Arrividerci!

After much saving, planning and research, I am excited to say that my cousin and I will be leaving on a plane for Italy this week!  I am beyond excited and can't wait to take my journal and camera and just be a sponge, soaking in and marveling the sights, smells, sounds and tastes around me.  

In addition to my journal and camera, I'll need to pack a few other things, which led me to one of my first thoughts while packing, "Will I do yoga in Italy?"  I immediately thought to Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love, who while an avid yoga, said the whole time she was in Rome (four months), she never even rolled out her mat.  She said Rome and yoga just didn't go together.   In reading her experiences of pure pleasure and guilt-free gluttony, I could see her point.  Maybe they just didn't mix.

I'm packing very light, just one carry-on, so I debated quite a bit over whether or not to pack a travel mat for doing yoga.  I had to ask myself, would I really do yoga every day like I do here when I'm traveling all over Italy, tired and worn out?  At first, I thought no, it's a vacation, leave the mat at home, you'll get enough exercise with walking.

But, then, yoga isn't just exercise.  It's my center, my grounding.  And I've come to look forward to my practice each day, I've worked hard to maintain this consistent practice over the last couple of years, no matter what.  Perhaps I shouldn't stop just because I'm in another country and on a "vacation."

Will I do yoga on a hotel room floor in Florence, on a balcony in Rome, outside the monastery of Assisi?  The last one may be a stretch and get me some weird looks from the Franciscan monks, but the other two I can picture. Though it's something extra to carry, I think the mat is worth packing, even if it's just 5-10 minutes a day to stretch, center and unwind after jetlag, travel, walking miles and miles every day, the general exhaustion of travel and let's face it - all that divine pasta!

So, the decision is made.  My new trusty travel mat is in my backpack along with my other necessities and I'm ready to experience Italy in all its glory and nature.  Taking yoga out of the norm and into different settings while traveling has always been an interesting endeavor in opening up my perspective (and has resulted in some of my favorite yoga experiences I've ever had), so I hope this will be no exception and that I will be able to bring back some good Italian yoga stories to share in two weeks.   Until then, ciao!

A Day Away

A Day Away, Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Maya Angelou wrote that we all need A Day Away, especially women, since we so often put others' needs before our own.  The Jewish tradition celebrates shabbis, one day of the week that is a temple in time, a time when everything outside is let go and your attention is brought to the center of your life, or the holy "f" trinity - family, friends and FOOD! :)   From sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, you focus your attention away from outside distractions and celebrate a family dinner, say prayers, sing songs, and give thanks to God.   Orthodox Jews take the rules of shabbis very strictly and won't cook, turn on lights or drive on this day, truly following the "no labor" laws.

Most of us don't have the need or determination to take it as old school as the Orthodox, but there's something about this day away that is a great idea for everyone, no matter what belief or religious affiliation.  But, for some reason, most of us have a hard time with this, even though it is a commandment in the biblical tradition.  We are "too busy" and have too many committments.  We have to work on Sundays, keep engagements, catch up with things that we didn't have time to during the week, etc.

Several years ago, during graduate school, I decided to make Saturdays my "free day."  For this one day, from morning until night, I turned off the phone, put away my school books and work responsibilities and didn't check my email at all.  I did things I wanted to do, like yoga, going out to eat, taking a hike or walk, watching a good movie, etc. Basically, I allowed myself to get "out of my head" and into the world, which is an easy thing to forget about when you're in grad school.  I've kept this tradition for the most part ever since.

Each weekend, I try to allow at least a few hours of "alone" time, either on a Saturday or Sunday, in which I do a longer session of yoga (45 minutes to an hour) than I usually have time for during the week.  I put on some chill music, like Stan Getz or Stacey Kent, read a magazine or book, watch a great film that only I have been wanting to see, take a nap, etc.  I don't answer the phone (and put it on mute).  I don't check facebook or email.  I don't grade or do schoolwork, though several years later, I still fight the guilt not to "get a head start" on things for the week or "catch up" on things.   Instead, I tell myself, "those things will get done during the work week.  Right now is quiet time."   An entire day is ideal.  But even if it's only for a couple of hours, take this day away.

