Reflecting on 2016

Thanks to Facebook memories, I was reminded that my goal for 2016 was to become more “aware” via a mindfulness/meditation practice.  I had come to mindfulness in 2015 and the practice got me through tough times at work.  I knew that I needed this practice moving into 2016 as I left the security of working in a medical institution and started my own business as Yoga Physical Therapist.

I can honestly say that I accomplished my goal of being more aware each and every day!

However, that did not make my new venture easy.  I think this business has actually been more work, but also extremely satisfying.  In January 2016, I didn't have a grand plan except to just get out and start. The mindfulness practice helped me to clearly define my goals, see and take the right opportunities, tap into my creativity, and mostly allow me to develop and promote my own knowledge and talents in order to use my gifts each and every day. 

The plan unfolded as I went along and paid very close attention.  I think that mindfulness is the primary skill I have developed.  Sometimes my awareness of a situation is still hindsight, so I need to get better at paying attention in the present moment in order to act as I truly want. But it is all a work in progress.

I think that is my biggest lesson:

This life is a journey and you must PRACTICE every day.

The journey is long and you need resiliency of body, mind and spirit. I realized in 2016 that my resiliency could be strengthened, but not in ways of being tough or deflecting or avoiding situations. My resiliency will gain strength by being kinder and gentler as I take on hardships wholeheartedly.

I have big goals for 2017.  I hope you’ll continue to join my on this journey.

Namaste,

Stephanie

Let Me Guide You

Reflecting on my life and career has helped me to understand that my gift is as a Teacher and Guide.  I never liked the type of teaching where I stood in front of a class or a person and "preached" what they/he/she needed to know.  In that format, I was supposed to be the expert with all the information.  This always made me uncomfortable because who can really know it all?

But I do like the process of Guiding the student toward self-discovery.  I believe that true "knowing" comes from finding it out on your own.  My role as Guide is to create an environment where the student can understand, experience, and find inner wisdom.

Next year I intend to grow as Yoga Physical Therapist in new ways.  First is my Integrated Functional Anatomy of Yoga course for Yoga Teachers, Physical Therapists (plus other Health Professionals) and experienced Yoga students.  Starting in January we will convene once a month at Balancing Owl Yoga in Dublin to delve deeper into how the body really works.  The focus will not be on just structural anatomy (i.e. muscles and bones), but how body, mind, and spirit integrate to manifest into health.  I am so excited about this course and how I, along with participants, will grow.  Thanks to Laurie Gyurko, BOY studio owner for her support on this project.

The other way I intend to grow is by connecting on a personal level with existing and new clients.  I love private yoga physical therapy sessions because they give me a chance to get to know you.  If you are an existing client at one of the studios, I can better serve you during ongoing classes after spending time in one or two private sessions.  While each yoga client fills out a health history, a form doesn't tell your story.  Connecting personally and hearing your story helps me make small adjustments in your practice that can have a big impact.

If you have never tried yoga but desire the health benefits for an ongoing problem, you may benefit from private sessions first.  In just a few private sessions, you will feel more comfortable with the "language" of yoga, sitting still for mindfulness, and poses that use every part of the body.

Private sessions can also be used to help you design a home practice.  Each of us needs something different and the weekly class may not target exactly what you need.  You can get greater benefit out of doing just 20-30 minutes at home each day.

Last, I am so excited to try out the new equipment coming to beYoga!  At home, I frequently practice on my yoga wall (pictured above).  This system allows support of body weight, traction on the spine and other joints (like my hips!), and improved alignment.  Jennifer Baryluk has expanded the space of beYoga in the Kingsdale area of Upper Arlington to add space for a yoga wall and private treatment rooms.  Clients of beYoga know that Jennifer has created space that is warm, inviting and healing.  If you haven't been to beYoga, look for the Open House in early January.

My Heartfelt Thanks to both studio owners for allowing me to share my gift in the amazing spaces that they have created!

Namaste,

Stephanie

Care for yourself like only a Mother would

Ten years and 2 days ago, I became a mother.  Though people had told me “everything changes once you become a mother”, I didn’t really think it would be EVERYTHING!  But it was, and mostly because my perspective changed.  I now had the responsibility to care and nurture for another human being besides myself. 

