Like last time, some of these links direct you to my personal blog. More like a diary, raw and less polished...

Looking back on the start of the month (which I now affectionately call my Recess), I see how I had certain expectations: to be instantly relaxed, to have major epiphanies, to avoid all usual discomforts.

Of course, none of that happened. I some ways, it was a just a month. I am the same person.

In other ways, it was extraordinary and I am forever changed.

And isn’t that the way it is with this extraordinarily ordinary life.

As we head into the last days of February, I am creating some closure for my Recess and want share some observations from my month:

it is ever challenging to be present (easier to notice this when we slow down) — not in the past “when I was so busy” or in the future “when Recess will be over”

our cultural mindset and language around time only make this harder

the way I start my day is incredibly important

the computer has led me around by a leash long enough

the pace and fullness of life ebbs and flows — it can’t (and shouldn’t) always be Recess

it also can’t be non-stop — packed full and fast-paced; we need to allow for cycles of rest and work and play

there are many layers to letting go

the more I settled in to the security of home, the less daring I was to approach risk and discomfort

your friends are the kindest Self Care Supervisors — thanks to all who gave me the stink eye when they thought I was showing up at the studio to work!

it’s hard to describe how stunning it was to take class from the 2009 Teacher Trainee Grads. Their honesty, humility, presence, care, and skill rocked my ground. A thousand bows to them for making my time off possible. (You can leave comments or notes of appreciation for their efforts here.)

I love going to class (you guys are on to something!)

I love teaching yoga. Thank YOU for letting us all be here. I look forward to seeing you back in class.

Thanks to the IAY family of friends and teachers for their support and encouragement this month. It’s been nothing short of wonderful.

How has your month been? Any “ordinary” observations of Spring?

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 1:37 pm and is filed under lifestyle, yoga. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.