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Root Awakenig workshop

7/27/2014

 
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On Sunday July 13th I had  the privelidge of conducting a workshop called Root Awakening , how to indeitify and access your core not only  for a stronger practice but how to apply it to  your everyday life. Some of my regulars showed up and a few who are very new to my class. Those of you who know me and my style of teaching I am very hands on and basically pretty straight forward.

 I encouraged people to bring note books to take notes as they go along. Why?, well think about it , when you were in college the best way to really comprehend  information is to repeat it by the act of writing , you memorize, then apply it.

The workshop began with simple breathing techniques  that incorporate the pelvic floor , getting the diaphragm accessed and simply put,  to get you focused. We then began to apply the breath to the movement coordinating the two creates  fluididty and a focused mindset, an awareness , if you will.

I then demonstrated each asana in direct correlation with  the breath, I had each student put their hands on me first to 'feel' which muscle was being engaged , example , plank pose and down dog ,I allowed students to apply their hands on my back where the lattisimus dorsi muscles are located, just under and side of the scapula (shoulder blades) I then allowed them to feel what it felt  like with those muscles disengeged , then then again as the muscles were engaged. They in turn partnered up with another student to do the same. Which reslulted in an immediate understanding and application of those muscles that make up part of the core.
The rest of the workshop continued on with the same format, demo then application. What I witnessed was that we all learn differently ,some of us audio, visual ,tactile and kinesthetic, as a teacher in both the dance  and yoga world I find it challenging yet exciting to observe and listen to each individual and how they process inforamtion based on their past experience and /or injuries and such . 
The Main thing is this, they ALL GOT IT!! Each student came away with a much clearer understanding of their bodies and a deeper awareness of themselves. 

As a yoga instructor and dance teacher I enjoy educating my students by sharing information with them , this practice is not something that is unattainable, it does take discipline, dedication and commitment but in the end  its all worth it ..nothing is IMPOSSIBLE!!!

Peace love and light 
the dancin yogi :

Observation or just an accute awareness?

7/12/2014

 
I had the privledge recentently , of experiencing a rather intersesting encounter with a job/career related situation. I say privledge because it allowed me to observe not only my own behavior but also the person to whom I was speaking. I'll begin by stating that this "person" called me for a position that needed to be filled immediately and that I was indeed available for the time and dates needed, so I sent my resume, bio ,etc and of course my fee.
 All was agreed upon and good to go until the ill-fated phonecall ....da duuhnn...(que music)....the conversation began with all of the approporaite niceties and such, but, as the conversation began to turn to the "interview " process ..it clearly  and quickly changed tone and focus ... This "person" was hiring me for a specific reason based on my experience,training and knowledge. 

As the conversation progressed this "person" was adamant about the way in which they wanted me to do my job, I said implicitily that I would'nt do X, Y and/or Z as I am not willing to forgo my teaching ethics or be party to a possibility of injury to student or students...what ensued within this conversation was this verbal browbeating and manipulation that this "person" kept insisting upon wanting me to do exactly as they wished not was I was being hired to do.

Again , this "person" was getting more and more aggravated with me because I would'nt succomb to their "ways or wishes" ..I stayed my ground...the passive agrressiveness, verbal manipulation and browbeating ensued with various subtle put-downs etc...again, I held my ground... I was by no means "intimidated " by this display of immaturity.
I waited until the hyper -verbal incessant nonsense was done .....ahh, finally , a break in the non sensical innsessant chatter ..... I then, calmly stated that ..I think I'm going to pass on this job , it sounds to me like you need someone who is willing to do exactly what YOU want them to do NOT What they do best, I said , quite frankly, Im not comfortable with the way in which your're speaking to me, so I am going to Pass , but thank you for calling and contacting me ..have a lovely day .

You'd think that was the end...Yes?  

Oh No,,,this "person" kept the conversation going by further trying to justify their decision to me with further subtle put-downs, more verbal manipulation and browbeating ...again  I held my ground...... and I  said "im sure you need to make decisons based on you staying true to the integrity of your business , just as I am making a proffessional decison by staying true to the integrity of my teaching philosophies and ethics , I wish you the best and again,thank you for contacting me, have a lovely day.

So my point in all of this is...that this "person" actually gave me a gift....a gift of self observation....truth be told had this occurred a year ago I would have verbally blasted this person and told them emphatically where to go..and what they can do when they get there etc..... but I didn't .. I allowed this person to speak, say what they needed to say,......and I truly listened ,Then I responded appropraitely ...
 
Why ? you ask ,would I allow a person to speak to me that way ? 

I will tell you why...because it had NOTHING TO DO WITH ME ....... I attribute the calmness to my yoga practice and yes maturity/wisdom has something to do with that.... but also being PRESENT... In the NOW!!
and at the crux of all of this is in the KNOWING....knowing yourself well enough know what your'e willing to do and not do , what your'e willing to accept or not accept and there is no right or wrong here it just IS!!

So take the time to really know yourself ... observation, awareness and acceptance

peace love and light 

Welcome To The Dancinyogi

7/2/2014

 
Hey there fellow dancers,yogis etc.... 
this is my very first blog entry, so hang in there with me...  :-) 
Its a hot one today ,humidity is high, sun is full on,no clouds.. yet a few months ago we were all complaining about how cold it was ..brrr, I guess that's just human nature, right?! We tend to never be quite satisfied. Be it in our careers/jobs, our relationships, where we live etc, the list can go on and on..and yes  I am guilty as charged, we all do at one time or another. Sometimes I wonder, will that ever change ... will we, as human beings ever be ok with what we have at this moment in this lifetime? We are continously bombarded by the media,social media included, to be our best, always encouraging us to keep going, be better, accomplish more etc..that we end  up comparing ourselves to others accomplishments,progress and such without even realizing that we are doing it ..scary huh? 


At which point do we say to ourselves, I am where I am supposed to be at this time at this very moment.? Well, I beleive it's different for everyone, we all have our own mini epiphanies, if you will. Fortunately for me , mine happens while I'm teaching yoga or dance....hmm..how did that happen ....sometimes while i am in the midst of breaking down an asana or choreography, I tend to use analogies and or pholosphies that pertain to that specific movement.. I like to call it divine intervention...hey, I can't take full credit ....but when that happens, it's my "ah- ha" moment. It is within that moment that it all becomes clear, this, is where I am supposed to be at this moment doing this thing at this time ...BEING PRESENT !  ah-ha!  Some people call it mindfullness, awareness(svadyaya) ..whatever you choose to call it , embrace it, relish in it, and that, my freinds, is the Universe working with you. As they say, whoever "they" are ..." go with the flow" , trust in the process and most of all, trust yourself.

So , Yes, it's hot , it's humid , it's summer and yes that too will inevitably change , just know that you are where your'e suppposed to be , be PRESENT , enjoy the moment !
Peace love and Light  :-)

    Author

    by Denise LaPointe, inspired by dance  and driven by passion my two fave things in life dance & yoga, animal lover. choreographer actress and  always in search of truth (satya) 

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  • HOME
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