not absolute
A little over a week ago my teacher, Tias Little, was in town and teaching a weekend intensive at The Shala. Of course I attended and, as always, left the weekend feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and a bit overwhelmed. There was so much information and much of it was in the subtle details. What kind ofteacher am I going to be now?
In my past four years of studying with Tias it’s very clear that he is constantly refining his teaching. In fact, things he wouldn’t have us do years ago, he’s now inviting us to experiment with. This fact got me to thinking about something Robert Thurman talked about when translating a the text Spirit of Enlightenment (by Nargajuna). He said, “Anything that is relational is not absolute.” Our asana practice is very much something we can relate to; we sometimes joke it’s the longest relationship we’ll ever have. There are days the body will cooperate with what we ask of it and days when we feel like we hit a brick wall. Ok, maybe a little exaggeration there, but maybe not.
Instructions are the same way, they are given to us at a certain time in our practice, and although they might serve us for years, it doesn’t mean that same instruction will serve us forever. It is our choice to try on an instruction, see how it fits, like a pair of shoes –if they are too tight, they restrict movement but if they are too wide we continue to slip out and trip. Once the shoe fits…(sorry couldn’t resist saying that) It is then our responsibility to pay close attention to how our practice grows and evolves, to see if that same instruction still fits, or have you worn out the shoe’s heel so much it reveals you collapse to the outer foot as you walk, which then makes the shoe no longer supportive to the frame of the body. We have to keep a close eye on our practice.
And although having to pay constant attention to our practice can seem challenging, doing this without the critical mind is way more supportive. How will it help us if we curse our half moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana) every time we fall out of it? I’ve been reading from the Jack Kornfield book, “After the Ecstasy the Laundry.” He’s got a section in the book titled, Beyond Praise and Blame where he calls these self-criticisms and judgments “second had opinions about our experience.” I love that! It’s an opinion, it’s not absolute.
And speaking of absolute – I mean things not being absolute
– keep your eye out on the schedule page and workshops page for updates on
classes, subs and some pretty amazing workshops!
The Heart
The chambers of the heart are porous and as such, we come to
realize that the heart is more of an amalgam of experiences and feelings. The
heart has an amazing ability to feel joy and sorrow in equal weights, often at
the same time. Perhaps we need the
wisdom of sorrow to feel joy in its full capacity and to appreciate its
lightness.
When there’s ease in the body, we begin to appreciate that
suppleness needs constriction, like peanut butter needs jelly or hot cocoa
needs marshmallows. I had a
teacher that often said that stress in the body was a good and necessary thing
– without it, we’d be a bag of bones and skin on the floor! We come to the mat
so often looking to stretch, to open, to expand. Over time, we sometimes feel
that we’ve overstretched a hamstring, a shoulder, the low back. At that point, we look to strengthen,
to pull back into ourselves. Balancing the inner scales – like where joy and sorrow live in the heart
– can help us better define the boundaries and spaciousness of the physical
body. Ultimately, the practice can
guide us past the rigidity of black and white states – I am stiff, I am sad, I
am flexible, I am joyous – to those where our multiple feeling states can
co-exist. Perhaps they aren’t
always in balance, but by sharpening our powers of observation through mindful
asana and breath, we can constantly tinker and recalibrate.
Bringing Awareness
Our teacher, Tias Little, is in town this weekend. Obviously, I’m very excited about practicing with Tias again – I haven’t studied with him since earlier in the year due to my pregnancy. I consider him to be a key teacher in my practicing and my teaching. After studying with Tias and his wife Surya, I always feel like my inner compass has been reset. There is a clarity of mind and an ease of body that is cultivated during my study time; it is like a balm for the soul. I have greatly missed being a student in a classroom setting during my maternity leave and am eager to resume that role.
Over the summer and into the early fall, my traditional classroom studies have been limited due to two major life shifts happening at once – the birth of my son, Beckett, and the illness and death of my grandfather, Joseph. As such, my practice shifted its intensity rocketed up a notch. Caring for an infant and a sick relative in today’s day and age could cause the Buddha himself to get crow’s feet and grey hair. I’m sure there are many who can wax philosophical and be more eloquent about being so intimately acquainted with the ends of the birth/death cycle and maybe that will be me one day.
