CONDUIT

CONDUIT - from the Old French “to bring together”.

I . LOVE . WORDS.

I am doing a lot of reading these days - articles, books, old issues of Yoga Therapy magazines. In one of these places (I can’t remember which), I came across the word ‘conduit’.

It was used in a sentence “conduit for your own healing”, and I do remember the topic was Yoga Therapy.

Part of the challenge of this field I’ve entered - Yoga Therapy - is that it is new and that makes it difficult to explain clearly and understandably; especially since the practice of Yoga has been around for a LONG time (thousands of years and for 100+ years here in the U.S.). For some yoga is exercise or stretching; many practice yoga for its spiritual meaning; and others for physical and mental wellbeing — there is no right or wrong way, because all of these reasons offer a doorway to self-awareness.

“conduit for your own healing” - think about it. . .

Using that phrasing, I can succinctly tell people why I am here, what Yoga Therapy is about and why I chose to expand my knowledge base and open an office to work with individuals.

When I began my yoga practice 23 years ago, I had little knowledge of my body. Over the years and through many hours of training, reading, self exploration, I learned more and more about the miracle of a shoulder blade moving side to side on my upper back; the strength of the IT band, the power (and fragility) of our hips, etc., etc. To the point where I now speak in terms like “maintain tension in the strap as you release the leg; your hamstrings will appreciate it” — as though my hamstrings were my best friends!

I’ve developed a relationship with my body that for the first 48 years went unknown and unexplored.

Now, as I step into this new-to-me role of Yoga Therapist, I view myself as a ‘conduit’. A bridge between an individual and his/her body - to include physical, breath, emotions, feelings, struggles, challenges, and accomplishments.

We all have the option to learn more about ourselves. The alternative is to take the body/breath/mind & emotions for granted. Going hither and yon in search of quick fixes, when - perhaps - the tools to find the doorway to our own healing is at our fingertips.

I’ve heard the phrase ‘nothing is one and done’; so it goes in Yoga Therapy - a Yoga Therapist works with clients as their conduit to a mutually-created plan offering movement, healing, support, comfort - all in support of resilience (the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, injury, adversity, major life challenges, etc.). It takes time, but isn’t it worth it to know yourself?

In the same reading, I came upon a Sanskrit word “Svastha”. The author defined it as to dwell in one’s self, within one’s own nature, while not attaching to changing circumstances beyond our control. Another definition I’ve found is ‘health’. Each of us will experience changing circumstances. Each of us has a reservoir of strength lying within. The opportunity for us is to find that reservoir, drink (or bathe) from it and re-frame ‘change’ to ‘growth and healing’. Maybe a bit more on this word later.

Thoughts?

Take care,

Leslie

YES, they came !!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Grand Opening of my new business, North County Yoga Therapy.

Briefly, we had many students, neighbors, new-to-me faces in attendance. As I noted to one, ALL are my friends. Ribbon cutting went well and there are a few photos floating around on Facebook. Thank you to Rachel of Bonsall Chamber of Commerce, for helping us open!!! I’ll post one photo here, since some blog readers are not Facebook fans.

Now, I look out the window at a fluttering “Grand Opening” sign (Howard, husband, thought I should leave it up for a few days). There are also many beautiful plants (gifts) enjoying the daylight.

Additionally, I had some changes made to my website, which you may notice.

As to my teaching, it continues at Sage Yoga Studios — same 4 classes I’ve taught for over a year now (a couple for 5 years); no intention to change that. I’ll use the office space for individual teaching and therapeutics.

I’ve been reading and studying (still). Just finished a short webinar on wrist and arm issues. One of the more common hand positions I see is the index knuckle rising in our poses which require hands flat on the mat (i.e. table, plank, down dog, etc.). Why do we care? When the weight is placed into our hands, if we allow it to move to the outer wrist (the weaker part), naturally, the wrist suffers. By keeping weight into index knuckle, we are using the stronger part of our wrist.

Seems simple, doesn’t it? Well, in theory it is; however, in practice it is a step-by-step process and with years of supportive habit forming. And, since the base of the thumb is one of the first places to exhibit arthritic changes, some of us may avoid weighting the inner wrist out of fear of discomfort. Strengthening the hands first, observing the messages our hands/wrists are sending us, all bring more awareness to hand placement. Then, consider the nerves of the arm. Moving arms in specific ways will ‘floss’ the nerves, allowing them more space within which to operate.

The body is one amazing machine! So much to learn. And, now that the festivities are past, I can get back to writing more about the body and yoga, and less about celebrations.

Here is the photo I promised:

Grand Opening of NORTH COUNTY YOGA THERAPY — Celebrated with good friends!

Comments, well-wishes, anything — post it. Love hearing from you!

Take care,

WILL PEOPLE COME?

To the Grand Opening of NORTH COUNTY YOGA THERAPY? Or, will I sit with food and beverage surrounding me and no one to partake?

I am deciding now to think positive. To believe that people will come to see this new space, to have a snack, to meet me. Negative thinking doesn’t help anyone, in my mind.

I use that rationale as I approach the classes I continue (and will continue) to teach at Sage Yoga Studios. Will they come? Yes. And - the best part - it is working. Classes are growing and, hopefully, if we are smart the pandemic won’t shut us down again.

Christina Sell wrote in a blog recently some advice for new teachers. The one piece that struck a note was "Focus more on helping people with their practice than on getting them to come back to your class.". For new teachers, this is hard advice to swallow. Newer teachers are ‘under the gun’, especially from themselves, to perform, to have big classes, to be liked by everyone who attends their class.

For me, especially as I’ve become more seasoned as a teacher, I’ve accepted that not everyone will like my style of teaching. We are human, after all. Some will come looking for a workout, others for a great playlist, others to just be left alone. In my classes, students may get a workout but it will come from developing awareness in each pose and each transition. Students won’t get a playlist since I don’t ‘do’ music. And, no one is left alone — there is always a little tweak here and there, and no one is immune to my observation.

