Author: Diana Gould Bonyhadi

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Vacation – Being present in the rush to go

Vacation – that long awaited break from the routine.  Ahhhh.  You make the reservations, contact your friends and count the days. And then, there is that last minute scury to get out the door.  Clean, pack, dash off the last few emails and pay a couple of bills, take out the last load of laundry and stuff it in your bag.  And whoosh, you’re gone.

But the real question seems to me to be:  How do we preserve and integrate the best of vacation mentality into our daily lives?  How do we prevent ourselves from getting so revved up in the preparations, that we find ourselves at the departure gate stressed out and burned out?  How do we stayed focused and clear and present, even if there is something really amazing that is on the horizon?

Because that’s the thing, isn’t it?  It is up to all of us to find and embrace that vacation mentality in each and every moment of every day.  This is the teaching that every wisdom teacher has given us.

  • Be Present
  • Be Here Now
  • Grace is Yours
  • Breath in this Moment

And it is only through our presence that peace will come to us.  If I spend all my time getting ready to go, then I will miss what is beautiful in this moment.  If while I am on vacation, I am thinking and getting ready to go back to my daily life, then I will miss my vacation.

So, here I go, off to practice being present.  And to enjoy time spend with good friends I haven’t seen in a very long time.  And to find a couple of cool studios in which to practice.

Namaste

P.S.  If I am in adhomukhasvanasna and I am thinking ahead to bhujhangaasna, then am I really in adhomukhasvanasana?

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Spring Cleaning

Yesterday was a perfect Spring day. It was sunny, the skies were a soft light blue, and  it was almost warm.  I had time to spend with friends.  I got to work in the garden and I got to go romp in the woods on  my mountain bike with my son and husband.  What could be better?

And today, the first official day of Spring, the weather has turned gray and rainy.  Oh well, that’s okay, because it is a good reminder that it takes our bodies a while to adjust to the change in seasons.  In the winter we create insulation within our bodies, our pace slows and and our perspective turns inward.  As we move into Springtime, we need to begin a slow process of cleansing and opening ourselves to the brighter, longer and warmer days.  Slowly we deepen our yoga practice. Add more inversions to help clean out that winter gunk (sometimes sinus stuff).  Turn up the volume and intensity on our asanas, to create more heat within to help cleanse the toxins from our organs. You might even find yourself craving backbends, which are excellent for heart opening, literally an opening up to the sun and Spring.  And as for food, again, if you listen you will notice that your tastes are changing.  Lighter soups, fresh salads with arugula, teas with lemongrass and chamomile, such different desires than a month ago.  This is your body’s natural way of transitioning from winter to spring.

What I have been talking about here, is the body’s natural inclination to stay in harmony with the Seasons.  Yoga is one limb of the ancient healing arts of Ayurveda.  Ayurvedic Medicine helps us to understand the fundamental elements and energies within us, and how we can create optimal health for ourselves, through diet, yoga, meditation and other practices.   Yoga Journal recently published a fantastic introductory  article explaining the relationship between our doschas. the weaather and your yoga practice.  Check it out: http://www.yogajournal.com/health/1721.

So, enjoy your first days of Spring.  Honor your desire to go outside and play.  Amp up your practice and create inner warmth to start flushing out that winter sludge.  Begin transitioning your diet to lighter fare.  And, recognize that the urge to clean your house of accumulated junk, is also a manifestation of your natural rhythms and your body’s need to bring itself into harmony with the season.  But remember, you don’t have to do it all at once.

Happy Spring!

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My Mind is in a Fog

Ever notice that some days, your brain just feels foggy?  Like you have a plugged up nose for a brain?  Today is one of those for me.  I know what I have to do to clear it.  Get moving, do my practice, do some meditation.  And yet, there is something sort of luxurious about being in the mist.  You know it will clear, but the blurred lines make the world seem a bit softer.  I am reminded of that famous poem by Emily Dickinson.  Who wants to add that quote as a comment?

Music Update:  April 16 at 8:00pm – Shakti West

Steven Gold is coming to Seattle to do a celebratory Kirtan.  This is going to be a magical evening.  Your heart will sing and your body will move.  I can’t wait.  Need more encouragement, go to his website and download some music.


Classes yesterday were wonderful.  The students fill the space with such spirit.  Thank you yogis and yoginis.
I think the fog is clearing, both literally and figuratively.  The sun is beginning to shine through, and the world beckons.
Shalom & Namaste
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Workshop This Sunday

Please don’t forget to sign up for the 3rd in the 10 for 2010 Workshop Series,  Workshops fill quickly and you don’t want to miss out.

Sunday, March 21, 1:30 – 4:00

Understanding the Beauty & Strength of the Sagital Standing Poses

Urban Oasis, Issaquah, WA

This two and a half hour workshop will provide an in-depth exploration of these significant poses found in almost every yoga class.  Injury prevention and individual modifications will be an important aspect of the workshop. A pranayama and mediation practice are included to further support you in deepening and expanding your yoga practice.

Class size is limited, contact Urban Oasis soon to reserve space for your mat.

