photograph "flower power" © J. Merideth 2010
- J. Merideth
rediscovering inspiration
It is not uncommon for people to stop yoga or look for a new teacher as their interest wanes. Obviously there is nothing inherently wrong with this approach. However, it is possible to rekindle your enthusiasm for your daily practice by asking a few simple questions.
- What excited me about yoga to begin with?
- When did I get too comfortable and lose my focus?
- Do I practice yoga to soothe myself or to purify myself?
Doing the work necessary to stay inspired with a daily ritual like yoga usually means that we need to work on changing our approach and allowing ourselves to be uncomfortable again. I say again, because most of us experienced periods of discomfort and resistance as new students. Challenging ourselves to be uncomfortable pushes us to stay alert and engaged in the process. The discomfort doesn’t need to be extreme, in fact, it can be as simple as trying a new class, revisiting the basics in an intro class or jumping into that level 3 practice on Saturday morning. If we only do what we’re comfortable with, then we are never pushing ourselves to grow beyond our current energy state, and what is the result? Boredom.
Another effective tool is setting goals. All too often we fall into the trap of feeling like we have done it before, so how could it be different this time around? Even though we know that every day is different and every practice has its unique challenges, we still get lulled by the day-in, day-out repetition of a regular practice. Maybe instead of being content to stay in our backbend for five breaths, we set our sights on staying up for 30 or 40 or 60. Perhaps it is learning how to take the shape of a new posture or be still in a longer meditation. Whatever the challenge, goals can help us refocus and rediscover lost enthusiasm and interest.
Finally we need to make space for balance in our practice. This is something I learned very early in my life as a swimmer. Both the body and mind respond with renewed vigor to variation. In other words, if we only engage in vigorous yoga practices we may not be giving ourselves the opportunity to experience the equally important equanimity that can emerge from long periods of stillness in seated meditation. Balance is essential to maintaining a longterm practice and without it we can easily become to attached to a single approach. By balancing motion with stillness in the larger context of our overall practice we double or triple our opportunity for finding a fresh, invigorating perspective.
Staying engaged in anything over the longterm takes effort. The question we all need to ask is how much are we willing to commit to ourselves, our personal power and our inner wellbeing. Yoga is about tuning into the deepest core elements of our psyche over a lifetime. We never arrive at our destination; we are always seekers on the path. The challenge is to remain hungry and to continue to seek out those opportunities for greater self-awareness both on and off the mat.
Go in peace!
John Merideth
for more articles read john's blog
Summer Schedule • July - September
Evening classes begin at 5, 6 & 7:30pm.
For the most up to date class and eVent information, visit the schedule page.
Quarterly Specials
16 Classes $168 - Regularly $198 - Save $30
50 Classes $499
Summer holiday schedule
Independence Holiday
JULY
Friday 2nd - NO CLASSES
Saturday 3rd Regular Schedule
Sunday 4th 10 - 11:30am Regular Schedule
Monday 5th 6-7:30pm All Levels
Labor Day Holiday
SEPTEMBER
Friday 3rd - NO CLASSES
Saturday 4th - 10am - All Levels
Sunday 5th - 10am OY Sunday Flow & Hip Opening
Monday 6th - NO CLASSES
Parking Update...
Meters are now only enforced M-F 7am - 7pm, After 12 on Saturday, & Never Sunday or holidays. The city of Atlanta is again reviewing parking for various parts of Atlanta and the hours for meters will likely change again. We will keep you updated.
Upcoming events and activities
108 Sun Salutations
Date: Monday September 27th Time: 6 - 7pm
Cost: Free unlimited - $10 Dop-In
register now
Bryan Kest Master Class
Date: Tuesday March 22nd, 2011
Time 6 - 9:30pm
Cost: Early Registration before 9/22/10 $65
After 9/22/10 $75
Late Registration after 2/22/11 $85
Day of eVent $95
register now
2010 onlYoga Retreat
Date: October 16th - 19th 2010
register now
Metaphor Of Trancendence
The Foundation - Muladhara & Swadhisthana
The chakras are symbols in an ancient metaphorical language. Their meaning pertains to the ever evolving consciousness as it travels from one frequency to another. The wheel, the spiral, the flow of energy from one state to the next, the symbols of the chakras innervate the subtle body and bring about union with the universe at large. In this workshop we will explore the shape, sound and texture of the first two psychospiritual "organs" - Muladhara root, red, earth, stillness & Swadhisthana emotion, sexuality, reproduction. This workshop is the first in a series of four exploring the chakras through metaphor, movement, visualization and guided meditation.
Date: Sunday August 15th
Time: 10 - 12am
Cost: $25, $10 Unlimited
Instructor: John Merideth
Everyone is welcome register now
min 8 - max 20
drunken lavender lemonade
ingredients
1 cup fresh lavender flowers - bright purple flowers that haven’t bloomed yet are best.
.5 cup fresh lemon balm leaves
2 cup sugar (can substitute stevia powder)
4 cup water
4 lemons
2 cups sparkling water
1 bottle sparkling white wine (Lambrusco or Prosecco work well)
preparation
Lavender Syrup: In a large pot bring the water and sugar to a boil. Add the lavender and lemon balm and stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from burner and allow to cool. Once the syrup has cooled poor the contents into a jar and refrigerate covered for 3 days. Don’t over boil the sugar or the syrup will be too thick.
Lavender Lemonade: Place a fine mesh strainer above a large glass pitcher. Poor the lavender syrup into the pitcher through the strainer. Dispose of the remaining leaves. Wash the lemons well. Slice three of the lemons into quarters and squeeze the juice into the pitcher through the strainer. Cut the remaining lemon in half and remove all seeds. Slice the lemon into thin (about an 8th of an inch thick) circular slices and place in the pitcher - setting aside a few slices as garnishes. Add the sparkling water and sparkling white wine and stir well. Poor the lemonade into glasses over ice, place a lemon wedge in each glass and serve. 1 pitcher should make 8 - 10 glasses of lemonade. Enjoy!
a summer mix 2010
A selection of songs from one of dj johnny's Summer 2010 class mixes...
poem
The poetry of earth is never dead:
When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run
From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead;
That is the Grasshopper's--he takes the lead
In summer luxury,--he has never done
With his delights; for when tired out with fun
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
The poetry of earth is ceasing never:
On a lone winter evening, when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever,
And seems to one in drowsiness half lost,
The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.
- John Keats
