The Show Me Yoga Center Student Spot

Yoga Pushed through a Crowd...and Got To Me.

2008-09-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

This week has been blessed for me.

Two students of mine wrote, very personally, about their practice, and the subsequent fall-out.

It's funny, because when I write *fall-out*, I tend to think of the stock-market bail-out, or nuclear proliferation...all in all, not good...

But these students' *fall-outs* have been quite spectacular. A shift in their mental paradigm, so to speak, towards viewing their lives differently.

They are Happier. More Peaceful. Blissful.

I love Ken Wilbers. He's the man behind Integral Theories. And he's so incredibly clear.

He says that we must continue to practice. That's all. And through practice we, *Let our own presence Be what convinces the World*.

I'll let Laura Stickann (AG office), and Robbie Barnhart (Teen-Yogi) speak now, and let their presence convince you:

Laura Stickann:

If someone had said to me before my first yoga class,"Attending this class will change your life," I wouldn't have believed them. But, it seems hypothetical questions are 20/20 in hindsight in this instance,because yoga has undeniably changed my life and reintroduced spirituality into my life. Furthermore, yoga has helped me to realize that it's okay for me to be who I am, and that it's okay for me to be happy and to seek happiness within myself. My introduction to yoga didn't come about because I was pursing spirituality. I had been trying for some time to get into shape. I worked out at a gym for about a year. I tried pilates. Nothing seemed to work. None of these activities captivated me enough to keep me interested. So, when a friend asked me to accompany her to her weekly yoga class, I decided it was worth a try. I have to admit, the minute I reached the top of the stairs, and took my first step into the studio, I felt like I was in another world: a place where you were greeted with a big, warm smile and treated with kindness and compassion. Instantly I felt at home. The actual classrooms felt seemingly temple-like. A few people sat and talked, but most lay on their mats with their eyes closed, preparing for class. I didn't know it then, but they were taking time to relax their bodies and beginning to focus on their breath in preparation for class. Attention to the breath is a big part of yoga. It's amazing what I've learned from just turning my focus inward and harnessing the power of my breath and in turn, the power of my body and mind. For example, when I'm getting to a point in class when I'm really starting to challenge my body, I remember to breathe deeply and focus on the breath. This allows me to turn away those negative thoughts that are telling me, "you're getting tired" or "you can't do this." When the breath is properly utilized, nine times out of ten, I can, and do, finish the pose. It's that feeling of "I can" that has been one of the most beautiful things about yoga for me; and it has manifested in my day to day life. Since I've been practicing, I no longer doubt my ability to accomplish my goals. I feel that I am capable and worth so much more than I ever believed. For a long time, for many different reasons, I had punished myself for my failures. I didn't have a religion to bear my burdens. I didn't have a God I wanted to confess to. Anytime I made a mistake, I would tell myself how stupid I was. Anytime something went wrong, I immediately blamed myself. It got to a point where I believed that I was stupid; that I just wasn't intelligent. How unfortunate is that? But thankfully, because of my practice of yoga, I've learned to turn those negative thoughts away. It's as simple as breathing. That's how yoga has changed my life. Through yoga, I have realized that every minute of every day is precious, but every minute of every day passes. So, why spend the stress and energy to be unhappy about it? Yoga allows me to be spiritual within myself now. Focusing on me more and beginning to realize my place in this universe has lifted a huge weight from my shoulders. I no longer have to carry around so much frustration and sadness. I can be happy. I hope to practice yoga for the rest of my life and to eventually teach its science to others. I believe that if people loved themselves a little more, they would love each other a little more, and then hopefully this world will be a better place. Namaste.

And from a Teen-Yogi....Robbie Barnhart:

SMYC - Teen Yoga
Yoga. That bendy, stretchy, ow that hurt, and I never knew that was there until it hurt, thing. But what does it mean, what does it matter to study yoga?? Well in all honesty, it is to discover the closest thing to you; yourself.Which is exactly why I attend Teen Yoga at the Show Me Yoga Center downtown. Imagine a place where, upon arrival, all tensions, stresses, judgements, prejudices, and essentially life drains away and you turn the spotlight on the very most important person. YOU!For an hour a week, I travel down a road that is mine in an attempt to figure out what makes me, well, me. It isn't selfish by any means. I challenge myself by exploring different poses that I wouldn't normally try. What is the symbolism of the poses?? Well in a sense one could say that it's a test of physical abilities; however, it's more of a mental dare to say, "I am stronger than I think I am, and I can take this on." I set myself up to achieve more than I thought possible.By getting into one's true self, he has a better understanding of himself, and through that he becomes more efficient in daily life. In the meditation portion of the class, we clear our minds and focus on one thing only. What energy we put out is heard all around the world. It's exactly like the saying, "what goes around, comes around." One thing I've learned through the helpful instruction of wonderful Megan is that our bodies can mold, and we can shape them to however our hearts desire. If we don't like something about ourselves, we have the ability to change whatever that is. And that in itself is a reason to participate in yoga.It opens my heart, it opens my mind; and most importantly it makes me smile when I walk into class, get my props ready, and start letting go of all events, activities, homework, and plans. When I walk out that door, although my legs are wobbly and I feel like a piece of salt water taffy that has been overstretched, I feel like I can take on the world and that nothing can get in my way of being who I want to be.Thanks SMYC and specifically Megan Sappington who makes each class enjoyable and mellow, which is how I want my life to be.

Yoga is like chocolate. You have to try it to get it.

Learning to be okay with who we are isn't easy, and the path can be difficult, but ultimately? We can accept that we are enough. And that, my friends, is where happiness lies.

Try Yoga. At Show Me Yoga Center, we are a Donation-Only Center, meaning you pay what you want to. That's all. We Teach. You Study. No demands, No expectations, No criticism.

Namaste,

Megan Sappington, R.Y.T.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

2008-09-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

I changed my hair color last week.

And not just "sorta" changed it....I went from bleach-blonde to dark brunette.

I've been struggling with it. It looks great, don't get me wrong, but I feel different...not-the-same. I find myself shirking my face downwards, wearing sun-glasses alot, and trying desperately to read people's reactions.

You see, I haven't quite owned this change yet, because I've been assuming the worst.

Facebook "changed" last week too. It went from a very familiar format, to a more complicated version. And folks have howled. Most are angry.

My son turned 9. He has changed from a little "boy", to a little "man". And I, myself, howled.

All of these changes got me thinking....Am I reacting, to my hair color/Facebook/child growing up, because of the change itself? Or am I reacting from Fear? Fear of an unfamiliar and new path? Fear of What-if's? Fear of the Unknown?

"Reacting" to change, according to Buddha, is the cause of suffering. It's when we knee-jerk react to differences in our lives that pain ensues. Because quite honestly most of our reactions are based on an assumption of an outcome. And most of us assume the worst. It's a really "Human" way to think. It's kept us alive for quite sometime now.

Entering new postures on the mat can bring out the same fear, an assumption of the worst-case scenario. It's interesting to follow our mental-stories when confronted with change. In my own practice, my mental-stories could always be traced back to humiliation, which for me meant death. WOW. What a leap my ego would make! Logically it makes no sense....but that's the beauty of practice. I now see what I didn't before, and can therefore make a choice.

Change is inevitable. We know this, right?

So it behooves us greatly to LOOK at how we may react to change. The mere act of LOOKING, allows for a split-second recognition. Allows us to see that, sometimes? We are responding out of fear, and not reality.

And identifying the Fear itself can sometimes make you laugh.

Would I really DIE because my hair is brown? Because Facebook changed formats? Because my son is growing up? Of course not.

I love to introduce folks to change, on the mat. Practicing change here makes it a little easier to do it out there. But it's not just the change itself...it's looking at how we react to it. That's the fruit. What story is my mind refabricating because I'm different now? What does it lead to? What is this fear based on?

Trying, experimenting, feeling a different type of Yoga will give you a great opportunity to look at your own reactions to change. Most of us are very accustomed to, and quite happy with, Hatha Yoga. Warrior, Triangle, Down Dog....It's familiar. And that's great.

But taking the time to explore your reactions to change on the mat will prepare you for the moments in your life when change hits you...unexpectedly....because it will.

"Most change will hit you blindsided, on some idle Tuesday afternoon...."

Kurt Vonnegut

Come and explore Kundalini Yoga with me, on Saturday September 20th, from 10am-11:30am. It's a type of yoga that strives to open up energy channels in the body through repetitive movements. It's different. It's a change.

And we'll look at how we react to change, from the safety of our mats, and the comfort of community, making the inevitable changes we'll all experience in our lives a little less.....arduous.

"Changes are taking the pace I'm going through."

David Bowie

Namaste,

Megan Sappington

Teens giving back

2008-06-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

(Photo: SMYC student Megan Brown)

From Megan Sappington, SMYC Instructor:

I've been thinking. A lot.
Reflecting on choices made, and the repercussions.

Objects set in motion, tend to stay in motion.
~Albert Einstein

In the summer of 2006, Show Me Yoga set in motion Donation Yoga. I remember that meeting vividly. All of us, Jan, Judi, Kevin, Sallie, and myself, wanting to Just Teach Yoga, No Matter What! And 2 years later, we are still doing what no other Studio, Nationwide!, has the guts, or rather the Trust, to do.....Offer all classes for whatever the student can afford.

Show Me Yoga Center is the ONLY studio in the USA that offers All classes for Donation.

I'm pretty darn proud of us.

