Being Clingy

Being Clingy

As we journey deeper and deeper into the Yoga Sutras, I do not know if I am getting more questions or more answers to my questions. It seems as if each time a question is answered, two more pop up, creating this sort of yoga hydra waiting for Hercules, or Patanjali, in this case, to come slay it. One of the most interesting parts of the Kleshas is the sutra 2.03. There are three that intrigue me the most. 

First, we have the problem of ignorance. However, this problem cannot fully be combatted if we do not even know what we are ignorant of in the first place. One could say that we are destined for an everlasting journey of the acquisition of knowledge. Through this, one will gain a higher understanding of the world and come one step closer to calming the oscillations of the mind. 

Next, ego holds us back. This is a very important one that most people, including myself struggle with. I find myself in my own classes thinking, "Oh, wow, that girl has a better pose than me. Let me just avoid doing it so that I will not get shown up." I have noticed that during classes that I do not compare myself with others, I am much happier and get a lot more out of it. 

Finally, the most interesting idea is that we must not cling to life. I feel like this has a two-fold meaning. First, I think it has a lot to do with self-preservation. This, to me, means that we must give up our selfish thoughts that lead us to ignoring the suffering of the world and those around us. Because of our self-centered thoughts, we are driven to only doing things that have a direct benefit to ourselves. Next, comes the direct clinging to life. Most of the things in our life are directed at a fear of dying. However, once one loses this fear, they become free. Think about all the times that you said no to something because it was dangerous, but you felt like it was something you wanted to do or could grow from doing. Once we stop fearing death, we can begin to fully live.

Throughout this last week in class, I have not learned any new poses. However, I have learned how to take many of the poses I already know to a new level and work on perfecting them. I have felt my flexibility come back to the level that it was previous to my shoulder surgery. In certain poses, I have felt my flexibility and technique surpass where I once was. This is something that I thought would never happen. This gives me hope and excitement for me to gain new skills that I did not have before. 

In class, the more that Dr. Schultz talks about moving to head stands, hand stands, and forearm stands, the more excited I get. I cannot wait until we work on these more advanced poses and techniques. These are things that I do not have the opportunity to practice elsewhere with an instructor. I am also incredibly excited to begin to work on putting my feet behind my head (eka pada sirsasana?). This is something that I have always wanted to be able to do but never had anyone to teach me. In most classes that I have gone to, the instructors usually stay away from inversions and arm balance poses so that everyone in the class can do all of the poses. However, I have always wanted an advanced yoga class that will allow for students to explore more difficult poses that most other yogis and yoginis cannot do. 

Throughout my practice of this week, I have been able to practice and further my scorpion forearm stand. I was able to figure out how to get that last inch between my foot and my head by collapsing my middle back, which I would have never thought to do. Furthermore, I was also able to give this advice to others in my yoga class that I teach. If I had not been taught this in my Yoga and Philosophy class, I would not have been able to help my own students.

Also, I have been experiencing a decent amount of foot pain, which I do not know the cause of. However, I have noticed that after doing a yoga session, in which I work the tendons, my pain is relieved. This is something that has greatly helped in waiting for a doctor's appointment, which takes an inappropriately long time. I am very excited to be able to work towards harder poses that I thought would be impossible to do. I cannot wait until we get to much more difficult poses in class so that I can bring this knowledge outside of class and into my own class.

Until next time my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Namasté,

Upward-facing Bear

Still, Those Oscillations

Still, Those Oscillations 

The readings for this last week were very interesting. Instead of focusing on How Yoga Works, which I already made it painfully obvious that I am obsessed with it, I am going to focus on the Vrttis. These simple, Confucian-like sentences have a lot more within them that what appears at first glance. The sentences are constructed very simply, so that everyone could understand their surface value of it. However, each sentences builds off the previous ones, furthering a notions that has been previously established and building off of fundamental values it teaches you. By focusing on each individual Vrtti, one can come to a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga, looking deeper than the singular sentence presented. Then, once the individual sentences are comprehended, they piece together to form a framework that will guide anyone's ability to practice yoga. 

The Vrttis do not simply instruct on how to practice yoga, but what the benefits are, what happens when you fail in your practice, and what happens when you succeed in your practice. The main benefit of yoga is you gain the ability to dwell in your own true splendor, finding a sense of true self. When you fail in your practice, you are overcome with the fluctuations of your mind, caused by everyday life, which will lead you astray. Finally, whenever you succeed in your practice, the fluctuations of your mind are stilled, allowing you to explore yourself internally. 

