Good Sunday morning.....
I don't want to procrastinate learning my lines for an upcoming show by blogging, so I will limit this post to just 15 minutes. :)
It's been a surprising few weeks full of self discoveries. I am experiencing what I can only describe as a deeper understanding of who I am, who I am not, who I want to be and who I do NOT or simply cannot be in this world.
The affirmation I've been teaching this month -- MY VISION IS CLEAR -- must be having its way with me and my subconscious. I feel a tremendous pull towards writing scripts and poems, acting, immersing myself in music I've never heard before (Spotify playlists by people I've never met are rocking my world on a daily basis) and working/spending time with other artists. I see it happening as I write, perform, rehearse, go to class, and feel so much less ambivalence than I used to! I feel a part of communities of artists in NYC. Different backgrounds, myriad areas of focus, varying strengths and as many points of view as there are food trucks. I am so happy for that aspect of New York City. I am so happy I call myself an artist now. I never used to be able to do that without feeling like I had to footnote it with something like "I'm not a real artist, certainly not a fine artist and, oh, I received exceptionally low scores in 3rd grade art class because I couldn't effectively sketch my own hand (true story)".
I am open to all the possibilities for a performing artist and writer. I am intending changes, breakthroughs and exciting new experiences that rock my world and let my light shine without fear.
There are a lot of different ways I GET OUT OF MY OWN WAY (another affirmation I am teaching this month) and probably the best way is by ceasing to compare myself to others and no longer expecting myself to be at a certain place (career, relationships) by a certain age. Can't begin to say how liberating it feels to be exercising some boundaries here instead of feeling like I have spaghetti arms a la Baby in "Dirty Dancing". I have a dance space. Every person has a dance space. Excellent. Plus, there's nobody saying my dance space needs to be full of accomplishments by a certain period of time except me, which is a useless thought, since things happen in there right time naturally and organically.
All of this amounts to letting go of anxiety. Negative projection into the future and replaying past events until paralysis kicks in has no place in my world anymore. I'm mellowing out, consciously, by catching worry based thinking and reigning it in through mindful attention to what's happening IN THE MOMENT. If I do find myself wandering, I do my best to imagine POSITIVE, exciting, optimistic scenarios that make me smile. The other antidote to anxiety that I am really embracing is ACTION. I keep busy doing what I love and feel passionately about, since when I am active I find it challenging to ruminate.
That's about 15 minutes. Thank you for reading and I wish you a wonderful, healthy, bright and beautiful Sunday!!
Best,
Lindsay
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Interview with Carol Shwidock, Yoga Therapist (Harmony Yoga Studio, Bedside Yoga DVD)
To find your dharma, your purpose in life, is a gift.
To be able to serve others with this gift is amazing.
~Carol Shwidock
Good morning! I had the pleasure of being introduced to Carol Shwidock, an innovative, Kripalu based Yoga Therapist, Occupational Therapist and fellow actress, after we each appeared in separate plays written by playwright Nina Mansfield. Carol is based in Stamford, CT, and is the sole teacher at a studio she founded called Harmony Yoga.
She is a lovely woman with a soothing voice and gentle, compassionate approach to life, one that was deepened after a serious life event. Carol went through the process of donating a portion of her liver to her husband, who required a second liver transplant in 2011. Carol and her husband's recovery story are amazing. Through yoga, she subsequently healed herself and played a vital role in helping her husband heal as well.
Carol was just a few weeks out of surgery when she developed BEDSIDE YOGA, a series of yoga postures done from, you guessed it, her bed. This is not a rigorous series of asanas. It is very, very gentle.
Below is my email interview with Carol. I hope you are inspired by what you read and if so, please pass it on! You're also entitled to a 10% discount on her Yoga DVDs (both BEDSIDE YOGA and her first DVD, which is called THE ESSENCE OF HARMONY YOGA) just by mentioning this article. If you know anybody who is having a difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, this may just help! I think this kind of DVD can be a great asset to anybody who is struggling to develop a workout habit or working through a mood disorder or dependency.
