Just a quick note to let you all know that I will be out of town, just for the week for a little vacation, but I am leaving you in good hands!
My friend and colleague, Rennie, will be subbing for me this week, and she is a wonderful kindred spirit, so please bring your fabulous energy to class and share it with her. I promise to do a little meditation for each of my classes while I'm gone.
However, some of my classes are not happening because they fall on Easter Sunday. So the schedule is as follows:
Weds - March 19th - YMC - 6-7:25pm Rennie is subbing
Friday - March 21st Your Neighborhood Studio 9-10:30am - Rennie is subbing
***EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd
Your Neighborhood Studio is closed, therefore, no Yoga Flow 9-10:30am
GODA Yoga - Rig's class in the AM is still on, and Cheryl will teach her beginner class from 11:00-12:30 am, but my class will not be happening. So if you normally come to my class, come to the 11:00 class and celebrate Easter with Cheryl!
Have a wonderful happy holiday(s) and I will see you after the 23rd!
Peace,
April KirkHart
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
How often should I do yoga?
I’ve been asked this question more times in the last week and a half than I can count. My quick answer is: every day! “WHAAAAT,” you ask, “but, how?!” My more detailed answer…
Your yoga practice is very personal. Each person is working with his/her own mind, body, finances and schedules. People practice for different reasons too: some practice to lose weight, some to calm their mind, while others want to build greater strength or flexibility. The wonderful thing about yoga is that you can do it anywhere, with just yourself!
The tricky part is getting yourself to do it, to do it safely, and in a way that allows you to feel some sense of progress.
I think it’s important to attend classes when you can, so an instructor can do adjustments with you, to build your awareness of how you move, how to practice safely, and how to use your breathe in a pose. These are things you can work on at home too.
However, its’ hard for people to make time each day or to feel motivated practicing on their own, which is why many choose to come to class. On the flip-side, it can feel frustrating to come to a class once a week, and feel sore after each class, or like you aren’t progressing in a pose. So, we’re back to the dilemma that not everyone can come to class more than once or twice a week, right?! ARRRRGGGGGH!!!
Fear not, I have some ideas:
1. Come to class when you can - Don’t beat yourself up when you can’t:
* Beating yourself up will make you associate attending class with a chore. Not good. But give yourself kudos when you can come to class!
* Think about creative ways to make it happen – work it out with your employer to come into work earlier, so you can leave a little earlier (and catch a class you love – most likely mine.) One of my students gave up the latte she bought every work day at almost $20/week so she could spend it on yoga classes. Some studios also have work-study opportunities… just some ideas.
* Rushing to a class does not help you enjoy the class - if you do, take a moment outside the studio door to take 3 deep breathes before entering.
2. Private lessons – Know thyself:
* You can schedule them when it’s convenient for you and do them in your own home. Invite a few friends or include family, and you can lower the cost of a one-on-one private lesson.
* You get instruction that is tailored to suit your physical/meditative needs, and goals if you choose to set some.
* For beginners, who are often shy about taking a class, you get to learn the basics, you may feel freer to ask questions, AND the instructor can really focus on you and any difficulty you have with a pose.
3. Some is better than none – Home/work practice:
* Don’t feel like you have to do the full hour/hour and a half! Ten minutes after you wake up can make a world of difference. Do 3 sun salutations, or pick 5 of your favorite poses and do them. You won’t regret it.
* At work in the middle of your day, stand up, place your hands on the desktop, step your feet back and do a variation of down-dog. Close your door and do Warrior II if you need some courage, or tree pose if you feel off-balance. Breathe!
* Keep a yoga mat in your car trunk. Keep a yoga mat or blanket rolled out at home. Some people create a little space for doing yoga in the house – for others, they go outside to the beach, a patch of grass, their patio etc.
Of COURSE I’d love it if you attended 3 (of my) classes per week – I’m trying to make a living doing this! But that’s just not practical for everyone. My overall advice about doing it every day, at home, at work…it’s possible! Doing a little bit of yoga each day will get it “in” your body. Your body will start to crave it, and you’ll find that you are turning 10 minutes into 20, 5 poses into 10, and you’ll notice the difference in your poses when you do come to class, but also in your body and your mind...that’s for sure.
So, feel free to post comments on ways YOU have been able to incorporate more yoga into your life. It just might give someone else a great idea!
