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E W S L E T T E R.. A R C H I V E S
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O G A L I C I O U S #45
— July/August
2005
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Namaste Yogis and Yogins |
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IN THIS ISSUE ——
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| WORDS OF WISDOM |
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"I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking."— Albert Einstein |
| WILLIAM 101 |
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Henry Ford prophesied, "Think you can or think you can’t, and either way you’ll be correct."… A month ago, I took my son William, 21 months, to Hoboken’s Sinatra Park to hear a Beatles cover band. William found his way to the open area in front on the band and danced like crazy. He was joined by a handful of other children who relentlessly boogied-down in front of hundreds. At a pause between songs, a few older kids dashed away initiating a game of chase. William, by far the youngest, was determined to be included even though the others barely noticed him. Suddenly, in one quick swoop, the kids flew up the steps and William (who had never climbed stairs on his own yet) raced behind them, without even looking for a handrail. Shrieking in harmony with the others, he swiftly and effortlessly ascended the stairs, reached the top and just kept running. His usual stair climbing fears were completely absent and he didn’t even seem to realize his great accomplishment. It was incredible to witness his instantaneous transformation. He simply changed his belief system; one moment he didn’t even walk up steps alone, the next moment he ran up them. Unfortunately his new found mobility is keeping me busier than I bargained for. I dare not look away now, as anything is possible! back to top |
| POSSESSED |
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“A belief is not merely an idea that the mind possesses; it is an idea that possesses the mind.” – Robert Bolton back to top |
| TURNING OFF AUTO-PILOT IN ASANA |
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to ‘knowing’ how we are, want to be, or should be that we
leave little room to discover our fullest potential. Asana practice
is the perfect place to learn to turn off auto-pilot and move into
a more ‘exploratory mode’. For instance, we have certain
beliefs about our selves and bodies and how we will or won’t
be able to do a pose. Or even, whether we can or can’t relax
at a particular time. But in this ‘knowing’ we might actually
be misreading ourselves and even hindering ourselves. Perhaps we are
capable of so much more than we ‘think’ we are. As one of
my favorite teachers, Erich Schiffmann says, “Know that you don’t know,” KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW To help develop more open-mindedness, I like to use this technique in my vinyasa flow: Instead of synchronizing the breath exactly with the movement, I wait one or two mille-seconds for the breath to start and THEN initiate the movement. The 'waiting' becomes a mindful 'Pause', and sharpens my alertness throughout the vinyasa flow making it effortless to stay present. This is especially helpful when you do things so repetitively that it becomes hard to make them new. TRY IT Start with a simple flow like Cat. Get down on all fours in cat pose, pause for a moment and feel the ground under your hands and knees. Allow the inhale to begin, feel it inflating you then begin your movement, releasing the belly to the floor as you gaze up. Allow the exhale to begin, pause, and after you feel the breath releasing then round your back to the sky. Let the inhale begin before you initiate your flow back into the arch. Continue like this for 10-20 breaths. Relax, flow, stay interested in the breath, and feel what you are doing. back to top |
| BEYOND LIMITS |
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"There are no limitations to the self except those you believe in." – Seth back to top |
| A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR MAT |
| The next time you find yourself going through the motions in your yoga practice; why not imagine that your mat ends at the edge of the Grand Canyon? Read Shiva Rea’s inspirations for finding a new perspective on your yoga mat. http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/205_1.cfm?ctsrc=nlv160 back to top |
| MOVING INTO CONSCIOUSNESS |
| Vinyasa yoga teaches us to cultivate an awareness that links each action to the next—on the mat and in our lives. http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/909_1.cfm back to top |
| SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME |
| "We look at things always with old eyes. You come to your home; you look at it without looking at it. You know it -- there is no need to look at it. You have entered it again and again for years. You go to the door, you enter the door; you may unlock the door. But there is no need to look. This whole process goes on robot-like, mechanically, unconsciously. If something goes wrong, only if your key is not fitting into the lock, then you look at the lock. If the key fits, you never look at the lock. Because of mechanical habits, you lose the capacity to look; you lose the freshness to look. Really, you lose the function of your eyes. You become basically blind, because eyes are not needed." http://www.innerself.com/Meditation/first_time.htm back to top |
| THE PERFECT YOGA ADVENTURE WEEKEND |
| In
the Berkshire Mountains with Jillian September 16-18 2005 Save your Space now, as it is already half sold out. “This retreat vanished every stress into thin air. Jillian’s beautifully orchestrated classes combined with the lush serene setting perfectly balanced the body, mind and spirit.” THIS ANNUAL RETREAT IS LOVED FOR THE: ~ Inspiring Multi-level yoga and meditation immersion lead by Jillian Pransky, Senior Be Yoga/Yoga Works Teacher and Anusara affiliate ~ Gorgeous uplifting surroundings ~ Scrumptious natural gourmet meals ~ Amazing Yoga Barn, illuminated by lofty sky-lit ceilings ~ Musical brook lined with cozy hammocks ~ Camp fire fun ~ Scenic waterfall hiking trails ~ Super group of people who come together to relax, renew and enjoy! Our sessions will honor the Fall Equinox, focusing on grounding, purification and centering techniques, designed to prepare our bodies and minds for the changing season. When we are not practicing, you are free to rest or play as you please; explore the great outdoors, hike to a waterfall, enjoy a bodywork session or simply curl up with a book. For more information email yoga_julie@yahoo.com back to top |
| CURRENT TEACHING SCHEDULE |
| Tuesday:
6pm - Be Yoga. Yoga Works. 138 fifth Ave. NYC www.beyoga.com Saturday: 10:30 am - Devotion Yoga. 79 Hudson St. Hoboken. www.devotionyoga.com back to top |
| TAKE A SUMMER WALK – IN PEACE -Thich Nhat Hanh |
| Walk
and touch peace every moment. Walk and touch happiness every moment. Each step brings a fresh breeze. Each step makes a flower bloom. Kiss the Earth with your feet. Bring the Earth your love and happiness. The Earth will be safe when we feel safe in ourselves. back to top |
| THE FIELD BEYOND |
| The Beyond our ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase 'each other' doesn't make sense any more. - Rumi back to top |
| Thanks so much
for reading everyone! Please note that I am currently creating Yogalicious bi-monthly. However, I love to hear from you any time! Please send me your comments, suggestions or any thoughts you would like to share. Also, let me know if you have received more than one mailing of this newsletter, have an email address correction or a friend that you would like to add to the list. With great joy, Jillian PSS. If you’ve never taken a class with me and would like to try one, please join me for your first class Free as my Guest. Just email me before you plan to attend, make sure I’m teaching, and I will make arrangements. |