What is Connective Tissue...

And Why Should I be Concerned with it in Yoga Practice?

“All the great systems of the body – the circulatory, the nervous system, the musculo-skeletal system, the digestive tract, the various organs – are unsheathed in connective tissue.”( Grilley p. 6)Connective tissue is literally present throughout the entire body penetrating every bone, joint, organ, tissue and cell. Unlike muscle, which is are softer and more elastic allowing them to change shape, connective tissue is stiff and inelastic. It is important to keep in mind that all the tissues (muscle, tendons, joints, etc.) of the body are changing and adapting to environmental conditions and stresses placed on them. This may be one reason to practice yoga, to encourage a positive change in the body. Muscles are sculpted and strengthened, tendons are stretched and lengthened. Even the bones are changed. As muscles attaches to the bone it pulls on the bones and the bones in turn respond by growing thicker and stronger.

It is easy to see how muscle changes and develops in a yoga practice. Repeated Chaturanga Dandasana (plank or four-limnbed stick pose) works to develop muscles in the core (rectus abdominis, external obliques) as well as the upper body (triceps, serratus anterior, pectoralis major) and legs (gluteus maximus, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris) creating defined form and shape. Unlike the visual changing muscles the onnective tissue change is not easily seen but more of a felt as it lengthens and expands. Working in a variation of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (pigeon pose) one needs to engage in a long hold in order to allow the more stubborn, inelastic connective tissue (located within the piriformis muscle) to lengthen and stretch giving stability to the hip by releasing its spindle reflex (which aides in lengthening). Slow shortening and stiffening of connective tissue throughout our body due to injuries, neglect and aging can be addressed with a dedicated yoga practice. “If we never bend our knees or stretch our spines, then the connective tissue is going to slowly shorten to the minimum length needed to accommodate our activities. If after years of abuse or neglect, we then try to flex our knees or arch our back we won’t be able to because our joints will have been “shrink-wrapped” by the shortening of the connective tissue.

Sometimes the problem with long holds is created by blockages in the mind. What to do with the mind as the connective tissue is working toward lengthening? Impatience, boredom, judgment often creeps up as one feels the challenge of the long hold on the physical body. Then yoga becomes a meditative experiences as the mind works to address its impatience, boredom or judgment in order to gain some stillness. This is said to be the true purpose of yoga, to assist the mind to adapt to changes with a sense of stillness and peace, maybe even gratitude.
So learn to embrace the long holds required to bring about stretching and lengthening knowing you are doing something good not only for your physical body but also for the busy and resistant mind. Use each challenge as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to go deeper into your practice. See you on the mat. Om Shante, Shante, Shante (Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace)

mpc YOGA well
Michele Priddy, Teaching Director
mpcpartnership@gmail.com
615-289-9300

Michele’s Current YOGA teaching schedule:
M 5:30-6;30 am Hot Yoga My Hot Yoga Place, (Gallatin Rd. Hendersonville) www.myhotyogaplace.com
M 6:15-7:30 Hot Core DC Fitness (Hwy 31W) White House www.dcfitnesscenter.com
T/Th 9;00-10;00 am Level 1 Yoga First United Methodist Church, Hendersonville
T 7:30- 8:45 pm Hot Yoga My Hot Yoga Place, (Gallatin Rd. Hendersonville)
Sun 2:30-3:30 pm Level 1 Hot Yoga DC Fitness (Hwy 31W) White House
*Private Sessions Available

I Will, I Do, I Can

I want to know if you can live with failure, with sorrow, with pain and still stand with your toes sinking into the sands of the ocean shore marveling at the infinite beauty and peaceful rhythm of the glistening water. That you can throw your hands up into the air and say, “I will!” “I do!” “I can!”

Yoga can bring you to the place of marveling at beauty in sorrow, of acceptance in failure and peace in pain. As you stand in Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), quadriceps engaged, looking out over the tip of your middle finger, energy extending out through your arms your claim personal power. Bringing breath into the back body, expanding the ribs and spreading the shoulder blades across the back in Balasana (Child’s pose), you remember your connection to the living, breathing, true self. Yoga teaches you to marvel at the simplest of movements – turning the foot a degree inward, lifting the kneecaps, or spreading the toes. Each movement brings your mind to awareness. Each reaching out brings focus to the inhale, each melting brings attending to the exhale, utilizing the power of the breath.

