Namaste

Namaste Here I am in Massachusetts.  This move has been a long time coming. When I first arrived I felt like I had been spun around and I was still a little dizzy. Life here is a bit weird. For example I experienced my first hurricane. Sometimes   It’s hard to find a gas station but Duncan Donut shops are on just about every corner.  I need to use gps to get just about anywhere and the highways are such fun like little labyrinths   most things are not a straight shot.   I am in the woods on the border of Kingston and Plymouth  I can literally step over the line  just outside the door .I haven’t found a doctor yet or a lot of the stores that I am accustomed to. But I have a great place to practice yoga it’s the dock at lake Darby it’s a new dock and the setting is great with the water all around and the trees the blue sky “When it isn’t raining” we are at the boy scout camp and it’s now post season so I am all alone except when Heather practices with me. ’it’s great’ Sometimes I find myself just in the moment of the yoga just outside reality everything just flows effortless.  I look forward to joining a class in town soon and learning more. I hope to find a class to teach the near future. Namaste Cheri.

Bodhi Yoga.

Bodhi Yoga.

The last class

My first blog was titled the Start. Now I don’t know what to call this entry, because I don’t feel like it is the end. Maybe I should call it the sequel or a new beginning,  I’ll work on a name. This morning was the last class that I will teach with my group in Idaho Falls. I am so sad to see this chapter come to an end. But in the words of ReoSpeedwagon its time to turn some pages. Not sure what those pages will say but it is up to me to fill them with whatever experiences I choose. What can I say about my first yoga class I have enjoyed so much and I am grateful for the friends that  showed up to class and supported me on my journey. I have learned a lot along the way. How to have a balanced class using the class planning sheet, teaching the bodhi flow  to the class. I ask the class for feedback and suggestions. I have learned how to teach the poses so that they can follow along.   Speak so they can hear and to take time to look at the students and see where they are if they need a little bit more direction or encouragement for in putting the effort into the practice.  My practice and the time I spend getting ready for class has been some  essential learning time. And they were all ok to have me adjust a pose and they all enjoyed  the adjustment in savasana pose.  We use chanting as part of the class we ended today with “ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO”. I also learned to love my class the people are fun I look forward to Tuesday and Friday mornings. I hope the future holds a lot more classes and more people to learn with

The emotional Journey of my yoga experience.

I am getting my packet ready to send off for the teacher training certification with bodhi yoga. Yea yea!

Looking back over the last few months at all I have learned and still hope to learn. When I signed up to take the class I was feeling trepidation. Can I really do this? Am I too old can I learn to teach others? Is this a good path for me now? Are a few of the questions I had as I pondered the decision to take the bodhi yoga teacher training class?

Well I jumped in there and it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. If anyone is thinking of starting yoga I think it’s one of the best parts of my life.  Syl Carson is a wonderful teacher. She has to be great to put up with me, if you know me you know what I mean. This journey has given me knowledge and confidence that I didn’t have before. I started teaching yoga and I found that I could teach! Of course there is room for improvement. I really look forward to Tuesday and Friday morning classes. I think my new motto is “I don’t know everything but what I know is valuable.” thank you Syl. I have had encouragement from the people in my class and I was uneasy at first but now I find I really enjoy teaching and interacting with the people in my class. I am now moving and I will miss this group very much. It’s a great complement when they come and participate in class and later ask me if someone they know can attend the class. I have learned a lot teaching these few months. I don’t know what my life holds for me in Massachusetts but I know yoga will be a part of it.  Another thing that I am enjoying is that I have lost about 10lbs as of late and my muscles are becoming much stronger that is fun.

Maybe these emotions are not exactly what Syl had in mind for emotions of yoga none the less here they are.

Namaste Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

The emotions of yoga

One thing that I was extremely surprised about is chanting in yoga class I had never been exposed to chanting in any form.  When I was introduced to chanting I felt joy. I feel joy from inside of my spirit. Chanting helps me resonate to a high frequency or move my energy from inside me to beyond myself like the ripples on a smooth body of water, they just keep moving outward getting larger and larger. It took me some time to learn the chants, but now I can’t stop singing chants. I received a wonderful CD. of Syl Carson chanting and explaining what the meaning of the each chant is. Syl does a wonderful job of singing and bringing the harmony and reverent joy to each of the chants on the CD. she produced. I have used this CD. in my class. the students loved it. I can’t help singing the chants around the house. I had no idea a few months ago that singing chants would become a wonderful addition to my life. Singing chants focuses my mind and I express gratitude through the singing of the chants.

