Last week, the lovely ladies at lil omm yoga asked the teachers to provide accounts of their first yoga experiences. It was so much fun, I thought I'd share mine here:
I took my first yoga class in high school. My mom had started attending a regular class so I tagged along one evening. It was a gentle or restorative class (to be honest I can't completely remember), so when we walked in the room was serene with candles and low-lighting and we were instructed to gather a number of props. I'm not going to lie, I did not enjoy it. The stillness was painful. Plus, it was clear this was not going to burn many calories. What was the point?
I went back a few more times, mostly just to spend the time with my mom, never really "getting it." I continued to dabble in yoga throughout college, mostly through video in my dorm room. But, honestly, I didn't fall in love until several years later, when I was living in New York as a grad student.
Usually, when I think about my first yoga class, I think of this class, where I walked away with that "yoga high" (literally almost getting hit by a car on my walk home). I think of this as the start of my yoga journey because this was when I first "got" yoga. But, this was just one step on my journey. Not liking yoga didn't mean I hadn't done yoga. It just meant I had done it and not liked it. And, in fact, continuing to open myself up to the possibility of yoga, even after not liking those earlier classes is simply further evidence that my yoga journey began all those years ago in that restorative class.
As a teacher, I try to draw on this experience by encouraging students to acknowledge judgments and opinions and let them go, allowing whatever it is that comes up as they hold that warrior II or that squat or a crying child to simply be part of their experience in that particular unique moment. I know, easier said than done.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Wonderful Work of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
By now, you've probably heard me mention Allay Yoga's video doga classes, which are being offered Wed evenings from 8-8:30 PM right from the comfort of your own home for only $8!! Partial proceeds from these classes will benefit Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. To sign-up, click here
I thought it might encourage you to to sign online for 30 minutes of quality pup time for this great cause if you knew a little bit more about the phenomenal work Lucky Dog does each and every day. So here goes!
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless animals and educating the community on responsible pet ownership. Lucky Dog does not have its own facility. Instead, our dogs stay with temporary fosters (and occasionally boarding partners) while they wait to find their forever home. We hold adoption events each week where you can see the Lucky Dogs strut their stuff, and we also arrange private meetings for adopters who fall in love with a pup’s internet photo. Our volunteers are more than just volunteers, and our dogs are more than just dogs. We are a family. And we welcome you to become a part!
*This information was taken directly from the Lucky Dog Animal website. Fore more information visit www.luckydoganimalrescue.org!
I thought it might encourage you to to sign online for 30 minutes of quality pup time for this great cause if you knew a little bit more about the phenomenal work Lucky Dog does each and every day. So here goes!
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless animals and educating the community on responsible pet ownership. Lucky Dog does not have its own facility. Instead, our dogs stay with temporary fosters (and occasionally boarding partners) while they wait to find their forever home. We hold adoption events each week where you can see the Lucky Dogs strut their stuff, and we also arrange private meetings for adopters who fall in love with a pup’s internet photo. Our volunteers are more than just volunteers, and our dogs are more than just dogs. We are a family. And we welcome you to become a part!
What is a “Lucky Dog?”
A Lucky Dog is a fortunate animal who we are able to rescue from a high-kill shelter or from an owner who needs to re-home his or her pet. Right now, “Lucky Dogs” are primarily of the canine variety, but Lucky Dog Animal Rescue plans to expand to help animals of all kinds. We consider any animal in need a potential “Lucky Dog”!
Where do Lucky Dogs come from?
Most Lucky Dogs come from high-kill shelters in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We work with shelter partners in low-income and rural areas where hundreds of highly-adoptable dogs are euthanized each month due to overpopulation problems, lack of spay/neuter education and inadequate funding. With the help of our dedicated volunteers and supporters, Lucky Dog rescues as many of these pups as possible.
Where are the Lucky Dogs now?
The Lucky Dogs live in foster homes throughout the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. They live as far north as Baltimore and as far south as Burke and Woodbridge. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue does not have a shelter of its own. We rely completely on the generosity of our foster parents!How do Lucky Dogs get Here?
We have wonderful partners who drive the Lucky Dogs all the way from their rural shelters to the DC area. These “transports” can be as large as 60 dogs and as small as 1 dog. A portion of each adoption fee goes to the costs of arranging these transports. We always need lots of help when the dogs arrive from the shelters – let us know if you’d like to be part of the welcoming committee.How can I get a Lucky Dog?