Once we, as teachers, accept the practice of focusing on ‘helping’ instead of ‘getting’, our teaching becomes more meaningful to us and to our students.

Back to the Grand Opening - just 6 days away - Saturday, 8/14, from 2-5pm. The Bonsall Chamber of Commerce has offered a ribbon cutting at 3pm — also exciting.

And, FYI, the prop I featured in my last blog is a reality, thanks to a wonderful neighbor:

A “trestle” - of great benefit to those challenged by balance issues.

Excited to show this “TT” (trusty trestle) off. I think for those with balance issues, as well as those new to the practice, this will be a very valuable tool.

So, looking forward to Saturday and the days / weeks / months to come. (5525 Mission Road, Suite C, Bonsall, CA — same center as the Bonsall Post Office)

Have a great week and be safe,

11 DAYS OLD

NORTH COUNTY YOGA THERAPY (NCYT) is 11 days old. Hardly a blip in some peoples’ worlds, but in mine — 11 days has been more than gratifying!

I’ve spent many hours in my new space — organizing, unpacking the Amazon boxes, organizing some more, pondering what artwork to hang, etc., etc. Some days, I just sit and look around — it’s hard to believe I (we) have created this space. And, I’ve been teaching my public classes, as well. The growth of my Therapeutic Yoga Class more than tells me that people are interested in what I have to offer.

On day two of NCYT’s birth, I had my first new client. Very exciting. Best part? She’s been coming back and feeling better!

On day 5, I joined the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce. When they noticed I was having a Grand Opening celebration (see photo below), they offered to do a ribbon cutting for us.

And, on day 8, a call came in and two more clients are going to meet me next week.

On day 9, I found a contractor to build a ‘Trestle’. What is a ‘Trestle’? See pic below — it will be a great tool when working with those challenged by their balance. It will be a large piece, but I have space and what a wonderful tool it will be.

I know that every week is not going to be quite as exciting. The work now is to get the word out. To that end, I am distributing Grand Opening cards, plus brochures and rack cards, to as many people as I can.

Your help - as loyal blog readers - will be appreciated. If you know someone struggling with a chronic illness, an injury, stress, or anxiety please share my information with them. There’s no charge for a phone consultation, and who knows where it will lead.

Take care & if you’re around, I’d love to see you on the 14th of August !!!

Leslie

North County Yoga Therapy Is A Reality !!!

I am excited to announce that my new office - North County Yoga Therapy - opened today, July 12, 2021.

While I’m excited, there wasn’t exactly a line of people coming in to see the space — not yet, anyway.

We got the keys last week, took items over on Wednesday, assembled items on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday, installed the blinds. Talk about weird things to get excited about — the fact that the blinds I ordered online fit !!! Whoopee !!! The next best thing to get excited about? That Howard (husband) and I were able to install them without professional help. Granted it took us about 3x as long as some people, but we are proud and the blinds are up, nevertheless.

I used that example (3x longer) as a theme for today's class. I went in somewhat unprepared (cut me some slack, I was up at 4am to participate in an Anusara Board meeting); and, after warming up, the session morphed into working towards Ardha Chandrasana (half-moon pose). We broke the pose down - first, simply resting a hand on the block(s), then un-weighting the back leg. Switch sides, do same thing. Repeat, this time lift the back leg with a bent knee; switch sides. Lots of reps — thank you, Christina Sell. Third time, raise back leg again and - if appropriate - straighten the leg and open hip. It took them 3x longer (thanks to me) and I promised them - if / when they come back, we’ll move further along in the pose.

Repetition is a valuable tool in aiding neuroplasticity, the ability of our brains to re-wire and do something we may not have done before. Our brains don’t grow any larger, but they do re-configure a bit due to the process of repetition.

I am still organizing the new office. It looks rather empty right now, but I’m sure that with a few books, a rack for props, and a few mats, it will fill in nicely.

And, a shout-out to my husband of 40 years. He has been behind me every step of this journey. Through the schooling, and now into the office. Sweating bullets to get brackets in for blinds, and then taking the biggest one down so we could relocate brackets. Never getting touchy or irritated with my nit-picky ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Come see me (if you’re in the area). Located in Bonsall, CA - 5525 Mission Road, suite C. And, if not, please leave a comment of well-wishing or advise. I love feedback and advice.

And, remember, I am still teaching my 4 classes each week at Sage Yoga Studios. Reyna has been very supportive of this endeavor and I love teaching these classes. Opening a small office will give me space to meet with Yoga Therapy clients one-to-one.

AND, best of all, you are all invited to the Grand Opening, scheduled for August 14, 2021, from 2-5pm.

Enjoy your week,

Leslie

"I Did A Thing"

If you are on social media, you see this phrase quite a bit. Perhaps you even hear it in conversation with friends, especially when they are telling you something that will surprise you.

Well, ‘I did a thing’.

Actually, I’ve been trying to do it for a while now, but other things got in my way. So, for a few months I’ve been sitting on this ‘thing’ — worrying, vacillating, planning. Then, I’d go back to the worrying phase, the vacillating phase and now must enter the planning phase. Let’s call it ‘WVP’ from this point forward in this blog post.

I completed my Yoga Teaching Certification in 2013 (it took 11 years of WVP to get to the Anusara Certification). During those years, I completed my initial teacher training, taught at my studio, attended workshops and more trainings, studied, and - of course - WVP’d. It was a great experience, exposing me to many teachers and since - apparently - I wasn’t in a rush, I was able to cultivate my teaching with care.

Once Certified by Anusara Yoga, I continued to teach. I still attended workshops and trainings, though not quite the quantity as before. And, in 2017, I enrolled in the Yoga Therapy Program at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles).

