OK, it's taken me a while to write this because I haven't fully reconciled it yet.
So. You're leaving. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
(For all of you just tuning in, Dolly is my favorite, and currently, my only yoga teacher. She is the teacher who I did my yoga teacher training with. She is the one who helped me realize what yoga is, what it means, that you can practice it and still be yourself, that you don't have to practice anyone's yoga but your own.)
Again, you're leaving. I'm genuinely happy for the promise your future holds, and I want all the citizens of Oregon to know how damn lucky they will be to have you in their midst. I know I will not be alone in feeling the gaping hole your absence will leave here. There will never be another Dolly, and though I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to practice with you these last couple years, I am distraught about you leaving.
I know what you'd say...there are great teachers here! You'll find another! Perhaps. But none like you. You have the unique ability to blend just the right amount of traditional yoga with a more modern, challenging, and creative practice. You have this way of making Om accessible for even the tough guys in the back row. You make the newbie feel as comfortable as the long-time practitioner. Week after week you switch it up, challenge us, console us, inspire us, encourage us, keep us guessing, keep us laughing—and no matter what state we were in at the beginning, 90 minutes later we're all nicer, kinder, sweeter, happier, gentler, and calmer. Because that is your magic. That is your calling. That, my dearest Dolly, is your undeniable gift.
I just want you to know what an impact you've had on my life in particular, how appreciative I continue to be for your guidance, knowledge, example, and friendship. I broke through a lot of personal barriers because of you...all because one day I had this insane idea to get up at 4:30am so I could go practice yoga. Good thing I'm a morning person, right? As they say, the early bird gets the worm. I got a hell of a lot more than that. I learned to face my fears, to get outside of my comfort zone, to play my edges, and it's all because you gave me a place where I felt safe enough to do it. Thank you so very much, Dolly. I am practically a new woman today because of what I learned from you.
I could go on and on about what you mean to me, how much you will be missed, what a fantastic teacher you are, how cool you are, and all that. Easily. For reams and reams. But in closing, I will simply say Dolly, I love you, love the spirit you are, I thank you, and I wish you nothing but all the very best. You are a gem of a being, a one-and-only, the brightest star I have ever encountered.
And to the rest of you who are reading, if you will please, in your way, send love and good wishes out into the universe for Dolly, I would also be most appreciative.
Showing posts with label Dolly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dolly. Show all posts
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Dolly: Everyone's Hero of the Month!
First, let me say that I continue to be impressed by the creative energy behind Asana Activewear. Not only is this start-up owned by two of the genuinely nicest people, not only are the clothes fantabulous, but the new Web site is what Web 2.0 is all about: a community of like-minded people.
So hats off to the Asana Activewear family, and hats off to Dolly Stavros for being chosen as the site's first Hero of the Month. I can't think of anyone else more deserving, I really can't.
So hats off to the Asana Activewear family, and hats off to Dolly Stavros for being chosen as the site's first Hero of the Month. I can't think of anyone else more deserving, I really can't.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Kudos to Cay
Dolly is irreplaceable; that is a given. So I do feel for new instructors or subs who have to step into her classes. But having said that, let me just say how thrilled I am that Cay is the one who is taking over Dolly's Thursday morning Power Vinyasa class. She is one of a handful of of my favorites...and I've never really taken a class with her before. However, I did go through teacher training with her, and was very impressed with her tone while teaching as well as her yoga...she rocks the arm balances!
Anyway, today was our first Thursday with her, and class was challenging, inspiring, and invigorating. Not bad considering I rolled into class on about four hours of sleep (When your boy calls, sleep can wait. I'll sleep plenty when I'm dead). Cay has a lovely, soothing voice and I love her language: "give it all you've got," "just two more breaths," etc. She pushes gently and reminds you that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.
Her sequencing was great; we warmed up with some classic Sun Sals, and we did splits of every sort: Standing Splits, Splits Prep, full Splits, Flying Splits, so I was a happy girl. I need lots of splits and deep hamstring stretches to counter (or complement) all the lunging and squatting I'm doing at the gym. It feels good (well, sometimes, not really), but I know too much or not enough of one or the other will leave me underdeveloped in the hamstrings, or overdeveloped and too tight. So when I can get a lot of stretching and hamstring work in yoga, I can hit it hard in the gym and not feel like I'm locking up.
But back to Cay. Music was also excellent, the kind you need to get you moving at 5:45am. Classic and trance-y yoga tracks, plus a lovely Savasana track. By that point, I was so pleasantly exhausted I could've slept right there on the floor for a bit without a care in the world. So hats off to Cay for a wonderful first day. Class was sparse, which is always the case when Dolly is absent, but I think once the most of the regulars take a class with Cay, they'll all be back.
