Yogi Blogi

Changing your relationship with food

Liz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:22:26 GMT

Food became this puzzle to me a few years ago. I began to notice sensitivities to certain foods I was eating such as wheat and gluten. I was amazed how it's in everything! I grew up eating it through my childhood, teenage and young adult years. Never noticed any patterns when I got sinus infections, problems and then allergies. However, I feel I have a hold on it and know if I choose to eat something (that may or may not agree with me), at least I know why I feel the way I do. I've also thought about vegetarianism and did it for about 6 months, but I honestly don't feel my body responded to it very well. I felt lethargic a lot at one point and decided to eat a little bit of chicken. POOF! my energy was back. Of course, I choose to eat the free-range, organic, grass-fed chicken as much as I can. In other words, the happy chicken! It's hard, especially if you really feel strongly about animal rights and the treatment towards animals in factory farms. But what do you do when certain diets aren't working for YOU? I love how using the principles of yoga can support this journey if that's the path you're on. For me, it's an ongoing thing. A path that I tend to step into at certain points in my life. When I step on the mat I always ask, "how do I feel right now?", "What does my body need?". What do you ask your body? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From Yoga Journal Daily Insight) As the food industry relentlessly markets every fad diet and product, Americans are forgetting how to eat healthily and happily. Yoga can help you make better choices about what you eat—and skip the guilt. Yoga's philosophy teaches us to make meals from plant-based foods that form the foundation of the food pyramid. The physical asana practice deepens your awareness of your body, so you become more conscious of foods that bring a consistent sense of well-being—and those that make you feel bad after you eat them. Over time, practitioners often find themselves in a more comfortable and relaxed relationship with food. While yoga and meditation can help you navigate the choppy waters of the American food industry, success won't happen overnight. But as you practice, you can build the discipline, patience, and compassion to overcome the many forces arrayed against you—no matter how formidable they seem. IN THIS ISSUE If I Do Yoga, Am I Vegetarian? http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/280 Fear Factor http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2020

Featured Pose: Supported Bridge Pose

Liz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:07:00 GMT

This pose has many benefits and is a great way to de-stress, especially with the holidays coming up. I'm going to make this a regular posting every couple weeks or so. Benefits: Calms nervous system Stimulates thyroid gland Eases cold, flu and allergy symptoms (especially cough and congestion) Helps with depression Eases pre-menstrual and menstrual symptoms

Check out my solo performance from my show

Liz — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:47:15 GMT

"MeBardo" from 10/25/09 show Limbo: What Happens Between video by Deborah Butler Music: Taylor Dupree, Allison Wyper, Emergency String Quartet, Billie Holliday http://vimeo.com/7364099

After the performance...

Liz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:13:38 GMT

So the show I put on with my fellow co-producer/collaborator, Limbo: What Happens Between, was a success! I can't believe it's over. All that work really paid off and then when it's over, one can say, "what now?" or what I say, "Alright! Time to pamper myself!". That is what I'm doing this week. I put my body, mind and spirit through a lot this weekend and it was all very wonderful. But my body is feeling the toll and I could use some bodywork! Today, after work, I'll be getting deep tissue and then Thursday some Vibrational Healing Massage. Overall, I'm very happy with the way the show turned out. We got great feedback from people and people loved it! I'll be posting some video footage of just my piece. I have to say, my work is very personal, intense and cathartic. I had an emotional release after my performance on Saturday night. I really went deep into those dark places with my piece. That's really what butoh is about in many ways. Allowing to let yourself go into those places and let go of what you think you are or how you may look to others. Things really can manifest in this work which is why I would love to teach it. So many things I wanna do! We'll see.

I am Celebration

Liz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:23:21 GMT

I have to celebrate that I completed my massage clinic hours for one of my modules! Yaayyy! It gives me a sense of accomplishment and validity, that, Wow! I can really get through this program! Yes I have had mind chatter and negative self-talk about completing the massage program I'm enrolled in, but seeing results is so invigorating to my whole being! Bodywork is connection. Connection to everything in the body, mind, spirit and soul. During my holistic health program last year, we had to write our life's purpose. My life purpose was (is) "I am love and acceptance". I want to expand on that, "I am love, acceptance and celebration". I want to put the energy out into the universe that I will receive, love and accept everything in my path, regardless of positive or negative. Wow, this feels great in my belly right now! I've realized that you can celebrate anything--waking up in the morning, getting out of bed, eating a meal, tying your shoe, etc. It doesn't have to be this huge thing. Whatever it is to you is what matters. What do you want to celebrate?