Peace out,
April
Your yoga practice is very personal. Each person is working with his/her own mind, body, finances and schedules. People practice for different reasons too: some practice to lose weight, some to calm their mind, while others want to build greater strength or flexibility. The wonderful thing about yoga is that you can do it anywhere, with just yourself!
The tricky part is getting yourself to do it, to do it safely, and in a way that allows you to feel some sense of progress.
I think it’s important to attend classes when you can, so an instructor can do adjustments with you, to build your awareness of how you move, how to practice safely, and how to use your breathe in a pose. These are things you can work on at home too.
However, its’ hard for people to make time each day or to feel motivated practicing on their own, which is why many choose to come to class. On the flip-side, it can feel frustrating to come to a class once a week, and feel sore after each class, or like you aren’t progressing in a pose. So, we’re back to the dilemma that not everyone can come to class more than once or twice a week, right?! ARRRRGGGGGH!!!
Fear not, I have some ideas:
1. Come to class when you can - Don’t beat yourself up when you can’t:
* Beating yourself up will make you associate attending class with a chore. Not good. But give yourself kudos when you can come to class!
* Think about creative ways to make it happen – work it out with your employer to come into work earlier, so you can leave a little earlier (and catch a class you love – most likely mine.) One of my students gave up the latte she bought every work day at almost $20/week so she could spend it on yoga classes. Some studios also have work-study opportunities… just some ideas.
* Rushing to a class does not help you enjoy the class - if you do, take a moment outside the studio door to take 3 deep breathes before entering.
2. Private lessons – Know thyself:
* You can schedule them when it’s convenient for you and do them in your own home. Invite a few friends or include family, and you can lower the cost of a one-on-one private lesson.
* You get instruction that is tailored to suit your physical/meditative needs, and goals if you choose to set some.
* For beginners, who are often shy about taking a class, you get to learn the basics, you may feel freer to ask questions, AND the instructor can really focus on you and any difficulty you have with a pose.
3. Some is better than none – Home/work practice:
* Don’t feel like you have to do the full hour/hour and a half! Ten minutes after you wake up can make a world of difference. Do 3 sun salutations, or pick 5 of your favorite poses and do them. You won’t regret it.
* At work in the middle of your day, stand up, place your hands on the desktop, step your feet back and do a variation of down-dog. Close your door and do Warrior II if you need some courage, or tree pose if you feel off-balance. Breathe!
* Keep a yoga mat in your car trunk. Keep a yoga mat or blanket rolled out at home. Some people create a little space for doing yoga in the house – for others, they go outside to the beach, a patch of grass, their patio etc.
Of COURSE I’d love it if you attended 3 (of my) classes per week – I’m trying to make a living doing this! But that’s just not practical for everyone. My overall advice about doing it every day, at home, at work…it’s possible! Doing a little bit of yoga each day will get it “in” your body. Your body will start to crave it, and you’ll find that you are turning 10 minutes into 20, 5 poses into 10, and you’ll notice the difference in your poses when you do come to class, but also in your body and your mind...that’s for sure.
So, feel free to post comments on ways YOU have been able to incorporate more yoga into your life. It just might give someone else a great idea!
Peace out,
April
Thursday, March 6, 2008
April and the magic beads
Last week was a particularly strange one for me. One day was completely wonderful, and the next I felt just awful. It was a roller coaster of nervous energy and self-doubt, and no matter how I tried to breathe through it all, it was hard to hang on for the ride. I realized, however, that the turbulence came from the difference between my expectations and my actual experiences. And here’s what I mean:
I had been looking forward to attending a particular yoga class. I’ve been courting the idea of taking another teacher training, and have been taking classes with teachers I think I would like to learn more from. So not only was I looking forward to taking a class, I was hoping to find some sign that this instructor could really be “my teacher.”
Instead, when I got to class, I found that it was her birthday, and she was splitting the class into three half-hours of different activities that involved body movement.
It was different, it was new, and I was thrown.
I had expected a yoga class. I tried to calm myself thinking, “Come on, April. Calm down, and just be open to something new. Maybe this is what you need – to learn to be flexible and playful and in the moment.” So on the class went.
We twirled toys, danced wildly, and made noises not commonly heard in a yoga class. I found myself jiggling and hopping around, and did feel a little bit like a kid. We ended with a series of salutations in a circle spreading out like a wheel that felt very unifying. But then as we began our Savasana, the instructor mentioned she had brought a prayer bead on a necklace for everyone and that as we were lulled by the musicians singing kirtan, she would go around and hand them out.