The mind, the body, the breath no longer operate independently but merge into one beautiful rhythm giving you power to claim for yourself, “I WILL!” “I DO!” “I CAN!”

Teaching Yoga to the University of NC football team! Awesome!

Yoga Reflections: Yoga for Athletes Teacher Training

November 8, 2010

I hope this message finds everyone well after hopefully some weekend rest. What a beautiful weekend it was. I just got back from a teacher training in NC: Yoga for Athletes, in Carboro, NC. It was incredible. The drive there was something, rainy and overcast through Tennessee, turning to sun, then I hit the mountains and was greeted with big flakes of snow hit. It was beautiful. Further into my drive more rain under sunny skies and a beautiful rainbow appeared. Magnificent the array of changes our environment goes through in only an eight hour drive. It reminds me of the constant change of life and when I parallel this to my own life I realize that if I just hang out long enough circumstances, people, challenges, and even joys will change. Doesn't that make life exciting?

There were a few highlights I wanted to pass on to everyone. It was enjoyable to connect once again with the studio and some of my fellow yoga immersion students from the summer teacher training. The power of relationships and the commitment to keep them alive makes life such a joy. I also loved connecting with a whole new group of yoga teachers and students. Though we may never see each other again, the experience we shared was truly a gift.

Along with the vast amount of new knowledge I take away from this experience, an incredible highlight was teaching yoga to the University of North Carolina foot ball players. Truly a gift to have had the opportunity and an experience not to be missed. I love what Jane Fonda recently said in an Oprha interview when explaining one of her life's secrets, "Be curious!" she said. And through the initial thought when faced with a possible intimidating new experience creeps into the psyche, the ability to override any fear, pulling up doses of courage, and delve into the curious void in front of you brings joy beyond measure. This is how I felt about teaching the football team. Sure lots of things could have gone wrong (not being accepted probably the most daunting, along with what will my colleagues think of me) but to break out of the fear and take the leap of faith truly is what curiosity is all about and I have found where I have discovered some of my greatest joys. I have attached the link so you can see this wonderful experience. http://gallery.me.com/sagetree#100614

Looking forward to seeing you all on the mat.

When the Sun Hurts Your Heart

This is not a good morning. Everything hurts, even the sun. I look outside and think, "I should feel happier, God is smiling on us." But instead the tears of loss keep flowing. Larry took the boys to his parents this weekend and all I can think about is what we would be doing if things were different: going to church, maybe having a picnic, last year we took Andrew and Brendon fishing. There were times in the past when we did this and it was good. I miss Ryan and it hurts even though he is detaching which is exactly what he should be doing. I am afraid seeing Andrew branching out, raging against life and not wanting to spend time with me. I miss Brendon and his sweatness and light. I am just so sad, I don't even make sense.

I call people but everyone is busy, they have lives to live, families to be with, obligations to fulfill. So after calling two people, no answer, sorted some bills and mail, answered some email, wrote in my journal, prayed. And now I am crying again. I called Pam, we talked for awhile, her simple and calming voice helped but the crying is not done. She continues to tell me that you talk about it until you can't talk about it anymore and you cry until you stop. That's just how it works. It is not my brain that is trying kill me but my emotions. Sometimes there is nothing to do, no action to take, it is a waiting for the wave to pass however long it takes. I wish that I could stop crying, but I feel such loss and so much fear. Maybe this is what lonliness feels like.

All is well. Life is just difficult sometimes. God is in the struggle, and in the surrender. I surrender to all the is divine within me. Now... I will get dressed and go for a run. The sun doesn't hurt my heart anymore.