I was particularly drawn to Carol's story for two reasons. The first is my dear friend survived a liver transplant. She was the recipient, not the doner, but she easily could have benefitted from this kind of practice early on in her recovery. The second is because after my third surgery on my right ankle (soccer induced injuries) I modified my intenSati practice and taught it from both a chair and a yoga mat. I know what it feels like to make adjustments to your practice and honor your body exactly where it is so you can recover, heal and teach. That photo down there is me about 22 months ago when I first started moving again.
Without further ado...
Lindspiration
Interview with Carol Shwidock, Yoga Therapist (Harmony Yoga Studio, Bedside Yoga DVD)
5.15.12
1. When did you first start practicing yoga? I began about 15 years ago. I had been a runner for about 20 years and had developed some knee pain, so I stopped running and started dancing and doing yoga.
2. What led you to teaching? Truthfully, it was Sept 11th. Two days later I quit my job of 10 years as a home care Occupational Therapist and started my quest to find my purpose. I was burnt out on illness, especially with my husband getting sicker. I was actually in a yoga class during the Sept 11th attacks. I realized that becoming a yoga teacher (at that time, now I am a Yoga Therapist) was a natural progression for my seasoned hands, so I applied to Kripalu and was accepted to the yoga teacher training program.
3. How did you first handle the news about your husband's condition? Well, it was a long time ago and it was of course very shocking when he was diagnosed. My daughter, who is now 22, was just 6 months old. We learned that if he did not have a liver transplant within ten years he would not survive but we thought that would be a long time away. He had no symptoms except for elevated liver enzymes. Learning he had an auto-immune disease eventually led us to a naturopath who prolonged Brad's health for an additional ten years. So, the progression of the disease called Sclerosing Colangitis was a very slow one, thankfully, and about 18 years passed before he needed to get on the Liver Transplant List.
4. Was it a difficult decision to make - that you would be the one to donate a portion of your liver? No, my husband had already had one Liver Transplant and I could not watch him get that sick again. I immediately started the process to get tested to see if I was a match.
5. How did you first deal with the pain post recovery before you can start any movement again? Actually, I did not have any pain! I know that is not the normal but my body did not have pain so I never took a pain pill.
6. Wow, that's amazing. As soon as you could move, what did you do first? I can remember very well. I began moving uber gently doing yoga in my bed. That was how BEDSIDE YOGA was born. I knew I had a lot to teach others after being a patient, an Occupational Therapist and a Yoga Therapist.
7. What other forms of healing did you integrate into your practice post op? Meditation, walking, yoga, and of course eating healing foods.
8. Tell me about your husband's journey post op and how you inspired him to heal. He had a difficult post op course but once he started on the road to recovery we did meditation and yoga together. He is an amazing man and he inspires ME everyday.
9. How did your relationship with your husband change throughout this process? Were there difficult times or did you just grow in love and deeper connection? I know our relationship is rare. We have this unconditional love for each other and knowing that my liver of love is inside of him, healing and growing has made our love grow even deeper.
10. How has your spirituality helped your recovery and what do you believe with respect to the power to heal through a connection to Source or Divine energy? I totally believe there is a Higher Power and I know trusting in that Divine intervention is what connected Brad and I and has inspired us to heal.
11.Tell me more about the evolution of BEDSIDE YOGA? It is meant for folks pre-op, post-op or for anyone simply looking for a gentle Kripalu yoga practice. I wanted to film it while I was still healing, so 9 weeks post-op I shot the DVD. It has been very well received and I have sent DVDs out across the U.S., which is very exciting. To find your dharma, your purpose in life is a gift…to be able to serve other with this gift is amazing.
12. It sounds like this is definitely your dharma. You are incredibly passionate about your work. What are the benefits of doing yoga in bed? You can do yoga in bed when you are unable to make it to a chair or a mat to practice. All the props you need are in your own home. The almost 40 mins of Restorative Yoga on the DVD are very, very healing. Restorative Yoga is deep, nurturing work and brings amazing results. Give it a try and witness yourself heal from the inside out.