I could feel my heart beating faster, and felt my jaw unable to relax. I was suddenly anxious.
The school child in me kept praying, “Pick me! Pick me!” And I became overwhelmingly desirous of the special bead, from this special instructor, who I hoped would be “my teacher.” As I realized how much I wanted the bead, I felt very sad. Savasana seemed to last FOREVER, and I could feel its weight on my chest. I actually began to cry silently, hoping my tears would blend with the beads of sweat running down my face. I was embarrassed by my emotion.
Time ticked itself away in the rhythms of the kirtan, and vibrated through my skull. I lay there, beadless.
I felt motion around me. Then I realized everyone was getting up and the class was over. I looked around, watching people hug and tie their necklaces around themselves. I think I was one of a few people that did not get one, although the instructor still had some in her hand as she said goodbye to those students familiar to her.
I don’t think I didn’t get a bead because she did not know me, or for any particular reason. Who knows, maybe she didn’t want to disturb my meditation.
All I do know is that I did not feel comfortable asking her for a bead. So I went to my car and cried like a baby, feeling absolutely juvenile. It occurred to me, “maybe she is not ‘my teacher.’”
I’m not sure if I was so saddened because I wanted her to be my teacher, or because I did not feel comfortable asking for what I wanted. And what was it that I wanted, specifically? To find my teacher? To be chosen? To feel special?
Well, that day ended. And the next began.
I took a wonderful yoga class from another teacher, whom I adore and feel very much mentored by, and actually had a wonderful conversation with her about my “bead” experience. Talking to her about it made me feel absolutely lighter. I revealed that she might be my teacher, even if she’s not so sure herself…
I then left to teach my class at the YMCA which was packed, and just filled with people that had such great, positive, and electrifying energy. I had so much fun teaching, and felt just full of happiness as I left.
When I made it to dinner with my husband and my Abba (one of my fathers-in-law) I was so excited to tell them about it. But before I could begin, my Abba pulled out a small, plain box, and said he found something at a store that he thought I would like and seemed to suit me. “How sweet! An unexpected little gift,” I blabbed.
I opened the box to find an entire necklace of Mala beads.
I kid you not, the full Hindu rosary of 108 prayer beads was staring up at me from its humble little package. He had no idea just how special this gift was to me…
I guess what I took from this is that although we think we want certain things, the things we need often come at a time or place or from a person we least expect.
So, my question to you, my faithful readers, is this: What lesson do you think the universe was trying to send me? Post your comments if you feel so moved...
Peace, and I wish you all wonderful things in unexpected moments!
-April KirkHart
I had been looking forward to attending a particular yoga class. I’ve been courting the idea of taking another teacher training, and have been taking classes with teachers I think I would like to learn more from. So not only was I looking forward to taking a class, I was hoping to find some sign that this instructor could really be “my teacher.”
Instead, when I got to class, I found that it was her birthday, and she was splitting the class into three half-hours of different activities that involved body movement.
It was different, it was new, and I was thrown.
I had expected a yoga class. I tried to calm myself thinking, “Come on, April. Calm down, and just be open to something new. Maybe this is what you need – to learn to be flexible and playful and in the moment.” So on the class went.
We twirled toys, danced wildly, and made noises not commonly heard in a yoga class. I found myself jiggling and hopping around, and did feel a little bit like a kid. We ended with a series of salutations in a circle spreading out like a wheel that felt very unifying. But then as we began our Savasana, the instructor mentioned she had brought a prayer bead on a necklace for everyone and that as we were lulled by the musicians singing kirtan, she would go around and hand them out.
I could feel my heart beating faster, and felt my jaw unable to relax. I was suddenly anxious.
The school child in me kept praying, “Pick me! Pick me!” And I became overwhelmingly desirous of the special bead, from this special instructor, who I hoped would be “my teacher.” As I realized how much I wanted the bead, I felt very sad. Savasana seemed to last FOREVER, and I could feel its weight on my chest. I actually began to cry silently, hoping my tears would blend with the beads of sweat running down my face. I was embarrassed by my emotion.
Time ticked itself away in the rhythms of the kirtan, and vibrated through my skull. I lay there, beadless.
I felt motion around me. Then I realized everyone was getting up and the class was over. I looked around, watching people hug and tie their necklaces around themselves. I think I was one of a few people that did not get one, although the instructor still had some in her hand as she said goodbye to those students familiar to her.
