AHH Canadian winter!!

Hey duders!

Man o' Man .... I miss all of you... I'm back in Canada visiting my folks for the week... I haven't experienced Canadian winter for 3 years now!! My body is in complete shock!!.. But, it's good to be back, even if it's only for a short while!
My classes are going great. Still teaching a lot.. learning something new everyday. I started using a Tibetan singing bowl during my meditations... My students LOVE it... (well I do too!! LOL). I'm still teaching kid's yoga on Sundays.. I really love teaching the kids.. they are inspiring...

And John.... if you thought my wheel was ok, you should a 6 year old try that!!!!! hahah

Johnny and Brent! I'm so proud of you guys.. BRO -GA hahahah I lOVE IT!!!

Kritstin and Laura.... I miss my yoga sisters!! and Laura... I'm so going to try to go to Cali this summer... surf trip for sure!

Jennie, I miss you lots. I hope your yoga is going well. Can't wait to see the long hair!!!

Anyhow, to everybody else, I think about all of you a lot.. I wish everyone a bright and wonderful spring! (winter for us in CR!!!).
Take care dudes!
Namaste!
Lynds

Happy Spring Equinox

Hello everyone!

Happy last day of winter today, a new spring tomorrow, and full moon on Friday! :) It is great to hear what everyone is doing with their yoga.

I myself have been a whirlwind of activity - which is pretty much a regular thing. I just bought a house (CRAZY)and moved my wellness business into the house. I am also looking at what it would take to build a yoga studio in the back - I may be contacting you guys (John, Johnny, Brenton)! :) However, getting the soil ready for gardening is a priority right now.

One of the studios where I am teaching yoga is putting on a huge equinox celebration. I am excited so just wanted to share it with you. I believe we are going to be doing 27 Om's, 27 Sun Salutations, 27 Om's, and 27 more Sun Salutations. During the salutations I will be drumming with a couple of my drumming buds from Mozambique and Ghana, then afterwards I am leading an hour trance dance and closing with chanting and music! It should be an incredibly energetic celebration! You will all be with me as we celebrate springs arrival!

Otherwise teaching yoga is wonderful. My classes are growing at both studios where I am teaching. I've added my Native American flute playing to the classes which adds so much more to the energy. I used to work for the Smokejumpers and that has developed into a desire to have yoga classes at the National Interagency Fire Center, so I should be teaching twice a week there soon.

The more in-depth yoga lately has really brought out my music creativity, which is fabulous! I also have my piano from childhood back in my house which is incredible. However, anyone have any ideas on not overcommitting!?!?!?!:)

I am rambling. I just wanted to wish everyone a fabulous celebration of spring!

Love,

Jessica

A Giant, Warm Smile

Hello Everybody:

Jennie here. As I mentioned before, I cannot get to this site from work. This is the reason that you do not hear from me so much lately. :-) (I always like it better when I can get the government to pay me for all activities. Yoga included. I now do yoga at 1500 each day in the conference room while on the clock! :-)). Please excuse my absence. I LOVE hearing from and about all of you. It really warms my heart.

John, I love the tattoo! I also have thought of you and Susan lots and lots during this winter. The studio looks fabulous! Wow! There is so much to say, but I don't want to make a GIANT post.

Johnny, thanks for that latest update. I am so filled with joy about what you and Brenton are doing. Thanks for letting us all know and for sending the link. I also am completely filled with this deep sense of happiness over hearing that Cameron is involved in the project and that Brenton and Cameron have reconnected for a new chapter of life. I just love it deeply when interesting and exceptional people make it work. News like that does something positive to my life outlook.

Alice, thanks for checking in! What's shakin' now? Please update on what you decide to do with respect to life and career. Meeting you at this stage of our lives was a very important thing for me. I'd love to know where you head next. Also, please give Jim and Mary my best regards.

My Darling Eileen, I so miss you! Sometimes I loop "Read My Mind" on my iPod and devote much time to thoughts of you. How is the class at the climbing gym going?

Erin, I LOVE that photo of you on the beach in tree. It brings me right back to the feelings of warmth, peace, and joy that I experienced in your company on that beach. It's awesome to see that photo! How is the kid's yoga going?

LISA! Thank you so much for the voicemail messages. I am *so sorry* that I am impossible to reach. I have a wacked-out schedule with this job of mine and with the giant time difference. Also, this goes back to how I like the government to finance all of my current activities. It I could reach you from work, I'd be dialing! The trouble is that the hours do not work. What is your latest after your crazy "yoga audition" at the local gym? That was a great story. Hello to Tommy!

Lyndsay, Kristin: I smile everytime that I think of you two. What's going on these days?

Dena, thanks so much for all of the fabulous information on job possibilities. You really have opened my eyes. You experience and expertise is much appreciated.

And to everyone else: I miss you guys!

I've decided that I'll post a second message with an update on me. I don't want this to be so long.

Also, my time has just run out. Get this: I am expected shortly at a yoga photo shoot. The studio at which I have been teaching has a photo shoot set up to get shots for promotional materials. This means that I have to go put on make-up. Shoot me (and not with a camera)! Also, I've decided to grow my hair out. This means that its current state is that buoyant afro look so popular in the 1970s. Think of the Jackson 5 from 1976, and you will conjure me!

Kisses to all! Namaste.

Jennie

what's shakin

Hello all! It's Johnny here. Just catching up with the blog page. Everyone sounds well. It appears that a large number of you are taking off with your teaching(Erin, Eileen, Alice, John, Lindsay). It's inspiring to see so many of you spreading the power of yoga. Brenton and I have finally joined the rest of you on this journey. When we left the training, we set the intention to build our own studio and with that intention came the reality. Brenton has a 1000sq.ft. workshop behind his house that we decided to renovate into a yoga studio. He and I did the majority of the renovation ourselves, taking a month and a half to complete. We tried to stay as organic and as sustainable as possible. We used left over wood from old job sites that we prepped for use as trim. Brent recovered an antique door that was set aside for the dump and used it as a door to our bathroom. We've installed a compost toilet as well which we're all still becoming accustomed to. There's three of us involved with this studio which we have decided to call "from seed to tree" thanks to Don. Brenton's partner(Cameron), my cousin, came back into town to restart a new life with him, and she has become an integral part of this project. She's been teaching yoga for ten years and has an amazing practice that revolves around the teachings of Shiva Rea. We opened on the 17th of Feb. Cameron taught the first class and we had 25 people show. Brenton and I taught out first class together on March 7. I led the Hare Ram chant while he played the drums. Brenton taught the class while I assisted. We not only had a lot of fun but we also got positive feedback from the students. We plan to teach an all levels class every friday and a mens only class we call "BRO-GA" every other wed. If any are interested, check our website http://www.fromseedtotree.com/.
On a different note, I just returned from Costa Rica on a two and a half week surf trip. My best friend from childhood lives in playa del coco 4-5 months of the year working as professional polo player. I went to visit with him for 6 days and the rest of the time I spent in nosara. I got to eat lunch with Don and Amba and I also got to practice at the rancho one morning while Amba was teaching. Pranassage was happening at that same time so the rancho was full with students. What an amazing vibe to be back in that part of the world. Don and Amba are doing well. Amba still teaches an amazing, soul-touching class(as if it would be any other way). Kate remained in Nosara after the training so I made sure to visit with her. She's teaching classes at the Harmony. Also, I saw Francella and Joy. Francella is as lively as ever and is teaching private classes. Joy just finished hosting a yoga/surf retreat at Playa Guiones. She sends her love.
Work is going well. Life is good here in Charleston. I hold that vibration that we created in the rancho dear to my heart and I hope to see you all soon.

Om Shantih,
Johnny

back from Honduras

Hello from the cold north. Spent the last two weeks back in central america doing medical work at the Missionary Health Service clinic in Chapaqua Honduras near Trujillo. Could tell my passion for medicine is waning but I had a great time teaching yoga to the other providers ages 24 to over 70 on one of our days off. Alice, sounds like you're enjoying that teaching and glad you like the tattoo, all healed and now part of me. Start my second session of classes at the Karuna Yoga Studio, a beginner session and a continuation of my first beginner class which is termed beginner plus. Should be fun and a challenge. the snow in my drive way is a full story and a half high and getting old, of course I did get out of 2 weeks of it in honduras. Erin sounds like you are really busy up there in Saskatoon and I hope the new yoga gig is going well. Lynzardo great wheel. Jennie, just 23 days left, a short timer for sure. Miss you all, love john

Happy Valentines Day!

