What are YOU afraid of? (In honor of Halloween, of course!)

"I am not fearless. I get scared plenty. But I have also learned how to channel that emotion to sharpen me." -Bear Grylls (of "Man Vs. Wild" on the Discovery Channel)


There's one thing in my life that I'm sure of: uncertainty. I am quite afraid of what I don't know. Why am I afraid? Because that makes me vulnerable. I hate being vulnerable. I like being strong and I prefer to know it all. I'm also a bit of a control freak. I like being sure of everything.


We all know that is an impossibility.


However, one of the unexpected benefits I've experienced from my yoga practice is that it's helped me deal with my fears. Really!


One of our homework assignments for yoga school was to work on our handstands. Do you remember trying those early on in life? They were something I did pretty often, actually, as I was in gymnastics when I was very young. But we certainly don't do them as adults! They are practiced in yoga because they're a form of inversion. Inversions help to "reset" our bodies, if you will. They aid with circulation. For many people they can be a pretty awkward part of class because it requires getting into a position they're not used to - upside down!


I have been practicing these handstands in our living room at home in the evenings, while my husband is relaxing on the couch. And he has gotten scared! He's mentioned he's afraid I might crash into something or hit the wall. It's so adorable. But...he's right. I might! (I haven't, though...YET...)


Him saying that made me realize that I used to be scared of handstands, too. In fact, I used to be scared of yoga in general. When I first started practicing, it was a big deal for me to just show up to class because it was so difficult when I started out. Eventually I got to try handstands and those were just nerve-wracking at the time. But, I still kept on practicing. I fell down several times...and so did most of the other people in class! Every time handstands were done in any class, I felt like we were having a little session where we were all a little scared, but we just dealt with the fear and did the handstands anyway.


This also resonated with the rest of my life - my life outside of yoga. I've felt myself say a little more often that I just don't have all the answers. I've also been a little more accepting of the days where I just feel like I have no idea what's going to happen. I've started to trust that what needs to happen, will. And, I've made many mistakes. I have fallen down...but I have gotten back up. Then I just try again!


What are you afraid of? Why? What if you just tried it? What if you fell down? And...so what if you did?


I would ask that you try a handstand...just one time...but, I don't think that handstands are for everyone. On the other hand, I definitely wanted to share how much doing something you're afraid of can make you so much stronger. Also, it doesn't have to be something that you get over immediately. I grew stronger and stronger each time I practiced yoga. It took years for me to feel comfortable in my practice. And...you know what? I'm still learning about ways to grow in my practice. I'm also still learning to deal with the mistakes I make in life.


I think I've concluded, as well, that all of us are afraid. But who cares? Based on my experiences with yoga, and consequently, in my life, this quote comes to mind:


"Feel the fear...and do it anyway." -Susan Jeffers


Happy Halloween!


Sarah

"Ohhhhhmmmmm..." and other super awkward things about yoga

Yoga can be really confusing if you don't understand it.


Case in point: saying the chant, "Om". Well, more like, "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM."


What the HECK does that even MEAN?


The first time I ever experienced the chanting of "Om" in a yoga class I felt extremely awkward! I had zero clue WHY we were doing this "Om" thing or what exactly the point was. I did do it along with the class...though extremely quietly...and I stopped doing it long before anyone else. Since then, I've experienced it at several other classes, and by then I knew what to expect, so I did it too. After several more times, I found that at the end of it there was this really cool silence. It was kind of calming.


Well, finally, I found out what it meant at yoga teacher training this last weekend. One of the main themes of yoga is that we're all connected in some way. And we're all on a journey together. And we're all moving, too! Humans, animals, nature, the Earth, the sun, the galaxy, the universe. And that collective noise we're all making - it's "Om"!


Now I think "Om" is the coolest thing. I love that we're all connected. I love that we can simulate that noise. And the silence after we chant "Om" is now more calming to me than ever.


Through my years of practice and at yoga teacher training, I've learned about some other of the things about yoga that are pretty darn awkward.


