I had an opportunity to visit the Yucatan Peninsula in March for a yoga retreat. Most of the participants came from the Bay area (where the teacher, Barbara Voinar lives), but she draws students from all over the United States. I met her in Wichita at a yoga workshop three years ago.
Maya Tulum is a resort and wellness center, offering mud treatments, vegetarian food, at least 8 different types of massage, a sweat lodge, beach activities, and yoga. Visiting yoga teachers reserve group trainings and retreats, like ours. We had a two hour class each morning and a two hour class each evening (doing the math: 24 hours of yoga in 6 days).
The food was good, with fish on the menu two nights (wahoo and grouper), plenty of fresh fruit, beautiful salads, traditional Mexican rice, tortillas and tamales - just without meat. The hosts arranged for a salsa dance class on Friday from two professional dancers (video on my facebook page), and there were a variety of eco-tours in the area. A group of us rented bikes (the old-fashioned kind – pedal forward to go, and backward to stop!) and toured the Mayan ruins up the coast a few kilometers. That day, El Presidente (Felipe Calderon) was there giving a speech, and the military presence was awe-inspiring. There were Mexican navy ships off-shore and certain areas were off-limits to tourists. Later in the week, some of the students went on a float trip, others went snorkeling.
The accommodations were modest, mostly thatched-roof huts and cabanas, but they were comfortable, well-furnished, and clean. I highly recommend it!
http://www.rrresorts.com/f.html#/maya_tulum/
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Company newsletter submissions.....Yoga for the Office Worker
Time Out!
Try to allow yourself time each day, or weekly (!) to be without external stimuli–traffic, music, crowds, television, or engaged in a task like driving, doing laundry, or talking/texting. It may be difficult to find a place in our chaotic urban or home environment, but it is well worth the effort to do so. As you sit quietly with yourself, you may find your thoughts spinning like a Kansas spring storm, and that will be okay at first…..with a little practice, this “empty” time will start to have a positive effect on your well-being.
In our stimulation-based lives, we are constantly seeking fulfillment through activity, which leaves no time for the quietness of simply being present with you. If this is true, then how does our “turned-up-high” nervous system know when it’s appropriate to shift to a lower gear? Not only do we not know when to turn down the dial, we don’t even know how! What would happen to a machine that runs full-speed all the time? Wouldn’t you agree that the same thing could happen to people?
Give this quiet time a chance to work by finding a peaceful spot, sitting comfortably in a chair or on the floor, and turning your attention to your breathing. Is your breathing shallow? rough? smooth? short? tight or tense? Can you slow it down and make it more regular just by thinking about it? Does your cell phone or watch have a timer? Set your timer, close your eyes and relax your shoulders.
Give yourself just 5 minutes of this exercise. See if you feel a little calmer, a little less pressured, a little more restored to “yourself”. And if 5 minutes seems like an eternity….and it just isn’t working at all…..and all you can think about is what to fix for dinner, or how much work you have to do tomorrow…..then simply open your eyes…..pat yourself on the back for trying…..and try again tomorrow!
Cindy
Next time in 5-Minutes of yoga: Stretches for repetitive stress on your wrists and elbows……
Try to allow yourself time each day, or weekly (!) to be without external stimuli–traffic, music, crowds, television, or engaged in a task like driving, doing laundry, or talking/texting. It may be difficult to find a place in our chaotic urban or home environment, but it is well worth the effort to do so. As you sit quietly with yourself, you may find your thoughts spinning like a Kansas spring storm, and that will be okay at first…..with a little practice, this “empty” time will start to have a positive effect on your well-being.
In our stimulation-based lives, we are constantly seeking fulfillment through activity, which leaves no time for the quietness of simply being present with you. If this is true, then how does our “turned-up-high” nervous system know when it’s appropriate to shift to a lower gear? Not only do we not know when to turn down the dial, we don’t even know how! What would happen to a machine that runs full-speed all the time? Wouldn’t you agree that the same thing could happen to people?