Hormones

Liz — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:12:51 GMT

I'm taking a break from the birth control pill this month and it's been a long time since I've felt hormones! It's amazing what women's bodies do every month. WAY back in the day, when a woman was on her cycle, it was a sacred time for women. They would be pampered, respected and powerful. Same goes with birth. But this menstrual cycle is very intriguing. I guess I've never really thought about it in this way before. In the past, I used to just look at it as a pain in the ass; if i didn't get it during the usual time frame, OH SHIT!; I felt insane, emotional, gross and drained. Through my holistic health training, I've learned from other women how they embrace their menstrual cycle before, during and after. Why not work with my body, than against it? Why not love and support myself during this time, instead of being repulsed or agitated? Why not just be with it? From seeing doctors and acupuncturists about PMS, I've learned over the years how my body reacts to diet during this sacred time. How caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can just exacerbate the symptoms. did women really have PMS back in the day? I'm talking medieval times here! I have this inkling that they didn't because it's such an important time for a women. It's almost like a cleanse. For years I used to get REALLY BAD PMS. I'd get anxious, agitated over nothing, bloated and my cravings would be harsh. I feel like now I know what to do for myself. Cut this and that out of my diet for the duration; take some alone time to myself; and most important, CELEBRATE BEING A WOMAN!

Butoh Caberet Footage 9/6/09

Liz — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:40 GMT

Here's a link from Butoh Caberet of my new work I'm showing this weekend and in October: http://vimeo.com/6477496 I welcome any feedback! oxoxo

Transform Unhealthy Desires

Liz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:55:33 GMT

I feel like I do this all the time or not enough of the time! Ha! that's how it goes sometimes. But I know I'm much more present with my emotions, needs and desires than I have ever been. For instance, right now, I know I have a touch of candida (yeast build-up in the digestive system). I know I over-indulged this past week and weekend in comfort foods, sweets and processed foods. I'm pretty good about staying clear of it, but there was a lot going on last week, so I resorted to grabbing this and that to-go which consisted of muffins, bagels, crackers and other high carby, sugary foods. I love it and you know, we all love it! But I do question myself as to how is this benefiting me? or others? Even with other aspects of our lives, acknowledging our desires and impulses. What is it that I really want here? Especially when I feel irritated or frustrated. This article will be a great theme for my next newsletter because it's been such a huge theme in my life. Why do I have a sense of urgency when doing things? What's the rush? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Every once in a while we all are faced with nagging temptations that take over our thoughts and plague us with an uncontrollable urge to do something we know isn't healthy for us. When those times come—whether it's an impulse to eat an entire bag of potato chips or a desire to say something nasty to a coworker—yogic philosophy tells us to acknowledge our desires, focusing on the emotions that fuel them. Once you've identified your emotions and how they make you feel, ask yourself what it means in the context of your life. Examine how following the desire will affect you and those around you. Ask yourself: Is the desire beneficial to other people as well as to myself? Could it be hurtful? What will I have to give up to follow this desire? Does it take me closer to my higher Self, or will it create more barriers between my soul and myself? What will I have to give up if I don't follow it? What do I really want by getting what I want? When you've discovered what you really want, voice it, make it an intention, and strive for it in your everyday. IN THIS ISSUE I Want It So Bad http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/1839 Gotta Have It? http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/1838

Butoh Caberet

Liz — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:32:18 GMT

I will be performing this Sunday, 9/6 at 4pm for Butoh Caberet, part of the BUTOH San Francisco Festival. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Butoh at the Subterranean Arthouse www.subterraneanarthouse.org www.BUTOHSanFrancisco.net Also happening: Friday 9/4 7pm Group Art Show: AlchemiKal WarFair ! Instalation art and Live painting, dance and music! Friday and Saturday 9/25 & 9/26 8pm Bare Bones Butoh Presents 15

Connect through Community

Liz — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:25:30 GMT

What a wonderful way to come together. I would love to create something like this but lately I've been straining to just find time for myself! What about you? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` (From yogajournal.com daily insight) As social creatures, humans benefit from turning our sociability to higher ends. The Buddha, after all, did make the sangha, the spiritual community, one of the three cornerstones of his path; and Christ told his disciples, "When two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." As these words imply, a group practicing together creates a mystical field, a field of grace. The Sanskrit name for that phenomenon is satsang, usually translated as "truth-company," or being in the company of the wise. And satsang, according to several texts of yoga, is one of the great doorways to inner freedom. As is the case with meditation and asana, the more you practice satsang, the more likely you are to experience its power—and you don't have to join an existing community in order to do this. Some of the most powerful satsangs are the ones we create informally. An informal satsang group should be small—five to seven is a good number, and you can easily form one with three, two, or even just one other person. All it takes is (1) a decision to have a spiritual dialogue; (2) some sublime and true words to spark your insight; and (3) a shared agreement on the ground rules. IN THIS ISSUE Come Together http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/2302 Community Support http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1020

