Yoga Ruins Your Life (Video)

I fell across this video on my Tumblr feed and I just had to share it. Everything he says in this video I just keep nodding and goes "YES! That, exactly!" Yoga ruins your life in so many ways and it's fantastic.

Yoga Ruins Your LIfe from Yoga Workshop on Vimeo.

Are You Sleeping Through Your Life?

Via Sylvia Mordini - on her Twitter

New experiences are easy to find. You can create them at any moment. In small ways or big ones. In your yoga practice they may look like a new studio, a different teacher, a new location in the room, a pose you've never tried... music, mats, outfits, friends to practice with, chanting... 

All these things create a slightly different experience. Some of these are small things, but they are the same small things that people fight against as if they were epic monsters. They actively avoid placing their mat in a different place in the classroom. The front row is pretty unpopular. 

Your comfort zone can become like a prison if you move in full time. Your ego may try to trick you into believing it's not worth the risk. Remember that feeling when you first tried (and loved!) yoga?  

Try something new this week! Don't sleep through your life.

Find Your Yoga Circle

This might be the best yoga infographic I've seen this year. Do you find this accurate for your practice? Maybe you're looking for something new to try. Maybe this collection of popular yoga circles will help you find your next big thing.

Headstands Everywhere

With New Year's Resolutions coming up - I'd like to see this happen.

Yoga Calendars 2013

Around Thanksgiving I bought the Cute Overload Wall Calendar with the decision to forgo my usual yoga-themed calendar in 2013. While I love cute animals I was later disappointed to run across a yoga calendar I really wanted. I don't need two so I can only tell you guys about the best yoga calendars available for 2013 (that I know of), and be happy that I chose death by cute.  Hopefully this will help you avoid the same fate.

Briohny Smyth Yoga Calendar $16

Jasper Johal "Body as Temple" Calendar $24

Be Present Calendar $10

Yoga Journal Calendar $14

April Heather Art 2013 Illustrated Yoga Calendar $20

Mohawk Style

Hey guys! I got a haircut this weekend. I'm all mohawk-ified and I love it.

I've written before about dealing with long hair while practicing. This is easier I think. For me. Not everyone does the short hair thing, but for me it's a winner. Plus, now it won't wrap itself around my neck while I'm in bed. Not feeling like I'm being strangled by my own hair is a big plus. I think I'll go shorter on the sides next time. 

Find Your Yoga - Infographic

A fun little infographic for those of you that love them as much as I do. National Yoga Month is almost half over - this is the perfect time to try out a new style. Give the flowchart a go and see where it takes you. 

via YogaTrail

Clean Nutrition for Yogis

I've made no secret of my love of cake and really all things delicious. I'd be one of those really lean muscley yoginis if I actually made a stronger effort to eat less dessert and snack food.

All that aside - I otherwise eat clean. In my house we've completely sworn off frying foods and as someone who grew up in Texas - that's kind of a big deal. I've wanted to write more about the topic of food for a long time. It's just such a deep topic and I'm sort of lazy about writing sometimes.

So when I saw this post called "Eat Clean: Nutrition for Yogis" over at Alive in the Fire - I figured I'd pass along this great article "on ways to maximize the benefit of the foods you eat before and after class in order to get a great yoga flow." instead of having to write my own. No point in reinventing the wheel.

Go read it.

Source: http://justwanttobehealthyandfit.tumblr.com/

In the Art Studio

My posts have become slightly less reliable lately. For this I apologize, and I'd like to offer an explanation.

Little known fact - I used to be an artist. There's always this argument about whether yoga is art and I just transitioned into a different art style, but I consider the two to be too separate to be related. For me anyway. Nothing even remotely compares to drawing and painting. As long as this exists - there is no other art to me.

Once upon a time I did some art school and I was offered money for my work and people thought I had talent or something. However, it's hard to pay the bills as an art major so I went into biology instead (clearly I threw that idea out the window when I ultimately chose yoga). Anyway - with both art and yoga in my every day - I'm finding a ridiculous amount of happiness and fulfillment.

My latest project - and my first foray into soft pastels.

I recently cleared some space and started a home art studio. I got tired of sitting in the kitchen floor to draw and paint all hours of the day. So now I have this room all to myself and it's quiet and full of sunlight and I am spending all my time there. Sometimes I wash the colors off my hands and climb into bed in the wee hours of the night/morning - forgetting all about the blog-post I was supposed to write. So forgive me and be patient as I figure out how to arrange my schedule/life of activities - again. It's always something.

