Why we chant

I often begin the classes I teach with the Anusara Invocation.  I've found in the past that if I try to use my brain to lead the chant I get lost and can't find the words.  Yesterday, while chanting, I let my mind wander and I was trying to remember a new student's name.  When I brought myself back to the present I found myself consciously thinking to remember the words that came next.  I stalled.  As I hesitated several others followed and stopped chanting. . . but one student continued the chant and, a moment later, the rest of us joined back in.  

This wasn't the first time this has happened in class.  Coming together to chant at the beginning of class whether it is the sound "OM," the Anusara Invocation, or another chant brings the group together as one.  

I learned in my teacher training that sound is rhythm or entrainment sped up.  When things come into line (or rhythm) with another.  The same thing happens with a grandfather clock, women's cycles, lovers, a mother & her baby.

As we tune into the breath, our self, the teacher and the kula a boundary is created.  A boundary between our practice and the rest of our day.  The cells of our body align with the sound, the vibration, and receive psychological benefit.

THE ANUSARA INVOCATION

OM

Namah Shivaya Gurave

I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious One,

Who is the True Teacher within and without,

Saccidananda Murtaye

Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

Nisprapancaya Shantaya

Who is never absent and is full of peace,

Niralambaya Tejase

Independent in existence, the vital essence of illumination.

OM

Growth

I have been curious and a little confused over the resignation of two of Anusara's senior teachers: Christina Sell  http://christinasell.blogspot.com/2011/10/context-is-everything.html and Elena Brower  http://www.artofattention.com/announcement-of-gratitude/.

I've been juggling my feelings over this and the affect on my own path.  What I have found is that it is affecting me emotionally and not effecting my actions.  I just signed up for an Anusara Weekend Workshop in December.

What I see is two teachers that have grown in their practice to a place where the Anusara jumpsuit no longer fits.  I'm still sewing my jumpsuit and really enjoying the colors and stitches involved in the process.

Here is a reaction from another Anusara teacher that speaks well on the heart of Anusara:  http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/anusara--to-follow-your-heart/.


Last, Amy Ippoliti shares her raw-get real-perspective in Elephant Journal:  http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/a-letter-to-the-yoga-community-about-the-anusara-situation--amy-ippoliti/

To be your best self

I have a personal manifesto posted on the bulletin board in my office.  I got the idea from my sister and she got it from one of her college professors.  Included in my personal manifesto is:   

Do your best.  Keep making your best better.

A student came up to me after class yesterday and said, "You're a great teacher, Angela.  Stop apologizing."  Stop apologizing.  It hurt a little.  Not the feedback but the reflection that I was a person that was essentially apologizing for my offering.  Was I not offering my best?  I was.  So why the need to apologize?   

I attempted to bring the light of awareness to understand my habit of apologizing for an awkward transition or including abs or not including abs or being detailed enough in the alignment or not practicing enough myself.  The truth is. . . if I am offering my best there is nothing to apologize for.  

Stop apologizing.  Do your best.  It is enough.

Cowboy Up, Arjuna!

Cowboy Up, Arjuna!

I enjoyed this article by Abby Tucker, a San Francisco Bay Area Anusara Teacher.  What a wonderful reminder to step into our own magnificence and refrain from lusting after what someone else has!

Pray - Beg - Please?

A few years ago I used to sit in the classroom feeling eager & anxious for students to arrive.  I would beg (pray), "Please let someone show up today!"  I wanted to teach but I was also terrified to teach so there is a good chance I was energetically repelling the very students I was praying would show up.

This past week was one of the busiest, for me, in the past year.  I found myself praying, "Please let no one show up!  Please let no one show up!"  I caught myself and laughed out loud.  Seriously Angela?  Someone is going to be there.  Here we go!  You can do it!

Sure enough, I taught one of my largest classes ever.  Now I was really laughing.  The reason I'm sharing this is because I've noticed something.  Even though I didn't move in the practice with the students I felt similar benefits of the practice after class.  The energy - the prana - of the students fueled me for my next challenge just like it does when I show up on the mat for my own practice.  For me this is proof that the practice is so much more than physical (even if I love the physical benefits, as well). 

So what is this really about?  Showing up.  Showing up for life.  The life you've signed up for and the life you choose to live.

Flax

Why would you want to consume Flax?

Flax seeds & flax seed oil are rich sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.  Omega 3 Fatty Acids are strong antioxidants - they protect us from the sun, build beautiful skin, lubricate the joints & intestines, and stengthen cell membranes.

A few ideas on how to feed your body flax. . .

Sprinkle ground flax on top of oatmeal, cereal, granola, or yogurt.
Blend ground flaxseeds with water as a substitute for egg whites in baking.
Add flaxseed oil to smoothies.
Add ground flaxseed to homemade bread.
Drizzle flaxseed oil on your salad.
Eat a Handle Bar by Kate's Real Food.

Note:  It is best to keep flax chilled & away from the sun.  I transfer mine to a brown jar & keep it in the fridge after bringing it home.

The following resources were used for some of the above information:

Super Natural Cooking, Heidi Swanson
Healing with Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford.

Another reason to go easy on yourself

Heart disease remains the #1 killer of women in the United States. 

Listen up because this is important:  Being hard on yourself isn't good for the health of your heart!

Dean Ornish, M.D., is a doctor that has focused his practice on the prevention of heart disease opposed to the treatment of heart disease.  He has found that important factors in preventing heart disease are: a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, managing stress and focusing on relationships.

It turns out that positive emotions can actually change what is going on inside of you physically - not just emotionally.  Your emotions effect your physical health. 

I don't know about you but I can be pretty hard on myself when it comes to food & exercise.  I'm trying to lighten up on myself and focus on the big picture.  I want to eat well.  I want to eat what makes me feel good.  If I come back to that after I indulge I can make a different choice tomorrow or even later that day. 

Try this:  if you aren't able to practice yoga, exercise or meditate for an hour see if you can squeeze 10 minutes into your day.  The consistency will be better than choosing not to do it because you aren't able to do it at the level you would like to. 

Embrace Joy.  Focus on what you're doing well!!  Let yourself & your loved ones be human.