Some thoughts to share with my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Today was both day of sadness and celebration. Today was our Yoga Teacher Training Graduation day and the past six to seven months have completely transformed my life. Many people have seen a change in me and I hope it was for the better. I thank the congratulations from my friends and the growth of strength of my ties to my family and friends because of the practice. I thank the 20 others who have joined me on this journey and I will miss these gatherings of pure learning and enjoyment. I thank Tracy Mann and Lerrita Rubinoff, our all-inspiring and all wise gurus, for their heart warming teachings, unconditional love and laughter. I thank the joyful moments we all shared (as well as the “not so good” Five Tibetans where dinner almost came back up!) I thank those who have opened my mind by sharing their world of books, music, wisdom, spirituality, food secrets, teachings, experiences, friends, family, stories and love. I thank the clarity of where my life is and wants to be from the practice that I love and I thank the time with both myself in meditation and the time with others in class. I will miss spinning in circles and laughing until I feel like barfing, doing leg lifts when Lerrita keeps saying "half-way" when she already said it five times already, visits to Bhuddist temples and the noble silence and thinking about pain pain pain pain pain pain pain, the silly headstand/handstand workshops with Beverly, Jessica and Tracy, the yoga nidra sessions with Tanis, our karma classes on Sundays, the boys conversations in the change room, the spilling of water in my bag and drying my sweat pants in the women’s washroom hand dryer with Lindsay keeping me company, the Savasana sessions with Lerrita and the Transitions womb music, the Muladhara jokes, the readings from Phil’s son’s book, the meals we had together at the Hindu society, the being locked out of the studio desperately trying to get back to class when everyone else was in yoga nidra, the lunch we had in the park, the gatherings we had at second cup, the walks to closed sandwich places, the adventure just to go for some Starbucks, the paintings from Rob around the studio, Beverly’s circus stories and Starwars analogies, the anatomical and Sanskrit quizzes, the confident and utter recitation of the Gyatri Mantra and the mumbles and the muffles of Om sahanaa vavatu Sahanau bhunaktu because most of us didn’t know it, the 101 Sun Salutations and the winning of the free yoga mat!, the making fun of my old Nike mat, the videos during lunch time, the taking of turns reading the manual, the meditation sessions where Lerrita would catch me “fishing”, the making fun of my long arms, Tracy's adjustment demonstrations like pushing the head down in downward dog and his talk on anatomy when most of us are clueless what he is talking about, and Tanis and Shelly’s demonstrations of those adjustments and the red death grip print on Shelly’s shoulder. I will miss Lisa, Alana, and Stephanie's greetings in the mornings, Tanis's anatomical forward flexion modeling for the class, Shelly's infectious laugh that makes me laugh and makes me ask “what are we laughing about?” while laughing, AJ's inner-child and our “study sessions”, Florin's jokes and computer remedies such as throwing it against the wall, Phil & Michelle & Lerrita's stories about their kids and the reflection of that unconditional love when they talk, Chauna’s love for art, Greg’s crazy sweat and fancy toques, Cynthia's smiles and colourful clothes and her connections to wonderful teaching opportunities, Michael's soulful cooking that is oh so so good, Rose's crazy knowledge of Sanskrit, Janet's energy lines, Nikki's Nike Mat and crazy breathing exercise, Brenda's amazing energy, Sara's ER stories, Tom’s demonstrations (my long-humoroused brother), Rob's heart and gentleness and his “running your hands down as though they were running through fur - ooh yeah” sun salutations, Starla's tears of joy after the savasana with the Transitions womb music, Jan's advice as we partnered and taught the seated postures for the first time, Sabrina's crazy looks she gives me when I say things that don't make sense when I'm teaching and her parking meter incidents and Jodi's pregnancy and baby stories. I will miss the opportunities with Julie going to Macs to buy our "fancy" lunches and sharing a laziness of packing for them as well as her unconditional care and her most soothing voice when teaching; her unconditional smiles of acceptance from the first time I met her. I will miss Lindsay's stories about Dhillon and couch stuffings up her nose, getting me addicted to things like snow peas, Green's plus, and Tazo Chai with Soy and an excuse to go to Lululemon to visit her then coming out of the store with a hole in my wallet. I will miss Lerrita's motherly voice in her mantras and the sweaty hugs I'll give her after class. I'll miss waking up at 8:30 am on the weekends and head to a place full of friends and people I see as family; a place where the smell of sweet incense brings an immediate humbleness and inner balance; a place where I feel I can leave the reality of the world behind and feel an enormous security and safety; a place where time stands still; a place I can call my third home. I remember the first class of training that I attended - I came in late and Lerrita said “Namaste” and the whole class looked over in my direction. However, what stood out about that class was when Lerrita described what yoga meant to her - she said to her, yoga was preparation for death. At that time I laughed on the inside and thought, “you gotta be kidding.” After leaving today, I can at least say for myself that if death decided to knock on my doorstep, I would enjoy the best Savasana ever.

om shanti shanti shanti

Namaste

Your forever long-armed friend and brother,

Carlson

My gurus special to my heart - Tracy Mann (right) and Lerrita Rubinoff (left). photo by Jan Boydol.