What I have learned in this caring for another, is that I have not been doing such a good job in caring for myself.  And it is only in caring for ourselves, that we can truly care for others.

So speaking as a Mother, I want you to first take care of yourself. Just hug yourself. Thich Nhat Hanh in his book, You Are Here and on a #SuperSoulSunday interview with Oprah said: “Hold your emotions and cradle them in your arms.  Care for them as a mother would care for her infant”.  I love the visual image of this.

Whether emotions are joyful or sorrowful, we physically hold our loved ones close. When taking time to care for yourself, investigate what emotions you're feeling now and hold them close and nurture them.  Give yourself the love and attention that you may not be getting from those around you.  Let go of the expectation that someone else needs to nurture you.  Fill up with self love.  If you are not filled up, then you have nothing to give.

Namaste,

Stephanie

Crave Positive Effects

Awareness brings a desire for change.  As I spend quiet time each day to tune into body, mind, and spirit and their interrelationships, I actually desire actions and thoughts that have positive effects.  When I first started doing the physical practice of yoga on a regular basis, it felt so good that I wanted to do it. My body began to crave the movements and crave feeling good. With the practice of increased awareness, I can now recognize the effects of my bad habits.  I am less inclined to do things like: eat a big meal; stay up late; say something that i will later regret; drink too many vodka tonics; skip flossing. Yes! I now even notice when my teeth need flossing!  For me, this increased awareness helps me to understand what makes me feel good and what makes me feel bad.  If I truly listen to what I need, the body, mind and spirit wants to feel good.  I am more inclined to: give hugs, listen intently, eat my vegetables, and live my yoga.

Namaste,

Stephanie

Yoga makes me feel like a kid again!

During yoga class I regress to things that I did when I was a kid:  tummy time, playing with blocks, and nap time.

My students have heard me say many times that adults need tummy time too!  When you get on your stomach, you work your neck and back extensors against gravity.  You don't need to get on a machine and push backward awkwardly.  Just lift up your head.  Lift up an arm.  Lift up a leg.  All of these motions are against resistance and most likely you will find that each is difficult.

Blocks are a great prop during yoga in order to bring the floor up.  Having a hand on the floor helps to ground and support you in poses like forward bend, triangle and side angle.  When you can't reach to the floor, you can use a block (or 2) to support your hand and the weight of your body.  I like stacking blocks to create a tower of stability!

And then nap time...Ahh!  I was talking to a young college age woman about the restorative class that she had taken at the studio.  She said it was like "nap time for adults".  I love this description.  Even though the goal is not really to fall asleep during a restorative class or the final restorative pose, you can get the same effect: renewed energy, both physically and mentally.

So if you want to feel "child like" again, even for only 75 minutes, come and join me for class.

Namaste,

Stephanie

We All Just Need to be Loved

So, I'm not a dog person but my kids really wanted a dog.  I was not planning to get a dog so I thought we would spend some time at a shelter and have my kids learn more about the responsibilities of pet ownership.  That happened a total of one time, and we came home with not one, but two dogs.  And I must admit they are sweet little dogs that really just want to be loved (and loved and loved...). 

This is Costello...

...after a bath and I think his favorite time in life.  I wrap him up in a couple of towels and just hold and rock him while he dries.  He is completely content and relaxed.  I learn from him how simple it is to please another being by just giving some attention to show love.

This is Abbott.  Yes, Abbott and Costello were their shelter names and we couldn't think of anything better.  This is also after a bath but he only lets me hold him long enough to do a little towel drying.  He struggles to get away from me.  But he likes to talk to me (Rrrr, Ahrrrr) and is never very far away from me, i.e. mostly under my feet.  Each has their own way of demanding attention to get the love they need.

As I was thinking about this post with my kids, we determined that my daughter is more like Costello and my son is more like Abbott.  Each has different needs about how he/she wants to be loved.  And it is my job as a parent to figure that out in order to make each one happy and content.  

My Mindfulness practice has helped me look at this process of loving.  I'm trying to give more of what each person in my house needs. Though when caught up in life's daily actions, this can be difficult.  It seems there is never enough time.  But LOVE is the most important thing, and maybe the ONLY important thing.  The more we give the more we receive, and that's all we really need.

Namaste,

Stephanie