My new blog project

So it is coming! Starting January 1 2009 I'll be blogging everyday for 31 days. Mostly about practice, but I am sure so much else will come up. I have been cooking up some changes that I am looking forward to making this year, here is what I have so far.

1. this blog
2. practice 6 days a week
3. longer closing asanas, and longer savasana
4. more vegetables (for Krishna's sake I am a vegetarian!)
5. increase the amount of joy in my life
6. plan to celebrate Guruji's birthday with him this July
There is more to come...come and practice with me at Wake Up this January 1 and celebrate the newness.

Honestly blogging about yoga

When it comes down to talking about practice and preference is it ever kind to be true? I mean what is true for me can't be true for everyone, so (lift your tongue to the third mouth position) what to do? I was chatting about this with Amanda before practice. I hate when others chat before practice, but when there doesn't seem to be a rule about it I lean on chatting. At the Shala in Mysore there are loads of signs that clearly state, "maintain silence." There I have witnessed students giving other students the stink eye for chit chat, or even going so far as shushing each other.

Maybe discipline is the key to freedom?

"maintain silence" = I don't have to chit chat. Even this morning in the middle of practice student A is practicing, student B comes in (like an hour into student A's practice) and feels the need to say, Hi student A, and then she would be rude if she didn't say, Hi student B and so she does.

All in all I made it to my mat, made it through practice maybe tomorrow I'll make it a more silent experience if only internally (unless I make a sign for the Shala in Philly.)

Coming in January

One of my resolutions is based on the title of my friend Tarica's blog. While she was in Mysore, her blog was called 31 days in Mysore. I have decided to pick up that idea right here in Philly. I will document each day in January along with the struggles and joy of what practice means to me for the first 31 days of the new year.

It has been a really tough time for me this holiday season and I am ready to get over myself and turn toward practice, friendship, lots of harmonium Ho-downs!

Sister Shakti

I talk to my big sister everyday. Siblings are so important. My husband is an only child, and really there is no one better to go through life with then someone who has been in the thick of all the family drama with you then your sibling. I understand that an age difference may play a huge part in this connection, but for us, me and my sis we could go all day with the craziness that was and still is our family life. Sometimes it feels like a great game of tennis (which neither of us play) she'll serve her best doozy of a memory, and I'll volley one back. It could go on all day!

I think I spoke to her four times yesterday. She now has a blog (I have added it to the stuff I love list) and I 'll read that in addition to the many daily chats. For me, she is the only one who really gets it. I am not surprised that she is blogging about food, and about weight. Yesterday we spoke about honesty in blogging. When I was away in Mysore I felt really free with the flow of writing but here in Philly where I live and teach I tend to be more careful. I think that one of my '09 resolutions is to be more candid about the yoga community here in Philadelphia and try to distill down what works and what is not working for me in the larger scheme of things.
Yoga is universal, and yet such a personal journey. Yoga is so intimate, and most often in such a public forum.

As always I need to get dressed and get to practice, and then later a little Christmas Eve with my Super Shakti Sister.

My mini yoga pilgrimage to New York was perfect! I went right from the bus to a Mysore practice. Walking along 5th Ave (midtown) was magical. I am not the biggest fan of the holiday season, and this year Mike and I are choosing to buy gifts for Operation Santa versus buying gifts for those so gifted in our lives, but walking past the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center filled me with excitement. I fondly remembered ice skating at the famed location with my sister as teens.

After a practice that was filled, in my opinion with way too much chit-chat I ran to meet Samantha. We ate and gabbed and then went Kirtaning. The crowd was crazy with bliss and while we ashtangi's hang out in the world of restraint it was refreshing even as it was slightly irritating.

Went to sleep and then back to practice. It is no joke the pilgrimage that you need to take to get to Guy's shala, and as promised it was the most silent silence I have ever heard. It was a true Mysore morning with a long breakfast with friends popping in. I left and walked to Ma's house had a great lesson, and then came home. All in all in was really a densely packed trip.

My winter solstice workshop was a sold-out success! If you are interested in the next workshop please register early space is limited and I hate to turn people away. Keep checking jillmanning.com.

