momentsofyoga

Finding our Dharma or purpose

2010-10-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

I think this is a topic that many of us struggle with everyday. I for one would like to have a greater purpose in the world, make my contribution for a better world and help others. Sometimes day to day, this over all sense of purpose can get lost. In my yoga practice, asking for my purpose each day is a way to stay focused, standing in Mountain pose and closing my eyes and asking to receive my Dharma or purpose for that day helps immensely, all I have to do is listen. At the end of my practice I ask again, this opens and closes my practice, it can also give my practice intention for that day.I don't always know what I am going to do before coming to my mat, but once I am there, it always comes to me whatever I need, and whatever I need to take with me. If you have ideas from your practice I would love to hear them! Namaste'

Being Present

2010-10-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Today, is one of the most lovely days, we have had in Minnesota. Such a fabulous fall. I find that during this weather, it is naturally meditative. And I found that wow, I had not writen on my blog in quite sometime and had considered starting a new one but thought really, I would forgive myself for not completeing my last blogging project. I have found my practice to be very meditative, and promoting more opportunity during the day to settle my mental energy and meditate. So much presents itself in the fall, life is very full and I found my practice has had to meet that and assist me to stay energized. One of those ways is to connect with nature and go on very meditative walks. And calm the mental energies and thoughts.
Namaste.

Sukasana, easy pose

2010-07-26T14:59:00.001-07:00

Sukasana was really the first pose that I started with, and how uncomfortable I was the first time in yoga class sitting in it and chanting, I could not get comfortable.
It took quite some time and some experimentation with just how much blanket to sit on that helped. Breathing and spending time in it with directing breath to my hips and allowing myself to sit for longer periods was the key. It is not always easy to find the "ease" in a pose but as we continue to practice, experiment with what you are doing and allow yourself to be there for longer periods instead of merely just passing through the pose.

Pose 3, Paschimottanasana

2010-05-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

I have avoided this pose for years, until I could accept, be gentle and soften when it came to my tight hamstrings. When I began yoga I would wince when the teacher said it was time for paschimottanasana(intense stretch of the east) Such a deep forward fold. i have relyed heavily on my Iyengar leanings when practicing and have found several techiniques that have worked and been comfortable enough for me
to be in it for longer periods. Sitting up on a block is my favorite with a rolled blanket under my knees to support them. Inhaling deeply and coming forward as much as I am able from the hip hinge, and then moving forward slowly as my body releases. It produces such quiet concentration in me and is soothing for the body. It has taken many years and the persistance of my current teacher, Laura, to move quietly and deeply in the poses I wish to avoid. If you have not practiced this pose in awhile take time to visit with it. Peace, namaste'

Pose 2, Childs Pose, Balasana

2010-05-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

What better pose to choose than this! Doing childs pose everyday is very centering, calming and the ultimate in letting go. If I have days I am having trouble turning within, I natually avoid this pose. As soon as you are there, turning within is so automatic. Taking that deep breath, and feeling the back and front body soften and let go. What a perfect time, to ask what my Dharma is for the day? How do I proceed from the mat.

Ways to modify: arms by your heels, hold your hands, hook hands over heels, support your sitbones if the stretch is too much for your back, blanket under forhead if it is too hard to bring forhead to the floor. Find a way to prop so that you are completely comfortable. Also, a chair, folding forward, sit bones firmly down.

I hope these few things help, enjoy your childs pose. Namaste'

Pose 1, Parsvakonasana

2010-05-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

I would have to say this is one of my favorite standing poses, I like the strength and stability in the legs. My practice with this pose, focused on the abdominals, or the navel point. During the past two years I have been practicing pilates and have seen such a change in all of my mat work. Finding the engagement through the abdominals to support the pose, allows the pose the extend and open. As I did to each side, focusing on the navel point, engaging(drawing the navel in and up, like the zipper effect we want in pilates, allowed the chest to lift and open, the torso is freer to rotate and open so the head can turn to look up. Allowing myself to
focus here also took much of the weight out of the legs, and pressure from the knees.

In turn this gave me more freedom in the pose and allowed my mind to soften and feel more energized by the pose.

Peace and Light Denise

30 Days 30 Poses

2010-05-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

I found the movie Julie and Julia, very inspiring and uplifting. Meryl Streep is one
of my favorite actresses and really brought Julia Child to life.

I was intrigued by Julie's project of doing all of Julia's recipes in one year. So this is a twist on that inspiring project. My own practice shifts all the time and I recently I really thought about what I may bring to my own practice as well as make it available to other practioners. So here we go 30 poses, 30 days.......

