Be Natural

Tree? Crow? Lotus? Mountain? Am I in yoga or learning about nature? Perhaps a little bit of both!

I recently learned that in the early days of yoga, the asanas were taught to children outdoors. In order to keep their interest, poses were named after things in nature that looked similar. It made it easier for the children to imagine what the poses looked like, and was entertaining. In India, this tradition is still carried out and children learn the physical postures of yoga at an early age.

I loved hearing this insight- it has completely changed my practice! Now each time I go into 'thunderbolt', I can picture the jagged flash of light and feel the energy igniting my body into form. Imagining a beautiful 'bird of paradise' has graced my asana with delicacy. Standing tall like a 'mountain' has allowed me more presence and solidarity in the pose. Some involve using a little more of the imagination- like pigeon- I assume that the leg position embodies the wings of the bird?

You may have no clue what I am talking about, but the next time (or the first time!) you are in a yoga class and the asana is called, take the time to picture what it is you are emulating. Be natural in your form and embody the pose. Thinking about the nature of a pose's name could possibly help you to come into it easier. Regardless, it's guaranteed to be a lot more fun! You may even find the urge to bark in downward facing dog!

I Heart Me

I've often tried to figure out a souvenir that I could get from places I go- a collectable per se. You know, something that every place has, no matter how remote or foreign. Some people collect things like shot glasses or spoons. I have yet to initiate this thought, but what about the "I HEART ____" shirts. That one came to me one day while I was walking the streets of Burlington, VT- their shirt says "I LOVERMONT" so clever! (I think the 'O' in love was even heartshaped.)

Thought it appropriate to bring up matters of the heart today seeing that it is VALENTINE'S DAY! Got a sweet card from my parents, and my dad signed it as he does every year, my valentine. Today I celebrate all the people in my life that I love. V-Day is not solely for romantic love!

A sometimes difficult lesson to learn, and one that I constantly have to remind myself of, is that in order to love another you first have to love yourself! So, today while you are all thinking about what to do for your loved one, don't forget to do something special for yourself too. Think my treat will be some yummy chocolate, seeing as it is the emblem of V-Day!

I guess it is good that I haven't started the shirt collection yet. If I heed my own advice, the first "I Heart" shirt I get should be, "I Heart Me"

Put on some comfy shoes...

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

This line comes from the 64th verse of the Tao Te Ching, and is especially moving to me. One doesn't have to plan a trip to go on a journey. Life is the greatest journey of all.

This verse puts things into perspective. Many things can seem overwhelming when looked at as a whole, or projected in the future. But really, the only way to accomplish anything or get anywhere is to take a step. And then another. And another. All we really have to do is focus on the moment at hand.

This could apply to anything and everything in life. I try to bring this mindset into being for my nemesis poses in yoga. Like frog. My immediate reaction to hearing frog called is to get anxious about how long we are going to have to hold it. If I stay present in the moment, I realize that I can approach the pose, breath by breath. Sure my hips scream out, emploring the release. I get distracted with thoughts of "I can't believe he is reading a story, doesn't he realize this is utterably unbearable?" But that's just chatter. Of course the pose is bearable- as long as I take that first step.

A goal of mine is to one day write a book. Seems daunting when I think about it- all the pages, all those words, what to write. But if I take it one day at a time, one word at a time, then it suddenly seems manageable. Just like life.

Sometimes you may be walking alone, other times in company. Not all steps will propel you forward- a step backwards might be what you need to gain a new direction. Some steps may be tiny while others may feel more like a leap. But in the end, they're all steps. Initiated by a single one. Focus on the present and everything is within reach. Life is, afterall, about the journey- not the destination.

Que Bueno

An article in National Geographic Adventure put Patagonia on the map for me. It sounded so intriguing, so remote, so unspoiled. At the time, I never would have guessed that it was going to be my next destination.

My pattern for the past 4 years has been to take a big trip once a year in our summertime, lasting anywhere between 4 and 6 weeks. The first year it was backpacking thru' Europe, then came a camping roadtrip in the National Parks out West, followed by a safari in Southern Africa, and most recently a solo jaunt in Southeast Asia. This time, I didn't let my back account catch back up before I took off again!

I spent New Years 2008 on the Futaleufu in Patagonia. Looking for a week-long yoga retreat over the holidays, I stumbled upon this particular trip. Yoga, white water rafting, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, camping- it couldn't get more appealing. It wasn't long before I was booked.

I've often found that the harder it is to get to a place, the better the reward. Patagonia was no different. Snow-capped mountains, sweeping valleys, serpentine rivers. Farms dotting the sheep filled fields. Oxen traveling the graveled roads. Gauchos rounding their herds. Tranquillo. Muy tranquillo.

Until of course we hit the water. The Fu has some of the best whitewater in the world. We spent 6 full days on the river between large rafts, hard shell kayaks and personal inflatable kayaks (duckies). It was a non-stop, action packed trip. When we weren't on the river we took a hike, went mountain biking, soaked in the hot tub, practiced yoga, indulged in delicious meals, participated in a wine tasting, went horseback riding, and even managed to dance to the wee hours of the morning.

The trip was phenomenal. The people, the place, the experience. I would certainly recommend the outfitter I went with (as would National Geographic Adventure)- BioBio Adventures. Their signature trip is this one, but they do trips all over the world. Feet itchy yet? http://bbxrafting.com/

I need to get out more...

CLEARLY! I will shamefully admit that up until last night, I thought that Latin America was a geographical description pertaining to the countries south of Mexico and north of South America (how did I forget about the term "Central America?"). My friends were kind enough to explain that in fact, Latin America refers to a cultural delineation- countries in "Latin America" are those where Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese) are spoken. Makes sense.

So I wasn't completely wrong- the countries that I deemed Latin America, are actually a part of the conglomerate. Just throw Mexico and the entire continent of South America into that mix (minus three or four countries). I am feeling a pull towards this region the more I think about my next venture. Today, I even found a trip.

Cayos Cochinos, Honduras- diving an untouched reef while compiling information for a scientific study. We all know that the world's largest barrier reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but did you know that the second largest is right here- in THIS hemisphere! On this trip, you basically dive in a government protected area that is off-limits to commercial divers and fisherman while collecting data to keep tabs on the vitality of the region. Underwater paradise by day, bungalow beach by night. Sounds sublime.

They only run two trips a year, and unfortunately this year both trips coincide with my yoga teacher training- but I am definitely keeping this trip on the radar! Check it out for yourself... http://www.biosphereexpeditions.org/ Calling all certified divers, let's do it!