Love and Peace

I'm leaving today

I just returned from the Wake Up Yoga TT program retreat. Retreat is really a very bad description for this experience. It reminds me of those corporate jobs that supply everything you could every want or need during the day to insure that no one needs to leave the building and work can be possible all the time. We work the whole weekend. I swear I have no more words to describe yoga, or yogic things. I guess now is the perfect time to get a little Guru love.

I have a really tight schedule this trip

Arrive:
Practice at Yoga Sutra NY (for free!!) 4:45pm
Meet Samantha-Ji AKA Fiona Anew at some yummy vegan eatery
Kirtan at Jivamukti
Back to Sam's house and most likely endless gabbing about Mysore, Yoga, Mysore, Yoga etc....
Bed

Wake Up
Head to Guy's Shala, this is where Sam practices, it will be my first time there
Coffee
Manorama!!
Home

I am bringing my camera this time and hope to take many pictures for the follow up blog about the whole experience.

I am excited to say that My Winter Solstice Retreat has only one spot remaining...if you are interested check out jillmanning.com

I am already hammering out the juice for the drop back workshop (who couldn't use a drop back workshop?) Check it out, and yes! space is limited.

Love. Practice.

I've got the Yoga Blues

Why is practice in Mysore so sweet? It helps to have to not "work." It really helps that everyone all around you is as sore as you are (at least) everyone is sleepy around 7pm, and the community is so large that you can find with relative ease a little sanga to go through it all with. Oh. yeah, and The Teacher. Here in Philadelphia we (and I mean me, or I) lack a Teacher. I know there are many wonderful teachers, I include myself as one of them, but a Teacher is still missing. I look forward to David Keil coming for weeks on end, I mark it on my calendar and count the days. I found with this past visit the sting of his departure was harder than others for me.

I am trying to climb out of the hole that I so enjoyed digging and climbing in. Off to play harmonium with a friend.

Practice First

Last week I forgot the Maha rule...practice first. If you can make the first order of the day practice you will surely succeed. Last week I made sleep first, and put practice all over the place, and ultimately had the worst practice week since July. Practice first.

So, it is now 5:40am I can hear the wind, and have a blanket wrapped around me, but will go out into the December morning and practice. My research has told me the rest of the day will go more smoothly, and then I can go to bed as early as I want.

Weak Week

I have been home from India more than two months, and this was the hardest week yet. It feels like I have been running, organizing, teaching, promoting, studying, practicing on end. This week I have a cold, a sick husband, a bum right big toe, and managed to only practice asana three times. I know, shock and horror all around. I do have the first 7 yoga sutras memorized, and the Sanskrit alphabet in the bag!

Even yoga teachers get the blues. I started feeling glum with the approach of the holiday season. I have never been a big fan of this season, but this year I was ready two weeks ago to pack a bag head to Mexico and not return until January. I love to escape. On top of it all the attacks in India are so confusing and upsetting, both Mike and I who have walked Mumbai's beautiful streets, felt the funk.

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week, and I am practicing and then starting my first day volunteering at the SPCA. I am really excited about the Winter Solstice celebration at Wake Up Yoga two Saturdays from now. Please join me. Check out the events page on jillmanning.com.

OM

will asana for clothes

I consider myself to be a slightly shy person. My family is pretty small, and I grew up with one (older) sister, I feel most comfortable and confident as a number two. I guess if I were a boy I would make a most excellent wing man. I like being the echo. The yoga/lifestyle clothing company Lululemon has just opened their beautiful and epic store on Walnut Street, and I was asked (all local yoga teachers got the call) if I wanted to do yoga in the store for their opening weekend. Normally I would just say no thank you, but in an effort to "do one thing a day that scares you" I thought why not.

It was the weirdest hour of yoga in my life. I did get a nice black top, and a chance to explore my inner exhibitionist. Would I do it again? Like the title of this blog...for sure Lululemon, I will asana for clothes, so call me anytime.

The cutest thing ever

Waking Up

What an incredible two weeks!