Check out a clip from the Bedside Yoga DVD:
To be able to serve others with this gift is amazing.
~Carol Shwidock
Good morning! I had the pleasure of being introduced to Carol Shwidock, an innovative, Kripalu based Yoga Therapist, Occupational Therapist and fellow actress, after we each appeared in separate plays written by playwright Nina Mansfield. Carol is based in Stamford, CT, and is the sole teacher at a studio she founded called Harmony Yoga.
She is a lovely woman with a soothing voice and gentle, compassionate approach to life, one that was deepened after a serious life event. Carol went through the process of donating a portion of her liver to her husband, who required a second liver transplant in 2011. Carol and her husband's recovery story are amazing. Through yoga, she subsequently healed herself and played a vital role in helping her husband heal as well.
Carol was just a few weeks out of surgery when she developed BEDSIDE YOGA, a series of yoga postures done from, you guessed it, her bed. This is not a rigorous series of asanas. It is very, very gentle.
Below is my email interview with Carol. I hope you are inspired by what you read and if so, please pass it on! You're also entitled to a 10% discount on her Yoga DVDs (both BEDSIDE YOGA and her first DVD, which is called THE ESSENCE OF HARMONY YOGA) just by mentioning this article. If you know anybody who is having a difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, this may just help! I think this kind of DVD can be a great asset to anybody who is struggling to develop a workout habit or working through a mood disorder or dependency.
I was particularly drawn to Carol's story for two reasons. The first is my dear friend survived a liver transplant. She was the recipient, not the doner, but she easily could have benefitted from this kind of practice early on in her recovery. The second is because after my third surgery on my right ankle (soccer induced injuries) I modified my intenSati practice and taught it from both a chair and a yoga mat. I know what it feels like to make adjustments to your practice and honor your body exactly where it is so you can recover, heal and teach. That photo down there is me about 22 months ago when I first started moving again.
Without further ado...
Lindspiration
Interview with Carol Shwidock, Yoga Therapist (Harmony Yoga Studio, Bedside Yoga DVD)
5.15.12
1. When did you first start practicing yoga? I began about 15 years ago. I had been a runner for about 20 years and had developed some knee pain, so I stopped running and started dancing and doing yoga.
2. What led you to teaching? Truthfully, it was Sept 11th. Two days later I quit my job of 10 years as a home care Occupational Therapist and started my quest to find my purpose. I was burnt out on illness, especially with my husband getting sicker. I was actually in a yoga class during the Sept 11th attacks. I realized that becoming a yoga teacher (at that time, now I am a Yoga Therapist) was a natural progression for my seasoned hands, so I applied to Kripalu and was accepted to the yoga teacher training program.
3. How did you first handle the news about your husband's condition? Well, it was a long time ago and it was of course very shocking when he was diagnosed. My daughter, who is now 22, was just 6 months old. We learned that if he did not have a liver transplant within ten years he would not survive but we thought that would be a long time away. He had no symptoms except for elevated liver enzymes. Learning he had an auto-immune disease eventually led us to a naturopath who prolonged Brad's health for an additional ten years. So, the progression of the disease called Sclerosing Colangitis was a very slow one, thankfully, and about 18 years passed before he needed to get on the Liver Transplant List.
4. Was it a difficult decision to make - that you would be the one to donate a portion of your liver? No, my husband had already had one Liver Transplant and I could not watch him get that sick again. I immediately started the process to get tested to see if I was a match.
5. How did you first deal with the pain post recovery before you can start any movement again? Actually, I did not have any pain! I know that is not the normal but my body did not have pain so I never took a pain pill.
6. Wow, that's amazing. As soon as you could move, what did you do first? I can remember very well. I began moving uber gently doing yoga in my bed. That was how BEDSIDE YOGA was born. I knew I had a lot to teach others after being a patient, an Occupational Therapist and a Yoga Therapist.