The Anusara Drama - I'm Over It

Like many in the Anusara kula - I have felt a whole spectrum of emotions the last few weeks. At times I have been indifferent, defensive, angry, sad, just plain anxious, and more. It's been a little exhausting for everyone I'm sure. The drama has been flying. Even when you aren't directly involved in the story it's hard not to get defensive when people start accusing you of being in a cult. All this considered - I have been silent on the whole issue here at Hearts Expanding. I've been absorbing all the information I could and assessing what action, if any, was the right action for me.

In case you've managed to miss the whole John Friend controversy - you can go see 

a Timeline of Events at Bay Shakti to get caught up.

Some people's reaction to the news.

People that I know and love, teachers I respect - almost everyone is kind of scattering to the wind. Some declared their loyalty while others declared their resignation. At first it was like I wasn't 100% sure what to do with myself with all my teachers no longer under the same umbrella.

Since I never went all the way through with getting my Anusara-Inspired certification (I started but changed my mind some time last year) I have been looking at this entire debacle primarily from the eyes of a student. After a lot of inward contemplation I came to recognize that I have been following certain teachers more than Anusara itself. I never followed John Friend individually. He is not and never was my teacher.

As I recognize that my practice is so much more than that - I no longer list Anusara yoga as my primary yoga; but I will still practice it as long as some of my favorite teachers are involved in the method. I will continue to try new systems and be open to yoga as a whole. Some of my teachers are choosing to stay with Anusara, and some have chosen to leave. I fully respect and support both decisions. I will study both inside and outside of the Anusara community. As long as their teachings resonate with me - I will study with them wherever they are.

TL;DR
Here at Hearts Expanding, I'm not attached to John Friend or Anusara Yoga.
I just love Yoga and the teachers that made me.

Trying Ashtanga

You all know I'm a big ol' Anusara junkie, but I tried something like 9 styles of yoga or more before I got all cozy with Anusara. There's plenty more styles around too so I'm making a conscious effort to branch out and try new styles in addition to my regular practice. Maybe I'll learn a few things.

I got this Kino Macgregor Ashtanga DVD for christmas and I've started following along with it once or twice a week. It's the primary series with beginner and advanced variations for most of the sequence. While I know that DVDs are far from being representative of the classroom experience - I have to say I was a little too scared to visit an Ashtanga class. Maybe later. Ashtanga is challenging. Not crazy difficult - just definite work. My hop forward to hover in handstand is getting stronger and my upward dog is getting more practice than ever. I'm enjoying it for sure.

Next stop - Bikram, Iyengar, and Aerial Yoga classes.
I'm especially psyched out of my mind about that last one.

Calendar Time

It's that time of year again. 2011 is drawing to a close and I need a new calendar. Does everyone keep a calendar? I'm wondering if calendars are a massive waste of energy, money, and paper; but with all the things I write on mine I can't imagine what I'd do without one.

For quite a few years now I've been buying this one from YJ, but I've been feeling antsy. I like it because it's huge and pretty. However, the pictures are starting to feel stale and oft-repeated. I need something else.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashtanga4life

I'm really considering this one from the Ashtanga4Life Etsy shop. It's smaller than I'm used to which poses some challenges for me. It's so pretty and the images would be new to me. Yoga Sutra text over each month would be awesome... and I'm intrigued by the lack of binding. This seems like it just invites creativity and original thinking. I feel like a big frame (for one page at a time) and dry erase markers might be my answer.

What do you guys usually do? Does anyone go calendar-free? Certainly lots of people do.

Toss me some ideas.

The Thick and Thin of Yoga Mats

I've been hearing a lot lately about how when you're looking for a yoga mat you really want to find something thick. According to current discussion thick mats are ideal and necessary. I really don't think that's always the case, so I just have to say something. Yes thick mats are great for things like tops of feet in virasana or knees during low lunges. Thick mats have their place, but they have their drawbacks too.

I've tried a lot of different mats - some I've purchased, some I've used because they were the only thing in the studio at work, and sometimes I've gone without entirely. The thickest mats I've tried were far from the thickest available, and I think it takes no time at all before a mat becomes too thick. If given the option of a really thick mat or nothing - I'd rather go bare.

