I'm Waiting For You

I attended a master class by a well known yoga instructor. I overheard how awesome he was at a conference in San Francisco and was delighted to find out he was coming to our town. The day of the master class I left the house extra early to make it to the west side of town in rush hour traffic in time for the "show". I arrived almost an hour before the scheduled start. The room was abuzz; yogis were talking excitedly and stretching on their mats with their noses on their knees and toes pointing to heaven. I enjoyed meeting the other yoga instructors and students at the session. The starting time came and went and the "famous" instructor was nowhere to be found. We received an update on their status - they had landed and were on their way in rush hour traffic. (They mentioned the instructor had another workshop that day and was coming directly from that - it appeared to be a case of poor scheduling). The instructor was laid back about his arrival when he finally did make it. After an hour and a half of lecture we finally started to move for the master class but I was already very disappointed.

I think some people just let it go because this was a famous person that they worshiped. But for me it was a small thing that told a lot about him.

Your audience looks forward to you. Many times they spend money, rearrange their schedules and make every effort to be there at the start for you. You should give them the same consideration.

I know. Sometimes unpredictable circumstances cause us to be late and that is understandable. I have given myself double the time to get to a speaking engagement only to find myself at a standstill in traffic because of an accident that closed the freeway and I should have given myself triple the time - who knew?! But those times are few and far between. Just not planning enough time to get there tells your audience they are not worth your time. What message are you sending?

Get Outside the Studio Thinking

At a recent yoga gathering I mentioned my search for the perfect location for a yoga studio. I had investigated several locations. Some were too big (though I imagine someday I will need that much space!), some were too small without enough parking spaces for the members, but none were "just right" yet. A particularly positive yogi suggested expanding my search to include houses or other interesting buildings that could be fixed up and used as a studio. I immediately pictured "Yoga Barn" in the middle of a field with a man made lake (fake lake - as I call them) in the woods and this beautiful yoga barn!

I have yoga in the park, and yoga on the lake, and yoga at the beach - why not in the barn?!

As a student we are conditioned to stay on the mat. We hardly venture off the mat and try our poses on the floor or turn our mat to a different orientation besides facing the front. When I teach I walk about the room, dropping to a pose near whichever student I was helping last, sometimes on the floor, sometimes taking my mat with me as I move about the room! I am often off the mat hanging out on the grass striking a pose when I teach at the park.

We need to be open to different possibilities and I am grateful for the yogi who opened my eyes to a different place for a studio. I will try to keep my mind and my eyes open all the time!

Pomodoro Technique

As I was preparing for a business class on Increasing Your Personal Effectiveness, I came across a technique called Pomodoro. We are bombarded with internal and external interruptions that prevent us from focusing on our work tasks. The internal interruptions include - our mind wandering from our work to constantly getting up to get a drink of water or other activities that prevents us from staying on task. External interruptions include phone calls and visitors. The Pomodoro technique involves setting a timer for 25 minutes of uninterrupted time. During that time you are to stay focused on one task. You do not allow yourself a break until the 25 minutes are up. Then you take a five minute break from your work - and return to it for another "Pomodoro" - 25 minute stint. The process is continued for four "Pomodoros", after which you are allowed a 30 minute break.

Just as we focus on the breath in yoga and I am sometimes distracted by movement and comings and goings in the room, I am distracted from my work. Sometimes, I feel like I am constantly working without the progress I would expect for the time invested. So, I decided to try the Pomodoro technique today. It was amazing how much I was able to accomplish when I focused on my projects for 25 minute intervals. I will share this technique with my business classes.

Oh, by the way, my Pomodoros included a 25 minute nap too! I consider that a very important task!

Try the technique and let me know what happens. More details are available on the Internet - just Google "Pomodoro technique"!

Heads Up Driving Week - Oct 5-11

AAA is encouraging drivers to participate in Heads Up Driving Week by not texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. It is to encourage us to focus on our driving, not the person on the other end of the message or call, making our roads safer for everyone.

In yoga class we start with breathing exercises that help us with our focus as we breathe in and out in different rhythms, always focusing on the breath. I reminded my class of this focus tonight, and encouraged them to also take the Heads Up focus on driving challenge.

Heads Up this week!
I hope it lasts more than a week.
Why don't you try it and let me know how it works for you.

Don't Miss the Show

When we arrived at the wedding reception, my yoga friend asked if I caught the sunset on the drive over the bridge. I had missed it and that surprises me. Sunsets, sunrises, the moon and the stars are my favorite "shows" and apparently I missed a good one. I vowed to myself not to miss tonight's show and it did not fail to impress me.

One of my friends always commented on the sunset if I happened to catch them on the phone on their way home from work. I like people who notice those events.

The weather is getting cooler - it is time to start yoga in the park at sunset. Maybe you will join us for one.

Let me know where you view the next sunrise, sunset or moon rise from.

Don't miss the next show.

Embrace Your Imperfections

I had a wonderful experience this evening at a local community church. A few weeks ago a girlfriend invited me to this Ladies Night Out. I hesitated at first because I knew I would be tied up with teaching business classes for several days straight, including a business trip out of town, and I would be coming in late and tired the afternoon of the event. But, I said YES and am so glad I did.

The event theme was “Embrace Imperfection” – our imperfections.

It started with a light dinner (sandwiches and salads – yum!!) and the opportunity to meet new friends. Then we went in to the assembly area for -

• awesome singing and music
• a presentation by the ladies program director on all the magazines that promote and urge us to make or have the perfect meal, make-up, body, sex, …
• testimonies from women about their obsessions for the perfect life, children and houses
• an interpretation of the scripture with God's message to strive for perfection
• then more awesome singing and upbeat music

It ended with us going back to our tables for cookies – yum!! (my girlfriend and I tracked down the chocolate cookies!) – and socializing - a few of my favorites things!

We were encouraged to accept our imperfections and embrace them and enjoy them for they are what make us unique.

I plan to remind my yoga people to embrace their imperfect yoga poses because they are what make the class and each of them so unique. The way they perform each pose is perfect for them.

At a recent yoga party I conducted, one of the ladies - having never done yoga before - approached each yoga pose with abandon - squealing with delight as she danced and expressed herself with open arms to each new twist of her body. It was a delight to watch. And though her poses did not mimic the perfect pictures in the yoga books, they were as perfect as they could be. If we all could only be so comfortable - and embrace our imperfections. Try it and let me know how it feels.

Stuff, Stuff and More Stuff

I feel like a bag lady when I walk into the gym loaded up with all the items I need to teach my yoga class. There is the bag full of yoga mats for those members who don't own one, music, yoga blocks and straps, my zafu cushion, etc... If I teach two classes in a row, I may have another bag for that class - maybe filled with my cycling shoes, music, water, towels, etc... Over time the bags can get heavy as I toss in more music and things I might need. Occasionally I do a "spring" cleaning on a bag and dump the contents out on the floor. I am always amazed at what has accumulated. I sort through the items, end up throwing away a few things and feel much lighter and more organized as a result.

Spring cleaning isn't just for the spring. Try to get rid of some of your excess "stuff" this week. Just go through one drawer or bag or closet. Let me know how it works out.