And I still get calls from potential students who, inevitably, say "WHAT? Please explain, I'm confused....Donation-Only?"
(I've got the response down pat...."Yes. You pay what you what. We teach. You donate. Literally, into a basket...")

You see, we all believe in the power of this practice. We all believe in the power of Intention. We all believe in the goodness of the Universe. We believe that If we teach...They will come.

And we have been proven right.

Trusting in the Universe to support Goodness and Integrity has bowled me OVER!!! Now we have teenagers...yes, teens....who single-handedly created another way to generate revenue for SMYC. They too have been affected by that momentous decision 2 years ago. They now want to Give Back.

CHAKRAPAREL. June 28th, 1pm-3pm. At Show Me Yoga Center.

The teens, specifically Megan Brown, felt the generosity of our studio. So Megan created a fashion line based on the Chakras of the body. All of her clothes are handmade. All of her clothes come from her desire to give. She saw the congruence of gratitude with creation. And recognized that the gift of her talents, and the gift of yoga, can create an event that ultimately benefits All of Us....

CHAKRAPAREL, an afternoon of Fashion and Teen-Yoga Demonstrations, was born. And all donations received go directly to Show Me Yoga.

The donation based classes at Show Me Yoga embody the selflessness of yoga, teachings based upon the consciousness of others, and not the coin in their purses.

This was written by the teens, for a press release. Do they get it? You bet! And what's more, the TEENS themselves have organized this entire event! From the clothes, to the jewelry, to the make-up, models, music, promotion, food... Judi and I have provided little guidance, in fact nothing more than making copies, and helping choreograph. The Teens of SMYC are so compelled by OUR trust in them, OUR trust in this practice, OUR trust in the Universe, that they have walked forward on this path alone.

And inevitably, isn't that what yoga is about? Trusting yourself. Trusting in your atman, inner-teacher. Trusting that being yourself is Enough.

Ultimately, the yoga teacher's goal is to help the student trust his/her own intuition..to trust themselves...and then? They will no longer need you.
~Erich Schiffman

Support this brave and trusting event created by our vibrant and nationally recognized teen-yogis. Support the youth of Jefferson City who are investing their time and energy into Gratitude. Support...

CHAKRAPAREL!!!
June 28th 1pm-3pm.
at Show Me Yoga Center, coinciding with the Downtown Summer Solstice Event.

Plan to spend the afternoon supporting our Downtown Association, and the Teens of Jeff City, seethed in gratitude and abundance. After all, THIS is the generation that will lead the Nation next. This is the generation that will decide the future of our planet. This is the generation that wants to GIVE BACK.

A vision without action is but a dream; action without vision is a waste of time; but vision with action can change our lives.
~M. Ignacio Tinajero, 1995 Texas Teacher of the Year

I am proud to be a part of their dreams.
Namaste.

Megan Sappington, a teen at heart.

(Megan teaches the teen yoga class and other classes at SMYC.)

A student speaks

2008-02-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

Have you all seen Jake? He's the tall, quiet, 20 year-old, who comes to class at least 30 minutes early to meditate, stretch, or pursue the elusive free-standing-hand-stand. He's in the teens class AND adult classes. He's dedicated. He's relentless. He's whole-heartedly passionate about Yoga. Yoga has reached this young man.

Jake is a student at Linn Tech, and, in a public-speaking class, chose to speak of his practice. I asked him to share his speech with us.

And this phrase really hit me:

If you have mastered a particular pose physically, there is always progress to be made mentally. The experiences you have spiritually can be far more fascinating than what you feel physically.

Isn't this why we all keep practicing? Because of the bottom-less well of our minds and hearts? Because we learn something new, physically, emotionally, spiritually, every single time we hit the mat? Because we can always go deeper?

Thanks, Jake, for being such an amazing member of our community. And for sharing your wise speech.
~Megan

Jake's speech:

The best workout I’ve ever had wasn’t while playing football, wrestling, or basketball, but in a yoga class.

Every exercise in yoga is designed to work on a specific part of the body. This includes muscles, ligaments, organs, and tendons. When you activate areas of the body, you increase circulation, which increases health. Health is what yoga is all about.

I’ve learned that yoga has many opportunities for psychological advancement as well. If you have mastered a particular pose physically, there is always progress to be made mentally. The experiences you have spiritually can be far more fascinating than what you feel physically.

When I practice yoga, I focus on alignment, weight distribution, and being mindful of my whole body. When you get into a pose, your focus and mental aspect becomes energy. This happens when you get past the effort of whatever you’re doing, and there are no more agreements to what you think you can do. This is where complete mindfulness of the body takes place.

Yoga is also a great way to progress in sports. It is like the spirit of all sports because you’re using strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration. Yoga has been a great way for me to keep myself healthy, and progress mentally also.

~Jake Parris

...Maybe??...

2007-11-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

"I feel like I died."

A healthy, strong, red-head teen boy said this to me and his classmates after coming up out of Savasana (corpse pose) Friday at Simonsen.

I asked him to clarify what he meant, and he said this:

"I don't feel dead, I feel really alive, but it's like I had to die."

This young man unintentionally, and without ANY training, understood with absolute clarity the purpose of Savasana (corpse pose). To die a little death, to practice stillness, in order to feel life. To feel alive.

"We know too much, and feel too little." Bertrand Russell

I am consistently amazed by the teens I work with. They are universally open and ready to receive new experiences without the *adult* filter that seems to manifest during these transitional years.
Incidentally this isn't the first time I've been floored by the natural understanding of yoga by teens....last year, a tall African-American teen stopped me after class...he asked me about non-dualistic theory. But not in those *adult* terms.
This is what he asked:
"Ms. Megan, you said that we are all unique...that we are all works of art..that we will never be repeated again...but what about the fact that we are all the same? That there is no difference between any body, or anything? What about the idea that we all exist here together and that there is no separation?"

This beautiful young man had inadvertently hit upon a theory called non-dualism. It's originally a Buddhist concept, but folks like Ken Wilbur have taken it to new levels in Integral Theories. It's the notion that the concept of *you* and *I* are the misguidance of the ego. As Ram Dass says, "The *I* that you speak of when you say *I*, only you can see."

I was so floored by this young man. All I could muster was a lame "Please Google non-dualistic theory when you get home..."
If he did, I'll never know...the next time I saw him was during a break between blocks. He was being yelled at because he was listening to his I-Pod. Apparently a no-no at Simonsen....I gave him a knowing nod and walked on. He then surrendered his I-Pod, and went onto class.

I also teach the teens at JCAC, the alternative High School. These teens are absolutely beautiful. Either they've hit a wall or society has given up on them, but yet they are still trying, still kicking, still trudging forward. And STILL open to new ideas...like Yoga...
And just like their fellow students at Simonsen and JC, they get yoga. They recognize the power of this practice, they recognize the power they hold. They recognize the power of their mind, body, and spirit.

I don't pretend to understand the depth of this practice. And I'm not going to pretend that I fully get what is happening in the hearts and minds of teens that are introduced to it.
All I know is this:
1. Teens love yoga.
2. They get it.
3. I love it when they get it.
4. They love it when they get it.

The teens at Simonsen have recently been applauding after *Namaste*. Is this a sign that, maybe?...just maybe...we can change our future? Maybe we are reaching young adults, and teaching them to *die a little death* in order to know bliss? Perhaps even paving a path to peace, knowing we are all indeed inextricably linked together.

Let's not ration our compassion...let's give and give and give until we take our last breath! I firmly believe that if we keep giving and giving, then, and only then, will the giant grinding wheels of change begin to move! THEN we, or perhaps our children, or grand-children, will see the path to living in love...living without anger and violence and terror. Living in a world where love permeates everything, and compassion for all is our focus!

Teaching yoga to teens is one path to this goal. The one path I am on....and I'm so optimistic.

Shanti...
Megan Sappington

One student's story

2007-07-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Megan asked me to write about the challenge of continuing my yoga practice while dealing with/healing from frozen shoulder. At least that's what I think she meant when she said, "Please write a blog entry about it."

This time last year, I was a pretty functional yogini. I could do downdogs, headstands and handstands, all with good range and no discomfort. But by the end of the year, I was doing downdog with one hand (looks hard, but isn't) and other inverted poses not at all. My left shoulder had frozen.

Adhesive capsulitis is a spontaneous tightening of the shoulder joint. The soft capsule that holds the bones together inflames and binds the connective tissues, making it impossible to raise your arm above chest level. And it really hurts.

Eventually the pain subsides and the shoulder loosens, even becomes nearly normal again--but the whole process can take from 6-36 months. Doctors don't know what causes it, but it seems to strike fine-boned women in their 40s more than any other group.

If any classmate thinks she might be facing frozen shoulder, please talk to me. It can be very scary if you're dealing with it for the first time.I had it on the right side from 2002 until early 2005. Just when I thought it was finally gone, my left side started tightening up. I was horrified--"It's not fair!" I ranted.

Fortunately, my joint-care team was able to help me stall the process for about 18 months. Treatment included daily physical therapy to keep the shoulder mobile. Somehow daily PT became a daily yoga practice, which led me to SMYC last spring. Imagine my disappointment when I felt my left shoulder tightening again last fall.

I scrambled to "outsmart" the condition again. My care team proposed various alternative treatments--prolotherapy, hormone-replacement therapy. None of them worked. The pain and restriction overtook the left shoulder, and it followed the same freezing/frozen/thawing schedule that my right shoulder had followed in 2002. It was locked from December until early May, then gradually started to release.

