Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.



- Upanishads

Finally!

Hi Folks,



The wait is finally over! I have been wanting to attend this chant group, Satsang Kirtan, that meets monthly in Birmingham for months and months. I've been teaching Foundations of Practice, Heartwood Yoga's ongoing beginner series, since the Fall of last year and the two happen on the same night, sadly leading me to believe I could not attend.



But, miraculously, John is teaching this 6-week series and I had last night free. Joy! There were 14 people in attendance, and we had so much fun. We began with intentional breathing and a small amount of movement, followed by a statement of intentions from the group leader, brief introductions and a few warm-up rounds of Om.



Each chant was pronounced and then explained; paper copies were provided as reference. Some were traditional Indian chants, others were simple prayers sung in English - all in call and response format. Aside from our voices, we were mostly a percussive crowd, banging and clanging on whatever we brought or were invited to use upon arrival. There was a break about 45 minutes into the kirtan in which we stood and did a few standing exercises for the body, mind and spirit. One participant suggested a series of light-hearted positive statements be told, with conviction, to each other's neighbor and after laughing our way through several statements, the room was agog for the chanting to continue.



On we sang and drummed, finally winding down around 9pm. After sitting quietly for a few moments, we began talking and milling about. I saw a few faces that were familiar to me, and they turned out to be old friends that I hadn't seen or spoken with in years. I met a couple of other yoga teachers from around town and the feeling of community was warm and comfortable.



This group meets at the Pink House in the Forest Park neighborhood of Birmingham on the first Wednesday of each month, from 7:30-8:30(ish)pm. I have been assured that punctuality is not required and to show up if and when you can. Donations are appreciated for the use of the space.



Note: Next month's kirtan will be held at an earlier time because it is open to families and they want the kiddies to experience the kirtan with respect to their lil bedtimes.



Let me know if you'd like more information about this group. I'd be happy to share my new friends!



Shanti,

Lauren

Urban Yoga

Last Saturday marked my debut class at a very cool Pilate's & Yoga studio in downtown Homewood called SoHo-PiYo.

I attended a few classes there beforehand to get a feel for the space, and quite enjoyed being there both as a student and teacher. It's spacious and welcoming, simple and beautiful, great people. A wall of mirrors greets you as you enter the classroom space, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the urban courtyard of SoHo square. They have mats and props on hand for students to use, as well as antibacterial wipes for the mats before replacing them on the shelves.

Practicing in front of mirrors is something I'd never done. I liked being able to check in with my alignment in a glance. My practice generally focuses on how alignment feels rather than how it looks, so it was good to reconcile the two at PiYo.

I look forward to teaching here more...right now, I'm just substituting when able & needed.

Sweet Surrender

I attended my fourth kirtan last Friday at Heartwood. It was a smaller group than the previous three...but I like to think of it as intimate. Attendance at a kirtan, for me, is like a going to a concert-yoga-class-sing-along-party where it doesn't matter if I can carry a tune (most times, I can't, but I can always clap my little heart out). It's good, clean fun, and leaves me feeling uplifted, joyfilled and in a fabulous mood.


The Sanskrit word kirtan may be translated into English as "to repeat". Kirtan is call-and-response chanting performed in India's devotional traditions, and more frequently in yoga studios, ashrams and Honda Civics around the world.


So, my yoga music collection is growing - slowly. I enjoy listening to this music when I'm looking for that calm balanced place within me. (It's difficult to be chanting one moment and yelling at someone in traffic the next!) Indian chants are also a great addition to my personal yoga practice, good background music while preparing dinner, or just putzing around the house.


This past week, had the absolute pleasure of chanting with Prema Hara. If you click on that link, you'll be able to listen to or buy their music. Some others of note that I've experienced and loved, either live or via CD:

Shantala
David Newman
(kirtans #1 and #2, respectively)

Wah!
Bhagavan Das

If Sanskrit chanting isn't your thing, Benji Wertheimer of Shantala, has some lovely discs of instrumental Indian music. Be warned, there is a lot of music out there for the yogic at heart, so do pace yourself.

Do you have favorites? Please feel free to share.

Shanti!

Spring Cleansing

In addition to spring cleaning in and around your home, consider a seasonal transition ritual for your body. According to ayurveda, yoga’s sister science of health and wellbeing, the winter months introduce a heavy kapha (pronounced kap-pah) quality throughout the body. Kapha represents the energy of earth and water – think heaviness, cool or cold, not much moving about (stagnation), and sleepiness.

As Spring gets underway, the earth warms up, live emerges! Humans and animals are roused out of their wintry, energy-conserving modes. Ayurveda recommends the following steps to help you ‘shed your winter coat’…

Adopt a non-sedentary lifestyle
Exert vigorous energy. Work out in the garden or yard, go for a walk or bike ride. Dance.

Move with the breath. Take that yoga class you’ve been thinking about. Practicing breath awareness in different yoga poses will allow an experience of the present moment, offer an opportunity for relaxation and provide a chance to feel the presence of a quiet mind.

Increase your intake of prana
Prana is life-force energy. We take in prana from…

Air...the fresher, the better
Try an easy stroll through Ruffner Mountain and breathe in the fresh oxygen

Sunlight...get a responsible amount of sun exposure & do wear sunscreen!
You could simply turn the face sunward for 1 minute and feel the warmth on your face and neck

Food...eat fresh foods that are vibrant with color (grains, legumes & vegetables are a good choice for spring) and produced as locally as possible. Consider buying your produce from a local farmer's market like Pepper Place or grow your own in a community garden like Jones Valley Urban Farm. Finally, avoid heavy, oily or overly spicy foods and eat slowly, taking short breaks between savoring bites.

Shed your coat, literally!
Exfoliate the skin. Get out your loofa or scrubby shower gloves and slough off dead skin once or twice per week.

Hydrate the skin after showering by applying light oil (like sesame) or body lotion with SPF protection.

...and lastly, my personal favorite:

Receive massage
Think about it: Aside from helping your body recuperate from exercising (and that it's a lovely treat), receiving a massage can help break up stagnant, dull energy inside all systems of the body.

• Application of oil hydrates and stimulates the skin
• Muscle tissues are relieved by rhythmic compression and lengthening
• Joints are lubricated through passive stretching
• Lymphatic system is stimulated and directed into collecting excess cell waste
• Circulation is improved
• Nervous system is soothed and calmed, replenishing your energy
• Receiving safe, therapeutic touch can remind you to ‘connect’ to those around you

Keep these points in mind as you transition to spring!

“There is a thought in your mind right now. The longer you hold on to it, the more you dwell upon it, the more life you give to that thought. Give it enough life, and it will become real. So make sure the thought is indeed a great one.” - Ralph Marston