I left Philadelphia nearly three months ago. In some ways it feels much longer and in other ways it feels still very near to me. I have been practicing in my little yoga room for nearly three months. I have had some interesting moments on the mat. Little discoveries followed by big pieces of the ever evolving puzzle coming together. Overall practicing alone is very intimate and none of the normal distractions are present to entertain the mind. While I can feel a solo practice is great for the teacher in me and reaffirms that I practice yoga...that is what I do regardless of who's teaching or who's showing up. That said I am REALLY excited to be coming home next week!
Here is the Juice
I'll have my mat rolled out at Corina-ji's 1pm class on Friday November the 6th
If Saturday's aren't the same since I've been gone I am TEACHING a led primary Saturday November the 7th at 10am at Yoga Squared...this is open to all.
There is still space in the workshop at Yoga Squared but space is limited. Check out my website for details:
http://www.jillmanning.com
I am also giving a three hour intensive on Monday November 9th from 6-9pm at the AFC (also check out the website) you must pre-register because space is limited and it is filling up!
I leave for Philly in 5 days and Mysore in two months after all this alone time I am about due!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
I have missed practice the last two Sundays. Like Cyndi I am aiming for 5 practices this week. Here is a photo from practice today (not a self-y).
Friday, October 16, 2009
My Practice Week
pretty much went to the dogs...literally. Angie got very sick this week and needed to go to the vet twice after throwing up nearly every morning somewhere between 4am and 6am. Charlie needed a haircut and that was also an ordeal. So my aim for practice 6 times was once again met with a 3 day practice reality. Which is not to bad for a sick dog, three jobs, and a husband who is busy all the time. Here is a picture from my practice today. Marichyasana D is proof that practice changes everything.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Second Born
Joy says that I should blog everyday. I know that I should but time is a precious commodity and unlike my sister writing is not my favorite thing to do. I enjoy scribbling a thing or two down and connecting with my thoughts via pen and paper, but seriously I am no writer.
I am a mover.
Adam sent me this really great quote today from Andre Gide, "One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." Many of my great quotes have come from some other human through Adam down to me and out my mouth into the yogic universe. One such quote that I think has been misattributed to Manorama (always a good guess) is from someone I can't remember right now, but it goes "don't let your thoughts rob you of your experiences." Adam wrote that down from his mythy mind after attending a yoga class of mine on a yellow piece of scrap paper. I still have that paper stuck in my very favorite yoga book.
Adam is my guru. Shedding light like no one else I know.
The Mysore group was awe inspiring today. This was the beginning of week five and all eight came to their mat even though it was holiday and most of them had off from work. All eight 5 weeks in on a holiday at 7am! The best part of teaching is the shared light experience. Teachers enlighten students and YES! students enlighten and enliven their teachers.
Shine On!
I am a mover.
Adam sent me this really great quote today from Andre Gide, "One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." Many of my great quotes have come from some other human through Adam down to me and out my mouth into the yogic universe. One such quote that I think has been misattributed to Manorama (always a good guess) is from someone I can't remember right now, but it goes "don't let your thoughts rob you of your experiences." Adam wrote that down from his mythy mind after attending a yoga class of mine on a yellow piece of scrap paper. I still have that paper stuck in my very favorite yoga book.
Adam is my guru. Shedding light like no one else I know.
The Mysore group was awe inspiring today. This was the beginning of week five and all eight came to their mat even though it was holiday and most of them had off from work. All eight 5 weeks in on a holiday at 7am! The best part of teaching is the shared light experience. Teachers enlighten students and YES! students enlighten and enliven their teachers.
Shine On!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Back on Track
Week One
People who know me and my practice habits know that I don't practice on Saturday. This is partly a groove that I got into in Mysore and in Philly my Saturdays were teaching days and a natural fit fit for taking rest. I work at risd|works on Saturdays from 10-5 so Saturdays will continue to be a day in which I will not practice. Sunday has always marked the beginning of the new practice week. Sunday is the high Holy day of practice and I miss the coffee chats after a really intense practice. I love schedules. I love to set the bar and challenge myself to rise to the occasion. Here is the bar for the week 10/11 thru 10/17:
Sunday 10/11
It's parents weekend at RISD so I need to work on Sunday too!
Practice time 7am
Monday 10/12
I am free after my morning Mysore and usually practice around 10am.
Practice tie 10am
Tuesday 10/13
Off all day
Practice time 10am
Wednesday 10/14
This is where is gets really hard. I teach my Mysore group from 7am-9am then run to the YMCA to teach from 9:30am-10:30am and then run to risd|works and work from 11am -5:30pm.
Practice time 5:30am
Thursday 10/15 (Liana is here for the Iyengar Conference and staying with me)
Another full day at my "real" job.
Practice tme 7am
Friday 10/16
Maybe a surprise!