Some people think that yoga is a religion. Or a cult. Whenever it was brought up in conversation with me, I just changed the subject, because I didn't really know how to explain how it wasn't a religion. (There I go, feeling awkward again!) According to our yoga school instructor, yoga is not religion because there isn't an assigned deity (example: God) or necessary rituals that most religions assign to commemorate some sort of rite of passage. Each class is different...and during it, we're not worshipping anything.


And...actually, it's helped enhance my own personal religious beliefs. I still consider myself a novice Christian. I was only officially baptized as a Lutheran several years ago. Practicing yoga has led me to listen to my body more...treat it better, if you will...as God says we're all of Him. I've also been more in tune with what's around me - as in, I see things that happen to me as little lessons, or I learn from what I see. I also have a little bit more gratitude. When I found out what "Om" meant, I totally agreed with the concept because I already believe we're all of the same maker.


Another awkward conversation happened to one of my fellow yoga teacher students. Her mother-in-law thought that practicing yoga was narcissistic. Now, I could actually believe this one. One of the recurring themes in yoga is to concentrate on the self. Bettering the self. To be self-centered. But the definition of a narcissist is someone that is obsessed with oneself. They're extremely vain and egotistical. They're full of pride...in a negative way. Yoga concentrates on improving the self...in a positive way. Yes, it's about self-love. But it's also about loving everything else because we're all connected!


Now...to talk about THAT word.


Namaste. All of those yoga folks seem to say it.


What the heck IS namaste? Basically, it's a greeting. It's Sanscrit (the root language of many Indian languages). It's similar to "Aloha" in Hawaiian in that it can be used to say hello or goodbye. But, it is SO much more than that. Roughly, it means that the light in me honors the light in you. It's the verbal showing of sincere mutual respect. It commemorates the oneness between two people.


And...I found this beautiful picture that describes Namaste in its entirety!

I can totally see how some people may have drawn the conclusions they have about yoga based on what they've heard. And, I can definitely relate to any apprehension they may have felt...because I felt super awkward when I started doing it, too! After learning what I have, I am trying to not jump to conclusions about other things that I hear. I really respect those who are open minded and actually take the time to learn about something they don't understand. What is heard and passed around is not always truth. And, I've learned THIS lesson all too well - assuming certainly does make an a** out of you and me...because, whenever I assumed, I was usually wrong!


On that note...NAMASTE!


Sarah

For a yogi...it's not always about WHAT you eat, it's HOW you eat.

My last post centered on how there are some misconceptions surrounding the lifestyle of a yoga teacher or yoga lover. One of those misconceptions was that in order to be a yogi, you have to be vegetarian. This is most certainly not true! According to our instructor (who pays close attention to these kind of facts), about 85% of all yoga teachers are NOT vegetarian. She also said that in our yoga school curriculum we would not be concentrating on any sort of diet or way of eating because - simply put - each and every person is different.


You see, she grew up with many food allergies and this led to the discovery that a primarily plant-based diet works the best for her. Some people who practice yoga thrive on the foods that bother her the most. However, she did share some tips that have helped both her and others thrive in their yoga practices and in their lives. 


One tip was that you can never really go wrong eating fruits and vegetables. Adding more of them is always good, and eating richly-colored ones usually have the most nutrients.


Another is that simplicity is usually the best way to go. What did your grandparents and great-grandparents recognize as food? The majority of what they ate did not come in a box or package pre-made with lots of added sugars, fats, salt, and fake ingredients. They usually had home-cooked meals with simple ingredients.


Simplicity is also probably a factor in why so many Americans lately suffer from some sort of indigestion. We're eating a bunch of fake food! Avoiding artificial ingredients, additives, and preservatives will most certainly help with stomach issues. Read what's on the list of ingredients on the label. Can you pronounce what it says? Do you know what it is without having to Google it to find out?


