Where the attention goes...

Hello and Happy Monday,

Where the attention goes, energy flows. I heard that years ago in class and while it is crystal clear what it means now, it didn't so much then. 

This past week I spent 70 hours with 3 wonderful women. They are my yoga teacher trainees and I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished in 7 days together. We still have 2 full weeks together and so much more to cover, however in the past week they filled their minds with all things yoga. Our attention was on yoga from first thing in the morning until the end of the day. Even our lunch breaks were spent comparing all things through a yogic lens. 

While I have led some incredible groups through yoga teacher training, I have to admit that having 3 to focus all my attention on is pretty special. In just about every yoga studio getting a big number for classes, workshops and especially teacher training matters greatly and is boasted about, and if there aren't enough people they will cancel the offerings. I am reminded of this and remembering how less really is more especially for teacher training. I believe we all have a need of being seen and heard with value, when the ratio is smaller - teacher to student - all questions get answered and there is more time to explore the rabbit holes, everyone gets to be seen and heard. 

Our focus this month is on Dharana - attention, focus. My attention was on yoga all day, so when my day with training was over, my attitude carried on. I stayed in this wonderful peaceful state that wasn't easily shaken. Normally I am easily distracted and not in the peaceful state that I'd like to be. Having that focus be all day long helped me arrive where I wanted to be and stay there. The reality is I am not immersed in yoga all day long - I have responsibilities I have to fulfill that most of the time take me away from a peaceful state. So what I took away from my week was this:
1. Having a schedule helps me tremendously. Aside from the classes I teach, working from home can lead to so many distractions and unless I have a deadline I am all over the place.
2. Having my meals planned for made eating so much easier. I didn't leave my home last week, aside from the few walks we took as a group and one errand I ran after training. I had to have all my meals ready or I wasn't going to eat. (or my family)
3. I love practicing yoga (asana) every single day. 
4. I prioritized what was important outside of training and only did that after my workday. 

Honestly, last week felt very much like the yoga retreats I've led. Everything was planned out and I was prepared, everything is taken care of, only important things outside of the retreat get addressed. These not only help me stay focused, but they help me stay calm and peaceful. 

So of course now I would love to bring this into every day/week of my life. Because who wouldn't want to feel like they were on retreat all the time?! (raises hand aggressively)

Wishing you a smooth, calm, and peaceful week.

With Love, 
Jess