Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com
yoga@cherylthomas.com
415-308-3377
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The Gap*
Shop The Gap for great Xmas gifts under $30!....oops, no, this isn't about THAT Gap. What's that between Madonna's two front teeth? Uh oh, off topic again--no, not that gap either. The warning on the London Underground? Nope. Someone cuts you off in traffic and you flip them the bird--that's the gap I'm talking about--the gap between stimulus and reaction.
Is the gap good? Depends. If you're a sure-footed gazelle being stalked down by a starving, mama tiger, the smaller the gap between the time she sees it (stimulus) and her hauling ass (reaction time) just saved her life. If you happen to have a gun in your hand and you just found your lover in the sack with your best friend, a small gap between stimulus and reaction time just bought you the electric chair and I'm not talking about the latest Barcolounger.
Because we are intelligent, thinking, rational beings, we possess the ability to modulate our (re)actions. In Buddhist terms, it's recognizing the spark before the flame The gap is milliseconds but by being aware of it you can start to control it. When something disturbing comes our way our body has been trained from habit and past experiences (and a bunch of neurochemical machinations) to react in a certain manner. It's automatic. But here's the kicker. We can control it. Ah, control. Yes, we can put a buffer between the insult and doing something you might regret. Even just noticing there's a pause can make all the difference. Try it. Your friends will start saying--"Joe, you don't seem as angry as you used to be." "Ellen, you seem more relaxed."
Speaking of anger, Paul Ekman talks about his struggles with anger and how putting space between the trigger and reaction helped. This is richy discussed in the wonderful book Emotional Awareness--A Conversation Between The Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman, PH.D. If you or anyone you know has struggles with anger, this would be a great holiday gift. You may recognize Mr. Ekman's name on the former Fox show Lie to Me, which is based on his research on identifying facial expressions.
OK, back to the gap. Here's how to recognize it. This is where mindfullness comes in. If we begin to be curious about the mind by noticing the nuances of our thoughts and watching how our minds react (hello meditation) we can start to make changes, however small. Or, better said by Messrs. Saron and Schwartz, "Mindfulness facilitates. . . sensitivity to the minute movements of mind and emotion. It opens the space and time for a person to absorb his or her momentary reality . . . as well as to see his or her possible intentions as they arise (and before acting)".(1)
Could we really see our "possible intentions" before we act? Wouldn't that make a huge difference in our lives? Check it out, good luck, and let me know how it's going for you. And don't forget, Mind the Gap. 1. Schwartz, Marc and Saron, Clifford. On Meditation Training excerpt from Emotional Awareness, pg. 122 *reposted with some edits
[Want to read some of my earlier posting. You can find them here. Enjoy.]
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Party in Graton
It's Party time in Graton. Yoga in Graton is growing, for sure. And, now it's time for our annual Holiday Party. Join us on Thursday, December 15, from 7 - 9 at the Stone Creek Zen Center in Graton. Better yet, come to Corina's 5:30 class and stay for the pahtay!
It'll be a vegetarian potluck, so please bring something to share. Yes, there will be games. We'll do a fitness related white elephant gift exchange. You know those red and white trimmed wee-short running shorts from the 70s? What a about Jane Fonda's workout video.
Any questions? You know where to find us: info@yogaingraton.com. See you next Thursday.
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Give the Gift of "Me" Whether it is Xmas or Chanukah or just a reason to show someone you're thinking of them, give the gift of relaxation. Really? Is it that easy? How do you do that? A fifth of Captain Morgan's would do, but then there's that nasty hangover and the phone calls apologizing for something you don't remember.
Booze is out, Restorative Yoga is in. You know who needs it. The new Mom that barely sleeps and is chronically exhausted. Yep, that's her. She can use your generous gift. The friend who is in chemotherapy and is struggling to regain her strength. She's a perfect candidate. What about your friend that wants to do yoga but is intimidated by all the young, skinny, super-flexible girls in spandex. You can help. I'll come to their home with all the accoutrements--bolsters, blankets, blocks, and those cool lavendar-scented eye pillows. The lucky girl/guy will receive 90 minutes of comfort and relaxation by being supported in various positions with a bunch of props. Some call it just laying around. As the nervous system calms down and the relaxation response takes over, the stress, exhaustion and everyday frustrations melt away. It's like going to a spa and getting a 2 hour massage! If you're really crafty, you'll make it a joint gift and you'll join them!
