Stress and Fascia
I have felt over-extended this week. I added two new classes to my schedule, plus started my writing class, plus a new private. Also I am co-teaching Black Dog's Teacher Training, and currently planning an Anusara Teacher Training for next January with Keric. And aside from that, driving to my 14 classes every week.
Here in LA, the driving can be so challenging and draining. Yesterday I taught two privates in the morning, then drove all the way to Eagle Rock to see my Rolfer, Mary Bond. She asked how I was doing and I told her I felt very tired. She took one look at me and told me to go back home and rest. I cancelled my last private of the day, which was a friend who wanted to see me for a restorative. I felt bad about canceling her and yet I know that as a yoga teacher I have to be feeling my best in order to do my job. Teaching really is a transmission of energy! Last night I slept almost 10 hours and feel so much better.
I have been reading a lot about the body and in particular about the fascia. The fascia has been described as an "organ of posture" as it helps to stabilize our posture. Mary Bond writes in her book The New Rules of Posture (I highly recommend it for yoga teachers) that "Fascia shrinks and toughens in response to any kind of stress: physical, environmental, or psychological." Stress makes fascia produce more fibers which can create adhesions between the muscles. For those who have seen Gil Hedley's brilliant video on "fuzz," that's what he is referring to.
So this week, I have been feeling the stress of driving tightening the connective tissue all around me. During my free time I have been doing more yoga, stretching, restorative and meditation. Also spiritually I have been looking at my posture and even when I am sitting in traffic, breathing sweetly, reminding my body to align, reminding myself to take a posture of open-heartedness and spaciousness. The way we stand says so much about how we see the world and ourselves.
May we continue to look at how we are standing both physically and spiritually.
May we continue to take care of ourselves.
Have a beautiful weekend everyone!
And to my parents who are in Spain right now: Que disfruten mucho su estadia en la Madre Patria! Bendicion Viejitos!
Comments