Give this quiet time a chance to work by finding a peaceful spot, sitting comfortably in a chair or on the floor, and turning your attention to your breathing. Is your breathing shallow? rough? smooth? short? tight or tense? Can you slow it down and make it more regular just by thinking about it? Does your cell phone or watch have a timer? Set your timer, close your eyes and relax your shoulders.
Give yourself just 5 minutes of this exercise. See if you feel a little calmer, a little less pressured, a little more restored to “yourself”. And if 5 minutes seems like an eternity….and it just isn’t working at all…..and all you can think about is what to fix for dinner, or how much work you have to do tomorrow…..then simply open your eyes…..pat yourself on the back for trying…..and try again tomorrow!
Cindy
Next time in 5-Minutes of yoga: Stretches for repetitive stress on your wrists and elbows……
Friday, March 5, 2010
Home remodel
Its a wonder what you find in your own home, especially if you didn't build it, or remodel it the FIRST time around!
I've lived in my house for 20 years. What was once upon a time an attached single car garage (probably not even big enough for today's monster SUV's or full size trucks), was turned into a fourth bedroom. Most of the homes in my neighborhood have similar remodels, using what was the original garage for living space: a room with a fireplace, another entrance, an extra bedroom or an office.
There was some damage below the window that was repaired with new Sheetrock, but it was not insulated. 20 years of heating and cooling only to find out that just a few dollars of insulation inside the wall would have made all the difference.
Pictures to follow.
This room is going to be a yoga room/art studio. It is turning out better than expectations and I am very happy with the progress so far.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
2009 Holiday Letter
What a year! Just after camping season began, Beth’s mom, Margaret, suffered a “mini-stroke” – the doctor called it a transient ischemic attack . Thankfully, there were no long-term effects….but time to let Margaret “retire” -at age 88. She had been maintaining her household almost single-handedly since her husband fell and broke his hip late last year, and the stress was affecting her health.
The Wimber’s moved into a retirement home in July. They are still independent -living in a small apartment in a nicely landscaped area– with covered walkways and easy access to the dining hall. It took the efforts of all the daughters: Shelley to sort, donate, and pack, Beth and I to move, have a sale and clean, and Jan, here from California, to decorate and make them comfortable. At Lakepoint, meals are provided, as is laundry and light housekeeping. The staff is very nice. There are opportunities for bridge, bingo, fitness activities, and the occasional organized party (a luau, car show and a great Veteran’s Day celebration for example). Someone will check on them if they don’t come to meals. Best of all the food is good (for the Wimber’s it was a major concern, trust me)!
As for the house they were living in –Beth and I had owned it for eight years. We had finished a recent remodel of the basement after a flood (a huge, expensive, uninsured project –our agent called it a “maintenance issue”), and then additional construction to accommodate her dad’s reduced mobility after hip surgery (the “porch project”). With nothing but bad news in the real estate sector, we placed the single-family home on the market, hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst. As it turned out, we sold the house in EIGHT days! Not only did it sell quickly, closing took place in the same month. And….that….is what we did…on our summer vacation.
In late March, I graduated from the teacher training program of the Shambhava School of Yoga (it’s based in Colorado, but my training was here in Wichita). It took eight months and I am now a registered yoga teacher (RYT200). I continue to teach weekly classes at a local recreation center.
My best friend’s wedding was in May. For the occasion, I had been growing my hair…well at least that’s how it all got started. J Then it became a challenge to grow my hair to at least 10 inches (the minimum length) for “Locks of Love” -they make wigs for cancer patients. It was a happy day when I cut off that ponytail and mailed it to the charity!
I embraced “social networking” wholeheartedly! It was the summer of my high school’s 30th class reunion. Helped by sites like Facebook and Classmates.com, I was able to re-connect with a number of people, even if they could not attend the reunion. Facebook also helped me find cousins in Maine, California, and New York, college friends, and people from grade school!
Not as much camping as we would have liked, but we made it to Arkansas (Beaver Lake) in September. The group this year included my brother Derek. I was lucky to spend not only a week at the lake with him, but when he was temporarily laid off; he came to Wichita for a week. We built a cedar privacy fence, replaced trim on the outbuildings, and got other little things done. I enjoyed his mellow company.
