Tag: Shambhava Yoga Konalani

Final Days at Konalani

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Finals Yay!

“I am so over these geckos!” I exclaim to myself as I clean massive gecko poop droppings. These beautiful creatures were so fascinating in the beginning but they have become the biggest nuisance of my life. They poop everywhere, and my bathroom is covered in it. I am in full Pitta mode now. I am trying to find someone at the Ashram to blame for this. “Really?” I ask myself. As if anyone has control of the gastric contents of these reptiles.

I decide that I need to take the Yoga class before our final exams, not caring about any physical limitations today. I need to burn this off and to find some good meditation. Being that it is Independence Day, Satyam has come up with a theme class based on freedom. We start off with a gratitude flower meditation, just what I need.

We each had to randomly select a peak pose for our 15-minute final. This was to be taught to our fellow classmates. Of course, I picked shoulder stand. My back will definitely not allow me to do this so I have JP and Miko on stand bye to step up and demo the pose as I cue it to the class.

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I got bonus kudos from my ratings for this. My key needs for improvement were that I moved too fast and my voice was too low. My key strengths were using breath, my explanations of arms in Salabasana and the foot massage I added to Butterfly pose.

Yet, I still felt defeated. I felt like I got my ass kicked throughout most of my teaching. Though some would say I was too into my head, others would say that I was making so much improvement in getting out of my head. Most said they wanted my story when I taught, rather than the quotes I added throughout my teaching. It’s all good. I didn’t expect to be this awesome teacher at the end. Just a good beginner teacher and I was not sure I had achieved that.

Satyam explained to me that what I had learned during teacher training was like the first draft of one of my blogs. He wants me to use that and sprinkle my personal finishing touches in a way that everyone would be able to comprehend the published writing. I felt better, knowing I was up to the challenge.

Spirit had made a special lunch for all of us and it was delicious. At the table, Satyam and Abhaya said they could drive us down to the parade if we would like but we would need a ride back if we wanted to watch the fireworks. Most of us just wanted to stay back at the Ashram and have some downtime. So we all gathered in the living room and watched Kung Fu Panda III, per Satyam’s suggestion. It was an enjoyable night of just hanging together. I am glad we chose to do so.

Later that night, I was awoken by the loud fireworks. I headed to the bathroom and it was really dark. Some strange looking animal was coming at me. I thought it might be a young boar, but it turned out to be a bulldog that had wandered onto the Ashram. I was a bit scared at first but he just walked up to me and smiled like a bulldog would smile. Then he followed me everywhere. When I got to the bathroom, he tried to go inside with me but I had to say no. Then he wandered off toward Satyam who was walking around handing out ear plugs.

Satyam said to pay no mind to the dog. I thought the dog must have been scared by the fireworks and felt the good energy of the Ashram. He was gone by morning.

Graduation Day

We started out with meditation, then breakfast. Afterward, we were given an hour to clean and pack. Then we did our final craft assignment. The first being a braided necklace made from some of the plants that grow on the Ashram land. I am not good with my hands so I stopped at the first string and turned it into an earring.

I had better luck with the headband and I just loved it. Satyam wanted us all to get together for a picture and of course, Angela went right into a full headstand. “Angela, unless you can hold one of these branches with your toes, get down and take a picture with us!” I scolded. She laughed and joined us.

After another break to clean up and change for graduation, we each met outside the shrine. “I can’t believe it is over.” Alexa smiled sadly. We hugged. We were then taken into the shrine and organized in a circle. We all sang a song together, then Satyam and Abhaya presented us with our certificates and lovely kukui nut necklaces.

Satyam and Abhaya took turns sharing something about each of us and it was truly a beautiful experience. I am now a certified Yoga Teacher!

Afterward, I was more than ready to spread my wings and fly…or at least take a bus to the next part of my journey: the Hilo side of the island.

My Konalani Ashram experience was over and it was a worthwhile and meaningful part of my story. I will always look back on it with bliss!

Of Breath, Fire, ​and Acceptance

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“I’m going to start my own style of Yoga”, I announce to Satyam before we begin our next lecture. The look on his face is priceless.“I’m going to call it ‘Hot-Flash Yoga’ and we will just sit in easy pose and sweat for no reason at all!” This gets a slight smile from Satyam and a chuckle out of my classmates.

