In my dreams I had planned on going to the 2010 Anusara ™ Advanced Intensive in LA. The last time that I was able to gather with the kula was in February 2008 for this same event. During that Intensive I intuited that I was pregnant, and I was, 3 weeks pregnant to be exact. It has been the blessing of my daughter and new family (plus all sorts of other *cough-finances* logistics) that has kept me from traveling. The reality of my life now is that I simply cannot fly across the country to study. I can barely make it to a public yoga class in town!
And gosh darn it, it’s crazy frustrating.
I cannot say that I was not disappointed that I was unable to attend the Advanced Intensive. I also cannot say that I didn’t have feelings of jealousy and *gulp* guilt, yep, I said it, guilt, for not being able to make it. I felt within me that I had let myself down and John down. I know that there are plenty of members of the kula that travel with their babies and family and I seriously wonder “how in God’s name are they able to do that?”. These feelings of jealousy and guilt are unfounded, I know that, and of course this was an opportunity to be a ‘grown up’ and embody the teachings and so I hunkered down, looked at myself square in the Heart and addressed these feelings. And lo and behold, sweetness flowed.
3 Ways to be Anusara when Away from the Kula
Adhikara (studentship) ★ I can step wholeheartedly into my studies *again*, all my past teacher training notes, the Anusara ™ Teacher Manual, handouts that John has passed out during past workshops, etc. I have a lot of inspiration and teachings. It’s just easier to step into all of that when you have hundreds of like hearted and like minded folks blasting off energy to each other! 😉 Part of this studying is also observing the expression of the kula via social media. There are plenty of teeny bits of wisdom being tweeted and Facebooked and blogged and Twitpicd. In fact a hashtag has been created just for the Intensive #AdvLa and #AdvINT 😀
Honor ★ I can honor my kula, all my teachers that have inspired me in this path, especially John by teaching in a way that reflects the clarity and authenticity of my heart and the larger vision. I can choose to continue to always do my best and be my best in any and all circumstances. I may not be able to see my teacher face to face. I may not be able to even contact him in a way that shows him who I am as a teacher. I can continue to cultivate goodness and authenticity and enhance life. I hope that this energy may travel through time and space and perhaps tap my teacher on his shoulder 🙂 The rest of this week’s classes will be in honor of the beautiful gathering happening in the West Coast right now!
Open To Grace ★ Being the 1st principle of Anusara Yoga ™ I say this all the time. This teaching has shifted and changed for me since I began my studies 9 years ago. Now it’s about letting go of expectations, and especially any limitations that I place on myself in a different way. It’s all about softening to feel me, as a mother and the yoga that is my daily life with my daughter. I am not *just* me. I am my family as much as I am myself. Before I choose to act, before I ‘make plans’ I must soften and align with the Divine energy that is now embodied clearly in my family. If I soften I can see the abundance, if I harden and choose in disconnection, I will be disappointed and will cultivate dis-ease in my Heart. I will continue to work toward studying with John again as soon as I can, but at the same time I must stay open and ebb and flow with the currents of embodied Grace of my family.
I do believe that my longing to be near the kula and study with my teacher is not an isolated feeling that only I have. I think that there may be quite a few of you that feel the same way that I do. In what ways do you, that are unable to travel and connect with your teachers or teachings, take action with respect to this issue? In what way are you shifting yourself to make your actions exemplary?
Please share!!! Add light and it will help us all become brighter 😀
PS
These 3 things are not something you do only when the Advanced Intensive is going on 😉 *duh* But we are certainly forced to bring more meaning and more value to them when we feel disconnected 😉
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And a the same time we would have had a little time to share with you, and Hunter would not worry about not having a baby sitter. Love you.
Mom
Mom!!!! You commented on my blog! You’ve never done that!!! yeay for me!!!!
Yep, I wanted to add all the family stuff to the post…which is why it would have been so PERFECT! Believe me…PERFECT, but now perfection is me dreaming about it, and knowing that when it’s the right time, I’ll be coming over there 😀 with the best babysitter EVER xoxoxoo LOVE YOU!