Let go of the guilt.  Because the fact is, without some alone time, some quiet time to ourselves each week to recharge our batteries, we will end up overworked, stressed out and resentful, and not giving 100% of what we could if we were rested and recharged.  Think of it as quality vs quantity.

And just remember, according to biblical tradition, even the divine herself took a day to rest after her busy week!

Here is an excerpt of Maya Angelou's "A Day Away" to meditate on this week.  Picture Maya's beautiful face and deep voice telling you, "Child, take a break already."  How can you say no to Maya? :)

"On the eve of my day of absence, I begin to unwrap the bonds which hold me in harness. I inform housemates, my family and close friends that I will not be reachable for twenty-four hours; then I disengage the telephone. I turn the radio dial to an all-music station, preferably one which plays the soothing golden oldies. I sit for at least an hour in a very hot tub; then I lay out my clothes in preparation for my morning escape, and knowing that nothing will disturb me, I sleep the sleep of the just.

On the morning I wake naturally, for I will have set no clock, nor informed my body timepiece when it should alarm. I dress in comfortable shoes and casual clothes and leave my house going no place. If I am living in a city, I wander streets, window-shop, or gaze at buildings. I enter and leave public parks, libraries, the lobbies of skyscrapers, and movie houses. I stay in no place for very long.

On the getaway day I try for amnesia. I do not want to know my name, where I live, or how many dire responsibilities rest on my shoulders. I detest encountering even the closest friend, for then I am reminded of who I am, and the circumstances of my life, which I want to forget for a while.

Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.

Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.

Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spaces of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops.

If we step away for a time, we are not, as many may think and some will accuse, being irresponsible, but rather we are preparing ourselves to more ably perform our duties and discharge our obligations."

Question for the week:  What is something you do (or not do) during your "day away"?

Stress

This just about sums it up

I get stressed.  I get overwhelmed.  I commit to too many things.  I have a neurotic tendency to not just want, but need to do everything at 150%.   I find myself carrying the weight of others' burdens.  Not because they ask, but because as an emotional inclined person, I find myself affected when loved ones are suffering.

At the same time, I try to be a Yogi every single day.  Even with practicing yoga, I get angry.  I get emotional.  I get aggravated.  And mostly it is due to stress.   How do we manage our stress?  How do we maintain the calmness and tranquility we feel in our practice?  Each day, I try to find anywhere from 20-45 minutes to roll out my mat, breathe, stretch and have a feeling of peace and calmness during my practice.  But, then how do we maintain this and bring it into the world?   How do we remain Stoic ("calm under all circumstances") when life overwhelmes us and gives us a great burden?

This week has got me thinking about this. The past few weeks have been stressful for a number of reasons and this week, serendipitously, I'm teaching about the subjects of Buddhism and Stoicism in different classes, both which advocate a certain amount of detachment to the ebbs and flows of life.

This has always appealed to me - a certain amount of detachment, or the "it won't really matter" philosophy when unpleasant things happen or unexpected stresses come my way.   Yet, as a very emotionally based, intuitive, open, "feel things" kind of person, I find it an interesting balance to achieve.  How do you stay detached and calm without becoming apathetic or numb?  How do you stay connected and empathetic without becoming emotionally spent all the time?

Buddhists say to follow the Eightfold Path.  Yogis say to practice the Eight Limbs.  Christians, Hindus, Muslims all have other advice (which come to think of it, usually involve some number - the 10 commandments, the 5 Pillars, etc.)    This week, I realized that at its most simple foundation, having an authentic connection and conversation with someone is one way to walk this line, a way to reconnect with ourselves in times of stress and feeling like we can't handle any more.    To have an authentic exchange, to share and to have someone say, "I know exactly how you feel" and mean it was enough to let my shoulders down this week.  It was a reminder that I can live through these stresses and burdens, and that I can hopefully learn something and grow through them which will make me a stronger, calmer yogi.