Now it's July, and my left shoulder is getting looser and stronger every day. I've just started doing downdog on two hands again (still can't sink into my armpits, but that's coming), and I can sort of stand on my head again. I feel like my yoga practice is helping me regain my strength and range of motion faster this time. Last time it took years for the pain to completely fade and full range of motion to return.

I'm grateful for yoga in general and SMYC (my teachers and fellow yogis/yoginis) in particular. There were days when I didn't feel well/strong enough to get on the mat or come to class. But on the days when I could do even one brief, one-handed downdog, the power of the practice--and our community--helped me stay focused and hopeful.

Thanks--Megan and everyone--for asking about my shoulder and cheering me through the dark, painful months and back into the light. It feels good to put both hands on the mat again!

Namaste--Bonnie

Living Boldly and Laughing Hard!

2007-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the teen yogis asked "Are we going to do something exciting??!!" They know that their class is not a typical yoga class. They know we usually jump off a lot of bridges, and they know that I will push them beyond their boundaries.

But yesterday, all I had planned were balancing poses.

Yawn....Boring.....(optional eye-rolling here..)

Little did they know that THESE balancing poses were far from "typical." We made a table out of bodies, a triangle of down-dogs, and a 7 person pyramid of inversions.

NOW, who's yawning?!

"As we grow up, we put away our laughter and our silliness and our childish noises, the great sensory hilariousness of our young lives. We pick up a few notions about proper behavior, like what books to read and how to go about getting married and buying a home and being polite and having cocktail parties....and the next thing you know, the little child--who was also an enormously alive sensory apparatus--is just another boring adult going to work in a seersucker suit with a briefcase."

John Rosenthal, "Amazing Conversations"

When was the last time YOU played? Would you like to? Why not join us for another fantastically hilarious and riotous 108 Sun Salutes on Saturday, July 28th, starting at 9:00 am. I guarantee a great time! (And, no, you don't have to do all 108. Do as many as you feel like, or just hang out with good friends!) Our last gathering for 108 Sun Salutes was an absolute blast, and this time we will have food too...Bring a favorite dish, and come share laughter and silliness with your yoga community....

Come Play for a while! Come Dance and Sing! For all we are, It's Beautiful...
One Giant Leap

See you there! I think I'll go play hide-n-seek now...

Grinningly,
Megan Sappington

40-Day Yoga Challenge

2007-07-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Our yoga community started a 40-Day Yoga Challenge on June 18. At least 22 people have publicly stated their goals or intentions for this time. And the excitement and energy at the center has been quite noticeable! We had more students attend class in June than any other time in the last year!

Here is a sampling of what our teachers and students are intending to do to deepen their yoga practice during this time:

1. To work toward fully respecting myself in all arenas of my life, through fasting, meditation, and restraint.

2. Add meditation to my practice.

3. Attend teen yoga class regularly.

4. Attend two classes per week and maintain clean eating program.

5. Work toward feeling compassionately connected to the world around me.

6. Attend yoga classes regularly and meditate and practice mindfulness.

7. Fasting with the group for clarity and consecration. Obtain 15 benefactors for South Africa Orphanage Mission.

8. Be a student in two yoga classes per week, more to be added later.

9. Fasting for at least 3 days, suffer with those who hunger year-round and enhance self-discipline to a new level.

10. Continue my yoga practice at home during the week at least 3-4 times per week.

11. Come to every teen yoga class while I'm still in town and to start swimming again!

12. Relax a little, loosen up and regain ROM weekly.

13. Feel cleansed (mind,body, spirit) fired up, empowered, self-esteem, and motivated.

14. Come to class Tuesday and Thursday or twice/week.

15. Get to bed early, early morning yoga practice, 2 classes per week, and juice fast.

16. Add a second yoga class per week and meditation. Find ease in all my business.

17. Take class 2 times/week and study yoga teacher training daily. Eat mindfully.

18. Attend class 3 times/week and at the end of 40 days be able to do Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana.

19. Attend 3 classes per week.

29. Practice the 5 Tibetans 2 times weekly.

21. Yoga 2 times per week and mindful eating.

22. One extra yoga class, home yoga 4 times/week, and eat healthy.

What I have Learned from Fasting

2007-06-17T19:47:00.001-07:00

1. I'm not really hungry, ever. I've not experienced the raw hunger feelings that I thought I would...however...

2. I crave the sensory experience of food. Not so much food itself, but the textures and smells. This is what I miss. Crunch. Chewy. Sizzling.

3. I feel energized, extremely energized. Even after consuming a juice, I literally feel the vitamins being absorbed into me. I'm not tired. I hung out with my friends late Saturday night, and wasn't able to sleep at 1 am.

4. I need to clean. I have done laundry, repotted plants, cleaned my walls of kids' art, cleaned out kitchen cabinets, cleaned my refrigerator. I've thrown a lot away.

5. This cleaning made room for the *new*. I hung up my kids' art projects from this past camp, I filled my frig with veggies, I boxed up old memories. I cried, a lot.

6. My dishwasher is empty.

7. It takes A LOT of fruits/veggies to make a 12 oz. drink.

8. The folks at Hy-Vee think I'm a nut. I've purchased every single fruit/vegetable they offer. And found out that I still *like what I like*. Venturing out is fun, but I will always hate turnips.

9. Too much ginger in a juice makes me ill.

10. Due to Fasting, my meditation practice has afforded me some very wild visions. And those visions have stuck with me.

11. I am a good person. But I can be better.

12. As Grandma Lucille says, *Everything in moderation*. I will continue to use juice-fasting as part of my daily regimen. But I will balance this against my need for the sensory experience of solid food.

If you are fasting this week, what have you learned? If you're not fasting, please join us. Even if it's for one day, you will learn so much.

Share with your community if you feel comfortable....Let us know what you've discovered about YOU.

After all, the only person you will spend the rest of your life with is....well....YOU.

Namaste,
Megan

More 40-Day Yoga Challenge Ideas

2007-06-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

This summer at Show Me Yoga Center we are challenging our students and teachers to do a 40-day practice that will change a habit (or make a new one). This Wednesday during the class I taught I explained the Yoga Challenge and made some suggestions for the students to consider as they develop their plan for the challenge. I thought back to my first yoga classes, and what I learned then. Good posture was a big thing that I brought into my life after starting yoga. It is really amazing to me how much better you look and feel with simply rolling your shoulders back and making the front side of the body as long as the back (eliminating the slouch). So in class we practiced mountain pose with a brick balancing on the top of our heads. I suggested that a focus on good posture throughout the day could be a great habit to create during the challenge.

I also suggested to my students that they consider adding a practice of mindfulness meditation during the challenge. In class we did a walking meditation. That was simple enough; we just walked SLOWLY in a large circle and noticed what our senses told us. We discussed what we noticed, and most of us discovered that it's hard to make yourself slow down!

For my challenge (40 days and 40 nights--wait does this have anything to do with water?), I want to learn more about meditation, so I am really excited to come to Dr. Colleen Loehr's meditation and relaxation class that starts on Friday, June 15 at 5:30. (Yes, that's a plug--do come!)

The biggest thing for me is making the time each day--sound familiar? There are many other things that I have been thinking about doing. Such as letting go of self judgement, focusing on positive thinking, slowing down and enjoying the journey, learning more about breathwork, and, give me long enough, and I'll be sure to come up with more. So pick one of my suggestions or come up with your own, and challenge yourself--for yourself! I’d be happy to help anyone with his or her challenge in any way that I can. And if you have any ideas for our celebration on the last day of the challenge, give any of the teachers your ideas and we'll see what we can do!!

Judi

The Fasting Club

2007-06-12T20:22:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited! We have approximately 25 yogis and yoginis that are ready and willing to try a juice-fast for three or more days! This includes 6 yogis from California MO, and 4 teachers!

What a fantastic way to begin our 40-Day Yoga Challenge....

To enable our community to stand with us, I am posting our agreed upon guidelines. Feel free to join us at any time!

1. We intend to juice-fast partially or fully for the week of Saturday June 16th through Saturday June 23rd.

2. We intend to set aside time every day to meditate and journal on our experience.

3. We intend to consume at least 32-64 ounces per day of vegetable/fruit juices, teas, and broths. Water as well should be consumed.

4. We intend to clarify our personal 40-Day Yoga Challenge goal, and align our fast with this goal.

5. We intend to meditate on our desire to consume solid food, and, if a decision is made to break the fast, it will be done through mindful eating practices. No Guilt Allowed!

6. We intend to be mindful of our time on the mat, honoring our body’s need for perhaps a different type of practice.

7. We intend to fully support each other during this week of detoxification, through meetings, phone calls, and positive energy.

Look for our names and goals on the board at Show Me Yoga, and lend your support by joining us in these transformative 40 days. Join your community at whatever level feels appropriate to you, cuz it's ALL GOOD!!!

*For those participating in the fast: If you would like to be included in a phone-calling support team, email me your phone number and I will create a Master-List for all of us. (m.sappington@mchsi.com)

Namaste, and Happy Fasting!!

Megan Sappington

Fasting for mind, body, & spirit

2007-06-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

Fasting...such an interesting word, but so literal. It's a method of detoxifying the body...FAST. It's also a way to detoxify the mind....

Huh?

When we clear up energy used to digest foods, the mind and spirit have space to clarify and focus. Remember how you feel after lunch?...you know what I'm talking about...YAWN!...I personally have no link to reality. I'm dazed, tired, foggy, and searching for the nearest couch...meditation? not so much.