Hello Everyone,

It is really great to read everyone's posts.   It makes me so excited to see how we are all out in the world sharing yoga.  Since the end of December I have been teaching some private lessons, but starting two weeks ago I picked up five classes a week at a new health-club.  Those classes have been really enjoyable to teach and I just love the space (cork floors, low lighting, high ceilings and live plants all give it a very zen feeling).   My classes during the week have been pulling two to three people per class, which I expect will grow along with club membership.  The Saturday classes have been packed.   My first Saturday morning class had 15 students and I got so excited that I totally pulled a Paula (anyone in my teaching group knows that means I unintentionally kicked their asses).  I was so jazzed up that I ran through my entire 90 minute flow from Nosara in my 60 minute class.  I teach two classes back to back on Saturday so I tried to tone it down a little for the next class but still hit it hard.  I did realize how hard I had made the classes until the next day when I could hardly walk.  I'm fearful that I might have broken some of my students.   Today, round two of Saturday classes, I still had good attendance but only five repeat customers.    The good news is that I am finding my voice as a teacher and figuring out how to read the crowd.  It's a process. 

On the life front, things are going well.  I have finally decided to come out of "retirement" and look for gainful employment.  I'm in the updating my resume stage and trying to figure out exactly what my employed lifestyle would ideally look like.  Similar to Lindsay, I have become quite accustom to my retired lifestyle.  I have really been relishing being the master of my own schedule and am hoping to not have to give that up - possibly a work from home situation would be best for me. TBD. 

Note on teaching classes to beginners:  One of the private lessons I have been teaching is for my Mom and her co-workers.  They were all new to yoga and lacking in both strength and flexibility.  I spend most of my time on the mat doing conditioning movements, focusing on opening the spine and releasing tension in the neck, shoulders and hips.  I also let them know that I have been practicing yoga for over a decade and that it took a long time to become as flexible as I am.  I think they find it somewhat encouraging to know that I couldn't even touch my toes when I started. 

John:  I'm LOVING the tattoo!  

Jennie:  I know exactly how complex leaving a job/changing your life can be.  Just remember that it is always better to have many opportunities instead of none.  Keep your eyes and heart open and it will become clear which path you are supposed to go down.  When I was trying to decided what to do I took to reading church marquees and fortune cookies.  Hopefully, your signals from above will come in a less corny format.  :-)

Lisa:  Great audition story.  Thanks so much for the Elko invite.  I didn't see it until I got back.  BOO!

Missing you tons.  Loving you kilos.

Alice

 

 

memories

ahh, i'm channeling warm memories from this picture, this blog and from all my happy memories of you guys. things have been crazy here, but i think of you all often - especially in my practice. i'm still tending my little turdlets at the daycare everyday (which keeps me smiling) and i'm up to my ears in yoga! i started off teaching for a couple of community associations here in Saskatoon and things keep blossoming from there. one of my good friends and yoga teachers is moving with her family to Ireland and has chosen me to replace her in her two classes (including hot yoga!) as well, i've been asked to develope a 'mommy and me' (for children under two) yoga class at one of the gyms i'm working at, so i'm studying and moving in this exciting direction too. all the parents at the daycare are interested in trying it, too, so i have lots of model babies to practice with. the synchronosity in this universe combining two of my loves, is amazing! rounding off my week, i'm teaching an early morning class (6 am baby!) and i'm starting in my own place three or four times a week. 10 wheeee. i'm still trying to work on my own practice and am dedicated to a couple classes 'just for me' but find myself wishing for a two hour Amba flow!

it's been sooo cold here, and i definitely have a hard time staying positive in the dark depths and howling winds of winter. thank goodness for yoga and meditation. my fa vourite practice is to lay in shivasana and bring each of your glowing, loving faces to my mind. it puts the biggest smile on my face and my days are warmed from the inside. thank you all.

namaste

erin

Hi Everyone!

Eileen, thanks for the encouragement!! Sending so much positive energy your way too girl!! Awesome about your yoga/climbing class, sounds so fun! I'd do it in a heartbeat girl!

I spoke to this friend of mine, Yianti, who was in Santa Theresa, C.R,,, she said there was loads of yoga teaching work there, but you have to secure the job in advance. Also, she said there was a yoga teacher leaving a retreat center in St. Lucia, in February, so a position is available there.. she is getting back to me about the information.. it is $1500.00/m includes room and board.. guess you have to buy your flight there,, also some massage available. She also said there is work at Samasati, and the yoga teacher who worked there actually saved money.. just so people know,

as for me, I'm applying for my own trade licence to teach kids yoga here in Tortola, I really like living here, though surf has been practically non existant, I'm happy here all in all,:) I need a local partner if I'm going to get it approved because of how the country works politically.. I want to get retreats going with massage, yoga, surfing, sprouting, island hopping, lots of fun! If we can get it going here, and I'm successful with my trade licence, I'm going to one day need other teachers to co teach. For now, if it gets approved I'll start teaching kids in schools, as there are many schools interested in yoga classes! I can't wait to get that started,

much love to all,
Namaste'
Dena

Hey duders!

Just checking in to see what's going on with everyone. I really miss all of you. I finally started teaching a few weeks ago to some friends, but starting this week, I've opened my classes to paying customers!! It's been great. I'm teaching at my friend's place. She has a wonderful carport that's very open and overlooking her beautiful tropical garden.

I've been busy making pamphlets and posters! So far I'm teaching 6 classes a week. Let's see how that goes!! Remember, I've become accustomed to the retired life !! hahaha

I was even asked to start a kids yoga class on Sundays! It's all pretty exciting, although I do seem to be bitting my nails again! I'm sort of nervous. But I think i'm getting the hang of this teaching yoga business! It's been really good for my own personal practice as well. It forces me to do my research, to come up with creative classes and to develop a wonderful yoga practice for myself too.

I do miss life at the rancho though!!!

Anyhow, it's good to see many of you teaching. I love reading about our experiences as new teachers.

Take care and namaste,

Lyndsay

OH OM!

Hey everyone!
it is soo great to see more and more of us logging on! I just smile, and as I read on about how everyone is doing my smile just keeps growing! wow, where to start! All of your posts of inspired me, as my fresh out of the gates, new teacher attitude has started to fade with all that grey stuff you were talking about Jenny! I am there in the seat with you too! I have started recently practicing alot of Moksha yoga here in Edmonton, it is like Bikram, but only in a room heated to 37 degrees, the philosophies are very "green" and they believe in Karma yoga, so eveyone can try it, and I just love a good sweat! as I am sure all of you lucky people that got to assist me may remember! =)
so I am starting my yoga/climbing course in march, it is goin to be a 6 week registered course, with 75 mins of yoga nd then 45mins of open climbing! I am really exicted and already have 3 people signed up! I am in the middle of working getting my website together (Eileen Chan Yoga) and will keep everyone updated..=)
Jenny- keep up your spirits! you are exactly where you are supposed to be!
John - congrats on the studio!
Dena - Dont you worry, money will make its way to you! I will send some positive thoughts your way!
I love you all! and miss you just as much!
do stay in touch!
namaste! eileen

Cold outside Warm in the studio

Cold up here in Wisconsin but the studio in my front yard is nice and warm with heat pulled from the ground 8 feet below with the help of a heat pump. thought you might like to see Karuna Yoga Studio. Just finished my fourth week of teaching my beginner class and am having a lot of fun, though the preparation takes some significant time and I see that that time relates directly with the class success. It was -17 degrees when we awoke yesterday, oh for the playa. Jessica, congrats on all of your success, hope your back is holding out.
I wanted to thank Eileen for her tattoo design recommendations and I have added an image of my first tattoo done last friday combining my 2 passions of yoga and bicycling. New experiences are a blast. Hope you all are collecting prana regularly and all my love to you all, anybody coming close to central wisconsin let me know we can do some angel wings together.
Shanti, Shanti, Peace, Namaste, John

Want to teach yoga in Bali?

Hi everyone!

In case my internet connection is not working later I want tell you now... Happy Chinese New Year!!!

I just thought I would pass this information on that I received through a friend. If anyone is interested in teaching yoga in Bali, they are looking for teachers all the time at Gaia-Oasis, a spirtual-retreat-resort. I believe the minimum is 4 weeks, but could be less. You teach one morning class and one evening class six days a week for free room and board. If you are interested contact Jaganath Hardy at Gaia-Oasis at yoga@gaia-oasis.com. There is also opportunity to offer any other services as well, such as massage therapy, pilates, etc.