Knowing it would give me more education in working with students challenged by injuries and chronic conditions, I happily drove one weekend each month to Los Angeles and spent 14 hours (Saturday & Sunday) in lectures and training. I completed the course in January 2021. And, with completion paper in hand, I applied and was accepted as Certified with the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Now what?

I truly do love teaching my classes. I’ve come to know the regulars (the people who come to many of the classes I teach) and some who have followed me from place to place in Fallbrook over the years. I also enjoy meeting new-to-me students; and hope they find value in my teaching. With the Certification in Yoga Therapy, I expanded my class load to include one called Therapeutic Yoga. This class is exactly what it says — a class for those new-to-yoga, returning to the practice, challenged by an injury or chronic condition, and/or struggling with stress.

SO, I DID A THING . . .

I will open a small office in Bonsall (in the same center as the Post Office and The Bead Gallery). The purpose of this office is to see private yoga and yoga therapy clients and put my education to work.

I’ll watch and hope for your support, and will continue teaching my 4 classes each week at Sage Yoga Studios.

Tentative ‘office opening date’ is July 12; with a ‘Grand Opening’ sometime in August — date to be determined. And, I will keep you all posted.

Your thoughts and ideas for getting the word out are appreciated. Please leave me a comment.

Take care,

Leslie

Always A Discovery

Each class I teach (and take) offers me new knowledge. Take a recent Aligned Yoga class:

I’m teaching Supta Padangusthasana (supine leg extension), using a strap. As I pushed my foot up into the strap, I isometrically drew my heel towards my sit bones (Thank You, Christina Sell). It was amazing to me that I could feel the hamstrings fire in this position. I’d tried it standing, felt it there fine. Finding the same sensation in a supine position without the foot rooted, was a surprise.

By firing the hamstrings, they become stronger, making the stretch more safe and effective —- good things. Students had to do it along with me a second time, just so I could make sure I was feeling what I thought I was feeling. I could even touch the hamstrings and feel the energizing! And, some of them felt it as well. Next time, more will feel it; the seed has been planted.

OK, we moved off the floor for a few standing poses. I’ve kicked up the cueing lately — offering more. I remember being taught that we, as teachers, should use no more than 3 cues for any one pose. Well, strike that down. While I do agree that is valuable for a new-to-yoga student; the students in class today have practiced with me for a while, they know my inclinations, and they roll with the punches (so to speak). Many more than 3 cues = stronger and more-aligned poses — good stuff!

And, finally. I’ve finished my 4-day webinar with Doug Keller. In it, he spoke about the benefit of inner spiraling the arms to create more arm mobility and counteract forward glide of the head of the humerus.

In the same class, we took arms overhead with palms facing hips (inner spiral), and keeping that position of the arms all the way to overhead. All felt a significant lengthening through the torso by doing this. And, best of all, several had straighter elbows in poses like tree pose and while extending arms overhead. Once arms were overhead, they were able to turn palms towards one another to complete the pose.

I came home and did some ‘googling’ to figure out why. Doug pointed out in the webinar that muscles overlap one another, creating a security blanket for many of our joints. I am thinking that this security blanket could also hamper muscle extension. In this case, the rear deltoid is overlapping top of biceps, which connects below the elbow. If the deltoid is tight, doesn’t it make sense that the biceps will be affected, causing elbows to bend? I could be all wrong about my theory, but I do know that the inner spiral while raising arms did help to straighten elbows — something to think about !!!

Always a discovery. If you’d like to share one of yours, leave a comment. LOVE COMMENTS !!!!

Take care,

'POLISH YOUR NEW SELF"

I’ve spent the past week trying to catch up on webinars I’ve signed up for and received recordings of. Due to scheduling and travel issues, I’m not able to attend in-person so I rely on the recordings (which, in many cases, have a time limit attached). So, in two cases, I need to get busy!

The first one I’ve focused on over the past week is a 4-day/part webinar with Doug Keller. Title: “The Therapeutic Wisdom of Yoga”. A tiny bit of his presentation I’ve experienced in previous workshops; however, things change and, in this 4-day presentation, he updates and refines as only Doug can. Topics included Psoas muscle (one of my favorites), short leg & body maps, shoulders & neck (what I need), other joint problems.

It’s all been so informative and I do appreciate studios providing these learning opportunities (this presentation came from a studio In the Eastern part of the U.S. — not something I’d be able to attend otherwise). Once again, ZOOM comes through.

And, this morning, I tuned into a 3-day/part webinar with Garth McLean, yoga teacher and therapist. Garth is a wealth of information about Multiple Sclerosis - why? he was diagnosed with MS in 1996. Once diagnosed, he was advised to try Iyengar Yoga; advice he quickly followed. He credits the practice with helping him move through the challenges of his disease. So, I am receiving first-hand information and advice for my teaching/therapy practice. I only have a week left to view this webinar, so you know I will be glued to this computer for several hours over the next 5 days.

Garth’s webinar is hosted by the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. Another one that would have been challenging for me to get to; ZOOM to the rescue.

The title of this blog post comes from Garth - a quote he brought back from his studies with BKS Iyengar in India. I think it’s a wonderful way of looking at our yoga practice. How many of us can say we are the same people since starting yoga, no matter if we are pictures of health or are challenged by injury or disease? My body may look similar, but my focus, resilience, agility, strength, etc., etc., are all ‘polished’ — as in different.

The polish became evident on Saturday - another 2-part ZOOM workshop with Christina Sell (this one I was able to attend the second part in person). The GREAT part of Christina’s classes and workshops is that they are available to students for an unlimited period of time. The other GREAT part of this workshop (Yoga for Reluctant Backbenders) is that I learned tons about accessing back muscles, stretching from feet to fingertips, and ways to build strength and flexibility in back, arms, legs, everywhere. I can use these in hopes of accessing the to-me elusive urdhva dhanurasana (wheel pose).

Where was the polish, you ask? Well, I am more agile, more flexible, stronger and able to accept that I have a lot of work to do to get to UD. All this I wasn’t able to do 6-8 months ago; I was in a slump. I’m on the rise.

