It's a time for change and that's what this year has been about. I'm officially taking a break from yoga teaching and massage, and focusing more on my dance and movement. This is something that always pops up for me when I have one of those, "what the hell am I doing?" moments. I will still continue my yoga practice and I know, one day, I will go back to massage, but right now the movements arts are calling me. My creativity needs to be seen, so I started teaching some movement classes to friends to try out my 10-20 years of experience.
It feels great. It feels all me.
So why this shift?
So for the past month, I have been facing some limitations in my body. A month before that, I was in denial. As a yoga teacher and massage therapist, I am body conscious. But I’m starting to realize we can’t always be body conscious 24/7 no matter how much we want to be. When we injure, twinge, twang, or tweek a part of our body, it’s a sign that we may need to slow down a bit.
“Slowing down” is a phrase that used to NOT be in my vocabulary (just ask my husband). If you know me well, in the past, I was one to do, Do, DO! Although I think I was, I don’t think I took many deep breaths.
Currently, I know my Sacroiliac (SI) joint on the left side (back of pelvis) is misaligned/de-stabilized and my right elbow gives some grief, especially when I do downward facing dog. So how did this happen? I know either in a massage session, yoga class, or in my own personal yoga practice, I let my posture go for a split second somewhere and voila! But, the elbow is coming along; however the SI joint still talks to me. Let me emphasize “talks”, as oppose to “screams.” I’m so glad it doesn’t scream at me, so I’m grateful for that. I gotta find something positive out of this.
I am working with a wonderful, experienced Iyengar Yoga teacher, which has been helping tremendously! I’m now looking into Chiropractic work, and will be adding more bodywork for myself monthly.
The biggest shift I had to face was taking a solid break from giving massage regularly and yoga teaching. Once I made this decision, a weight lifted and I could feel my body respond with a big sigh of relief. This is a milestone! “SHIFT HAPPENS!” as one of my good friends says. We all have to take a moment and ask ourselves, “what do I need to do right now to take care of myself?” "What needs to change in order for me to be happy and balanced?"
I asked myself this question and the answer came immediately. I have always had a need for balance, but my ego always told me otherwise. But this time, I didn’t feel anxious, worried, or concerned about anything or anybody. All I cared about was me, my physical and emotional health. If others seriously have a problem with that, too bad.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your current schedule? Do you feel scattered, tired/drained, or anxious about getting it all done?
If you have/are, close your eyes, and take a deep belly breath. Notice your feet on the ground,body sensations and sounds around you. After about 30-60 seconds, open your eyes, and take note of how you feel in that moment.
Our body's tell us what's really going on. Our minds only analyze and justify why we should or shouldn't be a certain way.
Be the amazing, powerful person you want to be because you already are.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Teaching butoh
I have been teaching butoh and movement classes and I want to share my experience this far. Click HERE to read my post in my Movement blog.
It's been a great experience sharing all the content I've collected in my training and I'm so happy to see others enjoy it.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Preparing for the journey
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Hand/Face Study post
Check out my most recent post in my movement blog HERE!
I'm allowing the creative juices to flow and I don't want it to stop. We'll see what comes tomorrow. Maybe a video!
In this particular post, I'm exploring hand contact, gestures and facial expressions. It's something I always use in my performance and movement art. Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
(REALLY!) Receiving what the Universe provides
I can't believe just in the past 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days what's unfolded. I have to thank and bow to my supportive and loving community for their positive vibes, but also to the Universe. Although, there are times when I want to tell it, "Fuck You!", I still end up thanking it.
Why is it when we ask for things and/or certain people or relationships, that when it actually is presented, we may want to run the other way? "Be careful what you ask for" is a saying I've heard ALL my life and I used to connect it ONLY to the negative things that happened to me. But actually they weren't really negative, they just felt unpleasant at the time. When I look back, I can still say how unpleasant it was, but also ask, what did I learn from it?
