Bad at nothing?

So there's not been a word from me in a while. It's not because I'm doing nothing. Frankly I'm quite bad at doing nothing. They don't call me a project horder for nothing. Even on days off there's often a to do list. Despite this the yoga pracise is now on hold apart from a bit of stretching and occasional restorative asanas. Not because I wanted to stop, but because I had to. I've had an awful cold for almost three weeks now and it's been going up and down like a rollercoaster and I fear the fact that I wasn't accepting the changed physical limits and pushed myself like I was invincible is what kept me under the weather. Now is the last stage of this cold, I can feel it. The final hill. Finally.

Now is also the last of the summer. You know when you're so close to reaching your goal and something gets in the way, something which is not an obstacle you can overcome... the disappointment can be great. I wasn't too far from that head stand I said I would do before the end of summer... when I caught this cold. I know I will be able to do sirsasana, but before summer is over? No certainty. I want to curse this stubborn cold, but what's the use...

Looking at sickess from a positive angle it is actually helpful to us. It can help us slow down and realize the importance of rest and recovery. Help us realize that we should be happy for each day that we and the ones around us are in good health, never taking it for granted. Also for you multi-taskers, doers and project horders like me... learn how to do nothing! This skill is easy to forget in the world we live in today. I'm not advising apathetically staring at walls here, what I'm talking about is actively chosing to not engage in any activity. To put things at hold to put yourself first. To recharge. To simply be and find your positive way of mind. Stop yourself if you hear yourself saying or even thinking I AM SICK. The sickness is NOT a part of you. Your immune system is not a rare mythical creature hiding far away (although the pharmacies would like you to believe otherwise). You got the ability to heal yourself always. Believe in it.

Another good thing about these passed weeks is that I've had a lot of time to plan for my new life as a student. So this term I'm happy to announce I will start my education in Digital Media in a little town near Göteborg!

That's about all I can give today. I don't know when I'll see you again, might be tomorrow, might be two more weeks... in any case I wish you luck on your journey.
Peace be with you.

The three lessons.

I went to two very different classes yesterday: Yin yoga in the morning at Drottning Victorias Vilohem in Borgholm and then Global yoga at Namayoga in Kalmar.

 What's Yin yoga? 
Yin means heaven or a force of expansion. A type of yoga based on the old Chinese Tao yoga. Through this yoga you work with your flexibility and endurance. You hold the asanas and for a few minutes as you focus on the breath, moving more and more into the position as you breathe out. The yin yoga puts emphasis on activating hips, pelvis and lower part of your spine. It's soft and meditative. You really listen to your body as you stretch.
The class I went to was short (ca 45 minutes) small and cozy. It doesn't feel like a workout, more like meditation in which the body sometimes gets involved. Nurturing and caring. The good thing about breakfast yoga was that us participants could stay in the mindset and discuss together after the class rather then rushing off into the rest of the day. I even stayed longer to reflect alone over a cup of tea, waiting out the summer rain.

 What's Global yoga? 
East meets West in a pretty new type of yoga by Swedish founder Johanna Andersson. What signifies this style is that it's a faster playful and energetic mix of different types of yoga from many of the corners of our globe, but it's made for the fast paced urban humans of our time in a society where the body doesn't move around as much as the brain does. So it's a lot of physical exercise intertwined with stillness of the mind. Every class has an "intention" - a message to reflect upon. You can also have a free intention which is you pay extra attention to something, like focussing on healing or bringing energy to a certain part of your body or soul. Here's global yoga's manifesto:

Yesterday's intention was 

"Have faith that everything you need will come to you." 

I've been to global yoga before at Ananda yoga studio. This time it was different. Since I still have some kind of infection I was sweating furiously and experiencing a major "setback". It was a 75 minute session, noone was a beginner and we were about 8 participants. Since it was the first time I was with a friend at yoga class I think my showoff side woke up and even though I heard my body saying no I didn't always listen. So today my knees are barely good for walking and I'm feverish and cold. At first it made me angry having to "surrender" to my physical limitations but I realized this was the third lesson of the day. One which I will never forget. An important lesson that I had to learn. The suffering is mostly of my own making for I wasn't humble enough to accept it yesterday. If it's a lesson you're ignoring the test will come to you over and over until you pass. 