Think about it — what are you doing to polish your new self ? Leave me a comment; I’d love to hear your story.

Enjoy your week,

It IS The Little Things

Each time I teach a class or read a book, I hear a little nugget that makes me happy I do what I do. Here are some examples:

1. A student who has attended 6-7 classes with me showed me her siddhasana (cross-legged sitting) this week - along with the comment: ‘When I started your class I couldn’t sit like this.’ That’s her work, not mine; and I love that she is noticing changes.

2. Working on the wall - The comment made after class that ‘when we work on the wall, we aren’t as concerned about falling, so can pay more attention to the pose’. Great insight - love it.

3. Answering a question with a bit of research - A student asked for poses that will help the liver. Since that is not always something I think about (“this pose is good for ____”), I promised to do a bit of research and send her ideas. I did as I’d committed, and received a very nice note thanking me.

For me, this practice has always been about the ‘little things’. Early in my yoga journey, I realized that I was tighter that most. Tightness is o.k., not a bad thing; however, it can make one feel ‘less than’; especially in a room filled with those more flexible, who have more yoga background, and/or populated by many younger than me. After all, we do have egos, whether we admit it or not - that’s a topic for another post.)

So, what to do? I decided at some point that I could focus on the little things - the pieces of a pose that I do well and with skillful action. For example, when moving from down dog to plank to chaturanga and back to down dog, I received teaching that emphasized keeping hands (and feet) in one place throughout these movements. No shifting of hands, no sliding feet back as I moved into plank (in other words, no wasting of energy); I learned (and practiced) having my hands/feet equally distant in my down dog and plank. To this day, when I transition this way, my hands (and feet) don’t move.

And, what happened? Well, in my mind it became an equalizer; I might be able to do something others couldn’t by keeping my hands skillfully placed. Seems like a little thing, but so valuable for my view of my practice (ego).

While the big poses are great fun and offer a sense of accomplishment, my belief is that the BIG poses won’t happen as beautifully without the little pieces & parts. So, if you attend one of my classes rest assured you will get the ‘pieces & parts’.

I began writing this post yesterday. The book I am reading in the mornings (titled ‘Enlighten Up’, by Beth Gibbs) is a journey through the subtle body (in yoga terms, the koshas). I am about 60 pages in and at the end of the chapter I read this morning, she mentions ‘step 2 of 9 to self awareness’. Panic button fires in my head — did I miss step 1 ?!?!?!?. So, a quick review of the pages read, where I found Step 1 - which I had read but forgotten.

Get ready — what is step 1? “Become aware of your body and your environment.” It goes on to reference a Professor at MIT who, in 1963, posited that a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could result in a hurricane in Texas (he realized through mathematical calculations that tiny butterfly-scale changes can have a significant and unpredictable effect on weather patterns).

What does this say? Small changes can have BIG consequences. ‘Pieces & parts’ don’t seem so off-kilter now, do they?

So, carrying this off the page — I plan to continue my focus on the little things. It is all part of our journey; whether your goal is BIG poses, learning more about yourself, and/or experiencing life a bit more fully.

Enjoy your day & smile under that mask — you may change someone’s day!

Leave me a comment; I’d love to hear your little (and BIG) stories.

THE THINGS ONE LEARNS (when cleaning out bookshelves) . . .

In the past week, I went to my bookshelf to look for books that might be donated to our local Auxiliary-run Library Bookstore. Needless to say I found about a dozen, leaving space for the book I picked up as I drove out of our driveway (an Amazon purchase).

The new book is titled ‘Enlighten Up’ by Beth Gibbs, a Certified Yoga Therapist and Teacher. I’ve recently discovered her on another blog - Yoga For Healthy Aging (which I highly recommend). Her writing - the writing that caught my interest - was on the Chakras and the Koshas, which are considered our subtle body in the yoga practice.

Granted, many students haven’t heard of Chakras or Koshas, but my studies and reading lead me to believe they are a valuable tool in both yoga teaching, therapy and practice.

But, I digress. What I found in my journey through the bookcase - looking for books I had read or will never read - was a newer book by Donna Farhi - Pathways to a Centered Body.

In this book, Donna and co-author, Leila Stuart, emphasize moving from our center (as opposed to the periphery). My teaching recently tells me that ‘THIS IS MY KIND OF BOOK’.

In fact, I was working with a client the other day and I asked her to lift one leg out to the side, enough to activate the smaller glute muscles - medius and minimus. She did so, but with some wobbling in the standing leg. I asked her to take her attention to her outer hip muscles and move from there, as opposed to just thinking about raising her foot. BIG change - more stable, and - I hope - more effective.

Ms. Farhi and Ms. Stuart are beginning their book with attention to the psoas muscle - a lesser known muscle that lies close to the spine, running from both sides of T12 (12th thoracic vertebra), continuing to emerge from the lumbar vertebrae and cervical discs. From those origins, it moves through our pelvis and inserts to our thighs’ inner trochanters (a small bump on the inside of our femurs). Along this journey, the psoas meets up with our iliacus muscle, forming what is called the ‘iliopsoas complex’ - see pic below. It was long thought that these muscles flex’d our hips (which they do), helping us to walk, run and jump. However more study has revealed the following about our mysterious psoas muscle and the iliopsoas complex:

1. It connects the torso to the legs (spine to pelvis and legs),

2. It connects core to periphery,

3. It connects back body to front body,

4. It provides central body support,

5. It is a lumbar stabilizer,

6. It stabilizes the SI joint (sacroiliac joint),

7. It is a core initiator of movement,

8. It can influence diaphragmatic breathing and healthy organ function,

9. As well, it provides psychological stability and resiliency.

WHEW! and Who Knew?

I am now on page 35 of this marvelous book - just to the section on how it affects our nervous system. Excited to learn more, but I’ll let what I have read digest for 24 hours before proceeding.

