Why do we roll to the right?

A number of students have asked me at different times why we roll to the right when coming up from the floor. My explanation has been somewhat incomplete as I only knew that it was an esoteric, symbolic gesture which had to do with the sun rising in the east. But mostly I just want students to all roll the same way so they don't roll uncomfortably into each other and keeping it on the right simplifies it. However a more thorough explanation is the following:
"It is considered, in India, more auspicious to enter a holy place with the right foot and in many parts of the world, we extend our right hand in greeting. The right side also represents the east: rolling towards the east or the rising sun symbolizes asking for blessings, grace and bliss.
Physiologically, since your heart is on the left, when you roll to the right it remains open and free of pressure. It also keeps one of the main channels of prana/life force active and helps keep your body in a state of calmness as you come into a sitting position."
-Desiree Rumbaugh.

Clearing Your Space Can Change Your Life...

Is it as simple of that?? Well it is true that your space does reflect your life.
What does your space say about your life right now?
Do you like this reflection?
Many of us have spaces that do not nourish us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Think of the last time your were somewhere and it made you feel like you just wanted to STAY there. What was happening or not happening in that space that made you feel that way?
It may be time to look at the space where you live and become clear about how your personal spaces effect your energy. Does your space lift you up or weigh you down?
If your space drains you of your energy or dampens your motivations for life, are you willing to make some changes?

If you want to make changes my first suggestion is to start small.
Maybe start in your closet with a few brown bags and begin to eliminate things you have not worn for at least a year and a half. For those things you are not sure about, put them in a bag marked 6 months. If you have not missed them in 6 months you know you probably don't need them anymore. You do not have to be brutal, you may find you require more time with certain things.
You will be amazed at how light you will begin to feel as you release these items... giving them away, donating them. The process will become easier as you grow accustomed to letting things go.

Space Clearing is an ancient Feng Shui technique passed from one generation of wise teachers to the next. It gives us permission to clear out the old, stagnant and chaotic energy in any space, and create new ones for fresh beginnings and positive change.

Do we live in a world of NOISE?

George Prochnik's book, In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise, made me think about sound in a more thoughtful way. I began to think about sounds that I love, sounds that I take for granted, sounds that I tolerate, sounds that I block out and sounds that I feel asaulted by. I decided this week to focus on sounds that I love and really listen and appreciate them. There are elegant and soothing sounds and sounds that make me feel content and happy. I want to bring more of those sounds to the forefront and experience them as a delight in my day. If I lost my sense of hearing I would no longer be able to experience those sounds. The sound of silence is one of those beautiful sounds too. The silence make the sounds I love more distinct and delicate. What are the sounds that you cherish, but have not really thought about lately? Can you listen and savor some of your favorite sounds?
Please share your favorite sounds with me.

Why do we "spring clean" ?

I wonder why people clean in the Spring??? Maybe there is just something about spring that makes us want to release the old and make space for something new or just make space!
If spring is the time of buds and blossoms and light, I suspect we all want to make room for that. That means clearing out, cleaning out, exhaling, letting go. How tightly we sometimes hold on to our "stuff".
Thankfully in nature, plants are able to go through a cycle of growth and then surrender to the earth again. Thankfully we can we learn from nature.
What can you surrender? What are you holding onto that needs to be released, that no longer affirms being awake and alive?
Can you release something today that is an act of preparing for something new and life giving to enter your inner and outer world?

Withdrawal Symptoms...

I must say I do love the break from teaching Simply Yoga when I have more time to do whatever... usually art and "artist's dates". However, I find I do less yoga than usual and my body actually starts to hurt and my joints feel stiffer. These, I hate to say, are what I call withdrawal symptoms. Yes I guess you could call me an addict of sorts. I need enough yoga weekly or my body rebels.
I suspect some of you are finding something similar being away from classes for awhile.
So get out your sticky mat and get some practice in... 10- 20 minutes a day will make the world of difference. Do the poses you love and a couple of the ones you don't love and breathe deeply.
Three part inhalation breath is waiting for you!!!!

Spring Break

The next 2 weeks I will not be teaching the Simply Yoga classes as we will be on break.
This would be a good time to work with your yoga at home and explore what you know.
Some of you already do this. It is challenging to practice on your own when you are used to a teacher talking you through your practice. However it can be very gratifying to see how much your really have learned and how you are able to breathe, quiet the mind, find your alignment, move into a stretch slowly, be curious about sensation, and know that you have claimed your practice. Don't forget to "play" with the poses a little... find something new in your body and be okay with not knowing and understanding everything. Enjoy.
See you in April.

Warrior Poses

Here we are in our last week of Simply Yoga classes.
It has been an interesting quarter with lots of learning and lots of Warrior Poses!
Warrior poses teach us to stand well with firmness, strength and intention. Learning to stand on our own two feet began when we were in the last part of our first year of life. Yet we are still learning to stand well. Standing in Mountain pose, we are still learning to find ground and rise up with confidence and purpose. How is it that we lose our confidence, our ability to accept ourselves as we are? How do we find it again? How do we know we are on the right path? How do we learn to trust our instincts, our intuition?
It is spring. Plant your feet in the earth, your sticky mat, wherever you are. Rise up to meet this day. Open your heart to what comes. Be in the moment. The circumstances of our lives have much to teach us. Listen.