Creating a Sanctuary -- The Garden is Within

I remember a time in my life [not long ago] when my Type A personality had me spinning like a top. I was running two businesses, a household and raising two [at the time] babies with everything else that life can encompass. It seemed as though all the proverbial balls were thrown into the air at the same time.

And like that, things came to a crashing halt when I slipped two cervical disks in my neck. At the young age of 32, I was forced, rather confronted, to stop and look at my chaotic life which had really been on autopilot. To sit with all the “stuff” that was not so pretty and not so easy to handle. [It was much easier to run away from it!]

I met a yoga mentor, Diane, who introduced me to ayurveda and yoga for healing. Most importantly, she helped me identify my personality -- one regarded as “fire” in ayurveda. It was then that I realized I was a phoenix rising from the ashes. I had just finished burning down to the ground and now was my chance to rebuild.

Diane encouraged me that my life could be reinvented but that it needed boundaries. It was as though I was building a garden -- I could plant what I wanted but if I wanted it to thrive, I would have to nourish it, weed it and keep a defined fence line.

First, the fences went up. We identified triggers for my whirling dervish personality, like early morning phone calls from clients as I was just getting the day started with my kids. Fences were simple, like turning my “business” phone off until 9 am, reading emails only during certain hours, and arranging set office days.

Next, we decided on the crops. What was important to grow? For me, my children were the biggest crop in my garden. But this question also helped me realize that I needed to sell one business to pursue and grow the other.  To follow my calling and my passion. Now I had direction + focus. It was a relief.

Lastly, there was maintaining and nourishing the garden. Fundamental to a strong garden was meditation. The "miracle gro" or compost necessary for this garden to take off. Meditation would quiet my mind and restore my body from a stress response to calm state. The first time I tried meditation, I couldn’t even shut my eyes! It took practice and I struggled. A LOT. Something once easy for me in college was super challenging to get back because I had let it go for so long. Ultimately, I cultivated the skills [though I took practicing many styles with many teachers].

Today, I can tell when my meditation practice falters. I am impatient + quick to fire -- not as level-headed and clear. My direction becomes foggy and my fire grows out of balance. Luckily, for sake of the garden, I know to step back, don my gloves and start tending. For the sake of full disclosure, maintaining live plants is/was not part of my mental garden manifesto. To this day, I struggle to keep up with my live plants. But at least my mental garden is strong and bountiful! Letting go of "crops" is a dharma talk for another day.

We can all create our garden sanctuaries within and use meditation in a place that we deem peaceful + calming to help the things important in our lives flourish. It will help you have a clear direction so that the path you are on will stay true. Join me in class this week + we will focus on creating these garden sanctuaries within and nurturing our souls.

How Does Our Garden Grow?
When you come to class, it is always my goal to provide the most peaceful + safe atmosphere that I can so you can focus and integrate your mind, body and breath. In turn, this helps hone your mediation practice by teaching you focus + helps clear the mind clutter [i.e. weeding!].

Peace-FULL is not always possible. Distractions in our places of practice are much like distractions in real life -- bountiful. They can be our teachers if we let them, showing us that we cannot control anything except ourselves + our reaction.

That said, I do give our classes a fence line so that our space is as sacred as possible. Our garden continues to grow with new students so I thought it would be helpful to provide some yoga class guidelines.

These apply to any yoga class that you might attend anywhere in the world and it will help you bring more peace to you and your classmates’ practice. (They were borrowed from Yen Yoga and inspired by the 2008 article “Oh Behave!” in Yoga Journal.)

1. Consider hygiene

Sweat is good—it’s a sign you’re working hard, and a healthy way to cleanse the body of toxins. However, if you’re prone to heavy perspiration, bring a towel to class to mop your brow (so you don’t drip on your neighbor’s mat) and wipe up any excess sweat on or around your mat after class.

2. Skip the scents

Many people have sensitivities to perfumes and scented body lotions; help us keep our studios fragrance-free by avoiding applying any aromatic products before class. If you’re concerned about stink, shower before class and use unscented deodorant.

3. Wear appropriate clothing

Select clothing based on what type of yoga you’ll be doing, the temperature of the room, and what will be most comfortable for the duration of class. Avoid clothing that is too baggy and loose (which can get in your way during certain poses) as well as clothing that is too tight or revealing—no one wants to witness a “wardrobe malfunction” during class!

4. Arrive early or on-time
Life happens, so just do your best. All I ask is that it not be habitual, especially in the small intimate classes.

5. Turn off your cell
Make a habit of doing this before you step foot into the practice room.

6. Talk to the teacher
If you have any injuries (past or current), concerns or contraindications, talk to the teacher before class. This way, the teacher can recommend variations on certain poses during practice to allow you to reap the benefits without unnecessary strain. Speak up if something doesn’t feel right, but don’t hold up the teacher during class. If you have lots of concerns, I’d be happy to schedule a private session.

7. Remove your shoes

The studio stays most hygienic if everyone leaves their shoes (yes, even flip-flops) outside the classroom. And pay attention where you’re walking barefoot—it’s a major no-no to tread on other students’ mats.

8. Relish the quiet

A yoga classroom is like a sanctuary—people come here to relax and find peace. In our classes, some days we have a lot of fun in class and many times I will invite a reply to a question I have asked. But for the most part, we try to keep the atmosphere quiet and focused. We will all try to save any chit-chat for after class.

9. Excuse yourself quietly
If you must use the restroom during class or leave early, it’s most polite to wait until a short period of rest like child’s pose or between asanas. Excuse yourself quietly, trying not to obstruct other students’ view of the teacher.

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Monday, July 23, 2012
St. Oliver's Catholic Church
3200 Brooks Drive,
Snellville 30078
6:30-7:45 pm
Please note, we are the house across the street from the church.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
All Levels
Meridian Community Center
105 Generation Blvd., Loganville 30052
9:00 - 10:00 am

Tuesday Night Tight Guys Club
B&B Tae Kwon Do,
258 Main Street, Loganville 30052
7:45 - 9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Intensive
Loganville Donation-Based Class*
7:00 - 8:30 pm
*class is filled but you may waitlist

Thursday, July 26, 2012
All Levels
Meridian Community Center
105 Generation Blvd., Loganville 30052
9:00 - 10:00 am

Gentle
Buford Donation-Based Class*
Old Shadburn Ferry Road, Buford
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Friday, July 27, 2012
All Levels
Bodyplex Grayson
2445 Moon Road, Grayson 30017
Fridays 9:00 - 10:00 am

Saturday, July 28
All Levels Yoga
Chi Kwang Do Lilburn
375 Rockbridge Road, Lilburn, 30047
8:30 am - 9:45 am

Sunday, July 29, 2012
All Levels Yoga
B&B Tae Kwon Do,
258 Main Street, Loganville 30052
2:00 - 3:30 pm

Restorative Yoga
B&B Tae Kwon Do,
258 Main Street, Loganville 30052
4:00 - 5:00 pm


*Please register for all classes by visiting themobiyogi.com and clicking on "schedule a yogi" and community classes. Donation-based class are pay what you can classes and are limited in the size.