Back to Beth Gibbs who posted a marvelous quote I’d like to share:

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” —Alice Walker

Got to remember that one.

Let me know in the comments section if you’ve ever heard of the psoas muscle; would love feedback.

Take care (and, continue wearing those masks),

SOMETHING OTHER THAN YOGA . . .

Many days I find myself driven to do more, learn more, be more (and that usually involves yoga). Today is not one of those days.

We’ve had a busy few weeks:

• My Yoga Therapy training is complete (I got an ‘A’ for my final class — woohoo!!!). Now what? Well, it is time to get on the marketing bandwagon.

• We had 50% of our flooring replaced in our home, including halls, office, family room, kitchen and dinette. For 5 days we moved furniture off the floors, then for 4 ½ days we sat in our master bedroom as workers pulled up old floor, drilled and filled in uneven spaces, and then lay the new flooring down. Then, for 5 more days we methodically moved furniture back into the house — replacing all castors with felt tips, so that our beautiful new floors won’t get scratched). It was also a great time to dust behind furniture that hadn’t been moved in 10 years; not to mention dust the entire house due to the work done.

• Howard and I both got our second Covid vaccinations, so we are done with that, tho still wearing masks.

• Best of all, we entertained our son, daughter-in-law and 3 California grand-dudes. Dinner on the NEW floors and long-awaited hugs.

• I continued to zoom in on yoga workshops (Doug Keller, Alison McLean, Ann West, Stacey Rosenberg, Christina Sell, and Roger Cole).

So, today, rather than think about yoga and new floors, I went out back and trimmed one of our mandarin trees. Hot, sweaty, dirty work. The reward? A better looking tree and many mandarins from the branches I trimmed. I also feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I find myself repeatedly going to the window to admire my handiwork. I do worry that the man who helps with the yard may chastise me a bit for doing his work. But, once in a while, it feels good to get one’s hands dirty and sweat a bit, to change the routine.

Now, I sit — finally able to to feel inspired enough to write in this blog and to make some changes to my website (sprinkling a few testimonial comments on some pages). Do you think the change in routine helped with that?

I hope you are having a great weekend, and that you do something that gives you a sense of accomplishment (like trimming a small tree).

I’d love to hear how you change up your routine a bit.

Leave me a comment . . .

A WEEK OF FULFILLMENT

THE HOURS ARE IN: 60+ hours of yoga therapy client interaction, including documentation and follow-up. 12 hours of mentoring are done, reviewing client hours. The video of one session happened and was accepted. The needed paperwork is also complete and submitted. And, I’m done (on my end).

Now to wait as the grade is submitted by my instructor to Loyola Marymount (LMU) Admin., and - once I receive the Certificate of Completion from LMU - I will apply for Certification with the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

And, what else happened this week? I received my first Covid vaccination. It’s a relief, even though I realize that I still have another one coming in a few weeks. I received the Pfizer vaccine; pretty painless — less so than the flu shot I’ve received each year. I’ve heard some stories about effects of the 2nd dose; however, I have the appointment and will move ahead.

As our State has lifted some restrictions, our yoga classes seem to be getting larger - which is nice.

One fun thing this week — I signed up for and was able to attend Christina Sell’s Level 1 / 2 class in person (via zoom). Fun to see some familiar faces on that zoom screen. It is always amazing to me the things I learn from her and the reminders I receive. And — FUN !!!

Personally, I am finding Zoom a great tool. I’ve had opportunities to study with people who - in pre-Covid days - I would have had to travel to study with. And, some would have been great distances. Of note, I’ve also discovered San Diego County teachers online who are offering some great stuff. This weekend, I am doing the first of two Saturday sessions with Roger Cole, PhD. Sunday is the first day of a 16-day Core Challenge with Stacey Rosenberg. AND, I still have 3 more Tuesday classes with Christina.

I also am in week 4 of an 8-week MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Relief) program through UCSD (also on zoom).

On the home front, our hardwood floors will be removed and replaced next week. As we slowly prep for that — packing boxes of books from bookshelves, relocating pantry items (we have 2 pantries), and planning which furniture Howard and I can move and what we can leave for the installers (aka ‘big furniture moving guys’) — my mantra throughout the week has been ‘look for the good’. My ‘good’ is the spiders looking for alternative housing after being displaced from their 10-years under loaded bookcases. The carcasses of their meals and their webs are now in my vacuum and dustbuster. Wish us luck — it will be a major disruption to our and the dogs’ routines, but we are excited to no longer live with the parquet that has seen much better days.

On that note, it is time to sign off. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and the Super Bowl !!!

I’d love to hear your comments, your gratitude moments, your questions, even suggestions. Please leave a note for me. And, do me a favor by sharing my web address with a friend who might enjoy reading this and other missives.

Take care & wear your masks,

4 HOURS TO COMPLETION !!!

Today, you can change the “4 HOURS …” to “3 HOURS …”; but, for now (7:30 am on 1/13/21), it is still 4. In my last class of Yoga Therapy training, I’ve completed the needed 60 hours (actually have done 65+), I’ve done the needed video of one session, and have logged 8 of 12 hours with my mentor.

When this class began, I was worried where I could find people to work with me. For a nominal fee, 8 wonderful people signed up. And, each of them has been compliant — attending weekly appointments, doing the work I suggested, and coming back each week with suggestions, questions, valuable insights.

What has this taught me? That I have the knowledge to work with different people struggling with various challenges, that I can be organized (thinking of computer and needed paperwork), that I am able to become the teacher / friend to many different personalities. It has been an over-the-top experience.

One of the assignments my mentor asked of me was to write a description of Yoga Therapy and the services I offer. That description is below (it is also on my website, but this saves you having to ‘click’ to read it). Here goes:

- - - - -

Yoga Therapy is an adjunct therapy to traditional medical practices. As a Yoga Therapist, I will use methods meant to offer calm where there is anxiety; stability where there is doubt or challenge; strength where there is vulnerability.  

