice how to remain calm and clear in the midst of challenge life situations. (Inspired by Kino MacGregor book)

  That being said I think is important to keep on going to create mental strength and stamina.Sometimes I wish I had only about a hour long practice instead of almost 2 but at the same time I'm thankful for my teacher to put me in this type of situation or I would never feel doubt of myself. My ego is really punched every time I had to do it. It hurts and sometimes I just want to run away from my mat but I choose this discipline to be the studies of my own self for self discoveries. Its amazing how this practice uses us as a laboratory and let us experiences ourselves raw and how it is.