In Memorial to My Grandmother

Today the LaCombe, Parker, Barnett family bury a beautiful lady and a courageous soul. She played many roles, wife, mother, daughter, friend, business woman… but I knew her as Grandma. As Grandma, and in all her roles, she was the star performer, the expert, and VIP. She carved out a place within my heart that will forever hold great sorrow in her passing but more importantly tremendous joy in a life experienced with happiness and lived to its fullest.
I have many fond memories of grandmother, but two come immediately to mind in their ability to capture the essence of the meaning of the passing of this great life– the ability to bring a family together over a meal, and late night gin games at the kitchen table. Both these activities demonstrate Grandma’s commitment to family and willingness to spend time with those she loved and cared for.
Any Parker can tell you that food is an important part of enjoying life. A woman need not have a large repertoire of food items she is adept in preparing, but she does need a few. Seafood gumbo and bar-b-q shrimp were the menu items of choice at any family reunion at the Downing Drive home. The ability to make good rue and peel a shrimp was essential. My Aunt Sally will retell stories of me as a toddler holding my hand out for peeled shrimp, which was tolerated up until the age of 3 and then one had to demonstrate competence and skill in this area or go very hungry. Butter and lots of black pepper were essential ingredients in any kitchen. A black skillet proved the perfect utensil for making dark rue and watchfulness and patience were important. Later a microwave was purchased, (always a lady keeping up with the times which assisted in the process. No meal was complete without loaves of freshly baked crusty French bread procured at the local market spread with butter and loaded with garlic salt. Usually my job was to prepare the garlic bread, keeping a watchful eye to prevent burning while Aunt Sally prepared anchovies for the salad, Aunt Kathy kept a quiet vigil on the bottom step with kid or two, Aunt Rachel perched on her high stool at the foot of the staircase, close to the head of the table. Pop Pop sat in his recliner in the den, usually with Dad, Dupree or Uncle Tony making loud noises at some football game on the TV. Sam was usually into something or other in the living room and his name could be heard above all other sounds as grandma busily went about her preparations. Sometimes guests like Aunt Sweety would drop in with the drawl of a southern lady and her long sleeve shirts. I am filled with the memory of buttery, garlic smells wafting around the heated kitchen, and loud boisterous sounds as each Parker/ Barnett added their voice to any discussion, correction or general cursing at the TV.
Once coolness returned to the house, order to the kitchen, and everyone retreated to their respected bedrooms or homes to sleep off the Cajun feast, grandmother and I would play gin into the wee hours of the morning. It was not unusual for us to express shock at the passing of hours of shuffling, dealing, and counting cards or to hear the familiar coo coo of the old coo coo clock welcoming in the 2:00 AM hour. (Whatever happened to that old coo coo clock)?
What I am most grateful for is the time these late nights gave us together. The house had stillness and quiet which was so out of character in the typical Parker home, which usually bustled with loud voices, droning TV’s, or fussing kids. We talked about everything and nothing at the same time. It was there I learned the story of how Aunt Sally and Uncle Tony came to become a part of the family. Why we had to go visit Aunt Elaxena, and the short lived life of Grandma’s sister Dot and her widowed husband Uncle Sam. I learned the importance of family to Grandma, especially to Pop Pop who had a very unusual childhood spending most of his childhood in a military academy. I heard stories of the 16 year old grandma having gone a brief time to LSU before being swept off her feet by the dashing Charles W. Parker. I took in stories of my Dad as a young golden boy, athlete and officer in the Navy. I heard about Uncle Dupree and his troublemaking youth (probably pretty mild by today’s standards) and how the Navy straightened him out. The importance of service to ones country resonated in each story about Dad, Uncle Dupree or Uncle Jimmy or Pop Pop. I discovered the Baton Rouge of Grandma’s youth in tales of mischief with her friends, or living with Great Grandmother LaCombe. We discussed current events and I reveled in her generational wisdom. We also shared a love of reading and would talk briefly about books but often her books of choice were of the harlequin romance variety so not much was discussed. Grandma was most definitely a southern lady first and foremost. We touched on professional roles of women, discussing her court reporting business and the interesting encounters she had in the professional world. Her best financial advice to me preceding my marriage was, “have separate bank accounts.” A woman should have her own money; she was quick to assure me that Pop Pop was in full support of this. We talked about Grandmas daughter in laws, my mom, Aunt Kathy and Angela. She assured me that my mom who would always remain a part of the Parker family, and her words of praise demonstrated great respect, admiration and love for my mom. She praised Aunt Kathy’s gentleness and Angela’s colorfulness and was filled with joy that they were in her son’s lives.
It was also through the telling of these tales, told with such dramatic flair that only Grandma could pull off that I also learned about Grandma’s fears and vulnerabilities. Being a burden to her family, or not having full control of her mind was one of her greatest fears. Having taken care of Great Grandma LaCombe in her later years really made an impression on her and she and Pop Pop took steps to make sure they were not burdensome to their children. Her actions impressed upon me the importance of keeping my mind active and engaged throughout my life and having many interests made for interesting conversation.
Our gin games continued long after the Downing Drive home was sold and Grandma moved into St. James place. I got to hear stories of new interests and watched her continue to invent her life, even acquiring a boyfriend into her 70’s. How tickled she was with that and very surprised.
Grandma taught me how to be a strong woman while maintaining her feminine compassion. She was never one for a lot of make up, we all knew of her devotion to Lubriderm and the sensitivity of her skin, but she was intensely feminine in her choice of dress and the manner in which she carried herself. She loved being treated like a lady, and had a special fondness for little boys and men of all ages. No matter what trouble I was having with my husband Larry or children Ryan, Andrew or Brendon, she would usually take their side. On a rare occasion I witnessed Grandma taking up for Ryan who had gotten into some mischief against Pop Pop. Pop Pop knew when to retreat. She treated Brendon no differently because of his disability and appreciated his gentle spirit. I am so grateful for last summer when Andrew went to Baton Rouge with me and will cherish the memories of his interactions with Grandma as he conversed with her, laughed at her stories and help to feed her and work on her hands. We all saw the sparkle only a little boy could bring to Grandma’s eyes.
Today marks the celebration of the passing of a beautiful, courageous, woman. Grandma will forever hold a place in the lives of all she touched. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” I believe Grandma decided a long time ago to be happy and she lived her life, through all its ups and downs in a way that demonstrated to all of us how to be happy, joyful, courageous, and content. I love you Grandma and I will miss you every day in this life and look forward to the day we will be together in the next.
Blessings and peace,
Michele

