LEARNING TO SAY 'NO' TO MYSELF (OR, MAKING CHOICES) . . .
I read a GREAT blog post this morning. One written by Christina Sell, and the site address is http://www.livethelightofyoga.com/1/post/2013/08/you-never-miss-anything.html.
It used to be that every workshop or event related to yoga was one that I MUST attend or participate in (thinking webinars, here). In the past 2 years, my thoughts have shifted, my choices have changed, and my world has broadened. I no longer limit (and try to attend) workshops/trainings that are related only to Anusara Yoga. I now look around, take stock of the person offering the training, AND I look at the events already planned for my life -- before making the leap.
For example, yesterday would have been a Wisdom Warriors day. I have missed very few of these practices over the past year. Some days, tho, priorities spring up and choices must be made. Yesterday, a good friend - one who insisted I attend my first Teacher Training with Desiree - happened to be in LaJolla. (I also had made a commitment to the oldest San Diego Grand-Dude for the late afternoon, more about that later.)
Jen drove in unexpectedly on Monday night from Salt Lake via St. George, UT, and - thankfully - let me know she would be in town for a few days and asked if we could get together. Of course! The logical day to give up is one where students are not planning on me being their teacher and that is Wednesday. You can see where this is going, can't you?
What did I choose -- to see my good friend, take a yoga class with her, have a bite for breakfast with her. There could be no other choice. So, up at 5am, I was on I-15 to LaJolla at 6am (significant, but not troublesome, traffic at 6am, who knew?). Arrived with time to spare to take a class with Linda Armijo and LaJolla Yoga Center. Great class - 'alignment-based flow'.
With Jen on the mat next to me, it seemed like old times. Lots of memories shared with her!
After yoga and a visit, it was to the grocery and home to get ready for our 'avocado entrepreneur' (aka Jack, our almost 7-year-old, Grand-Dude). He is picking avocados (with some help from family) and selling them! He's planned a big sale this weekend, so it was imperative that I be present to help with the picking and provide food and beverage.
You can see why I missed Wisdom Warriors, can't you? Hated to do it, but good friends and family sometimes take precedence.
I nodded in agreement through all of Christina's blog post. I can't do everything, tho I want to. Her words were a good reminder and validation that it is o.k. to 'miss' something.
Now, about my teaching. The library crew continues to flourish - 20-30 people each Monday and many are consistently attending, making me very happy.
My Gentle/Therapeutic classes (I teach 4 each week), are doing o.k. -- these are usually smaller groups of 4-6 people, which is a good thing. It is a challenge, I find, to work with people struggling with an injury or condition, in a larger group. There just is more time for individual attention in a smaller group. What kind of people do I see? Students who simply haven't moved for a while, students with chronic conditions like MS or fibromyalgia, students with structural issues - sore knees, hips, backs, etc., students looking for refinement in their practice. I do enjoy it!
And, the Basic classes I've taken on are in the growth stages. What does that mean? With many classes I've started, there is a period of time where students are learning about me and whether they are willing to invest their time in my class. And, let's face it, I am a different (awesome) instructor. ((Remember, different = awesome!)) So, we'll see if I am the teacher for them. Feedback so far, even from the young, is good.
Today, I teach a Gentle/Therapeutic class at 12:30 at Yoga for Life (Temecula), and then go to Living Yoga, where I guide Temecula's Wisdom Warriors(R) group at 2:30.
Hope you all have a great day, full of wise choices!
It used to be that every workshop or event related to yoga was one that I MUST attend or participate in (thinking webinars, here). In the past 2 years, my thoughts have shifted, my choices have changed, and my world has broadened. I no longer limit (and try to attend) workshops/trainings that are related only to Anusara Yoga. I now look around, take stock of the person offering the training, AND I look at the events already planned for my life -- before making the leap.
For example, yesterday would have been a Wisdom Warriors day. I have missed very few of these practices over the past year. Some days, tho, priorities spring up and choices must be made. Yesterday, a good friend - one who insisted I attend my first Teacher Training with Desiree - happened to be in LaJolla. (I also had made a commitment to the oldest San Diego Grand-Dude for the late afternoon, more about that later.)
Jen drove in unexpectedly on Monday night from Salt Lake via St. George, UT, and - thankfully - let me know she would be in town for a few days and asked if we could get together. Of course! The logical day to give up is one where students are not planning on me being their teacher and that is Wednesday. You can see where this is going, can't you?
What did I choose -- to see my good friend, take a yoga class with her, have a bite for breakfast with her. There could be no other choice. So, up at 5am, I was on I-15 to LaJolla at 6am (significant, but not troublesome, traffic at 6am, who knew?). Arrived with time to spare to take a class with Linda Armijo and LaJolla Yoga Center. Great class - 'alignment-based flow'.
With Jen on the mat next to me, it seemed like old times. Lots of memories shared with her!
After yoga and a visit, it was to the grocery and home to get ready for our 'avocado entrepreneur' (aka Jack, our almost 7-year-old, Grand-Dude). He is picking avocados (with some help from family) and selling them! He's planned a big sale this weekend, so it was imperative that I be present to help with the picking and provide food and beverage.
You can see why I missed Wisdom Warriors, can't you? Hated to do it, but good friends and family sometimes take precedence.
I nodded in agreement through all of Christina's blog post. I can't do everything, tho I want to. Her words were a good reminder and validation that it is o.k. to 'miss' something.
Now, about my teaching. The library crew continues to flourish - 20-30 people each Monday and many are consistently attending, making me very happy.
My Gentle/Therapeutic classes (I teach 4 each week), are doing o.k. -- these are usually smaller groups of 4-6 people, which is a good thing. It is a challenge, I find, to work with people struggling with an injury or condition, in a larger group. There just is more time for individual attention in a smaller group. What kind of people do I see? Students who simply haven't moved for a while, students with chronic conditions like MS or fibromyalgia, students with structural issues - sore knees, hips, backs, etc., students looking for refinement in their practice. I do enjoy it!
And, the Basic classes I've taken on are in the growth stages. What does that mean? With many classes I've started, there is a period of time where students are learning about me and whether they are willing to invest their time in my class. And, let's face it, I am a different (awesome) instructor. ((Remember, different = awesome!)) So, we'll see if I am the teacher for them. Feedback so far, even from the young, is good.
Today, I teach a Gentle/Therapeutic class at 12:30 at Yoga for Life (Temecula), and then go to Living Yoga, where I guide Temecula's Wisdom Warriors(R) group at 2:30.
Hope you all have a great day, full of wise choices!