Fasting sounds pretty yogic, eh? It is. It allows us to develop mental will power and increased control over the senses. Not only is fasting yogic, but it's powers are recognized in every philosophical methodology on the planet. It is universally recognized as a way to clarify and purify. Body and Soul.

I fast for greater physical and mental efficiency---Plato.

Interested?

During our 40 day yoga challenge, I invite you to join me in a three day juice fast. We will first meet to educate each other on fasting, exchange ideas, offer prior experiences, and commune with our indivdual intentions. Then we will invite clarity through detoxification by drinking 32-64 ounces per day of vegetable/ fruit juices in replacement of solid foods for three days.

Sound scary? Well...Let me offer this:

YOU will ultimately be in control of solid food intake. This is not intended to be Boot-Camp. I offer up this opportunity for all of us to explore the idea of detoxifcation in a rapid manner. But with a healthy dose of Ahimsa (non-violence). After all, it's really just about the journey, right?

Let's explore another path, and see what happens....together.

Our intial Fasting-Group-Meditation will meet June 12th, 7pm at Show Me Yoga Center. I'll discuss the methods of Juice-Fasting, explain medical concerns, explore options and guidelines, and establish a community support team. I hope to see you there.

Summer Yoga Challenge 2007 is an exciting time. Allow yourself to transform. (and rest easy knowing we'll all be right along with you...)

Namaste,
Megan Sappington

Teens practice giving AND receiving

2007-05-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in Teen Yoga Class, we shifted our paradigm. We moved from a mindset of individual to one of community. And it was humbling.

We practiced Thai Yoga Massage on each other, trying to listen wholly and completely to our partner. We did back massages as a team, trying to coordinate what we felt to what we did. As a group, we moved slowly through Surya Namaskar, breathing and flowing as one entity. We ended class with Yoga Nidra, incorporating our individual experience with the group experience. We practiced stilling the waters, so truth could be heard.

So often our time on the mat is spent in a solitary way. Yes, we may be in a class setting, but as a teacher, I often encourage moving inward, allowing the student to be inside the mind/body experience during asana. And this is important.

But how often do we get the chance to practice with the intention of giving? With the intention, too, of fully receiving? It can be a tremendous experience. It bonds folks together, and allows us to also learn where we may be denying our natural state: bliss.

We practice asana to learn where we are gripping, mentally as well as physically. We practice asana to learn how we individually respond to stresses on the mind/body. We practice to learn about ourselves.

And when we can take this knowledge and apply it to community, the information received is invaluable. I've personally learned that I “grip” when asked to fully receive. I think to myself "What will be expected in return for this?" I find it difficult to fully relax.

Some teens had this experience as well. Some found it difficult to fully give, wondering if the recipient of their gifts might misconstrue their intent. Some found difficulties with both ends of the spectrum. Others were able to participate fully, floating in the bliss of community love.

Where do you grip? Is it hard for you to give, without expectation? Do you find it difficult to fully receive, without doubt? Wherever you may land on the full spectrum of giving/receiving, have no judgment about it. Simply take this new awareness off the mat, and into your life. And let the bliss roll in.

I know the teens and I felt it yesterday. And it felt gooooooood.....

Peace,
Megan Sappington

The King of Poses

2007-02-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

"I don't know WHY it works..it just DOES!!"

I'm not one to ask "why" yoga helps me feel so great in all areas of my life. I tend to ride the wave, peaceful in the knowledge that I feel good after I hit the mat.

BUT, I discovered an article in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy that blew my mind. It is a study connecting Sirsasana (headstand) and Rotator Cuff injury (that area at the very front of your shoulder)....but not in the way you may first believe....

This study claims that headstand can relieve the pain of rotator cuff rips, and actually increase arm mobility!!! (Arm mobility increased 75%, and pain decreased from 4.8/10 to 1.2/10) In fact, the participants in this study were so affected by headstand that NONE went onto have surgery!! NONE!

What? Yoga can replace SURGERY???!!!

Here's what they speculate may happen: Through the practice of headstand, the central nervous system establishes a new, painless, and unconscious, sequence of muscle contractions to replace another, painful and still unconscious, set of muscle contractions. In other words, your mind/body LEARNS a new habit! BUT YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF IT!

whoa....

Without going into the technical terminology here (which I find difficult to muddle through anyway, unless I'm heavily sedated...), after headstand, your mind/body replaces the supraspinatus-deltoid contraction (rotator cuff PAIN!) with a rhomboid-subscapularis-deltoid contraction (NO PAIN!). And your mind/body adopts this new pain-free combination unconsciously and with stunning speed. Nuerologically, noone can explain it....but there it is.

Is there any wonder that this pose is called the "King Of Asana"?!

And it's not like these folks did full-sirsasana for hours every day....they in fact practiced a version with their legs supported by a chair, and for only 30 seconds daily! That's right! THIRTY SECONDS!

Apparently that's plenty of time for the ol' noggin to correct a bad habit. A kind of nuero-muscular training session...that may perhaps save you from painful and debilitating surgery.

What blows me away are the implications from this study...what else is happening on the mat subconsciously that monumentally affects different aspects of our lives? What else has changed? .....I don't know....

But I do know yoga works. Overtime.

Our time spent on the mat has far-reaching and astounding affects on our physical/mental/spiritual well-being, in ways we can't begin to quantify or explain. And precisely for this reason, it keeps us coming back....and makes it difficult to fully explain to non-yogi's why we love it so much!

Yoga's like chocolate...you've got to try it to fully get it. And once you do, you'll understand why it's been around for over 7000 years, never once needing a quantifying study to validate it.

But it's still awesome to see studies like this....it reaffirms what we all know. And re-ignites our passion for this amazing and humbling practice.

See you on the mat....I think I'll go do a headstand....!

Namaste,
Megan Sappington

All we need is love

2007-02-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

I felt so full of love Saturday!

So full that I'm still feeling it, oozing out of my pores.

What created this feeling? Our sangha, our yoga community, held an open house and fundraiser for the Teen Yoga Outreach Program....a program that provides free yoga for our teens in Jefferson City.

Saturday was an amazing day for me, for all of us. We bonded through movement, through the intention to challenge our bodies and minds by completing as many Sun-Salutes as possible. Some of our community actually did 108! and that's ALOT of sun-salutes.... And yes we are all sore....but a sore that summons a satisfied feeling. We set a goal, we opened our hearts and minds, and we stepped out on the path together.

We are so blessed to have each other. I see so many folks that are alone, that have no community, no family. I see the empty eyes, the aching, angry heart, the flailing to connect to something, anything. In particular, a teen with no support needed my help this week, and because of my own tether to all of you, I was strong enough to help her. It hurts to see the emptiness, yet it reminds me of the blessings I have with our sangha. And it reminds me to practice gratitude.

We Have Each Other.

On the mat, we can learn to be fully ourselves and yet fully supportive of humanity! We can learn how strong, and how vulnerable, we all truly are! And we can own it, and reach out to those who need support. We learn to walk the path together. We remember that no man is an island, that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience! Pithy as these sayings are, they indeed echo a truth.

I heard shouts of encouragement this Saturday to yogis who felt like caving in. I watched teachers work from their hearts, alleviating the physical strain with bouts of gut-busting humor, and deep much-needed rest. I watched teenagers rally around their own sangha, looking deeply into each other's eyes, to keep connection during a very difficult demonstration. I watched everyone hug and kiss. I met Pete, the man behind the bulk of our teen-outreach financing, and was witness to a soul so caring and humble that I bowed in reverence. I felt loved, and I loved. I felt validated. I felt CONNECTED. Isn't this what every fellow human craves?

Have no doubt we are blessed. And with this love for our community, we have blessed our planet.

God (Buddha, Krishna, whatever name you subscribe to, because it's ALL good!) Bless You All. And thank you for, yet again, reaffirming my faith in the power of this practice. In the power of connection. In the power of that flicker behind lighted eyes. I bow in reverence to what WE ALL have created. A community that reaches inward, and thusly, outward, to accept all fellow humans. A community that has changed so many lives. A community that IS changing our world.

In little ol' Jefferson City, Missouri.... *Be the change you wish to see*.

Ghandi would be proud.
Om Mane Padme Hum.

Megan Sappington

PS To see photographs of 108 Sun Salutations visit our website's Photo Gallery.

Students talk about yoga

2007-01-21T10:17:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like hearing about yoga from those who have experienced it's benefits. Read on to hear what Show Me Yoga Center students have said recently. Or drop by on Saturday, January 27 between 9:30 and 12:30 am for our free Yoga Day USA Open House. Visit with teachers, students, watch yoga demonstrations, and enjoy refreshments. You can even join in on the "108 Sun Salutations" workshop to be held throughout the event. Join in for a few minutes or for as long as you like. Donations for the workshop will benefit our Teen Yoga Outreach Program.

