Thursday, October 15, 2015
Get out of your mind, Dazed, Own
These practices don't really feel like they're cohesive at all. Sometimes they have been lately, but these are all over the place. That's the beauty of daily practice, though I guess.
10/14 7:45pm power w/Thang
Get out of your mind! In everything there is a season, right - all is made good in its time? In any event, that's how I approach my practice. I am not afraid to skip a class. I'm not afraid to back off. I think there are reasons to listen to yourself when you're tired or sore, or potentially injured. But I also think there's a time when your body needs to move and your mind is trying to convince you otherwise. We're good at making excuses and sugar coating them. But we're not always awesome at pushing ourselves.
Tonight, I thought about skipping Thang's class, but I know I've never regretted going, and I know I can always child's pose it at any time. And it ended up being an incredibly strong, contented practice for me. I stopped thinking and started doing. Sometimes it really is that easy. God blesses obedience, and tunnel vision on His kingdom. We don't have to hem and haw about the details - get moving, and He'll show you the way.
This throwback inspired my practice tonight:
10/14 9pm yin w/Devyn
Dazed. Remember how I've told you not every practice is exciting or invigorating or revealing of some great truth? Yeah, that was tonight. I felt myself super out of it - not asleep, but not present or connected either. I didn't feel a lot in the postures we held and class's end surprised me. So chalk it up to another desert kind of day. Maybe the benefits will manifest themselves in a way I can't see right now.
10/14 7:45pm power w/Thang
Get out of your mind! In everything there is a season, right - all is made good in its time? In any event, that's how I approach my practice. I am not afraid to skip a class. I'm not afraid to back off. I think there are reasons to listen to yourself when you're tired or sore, or potentially injured. But I also think there's a time when your body needs to move and your mind is trying to convince you otherwise. We're good at making excuses and sugar coating them. But we're not always awesome at pushing ourselves.
Tonight, I thought about skipping Thang's class, but I know I've never regretted going, and I know I can always child's pose it at any time. And it ended up being an incredibly strong, contented practice for me. I stopped thinking and started doing. Sometimes it really is that easy. God blesses obedience, and tunnel vision on His kingdom. We don't have to hem and haw about the details - get moving, and He'll show you the way.
This throwback inspired my practice tonight:
Dazed. Remember how I've told you not every practice is exciting or invigorating or revealing of some great truth? Yeah, that was tonight. I felt myself super out of it - not asleep, but not present or connected either. I didn't feel a lot in the postures we held and class's end surprised me. So chalk it up to another desert kind of day. Maybe the benefits will manifest themselves in a way I can't see right now.
the Saved… what happens to them is best described as the opposite of a mirage. What seemed, when they entered it, to be the vale of misery turns out, when they look back, to have been a well; and where present experience saw only salt deserts, memory truthfully records that the pools were full of water. C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce
10/15 noon power with Devyn
Own it. I really liked something Devyn did today. We did sun salutation B, but we held each posture for five of our own breaths. We actually had to zero in on what was happening in each moment. We had to stay when it wasn't comfortable. We had the opportunity to observe not only what was happening with ou rbodies, but our heads as well. Mentally, where do you go when things get hard? I must be a masochist, because I started going slower, to the point where I was holding low push up (on one leg!) for nearly a minute because my breaths were so long. I own that, though, and I can rest in the fact that that's who I am right now. I also own my faith. Jesus saves sinners like me, and I'm not afraid to say that because I am so tuned into that truth that it's the most important thing in the world to me. When you believe in something that strongly, nothing can shake you. If you borrow something, you'll find yourself lost when it's taken away. But if you own it, it's yours forever
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Restore, Balance
Here are two short ones for you today.
10/14 6am power w/Teddy
Restore. I am probably an insane person for even thinking this, but even hot power yoga can be such a restorative place. Even though it does work your physical body, I don't think of it as a "workout" or "exercise" necessarily. To me, it's more of a return to wholeness, a rest. I especially like the 6ams for this; I feel like I'm waking up to myself as I should be. Awhile ago, I read Gospel Wakefulness, and it was about this same idea: mercies are new every morning - it's on us to become aware of them.