However, I’m not there yet. As I reflect on the transition to parenthood and the loss my grandpa, I keep thinking about the importance of really and truly showing up. This goes beyond physically showing up, but really being present for who and what I say I’m going to be present for and with. How to be present for Grandpa Joe, as he bounced back and forth being consciousness and unconscious during his last days in the human form? Did it mean watching the Yankee game and giving him a play by play? Did it mean holding his hand and encouraging him to breathe? How to be present for Beckett whether or not he was in cute baby form or was shrieking like a banshee? How to be present in the chambers of the heart and with the full throttle of the mind, no matter how tired my marrow was?
Elisa Commerce shepherded the meditation portion of Tias’s teacher trainings. In our first session with her, she said it didn’t matter how long you could sit in meditation. Could we be present for who and what we said we were there for? Tias underscored that point by encouraging us to bring the tapas of awareness to our asana practice so we could continually sharpen that sword and cut through the lethargy of “whatever” culture. Yes, I learned to be aware to where my back heel is in triangle pose. But could I bring that same awareness to a crying baby at three o’clock in the morning, to a sick relative who was in physical pain and scared to leave the human form? And could that awareness cultivate the roots of compassion, of patience, of unconditional love?
As the mettle of my practice was tested again and again, I wondered did I just practice stretching with a nap when I rolled out my yoga mat. Sometimes it felt that way, as I plopped on the couch to feed Beckett and watch yet another episode of “What Not to Wear.” Or I got short tempered when Grandpa asked me the same question for what seemed like the hundredth time in a visit. But then I’d be aware of what I was doing and come back. Hit that big red “reset me” button and start over again. As humans, we have the capacity to be aware as well as to look at that awareness. The tools we learn to skillfully employ on the yoga mat – such as where that back heel is in triangle pose, then figuring how the foot affects the knee and so on – we can choose to wield them as we muddle our way through relationships, work, our daily commute. Or not. But it is that awareness that is key and how lucky for me that I get to figure out where my back foot is in space time and time again. Building that awareness muscle countless times was the best training ground for my summer practice.
New things happening in October
As it turns from Summer to Autumn it becomes as clear as ever that change is a part of life. They say we can choose to resist the change or be at peace. Ah, but how do we find that peace? Through practice. Whether it’s a yoga asana practice, meditation practice or some other technique the intention is the same; to bring full attention or awareness to the moment at hand, to be, “grounded in groundlessness,” as Pema Chodron would say.
Bringing your attention to the inevitable changes to the Mala Yoga schedule I would like to introduce you to a new teacher at Mala. Stephanie Sandleben yes, we now have two Stephanie’s, both amazing teachers – how lucky are we! I’ve always enjoyed Stephanie S.’s classes and am selfishly happy she’s teaching at Mala. Do not let the word basics fool you (she’s teaching the Thursday, 9:15am basics class), she makes you work for your strength and stability. Her instructions are clear, I always know what she’s asking of my body and her pacing of the postures is fluent and steady. Stephanie S. has a very relaxed presence in the room to put you at ease and a grounding in the teachings to give you knowledge. This class is truly for anybody (even the int/adv folks), she’s a veteran teacher and has studied with some of the best out there from Alison West to Tias Little. Welcome Stephanie S. to Mala Yoga!
Also, I must announce (as you may have seen on our home page) we have 2 new classes. Both Express, a basics on Tuesday with Christina and an int/adv on Thursday with Lindsay. You already know how wonderful these two ladies are. But I’ll go on anyways… Both Christina and Lindsay portray strength and passion about the practice. Their love of it and compassion for all beings comes out so clearly in their teachings and again we are so lucky for their teachings.
REFLECTIONS ON GLOBAL MALA & ROSH HASHANAH
We had an amazing turn out on Sunday and it was an incredibly special day of practice, intention, reflection and coming together. Please take a moment to read Ricki Jean’s beautiful reflection on practice….
And don’t forget to join her for a 30 min meditation on Mondays at 7.30am & 6pm.
We celebrated Rosh Hashanah this weekend, opening to the New Year in the Jewish tradition. Coming off the year of studying religion, and the week of Ritual in study group, I believe I was able bring myself newly to this observance. Jews around the world come together to pray and to open to what the New Year holds for us, collectively and individually, and set intention of what we each can bring forward into life in the coming year.
I chose to spend the second day of Rosh Hashanah at Mala Yoga, co-leading 2 donation classes together with Angela, Christina and Stephanie, 3 amazing women and wonderful yoga teachers. Each class moved through 54 Sun Salutes (prostrations), 27 rounds of chanting which Angela led beautifully on the harmonium, followed by 27 minutes of meditation,- adding up to the auspicious number of 108, ending in a well earned shavasana.