Enjoy, and I would love your comments. namaste'

Mula Bandha

2010-05-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

As promised I am coming back to the practice of mula bandha and breath, I am giving you a link that summarizes this very well, enjoy!!

http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/yogaplus/article.aspx?id=3535

Bringing new insight to practice

2010-05-05T13:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Spring, This is an opportune time to step back into my blog, with spring here and my focus on my own practice shifting it is a perfect time to share. As a teacher I physically do so many movements all week, that when I get to my mat, I find I do mostly restoratives. Recently, though I knew I needed something differant and started turning to some new, at least new to me, practices. I reached out for a couple of books and began reading, coming upon the bandhas. What a wonderful place to begin again. Bringing a practice, of mula bandha breath, uddiyana bandha and jalandara bandha as my focuses, it has changed my practice. I also started looking at a pose that I had never seen before and broke it down to experience it: kandasana, what a wonderful pose!
More on the bandhas in my next post. Peace and Light, Denise

Practice

2009-04-17T14:45:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone, It has been awhile since I have posted, so sorry! It has been a very busy few months of manifesting for me around my yoga practice and creating more opportunities to teach yoga. Coming back to practice, many months ago, my lovely teacher Laura Erdman-Luntz began
directing her advanced teaching class into thinking about our practices on a more expansive level. I have found that my practice has expanded in ways I did not imagine when I started yoga 16 years ago. I daily do some type of asana practice, the meditative practice and my daily
practice of ahimsa and staying present is what has made the most differance. Ahimsa, non-harming is a starting point for any yogi in this society. So many things can be harmful and as soon as we are able to come from compassion and the true intention of our heart then we are practicing yoga. This is very challenging daily and moment to moment!! I always come back to myself, I have always been my worst critic and just turning the tide on myself and being more compassionate helps me extend it to others even more. I also do not feel depleted, I can be so much more present when I am not feeling low on energy. If my energy is high then my practice is also energized and creative. I highly recommend taking a look at your practice. Define what it is start with an asana pose and then take it from there and into your day! Namaste, Denise

Holidays and Yoga

2008-12-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, It has been a little while since my last entry. Yoga and fitness have expanded so much that my time has been aborbed! Anyhow, thought many thoughts around this topic for me
today and what a great time to recenter ourselves at the holidays. I find that during my time off at the holidays is a great time to seek something new and restore my reserves for after the first of the year. How do we do that? Seek out a restorative yoga class. I gave one this week and I highly recommend taking one. Laura has one this next Wednesday, the 17th. to find out more go to www.yogachi.com. What a great way for us to move into the holidays.
It is also a great time to hit your mat at home, do your favorite poses to uplift that energy. I love warrior I and downward dog and find that anytime of day, twice if I can, do these poses.
Try Downward dog with a block, to rest the head and soften the eyes and forhead.
Also, spending more quiet time meditating, whatever that is for you. And of course our favorite
focus on gratitude and abundance. In spite of what is being said around us, there so much abundance in life. In spite of our best efforts not to pick up on the chaotic energy out there, we still can, so quiet time is even more important. Even just a few minutes. It is amazing what 5 mintues can do. Take care all, and have a happy holiday season. Speak with you in the New Year!

Sensation

2008-09-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon, a phrase came to me recently, "fake it till you make it". So many times in yoga poses, we all want to "look" as if we have the pose or are able to do the pose even if it doesn't feel good. We just do not want to feel left out in class. I can't tell you how many years I felt this when I attended classes. I did not like being the odd girl out! Well, these days, I could not care less. It is such a good feeling and really, I have been forced to do it to take care of my health. Teaching more and knowing that I have so many lovely people depending on me including myself has pushed me to do yoga that feels really good! Downward dog......our favorite! My teacher has been working with me for years....on getting into my legs to balance my weight. Which has caused elbow and shoulder trouble for me
During our many classes together I would try to do as I was being directed but frankly I really was not getting it. Changing my focus to a sensation or visualizing what it would feel like to be more in my legs made it easier for me. And now actually feeling the differance in my body has become noticable. I can tell when I am not balancing my weight and utilizing my legs and feet in the pose.

Downward Dog Pose

2008-08-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hi All: I hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer, it is such an active time. Taking in as much as we can.
I wanted to mention in this blog what pose I have done the most all summer. And it is Downward Facing Dog. Very few days have gone by that I not done the pose. Mostly because I have been learning so many new things on the teaching front and doing a Downward dog or a couple really helps me stay centered and strong. It is also restful as I move more into my legs and balance my weight. I notice mentally it is much more calming for me.

