Immersion Weekend

It is the final stretch here with this Immersion Cycle. I think the weekend went well. I have some concrete plans for what to cover in the next two weekends to fill in some gaps and to bring some clarity to to where we seem to be confused as a group. It was so funny to me to feel kind of blank at certain points with some of the philosophy after the week long philosophy intensive I had done in Vancouver when I felt really clear and focused on that subject matter and the historical time lines and so forth. But in that case we were so immersed in that subject only that in some ways it was easier. I really felt the lack of continuity that exists with this extended format and how I kept thinking "well we jsut talked about all this" but really, the History of Yoga discussion and DVD viewing was back in August for the first group. No wonder you cannot remember where the Gita fits in! So- we are going to review a bunch of that stuff. Not to worry.

One thing I was very pleased with this weekend is how far along everyone is coming in their asana practice. I really turned up the volume a bit on the level of poses we practiced and the intensity and the length that we practiced and everyone really did a great job with that demand. So that is awesome. It was super great to see how far along arm balances have come and how good the backbends are getting. (AND HOW LITTLE WHINING THERE WAS!!!)

Also I am so pleased with how many people are interested in pursuing Anusara-Inspired status and working toward certification. It is a great thing to me to see so many people want to keeping growing in their practice of Anusara Yoga and to learn represent the method and its teachings. Definitely, this makes me happy. Think about how cool it will be in Austin, Texas with more than a dozen certified teachers throughout the city. And really, its not that far off and it might just be you!

One more thing-at the end of the day Lindsay asked me a question about whether or not I feel wiped out after a day of practice with John Friend. I said in some ways yes. And in some ways no. (But we never really do six hours straight with him-- although when I was at the immersion I guess I did because I practiced with him on the breaks but that is another story.) But I also want to use this opportunity to tell everyone that if after two days straight of 6- hour days you feel so tired that all you want to do is have a drink and watch TV, do not worry. It is very intense undertaking what we are doing. Holding a focus for 6 hours and interacting and learning and practicing and considering deep philosophical concepts and processsing your own emotional material is not easy. So if it wipes you out a bit, just trust the process. Rest, rejuvenate and so on. Be prooud of yourself. Remember it is called an "Immerison" not a "Getting your Feet Wet" for a reason.

Speaking of wiped out- It is past time for bed for me.