Yoga is not just about stretching, balancing or looking tranquil.  It is about living life, the good and bad, the storms and the calm, encountering the quiet peaceful people and the aggressive hostile ones in our lives, but all the while remaining who we are, remaining authentically grounded.   But we are humans after all, and sometimes it is harder than others.    :)

5 Suggestions for Alleving Stress

1)Make yourself some "me" time.  After you get a certain amount of work and necessary obligations filled, take an hour to spend with yourself, doing what YOU want to do, whether that's taking a bath, watching a film, reading a book, taking a nap or stretching out onto your yoga mat.

2)Get and try to stay organized.  This is preventative medicine and can save a lot of time and hassle in your daily life.  Make lists for things.  Check them off as you do them.  This eliminates anxiety over what needs to be done and if you're forgetting anything and also gives a sense of satisfaction as you check each item off.

3) Turn off your phone for a few hours.  Or at least don't feel like you have to answer every time the phone rings.  You can call them back later.  Do the same with email, facebook, etc.  The world will be okay if you don't check your facebook today.

4)  Learn to say "no."  Say a "healthy no" to committments when you have too much on your plate or need some recharge time.   Let go of the guilt.  The world will be okay if you take a break.

5)  Get frisky with your partner.  Aside from feeling fantastic and being a great way to connect with your other half, it's a stress reliever.  I'm just sayin...

Question:  What is one thing that helps you relieve stress in your life?  What is something that you can suggest to help others who easily get overwhelmed?

Take a breather and lay down in the sun for a few..



Stillness

The ice storm has forced us to be quiet and still.

I am grateful for the solitude.

Let's Talk About Sex

Penis graffiti, Vienna, Austria



Does yoga, a practice associated with celibates and monks and yogis, have anything to do with sex?    One only needs to look at Sting, a devout yoga practitioner (and certified yoga teacher), and his alleged decade-long Tantric practice to sense an answer to this - YES!

Yoga has approached the sensual in a variety of ways.  Some yogis simply don't do it.  They would rather focus their spiritual energy elsewhere.  Luckily, many of us are both yogis and sensual beings and are able to balance this in an authentic way.

What made me think of this topic was a DVD I did this week, a "Kama Sutra" session, a kind of "dancing-and-getting-your-groove-on-with-your-sensual-yogi-self" kind of program.  A Christmas present given to me a few weeks ago, at first I wasn't sure what to expect or if it would be nothing but cheesy.  But, I was impressed to see that by the end of the 45 minute or so session, I felt the way the teacher had promised, invigorated, energized and...very sensual.  

The slow shifting of the hips, the movement of the body, the curving of the back, gliding your open palms up and down your waist and legs, it was all quite...stirring.  (The fact that the teacher was a breathtakingly beautiful and exotic woman obviously and proudly in touch with her sensual self didn't hurt much either).    What I found interesting though was that not one move - not one - was overtly sexual at all.  Each individual move and instruction was innocent enough and were just variations of any number of yoga positions or belly dancing moves I had experienced in class before.  But perhaps it was the intention, the energy in which they were done...the mojo of the moves, so to speak?

Whatever it was, it made me think about being a yogi who yearns for the spiritual and who is equally a sensual human being who cherishes being in the body and enjoying love's beauties with my loving (and very sexy) partner. There is no contradiction, for yogis for centuries have declared "Tantric Yoga" to be a vehicle for spiritual enlightenment, the union of the bodies symbolizing the union of our soul with God.  Tantra goes beyond physical pleasure or lust to a genuine oneness (at-one-ment) that connects you with the divine through the love and connection you share with your partner.  Divine union through sensual connection allows us to realize our complements in each other.

