Taking a break

Reading from Monday, April 2, 2012 yoga class

Last Thursday morning I passed out on my way to the bathroom and came down on my right shoulder.  I didn't know how many colors a shoulder could turn in a week's time.  (I am posting this on April 5th).  Anyway... I probably also had a slight concussion.  I went to the doctor and had the shoulder X-rayed and there is nothing broken, thank goodness.  SO... a wake-up call for me.  I have not had a break from teaching yoga, except for the summer I took off from the classes I was teaching in Vevay), since I started teaching in 2004.  I knew that I needed a break for a while, but not wanting to disappoint, I kept pushing it aside and telling myself I was fine.  The universe had other plans for me.  I will be taking some time off from teaching... probably for the entire summer.  I will post when my last class will be when I decide.

Here's a couple of beautiful poems that I read to the class on Monday.

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do
not only in lightening storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking.  Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting
a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade-surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.
                                       
                                       Mary Oliver

Waiting in Line

When you listen you reach
into dark corners and
pull out your wonders.
When you listen your
ideas come in and out
like they were waiting in line.
Your ears don't always listen.
It can be your brain, your
fingers, your toes.
You can listen anywhere.
Your mind might not want to go.
If you can listen you can find
answers to questions you didn't know.
If you have listened, truly
listened, you don't find your
self alone.

Nick Penna, fifth grader