Bodhi Yoga.

Yoga

A day to day life style . How is the yoga class I facilitate? In my opinion is going   great! I had one class member today say( when you first invited me to yoga class I didn’t think I would like it.)of course she really likes doing the bodhi flow and all the poses and pushing the edges of her practice. She says she can feel it in muscles she hasn’t used in a long time and that’s  a good thing.

We were discussing cell memory, how after you warm up you can go farther into the pose, to where you left off last time and build on that. The core class is about five people but now they are inviting friends. I’m excited about that the more the merrier.

 Namsate  Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

using yaga as a healing modality.

Using yoga as a healing modality.

As a practitioner of Simply Healed formerly (Calyco Healing)I spend a lot of time moving and releasing negative energy.  I do this for myself and others. Clearing my mind and calming my body, and getting in touch with my spirit. Transforming  negative beliefs that hold you back, and deepening connections to my spiritual source. These are some of the benefits of energy healing. I can find the same benefits in yoga if I look for them.

Yoga is also a modality of great healing. One way to heal with yoga is paying attention to the emotions from the beginning of a practice all the way to the end.  At the beginning of a practice I ask myself what is needed that day. Maybe it’s a high energy day and I need a lot of rajasic movement maybe it’s slow stretching and holding the stretch for a long time.

Breathing is a wonderful way to calm the mind and spirit. vinyasa and asana practice are  great ways to transform negative beliefs that hold you back. When you practice a pose and discover that you can! That is breaks the false beliefs we impose on ourselves. Some comments I have heard in class are, I didn’t know  I could do that .I am surprised how good that pose feels. I’m feeling so much better now that I do yoga.

 I find that savasana pose is essential to any yoga practice. When I first started 15 min of savasana seemed like a long time and now it’s not long enough. When I start I scan my body and send healing energy to wherever I am feeling stiff or sore or a little tight. Savasana is a good time to reconnect with my spirit. Some times savasana can be an emotional release. Once for no apparent reason I spent the whole time weeping, my eyes were just crying I’m still not completely sure why. But crying is sometimes the response to an emotional release.

In my opinion, yoga always stirs up some emotion and yoga can open us to release the unwanted emotion or work through it. We can also find reservoirs of positive flowing emotions that feed our body and spirit.

Nasaste Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

something about hands on adjusting

Something about hands on adjusting. That is the assignment.  I need to post one more blog to finish session three of the bodhi yoga teacher training requirements.

Why is this so hard for me? I think, because I have to come out of my comfort zone and place my views Into a public forum. One good thing is I don’t have many followers on my blog.

 I have use hands on adjustments for about 2 months as part of my yoga classes. I instruct on Tuesday and Friday morning. Everyone says that savasana pose adjustments are great. I can’t get around to everyone every class but I try to do as much as I can. I am glad that my friends are willing to be my ( pigs of guinea). I Have  a 5 year old nephew   who just loves to lie down and I adjust him in savasana pose, he really likes his neck rubbed.

 So class usually goes like this, warm up including ujjayi breathing then we practice the bodhi flow a vinasana practice and then asana practice. I usually pick a theme for the day such as abbs.  Standing poses, twists or forward folds.  well you get the idea. During the asana practice I will adjust people’s poses. Everyone likes to have the adjustments sometimes it makes it easier to do the pose. This sometimes creates more length in the pose or a more open pose. All of the students that come to my class I know quite well so doing a  hands on adjustment is very comfortable. Then we finish with twists and savasana. Our om is coming along nicely sometimes it is great and sometimes it is a bit off its a work in progress.  yoga is a work in progress  on a lot of levels. It’s not about the pose as much as is it is about observing how your mind, breathing and energy are affected by the pose . This can give us insights into ourselves. Namaste cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Om. What is om?