Ultimately, it's about interconnectedness, trust, and love.  In most Eastern religious traditions, spirituality and sensuality do not have to be mutually exclusive.  The story of Krishna is one such example.  A playful, trickster God, he flirts with the cowgirls, but his heart belongs to his beloved, Radha.  They have a passionate, sensual love.  Yet, he is deity.  When my students' jaws drop at the idea of God having sex, I tell them the the general idea from the Hindu perspective is...why wouldn't God, if God takes human form, experience one of life's most incredible, powerful, divine gifts of love?  A gift from God her/himself...

So, take some time this week, in a place of safety and love and respect, play some Mazzy Star or Nora Jones (or Al Green, maybe? Whatever, ahem, no pun intended...turns you on) and get in touch with yo' sensual self!

Questions of the week:  Why do you think spirituality and sensuality are so often separated?  What are the sacrifices of this?  What are the benefits of recognizing the connections between the two?

Is Yoga a Religion?

Shadow of Tibetan Buddhist Wheel on marble floor, Bodh Gaya, India



The entire appeal of yoga, to me at least, is that it is much more than just physical exercise.  It is true that the discipline or school of yogic philosophy originated within the context of rich religious traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sufism.  However, by and large, most yoga practitioners, both ancient and modern, agree that while very spiritually infused and influenced, yoga, in and of itself, does not fit the traditional definition of a "religion."

Even so, this does not negate the strongly infused spiritual components of yoga practice.  Many of these are directly from Hindu thought, such as karma (cause and effect), ahimsa (nonviolence), the use of mantra (prayer), yamas and niyamas (ethical principles) and much more.

There are several different paths of yoga as well as 8 limbs to Patanjali's system in the Yoga Sutras.  This "Father of Yoga" outlined a system of practice several hundred years (some argue a couple of thousand) after it began in which only one of these are physical postures (asana).  The rest are committed to meditation, ethical practice, with the last four all dedicated to our evolution of spiritual enlightenment or samadhi, our ultimate peace/oneness.  Early on, yoga claimed a rich history of development among forest rishis and spiritual seekers in India in which these spiritual principles were practiced and taught.

But these topics all deserve their own blog (and shall receive it) to explore these important aspects in more detail.  Meanwhile, let's simply contemplate the definition of yoga to find its spiritual nature.

What is Yoga?  Usually, it is defined as "union" or "to yoke" in the sanskrit.  It is a uniting, but of what?  Modern yogis tell us it's a union between body and mind.  Others say it's a union of ourselves with our true nature.  In more religious contexts, specifically Hinduism, we are uniting Atman (the inner divinity/soul) with the greater Brahman (Absolute/Ultimate Force/God).  Yoga is a vehicle to connect us, not only with ourselves, but with the Divine (God) within ourselves.  Through yoga, we remember that we are not alone, that we are part of something greater - the Divine.

The Bhagavad Gita (Gandhi's favorite text) defines yoga as "a path of freedom from bondage" while the ultimate guidebook, the Yoga Sutras, begins by defining yoga as yoga chitta vritti nirodahah, or roughly, "Yoga is the Stoppings of the Turnings of the Mind."  We must settle the choppy waters of our mind if we are to see things clearly and attain true peace.

Possibly because yoga is not a religion per se is what makes its intuitive philosophy able to blend so harmoniously with virtually any religious tradition or belief.  My "JewBu" friend always says, "Being a Buddhist makes me a better Jew."  Likewise, for many others, practicing yoga can complement and enhance their Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, etc.

Can you practice yoga without adhering to any of the spiritual aspects?  Well, sure.  And you could still have a fantastic class or session and feel wonderful and energized aftewards.  Compared to classical era Indian rishis, we Westerners have the luxury to practice the postures without any of the rest.  But, my goodness, is it such a luxury after all when there is so much more offered within yoga's layers than a good workout?

It is often said that you don't have to be spiritual to do yoga, but chances are if you do yoga on any regular basis, you will probably wind up a little more spiritually minded or at least curious of how to take those principles "off the mat."  And that is the ultimate goal in yoga, to achieve peace and bring it into the world.
Take some time this week to devote to your spiritual self, however you may do that.

