Opening Your Heart to Love

February 14, 2011 By

Opening Your Heart Through Yoga

“Opening your heart to love” is an amazing invitation, but if it were so easy, why aren’t we all doing it already? As we well know, most of the ideas that are the simplest to express and comprehend are the hardest to actually achieve. Just like following the Golden Rule or resolving to loose ten pounds, “opening your heart to love” is easier said than done. So what makes this so hard?

It is easy to get caught up in fear, or the perhaps the idea that I’ve been hurt so much in the past makes love difficult. I don’t want to risk loving again or I may be stuck by the thought that I am unlovable. It is hard to “lean into the sharp points,” as Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun likes to say, but the benefits and rewards are so worthwhile. Sometimes it takes a broken heart to truly prepare us to open and the practice of yoga sustains and increases that opening.

Our yoga practice is another vehicle for learning the skills to open up to love and do the risk taking to be “love.” In urdhva danurasana I trust the ground under me and my arms to support me, even as I totally expose my heart to the world. My head recedes into the background as my heart reaches for the sky—everything is upended, kind of like what happens in love. While backbends are a great medium for being in the metaphor of heart- opening there are many poses that teach me to love myself and to be more present.

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Jim G. – Yoga Del Mar Practitioner

January 7, 2011 By

Jim G.YDM: What brought you to Yoga Del Mar?

JG: I came to yoga for the exercise. I have been a long-time competitive cyclist. I often heard that yoga would be good to augment my cycling and increase general flexibility (which can facilitate increased strength). I had tried yoga a few times, but it never fit well – either the location, or the schedule, or something did not fit. Three years ago I looked for a local studio and saw Yoga Del Mar on the internet, and on a Friday afternoon, I mustered the courage to attend what I call my first real yoga class, with Josh Vincent. And the next day I went to Geri’s class, and thus started my yoga journey. I was struck by how accepting and even inviting yoga instructors are, from the first class I felt I was part of the group. Yoga was so different than the competitive world I was used to – it is not a competition, it is about what you are doing for yourself today, and how you are connecting with yourself. After miles and miles and hours and hours of cycling over the years, I thought I had the foundation for a connection to myself, but in just a short time, I found that connection to be much deeper through my yoga practice at Yoga Del Mar. That “connection” translates to self awareness, self confidence and contentment, and openness in relationships with others. Just few months later, I completed Anusara Immersion 1 with Geri, and that deepened my knowledge of Anusara yoga and my yoga practice far more than I expected.

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Empowering Future Generations

December 21, 2010 By

Nikyta's Signature "The hand is not so well adorned by ornaments as by charitable offerings." ~Chanakya

Dear Kula of Yoga Del Mar,

I first would like to express my deep gratitude for the work and involvement that all of you have done via the H&ands of Yoga Del Mar, and fundraisers for the Shuar tribe of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Thanks to your help, we arrived in the Tawasap Community, which is in the rainforest of Ecuador near Puyo, this summer in August. This is a short account of the magical adventure and exchange of knowledge we found there.

 

Shuar TribeIn the dark aliveness of the rainforest at night, were first greeted in the house of ritual, where after long conversations by candlelight we laid open our intentions and our hearts to Tzama, the community's charismatic and powerful leader, who also did the same. After this we were welcomed into the family compound with burnt orange facepaint, made from the dye of furry seedpods, which signified we were now initiated and welcome as guests. Over the next four days, we began teaching and empowering the youth of the village through media arts: digital video, photography, recording, and mastering. We had a very simple objective: to inspire the youth to be record keepers of their own history, and in doing so teach them skills they could continue after our departure.

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Joyce L. – Yoga Del Mar Practitioner

December 16, 2010 By

YDM: What brought you to Yoga Del Mar?

