yoga with fawn: April 2010

Therapeutic Thursday

Allow me to introduce Therapeutic Thursday: sweet harmonies, inspirational quotes, and other soul-soothing miscellany.

I just finished Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of Omega Institute, who uses her own personal story and the stories of others as examples of going through what she calls the "Phoenix Process". She used a lot of fantastic quotes throughout the book to illustrate each chapter. Here are a few favorites:

"Drum sounds rise on the air, and with them, my heart. A voice inside the beat says, I know you are tired, but come. This is the way." -Rumi

"The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." -Victor Frankl

"In the difficult are the friendly forces, the hands that work on us." -Rainer Maria Rilke

The International League of Conservation Photographers created a top 40 nature photos flickr set via treehugger.

And this P Ramlee video just made my day via boing boing.

xo,

Fawn

The Birthday

It is yogawithfawn's one year anniversary and much has happened in a year's time...
I joined Lululemon's Research & Development team and am loving their chic yoga wear, I have seen regular students develop their own mindful practice, I've trained really hard, taught in a variety of venues from studios to parks, recommitted myself to a regular meditation practice, finally started performing again, and became my own boss. I can safely say that I have no idea what the next year has in store for me, and that being present is my focus. In celebration I'll leave you with a few inspiring tidbits on this lovely Tuesday: Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project has great tips on improving your life, Susan Miller's monthly horoscopes can't be beat, and whenever I'm out of dinner ideas The World's Healthiest Foods is a fantastic resource.

Love,

Fawn

I realized that my home practice space could be more peaceful so all week I have modified, eliminated, beautified, and organized. One part I am quite proud of is my new altar space. I haven't had an altar since I lived in San Francisco, more than ten years ago, where it was easier to obtain religious icons and ritual candles. My altar is lined in fabric from my grandmother and includes elements of nature like driftwood, bone, dried flowers. I placed photos of and mementos from friends and family who have passed on to commemorate their impact on my life. The altar has shifted attention in the space from my computer (a.k.a. work) to a contemplative environment. Here's what it looks like so far.
I would love to see your altar if you have one!

Lightning and fire,

Fawn

This morning I woke up refreshed and wanted to take a class at a new yoga studio. The internet told me it would take twelve minutes to get there, but I should have known better. In the past ten years I have gotten lost at least four times in that very neighborhood, the most recent digression being an ill fated job interview last summer.

The job was a dream job, one I had wanted since moving to Portland. I was in a yoga immersion when I got the callback. Part of me had moved past wanting that job, and found teaching yoga to be the most harmonious choice I've made yet. Since I had spent years wishing for an opportunity like this I skipped class to go on the interview.

I mentally went over what I'd be missing in class that day as I changed my outfit no less than five times. I realized I was late already and called the employer. Then I was delayed further by construction. As I quickly weaved around dizzying turns, I realized I had no idea where this place was. The streets were all cul-de-sac's, one ways, dead ends. My mind was spinning with regret and confusion. By the time I arrived at my destination I was an hour and a half late. I felt seasick, defeated, exhausted. It was not worth it.

Today before class I was also in a rush and convinced myself that I had enough time to get somewhere new with no food in my belly. I changed my shirt no less than three times, and hopped in my car with 15 minutes to go. As I sped down the street dodging cars and other obstacles, I began to feel dizzy. When a road crew signaled stop in the same construction zone as last summer, Bill Murray's character Phil in Groundhog Day flitted through my consciousness. Haven't I driven this same way before and felt nauseous like this? It was then that I aborted my mission.

The body gives you signals all day long, but we are all fairly adept at ignoring them. Inconsequential decisions like whether to wear brown shoes or black shoes can seem difficult without first taking time to tune in to your own frequency. Rather than feeling excitedly buoyant about that interview, I felt torn and distracted. Just like in yoga poses, all actions need a solid foundation. Shifting your weight around until you find your center in a pose takes awareness and patience. Why not bring that into daily life?

Lilac

The smell of lilac floats in through the window as I say goodbye to winter for good.

With pleasure I want to announce that I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to attend a weekend long yoga/meditation retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs with renowned instructor Sarajoy Marsh, and look forward to 4 days of challenging mind + body training with the promise of new discoveries to share with you upon returning home.

Until then I will leave you with some springtime beauty:
Neverest Songs sounds pretty and has cute animations.

Architecturally inspired shoe manufacturer United Nude just launched their spring/summer 2010 line. I wore their Möbius pumps in pink perforated leather at my wedding.

Heath Ceramics' seasonal pottery is so light and playful.

Love and lilac,
Fawn

I took a level 3 class with Lisa Mae at The Bhaktishop and it was a blast. The students in class were mostly teachers that day, but even so I felt a resonance in the room when she announced that we'd be workshopping chaturanga dandasana (aka four-limbed staff pose).
I, and likely most of us, wondered: Am I in proper alignment? Does Lisa Mae have a mind-blowing way of approaching this pose? Is my chaturanga ready for critique?
Part of my own inner monologue was a fear of re-injuring old rotator cuff injuries from dancing upside down- hands used to be more like feet to me! Also, during a yoga class about 8 years ago I was told by an instructor that I would cause more injuries to my shoulders doing chaturanga the way that I was. Funny thing is she never offered any suggestions or modifications.
Onward to present time. As I tentatively went through my vinyasa: coming down, backbending, pressing up, lengthening and back down again, BING! a light went off in my consciousness. Chaturanga was no longer scary. My shoulder didn't make snapping sounds when pushing up. Lisa Mae's cues for chaturanga were just what I needed.
It reminded me that what makes a sustainable practice is knowing when it's therapeutic to push through habitual defensiveness, and when it is optimal to stop pushing. In response to that negative experience long ago, I encourage inquiry and kindness rather than fear in my classes, but it's still up to the student to listen.

Love and yoga,

Fawn

Stillmeadow

Here are a few images from a rejeuvenating silent yoga nidra/meditation retreat I attended recently with Simon Menasche at Stillmeadow Retreat Center in Damascus. There were many different kinds of lichen and moss, old growth trees and the ecosystems that come with, and llamas who I broke silence to speak with daily. Enjoy.
Love, Fawn

Therapeutic Thursday

The Birthday

Contemplation

Déjà vu

Lilac

Magical Chaturanga

Stillmeadow

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