I have seen improvement in my flexibility and pain relief after only 2-3 classes. J.E.R., retired

Thank you for changing my life. I’m learning so much about relaxation, posture, flexibility, and strength. Yoga is the best way to feel good. B.P., retired teacher

I feel so much better over all. I’m amazed at how flexible I can be, how much strength I have gained, and how I have fewer headaches. Christie Thompson, teacher

I appreciate the expert instruction, the clean atmosphere, the attention to proper form, and the encouragement. It (yoga) certainly works for better posture, flexibility, and pain relief. I have found it extremely therapeutic for lower back disc problems. Connie Murray, Public Service Commissioner

You would be amazed how much better you feel after using/stretching muscles, areas of your body that we neglect/or forget throughout the day! I have told many people how much better I feel after dong yoga for the short time I have. I miss yoga when I don’t get here (Show Me Yoga Center) 2-3 times per week. I feel it has helped how I feel about myself immensely. K.R., program developer

Yoga has helped me strengthen and stretch. I have much less back pain since I’ve taken yoga. Linda Hobratschk, violin teacher

You can’t imagine how much it (yoga) can affect many different aspects: physical, mental, etc. and it’s fun! Michelle Horn, homemaker

Yoga helps me relieve stress, relax, and feel mentally and physically strong. Karen Jenkins, RN

Yoga is good for every body, no matter what shapes it’s in. Bonnie, writer/editor

I have been impressed with the classes. It’s good exercise with spiritual and mental benefits. John Jaeger, counselor, musician, and cabinetmaker

Yoga is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. It keeps both flexible. Ann Peery, Environmental Scientist

Yoga helps me stay in the present. What a gift! Rene’ Harden, mommy

Yoga helps me balance out my other physical/exercise pursuits. Not only do I feel stretched and flexible when I leave, I also feel more centered and calm. If I miss several weeks of yoga, I can always tell…it’s time to get back on the mat! Sharon Hibdon, teacher

What will you say after you experience yoga? We invite you to join us for a class. You can start any time and set your own price with donation yoga.

Holiday Open House

2006-12-10T18:51:00.000-08:00

Great party! We would like to say "thanks" to all our students, friends, and family who joined us for our Holiday Open House. It was great to spend some time outside of class together, just visiting and enjoying each other's company. All the staff at SMYC truly appreciate our yoga family!

We would also like to thank everyone who brought food: Bonnie for your great treats from locally grown foods and Dell for his famous shortbread (an annual tradition for how many years now?) Anne, those "fig" bars were great. And Jen, next time I'll be quicker and get some of those vanishing butter cookies! And thanks to Pierette for those amazing brownies! If I forgot a chef please let me know.

If you have a recipe you'd like to share, you can post it here. Just click on the comment link below and add it there.

To see more open house photos visit our website Photo Gallery.

Merry Christmas!
Jan

Holiday Open House rescheduled

2006-11-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

We hope that you are staying safe and warm indoors today and enjoying the winter view out your windows! Due to the winter storm we have postponed our Holiday Open House. Please plan to join us next week for our annual Holiday Open House, which has been rescheduled for Friday, December 8. Drop by Show Me Yoga Center anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 pm for holiday cheer, including cookies and hot cider, wine and cheese, and, best of all, good company! We MIGHT also have live music provided by John Jaeger, a solo acoustic guitarist who is also a yoga student. We're still waiting to hear if John can make it for the new night.

Dress warmly and after the Open House you can also wander downtown for the annual Living Windows festivities, which has also been rescheduled for December 8, from 6:00-9:00 pm.

Please RSVP by calling (573) 636-5656 or by email at info@showmeyoga.com. Show Me Yoga Center is located at 101A West High Street, at the corner of High and Jefferson, in downtown Jefferson City. You can easily find our door near Cafe via Roma and follow the stairs to the third floor. We look forward to seeing you there!

To see more photos of last year's Holiday Open House visit our Photo Gallery.

PS If you wish you may add to the celebration by bringing your favorite Christmas cookies or other holiday treat. We will also be accepting donations all this holiday season for two worthwhile causes: The Yoga for Teens Project and the SMYC Non-Profit Organization Fund.

On the air

2006-11-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

Listen to CJ and KC from Jeff 104.1, the new country music station, talking about their first experience with yoga! Thanks CJ and KC!

King Teens!!

2006-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

WOW!!!

Check out the amazing teen yogi's in King Pigeon pose!...Rajakapotasana in Sanscrit.
These teens are dedicated, committed, and inspiring....they all are an incredible blessing to our community!
ROCK ON YOUNG YOGI'S!!

You can do astavakrasana!

2006-10-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Just look at that picture of Rodney Yee, yoga superstar. It's beautiful. It's amazing.

He's beautiful! He's amazing! Right?

You really gotta be something to do that pose.

Wrong. You don't.

It's called astavakrasana. It means the 'crooked in eight places pose.'

It's a pose dedicated to a great sage who was born crooked in eight places. He was, as we used to say, crippled.

But his physical handicaps left him one day when his father blessed him.

That's what comes to mind when I think about how I learned to do this pose.

I struggled with this pose for a long time. And then I threw it on the scrap heap of yoga poses I'll never do.

You know that scrap heap, don't you?

Then, one day, as if receving a simple blessing, my teacher taught me three simple things I could do.

When I did them my mental and physical limits dropped away and I was up in the pose. And I was very happy.

When you join us for the Teach Me Astavakrasana (pronounced: OSH tuh vuh KRA sun) workshop you'll be blessed with the three simple steps that will get you up and going in this pose, too.

And, Sallie and I will give you the whole story about Astavakra. You'll learn why he was born with his crooked limbs and what he did to receive his father's blessing. It will make the pose and the pose name unforgettable for you.

Join us, won't you?

It's by donation only. So you can't be overcharged. It only lasts an hour. So we won't waste your time. You'll love it.

Meet us at Show Me Yoga Center on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:45 pm. We'll finish up at 8 pm.

Please call ahead to let us know you're coming: (573) 636-5656. Or sign up at the front desk when you come to your next yoga class.

By the way, when you do your astavakrasana, it'll look more like this.

We can't wait to see you there.

Kevin Perry & Sallie Keeney

Surrendering Teens

2006-10-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Last Friday at the Simonsen 9th Grade Center, it was quiet.

Imagine 60 14 year olds, sprawled on their backs in Savasana, as I whisper...*Become aware of your breath....just breathe...*
*Feel your feet. Feel your legs. Feel your belly. Feel your heart.....*

I could hear a pin drop.

Magic? No...
Yoga? Yes.

After 6 weeks of classes, these teens had learned to surrender. I could actually whisper in the gymnasium. And they heard and received.
And they blossomed.

We had just learned Handstands, and their trust in the process of yoga had reached the tipping point....they understood it was safe to let go...Nobody had gotten hurt learning handstands....Noone had been shamed.....most had been able to kick up...so why not relax??...It was safe for them to surrender, and listen to the small quiet voice of their own inner truth.

And they did.
I have never felt such compassion and joy as when they slowly arose from rest, to greet me with smiles and bowed heads and yes...More Silence.

I teach teens at Simonsen from all socioeconomic levels, all colors, all creeds, all ethnicities...and yes I teach the physically challenged. These teens have proven again that what matters the most is our human-ness.

Perhaps, because of Yoga, they will leave their 9th grade years with more empathy, with more validation, with more belief in the beauty of our world.....Maybe even changing our *Adult* world-view of scarcity...to one of abundance....there IS enough for everyone.There IS enough to allow surrender to Grace.

I pray that we support the teens in Missouri....please donate so that this project can continue...these teens WANT mats! They WANT props! They WANT a boom box!

THEY WANT YOGA.

Om Mane Padme Hum.......bless this world with peace.
It begins with our Youth.
Namaste,
Megan Sappington

A gift of Namaste.

2006-10-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

Namaste.
"The inner light in me honors and respects the inner light in you."
As Teachers and Students, we say this word constantly, and sometimes with little or no awareness of it's true meaning. What does it mean to honor another's light? How do we make that part of our every day experience?

How do I let you know how much you mean to ME??

I received a gift last Thursday from Elaine Proctor. She had sewn a quilt for me, embroidered with a poem about Gratitude that I had read in class a long time ago. I remember that she asked for a copy of it after class....but never expected that request to blossom into such a beautiful gift. A gift of honoring our inner lights. A gift of Namaste.
See for yourself.

GRATITUDE
thank you for the breath of life.
thank you for those who gave us life.
thank you for our faithful bodies.
thank you for our loving friends.
thank you for our generous hearts and our creative minds.
thank you for warm and tender memories.
thank you for this sacred earth.
thank you for the divine nature of existence.
thank you for every precious moment.

And on the front is this:
Megan
My Yoga Teacher
Namaste
Elaine
Oct. 5, 2006

What has me blown away is the embodiment of Gratitude that Elaine has demonstrated....
It's really easy as a teacher to stand in front of a class and read a poem...
It's an entirely different level of Living Yoga to turn this poem into a work of art.
Elaine is Yoga. She is one of my most dedicated students, she lives the Yamas and Niyamas, she is consistent, loyal, passionate, and devoted. She embodies Namaste.
I am humbled.
I am amazed.
But most importantly...I am Inspired by her.....

Thank you Elaine.
NAMASTE.

Your Teacher, and Student.
Megan Sappington

P.S. Please stop by the studio to see this amazing quilt. And be prepared to be humbled. As humbled as all the teachers are at Show Me Yoga by all of our students....you all have no idea how much YOU teach US.

The Middle

2006-10-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last night after class I sat on my deck and watched the harvest moon. The stars were beautiful. It was quiet. Peaceful. Tranquil.
And I was overcome by a sense of *middleness*.......huh?
Let me explain.
I envisioned a long-line of people who have come before me....and the long-line of people to come after me....I am now the *middle*. Right here. Right now.
I am the Middle.
I will be attending a family reunion this weekend in the middle (!) of Kansas. My grandmother is turning 90. Family in abundance...history that is rich with stories I may never know....
I come from a long line of beautiful women who have lived their moments...women who have given birth, endured heartache, fell in love and out, lived, loved and laughed....and what's amazing is that another long line of women will come after me....
after I have had my moment.