Even though cut-backs continue at my job with CGF Industries, and with the recreation center where I teach yoga, and with the post office, we look forward to each precious day.
The Wimber’s moved into a retirement home in July. They are still independent -living in a small apartment in a nicely landscaped area– with covered walkways and easy access to the dining hall. It took the efforts of all the daughters: Shelley to sort, donate, and pack, Beth and I to move, have a sale and clean, and Jan, here from California, to decorate and make them comfortable. At Lakepoint, meals are provided, as is laundry and light housekeeping. The staff is very nice. There are opportunities for bridge, bingo, fitness activities, and the occasional organized party (a luau, car show and a great Veteran’s Day celebration for example). Someone will check on them if they don’t come to meals. Best of all the food is good (for the Wimber’s it was a major concern, trust me)!
As for the house they were living in –Beth and I had owned it for eight years. We had finished a recent remodel of the basement after a flood (a huge, expensive, uninsured project –our agent called it a “maintenance issue”), and then additional construction to accommodate her dad’s reduced mobility after hip surgery (the “porch project”). With nothing but bad news in the real estate sector, we placed the single-family home on the market, hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst. As it turned out, we sold the house in EIGHT days! Not only did it sell quickly, closing took place in the same month. And….that….is what we did…on our summer vacation.
In late March, I graduated from the teacher training program of the Shambhava School of Yoga (it’s based in Colorado, but my training was here in Wichita). It took eight months and I am now a registered yoga teacher (RYT200). I continue to teach weekly classes at a local recreation center.
My best friend’s wedding was in May. For the occasion, I had been growing my hair…well at least that’s how it all got started. J Then it became a challenge to grow my hair to at least 10 inches (the minimum length) for “Locks of Love” -they make wigs for cancer patients. It was a happy day when I cut off that ponytail and mailed it to the charity!
I embraced “social networking” wholeheartedly! It was the summer of my high school’s 30th class reunion. Helped by sites like Facebook and Classmates.com, I was able to re-connect with a number of people, even if they could not attend the reunion. Facebook also helped me find cousins in Maine, California, and New York, college friends, and people from grade school!
Not as much camping as we would have liked, but we made it to Arkansas (Beaver Lake) in September. The group this year included my brother Derek. I was lucky to spend not only a week at the lake with him, but when he was temporarily laid off; he came to Wichita for a week. We built a cedar privacy fence, replaced trim on the outbuildings, and got other little things done. I enjoyed his mellow company.
Even though cut-backs continue at my job with CGF Industries, and with the recreation center where I teach yoga, and with the post office, we look forward to each precious day.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Update on Toyota acceleration........
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-recall26-2009nov26,0,3295310.story
Toyota Motor Corp. said today it would reconfigure or replace the gas pedals in 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to prevent the episodes of runaway acceleration that prompted the largest vehicle recall in the company's history.
The announcement dramatically expands the scope and likely expense of the recall, which was announced on Sept. 29. Toyota had initially focused on the possibility that improperly installed floor mats might be causing the unintended acceleration problems, and urged owners of affected vehicles to remove the mats until they could be replaced.Now, beginning in January, Toyota dealers will start reconfiguring the gas pedal "to address the risk of floor mat entrapment."The recall affects the 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, the 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, the 2005-2010 Tacoma, the 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350 and the 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.
Toyota Motor Corp. said today it would reconfigure or replace the gas pedals in 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to prevent the episodes of runaway acceleration that prompted the largest vehicle recall in the company's history.
The announcement dramatically expands the scope and likely expense of the recall, which was announced on Sept. 29. Toyota had initially focused on the possibility that improperly installed floor mats might be causing the unintended acceleration problems, and urged owners of affected vehicles to remove the mats until they could be replaced.Now, beginning in January, Toyota dealers will start reconfiguring the gas pedal "to address the risk of floor mat entrapment."The recall affects the 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, the 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, the 2005-2010 Tacoma, the 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350 and the 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Jews...