Unlike yoga classes or private yoga sessions, Yoga Therapy sessions offer tools to handle adversity, discomfort, apprehension, pain, etc.  

In the yoga therapy sessions I conduct, you can count on the following:

• Complimentary First Session “Meet & Greet” - I feel it is important for both of us to feel comfortable working together.

• An Initial Assessment - An opportunity for me to know you better. During an assessment, I will ask questions about:

• your goals for our sessions together,

• your medical history - diagnosis / medications / treatment

• your lifestyle (diet and exercise),

• any past injuries, current injuries and/or chronic issues, and

• the impact your current and past history has on your activity level.

       The next step of our initial assessment will be to: 

• work with you through appropriate movement, and

• offer ‘homework’ (things to do at home in service of your goal(s)).

• Follow-Up Visits, which will include:

• evaluation of progress towards your goal(s),

• review and revising movement plans, and

• discuss your concerns, if any.

Within us all is a strength and level of resilience waiting to be uncovered. It is my goal to help clients embrace and reveal this inner power.

- - - - -

Interestingly, I just read another Yoga Therapist’s definition - one that you may relate to. Click here to read.

Other than completing this class, life goes on — someone recently compared our lives these days to the movie “Groundhog Day”. We (Howard and I) are doing what many are - cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering, taking care of long-overdue home improvements, and - best of all - getting to know our neighbors a bit better.

Our holidays (Christmas and New Years) were quiet. Fortunately, we were able to enjoy a socially-distant, outside Christmas dinner with our SoCal Grand-Dudes and their Mom & Dad (one of the benefits of living in Southern California).

I wish each of you a peaceful 2021 — hopefully, it is a year of health and equanimity.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE YEAR 2020

Mistakenly (or, jokingly) I am often heard to ask “what great plans do you have for the day?”. That question seems a bit of an oxymoron in this year — the year 2020.

In my case, tho, I have been busy — busier than pre-pandemic days. And, I think that could be said for many of my friends and acquaintances. For example, just the other day I received a gift from a friend - one she had made herself. PLUS, the card was created by her also — a stamp created by her, with different colors in the artwork (Impressive!).

My observation, then, is that many of us ARE busy, busier than ever.

Personally, I’ve been working hard to complete the work required in my last class of my Yoga Therapy program. This class requires 60 hours of client work (in person or via zoom) and associated paperwork (aka ‘charting’), 12 hours of mentoring with a Certified Yoga Therapist approved by the school, a video of one (or two) of my sessions, and I’m waiting to hear what the final reporting is to look like.

Where am I with all of this? Well, I am at 56 hours completed client work. I have met with my mentor for 5 hours via zoom. I’m gathering the equipment to satisfactorily do a video (iPhone, tripod, lens). And, I am so pleased that several of the people I am working with have volunteered to be part of the video project. I will meet with my Mentor tomorrow and believe I will hear about the final reporting requirements.

AND - WHAT HAVE I LEARNED ???

1. ORGANIZATION SKILLS - I can be organized. You should see the notebook where I retain client notes plus calendar plus helpful information, etc., etc.

2. COMPUTER USE - I’ve kept files ready to be transmitted (and, easy to find), if needed, keeping in mind client confidentiality.

3. THE VALUE OF A CALENDAR - Of the 59 hours I’ve spent with clients and Mentor, I’ve just missed one appointment — my appointment last week with my Mentor - Darn!, Darn!, Darn!

4. TEACHING IS LEARNING - I realize that this is a great learning, as well as teaching, experience.

5. HOW LUCKY I AM - The community of clients has stepped up in impressive fashion to support me in this work. Each is invested in their work, shows up on time, spends their time with me asking insightful and helpful questions, and is supportive of me.

Outside of all this schoolwork, I realize that everyone is busy - busier than they thought possible - organizing their homes, learning musical instruments, crafting, homeschooling, helping others, etc., etc.

In summary, may we all stay busy, remain strong, and wear our masks !!!

To teach is to learn twice.

Joseph Joubert, 1842

I’d love to hear how your 2020 has gone - what you’ve been doing, what you may have learned, how the year has been one of growth despite all we have dealt with. Leave a comment below . . .

THE COMMENTS I HEAR . . .

I have been teaching yoga (specifically, Anusara Yoga) for almost 20 years now. Each day I learn more about myself and my students learn more about themselves (I hope - at least, that’s my goal).

Yesterday’s basics class started out with child’s pose, cat/cow, etc. (the usual). After moving a bit, I asked students to take down dog. BTW, if I haven’t told you this before, I always start my first down dog with bent knees and I ask students to do likewise. You may know this — bent knees release the hamstrings’ hold on our pelvis and allow the spine to extend fully in a more anatomically true position. Once in this bent-kneed down dog, everyone (including me) pedals heels for a bit, goes back to bent-kneed down dog and - remembering how the back feels with knees bent - begins to press thighs back, heels towards the floor. If we lose that nice back position when straightening the legs, we go back to bent knees.

As I looked around the room, it looked as if a few were still experiencing hamstring tightness. So we warmed the legs up a bit more, then came to the floor for a ‘down-dog tutorial’. Seems pretty boring, right?

Wrong

The interesting comment I heard was ‘no one has ever taught me to do down dog, I just started doing it’. (I also saw a couple nodding heads after this comment was made.)

This lines up with a conversation I had months (years?) ago with a fellow teacher about jumping to the front of the mat from down dog. I had watched a great video that demonstrated a graduated method of jumping to the front of the mat. I asked my friend how she teaches jumping. Her comment ‘I haven’t taught it, I just figure students can do it or they can’t'.’

These two comments beg the question(s) — do I teach mountain pose? do I teach forward folds? do I teach lunges? etc., etc., or do I make an assumption that everyone can do it.

