yoga junkie

Guest post: Setting Intentions, Feeling Intentions...Observing the Result

2011-02-28T17:51:00.011-05:00

Some of my friends are fellow yogis. A few also are writers. A couple even have taken their practice to the next level to become adjusters or instructors. I've learned so much when discussing yoga practice with each of them.

Feeling that it'd be a shame not to share their insights with you, I reached out to a couple of them, asking if they'd like to write guests features for yoga junkie. My dearest Gretchen was first to respond with a post about intentions. We've taken longer than we anticipated in getting her words to you, because, well, she had a beautiful baby girl and was slightly distracted, hehe.

I felt lucky to attend her class when visiting Key West, where she resides and teaches. I've also been on a sailboat ride at sunset and captured sight of her writing in her journal. You know what? I witnessed the same smile and contentment of being in both instances. What follows is her writing.

“Close your eyes, bring your palms together in front of your heart, and take a moment to set an intention for your practice, for your body.”

Yoga classes offer the unique opportunity to set intentions for your physical body, your spiritual being, whatever it is that is calling for attention or nurturing in a particular moment in time. For many, this sounds wonderful, soothing, opportunistic, personal...and quite possibly, impossible. You are not alone if you think everyone around you in class is in a “zenned out” trance and that you are definitely the only yogi who is monkey mind flip flops between:

“Okay, I have 1 hour and 13 minutes before Sally needs to be picked up from school.”
“I wonder why Courtney left me two messages on my phone.”
“Could this seated meditation be any more uncomfortable?”
"Now, I HAVE to focus. I only have a few seconds to come up with an intention for this class. Crap, I don’t know! Hurry up! Think of one! Okay, to calm my mind and try to remain peaceful for the rest of class."
And, there's your intention. Set, despite distraction. You've put it out there to the universe and that specific job is done for the beginning of class. Following this mindful exercise, the yoga teacher then leads you into sun salutations, various sequences filled with forward and backward movements, deep breathing, and plenty of opportunity to forget entirely about your personal intention.

"Now, relax, let go, observe your body in savasana. How does it feel? Connect again to your intention..."

"Shoot! I forgot all about my intention for the entire practice! I do feel calmer, more peaceful. So did I achieve my intention? I wonder what time it is. I'm going to have to change as quickly as possible to get out of here on time. Ok relax, aahhhhh. This is nice. What should I wear to dinner tonight? I wonder if I'll feel any slimmer in my black dress after practicing yoga today. How many months have I been practicing? 1, 2, 3....stop! Just relax! Ahhhhh. This is so peaceful."

One of the glorious reasons for attending a yoga class is to allow the yoga teacher to lead you to a deeper state of focus and connection to your intentions. These constant reminders to "breathe" or to "come back to your intentions" can aide in maintaining a connection to your bodies, minds, and the present moment. A class entirely "intended" towards opening and activating the heart chakra (anahata chakra) offers the students various poses (asanas) to stay connected to this part of their bodies, both physically and mindfully, for nearly an hour of their day.

"As you continue on with your day, post yoga class, continue to notice and observe any changes or alterations. Without building on these observations, just notice the results. Now, make your way up to a comfortable seated position."

You allow your asanas to be an outward expression of your internal practice and intentions. During one particular class, Glen, a student in the front row, opened his eyes from the closing rounds of OM and a shape appeared around the heart chakra...Now, that's an impressive representation of outward expression of intention!

As you gain insight through practice, meditation, reflection, and your knowledge of the ability to carry your practice off of your mat and into your everyday lives, your intentions aren't easily forgotten; you live them every day. Meaningful intention is about finding home in yourself. This is all a practice of gaining knowledge about yourself while accepting, or surrendering to the reality that you will often lose your focus in your fluctuating mind.

Let’s close with a quote from the Buddha's teachings:

"There are only two things you are responsible for in this practice of yoga: Throughout each day, check in with yourself to see if you are being true to your most heartfelt intentions. If you are not, start doing so immediately, as best as you're able. The outcome of your effort may seem modest at first, but be assured, each time you start over by reconnecting to your intention, you are taking one more step toward finding your own authenticity and freedom. In that moment, you are remembering yourself and grounding your life in your heart's intention. You are living the noble life of the Buddha's teachings."-- Phillip Moffit

A little bit more about Gretchen...
I have spent much of my adult life traveling around the world experiencing the cultural, religious, and healing ways of many different people and their countries. My travels have not solely focused on humanity studies, but on ecological and environmental education as well. I have always felt that the more we can learn about eachother and our planet, the more respect we will have for our own bodies, the people around us, and our environment.