Question:  What is something that nourishes you spiritually?

Naps nourish kitties and ourselves...



Silence

Under the Bodhi Tree, Bodh Gaya, India

Last week, I went to a local Buddhist temple for a yoga class being taught there.  When I showed up, not a single person was there.  The doors were unlocked, so I went inside, slipped off my shoes and entered the quiet sanctuary.  I sat down on a zafu (zen pillow) and faced the Buddha and let my breath quiet and deepen.  After about 15 minutes, I realized no one was showing up for the yoga class and wondered if I had gotten the time wrong or if just, with the holidays, the class had been canceled. 

I thought about leaving, but then realized I had an entire Buddhist sanctuary to myself and decided to utilize it.  The sign on the door for their daily meditation instructed you to quietly light the incense, ring the bell and begin your practice.  And so I did.   I lit the incense and candle in front of the serene, wooden Buddha, sitting in meditation with a joyful smile across his face.  I rang the bell and then rolled out my yoga mat across the wooden floors.

As I moved through my practice, I became pleasantly aware of that all I could hear was my ujaayi breathing (deep breathing through the nose).  I realized that it's very rare, if ever, that I practice yoga in complete silence.  I usually have music, or a guided DVD, or the sounds of the lake and birds if I'm outside at my dock, or even if I attempt silence consciously during my indoor practice, it is always interrupted by the barks and chaos of a puppy chasing some very vocal cats across my mat.

Here, the muffled quiet of the sanctuary reminded me of a field covered by a thick blanket of snow, that beautiful silence that we are so unaccustomed to.

In this silence, I could hear the tick tick ping of the heaters coming on and off, the creaks of the old pipes and the occasional whoosh of a car in the distance.  But mostly, I just heard my breath, in and out, like ocean waves, in this warm room, full of sunlight.   Each time I came up into a pose, I saw the Buddha and couldn't help but smile back at his own contagious grin.

There is a reason why silent retreats are so popular at centers and ashrams.  In an overly verbally stimulted world, we are constantly assaulted with sound and stimulation.  Gandhi used to take a day a week to be in silence.  I often think of doing this (how incredible would that be?) but is this even possible in our day to day world?

In the film (and book), Eat, Pray, Love, Liz Gilbert attempts to take a vow of silence at her ashram, but is thwarted by an appointment to be "Miss Suzie Creamcheese" and help other guests acclimate to the ashram environment.  Sometimes, even with the good intention to quiet ourselves and listen more, life takes precedence.

At the end of my practice, I felt a powerful sensation of strength and quietness.  I sat on a zafu in front of the Buddha, a tiny transplant branch of the Bodhi tree from India to my left. (Buddha became enlightened under this Bodhi tree 2500 years ago).  I had to smile because it was under the massive, outstretched Bodhi Tree, on the other side of the world in India, in a sea of chanting Tibetan monks that I had an overwhelming experience of intense gratitude and sheer wonder of life and God and well...everything.  Now, 8 years later and only 12 minutes from my house, I was having a similar feeling, under this little bodhi tree branch, in the silence of this sanctuary, by myself.

The Tao Te Ching says that there's no need to travel all over the world seeking, that we can find God without every stepping outside of our door, that God is within us all the time.  Very Wizard of Oz.   

This week, if you can, take a half hour, or even just a few minutes, to be in silence.  Unplug, disconnect, close the door and just be.  See how you feel.

I'll leave you with this great clip sent to me by a wonderful student this week that fits perfectly with our topic.  John Cage, in a very Zen like philosophy, said that he wanted the audience to appreciate the music and sounds that came out of silence.  So, he created this piece so that each time it was "played," the experience (what the audience heard) would be different and unique and this would be the music, the creation.   What do you think?

Question of the week:   Have you ever had an positive experience because of taking time for silence?  When has silence benefitted you in your daily or spiritual life?

Banjo enjoys the beauty of silence