Bali Yoga Teacher Training: Day 6: rest, strength, grace, love

It’s amazing what some good sleep can do. I didn’t sleep well the night before and my yoga practice yesterday was like moving through sand. I could barely lift my leg. Today, however, I got a good amount of sleep and I felt strong and way more able to participate in the entire 2.5 hour class. It’s amazing what a day can make! It’s such a good reminder to give ourselves grace and that tomorrow is a new day. Some of the biggest ideas we are discussing here in our Yoga Teacher Training is to enjoy the present moment, be in the right here, right now; notice what is, what we each feel, notice the truth about ourselves and surroundings, but not to let these things ruin us, not to let these feels/truths/etc. dictate how we respond or behave. My yoga practice yesterday is a good example of that: I enjoyed where I was even though my yoga practice wasn’t much to speak of. I took a lot of child’s poses and/or watched our instructor adjust and cue the other students in the the class as I rested. There were a few moments where a lie tried to creep into my head saying I should feel shameful or inadequate because I wasn’t doing what all the other students were and that I wasn’t good enough, but I consciously chose to not believe it. I consciously chose to give myself grace and take breaks and actually make use of that time and learn, instead of pouting in child’s pose the whole time. (Believe me, I have done that in the past, but I have chosen to not be so selfish anymore.) It feels good to be so present, so able to enjoy the right here, right now. It’s good to be here!!

Happy Thanksgiving by the way!! Nothing too out of the ordinary happened here because of the holiday, there are a lot of non USA students here (actually maybe even most are not American even!) But one of the girl’s, Kate, a lovely new friend from England, made cards for a few of us where she actually drew out typical Thanksgiving images. It was so sweet and cute! I got an incredibly cute turkey wearing cowboy boots, SO American! 🙂

I hope you enjoy this video. This is part 1 of the movie “I Am” which we watched last night. It’s a documentary about the director of the movie “Ace Ventura,” among others, and how his life changed after he had a serious injury. Here’s what the Youtube write up says about it: “We have created a world based on the notion that we are all separate. Fundamentally, there is no separation.” What is cool about this movie is that it interviews some 10+ people of all different walks of life, faith, and beliefs, and shows scientifically how we are all literally connected. This movie shows the power of thought, speech, and how we are shaping our future through it; we are not victims to the world going to hell, we are the ones steering the boat. It’s a powerful movie and I hope you enjoy it!

May you enjoy the moments. May you realize that you are stronger than you think you are. May you know when to say no and be confident in that decision. May you experience deep rest. May you know you are loved.

Namaste!