I began teaching yoga on the beautiful island of St. John, in the center of a biological field station. I looked forward to my personal daily practice but wanted to share what I was learning and experiencing with anyone who wanted to listen or give it a try. So, I began offering classes each morning for those who were interested, all ages, all types. I continued to do this on the beaches in the Bahamas, the rainforests of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and bungalows in Thailand.

With each yoga class, I am honored to have the opportunity to create a space where people can come learn about themselves, exercise, heal, and grow together with a positive community. I have been teaching Hatha based yoga classes, infused with Vinyasa and Ashtanga influences since 2005. My personal studies include yoga of all types, yoga therapy, Ayurvedic medicine, and acupressure. In 2009, I began a travel based company called Ananda Ventures (meaning true happiness) focused on yoga and conservation and the strong connection between our bodies and environments. The greatest reward as a teacher is found when students' lives are enriched as they reach deeper levels of themselves through their experiences both on and off the mat.

returning

2011-02-15T08:17:00.003-05:00

"Find out how tired you are.

Then let your body tell you what it needs to come back to life and love."

(excerpted from Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart, page 306)

inspiration

2010-10-21T16:01:00.003-04:00

I often feel worn down by my 9-to-5 job. Without writing all of the dirty details, I'll just say that I took a leap into a field I'd been studying for a couple of years and the path did not lead where I expected, or was promised when I interviewed. As it's a daily struggle to keep at the grind in hopes that I'll make it there someday, I truly admire people who are blessed to obtain their career goals. Whatever they may be.

I've been reading Pacing The Panic Room for awhile now (starting with this ahhh-mazing tribute to his lovely wifey), and have witnessed the man behind the great work transition into his dream career. He's an inspiration. And, to further his own pursuits as a photographer (and, in my opinion a damn fine storyteller) he's launched a series called, Do What You Love.

The posts for this series glimpse the lives of those who have guided themselves toward careers of their choosing. I caught up with the posts today and feel compelled to share with you. Especially this yogi-related gem.

Just in case, like me, you're still making your way there.

yogi chef

2010-09-30T10:08:00.004-04:00

While I was covering an Heirloom tomato tasting dinner for my other blog, Palate-to-Pen, I met Chef Vittorio Ettore of Bistro 5. Not only does he work wonders with tomatoes (tomato Crème brûlée!) he's also a devoted yogi.

A dear friend works at his restaurant and as I was shooting scenes from behind their line, we joked that I should capture Chef in a yoga pose. Balancing a tomato. He was all for it.

this one day

2010-09-17T11:23:00.007-04:00

I woke today with a single intention. Attend an early morning yoga class. Friends, it's been since last Sunday. What's kept me from my practice? Dinner parties. Chores. Rainstorms. And frankly, a lack of expendable funds.

This morning, however, I needed a fix. My shoulder was tight and nudgy. My hips were creaky. My knees crunchy. My mind frazzled. Yes, indeed, it was time to start the day, for me. Not wake for work. Not wake with thoughts of the day's tasks. Simply wake before dawn. Rinse sleep away with a warming shower. Start the day in the studio, mindful only of what my body and mind need at that very moment. Acknowledging the beauty and benefit of each posture. Regaining that wholesome feeling of being.

There were moments of struggle. There were times when I took a step down from my usual performance. There was a moment when I regained familiar strength. There were shaky legs and tender, tight hip joints. I did not dwell on any of it. I just flowed as best I could. Today.

Oftentimes, at the beginning of the week, I keep a mental log of the practice schedule I'd like to follow for that week. Rarely am I able to fulfill my own request. Today, I started with today. This morning, to be more exact. With the pressure of my expectations released, I could fully take in this one class. Focus on just this one class.

Whether you are a seasoned yogi, a beginner, or someone considering stepping into the studio for the first time---all of us may benefit from breaking away from our own expectations. Begin instead with one class. Arrive at your mat. Discover who you are, today. Realize. Appreciate. Relish.

yoga news

2010-09-01T22:35:00.009-04:00

Have you seen the Yoga section of NYTimes.com? Thus far, I'm impressed with the variety of coverage. This article about etiquette in the studio is most enjoyable. I can relate all too well with a few of the shared pet peeves. Have anything to add to the list? Do tell.

half pigeon

2010-07-21T21:35:00.006-04:00

The half pigeon pose. Do you like it or does transition into this pose spark a sudden urge to leave the studio for a water break?

During the first few months I was practicing hot yoga, this position was trying, both mentally and physically. After holding the position for only a few seconds, my limbs would tingle to numbing. This sensation worried me. When I asked the teacher about it, she simply shrugged off the reaction and claimed "that sometimes happens...one day it won't."

I wondered when that day would arrive. I cringed at the mention of the position. Frankly, that anxiety did nothing to help ease my hips.