I have entered full menopause at the young age of 46 and hot flashes have been a constant. I had found some relief in acupuncture and Chinese herbs. But almost as soon as I arrived at the Ashram, I stopped taking the herbs. It didn’t seem to matter anyway. Kona has been especially scorching and I could hardly tell if I was in a hot flash or it was just hot.

I also felt the need to experience this process in my fullest womanhood. I had already stopped wearing makeup and started to appreciate, even celebrate my fat rolls instead of loathing them. Many of the things my classmate Amy shared with the group was integral to this psychic shift. So many changes I had never expected.

We are studying breathing techniques and one of the first we dive into is called “Sitali Breath”. Its benefits are read to us “Cooling to the mind and body. May be used anytime one feels overheated. An effective pranayama for hot flashes”… JP looks at me and raises his eyebrows. This deserves further research. I make a point of trying this the next time I have a hot flash.

I find that if I start this breathing as soon as the flash hits me, it shortens the length and intensity of the heat. I think I’m on to something here!

I will find this to be my most useful tool going forward and have not had to use the Chinese herbs even when I return home to my normal life.

Vedic Fire Ceremony

Every Saturday morning at 5:30 AM we are required to attend the Fire Ceremony. It is another beautiful practice as we throw rice into a fire.

What is Yajna?

Yajna is not a new age phenomenon. Yajna is the ancient yogic practice of making offerings into a sacred fire. Fire ceremony purifies emotions, burns up unresolved conflict and worries, and leaves us feeling lighter, free, and more open inside. As we focus on letting go, the fire dissolves our tensions leaving only Vibhuti, or Sacred Ash, behind. The Vibhuti represents the pure essence of our nature, the Inner Self.

How do I practice Yajna?

The practice of offering mantras and a simple masala (rice mixture) has been used for thousands of years as a catalyst for change and growth. First, the sacred fire is opened by an experienced Pujari. Next, practitioners take a small amount of masala in the right hand between the thumb and two middle fingers (The index finger is left out as it represents the ego) and circle the heart in a clockwise direction while repeating a mantra. The masala is then offered into the fire. Practitioners can visualize releasing all of their troubles into the fire; the fire purifies everything. [1]

Afterward, at breakfast,  I tell Satyam and Abhaya that the Fire Ceremony will fit well with my “Hot-Flash” Yoga style. “We can burn all the unnecessary Karma away, then do some Asanas followed by Sitali Breath”. This actually gets them both laughing.

Yet I am feeling such growth with the acceptance of my natural body as it exists today. No longer embarrassed or wanting to hide. Perhaps some of my vanity was burned off as I tossed the rice into the fire. Thus, opening my heart spirit to learning more about living a life filled with true self-love. Might I be able to take this further and teach my students about such love? I do hope so. Stay Blissful My Friends – E

 

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Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

 

  1. https://www.shoshoni.org/about-us/yajna-fire-ceremony/

Yoga Sequence – Forgiveness Part II

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This is the second part of a practice, which has been effective to me in regard to forgiveness and surrender.

Sometimes, we are not ready to forgive the BIG perpetrator. We might start with smaller hurts. Maybe the person or persons who knew what was happening, yet did nothing to step in and help. They might have participated in tarnishing your reputation with gossip.

You might  feel the need to forgive yourself for being in this position in the first place or staying there too long. Most often, this is not true, yet our feelings deserve to be validated. So if this is what you feel then go ahead and forgive yourself.

My Yoga practice has been a loving channel, which brings me through this process each time a hurt, angry emotion, or resentment begins to invade my inner being.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

– Lewis B. Smedes

  • Forward Fold
  • Step back to Plank
  • Bring Knees to Floor to do a few Cat-Cow Poses
  • Devotional Pose
  • Slide nose to front of mat to Cobra poseimg_20160704_181630_kindlephoto-152752864.jpg
  • Downward Dog
  • Step forward to Mountain Pose
  • Right foot back to Pyramid Pose
    • This pose is good for calming and focus.
    • 3-4 breaths in this pose
  • Rise with strength and courage
  • Reset your hips
  • Left foot back to Pyramid Pose
    • 3-4 breaths in this pose.