Need more reasons? By giving a service-based gift, you save plastic c*&%p from China making its way to the landfill. And, you're supporting local business. Walmart will make not a penny from the transaction. Yippee!!
I'll send you a nice gift certificate to present to your friend. Email me at yoga@cherylthomas.com with your questions.
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Restorative Yoga
I love the response of students to their first or second or hundredth restorative yoga experience. It's the moment when their nervous system shifts from "yikes!" to "ahhhhhh." They leave with relaxed shoulders and brightened attitude.
It's easy to forget that the body knows exactly what to do. The relaxation response is a built in function of our amazing central nervous system. We just have to let relaxation happen. I know, it seems impossible sometimes. Thus, the popularity of restorative yoga where we learn to put the body in positions and let it do it's thing.
In these workshops you will be allowed to relax and let go while your body is supported with bolsters and blankets and lots more. We will do a bit of movement, chat about stress and the relaxation response and then spend 90 minutes in positions that we will hold for 15 to 20 minutes. This practice is for everyone. Go ahead and put the dates on your calendar now so you won't forget. And, while you're at it, invite a friend.
Sunday,December 18, 2011**
3:30 - 5:45 p.m.
BodyWorks in Petaluma
**The third Sunday of each month
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YogaWoman, the Movie
COMING SOON are details on a public showing of YogaWoman (www.yogawoman.tv) in Sebastopol. All donations from this event will go to the Ceres Project (www.ceresproject.org). Not only will you get to see this great movie about women and their contributions (big) to today's yoga, but we'll have a Q&A panel featuring our fav Anne O'Brien and her fellow featured film colleagues. We'll gather together and share an evening with this inspiring film and maybe some truffle butter, sea salt popcorn.
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Private Yoga Classes
There are lots of reasons why going to a public yoga class is not always right for you. Maybe the class times are wrong or the location is inconvenient. Maybe you're new to yoga and feel intimidated by a public class or you have an injury or condition that requires some individual attention. Private or small group classes at your location at your chosen time can be the perfect answer.
It's fun to get friends together. Treat your friends to Yoga and Tea rather than Food and Booze. Inviting friends to come together for a Gentle or Restorative Yoga class is a perfect way to enjoy each other's company and do something good for yourselves. Many yoga parties end with tea or champagne and some munchies. Your friends will thank you!
Please call on me if I can help you book a private yoga class or answer any questions. I can be reached at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.
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Class Cards - Super Affordable
What's a class card you ask? Many of my students have found it most economical and convenient to purchase a 10 or 5 class pass with me ($100 and $55, respectively). That's $10 a class. Can't beat that. Expiration date: never (well, almost).
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Schedule of Upcoming Classes
Monday
9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Level II/III
Tuesday9:15 - 10:45 a.m.Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol Level II/III
Wednesday
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All
Thursday
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Graton Community Club, Graton
Gentle Flow - All Level
Friday
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Gentle Yoga
Week of December 11, 2011 Monday 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Gentle Yoga
Wednesday
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All Thursday 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Graton Community Club, Graton Gentle Flow - All Level
Friday
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Gentle Yoga
Yoga Studios
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Hope to see you soon!
Namaste,
Cheryl
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Westside Yoga Studio. How lucky I am to be asked to teach at this awesome studio. It's warm (love the radiant heated floors), it's got retail (yay!), scads of props and amazing teachers. Plus, there's Peter Lowell's restaurant right next door for your post yoga latte. I'll be there Monday and Tuesday this week so come and visit. See my schedule below for days and times.
North Bay Yogies Unite
Yay, Richard Koman! Thanks to you, North Bay Yogies have our own blog: It's http://northbayyoga.
blogspot.com/. That's right, it's ours. Share, posit, surmise, inform, rant. Check it out!
AND......there's more.
North Bay Yoga Happenings is a newsletter by MaryEllen Whitten dedicated to the spirit and community of yoga! She makes searching for individual studios for classes, workshops and other yoga events easy. To sign up, click here.
Work Hard then Rest Hard.
My Wednesday night class is the perfect combo of a 60 minutes of flow and 30 minutes of restorative yoga. How sweet it is!
Graton Yogis Info: We Gratonite Yogis have a place to call our own. It's www. yogaingraton.com. There is information about current and new yoga classes offered in Graton. Don't live in Graton? No problem. We want you to come anyway.
"Not to have what we want is stressful; to have what we do not want is stressful." Buddha
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