Often, in the past, I have been described as a kite. I float off into the breeze, and a person may or may not be able to catch my tail and hold me momentarily. This depiction is not necessarily something that I would like to continue bringing into my future. Adventurous, up for a challenge, outgoing, playful – these are all positive qualities. Ungrounded is not something that I prefer to add to this list, but it has been where I have been for extended periods of time over the years.

When I originally decided to invest in Yoga Teacher Training, I never had the clear desire or goal in my mind that I would teach yoga professionally. As with many other endeavours I have embarked on in life it has been an exercise and journey of personal growth and discovery, rather than professional aspirations. My main goal, from the onset, was primarily spiritual development and now, in 2010, is personally a means to heal and nurture my body.

Therefore, looking forward to the future, I believe that my relationship with yoga will be primarily personal – a means for myself to remain grounded and at peace. Everyone needs an anchor to root them into the earth. I have many small anchors, and I feel the time is now that I bring them together into something that has weight and substance.

My past is full of “random” achievements that, to the outsides, may appear to be wasted ambitions and goals. I have invested thousands of dollars, hours upon hours, and blood, sweat, and tears! I have laboured over the Latin botanical families of plants, laid my eyes on more feet than a shoe salesperson, played with varying forms of energy, and worked my way through a vast number of Metaphysical affirmations. I have now spent 3+ years twisting myself into a pretzel and reading a vast cornucopia of life-changing literature. I guess this is the purpose: “life-changing”. The journey continues to follow this tradition. To many people, having a disability would be, well, disabling. To me, it has been nothing short of a blessing and everything has started to make sense to me in a way it simply couldn’t before.

Do I feel as though my life has been positively impacted by my experiences with yoga? Absolutely, without question. I feel a sense of serenity and calm within, the empowerment that only comes with reflection, and a greater appreciation of the rich history of the varying traditions of India. I may never teach yoga professionally (time with tell), but I am filled with gratitude to my teacher, Denise, and everyone else I have encountered on this journey. I plan to continue on this path in a different way than originally anticipated: by integrating my family.

I suppose I have a bit of a blockage in terms of the word “professional”. Professionally, I am (was?) a project manager / IT professional. It has never occurred to me to me to make money off of any of the modalities which I have studied – even though there have been ample opportunities. What I would really like to do would be to occasionally teach yoga classes for donation/trade only. I don’t want to be constrained by the rules and politics of clubs; I want my friends, family, and those who cannot afford it to receive benefit of my training to improve their own circumstance. I want to create an environment where I can further bond with my partner’s children and bring them into the experience and share my joy with them.

If anything I ever do has positively benefitted me, I consider it a complete success. If, as in the case of reflexology, reiki (or any of the myriad of modalities I have trained in) I have been of service to someone else, it has succeeded my expectations.

Half Locusr (Ardha Shalabasana)

Half Locust provides passive elongation to the psoas and quadriceps. The chest, shoulders, arms, and exterior muscles of the legs are also strengthened.

This pose warms up the body and helps strengthen weak back muscles.

Anatomical focus: Thighs

Therapeutic application: Increasing strength during physiotherapy (personal experience)

Affected muscles: Thighs – Quadricips, Psoas

Benefits:

• Tones and strengthens the lower back, buttocks, and backs of thighs
• Helps relieve lower back and posture problems
• Energizes the nervous system
• Improves circulation

Personal Observations: increasing strength to legs and back

Baxter, Christopher Ken. Kripalu Hatha Yoga. Lenox: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
Inner Idea. Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.18 August 2010.
< http://www.inneridea.com/library/restorative-yoga-teacher-training >
Iyengar, B.K.S. Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Active Interest Media Company. Yoga Journal. 19 September 2010.
< http://www.yogajournal.com/ >

Supported Shoulder Stand (Ardha Sarvangasana)

Half shoulder stand brings energy through the pelvis and up and out the legs. When mulabandha is engaged, it gives a reversed life to the pelvic floor that is complimentary to the inversion of the internal organs and the reversed flow of blood in the legs. It also massages the thyroid gland.

This asana is performed in a restorative manner – legs up the wall, back on the floor. This pose provides an inversion for the lower body and is an excellent way to end a restorative practice. The only prop necessary is the wall. A folded blanket placed under the torso provides additional elevation.

Anatomical focus: Pelvis and legs

Therapeutic application: Energizing and calming (personal experience)

Affected muscles: Pelvis, Quadriceps (personal experience)

Benefits:

• A wonderful stretch for the quads
• Helps relieve mild depression, anxiety, and fatigue (personal experience)

Personal Observations: well needed stretching and creates a sense of calm

Baxter, Christopher Ken. Kripalu Hatha Yoga. Lenox: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
Inner Idea. Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.18 August 2010.
< http://www.inneridea.com/library/restorative-yoga-teacher-training >
Iyengar, B.K.S. Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Active Interest Media Company. Yoga Journal. 19 September 2010.
< http://www.yogajournal.com/ >

Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Baddhakonasana)

Bound Angle opens the groin and inner thighs while lengthening the spine and opening the chest.

This pose provides gentle opening to the hips and chest, and is an excellent time to focus on breathing or to introduce a heart-opening meditation. Lean bolster on stack of blankets or blocks. Place rolled blanket under each knee. Strap can be looped behind lower back, over insides of legs and around feet. This allows students to relax any effort to hold feet together.

Regular practice of this asana increases the flow of blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and back. It is beneficial for arthritis of the knee, hip, and pelvic joints.

Anatomical focus: Thighs

Therapeutic application: Sciatica

Affected muscles: Thighs – Pectineus, Adductor longus, Gracilis

Benefits:

• Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees
• Helps relieve mild depression, anxiety, and fatigue
• Traditional texts say that Baddha Konasana destroys disease and gets rid of fatigue.

Personal Observations: well needed stretching and creates a sense of calm

Baxter, Christopher Ken. Kripalu Hatha Yoga. Lenox: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
Inner Idea. Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.18 August 2010.
< http://www.inneridea.com/library/restorative-yoga-teacher-training >
Iyengar, B.K.S. Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2001.
Active Interest Media Company. Yoga Journal. 19 September 2010.
< http://www.yogajournal.com/ >

10 Things You Never Knew About Yoga

How Can Yoga Help People with Fibromyalgia?

The benefits of yoga are numerous, particularly if you are a fibromyalgia sufferer. Yoga postures are easy to perform and can be practiced in the comfort of your own home. Yoga is great for beginners, because you do not need to know how to do all of the poses in order to start practicing. Additionally, yoga can be tailored to your own personal needs and stamina levels.

Here are just a few of the specific benefits that yoga can offer fibromyalgia sufferers:

• decreased muscle pain
• increased muscle strength
• greater endurance and stamina
• mood regulation and relief of depression
• improved sleep
• improved concentration

I’ve finally decided to crack into my benefits and get some physio: I have a consultation this Friday at http://www.mmtr.ca/ on referral. I’ve also decided to explore yoga as therapy, and possibly some private restorative classes.