Joyce L. - Another inspiring yogini at Yoga Del Mar JL: Actually, It was late January or early February (can't quite remember!) of 2009 when I came for my first class. I saw a coupon – I think in the Carmel Valley News – for a free class. I had been trying some yoga tapes at home for a month or so and quite a while ago tried a little ashtanga yoga for a few months. Also, my sister (she lives in Santa Fe, NM) had just started taking at an Anusara Yoga studio there was was telling me how great it was. I was definitely interested in yoga as a form of exercise, but I was also very interested in yoga as a spiritual path. I had read Stephen Cope's book "Yoga and the Quest for the True Self" and was really at the beginning of trying to get away from just our "western" perception of yoga as exercise and discover yoga in its fullness. I went to the Anusara website, typed in my zip, and up came YDM! So, there I was, with a free class coupon, encouragement from my sister, a basic love of exercise, and a yearn for spiritual development. Everything just fell in to place. Bet you wished you hadn't asked!!!

YDM: Not at all! I love how everything came together so perfectly for you.

How has practicing yoga changed your life?

JL: Wow, in so many ways!!! It has been and will continue to be a great journey!

From a physical standpoint, it has been great. Exercise has always been a great stress reducer for me. It took a long while, but I finally got my flexibility back (I used to take LOTS of ballet classes). I think the best thing is how improvement comes in little steps, sometimes in an imperceptible way, but all of a sudden I will realize that I am doing something that I couldn't do before (even if it is just twisting a little farther). I'm definitely trying new things and being "very brave"….stepping out of my comfort zone. After a year and a half, I finally reached the wall for a hand stand! But it doesn't stop there, get one thing and there's lots more to work on! I LOVE arm balances!

Last year I took the level one immersion and plan on doing the level two course in 2011. There is so much to learn; I had to give myself time to absorb and work on all the material presented. The course was also a perfect way to blend the exercise with the spiritual. Being introduced to the yoga sutras, continuing reading other books on yoga, and learning more about yoga as a life path has allowed me to start to absorb at least a few steps of the eight-fold path in to my every-day life. It helps tremendously to not only enjoy life's simple pleasures but also to take the bumps along the road a little less reactively.

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Robin Z. – Yoga Del Mar Practitioner

November 8, 2010 By

GratitudeYDM: How did you find yoga and Yoga Del Mar?

RZ: I began in Iyengar yoga in St. Louis 11 years ago, with a teacher who had recently moved to the city and was hoping to begin a practice. When I arrived in Del Mar, eight years ago, I was looking for a small studio with various styles of teaching.

YDM: How has practicing yoga changed your life?

RZ: I was struggling with scoliosis, and posture after doing pilates and step for many years. Reaching my 50′s I realized that yoga would better suit my spinal problems. As Geri and her staff continually say yoga has opened my heart to finding peace within my life. I have experienced greater energy and strength, and have been able to open my heart to everyone in my daily life.

(YDM: It’s so true! You brighten the room when you walk in and everyone feels your loving presence.)

YDM: What is the one thing about yoga or that you have gained through yoga that you are most grateful for?

RZ: As I have practiced at various studios I am most thankful for the many teachers I have encountered who have encouraged me to expand my individual practice, as well as the wonderful students I have met through the years.

YDM: What would you say to someone thinking of trying yoga for the first time?

RZ: Hopefully, yoga will lift your spirits as it has mine through daily practice. I am happier and more fulfilled for finding the practice.

Thoughts About Autumn

November 8, 2010 By

GratitudeBy Beth Corrick, M.S., MFT, E-RYT

A friend from the Midwest once asked me, “How can you stand living in San Diego, it’s perpetual summer? When do you get to hibernate?” It’s true, living in California we do not have pronounced seasons and the activities associated with them. So, it’s a bit of a dilemma when it comes to taking down time. Our ancestors knew the importance of fallow time; when the crops where rotated and the fields were allowed to rest. Autumn is the precursor to winter and is the perfect time to gather up our intentions for nourishing the soul.

Since our San Diego weather will not conspire to help us with reflective time we are invited to create our own rituals that will nourish and replenish us, perhaps, taking a morning to get up late, leisurely reading a book for pleasure, or starting a meditation practice. The most important aspect of creating a new ritual is that it be meaningful and resonant to you in a very personal way. It may take a few attempts to find the perfect soul-satisfying addition to your routine, but you will recognize it by how it makes you feel.