I don’t think I didn’t get a bead because she did not know me, or for any particular reason. Who knows, maybe she didn’t want to disturb my meditation.
All I do know is that I did not feel comfortable asking her for a bead. So I went to my car and cried like a baby, feeling absolutely juvenile. It occurred to me, “maybe she is not ‘my teacher.’”
I’m not sure if I was so saddened because I wanted her to be my teacher, or because I did not feel comfortable asking for what I wanted. And what was it that I wanted, specifically? To find my teacher? To be chosen? To feel special?
Well, that day ended. And the next began.
I took a wonderful yoga class from another teacher, whom I adore and feel very much mentored by, and actually had a wonderful conversation with her about my “bead” experience. Talking to her about it made me feel absolutely lighter. I revealed that she might be my teacher, even if she’s not so sure herself…
I then left to teach my class at the YMCA which was packed, and just filled with people that had such great, positive, and electrifying energy. I had so much fun teaching, and felt just full of happiness as I left.
When I made it to dinner with my husband and my Abba (one of my fathers-in-law) I was so excited to tell them about it. But before I could begin, my Abba pulled out a small, plain box, and said he found something at a store that he thought I would like and seemed to suit me. “How sweet! An unexpected little gift,” I blabbed.
I opened the box to find an entire necklace of Mala beads.
I kid you not, the full Hindu rosary of 108 prayer beads was staring up at me from its humble little package. He had no idea just how special this gift was to me…
I guess what I took from this is that although we think we want certain things, the things we need often come at a time or place or from a person we least expect.
So, my question to you, my faithful readers, is this: What lesson do you think the universe was trying to send me? Post your comments if you feel so moved...
Peace, and I wish you all wonderful things in unexpected moments!
-April KirkHart
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Web site Launch for GODA Yoga!
I thank the powers that be every day for the opportunity to teach yoga. And the studios that I have the privilege to teach at are such special places to me, and of course to my students, that I do love to boast about them when I can, and as often as I can.
This is why I am so excited to let you all know that if you haven't already checked out the websites of the studios I teach at, now would be a good time! GODA Yoga has just remodeled it's website and it is just beautiful. Take a gander at the workshops page, the instructor's page, where you will find moi, and everything else it has to offer. I am so proud to be a part of this lovely studio/community!
You can visit their website at: www.godayoga.com
Stay tuned for more posts to come. In the meantime, my weekly schedule is as follows:
GODA Yoga
Sundays 12:45 - 2:15pm - Beginner level class
Your Neighborhood Studio
Mon, Fri, Sundays 9:00 - 10:30 - Yoga Flow (more vigorous)
YMCA Santa Monica
Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:25pm - Level 2/3 Flow class
This is why I am so excited to let you all know that if you haven't already checked out the websites of the studios I teach at, now would be a good time! GODA Yoga has just remodeled it's website and it is just beautiful. Take a gander at the workshops page, the instructor's page, where you will find moi, and everything else it has to offer. I am so proud to be a part of this lovely studio/community!
You can visit their website at: www.godayoga.com
Stay tuned for more posts to come. In the meantime, my weekly schedule is as follows:
GODA Yoga
Sundays 12:45 - 2:15pm - Beginner level class
Your Neighborhood Studio
Mon, Fri, Sundays 9:00 - 10:30 - Yoga Flow (more vigorous)
YMCA Santa Monica
Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:25pm - Level 2/3 Flow class
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
TWO Sunday classes, and a shout to my YMCA students...
To all of my readers who've lamented the fact that I was teaching during the week and inconveniently during your work hours... I am now teaching 2 classes on Sundays at 2 different studios! So many options, I know, your heads might explode. No really. Check it out:
Sunday Schedule:
Sunday 9:00 - 10:30 am - Your Neighborhood Studio - Yoga Flow
Sunday 12:45 - 2:15 pm - GODA Yoga - Beginner Hatha Mix
*For those of you without your yoga decoder ring - Yoga Flow is a more aerobically focused practice of yoga in the "ashtanga" or "power yoga" tradition. All levels are welcome that are prepared to sweat some. "Hatha Mix" generally has a bit of a slower pace, longer holds, so strength building and deep stretches, and you'll be surprised that sometimes holding a pose can create heat as much as moving into another pose... But this is a more beginner focused class, so those of you trying to ease back into it for the new year, this class may be for you!