It is wonderful to hear from all of you. I think of you and Nosara often. I am doing well here in Boise with lots and lots of snow! I am teaching four yoga classes a week which are incredible. I also have been blessed to work with several of my massage clients with yoga as well. It has truly been amazing to work with them on the table as well as on the mat. I am incredibly amazed at the ability to help someone not only by touch, but by seeing how they move, or don't move, and combining the two. I have had some amazing "break-throughs" so-to-speak already. :)

Summer, I have some sanskrit questions if you would be so kind as to send me an email at: jesspearl@hotmail.com

May everyone be blessed with joy and compassion for the chinese new year!

Namaste,

Jessica

Summer's sis

Hi Summer!

Tell your sister to call me at 284-442-6371:)
Love Dena

Sending love to all

Hola, and Happy New Years beautiful yoga family!

It's Dena here! I just signed up! AWESOME Jenny! Thank you so much girl for this blog. It gave me so much joy to read all that each of you shared since the return to the real world. I would like to figure out how to post pictures through the new posts? Jennie, do I have to email them to you separately? Let me know what your email addy is again, so I can email some surf shots of Cane Garden Bay where I live.

Lisa, how is your back. I have thought of you and seen your beautiful face in my mind so many times, i truly feel your presence, soul sister.. eileen, erin, get out of that cold, and into the tropics, there is loads of resort work, just google yoga spas in the carribean, you'll dial work if that is your destiny:) John, thanks soo much for the video! I LOVED it! What a beautiful radiant reminder of the essence of self we each discovered in Nosara. Lindsay, kick ass trip to Korea girl, thanks for sharing, Johnny, and Brent, how is your studio going? Your intention for this community is so beautiful. You are both such stars!

I'm havinig an interesting experience in the New Year. I've been working at Peter Island Resort(www.peterisland.com) as a massage therapist. It was lucritive and going well, as a subcontractor, allowing me much time to teach and practice yoga, surf and play. It afforded me to come to Costa Rica and take the course. Since my return, the holidays went off really well, and good flow island hopping and I even massaged Harrison Ford in Virgin Gorda twice. He had a bad ear infection, and after all of my earssues, I thought, "Poor Has Solo had to swim in poop again"!! Interesting. Harrison Ford rocks by the way, talk about charismatic prana.. whoosh!

The interesting part is that my work at Peter Island dried up due to another girl offering her services for 25% less than I do. I know my worth and cannot work for pennies, and would not work out commissionwise with my trade licence holder to do so, So I am praying and meditating to see now where this interesting change in events is leading now that my income does not meet the expensive living costs of a small offshore island. Does anyone know where to look for yoga jobs? Though I teach yoga three classes a week here (1 relaxation class, which is self awakening yoga, and two vinyasa flows), 1 core fusion(pilates yoga combo class), and 1 vinyasa class), it is barely paying the bills, though last monday I had 13 students!!! Woo Hoo!!!! I'm advertising, and trying to make of go of it here before throwing in the towel however.. I am thinking about offerening packages through the space I teach by going in with a few companies, offering the combination of scuba diving/sailing and yoga to the hotel guests at Nanny Cay where I work.. they're not retreats, but activity packages the hotel will be marketing, and Iwill be paid a certain percentage of the package. I will be teaching sunset and sunrise yoga classes to the people, and open the class to my regular students.. I am meditating and visualizing success every day, and so hum to keep the prana flowing and fear out of this equation. A part of me wants to run away, runfrom the sitaution, sometimes fear of failure comes up and my mother's words,

My yoga/surfinig/meditation practice holds me together now, as though I have all these creative ideas of how to solve my situation arise, A part of me feels achorless and directionless without a solid base income.. I am remembering Amba's words at this time, "It's rough in the beginning"... when we were speaking about sustaining yourself as a yoga teacher... but you don't give up on what you love", I remember her saying. I so resignated with her discourse on the element of passion. Passion is a powerful force.. I am going to teach a vinyasa full moon yoga class this week with all the love and passion my heart can muster. In my heart, i just know that if I stick with it, it's going to be great. It is so beautiful to share your practice with others. I will send my love and wishes for each of your success in the new year,
Love Dena

Dena ?

Hey Guys,
Does anyone know how to reach Dena?? My sister is heading to Tortola tomorrow and I really wanted her to try to connect with D. I think they would really hit it off. Anybody have an email or phone number for her that would be beautiful!!
Cheers and big love
X
Summer Forest

My Yogi Family.

I've been sitting on so many thoughts since we parted ways and I have realized that there is no way to communicate to a group of people how much you love them, how much they touched your heart without sharing the words. So here it is. I miss you guys. I'm burning in the fire right now. I wish I was sitting on the rancho floor so that a bunch of you could pile up on me for one of those life-changing group hugs. What happened to us there? Who did we become? Why us? God makes no mistakes right? Then truly we are blessed. Keep up the good work everyone on and off the mat. The friendship you showed was gorgeous. Perfect. This means you too (you know who you are!)
One love. Namaste. My people, I love you! I miss you!

Yoga Audition at local gym

Love and hugs to you all.
I miss you and am trying so hard to keep our memories fresh in my organism. I really mean that, I try to feel you all in all levels of my being. You all show up mostly in my emotional body. I so love our shared memories.
I want to tell you about my "audition." I went into our local Gold' Gym as they had a January special, New Year's Resolutions, you know. For $39 I could go to 4 or 5 yoga classes during the month and that seemed a reasonable price. Plus, I wanted to meet some yogis. It's possible that I might have missed one living in Elko.
So, I went to a 'Power' Yoga class. There were two people besides me in the class. I couldn't quite figure out who was who, like who was the instructor, as there are no introductions, no instructions, no welcome, no nothings. One of the women started motioning with her arms so I started following her movements. After a few minutes of arm waving and knee bending there was an unannounced switch in leadership and the other woman seemed to then be in charge. ? (I swear I didn't see any batton passed between them, but maybe there was. It turns out they were conduction a teacher training.) So, I shifted my focus to the other woman who then lead us through sun salutations for the next 30 minutes. The class ended with no wrap up or closure---the sun salutation just ended. She smiled and announced that the class was over. I made small talk and I told them that I had just gotten my teacher training and was wondering if they might need a substitute teacher. They were interested and told to come to the next day's class and I could "audition" to be a teacher.
I came the next morning and I learned what "audition" meant. It means teach the hour long class, the whole class, not just the warm-up or the cool down or a few sun salutions. (No batton pass for Lisa.) So, while I was getting my self situated I made mental plans to teach a Power yoga class to the five students assembled. I said a few things about myself and what I planned to do in the class. (I found out that one student had never done any yoga. Another student wouldn't to take her socks off.) After we did a few warm ups I said "Well, since this is a Power Yoga class let's get ready to sweat."and started removing a layer of clothing. I was then told that I could do anything I wanted. It said Power Yoga class on the schedual! Thinking on my feet I reorganized my thoughts from Power Yoga to "anything". AAAHHHH! I know that yoga makes you flexible but, that was pushing it!!! Watch out for the word 'audition' as it might mean more than 'Let me see your downward facing dog.'
I haven't decided if I will sub for them or not. It's a bit noisy with the racketball court and the child care center next door. They pay twenty dollars per class if there are at least two students in attendence. I would get $5 for a 'no-show' or one student but with gas at $3.30 a gallon I think I'd lose money. I drive a Prius hybrid but, since it's nearly a 40 mile round trip to the gym I don't know if will be worth the drive! Plus, I am still having trouble with the woman's passive-aggressive move having me teach the whole class for her with no headsup!!
Life in Elko, NV, =)
My four classes at the community college will be starting the 22nd and that will be enough for me. I will be teaching three beginner classes and one ongoing class. I am excited about these classes and have been reading lots and lots and making plans to make lesson plans. I can't seem to get any real lesson plans written out but have done lots of thinking about doing it!!
I hope that more people will write on our blot site. I love it!!
I've emailed Kate and it seems that she hasn't been able to do the blog thing. Maybe someone could help other people who aren't blogging on account it's a bit tough on us that aren't very computer smart. I would blog more often if it weren't that I have to re-learn every time I blog. I find it very intimidating. I hope to get better.

Alice- when are you coming through Nevada? Hope you will call me. 775-753-6836 or 775-934-5798
Jennie - I'll keep trying.
Julie- I'll keep trying.

