Gratitude and Watermelons

Life is full of experiences that compel us to pause for thought. They can be a pleasure to embrace or a challenge to bear, however sometimes it is hard to decide which category they fall into. Last night at the end of a sticky 35 degree day I stumbled into one of the latter moments and discovered that this classification is not so very important as there is wisdom to be found in both kinds of experiences.

After a day spent in the heat of the sun I opened up the refrigerator and was reminded of the huge watermelon I had bought the day before. I gleefully hoisted it out of the refrigerator and commenced making the most wonderful mess of watermelon bits and juice all over the kitchen table. After chopping out a huge pile of half circle slices I sat down in the midst of it all and bit into the middle of one of them. As I was enjoying the sweet, cool, juicy fruit my brother walked into the room and saw me happily crunching, juice running down my chin and smiled at the scene. I suddenly felt bad because my little brother is recovering from a stroke in his brain stem that leaves him unable to swallow. While he is very fortunate that every other part of him is still functioning he is no longer able to eat food.

Watching me eat he was met once again with the constant craving for real food taste and texture. After a few moments of watching he decided to sit and “eat” with me. He placed small pieces of the fruit in his mouth and just enjoyed the flavour and texture, unable to let the fruit go any farther than his taste buds. What ensued was a watermelon experience of taste and texture exploration. Covered in the fruit’s sticky juice we laughed and discussed in great detail the taste, texture and all of the other glorious aspects encompassed in the eating of a watermelon at the end of that hot summer day. We talked about the smell, the crunching sound it makes when you bite in, the way it seems to cool your body and mind by taking over every single sense whether or not you swallow.

As I sat enjoying my watermelon I realized that until this moment in time I had no idea how to really enjoy a watermelon, no idea how to appropriately appreciate the gift of being able to eat a watermelon, and I was simultaneously awed and humbled by the courage and strength of my little brother’s spirit .

The next morning, with this memory fresh in my mind, I took the rest of that watermelon out of the refrigerator with the respect and reverence it deserved. I did not boil the kettle or look for a newspaper to read. Instead I simply prepared my watermelon to be eaten. I listened carefully as the watermelon crisply parted under my knife, smelled the aroma that was released, felt the juice drip on my hands, and looked carefully at the deep red fruit before biting in. I proceeded to experience the moment as it deserved to be experienced with awareness and gratitude to all of those in the long line of planting, nourishing, harvesting, and transporting this fruit to me and most of all to my brave and inspiring little brother who taught me how a watermelon should be eaten.

Written by Bobby Bessey, B.Sc.,RYT, Doula CD (DONA)

Holiday Rush

It's not hard to tell that Christmas is just around the corner. If the pretty snowflakes and colorful decorations didn't help you clue in, the full parking lots and shopping madness would! It seems that over the last week, St. John's holiday shopping has begun in earnest.

If we look on the bright side, we can remember that this surge of energy and excitement is happening with the best of intentions. People looking for gifts to present to their loved ones during a holiday with love, gratitude and joy at its core.

If, however, we're more inclined to hone in on the throngs of people pushing and rushing, the full parking lots and the garish display of materialism, then this "energy" may represent something totally different.

The difference between these two scenarios is, of course, perspective. Each of us has the power to experience holiday excitement in a positive or a negative way. Chances are we will experience moments of both. One minute we'll happily anticipate the Christmas season and another we'll just wish it could all be over.

The practice of yoga can help us to choose a more positive outlook. At the core of yoga philosophy is the concept of unity - the belief that we are all one. Awareness of this union of yourself with those around you can help cultivate a more forgiving attitude. When we think of ourselves as part of a larger "whole" we find that suddenly, small differences aren't quite so important. So, instead of being angry at the woman who just skipped ahead of you in line at the grocery store, you may find yourself wondering why she's in such a rush today. It's not to say that these injustices won't exist anymore - but your reaction to them can change when we step back from the here and now, and look instead at the larger picture, our part of the larger whole.

Another important concept at this time of year is non-attachment. Non attachment is often misunderstood. It does not mean that we should not care about the people or things in our life. It does not refer to a hazy state of uncaring. Instead, non-attachment is about being liberated from the grasp of material goods and the outcome of life situations so that we can achieve a more even state of being. In the Christmas rush, it's easy to get caught up in the "way things should be". When we set out looking for a specific gift item but can't find it we get upset. When we throw a holiday party and things don't go according to plan we feel disappointed. This attachment to outcomes causes pain; it prevents us from experiencing joy in the moment. By being present and letting go of rigid expectations we can reduce our attachments and more freely enjoy the Christmas season.