TreePose

  • Tree Pose Right Side
    • As we sometimes struggle in this pose we are reminded that trees grow and gain strength in adversity (When the wind is strong). Just like a tree, we are becoming stronger and more rooted in our authenticity.
  • Tree Pose Left Side
  • Warrior I Left Side (with hands on hips) – Transition to Humble Warrior
    • As we bend into this version of Warrior I, we acknowledge that surrender equates to victory.
  • Warrior I Right Side (with hands on hips) – Transition to Humble Warrior
  • Turn to side of mat – Goddess Pose
    • We recognize the courage it takes to become comfortable with who we are today.

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Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

  • Pivot left foot to turn to the short side of the mat, transition into Side Angle Pose Right Side
  • Return to Goddess Pose
  • Pivot left foot to turn to the short side of the mat, transition into Side Angle Pose Left Side
  • Step back to the front of the mat – Forward Fold to a ball then bring yourself down to the floor.
  • Bring Hips to Heels and do a few Flying Breaths
  • Bring feet to front for Staff Pose (sit on a blanket or towel)
    • Re-establishing our personal values as we inhale, pressing our sit bones into the floor, lifting our hearts. Keeping a soft bend in the knees to avoid a rigid hardness in our physical, mental and emotional state of being.
  • Boat Pose
    • Engaging your core (Naval to Spine) for power and correct navigation as would a boat on its proper course.
    • We are heading in the right direction. Freeing ourselves from bitterness, resentment, fear and anger.
  • Come on to back, bringing knees to a table top position.
  • Reclined Twists Both Sides
  • Bring knees back to center, bring your nose up, giving knees a big hug.
    • Remembering to accept self-love and appreciation for who you are and what you have to offer to the universe.
  • Cool-down of your choice to Savasana.

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Namaste.

Stay blissful my friends! – E

When the Past Stops by to Say Hello

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Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

We are having our first group check-in. Abhaya and Satyam explained to us that usually around this time in the training, past emotional events might come up. They asked us each to share if this had happened. I shared my gratitude to Alexa for covering me during clean up because I was having “medication” issues and went straight to bed at 5PM, missing dinner and my chores. There was not much brought up at this check in.

However, the next day as a few of us were sitting around during one of our breaks, I came clean with a memory that popped up in my head as I was falling asleep the night before. Everyone at the Ashram knows I have a history of domestic violence and I felt that I was in a safe place to share this:

I was about 3 or 4 and had my first “boyfriend”. I believe his name might have been Joey and he was either my age or a few years older. We played behind the big couch in my living room and peck-kissed each other.

One night, he slept over and we both woke up very early. I remember the filtered light through the curtains and the stuffy smell of a home with closed windows and lots of bodies living within its walls. The house was still, as everyone was asleep.  We went down to the kitchen and Joey turned on the stove. He placed a butter knife over the flame and then on my arm. “Does this hurt?” he asked. I shook my head “no”.  He then placed the knife on the flame longer, then back onto my arm. I screamed so loud, I woke up the whole house, possibly the whole neighborhood.

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Source: DeviantArt.com Photo by Kara Pritchard

I have no idea what my dad did about it and would always be afraid to ask. I do know the boy was never a house guest again. I still have the scar on my arm to remind me of this event.

Back then, in the 70’s, parents would have smacked that kid into the next week, not realizing how much help he probably needed. Are we able to see this behavior in children at such a young age now? I truly hope so. I have no resentments toward that young man. I pray he received the help he obviously was in desperate need of.

In addition, I wondered if this might have set the wheels in motion for my ability to find myself in abusive relationships throughout the earlier part of my life. Might this have set the precedent for how I expected to be treated? I have no idea, I am not a psychologist. Just pondering the idea.

What a gift, to have people in which, I could share this very personal information. Nobody could actually relate or have any answers to my questions. Yet my classmates gave me exactly what I needed – compassion.

Sometimes, all we need is an ear to hear our story, not necessarily to be fixed by some bumper sticker quote. Don’t get me wrong. I love bumper stickers! Yet there are occasions that silent eye contact and possibly a hug is all that is necessary.

If we want to take it further for our friend, we can always pray, chant, and send good energy.

