10/5 12:15 p.m. Ate a piece of butternut squash. Felt like I needed something fresh and warm today. Albeit it wasn't a complete meal, I took my time and enjoyed the flavor of fall. I did add some butter to it as well as a little sea salt. Each bite full felt bright and made me think of other warm fall foods/drinks. Excited for cider and other baked dishes.
Daily Meditation Record:
10/5 11:40 a.m. Thoughts surfaced on whether or not I should contact the owner of Juut regarding my dismissal; I have been urged to do so by so many people but I don't know if this would be productive or just make me fixate on disappointment/suffering. I held my hands together, wrapped around the warmth of a mug of hot chocolate. I did not drink. I observed the warmth in my hands and the aroma that drifted up towards me. I tried to focus on breathing in and out. My thoughts brought me towards connections on LinkedIn; improving my profile. Return to breathing in and out. Observed through closed lids the sound of traffic outside; observed the warmth of sunlight streaming through the window after a grey morning. Anxious to get outside and feel warmth on my skin. Return to breath. Trying to decide what to do with my day. What to wear to drop off my applications to Mississippi Market and Half Price Books. I tell myself not to think about it anymore; push it aside, return to my breath. A very active session of meditation. Mettā-meditation was focused on thankfulness for rest and relaxation; wishing others the ability to slow down and enjoy the Saturday morning.
Daily Practice Record: n/a
10/5 Today was my day of rest. I was going to go to the Hot Vinyasa and then the Yin class today but I was feeling burnt out when I work up and realized that I have not taken a day off this week. I am taking this day for myself. Doing journaling, meditation, reading and contemplation for the future. I think I will also write a few thank you cards and work on cover letters for applications for the coming week.
Daily Gratitude:
10/5 I was able to sleep in today, I did not feel rushed in any of my activities. Spent some time reading, was able to answer questions related to readings for yoga instruction. Submitted two job applications. Was able to see my Mother and dog Sophie. Got to spend some time with Philippa; we watched an episode of HIMYM and BBT. Ate dinner together with Bryce; did some cleaning. Now enjoying a quiet evening before a long day tomorrow (I guess I just anticipate being busy/tired after class). I am thankful for all that I accomplished today and for the quiet time I have been given. I've been able to catch up on some rest and continue forward on my path toward the unknown.
And for the homework –
I am currently reading: Power Yoga: The Total Strength and Flexibility Workout by Beryl Bender Birch. She has a nice way of writing that encourages the reader to take his or her time reading the material and consider how his or her body responds to breath and movement. I think one of the most poignant statements she has made thus far is:
...what we will learn from our yoga practice is that much of our healing potential is in our own hands, and our active participation is frequently the essential element in effective medical therapy and long-lasting health (pp. 28).
and for those who are skeptical on how yoga can work for a beginner:
Doing Power Yoga (*i.e. astanga vinyasa) is an ideal way to start a fitness program and an ideal aid to continue a sport or fitness program for life. It can be done on its own or as a companion to sport. It will slowly teach you discipline and self-awareness–not rigid, unyielding discipline, but doable discipline. It will teach you to be hard with yourself as well as soft–to work hard and sweat and to rest and recover. It will work on your body, your mind, your whole self (pp. 28).
*my words added here for clarification.
I think she also does a great job of explaining why heated yoga is so beneficial. Before I started my yoga teacher training, I thought heated yoga was a gimmick and never understood how it could actually be helpful/aligned with traditional teachings:
"The primary ingredient of the Power Yoga practice–and what makes it so particularly effective as physical therapy–is heat. Think of what a glass blower can do with a piece of glass tubing when it is heated. The glass can be shaped into swans, baskets, and unicorns. But imagine trying to reshape the glass without the heat? What would happen? You would end up with a pile of shattered glass.
"The heat does more, though, than allow us to realign our frame without breaking. As the connective tissue becomes heated by our practice, it becomes less "solid" and more "liquid." We become pliable for reshaping. In this pliable state, we apply the form of the practice that begins the remolding process...
"The practice can then undo the rigidity and create more space for intercellular fluids to circulate and bring in nutrients while carrying off toxins. So not only does the practice work on restoring function to an injured area and facilitating realignment, but it also works to detoxify the organs and tissue and revitalize the entire system (27)."As you can see, the idea of heat is central to the success of the practice in the astanga vinyasa tradition. Being aware of one's breath (pranayama), utilizing energy locks (bandhas) keep the heat building as practitioners flow from one posture to the next in the series. With awareness and practice we can control how energy is sent through the body. I am so glad she went through this because it makes sense to me now. As I am practicing I will better appreciate the heated environment and see it as fostering growth and improvement as I deepen and strengthen in each asana.
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