Getting Out of the Zone...the Comfort Zone

I am thinking that 2012 could be the year where I finally break out of some very comfortable comfort zones. Already I'm making plans to deepen my practice and enhance my teaching skills with a 500-hour teacher training (research is underway!) and get myself out there as a writer and teacher even more than I already am. I am not one to make grandiose proclamations, but for once when I start to imagine where I'd like to be, instead of allowing doubt to talk me out of what I'm thinking, I'm using my practice to get me beyond my comfort zone.

But that doesn't come without gliding up against some very uncomfortable spaces for me. Innately, I'm a very shy and introverted person and networking, asking for advice and even saying "yes, I can do this" doesn't always come easy. Shocking right? Considering that I put myself out there time and time again with this blog, there are still areas where I feel I stick too close to home. I do have some divine moments when things all come in alignment, but I've had to work through some serious "stories" to get there.

The shift for me has occurred because I no longer believe I can do the things I want to do and serve the way I need to serve if I don't step outside of myself, or my comfort zone, a bit. That is not to say that I'm not paying attention to who I am and where I am, in fact, it's the exact opposite. I am aware of the discomfort that arises when I start something new, but I also know what goodness lies on the other side if I just try. For example, sometimes when I go to a new studio or try a new teacher for the first time I get a little nervous and it takes a lot of self-talk and encouragement for me to go. When I get there and I start to get unsure, I tap in to my experience to remind me that I've done this before and everything will be okay. In the end I recognize that the feelings are temporary and if I can get myself in the new situation, relax and stay present, I'm bound to have a good time.

As this is a blog about yoga, one can also relate this thinking to their asana practice and going a little deeper in a pose. When I'm practicing, I tap into my breath to guide me to my edge. I recognize where the discomfort arises and pay attention to the "chatter and mindstuff." Am I really pushing too hard or is that my little self telling me to back off? I've surprised myself time and time again during by simply holding a pose one breath longer than I expected or giving the next variation (e.g. arm balance or bind) a try and seeing, much to my astonishment, that I can go there. Playing with this edge, I can safely push myself beyond my limits and go even further and deeper than I ever imagined.

A friend and fellow yogi shared this graphic the other day and it completely hits the nail on the head.

You see, if I stay where I'm at physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, I'll still progress and continue to learn, but will I ever feel like I gave my thirst satisfactory quenching? It's when I start to push the edges of my comfort zone and dare I say, step outside of that zone, that the things I dream of happening actually begin to evolve. What I have found is that gliding up on the edge of discomfort and learning how to safely proceed forward allows you and your practice to open up in a whole new, magical way.

Do you think you stick to your comfort zone too much? How do you push yourself beyond these boundaries? In what ways do you find your yoga practice helps you to go beyond these limits?

My Guest Post @ Heal Now and Forever | Five Benefits of a Yoga Practice

“Practice and all is coming.” –Sri K. Patthabi Jois

When Jodi asked me to write an article about the benefits of yoga, I thought…”sure, that’s easy, no problem!” But as I started to consider what I wanted to say, I found myself flooded with reasons why someone should begin a yoga practice—so much so that I could go on for days! From the numerous health benefits associated with the physical practice (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama), to the mental and spiritual boost you receive from self-study (svadhyaya) and meditation (dhyana), I have found that practicing yoga is the most comprehensive system for overall body, mind and spiritual health. The really glorious thing about the yoga practice is that there are so many styles, traditions, and spaces offering yoga today, that anyone can find the right practice for them.

My own practice started as a way to fine tune my acting chops. While studying at school, I found that the physical practice allowed me to be so present in my body that I could be “in the moment” with any character thus making my performance more believable. Additionally, my yoga practice has helped me to create awareness around my own personal health, giving me the tools I need to manage my ulcerative colitis, a condition I have lived with since the age of 14.  Not to mention the numerous life events I have experienced including job changes, divorce, loss of a parent, financial ups and downs, and all various other growing up tidbits. Through it all, my practice has been the constant keeping me grounded and stable as I weather the sometimes turbulent seas of life.

So what are the benefits of yoga?  Here are my top five reasons to start a yoga practice today.