Please look for my next blog on the Yamas and Niyamas.....Coming soon.

Peace and tranquilty to you, Denise

More thoughts on yoga practice

2008-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I have found my home practice changing dramatically. The asana portion of my practice has always been so much more prominent than the meditative and breath work. I notice that I have needed more meditative practice but very unable to sit for any length of time and it was suggested to me to a moving meditative practice instead. Taking long walks has been extremely helpful in calming my thoughts and to help me focus more deeply on feelings that need to surface. I notice that I can bring this mindfulness to the many tasks through my day and to bring me more present the more often I do it. I also think back to my training, yoga practice is many things, reading the sutras or other inspirational readings, chanting, the yamas and niyamas etc. It was wonderful to get support and hear from a couple of sources that it was time to expand what I think if as my practice and start to reach out more into other areas. It is easy to get stuck on one way of doing something and opening up one thing can open my creativity to many other areas in life! Enjoy your practice, maybe today it is time to try something differant!Namaste' Denise

Finding ease in seated poses

2008-06-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon all, I have had some interesting insights on practicing seated poses. It all started with our Master class with Laura two weeks ago. She suggested we try to figure out why we do not care for a certain pose rather than just that we do not care for it. Forward folds have since I began yoga more challenging for me, physically as well as mentally. I have found ease in a few of them and practice those regularly. Recently, Maryiciasana I, which I tend to avoid if possible was the one I focused on due to Laura's class. What I found out was it became more clear to me when I found the action of the pelvis in the pose. Also, being on my sitbones and feeling my heels, although I am seated and close to the ground I am not rooting well in my seated asanas.
This had been my focus as of late which has helped. At home it is much easier to play and try differant props rather than get to a class and all of sudden need to be in it with out being fully able to make thoughtful adjustments. Mentally, I have to experience acceptance and allow myself to be there and feel the release. Mentally, in life in general I can become unrooted and consistently through out my day in many ways trying to ground myself in my thoughts so coming to pose such as this becomes more challenging. I am sure I will have more thoughts about this as I practice. I hope this is of interest and helps to bring some thoughtfulness to your practice around a pose that is more challenging to you. Namaste, Denise

Waiting and Practice

2008-05-01T06:01:00.001-07:00

I was very inspired today from a newsletter I received from a wellness practitioner. It was about "Waiting" in yoga. Many times when we are in asana class or at home doing our practice we do not even notice the subtle changes that have happened physically or mentally. Maybe we feel an overall sense of calmness, less agitated, more sleep, not feeling stiff or we have more energy. These subtle changes are all part of the process in yoga. I remember back to when I first took yoga and how impatient I was with almost everything! I found it challenging to just "be" in any pose for very long and then frustrated with my own body at how inflexible I thought I was. This inspiration was about waiting in Shavasana(corpse pose) and allowing the benefits of staying peaceful without moving to take over and give our bodies time to absorb the pose. Which is extraordinarily challenging to beginners as well as long time practioners. So next time you are Shavasana, allow your self to be there, be present and experience stillness. If something trys to pull your attention, let it go. What other pose do you find the most challenging? Use this same idea there, practice a modification of the pose with stillness and presence. You will find your practice to be more nurturing and beneficial when you allow yourself to experience this. And if you have a day that is more difficult to practice this process, take a breath and thank yourself for taking the time to try it!

I very often get the question of "what should I practice?" from students. My answer is to practice what you remember from class, which is usually something you need or something you found joy in. Even if it is just one pose, do that. Without thinking or planning it, do your pose and notice how it feels. Most often if you have been practicing a long time, you will be practicing at home and if not, give this a try, doing one pose will lead you to the next one.

Enjoy your practice! Namaste' Denise

Inner inspiration

2008-04-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hi All, I continue to find new ways to practice and to inspire myself. I was recently gone on a one week vacation. It was quite a getaway for me, I was very present finding myself living in each moment and not thinking about home. What I have always noticed about vacations is reentry after I am home. Very difficult to fold into my old routine and all the things that need to be done. In the past I would have dove in and just worn myself out getting it altogether. Instead, this time, I was okay with were I was. I was slightly down from being away, overwhelmed at what I saw around me and decided that it was okay. I thought what can do with this time given to me......practice my yoga; asana, meditation and some inspirational reading. I come away from my practice more balanced and mentally ready to show up for what I need to do. As much quiet mellow time I had on vacation, it is nothing like quiet mellow time in my own surroundings. It is definitey inspiring.

