I’ve gotten into a pretty nice groove here in Mallorca with a strong sense of comfort in myself and feeling supported by the community here to keep up the work I do. The last week saw some really positive and important work and also some periods of solitude and low energy.
Two weeks ago (from today, Sept. 30) was the Full Moon and I taught a class that was all about harvesting the intentions and efforts we have been putting forth over the summer. For me, it felt like seeds of personal development in gaining more and more comfort as who I am and also using my teaching as a way to connect community and people to a greater vision. Then over the week, the wether changed and things got fairly low energy and insular for me. It was fine, although I find I am really good at wasting time with my computer doing many little things when I have a few very large projects I am waiting to start. But the rain and colder weather made me feel ‘OK” just doddling around facebook, checking up on friends, etc. Then over last weekend, we had the Global Mala and I organized 2 events ‘on the fly’ and was very impressed and inspired by the students who came and the intentions we set.
Global Mala is a Yoga event begun by Shiva Rea a few years back to coincide with UN World Peace Day. It is a way for yoga practitioners all over the world to connect to a vision and purpose and dedicate some form of Sadhana to it. The number 108 has special meaning in Yogic philosophy (I looked in Wikipedia and other internet sources and found some cool stuff) and the Global Mala was a way for students to do ‘anything’ yogic for 108 times….There is a yogic ritual of 108 sun salutations that many schools organized and this is what I chose as well. So through only work of mouth and a few emails, the community here rallied to make a Mallorca Event and we had about 12 students on a HOT beach day practicing 108 sun salutes. The ritual itself is truly inspiring. The movements of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salute) are very dynamic and get energy moving and 108 times of it was pretty potent. We did 4 rounds of 27 each, each bringing an intention of peace. First for yourself, second for family and friends, third for all humans, fourth for all beings. We were dripping sweat, watched by LOTS of curious tourists who had no idea what the heck we were doing (even though I posted a sign!) and full of devotion for 1 1/2 hours. I really felt proud of the people who came and participated and also felt a great connection as a leader and focal point for a growing community here. After the 108, we gathered in a circle and collectively sent our vibrations out to the universe….some of this more ‘esoteric’ work is very new and a bit edgy for some of the students, but after 108 sun slates, they were right in it! It was really sweet. I posted photos here: http://www.findbalance.net/about/photos/
Then in the evening, I organized my first Kirtan here on the island. Again, I was super surprised and thrilled about the turnout, about 20 people!!!! Many of them had never chanted before and took to it fairly quickly, even though I did not have the words for them to sing… The call and response style worked great and I was very happy to come back to chanting in this way as it truly is part of my deeper practice. The Kirtan was so successful and made such an impact, I will try and organize them every 2 weeks….for free…for people to find their voice and sing to god! I was also musically accompanied by my (self described) conscious eccentric friend Shanti they Violin Bowmaker. He came with his electric violin and added a great vibration to the sound of the music.
Then during the week, there was a YogaWorks teacher training happening here at YogaYou and they morning classes were cancelled. I teach 3 of them and there was no alternative for the students so I decided to invite them to practice with me on the beach by my house for free. Sadly, the first day of the classes, the rain came and only 1 student showed up. It was one of those moments when I would really really really have prefered to 0 students come instead of 1 or 2….but she was there, in the rain…and I was there as well. We both decided to stick it out since we were there and ended up having a nice practice together. This is something I teach a lot in teacher training courses is when that situation arises, you must become the BEST teacher for whatever student is there to learn something from you…and also what can you learn from this student as well. For me, I learned that I have a dedicated student, that I still (even after 8 years of teaching) relate success to class size (which is bullshit!) and finally that I really LOVE yoga on the beach! Tuesday, the weather was better and I had 7 students and Thursday, a beautiful day after 2 days of rain, there were 13 students to make yoga on the beach. It was really special as we were at a tourist beach and I gather that many of the yogi’s would have never come to that place unless there was a good reason….but they did! And it was sweet. Then, my evening classes at the studio were off the hook! 23 – 28 students almost every class and lots of positive energy happening in the yoga room. It’s so nice to see the transformation happening and to be in the middle of it as well.
A few random highlights of the weeks:
-There was an Art in the Street night that happened….thousands of people in the streets of Palma celebration art. I’ve taught some interesting private sessions and have been pretty steady with keeping fresh ftruits and veggie around to eat.
-I’ve been watching some interesting and funny things on YouTube….lots of Sarah Palin stuff, but I’m also very curious about Joe Biden. As you know, I prefer to put my attention on things I appreciate and want and I’m certain that I want him to be the vice president. I’m going to do some research to find out some more and keep my attention off her!
-Just started a book called ‘Our Immoral Soul’ but some Rabbi….pretty interesting ideas about our biological bodies being moral and following our ‘commandment’ to be prosperous and multiply while our soul is leaning in to the edges of our morals and breaking our values with God….I just started but enjoy this kind of stuff.
-Any of you in the Bay Area looking for a potent weekend, check out this:
http://www.openhere.me/Home.html The Yoga teacher is a friend of mine and the ‘transformation coach’ is an all star. I think it’s a great concept and if you have the slightest interest, check it out!
-Two Dutch students made a book of our Yoga and Hiking Retreat in the Alps…it arrived a few days ago and I have looked at the photos 10 times already!
-My Bulgarian housecleaner comes tomorrow and I feel that I have to ‘prepare’ for her by putting things where I want them and telling her not to touch….some control issues are here!
-There are some big changes at the YogaYou school….and looks like I will not be coming back to Mallorca after Brasil for part II of this residency. Some relief is here! And curious where/what I want to do?!?! Me things Holland or other parts of Europe….then a part of my heart called for Mom and Dad time in North Carolina….need to think about what’s best.
This weekend, I was invited to a student’s house for sushi dinner and was completely blown away. An architect by trade, his house was a spacious and modern massive house looking over the city of Palma….lots of black and white and what I would call chicky chicky style! And his hosting was truly amazing as he prepared lots and lots of maki rolls and served a group of 5 of us perfectly. Matched with a homemade Tiramisu, it was a meal of great magnitude. It was a great night and memorable to just mention here so when I re-read my blog at age 60, I’ll have nice memories!
Today….is new Moon and the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year (based on the lunar calendar). I remember back in my youth we would always go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanna…and now will teach Yoga class. It’s like my modern day shul (Jewish jargon for temple) and I do feel a slight rebinnical nature to my teaching! Maybe I’ll put on the yarmulke tonight?!?! But I do intend to share some apples and honey with the students as this is the traditional food of this holiday, to make a sweet year! It is a time of reviewing the past year to find areas of celebration and areas for growth. I’ll reflect on them and get back to you.
There is LOTS of construction happening near me. I am in a fairly small tourist village called Cala Major and within earshot, there are 5 projects going on….including the one RIGHT above my head….Ahhhh….Calgon take me away…. So with that….I bid you farewell and send my love.