I was recently introduced to chanting as part of a yoga class. Chants are chanted in the original sanskirt language. The first time I heard a chant I was intrigued, as I have become more familiar with chanting I have started using Om to end a yoga practice. At first this was a little awkward but the last time the group all chanted Om together it was a transformation! It was awesome the voices of all the group came together as one. Our voices all together made a wonderful vibration that brought the group together. Each person’s voice could be heard but they were all together as one integrated whole the sound and vibration connected the group, not just or voices but the vibration and emotion. It was really beautiful to be a part of. This simple chant can be powerful.

Namaste Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Is Yoga for Everbody?

Is yoga for everybody?

In my opinion the answer is a resounding yes

In my experience yoga can be done by any- body, not just those who are more physically fit or thin or those who are young. I started a class and instructed a group for a chair yoga class and they were all over 60. Just the stretching and light isometric exercise along with the ujjayi breathing is very helpful for all ages.

For myself I have only been practicing yoga for three to four years and I am starting to incorporate  yoga  as a way of life.

Some sports or exercises are so competitive and have only one winner.  With yoga no one has to lose for the other person to win. There is a little competition in a class setting, it’s human nature to compare yourself with others. The great thing about yoga is everyone can explore the edges of their own practice. There is room enough for everyone to win.

What do I mean by that ? and what do I consider to be a (win ) in my practice. I have come to love the chants, something I would not have experienced on my own. Yoga is done in an environment where you can try new things and be comfortable. Maybe It’s a new pose or chanting or om or just showing up for any exercise class. Another benefit is the history and the mystique. The being part of something bigger than yourself and the awareness of the collective. I also notice my stamina is greatly improved. My breath work is paying off I can work harder and longer. There is a satisfaction in doing a difficult pose that I thought initially was out of the realm of possibilities to ever attain. I have heard that yoga slows the aging process and I am all for that. So in my opinion that’s why you should consider incorporating a regular yoga practice.

Bodhi Yoga.

what are you looing for?

Breath within the breath? The pranic energy between the poses?

One of the goals of yoga is to gather and harvest the life energy and create an unobstructed  and

balanced flow of  of pranic energy through the body.

In yoga class I try to encourage the practitioners to experience this flow of energy.

One way to do this is hands on adjustments. A little change of hand position (Hand facing forward) in

Trikonasana   enables the yogi to rotate the shoulder and get more lift in the pose. Is an example of  a

simple but effective way to let the praic energy flow. There are adjustments with most poses, I won’t go through them here.

 The yoga group that meets with me Tuesdays and Friday mornings are especially fond of the

adjustments in savasana pose.

 I receive comments on how good the adjustments feel and the openness after an adjustment. One class

member said “ you have healing hands. That feels so much better.”

I think that trying to find the place where the pose is balanced and you feel the energy throughout your

Body.This feeling  is one of the main reasons why people practice yoga. To find the joy or the (laghima )a

sanskirt word that means to levitate. To do a asana with grace and ease in this instance.

 To Quote Syl Carson “ The space between the pose is as important as the pose itself.”


Bodhi Yoga.

small ajustments big results

Hands on adjustments are a new part of my yoga class. I think helping the yogi with an adjustment is important because if I can give a little direction on how a posse should feel and how to position your body correctly to feel the correct flow of energy in the pose. This is a wonderful feeling when you are grounded in a pose and the energy is coming through your pose. I like the triangle pose because the flow of is Rajasic energy flowing from the head to the back foot and Thomas from the straight arms and balance. triangl  is also sattva  energy  if you do the posture from your core energy  you can experience  (steady Joy) one definition of the word Asana or pose. A little help in the form of an adjustment can help open the chest and back and make room for your pose. I have been using the adjustments in class for a couple of weeks and everyone thinks it is a great complement to the practice they like the feel of the stretch and extra space in the pose.i have attended classes where there are no direction on how to do a pose and defiantly no hands on adjustments to bad because they add a lot to the practice.

Namaste  Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

yoga questions and answers

The question I have been asking myself is what kind of a class do I want to offer my students? I have only attended a few classes with a live instructor most of my yoga study is on video.  Instructional video’s  are  good and I learned a lot using them but you can’t beat a live class.   The classes I have taken at the bodhi Yoga center have been exceptional classes.  I hope to incorporate the things I have learned there when I teach.

