Where do you Yoga?

I get asked this question quite a bit. And, I will say that I honestly didn’t have an answer for my fellow suburbanites till I started searching. My search started at good ‘ole Google and has led me to various yoga studios around McHenry County. Here, I will highlight some of my favorites!

Yoga Seva (at Rt. 176 and Walkup in Crystal Lake, Illinois) does more than live up to its name. Seva means selfless service. The instructors and guests at this studio genuinely seem to be concerned with their student’s learning, well being and development. On top of a regular schedule of yoga classes for all levels, they also offer workshops and meditations with Bhante Sujatha of Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. Check it out when you have a chance!

Om Stretch Yoga (at 112 Cary Street in downtown Cary, Illinois) is a studio I discovered only this past week. Heidi has a great little space; it’s cozy, peaceful and welcoming. The  studio is a great hub for Cary’s kula (yoga community). I really appreciate being welcomed into what sometimes feels like someone else’s home. The group Heidi has organized is so nice, inviting, funny and friendly. It is a great asset to this small community!

I look forward to discovering new yoga studios and opportunities to gather with like minded people in the suburbs. Hopefully, I will be sharing new outlets soon!

Namaste

Look what I can do!

I’ve been working hard on my physical yoga practice. We’ve been studying inversions in my teacher training for about a month now, and until Saturday, I was not able to kick my legs up to the wall in Salamba Sirsasana (supported headstand). Right before my attempt on Saturday, I shared with my fellow teacher that I usually go into the pose with the attitude that I can’t do it, but I should try anyway. This time, though, I told myself that I can do it and I will do it…and, I did it!

I was able to stay up for much longer than I thought, and I even practiced taking each foot away from the wall to balance in the pose all on my own. In time, I am confident I’ll be able to do the pose without the wall! I am so proud of myself. I wanted to share this story as inspiration for anyone who has a hurdle in their life that needs jumping over. Once you face your fear and get over your self-given limitations, you will ask yourself how you could have doubted yourself.

Keep believing in yourself!

Book Review: Eat Pray Love

So, I must be living under a rock because I only recently picked up Elizabeth Gilbert’s brilliant memoir “Eat Pray Love.” The story of Gilbert’s year spent traveling through Italy, India and Indonesia is told with such honesty, humor and insight. Even though Gilbert’s journey followed a severe depression and divorce (things I’ve not experienced in life), I found myself identifying with her many times throughout the book. Gilbert’s words inspire me to be independent, seek my true self and be happy. I especially liked her insight into meditation, and I have used many of her techniques in my own practice already. (Thanks so much for that!)

It wasn’t until I finished the book, that I visited Gilbert’s web site. There, she answers questions about the book and gives an update on her life since returning to the U.S. What I found most intriguing, though, was her Thoughts on Writing. As a big-time writer, Gilbert is undoubtedly asked to give advice to those wishing to turn their story into a masterpiece the likes of Gilbert’s. Her words were so inspiring to me and others, I’m sure. Here, I will share some her insights that touched me most (note: most of these tips are very much linked to spiritual practice…it all comes around in the end!).

I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling.

“Hey – somebody has to write all those stories: why not me?”

As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you.

You must find another reason to work, other than the desire for success or recognition. It must come from another place.

All these insights can be applied to any kind of work, really. I think that it is most important that you make sure to act with purpose in every thing you do. This is the way to reach happiness and be at peace with your self.

A New Meditation

I’m accustomed to meditation in a seated position or lying down. When I come to this relaxed pose, I focus on my breath and try in earnest to let my thoughts come and go. Recently, I’ve been trying to deepen my meditation practice, and this effort has seemed to have brought me further from my goal–to rest easily within my divine self.

To get myself back on track, I’ve sought many texts and audio guides to help me relax and feel connected to my universe. This morning, I tried a walking meditation for the first time. Using the guidance of Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and one of his principle students, Nguyen Anh-Huong, I walked with peace in every step. The 20 minute guided meditation, read by Ahn-Huong, asked me to not only focus on my breath, but to also sync my breathing with my steps.