Thank you dear body for your patience with me when I'm a stubborn child. I'm sorry I didn't listen. I'm sorry I hurt you. Thank you for teaching me to be humble. It was much needed. 

In our family it seems we're really good at getting passionate about things, always up to something, getting involved to the point where the rest of the world is seemingly forgotten. This is sometimes said to be characteristics of an artist which of course I was proud to have. We do need to get better at simply being without analyzing or thinking "what can I make out of this?" without wanting. Without judging. Without doing. Only breathing and accepting

this is me now

this is now

this is

it is

love what you do what you love

It's official!

Just emailed the course descriptions. I'm going to have a double workshop weekend! It will be after the summer, around september or october at Medborgarskolan, Kalmar. The first workshop will be about upcycle, clothing and creativity and the second one about playing with your food. I already tried out the concepts (in english) on Malta and it was a success.  Of course I'll let you know when it's time to sign up for the weekend! There are few things that are as rewarding as doing what you love and loving what you do. Bliss.

 Here's one of my own food art pieces (coffee, soysauce and tea) and the wonderful kids who got creative together at the previous events! 

Yoga stress - is it even possible?

Yesterday evening I tried a yoga dvd class (also from the library) to get more inspiration and learn new asanas (see previous post if you don't know what that is). It was a ashtanga vinyasa class of 90 minutes. I've attended real vinyasa classes before at Ananda yoga studio in Växjö, but this one was faster and more advanced... I was experiencing... yoga stress? I was already exhausted from the work, and needed to chill out, not break out in sweat!  I kept going but the after effect wasn't worth it. Uncomfortable body and mind.

So young yogi, what did you learn?
Well, first of all, it's important to listen to your body. It's obvious, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves. What I really needed, if I would have listened, was to meditate, do a few slow asanas and just stretch out.

It's easy to get stuck in a YOGASUPERKICKAS MODE which can be activated and motivated by beautiful people standing on their heads or performing a perfect lord of the dancers. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE INSPIRATION but don't forget that it took them time to get there. Don't stress it. Yoga to prevent stress, not build it. It's like sitting down with your favorite cup of tea (or chocolate, or coffe)... relax and enjoy it the way you want it. Don't be afraid to try something new. I won't do ashtanga vinyasa session again after work as relaxation, but on a day off? Sure.
Try, try, try again!

Haha, this picture... Paint has it's limits, but the mind? You decide!

It's up to you to get yourself where you want to be.

Are you a victim of circumstance or are you the creator?

I don't have time is not an excuse not to yoga. 

You can yoga anywhere for as long as you want!

I don't have the energy is not an excuse not to yoga.

When done right, yoga will give you more energy than you "spend". 

It's time to invest in yourself.

Lunchyoga & Öppet Hus / Lunch Yoga & Open House

 Jag är lite förvånad över att fler inte känner till det här stället! Det är något av det bästa med Växjö! I fredags tryckte grundaren och yogaläraren Ernesto flygblad som jag designat och som vi spred i trakten, men jag tänkte att ni kanske borde få veta lite om det med.

Känner du att du vill prova yoga men inte har tid? Då kan du prova lunchyoga som är ett kortare (45 min) men lite intensivare yogapass som är perfekt utformat för de som arbetar i närheten av Ananda Yoga studio. Vill du prova yoga men är osäker på vilken typ av yoga som passar dig? Den 1:a-7:e September är det öppet hus på Ananda Yoga Studio och det innebär att det hela veckan erbjuds en mängd olika yogalektioner och föreläsningar helt gratis. Välkommen!
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I'm surprised not more people know about this place! Last friday the yoga teacher and founder Ernesto printed the flyers I've designed. I thought not only the 500 that got the little orange notes should know about this, but all of you should get the chance to hear it!

Feel like doing yoga, but not sure if you got the time? Come on in and try lunch yoga! It's a shorter (45 minutes) and a bit more intense class perfect for those who work nearby the studio. You want to try yoga but not sure what style would suit you? The 1st-7th September will be open house at the yoga center which means the opportunity for you to try out a wide range of classes for free!

More info at http://anandayogastudio.se/

How did I do it? Greyscale design in photoshop printed on orange paper. Simple as that!