Developing Performance Work

Liz — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:31:03 GMT

I have a performance in October and I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the material I have. It's like I have too much! This can be both good and bad, but the last time I was rehearsing it was hard for me go with something. I kept stopping and starting over. Using past material or tweeking it. This is a solo piece which, for me, can be difficult. I'm going to ask others for feedback once I get something going. It's funny because I've done 10-15 minute solo before and now I'm having trouble with this one. Maybe it's because it's going to be in a more formal setting (theater, lights, sounds,etc.) or maybe it wasn't my day that last time I rehearsed or maybe it's because it's going to be a whopping 20 minutes! I know we have our days, even when working with groups of people which I'm used to doing most of the time. The one solution that keeps coming to me is writing. I need to do more writing. Yes, I'm busy with school and work but I know I can set aside time to really do some writing about my work. I also videotaped 2 of my rehearsals which will give me plenty of ideas! I guess I needed to just "write" this out first to get clear. I feel I need to go with my intuition with things but it's funny how it can also stop you.

Family Meditation

Liz — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:04:38 GMT

Wow, what a concept! If only I had this growing up. I hope to share this practice with my children one day :-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Introducing children to yoga, meditation, and spirituality is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It can set their future on a nourishing and creative course. But how do you present this knowledge so that children of different ages will receive the most benefit from it? When we teach meditation to children, we need to choose age-appropriate techniques that foster their total growth and development. Meditations for children cannot be the same as those taught to middle-aged business people or spiritual aspirants seeking higher knowledge. Rather, in this context, meditation is a process that supports the growth of the body-mind of the child, fosters the development of each child's own unique personality, and supports creativity and expression. Meditation techniques for children can help them relax and focus better during school, so that they can concentrate and memorize more effectively. From the spiritual perspective, good meditation techniques teach children self-awareness, encourage them to be themselves, and help them face life with greater belief in their potential. IN THIS ISSUE Teaching Meditation to Children http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/1856 Meditation 101 http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1307

The Universe takes care of me and us!

Liz — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:57:45 GMT

I wanted to share something that's been manifesting for me. In the past, I have been one to cram my schedule and not leave time for myself and for loved ones. For the past couple months, I have been thinning out my schedule; learning put myself first; and to say "no" to things. Lately, for the past few weeks, I will get cancellations from certain obligations which ends up leaving a nice free spot in my day. I've been using that time for myself to just lounge, do something fun, relax or spend time with my hubby. I'm totally allowing myself to be with the free time, instead of packing in something else which is usually my first instinct. But instead, I take a breath and just be with it. I feel a sense of ease and space open up inside of me. I feel the universe is there to take care of all of us. It's just a matter of how much you ALLOW yourself to do so.

Dedication or Admiration?

Liz — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:14:42 GMT

I definitely relate to this. I remember in the past when I would skip yoga class if I knew my teacher was going to be away. However, I would just practice on my own, even though it wasn't the same. I used to visualize my teacher's voice for inspiration. It worked sometimes. Then if I showed up to yoga class and there was a sub, I would feel a little disappointed but do my best to enjoy and be in the full experience. I like this article that yoga journal sent me. For those of you who are yoga practitioners, I hope you do too! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I visited a teacher-friend's yoga class recently to find it packed solid. Later that day, she told me her crew of regular students were unshakable in their enthusiasm for yoga class. With one exception: When she announced a sub would be teaching for her, her loyal students were nowhere to be found. Could it be that her robust army of dedicated students are attached to their teacher, rather than dedicated to their practice? It's only human to have preferences, but when does your attachment to the teacher hinder your progress? This week, assess your dedication to your practice. If you removed your favorite teachers from the equation, would you find the inner fire to continue practicing? Read how one yogini's traumatic experience of losing her teacher helped her find her practice. Finally, get all of the tools you need to become self-reliant and establish a strong home routine." Om Shanti, Andrea Kowalski IN THIS ISSUE Your Favorite Teachers Hundreds of readers wrote in to share comments about their favorite teachers. http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2666?comments=1 Yoga Diary: On Her Own A yogini loses a teacher and gains a practice. http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2651 Home Stretch Roll out your yoga mat at home and you'll find the freedom to experiment, to evolve, and to become your own best teacher. http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2591

