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I got to take a class led by a childhood friend of mine last Wednesday evening at the Cosmic Cafe here in Dallas. Robin Riddle recently received her yoga teacher certification through the Dallas Yoga Center and teaches this one public class every week. The class and Robin’s teaching style are soothing, quiet and almost meditative. I found myself able to do practically the entire class with my eyes closed. I’ll be back.
The 6-week series will start April 21st, and run for 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings, from 7-8:15pm. Go to my Beginner’s Yoga Series page for more information and to register.
One of the bonus features is the extended interview with B.K.S. Iyengar, who gives us this little gem, speaking of the physical work, the asana practice, as preparatory work for the spiritual: “It is a preparation, but everything is inherent in it.” This is my favorite moment of the film. Mr. Iyengar began studying Yoga because he was a very sickly child. He practiced Yoga to improve his health and it wasn’t until after years of practice, when he reached his twenties that he felt restored and strong. When asked about his learning of and interpretation of yogic philosophy, he replied that he didn’t really embrace it until later in life, in the 1960’s, largely because it was impractical to his goal of getting well when he was younger. “Who has time for philosophy when you’re ill?” If you’ve read “Light on Yoga” you understand Iyengar’s approach to Yoga asana practice as a tool that promotes good health, strength, physical vitality. But “everything is inherent in it.” I take this to mean asana practice is, or can be, about more than physical preparation. I take it to mean the exercise of yogic philosophy can happen within the physical practice. Iyengar teaches us that Yoga is the union of body and mind with the soul. In a way, that union can happen whether we are aware of it, or whether we try to achieve it or not. This is the happy irony of a Yoga practice and is also something reflected in the film: we try so hard, we reach for, strive for, yearn and move toward what we think we are supposed to achieve and the Indian gurujis smile and laugh at our labors. “Everything is inherent in it.” It’s not out there, waiting for us to reach it. It’s in us. It’s in our practice. Just keep practicing.  Yoga Mannequin - Vrksasana Putting aside for the moment my ongoing series on Jung and Yoga (series?! But there’s only one article!), I wanted to share some thoughts and some resources on yoga apparel. That’s right: yoga clothes. One of the most talked about issues in the yoga community I’ve found is the affordability factor: not only of yoga classes, but also the high cost of some of the clothes suitable for a comfortable yet challenging and confident practice. Continue reading If the capris fit…  Photo by H. Cartier-Bresson from the cover of "Memories, Dreams Reflections" I’ve been reading Carl Jung again. June Singer’s “Boundaries of the Soul: The Practice of Jung’s Psychology” is an excellent Jung primer (originally published in 1972; Singer died in 2004 when she was well into her eighties). It is an in-depth exploration of Jung’s work that is full of insight from the point of view of a practicing Jungian analyst. I’ve read Jung’s memoir “Memories, Dreams, Reflections” many times over, but reading almost any of his technical work can be a daunting task, to say the least and sadly there are very few books that take the reader through the full spectrum of Jung’s fundamental contributions to the field of psychology. I’m enjoying it as much as any of the very good fiction I’ve read in the last year or so. Continue reading How Personal is Your Practice? Some thoughts on Yoga and the work of Carl G. Jung
Join us from 12-1:15pm Monday, 12.21.09 at CHI Studio for a special Winter Solstice Yoga class. We’ll begin with low lights and more restorative (yin) asana including supine postures and forward bends. We’ll move gradually toward opening the front body, releasing the light of the heart center through chest openers, back bends and slow-moving Sun Salutations (yang). After savasana we’ll end our practice with a seated meditation honoring both the seasonal and personal transformation and balance of the Solstice, surrounded by glowing candlelight. This class is suitable for all levels of yoga practitioner. Beginners are warmly welcomed. Come join us for the perfect, no-stress opportunity to honor the spirit of the season. Join me Saturday, November 28th at CHI Studio from 11:30am-12:45pm for a Post-Thanksgiving Feast Yoga Class! This will be an All Levels class (Beginners welcome!) that will focus on – you guessed it – the Digestive System! An energizing flow series will incorporate spinal twists and inversions to keep the digestive organs working in top form. CHI Studio * 807 Fletcher Street * Dallas, TX * www.chidallas.com
Question Students Never Ask: Why do we chant the sound of “OM” in yoga? What does it mean and what is the significance of chanting or saying it three times? I think Mr. Iyengar explains it well. The following is from his “Light on Yoga”:
It’s autumn and soon enough the holidays are upon us again. What’s the first sign for you? Changes in the weather? The first leaves turning on the trees? Scary jack o’ lanterns and bonfires? Changing seasons cause us to pay attention to what our senses are registering in us, perhaps more at this time of the year than any other. Why is it that so many people love the seasons of spring and fall so much? The senses are fully, actively engaged; almost overwhelmed. One of the surest signs for me (and my husband) is in what we want to cook and eat at home. Big bowls or plates of warm, comforting stewed things; or an impulse to bake rises up. I begin tagging recipes in the holiday issues of my food magazines. One thing that’s different for me this year though is a deepening awareness of how my body reacts to food. I was born thin and have been blessed with a very high-functioning metabolism for most of life. My body literally burned with digestive energy at night and my weight hasn’t fluctuated more than 3-4 pounds over the past 20 years. I’ve always been very conscious about what I eat and have for years leaned much more toward a whole foods diet, but have been able to eat pretty much what I want without worrying about calorie-counting. Classic pitta constitution. Continue reading Fire in the Belly: Manipura Chakra I picked up another private group yoga class over the summer. Some folks from a Dallas-based drug and alcohol recovery organization contacted me about setting up a twice weekly class for some of the ladies’ counselors and facility staff. We meet twice a week at CHI Studio for an hour. The regulars are fast becoming devotees and they look forward to their practice with an enthusiasm for the energy it’s giving them along with the stress relief from what must be very demanding, high-stress, emotionally draining work. I love my ladies! I continued my class with my private school teachers over the summer as well, which brought a level of continuity and deepening of their commitment to their practice. We continue on through the new school term with a weekly class that meets in the school’s new dance studio. The school is offering yoga classes for students this year too and the demand is high! If you’d like more information about forming a group class of your own (either one-off or ongoing) send me an email! I especially love working with new students and those looking to transition from Beginner to Intermediate and Advanced work. A one-off class for a special occasion can be fast-paced or slow and restorative. There are as many options for classes as there are interested students! Pranam~ Shannon |
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Monday, December 21st, 2009 marks the earth’s Winter solstice, a moment in time when the earth’s axis is tilted farthest from the sun. The longest day of darkness also marks the return shift toward the sun’s light and the anticipation of Spring.