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. 

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