Let’s Get Physical

A no-brainer.  Whether you take super slow and restorative approach to your practice or you choose to rev it up with a vigorous Vinyasa, just getting the body to move is a good thing. As a society, we are so stuck…in front of our computers and TVs, in our cars commuting to work, in our relationships to each other and to ourselves, and in our minds. Our bodies were not designed to sit around all day. Rather, they were made for moving and shaking! Getting up and out allows your body to rejuvenate itself naturally, helping to relieve tension and release feel good hormones like endorphins, which ultimately leaves you happy and feeling good. 

Read the rest of the article here

Are you Practicing Your Yoga?

My head is spinning. Is yours? Seems to me there's a lot of noise these days in the yoga world over, I dunno, just about everything. From not enough care in class, to puffed up egos, to objectifying women, and questioning the merits of teachers, the list goes on and on. For the past few weeks, it seems like there's something new every day. Personally, I think there's way too much talk and not enough practice.

I really cannot understand what all the big deal is about. It's not like the practice of yoga has not been on the rise for a while now. It's not like it just came out of the blue and smacked us all on the ass and asked us to take notice. And we all know that popular movements often take the heat of scrutiny. Seems like people don't know where to funnel their frustration, so their turning it on yoga.

Most of the articles I've read lately are completely one-sided and unless you've got the balls to stand up for yourself and do so, much like Glenn Black, David Regelin and Briohny Kate-Smyth via Kathryn Buding, you are bound to get lost in the fold. [Read the articles above if you have no idea of what I'm talking about or need a refresher].

What surprises me most is how easily the yoga community is ready to judge others based on what they read, rather than what they experience. It begs the question, are you practicing your yoga at all? 

Through the practice of yoga we learn to be more compassionate and less judgmental of others. If you've taken the time to read any of this banter, then you'd see that a good portion of what anyone is writing is completely harsh, bashing, and one-sided. Add in all of the personal comments and it just feels gross. Since when do we criticize others for their personal reasons for coming to class? Is it not enough that people want to move, breath and feel good? Why can't that be reason enough? Do you remember why you stepped on your mat the first time you came to class or did you forget? Shouldn't good teachers take an experience, whether it is ego-centric or not, and take it a little deeper so that students start to understand how loving and appreciating themselves can help them become more loving and and appreciative towards others? I would hope so at least. 

Advice from a Tree | Birthday Fun and Good Words to Live By

I've spent the last week or so celebrating my birthday. It's been great catching up with friends and family. I received this birthday card and had to share. Given my love of trees, it was most fitting.

Simple but true and all good words to live by. I couldn't have said it better myself. My favorite line? I like them all, but if I had to choose it would be between Be content with your natural beauty and Enjoy the view!

Which of these, if any, resonate with you? When you practice tree pose,  how do you relate that pose to your own personal experiences?

Guest Post | Scared=Sacred by Jodi Lobozzo Aman

“In those times when I am surrounded by fear, my mind is backwards, inside out and upside down.  I look outside myself for light because the clouds inside me block my view. All I see is darkness and fret and vulnerability in there.  I feel scared down to the core of my being- a dread that is so materialized that I can feel it coursing through my blood. Panic right into the core of my being.”

Have you ever been scared?  I have, and it feels just like the quote above. Luckily, I don’t trust this vision or this feeling, as somehow I know that it is not the truth. Fear, anxiety, worries are never true, but just an experience (albeit an intense and difficult experience).  It is only because I understand the falseness of fear, that I can look for another’s perception and guidance to help me through.  Reaching out for support is an act of self determination, not an act of weakness.

When I am scared, there is nothing like reassurance to keep me tethered to a sense of calm.  I look for it in the faces of my loved ones, in their voices, and gestures.  I hear it in the words of poets and inspirational writers.  I reach for the light in their response, and that light reminds me who I am and that all of it will be OK.  I thank God for their wisdom, unending support, and steady confidence in me.

When we are scared, we are looking for the sacred.  I find it interesting that they two have the same letters: sacred and scared.  Sacred comes from the Latin word “sacrum” meaning “of the gods” or “in the gods’ power.”  Sacred is often used to describe something that is precious to us, that which we give great value to.  I have come to know it as not only that which we love, but as love itself. 