Mysore week with David was so great. I am so happy that I have had the courage to work with him for the last three years, and to be unafraid of how high he sets the bar. All you can do is effort to rise to the occasion. It was the best lead up to my 30th birthday. Every morning practice with loads of dedicated students (which can be hard to find in Philly), some good face time with the teacher, and the experience of myself showing up for myself. At the end of the week Mike and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire which made me want to be back in the country I love so much, but at the same time happy to be here.

Information Blast:

I am teaching on Thanksgiving morning at Wake Up Yoga (Fairmount) 9am regularly priced class.

I am also excited about a new class on my schedule (and yes, Adam my website is fully up to date.) I will be teaching a Full (very traditional) Primary Series counted the whole way through. It is important to note that this is NOT a beginners class, but beginners are welcome with the understanding that they will be paused at an appropriate place, and encouraged to begin a Mysore practice. If you have questions about this please email me! yoga@jillmanning.com

I am really excited to teach one final workshop for the year (great things are happening in '09)! Space is limited, and will fill up fast! Register Today.

The Rebirth of the Sun Saturday, December 20, 2008 12pm-3pm Wake Up Yoga2329 Parrish StreetPhiladelphia, PA lindsey@wakeupyoga.com215.235.1228 $50, $45 if enrolled by 12/12/08$40 WUY Teachers, TTs and grads, unlimited card holders if enrolled by 12/12/08
The Earth is actually nearer to the sun in January than it is in June—by three million miles! In this intensive three hour “master class” will explore our ever present internal light source. Through sound (chanting), movement (asana), simple cleansing (kriya) rituals, breath awareness (pranayama), and quiet sitting we will align with the quality of the solstice, as a time that humans have long recognized as a turning point, a day that celebrates the return of the sun.
Our asana theme is designed to shed and spread the light within. The focus will utilize the contemplative and cleansing power of more simple forward bends in combination with more complex and often confusing deep twists. Picking up suggestions from the “great vows” of yoga, the yama’s, and niyama’s, we will weave together the themes of greedlessness (aparigraha), cleanliness (shauca), and contentment (samtosha).
Appropriate for all levels! Leave with...• A better understanding of the relationship of darkness and light• An enlightened perspective in more “advanced twists”• Deeper connection to niyamas, yoga, and yourself!

Natural Breaking Points

Ok, Ok. I cut my trip to NY short. Do I feel guilty about this decision? Absolutely not. I woke on Saturday morning knowing that this was a very natural braking point for me and decided to honor that feeling. After meeting with many a gifted yoga teacher, and wandering around in the rain with way too much stuff on my shoulder. I traveled back into the soft, warm, comfort, of my home.

Because Mike is applying to SVA for grad school I wanted to feel the energy in NY and I wondered how after 8 years of being away I would return.

Observations:

NY and India, very similar

I would bring my practice to Eddie's shala

I couldn't be less interested in style

Jackson Heights, that's the juice!

Yoga teaching, NO...waiting tables, YES

Tomorrow I start a Mysore with the great David Keil, and Saturday is my 30th birthday. This is no small thing.

Reunion

The edict was to look good. Really good! After traversing India from stem to stem, and surviving the only thing left to do was to celebrate. After about a month at home in Philadelphia most of us met at Tina's house, and laughed, drank, and felt at once very far from Mother India, but very close to each other in her wake. The experience is the transformation.

In just two weeks I get to work with my teacher who I have missed very much. A lot is coming up for me this month (including my 30th birthday.) I am pledging to blog more....

Hari OM

Off to practice!!!

Shine On!

How often do you let yourself off the hook?

After a long day yesterday, Mike and I went to a West Philly baby shower. I used to think that I really disliked baby showers, but the West Philly kind I can get behind. Not a gooby or juuby for miles. I did make a practice date for this morning and was up late, ate cake, and drank red wine. Did I let myself off the hook? Absolutely not! I got up, shook it off, and practiced. No drama, no excuses, just practice.

It was a great practice and great energy. New definition for yoga...yoga is not letting yourself off the hook.