Paying Attention to the Voice Within on the Road

Paying Attention to the Voice Within
March 27, 2010

What an amazing run today. I am visiting family in Louisiana. Usually I have to set out early if I am going to run here, the heat and humidity can be brutal. But today I had time to complete my new found ashtanga yoga practice with enough energy for a run. It had been raining all morning but by 10:00, the clouds had cleared and as I set out the sun was shining brightly, welcoming me to the experience with its warmth and clarity.

Warmth and clarity, two things I have been in search of. The air was fresh, with the slight aroma of freshness that usually follows a strong rain. As I wove my way around large puddles and skirted car splashes, I was grateful for the gift of present moment awareness. So often in life I forget where I am, what I am doing, and how my body feels in space, but not today. My senses were alive and my brain was pleasantly activated. What a gift.

As I wove my way toward home, I noticed a business sign saying something about “natural healing.” A woman was busy unloading items from here vehicle. I thought,
“I wonder what they do there.”
But instead of acting on my natural curiosity and the inner voice gently urging me to investigate, I kept running, because my curiosity was halted by my possible embarrassment in showing up at the door of the business, sweaty and in need of a glass of water. My spontaneity caused me another moment’s pause.
“How silly and stupid,” another voice in my head said.
I ran a little further, but the desire to stop and entertain my curiosity continued to speak inside me. I have come to recognize this desire as the divine inside me, and when it speaks, I am trying to listen. So I halted my run and made a u turn. I walked in.
“I was running by and I noticed you natural healing sign,” I said. “Would you mind telling me something about your practice?”
“Yes, yes, I noticed you run by,” the lady said.
She then proceeded to show me some pieces of equipment, patiently answering my questions. We had some back and forth conversation about nutrition, disability, magnesium, minerals, pharmaceuticals, the holistic medicine approach, non profits, and the economy. She showed me the results of chemical hair analysis, and explained the importance of natural salt. We compared stories and beliefs. She handed me some reading materials to take home as I wondered how I would carry the packet she gave me.
I left feeling joyful, grateful, and uplifted having met another sojourner on this road toward health and wholeness.

