Learning to do things in a different way

Two character strengths that significantly contribute to my well-being are Creativity and Love of Learning. These interconnect in my career as a teacher of two seemingly disconnected subjects: the business of art and restorative yoga. The VIA Institute of Character Classification of Strengths motto for Creativity is to “do things in a different way” and the motto of Love of Learning is to “learn something from every situation.” These statements describe the deep engagement I feel in the flow of teaching both yoga and business.

Although I recognize that both yoga and business are the foundation for deeper meaning in my life, the combination is not easy to explain to potential clients or to my supportive family. 

This dichotomy causes self-doubt and frustration that turn into negative thinking. To resolve this tension I contracted a business development specialist to help me identify how to interconnect these two areas of teaching into one easily understood whole. After several missed deadlines for delivering her proposal, the consultant admitted that she could not identify any correlation between yoga and business. 

I felt stumped. Was there really no connection? Surely, my desire to do things in a different way had a greater purpose.

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What I now realize is that a search for meaning and a sense of achievement in my life-work is not something I can farm out to a consultant. As a creative person I thrive on doing things a different way based on what I learn from every situation. Focusing on the positive relationships I have with my students and clients, I see the connection: Business and Bodies are both studies of systems that can be explored, understood and improved for improved health. 

My lifework is to guide people in articulating their vision, exploring the current reality in relation to their goal and developing options and solutions to pursue their intentions. Ultimately, finding this connection has been an opportunity for me to go deep into my belief system and affirm my unique way of creating and learning. I love learning to do things differently. 

February Yoga Urban Retreat: Lunar Practice

Sunset Tree (c) Amy Kweskin

The night is time for slowing down, softening the body, easing the breath and calming the mind. Join me for an evening of nurturing and balancing your body-mind-breath connection. Escape from your urban surroundings as the lights are dimmed, candles lit and soft music and nature sounds fill the studio. 

Treat yourself to two hours of gentle yoga and restorative poses in a safe and nurturing environment.  

Saturday, February 18

6:00 - 8:00pm Yoga Practice

8:00 - 9:00pm Optional Potluck

$20 per person

Register here:

Anasa Yoga
4232 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619

Bring a friend, as my intention is to create a supportive and nurturing community of practice.

Appropriate for all levels and capabilities.

 

This 2-hour class will be followed by an optional evening potluck in Anasa’s lounge. If you are able to stay after class and gather in community, please bring a dish or beverage to serve 4-6 people.

Being Vulnerable to a Sense of Smell

This past week I had a cranial-sacral therapy session with my friend Lauren and at the end of the session she asked me what I noticed. The sense that had opened in me was that of smell. Suddenly I had a stronger sense of the odors, good and bad, around me.

I've always had a strong sense of smell but have dulled it over the years by breathing less deeply. Why? I am not sure. For me smell can be overwhelming and even shocking. By shutting down my nose and breathing less deeply I have protected myself from these smells - out of habit. Only recently have I noticed that when Brian has asked me to smell something he has prepared, I take a big preparatory, olfactory opening breath and then step in for an official whiff. All the nuances of the fragrance permeate my senses and I give in to the smell.

What effect does shutting down your nose have on living a full life? Well, I imagine that it has impacted the stress I carry in my head, neck and face. If I am constantly clamping-down on my nasal passages, certainly that is not relaxing. Also, I talk more nasally than I probably should. Not breathing deeply also means less oxygen to the body which affects the body and mind. I remember a massage therapist in London telling me that I was not getting oxygen to my back body and therefore my neck and back muscles were stiff with lack of oxygen.

Most significantly, not breathing deeply to avoid smell means that I a not fully experiencing the world with one of my senses. This is a form of protection - avoiding deep connection with what is around me - control.

Ironically, I am a restorative yoga teacher. I lead 90-minute yoga sessions where I guide my students in noticing, feeling, accessing, and expanding their breath. And yet, do I intrinsically know what that means if I myself do not fully breath?

Today I set an intention to allow myself to use my full sense of smell: to open my nostrils and let the fragrance shine in. This is a practice in being open, receptive and vulnerable. Frankly, it is a metaphor for my willingness to again blog as I have been absent from contributing to this site openly. We all go through cycles of openness. As I open my nasal passages to trust my senses I too will open my heart and begin contributing once again to this blog.