Stay Blissful My Friends – E

Random Thoughts From the Ashram

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Today was filled with learning, laughter, comradery and creativity.  I love being a part of this particular classmates. We alla bring various yoga experience and spirituality.

A few of us have begun meeting after dinner and showers in the Yoga tent to work on cueing up poses. It is here that I realize I have already lost my mala. We made them today out of Rudraksha seeds that have fallen to the ground on the Ashram land. So far, I have lost my mala, my lip balm, 2 pens, and the paper I was given which my chore instructions were written.

Plopping down in my tent, I am grateful that it is dark so I cannot see the mess in there. I have very little time to make it to each session every day, let alone clean my personal living space. We get Sundays off so I plan to take a few minutes to straighten up.

6:10 PM and we yoga teachers-in-training are totally spent. We learned 5 poses today and none of us had energy after dinner to do any homework sessions. Everyone else has gone to shower, then bed. I feel I must write now while I have a clear mind.

If I had a chalkboard right now, I would write the following words on it 200 times:

Inhale, press through feet to lift heart. Exhale as you hinge at hips.

Inhale, press through feet to lift heart. Exhale as you hinge at hips.

Inhale, press through feet to lift heart. Exhale as you bend knee.

Inhale, press through feet to lift heart. Exhale as you bend knee and hips.

Inhale, press through sit bones and feet to lift heart. Exhale as you hinge at hips.

Inhale, press through sit bones to lift heart. Exhale as you lean back and work legs together.

Inhale, press through floor to lift heart. Exhale as you tilt the hips and bend to side.

This is our new language…If it were possible to tattoo it on our brains, it would already be done.

It is very humid and by the end of each day, I totally smell like ass, which makes the shower all that more enjoyable. It was raining tonight as I was showering under the Bamboo tree. The rain out here is nice. Not cold and frigid like home, which makes me cranky. This Kona rain brings me into a state of blissfulness. It felt like I was getting a much needed double cleansing. I felt so lovely and peaceful. Surely, I smelled better afterward…

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Today is the longest day of the year! Summer Solstice. We awoke to the most beautiful moonlit ocean view.

As I had hoped, our Yoga class was focused on Sun Salutations. It was a lovely practice, honoring the Sun and all the energy it provides creation.

The back was kind enough to let me partake in this Yoga celebration. At the end of class, I gave myself a big hug and thanked my body for all it does for me.

Though it was hot and humid, making me sleepy, I took my break over at the grassy slope under the Bodhi tree and laid down inverted. A wonderful sensation flowed through my back and I even got in a nice snooze!

My biggest challenge for the week is staying awake during meditation.

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Fallen leaf on the grounds of Konalani

From my creative writing challenge “40 Days and 40 Nights”

Leaf flickering as it falls from the tree.
It is red as fire and smaller than a bird’s feather.
Arriving to the ground, it has found it’s new purpose – to feed the hungry ants, who will feed the hungry gecko.

As demanding as this schedule is, I know I will miss it when it is over. So I choose to remain present in each moment, remembering to keep a soft bend in my knees while standing. I have been told that doing so honors the intention.

Stay Blissful my friends! – E

emails To The Hubby

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6/11/16

Good morning babe. I have come to realize that I will probably learn how to respond and teach my students when they have back pain.

I have already learned so much from April and Rick.

Watch out world! Elysia is in full acceptance! LY -E

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My dearest Brian,

I hope things are well at the homestead and that you are in good mind, body, and spirit.

It has been an extremely busy week of physical, mental and spiritual learnings. There are six of us trainees: Amy and Angela, who live nearby in Kona, Mico from Japan (I named a sequence after her), Alexa from Canada and one male, JP from Oahu.

I am grateful for the camaraderie and the energy each of us brings to the Ashram.

The teaching staff also run the ashram. Satyam and his girlfriend Abhaya. There is also a cook, her name is Spirit and she is from Denver. All have spent time at Shoshoni. The ladies wear no makeup yet they are both beautiful.

It is far too humid to wear makeup anyway. That and the numerous mosquito bites can cure anyone’s vanity issues. We are all natural all day long.