Keep blogging I love reading about your lives.
Love to you all.
Namaste,
Lisa

2008 Smiles and Laughs

Hi Everybody!

I really enjoy reading everyone's posts here. On the days when there is a new post, it really makes me smile. Yet, I don't seem real apt to make a post of my own. It's a little strange going from our time together in Nosara, integrating back in to the "other life" (albeit slowly and with fits for me), and feeling so far away and so disconnected from everyone. If anyone feels similar to that, know that I'm right there with you.

My Life Update:
Work:
I tried to quit my job. You'd think that that would be as easy as saying "I quit!" However, that only works when you're 15. It gets increasingly complicated with each job after that. As it stands now, saying "I quit!" got me a sabbatical (unpaid except when they need me to consult) and a promotion. I'm not reporting that while doing the "look how cool I am!" dance or anything of the sort. I'm conveying how convoluted things are in the "other world". Part of me wants to run naked and screaming from the building and flail in the street: "No! No, no, no, no, no! I want my freedom!" The other part of me is watching the events unfold and doing so with a certain degree of detachment. I'm certainly unsure about a lot of things. Nothing is black and white; cut and dry; good and evil; right and wrong. There is an endless amount of gray in the world, and I have the hardest time trying to separate out the shades of gray and figure out which shade is right FOR ME.

Then, the work saga continued. Based on a really bizarre set of events, it appears that if I work some of my famous work magic, I will be able to get my former colleague back on my team and allocate myself another position that won't begin until January 2009. The translation to that bizarre situation is that I can go on my OZ/NZ trip; take 6 months off in Italy scoping my life's goal of a yoga studio there; and walk back in to a position here in Germany in January 2009. All of that and getting my former colleague back on the team to run things while I'm gone. (This is all very possible in this moment, though none of it is a sure thing.)

Again, I want to run naked and screaming into the street. Then, there is the other side of things that makes me really perplexed with the universe. Is the Ancient One fucking with me? Or is the universe handing me an incredible gift? I have no idea. For now I'm marching forward, closing down my life in Germany, and trying to get things together for my time off. In December of 2008, I'll decide what it is I'm willing to do in January 2009. That sounds sort of like a plan.

Yoga:
I've been teaching a few classes and truly (from the heart) loving it. I've taught a few Friday night Ashtanga Primary Series classes at a studio in Heidelberg. Last Saturday I taught a Vinyasa Flow at that same studio. I'll teach that Vinyasa Flow class again in a few hours.

I was approached by a group of women who work on one of the local military bases who wanted to know if I would be willing to teach a Beginner class at they gym on the military base a few nights a week. Absolutely I am willing. I've attempted to make contact with the coordinator of the gym to see if I can get that off the ground. I'm sure that there is a complicated set of bureaucratic rules and liability issues. However, I may get it to work. I'll keep you updated.
When I was approached by that group of women, it did make me think of Amba. I was remembering how she shared with us the story of when she was first trying to organize yoga travel to Costa Rica that the participants always were very overweight women and that there were many challenges associated with that. This group of women is the same. I think of the challenge of sharing yoga with that group.

This also came up in a different way last Saturday when I was teaching the Vinyasa Flow at the studio. There were 6 students - 2 were highly advanced, 2 were intermediate, and 2 were beginners who were on a yoga mat for the first time in their lives. I admit to having had a great deal of difficulty in trying to reach all 6. I didn't take any pause during the class, as I just kept flowing in my groove. I tried to show variations in all key poses and just tried to send out positive, loving energy to everyone. However, I had a lot of reflection after the class on how to share yoga with such a mixed audience. That was not an easy situation. I thought that the beginner male was going to crack his skull open on the floor (he was determined to try postures that his body wasn't up for). Then, I was questioning whether or not I should attempt full expressions of postures or take a beginner variation as an example. I noticed that when I would take a beginner variation, so would everyone else in the class. Really I still cannot figure out entirely how to resolve this situation.

Perhaps that is a topic for all of us to explore here.

So far I'm just trying to focus on teaching from my heart.

That's all from me for now.

EILEEN: Thank you SO MUCH for sending me photos! That so made my day. Actually, it still is making my week.

PAUL: Thank you also for the photo of us! I'm sorry that I haven't written you back yet. Life (see above) has been a bit complicated, and I'm not sure where my head is exactly.

LISA: I will call you later today!

If anybody here is in touch with any of the folks who have yet to sign up here (see list on the right side), please encourage them to sign in. I'd really love to have us all here together. I kind of have this sadness in me that people are missing.

I send love to you all. Please stay in touch.

Namaste,
Jennie

New Year Greetings!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a great start to 2008.

John, thank you so much for posting the movie. I didn't think it was possible to miss Costa Rica more, but I kind of want to jump into some of those pictures.

The first couple weeks of 2008 have been great. My only complaint is that my yoga practice has been almost nonexistent. My travel schedule is somewhat to blame (currently in DC and heading to Nevada), but mostly I have my own stupidity to blame. A few days after Christmas I was a couple of cocktails deep when I decided it would be a great idea to have a wrestling match with my friend's puppy (70 lbs boxer). Although this was fun and I'm proud to report that I won, I also found out that this is an excellent way to throw out your back. Apparently, all that jazz about lifting with your knees is actually good advice. Thanks to Don movement inquiries I think my pride is hurt more than my back. I keep thinking that this wouldn't have happened when I was 20. Boo-who. Poor me! :-)

Missing and thinking of you all.

Love,
Alice

Happy New Year!

Hey Everyone!

Happy New Year! John, thank you for the great slide show. It is wonderful. I think of everyone often and hope to reconnect at some point. Teaching yoga is going well. I am teaching at two different studios and volunteering at the Juvenile Detention Center, which I am enjoying the most. I wish you all a wonderful 2008, and I hope this year brings even more joy and happiness into your life! :)

Live...Laugh...Love...Let go....

Jessica

Great memories

What an awesome slide show! A nice jog down memory lane. Thanks so much John for taking the time to put that together. It's always a joy to see the smiles on everybody's faces. I hope all of you had a fullfilling holiday. Best wishes to all and know that each and every one of you are implanted deeply in my heart.

Peace,
Johnny

Finally the movie!

Happy New Year

Thanx for the good wishes, Jennie. Yes I put the show up in the AM, about 35 pieces a number from Nosara. I have been a printing framing fool over the last two weeks. Also busy putting the finishing touches on the yoga studio, which looks and feels great, Susi did a great job and the energy is fabulous helped along by the surround sound and ten windows. I have a formal opening on friday for the photogs and start my beginner class next wednesday with a sampler this thursday that Susi and I are doing together. Have been working on some partner yoga and enjoying that. Hope all is well with you all, though I know reality is much closer at home than in the jungle. I do find myself lost in my pictures of the beach and all you guys a lot and it provides wonderful energy. Love to you all in this new year. John

John's Photo Exhibition!

John, best wishes for the opening of your photo exhibition. Break a leg!

Happy New Year, everybody.

OK, Here I am TADA, finally

Hello Everyone,

I've been meaning to blog several weeks ago. Thanks to reminders from the lovely Jennie I promised I'd be here before weeks end.

WOW, it's so great to hear and see from all of you. Man I miss you guys!! I want to say thank you again so much for the amazing time I got to spend with you from the bottom of my heart. That was the best November I've had in my life. I hope to be able to teach and learn with you guys for ever. =)

As I've tried to re acclimate to life in the Unreal world I've been asking myself ok self now what? I sent an e-mail to the Japan folks and it doesn't seem as likely as I first thought. Here is the e-mail I got back:

Dear Paul, Thank you for your inquiry to Naoko about working in Japan. My name is Dan; I’m Naoko’s husband pitching in here with a response to you on Naoko’s behalf because she is always so busy. The situation that you heard about from Don is still in progress. However, new delays have developed so completion of that project will be later than we expected before. What this means for you is hard to say. It might be easier if we had a resume from you offering more about what you have to offer and what you hope to gain. For example: l Have you been to Japan before? If so, details please. l Can you speak Japanese? Most students in Japan cannot understand very much English. Hiring a translator can be cumbersome as well as expensive. l Therefore, are you also willing to teach English as this would contribute greatly to sustaining your existence while living in Japan? l Are you considering applying for a working visa? Student visa? Or just a tourist visa? These kinds of considerations tend to reveal your level of commitment which is necessary so you are more easily able to “fit in”. Presently, Naoko is busy preparing a number of students who hope to earn a credential which will qualify them for Yoga Alliance registration. This credential will be awarded by Don the next time he visits Japan, which we are projecting to be in fall of 2008. After that, Naoko hopes to plug in some of these new yoga teachers as assistants plus perhaps secure venues where classes can be offered regularly. Right now Naoko is traveling 2/3 of each month to locations all over Japan in order to train students. Not ideal but it serves as a necessary stepping stone to a more stable situation. I hope this reply contains parameters you seek in determining your coming to Japan. Let me know how I can be of better assistance! In Service, Dan (for Naoko)

So have I been to Japan? Nope Can I speak Japanese? No You want me to apply for the Visa? Fit in? I'm 6ft. tall white with blue eyes some how "fit in" is kinda funny.

