Sidekick

We had just settled down to the start of yoga class and our relaxation breathing exercise. The back wall of the yoga room is clear glass and I noticed a couple walk up to the room and have a seat on a bench near the door with a good view of the room. Then they stood up to read the posted class schedule. I was sure they wanted to join us but assumed they felt a little uncomfortable because the class had already started. I went to the door, cracked it open, invited them in and handed them mats. They found a place near the back of the group and joined right in.

Just as I encourage others, I find myself encouraged by others to try new things.

My husband and I went to Cabo San Lucas recently for a birthday get-away. I have always wanted to zip-line and found myself on a bus with him and a group of tourists headed to San Jose for a zip-lining adventure. My husband really wanted to stay at the hotel and relax as he travels all the time - but after all - it was my birthday - so he went along for the adventure. "What is zip-lining?" you ask. You are harnessed and connected to a cable or rope that extends across a canyon and "slide" down the cable to the other side squealing all the way. At least I squealed. My first one was a squeal of fear, the subsequent ones were squeals of delight. Each zip gets longer and higher, which only adds to the excitement - or the fear depending on your perspective. At one point on the adventure you given a choice - to do the "chicken line" and head to the right for a few more zips or do the "adventurous" choice and head to the left for rappelling down a cliff and some rock climbing. As I contemplated the choices and considered whether I was a chicken, my husband headed down to the left without a word or his usual kiss good-bye. As I watched him disappear I thought - "I am not going to listen to him call me a chicken for the next few days" and my decision was made. I joined the rest of the adventurous travelers on the two by four foot platform at the top of the cliff. THIS WAS GOING TO BE FUN - I kept telling myself. And it really was.

It is difficult to take a risk and try something new. But, when you have a buddy with you or extra encouragement (e.g. desertion) it is always easier.

I recommend you find someone to be your SIDEKICK to stand or zip or downward dog at your side - (maybe even give you a little "side" kick) and you will find it easier to jump in and enjoy the adventure.

http://www.sidekickcoach.com/

Wine a Little - You'll Feel Better

For the past few years I have attended the Yoga Journal Yoga Conference in San Francisco. It is a beautiful town filled with exciting things to do and the conference is always a delightful buffet of "All I Can Yoga" events and workshops. But my favorite part of the trip is hooking up with my sister to spend a day in the wine country. This last time we ended up at the Jacuzzi winery simply because the name reminded us of a lot of fun parties that ended up in a jacuzzi. It turns out the winery history connects back to the inventor of the Jacuzzi - (I knew I was going to like that place). I joined their wine club and received my first wine shipment today. As I opened the box and reviewed all the labels on the bottles I was reminded of that wonderful afternoon where my sister and I spent a few hours in wine heaven - sampling all sorts of white and red wines and the chocolates to go with them. A favorite was a chocolate shot glass that we were able to eat after shooting the wine. We were the only ones in the winery so we were given a great deal of attention - and extra samples - hence my joining the Jacuzzi wine club!

In yoga class, I encourage my students to gently use the wall, blocks and straps to assist them in getter deeper into a pose so that their body will remember where it is supposed to go in a pose. The next time they attempt that pose, their body might be able to take them to that place where the prop helped them get previously.

Like the wine shipment - the body and mind remember - and we enjoy the present moment or pose even more.

Where Were You Last Week?

I sponsored my neighbor's son for his confirmation in the Catholic Church last night. I was there when the boy was born - which was an exciting tearful ceremony and I was there last night - which was a slightly tearful and exciting in a different way ceremony. His Eminence (I love that - his eminence) the Daniel Cardinal DiNardo said the mass and conducted the ceremony. I love to listen to him speak. He is clear and straightforward and funny. He said the mass for my sons and conducted their confirmation ceremony a few years ago when he was a bishop. The oldest said he would go to church every day if the Cardinal was saying the mass (I am sure I could find out where the Cardinal will be every day and get my son to live up to that one!) because he enjoyed his sermons so much. The Cardinal was presenting his sermon and was telling the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples after his death. "Jesus said Peace Be With You - he didn't say Where Were You Last Week?" I laughed as I thought of my yoga students.