The ashram life begins at 5:30am and ends at 5:30pm. We have breakfast and lunch breaks and a half hour for Seva, which is the service part of yoga. It is done mindfully and does not matter if we have completed all our chores. When the leader rings the bell, we are to stop immediately. This is not as easy as one would think. Especially when I really had my eye on a certain spot.

Twice a week we get to choose between going to the mall to pick up needed items or go to the beach. By the time we get to either place, we have 35 minutes before we have to get in the van and return for lunch.

I got to snorkel for the very first time and swam with a turtle, a school of brilliant yellow fish and some parrot fish! The water felt so good on my back. What I did learn is that even though I was completely in water, the sun is still very strong on my head. I went to bed that night without dinner and missed my homework session.

So after dinner and showers, most of us return to the Yoga deck and do a study session for about another hour and a half. We are all basically in bed and fast asleep by 8:30!

Because I missed my homework session, I had to wing my morning presentation to my group. It turned out to be my best presentation so far. Go figure…

Today was our day off but we didn’t want to do too much because we have processed a lot in our first week. We started with a half hour meditation, an hour of studying, then a trolley ride into town for lunch and some shopping. We returned and did another hour of study. Whew!

A few key learnings: Keep standing with my core engaged, I need to lose the habit of hyperextending my knees (bending your knees slightly while standing immediately actually brings you in the moment.) And the purpose of asana is to prepare you for meditation.

Well, that is about it for now. I love you, miss you, and appreciate you – E

6/26/16

Hi Babe, 

Sure do miss you. I speak often to my group about the support you have been to me.

We are a week and a half into our Yoga teacher training and have somewhat found our rhythm in the Ashram lifestyle.

One of my favorite practices is selfless service, aka Seva. Seva is to be performed in silence or while chanting. Today, I began chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”, during Selfless service. I found this to be a blissful practice and I plan to implement it in my daily life when I return home.

We were supposed to have our midterm test today, however, Satyam and Abaya said we did so well on our practice tests that we deserved a few hours at the beach instead.

My biggest feedback received is that I do so well when I bring my practice and teach from the heart, yet I often find myself in my head searching for cues. So basically, I need to stop over thinking my sequences.

Hawaii is indeed paradise except for these little demons from hell we call mosquitoes.  You will see more of that in a text soon. Alexa, our Canadian student recorded a video.

Emotions hit a peak the other day and several of the girls were shedding tears. This is normal, as a lot comes up when you have 3 sessions of meditation and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in presenting sequences.  I blogged about it and had Satyam and Abhaya read it before posting.  They loved it! Satyam even said that I am a good writer!

There is so much more I want to share with you. But I will be patient and tell you more when I return home.

I love you and miss you dearly. I’m also attaching some pictures for your viewing pleasure.  – E

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b

7/3/16

Hi babe,

Hope all is well with you and our babies! It’s hard to believe that we trainees have only two more days. Monday is our final exam and Tuesday, graduation. I’m off to Hilo Wednesday.

Such an amazing journey and we have learned a whole lot. I’m glad there’s only 6 of us. That’s plenty of personalities in one location. 

Tomorrow is our day off but a few of us are staying in to finish our final writing assignments. If there’s time after, we are going to do beach yoga.

Well, just a little more than a week and we will be together again. You might not recognize me, though…

Hey, did you get my text with the video I took by the mango tree?

Love you – E

 

Arrival

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Well, I have finally arrived at Konalani Shambhava Ashram in Kona, HI! I shared a cab with a nice young man, who goes by the name of JP.  We are greeted by Satyam and Abhaya, who give us cool wash cloths to wipe off any stickiness from the trip. Then we are presented with leis and freshly squeezed mango juice. Yum!

I will be staying in a tent cabin and at this very moment, I am ready to pass out for a while. There are two semi-outdoor bathrooms for each of us staying in the tents. Since JP is male and I am female, we are in separate tents and he chooses the bathroom at the far end. Our showers are outdoors underneath beautiful bamboo trees.

Satyam has given us the best instructions to keep the geckos and bugs out of our tents and bathrooms as much as possible. The first time I see a gecko, I scream. But I get used to them soon after. The main reason to keep them out of our tents is that they like to poop everywhere. Gross.

