Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Something's Shifted for Sure

Since I've switched from 6 am to 9:30 am Bikram three times a week, my body is happier but my mind keeps going into judgment about the vast difference in the quality of practice between the two times.

The 6 am group is steady, consistent, supremely focused, aware and respectful of the concept of yoga.

The 9:30 group is all over the place.  This morning a woman walked in nearly 20 minutes late and planted herself in the front row.  Then she proceeded to fidget through the remainder of the class.

At first, I was really, really angry.  What nerve!  It's bad enough to come in so inexcusably late, but then why not take an inconspicuous spot in the back row?  And since she was in the very front, why was it so important to keep adjusting her top, her bottom, her hair ...

About half-way into the 90-minute practice, my attention was drawn to the woman on her left who was also in my direct line of vision.  If I was angry, she was furious.  We caught each other's eye a time or two and signaled our mutual disgust.  It felt good to have a companion in this unfortunate experience and I felt myself relax a little.

 Then, at one point, I noticed the Fidgeting Late Woman checking out her toes.  She continued to check out her toes as though that was the most compelling, fascinating activity ever invented.  I couldn't help it, I started to laugh.  I mean really laugh.  The Teeth-Gritting Woman glanced at me and kept gritting.  I stopped laughing but it was too late:  the anger was completely gone.  And so was my connection to the Teeth-Gritting Woman; we had lost the bond created by our wounds because I wasn't wounded anymore. 

I love yoga. 

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Alphabetical Path ... and then some

I love individual handwriting coaching sessions.  For some reason, I've had more private handwriting clients from Canada than the United States.  Perhaps people in Canada haven't lost themselves in technology as much.

With the advent of Skype, I've been able to connect very personally with handwriting clients from all over.  It's been great fun.

Vimala System coaching as a stand-alone offering opens the door to tremendous personal, professional and spiritual growth.  When I gave "L" the Declaration of the Letter L, it opened up a whole new avenue of self-exploration for her.  Here's what she wrote in an email:

What a fantastic declaration!  Thank you for sending that along with the suggestion for daily practice.  I look forward to my "quiet" handwriting practice and will also incorporate your suggestion for a movement based meditation.  I live quite close to the beach, so I'm thinking a morning walk in the warm months would really start the day off right :)

 It was such a pleasure meeting with you and feeling your compassionate energy.  I would love to explore some other techniques with you in the future.

Thank you again!

 L.

What is the Letter L Declaration?  My life is an ongoing conversation with my soul. 
 
I may be prejudiced, but it is my favorite of all the Letter and Ligature Declarations.

I'm baaaack!



I was astounded to discover that it has been more than a year since I added to my Blog. Now that my daughter’s Big Fat Armenian Wedding is officially over, I have no excuses.
                 
I am rededicating myself to sending regular posts, especially using this forum to pass on the wonderful feedback I get from my satisfied clients.
                 
Here’s part of an email I received from the mother of one of my middle school clients who was having a hard time adjusting to the demands of a new school:

Thank you, Lucy, so much for meeting with us. K really did get a lot out of her time with you. She listens to your CD almost every night before bed. Her anxiety that started at the beginning of school has basically disappeared - yay! - and she's smiling and more playful again now (her old self).