I took the time to ponder where and how I should be with and in my devotion on the Jewish New Year. At first going to Synagogue was all I could imagine. Then this opportunity came to me and I took time to consider what my practice is and could be. I considered my religious duty, my alignment with God and the universe, and how I feel fed and nourished in religious practice. I could begin to see an expansive way of being, in this case requiring me to step beyond the standard practices of my lineage. I am grateful for this learning. I feel delighted as I begin to see how my life is weaving together my everyday ordinary experiences with the spiritual and devotional.
Also this week we have had the Autumn Equinox on Tuesday, when the day and night are evenly balanced. This time period invites us to find our own internal balance and equilibrium, in the physical body, in the emotional (heart) center, and the energetic body. We each can live and walk through this time as a living Yin-Yang, where forces are in balance, and veils of the mystery of life become momentarily transparent. I wish you all great awakening and peace.
Shana Tova and Namaste,
Ricki Jean
Thank You!
On Sunday, September 20th, the dedicated day for peace by the UN, Mala Yoga participated in the Global Mala Project. Setting our intention for peace throughout the world and within ourselves participants moved through 54 rounds of sun salutations, 27 rounds of chanting and 27 minutes of meditation equaling 108, the number of beads on a mala. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and participation it looks like we’ll be donating about 750.00 dollars for the DOVE project (Domestic and Other Violence Emergencies).
We are not surprised anymore by the generosity of the practitioners at Mala Yoga, the dedication they have to their practice so clearly shines out into their lives, from the they work they do at home to the work they do in the world. As Stephanie and Christina led the students (some who had no idea what they were walking into that day) through the sun salutes I had the opportunity to solely assist. And every now and then I stepped back and was overwhelmed by the student’s dedication to doing this practice, 54 sun salutes is a lot. As their bodies became tired, sore and weak they worked compassionately with the practice laid before them. Inspiring to any outside eye.
After the heating sun salutes we all got to sit (a welcomed action I’m sure) and do some chanting. Terrified as I was, I found the courage to do my part and lead the chanting portion of the practice. Although I could not stop shaking the first time (even after I had stopped) I was so excited and happy to play my harmonium for others I almost cried. And the fact that everyone chanted with me (that I played clearly enough so they could) was the highlight of the day for me. A personal Thank You for all your support!
And then we sat some more and were led through an amazing heart-centered meditation by Ricki Jean. Her voice was steady and kind, her words clear and compassionate. She led us straight to the center of it all, our hearts, our love, our creativity and gratitude. Thank you Ricki Jean for dedicating your time and sharing your wisdom.
Once again a huge, “thanks” to everyone who participated in the Global Mala Project.
Global Mala Project
We’re excited to participate in the Global Mala Project this Sunday, September 20. For the past few year, the worldwide yoga community has come together to celebrate the Fall Equinox, which is, coincidentally, the UN’s World Day of Peace. Local communities around the globe pledge to complete 108 rounds of sun salutes, inspired by the intention of peace and change. In addition to participating in this simple, yet powerful, prostration, it is a fundraising event for local charities that promote the spirit of peace. At Mala, we’re raising money for D.O.V.E (Domestic and Other Violent Emergencies), a program at New York Presbyterian Hospital that assists victims of domestic and other violent crimes when they are taken to the emergency room. D.O.V.E volunteers provide new clothes when a victim’s clothes are taken for evidence, toiletries for a shower, and support when a victim interacts with law enforcement or medical staff. The support of these trained volunteers is compassion in action and can restore a sense of dignity to those devastated in mind and body by violent crimes.
We learned about this great organization because a Mala student performs her seva, or service, work at D.O.V.E.
Performing the powerful prostration of the Sun Salute – a cornerstone of yogic practices, both ancient and modern – on behalf of D.O.V.E’s work is a wonderful way to honor peace and the different forms that peace can take. Our practices on Sunday will form an intentional mala much like mala beads that are used in meditation practices. In meditation, mala beads are placed in the practitioner’s right hand and help corral the “monkey mind” by having a physical object on which one can focus and keep track of his/her recitations of mantras, or spiritual prayers. There are 108 beads on a mala (in addition to the guru or Buddha bead that is outside the mala). This is considered an auspicious number in many cultures. For Buddhist malas, the 108 is said to represent the following formula:
- 6 x 3 x 2 x3 = 108
- 6 senses of a human being: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, thought
- 3 times: past, present, future
- 2 conditions of heart, mind or intention: pure or impure
- 3 disturbing emotional states or “kleshia”: like, dislike, indifference
I often think of the symbolism of mala beads in my practice and my teaching. As the beads on the mala are separate from each other, so are we; but as the beads are held together by a single thread, so we share the breath. When we choose to come to class, we’re doing so intentionally. In class, through the breath and asana, we further our mindfulness practices. These practices stay with us as we step off the mat and into our lives. Hopefully, through these practices, we are more attuned to our commonalities and sense of community than our separateness and differences. And that’s the essence of the Global Mala Project – inspired by the symbolism of mala beads and the devotional nature of Sun Salutes, we’re reminded that our practice goes beyond having great “yoga arms.”