Sometimes they are late for class and apologize. I smile and say - "It's not a problem - I'm glad you're here. It is always ok to come in no matter how late you are". Sometimes they tell me they are going to be gone or tell me why they missed the last ten classes and I am always glad they are back. No need to apologize. I won't grill you to find out where you were last week or why you won't be here next week. I'm just glad you are here now.

Only the Perfect Ones

My husband was helping me fill hundreds of small bags with M&M's for a give-away in the attendee bags for a conference I am speaking at in May. I asked him to pull out any broken ones and only use the "perfect" ones as he filled the bags with a spoon. He obliged.

Then I connected it to yoga, as I always do.

I tell my students that their pose doesn't have to be perfect and that they don't have to look like the person next to them. I remind them that this is a practice and they should make the pose work for them however they have to modify it. I encourage them by saying every pose is a good pose as long as they are still breathing.

Then I looked back at the M&M 's I was pouring into a bag and let a broken one slip into the bag - with a smile.

Come On In and Join In On the Fun

My husband was having a poker game with the guys at the house so I had to escape and entertain myself for six hours. That is not hard to do. I rallied the ladies together for drinks, a movie and a trip to a country western bar called Big Texas. One of my friends was worried we might be too old for the place. To alleviate her concerns I asked the bouncer at the door if there was an upper age limit for the bar. He didn't look like he had passed his twenty first birthday yet. He smiled and said, "that is the first time I've ever heard that one". I am sure he has heard a lot of interesting things. I replied, "that is the first time I ever asked that one". He assured me that we were not old at all and invited us into the bar. It turned out to be a grand time. There was a live band, many great dancers that are always fun to watch two-stepping around the dance floor, and great challenges at the pool tables. Oh, and did I mention the cute cowboys?

Some people have the same attitude toward yoga class. They think - I am too old, I am not flexible, I will never be able to do that. The list goes on. I think they are missing out on a good time and on something that is good for them. I say - Don't hesitate at the door, come on in and join in on the fun!

At What Price?

The man on the lounge chair next to me at the pool in this beautiful Mexican town was talking about his company and the work they do. The Company sent several hundred employees to this resort for a sales celebration. They had an incredible stage set up on the beach for the evening events and we could hear the music, partying and awards presentation the night before. "Those salespeople that received awards probably log well over 80 hours a week working", he said with pride. He included himself in that prestigious group. "At what price?", I thought to myself as I learned of the separation in his marriage after inquiring about the book he was reading. It is his choice and I am sure he is happy with it for many reasons, but it would not be mine.

I think about the people in my yoga classes. Sometimes they don't listen to their bodies. Their bodies tell them to stop or back off from a pose and they keep pushing to get to that perfect performance of the pose no matter what hurts or how labored their breath is. "At what price?", I think. I encourage them to make every pose work for them but they have one thing on their mind and all else is lost from their focus.

Think about what you are doing. At what price? Do you need to change your focus?

Change Old Patterns

When I first started taking horse back riding lessons it was fun because I didn't know anything and everything was new and fascinating and there was no pressure. I didn't know how to groom a horse or ride a horse or talk to a horse. Every lesson was exciting as I tackled a new technique. I still had to think quite a bit and that horse could cover a lot of distance while I was still thinking about how to get a certain result. My instructor had me try different horses and even bareback riding. That could get exciting because in order to stay on the horse I needed to squeeze my legs and that just made her go faster and I had to squeeze my legs harder not to fall off and - - - you got the picture!

But the one horse I rode most often, Libby, and I eventually ended up stuck in a little pattern. She would get away (I would let her get away) with stopping to eat grass and just stopping and not moving no matter what I did and how I tried to kick it up a notch. So I started to change the pattern. I took her across the road, I changed the pattern in the arena, and was finally able to get the results I wanted from her.

In yoga, I change up my classes a little bit every time and focus on different body parts. My students sometimes get into a rut and only work so far in a pose or stay with their favorite poses or the ones they can do and sit out on the ones they think are too hard for them. We need to change up the old patterns and try new poses or try to push a little harder to keep our body from falling into old patterns.

See you on the mat!