Entry Eight: (July 24, 2013)
Lokah Samasta Sukhino
Bhavantu
“May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May
the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to the
happiness and freedom for all.”
This was the opening theme for our Jivamukti yoga
class this AM taught by Susan Fain (see end of the blog for more
information and a link). After her first real good night of sleep she was ready
to teach. She taught us the Sanskrit words above and led us through a sweet
class that ended in a deep savasana. The theme of the class resonated with the
blog I had already started shaping in my mind. That is, the thoughts, words and
actions in our own lives contribute each day to the happiness and freedom of
all. Specifically, I was thinking about each member of the research team and
the gifts (thoughts, words, and actions) that they bring to our research
mission each day.
Susan- brings her passionate
and potent language to each class and each conversation- balanced with moments
of lightness, fun and joy. She is intuitive and uses this intuition to help and
sometimes heal others. She cares very deeply for those around her and does
thoughtful things, like knowing that Nan would love a map of Kenya and that
Carla was using too much Thieves. She has solved enough problems to be called
our hero- a suitable name (she has saved the day more than once). These are
some of her gifts.
Nan- is as fun as she is smart and
more loving than either of those combined. She validates all of those around
her, sometimes very purposely and sometimes it is because that is who she is.
She has taken time this trip to make each of us a necklace out of beads and
charms of our choosing. She bought each member of the research team a team
t-shirt. She is on fire about AYP and wants to help make it even more effective
and beautiful than it already is. These are some of her gifts.
Carla- is where ever she is
completely. She is courageous and adventurous and shows a hunger for knowledge
and connection that I can only imagine has been there since she was a little
girl. She sees others and I think she can feel what others feel. She is
passionate about this research and so very excited about her future studies. She
finds beauty everywhere and in everyone. These are some of her gifts.
Jessalyn- is a reflective and
thoughtful person. She is careful and commits when she knows she can give her
whole heart and once that is offered, she means it. She is bright and sensitive.
A self-described old soul, others know she can be trusteed, even little ones
meeting her for the first time. In her normalness, she is unique and the good
kind of bird watching quirky. These are some of her gifts.
Brooke- is bright, a keen
observer, and supporter. Early in her life plan, she is open minded and
openhearted. She sees you and listens to you. Somehow one knows that if that if
they need to have a sense of eye contact assuring that things are okay, you can
look to Brooke for the “It’s good” look or “Yeah, I thought that was funny too”
look. In this way, she is one of those people that is the glue for it all. She
quietly adds her part with no apparent need for acknowledgement with
reliability and steadfastness. These are some of her gifts.
Steve- is an adventurous
supporter and lover of life. He buys flowers for the team members’ rooms to
welcome us, acts as DJ at AYP house dinners, connects with children who cannot
see to find out how yoga has affected them, buys pens when we run out, and shows
up to lunch with extra flat bread and hummus for everyone. He doesn’t mention
that he has done any of these things. He just does them. He shows up, ready,
and motivated to help and make change. He contributes each and every day and
sees the magic in the experience. These are some of his gifts.
Jerry- is steady, thoughtful, and
flexible. He watches over and carries our supplies and data. He is openhearted
to all of our Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 ways in non-judgment and love. He is
patient beyond words and as my husband has been here for me as I work to do
something that I know is extremely meaningful and important. I love him with
all my heart and each day we are here, without knowing how it could be
stronger, it is. He even adopted (at home before we left) a baby elephant,
Aruba, as a surprise for me today for my birthday (not until August). These are
some of his gifts.
Irene- is strong, thoughtful,
and purposeful. She loves to dance and laugh as much as she loves to make
things happen. Her voice is authentic from the core and when she teaches yoga
you try harder because you can. She is able to manage the demands of the office
and the needs of our research team. She loves yoga, the yoga teachers, and all
of the yoga students with whom she works. When she says “downward facing dog”
she might as well be saying “I love you.” It is like that. These are some of
her gifts.
Wanji- is a bright, light,
and powerful soul. She can bargain at the market and bring joy to a yoga class.
Her smile lights up a room and if music is playing her body is moving. She is
strong minded and direct. She uses her words clearly and with passion. She is a
good researcher, bringing Swahili to the research process communicating the
method clearly and effectively. Her heart is as soft and open as her sprit is
fierce. These are some of her gifts.
Joyce- is a loving and caring
person. She sees the pain and the joy in others. She is thoughtful and careful.
She has such strong hope, perhaps it is faith. You can feel it in her and see
it in her eyes when you are near her. She believes deeply in what she is doing
with the Africa Yoga Project. She loves the children especially and her love
for them brings out their joy. She is able to rally the children to work and
inspire them to participate fully. These are some of her gifts.
Louis- is a quiet observer and
bright emerging leader. She is clear about her current goals and has her eyes
on a big future. She brings a sense of heading somewhere good with strength and
intention; yet, at the same time she is soft and empathic. She sees the big
picture and asserts her self when she can make the bigger agenda happen.
Otherwise, she waits and helps. Her effort is effective in this way. She is a
hard worker and dedicated to the bigger mission. Theses are some of her gifts.
Musa- is a seeker of truth
and knowledge. You might even say he is a student of life. He loves yoga and is
committed to the Africa Yoga Project. He is kind and caring. He is reliable and
works hard to make whatever needs to happen, happen. Musa is full of gratitude
for all that he is experiencing and for all of the people in his life. He is
caretaker who worries if everyone is okay and does what he can to make it so.
These are some of his gifts.
Jamo- is an artist who is able
to see the art in everything. His eyes see the perspectives and voices in the
visual. His body feels the rhythm of the music and the meaning of discourse. He
is bright, thoughtful, and contributes important insights as we work. He is
steadfast as she shows up for our work. His is generous with his time and his
efforts. He sees the future of Kenya and works to make it brighter. These are
some of his gifts.
Today was a day off of research. We went to the
baby elephant orphanage and the Giraffe wildlife preserve and then the AYP
House for dinner. Jerry, Nan and I were able to get back to the artist coop
before dinner. We bought a beautiful and spiritual painting by an extremely
talented artist- Paul Onditi. Watch Facebook for photos!
I am grateful to Paige and Billy for having our
whole research team over for dinner and want to acknowledge Penzis’ sweetness.
I am grateful to Joyce for letting us all share Brittany’s birthday with her.
She is beautiful and smart and a bright light (and now she is 5!!!). I am
grateful to all of those at home what are taking care of everything so that we
would be here. And I love Chloe and Maya Cottone.
Namaste!
Catherine
Basic Class
Each Jivamukti Basic class is part of a four-week
fundamentals course that explores a different theme each week:
week one: standing asanas
week two: forward bending asanas
week three: backward bending asanas
week four: inversions, meditation and “putting it all together.”
Whereas in the Beginner Vinyasa and Open class vinyasa
is emphasized, in the Basic class alignment is the emphasis. Students are
taught “how to do” asanas as well as the use of props. The Basic Class provides
the underlying structure to help a student be able to eventually enter into an
Open class intelligently and safely. Beginners are encouraged to take all four
weeks of the Basic course. Intermediate and advanced students will also benefit
from exploring the alignment essentials presented in these classes. It is
advisable that a student register for the full 4 week program starting with
week one, but a student can also drop into any class at any time during the
month and can also take as many classes as they want each week. This class is
suitable for beginners, but open to all levels of practitioner. The length of a
Basic class may differ at different centers, so please check the schedule for
the center you are attending.
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