Shalom,
First, just know that things will rarely turn out exactly like you expect them to - yet we continue to have and hold expectations anyway, don't we?
I walked into Wichita's Temple Emanu-el 20 minutes early, having come all the way from my camper at Marion Lake to give a free "introduction to yoga" class. It was the start of the Jewish Community Adult Education classes and I had brought a 30 minute "Yoga for the Office" class I have previously given.
The two women who greeted me were all smiles, thanked me and seemed excited that I was there (before shaking my hand, they both clapped!). I quipped "everyone should be greeted this way when they first meet someone!"
They showed me to the library where the tables and chairs had already been pushed aside.
Now a word about books (and precocious young girls who read a lot). When I enter a library, the little bookworm inside of me does a little jig and sings "goody, goody, goody" as she contemplates having a month of solitary confinement with which to read them all. :)
After shaking hands with the rabbi, who stopped in to introduce himself, answer my question about why the posters and historical documents on the wall spelled G_d that way (the name is so holy that you are not supposed to put it on paper or things that may be defaced, damaged or thrown away), I was left alone to wait for the "students".
There were three choices for the adults this day (and I wondered how yoga would rate when I saw them listed on the large poster in the entry):
From the congregation bulletin: http://www.emanuelict.org/emanu_bulletin.htm
"David, our guest speaker, will be talking about building community and our new program. We are also offering Yoga, as well as a traditional Torah Study led by Federation Director, Rabbi Moti Rieber."
First, just know that things will rarely turn out exactly like you expect them to - yet we continue to have and hold expectations anyway, don't we?
I walked into Wichita's Temple Emanu-el 20 minutes early, having come all the way from my camper at Marion Lake to give a free "introduction to yoga" class. It was the start of the Jewish Community Adult Education classes and I had brought a 30 minute "Yoga for the Office" class I have previously given.
The two women who greeted me were all smiles, thanked me and seemed excited that I was there (before shaking my hand, they both clapped!). I quipped "everyone should be greeted this way when they first meet someone!"
They showed me to the library where the tables and chairs had already been pushed aside.
Now a word about books (and precocious young girls who read a lot). When I enter a library, the little bookworm inside of me does a little jig and sings "goody, goody, goody" as she contemplates having a month of solitary confinement with which to read them all. :)
After shaking hands with the rabbi, who stopped in to introduce himself, answer my question about why the posters and historical documents on the wall spelled G_d that way (the name is so holy that you are not supposed to put it on paper or things that may be defaced, damaged or thrown away), I was left alone to wait for the "students".
There were three choices for the adults this day (and I wondered how yoga would rate when I saw them listed on the large poster in the entry):
From the congregation bulletin: http://www.emanuelict.org/emanu_bulletin.htm
"David, our guest speaker, will be talking about building community and our new program. We are also offering Yoga, as well as a traditional Torah Study led by Federation Director, Rabbi Moti Rieber."
Would anyone show up I wondered?
In the library, I had time to move a chair or two and test the light switches for just the right lighting. Then, I stood in front of the shelves quietly perusing the titles, some from famous Jews who's names I recognized. A large volume about the Holocaust caught my eye and I took it down and flipped to a couple of pages.
Just then, 'Abby' came in to look at the rack of children's books free for the taking. She was so talkative, just a-mile-a-minute. She told me about her reading program, the 25 books they were to read, and indignantly said "I can read a lot more than 25 books this year!" Her friend came in and whisked her off to the children's classrooms. She so reminded me of me. I read all the time as a child. Libraries were "cool".
I stood alone again in the quiet library while parents made their way down the halls to their assigned or chosen rooms for the morning sessions. A parent, convincing an upset child that they would be fine, daddy would be right across the hall, not to worry.....a mother walking by, towing a small boy looked up and we smiled at each other. I heard her say "that must be the yoga teacher, she has that 'yoga body'", - - -oh for cryin' out loud I thought, this was getting surreal.
