Grounding down.

In many ways, the world seems to be spinning out of control.. For the past week I had an infection and I just had to go to the doctor to have it removed.. I am posting this cause I want to share how important we need to ground ourselves down in order to survive every situation.. Others may have experiences of - broken relationships, personal problems, work problems and the list goes on.. Life is a cycle.. It's just how you manage things.. And how you handle these difficult situations in life.. Yoga has been a big factor for me when it comes to dealing with these "problems" And we have to practice "some things" for us to survive.. And we can ground down.. 

1. Breathe into it.... 

2. acknowledge the problem.. See what it is.. Be calm (how? Again breathe!) .. 

3. be present at the situation.. See it.. Even if it's painful.. 

4. Support.. Find your own support group.. Parental Units, Friends.. From God.. A song maybe.. It comes in forms.. Find it.. 

5. ACCEPTANCE. With support, I can come to a place of acceptance.  This is the way it is:  good, bad, or ugly... Acceptance does not mean resignation; it simply means looking unflinchingly at the way things are right now instead of trying to wish them away or fight against them....

6. Gratitude. Be grateful to everyone, to yourself, you're still blessed.. Be thankful that you're able to feel this way.. See things.. And eventually things on your mind will be clear.. Smooth sailing.. 

7. CONNECT. Connect yourself to yourself. Find your own positive energy... Start to be aware of your feelings... Shifting your feelings of pain, fear, anxiety into something positive - love.. Peace.. And Joy.. 

8. ACTION. Grounding yourself down. Rooting yourself down to the earth. With every storm that passes you. Stand up tall. Breathe deeply... And eventually healing comes along. 

9. Let it go. Release (the negative vibes)... Let go what you are holding on.. My teacher said, avoid attachments.. Avoiding attachments to any result.. In anyway you will be successful. Mind over matter.. Everything will be okay. And lastly, 

10. Surrender to Him. Find your freedom....  I've read this it says - "Sometimes we just need to wash ourselves clean of everything we have ever learned or think we know, and just surrender to the guidance of a power greater than ourselves. Surrender to your higher knowing within."

All is well. Namaste. 

Teaching Log #4 Self-Confidence... Acceptance... Moving Forward...

I am going to express myself into writing… Things has been tough. Work itself and now teaching career is adding on… Work itself mainly is really hard. 1. Roles that im handling are really technical roles that no all recruiters are doing. 2. Some personal issues at work, HR to HR related issues which I am not allowed to disclose for some personal reasons.. 3. I have tasted some feedback from my students…. Some good and some bad….. What I’ve learned today requires an open mind and feel like crying while writing this… Or should I say I am crying now. This week has been crazy – I have 17 open roles and how do I close this? 4 Japanese open roles. Wow. And Finding Yoga in it is the restoring plan….

I taught today and for some reason I was nervous again… Maybe it was really normal to feel that way… I did power poses that can help me ease all of the nerves. I am glad that my co-teachers supports even on facebook messaging… So I started the class and I was really taking it slow as there was a first timer… I felt calm and just doing my thing… In the middle of the class 2 walked out. This is my first time to encounter it I don’t know why but my first time seemed okay and never left the room. Was it because of the heat? I stayed with 36 degrees… But anyway I was focusing on who I have inside the hot room.. I gave them long savasanas to rest… And after class a student spoke to me giving a feedback – well I was hoping for a positive one but I got a negative one the student said I was too slow and the momentum was on and off….  The student also mentioned about he was expecting a lot of me because I was better last week… Tough thing…. Setting expectations.. I am truly sorry about not meeting your expectations. I really feel bad.. But I did my best. It’s so hard to speak infront and show poses while you are talking.. And all I wanted to do is to help these people through yoga… I am sorry if you guys didn’t like today ‘s class but I know I was doing my thing…. Yes, thank you for the comments… It is just my 3^rd time teaching in public… Maybe I need more practice… Okay – Thankful for the feedback at least I know where my students are coming from.. And 2 students spoke to me – saying Thank you, I did well. And another came – Was it your first time ? You still sound nervous…….. Thank you again.. Ill make it up to you next week.

Real world is really tough. I spoke to a lot of people just to let me understand the other side. I feel like – Was I the worse teacher today? But I am thankful for my Co-Teachers for helping me uplift my spirit. A friend also treated me for café and cake as work and this feeling is not a good combination today.

My family asked me How was my class and I said…. It went okay but I think I was not my day… I told them about  students giving feedback and it’s a good thing to hear their side – I realize I need to stay open with these and accept criticisms… These things are the things that I need to show the world that I can do it.. That I deserve this, to serve and share yoga.…. My dad said – “Find your way… Show them what you have… SELF CONFIDENCE is the key, you know this. You’ve been doing this.”

These mistakes will be a mark for improvement… One day I will do better. I will prove you wrong…. And I will survive this. Claiming that everything will be okay next week.

Thanking all the people who I spoke to today that I needed comfort. We have rough days, bad days…. And eventually good days to come--- This is part of life… Up and downs…. Embracing it… Living with it and NOT ALLOWING IT get into me. Another Day is ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE THEM WRONG.

You can do this Yogi.

You can nail this next time!

Thank you Lord for friends, co-teachers which I can talk to easily.

Thank you for the gift of Family….

And Thank you Universe for listening….