The final tip she shared I think is the most important one. It has to do with a very important part of being a yogi - mindfulness. (Don't run away just yet! It's NOT the same as meditation!) Mindfulness has to do with awareness of yourself and your environment. It's basically recognizing what your body needs and listening to its cues. That means eating when you're actually hungry (and not out of boredom or because you're stressed or sad) and on the flipside, when you feel full, STOP. There is no need to finish what's on your plate if your body is saying, "Hey! I don't need more!" This is how one becomes overweight. 


This tip ties into a section of a book that is required for our curriculum: Baron Baptiste's Journey Into Power. He has a very large chapter dedicated entirely to diet and how eating a certain way can help your practice and your life. The first of his eating "Guiding Principles" is to bring mindfulness to your eating habits. He states, "Two of the most fundamental truths of yoga are mindfulness and intention. Both are hardly ever as important as when you are eating. Would you shovel unhealthy food or monstrous portions if you were truly conscious of what you were doing?"


Well, would you?


He also invites us to think about food this way. "Everything you eat is either fuel that sustains and energizes you, or a burden that clogs and drains you." To him, intuition is important and the key to using intuition when eating is asking yourself: "What will this food cause in me?" How will you feel after eating it? Will you feel energized, or will you want to take a nap?


His basic eating premise is this: "It all comes down to eating consciously and cleanly. Eating clean isn't a requirement for having a yoga practice. But as you journey deeper into your power, you'll want to give up your negative eating habits," says Baron.


I adore this food mindset. I personally feel that if more people followed it that we'd have a much healthier world. What do you think?


Thanks for reading! I wish a healthy day to you!


P.S. - If you'd like to leave a comment but don't have an account on any of the platforms listed, feel free to leave it on the Facebook post of this entry. Thanks!

Perception is bull.

Generally, if you practice yoga regularly or are a yoga teacher, a few perceptions might surround you.


And...these perceptions are bull crap.


That's why I aim to dispel these perceptions IMMEDIATELY.


One of the discussions that took place during my second day of yoga teacher training involved vegetarianism. The instructor of the class asked everyone: "Is anyone here vegetarian?" There are ten people in our class. Only three raised their hands. We discussed how it seems that there is a general notion that all people who practice yoga do not eat meat or animal products. Based on our class, this is obviously not the case!


Then she said, "Does anyone meditate?" As soon as that word -  meditate -  was said, I gasped. I felt out of place - naked, in a sense.


Get this, you guys. I DON'T MEDITATE. In fact, I'm still a skeptic of if. I wonder even if it'll really help me at all. I do hear about it pretty often from yoga peers, health Web sites, and resources where I've learned how to cope with anxiety (in the past, I sought professional help for it). I just haven't taken the leap to try it. I know I haven't made the time but, again, I wonder if the time investment is worth it. I keep reading that it is. Part of me doesn't even want to believe it. I'm a complete and total Type A personality - let's chock it up to that.


Get this. When she asked the class, only ONE person raised their hand. I was relieved!


Based on this - does the average yogi meditate? NOPE!


Does the average yogi WANT to meditate? Maybe.


Do we all want to find a way to bring more peace to our lives? Probably.


One of our assignments is to try to meditate. We're supposed to start with a minute the first day, then add on an another minute each day - and then keep a meditation up for 10 minutes every day.
I'll be honest with you guys. I have no desire to meditate. Again, I'm a huge skeptic. I have a feeling I'm really going to struggle with this assignment. I'm kind of hoping that my perception of what meditation is and what it can do for me changes. I guess we'll see.


One final perception that can totally be blown out of the water about yogi people is that everyone is young and svelte and looks like a professional dancer or model. To me, this is the most hilarious perception that exists in the yoga world.


Are most people who practice yoga and/or teach it fit? Yes, they probably are. But does that mean they're skinny minnies? Absolutely not!