Running Through the Snow

Running Through the Snow January 30, 2010


It’s cold out there and running in the cold is not one of my favorite things to do. In fact, my whole body braces against the chill. So I choose to head to the heated conditions of the treadmill at the YMCA. It was warm, and crowded, the steam almost rising from the concrete floor in direct contrast to the steamy cold swirling outside. Wanting to connect with the beauty of the whiteness of the falling snowflakes, I choose a treadmill close to the window.

I began my run in the usual contemplative fashion alternating between active prayer (the rosary, bible verses, and individual prayer intentions) and meditation (awareness of the breath, the physical sensations of my shoes hitting the rubber surface of the treadmill, my beating heart). Settling into rhythm and awareness of prayer and meditation, the snow floating outside the window kept it’s gentle call. I remained in awareness, and noticed rejection of the notion to simply head outside. “I didn’t dress for outdoor conditions,” my mind kept protesting, followed by the gentle response, “Yes, you have a sweatshirt and gloves. That will keep you warm,” my contemplative mind countered.

So I formulated a plan, fifty minutes in the warmth of the treadmill, 5 minutes outside. The excitement of doing something I don’t usually do propelled me out the door. The sharp contrast between my body dripping in the sweat of the treadmill run and the refreshing gasp of the chill air spurred me forward. I floated, almost effortlessly down the street, gliding with the wind. This was fun I remember thinking, exhilarating even. Then I had to turn a corner, heading uphill no less, into the wind. The contrast was not lost on me; warmth, exhilaration, energy with bracing chill, discomfort, escape.

How often life is like this run, I reflected. Sometimes life brings you warmth – a hug from a child, or loving words from a friend. Other times life brings you bracing chill – being let go from a job, a parent’s illness. Sometimes life brings you exhilaration – a successful completion of a project, or a new relationship. Other times life brings you discomfort – the flu, a messy house. Sometimes life events energize you – an acknowledgement of a job well done or discovery of a new talent. Other times the desire to escape overwhelms you – a drawn out divorce, or a long term disability. But in the midst of this run we call life, to be aware of all that it brings, the good, the less than good, I have noticed that showing up, being willing to take a risk and brace out into the chill always brings the presence of the divine. Like the run, the not so pleasant aspects – my uncovered ears, exposed legs, and chilled face – allowed me to recognize the more peaceful moments – the stillness of my surroundings, the freshness in the air, the gentle touch of the snowflakes. Awareness, willingness, and peace are the rewards for showing up, and taking the risk. There may be discomfort in awareness of the divine but the peace that comes is not to be missed.

Journey into the Prayer of Jabez: Day 1

Journey into the Prayer of Jabez: Day 1
January 27, 2010


I decided in my morning devotional to read the prayer of Jabez: “Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory….” ~1Chronicles 4:10

Enlarge my territory, give me more to do - more people to influence. I suppose the losing of something causes one to reevaluate their influence. Life often presents opportunities for the shedding away of something: an unhealthy relationship, job, bad habits, and this shedding, though painful at the time, is God’s way of telling us that whatever we were doing was not enlarging our territory. Instead of being discouraged, feeling rejected, or unworthy, we must have been doing what God desired us to do all along.

In the midst of a loss, it is necessary to change ones thinking in this direction, “I must be doing what God intends. He has been directing my path all along. He knows what I need and it is my faith in His almighty power that will carry me through this difficult loss.”

Losing something, or someone important to us is painful. The separation that often follows causes many questions and fears. The thing or person probably brought some joy, some excitement, or some sense of purpose to our lives. If the loss was unexpected then the questioning often begins, accompanied by regret, rejection or shame. “Why did this happen? What did I do wrong?”

But maybe there is another perspective God asks us to consider. Not the one of hopeless failure and despair, but maybe, just maybe the answer to a prayer. “Expand my territory,” we prayed and God answered, closing one door, yet opening at least one more. To realize we have no clue as to what this means, or where we are headed, yet to follow with action is the true meaning of faith. To have no idea what the expanded territory will look like is both exciting and scary. Perhaps our territory is so large, we only get to spend a short time in some places. All the more reason to enjoy where we are, to take full advantage of the present moment. God knows we tend to hang on a little longer that what is good for us. Perhaps he is saying, “I have more for you to do, a wider, deeper, larger territory in mind for you to cover. So I need you to move on. I am showing you the emergency exits right now. Follow them to the territory you asked for. Trust me.”