Practice in class this week was different. First, we had discussions and presentations led by other students. This was nice because it encouraged us to share our thoughts amongst one another and get to know each other better. The presentations both by Kelsey and Maddie were very well done and put together. They explained their readings in a manner that I could follow and helped me appreciate the readings further. Also, I am starting to worry if we have enough ways to sort out the placement of our mats. The more complicated methods that we used this week were very interesting to be able to see where everyone is from and what their majors are. However, I cannot figure out what other ways Dr. Schultz has up her sleeve to sort us. I feel like eventually, we are going to have to start sorting by social security number or length of hair. These, nevertheless, are very intriguing to watch as we sort ourselves out and get to know one another better.

This week, I have fallen in love with shavasana all over again. It has been a long time since I have been able to just completely lose myself in it becuase I am usually watching the time and getting ready to wake everyone up. However, the ability to indulge in this practice fully while also exploring new ways to use bolsters and blankets that we do not have the luxury of in the bearobics studio has made me passionate about this practice again. 

Practice outside of class has been enjoyable as well. I have been noticing that I am continuing to shape and mold my classes that I am teaching as I learn new things in my Yoga and Philosophy class. I am able to incorporate new Sanskrit words into my practice and teach my students new concepts and ideas that I had not learned about yet. My sense of humor has also increased in my practice. Last class I taught, I caught myself telling my students to "think chair-like thoughts" during our practice of chair pose. 

Also, before this class, I had never used an eye pillow before, let alone a scented one. After I brought mine home the first time, I thought that I should try it out before bed to help me relax and fall asleep faster. I am not sure what happened first, whether the pillow somehow instantaneously knocked me unconscious, or the scent of lavender shut my brain down. Either way, I have never fallen asleep that quickly before in my life. I woke up wondering where I was, who I was, and where did that blasted pillow go. (Trust me, I made sure to find the little miracle worker). 

Stay zen, my fellow yogis and yoginis.

Namasté,

Upward-facing Dog

A Full Swing Back in Motion

A Full Swing Back in Motion

Now that we have survived the first two weeks of school, everything is back to the full swing of things. Tests loom over the horizon, essays wait, readings pile up, and so does the sleep debt. 

The best thing about school starting up is the start up of my yoga classes. I have had to opportunity to teach my first two yoga classes since before surgery, and I forgot how much I loved them. I was finally reunited with my devoted yogis and yoginis. However, I received some bad news following my Thursday yoga class. One of my friends back home had passed away. This was pretty shocking and devastating because about a year ago, I lost another friend to a fatal car accident. One thing was really different this time, and that was my practice. While my mind was buzzing, I was actually able to collect myself, do damage control, and minimize the time I was emotionally compromised. Without the practice I had developed outside of any class, I do not think that this would have been possible. Instead of being shut down for a day or two, I would have easily been down for a week. 

My practice outside of class has gown in ways that I never thought it would. Through my absence due to surgery, I have yearned for more and more yoga, and when that need was satiated, it allows my practice to blossom. Hard times, also allow for a beautiful practice. It takes your mind off of what is troubling you, allowing yourself to collect your thoughts. Much like how the lotus flower thrives in the murkiest of waters, so does one's yoga practice. 

Practicing in class has also been refreshing this week. One thing in every class that gives me chills every time is the instruction prior to bowing. It speaks something to the effect of the appreciation of because of the benefits you have received from yoga, the opportunity to practice it, and the lineage originating in ancient India, bow. I think this is the most beautiful way to end a class. You are informing your students of so much that they are now aware of about the art of yoga. Most people think it probably originated in upper-class white women needing a workout where they can still gossip about each other, but the origin is so much more. This phrase at the end of class is something I am trying to incorporate into my classes. When I do so, I notice a different kind of stillness and reverence once the class ends. It, in my opinion, settles in the person's soul. 

My practice in class also helps to set the tone for my practice outside of class. I finish my practice in class at about 4:45pm, and, then, I go over to the Student Life Center to prepare to teach my class. This has given my a mindset of serenity going into my classes, rather than the normal buzzing in my mind about everything that I have to do. Overall, it has helped enrich both my personal practice and the practice of others. 

Finally, the readings for this last week were very unique and eye-opening. The Vrttis taught me a deeper understanding of yoga that I never thought I would learn. Starting with how the seer is sometimes occupied with the changes of the mind, this is a very true statement for me. I am usually very busy, and, in that, I am usually not focussing on what I am doing but what I have to do next. So, for Patanjali to already know this about practitioners of yoga for millennia to come is amazing. Next, when he describes the different types of movements of the mind, it really enlightened me. I was then able to categorize the different types of fluctuations in my mind. For example, when I found out that my friend had passed away, I was able to figure out that my thoughts were painful and cognizable. This allowed me to direct my energies to calm these thoughts down. 

When Patanjali then goes into describing the different Vrttis, he exposes new ideas for people to focus on in the future. Through these five things, I can direct my energies to calm the fluctuations they caused and center myself in a new level of stillness. This is the baseline of yoga that I have always wanted and needed to learn about. If I am going to teach it, how can I possibly teach when I do not know its foundations. These simple sentences have opened my eyes to concepts that I thought I would never grow to learn. 