Intro to Yoga Workshop: Also note, that I am teaching this workshop at GODA Yoga this Sunday, Feb. 2nd from 2:30-4:30pm. I'll be going over a brief history of yoga, talk a bit about the philosophy, and what to expect in a yoga class. Then I will lead us through a very beginner level class. If you've never done yoga before, or know someone who wants to try it, PLEASE check this class out. You get another class with this registration.
For my YMCA students:
I forgot to tell you last week that although I will be at the YMCA tomorrow during my class time, I won't be teaching your yoga class. I am required each year to take a Safety training by the Y, and a separate CPR certification class. You will have a sub tomorrow, Weds January 30th, whom I thank dearly for covering my class. I promise to see you the following week!
Keep your eyes peeled for new posts to come!
Sincerely,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com
(310) 559-2570
workofheartyoga@gmail.com
Sunday Schedule:
Sunday 9:00 - 10:30 am - Your Neighborhood Studio - Yoga Flow
Sunday 12:45 - 2:15 pm - GODA Yoga - Beginner Hatha Mix
*For those of you without your yoga decoder ring - Yoga Flow is a more aerobically focused practice of yoga in the "ashtanga" or "power yoga" tradition. All levels are welcome that are prepared to sweat some. "Hatha Mix" generally has a bit of a slower pace, longer holds, so strength building and deep stretches, and you'll be surprised that sometimes holding a pose can create heat as much as moving into another pose... But this is a more beginner focused class, so those of you trying to ease back into it for the new year, this class may be for you!
Intro to Yoga Workshop: Also note, that I am teaching this workshop at GODA Yoga this Sunday, Feb. 2nd from 2:30-4:30pm. I'll be going over a brief history of yoga, talk a bit about the philosophy, and what to expect in a yoga class. Then I will lead us through a very beginner level class. If you've never done yoga before, or know someone who wants to try it, PLEASE check this class out. You get another class with this registration.
For my YMCA students:
I forgot to tell you last week that although I will be at the YMCA tomorrow during my class time, I won't be teaching your yoga class. I am required each year to take a Safety training by the Y, and a separate CPR certification class. You will have a sub tomorrow, Weds January 30th, whom I thank dearly for covering my class. I promise to see you the following week!
Keep your eyes peeled for new posts to come!
Sincerely,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com
(310) 559-2570
workofheartyoga@gmail.com
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Let's not dance around it...the Yoga Fart.
There, I said it.
What would possess me to write about such a topic on my wonderfully designed website/blog? Aren't I afraid of scaring off the more easily offended and reserved subscribers that may be tuning in?
The answer my dears, is No. I fear not offending ye, and shall tell ye why.
It's real. It is not a myth. The Yoga Fart. It's out there, like school yard humiliation waiting for the perfect moment to pounce, unexpectedly, rumbling up from the depths of who knows where, in the middle of a perfectly zen-like yoga class.
Picture it: there you are, in your yoga clothes, be they snug or be they loose, with your own special 6 ft by 2.5 ft sticky mat claim of space. You are deeply into your breathing, mastering the focus of the mind, hands pressing into the floor, hips lifted for downward facing dog, and as you exhale and tilt your tailbone up, the alarms sound...an escapee. "Brrrrrrrrup!" There was nothing you could do, no warning, no little cramp of gas to alert you, that one was about to let fly.
Or picture THIS: you are having a terrific class, you feel like you are in the yoga meditative zone, you even popped up into headstand without putting a hole in the studio wall for the first time. As you drop down and come into child's pose, the instructor comes over and he/she presses on your low back to help your hips drop. As you inhale deeply, as instructed, the belly balloons with air, an right then and there with the instructor hovering only a foot or two over you, *POW!*
Here's the deal.
Exercising in general tends to stir things up. Anyone who has ever exercised can attest to this. Whether it's swimming (much harder to hide the bubbles), running, sit-ups at the gym or in gym class in school, lifting weights, aerobics, dance, martial arts, or yoga.
The interesting thing is that asana practice - the physical practice of yoga - includes poses, such as pavanamuktasana or virasana, and movements, such as cat-cow stretch, that are actually designed to aid digestion, to help align sphincters and "massage" internal organs to work toxins out of the body's system. So, next time you eek one out, just think of it this way: it's a sign that the yoga is working! It's doin' its thing! And it's a sign that maybe some of the other things people say yoga can do for you might also be true (*mumbles and whispers ripple through the crowd, heads nodding...)