As I have been asking for certain things throughout the past three months, it's been a trip to find myself awe-struck, amazed, and, even, aggravated. I say, aggravated, because it's the stirring of the pot that causes that feeling. But when I'm present and just feel it, I realize that this is EXACTLY what I've been asking for and it's been given to me, so why not just play? Why not go for the "ride"?
Now, I can ask, do I want this?
What I've been enjoying about this experience is the power of CHOICE.
I've been playing with choice in a way I never have.
I feel the freedom of saying "yes" or "no" in such a powerful way that once the choice has been made, I can move on.
I feel happy and peaceful with it.
I'm not attached.....
Why is it when we ask for things and/or certain people or relationships, that when it actually is presented, we may want to run the other way? "Be careful what you ask for" is a saying I've heard ALL my life and I used to connect it ONLY to the negative things that happened to me. But actually they weren't really negative, they just felt unpleasant at the time. When I look back, I can still say how unpleasant it was, but also ask, what did I learn from it?
As I have been asking for certain things throughout the past three months, it's been a trip to find myself awe-struck, amazed, and, even, aggravated. I say, aggravated, because it's the stirring of the pot that causes that feeling. But when I'm present and just feel it, I realize that this is EXACTLY what I've been asking for and it's been given to me, so why not just play? Why not go for the "ride"?
Now, I can ask, do I want this?
What I've been enjoying about this experience is the power of CHOICE.
I've been playing with choice in a way I never have.
I feel the freedom of saying "yes" or "no" in such a powerful way that once the choice has been made, I can move on.
I feel happy and peaceful with it.
I'm not attached.....
Monday, November 14, 2011
Witness me delve into the creative unknown!
BARE BONES BUTOH PRESENTS: SHOWCASE #23!
(Adventurous Shows for an Adventurous Audience)
WHEN:
Friday Nov 18, 2011, and Saturday, Nov 19, 2011
Both performances are at 8:00 pm
WHERE:
Studio 210
3435 Cesar Chavez St (at Valencia)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Studio 210 is located in the former Sears Building, inset from the corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia Street. Accessible by: BART - 24th St Station; and MUNI - #12, #27, #14, #49. Plenty of on-street parking.
TICKETS:
Performances: $5-$20 sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Additional donations are graciously accepted and gratefully appreciated.
WHO:
This time around, the performers are:
Ronnie Baker, Christina Braun (Saturday only), Darya Chernova (Saturday only), Ron Chornow, Michael Curran, Mark Deutsch (Saturday only), Coicoi Duncan, Liz Filippone (Saturday only), David Flaig (Friday only), Wolfgang Heinle, Luku (Friday only), Martha Matsuda (Saturday only), Ri Molnar (Friday only), Jeffrey Mooney (Saturday only), Angela Newsham, and Bob Webb.
Quite a line-up, wouldn't you say? Should be a couple of VERY GOOD SHOWS!
Surprise guest artists may also be performing as well. There are often last minute additions (local, national, and international artists) to the programing, it's that kind of show.
WHAT:
Bare Bones Butoh Presents is a performance Showcase for local, national, and International artists working in the areas of butoh, performance art, and/or ritual performance. It exists for artists to try out new material, show works in process, hone improvisational chops, and redo or revisit previous material. Bare Bones Butoh Showcases employ the grassroots ethic of working together to sustain an artistic culture. We are community building and performance all smushed together into two evenings.
Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you there.
Further info:
Bob Webb
bobwebb20@hotmail.com
510-284-7025
(Adventurous Shows for an Adventurous Audience)
WHEN:
Friday Nov 18, 2011, and Saturday, Nov 19, 2011
Both performances are at 8:00 pm
WHERE:
Studio 210
3435 Cesar Chavez St (at Valencia)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Studio 210 is located in the former Sears Building, inset from the corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia Street. Accessible by: BART - 24th St Station; and MUNI - #12, #27, #14, #49. Plenty of on-street parking.
TICKETS:
Performances: $5-$20 sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Additional donations are graciously accepted and gratefully appreciated.
