I am present to this moment. The sound of the flames, wind running through them. The smell of the oil as it burns. The way the heat is near: present danger, held close.
I know my place. Calm, listening to the sound of my own heart beating, feeling the energy moving through me.
I'm ready to move.
Finding the rhythm within: a glowing not wholly unlike this fire that surrounds me. Circling a dance of breath and flame, moving the hoop faster.
Every exhale a release.
I feel as though a spark has been lit.
I could stay here forever, dancing in the middle of the night, being watched by friends, meditating in this moment. No fear or insecurity, no conscious responsibility to be a certain way, no distractions.
I am simple elemental movement. I am my own flame.
I keep reading about ones where people gather in mass to do yoga or meditation as a way of promoting peace. I'd love to get involved in one, or maybe even organize one.
I love the way yoga brings people together to change the world for the better. Practicing in public generates so much positive energy, don't you think?
Yesterday I taught a little workshop at my old dorm from Northwestern, and I looked around the room and saw all the butts in the air, and I just couldn't help cracking up.
"Grab the outsides of your feet," I said, laughing to myself. "Pull your knees down, and just pretend you're like a baby about to stick one foot in your mouth."
I got a few chuckles out of this, and even more when I mentioned a line from a teacher I heard a long time ago:
"We're doing happy baby pose. AKA having a baby pose."
The smallest, most insignificant moments can bring feelings of pure joy. I find myself grateful for the simple things lately: the chance to sleep in, the color of cream poured into coffee, sunlight coming in the window in the afternoon.
I believe you are most beautiful when you can appreciate the moment.
Today my yoga consists of hugging him for longer because I know he's had a hard day. I'm practicing yoga as I high-five her, smiling, glad she's my friend.
If you have tattoos (especially ones related to your yoga journey), or if you're a tattoo artist interested in promoting your work, please consider emailing me a photo and description of your ink. I'll share your art with the world via Alive in the Fire.
Today I dedicate my yoga practice to the family and friends of Harsha, a Northwestern student who passed away. May you find peace and surrender in knowing he is in a better place. I am sending you love and light as you mourn this loss.
May you turn to positive sources of encouragement during this time. The yoga studios here have open doors. Come practice. Be surrounded by the compassion and strength of others.
To any of those grieving who would like support or some free yoga, feel free to contact me in a comment below (or email aliveinthefire at gmail dot com). You aren't alone in your sorrow.
I did not know him, but somehow I believe Harsha would have enjoyed this passage. I post it now in dedication to his memory:
“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing? (136-137)”
― Swami Satchidananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Om shanti, shanti shanti ... peace to you, Harsha. Shine on.
Photos of me by Cara Brostrom. Other photos and yoga bottoms I'm wearing by American Flora.
When you practice yoga, being comfortable is key...and that is determined in part by what you're wearing. I recently fell in love with one of my absolute favorite pairs of yoga pants, which also serve as perfect bottoms for hip hop class: American Flora Iris cropped pants.
Yogis, dancers, beautiful people -- I can't say this loud enough: American Flora rocks!
I love that the pants are not full-length. That means they're perfect for a hot vinyasa flow or Bikram class when I don't feel like wearing short shorts. Plus they don't ride up during postures, and they're fashionable enough to wear under a skirt, too.
They're one of the most versatile bottoms I have because I use them for hula hooping and biking, too. Now that's the kind of yoga wear that I can get behind: fully functional, fun-to-wear, and comfy before, during, and after class. (And the company is green!)
If you're in the mood for some new athletic wear, I highly recommend checking out American Flora. They market to dancers, mostly, but their stuff is beautiful and works well for keeping cool during any workout.
This poem is inspired by the Philosophy of Yoga course I'm taking at Dharma Yoga Evanston. Thank you, fellow yogis, for inspiring grace and gratitude in me. Thank you for encouraging me to lose the ego. (And special thanks to Grant and Luna for hosting such a thought-provoking class! It's certainly accelerating my practice to new places.)
When you do a yoga pose, you're not only exerting effort. You're also relaxing. Next time you try a strenuous posture, think about what muscles you can relax. Are you trying to do the pose with your face? Are your shoulders creeping toward your ears? Let go. Trust what your body is saying to you. You're free; just breathe.
Today I bring you a guest post from Amelia Wood... who, like me, has caught on to the hula hooping craze. :)
It’s a Medical Miracle! Hula Hooping is Good For Your Health
A 2011 study by WebMD researchers found that hula hooping with a weighted hoop is just as effective as boot camp and step aerobics. Yes, that's right: Hula hooping is not just for kids, and I couldn’t be happier to hear this news!
The study, which recruited 16 women between the ages of 16 and 59, asked participants to learn a 30-minute aerobic routine using a weighted hula hoop. The routine involved twirling the hoop around the waist, arms and legs.
Wearing portable oxygen analyzers and heart rate monitors, the participants’ exertion rates were recorded as they performed the aerobic routine, and the results were startling. With an average heart rate of 151 beats per minute and an average oxygen consumption amount of 20 milliliters per kilogram per minute, hula hooping was shown to burn about 210 calories every half hour. That’s about the same as my morning jog!
Like me, a lot of adults just don’t have the guts to bust out their hula hooping skills in the middle of a public space. But if we listen to our inner child (and consider the health benefits), it's easier to let go of our egos and try some hooping...
I can see myself now; nonchalantly walking toward the lonely hoop in the corner, waiting for a moment when no one is watching, slowly lifting it over my head before breaking into an all-out hooping frenzy. I’m sure everyone in the gym would turn their heads to see the performance... but really, who cares? It’s like my mom always told me; they’re only staring because they wish they could do the same.
As for hooping; if you can dream it, you can do it. Take for instance Houston, Texas-based Hoopnotica hoopdance instructor, Kristen Tucker. Kristen recently returned from a photography tour of Mongolia, where she was photographed hooping in the Gobi Desert. You can view her photos at HoopyThoughts.com. They’re quite beautiful and moving.
You see; hula hooping is not only good for your body, it’s good for your soul. Have you ever noticed that you just can’t help but smile when you twirl a hoop around your waist? There’s just something about the circular motion that puts you at ease. It’s freeing and natural. You can almost hear your hip joints saying, “Thank you!”
Break free from your hula hooping misconceptions! It’s not just an activity for the young; it’s a fun exercise that will make you young at heart. Namaste.
Amelia Wood is a freelance blogger who enjoys writing about issues related to health care and fitness. In addition to sharing information about personal wellness, Amelia also works to disseminate valuable health care career information for readers interested in working in the medical billing and coding field.
Please direct any questions or comments to Amelia1612 at gmail.com.
Alive in the Fire
Alive in the Fire is a blog inspired by practicing yoga mindfully, teaching from the heart, giving hugs, and living a badass life.
Alive in the Fire is a blog inspired by practicing yoga mindfully, teaching from the heart, giving hugs, and living a badass life.