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2 Weeks with Anna Forrest

Breathe, Go Deeper, Breathe

I heard Anna Forrest was coming to town.  One of my favorite teachers has been one of Anna’s Teaching Assistants. I have heard about Anna Forrest for years, and have always wanted to study with her.  Not often she comes to Seattle.   I couldn’t miss this opportunity. I got on the phone and signed up.

I signed up for a series of early morning intensives; 6:00am to 9:00am.  That the studio was 45 minutes away, and that I would have to get up at 4:30 every morning to get there, didn’t register at the time I signed up.

Intensive is the perfect word to describe the series.  On my first day, there were over 80 people in the room and the room was at least 80 degrees.  In no time we were all pouring sweat.  We kept working harder and harder, getting ever closer to the core of our beings.  When that first session was over, I truly wondered what I had gotten myself into.  I was exhausted, sore, sweaty, shaking, tired, and I wondered how I would be able to keep this up, in addition to teaching my usual classes and remain a sane parent.

I guess I wasn’t the only one  that felt that they were being pushed to their limits.  The next day at least 15 people had dropped out.  As each day passed, the class size diminished.  It picked up again on the weekends, but never returned to ridiculously filled class of the first day.  Did I mention that our mats were only two inches apart from each other on all sides.  Yesterday was my last class, and I think there were only 35 of us left.

I am so glad that I took the series and stuck it out.  Anna is an amazing teacher.  Now I won’t recommend this series for everyone, but if you are the least bit interested in pushing your practice to the next level, challenging yourself to go deeper and deeper still, then definitely sign up.  But remember to check your ego at the door, take a break when you need one and have a strong foundation and understandings of alignment before you enter.

Anna Forest uses a sweat lodge mentality and Native American traditions to set the space.  She emphasizes Ujjayi breathing , and the breathing  room often sounds like  the wind were blowing through the trees.  Students are asked to set an intention for each class, an intention to bring healing to some part of their body or spirit.  As students move ever deeper in their practice, they are reminded to return to the place that needs healing and breath into it.  The intensity and pacing of the class calls to mind the EST seminars of the 70’s.  No time for a break, no time wipe the sweat from your bod or tears from your eyes,  keep going, dig deeper, release your inner demons.

Eka pada Koundinyasana I - but not me this time

I truly appreciate having had opportunity to study with Anna.  She brings an authenticity and vibrancy to her teaching.  She keeps the students on track and focused.  She is a master at helping people to go the extra step, and master asanas that may not have ever been available to them in the past.  I caught a very cool twisted, extended arm balance (Parsva Eka Pada Koundinyasana I)  and as well as a handstand with splits variation (Eka Pada Vrschikasana).  I loved the focus on breathing, and the heart opening that accompanies it.  I walked away from each session feeling stretched, strengthened and inspired.  And amazingly enough, those 4:30 mornings did not wear me out – in fact I was invigorated.

And for you my favorite students, I realized that  Anna and I share many similar approaches in our teaching methodology.  When she reminded us to set intentions, I thought of you When she reminded us to breathe, I thought of you. I think we both share an understanding of the healing benefits of yoga.  However,w I think we come at it from different places.  Don’t worry, my classes won’t turn into sweat lodges, and I won’t stand you on your head till your ready.  But seeing as this was a teacher training, I may slip one or two new things in for your next class.  Hint, Anna loves core work as much as I do.

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Rain, Rain, Rain

I know I shouldn’t let the rain get to me, I mean in live in the Pacific Northwest afterall.  So, When I woke up at 4:30 this morning, and heard the rain, and heard that inner voice saying “bummer, not another day of rain,” I  decided that meditating on the drops of rain would be my practice for the day.

Can I listen to the rain – really listen?  I can I detect an individual dropout of the many?  How does the sound of the rain change?

The rain makes me want to stay inside.  Curl up.  Read a book.  Drink hot tea.  And sometimes, that is just what we need to do.  Take a break from the hectic-ness that is modern life.  It’s hard to do, but sometimes you just gotta give yourself a break.  If you can’t take a whole day off, well, then just take time to really appreciate that cup of hot tea.  Sit back, hold the cup in your hand, feel its warmth, breath in its scent.  Close your eyes, and sigh.  Let the world slip away and just be present with your breath.
Now that your tea is finished, take another deep breath, smile, and precede with your day.  Don’t worry, the time you took to stop and breath and sip your tea, did not set you back.  You will still get it all done, you will just be calmer and more focused.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana

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Computers & Sutras

I have spent several hours now creating this blog.  I ride the waves of enthusiasm and frustration, and I am reminded of Pantajli’s sutra – stirum sukham asanam – roughly translated to “find the balance of effort and relaxation in the pose.”    When I move slowly and compassionately in this process it allows me to rides the waves of frustration.  Yes, I do believe I am living my yoga beyond the mat.

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Hello world!

Blogging, I thought I would never be a blogger.  But after months of struggling with website design and modifications, and many hours of what felt like wasted time, here I am.

Day 1:    Set up Blog spout, choose theme, upload banner.

Wish me luck.

Namaste