All of the others students attending yoga teacher training are from a variety of walks of life. A few are still in college while two are over 45. Most are mothers. And NO ONE looks like a model. And EVERYONE eats when it's lunchtime! (In fact, I gave props to a fellow student who was eating a few hard-boiled eggs as they're one of my favorite foods and I pretty much always get teased when I'm seen eating them! AND...yet another gal and I gushed over our love of quality wine. Yogis indulge, y'all!)


Basically what I'm trying to say is that what is heard and assumed regarding the lifestyle of someone who enjoys yoga can be wrong. As are most perceptions about anything and anyone. What is assumed is, in most cases, wrong. Perception is bull!


Peace and love and TRUTH to you!


Sarah

I'm going to show up...and I'm going to suck!

If you are reading this, you probably know me personally or via Facebook, and I just announced that I was beginning Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training in downtown Appleton at one of the best yoga studios in the area. One of the requirements of the class is that we reflect upon the class in some way. I've chosen to blog. I appreciate your interest in my adventures!

That being said...I realize I am just a student...but, on my first day of class, I SUCKED.

I totally believe that each of us is our own worst critic. I am no exception. However, one of the requirements to be admitted to yoga teacher training was to have attended yoga classes pretty regularly...and I've been taking classes several times a week for seven years. I'd like to think I know what differentiates a good yoga teacher from a bad one. But...for our first teaching exercise, I was pretty darn miserable!

The exercise was, very simply, to instruct another student to get onto one of the easiest yoga poses in existence - child's pose. I got into place for instructing: standing at the front of the yoga mat, facing the other student. The other "student" stood on her mat, ready for instruction. When our class instructor said to begin, I had no idea where to start! This felt extremely odd for a girl who's been known to, on occasion, say too much. I over-explain things to others all the time. How could I be at a loss to explain something I enjoy doing so much? I was dumbfounded!

I found this extremely difficult to explain to someone (even someone who does child's pose quite often!) on the spot. I slipped over my words. I stuttered. I wanted to say "touch your butt down towards your feet", but felt embarrassed to say "butt"!

(To clarify child's pose: imagine the act of bowing down to someone, as if to worship them. This is the down position. You're on your knees and they're splayed outwards, your forehead rests on the mat, your forearms and hands are pressed on the ground, outstretched in front of you. This should have been easy, right? Nope!)

A major reason I even signed up for yoga teacher training is because I thought I'd be good at it. We embark on many experiences in our life because we're pretty sure we're ready for them. This was actually a topic that was brought up by our instructor at class on the first day. When going for an interview, what are the chances we'd get hired if we have no experience whatsoever? Would we get the job? Heck, no!

However. Consider this.

Have you ever tried learning a completely different language...or attempted to learn to play an instrument you've never played before...or took a shot at painting or sculpting without having any prior experience with either...or tried out stick shift when you're used to automatic?

Did you immediately do this new skill well? Heck, no! You SUCKED!

I felt exactly the same way when I tripped over my words today trying to teach the simplest of all yoga poses to an experienced yogi!

Our instructor brought to light an interesting point regarding sucking at doing new things. As adults, we crave comfort. We rarely like to try learning something completely new for fear we might suck at it. But children take on learning differently than adults do. They're totally OK with sucking at doing something they didn't know how to do.

Wouldn't it be awesome if we just showed up to any new skill with confidence...even if we still sucked at it?

Yoga is called a practice for a reason. You simply do not become an expert at yoga overnight. In fact, many people who've been doing it for years still feel they've just begun their yoga journey. I myself may feel confident in a Power Yoga class...but if I attended a different kind of yoga, I'd probably feel a little foolish...like I sucked.

But isn't that OK? Certainly it is! We only get better at something by practicing it.

Baron Baptiste, the man who modernized Power Yoga to what it is today, had a similar experience when he began his yoga journey. He embraced the fact that he "sucked at yoga" and said, "I'm going to show up and suck until I show up and shine!"

What an excellent way to approach something new!

That's how I'm going to treat our next teaching exercise in class. I might suck at it...but I'm going to keep trying...until I shine at it, too!

Thank you for reading. Peace and love to you!

Sarah