Being gentle with yourself

Liz — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:05:09 GMT

Have you ever really been gentle with yourself about anything in your life? I know I haven't, but it's definitely getting started. We all have different personalities, goals and ambitions in life which is great. That's what makes us who we are. But what I've realized in my own life is how "non-gentle" I have been towards myself. For instance, being hard on myself about everything I do, from the tasks I do at my job to cleaning the toilet! After finishing Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy Level 2 this past month, I have gotten used to being gentle with myself. When emotional things come up and/or I get triggered by something someone said or did, I stop and give myself space by breathing and being with the emotions. I don't judge it or criticize myself for feeling this way or that. It's just the way it is. So when we got let out early on Sunday, I decided I was going to do whatever made me happy. I spent time with my husband, went and got ice cream from Ben & Jerry's and lounged on the couch watching movies. I knew I had other things I "should" be doing, but I was like, "Fuck it!" I need this time to process, relax and reboot myself after such a busy, emotional weekend. I woke up on Monday feeling great! I never feel energized on Mondays and this was the first time in a LONG time I did. I have to thank myself RIGHT NOW that I took the time to be gentle with myself with everything I'm doing. Hell! I work full time, go to massage school and teach a private yoga session once a week. There must be time for me! It's good to stop and ask yourself what you want and what you need. are you always constantly going to one thing and then the next? or are you stopping in between to breath and be still? do you self-acknowledge yourself for your accomplishments? And they can be the littlest of things which, to me, are really big. For instance, wow! I want to acknowledge myself for allowing myself to sleep in an extra 30 minutes this morning. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for today?

Lather It On

Liz — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:02:48 GMT

A great article from http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1898 about natural, organic personal health care products. Something to think about..... "If you care enough to buy organic broccoli and steer clear of trans fats, it's time to start looking at the chemicals you put on your body, because your skin absorbs them with spongelike efficiency. Just as the pesticides on produce can be hazardous to your health, the chemicals lurking in your favorite shampoos, soaps, or lotions might be raising your risk of cancer, infertility, endocrine disorders, and more. As a general rule, when you look at the ingredient label on your beauty product, ask yourself if you'd serve a meal made from those ingredients to your family and friends. If the answer is no, pass." IN THIS ISSUE All in a Lather http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1898

Nothing Beats Natural

Liz — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:40:47 GMT

Even though you can spend a "pretty penny" on natural skin care products, you will doing your body and the environment a whole lotta good! It took me time to start using natural and organic skin care products. I didn't do it overnight. A lot of time went into this. When I took a holistic nutrition and fitness class, that's what pretty much turned me around. Before this class, I had already started doing my own little research and transition into natural skin care products. This article gives great insight on how to get started. But remember, don't think you have to do it all at once! Take your time and have fun with it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Nothing beats the skin-nurturing effect of an herb-rich facial moisturizer or a natural, botanical-brand cleanser. Over the years, however, misunderstandings have cropped up regarding how to define a "natural" skin-care product. Although there's no standard definition for "natural" skin care, a good rule of thumb is to look for products with familiar names, such as chamomile, lavender, rose, and aloe vera, at the top of the ingredient list. (Ingredients are listed on the label in descending order, starting with the largest quantity. Those that, individually, make up less than 1 percent of the product may be displayed toward the bottom of the list in any order.) IN THIS ISSUE How "Natural" Is Your Natural Skin-Care Product? http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/102 Sea Kelp for Silky Skin http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/106

Purging the Profile

Liz — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:15:09 GMT

I've decided to purge my profile of old photos and such. It feels good, like when I purge my closet. There's this sense of freedom and liberation after doing it. :-)