The most important thing to remember when practicing a walking meditation is that you have no destination. You are there–here–at home. I walked past just six houses during my 20 minute meditation. I’m sure my neighbors were curious about what I was doing when they saw me walking zombie-like as they got their morning newspaper.

These outside distractions were easy for me to block out. I was totally engaged with my step. Feeling the earth under my feet and feeling nourished by it. I really felt at peace, present and happy.

I encourage anyone who has either come to a stall in their meditation practice or those who have yet to start one to try walking meditation. I found the book, CD and DVD program I used at the library (aka it was FREE)!

I found this article. It is a nice summary of walking meditation.

Sri Goswami Kriyananda at The Temple of Kriya Yoga Chicago

On Sunday, I went to the noon meditation at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago. This was my first time at the temple. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked up to the building, but when I walked in any anxiety disappeared. It was so nice to be surrounded by people who were on similar paths to me. There was such a great sense of welcoming and community!

My attendance was brought on by the visit of Sri Goswami Kriyananda, the Guru and Spiritual Preceptor of the Temple of Kriya Yoga.

Kriyananda is in town through the beginning of November and will be speaking at the temple on Sundays. You can find a full listing of topics at the temple web site.

Sunday’s meditation was, “Overcoming Obstacles on the Path.” Kriyananda spoke about these obstacles with humor and warmth. His words were encouraging and inspiring.

I would like to highlight some of the obstacles Kriyananda discussed and some of the ways he suggests to overcome them. The first thing we have to address is our body. A healthy body is essential to having faith in yourself. You must be comfortable in your body and within your own universe to reach enlightenment.

Secondly, Kriyananda points to laziness, what he likes to call confusion, as another obstacle. We must remove laziness from our life and never allow ourselves to become exhausted. This can be done with our attitude toward our work. We must find joy in everything we do. Ask yourself the question, “What do I want to accomplish in this lifetime?”

Thirdly, scattered thoughts and daydreaming can be an obstacle. By meditating and turning inward we can find what these daydreams are really saying and make our daily life more exciting. Kriyananda said to always keep one foot glued to the earth.

The fourth obstacle was mental chattering, similar to the previous obstacle. To overcome this we must, again, meditate. Kriyananda suggests spending time in meditation and said that if for just 48 seconds you can be comfortable within yourself, you have succeeded. If your are uncomfortable with yourself, you feel inferior and your bring your self to the lower chakras, further from enlightenment. Find your dream and your joy and follow it. Don’t feel like you have to go to some far off place to find it; make your home an ashram.

The fifth obstacle Kriyananda mentioned was doubt. Many people doubt God because of the modern churches. He points out that it is all about YOU. You are truth. Can you trust yourself? If you don’t, depression can set in.

Lastly, Kriyananda pointed out memory as an obstacle. He said we often hang onto negative memories and forget the positive ones. We are strong enough to not let these negative memories or those of others affect us. Do not let other people affect your. It’s about you and your reaction to the world. Choose to reverse your karma by reversing your reaction. Do not get caught up in others’ karma.

In summary, Kriyananda says that we are our obstacle. He said to be happy and be the master of your own mind. We’re all here to learn and to love others skillfully.

I cannot capture Kriyananda’s words in this small blog. If you want to learn more about his teachings, please visit the temple web site and check out Kriyananda’s videos on YouTube. Also, attend one of the Sunday meditations.

Namaste

Center for Integrated Veterinary Sports Medicine

Last Friday, I went to Crestview Farm in Harvard to interview Tracey Scott and Annie Logan of the Center for Integrated Veterinary Sports Medicine. I’m doing an article about the center for McHenry County Living. I won’t go into too much detail here, but I will tell you that Tracey and Annie’s approach to healing horses is very much like the yogi’s approach to healing-do what is right for the individuals body, find the problem and treat it instead of treating the symptoms and think long term rather than rushing the body into performance it’s not ready for. Here are some shots from the facility. I will post the final article when it comes out.

Vegetarianism and Yoga

I read this article in Yoga Journal a while back and thought I’d share it since I’ve had a few comments about my Why I Veg post.

I think this article encompasses many of the themes I tried to convey in my post–the individuality of a diet and how diet can become a practice (perhaps even part of a yoga practice). Enjoy the article, and let me know what you think!