There are six of us taking the teacher training. 5 women and 1 man. So far, I think it is a good group. I have always thought of the number 6 as lucky.

Our home for the next 3 weeks is lovely and the view is awesome. We are located in what is known as “The Mango Belt”, and when there is a soft rain, the sweet fragrance is pleasing to the nasal senses. We all get to know each other at the dinner table, sharing about our lives, careers, and goals.

I don’t know if it is the humidity or the pain killers making me nod off. Staying alert during orientation was quite difficult. We must be on the mat at 5:30 am and coffee is ready at 5, so I plan to get up super early to have a cup.

Our schedule is as follows:

5:30 AM               Warm up and practice teaching.

6:30 AM               Meditation and Chanting in the Shrine

(skirts required for women, slacks for men).

7:00 AM               Breakfast

7:30 AM               Seva (Selfless Service)

8:00 AM               Break

8:30 AM               Yoga workshop and lecture

12:30 PM             Lunch

2:00 PM               Meditation/Chanting

2:30 PM               Yoga Workshop

5:00 PM               Dinner

6/15/16

Morning begins at 5AM. Note to self: Make it 4:30 AM…

It’s 5:00 am and I am still in my tent, fidgeting in the dark, trying to find my flashlight app when I hear “Good morning, Mija!” I had inadvertently dialed my mother’s phone. “I am so sorry mom,” I say, “I can’t see. I love you.” Then I hang up and find my way to the bathroom.

I wash my face, take meds, brush teeth, change clothes. (I will later sleep in the clothes I will start my day in and have my bag packed to save more time…) Grab a quick cup of coffee before entering the Yoga deck at 5:25 AM for our personal practice.

The coffee is a welcome joy to my senses. Gazing at the ocean view below us, I couldn’t imagine a better setting for the next three weeks. What a gift! What a life!

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My personal practice consists of a much modified Sun Salute then a Yin Yoga practice. At this point, I realize I should have taken the pain meds. Because they made me dizzy, I thought I didn’t need them anymore. More likely, it just means I need less. I make a mental note to take a half dose at breakfast and see if that works. It does. Why does pain have to be so high maintenance?

After personal practice, we are given a presentation on feedback and suggestions. It is called a “Wish and a Star”. Starting with a wish, which is a suggestion and finished with a star for the positive points. I understand the concept, though, toward the end of our training, some have become accustomed to doing the “Star” first, followed by a “But…” Somehow this disappoints me. Still, a small issue, overruled by the many positive experiences we will share.

We then move on to meditation. Today, learning something new: We don’t just “arrive” at our meditation. We move into it, slowly coming into stillness. Satyam is teaching this and uses a “bobble head” analogy that is quite fun to do. We then move into a small 3-count breath in, 3-count breath out walking meditation in a circle.

Breakfast at 7AM with more coffee! I am enjoying the vegetarian cuisine so far. We had oatmeal with bananas and nuts, Greek yogurt with honey, and mango lassi. Our meals are eaten at the patio table facing the ocean. No phones allowed as we are expected to commune with one another during mealtime. I love this! Today, we get an hour to ourselves and I will be drinking more coffee!

Abhaya gives us a class on anatomy and we take pictures to view our postures. I can see why I might be experiencing back pain.

It is so humbling to have limitations. I had worked so hard with strength training since February and was hoping I could get tips on some complicated poses. For now, I am just grateful for the ability to attend this training.

Time for ego to step aside and let Spirit take over. Nothing short of amazing that this is not too difficult a feat. Even when some of the other ladies go into headstands and splits, I feel content that I CAN bring SOMETHING to the mat.

This recovering addict/alcoholic had never imagined herself here in Hawaii, studying to become a Yoga Teacher. In addition, having the finances to do this very thing, was beyond my wildest dreams. Now is as good a time as ever to be grateful and enjoy the sunset.

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Stay Blissful My Friends – E

Yoga Sequence – Forgiveness Part I

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While writing my final “theme” vinyasa for completing my Yoga Teacher training, I was challenged by my instructor Satyam to bring my life experiences into my asanas.

Turns out, a recurring “trigger” of an old hurt has been rearing its…scowling head once again, reminding me of the topic of forgiveness.

