Set Higher Standards by YogiRavi

I woke up with 30 minutes to spare before yoga started this morning. At first I figured that there was no way I could make it to class in time….decided to try anyway. I’ve gotten in a funk recently where I over-think things….and figured this was one of those times. There is a lot to be said for doing instead of thinking.

Turns out I arrived at class about 20 minutes early! My superhuman memory had failed once again. Class started at 9:30 not 9:15

I was pretty dehydrated going into class, having had a late night with friends, but figured it wouldn’t be that challenging anyway. It was noted as a “Level 2″ class….which caters to intermediate students. Level 3 classes tend to really knock your socks off.

I was terribly mistaken.

This was definitely among the top 5 hardest classes I’ve ever taken. Our awesome teacher, Peter, has a knack for holding poses a bit <ok…a LOT> longer than usual, to let us really appreciate them! He also throws in some unique poses here and there to deepen out practice.

I took child’s pose several times throughout the class (basically, laying on the ground with my head between my knees praying for class to end) and could barely stand by the end. I was totally knocked out.
In retrospect, the class shouldn’t have been that hard, but I was definitely not ready for it. Or at least, I was ready for something different, and this one threw me for a loop. Yet another lesson that sometimes it’s best not to have any expectations.

It’s long, but be sure to watch through to the end.

No matter how bad things appear to be, all is not lost. Never give up.

(photo from onewaystreet.) 

It struck me this afternoon, sitting on the lawn at the sculpture park, that eliminating fear completely from your life requires only simple commitment: live completely in the present.

Fear and absolute awareness of the present moment cannot coexist.

Think of something that makes you anxious or fearful. Dwell on it for a few moments. Now, bring yourself back to a complete awareness of the present, by focusing on your breathing, your physical body and your current environmental conditions. You’ll notice that the fear will no longer be present.

Fear thrives in the presence of past and future thoughts. It is grounded in an assumption of something turning out (or having turned out) unfavorably. With present awareness, you just see things as they are (which is actually quite joyful). Fear has no place to drop anchor….and completely dissolves.

Hit up Bumbershoot today. Saw a bunch of new bands and better-known artists Joss Stone and John Legend. Tonight I’ll see Lupe Fiasco and Wu Tang Clan!

This morning I wasn’t up for going, but went anyway. Glad I did. There was a lot going on, plenty of Vegan options at the food stalls (I love Ethiopian food!), cool street performers and plenty of big-name and lesser known bands.

I was telling someone yesterday how I never regret taking action when I have the option to either do something or not. Glad I took my own advice!