Buddha Mommy

In two days, it will be one year since my skiing incident of 2009. Today, we went to Badger Pass and tried me out again. I have to say, as I walked to the beginning of the trail, I felt alot of anxiety. I looked at the snow and wondered if I could really do this again. As I put on my skis, I repeated the Ananda yoga affirmation, “I am safe. I am sound. All good things come to me. They give me peace”. When I came to the first icy hill (not a very big one), I took off my skis and walked down it. The up hill was no problem. I felt strong and able. As we continued, I repeated the affirmation,” Strength and courage fill my body cells. Joy descends to me!”. Thank you, Ananda yoga, for giving me something positive to focus on while my brain and body came into sync. It was a good day!

I asked my husband what kind of year he thought 2009 had been and he had a look of horror on his face as my answer. Yes, 2009 brought some challenges that I (we) were unprepared for in general. So much occurred relatively at the same time, which makes it even more difficult to keep your head above water. Even so, we have survived all. I marvel at how the sequence of events unfolded. In the end, it all has worked out (except of course the probate issue which will drag on for awhile yet).
So while I would have preferred to skip some of the 2009 experiences, I can truly say that I am better for each of them. In a way, I would like to say thank you to 2009 and a very interesting decade. I am ready for 2010 and the decade during which I hope to retire!

Well, here it is! The official business card Of Sarayu Yoga! I intend to use this blog as a means of posting classes, updates and info on yoga. More to come in the months ahead.
Currently, I teach two classes at Middle Way Yoga on Tuesday (11:30 am and 6 pm) and one on Thursday (11:30 am). You can see Middle Way Yoga’s Website for more info on those classes!

It is time for the update on a year in progress.
Mom is doing well in her new digs. She seems happy, content and less confused on a day to day basis. She wanders on occasion, but less than when she was in Pasadena. Her health is good. Her diabetes is in good control thru diet only.
Probate continues. I hope to have all things wrapped up by Spring. People have told me that a year is a usual length of time for such things.
I miss my kids alot, but both couples are doing great in their new places, Chicago and Bondi Beach, NSW. I will start my savings plan to make a trek to Australia in the future. Chicago is more do-able sooner.
2010 I will begin building Sarayu Yoga as my bridge to retirement. I don’t anticipate retirement for quite awhile, but would like to have something going.
So rounding into the last of an eventful year, 2009, I think most of us are better for the challenges. Can’t wait to see what is in store in 2010.

I would like to introduce the Fall 2009 graduates of the YTT at Ananda Yoga! Can you feel the relief?

It seems so hard to believe that the month is coming to a close and it is time to go back into, as they say here, “the matrix”. I have completed all requirements, except the written test which is tomorrow. I am sure I’ll be fine. Everyone will be fine.
I have decided to take this new found knowledge to another level. I will be calling myself “Sarayu Yoga, Yoga for Energy Flow”. Sarayu is the name of a river in India, and in Sanskrit it means flow. The word flow in yoga usually indicates a style called Vinyasa, but that is not what my yoga will be about. It will be based on the Ananda style which is about gathering energy into the spine and moving it up into the brain. I plan on continued teaching at Middle Way Yoga and offering private lessons and classes in other locations (to be determined in the future).
So that is what my new path includes. Look to this blog for more details! Here is a link to how to pronounce it. http://forvo.com/word/sarayu/

Made it past the big hurdle of presenting an asana (pose) to the class while it was video taped. Afterward, there was an extensive dissection of your “performance”. The poses were given by a random draw. I got a very easy pose (standing backward bend). Even so, alot was expected of each of us. Had to get beyond looking at my squishy belly, etc. and see how I present to people. I have done this before with didactic teaching, but not with movement. That adds a new layer.
So, soon this training will be done. I will re-enter the real world. I haven’t left the grounds since I got here, although I could as I have a car. I appreciate the time I have had to go inward a bit, as I lead a very outward life. I also more full appreciate that I live where I do which provides me the soul time I need to remain grounded ( read “sane”). The challenge after leaving here will not be as much teaching yoga as keeping the inner peace I have gained through this experience.

Ananda's version of Standing Backward Bend