The thickest mats I've tried have actually hurt my feet far more than the hardest wood floor. If your mat is thick but not firm then you will have difficulty balancing, and a potentially dangerous situation for wrists. Handstands, arm balances - these should probably never be done on a thick squishy mat. Some mats are thick but firm (not very common though) so they don't pose these problems and I don't really have any problem with them. However, thinner mats can be great and I prefer my mats a little on the thin side. I don't mind practicing on a bare floor, and I think thin mats get me the closest approximation to practicing on "the ground with stick". When I attended a Noah Maze workshop early this year I noticed he rolled out a mat that at first almost looked like a long black piece of paper. I don't even know where you get such a mat. It was crazy looking, but he prefers the thinnest mat possible.

This is all personal preference, but the point is that it IS an entirely individual situation. Your mat supports and holds you through the long journey of your practice. It needs to fit you, your practice, and your needs. Thick may not be it, so remember that when shopping for your next mat. Listen to your body, not to popular opinion.

Recycled Post - Supporting the Source

Happy Earth Day!! Earth day is a great time to start recycling (Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, and Repairing actually) and in support of that grand theme - I'm having a recycled post. Last year I wrote about "Supporting the Source", and it's just as relevant this year, so check it out >>>>> Here. <<<<<

It's the EARTH - kind of

A Series of Choices

Up in Knots

If your hair is long - or any length that is specifically not short - you'll want to do something with it while you do yoga. Here are a few options that I've done - and what I thought of them. Just my opinion from my personal experience.

Any ponytail, knot, or bun on the back of the head.

This is kinda the standard style people imagine for any fitness pursuit. Let me tell ya, it works in a pinch, but I never actually plan on it. If you're going to lie on your back it'll be in the way - and if you're ever going to reach behind you - you'll end up pulling your hair.  If you must - may I suggest high on the head (which if in the right spot can help with headstand alignment) or off low to the side.

Wild & Free. Really only for soft slow yoga (think Yin or Restorative)... or for artistic pictures.

Split more or less in the middle - knots or buns on the "sides" of the head. This is my go to hairdo for yoga. It's quick, easy (easy to redo in the middle of class if needed) and is almost never in the way.

Recently braids off the side have been pretty popular. I found it was great for yoga too. A single french braid in the center of the head can work too... but if you do anything too crazy then it'll fall apart and you'll have to tear it down anyway, so it may not be worth the effort. Those aren't gray hairs. My hair is just super shiny.

Braided Pigtails are fun. I've been into those lately. I seldom do the full french braid... I just braid the bottoms... so this works well. Easy, outta the way, and flat. As long as you can adjust to the braids flopping against your ears or hanging tight against your neck everytime you bend over or turn your head - it's Peachy. Bonus - mermaid waves afterwards.

Did I miss something? Do you completely disagree? Was this entire post a waste of your time?

Let me know in the comments!

Optimism Breeds Serendipity

Earlier this week I finally applied to teach in a space that someone (that works there) had been encouraging me to rent for a while. For over six months this had been discussed and planned while I was constantly assured it would be no problem. So I filled out the application... to end up being rejected. It was a space in a non-profit that they rent out to the community... except apparently to me. They gave me a handful of reasons for denying my request, but all of those reasons turned out to be either wrong or lies. I'm not going to speculate or dwell on which is the case. This is not the first time this particular company has rejected my teaching, but it is certainly the last. I'm not really a glutton for punishment. I promise.

Rejection sucks! But that doesn't mean we should allow someone else's lack of confidence in us to become our own. We can choose to remain stuck in an eternal pity party or we can shake the sad out of our hair and make this an opportunity to focus on being our best selves.

Upon learning that I had been DENIED - I gave myself some time to pout and some time to be angry and fantasize about throwing bricks through people's windows. But then... I reminded myself that sitting there, feeling rejected, disapproved of, and stuck... maybe even lost... wasn't going to help me. Apparently, this company is not part of my path. I looked around... vaguely looking for more of what makes me happy... more of what serves my life purpose... something to further my journey down my true path. Right away I stumbled across Sianna Sherman's Rock the Bhakti Tour workshop in Portland... two weeks from now. Since I won't be teaching, I'll be free to skip over to Portland for three days to workshop it up, play, and study Anusara Yoga. Yay! Bonus: It's doubling as a 29th Birthday Gift. Serendipitous? Kind of. A Sign? Maybe - Either way, I'm psyched!

Screw the path I thought I wanted to take... this one shines much brighter. I mean, it's just paved with awesome and opportunity.

Shipping Gifts with Ahimsa

You might be asking "What does Ahimsa have to do with shipping gifts?"  Recall that ahimsa means non-violence. As a yogi, I care about doing things in as "green" a manner as possible to avoid undue harm to the Earth. I also want to protect my loved ones' gifts from harm during transit. This can be taken all the way to protecting my friend from the disappointment of receiving a box of broken junk. It's all about taking great care. Get creative and the packing & shipping of gifts doesn't have to be a drag that creates lots of meaningless trash.