I remember classes where I broke a light sweat trying to follow the cues for mountain pose — and, believe me, there is a lot to be incorporated. From the feet, to the knees, engaging muscles, moving tops of femurs to back plane, engaging belly, remembering to refrain from sticking lower ribs out, drawing shoulders up slightly and back, standing with chin parallel to floor. Maybe I’ve forgotten something, but doing all this for a single mountain pose is a LOT and can induce a bit of sweat.

So, what’s my point?

In every class, I will remember that there may be a student who hasn’t been taught about down dog, mountain pose, forward fold, lunges, etc. And, rather than move along, thinking everyone will be upset if I focus on one ‘simple’ pose; I’ll be willing to make the mistake of teaching everyone that ‘simple’ pose.

And - importantly - I’ll remember that I appreciate a trip back to my ‘beginner mind’ once in a while.

Happy Thanksgiving Week to you all. Wear your masks.

SELF-COMPASSION

I’ve just finished reading the book Self-Compassion, by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.

My practice/habit, in what I term professional reading, is to read a chapter or two when I wake up each morning. Of course, if they are LONG chapters, I may - depending on time - just read 10-15 pages, and save the rest for the next morning. Over the years, this practice has worked well for me. The house is quiet, I have a cup of coffee, dogs are with me but quiet — all factors that make for quality reading time (for me).

This book, however, took longer to read than others. And, I actually took a break from reading it, and read two books, Breath, as well as the Science of Breathing. Not sure why - but maybe I do (know why).

Self-compassion is a challenging topic for me. I’ve mentioned in this blog that promoting myself is hard — putting myself out to you, hoping you’ll ‘like’ and/or ‘follow’ me is not the stuff I’m good at. Easier for me to stand in the background, read my books, study, etc.

Step back to my Friday class, last week — I was teaching a YogaBasics class and decided to throw out a balance pose (tree pose, to be specific). Since I spend more time on my mat these days during the classes I teach, I did the pose along with students. Wouldn’t you know, I fell (stepped?) out of the pose. Not too obviously, but enough that I thought to myself “Oh, Leslie, how could you? What yoga teacher can’t do a tree pose and hold it as long as the students?”. A little bit of self-berating, right?

Obviously, something in the book, Self Compassion, must have sunk in; because my next thought was — “Everyone has a bad balance day, you stepped out - so what?” Second side of tree pose — same thing, I stepped out. This time, no berating, but an acknowledgment that it wasn’t a good balance day for me and I let it go. A bit of self compassion, perhaps?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’
Actually who are you not to be. ”

— Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

So, I do recommend the book — challenging as it was for me to confront some truths.

I’d enjoy hearing your stories of self-compassion (or, lack of). Leave me a comment!

I hope you have a great November!!!

WHERE DID IT GO ?!?!?!?

As I document clients for my last class of Yoga Therapy training, I find myself playing a repetitive game of ‘search & retrieve’ (as opposed to ‘search & rescue’).

Documentation of my work with Therapy clients includes several forms and, in the interest of staying organized, I’ve created folders within a master folder for each person. Saving or moving documents to that folder is an adventure each time I do it. Makes me wonder if it will ever get easier, since I’ve now done this for 7 clients.

Perhaps the problem is that I have never really tried to be organized in the documents I create/write. Just save them ‘wherever’ and - hopefully - find them later. This effort to BE organized must be the problem — causing me grief.

BUT, enough about my technology challenge . . .

I am teaching each week, which does my heart good. And, because I am not to be off my mat (without a mask), I am doing more yoga with the class. Not my usual style of teaching, but we do what we can in times like this.

I’m also participating in a series with Christina Sell and this past weekend I spent 3 hours (via zoom) with Doug Keller. Topic of his presentation was shoulders & neck. Unfortunately 3 hours is not enough time to satisfactorily cover each, so we got a big dose of shoulders and a bit less on the neck. We did get a ton of information on both to review and explore.

Each time I study with one of my long-time teachers — be it Christina, Doug, Adam Ballenger, Sundari Lucey, Desiree Rumbaugh — I come away with a “wow, who knew?” revelation. And, they all may know the same ‘stuff’ but each has a unique way of transmitting information that fills me with wonder. So happy to have them in my life — even tho it now is via the internet (however, when I think about it, I am seeing them when I might otherwise not have the opportunity). So, it’s a good thing (zoom), in my book.

I also received a great honor this week — that of being appointed to the Board of Directors of Anusara Yoga. This honor will add a bit of spice (and work) to the coming year (2021), in addition to finishing Yoga Therapy training, and starting to see clients in that capacity (yoga therapy); as well as continuing my teaching.

And, a new class on my schedule - Therapeutic Yoga. Doesn’t sound real exciting, but - based on recent experience - may be a needed addition. Why? Well, my experience is there are people who would never dream of coming to yoga due to physical challenges, injuries, chronic conditions. I hope those friends will find their way to my new class. Find details here.

In the meantime, watch for my newsletter (later this week); be safe — wear a mask — and vote!

And, so it begins & continues . . .

Marketing, school, teaching classes, working with clients, reading.

Lots of things on my plate, so I’ll just inform you on my efforts in each of these areas (almost wrote ‘bore’ instead of ‘inform’, but I want you to read this. . . )

On marketing:

I sent my first newsletter out last week; some of you may have read it. What a challenge - read, re-read, test mail, modify/shorten, read, re-read - and on it went. Finally, I hit ‘send’ and it went out into the ether. Over a 60% open rate, and I even got some ‘clicks’ (those are the language of marketing that I am gradually learning). Feedback was good and I look forward to next month’s news. I am also creating a presence on Instagram (If you are on Instagram, check it out here).

On school:

I started by final Yoga Therapy class via zoom 2 weeks ago (3 hours each Thursday) through Loyola Marymount University (LMU). New teacher, familiar faces (we’ve gone through years of Yoga Therapy training together), lots of work to accomplish before this class ends in May (and, end of my training!). Then, on to Certification with IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists).