Like my fellows, I have been wronged and hurt by others. Sometimes extremely harsh wrongs, other times, little hurts that simmered within for long stretches of time.

I have also known the effects of never receiving the apology I felt I deserved. In the end, rather than holding on to the toxicity of resentment, I learned to let go and surrender to forgiveness.

My Yoga practice has been a loving channel, which brings me through this process each time a hurt, angry emotion, or resentment begins to invade my inner being. Today, I would like to share some asanas, which have been effective to me in regard to forgiveness and surrender.

1. Forward Fold

2. Warrior II Both Sides
As we inhale we remember that our strength remains within. Exhale, acknowledge: ” I am a warrior and my sword is love”

3. Lateral Angle Pose Both Sides

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Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

Twists are commonly referenced as detoxifying poses. We are not only detoxifying our digestive system with twists.
Anger and resentment are toxic to the mind, body, and spirit.

4. Downward Dog

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5. Crescent Lunge Both Sides (counter by straightening front leg) —>Downward Dog to Mountain Pose

6. Dancer Pose Both Sides (Flying Breath in between)

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Reflect on life as a dance. Stop taking it so seriously and enjoy it!

(Forward Fold to Downward Dog to Table Pose)

7.Devotional Pose
Breathing into this pose, we surrender to life on life’s terms.
(Lifting from Devotional Pose, bring legs straight out to the front of the mat.)

8. Staff Pose
Establishing our firm personal values as we inhale, pressing our sit bones into the floor, lifting our hearts.

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Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

9. Sitting Forward Fold
We also acknowledge and accept our gentle nature as we exhale and soften into this bend.

10.Shoulder Stand

11.Fish Pose
Further releasing fear and anxiety.

12.Half Lord of the Fishes Both Sides
Twisting out remaining toxins. As we inhale, lifting our hearts, we let love in. As we exhale, let go of resentments.

(Come on to your back, bringing knees to a tabletop position. Then to knees and transition to your back, knees bent to a table position).

13. Reclined Twists Both Sides

14. Bring knees back to center, bring your nose up, giving knees a big hug. Remembering to accept self-love and appreciation for who you are and what you have to offer to the universe.

15.Cooldown of your choice to Savasana.

Namaste.

Stay blissful my friends! – E

Emotional Energy

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Emotional Energy

Crying is good for you, it means that you’re alive. If you were dead, you couldn’t cry.

We are a week and a half into our Yoga teacher training at Shambhava Yoga Konalani and have somewhat found our rhythm in the Ashram lifestyle.

One of my favorite practices is selfless service, aka Seva. Seva is to be performed in silence or while chanting. Today, I began chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”, during Selfless service. I found this to be a blissful practice and I plan to implement it in my daily life when I return home.

Yesterday, a few of us hit the wall emotionally. One of my dear fellow students collapsed in my arms, sobbing. We had a nice chat and shared many hugs. I was reminded of the effectiveness of our pranayama training for our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Our cook told me afterward that she, herself had a good crying session.

We all returned to study hall but by that time, my energy was tapped out. I decided to skip dinner and take a nap.

I find all this emotional energy to be quite normal and appropriate at this juncture in our training. Just think about any other form of higher learning and you will find many young women in tears over grades and deadlines.

But our tears are not over mid-terms and finals. At least not yet. There is so much more or maybe just different concerns in Yoga teacher training. We have the meditation, breathing and the Ashram lifestyle. We are partnering up for complex poses, giving each other honest feedback. We experience communal meals and the vulnerability of presenting asanas and sequences.

Whether we like it or not, we have a true connection, psychically, spiritually, and emotionally. I have complete confidence in our training staff and how they address uncomfortable conversations. I also know that we will come out of this part of our individual journeys as effectual, spiritual beings.

I woke up from my nap to a strong rainstorm. It’s as if the sky had great empathy for our group and nature wanted to partake in a good, cleansing cry alongside us.

We’ll, time to get back to memorizing sanskrit:

Vrksasana is a tree.
It starts with the letter V.
Her branches are raised up high,
For all the world to see.
Vrksasana – Tree Pose.

Stay blissful my friends – E

If you liked this,  check out: https://livingelysian.com/2016/11/06/let-go-keep-going-or-start-over/