It’s simple! Just fill out the adoption questionnaire to get the screening process started!*This information was taken directly from the Lucky Dog Animal website. Fore more information visit www.luckydoganimalrescue.org!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Post-Christmas Blues by Hannah Leatherbury
The days after Christmas are difficult for me this year. I am taking stock of what I didn't give and what I didn't receive. My self-employed status also has me worrying about the upcoming tax season and how I will fare. I returned to the principle of asteya today because I had just blogged on ahimsa and thought it was the next logical choice. It also turned out to be the best reading I could have asked for at this time of year.
Hannah Leatherbury is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) and a blogger within the Yoga Journal Community. She received her training in Classical Hatha yoga in 2009 and has been teaching ever since. Her interest in movement and wellness evolved from a childhood filled with dance training in tap, jazz, ballet and modern coupled with a post-college urge to stay active and healthy. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Goucher College. You can contact her via her blog http://community.yogajournal.
Asteya can be thought of as non-stealing and non-coveting. It's easy to interpret this in material terms, such as gift-giving and receiving, being happy with what you already have and for what someone put the time and thought into giving you (even if it would not have been your first choice – thanks for those socks!) Some of the most interesting thoughts I read on asteya describe the ways in which a sense of entitlement in your yoga practice can betray this principle. For example, coveting the abilities of another practicioner instead of tuning into your own body and its abilities. I found this particularly comforting after reading about the world's youngest yoga teacher – she's six and teaches 5:30am classes at an ashram in India.
Another fantastic essay encourages us to think about other things that we take which are not ours like
- time (being constantly late for an appointment with someone)
- credit (taking praise without cause)
- funds (buying on credit when we can't pay off the debt)
- thoughts (assuming the outcome of an argument rather than listening to the other party)
- food and drink (ingesting more than our body can handle)
All this to say, I'm reconsidering what I “take” and how that effects my life. I'm reminded to spend more time giving thanks for what I already have.
There is a fantastic mantra that my teacher told me to practice once: I am enough.
Hannah Leatherbury is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) and a blogger within the Yoga Journal Community. She received her training in Classical Hatha yoga in 2009 and has been teaching ever since. Her interest in movement and wellness evolved from a childhood filled with dance training in tap, jazz, ballet and modern coupled with a post-college urge to stay active and healthy. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Goucher College. You can contact her via her blog http://community.yogajournal.Monday, January 3, 2011
2011 Will Be The Year Of...
Compassion, Process, and Patience
Every year I set goals for where I want to get to instead of where I want to be. This year, my only goal is to experience--be in the process with compassion and patience for myself and others.
Here are my new years resolutions:
- Be where I am--focus more on where I am than where I am going
- Keep an open mind--there is rarely one way of doing things--what is right in the moment is always changing.
- Nourish body, mind and soul through daily exercise, eating well, meditation, and journal writing/reflection
- Try something new every month--keep it if it works, let it go if it doesn't
- Nourish relationships--Listen as much or more than share
- Let go of expectations of others--see them for who they are and where they are
What are your goals for 2011? Do they focus on attainment or experience (there is room for both!)? How can you implement them in your day-to-day life?
Every year I set goals for where I want to get to instead of where I want to be. This year, my only goal is to experience--be in the process with compassion and patience for myself and others.
Here are my new years resolutions:
- Be where I am--focus more on where I am than where I am going
- Keep an open mind--there is rarely one way of doing things--what is right in the moment is always changing.
- Nourish body, mind and soul through daily exercise, eating well, meditation, and journal writing/reflection
- Try something new every month--keep it if it works, let it go if it doesn't
- Nourish relationships--Listen as much or more than share
- Let go of expectations of others--see them for who they are and where they are
What are your goals for 2011? Do they focus on attainment or experience (there is room for both!)? How can you implement them in your day-to-day life?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Settling Into Doga
When I bring up the idea of Doga, most dog-loving yogis express curiosity and excitement. Then, however, many quickly dive into the 101 reasons why they don't think their dog can do doga. I hear things like: "My dog is way too crazy." "My dog has too much energy." "My dog will be distracted the whole time." Contrary to popular belief, these aren't reasons against bringing your dog to the mat, these are reasons for bringing your dog to the mat!
Doga is a partner practice between you and your dog. It is not about good behavior or bad behavior. It is not about struggling with your dog's wavering attention span in order to move through a seamless sequence. It is about creating a mind-body connection with each other. It is about cultivating mindfulness, letting go of expectations, accepting what is, and being present no matter what comes up. These are many of the benefits we work toward in our own yoga practice. In doga, our pups simply help us to find them.
