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
I have finished editing Julia’s promo video from her 200 Hr Teacher Training!
You can view the full video here:
I assembled the video from footage that I shot while on Julia McCabe’s 200 Hr Art and Celebration of Yoga Teacher Training Program at Los Cardones, Nicaragua from Oct 15th to November 5th 2011. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I met some truly inspiring people, surfed some epic waves, and transformed myself from the inside-out. If you have ever been interested in taking your yoga teacher training or just want to deepen your yoga practice, please visit www.juliamccabe.com and look into her various programs.
Julia gets it. She understands humanity and is very much in tune with the universal pulse!
Go on, what are you waiting for?
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[[posterous-content:pid___0]]The 200+ HR Art & Celebration of Yoga Program aligns with the standards set by the Yoga Alliance. It is my intention to be at service to your learning, offering you all that I know (and don’t know!) beyond the Yoga Alliance standards. The potency of our learning truly happens once all of you arrive with the wisdom you have already been living. Yoga is an ancient practice that requires a yielding to the unknown in order for its mystical workings to shape shift your body and mind. Shaping your inner teacher and outer shell comes from this pure space. Signing up for this program is an investment of your time, hard earned money, faith and energy. I pledge to impart as much as I possibly can during our time together. It is a foundation training meaning it will anchor your confidence as both a student and teacher after 200 hours of asana (based on the methods of varying vinyasa methods, a fusion of some of my best teachers in Ashtanga, Anusara, Forrest Yoga – and many more) meditation, pranayama, chanting/mantra, kriyas, history, anatomy (yogic and structural) and the elements of what makes a solid teacher. Doors inevitably open, ideas manifest, reinvention occurs and involution is the end point.Some words about the program:
Our days together will be intense, fun and experiential. Guest teachers will be announced prior to each training. I also prefer to keep the student/teacher ratio small for quality purposes so I will be limiting the amount of students per course to twenty.
There is something to be said about writing your thoughts down. It’s incredibly important to set goals, plan, and make a physical commitment to manifest your intentions. To me, writing down your thoughts is not the same as simply saying it; even if you divulge your deepest aspirations to others, you risk having them lost in the ether. By writing down your thoughts, it suddenly exists in the material plane, which can act as a reminder for the future. A different part of the brain is activated when you transfer your thoughts onto the page.
Today, I am going to write down my first three goals. I will come back to these goals everyday, and meditate on them, visualizing the experience, from beginning to end. They’re going to be long-term, relevant, and attainable.
Goal #1
I will write for at least 30 minutes a day. The writing can include my blog entries, but will also include business plans, synopses, treatments, log lines, short stories, screenwriting, ideas relating to yoga or travel, and computer programming.
Goal #2
I will meditate for at least 15 minutes a day. Meditation is one of the ultimate goals of yoga, and integral to the eightfold path expounded by Patanjali. Yoga is about going inside, reducing the fluctuations in the vritti, or mental disturbances, through dharana (concentration) and dhyana (uninterrupted meditation), to reach Samadhi, a blissful state of oneness with the universe. In addition to yogic meditation, I will use meditation as a tool to concentrate on specific goals, using mantras and visualization to help propel myself towards clarity and success.
Goal #3
Practice asasna’s for at least 15 minutes a day. It may not seem like a lot of time, but I want my daily yoga goals to be attainable. Most days I will practice for longer, but a minimum goal of 15 minutes a day is a reasonable amount of time to practice each day.
I have written diary entries in the past, and have significant experience blogging my travels, but this time it’s going to be different. In addition to writing down interesting things that I learn, I’m going to communicate everything significant that happens during my day, so that I can track my progress towards my goals. Furthermore, I am going to periodically add to my goals, creating an inventory of my aspirations. I can return to these short, medium and long term goals as I live my life and achieve specific milestones.
Today I woke up and read a few chapters from “Autobiography of a Yogi” written by Paramahansa Yogananda, “Pranayama: Beyond Fundamentals” by Richard Rosen, and attended a Power Vinyasa class at the Robert Lee YMCA.
In the afternoon, I complete two online aptitude tests for NAV Canada, as I am interested in learning more about training opportunities to become an air traffic controller. Additionally, I applied for a Communications Generalist position with the BC Government. Applying for jobs has taken up a significant amount of my time since the beginning of December, and recently I have decided that althought applying for jobs online is still a good option, but that I must start taking a more active role in my job search. This week I will follow up with a number of companies that I have applied to, and hopefully I can manifest a job that I can enjoy.
In addition to the job search, I am writing out a few of my business ideas and researching media projects so that I will have a few well-rounded ideas ready should I decide to start my own production company and head to Banff in June to pitch my ideas.