7. What other forms of healing did you integrate into your practice post op? Meditation, walking, yoga, and of course eating healing foods.
8. Tell me about your husband's journey post op and how you inspired him to heal. He had a difficult post op course but once he started on the road to recovery we did meditation and yoga together. He is an amazing man and he inspires ME everyday.
9. How did your relationship with your husband change throughout this process? Were there difficult times or did you just grow in love and deeper connection? I know our relationship is rare. We have this unconditional love for each other and knowing that my liver of love is inside of him, healing and growing has made our love grow even deeper.
10. How has your spirituality helped your recovery and what do you believe with respect to the power to heal through a connection to Source or Divine energy? I totally believe there is a Higher Power and I know trusting in that Divine intervention is what connected Brad and I and has inspired us to heal.
11.Tell me more about the evolution of BEDSIDE YOGA? It is meant for folks pre-op, post-op or for anyone simply looking for a gentle Kripalu yoga practice. I wanted to film it while I was still healing, so 9 weeks post-op I shot the DVD. It has been very well received and I have sent DVDs out across the U.S., which is very exciting. To find your dharma, your purpose in life is a gift…to be able to serve other with this gift is amazing.
12. It sounds like this is definitely your dharma. You are incredibly passionate about your work. What are the benefits of doing yoga in bed? You can do yoga in bed when you are unable to make it to a chair or a mat to practice. All the props you need are in your own home. The almost 40 mins of Restorative Yoga on the DVD are very, very healing. Restorative Yoga is deep, nurturing work and brings amazing results. Give it a try and witness yourself heal from the inside out.
Check out a clip from the Bedside Yoga DVD:
Monday, May 7, 2012
Power Inspiration
This morning I thought about the following Marianne Williamson quote:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson
A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3 (Pg. 190-191)
Society has very warped definitions of "powerful beyond measure". Ego-maniacal, domineering and self centered POWER, the kind that reeks of self importance in the context of a hierarchy or system of one upmanship, is often glorified and promoted. Sometimes it can feel like stepping into and owning POWER means joining that club. It doesn't have to at all.
The POWER this quote speaks to is ENERGY or Source or God or Spirit or LOVE or anything GREATER than you, which is NOT YOU, but lives in you. Tapping into that POWER and living from its place does lead to feeling BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS, TALENTED and FABULOUS, a scary place if you've been accustomed to calling yourself mediocre, fat, incapable of big things, incompetent, or lost.
Signs you may be afraid of your own POWER:
-Afraid to assert yourself
-Afraid to walk away from a shitty relationship or non-relationship relationship
-Overeating
-Starving or restricting
-Other various eating disordered behavior that causes you to shrink
-Keeping your art hidden
-Keeping your opinions hidden
-Going along with crowds even if you disagree with philosophy
-Doing what your parents suggest
-Refusing to take responsibility for finances
-Shying away from any kind of spiritual practice that speaks to divine energy or Source
-Staying on a career path that is clearly not your heart's desire
-Feeling very threatened by "competition" in social settings or the workplace
-Looking to traditional definitions of Power (for women, let's say meeting the THIN IDEAL, botoxed complexions, etc.) that society upholds and then disqualifying yourself if you don't fit these norms
-Very uncomfortable with sexuality and body image
-Nervous to take on physical challenges that some still consider "masculine" like punching, kicking, push-ups, etc.
-Discomfort in a leadership or management role out of fear you come off as too dominant or controlling
-Uncomfortable saying NO to people particularly if they want something from you that you don't want to give (boundaries, boundaries, boundaries)
-Settling for a lower salary than you deserve or being afraid to ask for a raise
-Fear of solitude
Great news is, we are born ready and able to live in our POWER so we can unlearn these tendencies at any time. Yahoo.
I am SO GRATEFUL for all the people I know who SHINE without or through fear and live from a deep place of connection to Source. It inspires me to do the same a day at a time!