WHO:
This time around, the performers are:
Ronnie Baker, Christina Braun (Saturday only), Darya Chernova (Saturday only), Ron Chornow, Michael Curran, Mark Deutsch (Saturday only), Coicoi Duncan, Liz Filippone (Saturday only), David Flaig (Friday only), Wolfgang Heinle, Luku (Friday only), Martha Matsuda (Saturday only), Ri Molnar (Friday only), Jeffrey Mooney (Saturday only), Angela Newsham, and Bob Webb.
Quite a line-up, wouldn't you say? Should be a couple of VERY GOOD SHOWS!
Surprise guest artists may also be performing as well. There are often last minute additions (local, national, and international artists) to the programing, it's that kind of show.
WHAT:
Bare Bones Butoh Presents is a performance Showcase for local, national, and International artists working in the areas of butoh, performance art, and/or ritual performance. It exists for artists to try out new material, show works in process, hone improvisational chops, and redo or revisit previous material. Bare Bones Butoh Showcases employ the grassroots ethic of working together to sustain an artistic culture. We are community building and performance all smushed together into two evenings.
Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you there.
Further info:
Bob Webb
bobwebb20@hotmail.com
510-284-7025
Friday, November 4, 2011
Heart Spirit Therapy
“Embrace Your Anger.” This was just one of the many powerful workshops I attended at the Heart Spirit Therapy Symposium, facilitated by The Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center in San Francisco on Saturday October 22, 2011. The event was free and open to all healing professionals--psychotherapists, yoga teachers, massage therapists, holistic practitioners, doulas, chiropractors, and lots of others. The day consisted of ten 30 minute sessions with a smorgasbord of topics, exploring the ways we connect with the heart and spirit to allow ourselves to heal. I was overwhelmed with joy, excitement, and eagerness to soak up as much information as I could, as well as connect with the amazing healers around me.
Being a yoga teacher and bodyworker myself, I attended “Yoga for Emotions” by Lexi Frank, and “Yoga for Trauma Healing” by Raia Kogan. These workshops really opened my eyes more to the “languaging” required when teaching and working with individuals, who have suffered from severe trauma. I learned how people who have suffered from severe trauma have little or no connection to their body, and a simple, but effective exercise to do in a yoga group is to let them feel their feet on the ground.
“Embrace Your Anger”, by Yael Melamed & Jyoti Kalmar, took me back to my Non-Violent Communication training days, which had both triggers for me, but wonderful insights to how I respond to anger, feel/experience it, and the strategies I use in a situation.
All the workshop facilitators were bursting with knowledge, wisdom and passion for their fields, that I wanted the workshops to be longer in length. I felt like it was a tease, but a great way to give a taste of what each individual is working on and contributing to the world. I hope Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center holds another event like this soon.
Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center offers quality, affordable counseling on a sliding scale basis and is a counseling center of the California Institute of Integral Studies (www.ciis.edu). Contact them today, www.goldengatecounseling.org.
Being a yoga teacher and bodyworker myself, I attended “Yoga for Emotions” by Lexi Frank, and “Yoga for Trauma Healing” by Raia Kogan. These workshops really opened my eyes more to the “languaging” required when teaching and working with individuals, who have suffered from severe trauma. I learned how people who have suffered from severe trauma have little or no connection to their body, and a simple, but effective exercise to do in a yoga group is to let them feel their feet on the ground.
“Embrace Your Anger”, by Yael Melamed & Jyoti Kalmar, took me back to my Non-Violent Communication training days, which had both triggers for me, but wonderful insights to how I respond to anger, feel/experience it, and the strategies I use in a situation.
All the workshop facilitators were bursting with knowledge, wisdom and passion for their fields, that I wanted the workshops to be longer in length. I felt like it was a tease, but a great way to give a taste of what each individual is working on and contributing to the world. I hope Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center holds another event like this soon.
Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center offers quality, affordable counseling on a sliding scale basis and is a counseling center of the California Institute of Integral Studies (www.ciis.edu). Contact them today, www.goldengatecounseling.org.
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