To do list...Squats

I leave Sunday (10/19) and have pretty much all things organized and in order.  Plans, flights, payments, all now are totally secured.  Shopping is done, the only thing left to do is to get all these items into a suitcase, so really that is a very small part.  I am feeling rather accomplished.

Now I can relax a bit. I will miss so many fun people. Miss my belly dancin' gals, my Bollywood peeps, friends, co-workers, family, kittehs, Ajith --Thank God I can stalk all of you on Faceboob. Not to worry, I will meet up with some special people in the next few days. Wish happy birthdays, visit, and just have laughter and hyjinx. Tomorrow is my last day at Capella. That has been a long time coming. Change is sometimes hard, but also needed.

Last night I had my last lesson with Narayanee.  A big review session. She has prepared me well.  As an aside, I really enjoyed making her laugh, sometimes I get tired and my legs and hands stop speaking to each other. I am sure it is a hilarious thing to watch.  In my final lesson we went over all the adavus I know and I was able to establish a sound understanding of where I am at, what I need to improve, and where my strength is.

• My strengths: I have a strong core. Thank you (belly dancing and Pilates) this is a bonus and will no doubt be good for me soon.  I also have a great grasp of rhythm.  My feet can naturally do some of the fast beat footwork…..that is incidentally exactly what I loved about Kathak practice - those drut teentaal (fast -16 beat round) foot drills. 
• What needs work:  Foot/arm/hand coordination. This comes with time and drilling.  I am confident that I will get there, in time.  I must remember to be patient.  
• My weak points: My thighs and quads, (literally). I need some serious upper leg conditioning.  I started last night some gentle quad conditioning (squats) to help get them warmed up and a bit stronger.  

I will remember Naraynee’s pep talk. She said “have fun above everything else!”  She is right.  I need to accept the limitations of my body,  stop fearing that I will be no good,  build it up slowly and learn what I can and above it all love doing it.  

This leads me to another concept I have been trying to accept for myself, something big and lofty and miles away right now….to practice without ego.

I came across this blog at the Samyak student graduate’s page. This young lady just recently graduated from Samyak’s Hatha Yoga training in Dharamshala this past summer. Her post on “Five Things I Learned While Attending Yoga School” really moved me.  It made me think about the ego and how it is involved in so much of what we do.  To learn to dance without ego, or practice any yoga without ego seems a heavy goal. It was a comfort to read how she felt upon completing the program and what she learned.  I am excited to learn some of these same things, know them, and then practice them in all the aspects of my life.  It was very moving for me to read.

Below is an excerpt from Alissa McKnight’s blog post entitled “The Beginning”.  Please see the entire post here.

Five things I learned from attending yoga school:

5. I have so much ego. Whether I was falling out of a posture that I thought I had mastered or stumbling over my words as I was teaching, I was constantly reminded of my massive ego. I would feel disappointed in myself or embarrassed for making a mistake and would sit for hours agonizing about how inadequate I was to be at yoga school. But after talking with my teacher, I learned that letting go of your expectations of who think you should be and holding firmly on to who you actually are in any given moment brings you so much freedom in your practice and in your life.

4. Be present. The common monologue running through my head sounds a little like this, “I could touch my toes yesterday, why can’t I today?! What’s wrong with me?” The simple answer to this question is nothing! Our bodies change on a day-to-day basis, according to our mood, the food we eat, the weather, and so many other factors, why do we expect to be the same everyday? Learning to accept these changes and just go with it has made my practice easier and my life less stressful.

3. I don’t need as much I think I need. While packing for India, I decided to bring pretty much everything I own—books, blankets, 14 yoga outfits, granola bars, towels, sheets, computer, etc.…you name it, it was in my bag. However, when I got to yoga school, the priorities shifted from comfort to necessity. My focus was drawn to my practice, learning, and gaining experiences with the people around me—the essence of life. I didn’t use half of the things that I brought. People tend think, “Oh, if I have that, I’ll be happy!” But what they don’t realize is that by clearing out all of the unnecessary objects, we find clarity and simplicity, and from this there comes so much happiness. (Plus, who wants to lug a 40 backpack everywhere?!)

2. My hips are tight, and that’s okay. Being a yogi does not mean that you can pull your leg around your head or that you can do a handstand. Being a yogi means choosing a lifestyle—a lifestyle that includes the physical practice of yoga, but expands to healthy eating, mindfulness, non-violence (plus other personality and character ethics), compassion, acceptance, and many other things—for the sole purpose of living a happy and beautiful life. Choose to come the mat as you are, and that is enough.

1. I am in control of my own happiness. The mind is a powerful tool, and yoga helps you to mold it. Your thoughts, your moods, your senses all determine how you view the world and how you experience your life. Happiness is not a destination; it’s the journey. So ultimately, you can fill your life with positivity and happy things, and your life will be happy. It’s that easy…and ever since I discovered this, I have been able to find happiness in each and every moment, whether trying or joyful, for which of all the lessons I have learned, is what I am most thankful. Thank you again to Samyak Yoga for all of your beautiful teaching, love, and support! 

Thanks for reading,

Namaste,

Christy