Until next time, my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Namasté,

the Upward-facing Bear

Walking the Dog

Walking the Dog

I am convinced that dogs are a central theme to yoga. Looking past the variations of poses with the name dog in it, we have both walked the dog in class and read about a yogini's dog in How Yoga Works. Regardless, both concepts are very helpful.

Before starting to read How Yoga Works, I was convinced that it would be a very mathematical and technical account of how one does yoga and what it does for the practitioner. I was pleasantly surprised whenever I started to read the book. The book follows along a young girl's journey in her life dedicated to yoga. The most interesting concept is how the book goes about explaining yoga. Instead of just citing the yoga sutras, it envelops the reader into a journey where he or she can observe the effects of yoga it has on characters that are new to yoga and ones that have been studying it for years. Whenever I start reading this book, I cannot put it down. Each chapter has me dying to know if Friday and her canine companion will ever be released to continue their journey with the priceless translation of "Master's little book."

Through reading this book, I am essentially getting to hear the sutras taught to another person and, in turn, learn it myself. This makes the book very enjoyable and addictive to read. How Yoga Works has me dying for more and to know not only how it ends, but more on what all "master" has to say. 

I have taken and taught many different yoga classes in my past. However, I have never had the opportunity to take a class that studies the individual poses this deeply before. My knowledge of the poses and ways to ease beginners into them has already increased. For example, the "walking the dog" method of easing people into the necessary pose downward dog is something that I had never heard of before, but plan on incorporating it into the classes that I teach.

Also, I have had the opportunity to learn and study the minute changes that should be made in each pose that I do. The biggest change being the importance of the flexion of the feet while in either a head, forearm, or hand stand. This has changed the feeling of a pose that I thought I had known relatively well. 

Bolsters are something that I have not had much experience in dealing with. This class has taught me the beauty of the cotton-filled wonders. Not only can they help open up different chakras and deepen shavasana, but they can also make just sitting on the yoga mat substantially more comfortable. I am now going to pester my boss until we get some to use in the bearobics studio in my classes. Everyone should have the pleasure of using a bolster. 

Practicing on my own this week has gotten me very excited for the week to come. Each practice I have reminds me that I have so much more to learn. Also, the yoga classes that I teach start up this coming week. Here I will have the opportunity to teach more people how yoga and enhance their daily life. Additionally, I was asked to sit in and critique two different yoga demos for prospective yoga instructors at the SLC. Both of them were my previous students, which filled me with a sense of pride knowing that I was able to help someone fall in love with yoga the same way I did. The sessions also allowed me to have a new viewpoint: learning from my students. This was a unique experience that taught me humility and that there is no chain for yogis and yoginis, only a circle.

Until next time my fellow yogi bears.

Namasté,

The Upward-facing Bear

Who is the bear? (Blog Assignment #1)

Who is the Upward-facing Bear...

...and why is he so upward-facing?

Hello all of my conceptual yogis and yoginis! This is the Upward-facing Bear, commonly known as Josh Barlow. I am a proud Baylor Bear, who also has a slight obsession with yoga and fitness. I have always really loved yoga since I was little. I remember turning on channel 46 in the wee hours of the morning when I was supposed to be long asleep to do yoga on the fitness channel. Since then, yoga was something that I always have done sporadically. However, once I hit college, God sent down the Group X program at Baylor and saw that it was good. Once I joined that program, I knew I was hooked. I would go to classes more religiously than my own school classes. Then one day, my instructor said that she would be graduating and that the department was in need of more instructors. The next words out of her mouth changed the game. "You would be a great instructor." That was some far-off dream that I though I could never do and was not even good enough to do. However, despite this, I pursued it. A year and a half later, here I am.

Having taught yoga for a substantial amount of time, I find myself using its concepts and practices in everyday life. Yoga has taught me to find my true north and be happy with who I am. I have done many different types of yoga, from paddle-board yoga, bikram, and ariel yoga to regular hatha flow, vinyasa flow, and even the occasional ashtanga yoga session. I chose this class because I saw no better way than to combine my academic life with one of my passions. I hope to have a deeper understanding of yoga not only to enhance my practice, but to also have more to bring to my students, so that hopefully, I can impact someone the way my first instructor inspired me. Hopefully, after this class, I will have a much deeper understanding of yoga and what it means to me. Also, I will have friends that share the same passion that I have for this ancient art.

Now, why am I so upward-facing? Throughout my life, I have had many difficulties, ranging from depression and eating disorder to social anxiety and poor self-esteem. One thing that yoga has taught me is that you will never find where you need to go if you never look up from your problems. Upward-facing dog is a pose that allows your energy to erupt from the heart, feeling the openness of the world. From this, I have learned to always look up, because the best is yet to come. Your journey is what you make of it, so why not make it the best it can be?

Namasté, my friends.