Private Thoughts - Yoga Teacher Trainees Journal Entry 9/26/2010

"Interesting thought that occurred to me today as I was getting ready this morning. I have been hesitating writing the “weekly journal” part of my required Yoga teacher training homework because in the back of my mind I am not sure where I should write. Should I write in my huge spiral journal notebook that I already started journaling in years ago but hardly ever write in? Should I use loose leaf paper so I can put it in my Yoga manual? Should I use a new, thinner spiral notebook that I dedicate to Yoga thoughts and class notes? Should I buy a beautiful journal to chronicle my thoughts and have as a keepsake for the future? Should I write in the computer? Perhaps even start a blog about my contemplations and jumpstart my formal writing aspirations with my yogic journey thereby killing two birds with one stone?

Apparently there are quite a few options.

Can you believe this? I am debating internally where to best collect my thoughts about this yoga journey when I should just be writing the damn thing.

Is there a cosmic lesson here? Could it be that I am learning something about myself? Could it be that I am sometimes paralyzed by form? Is the how taking up more importance and time than the why and the what?

The bottom line is that it needs to be done, for practical reasons as well as esoteric ones. I need to hand in something at the end of class detailing my journey, and I assume that the reason it is required is that the act of thinking about it and writing will chronicle the emotions and changes we experience while learning about Yoga philosophy and trying to incorporate it into our physical and mental lives.

I am doing this teacher training in part to learn how to correctly do and teach the poses. And yes, although form in Yoga is important, certainly we should not become slaves to the how and realize that the practice itself is enough. Sloppy handwriting does not diminish the power of the words.

Still not sure whether to print this or keep it in a computer file."

Nancy Rodriquez, 2010 Yoga Teacher Trainee

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The Book Shelf

What We’re Reading…

Yoga Haven Staff Picks

Students often ask what books our teachers are reading – what they find particularly inspiring or worthwhile.  So we decided to ask them.   We’re kicking off our Yoga Haven Staff Picks with Yoga Gems by Georg Feuerstein.  It’s a long-time favorite of teacher Karen Safire, who always keeps a copy close by.  Here’s what Karen had to say:

“Georg Feurerstein has filled the pages with pearls of wisdom and inspiration from yoga masters ancient and modern.  This is a book that you could read all the way through, but I think it is best left on the night table for some soothing words to help let go of a stressful day and create a smooth transition on to sleep, or picked up and flipped through when one needs a little inspiration.  I have had the book for several years, never tire of it, and continually return to its pages for new insight.  It truly is a “gem.”

Copies of Yoga Gems are available for purchase in the Yoga Haven office.  So stop on by and check it out.