Where is the all expense paid trip with translator experience I heard about? lol I will reply and "reveal my level of commitment" and see what happens.

I do know that I want to travel and I have plans to go to Australia at the end of February. I would also love to stop by and visit all of you upon my return that would be awesome! I've emailed LuLu and she is doing great. How do we invite her to the blog? She sends you all love.

I have also co-taught a yoga class and when it starts up next week I will co-teach more until I feel more confident to teach a class by myself. We all know how shy I am, are you smiling? OK then, so I'm going to try to post some pics now. We will see what happens.

I will be back as often as I can I hope to hear more from you guys and hopefully see you all in the coming new year.

Much love and light,

Paul =)

Need Emma's email, please!!

If anyone has Emma's email adress, could you pass it on to me please? I have something of hers and I want to send it to her.
Thanks!

Do we have a mailing list by any chance?? I have some people's emails, but not everyone's.

Thanks,
Lynds

hey everyone:
it has been great to read your posts...it's funny how everyone's personality comes out in their writing...i've been tripping out on that a little...anyhow, all here is well. I got a job teaching yoga at a retreat center called Pura Vida. It's close to San Jose. I am really excited because it is a pretty amazing place and I feel really lucky to be able to teach there just getting out of the teacher training. I am so intimidated by the whole thing, though, and completely humbled by the fact that I am teaching yoga, but i guess if it's happening it needs to be happening (at least that is what i tell myself). I listen to the aja kay song and pretend i am singing with all of you to get the nerves each time, but i hope that each day i will feel more at ease with it. I might also work there in the reception, but i am still not sure. A lot of really amazing teachers come and do retreats there...you guys should check it out and come down to visit! the website is www.puravidaspa.com. I am also teaching other people yoga at some other spa...i was so convinced i was not going to teach yoga and that is the only type of work i seem to be getting...it's amazing.
i wish you all the best in this holiday season and i send you all my love and light.
i love this blog thing! it's great!
all my love,
natalia

picture link

Here's a link to all an album of Nosara pics. I have a few extras I'll try to add in the next bit!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78883&l=f490d&id=635075356

Lynds

back from Korea

Hey duders!

Well I'm back from Korea. Man! am I jet lagged! What a great trip it was, but after not sleeping in my own bed for a month and a half, it's good to be home!

I didn't do much yoga during my travels, so I'm really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, and going running again too. One of my friends has already signed me up for a 10km race on New Year's Eve. haha Should be an interesting night out after that!!

Summer has just started in Costa Rica, so I'm looking forward to heading back to the beach and getting some surf and sun too! Looks like I'll be teaching in the New Year as well for a group of about 10 people. One of my neighbours is hooking me up with a teaching gig!! Sweet!!

My trip to Korea was awesome though. I saw so many new things. I went snowboarding, karaoking, shopping, stayed at a Buddhist temple overnight, helped cleaned up the oild spill on the coast. The buddhist temple stay was my favorite thing. This nun sat with us and explained what Buddhism was, and the philosophy. Much of what she said sounded like what Don expalined to us.

Anyhow, I got to ring the gong, meditate with zen masters, eat lots of Kimchi, wake up at 3:30 am with the nuns and ring the bell again, followed by more meditation (20 minutes, then a quick 3 minute break, then 20 more minutes). I also got to take part in a full tea ceremony, which is good cause I always wondered what was the deal with that!!

The following day, Richard and I got to accompany about 30 buddhists to the beach to help out with that huge oil spill. Man! You really don't get the extent of it until you actually see it up close and start to clean this stuff.. Here we are in our rubber gear with towels, sopping up the oil and wipping each rock.. It was was probably one of the most profound experiences I've ever had. I often felt like it was an overwhelming task and hopeless. It just felt that as much as we wipped the oil off, the beach was still covered in black. The good thing about it though, was when I looked around, I saw hundreds of volunteers all trying to do their part to clean this beach up. Everyone worked without complaining, singing songs to keep their spirits up. So even though this is a terrible thing to happen to Korea's beaches, there was still some positivity in seeing that there are people that really do care.

Well I miss all of you duders! We had a great month together.. I'm so glad we have this blogspot . It's a fantastic idea. I have lots of pictures, so if anyone wants some, i can email them to you.

Happy Holidays to everyone and Happy New Year's!!

Love and Light,

Lynds

Ashtanga Primary Series

I teach my first class tonight. Funny story about how it came about. Quick version is: I went to a studio to talk about teaching. Complicated mess results in our not being able to speak. Studio owner suddenly realizes that she will not be around tonight due to Christmas vacation. Therefore, she just outs with "Can you teach an Ashtanga Primary series at 17:30 on 21 December?"

Me: "Yep."

So that was easy.

Anyway, the studio draws from the student population at Heidelberg University. They are all on Christmas holidays. Therefore, I suspect that I may be the only one there. Let's hope so.

I've been out "sick" from my job for the entire week. I cannot deal.

Lisa: I send you healing energy and hope that your back is on the mend.
Eileen & Jessica: Great to hear from you guys. I hope that teaching has gone well. Eileen I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about you. I'm wondering about the squishy floor; and also I played "Read My Mind" on repeat for about an hour in your honor.
Johnny: Lovely to see you here. I'm happy to hear about the donation studio with Brenton. More soon.
Laura: Thanks for the pictures!

I'm out of time. Love to everyone who is appearing here.

Jennie

here's a better link :)

k, this one should hopefully work :)
Laura's Photos

missing you and sunny costa rica!!

this blog is wonderful...thank you so much jennie!!! you're amazing!! yeah...so the real world is definitely not even close to being as lovely and spectacular as our month together in beautiful costa rica was. i miss each and everyone of you so much, and i think of you often, wishing we could just do it all over again! :) just wanted to share the pictures that i have with everyone if you're interested; the link is

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt27Vq0bOWLko&emid=sharshar&linkid=link2

hope that works...let me know if it doesn't. best wishes to everyone!!! lots of love--laura xoxox

hello all

Hope this "blog" finds you well. Sorry it's taken me awhile to contribute but it's taken me some time to get readjusted back home. The universe had me face several issues that I wasn't quite ready to deal with but there's no time better than the present, right. I would never of had the strength to push through had I not experienced that month with you all. I'm quite confident that great things will come from the trials and tribulations of these past few weeks.
I think of our shared moments in Costa Rica every day. You are all such amazing people that had a profound effect on my being. I came with the intention of being less in the head and more in the heart and I can honestly say that I feel that intention was accomplished. Brenton and I discuss our experience with you all on a regular basis, relishing in the joy that it has brought us. We have been inspired to open up a donation only studio in a workshop that Brenton owns behind his house. We are in the early stages of refurnishing it for a practice studio. Our intention is to create an experience so that people can have a vehicle for which to inquire into their own yoga(such as Don and Amba taught us). We hope to incorporate chanting accompanied with live music, possible guided meditations, guest teachers such as yourselves, and some evening satsang. We hope you all at some point and time come to visit, take class, and even help teach.
Lisa, stay strong with your back. I feel confident that your love for YOGA will help you overcome this physical discomfort. Be patient but diligent. You have amazing inner strength which I admire so greatly in you.
Jessica, glad to see your back is on the road to healing. It boggled my mind to see how focused you could stay with your practice when dealing with such discomfort. Your diligence will always be an inspiration to me.
Take care my newly acquired family. Look forward to future gowth with each and every one of you. Love always,

Johnny

Wow... how I miss the space we created!

Hi everyone!