"But, April! That's EMBARRASSING in a class full of people!" Ok, ok. Before you get all red in the face... This should A) NOT deter you from doing yoga, especially my classes, and B) there are things you can do to deal with it.
If the escapee comes from your own temple/body:
1. Ignore it, and keep the mind focused. It's a natural thing, everyone's passed gas before. There may be one or two people in the class that are developmentally stuck at the age of 13 who won't be able to let it go, but most folks can sympathize and will forget it by the next pose.
2. Giggle and then sigh it out. Sighing is the ultimate sign of letting go, and if you feel the need to acknowledge it was you, go for the giggle. The sigh let's others know you have moved on and so should they.
3. Cough. It's the age-old trick, which fools no one, but is the socially-acceptable cover-up. Others will respect that you did the right thing by attempting to sweep it under the carpet/mat, if-you-will.
4. Say "excuse me." But that goes beyond all bravery. That's out and out claiming it. Choose this one wisely, however, because the social apology may actually draw others' attention to it when they'd already moved on, and it may disrupt others who are using their asana practice as a moving meditation.
If the escapee comes from a neighboring temple/body:
1. Ignore it. See number 1 above, unless you are actually 13, then move on to number 2.
2. Don't look around to see who turns red. Your focus should be on you, but granted, we are all human, and considering most Americans are raised on bathroom humor, it's human to giggle a little. But it's also human to try to be compassionate by not embarrassing or shaming someone else.
3. Say "excuse me," and take the fall for a fellow yogi! It's what you've been practicing Warrior II for anyways, right? You would go down in the books as a yoga hero, and create a little nook of good karma for yourself!
If you are a teacher and let one fly or one of your students lets one fly:
1. Talk over it. Works every time. It helps to calm the class giggles, and refocus their attention on the movements, the breathe, etc.
2. Take the fall. Saying "excuse me," will draw the attention back to you, even if folks know you didn't do it. And, taking the fall gives you the opportunity to explain that it happens sometimes, probably means the yoga is doing what it's supposed to do, that it's natural and to move on. An added benefit is that your students may see you are willing to go the extra mile for them. Being a teacher is often about creating a safe space for people to practice their yoga.
***The ONLY caveat here, is if this is not a little escapee, but an earth-rumbling, window-shattering, tyrant of a fart. In this case, a few things come to mind.
Sometimes, uncontrollable laughter strikes as unexpectedly as does gas. Sometimes you just gotta' roll with it, whether you are the farter or the witness to the fart. Try not to laugh maliciously, and try not to feel humiliated if others burst into giggles - they, too, are human.
Although I will reiterate, it is natural and happens sometimes, there are also some ways to avoid or decrease the arise of the Yoga Fart:
1. Try not eating or drinking for about 2 hours before doing yoga. This also lessens the chances of feeling a little heart-burn, and burping. If you have low-blood sugar, you can try some fruit juice or light fare (usually not protein) an hour or so before class.
2. Identify foods that give you more gas, and try not to eat those the day of your yoga class.
3. Make a trip to the bathroom before taking a class. Emptying out sometimes helps the mind be clear and ready to focus and can improve your yoga experience altogether.
*A note about your health: If you are constantly passing gas - you may want to look at your diet, particularly if you are experiencing physical discomfort. I am not versed on how much gas is normal to pass, but if it is causing you pain, or embarrassment, you might want to talk it over with your health care provider to see if anything is going on with your digestive tract.
Now, I pose it to you, my yoga readers: Do you think that Yoga is more "farty" than other physical practices? Do you have any particular stories you would like to offer up about one of your own "escapees" or how folks can deal with it should the issue arise? I welcome all comments, stories, anecdotes, research, etc. I would love to hear them. You can comment here on the blog, or email them to me at: workofheartyoga@gmail.com.
Now go, be free of your fears of the Yoga Fart. It won't destroy you. I promise. Not in my classes.
Namaste,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com
(310) 559-2570
workofheartyoga@gmail.com
What would possess me to write about such a topic on my wonderfully designed website/blog? Aren't I afraid of scaring off the more easily offended and reserved subscribers that may be tuning in?
The answer my dears, is No. I fear not offending ye, and shall tell ye why.
It's real. It is not a myth. The Yoga Fart. It's out there, like school yard humiliation waiting for the perfect moment to pounce, unexpectedly, rumbling up from the depths of who knows where, in the middle of a perfectly zen-like yoga class.
