Set Your Intention

The "famous" yoga instructor started our session seated comfortably on the stage with a beautiful inviting smile on her face.  There was a sigh of relief from many of the participants when she said that there would be an hour of lecture, then an hour of yoga.  Many of them had already completed several two hour sessions and possibly a whole day of yoga before that during the conference and the thought of one more downward facing dog, (a yoga pose in which your hands and feet are on the floor and your hips are lifted so you resemble an upside down V), was daunting.  To be able to sit and just listen for an hour to a number of delightful stories was a welcome rest.  The instructor shared how the "Aim True" theme had become her mantra as she started with her fascination with Greek gods and goddesses as a child to the explanation of the tattoo on her arm.  She reminded us of the practice of setting our intention before a yoga class.  What were we doing the class for and what did we want to get out of it?  Were we there to relax our bodies?  Were we there to heal some injury?  Were we there to practice for those that couldn't, or send love and positive energy to those that needed it?  It is important to set your focus before the class begins so you can direct your energy.

It is also important in life to set our intention so that we are able to get the most out of moments.  If we have a business meeting planned, what happens when we don't set our intention?  We probably have productive meetings but there could be so much more evolving from them.  What if we set our intention to really listen and hear what people were saying beneath their words or connect with a person in the meeting that we don't really know?  How would that change the outcome?

I have presented classes on subjects that attendees usually have some experience in.  I had one young woman attend my project management class and she had already obtained the Project Management Professional designation.  This fundamentals class was going to be everything she already knew.  But she approached the class with an open mind to see what else she might gain in project management knowledge.  She shared with me after that the class was very valuable and she learned some new things she could apply directly to her work.

Set your intention and see where it takes you.  It will create more meaningful experiences for you.     

Have to? Get to?

The priest that celebrated the mass today has always been one of my favorites.  His sermons are well planned and contemporary.  You leave with a practical application of the message to incorporate into your life.  He used to be the pastor but has moved on and teased he was a visiting priest today.  He mentioned a few of the places that he was scheduled to visit this year.   The list included Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina.  As he mentioned each city he was to travel to he preceded it with the word HAD.  I smiled to myself because if places like that were on your HAD to go to list, life really couldn't be all that bad, could it?  Shouldn't it be GET to go to?  I tried to catch him after the service but he was surrounded by followers and deeply involved in animated conversation.

At the beginning of yoga class I mention some of the poses we are going to GET to do that day.  There are varied reactions to the knowledge: some fearful, some excited, some confused.  But I know they will enjoy it no matter what their initial reaction is.

Where do you GET to go or what do you GET to do this week, month or year?

Valentine give-away

Wouldn't you love a new yoga mat or other yoga toys? 

You've enjoyed reading my "I Yoga Party - Do You?" blogs.  Now become a follower. 

All new (and current) followers will be entered in a drawing for yoga mats, blocks, straps and zafus (yoga pillows).  The drawing takes place on Valentine's Day (2-14-13) at noon (CST).  Be sure to sign up as a follower before then.  Winners will be posted on this blog. 

Bonus contest - invite five friends to follow the blog - the first five people that get five friends to follow I Yoga Party automatically win a new yoga mat.  E-mail me your name and the names of your five friends to participate - margaret@ideasandbeyond.com

Starting now - go!!!

Dolphin Delight

I nestled into the corner of the boat to enjoy the ride, the warmth of the sun, the beautiful views on the shore and in the water and the interesting display of characters and their vessels parading along the canal.  Our captain devoted his attention to our safety and pleasure, maneuvering the boat through the canal while keeping a watchful eye out for dolphins.  Soon, several were spotted a short distance from us near the shore.  Our captain turned the boat around and positioned us near the circling dolphins.  They were looking for fish, we were looking for them.  Repeated attempts at leaving our wake in their path to tempt them to follow were fruitless.  You could imagine them laughing under the water at the silly humans.  Again and again he circled the boat back and forth to the first group of dolphins and then to others we observed at a distance from our current location.  Finally, a pair of dolphins were frolicking in the wake of our boat, jumping in and out of the water right next to the the back corner of the boat (off the port quarter in seaman's terms).  We squealed with delight each time the head or tail of a dolphin rose above the water. It was an amazing show.  All that work by our captain paid off.