On teaching classes:

I am teaching 3 public classes each week. Two are aligned yoga (following Anusara guidelines); the third is YogaBasics (for all levels). Attendance is modest, considering Covid. We wear our masks until we are on our mats, HEPA fans in the room & doors left open, plus 6-foot distance between mats (which also explains modest attendance — can only get so many in a room with 6’ between mats). It is still good to see faces and watch people move. And, because I am restricted to my mat (as opposed to my usual style of walking the room), I am doing more yoga with these students. For my schedule, click here.

Working with clients:

My final Yoga Therapy class involves working with clients. In pre-Covid days, LMU worked with a clinic to create this experience for us. Now (during Covid), we are asked to work one-on-one with our own clients for a total of 60 hours. Our work will be overseen and evaluated by a mentor (to be assigned), and client identity will be protected (in line with HIPAA / privacy protection). I plan to work with 6-7 clients for 10 sessions at a nominal fee. These visits will be via zoom / FaceTime / in person, depending on client preference. If you’re interested, contact me by commenting on this post.

Reading:

I mentioned in my newsletter two books I’ve read recently: Science of Breath and Breath.

Science of Breath is written by two physicians and a yogi, with basically 4 sections - how breath works, the lungs, the nose, and yoga’s approach. Really opened my eyes and piqued my interest to our breath.

Breath is a recently-published book with some of the same information. The author has done a lot of historic research (how we evolved to be mouth breathers with small mouths, crooked teeth, snoring/sleep apnea), as well as current efforts to change (breathe through the nose, chew more, new devices to increase the size of mouths). All very interesting.

“To meditate with mindful breathing is to bring body and mind back to the present moment so that you do not miss your appointment with life. ”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

And my next goal:

Get some pictures / images into this new blog format — another learning process.

Please comment, if you have thoughts or suggestions for this blog. Until the next post, be patient . . .

LOOKING FOR THE GOOD

I awoke this morning at 3:40am and lay awake for about an hour ‘thinking’.

What’s to think about at 3:40am? Well, we are having carpet replaced in our bedroom today and we decided we could move 95% of the furniture by ourselves. We had done much of it yesterday, but some big pieces waited for us.

So where can I find the good in lying awake thinking?

1. I did establish a plan for the moving,

2. I also came up with this blog topic,

3. And, I came up with some ideas for Instagram ‘stories’, plus other marketing ideas, as well as topics of interest for my first newsletter.

All good things, right?

Our alarm went off at 6. We shared a cup of coffee, then began moving. Now, for the last ‘good’ thing to come of this: A year’s worth of dust bunnies are now history!!!

NOW, What about Yoga?

Looking for the good seems to be a frequent theme for me. I was introduced to the phrase ‘look for the good’ when I began my Anusara practice almost 20 years ago. It was a phrase repeated in many classes I attended, as well as workshops and trainings. It basically meant, there will be something good about all you are doing here, sometimes you have to look a bit — especially, if it feels like an ‘off’ day on the yoga mat.

I find the good, sometimes right under my nose. For example, I may not have the prettiest down dog pose, but I look at my hands and know that they are strong and supportive. I move my attention up my arms and feel the engagement of my upper back when I rotate my biceps slightly forward. And, when I bend my knees a bit, I sense the extension of my spine. Sometimes, if I’ve warmed up well, I can sense my heels a bit closer to the floor as I straighten my legs. ALL GOOD THINGS — I just have to notice them.

I’d enjoy hearing your ‘look for the good’ stories. Please share them in the comments below. Also, if you haven’t already, please fill in your e-mail so you can receive my newsletter (and know that the topics may come from a sleepless night).

Take care (& sleep well),

Leslie

DID I SAY 'SERIOUS' (insert ‘mildly overwhelmed’)

My new website is live, I am writing in the blog with a new format, and I have plans to send newsletters; hopefully soon and then once a month. All that PLUS I finally put myself on Instagram!?!?!?! This morning I had 9 Instagram (IG) followers, which reminds me of a Broadway tune “NINE PEOPLE’S FAVORITE THINGS”, which goes (in part) like this:

“I’d Rather be 9 people’s favorite thing than a hundred peoples’ ninth favorite thing.” (WHY?)

Those nine people will tell nine people
Then we'll have eighteen people loving the show / IG post
Then eighteen people could grow into
Five-hundred and twenty-five-thousand, six-hundred people
Loving our show / IG post

Each class I’ve taught this week has been fraught with tales of internet confusion and/or frustration. Interesting, because that is often the way my yoga practice goes — I work and I work, often making no headway, and then - miraculously - the pose appears or the action begins to make sense. I have to trust that the technology process will be equally effective.

One new teaching I’ve shared may be causing a bit of uncertainty, until experienced and explored:

It takes a page from the teachings of Christina Sell. In her April 4-day intensive, she introduced drawing the balls of the feet isometrically away from one another (or midline) - note I didn’t say heels, just balls of the feet. I am finding it a wonderful tool, tho challenging to explain at times. It affects the entire leg and - for example - when used in poses like Parsvakonasana (side angle pose) or Virabhadrasana II (warrior II), it creates (for me) a grounding of the big toe mound plus an outer spiral action of the bent front leg, which keeps the knee from ‘caving’ in. Since I place a lot of attention on the foundation of the poses I teach, this one is proving invaluable for my own practice, and - I hope - the students who grace my classes. Thank you Christina!

If - due to the pandemic - you haven’t been to a class lately, play with the above a bit. Give it a few days to sink in, try it in different poses. Remember, it is an isometric drawing apart of the right and left forefoot (Focus on the balls of the feet, not the heels. Also, leave your toes relaxed.)

That’s all I have for today - I think my brain is sizzling in anticipation of all the technology knowledge coming my way.

Take care,

Leslie

p.s. Please leave me a comment (and, get on my mailing list — more good stuff to come, I promise)