Feedback Requested - Restorative Yoga

I'm soliciting feedback. I am considering doing some training in Restorative Yoga (click here to read about Restorative Yoga). I currently teach gentle Hatha Flow and Yin Yoga.

The reason I'm thinking of including Restorative in my teaching schedule is that a lot of people seem to really be drawn to the stress-reducing side of Yoga. However, having said that, I have way more students in Hatha Flow than in Yin. I think a lot of people don't feel ready to make that jump of holding the pose for longer. But Restorative is different in that you get to be very relaxed throughout the entire class (while in Yin you are really working at your edge).

If I do start teaching Restorative Yoga, I will be dropping Family Yoga from my schedule (although private sessions will still be available on request). If anyone has any feedback, I'd love to hear it.

Yoga for Men

I suspect most of my readers are women and I know most of my students are. However, I would also guess that most of you have a man in your life (spouse, dad, brother, friend) who you think would benefit from Yoga. Here's a great article to share with them:

8 Yoga Benefits for Men

What is Your Yoga Style?

I love this flowchart: What's Your Yoga?

Of course, some people might ask where the styles I teach are? Yin Yoga just doesn't appear on this chart. There are some others missing as well and that makes sense as there are limitations in preparing such a nice concise presentation. Hatha Yoga: that's a little more complicated. All physical Yoga is Hatha Yoga. So why do some classes have special names (i.e. Iyengar) and others just say Hatha (or in my case Hatha Flow)?

Physical yoga has gone down many paths, as evidenced by the flow chart and the vast number of Yoga studios and teachers out there. However, if the Yoga you teach (or practice) doesn't fall into one specialized category, Hatha is a good description for it. The Yoga I teach takes influences from Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga as well as other styles.

This flowchart is a neat tool to demonstrate how diverse the Yoga traditions are.

Staying Shallow or Going Deep

This thought has been on my mind over the last several months. Last night I was having a discussion with one of my students about my approach to things. How I have a tendency to both routine and change. And that I balance that (unconsciously) by getting in a rut. Rut, rut, rut (love that rut!). And then one day changing to a new rut. Mostly I'm fine with this and it seems to work to provide me both variety and stability.

However, that love of change can sometimes be a problem. And part of that is in my spiritual exploration. Exploring different ideas, different practices is a positive thing. Both from a personal perspective as well as a teaching one. So when does it become a problem?

When all I ever do is explore the surface of spiritual practices. When I just continue to putter but never really immerse myself. When I start to encounter something really great and then head off in another direction entirely.

A couple of months ago I made a conscious decision to explore a little less and delve a little more. My commitment-phobic "grass is always greener" brain doesn't love it, but I know it's the right move. I also know that choosing one path for now doesn't mean choosing it forever. I can still wander off to explore other paths; but I will also spend enough time exploring some of those paths to not cheat myself of the experience of going deep.

What's So Funny About Meditation

I haven't read this book yet, but it is definitely on my to do list:

Sit Illustrated

I love the idea of finding some levity in my meditative experience.

The Space In Between

I've been thinking about the space in between. The space in between here and there, the space in between now and then and the space in between the Yoga asanas (the transitions).

I first noticed it when I was at the Ashram in April. I noticed that while I might hold the poses slowly and mindfully, my transitions are often quite brisk. I think part of it is that I don't recognize the value of that space in between and the other part is that I like the feeling of moving quickly.

First, the feeling of moving quickly. Over the years, I've done a lot of higher speed athletic pursuits (rugby, running, racquetball, martial arts, dance). And there is an adrenaline rush associated with all of them along with a feeling of power and grace when I move quickly. I've always worked on my transitions in Yoga being graceful, but I've also done them fast. I've always liked a balance between fast and slow; the brisker transitions between slower poses lets me have that balance.

However, I think it's really important for me to recognize the value of the space in between. I'm always reaching somewhere. It's easy to spend too much time planning for the future or thinking about where the journey is taking me. I am trying to spend more time just enjoying the moment. Making my choices not necessarily on the basis of what it will bring me in the future but on what it gives me right now. The peace and serenity I get from my practice. The confidence I have in my body.

So, I may move through those transitions quickly, but I will take the time that is there to enjoy the movement, enjoy the moment and know that is all I have. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow each day and to do what I love!

