Today was a very interesting day...I met Bart the Bear! He's the main star in the movie "Red Machine" that I am currently working on. Doug, Lynne, Jed and Scott are the legendary animal team from Utah. It was a pleasure! Looking forward to seeing Bart in action!
Well, the time has finally arrived...I'm going to begin instructing yoga classes!
I will be guiding a hatha flow class at Lululemon Athletica on West 4th this upcoming Monday from 7:00 - 8:00, free of charge! If you're in Vancouver, come out and get some well-deserved time on your mat. This will be my first scheduled class...ever!
More info here: http://www.lululemon.com/vancouver/kitsilano/events/event-39132-2012-01-23
Starting Sunday, January 29th I will be taking over the 11:00 - 12:15 Hatha Yoga Flow class at the Robert Lee YMCA on Burrard Street, downtown Vancouver. This will be my first regularly scheduled class, and it promises to be a great way to wind down after a busy week.
More info here: http://www.vanymca.org/centres/robertlee/sites/all/themes/ymca/documents/programs/PDFschedules/rly_groupfitness_jan2012.pdf
I hope to add additional classes over the coming months at YYoga Flow/Wellness on Burrard, so stay tuned for more dates/times.
Let's do this!
This morning I woke up extra early and participated in a promo for CityTV. To help drum up awareness for the series premiere of J.J. Abrams new show "Alcatraz" tonight, a group of us dressed up as convicts and handed out copies of the special edition Metro newspapers to skytrain commuters. Despite the crazy amount of snow and chilly temperatures, it was a fun experience that certainly got some attention!
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At attention.
When we are at attention we are in a state of being in which we are fully present. With repetition, especially in asana practice, our attention can sometimes diminish as boredom sets in. Varying the asana’s and working with modifications is a good way to keep your attention in your practice. It is especially important to breathe in and out of your postures, keeping our attention focused. Being in a state of attention opens our senses to new experiences, and perhaps it’s something that we have never felt before. Some yoga disciplines rely upon a strict sequence of postures (Bikram’s and Ashtanga for instance) and I argue that in some ways we lose a few opportunities for new experiences by practicing such regimented sequences. Discovering new awareness through the creative expression of the hundreds of postures is one of the essential features of a correct asana practice. While I do enjoy a set program from time to time (there is a certain calming effect that comes with routine), I much prefer being a bit of an eclectic yogi, experimenting with different postures and sequences to adapt specifically to the contingency of the class. All of my classes include safe modifications on different postures to keep the attention of the class focused so that the most benefit can be achieved.
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Modifications make all the difference.
Variations are a necessary and enjoyable component of our yoga practice. Some days we may be stiffer than others, and by using variations we can safely move into a posture using proper alignment. One of the most practical form variations is keeping a simple bend in the knees during a forward fold (Utanasana). This takes pressure off the lower back and knee joints, and allows the chest to move on top of the thighs.
Despite the hundreds of variations of different postures, it should also be noted that a certain respect must be made towards classic asana’s. A final classic posture is designed for a specific purpose based on ancient teachings, and if you can’t quite move into the final posture yet, it is always something to aspire to. Everyone is at different levels so using awareness and having an understanding of different potential modifications is vital to a safe and positive session on the mat.
Variations are placed in five different categories:
1. Form variations
2. Breath variations
3. Rhythm variations
4. Preparation variations
5. Sphere of attention variations
We introduce the art of variation to bring something fresh and beneficial to our asana practice. Variations are not meant to be random, but must develop or sustain attention, or be an aid to a particular physical need.
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How we perceive things is an important concept to understand, as it relates to why we’re always getting ourselves into problems which lead to unhappiness. If we know how we create these problems, we can also learn how to free ourselves of them.
How does perception work? In most cases, we determine that we have seen a situation correctly and act according to that perception. Sometimes though, we deceive ourselves, and the corresponding action brings hurt to others or ourselves. On the other hand, we can also run into problems when we doubt our understanding of a situation and it is actually correct, and then do not act, even though doing so would do some good.
Patanjali uses the term “avidya” in his Yoga Sutra, which literally means “incorrect comprehension.” This describes false perception or a misapprehension. The opposite is “vidya” or “correct understanding,” and this is beneficial.
Avidya can be understood as the accumulation of unconscious actions and perceptions that we have been carrying out for years. Truly, the actions and perceptions of yesterday become the norms of today. Habits in action and perception are called “sam skara”, and are the cumulative impressions on our mind. These habits cover the mind and veil our consciousness with a cloud that obscures judgment.
If we are sure we don’t understand a situation, we will not act decisively. If we are clear in our understanding, then we will act appropriately and things will go smoothly. Such clarity of action comes from a clear perception. Avidya is superficial perception, and makes us think that we see something correctly, only have to admit our mistake (or deny it). So in essence there are two levels of perception: One deep and unclouded, and the other obscured by avidya.
If we were to picture the obstacles that prevent us from recognizing things as they really are as a tree, avidya would form the roots and trunk. Avidya is hard to recognize, because it is based on many different levels of experience; however, the branches of the tree represent other characteristics within us so that we can recognize the presence of avidya.
The First Branch
The first branch is called “asmita” in the Yoga Sutra, and is what we call the ego. It pushes us into thoughts like “I am better than that person” and “I am right.”
The Second Branch
The second branch is called “raga” in the Yoga Sutra, and is the part of us that makes demands. For instance, even though we don’t need that triple scoop of ice cream and the expensive watch, we want it because it tastes good (although not necessarily good for us) and the watch is a status symbol. We want things that we don’t have, and what we have is never enough. If someone were to take the ice cream and watch away from us, we would be very reluctant to give it away. This is attachment.
The Third Branch
The third branch is called “dvesha,” and in many ways it represents the opposite of raga. Dvesha is the rejection of things. If we have a hard time with something or someone, we are afraid of repeating it. We reject the things that may relate to that hard time that we had. Dvesha also causes us to reject things that we are unfamiliar with, even though we don’t have any positive or negative experience with them.
The Fourth Branch
The fourth branch is called “abinivesa” or fear. Fear manifests itself on many levels. We are afraid to try something new, we have doubts about our position in life, and are afraid that people will judge us negatively. We see a gray hair and a wrinkly in the mirror and are afraid to get old. We lose our job and get upset when our lifestyle must change. All of these expressions are manifestations of abinivesa, fear.
All of these branches cloud our perceptions. They rest in our subconscious mind and make us dissatisfied and unhappy. As long as these branches grow there is a strong chance that we will make terrible decisions because we don’t make sound judgments.
The strange thing is, we notice avidya when it’s absent, more so than when it’s present. When we see something correctly there is a peace inside. There is no tension, we are not agitated and there is a deep quietness and calmness within.
Although sometimes illusive, it is important to recognize avidya for what it is, when it is. By listening to your intuition and abiding by those moments of true clarity, life will begin to feel like a breeze.
Something to meditate on today...
"Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world." -Henry Kissinger