Picture it: there you are, in your yoga clothes, be they snug or be they loose, with your own special 6 ft by 2.5 ft sticky mat claim of space. You are deeply into your breathing, mastering the focus of the mind, hands pressing into the floor, hips lifted for downward facing dog, and as you exhale and tilt your tailbone up, the alarms sound...an escapee. "Brrrrrrrrup!" There was nothing you could do, no warning, no little cramp of gas to alert you, that one was about to let fly.
Or picture THIS: you are having a terrific class, you feel like you are in the yoga meditative zone, you even popped up into headstand without putting a hole in the studio wall for the first time. As you drop down and come into child's pose, the instructor comes over and he/she presses on your low back to help your hips drop. As you inhale deeply, as instructed, the belly balloons with air, an right then and there with the instructor hovering only a foot or two over you, *POW!*
Here's the deal.
Exercising in general tends to stir things up. Anyone who has ever exercised can attest to this. Whether it's swimming (much harder to hide the bubbles), running, sit-ups at the gym or in gym class in school, lifting weights, aerobics, dance, martial arts, or yoga.
The interesting thing is that asana practice - the physical practice of yoga - includes poses, such as pavanamuktasana or virasana, and movements, such as cat-cow stretch, that are actually designed to aid digestion, to help align sphincters and "massage" internal organs to work toxins out of the body's system. So, next time you eek one out, just think of it this way: it's a sign that the yoga is working! It's doin' its thing! And it's a sign that maybe some of the other things people say yoga can do for you might also be true (*mumbles and whispers ripple through the crowd, heads nodding...)
"But, April! That's EMBARRASSING in a class full of people!" Ok, ok. Before you get all red in the face... This should A) NOT deter you from doing yoga, especially my classes, and B) there are things you can do to deal with it.
If the escapee comes from your own temple/body:
1. Ignore it, and keep the mind focused. It's a natural thing, everyone's passed gas before. There may be one or two people in the class that are developmentally stuck at the age of 13 who won't be able to let it go, but most folks can sympathize and will forget it by the next pose.
2. Giggle and then sigh it out. Sighing is the ultimate sign of letting go, and if you feel the need to acknowledge it was you, go for the giggle. The sigh let's others know you have moved on and so should they.
3. Cough. It's the age-old trick, which fools no one, but is the socially-acceptable cover-up. Others will respect that you did the right thing by attempting to sweep it under the carpet/mat, if-you-will.
4. Say "excuse me." But that goes beyond all bravery. That's out and out claiming it. Choose this one wisely, however, because the social apology may actually draw others' attention to it when they'd already moved on, and it may disrupt others who are using their asana practice as a moving meditation.
If the escapee comes from a neighboring temple/body:
1. Ignore it. See number 1 above, unless you are actually 13, then move on to number 2.
2. Don't look around to see who turns red. Your focus should be on you, but granted, we are all human, and considering most Americans are raised on bathroom humor, it's human to giggle a little. But it's also human to try to be compassionate by not embarrassing or shaming someone else.
3. Say "excuse me," and take the fall for a fellow yogi! It's what you've been practicing Warrior II for anyways, right? You would go down in the books as a yoga hero, and create a little nook of good karma for yourself!
If you are a teacher and let one fly or one of your students lets one fly:
1. Talk over it. Works every time. It helps to calm the class giggles, and refocus their attention on the movements, the breathe, etc.
2. Take the fall. Saying "excuse me," will draw the attention back to you, even if folks know you didn't do it. And, taking the fall gives you the opportunity to explain that it happens sometimes, probably means the yoga is doing what it's supposed to do, that it's natural and to move on. An added benefit is that your students may see you are willing to go the extra mile for them. Being a teacher is often about creating a safe space for people to practice their yoga.
***The ONLY caveat here, is if this is not a little escapee, but an earth-rumbling, window-shattering, tyrant of a fart. In this case, a few things come to mind.
Sometimes, uncontrollable laughter strikes as unexpectedly as does gas. Sometimes you just gotta' roll with it, whether you are the farter or the witness to the fart. Try not to laugh maliciously, and try not to feel humiliated if others burst into giggles - they, too, are human.