As the clock ticked past our start time, I looked at a stack of magazines, picked up the one on top, and found a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt -something about embracing new experiences...and then in the same magazine (the summer 2008 issue) - right in the middle, an article about Jewish women and yoga.... ok....a sign. A good sign....
http://www.jwmag.org/site/c.fhLOK0PGLsF/b.4193323/
Still, no students -10 minutes after our start time for the short 30 minute class.....yet I knew that things would be just fine. I was not nervous but open, no expectations, I let them all go.
Then they came. Of the dozen adults who came late to the library (apologizing), 8 had practiced yoga before. I joked that i would "give them the history and practice of yoga in 18 minutes..." :)
It was fine. It was fun. And if I want to use the library....I am welcome to! Here's hoping everyone comes back in October for the "real" thing!
Namaste, Cindy
Sunday, August 16, 2009
the immediacy of yoga
"The immediacy of yoga is astounding, everything essential is right here, right now....." ....so says my thought for the day on the calendar for August 9th.
I maintain several journals, this blog, and my history on the social networking sites. What will become of all these electronic bits? What good are they? As soon as I post, or journal or blog, the moment is over.
What matters is my practice, how I move in the world, and my attempts with yoga to be more of who I really am. Note: If you were really honest, you know that you are not your authentic self for every moment of every day. You are an actor, acting as your professional self, or you in the role of spouse, mom, friend, neighbor, teacher, or daughter.
I only seem to find my true, authentic, uncovered, and natural state in yoga or meditation. The rest of my life peels away layer upon layer and only the moment, the movement, the breath is left. It is so immediate, so essential, so accessible.
This, above all, is why I continue my yoga practice. When I do enter the world of play-acting, I can be more aware of the reasons for being the way that I am, and the reasons to try and change what may not serve me anymore. At a party, I can legitimately explain that I am an accountant by trade, and a yogi by choice...and that the two worlds, while seemingly contradictory, are two sides of the same coin. I use my talents, and share my gifts, then reflect on what makes me "tick", and what makes me happy. I think a perfect example of this is how we are around our parents. If that is not a lifetime of play-acting, I don't know what is! I now notice my reactions to my mother and step-father, how they are grounded in habit, many years of conditioning, many past experiences, and have absolutely nothing to do with the moment that is. When I realize this, I can pause, and be more myself, and not "Daughter". It's worked! It's really worked......over and over.
Then I journal it, to learn the lessons, and to be (as one of my mentors says) "protected and nourished by the teachings."
Namaste.
I maintain several journals, this blog, and my history on the social networking sites. What will become of all these electronic bits? What good are they? As soon as I post, or journal or blog, the moment is over.
What matters is my practice, how I move in the world, and my attempts with yoga to be more of who I really am. Note: If you were really honest, you know that you are not your authentic self for every moment of every day. You are an actor, acting as your professional self, or you in the role of spouse, mom, friend, neighbor, teacher, or daughter.
I only seem to find my true, authentic, uncovered, and natural state in yoga or meditation. The rest of my life peels away layer upon layer and only the moment, the movement, the breath is left. It is so immediate, so essential, so accessible.
This, above all, is why I continue my yoga practice. When I do enter the world of play-acting, I can be more aware of the reasons for being the way that I am, and the reasons to try and change what may not serve me anymore. At a party, I can legitimately explain that I am an accountant by trade, and a yogi by choice...and that the two worlds, while seemingly contradictory, are two sides of the same coin. I use my talents, and share my gifts, then reflect on what makes me "tick", and what makes me happy. I think a perfect example of this is how we are around our parents. If that is not a lifetime of play-acting, I don't know what is! I now notice my reactions to my mother and step-father, how they are grounded in habit, many years of conditioning, many past experiences, and have absolutely nothing to do with the moment that is. When I realize this, I can pause, and be more myself, and not "Daughter". It's worked! It's really worked......over and over.
Then I journal it, to learn the lessons, and to be (as one of my mentors says) "protected and nourished by the teachings."
Namaste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)