Namaste.

Headstand.

"The best way to overcome fear is to face with equanimity the situation of which one is afraid."  - B.K.S. Iyengar

9/11/13 Headstand Progress!
Photo by: Marian Manuel

Being upside down was never easy but I figured there is beauty with inversions!

Headstand. I always wanted to master this pose. It was one of my dreams to perfect, to do and to hold this pose for even few breaths.   I am one of those flexible yogis... My teachers usually say, I should learn how to protect my back and take care of it. How? Practice Tummy in, Ribs in, Core in, uddiyana bandha.

By practicing everyday or 5 times a week strengthening my core was part of it. I had several attempts to go up. I'd like to share my experiences and learnings on my headstand practice... and I am still learning.:)

(I will be quoting my teachers here for the whole blog that I'll be writing...)

1.You should have a strong base. 

"Do dolphin push ups" - Mae

"Work on your boats / Navasana so you'll have a good foundation for your inversions" - Chris, Lisa and Emma

It is called headstand but the weight should not be on your head. It should be on your arms. strong arms. strong core. never ever collapse your shoulders. 

2. There are many ways to go up. You can walk your feet near your head and it will naturally lift you from there or keep your knees curled near your chest (tummy in of course!) or bring both feet to rest on the wall behind you. (You can use your wall!) With any of these - you can pick what is comfortable for you.. don't forget to relax your neck and do it correctly so you'll get the full benefits of a headstand pose.

3. When your ready. Lift the first leg and the other. If not. Stay there and still find your balance. 

4. If you can go up and have a strong base - go on. take it slow. no rush here. And BREATHE. 

5. Going down - curl the knees, bend the knees or you can come down with legs outstretched. Then Child's pose. Rest. Relax for the hard work.

Okaaay, so this is not just about going up. This is what I've learned and my realizations how to go up, and how I was in the middle for a long time. My very first try with the headstand was with my yoga teacher, Mae. I thank her for introducing this pose to me and guiding me how to do it as a beginner. She always reminds me, 6. "Tummy in, tummy in, ribs in ribs in. Hips forward, Hips forward". I started my headstand practice late 2012 (I can't even remember the dates). But it became more serious when it was in 2013. Until it became my frustration. 

7. Very important to eliminate the ego. Never ever compare your practice to others. Every body is unique.

8. Remove the FEAR. In yoga, "where the mind goes and the body will follow". Change is not overnight. It can be done baby steps. little steps. 

9. Falling down. You should learn how to fall down safely. Why? So you'll know the feeling and by the time you'll get used to it how to fall down. Nancy, my Jivamukti teacher said "Falling down is fun!" 

And in Yoga+ we have the soft floor to fall down. VERY SAFE! :D

10. If you can't do today you can try again tomorrow. "Maybe not today, maybe tomorrow" - Aisa

11. Practice again. Never stop. 

"Don't give up! Push Carrrrina!" - Ryan

But don't be hard on yourself. Be patient. 

"It's like learning how to ride a bike" - Neil

12. Don't think too much. Yoga is all about journey.... Journey of the self. Through the self and to the self. 

13. Attachments. I became attached to the results that I can't go up and I became frustrated and I was sad about the outcome... But I realized this feeling needs to stop. Mind over matter. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. 

"A yogi doesn't get attached to the results of her actions. Just keep doing. Someday it will just happen" -Neil 

"Practice everyday, not just getting up but also with the mindset that you are not attached to the result, whether you can do it or not." - Nancy

14. Acceptance - "allowing things to be as they are. Its not about settling or deciding to care less, its about realizing that the only one we really have control over is ourselves. The more we know and understand ourselves, the less we'll be shaken by whatever reality brings." - Manduka

15. Let go. Letting go. Inhale Let. Exhale Go. 

16. Believing in yourself and doing the best that you can. "Kaya mo yan!" - Marc

17. If you're already up... Nice! Now, "You just need to find the center" - Will 

Then Relax. 

18. Find your focus. Practice your drishti. 

19. Remove Pride, Find progress in every practice. Set your goals. Find commitment. Find Freedom.

20. Find your inner peace. And everything will follow. Think Positive. If you think it is hard then it is going to be hard... If you think it is going to be okay it will be okay. It's like law of attraction. Don't complicate. Again.. Mind over Matter. It starts within you. :D

These are things that I've learned on my mat with my headstand practice that is really applicable out of my mat too. I hope I shared enough and I can add some more in the future or sooner. I am still learning things, I don't play as the master here... :)

Sharing my thoughts and good vibes to the earth!!

I thank for the gift of yoga. Words aren't enough to explain. It became a huge part of my life or shall I say it is my life now. :)

I thank you yogi friends who is around to help, give tips, support and cheer for you. :)

(Chi, Kat, Ais, Anna H. Anna S., Edel, Binx, Marian..et al.. If I didnt mention you it means i forgot you already.. NO :D. You know who you are.. Thank YOU. :)

And of course my yoga teachers who I look up to every practice... You know who you are... :D 

I am blessed to have yoga teachers who inspire me every time I practice.

Lastly, remember to embrace every moment, with an open arms, open mind, open eyes, whether upside down or not. 

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

(May all things be happy and free!)

In case you may want to practice at my studio and meet my awesome teachers- 

visit - www.yogaplus.ph

Love,

Carina