Yoga in a Nutshell - my handout!

A Little on Philosophy

Sanskrit - from India’'s ancient religious texts, gave birth to both the literature and the technique of yoga. The word yoga has several translations and can be interpreted in many ways; one of these is “to put to active and purposeful use.”

Yoga has come to describe a means of uniting, or a method of discipline.

A male who practices this discipline is called a yogi.
A female practitioner is called a yogini.


The discipline of Hatha yoga- the physical aspect of yoga - was developed as a vehicle for meditation; Hatha yoga prepared the body (especially the nervous system, for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina that allows the mind to remain clam).

Ha - “sun” and Tha - “moon” has the common interpretation of union of the pairs of opposites.

Four Kinds of YOGA

1) Karma Yoga - one of the supreme yoga. It is selfless yoga, the path which the mind is very quickly purified. This yoga is for the active person who enjoys helping others. If we could see the importance of giving, we would never spend a day without it! (Mother Theresa of Calcutta was a Karma yogini but also a Bhakti yogini as well)
2) Jnana Yoga - intellectual, philosophical yoga. Most difficult as the mind has to be clear in order to fully understand it.
3) Bhakti Yoga - yoga of devotion and surrender. Develop compassion and right understanding about other traditions and faiths. Can be done through mantras, music, prayers, or stories about religion. There are many mantras on yoga, but the most powerful mantra is OM. OM is the symbol of all mantras.
4) Raja Yoga - the supreme yoga of scientific path and mind control - two facets. One facet of Raja yoga is Kundalini yoga - the awakening of supreme wisdom or knowledge. Under Kundalini is Hatha yoga (Asana). Ashtanga yoga (8 limbs or 8 paths) is the other facet of Raja yoga. Following the 8 limbs step by step in order to get the benefits of Raja yoga. Raja is also called the King of Yoga; raja (king)

Benefits of Yoga

- if you are new to the practice, rapid changes in the body and mind are soon experienced and benefits appreciated when all of the yoga techniques are harmoniously combined (8 steps - Ashtanga)

- IT IS COMMON for beginners to experience at different times any or all of the following: headaches, aching muscles, pain, nausea, anger, anxiety, grief, breathless, confusion, and tiredness - these are symptoms of physiological and emotional discharge and detoxification.

- Equally you can expect to gain rapidly from the following physical and psychological benefits: flexibility, strength, stamina, better respiration, better concentration, tranquility, better digestion, vitality, alertness, self-confidence, self-esteem, open heart and more happiness!

- Physical benefits: the postures (also known as asanas) help tone the nervous system, improve circulation, release tension and increase flexibility.

- Mental Benefits: improves concentration, develops internal happiness and contentment, aids in overcoming depression, develops wisdom, and guides a proper way of life.

- Spiritual benefits: since yoga is a complete system for the body, mind and spirit, it will help you see your own individual spiritual path clearer; enabling you to devote yourself to a higher degree to whichever religion you choose to practice if you do choose to do so.

“HEALTH IS WEALTH, PEACE OF MIND IS HAPPINESS, YOGA SHOWS THE WAY”
Swami Sivananda

5 principles constitute the essence of the teachings of yoga:

1)

Right exercise - Asanas: our physical body was meant to move and exercise. Lifestyles should promote the natural motion of muscles and joints.
2) Right breathing - Pranayama - controlling the breath, breath deep, slow and rhythmic.
3) Right relaxation - Savasana - “corpse pose” - TOTAL relaxation, one of the most challenging asanas. This will increase your energy level and carries away worries and fears. Usually done at the end of the series to close the practice.
4) Right diet - Satva - based on natural food - yoga advocates a vegetarian diet. The diet keeps the body light, the mind calm giving high resistance to disease. Helps practice Ahimsa -non-violence.
5) Right thoughts - Meditation - we become what we think. Should exert to entertain positive and creative thoughts. The mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.