Practice with Purpose

Liz — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:36:00 GMT

Something I always try to do in my practice. There are times when I have a purpose before, and then sometimes I create it during the practice. Yoga definitely helps us go inward and investigate. What are my needs right now? What do I want? I always start with a meditation before my practice and I ask myself these questions. If I don't have an answer right away, it always comes through. Let your body tell you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com/daily insight) Almost everyone who does yoga will tell you that their "energy" feels different after they've practiced. This is no doubt one of the main reasons why we practice: to change our experience of how energy moves in the body. We want more energy; smoother, more even energy; or energy that is quieter and less agitated. One way to think of organizing a home practice has to do with consciously manipulating two of the main energies in the body, prana and apana. In the ancient teachings of India, prana is believed to exist above the diaphragm and to have a tendency to move upward; it is "masculine energy" and controls the heart and the respiration. Apana, it is said, exists below the diaphragm and has a tendency to move downward; it is "feminine energy" and controls the organs of the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. Before starting your practice on any given day, first ascertain which energy you want to increase and then practice the appropriate poses to accomplish your goal. For example, inversions increase apana; standing poses stimulate prana. Forward bends quiet both apana and prana, as do supine poses. If you are feeling scattered and fatigued, you may want your practice to increase apana; if you are dull and unenthusiastic, you may want to increase prana. IN THIS ISSUE Bringing Your Practice Home http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/819 Standing Poses http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories/standing Forward Bends http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories/forward_bends

All you need is Yoga

Liz — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:20:55 GMT

For me, not necessarily. I know for myself I love a dance class or combo aerobic/dance class to get the blood and oxygen flowing. I guess the "yang" side (active side) of me needs it. Also, to each his own. I feel everyone needs something different but including yoga in your routine is a wonderful thing. What I love about it is you can attend to your own body's needs. For instance, if you're feeling fatigued or run-down, do some restorative, relaxation yoga. If you have a lot of energy or stress, do a few rounds of sun salutations and/or standing poses to ground and center yourself. There is also meditation. Being able to sit with yourself for a few minutes or longer helps slow down the breath, blood pressure and nervous system. There's opportunity to tune into your emotions as well. The benefits of yoga are immense! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Yoga might be good for flexibility or relaxation, but to be truly fit, do you have to combine it with an activity like running or weight lifting? Yoga may improve strength, aerobic capacity, and lung function. If you practice yoga, you already knew that. But if you've been told by friends, family, doctors, or even other yoga students that you need to add some power walking for your heart or strength training for your muscles, there's growing evidence that yoga is all you need for a fit mind and body. Yoga tunes you into your body and helps you to better coordinate your actions. When you bring your breath, your awareness, and your physical body into harmony, you allow your body to work at its maximum fitness capacity. Yoga class is merely a laboratory for how to be in harmony with the body in every activity outside of yoga. The improved physical wellness and fluidity that yoga brings can enhance more than just our physical well-being, as it permeates all levels of our being. IN THIS ISSUE Is Yoga Enough to Keep You Fit? http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/739 Yoga for Runners http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/192

Stay-cation appreciation

Liz — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:59:37 GMT

Another alternative to vacation: stay-cation. I just learned this term yesterday. Sometimes just staying home for a week can be just as relaxing and replenishing as going away somewhere. I have found that, for me, it's truly a vacation. Last week, my mother came to visit. Since she's been to San Francisco before, we didn't have to do all those touristy things that you would normally do when visiting a new city. We would wake up whenever; have coffee, tea and breakfast; and then either go shopping, walking, visiting her brother in hayward, museum, or just lounge around. I'm very close with my mother these days than I have ever been in my life. I appreciate everything she has done right down to giving birth to me. I feel all the work I have done (and still doing) on myself has really made a difference in the people in my life, even those who would push my buttons or drive me crazy! This stay-cation really allowed me to appreciate everyone and everything around me--my apartment, the materials in my apartment, my job, my health, my husband, my family, my cats, the sunshine and sky! So I decided to start a meditation practice for myself. Since I'm really busy at this time in my life, I decided to meditate for up to 10 minutes when I can. Focusing on what I'm grateful for and what I want to create for myself--career, life, with my husband, etc. This is something that my therapist recommended to me and I have found such wonderful value with it. I have experienced the joy and grateful-ness through my whole body and being and I want others to experience it too. Down the road, I want to build up my practice to a daily exercise. That's my goal and declaration.