This moment, now, is the hyphen in our tombstones...the time between birth and death.

Allow your practice to be about the hyphen....we come from a long line of yogic masters...we share this amazing practice with each other, passing the lineage, so that we can become more aware...so that our own hyphen is rich and abundant.
aware...
aware of our middle-ness....
so much behind us.
so much ahead of us.
yet more than we realize is right here...
Now.
We are the middles of our lineages....make it count...make it beautiful...
Open to this grace of being in the middle. And our awareness will spread like dye in water....into the next long line of family...when it's their time to be in the middle.

Om Mane Padme Hum.
Peace.
Megan Sappington

That peaceful, easy feeling

2006-09-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

If you practice yoga you know that peaceful, easy feeling. It's the one that you get at the end of your yoga class. Ahhhhhhh..... At the end of my yoga classes lately I've been asking my students to take a moment to feel what it's like to be in a whole room full of people who are all experiencing that feeling.

So much of our interaction with other people involves sharing a state of agitation. We get together with friends and acquaintences and get caught up in our stories of the latest disasters in our lives. We get sucked in to the media frenzy over the latest big news story. Even the email that gets forwarded has a tendency to focus on creating states of fear: spiders lurking under toilets, etc.

One of my teachers call this kind of sharing "Trauma Bonding." We bond with others when we share the same internal state. When we are feeling agitated, this is a sign that our fight/flight/freeze response is triggered. When this happens there's an urgency and intensity to telling the story and the body is actually, to a greater or lesser extent, reliving a past upsetting event. Others can get caught up in this intensity and feel compelled to tell their stories, reliving their own events. Together we spin out into greater amounts of agitation, which over time begins to cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms. It's not the state in which we're meant to live our lives.

Practicing yoga produces just the opposite internal state: a state of calm, contentment, relaxation, and well-being. When we practice in a group we can start to feel what it's like to bond with others in a more healthy way. We can "catch" this feeling from those around us just like we can "catch" agitation. Practicing in a group helps reinforce our feeling of well-being. What would our communities be like if everyone had this experience?

Since we started offering Donation Yoga, over 150 new students have had their first taste of yoga with us at Show Me Yoga Center. We invite you to join us! Pick your class and catch that peaceful, easy feeling for yourself!

Powerful karma yoga

2006-09-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled and honored to receive our first donation in support of our Yoga for Teens project. And it came from St. Louis! Along with his generous donation Pete wrote, "What powerful karma yoga! You go yogi, go!" He thanked Megan for the work she has been doing, recognizing the great impact that yoga can have on teens' lives.

Show Me Yoga Center instructor Megan Sappington has been volunteering every Friday at the Simonsen 9th Grade Center. There, during their regular Physical Education classes, she inspires and uplifts these teens with the magic of yoga. This year somewhere around 600 of our stressed out, over-stimulated, insecure, and wonderful teenagers will experience the increased self-acceptance, greater calm, and sense of well-being that yoga can bring.

And these kids need this! According to the Surgeon General between 10 and 15% of adolescents have symptoms of depression and 13% have some kind of anxiety disorder. Some studies show that full-fledged depression is more prevalent in adolescents than in adults. Clearly, these kids have lots of stress and challenges in their lives.

All of us at Show Me Yoga Center would like to honor "Miss Megan" for her dedication and commitment to working with teens. "You go, yogi, go!"

If you would like to join Peter in making a donation to support the Yoga for Teens project you can reach us at Show Me Yoga Center, 101A W. High St, Jefferson City, MO, 65101 or by calling us at (573) 636-5656. Donations can be taken over the phone with MasterCard or Visa. You may also donate online using the link below.

India comes to Show Me Yoga Center!

2006-09-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

The food was spicy, the company good, and the night beautiful.

Last Friday night around 25 members of the Show Me Yoga Center community enjoyed an evening together experiencing some of the best that India has to offer (besides yoga, of course!) Teachers, students, and their friends and family meet for Indian food at the yoga center and then crossed the street for the Soorya concert on the Capitol lawn. The food was from the Taj Mahal restaurant in Columbia (highly recommended!) and the concert was sponsored by the Missouri River Regional Library, part of their great Cultural Concert series, all presented against the beautiful backdrop of the State Capitol building.

Here's a few photos (courtesy of James Harcourt).

Yoga teens at Simonsen

2006-09-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here's some shots of the awesome teen yogis at the Simonsen 9th Grade Center last spring. Our hats off to SMYC instructor Megan Sappington, who has already donated countless hours to introducing teens to the magic of yoga! Megan started the 9th graders yoga project last spring and has expanded it to include more classes this fall. She's teaching every Friday during the students' regular PE class time. And next semester she'll be teaching the older high school students as well! We appreciate the great cooperation we're getting from the Jefferson City public schools.

For more about the challenging and rewarding experience of teaching yoga to teens, read Megan's "Yoga is Stoopid" post below. If you would like to make a donation to help support this huge and wonderful project give us a call at (573) 636-5656 or email us at info@showmeyoga.com

Yoga is Stoopid

2006-09-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

"YOGA??!! Ha! I'm not doin' no stoopid Yoga..."

This is usually the first thing I hear when I introduce teenagers to Yoga.

The next thing I hear? "I'm NOT taking off my shoes and socks!"

Every Friday I visit SMYC's Partner-In-Education, Simonsen 9th Grade Center, to teach the phys. ed. students Yoga. Accustomed to a gym class involving dodge-ball and lap-running, these teens warily eye me, arms crossed, scowling. They are nervous, scared, and apprehensive about this practice, about me, about perceptions from peers....

*You did YOGA??? Are you GAY?" (or some other derrogatory comment...)

Teens are gloriously verbal with their fears! I know exactly where I stand with them. As Adults, we may have these same fears, but they go unspoken...Teens will let me know how they feel immediately and loudly.

Each class I teach has approximately 50-60 students. I teach in the gymnasium with glaring flourescent lights, bad accoustics, and no mats. The smell of sweat hangs in the air and through a beat-up boom box, the thumping beat of the *Gorrillaz* plays. I ask them to show me how they normally sit.....and we go from there.

Not exactly conducive to serenity and peace....but that's not what I'm going for......Yet.

First I have to overcome a huge barrier: A societal belief held by these teens that Yoga is *stretching for old ladies* and for *gay anorexic tofu-eating hippie freaks*. (these are actual written comments from last year's survey). I have to show them that Yoga is challenging, fast-paced, athletic, and fun. I have to show them it's cool.

That's the easy part. This Practice is accomodating. I lead them through fast-paced Vinyasas, with jump-throughs, balances, flips and twists, all set to hip-hop music. In other words I wear them out physically so they can listen to silence.

At the end of class we relax in Legs-Up-The-Wall, exploring sensations in the body. There are a few additional snickers and whispers, but the majority of these teens now trust enough to let go.....We sit in a large circle...it is now quiet. They all stare at me, eyes-wide....I talk of how unique they are, how unique everyone is...I talk of the Noble Truths...I remind them that the only person they will spend the rest of their lives with is themselves....Respect Yourself and Others will Respect You. We end with "Namaste"....silence. Noone wants to get up! This is Samadhi...bliss.
"This is Yoga"....I say.

Now I hear "Alright! We're doin Yoga again!!" "Hey Yoga-Lady, when you comin back???"

And I smile, and I say "Soon...."

Namaste,
Megan Sappington

Balancing act

2006-08-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Looks like great fun, doesn't it? These students in Judi's Wednesday morning Yoga Basics class had a great time with this cooperative balancing pose. Many of our new students have commented on how much fun they had in their first classes with us! They were surprised. They didn't expect yoga to be fun. But laughing is great for you and our teachers like to have a good time. Some of our classes may be quiet and meditative, some may be an intense work out, and in others you may laugh a lot and get to know your classmates.

Judi, whose background is also in teaching dance, is well known for her creative and fun classes with lots of partner work. If you haven't tried one of her classes, why not join the fun? Don't miss her special Have a Ball yoga workshop on Saturday, September 16, from 11:15 am-12:30 pm. You'll learn all about fun ways to use a fitball in your yoga practice. The suggested donation is $12. You can bring your own ball or use one of ours.

We encourage you to try out all our classes and teachers. With Donation Yoga, you can take as many classes as you like! So we hope to see you in class soon.

Jan

Honoring the Yoga Monsters

2006-08-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was amazed and humbled by my Intermediate Class. Well, see for yourself.......

That's Erich and Sandy in Standing Splits (with Barry and Brenda lovingly assisting). Beautiful. What's even more beautiful is that my entire Intermediate class is comprised of devoted practitioners. ALL of these folks come to practice at least once a week, with most coming 2, 3, 4 times a week.

They are what Sallie lovingly calls *Yoga Monsters*. They are astounded by the rewards they have reaped from Yoga and want More! More! More! They know that with practice comes great depth.

Depth of body. Depth of mind. Depth of soul.

Anything you focus on expands. It's a natural law. The more you pour in, no matter what, the more you shall receive the same.

Why not make what you pour in a good thing? Do Yoga. Do It A Lot.

Think back to your very first experience with yoga, with mind/body awareness...next look at where you are now. Could you have fathomed this transformation? Was this forseeable?

Honor where you have come from, where you are now, and where you have yet to go.....it may very well be standing splits...it may very well be pure bliss.

It's here. Come and get it.

Namaste

Om Tat Sat

Megan Sappington

How is the yoga center doing?