As the first step in your doga practice. Take some time each day this week to just be with your dog. Whether they're snuggled up on the couch, lying on the floor chewing a bone, or drinking from the toilet even after you've clearly expressed your disapproval of this action over and over again (LOLA!), just observe what comes up. Observe their experience of whatever it is they are doing. Are they wagging their tail? What is their breath like? Are they panting, licking their lips, yawning or showing other signs of agitation? Observe what their actions create in you physically and mentally. Do you tighten your belly, jaw, or fists when you observe them doing something you feel they shouldn't? What do you experience when they cuddle against you? Lick your hand, or even better, your nose? Work toward letting go of judgment and ideas of what your dog should do--both positive and negative. Just be with them in the moment.
There, you're doing Doga! What a great team you and your pup make!
Doga is a partner practice between you and your dog. It is not about good behavior or bad behavior. It is not about struggling with your dog's wavering attention span in order to move through a seamless sequence. It is about creating a mind-body connection with each other. It is about cultivating mindfulness, letting go of expectations, accepting what is, and being present no matter what comes up. These are many of the benefits we work toward in our own yoga practice. In doga, our pups simply help us to find them.
As the first step in your doga practice. Take some time each day this week to just be with your dog. Whether they're snuggled up on the couch, lying on the floor chewing a bone, or drinking from the toilet even after you've clearly expressed your disapproval of this action over and over again (LOLA!), just observe what comes up. Observe their experience of whatever it is they are doing. Are they wagging their tail? What is their breath like? Are they panting, licking their lips, yawning or showing other signs of agitation? Observe what their actions create in you physically and mentally. Do you tighten your belly, jaw, or fists when you observe them doing something you feel they shouldn't? What do you experience when they cuddle against you? Lick your hand, or even better, your nose? Work toward letting go of judgment and ideas of what your dog should do--both positive and negative. Just be with them in the moment.
There, you're doing Doga! What a great team you and your pup make!
 |
| Lola happily sleeping with a secretly stolen shoe |
Friday, December 10, 2010
What's Ahimsa To A Puppy?
Muse*Practice*Allay welcomes guest blogger Hannah Leatherbury! Hannah will be joining us online once a month and weekly in the studio! Welcome Hannah! Below Hannah examines how we can use the yogic principle of ahimsa to better understand and accept our furry family members.
What's Ahimsa To A Puppy?
What's Ahimsa To A Puppy?
I've known Daisy dog for all of four months and she continually amazes me. She's sweet, she's playful and she's smart. But there are two things that really unnerve me about Daisy: 1. She likes to chew on the edges of expensive rugs (sorry, slight tangent from my main point) and 2. She is EXTREMELY aggressive with her toys, especially the poor hedgehog in this video.
Reading "Inside of a Dog" right now, I am hoping to stumble upon a passage that will help me understand what the experience of destroying a feaux animal is like for Daisy so that I can reframe it as something other than pure aggression. Until I find that passage however, I am thinking of how my teacher describes ahimsa as non-judgement in addition to non-violence. It is that act of non-judgement - unconditional love - that reminds me not to expect my puppy to be a peacemaker, only to expect her to be herself.
Next on my list of things to do to better understand Daisy: doga...
Anyone else tried it?
Hannah Leatherbury is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) and a blogger within the Yoga Journal Community. She received her training in Classical Hatha yoga in 2009 and has been teaching ever since. Her interest in movement and wellness evolved from a childhood filled with dance training in tap, jazz, ballet and modern coupled with a post-college urge to stay active and healthy. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Goucher College. You can contact her via her blog http://community.yogajournal.
Reading "Inside of a Dog" right now, I am hoping to stumble upon a passage that will help me understand what the experience of destroying a feaux animal is like for Daisy so that I can reframe it as something other than pure aggression. Until I find that passage however, I am thinking of how my teacher describes ahimsa as non-judgement in addition to non-violence. It is that act of non-judgement - unconditional love - that reminds me not to expect my puppy to be a peacemaker, only to expect her to be herself.
Next on my list of things to do to better understand Daisy: doga...
Anyone else tried it?
Hannah Leatherbury is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) and a blogger within the Yoga Journal Community. She received her training in Classical Hatha yoga in 2009 and has been teaching ever since. Her interest in movement and wellness evolved from a childhood filled with dance training in tap, jazz, ballet and modern coupled with a post-college urge to stay active and healthy. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Goucher College. You can contact her via her blog http://community.yogajournal.Friday, September 17, 2010
The Universal Language of Yoga
After a brief summer break, Muse*Practice*Allay is back!
 |
| From guardian.co.uk, |
Now that we're embarking on a new season, it is a perfect time to commit to that daily personal yoga practice you've been thinking about all summer. Let go of preconceived notions of what the practice should look like and allow yourself to follow what feels good in your body and mind from day to day--you'll know! And, if you need a place to start, just follow Santra!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)