Our humble effort at our small studio in Brooklyn has a big heart and supports a big cause. I hope you set an intention to join us this Sunday for this powerful moving meditation.
KARMA YOGA
In case you didn’t know, we have a karma yoga program at Mala. We offer free yoga classes to students in return for helping us keep the studio clean, laundering the towels & blankets, washing the mats and signing in classes.
Our studio is maintained and supported by this wonderful group of committed students and we are immensely grateful to all of them for helping us manage the day to day needs of the studio.
Karma is often defined as the law of cause & effect…… The definitions and explanations of karma are numerous, dense and different based on whether the definitions come from a Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, or even Western perspective. There are lengthy definitions on the web if you are interested and Yoga + Joyful Living magazine has a long editorial on Karma & Destiny in the Summer 2009 issue.
So I won’t attempt to paraphrase, or summarise here – instead I will introduce a definition of Karma Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, from The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga:
“Karma Yoga – Yoga of self transcending action was first communicated under this name well over 2,000 years ago in the Bhagavad Gita, though it undoubtedly existed prior to that scripture. The Gita introduced this path as one of the two “ways of life” taught by Krishna.
Karma yoga encourages an active life, though from an ingenious perspective: All work must not only be appropriate, which for the most part means allotted to one by one’s position in life, but must also be performed in the spirit of an inner sacrifice. Only then are one’s actions not karmically binding.”
So one of the ways to break out of the cycle of samsara, the cycle of suffering that we are caught in as we are born, die, are reborn…. Is karma yoga.
Taking action in our lives, doing work, with no attachment to the outcome, without identifying with those actions; performing in this spirit of inner sacrifice is an integral part of freeing ourselves from the bondage of karma.
If you are interested in joining our team of karma yogis, contact Rick Jean Trink: rickijean@yahoo.com .
Be up to date on schedule changes
As we learn so well from life, things change – whether we like it or not. It is part of our practice to work with these changes as they come up and to be “flexible.” It can be very challenging to step out of our comfort zone, especially when we feel we are not ready. It takes trust in ourselves as well as courage to step into change with grace and acceptance, to not push away the things that are unwanted but also to not cling to the things we want oh-so-badly.
In our attempts to keep you in your practice (and in the flow of grace) below are some upcoming changes in the schedule. Much love and gratitude, Mala Yoga
Changes In Effect Tuesday, Sept 8th
• New Class Fridays, 6:45pm – 8:00pm (all levels) with Stephanie!
• Mondays, 8:45pm (all levels) with Marcus
• Wednesdays, 8:45pm (all levels) with Britt
• Thursdays, 9:15am (basics) with Jyl
• Saturdays, 12:00pm (**basics) with Angela
• Sundays, 12:00pm (basics) with Stephanie
• Sundays, 5:00pm (all levels) with Jen
Changes in Effect Thursday, Oct 1st
• Tuesdays, 11:00am (baby & me) with Kristen
• New Classes!
- Tuesday, 12:30- 1:30pm Express Basics with Christina
- Thursday, 12:30- 1:30pm Express Int/Adv with Lindsay
Double asterisk (**) Denotes class is suitable for new students.
Tias Little is coming to New York!
We are happy to announce that our teacher, Tias, will be coming to New York City in October and teaching at The Shala! The Shala, if you haven’t yet been (and don’t yet know) was the inspiration behind Mala’s space. It is owned by two amazing teachers, Barbara Verrochi and Kristen Leigh, and is located in Manhattan at 815 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between 11th & 12th Streets.
Save the Dates!
OCTOBER 9 – 11, 2009
Weekend Workshop: Unwinding the Spine
Sessions may be taken individually
Friday night: 6:30-8:30pm $35, Saturday Morning: 9:00-11:45am $60, Saturday Afternoon: 1:30-4:15pm $60, Sunday Morning: 9:00-11:45am $60, Sunday Afternoon: 1:30-4:15pm $60
All 4 workshops on Sat & Sun $210
Contact The Shala at 212-979-9988 to sign up! Space is limited.