Yoga Classes Week of April 25, 2010

Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com
yoga@cherylthomas.com
415-308-3377

Distraction at 30,000 Feet

This is my typical in-flight routine. With me, being juggled on my lap, partially stowed beneath my seat and stuffed in the seatback are: iPod w/headphones, 2 magazines (usually Outside bought at the airport and Yoga Journal), a Peet's chai latte, a partially read book, NYTimes, my laptop, and enough food to last 2 or 3 days(1) and a notebook. Oh, and there's the in-flight mag and Sky Mall, which I always read after landing and before the gate. All this regardless of the length of the flight. Obviously, given my collection of entertainment, I have no intention of talking to my neighbor. But amazingly, there is usually no one next to me, so I can use the seat to spread out my "stuff".(2)

So, I'm self-entertaining with my small cache of goodies and I notice the young woman in the aisle seat just sitting there--no Three Cups of Tea, Eat Pray Love or Are you There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.   No People, Us, or Starbuck's Venti-something. What's wrong with her? Was she late to airport and didn't have time to pick up the latest Enquirer, Angels & Demon, or some ridiculously priced Turkey Caesar Wrap? Where was the pink Nano? I'm starting to wonder if I should offer her the Styles section from the NYT.

She's sitting quietly, serenely, no fidgeting, no nada for the entire flight! What's wrong with her? Then it dawns on me, like looking out the window and realizing just how spookily high we are above the earth. What's wrong with her? What's wrong with ME? Why can't I do that? Do I really need to surround myself with so much multi-tasking items of self-distraction? Would it be so difficult to just sit still? I'd been on meditation retreats sitting for hours/days at a time, silently. I obviously have failed to convert what I believe to be true (slow down, quit multi-tasking, pay attention, meditate) to what I'm actually able to do. My quiet rowmate is such a stark contrast to my obsession with being busy and occupied. I realize how far I have not come.

So, could I right now put down my notebook, take off my headphones, put the Peet's cup in the seat pocket and try to just sit?   Wait! Is that David Letterman on the overhead monitor? Maybe I can catch the latest podcast of This American Life. I really should read Roger Cole's anatomy article in Yoga Journal. Could I put everything down and just sit? Could I?

(1)    Water canister, PB&J sandwich, etc.
(2)    Seriously. I have some kind of seat selection luck. I always book the window seat and even on full flights, the middle seat, more often than not, is mysteriously unoccupied.

Q&O*

A: I've heard about something called restorative yoga, but I'm not sure what it is?

O: Restorative yoga uses props (bolsters, pillows, blankets, eye pillows, blocks, straps) to position the body in a posture that brings complete support and relaxation. Poses are held from 10-20 minutes! It's great for relaxing, rejuvenating, reducing stress, lowering your blood pressure, improving digestion, fertility, elimination, the reduction of muscle tension, insomnia and generalized fatigue.

Got a question? Email me at yoga@cherylthomas.com.

*Question & Opinion

Hope to see you soon!

Namaste,

Cheryl

Table of Contents

Feature Article
Bulletin Board
Q&O
Scheduled Classes

Bulletin Board

Pay What you Can
Tuesday's donation class at Yoga on Center continues through May at 9:00 a.m. Join us at a price that works for YOU. This will be an all level, easy to moderate flow class.

Try a Little Tenderness

On Tuesday and Thursday this week at Westside Yoga I'll be offering a gentle yoga class, perfect for those new to yoga or that want to "take it easy." We always end with a long restorative pose (see Q&O below). Plan to stay for lunch afterward at Peter Lowell's (next door) for some yummy local, organic fare.

Want some Slow Flow? Come to Yoga on Center on Wednesday morning at 9:00. It's a perfect time, a beautiful, bright studio and there's a Flying Goat Coffee just down the street!

Gwynn O'Gara Remember, Gwynn? She's Sonoma County's Poet Laureate. By the way, she's a super strong yogini also! On Wednesday, Gwynn will be at the French Garden for an evening of great food an poetry. Can't make it? Join her (and others) at Infusions Tea Shop on Friday April 30 at 6:30 - 8:30.