Pranayama (Breathing) - Prana (life source, energy) yama (death)
UJJAYI - the VICTORIOUS BREATH

o Specialized breathing technique used throughout practice
o Create a soft sound in the back of the throat while inhaling and exhaling through the nose only.
o Allow the air to swirl around the back of the throat before continuing its journey to the lungs.
o The swirling action is what creates the unique sound which has been described as wind in the trees, a distant ocean, or the less poetic but common reference - Darth Vader.
o Technique:
§ Sit up straight
§ Take a full inhale through the nose
§ Exhale through the mouth with a soft sound of “Hhhaaa” as though you were whispering. Feel the air swirl in the back of the throat.
§ Take a few breaths like this then midway through an exhale, close your mouth and let the air continue exiting through the nose.
§ Practice it a few times
§ Once you can create the sound while exhaling, gently smile while inhaling and create the same swirling sound as the exhale.
§ With practice, you will be able to utilize ujjayi without any effort at all.



CHALLENGE 1) take 5 minutes out of your day each day of the week to meditate and focus on yourself. Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position in a quiet space and concentrate on your ujjayi breath. Calm the mind and clear all external thoughts - do this by focusing completely on the breath: listen to each inhale and exhale. After that, feel free to take another five minutes in Savasana (total relaxation, surrender yourself to calming the mind and body - but don’t fall asleep!)

CHALLENGE 2) Practice Karma yoga as much as you can! Remember this is selfless yoga. Enjoy helping others; there are many ways to give; you can give your work for the benefits of others, or you can just give a smile and make someone’s day full of joy!

Little Grasshopper....

WOW! Today was my first teaching of a registered class I can call my very own!.. I have two classes a week, one is on Wednesdays at 8 and the other is Friday at 8. in total about 25 students all together. I'm just shocked how easily Cardel hired me even though I didn't officially apply for the position, and I have no CPR, no first aid, and I'm not even done my certification course yet. It was literally, call, talk for two minutes, and then "you're hired!... can you start in two days?" Hence I immediately responded "sure!" i don't know what it was but usually i get nervous and all and go "oh i don't know.. maybe... umm...hmm... can I... get back to you later" and beat around the bush some more... so what does this mean? i'm not sure yet... but I love yoga - and very very slowly , the practice is changing the perspective my life is taking on... I'm starting to discover the path I want to take and boy am I excited! it was funny actually cause yesterday I had a meeting with my "guru" Tracy Mann who owns Yoga Passage, my third home (actual home being one, school being two, and the studio being three), but I think three will or probably, or has overtaken two... though I have been at school for FIVE freakin' years... it's hard to admit that... but I digress... anyways.. takling to Tracy.. I was like "WOW," this guy knows so so much... there are poeple that you meet in life that you know right away you would want to be around them as much as possible, and Tracy is one of them. There's just something about these king of poeople that make you want to be around them as much as you can.. to learn as much as you can about them and their experiences and to just share in their amazing energy. I have been fortunate to have met so many people in my life that emanate such an amazing aura - ESPECIALLY in the last year. People at school, work, AIESEC, Yoga and also re-discovering and appreciating those family ties I have in Calgary... I whole heartedly appreciate and respect each and everyone that brings a smile to my face (and trust me... that's A LOT of people). Again I digress.. but Tracy.. wow... i fell in love with his studio and his staff back in June.. that's when I started to do Ashtanga full time (so more than 4 days a week... now it has become a standard six)... but then I took teacher training with him... and everytime we spend time with Tracy and Lerrita... the training goes by so fast because we ALWAYS get caught up in what they have to say. I could just sit and listen to them talk all day and would seriously die a happy man. Thank goodness I have met them in my life and they truly hold a special place in my heart. I can definately say they have changed my life for the better - not that it was all that terrible before... but now I can say I am much much happier with life in general. Anyways,this supposed half hour meeting with Tracy to discuss me teaching this new course and what advice he can give.. turned out to be an hour and a half (though I'm sure it could've been longer if it weren't so late).. and we just started talking about his experiences with his past and business endeavors and talked a little about me. What I find so astonishing all the time is how easily I can see myself in Tracy's position someday... from a credential point of view.. well he has three degrees.. .and I'm completing my two... he's waaay into the physical activity back then and now.. and so am I ... and well.... I don't know .. I just can't explain it... everytime he teaches... I can definately relate... but I will say this. I know I will have the pleasure of owning and sharing a yoga studio one day with anyone and everyone... and that's how I want it...and that's where I will end up. However, it's still not clear where my devotion lies career wise.. but it will involve yoga. Well it's gettin late.. I'll update more later... Namaste!