These are the words of comfort, hope and strength God offers. In reply he only asks us to say, “Yes God, I will go where you would have me go, see who you would have me see, do what you would have me do.” Now you have followed the words of Jabez, “Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge me territory…”

Just Do It

Just Do It
January 22, 2010




“Just do it” has been useful to me in so many situations but especially when dealing with difficult life circumstances like illness, depression, job loss... The desire to stay in bed when facing a difficult emotion caused by some life circumstance is overwhelmingly strong. Thank God for Nike for coining this popular, simply stated mantra.

Recently I have found myself facing a difficult and very painful loss. The desire to run away, to hide, to pull the covers over my head has not been, interestingly enough, as strong as it has been in the past. That I attribute to my willingness to grow, to keep in close contact with God through faith and through exercising action.

I continue to practice courage, speaking out, and asking questions when they are needed and warranted in an effort to honor my voice. The world needs the difficult questions. The tricky part, the overwhelming confusing part of this life is how to play peacekeeper in the midst of so much pain and human suffering. How do you have the courage to raise the difficult questions often at the risk of rejection or even removal? Deep, passionate and strong feelings often rub up against others and can be perceived as contention instead of cooperation. Life can be difficult and often is. But the honoring of my own voice, the “Just do it” motto has been a useful tool in bringing the voice of peace to any hurt.

To Write Again - May We Be Peace

To Write Again 1-14-10
I have missed my blog. I have been thinking about it often. But as so often happens, my life has taken a different direction and in the busyness I have been struggling to find time to blog. I am also involved in a new project and have been trying to figure out how to merge my interests in a way that will create something hopeful to write about. My blog is in transition. I have noticed what has happened with my writing and my blog is that once we completed the marathons together, my creative writing started to run out of steam. I was also so involved in academic writing that the part of my brain that thinks freely was becoming encumbered with the internal editor.

But the way to combat any transition phase along with the accompanying uncertainty, angst, and fear is to just begin. So here I am making a new commitment to writing again, to write as interestingly and hopefully as possible about my experiences with life once again.


May We Be Peace
What a strange phrase. To be peace… My recent journeys have brought this phrase to my conscious mind. I have my entire Catholic life prayed for peace. In mass I say, “Peace be with you.” “And peace be with you,” is the reply from the community. It is delivered first as a blessing on the community from the priest, and then extended as an individual blessing when each person shakes the hand of their neighbor and wishes them peace.
I can easily recall prayers of peace offered to God in times of trial, illness, wars, depression, etc. The endless list of human suffering offers a perfect opportunity to extend the gift of peace. The accompanying worry, angst, distress, pain seem to call out for relief through a feeling of peace. “Peace be with you,” seems not only humane, but absolutely necessary.
Most of us are comfortable with the offer of peace. As a culture of action, to do something, to offer words for example makes perfect sense. But what is less familiar and seems to be more difficult is this notion to be peace. Wow… now that seems absolutely divine.
Recently I discovered the phrase, being peace, in a book of the same name by Thich Nhat Hahn, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and human rights activist. He believes that if we are not peaceful, if we do not know how to be peace, then we cannot share peace with others. This caused me to question in my own mind our practice of offering each other peace in such an automatic, non present way. How many times have I offered peace without the sense of being peace?
In my quest to grow and expand my spiritual condition, I have stumbled upon the method of mindfulness meditation. This is a method of quieting the mind, focusing on the present moment, connecting to the breath and the sensations in the physical body in order to be present in this moment right now with full acceptance of what is.
Through this practice of present awareness, I am discovering the sensations of my body, the feeling of being peace. I am able to recall what this journey of life is all about, an AH HA moment to be sure: To be peace in all aspects of my life, here now with whatever, with whomever, and whenever.
Luckily, life gives us plenty of moments to practice being peace, in the argument with my husband over who should give our son a bath, in trying to get my teenager to get out of bed to go to school, when my computer will not cooperate and allow me to send emails. In these moment of real life, of real struggle, of real angst to “be” peace seems impossible, yet paradoxically through the desire alone seems doable.
So for today, I will practice this idea of being peace, not praying for peace, bringing peace, seeking peace, or even having peace but simply to be.