As a student of Anusara Yoga for a mere two years now, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a class with Amy Ippoliti when she swung through Seoul. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to afford the Immersions 1 and 2 she has since come back to offer. It really kinda killed me to “be responsible” and put my money toward higher priorities (student debt, visiting my family back in the US, etc). Part of me wanted to gobble up so much of Anusara experience that in a way I felt I was being a “bad” student by not going. However, along came you, Ms Escobar! Your podcasts have connected me to the larger kula and have brought so much Anusara into my life that sometimes I think my heart just might burst with joy! Please take comfort in the fact that YOU are bringing a little bit of John Friend to each and everyone of you listeners–without you, many of us simply wouldn’t have access to learning about Anusara. So how cool does that make you?! Incredibly cool in my book.
Another stroke of luck did happen to come my way, though. I knew John Friend was going to be making a stop in Korea, but I assumed the weekend workshop would be far beyond my financial availability. Happily, I will be able to take four classes with him over two days for the equivalent of about $250. Is that “cheap”? Meh, not really, but I do know it’s a far cheaper than many workshops and immersions that charge upwards of $800 or even $1000. So I will be attending his workshop in April, and I can guarantee you that you’ll be on my mind more than once that weekend! Infinite thanks and blessings to you and your family.
Nicole! How cool is it that you’re getting to go to one of his workshops? Niiiiiice!
So thrilled for you! You must MUST share your experiences. I know how tough it is financially to do the immersions and trainings. I was able to do a few trainings when I was “fancy free” 😀
If I were just beginning now, at this time in my life, I would more than likely not do too much….*sigh*
thanks for coming by sweet Nicole!
I totally feel you. I’m in a similar situation, although not with the child factor. The last few years I’ve sacrificed everything else to be at multiple trainings per year with John. I hope to still make it to a few later this year, but right now the focus has to be on creating a foundation financially and otherwise to allow me to do that.
John spoke to this in Santa Fe this past October (and in other trainings) – as householder yogis we have to be realistic. If you have a family, they must be taken care of, and that includes making enough money.
We are always in the heart of the kula when the kula is in our hearts. This is a beautiful article, Elsie. Thanks!
Thank for your input Katrina, and thank you tons for stopping by 🙂 Oh the householder yogis, we should do some sort of householder yogi workshop of some sort…perhaps just posts/writings to support each other while unable to travel round as much as we would like soaking up teachins!
Thanks so much for posting this Elsie. I have been having little twinges of envy reading the posts of my yoga peeps who are in LA right now. It is a challenge at times, however, I must be realistic. Financial, as well as family obligations make it unrealistic to attend everything I would like to so I try to absorb what I can, from afar. Much love to you for sharing your thoughts on this topic and creating a place for the virtual kula to hang out!
Patricia
After spending about a year and half doing all three immersions then immediately entering Todd Norian’s 200 hour teacher training, I was burnt….financially and physically. I made a conscious decision that in 2009, I was NOT chasing John around North America. I haven’t seen Todd yet in 2010, but, I had a great local teacher at my studio last Sunday. She brought so much love, light and SHRI. I felt totally connected to our Kula. It’s OK not to be at the BIG events. We all do what we can and, what’s best for our little girls. I’m glad I haven’t been on the road this year. It’s given me a chance to delve deeper into my personal practice, get to know YOU and cultivate my Kula here in CT. Thanks for everything you do Elsie, you are a piece of Anusara heaven here online, anytime I need you.
I am excited for the new center stage John is developing in Encinitas. I have 2 beautiful young girls (1 and 3), and they are my first priority. That being said, I need to keep my personal well full so that I have more to give them and others around me.
The center stage promises to help all of our kula remain better connected, so we don’t need to travel all over the planet to be with John and other amazing yogis and teachers. And, Elsie, I love the idea of a householder yogi seminar!!!
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