Best, :)
Lindsay
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Central Park Inspiration
I teach a weekly fitness class in Central Park on Saturday mornings. It's free, it starts at 10AM, it's the intenSati practice, and it's a commitment that brings me deep joy.
Today it was rainy and the ground was slick. We had a few options but as I tend to err on the side of caution with respect to working out on slippery surfaces, I opted out of teaching the usual class. Instead, I took my students on a Sati inspired walk through Central Park.
And it was wonderful!!
I gave the intenSati affirmations one at a time, inviting people to breathe and walk with the mantra. I looked for metaphors in the park and inspiration. For "I deepen my joy (JOY)" we paused to watch a pregnant woman with her husband (presumably) posing for photos with a professional photographer. Could you get more joyful than that? For "I relax into faith (FAITH)" I had my students walk and jog down various paths and then when they reached an end they turned around and came to the starting point. With faith, there is really no wrong path, no wrong way and you can always simply turn around and try a new road.
We stood beside the William Shakespeare statue during "My heart is grateful" while I started the prologue for Romeo and Juliet before realizing I didn't know beyond "In fair Verona where we lay our scene" so I stopped.
During the affirmation paired with STRENGTH which goes "I am following it" and refers to the plans we form on a daily basis to help reach our goals, we scaled a small hill. What better want to demonstrate strength than to hike an incline.
Then, in the strangest twist of faith, when we were deep into the park, I ran into none other than my boss! JUST as we were affirming "My needs are met. I help and give." I am an executive assistant so to see my helping and giving reflected back to me coincidentally was pretty astounding.
My students were smiling, happy and seeing the park and ideally, themselves, with fresh, CLEAR eyes. The beauty reflects their beauty. The energy fills them, the oxygen wakes up cells and the relaxation allows healing, stress relief --
Oh! One more part -- during "I am powerful (WILLPOWER)" we joined all the athletes who were jogging and biking in the park. We affirmed that we're athletes and part of this collective of people who are in their power. I asked "Are you afraid of your power?" and everybody answered NO.
We also paused by the flowers and admired their vibrant colors.
Photos to come (courtesy of my student, Norn)...
Peace,
Lindsay
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sunflower inspiration
I was inspired to change the template (for about the 25th time) to sunflowers because they remind me of Tuscany. If you've never been to this incredible land, I can tell you that one of the highlights are the endless fields of happy, golden flowers. Beautiful.
I also came across a song of the same name by Canadian singer/songwriter, Stacey Zegers. She has an inspirational, anti-bullying message and sings to subjects like depression, suicide and why female power runs a lot deeper than red lipstick on a pale blonde. I enjoy where Stacey takes the video at around the 2 minute mark. Check out "Sunflower" and let me know what you think:
Best,
Lindsay
I also came across a song of the same name by Canadian singer/songwriter, Stacey Zegers. She has an inspirational, anti-bullying message and sings to subjects like depression, suicide and why female power runs a lot deeper than red lipstick on a pale blonde. I enjoy where Stacey takes the video at around the 2 minute mark. Check out "Sunflower" and let me know what you think:
Best,
Lindsay
May intenSati Series
Good morning! It's a rainy one today in New York City on May 3rd. I'm craving sunshine, of course, but don't feel too bothered by the conditions.
I'm teaching a new intenSati series this month that I wrote, in all honesty, at the dentist. They say "There's no atheist in a fox hole" and for me, I'm no atheist in a dentist's chair while getting a crown. I'm never really an atheist anymore but for the sake of conversation, the disproportionately nervous anxiety I feel at the dentist often propels me into conscious contact with Source energy. So, while I was numb for a little while, I wrote the following series which feels like a beautiful expression of where I am at in my intenSati practice. I hope you enjoy practicing it with me this month at Equinox and inside Central Park!