Balian - Traditional Healers of Bali (Documentary)

I encourage my readers to check out this documentary project from Daniel McGuire:

Balian - Traditional Healthers of Bali

One of the Balinese healers featured uses a type of partner Yoga to treat patients. This is a great project that Daniel's involved with and you can help by donating to the production of the film or by spreading the word.

August Love List

20 things I'm loving right now:

1. BC Cherries.
2. Mystery novels.
3. The sight of the new greenhouse in our backyard.
4. Cob's Bread: now in Nanaimo!
5. My morning workouts.
6. My cat, determined to find a spot on my lap.
7. Sleeping in.
8. Summer popsicles.
9. Sharing Yoga with my students as we stretch our bodies.
10. Watermelon.
11. The new solar lights in the studio.
12. That feeling of relaxation as I surrender to the Yoga.
13. Fantastic crepe I had yesterday at Cafe Crepe in Vancouver.
14. My new sports bra and how damn good I look in it.
15. Getting to spend some time doing some contract work I really enjoy.
16. Inquiries from possible new students.
17. Our new snap off shower curtain (thanks Mom!).
18. Moving on to another of my favorite books for readings during class.
19. Wearing my hair back in a band. It's finally long enough and I love how it looks.
20. Warm (but not hot) summer days.

My Yoga Muses

I love this post from Everything Yoga on finding your muse. So what are my Yoga muses? What brings me back to my mat?

• That feeling I have when I'm really in a pose. When the only thing I'm focusing on is my body, my breath and that moment. Whether it's Downward Dog, Triangle or Sphinx, it's that feeling of connection.
• How well my body moves in Yoga and afterward, and how poorly it moves if I let my practice slide.
• That feeling I get when I do a pose for the first time (or sometimes for the hundredth time), when it was something I couldn't do before.
• How my Yoga mat feels like home, no matter where I am when I'm practicing.
• Those moments of serenity and peace that I experience while meditating, even if I'm not gifted with them every time I sit down.
• The absolute certainty I have that this is where I'm meant to be.

Yoga Mat Question

The following question was submitted on my Facebook page:

Nadine, I have a semi new yoga mat and it is so slippery I can't do some poses as far as I want to for fear of falling. Can you recommend any good mats that I'll 'stick' to? I need a mat as doing yoga on the carpet is just as slippy for me. Thanks!

My answer:

Before recommending options for new mats, there are a couple of things you could do with your existing mat if you haven't already tried them. First: wash the mat well (sometimes it takes a while for the new mat film to wear off otherwise). Second: try a towel over the mat with a little bit of water to help with traction.

If neither of those options works for you, a new mat is the way to go. In my experience, thicker mats are generally stickier. I also find conventional mats stickier (the ones with waffle construction rather than a different type of texture pattern). Several of my students swear by the inexpensive mats at Winners.

Another couple of things: don't apply lotion to your feet in the hour before you're going to use the mat and engage your feet (active pressure down through your foot). This will help you get the best grip you can on whatever mat you use.

Good luck!

Unplug at 8

I was just introduced to the GOOD website and, more importantly, their 30 day challenge. This month's challenge is to Unplug at 8.

No internet after 8 pm. I'm taking this challenge on. I rarely use the computer after 8 pm except for the occassional Google. What will be a challenge is my Blackberry. I'm pretty sure I'll feel some withdrawl not checking it in the late evening. I think I might put it in another room where I won't feel compelled to check it if the red light is flashing (or I could turn it off, but somehow that feels even more wrong).

How connected are you?

Gaining Clarity

I love how sometimes doing something that doesn't quite sit right helps to clarify where I'm going in my life.

I love teaching Yoga. I feel with every fibre of my being that it is what I'm meant to do with this life.

Earlier this week I was working at a Yoga Teacher Training camp. I loved the chance to work with the lovely goddesses taking the training. It was a rewarding experience being able to share with them and also to learn from each of their individual personalities.

However, working at the training camp isn't my purpose. While I may continue to work at the training camps on an occasional basis, I certainly affirmed that my studio is where I belong. I just know in my heart that the best place for me is to share Yoga on an individual basis.

My long term plans do include helping to train other Yoga teachers on modifications for their students, but my primary purpose is to work with my students on developing their practices (asana, meditation, pranayama, etc).

I am grateful for this opportunity to gain clarity and focus. And very happy to be back in the studio teaching.