Anyway, today was our first Thursday with her, and class was challenging, inspiring, and invigorating. Not bad considering I rolled into class on about four hours of sleep (When your boy calls, sleep can wait. I'll sleep plenty when I'm dead). Cay has a lovely, soothing voice and I love her language: "give it all you've got," "just two more breaths," etc. She pushes gently and reminds you that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.
Her sequencing was great; we warmed up with some classic Sun Sals, and we did splits of every sort: Standing Splits, Splits Prep, full Splits, Flying Splits, so I was a happy girl. I need lots of splits and deep hamstring stretches to counter (or complement) all the lunging and squatting I'm doing at the gym. It feels good (well, sometimes, not really), but I know too much or not enough of one or the other will leave me underdeveloped in the hamstrings, or overdeveloped and too tight. So when I can get a lot of stretching and hamstring work in yoga, I can hit it hard in the gym and not feel like I'm locking up.
But back to Cay. Music was also excellent, the kind you need to get you moving at 5:45am. Classic and trance-y yoga tracks, plus a lovely Savasana track. By that point, I was so pleasantly exhausted I could've slept right there on the floor for a bit without a care in the world. So hats off to Cay for a wonderful first day. Class was sparse, which is always the case when Dolly is absent, but I think once the most of the regulars take a class with Cay, they'll all be back.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Progress
Had an inspirational and challenging practice tonight with one of my favorite people: Melody. We focused on backbends to open the chest and heart—and normally, I'm not a big fan. Backbends are tough on me physically, and I've felt the emotion they can bring on—it's always a little unsettling for me to venture deep into backbends because I always wonder if I'm going to end up in tears as a result of the opening and the surge in emotion.
But here's what I loved about this class tonight, other than it felt fabulous...Mel's backbends were gentle and her sequencing was excellent. We did a very challenging series of Warriors with the requisite Power Vinyasa flow, plus lots of pranayama exercises. But we started on the floor with Bridge, which was a nice departure, then Melody skillfully moved us into Flip Dogs, Camels, and modified Crescent Lunges through the rest of the practice. Thus, in effect, we were opening our hearts all along, in a very non-intimidating and subtle fashion.
And you know what? I think—no, I KNOW—I'm in a different place emotionally. Because I didn't feel any painful emotion rising. Only contentment, peace, bliss. Damn, that's an incredible feeling, to not be afraid of yourself—to be able to step outside yourself, take a good look, and know that you're in a good place. If they could bottle that feeling, I tell you, the world would be an infinitely better place.
There was also another aspect to this practice that I particularly appreciated...but before I get into it, I must give a little background info. If you don't know Melody (sorry for you), then you don't know that she is a deeply intuitive and beautiful being. She "brings it" as purely as my other favorite yogini, Dolly. There is an honesty and humility in her intention as a teacher, and it is reflected in the size of her classes. She threads connection to the spirit, to the universe, throughout her classes, and this really resonates with me. Particularly because of my predeliction for living in a BlackBerried, technlogically-centered, perfectionist existence. Getting outside of my head is a challenge, so every reminder that I am nothing but a small piece of this intricately woven universe is especially appreciated.
In the beginning of our practice, Mel asked us to breathe in and ask for that which we want from the universe. Now some may think this silly, but I am not of that ilk. Because breathing in and asking for want you want Law-of-Attraction-style is nothing more than "you get back what you put out" in a more more eloquent and concentrated manner. So I breathed in deeply and asked the universe for what I wanted, and was grateful when later in our practice, Melody brought us back to this intention, reminding us to recall that prayer and to send it out again. Essentially, that is yoga, this blending of mind, body, and spirit. But as we all know, some teachers are more gifted in marrying the three than others.
One more little side note: I missed Mel's class last week because of a scheduling issue, and ended up taking Dolly's class instead. Tonight Mel said to me that she was sorry I missed Mountain Climber and Flying Splits last week, which I love. Here's the interesting thing: as most of us know all too well, sometimes what you want and what you need are quite different. What I have learned above all else in this first year of my practice is this: being outside your comfort zone is where the real progress happens. It's good to do the backbends even when you don't particularly like them. It's good to breathe through the urge to run from an asana. It's good to try what you haven't before. Because in the end, you never know where you'll find that connection, that bliss—and you'll never know if you don't try. It takes courage, patience, tenacity, discipline, there is no doubt. But the person you can become in the midst—that...well, that could be your most stunning achievement, more profound than any yoga pose.
But here's what I loved about this class tonight, other than it felt fabulous...Mel's backbends were gentle and her sequencing was excellent. We did a very challenging series of Warriors with the requisite Power Vinyasa flow, plus lots of pranayama exercises. But we started on the floor with Bridge, which was a nice departure, then Melody skillfully moved us into Flip Dogs, Camels, and modified Crescent Lunges through the rest of the practice. Thus, in effect, we were opening our hearts all along, in a very non-intimidating and subtle fashion.