Jennie, thank you soooooooooo much for setting this up! I actually created a post when I first signed up but my computer crashed so it didn't make it! :( I enjoy the seasons, so I am glad to be back to the snow and rain and hot springing and snowshoing weather! :) However, it was so nice to be in the space with all of you for that month. I think of you often, if not everyday. Within the first week of being back I gave way too many massages - over 26 I think -, had two major rehearsals, one quintet performance, and two symphony performances. Then I found out my apartment lease is up so my roommate is moving out today. I convinced the landlord to give me a month to figure out what I am doing. Then, I found out the building I lease my massage office out of is being sold this year, and they have already settled on a price. So basically I have to move both personal and business location... perhaps into one location??? We will see. I have been very busy! :) I actually cannot believe how much I have had going on since I have been back. This week is slower though... as are the holidays in general.

I had my first yoga class last night at the Yoga Shala. I soooooooo miss the openness and space we all created. The class itself went well. I am replacing a teacher who recently quit. I was warned that her Ashtanga followers looked down upon any other form of yoga. This just seemed crazy to me. Anyway, two of her students showed up last night not knowing that I was going to be teaching the class instead of her. Let's just say they were not open at all and seemed quite angry before class even started. The energy they emitted was anything but friendly. Doesn't that seem odd for a yoga practitioner????? On a brighter note, the others in the class enjoyed it! hehehe It was definitely an interesting energy. I am starting teaching a couple evenings a week there, and then a couple early mornings at the Warm Springs Yoga Studio which is in the same buildling where my massage office is. I am really excited for the morning classes because it is basically my own gig.

Lisa, I am so sorry about your back... but it was meant to be for some reason or another. :) Just remember to ice it when you are on your stomach... so that the ice is resting on your back. Do not sit or lay down on the ice. My back is slowly getting beter. Last night (just in time for my yoga class) was the first time I have been able to do an upward dog... so it is getting better! It will just take time... lots of yoga... and lots of strengthening.

I think I may be rambling now! It is so great to hear from all of you! Here is a giant bear hug!

Jessica

My back is a mess!

Love and kisses to you all!
Hope you are getting back into your world and hopefully you feel the love I send out to you. I feel the love you have all given so freely during our time in Nosara and hope that you are getting it back.
I am writing to tell you all that my back went to 'H', ' E', double toothpicks three days ago!! With so much gratitude I made it through that fabulous month of Amba, Kara, Joy and Rebecca's super wonderful classes, plus those fantastic practice teaching classes and all that time sitting on the floor enjoying Don's sessions, I even got through my last three classes of the semster teaching yoga with great back health. However, the other morning when I bent over and twisted ever so slightly looking for the super glue for Tom, I did a number to my back!! I am on day four so, now I am icing and heating. It is nothing like Jessica's but I haven't been on my matt these past days. Damn! I hate to think of the toning I will be losing while this heals, oh, well. I am getting my Xmas cards out... on the brighter side!!
It is soooo great to hear from you all.
Keep that prana coming my way!!
Love ya all,
Lisa

Got My Yogo Workin

Got my mojo wor-kin! Got my Yogo Wor-kin, Got myBUURRRRRRRRRRUHUHUHUH workin!Thanks Jennie. You got so much prana girl, my god! I dont even know what a blog is let alone how to make one from scratch. Hey they totally lost my luggage too! Nice folks though. Great photos John, good luck with the show. Blanket of snow here, so beautiful. Had a great yoga session yesterday, threw some sound in there towards the end, very nice. Watched the big lewbowski last night, made me tear up a little. Is this good bloggage? Well anyways lots of lovexoxoxoxoxo to you all...........Gotta get that yogo woykin!

Real world challenge

Wow! great to hear from all of you and interesting to note the struggles it appears we are all having in maintaining that prana which seemed to be dripping out of us dec 1st. Yesterday, I was just warming up to do the grounding flow when susan appeared from the cold outside requesting help in the "soon to be finished" studio with door glass selection, well in about 30 minutes I realized that the studio was my "present " for the day not the grounding flow and worked on clean up, shopping, and stereo installation(not quite done) the rest of the day. It looks great, got the cork floor all cleaned up, bought a rustic bench built by a local amish gentleman and placed in the coat room, bathroom is in and functioning, awaiting carpet for th eentrance and coat room(dec 26th). Exciting, and as I list it all here i realize again how fortunate I was to be able to spend the month of november with all of you loving souls learning " the inquiry of Yoga" and being in the present.
Jennie, thanx for the tutorials on video blogging and it is on the list but until then I will continue to post a couple of pict each post. I have a one person photography show opening January 4th and I was informed by the gallery person they would be ready to put it up anytime after the 18th, I explained it was a work in progress and hoped to get it done before the opening. Love to you all, countdowns Photographic exhibit-19days, john's first beginnerr class in new studio-24 days.

Countdown & Photos!

Coundown: I figured out how to add code to count down to events (see area below Blog Archive). (I don't have the color worked out yet, but I'll work on that.) If you have anything to which you'd like to countdown, send me an e-mail! It will take me about 10 seconds to add it, and it will be much fun.

I'm thinking that we need: X days until Alice finishes knitting her scarf!

Photos: Please post more photos, put some photos up on Flickr (or a similar site), or e-mail photos to me. Photos are fun. Especially on blogs. If you e-mail them to me, I'll happily post them here.

Additions: I'm thinking of things that would be fun to add. I'd love to add something that would keep track of our yoga teaching hours. Picture a box along the side called Teaching Hours (or some such). Then, next to each of our names it shows an hours value. Of course, there would have to be some way in which each of us could enter additional hours as we teach. I have no idea how to do this. However, I'll think on it.

If you can think of anything fun that you'd like added here, speak up. It's all about keeping us together.

Namaste, Peeps!
Jennie

Adding Video

For adding video [on up in here!], check out the tutorials in the following links:

http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/03/add-video-clip-to-blog.html

http://infodesign.no/artikler/Videoblog_with_Blogger_211004.html

If this doesn't help [holla' on up at me!], let me know. In that case, I'll do so more research.

Also, if you find that trying to follow either of these tutorials requires that you have Administrator privileges on the site, then [holla' on up at me!] let me know. I don't like being the BOSS. I'm happy to grant administrator privileges to whoever needs them.

It is GREAT to hear from you guys. Erin, thanks for the commiseration. I send you love. Eileen & Alice -- WOOHOO! I'll [comment on up in here!] add some comments in a wee bit.

Hugs, kisses, long embraces, sweet nothings,

Jennie

It's Alice!

Hello everyone!

So I'm sitting here at Jim and Mary's house in Northglenn, Colo. My Dad is playing the role of Alice's personal mechanic and making sure the antifreeze in the Taurus has a -34 F freeze point. Right as I'm starting to get super frustrated by the incredible SLOWNESS of their computer (still using dial-up at the Mogck household), the blog finally opened - totally changed my evening. I've been glued to the screen and laughing out loud for over 45 minutes now (again, dial-up). I really do miss you all so much.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one walking around in a bit of a lala land. With no real structure here at home, the "real world" has consisted of trying to set up private lessons (3 clients and counting) and (mostly) being my own housewife - made some excellent fried chicken, knitting a scarf, painting the kitchen, reorganizing the bathroom (damn, I own a lot of girl stuff - how many different soaps can one person possibly need?), decorating the house for Christmas, etc. I've also been trying to hide my post NYI arm muscles from my landlord so that he will believe me when I describe myself as "a little girl that wasn't built for shoveling sidewalks," so far this whining has not produced the desired effect - bastard.

It would be nice to see you all on the beach tomorrow. :-(

Jennie, thank you for setting this up. It is a really treat.

xoxo,
Alice

Watch out canada! here comes Eileen!