Saturday 10/17
TAKE REST
OK I've set my bar and I'll blog about the experience of week one. Let me know how you are finding practice and how practice is finding you.
People who know me and my practice habits know that I don't practice on Saturday. This is partly a groove that I got into in Mysore and in Philly my Saturdays were teaching days and a natural fit fit for taking rest. I work at risd|works on Saturdays from 10-5 so Saturdays will continue to be a day in which I will not practice. Sunday has always marked the beginning of the new practice week. Sunday is the high Holy day of practice and I miss the coffee chats after a really intense practice. I love schedules. I love to set the bar and challenge myself to rise to the occasion. Here is the bar for the week 10/11 thru 10/17:
Sunday 10/11
It's parents weekend at RISD so I need to work on Sunday too!
Practice time 7am
Monday 10/12
I am free after my morning Mysore and usually practice around 10am.
Practice tie 10am
Tuesday 10/13
Off all day
Practice time 10am
Wednesday 10/14
This is where is gets really hard. I teach my Mysore group from 7am-9am then run to the YMCA to teach from 9:30am-10:30am and then run to risd|works and work from 11am -5:30pm.
Practice time 5:30am
Thursday 10/15 (Liana is here for the Iyengar Conference and staying with me)
Another full day at my "real" job.
Practice tme 7am
Friday 10/16
Maybe a surprise!
Saturday 10/17
TAKE REST
OK I've set my bar and I'll blog about the experience of week one. Let me know how you are finding practice and how practice is finding you.
Friday, October 09, 2009
I get it!
Practice is hard. Well not exactly the practice itself, but finding the time to practice is just..hard. I used to think it was difficult to find the time as a full time yoga teacher. Consider this blast an apology to all the full time practitioners out there. You know who you are! The students that roll into a 5:45pm yoga class in their pantyhose and practice.
I have been straddling the line of yoga teacher/Museum employee for about four weeks now, and my practice is struggling. After I write this post I will practice for only the third time this week. I need to get back on a 5 times a week schedule. I need to develop a plan. I think I need to get up earlier because after 8 hours of standing in a cute outfit I can't hit the mat especially on my own.
The good news is that I'll be in Philly for some great practice hours next month and I found a flight to India for less than $1100! I just need to finalize some details and get back to the business of practicing.
I am also giving a workshop that my friend Vanessa Mock has set up. Here is what she has said about it:
Hello All,
I am so excited to announce that the lovely Jill Manning will be presenting a "Twists & Binds" workshop on Monday, November 9th from 6-9 pm right here at The Aquatic & Fitness Center. For those of you who are acquainted with Jill, you know how incredible of a teacher she is. For those of you who are not, DO this workshop and you will not be sorry.
This three hour, ALL LEVELS, workshop will place sharp focus on asanas (postures) that twist and asanas that bind. Employing these qualities, you will understand how twisting postures can produce fluidity especially with a solid bind. You do not need to be able to easily twist into a pretzel to do this workshop. Jill has been teaching for over 10 years and has a vast knowledge of information to accommodate various populations, injuries and limitations.
Space is limited to only 20 participants. I am expecting that it will fill to max capacity within several weeks. To ensure a space either stop by to register or call with payment info. The cost is $45 and worth every penny.
Tell your friends, family and others who may be interested in this wonderful workshop.
OM, Shanti, OM. Love is life:)
Vanessa Mock
Group Fitness/Program Director
Aquatic & Fitness Center, Bala Cynwyd
I have been straddling the line of yoga teacher/Museum employee for about four weeks now, and my practice is struggling. After I write this post I will practice for only the third time this week. I need to get back on a 5 times a week schedule. I need to develop a plan. I think I need to get up earlier because after 8 hours of standing in a cute outfit I can't hit the mat especially on my own.
The good news is that I'll be in Philly for some great practice hours next month and I found a flight to India for less than $1100! I just need to finalize some details and get back to the business of practicing.
I am also giving a workshop that my friend Vanessa Mock has set up. Here is what she has said about it:
Hello All,
I am so excited to announce that the lovely Jill Manning will be presenting a "Twists & Binds" workshop on Monday, November 9th from 6-9 pm right here at The Aquatic & Fitness Center. For those of you who are acquainted with Jill, you know how incredible of a teacher she is. For those of you who are not, DO this workshop and you will not be sorry.
This three hour, ALL LEVELS, workshop will place sharp focus on asanas (postures) that twist and asanas that bind. Employing these qualities, you will understand how twisting postures can produce fluidity especially with a solid bind. You do not need to be able to easily twist into a pretzel to do this workshop. Jill has been teaching for over 10 years and has a vast knowledge of information to accommodate various populations, injuries and limitations.
Space is limited to only 20 participants. I am expecting that it will fill to max capacity within several weeks. To ensure a space either stop by to register or call with payment info. The cost is $45 and worth every penny.