10/14 noon power w/Elvis
Balance. You'd think after years of balance beam, balancing postures would be nothing. But they take focus and engagement every time. I like the challenge of them, though, because if you take yourself out of the present, you totally lose it. Tree, eagle, warrior 3 - they're all beautiful ways to check in with yourself.
let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
10/14 6am power w/Teddy
Restore. I am probably an insane person for even thinking this, but even hot power yoga can be such a restorative place. Even though it does work your physical body, I don't think of it as a "workout" or "exercise" necessarily. To me, it's more of a return to wholeness, a rest. I especially like the 6ams for this; I feel like I'm waking up to myself as I should be. Awhile ago, I read Gospel Wakefulness, and it was about this same idea: mercies are new every morning - it's on us to become aware of them.
10/14 noon power w/Elvis
Balance. You'd think after years of balance beam, balancing postures would be nothing. But they take focus and engagement every time. I like the challenge of them, though, because if you take yourself out of the present, you totally lose it. Tree, eagle, warrior 3 - they're all beautiful ways to check in with yourself.
let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
In case you were wondering, yes, I do have an assistant.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Savor, Remember, Misty Mornings, Fly
This is going to be a mixed bag. Some serious, some light. Take it all in stride, right?
10/12 7:45pm power w/Elvis
Savor. Right before class, a girl I've never coached or even met told me what an encouragement I am to her in the gym. As a coach, I can get so caught up on the details and logistics, that I can forget that I'm doing a really cool, special thing. In class tonight, I took the time to celebrate and enjoy what it means to be an influencer. Jesus, the light of the world, calls us as His disciples to be His lights in our world. We are to be children of the day, and glorify Him in the process. It's a humbling thing when you realize what this means and watch it start playing out.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12
10/12 9pm yin w/Devyn
Remember. Tonight, I was particularly open, in a way that made me cautious. That being said, it also put me in an especially vulnerable place. For whatever reason, as I sat in my fourth class of the day, I remembered back to a few months ago, when I realized that when I was in class, on my mat, all my ED thoughts just stopped. I was able to be still and meditate on God's faithfulness, His truth, His trustworthiness, His grace, His light, His greatness, His satisfaction. That's the whole reason I started taking class more than once a day - because Jesus met me on my mat, and it was there He chose to loose my chains and set this captive free. It's now been just about two months since I've had an ED thought or behavior. I am finally starting to believe that I can be free of him FOREVER. And that's the most precious thing in the world to me, to know that when the Son of man sets me free, I am free indeed (John 8:38). And although I pray that ED and I are done for good, I also pray that I never forget what it was like to be enslaved. Because remembering my deep captivity reminds me of the even greater Savior who rescued me.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering - bound in chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for if we have died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us, but if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:8-13
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-7
he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die Psalm 102:19-20
10/13 6am power w/Elvis
Misty mornings. I love Elvis, but on some level, I did miss Morgan today. I just like the variety. That being said, it was still a great class, and my body feels better than I expected after not sleeping all night. I had the perfect walking to yoga weather - 55 and misting, the smell of rain permeating the October sky. At the end of class, Elvis encouraged each of us to finish this year well. I had a really hard year. Some parts were downright awful. But as the sounds of gentle rain floated down, I believed that all things can be made new. Christ is for me right now, not later. In this moment, He is here. He is for me, for my good, and for the sake of His glorious name. In Him I have been made new.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
10/13 Noon power w/Elvis
Fly. Class has been zooming by lately. I feel as though I'm there for 10-15 minutes, and we've already slowed it all down. Maybe I'm getting stronger. I would believe that. I've noticed lately that my crow feels better - lighter - like an actual bird in flight instead of just hovering right over the ground.