Hey all you beautiful yogi and yoginis!
I just have to say, I love this blog! (jenny, I cant praise you enough, just know that I am bowing down to you right now!)
so it is about to begin, the climbing gym that I teach at is starting its yoga classes, and yes! yours truely is running it! I do feel abit out of my league, but I am soo excited to get started! he has purchased a space next door to the gym, and is very excited for me to start teaching yoga/climbing courses, and just yoga courses! but here is the big catch, there will not be a hard floor, but we will have to be doing it on a soft climbing floor! and for all you climbers out there, you know what that means, so that puts a bit of a kink in my yoga plans, I dont know if that is faux pas, but I really hope that it all works out. I am doing a trial class with some of the climbing instructors on monday morning.... I am super nervous, most of them have never taken a class, and there is that not-hard-surface thing again!!! so if anyone of you have any ideals, I am so open to anything right now. I know one thing is for sure, I will be calling on all of my nosara angels, when I start, and pulling strength from my memories of the rancho.... I miss you all dearly, I am trying to embrace my surroundings of cold, and snow, but I do have to admit, it is really hard! oh! for anyone that is looking for the japan connection, here is the email. hierophant@msh.biglobe.ne.jp I hope to see some of you in japan! oh, I just want to reach thru this computer and give you all big hugs! I love you soo much! thank you again, for all your smiles and positive words! wish me luck, and send me some love on monday! I will write and let you all know how it went! xxoo e

Sigh

i hear you jennie girl. i'm having a tough time with the real world too. i know the light is inside me, but it was so much easier to let it shine with all of you around me. (the beach and 8 hours of yoga every day also helped put things in perspective) through the snow and the cold and the noise (i'm trying to send the truck drivers a really good day, but when you're caught in traffic...)and the sun that doesn't rise until 830, i'm definitely not in my element - even though i've lived here all my life. all my energy now is driving toward making my escape.
with to you all i admit that every day when i flow, i close my practice by bringing to mind my 30+ best friends' smiling faces, and send a namaste to you all.
love and peace
erin

Video?

John, this weekend I will investigate how to add video. Stay tuned...

Quick Check-In

John, thank you so much for the photos! And also for checking in. It is great to hear from you. Please post more. This is keeping me sane. (If only I could get to the site at work -- which unfortunately I cannot... Damn Big Brother.) We cannot wait to hear about your class in January at the studio. Will it be done on the finished cork floor?

An invitation to join went out to Kara, Joy, Rebecca, and Lulu. However, only the Blogger message went out, as I haven't had time to send a follow-up explanation e-mail. If anyone has time to send an e-mail to those guys explaining, please do. It would be much appreciated. Then post here to let us know that you've made contact.

Please post more photos! I did not have a camera in Nosara, so I haven't any photos. I'd love to have any that you're willing to share.

In related news, I sent a message to Matt at SoulArch asking if we could use some of his images on the site. I'll let you know what he says.

The truth on my end is that I am not adjusting very well/doing very well. Monday morning (first day back to work) I was beaming. I had my big smile and was radiating enough light to power all of Germany. Within 6 hours I had lost every bit of it. The light in my eyes was down to 10% strength -- it is just enough now so that you can look into my eyes and tell that I am not dead. However, that's about it. The smile on my face has been replaced with a cartoon expression of "What the fuck?"

My luggage did finally arrive! It made it at 2300 hours on Monday. It had been mis-routed to Tolu, Columbia. WTF? It began the trip from Costa Rica wrapped in plastic. It arrived sans plastic. I'm wondering if my bag muled something from Costa Rica to Columbia or from Columbia to some other destination. I have yet to check the lining.

Yesterday my sacred glass charm with the deep hand-etching of the image of Buddha fell off of my neck. (I wear it on a chain around my neck - especially when I am not coping well.). A search ensued. It was found crushed to fragments in a parking lot. I tried to invoke Brent and Johnny to help me not be equally crushed by the loss. I tried to be thankful that there was a guy at work kind enough to drive me around for hours to every parking lot on every local military base to search for it. I admit to that having been incredibly nice and my being fortunate enough to have been extended the kindness. Trouble is that I had made peace with the idea that it had fallen off and someone had found it (and not turned it in). I was wishing that the charm would bring joy to the finder. Then, we found the thing crushed to bits. So much for it bringing joy to someone else.

I have an appointment at a studio this evening to discuss my teaching there.

I have 102 days left until I walk away from this life. Praise be!

Namaste,
Jennie

too much time

Just wondered if LuLu was on the blog list. Also I would agree with Natalia about the teachers being invited. that would be great. Remember the goldens on the beach, here she's enjoying the sunset with the rest of us. Namaste!

Getting warmer

Jennie, thanx for your thoughts about assists and doing yoga with the aid of a bedroom mirror. I was looking at my pics and made a little movie for you all, unfortunately the site only takes non movie formats. Does anyone know how to upload a real time movie onto the site? This image is just the beginning of the movie. Did you get your bag or has all of my energy focused on Lufthansa been repulsed. things are returning to normal here in central Wisconsin and i have landed a beginner's class in january at Karuna Yoga studio in my front yard. Love to all and let me know if anyone has thoughts about the movie.

OH OKAY

thanks jennie!
francella's email is francelags@gmail.com...
i don't know anyone else's.
much love to all.
natalia

We would never forget you, Natalia!

Yeah, Natalia! I'm so very glad that you made it here. You have not missed a thing. The e-mail list from NYI has not yet gone out. I left Nosara on Wednesday, 4 December and shared the Sansa flight to San Jose with Jill. I learned that Jill has other clients in San Jose and goes there periodically to work with them. She was expecting to be in San Jose for at least a week or so. Therefore, I imagine that she has not yet had time to get the e-mail list together for NYI. We may get it this week or next.

In the meantime, the fabulous, dancing Eileen found an e-mail message the went out before the training began to assist those who were registered with arranging accommodations. We started with that list, as we wanted to get the site up before we all got sucked back in to the dimming haze. The trouble with that list is that not everybody is on it. Also, there are other people on it who never made it to the training. So the bottom line is that we're doing our best trying to get everyone tracked down. The awesome Lisa was able to provide your e-mail address (see below).

Take a look at the right side of the page. The folks whose names are in yellow are individuals whose e-mail addresses we have (or think that we have). An invitation to join the blog has been sent to each of them. We're waiting with deep longing for them to appear. The folks whose names are in red are folks whose e-mail addresses we do not have. If anyone has an e-mail address for any of the red folks, please send it to me. I'll then send the Blogger invitation. We'll do our best to pull it together while we await the e-mail list from NYI. Also, if you see that a name is missing from the list, please let me know. I would hate for anybody to think that they have been left out (especially when all that we've got going for us in this whose-it/find-it game is my addled brain, a dimming haze, and jet lag).

Thanks very much to everyone who has shown up. It's like Lisa said below, I too have such joy from "hearing" your voices again through the posts.

I am really behind in e-mail, and so I apologize to anyone who has yet to receive a reply from me.

Natalia: I send you all sorts of love in beginning to teach. You go, girl!
John, Lisa, Brenton, Erin, Eileen, and Steph: I was overjoyed when I saw you guys show up here. I send much love and light to you all along with a sincere thanks for contributing. I'm trying to keep my light on (like Motel 6), but today was my first day back to work... It was great to get to reread your voices here.
Paul & Sophia: post something! We miss you guys and what to know what's going on.

Namaste,
Jennie

somebody forgot me

hey everyone!
it was great to read all your posts...i miss you all very much and think of you often (actually, i find it kind of hard to not think of you and the month we spent together). thank you all for being present and yourselves. So, i never received the email list...i guess jill or somebody didn't know my email...can one of you send it to me? I would really appreciate it. my email is schyfter@gmail.com.
I was kind of thinking that i would not be teaching yoga, but the only work i have been able to find since nosara is yoga teaching jobs...i guess that is what i have to do, even though i am freaking out. I give my first class on friday and in spanish (which is the really challenging part)...i really do freak out but then i think of you all and gather up my nerves again...i know your beauty and strength will help me out...
i wish all of you the best and send you warm sun from costa rica (i thought it was cold in san jose, but then i read your posts).
all my love,
natalia

Missing you all!