A couple of years later, my joints are more open to the pose. Now, I actually look forward to half pigeon, both for the rest and stretch it offers as well as the comfort of knowing that if I've arrived there, I'm soon to be in constructive rest pose.

In addition to benefit of regular practice, what also has helped is working through the mental side of the pose through imagery. Sometimes I envision my hip joint held tight with shoelaces and I slowly loosen the laces until my hip feels comfortably open.

Tonight, I opted to travel elsewhere to distract my mind from the initial tension of the pose. I imagined a familiar beach. Strolled along its shore. Picked up shells. Caressed the water. Felt the sun's warmth on my fingertips. The calm of familiarity allowed me to carelessly visit these memories without minimal thought.

When we switched to the other side, I tested myself with a distant memory of a shore I'd need to concentrate on a bit more. It's been a couple of years since I've visited and focusing on remembering trips to that beach with my family also rested my mind. I recalled the hot, steamy clam cakes sprinkled with salt (hum, maybe hunger was sneaking in?), the last stroll we took with an aged family dog, the skip days my mama allowed us once a summer to this beach.

Oftentimes, yoga instructors mention the stress of this pose and how we may fidget or emotions may surface---both have been true for me. Yet, I'm finding that distracting myself with positive and detailed imagery helps. What do you do to calm yourself during a trying pose?

walk

2010-06-28T17:31:00.006-04:00

What are your means of travel to your yoga class?

I walk. Depending on the time of day, the course may be hectic or eerily quiet (for the city). Either way, there is eye candy aplenty to latch onto. Here are two blooming lovelies that I spied this morning. While uploading them to Flickr, I noticed that they both happen to be pink. Go figure. The coincidence wasn't intentional. I do appreciate the flow it lends, however.

I relish capturing these sorts of beautiful distractions before class. They remedy my mind of worries about the day ahead.

guilt

2010-06-25T10:51:00.004-04:00

Do you feel guilty when you don't practice during the week as much as you'd planned at the beginning of the week?

I do. That's actually how I arrived at the title of this blog. The craving for yoga strikes each day for me. When I don't quench the thirst, a burdensome weight takes hold. Yet, my schedule doesn't always accommodate my yearning.

There are nights when my night owl tendencies take hold for one reason or another and rising at 5:40 AM isn't the best scenario for the day's start. I may motivate later in the day for a sundown session. Then my energy spikes and lasts until well into the night. And thus, continues the cycle of not rising, guilt, and so on and so on.

What keeps you motivated to rise early or practice after a grueling day at work? After completing a yoga challenge for a month where I completed 32 sessions in 28 days, my guilt springs forth very easily. I pushed myself through the tiredness, pain, laziness during that month. I must harness that same spirit through a lifetime of practice. But, how to do so when the weight of everything else is pulling me down into a comfortable couch or bed.

Please share.

simple sight

2010-06-22T14:16:00.004-04:00

Do you set up your mat in the same spot of the studio during each practice? Of course, placement depends on availability. I do wonder, however, if you could set up in the same spot each class, would you, or do/would you mix it up depending on that particular practice?

Often when I arrive for a night class, most spots are occupied before I enter the space. I take what I can get. When I practice in the early morning, there are options aplenty for mat placement. Many times, still groggy from sleep, I gravitate towards the back of the room. The skylight above offers waking rays similar to those shining throw the front windows.

I have noticed, however, that my favorite back row spot is now the favorite spot of a woman I affectionately refer to as Ms. Bendy. She arrives early. Plants herself in the coveted spot and warms up with the flexibility of a well-seasoned ballet dancer. I assume she lays claim of said area so she may cause minimum distraction when she exits early.

For a few months, I set up next to her. Then, I tested myself by setting up in a different spot each class to see how it/if affected my practice. I found the middle of the room to be more distracting and as a result, my balance was a bit off. Soon, I discovered that I was just as comfortable in the front-right of the room as I was in the back-left.

Now, I crave this window spot. Rely on the support of the wall beside. Energize from the sun gleaming hazily through a steamed window. I keep an eye on the commuters waiting at the bus stop. Always grateful that I'm able to rise at this hour for my practice. Begin each day for me. This morning as L started class in mountain pose, my eyes rested on a window directly across the street. Each time we rose to our flat backs, my eyes returned to that spot. My drishti of the morning.

Then, something shifted. Not within me. As I rested into my first Warrior 1 of the day, I noticed the blinds of that window peel back, revealing the silhouette of a cat. The cat nudged the curtain around its body. Perched and kept watch of the goings on below.

This simple sight somehow delighted me. I would have missed it had I remained at the back of the room. Now, I wonder whether I'll be rewarded with this feline drishti each morning.