She made a suggestion that I wanted to share:

This idea has really resonated with me!

Sometimes I have my students choose a card before class to help them set an intention (purpose) for their practice. I have a fun deck of “power thought cards” from Louise Hay that I’ll often use. And more recently I won a deck of Nadine’s awesome yogAttitude cards from Rachel’s blog, so I just started sharing those with my students as well.

The card they select is usually spot-on with whatever message they most need to hear in that moment. The Universe works in mysterious ways, and the Universe just KNOWS. It’s pretty cool. My students will often giggle or sometimes even roll their eyes- because they’ve picked the perfect card (just because we need the message doesn’t mean we want to hear the message)!

My dear friend Cris gave me “The Book of Runes” by Ralph H. Blum many years ago, and I’m thinking it’s time to reconnect with the book and the runes. I would like to share them with you!

Here’s my plan: I will post a note on Facebook once a week, offering to choose a rune for the first person who e-mails me that day (with “Weekly Rune” as the title). I will then send this person the message associated with the rune that I choose. It is up to you to interpret the message that you receive. Bonus: if you e-mail me that day, but are not the first person, I will pull a simple yogAttitude card for you and send you the word that I chose. I don’t want anyone to feel left out!

Be sure to “like” Front Porch Yoga on Facebook in order to participate in this unique opportunity!

Choose love,
Grace

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My breath observation from this past week was that after chaturanga dandasana I tend to get less air on the inhale when I am lifting from low push up to upward facing dog. Anyone have any suggestions on how to receive more breath in that transition?

Next time you’re at home practicing, put a pair of ear plugs in, and see how that changes your experience on your mat!

Choose love,
Grace

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Traditionally, yogis in India would have a guru (teacher) and would follow them for life.

Yoga from India has been diluted and changed in the Western world, but yogis still tend to get very attached to a particular teacher/style and remain devoted to that brand.

I haven’t found one teacher or one style that resonates with my soul. And sometimes that makes me very uncomfortable. I struggle with these questions:

Who am I supposed to ask when I have a question about my practice (whether it be understanding the sutras, sequencing, an injury, etc)?

Who will keep me on task when I get lazy with my meditation practice?

Who will give me a personalized mantra to recite 108 times?

And the deepest, darkest question of all:

Am I a real yogi without a guru?

Oh, it pains me to even write that question, but I have to be honest here. I know that my practice can be anything that I want it to be. I know that I can shape, mold, and create what works for me. I know that I have to trust myself. But I guess sometimes I would like the constant support of ONE teacher or guide. I would like to know exactly where to turn when doubt shows it’s face and fear creeps in.

BUT I’ve learned from so many different, inspiring people along my yoga path. Sometimes I feel more lucky, bold, and brave having so many amazing teachers to have as resources. I wonder if it really matters that I don’t have one guru? I am a student of life, after all. I am a natural seeker.

Do you have one favorite teacher, or many?

Choose love,
Grace

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*MDR= minimum daily requirement (we were supposed to do at least 5 sun salutation A’s and 5 sun salutation B’s every day)

Tues. 10/14/08  5:30am Home- MDR*

Before this training I would do a 30 min. vinyasa practice each morning, but I would do maybe 2-3 sun salutes. Only 2-3. It was like I was rushing to get to the “good stuff” – the standing and twisting postures. But I’ve learned just yesterday and today how much internal HEAT I build up just by doing SSA+B 5 times each…I lost count of how many I had done! When in doubt, add one more- my new motto!

Previous Teacher Training Journal posts:

Focus
5 Beautiful Years
Chatterbox

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Tues Sept 11, 2001 ATTACK ON AMERICA

Today was surreal. Mum called me around 9:30 to tell me 2 planes had crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC + one in the Pentagon in DC. The planes had been hi-jacked, which I don’t understand at all – how could FOUR dif. planes w/ dif. airlines been hi-jacked? how did they get past security at the airports? But I sat in front of the TV in shock as I watched the twin towers collapse to the ground. So many people were injured and dead. ALL regular programs on tv + radio were cancelled for the day as “breaking” news was aired. I got horrible goosebumps + tears came to my eyes + I was so shaken up watching it. Then I had to go to my 1st shift of training as a hostess at Ciro’s restaurant + pretend I was OK. But there was so much to learn and remember – I was completely overwhelmed. My boss is really nice + patient + really good at being manager, so I’m wicked nervous I’ll disappoint him. Talked with Heather + Sarah on the phone after work – they were both pretty upset, too.

Some important lessons that I learned from that day:

CLING LESS: In the blink of an eye, everything can change. Non-attachment can be so hard, especially in our culture of want, want, want. But cling less, and be willing to let go.

WE ARE ONE: I specifically remember how everyone came together to support one another after that day. There were American flags EVERYWHERE. Everyone seemed to band together and lend a helping hand. The tragedy brought the nation together. Regardless if you knew someone in the towers that day, you still felt the horrific terror of being suddenly UNSAFE, no matter where you went. It was an important reminder that we are all connected.

SAY I LOVE YOU: Tell at least one person that you know and love that you love them.

What lessons did you learn on September 11?

Choose love,
Grace

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