I love giving and receiving massage

I have to say being in massage school has been a blessing. Not only do I get to see the coolest people ever every week, but I get the opportunity to give and receive massage. I have been receiving massage for about 8 years now so I definitely know what I like and don't like. But to be able to give someone a swedish massage is really an awesome experience. You're totally connecting with this person on a different level. They totally vulnerable, yet you hold the space with safety, kindness and openness. You're there to guide them through their own healing.

However, I learned how important it is to take of myself as a practitioner. Stretching before and after is key. I realized when I woke up this a.m. I didn't stretch after class. So I sit at my desk, I notice my body yearning for some stretching, especially after giving swedish.

It's so fun learning this stuff and I don't wanna stop.

Bare Bones Butoh Presents 14

Yay! I'm performing again! This is going to be very experimental for me this time so you can't miss it. There are also other wonderful performers and dancers that will share amazing stuff. Here's the info:

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, May 22nd and 23rd 8:00p.m

WHERE: Studio 210, located within the Old Sears Building at 3435 Cesar Chavez (inset from the corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia).
There is plenty of on the street parking. It's four blocks from the 24th St. BART Station, and MUNI buses #27, #26, #14, and #49 will drop you off a block from our door.

TICKETS: $5-$20 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Additional donations are always graciously accepted and gratefully appreciated.

WHAT: Bare Bones Butoh Presents is a Butoh/performance art/ritual performace showcase/platform for local and international performers to show new works we're in the process of developing, try stuff out, hone our improv chops, redo/revisit material we've done before but want to continue to explore, or even to bring out old favorites we would just like to do again. The audience only pays a minimal fee, so everybody wins!

Hosted by a veteran group of Bay Area Butoh performers, Bare Bones Butoh Presents employs the grassroots ethic of working together to sustan our artistic culture.

Thus far in it’s over two year (!) history, every Bare Bones Butoh Presents show is a Benefit Peformance. It serves not only as a performance outlet, but also as a fundraising platform which supports local Butoh and Performance Artists in need. Our 12th show is no exception. All proceeds from these performances go towards enabling Butoh SanFrancisco to bring out of town and international Butoh Masters to our fair burg, thus enriching the entire community.

Bare Bones Butoh is community building and performance all smushed together into two evenings.

THE LINE UP: Martha Matsuda, Karen Light, Bob Webb, Deborah Butler,
Rocio Perez, Luk and Mando, Liz Filippone, Michael Curran, Christina Braun, Karen Light, Rowena Richie, Jennifer Gwirtz

More information contact Bob Webb, bobwebb20@hotmail.com.

Kicking Caffeine

Not that I'm ready to do this, but it's something that I've toyed with and pondered for many years. I'm definitely off the coffee, but still drink green and black teas. I love the herbal ones, but only drink those in the afternoon and evening. I know it's gonna be tough to get off caffeine. I can already feel the headaches and moodiness. However, this article from yoga journal emphasizes that one should gradually decrease their caffeine intake instead of cold turkey which is where all those nasty side effects bombard your body. I'm definitely not ready to give up my chai tea in the morning, but would consider going the route that they've presented in the article.

Quitting Time
Kick your caffeine habit naturally with these herbal remedies.

http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1

Too Full and Empty

Well I guess I'm writing to vent or really to seek connection and understanding from anyone out there. This week's has been tough. I don't know if it's hormonal (possibly) or just a bad week/day.

I know I'm not the only one, but money has been getting me down. I feel like I'm never going to catch up and pay off this debt. My husband and I have gone over our finances together so we know what we need to do. But I HATE it when I don't know what the fuck I'm going to eat for the next week! I know I can cook or make up a bunch of this and that and eat it for a few days, but some days I just don't wanna eat the same shit I had 2 days in a row! Yes I try to think of other people and cultures who have it worse than me, but sometimes I just can't get out of this funk.

Then I wake up this morning with negative self-talk and self-judgments all over the place. It's so loud I want to scream. Why did I buy this or that....you don't deserve it.....you're stupid....it goes on and on.

Oh yes, and then I overload my schedule again! A pattern that I've done for years and really worked hard to put to an end. I realized while talking with my husband about it how I don't know what to do when I have downtime. If I have nothing to do and try to relax, my mind starts going berserk again...you should be doing homework for massage classes....you should be practicing for massage.....do this...do that...blah...blah...blah.....So I made the decision to cancel something today and feel a lot better. But why can't I just be. I talk so much about "being present" that sometimes I can't do it for myself.

I have 2 hours for myself today. I need to ask myself what would I do if I had nothing on my plate? or what if everything is done? Something to meditate.

Change Your Inner Monologue

This article is definitely a follow up to my post "Out of body, in my head". It's amazing how our minds can take over our lives, literally.

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(From yogajournal.com insight)

If you observe your mind, there is always noise. It begins the moment you open your eyes in the morning and carries on every single second until you close your eyes at night. Perhaps this chatter prevents you from drifting off to sleep. And when you do finally doze off, it may make that rest fitful. When you examine your mental chatter, you will quickly discern that this unending noise has patterns. One of the most powerful and prevalent is your Voice of Judgment. Over time, negative judgments start to accumulate. Eventually they form a huge barrier that sits squarely in front of you on the path to your ideal life.

During the day, try carrying around a journal—or a file, notebook, or sheet of paper. Categorize the types of mind chatter that assault or beguile. Do this for at least two weeks. Are there wild flights of fancy? Elaborate escapist dreams? If so, try to be specific about exactly what types of accomplishments you fantasize about.

The very act of observing it changes your mental chatter. Shoplifting drops dramatically when department stores install surveillance cameras and post signs that they have done so. Similarly, your mental chatter is less able to take you down destructive paths when you become consciously aware of it.



IN THIS ISSUE
Are You Ready To Succeed?
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1951

Free Yoga at Sports Basement May Schedule

I'm just spreading the word about this wonderful event that is available to EVERYONE! I've taught a few times and taken classes from some of the teachers. Take advantage!

Yoga Teachers of various styles ( Iyengar Yoga , Ashtanga Yoga , Vinyasa , Raja Yoga , Kundalini , Anasara Yoga , Yin Yoga , Power Yoga , Anna Forrest Yoga , etc.) will present their unique connection with the yogic path.

Sports Basement
1590 Bryant St.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 575-3000

Check out the May 2009 Yoga Teacher Schedule at:
ynottony1.blogspot.com/2009/0...co.html

Check out what others are saying about "Free Yoga Sunday's" at:
ynottony.com/sports%20basement.php

Small-Town Yoga

Another great article! I love how teachers are bringing yoga to small towns (mostly farming communities), especially places that don't have many theaters, restaurants or rec centers. It inspires me to do this back where I grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I thought about it a year ago and I said to myself and others, "How wonderful would it be to bring all that I've learned in yoga, holistic health and, soon, massage to my hometown?". I got great responses like, "Oh yeah, we need that here" and "Why not? Do it!". Hmmmmm. This could be something to create and work towards in my life and space :-)

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From yogajournal.com daily insight

In places without hospitals or high schools, without movie theaters or a McDonald's, the dedicated gather—often in offbeat venues—to practice. Meet the American yogis who are bringing yoga home.

Teacher by teacher, yoga is making its way into America's nooks and crannies—into farming villages and resort towns, through subfreezing weather and onto dazzling beaches—and improving the quality of life for people who never thought they'd be doing Down Dog. Today, read about yoga communities thriving in America's smallest towns.



IN THIS ISSUE
Omtown Heroes
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1842