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.