Although I will reiterate, it is natural and happens sometimes, there are also some ways to avoid or decrease the arise of the Yoga Fart:
1. Try not eating or drinking for about 2 hours before doing yoga. This also lessens the chances of feeling a little heart-burn, and burping. If you have low-blood sugar, you can try some fruit juice or light fare (usually not protein) an hour or so before class.
2. Identify foods that give you more gas, and try not to eat those the day of your yoga class.
3. Make a trip to the bathroom before taking a class. Emptying out sometimes helps the mind be clear and ready to focus and can improve your yoga experience altogether.
*A note about your health: If you are constantly passing gas - you may want to look at your diet, particularly if you are experiencing physical discomfort. I am not versed on how much gas is normal to pass, but if it is causing you pain, or embarrassment, you might want to talk it over with your health care provider to see if anything is going on with your digestive tract.
Now, I pose it to you, my yoga readers: Do you think that Yoga is more "farty" than other physical practices? Do you have any particular stories you would like to offer up about one of your own "escapees" or how folks can deal with it should the issue arise? I welcome all comments, stories, anecdotes, research, etc. I would love to hear them. You can comment here on the blog, or email them to me at: workofheartyoga@gmail.com.
Now go, be free of your fears of the Yoga Fart. It won't destroy you. I promise. Not in my classes.
Namaste,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com
(310) 559-2570
workofheartyoga@gmail.com
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sunday Jan 20th - Free Open House!
Two major things are happening THIS Sunday, January 20th - and private and group lessons:
1. Free Open House at Your Neighborhood Studio - all classes that day are FREE, but reservations are required. I am teaching a FREE hour-long yoga class from 10:00-11:00am that day, so all of you who can't make my weekday classes, now's your chance! Call (310)876-3498 to reserve a spot. If you are interested in the other dance or fitness classes and want a free sampler, check out the Open House Schedule at: http://www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com/Events.html - and don't miss this opportunity to check out some classes for FREE!!! Did I mention the whole day is FREE?! I may try the Booiaka class...
2. I start my Sunday afternoon class at GODA Yoga, 12:45-2:15pm starting THIS Sunday, January 20th! From now on, every Sunday afternoon, I will be teaching a beginner class from 12:45pm - 2:15pm in one of the sweetest Yoga studios around - GODA Yoga. Even intermediate yogis will find ways to challenge themselves in this class. And if you haven't done yoga before, or you haven't done yoga for a while, and are committed to a New Year's resolution to get back into it, this is the class for you! So come try Sunday afternoon yoga and go out to lunch after!
3. Private and Group lessons. WHOA, April! A third thing? Well, this is a reminder that if you have trouble making it to any of my studio scheduled classes, I am also available to teach small group classes or private lessons. I can teach at your home or a location you arrange. So, if my studio schedule doesn't work for you, grab a few yogi friends and I'll tailor a class for your group at a time that works for you! Call me at (310) 559-2570 or email me at: workofheartyoga@gmail.com to set it up!
Cheers and hope to see you on the mat!
-April KirkHart
1. Free Open House at Your Neighborhood Studio - all classes that day are FREE, but reservations are required. I am teaching a FREE hour-long yoga class from 10:00-11:00am that day, so all of you who can't make my weekday classes, now's your chance! Call (310)876-3498 to reserve a spot. If you are interested in the other dance or fitness classes and want a free sampler, check out the Open House Schedule at: http://www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com/Events.html - and don't miss this opportunity to check out some classes for FREE!!! Did I mention the whole day is FREE?! I may try the Booiaka class...
2. I start my Sunday afternoon class at GODA Yoga, 12:45-2:15pm starting THIS Sunday, January 20th! From now on, every Sunday afternoon, I will be teaching a beginner class from 12:45pm - 2:15pm in one of the sweetest Yoga studios around - GODA Yoga. Even intermediate yogis will find ways to challenge themselves in this class. And if you haven't done yoga before, or you haven't done yoga for a while, and are committed to a New Year's resolution to get back into it, this is the class for you! So come try Sunday afternoon yoga and go out to lunch after!
3. Private and Group lessons. WHOA, April! A third thing? Well, this is a reminder that if you have trouble making it to any of my studio scheduled classes, I am also available to teach small group classes or private lessons. I can teach at your home or a location you arrange. So, if my studio schedule doesn't work for you, grab a few yogi friends and I'll tailor a class for your group at a time that works for you! Call me at (310) 559-2570 or email me at: workofheartyoga@gmail.com to set it up!
Cheers and hope to see you on the mat!
-April KirkHart
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