Smallness

ames — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:53:31 +0000

At yoga tonight we did 1.5 hours of restorative practice. “An ideal time of year,” said my yoga teacher who read us poetry during some of the long poses. Two poems were by David Whyte. A few final lines caught me in one poem:

“… anyone or anything

that does not make you feel alive

is too small for you.”

*15 December

It doesn’t need filling all the time

ames — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:32:01 +0000

I love the quiet time just before Yoga class. No music, no talking. Everyone just sits there as if someone has pressed the pause button. After everyone rushes to be there after busy days it’s a strange space to be in. Look at peoples faces, some look awkward not sure where to look, or what to do when there is nothing to do but sit there. Some look relieved, to have made it on time perhaps? Some look like they want to talk, to fill the space. How often do we sit, doing nothing in a group of people, not talking? Just letting the empty air be there. Very rarely does this occur, which is why I love it.

Less is more

ames — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:36:26 +0000

When I came to Manchester it was finally time to get stuck into Yoga. It had been on my list of intentions for a long time – to get into a regular routine of it but with other priorities always taking precedence it kept getting bumped to the bottom of the list.

Since July I’ve been to 1-2 classes a week. Now that I am working I can only get to one around work, but now know enough to do it before work by myself at home. Having this little routine before work makes the day more spacious, and not feel as though I get up, go to work, get home, go to bed, get up, go to work and so on. I hate it when I have days like that. Not making time for exercise or hobbies robs me of any motivation. Apathy quickly envelopes all will or want to do anything.

Yoga is a deceiving activity. The most gentlest classes has an effect for days, and I notice the benefits in my posture, my running, and generally having more cohesion in the way my body moves and works. It really flows with the less is more philosophy. I like the subtly.

Last week when I saw the contemporary dance thing at the Lowry it was very inspiring, and there were a lot of Yoga moves in it. Funnily enough my Yoga teacher was there to. A part of the essence of Yoga, of being in the body relates to fine movements, and rhythm which correlates with dance perfectly. So KC and I are off to dance lessons this winter! Really looking forward to that.

Last week was by far the hardest Yoga class I’ve ever done. We were hanging off ropes, doing all sorts of physical balance work – my body was humming for hours, and I slept like a baby. Loved it! In a couple of weeks I’m doing a day workshop on practice to support the body in winter which will be fascinating.

With the impending darkness physical activity is important. I always find if I can establish a routine early in winter it seems like the winter is less hard, and the endorphins are always energising. Since I work in a bat cave with no natural light (though we are moving soon and hope to have real light!) I’m going to get a light lamp as an alarm clock that also helps with seasonal disorders. In particularly grey NZ winters I am really affected by it, and occasionally went on a sun bed for bright light, with warmth. It worked a treat! Alarm clock light devices gradually wake you up, as does the sun. Waking myself up in the dark is like trying to wake a hibernating bear after a hard night out. So following the Yoga philosophy, supporting the body, using systems, and gentleness with regular practice I’m hoping the winter will be a breeze. And dance classes will add to the winter fun!

snippets of everything » Yoga

Smallness

It doesn’t need filling all the time

Less is more