2006-08-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

Many of our yoga students have asked how the yoga center is doing. They tell us all the time how they have come to rely on their yoga practice in so many ways. We can sense their concern that our Donation Yoga adventure may put an end to their yoga classes! We want to do everything we can to ensure that that doesn't happen! We believe that information is power, so here's an update:

Attendance: The number of new students since we started Donation Yoga has exceeded our expectations. We've had 97 new students between July 5 and August 24. This is an amazing number for the summer months! It's been exciting to have fuller classrooms. This is our main reason for offering donation yoga, to introduce yoga to students who would not otherwise come to class. We also wanted to encourage students to attend more frequently, which has also been happening. One student is practicing 5-6 times/week.

Income: We expected that our income would be down some through July and August as many of our students finished out their class cards. Even so our donations in July were enough to pay all our most essential bills like rent, phone, website and newsletter expenses, insurance, etc. This was very encouraging! We also had enough money in the bank to pay our teachers a flat rate of $20 for each class and to pay small administrative salaries totaling $350 (about $2.50-$3.00/hour).

Our August donations (as of August 20) have already exceeded those from July. This month we expect to be able to pay our basic bills and small teacher and administrative salaries almost completely from donations. This basic budget doesn't, however, include anything for advertising, printing, and other important budget items. And, of course, we would like to pay our staff and teachers more fairly. Staff has often worked with no pay at all and the teachers have taken a pay cut in order to get Donation Yoga started. Hopefully this is temporary!

Fall: We expect that attendance will increase quite a bit this fall. September is always a time when many new students start. And, with the buzz being created about Donation Yoga we expect this September to be extra busy! So we're optimistic about the future.

The bottom line: We love to teach yoga. We believe that our community is a better place because yoga has a presence here. We are committed to keeping the yoga center open and have great faith that "if we teach, students will come!" Yoga is just too good to be kept a secret in our community. Please continue to spread the word. Donation Yoga works because of you!

Namaste,
Jan Harcourt

Students' stories

2006-08-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today I was at the Jefferson City farmer’s market when I ran into a former yoga student who I hadn’t seen in ages. We had a great time visiting and getting caught up on what we’d been doing for the last few months. Then she caught me by surprise when she said, “I still do my yoga … every day. And all those pains I used to have in my knee and wrist are gone!” Phyllis had only been my student for a short time before her schedule changed and she was unable to come to my chair yoga class. I was so impressed to hear that she had continued to practice on her own after only a short introduction to yoga! It’s not often that I meet students who are this committed to practicing on their own without the ongoing encouragement and advice of a teacher. And it’s the consistent practice of yoga over a long period of time that leads to results like what Phyllis reported.

Since we began Donation Yoga many of our students have been coming to classes more often and discovering for themselves the benefits of consistent practice. Regular student Jenn Heintz has been an inspiration to all of us teachers who have worked with her. She says, I had practiced yoga before moving to Jefferson City, but never with the consistency that I have been practicing since coming to Show Me Yoga Center. I currently practice five to six times a week, and I find that the more I practice the better I feel physically. I have more energy, and practicing yoga so frequently has also given me an increased sense of emotional well-being. The instructors at Show Me Yoga are engaged and interested in my progress, and I am happy to be studying with them.

How about you? How has your yoga practice affected your life? We would love to hear from you.

Namaste,
Jan Harcourt

Our Deepest Fear

2006-08-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Megan blew my socks off last night (okay, I wasn't wearing socks in yoga class) by starting her Thursday night Yoga Mix class with this reading:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Whoa. I'm still reeling.

That's a quote from Marianne Williamson's book, A Return to Love.

Megan went on from there to teach a simple and powerful yoga pose series with some really cool "Shiva squats" in the middle.

Tomorrow she's teaching a two-hour yoga workshop, by donation. And it's all about flowing from one posture into the next, called vinyasa.

Don't miss it.

I'll see you in yoga class,

Kevin Perry

mo_yoga@yahoo.com

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved, Mo Yoga LLC.

I feel taller!!!

2006-08-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

During my class this afternoon, I taught Supta Padangusthasana.....*hamstring stretch*.....remember? Lay flat on your back, belt the instep of one leg, make it straight, lay the other down on the mat....gently pull back on the belted leg and streeeeeetch!

Oy I love this pose!

So do alot of other yogi's! Our hamstrings, the muscles that run up the backs of our legs, are shortened by sitting....and sitting....and sitting....
Even when we walk, if the legs aren't fully extended through the steps we take, the lower back rounds and the hamstrings shorten....talk about a recipe for pain, and for losing height.

Supta Pad allows us to reverse this! AND GET TALLER!
What? Really?!
YUP.

I have several students who have grown taller simply by practicing yoga and this particular asana....one student, Jean Vanderfeltz, has stretched a full inch in one year. Her doctor is astounded. So is she.

Gravity pulls us down....gravity compresses connective tissue....add to this the amount of time we spend sitting?
I'm Shrinking!!!

When I teach Supta Pad I encourage a lifting motion in the belted leg. Try and reach UP, not just back, with the belted foot...this allows the femur ( thigh bone) to lift up and out of the pelvic girdle, giving those deep connective tissues in the hip joint spaciousness.....and length.
In my class this afternoon, one student's leg was significantly longer than the other after she practiced lifting UP through the extended leg....she laughed in her amazement and said *I feel taller!!!*

She was.

On another note, this Saturday August 12th from 11 am to 1pm I will be conducting a Vinyasa Flow Workshop at Show Me Yoga Center.
What is Vinyasa? It is a series of poses linked together and repeated...I'll play some great music, while the whole class moves and breathes together...it is sometimes referred to as *Meditation in Motion*, as it does induce a trance-like state.
But what moves me the most is the sense of community it creates..an entire class united in movement...
Vinyasa Yoga has brought me great compassion and joy, and I encourage you to try it out this saturday....

Namaste,

Megan Sappington

Upside-Down Yoga, Habit-Forming

2006-08-09T04:15:00.001-07:00

I went to Sallie's Intemediate Yoga class Saturday morning with a back ache. Specifically, I had sacro-iliac pain on my left side. If you've experienced this, you know it's not fun.

At some point in class we practiced a pose most people call "headstand on chairs."

It's a strange looking pose. But one of it's great advantages is that you can stay in this pose for a long time.

I did. It felt great.

If you're new to yoga, you may not know yet that one of the regular practices of yoga is turning upside down in various postures like shoulder stand, head stand, hand stand, legs-up-the-wall pose, and even dog pose.

These inverted postures, once you get comfortable with them, offer some tremendous benefits to yogis.

When I came out of the pose I noticed that my S-I pain was gone.

Sometimes I think that when I'm standing or walking or sitting, doing my normal routine, I'm not "acting naturally." Rather, I'm maintaining a habitual pattern in my body, for no reason other than...habit.

What's cool about being upside down is this: I don't have many habits. So instead of replaying a pattern that I've ingrained into my body, I let go of them.

When I let go of habitual alignments, tensions, or contractions my body naturally aligns with gravity.

I think that's what happened.

I love yoga. When I practice, when I do the pose that's right here in front of me now, I am always surprised by the newness of the moment. My anticipation of the pose, what I think is going to happen, often does not.

I didn't expect back pain to leave me when I went upside-down. But it did.

Who knows what might happen in your next yoga class?

I'll see you in yoga class,

Kevin Perry

mo_yoga@yahoo.com

p.s., If you'd like to read a Daily Yoga Tip I wrote about letting go of habitual body patterns while in a topsy-turvy position, see "Inversion Confusion" here.

p.p.s., I teach a Basics yoga class each Monday night at 5:30. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

Remember, all of our classes are by donation only. You pick the price, the teacher, the schedule, and the frequency of your classes. There's no reason not to come to yoga classes.

p.p.p.s., Would you like to experience private yoga instruction?

In a one-on-one setting, you get individual feedback, meant just for you. You get instructions tailored to address the issues you want to work on. I'll meet with you privately. Email me at mo_yoga@yahoo.com. By donation only. You pick the price...or no price at all. I'll work with as many of you as I can, as my schedule permits.

p.p.p.p.s., If you've read this far, you get the big amusement pay-off. You'll notice above that I said most people call the pose "headstand on chairs." Some people, tongue in cheek, call it the "head in the toilet pose."

p.p.p.p.p.s., If you see me or Sallie this week at Show Me Yoga Center, be sure to ask us about our up-coming yoga vacation in Yelapa, Mexico. It's not too soon to be preparing for this February, 2007 week-long yoga adventure. This will be our third year to return to the beautiful Hotel Lagunita.

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved, Mo Yoga LLC.

The Yoga of Generosity

2006-08-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

I listened with interest to a brief presentation a gentleman made yesterday about generosity.

He used a story from the Bible (Jesus fed 5,000 people with just a few pieces of fish and bread given by a young boy) to illustrate the power and effect of generosity.

He made two points that are very much in my awareness now that we are offering yoga freely, based only on donations. He said:

1) God uses people to do good works, and
2) Generosity is what makes truly great things happen (...not timing, cleverness, more effort, struggle, better education).

When the young boy was generous with what little he had, many were fed.

I see these principles at work so clearly now at Show Me Yoga Center.

Once we decided to quit worrying about the trick or gimmick or pricing scheme that would keep the yoga center going, we were able to focus on the simplest way to make the joy and benefits of yoga available to as many people as possible.

Disregarding "a strategic business model," the yoga community has begun to flourish.

Wow.

I am encouraged, excited and grateful.

If you've received some benefit from yoga, I hope you'll generously let others know that they can benefit too by joining us for the regular exploration of yoga.

