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O G A L I C I O U S..N E W S
L E T T E R..#76
— June 2010  |
Namaste Yogis and Yoginis, This past weekend I taught yoga at Omega in Rhinebeck, NY (eomega.org) for Pema Chodron’s annual meditation retreat. Pema is an American Buddhist nun and one of my most influential teachers. This was my 12th retreat with her. And while she presents a different meditation ‘technique’ each year, her overall message is constant; there is a fundamental openness, spaciousness, readily available to each one of us, no matter how difficult things seem to be. This year, Pema taught on the topic of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is both a meditation practice and quality of being that helps us be alert, not only to what’s going on around us but also—perhaps even more importantly—within us. As a yogi, this rings true to me and is at the root of my personal practice as well as my teaching. In yoga, we are not trying to make perfect poses or complete a curriculum. (After all, just because we get better at performing a physically challenging pose, does not mean we are actually advancing in our practice.) Instead we practice asana as a means of becoming more mindful, sensitive, and open. As we train in Mindfulness of body, mind, emotions and sensations we natural begin to notice our limited habitual ways of doing, seeing, thinking, and critiquing. As we grow more aware of these habits, they soften, and with practice we begin to be less habitual and more open to the Fresh Now Moment and all its infinite possibilities. This openness allows us to do things differently. To make new habits that will support our health and wellbeing. Literally, on a neurological level! Mindfulness Practice has been gaining widespread popularity as a way for people to manage stress, calm their nervous system, and to live more meaningful and contented lives. In short, mindfulness can support us in being awake and open-minded—even in the midst of chaos, sorrows, and the challenges we encounter every day. So this issue of Yogalicious is dedicated to the practice of mindfulness, and sprinkled with inspirations to practice moment by moment. With Joy, PS. COME BLOOM OPEN WITH JILLIAN |
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IN THIS ISSUE —— |
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| WORDS OF WISDOM |
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“When we are swimming in a river and cannot see the bank, it is difficult to notice the current. We are moving so much with the river that we may scarcely see its flow. But if we go to the bank where we have firm ground it is much easier to see how the river is flowing... The practice of yoga encourages this unhampered seeing to simply happen.” — T.K.V. Desikachar |
| WILLIAM 101: LOST PRESENT |
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Few of us ever live in the present. We are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone.” — Louis L’Amour Away on vacation last summer, William lost his favorite stuffed animal, Sleepy Duck, which was his very first present as an infant. We spent hours searching for it. But, it was 10 pm, well after bedtime, so I told William we could go to the Lost and Found in the morning. He whined miserably that he wanted to go immediately, but I told him it was closed for the night; he would have to wait. Deeply discontent, William lumbered into bed. And, as we pulled up the blankets - Sleepy Duck popped out! Elated William swept him up and went to bed clutching him. Seemingly content. However, William woke up the next morning and sprung out of bed anxiously shouting that we must go to the Lost and Found immediately. Confused I asked ‘why?’. He answered, “You said we can go to the lost and found in the morning! Mom we have to find Sleep Duck...” William had become so fixated on his loss; he didn’t even remember that he already found what he was looking for! Of course it was late when we found him, but William still needed to consciously shift into the present. “William, we found Sleepy last night..” |
| ARRIVING ON YOUR BREATH |
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” — Thich Nhat Hanh Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh and many other spiritual leaders teach a Conscious Breathing as a way to transform ourselves; helping us grow present and collect ourselves so that we don’t act or react habitually. Instead we can become present with a fresh mind and open attitude in any moment. And the best news is that you can practice Conscious breathing anytime; when you are walking to your office, eating lunch, in a conversation with a friend, working on your computer, waiting on a line, stuck in traffic, when ever. Eventually, you’ll find that you can even do it in those harder moments, like when you’ve just been insulted, or your child or parent is pushing your buttons, or anytime you feel your anger or irritation building. (Especially when you've lost your Sleepy Duck!) This will truly transform your life! TRY IT: CONSCIOUS BREATHING WITH THE THREE-BREATH PAUSE: 2. Feel where you connect to the ground – if your standing feel your feet, if sitting feel your bottom. Feel where ever you connect to floor and support. 3. Keep your eyes gently open, aware of your environment. This way, you learn to connect to your breath, as you are moving regularly from moment to moment, engaged in the world around you. 4. Exhale to ‘let go’ and relax fully in the way you might upon arrival after a long journey. Do this as many times as needed till you feel as relaxed as possible and more aware and open to where you actual are. 5. Once you feel more present and relax, shift your awareness to your breath. Simply rest your mind on each breath and feel its affects; observing and sensing. Stay relaxed and allow your awareness of the breath to be soft, not heavy with concentration. If it is difficult for you to follow your breath mentally, use your hands on your body to physically feel it. Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, and pay attention to the way the breath feels under your hands. 6. Each inhalation and exhalation is one cycle. Do three cycles and allow your mind to rest fully on the breath. 7. When you notice your mind has tripped out to your to-do-list, dissecting a past conversation, judging, or fantasizing, simply acknowledge the thought and gently guide your mind back to your breath. You mind will wander in thought, that is its nature. Therefore the attitude in which you guide yourself back to the breath is KEY. When you find yourself tripping out, just be humored, and with the warmth you’d offer your best friend, guide your mind back to the flow of your next breath. Pema Chodron and many Masters teach – you get gold stars for noticing your ‘gone’… The fruit of the practice is in being able to identify when you’re tripping out – so you can choose to come back, opening to the present moment. |
| A DEFINITION OF MINDFULNESS |
| “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn back to top |
| GREAT RESOURCES TO CONTINUE YOUR MINDFUL PRACTICE |
PEMA – 4 Foundations of Mindfulness http://www.pemachodrontapes.com RELAXMORE CD http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pransky MINDFULNESS-STRESS REDUCTION http://mbsrworkbook.com/blog/ MINDFUL MOVEMENTS by Thich Nhat Hanh OPEN MIND IS A BRAIN CHANGER NY TIMES ON CREATING NEW HABITS |
| GREAT EVENTS TO OPEN UP! |
MINI-RETREAT IN 6-ACRE HISTORIC GARDEN CREATING RESTORATIVE POSES WITH ONLY A FEW PROPS SUMMER SOLSTICE YOGA CELEBRATION - GET THE GLOW 200Hr Bright Spirit Yoga Teacher Training - 11th Year. Also check out the calendar of events below for more retreats, trainings, special events, and classes. back to top |
Thank you so much for meeting me here, and reading… As we practice living more mindfully - it not only helps us be more present, connected and relaxed - but it affect all those we come into contact with. If we can train to not get swept away by our habitual river of thoughts, emotions, and interactions… chances are – we will be more open to others and the world around us. So in a very real way – our training in mindfulness can help create peace on earth! (Or at least in our relationship!) As always, I love to hear your comments, suggestions or any thoughts you would like to share! Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. Or sign up to receive this monthly via email at jillian_love@Yahoo.com … With joy, 2010 – 2011 CALENDAR -- visit www.yogajillian.com for more. -- June 5 – NJ (Montclair) Out Door Yoga Mini Retreat in the 6 Acre Historic Garden of Van Vleck. Fundraiser with live Sitjar! http://www.vanvleck.org WEEKLY CLASSES (call to ensure I’m teaching as I travel to teach a lot!) |