Tell your friends, family and others who may be interested in this wonderful workshop.
OM, Shanti, OM. Love is life:)
Vanessa Mock
Group Fitness/Program Director
Aquatic & Fitness Center, Bala Cynwyd
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Come Fly With Me!
In Philadelphia
Yoga Squared
“Foundation First” with Jill Manning 7-8 November
1pm - 5pm Saturday
12pm - 4pm Sunday
Understanding the Count, Understanding the Method
This course (9 hours) is designed to introduce a deeper relationship to
the Traditional Ashtanga Yoga Method, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of
Mysore, India. In this weekend long workshop we will dive deeply into the
often unseen structure that is the heart of the Method. One of Guruji’s
most repeated teachings is “99% practice 1% theory.” As is the way with
many great thread like teachings there is something that should be
understood. It is not enough to practice, what Guruji is suggesting is
proper practice. The proper understanding and employment of vinyasa
karma, breath pattern, bandha as energy, and drsti as focus.
This workshop will be a collage of practice, and theory filled with some
really informative tips and tricks for making sense of the sequence,
fettering out suggested meaning, and feeling around for the more internal
aspects of this method.
While this workshop is appropriate for all levels it may be most
interesting to those who have a practice and would like to understand more
deeply the design and structure of the tradition.
Wake Up Yoga
ReTurn with Jill Manning
A Winter Solstice Workshop
Wake Up Yoga Fairmount
Saturday, December 19th and Sunday, December 20th
1 - 4 pm
Contribution: $90 for both days; $50 for one day only
This workshop is capped at 20 participants..
In Providence
am very excited to announce the next series for the Mysore program at
Motion Center. At the close of this session there will be a week off. I
am going to teach a workshop in Philadelphia and spend the week practicing
with and assisting my teacher! Classes will resume:
Monday Session November 16th - December 21st (6 weeks) 7am -9am 8 students
only.
Wednesday Session November 18th - December 23rd (6 weeks) 7am -9am 8
students only.
I am then heading to India for my 4th trip to Mysore in January. Classes
will resume in February. Hopefully with an expanded schedule.
If you are interested register early with Motion Center
(http://www.motioncenter.com) and please freely pass the information along
to anyone with interest and always contact me directly with questions.
Yoga Squared
“Foundation First” with Jill Manning 7-8 November
1pm - 5pm Saturday
12pm - 4pm Sunday
Understanding the Count, Understanding the Method
This course (9 hours) is designed to introduce a deeper relationship to
the Traditional Ashtanga Yoga Method, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of
Mysore, India. In this weekend long workshop we will dive deeply into the
often unseen structure that is the heart of the Method. One of Guruji’s
most repeated teachings is “99% practice 1% theory.” As is the way with
many great thread like teachings there is something that should be
understood. It is not enough to practice, what Guruji is suggesting is
proper practice. The proper understanding and employment of vinyasa
karma, breath pattern, bandha as energy, and drsti as focus.
This workshop will be a collage of practice, and theory filled with some
really informative tips and tricks for making sense of the sequence,
fettering out suggested meaning, and feeling around for the more internal
aspects of this method.
While this workshop is appropriate for all levels it may be most
interesting to those who have a practice and would like to understand more
deeply the design and structure of the tradition.
Wake Up Yoga
ReTurn with Jill Manning
A Winter Solstice Workshop
Wake Up Yoga Fairmount
Saturday, December 19th and Sunday, December 20th
1 - 4 pm
Contribution: $90 for both days; $50 for one day only
This workshop is capped at 20 participants..
In Providence
am very excited to announce the next series for the Mysore program at
Motion Center. At the close of this session there will be a week off. I
am going to teach a workshop in Philadelphia and spend the week practicing
with and assisting my teacher! Classes will resume:
Monday Session November 16th - December 21st (6 weeks) 7am -9am 8 students
only.
Wednesday Session November 18th - December 23rd (6 weeks) 7am -9am 8
students only.
I am then heading to India for my 4th trip to Mysore in January. Classes
will resume in February. Hopefully with an expanded schedule.
If you are interested register early with Motion Center
(http://www.motioncenter.com) and please freely pass the information along
to anyone with interest and always contact me directly with questions.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Pilgrimage
According to Wikipedia, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith.
Some journeys I have undertaken with fierce determination. Each journey to India has been a small part of a larger search for significance, for myself. It indeed is an outward expression of great changes that have and continue to occur inside of me. Some journeys have been much more private, less advertised, and felt more deeply to those who share an intimacy with me. Sometimes it feels that allowing yourself to be still the place of significance takes the long journey toward you.
"If you take one step toward the point, the point takes ten steps toward you." Manorama
Mike and I found ourselves on the banks of Walden Pond yesterday. The sky was moody, and the moon would be full later that night. After two months in Providence it was totally worth the wait.
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