MAY SERIES
My vision is clear (Desire)
I have a plan (Focus)
I am following it (Strength)
Yes, I am! (Commitment)
I relax into faith (Faith)
I am willing to grow (Willing)
I deepen my joy (Joy)
I trust what I know (Confidence)
I am powerful (Willpower)
I am out of my own way (Passion/Perseverance)
My heart is grateful (Gratitude)
I live for today (Enthusiasm)
My needs are met (Gratitude)
I help and give (Energy)
The more I love (Love)
The better I live (Lotus balance)
I already taught it once and loved it, I think because it feels more about flowing and giving than about getting. It's about adjusting my expectations, feeling grateful for what I have, abiding by plans I have (action steps) without getting consumed with results, and being in a place of connection to the Source energy out of which springs faith, joy and of course, love.
I am really looking forward to seeing the growth in my students and myself this month.
While walking to get coffee this morning, I saw quickly how my mind can float some ideas about my current conditions that are very disempowering. I needed to do a reality check and reframe. Without getting specific, allow me to just say it was the usual feeling of not being where I want to be with respect to career, finances, relationship, etc. The judgments seemed to just crop up and for no reason, really! I just got up after all. So, while walking home, I reminded myself of my power of choice.
I always have a choice to view my life and circumstances with a grateful heart and when I do, I relax. The affirmation above about relaxing into faith is where I will close this morning, since it's one of my favorite affirmations of the series. Instead of shocking yourself like a kid jumping into the deep end of a cold pool, I take my faith these days like someone dipping her toes in the shallow end of one that is mild to moderately heated. A little dip here of "It's all working out" and a little wade there of "The Universe is benevolent". Slowly, easing into the faith that "Discoveries come when I ask and listen" or "Not on mine but on The Universe's time table". Little thoughts which deepen my faith seem to last the longest.
Have a beautiful day!
Thank you,
Lindsay
I'm teaching a new intenSati series this month that I wrote, in all honesty, at the dentist. They say "There's no atheist in a fox hole" and for me, I'm no atheist in a dentist's chair while getting a crown. I'm never really an atheist anymore but for the sake of conversation, the disproportionately nervous anxiety I feel at the dentist often propels me into conscious contact with Source energy. So, while I was numb for a little while, I wrote the following series which feels like a beautiful expression of where I am at in my intenSati practice. I hope you enjoy practicing it with me this month at Equinox and inside Central Park!
MAY SERIES
My vision is clear (Desire)
I have a plan (Focus)
I am following it (Strength)
Yes, I am! (Commitment)
I relax into faith (Faith)
I am willing to grow (Willing)
I deepen my joy (Joy)
I trust what I know (Confidence)
I am powerful (Willpower)
I am out of my own way (Passion/Perseverance)
My heart is grateful (Gratitude)
I live for today (Enthusiasm)
My needs are met (Gratitude)
I help and give (Energy)
The more I love (Love)
The better I live (Lotus balance)
I already taught it once and loved it, I think because it feels more about flowing and giving than about getting. It's about adjusting my expectations, feeling grateful for what I have, abiding by plans I have (action steps) without getting consumed with results, and being in a place of connection to the Source energy out of which springs faith, joy and of course, love.
I am really looking forward to seeing the growth in my students and myself this month.
While walking to get coffee this morning, I saw quickly how my mind can float some ideas about my current conditions that are very disempowering. I needed to do a reality check and reframe. Without getting specific, allow me to just say it was the usual feeling of not being where I want to be with respect to career, finances, relationship, etc. The judgments seemed to just crop up and for no reason, really! I just got up after all. So, while walking home, I reminded myself of my power of choice.
I always have a choice to view my life and circumstances with a grateful heart and when I do, I relax. The affirmation above about relaxing into faith is where I will close this morning, since it's one of my favorite affirmations of the series. Instead of shocking yourself like a kid jumping into the deep end of a cold pool, I take my faith these days like someone dipping her toes in the shallow end of one that is mild to moderately heated. A little dip here of "It's all working out" and a little wade there of "The Universe is benevolent". Slowly, easing into the faith that "Discoveries come when I ask and listen" or "Not on mine but on The Universe's time table". Little thoughts which deepen my faith seem to last the longest.
Have a beautiful day!
Thank you,
Lindsay
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