Saturday, October 1, 2011

yoga fest, year 1

what a beautiful day! everything went better than expected today!  only had 2 students in class, but we really honed in and had a lovely practice.  followed by mysore with sati... my practice was exactly what i needed, even though i didn't know what was in store for me.  i find that more often than not, that tends to be how it goes, yeah?  when you're really truly not looking for the growth/change is when it's plopped right in front of yer face.  i've known for a while that i need to be less judgmental toward myself and my asana practice, but so many times, i just don't see when or how i am criticizing these things.  because i've been given so many new poses from sati, i believe that i'll really have an opportunity to see that in the coming months - and learn the right ways to push myself... learn to listen to my body.  it's hard to know when i need to make myself practice, even when i don't feel like it AND when i need to take rest, even though i want to push through.  hopefully, i can get a handle on this before i get an injury.  i hear way too frequently that this is how ashtangis (and yogis/athletes) learn when to say WHEN.  and when to learn some of the less physical practicies.  i also feel very strongly that this is the universe telling me that the time is now - time to deal with stuff, face some fears, and just get on with it... move through it...  we'll see.  i'm just trusting my teacher on this one - sati, as well as the ultimate teacher - the practice.  also, my asana practice will now be extended in such a way that it will require a greater time commitment from me.  i am so excited for this challenge!  okay, more on this later... on to yoga day!

today was the FIRST ANNUAL yoga day at the riverside arts market!  it was exciting and compelling and wonderful - and we couldn't have dreamed up better weather.  the teachers who set up the tent (while i was teaching) did an excellent job.  everything looked great!  over all, jacksonville raised more than $20k for the Africa Yoga Project -- (currently) more than any other city in the nation!!  WHAAA!!!!
 
 
 


over 180 students showed up for the 108 Sun Salutations lead by 10 of Jax's yoga instructors. 



i can't even properly depict how my heart goes pitter-patter when i see this photo: 



i felt like i was "home", seeing all those people in their yoga attire, mat bags slung over their shoulders, grinning from ear-to-ear.  it was a great time all around. we all really enjoyed reaching out into the community and developing relationships within the network of shalas around town. i made some new friends, and even got in some MORE yoga during the afternoon and played around with a new friend doing some acro-yoga... it was more like an acro-massage... it was totally wonderful.



i could've hung out there all day...  my hips were super sore, i can't imagine i would've been able to walk without this crazy-looking totally uh-maze-ing hip joint massage.



 ok, enough for now... more to come!


1 comment:

  1. Seeing this reminds me to BE. Especially the sun salutations. My heart floated then. I need to go to this next year. PS - I love your poses.

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