space

creating space, the topic of a yoga class I recently attended. creating space within, as a tool to help us get into a pose. creating space, taking it slowly, letting go of the result, working on the way to a pose - creating space inside yourself to let all this happen.

you're fully within, spacious and non-attached, focused, breathing. and maybe for a little moment all feels right, your body might take you somewhere you never thought you could go...Samyama.

full concentration and meditative mind lead you to that split second of bliss. and as my teacher mentioned, it happens all the time. not necessarily in a yogic context. but it's the moment we fully engage with what we do, set our attention, in a non-attached way.

to me practicing with creating space within my body and enjoying the lightness this brings - to mind and body - gave my practice a whole new experience.

for quite some time now I am comfortable going to any place to practice. to roll out my mat and with that have my space. no matter how close the mat of another practitioner in class is. no matter how close to me the kids do, well, whatever they do. no matter how many people at the park are interested in what I am doing. I usually find my focus and concentration, most of the time not even knowing who was practicing next to me.

to me this was quite an achievement. I do avoid crowded places, noisy places... so for me the next step is to take this focus and concentration off my mat and into all the places I need or want to go. taking me to the point - taking the Yoga out of the studio and off the mat - where the "real" Yoga happens - everyday life.

knowing that this is what you want one day, maybe the reason you started this practice. fully aware that it's a step by step process - practicing patience.

some places I teach at have a mirrored wall and I observe so many students constantly checking themselves in the mirror.

from time to time this can be wonderful and the mirror can be your reminder of little alignment issues. for the ones who just started Asana practice though it makes it so much harder to stay focused and feel.

that's why right now I am trying to help this students to avoid looking in the mirror or at least take the time to get into a pose, feel it and then, if they really can't help it, have a look.

and believe me, as much patience as this takes from my students, it also does ask my patience. I need to remind myself how I did just the same thing when I started this Asana journey and how tempted I can still be when the mirror is there.

looking at all this, my concentration and focus starts with the moment I roll out my mat. at home or at a studio, outdoors... no matter where. I set my space. the space I use to create more space within to concentrate to focus to maybe take me to a little moment of full bliss in my yoga practice. this I absorb and take with me once I step off the mat, back into everyday life. 

here and now

here and now I am grateful for...

...chocolate.
...the fresh air after rain.
...music.
...the time I take for myself.
...knowing what I want and at the same time letting it go.
...words that touch me and help me grow.

how about you?

Monday Mantra

IN SAVASANA I TRUST

"any fool can be fussy and rid himself of energy all over the place, but he has to have something in him before he can settle down to do nothing." (J.B. Priestley)

Shavasana, Savasana (shah-vah-sah-nah; Sanskrit: शवासन; IAST: śavāsana), or Corpse Pose is an asana.
The name comes from the Sanskrit words Shava (शव, Śava) meaning "corpse", and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".
It is intended to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.

are you looking forward to the last part of Yoga class? are you dreading this moments in final relaxation, make up your shopping list or simply press your eyelids together and want time to pass quickly?

yes, the final relaxation, spend in Savasana, can be tough. not only for the ones who have troubles being still, relaxing, allowing their body and mind a break. also for the ones who do look forward to it, it might be easier to relax the body and let it be still, but to quiet the mind is always a different matter.

I usually try to give my students at least 10min in Savasana, best 15! for me as a teacher this is not an easy task as well. in a time where all people want is move and sweat, be powerful and strong!

luckily most students, especially with time, start to see the necessity of this relaxation time and usually start to look forward to it, allowing themselves this special time at least when in Yoga class!

still, there is always a few who have big troubles. first of all to keep their body still... the oh so simple can be quite hard for some, who, for example, simply can't allow their eyes to close.

for me as a teacher, this is where all my energy is needed.  this students need time to learn how to relax, and most of all need good guidance towards doing so. most of the time I notice one of this students in class, I'd do guided deep relaxation at the end.

adjusting the students body in Savasana also became more important to me over the years.

when I started teaching, as I wasn't trained to do so, I would guide relaxation but never adjust in Savasana. now, and especially as I love to be adjusted in Savasana myself, I think it is very important to do so. why?

some students are just not aligned. mainly in Savasana I see neck and head not in line with the spine, arms totally uneven, shoulders pulled up... in any case I would start with guiding the class through tensing and relaxing body parts before settling in and for most students that would do the trick. nevertheless there might still be one or the other misalignment and that's where I'd definitely go hands on!

honestly I do in most classes, as in my opinion it gives extra energy. there is a lot of strong feelings out there towards hands on adjustments and one should definitely know what you do. now I do not want to discuss this further, but tell you that this is how I teach and prefer to be taught - if done properly of course!

most comments after class are usually about my adjustments in final relaxation  - so far only positive. and as much as I give energy, especially by adjusting and guiding final relaxation, I do get energy back as well. when I feel that a student can let go and trust my hands, relax just a little further, I can see faces soften and worry-lines get a little less...

sit down and be still myself.

so I do trust in the power of Savasana and mostly tend to skip doing another pose towards the end of class,  to have enough time left for proper relaxation.

really allowing the body to rest completely in this time. allowing the mind to be as still as possible and just gently keep pushing away all this thoughts that for sure will find their way in. knowing that with every practice it might get easier :-)

Monday Mantra

Om Namah Shivaya

"I bow to Shiva"

Shiva, the supreme reality, the inner self - the name given to consciousness that exists in all. Shiva, your true identity, your true self.

"It has been said about this mantra that if this mantra vibrates continually in your heart, then you have no need to perform austerities, to meditate, or to practise yoga. To repeat this mantra you need no rituals or ceremonies, nor must you repeat it at an auspicious time or in a particular place." This mantra is free of all restrictions. It can be repeated by anyone, young or old, rich or poor and no matter what state a person is in, it will purify the person."