Well Done Grasshopper: Columnist Transforms Into A Yogini
First published in Kanata Kourier on Friday, Aug. 13/04
I did it! I really did it! I can now touch my toes without sitting down to do
so! For those of you who are wondering what on earth I am talking about, let me
back it up a bit. About six or so weeks ago, I took a yoga class as a writing
assignment, not feeling overly confident about the idea at all. Now, much later
into the process, that first class has turned into many more. No longer do I
count classes and instead look forward to each one.
A former newbie (even though I still have lots to learn) I now consider myself a
yogini (yogi is the masculine term), which is a person who practices yoga on a
regular basis. I mentioned in a previous article that my goal was to participate
in two classes a week and while this is not always possible in the summer
months, I am taking at least one class a week while making an effort to practice
some poses at home.
The progress is there too! I can feel the difference in my body already even in
the most subtle ways. A little more flexibility here, a further reach there and
more calm in the brain department. And by that I mean that I am trying not to
sweat the small stuff so much, focusing on relaxing more and trying to bring
some of the calm I feel at class, home. I think it’s working but the true test
would be to ask my family.
In class I am learning to accept my body’s limitations and to be patient as this
journey continues. ‘Edge’ is a term used to describe your body’s limit either
during a particular pose or on a given day and I am trying to honour this
concept. You learn that your edge isn’t always the same, that it fluctuates
regularly and it is up to you to recognize your edge and to be mindful of the
body and spirit. It is not good to push past a level of comfort in yoga and this
is both an exercise in mind and body. For me, this focus allows me to practice
awareness and a level of discipline concerning the body.
I am aware that for many, there is a very spiritual side to yoga and this plays
more of a role for some yogis’ than others. You can be spiritual without being
specific to one religion or to any religion at all. I find this aspect of the
study of yoga both open and inviting and this philosophy was part of what piqued
my interest in attending a special yoga workshop that was being sponsored by the
Kanata Yoga Centre.
After being convinced that anyone could attend this workshop and that no formal
training was required, I signed up for a Yoga Sadhana Workshop not knowing what
to expect. Wade Imre Morissette is the founder of YogaSadhana and is currently
touring North America conducting these unique workshops and luckily, the Kanata
Yoga Centre was a planned stop. Wade’s website describes the workshop as
combining elements of trance dance, asanas, meditation and chanting. Fair enough
I thought. I like to dance, I am enjoying asanas (postures) at yoga class,
meditating sounds painless and as for chanting, I have been known to sing in the
shower.
All kidding aside though, I did have a bit of a nervous energy on the night of
the workshop but was fine once things got started. Kim Barkley, principal at KYC,
had described this workshop as a treat for yourself. Well, everyone loves a
treat whether it be a random act of kindness, an unplanned dinner out or an
afternoon at the spa and these thoughts made me feel more open about the
workshop.
The evening was intimate and powerful at the same time. Wade started by
explaining the four parts that make up the workshop while handing out journals
that we would write in throughout the evening. These journals asked specific
questions about how we felt during different parts of the workshop and were for
us to take home for future thought and reflection if desired.
The workshop started with free form dancing. The only ‘rules’ were that you had
to close your eyes and stay on your mat. Other than that, we were directed to
listen and feel the music and move however we wanted. Well, to say that I was
tentative at first would be an understatement and while I fought the urge to
open my eyes, it took me a bit of warming up to feel free enough to sway to the
music. And that’s what I did and while I couldn’t see the other participants, I
could hear and feel them moving and even some snapping of fingers. It was a
great feeling and by the end of this part of the exercise, I was relaxed and
energized at the same time.
In between each part of the workshop we would retreat to our journals and write
down our feelings, thoughts, images, colours or whatever else we felt or saw
during that segment and then we would return for the next stage. This next stage
involved a series of yoga postures similar to what we would do in class and at
this point Wade talked about edge as he led the poses, reminding us to
acknowledge our edge at all times.
The meditation segment followed and we all sat in a circle and were told to get
comfy, as we would be meditating for fifteen minutes. With a dark room and one
candle lit in the middle of the circle, I wasn’t sure that I could truly
meditate for two minutes, never mind fifteen. But Wade said something that
helped me and I am sure helped others get through the process with some success.
Acknowledging that it is hard to keep our minds from wandering, he told us about
mantras and how you can pick two words, one for your inward breath and one for
your outward breath, to keep focused. I used this whenever I felt my mind
wandering and overall, enjoyed the meditation segment and felt successful in it.
A little more writing in our journals and it was time for the chanting. I was
surprised that I found this the most enjoyable part of the evening since I am
not a singer and don’t pretend to be one. Wade played his guitar, leading us to
repeat after him, chanting and singing and it was amazing. It was peaceful,
enjoyable, freeing and fun. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves and
although not quite the same, you could compare it to sitting around a campfire,
swaying and singing in celebration. It was great!
At times throughout the workshop, Wade would open the floor for individuals to
share their thoughts and feelings and while I didn’t personally share anything
out loud, I did agree with a lot of what people were saying and feeling,
particularly with what two individuals had to say. One shared that he found the
workshop exercises freeing. That he felt a sense of freedom and that he liked
that feeling. He added that freedom is not without responsibility but to be able
to do things in a free way, felt good. Another participant shared the idea that
it is great to do something because you want to and not because you have to.
Amen to that I thought to myself. For me, the Sadhana Workshop was a treat and I
am already looking forward to the next time Wade is in town to lead another one
of these fantastic workshops! Sign me up, as this yogini is ready to take it to
the next level!
As my yoga series comes to an end, I take with me a new appreciation of my
spirit, a renewed interest in my wellbeing and a desire to continue on this
journey to see where it takes me. Yoga is now a part of my life. Namaste.
For more information about the Kanata Yoga Centre call 858-1114 or visit
www.kanatayoga.com
This concludes Laurel’s series chronicling her yoga journey. For continued
updates visit www.laureleanderson.com