Nothing to Envy

Liz — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:39:56 GMT

Something that I catch myself doing these days. I've always had that mind chatter, "You're not good enough" or "You don't deserve it". It's bullshit! I remember in the past envying what others in my life would have and it would get me down for good couple of hours (or days!). It's amazing what awarenesses come into view about yourself you thought didn't exist. Instead, I try to be grateful for what I have and be joyful for those who have what they have. The more I do this, the more I feel joy in my life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Because we want to keep it hidden, envy can be particularly difficult to deal with. How many of us are willing to cop to the heart-twisting feeling that pops up when a friend calls to tell you she's just received a fellowship, or the sense of injustice that clouds your first glimpse of your wealthy friend's fabulous new apartment? Envy so often looks like something else—resentment, perhaps, or a sense of dissatisfaction with your own life, your own income, your own family. For many people, envy simply merges with an overall feeling of not being quite good enough. Because envy is rooted in the feeling of lack or deficiency, the assumption that there's not enough to go around, its best antidotes will be practices that activate your own feelings of natural abundance. Forget about the person you envy. Forget about what she has that you wish were yours. Look instead at the energy that feeling is made of, and you'll notice that nothing in the feeling has any real solidity. Perhaps, at that moment, you might open to the insight that the energy forming and dissolving within your mind and heart is not really separate from the energy around you. Perhaps, at that moment, you might realize that the person you envy is not really someone separate from you; that you lack nothing because you are, at your deepest core, part of a vast field of energy that contains potentially everything you could ever want or need. IN THIS ISSUE Nothing to Envy http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/2545 The Wellspring of Joy http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/1157 Think Pieces http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1106

Notice your obstacles, and then conquer them

Liz — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:34:06 GMT

I love how yoga relates to life. In this article, I'm amazed how going upside down is so hard for people when we used to do it as little kids. I remember my first experience. I was learning handstand in yoga class and just couldn't kick up against the wall. I felt like I was going to go through the wall or something. Even though I knew the wall was there to support me I didn't trust it or myself. I would see others go up with no problem and it both made me envious and hopeful at the same time. Now I do it like it's nothing but I'm aware on those days when I don't feel stable or confident. I inquiry within myself to see what's going on in my life. are there changes coming up? am I looking through a tunnel with a situation in my life and not the whole picture? What I love about inversions is that they give us the opportunity to "literally" look at things from a different perspective. The longer you stay and focus, shifts start to happen in your life and with other people in your life. So if you're worried about falling out of an inversion, let it happen! Be love and acceptance. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Inversions such as Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose) present wonderful opportunities for profound physical and mental transformation, but they're also rife with obstacles. Begin by simply noticing the obstacles that keep you from going upside down easily. When you acknowledge these blocks, you have something to work with, and a pathway to new possibilities reveals itself. You can nudge things along by cultivating meditative awareness and breaking inversions down into smaller, easier steps. This makes the goal of "perfection" less important; instead, you can work creatively and enjoy the journey, no matter how long it takes. If the physical aspect is hanging you up, concentrate on your upper body or your abdominal muscles to create the conditions necessary to go upside down. If fear is the problem and it takes hold, fully experience its texture as it arises, stay steady as those feelings move through you, and observe how they naturally dissolve. IN THIS ISSUE Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose) http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1711 This Side Up: Building a Forearm Balance http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1775

My Practice

Liz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:49:48 GMT

As I'm able to find more opps to practice, I've realized how much my practice has changed since I've gotten older. I started practicing yoga almost 10 years ago and my body has definitely changed! Of course I've been aware of this new neck "project" going on, just when I feel it's going away, I turn around and do something to aggravate it. Now I just don't do those things, even though I enjoy them. For instance, I can't keep my neck in full flexion for too long these days. So shoulderstand is out of the question (one of my favorites!). also setu bandha (bridge). Although I managed to practice my back bends this past Saturday, it bothered me that I couldn't do setu bandha for too long. Back bends are one of my favorites, or maybe my "all-time-favorite" poses in yoga. So as I write this entry, I'm starting to believe maybe this is an opportunity to practice some other poses that I've neglected? Like the ones I don't enjoy but I know that have amazing benefits? The ones I know I don't practice enough are: twists, forward bends and hip openers; mostly the seated ones. This is great stuff to discover! Something to share with my students and clients.

Take Change in Stride

Liz — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:53:26 GMT

As I continue to work on my feet, I have to ask myself if I'm willing to allow change. For now, it's looking at the shoes I wear. are they serving me? are they impeding on my healing? Change is something I've either consciously and unconsciously embraced throughout my life. It's more conscious as I want to experience these shifts more and be present. It can be such a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, both fun and not fun. So here I go into the unknown! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (From yogajournal.com daily insight) Part of the philosophy of yoga is that we can't always change the world around us. No matter what we do, bad things will happen and stressful situations will arise. The only thing we have control over—the only thing we can change—is ourselves. We can decide how to react to situations that challenge us. Will we allow them to throw us off center, or will we take them in stride? Yoga teaches us how to respond to stress patiently. We must experience the physical challenge of the postures without fear, and use deep, calm breaths to move through them. If we can take that lesson off the mat and into our daily lives, we will move closer to the goal of responding to stress in a careful and considered way. IN THIS ISSUE Return to Stillness http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/459