1.       The environment should be clean and bright. Free from distraction, such as cell phones and outside noise. And a place that fosters personal reflection and focus on personal practice.

2.       Friendliness is also important, to feel a part of the collective and be welcomed as part of the class even if you are at a different level than others in the class. there shouldn’t  be a feeling of  competition with other students.

3.        I want to offer a balanced practice starting with seated postures and vinyasas, standing postures, forward folds twists and back bends . Counter postures between the poses so overworking one muscle group will be avoided.

4.        And an appropriate length of savasana at the end of the class is very important some say 5min. for every 30min.in your personal practice. You can let the wisdom of your body decide. Savasana is an important time for relaxation. Just relax and unwind completely. Your body and mind will have the time needed to integrate and assimilate what you have just learned, and assist your body In the repair of organs and muscle tissue.

5.       Hands on adjusting  is important. Adjusting  your body  trains your muscles to feel the pose . Adjustments align your body so you are in the correct alignment to deepen a pose. Not to mention it feels nice to get a greater stretch.

6.       I have been looking around at different styles of classes and there are some things that I definitely don’t work for me. But I’ll just keep them to myself for now.

So that is my initiall list of components for  great yoga class. Hope to see you there.

Namaste,Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Yoga where do I go from here?

The practice of yoga for me is a grand adventure, for the mind, body and spirit. In yoga there are the obvious benefits for the body such as improved memory, reduced stress, decreased anxiety and improved productivity in all aspects of life. As of late I have been thinking about pushing my edges. A saying I learned from Syl Carson in a Bodhi yoga class. What is pushing your edges?  I love to ski and pushing the edge on skis would facilitate a turn, there is a similarity with yoga pushing your edges facilitates a turn but this turn is inward. Doing my best to perform an asana and being present in body and mind.  This is yoga for the mind. Pushing my edges can also be looking inward to see who I really am. Pushing the edges of what I believe, and can I expand what I believe.  This in my opinion, is yoga for the spirit.  So if you are wondering what you might find in a yoga class you just might find yourself. Namaste cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Questions about yoga

Is yoga beneficial?

 I went to the Museum of Idaho and saw the Bodies Exhibition.( It was awesome.) it’s a exhibition of real bodies  they show all the body parts and body systems the circulatory system was so amazing they had a body that they had removed everything but the heart, veins and arteries.

So how does that relate with yoga being beneficial? I’m paraphrasing but they said that deep breathing benefits the body similar to aerobic exercise. I thought that was news worthy. I just wanted to encourage anyone who is thinking about getting more exercise to try yoga and Ujjayi breathing it does the body good. I have been teaching a chair yoga class as part of my certification as a yoga instructor. The class is a group of retired people who get together every day to walk and we do yoga twice a week. In class we stretch and do asana poses that can be done in a seated position and of course we start each class with deep breathing. One of my class members stated that she walked up a flight of stairs and didn’t have to stop to catch her breath. We are seeing positive results in only a few weeks.

Namaste Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

yoga class

What will I experience at yoga class?

In the words of Syl Carson,( My instructor Teacher)( Yoga is a activity. Observance, Action inquiry, ect. That you do. That helps you feel balanced.)

In my practice of yoga I feel myself moving into balance when I practice ujjayi  pranayama breathing . At first it was different and a little hard to get used to but now I practice ujjayi every day . when I practice ujjayi breathing  I can focus on my inhalations and exhalations. The breathing sounds like the soothing sounds of the ocean waves. I find this practice relaxing and invigorating, it has many health benefits like lowering blood pressure. Ujjayi  pranayama breathing  can relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue,  and  relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, To list a few. I like the meditation of just focusing on the breath .Ujjayi opens my lungs increasing lung capacity and releases stored toxins.  I feel great after ujjayi pranayama practice. I recommend everyone check into a yoga class that offers ujjayi pranayama breathing feel the benefits for yourself. Namaste  cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Yoga mind body spirit

Yoga Mind Body Spirit

What is Yoga? Yoga integrates the mind, body and spirit.

How will yoga make you feel?  

         Mind: yoga awakens your mind by pushing personal boundaries

and exploring new personal best. Understanding how to let go

and release old paradigms and false beliefs.