In yoga, success in a pose can sometimes be difficult to obtain. We put forth a great deal of effort in our practice.  It is not unusual for the reward to take some time.  Patience and perseverance will get you to where you want to be.  And when we finally reach that place, it is delightful.

Clapping For A Great Show

As the sun gently lowered in the sky toward the horizon, the beach goers started clustering near the shore with their phones, cameras and other picture taking devices in hand.  Seemingly sinking every so slowly into the sea, everyone's attention was drawn toward it.  With a blink and a flash it was gone, the surrounding sky displaying beautiful shades of orange, red, yellow and clear blue sky in celebration of the sun's setting.  Applause arose from the crowd of onlookers.  Good job God.

We are all at different stages in different poses in yoga.  A few have mastered some while others struggle for years with a seemingly simple pose.   There is such a feeling of exhilaration when one accomplishes a pose that was not possible before.  When we hear a squeal of delight in the yoga room or see someone perform a pose that we can't imagine trying that day we celebrate along with them - sometimes breaking into applause. 

No matter how big or how small the success - celebrate.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra yoga

I have always been intrigued by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Every holiday I hear their music on the radio and long to hear them in person.  Then for some reason, another Christmas season goes by and I have missed out on this special event once more. 

But - no longer.

A girlfriend organized a group of us to attend the concert this past week.  The line almost circled the entire Houston Toyota Center as we stepped up to take our place.  The afternoon concert must have ended late for us to have to line up to get in.  As we entered the concert venue our vision was clouded by the smoke that hadn't cleared from the previous show. 

Then - finally - the moment I have waited years for unleashed upon the stage.  Rocking thunderous music, enthusiastic dancers, amazing keyboard players, flashing laser lights, an electric violin, powerful vocalists, whipping long hair, heat from the flames on-stage all rolled into creating an event that you never wanted to end.  Near the end, some thought it was over and headed out the door .  But we stayed knowing that there is always an encore and this would be one you didn't want to miss.  And it was.  They played on for 45 minutes or more including their famous Christmas Eve/Saravejo in the set. 

One segment during the concert I enjoyed the hair whipping dancers kneeling on the stage moving through poses up and down off the floor. I smiled as I named the yoga poses in my head.  To them they were dancing; to me they were "yoga-ing".  I promised myself I would be sure to include those poses in my weekend yoga classes, nicknaming the classesTrans-Siberian Orchestra Yoga. It was enjoyed by all.   

Yoga.  It's everywhere.  It's a part of life.  Consider making it a part of your life in the new year. 

You Get What You Give

I am taking yoga classes in a style called Ashtanga.  It is a power yoga with a lot of jumping and flowing.  I am working on the first of many series of poses.  In class the other day, I was on one side of the room and the instructor was assisting a student on the other side of the room as I practiced one of the more challenging poses. Three times is usually a charm but this time it was three attempts and I was down on the floor in a resting pose.  The instructor came over and asked if I was able to do the pose. I explained how I had tried several times and it didn't work quite yet (the answer was no).  He smiled and asked if I was practicing at home every day.  I responded truthfully that I hadn't.  I started to laugh and said "You get what you give"!  He gave a knowing nod to me as I lay on the floor defeated (but only for today and only by this one pose). 

It reminds me of the story of Jose and the lottery tickets.  Every week Jose prayed to God that he would win the lottery and every week he didn't win.  One week Jose was praying to God that he would win the lottery and God called down to him "Jose! Buy a ticket!"

We have to do our part. 

In what area of your life would you like to be more successful? Are you doing your part to move yourself toward that goal?  What one thing could you do that would make that movement happen?