So a new year. When I was a kid, time was endless. A new year didn't make me think time was ticking away, it just made me think: 5 more months till summer, and 11 more long months until the next Christmas. Maybe it's a sign that I'm getting older that I appreciate how fast the years go by. Maybe it's my children that are growing at an astonishing rate that makes me more acutely aware of how fast time passes and how little time I have to figure out this whole parenting thing. My mom tells me that's what grandkids are for, and I'm starting to get it.
Whatever the case may be, I love a new year. Always have. It's probably why I don't mind moving, or first days of school; I love a fresh start. A blank slate. The year gets to be whatever you want it to be. In yoga we practice letting go and living in the moment. We don't hold our progress stagnant by dwelling on the past, or holding fast to our expectations of the future.
I hope if you have a current yoga practice you commit yourself to continued education in 2011. Make a goal to accept where you are right now and work with that. Society's mind set that we've all been raised on of must-be-the-best, makes us assume that a good goal for the new year would be, "Perfect my yoga practice." or "Master such and such pose.."
I'd challenge you to make no such goals.
Instead reflect on what you've learned so far about yourself using yoga as a tool, and ask yourself, what more can I learn? Can I dedicate myself to a more consistent practice? A more compassionate one? One with less critical self talk. Less straining, more listening?
It's a hard practice to get our minds around, but the sooner we accept our non perfection, the sooner we can accept ourselves for who we are, and that's where the best work is done.
My teaching schedule for the new year is changing. I will be working the next few months on higher levels of yoga certification and will need to downsize my class time for a bit. I will be teaching Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Robero Kaelin Jiu-Jitsu studio. The time will still be 8:30PM, and I will be letting go of morning classes for the time being. Also, the studio owners have set the monthly rate to 40 dollars and the drop in rate is still 10. It breaks down to 5 dollars a class. Please text or shoot me an email if you plan on signing up or continuing on for the new year. New rates and times apply in January. I will keep you informed of other places I hope to teach in the coming months.
I have been overwhelmed these past 6 months with the support of my classes. I love teaching and you have been a huge part of why that is.
Whether with me or someone else, I hope you will continue on in your exploration of yoga. It is a gift to know one's self: Our strengths and our weakness, our courage and our fear, all within the safe bounds of our mat.
May 2011 bless you with the stillness of mind to take it all in.
Much love and Namaste.
~Melanie
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