denise

Newness in Practice

2008-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I posted the last time about my practice around backbends and feeling inspired. Something that continues to inspire me is the many ways I can practice yoga in my life. Somedays I do not have the energy for a full asana practice especially when my teaching schedule is as full as it is now. So the other ways I practice, breathing and meditation--this has been such an eye opener for me. It rounds out my day and I do not feel the pressure to do a "practice". I was definitely programmed for many years about practice being only asana. It frankly fueled my judgement issues for myself. Over coming judgement in my life is a very large issue to me and something that I bring mindfulness (also a yoga practice!) to daily. So offering new things to practice and seeing another area of my yogic life expand is wonderful. I wholeheartedly suggest to those out there, try something new to expand your practice. Namaste' Denise

backbends

2008-02-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

This month I have decided to commit myself to a more mindful practice. I find, and I know I am not alone, that my mind wanders and all of sudden I may be practicing but it is just a physical practice or what I think "I should" be doing. My practice took a wonderful turn after a master class with Laura, I enjoyed two weeks of solid practice on chaturunga and learned so much! And then I was back to my waundering and not focusing. My first thought as I drove to a class was what would balance me physically and mentally, what poses do I visit less than frequently?
Easy answer, back bends.....My next question was how do I take the frustration out and turn it into something fun that I look forward to? I started with what I need and that is I feel as if I have time, I have to feel warmed up and I have to feel centered in order to focus on backbends. I did a little research and found a sequence to start with and added my own variations and got started. It is wonderful! And so engaging for me mentally. I will keep you posted as to how I am progressing and post it here! Namaste' Denise

Adapting

2008-02-09T13:47:00.000-08:00

I was surprised to see how long it had been since I posted. So this is long overdue. As a yoga practioner I notice my practice ebbing and flowing with my life instead of praciticing with intention each time I come to my mat. I very often take it for granted and do a practice I am used to doing or a series of poses that are nice and easy feeling for me. I then notice that I walk away from my mat feeling dissatisifed. I experience the disconnection and then am not sure what to focus on. So during this time two things came up for me, 1) I attended my regular yoga class and we did a pose that I had not done in 12 years. Supported halasana with a bench. It was unbelievably difficult for me mentally and physically. The teacher tried helping me become more comfortable and finally had me come out. I spoke with a yoga teacher friend and we got together and approached it again. Finally coming to the conclusion that I needed to practice halasana in a whole differant way and to chose a differant pose if it came up again in class. Discovering that I was just not ready for it in that form was humbling. And then it brought back memories from when I first practiced it. 2) the other part that worked its way into my practice was a slight over stretching that I did while teaching. I was distracted by someone coming inside the classroom and fell out of my pose. I over stretched something in my hip from this little manuever. And ever since, my practice has had to be about resting it. It is intersting to me how the universe gave me a focus and a purpose behind my practice. I have since been focusing on one pose and relaxation in my daily practice. It is fun to just be in one pose for a period of time and or try alternative ways to prop it and practice it. I am being more mindful since I have had these two things to steer me. Looking more deeply and mindfully at the pose I do translates into the rest of my day. I look at everything more deeply and mindfully, it also lifts my spirit to know that I am able to adapt my practice. Judith Lasater in her daily yoga readings discussed adaptability vs flexibility. In yoga we become more aware and although I think of myself as a flexible person in life, I am actually able to adapt. The ability to adapt comes from our ability not to resist what is happening within ourselves. I took this into my daily life as a way to meet the challenges that come to me on a day to day basis. I can easily begin to resist even the smallest thing but knowing that I am beginning to resist, I then let go and move on or go with the flow of it.

If you are having trouble with your practice look at what the universe may be showing you and begin there..........

Yoga and the holidays

2007-12-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome! Happy Holidays, it has been several weeks from my last blog entry. I thought it was well past time to check in and bring some awareness to yoga practice. I have taken from my meditation the whole concept of slowing down. It was the one thing that really stuck out for me these last few weeks. So I took this into my Asana practice and spend longer on each pose and do less. Trying to feel exactly where I am in it on any given day. Which translates back to own life very well. Where am I in any given moment? I am connected and aware to what is going on around me?

I also took the time to break down what I felt I wanted to do for the holidays, I made a short list for each day and then let go of the rest. And it was wonderful to look at my calendar day to day do what I needed to do and then move on and not worry about the rest. It was much more peaceful and it felt calm.

I am doing a restorative practice for the next 7 days to allow myself to rest and recoup!
I was so pleased for the reminder in class on Wednesday from Laura that this is the perfect time of year to focus on restoratives and refresh ourselves for the New Year.