And you know what? I think—no, I KNOW—I'm in a different place emotionally. Because I didn't feel any painful emotion rising. Only contentment, peace, bliss. Damn, that's an incredible feeling, to not be afraid of yourself—to be able to step outside yourself, take a good look, and know that you're in a good place. If they could bottle that feeling, I tell you, the world would be an infinitely better place.
There was also another aspect to this practice that I particularly appreciated...but before I get into it, I must give a little background info. If you don't know Melody (sorry for you), then you don't know that she is a deeply intuitive and beautiful being. She "brings it" as purely as my other favorite yogini, Dolly. There is an honesty and humility in her intention as a teacher, and it is reflected in the size of her classes. She threads connection to the spirit, to the universe, throughout her classes, and this really resonates with me. Particularly because of my predeliction for living in a BlackBerried, technlogically-centered, perfectionist existence. Getting outside of my head is a challenge, so every reminder that I am nothing but a small piece of this intricately woven universe is especially appreciated.
In the beginning of our practice, Mel asked us to breathe in and ask for that which we want from the universe. Now some may think this silly, but I am not of that ilk. Because breathing in and asking for want you want Law-of-Attraction-style is nothing more than "you get back what you put out" in a more more eloquent and concentrated manner. So I breathed in deeply and asked the universe for what I wanted, and was grateful when later in our practice, Melody brought us back to this intention, reminding us to recall that prayer and to send it out again. Essentially, that is yoga, this blending of mind, body, and spirit. But as we all know, some teachers are more gifted in marrying the three than others.
One more little side note: I missed Mel's class last week because of a scheduling issue, and ended up taking Dolly's class instead. Tonight Mel said to me that she was sorry I missed Mountain Climber and Flying Splits last week, which I love. Here's the interesting thing: as most of us know all too well, sometimes what you want and what you need are quite different. What I have learned above all else in this first year of my practice is this: being outside your comfort zone is where the real progress happens. It's good to do the backbends even when you don't particularly like them. It's good to breathe through the urge to run from an asana. It's good to try what you haven't before. Because in the end, you never know where you'll find that connection, that bliss—and you'll never know if you don't try. It takes courage, patience, tenacity, discipline, there is no doubt. But the person you can become in the midst—that...well, that could be your most stunning achievement, more profound than any yoga pose.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Update from the Dolly-Lama
Our very favorite yoga guru has checked in from her summer sabbatical...she's loving it! Here she is in Dancer...damn! Do your thing, mama! How could one not be inspired by this amazing landscape?
PS: Glad you're having fun Dolly. We miss you!
PS: Glad you're having fun Dolly. We miss you!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
On the Bench
Folks, it's bad knee time again. Well, not bad, but not progressing. You know what that means: no yoga. Right when I likely need it the most. So...no yoga, no yoga blogs. Unless, of course, the kids do something really profound (I am still teaching them about every other week). I have to give my knees a rest in order to be able to complete my last yoga teacher training module in late June.
The only good thing that's come out of all this knee bulls*** is I've been hardcore on the upper body/ab workouts. The result? I'm getting at least three sets of five-to-seven pull ups. This coming from the girl who couldn't do a single unassisted pull up a couple months ago. I'm hoping by the end of summer, I can get three sets of ten. You'd think I just won the Pulitzer or something. Sure, it's trivial, but when your life is blowing up and you have some little victory, some progress, you're just elated. So, I'm hoping with all this upper body/core work, when I finally do get back to yoga, I can rock forearm balances and handstands. Away from the wall. One can dream, right?
Funny: the very things I've hated upon first attempt are the very things I most look forward to trying again and again. Because I've forced myself into the challenge. And it turns out I like it. (It feels like I've written this before. If I have, forgive me. It's just so surprising, all this "forcing" myself into uncomfortable situations. So not me. Well, used to not be me.)
No yoga sucks, it really does. I miss class, I miss Rachel from Cuba (even if I hardly know her...I love to hear her talk, and she's the other person in class—unfortunately for her—with bum knees, so we keep tabs on each other), and I miss, more than anything, my precious time with Dolly.
I'm not sure why I've been benched at this particular time in my life, but I suspect it might have something to do with the need for a slower pace and introspection. I've done a lot of soul searching the last six months—no doubt yoga has had an influence there. I've learned to be more in the present, and as such, I'm having to evaluate where I am each day on that day. Not a month in advance. See, you can't plan your practice a month a time when your knees are screwed up. Just when I thought it was safe to start adding classes to my calendar for June, the knees flare up, and, well, that's why when it comes to my calendar, I write in pencil.
So, I've got no choice but to just chill. Sit back and evaluate. Take stock. Be glad for what I have right here, right now. Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Know that it will work when it is supposed to.