I am teaching tonight at 5:3o pm Wake Up Yoga Fairmont!! Come and chant, breathe, and connect before the beginning of the wild work week.

I was just told that the Ashtanga Foundational Workshop is getting full....check the events page and pre-register for what will be a really enlightening experience.

Inspire

I started the week missing India, and Mysore. I was determined not to fall into that grove that goes, "Mysore is the best, and home is the worst." I worked very hard and created many Mysore moments right here in Philadelphia, and I feel so happy.
Thanks to in no small part:
Mariana for practicing with me and then having a long coffee/laugh fest.
Kristina for sharing her home, her fantastic energy, and practice.
Mike for sharing an afternoon cappuccino.
Mary for her knowledge and bhakti.
Tina, oh Tina! for playing music, chanting, practice and just being a yoga nerd.
Brian, extending his talent and taking away some pain.
Sung-Ji, again a coffee date.
...and yes, I practiced 6 times this week, and feel very connected and accomplished. My new Harmonium is coming next week!! I am very happy.

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Chinese Proverb

Vibration In, Vibration Out

This is a picture of my friend and practice partner's alter in her West Philly Shala (her home.) We started practicing once a week since my return and I am so grateful for the breathing room. This week she is going to share a full moon series that she picked up from Ashtanga Yoga teacher Matthew Sweeney.

It has been a rough couple of days for me it feels like the missing Mysore blues have set in. The Philly yoga community is strong and yes, vibrant, but the Ashtanga community feels fractured and very dispersed. The energy is just not there, yet. I just keep plodding along practicing daily, and yes even today grabbing my ankles in back bending.

I went to a sweet Harmonium workshop yesterday afternoon, and raised my voice, pumped my bellows, and still today the blueness.

My friend from Mysore Kim, sent me a message about this she said simply, "Blue, like Krishna!" Yes, precisely.

Bad Lady

I have had so many thoughts swirling around in my head that it has been hard to even think about blogging. I did last week wake very early to meet a friend in her West Philly home for practice and I yelled at her for not writing. I have been home for nearly three weeks, and the swell of emotions can be intense. I am so happy to be reunited with Mike, and to return to so much love. I am so excited about yoga and teaching is going really great. Mike and I worked really hard to put up a new website for me, one that points to the kind of teacher I am. Missing Mysore, the Shala, and the sweet friends that I made there.

I miss India. (the next trip is already in the planning phases)

Lots to blog about..Kirtan Friday, and harmonium workshop. TT is in full swing and that is just incredible for my mind and practice and playing with my edges of what I hold to be true.

I am giving a workshop (October 25th and 26th) on the Foundations of Ashtanga Yoga in Center City and a lovely place, Yoga Squared. All the information can be found on my home page, http://www.jillmanning.com under workshops. It is sure to be enlightening, and no matter what style of yoga you hold dear, will change your practice!
Space is limited so register today.

Hari OM

From Adam

'You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place?Just this; What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. Oneclimbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can on longer see, one can at least still know.'

Rene Daumal

I give myself like a wave

It is 4am in Philadelphia, and in India it is 2pm. My whole body is confused. I woke up in a soft bed with Mike's arms wrapped tightly around me, and for a moment I didn't know where I was. It was kind of a long moment, I turned to Mike and stroked his face, focusing my eyes and then I felt it..I am home.

I would love to be able to write about this experience, but I even had a hard time talking about it last night. So much has happened in the last 9 weeks. Soon I'll have something to say......maybe.

I woke with this poem rolling around in my consciousness. As I sit here and read it in its entirety there are just too many sections that are bringing me meaning, I'll just share a particularly potent one and maybe later more.

As on the shore of the ocean
Paul Valery

To remain sea and not to cede
The power of motion!
Fated to flow back
Rasping, regretfully,
To be reduced, to be restored,
To be transformed into immutable number.

As idea to the body returns,
As thought from the point falls
Where its secret cause,
Having dared and lifted it,
It cannot but return
To the pure and simple presence,
To all things less itself,
Even though not itself,
Itself never for long