How I Feel

"Our perception that we have "no time" is one of the distinctive marks of modern Western culture." Margaret Visser

I'm tired. I mean, I'm really tired. I have a feeling I'll be even more tired sometime this year, but tonight, I'm really tired. Most of the time I feel like I don't have enough time to do everything, but then I realize that I should just calm down. Things will get done. I just have to keep breathing. Deep breathing into a restful night's sleep sounds really good right now!

Opening to Grace

Michael (our beloved yoga instructor) is doing a wonderful job with word choices and when to employ them. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when Michael chooses to say "Open to grace." It makes all the difference when an asana is getting particularly challenging. It makes me pause and remember to be good to myself, to be open hearted and to be accepting of my own goodness. You'd think of all things a person could accept him/herself, but I think sometimes that's the hardest thing to do. Perhaps that's why they call it "yoga practice."

Meaning is More Than Words

I have to admit that I had to read Mark Johnson's excerpt about body-based meaning more than once.  It seemed too obvious at first.  Of course there is no separation between mind and body. I could not function without my brain and body working together.

Without reading Johnson's entire book or article, I suspect what he is referring to is the absence of God or some other supreme being that would give human beings meaning that they could not otherwise receive on their own.  I have to say that this is a brave first reading to assign a class of 30 students in an elective class.  I wonder if students expected such an existential first reading!  As to whether I agree or disagree with Johnson, I would have to read more.  What is the title of this book or article?

Classwork = New Blog

Instead of handwriting a journal for my yoga class, I made another blog: http://rashanaworksyoga.blogspot.com. This is simply my observations from class and discussions regarding instructor selected topics. It may or may not be your cup of tea, but if you're interested, feel free to check it out. And now - on to more homework!

Donna Farhi's Effort and Surrender

Those who know I enjoy yoga most likely know I enjoy reading Donna Farhi books and would love to study with her.  From time to time I open Bringing Yoga to Life and randomly read an excerpt.  I find it telling that Friday morning, the first Friday of my first week in graduate school, I should open the book directly to the chapter Effort and Surrender.

In the Yoga-Sutra Patanjali distinguishes between different kinds of effort.  We are told that self-realization is imminent if our actions are performed with ardor, enthusiasm, and sincerity and that the more intense this passionate effort, the closer the goal (1.21-1.23).  Yet immediately following this exposition on effort, we're advised that effort and the spontaneous realization of oneness are a contradiction in terms.  We can choose another option, and that is to surrender to God.  How do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory paths?

I'm not sure I can answer that question for myself yet, but after this first week of school (and essentially the first week back to technique classes), I think most of us wanted to surrender in some way; to rest and just to listen.  Friday morning my alarm went off to the music of The Gotan Project - wonderful Tango music that helped me drip out of bed and onto a yoga mat in the next room.  I laid on my back and went through breathing exercises, moved through some simple restorative poses and eventually draped myself over a bolster in a relaxed child's pose.  What I found so wonderful was the lack of effort that allowed me to be still and listen to my breath and my heart.  My heart beat so that it moved my body slightly over the bolster till it didn't seem like "my" heart beating, but just a lifeforce making its presence known.  I found this incredibly comforting and peaceful.  My day moved along with greater ease as well.

Two Days Down

I completed my first two days of grad school. Finally today, after introducing myself for the millionth time and explaining what I'm doing at OSU, I realized that it really all boils down to one thing - gaining the courage to truly let my voice be heard. I'm sure I'll talk about this more. In the meantime, I'm having a good time!

David took a picture of me on my first day of school. Ahhh, the dorkiness of it all!

Class schedule for Autumn 2009

At last - my class schedule!

Monday/Wednesday

8:45-10:15 - Yoga

10:30-12:00 - Modern Technique

12:15-4:15 - Work at the Wexner Center

4:30-6:30 - Dance and Technology

Tuesday/Thursday

8:45-10:15 - Resources

10:30-2:30 - Work at the Wexner Center

2:45-4:15 - Dance Theatre Choreography and Performance

4:30-6:30 - Dance Criticism

7:00-9:00 - Rehearsal (Tuesdays only)

Friday

8:45-10:15 - Work at the Wexner Center

10:30-12:00 - Modern Technique

12:30-2:30 - Dance Theatre Choreography and Performance

2:45-5:15 - Work at the Wexner Center

Let's see if this old woman can handle this!

The Day before the First Day of Grad School

We're so close to getting settled into the new house. Tonight is "accessory" night where I see if there's a place for a few select items to place on furniture, like these new bedside tables I painted black.

The windows desperately need curtains and the walls need artwork!

Hmmm. I wonder when I'll HAND SEW these curtains???!!!

Back to the videos!

Let's re-visit July 2009, shall we?

Luc Tuymans and school

Today I had the honor of going on a tour of the much anticipated Luc Tuymans exhibit at the Wexner Center during the Docent Training. Docent Training is part of the Education Department, which I am also a part as the G.A.A. for Youth and Family Programs. Helen Molesworth, co-curator of the show, conducted the tour and as a wonderful surprise, Luc Tuymans himself came towards the end of the tour to speak of his art himself. How incredible to get information first hand! Please check out the video at the following link for more information. The show opens tomorrow to Wexner members and then officially to the general public on Thursday. http://www.wexarts.org/ex/index.php?eventid=4043. His work makes me excited for contemporary art all over again and I cannot wait to see how simply being surrounded by art constantly at the Wexner Center will shape my own choreography and how I choose to present it. I'm excited!

Other news - Teacher Workshops at the Dance Department start Thursday, Sept. 17th. School starts Sept. 23rd. I can hardly contain myself! I hope to finish up organizing and furnishing the house and completing some web projects this weekend! Lots going on! Eventually I will revisit video footage and complete that project too. Ooooh. And did I mention that I have a Halloween Experience in mind? Hmmm. I wonder what all will get "done."

My First Labor Day in Columbus

After a weekend of moving boxes and unpacking (with still more left to unpack), it's Labor Day. And it's raining. In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - "The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." Honestly, there's nothing better than a quiet weekday holiday with overcast skies and soft rain. Sweet!