        Body: for the body regular practice uses all the muscles of the body for

a leaner stronger body. And it’s a fun workout.

     Spirit: the regular practice of Yoga teaches you to know your authentic self.

By deepening positive beliefs, and integrating your truth into your life.

Bodhi Yoga.

Feeding the Gunas

Bohdi  Yoga

I just read an article online @ abc-of-yoga.com by jennibagus.

 I recommend that you read it.

In her article she divides food into a Tamasic, Rajasic and a Sattvic groups.

They are as follows:

 Tomastic foods include, meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions and garlic vinegar and fermented food. Also, stale or overripe substances. Overeating is considered Tamasic. These foods benefit nether the mind or the body.

Some foods that are considered Rajastic are very hot bitter sour dry or salty including stimulants in coffee and tea. Fish, eggs, salt, and chocolate. Eating in a hurry is also Rajasic. Rajasic destroys mind-body equilibrium. Feeding the body at the expense of the mind.

Sattvic food nourishes the body and maintains a peaceful state. These foods include cereal, wholemeal bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, pure fruit juice, milk, butter, cheese, nuts, seeds, honey, and herb tea.

I am surprised that milk butter and cheese are on the Sattvic food list, but I am happy to see that. I really like them. I really enjoy vinegar, however. I also use onions and garlic in medicinal remedies. I am surprised to see them on the Tomastic list.

I plan on following a plan of eating more from the Sattvic food list, I want to see how balanced this will make me feel. I want refocus the equilibrium of my mind, and body energy.

Bodhi Yoga.

More about Guna energy

Bodhi Yoga

(The Three Gunas again, are the three ways that Prakriti manifests herself into the physical.) Syl Carson

In everyday life I see the Gunes manifest. I am giving three examples.
 Rajasic: energy when I shop at the Wal-mart I feel rajasic energy. I have ask a number of people if their perception  is the same as mine and they all agree. (They feel it too.)
The lighting makes my eyes squint. They keep moving merchandise around so I have trouble locating what i'm looking for.Things  don't seem to me to be in any logical order, for instance why are the shoe laces in sporting goods and not with the shoes. The energy there makes me just want to get what I need and get out as fast as I can. I have a list but I sometimes just throw things in the cart just to hurry things along so I can be done. So many people all rushing around.

Tamasic: energy:
Monday morning, guess I don't need to elaborate.

Sattva energy :
I pulled into the driveway and caught a glimpse of the moon. It is about noon but he day is overcast and there isn't any sun to burn off the last bit of fog.  The moon is  gorgeous, glowing like a crystal ball, shining bright in the fog and the grey clouds moving slowly across the face of the moon. It was fantastic! I stopped to admire the beauty of that moment.

Bodhi Yoga.

Gunas

Bodhi Yoga

Gunas the three qualities of nature.
Gunas: Rajas ,Tamas  and Sattva  are the three Gunas and have three different energies or vibrations.
 Rajas is high energy such as passion and attachments,cravings and looking for material things to fill us up emotionally. I think manic would describe rajasic energy.
Rajas: to pick a color for rajasic energy I think red or neon colors.

Tamas energy is opposite of rajas it would include low vitality such as tired, sluggish, greed, darkness and destruction.
Tamas: to pick a color black dark blue and dark purple because it is a Royal color used in times past to subjugate other people.

Sattva energy  is light, peaceful, joyful  and open to new things and thankful.
as we go through life we use and flow through all of these Gunas.
Recognizing the eb and flow  of these cycles of energy  can help us to be aware and ground ourselves and meet life's challenges with grace and ease.

 On the web sight of Yoga Journal I found a quote by  Richard Rosen: Tommasically grounded to the earth. Rajasically passionate about our work, and Sattvically reaching for our goals. which is the realization of our authentic self. I think that just about right.
To choose a color for Sattva energy I would choose the color of snow on a bright day at the top of a ski run when you are the first to break the snow. It sparkles with all the colors of the rainbow just ever so slightly.it seems to stretch out forever clean and crisp and magic.
that completes blog 2

Bodhi Yoga.

The Start

THE START

Begining of my blog of my journry in Bodhi Yoga.