Just as we see in the cycles of nature, it is not possible to constantly run uphill. Respecting these cycles and allowing for contemplative time will paradoxically give you more energy in the long run. Mostly we are in prisons of our own construction, so finding the key to unlock the idea of permission to do nothing is a novel and shocking idea. This slow moving, contemplative time is an invitation to connect more fully with your heart’s inner most desires and that can be scary, but so worth while. Often our inner most voice can only be heard when we quiet the din of the outside world. As Mohandas K. Gandhi said, “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” When you take time to slow down your mind-body will be so grateful, the little things in life can be seen more clearly and there is space for more joy. The psyche understands the whispers of the seasons and we should shrive to honor them as well.

Anusara Yoga in New York Times

August 9, 2010 By

The founder of Anusara Yoga, my teacher, John Friend was featured in a multiple page article in the New York Times Magazine entitled “The Yoga Mogul.”  You can read the entire article here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/magazine/25Yoga-t.html?_r=1&emc=eta1.  It is an informative article discussing the philosophy of Anusara Yoga, different styles of yoga taught in America today, his personal history (including his yoga performance and work with the Yoga Ashram described in the book Eat,Pray,Love), and his plans for opening a center for Arts and Yoga in Encinitas.

I found the article informative and  I found it to be slanted in a way that portrayed John much like a rock star of yoga.  Yes, he does have a large, passionate following but he is also incredibly dedicated to the empowerment of each person he teaches.  For me he has helped me to open to my own gifts, powers, and passion.  I find him to be a stable, intelligent, loving, artistic teacher who has a charisma to lead and inspire.  He has shown me the value of opening into the full spectrum of life both the light and the dark and holding it all in a grander field.  And he was the first person to invite me into the spiritual journey of awakening.

John’s response to the article in the New York Times can be found at http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/07/ele-exclusive-yoga-mogul-john-friends-response-to-sunday-ny-times-magazine-feature-article/.  To find out more about Anusara Yoga visit their web site at www.Anusara.com or come to an Anusara class at Yoga Del Mar.

Home Practice

January 15, 2009 By

An Interview with John Friend

by Kathy Carroll

For 15 years, I was a once-a-week yoga practitioner. Week after week my teacher would extol the value of home practice, but week after week I was too busy — too preoccupied — to heed her advice. About four years ago something inside me began to shift and I started to make the time to do yoga at home. At first I felt resistance; it took a lot of effort to get myself to the mat. Over time though, my home practice has become what is often the sweetest time of my day. Doing yoga at home is paying off on many levels. I am enjoying a greater sense of peace, more connection with that silent observer within. My yoga postures are becoming stronger and deeper. Just the other day my sister complimented me. “It’s not just the blue dress,” she said. “You are carrying yourself differently.” The world looks different when you carry yourself differently.

I am honored and grateful to John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga for sharing ways to help my own practice evolve and to help other students with their practice. This interview took place after an Anusara Teacher Training as we were driving through Washington, DC on our way to a party John hosted for students and assistants at Jane Fryer’s home.

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Yoga – You’re Never Too Old To Start

January 15, 2009 By

by Adrienne Fortey

What does the word 'yoga' mean to you? Perhaps you associate it with an Indian mystic sitting in a trance high in the Himalayas, or with seemingly impossible contortions of the body. But, in fact, throughout the world millions of ordinary men and women have transformed their lives with the practice of this ancient science. Yoga is a system of postures, special breathing techniques and relaxation which act together to harmonize all aspects of the individual. It originated in India some 5,000 years ago and in our century a few forward thinking yoga masters have revised these teachings into the form we know today, making the benefits available to all humanity regardless of race, religion, nationality, occupation or age. Twenty minutes of yoga is worth hours of ordinary exercise. It is the way to good health and longevity, and will lead you to feeling youthful in body, mind and spirit.

Yoga is the natural way to free yourself from the pains and nervous tension which sap away the strength and vigour of body and mind. Everyone is capable of doing enough yoga to experience great benefits almost at once. This is true for those aged eighty and beyond as well as for people of all ages who have allowed their physical condition to deteriorate. Many yoga practices can be done in a comfortable sitting position, standing up or lying down. Yoga is not 'exercise' in the ordinary sense. With the slow, gentle movements of yoga you are able to stimulate and relax every part of the body from the toes to the scalp and from the muscles and tendons inwards to the deepest internal organs and glands. Yoga awakens the vital force within and, in addition, it is very enjoyable.

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