Of course, the concepts of unity and non-attachment are more easily discussed than implemented. Yogis spend their whole lives trying to incorporate these concepts into their everyday lives. For most of us, we need a few practical tips to deal with the holiday madness. So here are my suggestions:

1. Breathe! Don't let deep, calming breathing be something only practiced during a yoga class. When you get stuck in a busy shopping mall or a long line, draw your attention onto the breath. Feel your inhalations become a little deeper, and your exhalations a little longer. Let all other external thoughts and sensations slip into the background. It only takes a moment or two for this to slow the heart rate and calm your nervous system.

2. Relax! Literally. Check in with your shoulders. Chances are, in a moment of tension, they've crept up to your ears! Relax them. Draw the shoulders back and down as we do in Tadasana or Adho Mukha Svanasana. This targeted movement tells your body and your sympathetic nervous system that the crisis is over; that you can relax again.

3. Set an intention! Before you go out into a potentially high-stress situation, ask yourself why you are going. If you're going to the grocery store to stockpile for a family dinner, your intention could be "I'm going shopping so that I can bring home delicious food to nourish my family". When you get stuck in a long line, come back to this intention and remind yourself of your ultimate purpose. If you can remember the genuine purpose of any action, the obstacles that suddenly get in the way may not seem quite so daunting.

4. Practice yoga! Whether it's a full class with a teacher or a quick 10 minutes in your own home, don't let your yoga practice slip during this busy season. We have all kinds of excuses to keep us from doing what our bodies and minds really need - but if you know that yoga makes you feel good, do everything possible to find a little time for this nourishment. It will serve you well when you most need it. As one of my teachers, Baba Hari Dass, says "if you work on yoga, yoga will work on you".

These are just a few suggestions. Your own yoga practice will help you develop tools to deal with stressful situations and you'll start to see what works best for you. Take notice and take action so that you can move through this holiday season with joy and gratitude.

Namaste
Meaghan

Studio Tour

This will be old news for our regular yogis, but for those of you who have heard of us by email, phone, Facebook, Blogger, etc., etc., (yeah, so, we talk about the studio a lot!) but have never been to visit, here's a little studio tour.

This space was created by our wonderful design and reno team made up of friends and family. It was built by our parents, partners, siblings and friends. We take no credit!

p.s. Photos by the amazingly talented carter.fitzgerald photography

p.p.s Special thanks to the guys at HOME on Water St. for rescuing us in a moment (or two) of studio design despair!

The Prop Corner - outfitted with Halfmoon yoga props. We love this Vancouver company, they keep our bums supported in Sukasana and our bodies warm in Savasana.

Ahhh, the floor, the enviro-friendly paint, the pretty French doors. Ommmmm.

Bright light and a hand-built wooden bench for your pre-class, magazine-reading pleasure.

The change room and an up-close look at our selection of yoga mats.

One long studio shot. This is where all the yoga action happens.

One thing missing in this tour is a shot of the bathroom. Sounds unnecessary, right? Maybe not - I've heard that the Studio has received at least one nomination for Best Bathroom in the Scope's annual Best of St. John's contest. Not too shabby! Maybe we'll get an honorable mention! :)

Thanks for taking the tour! Looking forward to the time when we can show you around in person.

Om shanti
Meaghan

Thanksgiving

This weekend many of us will be crowded around dinner tables, enjoying time with friends and family and of course indulging in lots of delicious food. In the spirit of giving thanks I thought I'd share a list of things I'm thankful for at this moment in time. It's not nearly exhaustive, just a few things that are stuck in my mind right now.

I am thankful for:

- amazing family and friends who have given so much time and energy to our Studio
- the luxury of being invited to (and rsvp-ing to) three Thanksgiving dinners!
- the ability to spend my days doing, discussing, promoting and living yoga
- the fresh clean air in my home city
- my body, which is understandably cranky right now, but still holding up to the new regime of yoga all day, every day
- a beautiful community of people that has come together at our little yoga space, sharing energy and spirit

I'm sure over the next two days I'll think of many more things to be thankful for. Of course, that's the beauty of being appreciative and giving thanks - it's something we can do daily, cultivating gratitude all year long.

Thank you.
Namaste.
Meaghan