Why Do Yoga?

Has anyone asked you this?  Why do you do yoga?  Have you ever paused to wonder, hum, why DO you do yoga?  Maybe you like how your butt looks in your new tight HardTail shorty skirt that you wear over yoga pants.  You think it looks hip to carry your mat all snug as a bedbug in it colorful bag 'round town. When you tell people you "do yoga" you feel a bit superior, like you're all enlightened and, of course, flexible.  You like the envious look they give you when they think you can obviously put your foot behind your head and levitate in lotus.  

But, you know there are probably better reasons than these.  Perhaps you're 30mm closer to touching your ankles in a forward fold.  Surprisingly, maybe your lower back doesn't bother you as much as it used to.  Could it be your friends start asking you if you've been on vacation or got a haircut or something. You seem a bit more relaxed and rested. 

Bill, one of John Smith's awesome, Sunday morning, Led-Full Primary, Ashtangis, announced last week that he had found the reason we should all do yoga--every day.  It's called the Fuzz.  It wasn't hard to find on YouTube (here).  Goofy and enthusiastic, Doc Gil Hedley, explains that we build up a filmy fasciae over the body between our layers of muscles.  This filmy stuff, he calls fuzz, melts away when we get up in the morning and stretch and move around.  Without movement this fuzz gets hard and can lead to tissue binding.  Pretty soon you can't move.  While you're at the YouTube site, click on "Info" and then "...more info" to see more about what he has to say.  Fun stuff. 

Regardless of what we see in the mirror, our practice of yoga is deeply affecting our insides.  As we raise our arms overhead and inhale, you can almost feel the stretch from your baby toe all the way to your fingertips.  Twist and bend and the spinal disks receive nutrients and fresh blood that helps them to be better shock absorbers between each vertebrae. When you contract and stretch muscles, move organs around and come in and out of postures, your improving the flow of lymphatic fluid which fights infection, kills rogue cancer cells and disposes of toxic waste.  Better posture and breathing means more oxygen to the brain and other tissues, especially those in the process of healing.(1)  I can use all the oxygen to my brain that I can get. 

It doesn't really matter why you do yoga.  But know that more is going on than meets the eye.  Through a balanced asana practice, you are affecting all systems of your body-circulatory, metabolic, endocrine, muscular and skeletal.  Yes, and the central nervous system which controls your response to your kid's messy room or your overflowing "inbox" (literally or metaphorically).  So, regardless of the reason, just show up.  You should get a blue ribbon for just jackknifing the time into your schedule.  Unroll your mat, breathe and stay present for 90 minutes and you've hit the jackpot.  And, maybe the next time someone asks you why you do yoga, you can say it's all about the "Fuzz".      

(1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FtSP-tkSug

(2) McCall, Timothy, M.D., Yoga As Medicine

Photo:  Ms Bette Calman teaches up to 11 classes every week, in Williamstown, Australia, teaching others the remarkable effects of yoga. http://www.odditycentral.com/news/bette-calman-the-yoga-super-granny.html

If you have a class card with me, Westside Yoga Studio is welcoming you to use it when I'm teaching.  That's right.  Come and take my class at Westside Yoga Studio and use your class card.  You can see when I'm there by checking heck my website for my schedule or Westside's online schedule at www.westsideyogastudio.net.

What?  You don't have a class card with me yet?  You can get 10 classes for $100 or 5 classes for $55.  The best deal in town, I'm told.  These passes can be used at my classes in Graton, Ganesha Yoga and now Westside Yoga.  

Thank you, Eric and Colin--you guys rock and so does your awesome studio and your groovy staff (Hi, Ginny, Indira and Laura).  

Now the small print:   My class passes are good only when I'm teaching at Westside. If it's your first time at Westside, you'll need to fill out a new student form (of course).  On the sign-in sheet just put "Cheryl's Pass" somewhere obvious.  If you already have a plan at Westside, it will trump mine.  

On April 30^th, Cere's teen chefs will be cooking, serving, bussing, washing dishes and making espresso drink in a special benefit for Ceres at Zazu Restaurant + Farm in Santa Rosa. Thanks to Zazu chef Duskie Estes, the teens will be working with Duskie and her staff to prepare and serve a very special brunch with 100% of the proceeds coming to Ceres.  Get the particulars here.  

Don't know what Ceres Community Project is.  Go here.  

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As many of your know, I am a big fan of Ann Austin's.  She inspires me as a practitioner and as a teacher.  Ann is holding 2 MORE workshops at Westside Yoga.  They'll be super fun and challenging (hard).   Ann will offer the stepping stones to many poses from the Ashtanga series.  Before you know it, you're in Tittibhasana (see photo of Ann).   

Here's the remainder of her schedule:

Sunday, May 1 - Hips

Saturday, May 28 - Finishing Series & Inversions

For more info, go to Westside Yoga's website at www.westsideyogastudio.net.  

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Could it be so easy?  Can beautiful, fresh cut, organic*, locally grown (with love) flowers make you happier?  Sue, better known as Missy Green Jeans, and I think so.  She picks the best blossoms from her garden for you.  She's doing weddings and special events or picking flowers for folks like me.  Find out more about Sue and her garden right here:  http://www.missygreenjeans.com/.  

By the way - the photo at the right is the bunch I just got from her.  With some yard clippings, I was able to put together 3 or 4 arrangments in my home. 

*Sue tells me that 80% of the store bought flowers are grown with pesticides (Costco flowers).  

If you don't know Scott Blossom, you should. I've studied with Scott many times and am psyched he will be joining us in our neck of the woods.  Thank you, Jenn, for bringing him to Yoga on Center on May 15.  Scott  is a Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner, Shadow Yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic Consultant.  Get the info right here:  http://www.yogaoncenter.com/Yoga_On_Center/Scott_Blossom.html

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