Note: Tomorrow is the last day most places can guarantee Christmas delivery with standard shipping.
Baked Goods:
When shipping baked goods things like moist/dry, freshness, and how well it can handle being drop-kicked need to be taken into consideration.

• Pack like cookies together. Cookie bars packed with ginger snaps will soften up your ginger cookies making them lose their snap. I've also had the issue with gingerbread making everything in the package taste like gingerbread. Ugh. 
• Stack and seal small piles of cookies. Flat cookies work well with plastic wrap, round cookies work better with things like jars and tiny loaf pans with lids. Use your imagination - egg cartons, muffin tins, oatmeal containers - all of these can make a fine container for your edible gifts. Just pack it tightly. 
• Fill your container with cookies - now shake it. You should hear nothing. If it actually shakes - things will break. Soft cookies don't care, but brittle or fragile cookies will not make it in one piece if you can hear/feel them move. I like to fill in the spaces between my cookies with tissue paper because it's festive and cushy.

 Cookies & Other Gifts:

• Place your gifts in the smallest box possible. This equals less expensive shipping and less space to fill with packing materials. Again - if you can feel/hear it shake - it's not packed enough. If it seems slightly over-full it's about right. 

• Remember the 3Rs when packing a box. Reduce (see above), Reuse, Recycle. If you have packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and/or a bunch of used paper lying around - use it. I hate packing peanuts and yet they keep showing up, so I try to reuse them to ship gifts. Paper can be shredded and used as packing material. Fabric scraps could work too if you have a ton of them lying about. 
• My Favorite Packing Material - Popcorn. Air popped popcorn is a lightweight, edible, biodegradable, faintly scented, cheap package filler. I use it all the time. Some people love it, some people find it annoying because they don't tend to expect it to come flying out of the box when they open it. *shrug* Sure beats packing peanuts. 
• Pad their gift in something they can wear or use - scarves, towels, gloves, tea towels, small blankets, burp cloths, pajama pants, etc. If your recipient likes to make pillows or small stuffed things you could even use that fluff you can buy in bulk or pull from an old (washed and dried) pillow.

5 Steps to Great Gifts

My mom is a Jehovah's Witness - she doesn't celebrate things like birthdays, Christmas, or well - anything. I have built from that - an abnormal focus on celebrating things and giving gifts. Gift Giving is like a mission to me. I seem to take it upon myself to make sure no one feels like someone doesn't give a damn.  All that being said - I'd rather get No Gift, than a Bad Gift. Bad gifts make me uncomfortable. You? If it's "the thought that counts" - a truly bad gift shows that no real thought was put into it.

If you want to be a famously good gift-giver - When shopping for gifts try to remember these tips:

Experiences are remembered far longer than "things" -
Do you remember how you felt when you received that meaningless item on your shelf? Do you even know where it came from? Is it even yours? Experience gifts - a yoga class, a trip, a massage, going to the theatre, cuddling by the fire with hot cocoa... all things that will be remembered and much appreciated.


If it's edible, you can't go wrong -
People love gifts they can eat. It won't go to waste. Someone will eat it and love it. It shows effort and appreciation to bake someone a gift. You can taste the love in each bite. Unless of course they have a lot of food allergies - then steer clear of the food thing.

The gift is not for you -
When looking for gifts, think about what that person's interests are. Think back to conversations you've had, things they wear, things just like what they buy but more "fancy", and things they would get if they were more selfish.  The best gifts are the ones that make someone feel listened to - like someone really KNOWS you. You don't have to like it. Definitely avoid buying a gift because YOU like it - regardless of the fact that they've never shown any interest in such a thing. Once, someone bought me a gift I HATED. HATED IT. Ranted to my friend about how much I hated it. Later - she was seriously considering getting me The Exact Same Thing. Um why?

Expensive does not equal Good -
I don't care if your baby seal skin rug cost a million dollars - I still won't like it. It will probably make me cry. On the other hand if you got a free scarf, but knew I wanted it - I'd still love it.

It's okay to ask -
If all else fails - ask them to provide you with a list. Santa gets a list - why not you? Nothing is worse than getting a gift that immediately makes you think - "How long do I have to keep this before I can give it away?" Especially if the terrible gift was expensive. Avoid being the bad gifter and get a list.