So to everyone out there, if you have not slowed down to enjoy the season, it isn't too late.

Enjoy the holidays, best luck and wishes to all in the New Year!!

Namaste' Denise

Gratitude

2007-11-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I love this time of year when I can spend time cooking, doing yoga and giving thanks for all that I have. Although, gratitude is something to experience all year, at this time it is especially a perfect reminder.
I am so grateful for my yoga practice, teacher and yoga buddies. I have received so much strength, comfort and release spending time with others doing yoga or just at home in my own practice.

So how do we practice gratitude in our own poses? I spend much of my time thinking of the pose and how to be best aligned to receive the most physical benefit, then I have to be there a moment and get beyond the physical in my pose and experience it for what it is. I then need to experience gratitude for what it is doing for me and my body. It means that sometimes I have to hold the pose longer and really feel what I am doing.

I hear many times students feeling pushed too hard or if they do not "do the actual" pose then what is the point? My answer to them is, "what is the actual "pose" for you. Let go and be where you are, feel the benefits of what you are doing."

I love this reminder for students it brings me back to when I started yoga and even now(we are always still students), I need the reminder, when I can start to push myself.

Let go and enjoy this lovely holiday.....bring gratitude to your next yoga pose!!

Namaste' Denise

Bridge pose

2007-11-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Today, I was inspired to write about bridge pose. So for you yoga practioners out there, it is one of the most amazing and frankly, challenging poses.

For those of us who over the years always lifted the chest and crunched our necks and compressed the SI, step up to the plate!! I have been undoing my past habits. Keep in mind that many times we develop these habits is because of our resistance and compensation in other areas of our body. I am particularly by nature more rounded in the shoulders and collapsed in the chest so during my yoga journey much of my focus has been on opening this area. As of late my favorite pose has been upward facing dog, now I turned my focus to bridge.

I have experienced many ways of learning this pose over the years by many teachers and you learn what you need to at the right time. At the Grand Geneva yoga conference I attended an anasura yoga class with Desiree Rumbaugh. We did bridge pose and during the class she came around and did an adjustment on me and wow......what a wake up call. I had no idea that that was where I was heading and to actually feel it at the time was amazing. But how to do that on my own is always the challenge after a teacher does an adjustment. It brought me to a new place of "what do I need to learn to experience that again". It just so happens that through our advanced study with Laura, we explored that pose again. Which was amazing to me, because I had a whole new fresh outlook on the pose itself. I came to our exploration in class with a whole new mindset. Many of the things we explored rang true for me---working in the legs more, keeping my neck neutral and of course opening the heart center. I took the notes from this class and have been playing with them more in my own practice.

Which brings me to my insight on this pose. Exloring it from the back of the body and not the front. When I think of opening the heart center it is not only expanding across the chest and opening my shoulders but it is what is happening in the back body. Laura has tryed many times over the years to bring my focus here but until recently I have not entirely understood why. This is my tightest area of tension in the upper back and trapezius so if I am tight how can I possibily feel the energy in this area? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Perservering practice as Laura always says, so what I have done is work into it more slowly. Lots of upward dog and downward dog, Supported bridge on a bolster, garudasana arms etc. Anything to loosen up that region then moving into bridge, doing it several differant ways modified until I am focusing my attention on the upper back between the shoulder blades. This takes time and is not a quick do once or twice. It is a complete focus on this one thing in order for me to find a stable balanced pose with more benefits. Then this translates into shoulderstand which is so much more grounded and benefical. Keep exploring!!!!

Peace, Denise

Fellow yoga enthusiasts

2007-10-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

this is my first blog and I am so excited to be taking yoga to another level. I love discussing yoga with fellow students and teachers and getting more insight into how others live a yogic lifestyle.

I am now finishing up my 500 hours and am overwhelmed with the possibilites that are before me. I find that this can keep me very scattered and unsure as to what direction to take. Thank goodness for yoga. Of course, my yoga practice is scattered too so to help on and off the mat. Finding a practice that works for me was essential. Although I teach and I do yoga quite often I am not thinking of it in regards to myself, so as a teacher I notice I need to do a solid yoga asana practice twice a week. These are never the same length of time but I am always focusing on something for myself. The other days if my body is up for it I do asana, meditation and breathing. I also enjoy a good walk or run. Yoga is also experiencing many things and taking in the present moment. I also tune into myself and get inspired on walks many times in the form of what asana I would like to do when I arrive home. There is always something to explore!!