It’s Not About the Pose

Having just come back from the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park, I am amazed at what I forget in my yoga practice, and once again have the beautiful opportunity to remember.  A big one for me this year is:  Yoga is not about the pose, it’s about the principles in the pose.

 It is sometimes easy to forget why I practice yoga.  Quite simply, I practice to feel good, to be strong and free, and to move both positive and negative energy through my body.  To be fully present and focusd on my breath, to be one with my mind, body, and spirit.  And to remember what I often forget – the principles of the pose.  The three A’s are the foundation of Anusara Yoga:

 Attitude-The power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression is an asana (pose)

Alignment-The mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected

Action-The natural flow of energy in the body, which provides stability and freedom 

We can take these 3 powerful  principles and transfer them off our yoga mats and into our lives.  Where in your life are you not opening your heart?  Are you in alignment in your relationship, work ethic, and taking care of your body temple?  Are you creating financial stability in your life so that you can be more free?  What action can you take right now?

Do You Need a Coach? 5 Ways a Coach Can Help You Create Change

I attended the Colorado Organization of Nurse Leaders Annual Fall Symposium in Keystone last week. The program focused on the all-important issues of quality and safety, and I was intrigued and encouraged by how much emphasis was placed on the importance of coaching and mentoring toward helping healthcare workers achieve a higher standard.

Especially in the area of healthcare, where we are trying to do more with less – and better and faster – these days, we can lose perspective and end up feeling like the lone ranger. An experienced coach can provide the new perspective, support, and inspiration that helps achieve goals. But the value of coaching and mentoring are far from limited to the healthcare field.

I enjoyed the movie, Julie and Julia last week as well, and was struck by how it exemplifies the power of coaching. Though Julie never actually meets Julia Child, she becomes almost obsessed with Julia’s French cooking and vows to cook every recipe in Julia’s book and blog about it daily for 365 days. Through the process she takes strength from the famous “French Chef,” drawing on Julia’s behavior in relationships, zest for life, and creativity toward her own personal growth. So Julie ends up being “coached” by Julia vicariously, through her French cookbook! A proof of how we can sometimes discover the support we need in the oddest of places.

I have used a number of coaches in both my personal and professional life over the years and continue to utilize their expertise, even though I have my own coaching practice. I find that coaches can be indispensable at times, particularly in helpng to:

Identify areas in your life where you have lost your voice.
Set up realistic goals and measurable outcomes.
Develop specific action plans unique to you and your goals.
Stay directed and accountable for your behavior.
Manage your time, your energy, and yourself – better.
You just need to connect with, trust, and feel like your coach really “gets” you to create any change or new direction you’re looking for. So as with any new and developing relationship, when considering a coach, interview and ask the questions that are most important to you to ensure a good match.