I am not a purist.

I've been practicing many types of yoga for over 10 years. I began my journey with Hatha. Then went through training to practice yoga therapy for children with special needs. My own yoga practice intensified through jivamukti and power yoga. I've never considered myself a purist. In fact, one of my favorite parts of teaching yoga is finding or creating a great sequence to further one's practice.

Everything changed, in a way I hadn't quite expected, when I traveled to Mysore, India to study Ashtanga.

My cousin, Angelique Sandas (find her blog!) is a certified Ashtanga yoga teacher. I tagged along with her on one of her biannual Mysore trips. She is a purist. She, as Ashtangis do, dedicates her practice to Ashtanga. She honors the sequence of series as presented by Sri Pattabhi Jois. Well, I warned her before we went to India, "I am not a purist." (She smiled.)

Even as my body began to transform in India, as my practice began to transform, I watched all of the other students from around the world coming to this very special place to practice, and saw myself as outsider, as a watcher. I am not a purist. Toward the end of my trip I began to feel like one "of them". Watching new students arrive, seeing them go through the transition and transformation that I went through. Still, though, I did not see myself as a purist.

Now much time has past. Winter turned to spring, to summer, to fall. My life has changed quite a bit too. I have gone from stay at home mom to full time special education teacher. I am trying to find my way to my new normal. Its been very difficult. I miss being home with my son terribly. And for some silly reason, I though I would finally have time to dedicate to my own practice since I wasn't teaching yoga anymore. Silly me.

What I am finding though, that the time I do create to practice yoga, I am only practicing Ashtanga. I have no desire to attend any other style of class. I am only seeking out Ashtanga teachers, and more specifically ones who practice Mysore style. But, I repeat, I am not a purist.

Or am I? Why do I only desire to practice Ashtanga? Why do I get irritated in class if a teacher isn't practicing Mysore style? Perhaps my experience has led me down a path that I did not anticipate. I always say that yoga calls you to the mat. If you find yourself practicing, its not a coincidence, you have been brought there for a purpose, to do work. Ashtanga is calling me. In a very purist kind of way.

I stand by my statement, and am curious to see how my yoga path unfolds. I feel India calling me back. I don't know how or when that calling will be fulfilled.

I am not a purist. Or am I? I guess only the future will tell.

Birth Matters

Today I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful event at The House called Birth Matters. It was an expose’ of mother’s groups, doulas, home birth providers, physical therapists, massage therapists, lactation specialists and many more. I was there with Creative Therapeutics, the place where Exceptional Yoga calls home, sharing information about the Prenatal Yoga and Mommy & Me classes I currently teach. There were many amazing women there – women who have had a great difference in many other women’s lives.
When I came to DeKalb (the 2nd time) in 2008, 6 months pregnant with Holden, I tried desperately to find a home birth provider. I was not aware of the many resources available and did not know how to find them. Although I am grateful I was able to find a way to have the natural, intervention free birth I desired, I drove all the way to Oak Park to a Midwife’s group to do it!
As I think of my friend who is days away from having a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), proving doubtful doctors and nurses and naysayers wrong, I am in awe of this beautiful movement happening right here in DeKalb. Women coming together from many different aspects and walks of life all toward one purpose: assisting women in achieving the birth experience they desire.
There is an empowerment movement happening, and women are taking charge of their health – prenatal and postnatal. At a time when many medical practices are moving in a “standard of care” direction, it is great to see so many coming together to resist that depersonalization of the birth experience. I hope this evening there are many expecting moms sitting at home smiling, thinking of the wonderful connections they made today, looking forward to having the beautiful and unforgettable birth experience they wish for.
Namaste’

Musical Meditation and Yogic Therapy Camp

I am grateful to have attended H.H. Yogiraj Dr. Omprakash Hi Maharaj's Musical Meditation and Yogic Therapy camp this past week. What a wonderful reminder of the many physical, emotional and mental illnesses yoga therapy addresses.

Pranayama is energy and breath, it is also said to be controlling the breath. Swamiji says, "Control your Prana, Control your Mind!"

There are many different pranayama excersizes that benefit the body and mind in so many different ways. Swamiji led us in pranayama for about an hour each day. Personally, the effects of such a practice have been wonderful! I have been filled with energy and motivation. I feel positive, happy, relaxed, yet energized at the same time. I have felt physically healthy (have even lost a couple pounds) and am experiencing clarity of the mind. This experience affirms my belief (as well as the available research proves) in the power of yogic relaxation techniques to improve memory, focus, concentration, self awareness, and to relieve depression, anxiety, and hyperactiviy.

Swamiji also led many physical poses, or asanas at the camp. These poses combined with deliberate breath are capable of relieving just about any physcial discomfort or ailment one may be experiencing. We have the tools to manage our health, to heal our ailments and diseases, all through the practice of yoga!

Some of the disorders discussed were:
cervical & lumbar spondolitis, back ache, sciatica, digestion disorders, constipation, gestric disorders, obesity, skin diseases, diabetes, liver, kidney and heart disorders, asthma, respiratory disorders, joint pain, arthritis, gout, gynecological disorders, depression, anxiety, migrain, hypertension, insomnia, epilepsy, and stress management

I am so grateful to have attended this camp. What a special opportunity it has been to meet Dr. Maharaj, and to learn how to use yoga for healing. I look forward to using this information to serve my yoga students including adults, pregnant women, mothers and children, and children with special needs. I also look forward to continuing my daily pranayma practice.

I leave you with a beautiful poem describing the joy and bliss of pranayama:

Om Prana, you are my Mother,
Om Prana, you are my Father,
Om Prana, you are my Sister,
Om Prana, you are my Brother,
Om Prana, you are my Guru,
Om Prana, you are my Brahma!

If you would like more information on Dr. Maharaji or his hopsital in India, please visit www.omyogsansthan.com

Using yoga techniques to improve student’s academic, behavioral and physical success

More and more, news stories and articles of “yoga in the classroom” are being reported. Teachers report the multiple benefits children experience from the practice, and students report the pleasure and self confidence they experience from practicing yoga!

Why yoga?
Yoga is simultaneously developmental, preventive and corrective, and therefore, appropriate for children at any stage of development. Children in yoga programs experience multiple benefits. Mastery of poses helps children to develop self-confidence while experiencing success. Poses help children to focus inward, drawing their attention to parts of their body, helping them to gain self-awareness. Physical poses (Asanas) promote muscle tone & flexibility. Breathing exercises develop concentration, breath coordination, increase memory, attention span, verbal and motor skills. All of yoga encourages positive reinforcement of self monitoring behaviours into daily life.
The Yoga therapy approach is recommended for children with: Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Microcephaly, Learning Disabilities, developmental delays, AD/HD, and other disorders. Yoga is particularly helpful for children with special needs, as the relaxation and meditation practices help children to focus, decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. It also improves academic achievement, increases attention span, and improves communications and interpersonal relationships.

What does this mean to teachers and schools?
By integrating a daily yoga practice into the classroom schedule, whether it is for 2 or 10 minutes, teachers will students display the benefits yoga has to offer. Students will perform better academically through increased concentration and memory, self confidence, and the ability to monitor their own behaviours.