The only good thing that's come out of all this knee bulls*** is I've been hardcore on the upper body/ab workouts. The result? I'm getting at least three sets of five-to-seven pull ups. This coming from the girl who couldn't do a single unassisted pull up a couple months ago. I'm hoping by the end of summer, I can get three sets of ten. You'd think I just won the Pulitzer or something. Sure, it's trivial, but when your life is blowing up and you have some little victory, some progress, you're just elated. So, I'm hoping with all this upper body/core work, when I finally do get back to yoga, I can rock forearm balances and handstands. Away from the wall. One can dream, right?
Funny: the very things I've hated upon first attempt are the very things I most look forward to trying again and again. Because I've forced myself into the challenge. And it turns out I like it. (It feels like I've written this before. If I have, forgive me. It's just so surprising, all this "forcing" myself into uncomfortable situations. So not me. Well, used to not be me.)
No yoga sucks, it really does. I miss class, I miss Rachel from Cuba (even if I hardly know her...I love to hear her talk, and she's the other person in class—unfortunately for her—with bum knees, so we keep tabs on each other), and I miss, more than anything, my precious time with Dolly.
I'm not sure why I've been benched at this particular time in my life, but I suspect it might have something to do with the need for a slower pace and introspection. I've done a lot of soul searching the last six months—no doubt yoga has had an influence there. I've learned to be more in the present, and as such, I'm having to evaluate where I am each day on that day. Not a month in advance. See, you can't plan your practice a month a time when your knees are screwed up. Just when I thought it was safe to start adding classes to my calendar for June, the knees flare up, and, well, that's why when it comes to my calendar, I write in pencil.
So, I've got no choice but to just chill. Sit back and evaluate. Take stock. Be glad for what I have right here, right now. Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Know that it will work when it is supposed to.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Forearm Fun
Yikes! Tried my first Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance) this morning...fun and frightening all at the same time. Couldn't get my legs up without Dolly's assistance, and not completely flipping over is an art in itself. But this is an interesting and very challenging pose that I'd like to work at more. Given that I've got to give my knees a break, I'll be spending more time on the floor or upside down when possible.
Making Lemonade
Funny, I played with the Forearm Balance this morning, and instead of my usual Shoulderstand before Savasana, Dolly encouraged us to try Tripod Headstand if we'd like. I figured, hey, it's time to do something different, and so I gave it a try. I'm making progress engaging core and managed to get my legs all the way up, even though I was wobbly and Dolly helped stabilize me. Then I come home and check my email, and Greg L. has made a number of suggestions for practicing and not engaging my knees as much—working on muscular endurance by holding Plank, Side Plank, deep stretches on the floor, and he said, "You could do six weeks standing on your head"—and he's right! He gave me lots of ideas of how to make these lemons into lemonade...thank you Greg!
Perhaps this little knee thing isn't really a derailment, but as Dolly recently noted, a turn in a different direction. I suppose, in a way, I've become complacent in my practice, so I'm going to spend the next five weeks or so building upper body and core strength, on my mat and in the gym. I'm going to try to remember to work Tripod Headstand and Forearm Balances at home, in front of my bed, so if I start to fall, I can't really go all the way over. I think that will give me some reassurance without having a full wall behind me...it's too easy to get used to balancing against a wall. With nothing to rest my feet on when I'm upside down in front of my bed, I figure I can partially mimic the feeling without killing myself!
Making Lemonade
Funny, I played with the Forearm Balance this morning, and instead of my usual Shoulderstand before Savasana, Dolly encouraged us to try Tripod Headstand if we'd like. I figured, hey, it's time to do something different, and so I gave it a try. I'm making progress engaging core and managed to get my legs all the way up, even though I was wobbly and Dolly helped stabilize me. Then I come home and check my email, and Greg L. has made a number of suggestions for practicing and not engaging my knees as much—working on muscular endurance by holding Plank, Side Plank, deep stretches on the floor, and he said, "You could do six weeks standing on your head"—and he's right! He gave me lots of ideas of how to make these lemons into lemonade...thank you Greg!
Perhaps this little knee thing isn't really a derailment, but as Dolly recently noted, a turn in a different direction. I suppose, in a way, I've become complacent in my practice, so I'm going to spend the next five weeks or so building upper body and core strength, on my mat and in the gym. I'm going to try to remember to work Tripod Headstand and Forearm Balances at home, in front of my bed, so if I start to fall, I can't really go all the way over. I think that will give me some reassurance without having a full wall behind me...it's too easy to get used to balancing against a wall. With nothing to rest my feet on when I'm upside down in front of my bed, I figure I can partially mimic the feeling without killing myself!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Happy Birthday Dolly!
Everyone send your happy thoughts to Dolly, one of my very favorite people and the best yoga teacher ever.
Dolly, every year that you're on the planet makes it a good year for the rest of us!
Dolly, every year that you're on the planet makes it a good year for the rest of us!
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