And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" Psalm 55:6
10/12 7:45pm power w/Elvis
Savor. Right before class, a girl I've never coached or even met told me what an encouragement I am to her in the gym. As a coach, I can get so caught up on the details and logistics, that I can forget that I'm doing a really cool, special thing. In class tonight, I took the time to celebrate and enjoy what it means to be an influencer. Jesus, the light of the world, calls us as His disciples to be His lights in our world. We are to be children of the day, and glorify Him in the process. It's a humbling thing when you realize what this means and watch it start playing out.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12
Remember. Tonight, I was particularly open, in a way that made me cautious. That being said, it also put me in an especially vulnerable place. For whatever reason, as I sat in my fourth class of the day, I remembered back to a few months ago, when I realized that when I was in class, on my mat, all my ED thoughts just stopped. I was able to be still and meditate on God's faithfulness, His truth, His trustworthiness, His grace, His light, His greatness, His satisfaction. That's the whole reason I started taking class more than once a day - because Jesus met me on my mat, and it was there He chose to loose my chains and set this captive free. It's now been just about two months since I've had an ED thought or behavior. I am finally starting to believe that I can be free of him FOREVER. And that's the most precious thing in the world to me, to know that when the Son of man sets me free, I am free indeed (John 8:38). And although I pray that ED and I are done for good, I also pray that I never forget what it was like to be enslaved. Because remembering my deep captivity reminds me of the even greater Savior who rescued me.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering - bound in chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for if we have died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us, but if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:8-13
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-7
he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die Psalm 102:19-20
Misty mornings. I love Elvis, but on some level, I did miss Morgan today. I just like the variety. That being said, it was still a great class, and my body feels better than I expected after not sleeping all night. I had the perfect walking to yoga weather - 55 and misting, the smell of rain permeating the October sky. At the end of class, Elvis encouraged each of us to finish this year well. I had a really hard year. Some parts were downright awful. But as the sounds of gentle rain floated down, I believed that all things can be made new. Christ is for me right now, not later. In this moment, He is here. He is for me, for my good, and for the sake of His glorious name. In Him I have been made new.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
10/13 Noon power w/Elvis
Fly. Class has been zooming by lately. I feel as though I'm there for 10-15 minutes, and we've already slowed it all down. Maybe I'm getting stronger. I would believe that. I've noticed lately that my crow feels better - lighter - like an actual bird in flight instead of just hovering right over the ground.
And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" Psalm 55:6
Monday, October 12, 2015
Yoga at yoga
I got to class and realized I still hadn't done my handstand. No time like the present, right?
Engage, Give
10/12 6am power w/Elvis
Engage. I love starting off with core. It get me balanced and set for practice right away. Really, your core should be engaged the entire time. Core brings warmth and depth. It's a fundamental. It's the same reason, really, why I have "remember Jesus" on my forearm. If you lead a Bible study, sing in the church, serve the homeless and mentor youth but forget the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, your faith isn't alive as it looks. Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian life. Forget Him, and watch the kingdom you've built for yourself crumble.
10/12 noon power w/Devyn
Give. Today, Devyn had some sad news right before class. As an instructor, you want to give your best to your class, and sometimes it's really really hard. You'd rather be anywhere else. But you have to do what you have to do. Elizabeth likes to say, "If you can't get out of it, get into it." Class today was even sweeter to me knowing that it came from a raw place in Devyn. When you give yourself like that, people respond. And you might find that you've received even more than what you gave.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39
Engage. I love starting off with core. It get me balanced and set for practice right away. Really, your core should be engaged the entire time. Core brings warmth and depth. It's a fundamental. It's the same reason, really, why I have "remember Jesus" on my forearm. If you lead a Bible study, sing in the church, serve the homeless and mentor youth but forget the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, your faith isn't alive as it looks. Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian life. Forget Him, and watch the kingdom you've built for yourself crumble.
10/12 noon power w/Devyn
Give. Today, Devyn had some sad news right before class. As an instructor, you want to give your best to your class, and sometimes it's really really hard. You'd rather be anywhere else. But you have to do what you have to do. Elizabeth likes to say, "If you can't get out of it, get into it." Class today was even sweeter to me knowing that it came from a raw place in Devyn. When you give yourself like that, people respond. And you might find that you've received even more than what you gave.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39
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