Nameste everyone!
Oh, man, I miss seeing you all everyday!
I am slowly getting my snow legs under me. There are a few inches of snow on the ground and it's cold! Besides the obvious weather adjustments, I find that I am a bit out of sync. After a month of being 'checked out' I am finding that there are a few more responsiblities here in this world than in Nosara. The first time I drove my car I locked my keys in it! I had to leave it in the parking lot over night. Has anyone else found that they are out of sync? It's a good thing that I don't have a job that requires me to be mentally on my toes, I feel a bit in 'lala land'. I don't really want to do anything about it, I kind of like it this way!!
Really all I want to do is read the NYI manual and review my notes! I love how often I think of everyone. I hear your voices as I chant to the top of my lungs. I hear everyones questions and comments as I read my notes. I can't stop looking at my pictures of you all. I sure miss you.
Gawd, we had a great time together!!!
Jennie, thank you for doing whatever you had to do to get this site set up. You are truely a wonderful person and so very capable! I loved reading your last thoughts on vasi. and surfing. It is so great to read it and to be able to put your voice to the typed words. I can even see how you beautiful head shifts sideways, slightly and you get that serious look to you face as you put your thoughts out for me to hear. I love that about you and it makes me get all teary eyed and I miss you. You had asked if we wanted to added Don, Amba and the girls to the blog and I say, absolutely! Also, I have Natalia's email address. schyfter@gmail.com I don't know if you have gotten it or not.
Thanks for the pix everyone. I'll get my out there soon.
I hope that you are all adjusting to your worlds and that we never lose this wonderful afterglow!
Love and peace to you all.
Lisa

The Real World

the real world. ick. i could have stayed on the playa forever but my path had to lead me back to canada for now. it is sooo cold here but i have so many warm memories, and sunshine in my being. i think of you guys and smile to myself 20 times a day. i feel like i carry a piece of each of you in my heart, and when you post on this blog, i can hear your voices. i am in my uninspiring basement suite with my incense and my seashells keeping my soul lifted and remembering how beautiful our morning vinyasa was.
i love you all very much.
namaste
erin

Some Thoughts on Alignment

So as I mentioned to several of you while we were in Nosara, when I returned home to Germany I returned to a temporary roommate. I lent my apartment to a guy from work during our NYI training, as he needed to save some money before leaving Germany permanently to return to the States. We're overlapping here in my apartment for a week before he flies home.

This situation means that I have had to create some new space to do yoga. He's living in my living room (aka, Yoga Studio A). His luggage is all over my dining room (aka, Yoga Studio B), so I moved some things in my bedroom and rolled out a mat. This was Friday night and was my first post-NYI practice. I decided to do My Flow from our teacher sessions. It worked out such that I was practicing partially in front of a mirrored closet door. What wonders, this.

As it turns out, I found that my side-plank (Vasisthasana) is done with my hand a good FOOT+ in front of my shoulder. I mean my hand is way up there under my head (like way up under my Buddha ear) and nowhere near up under my shoulder. Who knew? I've known always in my intellectual body that the posture is best done with ones hand under ones shoulder in proper alignment so that one is not wasting all of ones energy fighting gravity. So intellectually I've understood that for a long time. However, it seems that I was unconscious of precisely how my body has been aligned in this posture.

I bring this up now, because we spent a great part of our NYI training discussing the topic of assisting. To assist or not to assist? When to assist? How to assist? I have had quite a consistent practice for about 9 years now. Quite a bit of it has been in classrooms with instructors (and the remainder has been a personal, solo practice). My initial reaction upon seeing myself in the mirror was one of: "well I'll be! Might someone have pointed out to me any time over the last 9 years that my hand is way out of alignment in this posture?" Yet just asking that question gave me a whole lot to think about. And so here it is...

Vasisthasana always has been one of those postures for me. By those I mean one of those impossible postures that can be met with a lot of negativity from me - especially when I'm tired. Oh, no! Not that again! (As I type this I think that one might ask: well why, then, was it in Your Flow if it is one of those postures? My answer goes like this: Look it! I had Johnny in my group. Johnny who can balance on his index finger on a cliff's edge while chanting "Hare Ram". I didn't want him napping on a cushion while I had my first teaching experience. And so we had a side plank thrown in for good measure.) I digress.

It is one of those postures for me, because it is very difficult; and I think that doing it is beyond me. Over time I have told myself things like: I cannot do this posture because my upper body is too weak; I have a very large ass and very meager shoulders, this posture is beyond me!; I'm too weak for this!; etc. And yet this is the journey of yoga, and so I have paid attention to these messages and have persevered. When we get to side plank in a class and the instructor says things like, "take a variation here, if you wish...", my humor-self nearly doubles over with laughter. A variation? How 'bout we just call it a day? But the instructor goes on with, "take a tree posture with your upper leg. Or grab your big toe and extend your leg out to the heavens." For real? Allow me to grab my gut as I fall out laughing! Grab my toe? Extend my leg to the heavens? How about I just try to breathe right here while exercising every bit of strength that I can muster in my upper body? How 'bout I just breathe and call it even? But there is an important point to be made here, so please bear with me.

So there I am looking at myself in my mirrored closet door recognizing that my bottom arm is way out of alignment. I come down and adjust my lower arm so that it is right under my shoulder. I come back up. Well if I'll be damned! I'll be damned, I tell you! Suddenly I CAN make a tree. Suddenly I CAN extend my toe to the heavens. It is amazing what can happen when you are in proper alignment in a posture. And, yet, what's my point?

I asked myself for real if I would have wanted an instructor somewhere along the way during these last 9 years to point out to me that my lower arm is in the wrong place. The answer is: not so much. Don't get me wrong. If an instructor had pointed this out, there would have been no harm in it. I would have readjusted myself and then gone a different way in the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure novel that is my life. I would have found a different posture to be one of those postures. I would not have developed the crazy core strength that I have developed -- even with my steadfast refusal to ever do anything in a yoga class that resembles ab-work (I simply lay down on the mat when someone strikes up that song). Yet I have developed crazy ab-strength from having to hold myself up improperly in Vasisthasana. It does take crazy core strength to do a basic side plank with your bottom arm under your ear. Try it.



But here is what I really reflected on: Doing Vasisthasana improperly for 9 years has provided me with a certain focus and a certain will-of-ways that absolutely allowed me to try surfing at 36 years of age. Surfing always was one of those activities in the same way that Vasisthasana always was one of those postures. I always told myself that surfing was beyond me because: it involves water (I don't do water) ; it involves bathing suits (I don't wear bathing suits); it is an activity done by cool and beautiful people (I am neither cool nor beautiful). Therefore, surfing was out. But after years (9 years) of recognizing my own mind in Vasisthasana I have come to see how I approach "the impossible", and I have come to recognize the messages that I tell myself (it is beyond me, I am too weak, I am too uncool, I am too [something negative] to be able to do that). That in and of itself is powerful (providing oneself space to watch ones own mind. That is yoga). Add to that the next layer. It is the layer of the breath. I DO Vasisthasana. I DO Vasisthasana my own way. I'll be damned, but I'll do Vasisthasana. I'll breathe; I'll focus; and I'll do what I can do. I won't make a tree. I won't grab my toe and raise my leg to the heavens. But I will DO Vasisthasana my way -- in my own space; following my own breath, and watching my own mind. I will do it.

This exactly was surfing for me. Some of you were there to witness it. Those of you who weren't, I'll paint you a picture. There I was on Guiones beach with little Louis (of Oasis fame). I'm going to do it. I'm going to go out in the water in my bathing suit with a surf board even though I'm neither cool nor beautiful and take a surf lesson. It started out with all of the negativity that I once brought to Vasisthasana. In fact, as Louis was taking me out into the water, and we were facing the waves, I kept exclaiming "shit!" over and over again in German. It was so hilarious and was such a mantra that Louis wanted to learn it too. So there you have Louis and me saying "shit!, shit!, shit!" over and over again in German as the waves roll in. And, of course, there was lots of falling down. Lots of getting knocked over by the waves. Lots of salt water up the nose. Lots of wardrobe malfunctions (aka, bathing suit readjustments), as I'm getting pounded by the surf. But there also was my resoluteness. My determination. My focus. My breath. Me! And there was me planting my feet on a surfboard and standing up.

What I learned about myself from Vasisthasana is what I brought with me to my surfing experience. It's valuable. It's powerful. And I would not have gotten there without doing side plank "wrong" for 9 years and watching myself do it that way. For me and the way that my mind works, I'm glad that I was left alone to make the discovery on my own and in my own time. Having been corrected in the posture would have been a fine thing, and I would have continued on in my life's journey with a proper side plank but with a lesson to learn somewhere else along the way. So I'm not saying that making an assist is wrong. However, there is equal permission to not feel that making every assist every time is a requirement of an instructor. From my mind there is some great value in allowing space for your students to find their own way. In this case, I've had many an instructor verbalize that ones hand should be under ones shoulder in Vasisthasana . I've registered that. I've captured that inside my head. That verbalization allowed me to realize when looking in the mirror that my hand is in the wrong place! But I am very grateful to have done it incorrectly for 9 years and to have paid attention to who I am in that process. So that's that.

Namaste!

I stuck a photo up there of the surf guru just so that the whole post didn't look so boring.

All my love!
Jennie

check in...

Namaste my dear brothers and sisters,
So much positive energy shared over the past month. Thanks for sharing your gold with me and I look so forward to much growth and support for and from you all....My computer is just now back up and running so I will contribute often. Peace and blessings, Brenton