When we are afraid, we fear losing something sacred to us, basically fearing loss of love. Some people say that there is only two emotions love and fear: fear is the absence of love and love is the absence of fear.  Scared and sacred are two sides of a coin.  One can be understood through the other.  The good news is that we are given these two options and when that coin is tossed in the air, we can interact with it and help it land with the sacred on top. 

January...Wintry Days and Fresh Beginnings

I'd rather not start off 2012 talking about new beginnings and resolutions. There's been a lot of that going on and I think by now we all have our intentions set and I hope are making plans to pursue them. I did state my own intentions in my very last post of 2011 and if you're interested to see my intentions, you can read them here. Likewise, I'm always interested in hearing what others might be working on, so please feel free to share!

With that being said, I think it's time we move on to the month ahead. I, for one, am very excited. Not only is January a great opportunity to refine some misalignments of last year, it's also my birthday month and generally speaking, I find January to be a very productive time for me. Plans are in the works and I am hopeful to finally make headway on some very personal aspirations of mine.

I did a little digging (love reading Nam Hari via 3HO.org) and numerologically speaking, January is just the month to lay the foundation for new plans. The Universe is ripe with creative energy, among other things, and with 2012 being a major year for change (2+0+1+2=5; 5 is the number of change) it's time we lay down our hesitations and go forth with open hearts to create the lives we wish to live. Stay grounded with your breath and practice and you'll be sure to weather anything that may come your way this year.

January dates to note
Jan 1: New Year's (did you set your intentions?)
Jan. 9: Full Moon
Jan. 16: MLK Day
Jan. 23: New Moon and Chinese New Year--the year of the Water Dragon. Also, Mars also goes retrograde until April 14 on this day. While this is a great time to detox, diet and stick to your New Year's resolutions, it's also a time of major slow downs, so those pet projects of yours might not get the attention they need. Check out Gahl Sasson or Molly's Astrology for more details.

Also, did you know that January is National Thank You Month? Why not send a little 'thank you' note to those in your life that mean the most.

What are you most looking forward to this month?

Photo by sBinCh

Reflection and Intention for the New Year

It's the last day of 2011 and after much reflection, I'm happy to see this year come to a close. Although there have been plenty of wonderful times, gifts, and experiences, this year has been uber-challenging for me on so many other levels that I'm looking forward to the new year. I guess you could say the Universe was just making sure I was ready for the Age of Aquarius. Ha! (which then makes me think of this video).

As I've reflected on the past year, what I notice most is incredible growth. This year, I have been stretched farther than I ever imagined. The Rachel that kicked of 2011 seems much different than the Rachel that sits here writing this post. I was sure that 2011 would be my year and that amazing things would cosmically align and I would be well on my way to much greener pastures, mostly professionally. In some ways, that's very true, but in others, it just wasn't. And you know what? That's okay. Nothing great was ever gleaned from an easy road. While I wish it had been a little less bumpy at times, I know I'm doing the work I need to do to work through my karmas. Perhaps the biggest lesson learned was that despite where I think I should be, I'm actually already perfectly situated right where I need to be.

What are some of my intentions for 2012?

• I intend to be kinder to myself. I'm really tough on myself, and sometimes others too. I intend to work to let this pattern go. 
• I intend to practice, write, and teach as much as I can. In 2011 I found my purpose, now it's time to live it. Coupled with this is my desire to sing again and connect with music through my practice.
• I intend to break out of my comfort zone and try new experiences and have more fun. 
• I intend to let love in and truly believe that I deserve it. 
• I intend to be honest and clear with my words and interactions and boundaries. Saying "no" to things is okay. 
• I intend to listen more deeply and continue my healing process. 
• I intend to not take things so personally. 

As a parting gift for 2011, I would like to share one of my most favorite songs from this year discovered at Off the Mat training this March.

Enter One-Sol Seppy



After a storm
I wanna let go
Of the things that I’ve done
Without any worry
I wanna come home
Into the light
Into the unknown
I want to be shameless
Like the sun
Moving into you
Enter light

What are your intentions for 2012?