I'll close with a challenge, too. Now that yoga instruction is "cheaper," I notice that a handful of students are coming frequently to classes. That's right, they're not just coming to one class per week. Some are coming to 2 or 3, or more!

My greatest disappointment about becoming a yoga teacher was that I was unable to study twice a week with my teacher! Our schedules just didn't match.

Don't worry about the money. See if you can get in two yoga classes each week for a while. You'll be surprised at how this sort of generosity with your schedule will repay you with energy, focus, ease and improved health.

I'll see you in yoga class.

Kevin Perry

mo_yoga@yahoo.com

p.s., Would you like to experience private yoga instruction?

In a one-on-one setting, you get individual feedback, meant just for you. You get instructions tailored to address the issues you want to work on. I'll meet with you privately. Email me at mo_yoga@yahoo.com. By donation only. You pick the price...or no price at all. I'll work with as many of you as I can, as my schedule permits.

p.p.s., Speaking of fish, here's a picture of fish pose. Take a quick peek at it and then consider your reaction when you see it.

I'll admit it, I hated this pose. Then, my teacher taught me to do it in a way that 'clicked.'

If, when you looked at that picture, you said, "I can't do that!" then yoga is just right for you. I couldn't balance my check book, or do my laundry, or drive a car until someone taught me.

There's no reason not to come to yoga classes at Show Me Yoga Center. We'll teach you yoga! And you'll get the benefits.

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved, Mo Yoga LLC.

Yoga Connections

2006-08-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

I was in Sallie's class last week practicing bridge pose when I noticed that I came to class with a pain in my neck. Ouch.

Eventually, I got around to lifting my chin a bit and pressing the back of my head lightly into the floor. It made my neck pain go away.

Here's a funky little Haiku I jotted down afterwards:

I lift my chin
and press my head into the mat.
Neck pain in bridge pose...
goes.

By the way, had I been listening, I'd have heard Sallie give this instruction. She says it all the time when she teaches this pose. Eventually, the little light in my head went on, the connection was made.

A bridge is a connector between two pieces of land that are otherwise separated by water or some other feature.

I don't know what stood between me and the hearing of Sallie's instruction, but I eventually heard it, I made the connection, and it really worked for me.

I love the connections I've been making at Show Me Yoga Center lately. It has so much to do with the connections our students are making as they bring their friends to the yoga center for donation yoga classes.

More and more people are coming and more are benefitting from yoga, just like me.

Classes are fuller. And you can feel the excitement and energy in the room. I love it.

I'll see you in yoga class,

Kevin Perry

mo_yoga@yahoo.com

p.s., Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means "the union of opposites." Sounds like a connection, a bridge, to me.

p.p.s., I teach beginner's classes on Monday evenings at 5:30 pm. I hope to see you there.

If 5:30 pm is too early for you, come to my 6:30 pm "Breakthrough Training" class. It's continuous movement. It's a fantastic fitness and wellness routine that keeps you moving and helps you make progress quickly and efficiently.

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved, Mo Yoga LLC.

New students stretching their limits!

2006-08-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Photo: New student Kate Miller looking marvelous in Ardha Chandrasana (Half moon pose). Since we began Donation Yoga one month ago 62 new students have experienced the blissful feeling of yoga at Show Me Yoga Center. To all our new students: Welcome! Send us your comments about your experience of yoga. We'll post some of them here!

A Kernel of Gratitude

2006-08-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

Monday night I attended Kevin's Yoga Basics class at 5:30. I really enjoyed it! Duh, that's a no-brainer! It's yoga for heaven's sake! I got all the expected rewards from this class. I was called to work, both mentally and physically. I felt challenged. I had fun. I left feeling great! That's what we go there for, right?

What is most notable about class, my most valuable nugget came from the last few moments in class. It was after our discussion of action, after we practiced Virabhadrasana II(Warrior 2 pose)after working on Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle pose) and after surrendering in Savasana (Corpse pose) that Kevin asked us to bring to mind someone in our lives for whom we are grateful.

I could have remembered countless people in my life who've given to me over the years: family, friends, teachers. What struck me was how many people right there in the room with me have given something to me for which I am grateful. (and they probably don't know it!!)

I saw people who've been my students since I first started teaching yoga (Thanks for hanging in with me, Del & Elaine.) I was inspired by one student's hungry pursuit of yoga (You're a yoga-monster, Jen!) I've witnessed profound transformation from dogged persistence (I am proud to have seen you 'sprout your yoga wings,' Sharon.) I've witnessed newcomers blossom into dedicated students of this amazing practice and with heavy heart wish them well as life takes them new directions (Namaste, Betty, thanks for your enthusiasm. I'll miss you.) I've rediscovered old friendships and uncovered cherished new ones (Not just my student, Allen.) And my teachers who inspire and teach me every day. (Thanks doesn't cover it, Jan and Kevin.)

I'm reminded of the message I took away from a movie I saw this past weekend, Lady in the Water. This story wove eccentric characters together in a way that, at first glance, didn't appear to be connected. But as you're drawn deeper you realize that without any one of them, the story couldn't have the same resolution.

You may view your life--the people and events you encounter, as a series of unrelated events--seemingly without meaning or purpose. If you look more closely you'll see the choices you make every minute of every day determine what happens to you in the moments, days, weeks, months and years ahead.

What led me to my practice of yoga that began more than 8 years ago was a backache--a miserable and overwhelming aggravation without which I'd never have found yoga! From that obstacle I've discovered and experienced something I consider a treasure.

I could not have the yoga practice (nay, yoga family) I have today if it weren't for the decisions and choices I made 8 years ago to recover from a backache! What I once viewed as a nuisance I now know as a profound opportunity that transformed my life.

From my place on the yoga mat I planted a kernel of gratitude. From that tiny seed sprouted a life changing practice filled with wonderful friends and rich experiences. For that, I am truly grateful.

Shanti Shanti Shanti

What doesn't stay on the mat....

2006-07-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I love the Las Vegas' slogan *What happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas*. For me it brings up feelings of unbridled freedom, with nary a consequence.....If only REAL life were like that.... It's not. What we do/say/think/feel has a consequence. Some consequences are expected...others? Not so much. Like my birthday. Every year I envision parties! Friends! Frivolity! And no matter how much planning or forethought I put into it, it's never what I *expected*.

For me that's the key word: Expectations.

Buddha spoke of the cause of suffering to be just this: expectations, or attachments to a preconceived outcome. But life doesn't follow our prescribed notions of what *should* or *shouldn't* happen.....plans change, ideas grow, people die. My goodness, if my own life had followed every *expectation* I ever had, this planet would be a mess! Trust me! So how does this relate to our time on the mat? It is the seed we plant for awareness of our intention.

Last night during Intermediate Yoga, Jen Robbins approached me regarding our vinyasa practice. Says Jen, *I keep forcing myself deep into asana, immediately! I want so bad to drop into the full pose right away*.....I do too. But if I remember the *intention* of vinyasa (to flow, to connect with the breath, to feel the energy of my body), and let go of my *expectations* (to do down-dog deeper than a classmate, to hold chaturanga dandasana longer than the teacher), then I am truly honoring myself.

And to honor myself is to honor this practice. The intention is to listen to my body. And Accept All Outcomes.
Yoga teaches us that the only constant in life is change. One day I may be able to do backflips...the next? I can barely get out of bed....and these changes are part of a universal wisdom greater than me, you, anyone.

Remember the story of Mohammed...an eagle stole his boot right in the middle of a long hike in the desert, but in the boot was a poisonous snake. In effect he was saved by something bad happening to him. Did he *expect* his boot to be stolen? Of course not. But it saved his life. Sometimes *bad* things happen to save us from disaster. And the only reason I will suffer is if I stay attached to my own, limited, preconceived notion of what *should* have happened. Let go. Flow. Be okay with what is handed to you. Even if it's not what you may have expected. Practicing this awareness on your mat doesn't stay on the mat.

Unlike Vegas, awareness of intention flows into your daily life. Like me with my birthday.....I'll be okay, and aware that maybe this change is to prevent something horrible happening. ....Have a glass of wine/piece o' cake for me on Saturday, and I'll send gratitude for what DOESN'T stay on our mats.

Namaste, Megan Sappington

Welcome SMYC students!

2006-07-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here's where you'll find information posted by your teachers, hear about what happened in class, see photos and more! Let us know what you would like to see here.

The Show Me Yoga Center Student Spot

More students share their stories

Yoga Pushed through a Crowd...and Got To Me.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Teens giving back

A student speaks

...Maybe??...

One student's story

Living Boldly and Laughing Hard!

40-Day Yoga Challenge

What I have Learned from Fasting

More 40-Day Yoga Challenge Ideas

The Fasting Club

Fasting for mind, body, & spirit

Teens practice giving AND receiving

The King of Poses

All we need is love

Students talk about yoga

Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House rescheduled

On the air

King Teens!!

You can do astavakrasana!

Surrendering Teens

A gift of Namaste.

The Middle

That peaceful, easy feeling

Powerful karma yoga

India comes to Show Me Yoga Center!

Yoga teens at Simonsen

Yoga is *Stoopid*

Balancing act

Honoring the Yoga Monsters

How is the yoga center doing?

Students' stories

Our Deepest Fear

I feel taller!!!

Upside-Down Yoga, Habit-Forming

The Yoga of Generosity

Yoga Connections

New students stretching their limits!

A Kernel of Gratitude

What doesn't stay on the mat....

Welcome SMYC students!

Yoga is Stoopid