Today is day three of the Omer, add one and you have the day that begins tonight (Friday night April 22).
I only just managed to post day #3 and will do a different format for this Shabbat Omer counting. Four step personal spiritual practices follow!
Tefilla Yoga
[If you live in or near Chicago, join me tomorrow morning for Tefilla Yoga. The practice will be supportive to bodies who've been exposed to harsh matzoh, late nights, and changing schedules, travel and tiredness. Expect some enjoyable embodiment and restorative poses. 8:00-9:30 am @ Anshe Emet, 3751 N Broadway Chicago]
Do these practice all together or at different times of the night/day.
1. Shabbat Shalom! Light Shabbat candles. Cover your eyes and say the bracha for Shabbat candlelighting. Keep your eyes covered and add personal blessings. Talk to God, ask for what you need, then for blessings for those in your life. Include those who love and support you who are easy to bless, and also people who may not give you what you need, but still need your blessings. May Divine light illuminate your Shabbat, care for you, bring you rest and support.
2. Find a spot to sit. Notice your posture and allow yourself to sit up tall, shoulders wide and down, chest open. Notice your breath. Shift into breathing in through your nostrils deep into your lungs, slowly - generously. Exhale slowly and fully through your nostrils. Repeat for a total of four cycles, breathing in the gift of life, divine breath moving your soul in and through your body. *You may want to sit in front of your Shabbat candles, gazing at the flames dancing.
3. Find open wall space and bring a pillow or blanket. Sit on the floor (or pillow/blanket) really close to the wall, with one hip next to wall, knees bent. Slide onto the floor on your side, roll onto your back, and put your legs up the wall. Adjust the pillow/blanket under your hips. Let yourself settle in here, giving your feet and legs a break. Relax your jaw and neck. Pay attention to how you feel, notice what changes over the next four (or so) minutes. *You may want to first cleanse and exfoliate your face and hands, and apply a mask to your face. Relax into this pose as the mask removes impurities from your skin. Remember to moisturize afterwards.
4. Lay on your back in Shabbatsana. Slide your shoulders down away from your ears, neck long, face relaxed. Let your body be heavy, feel yourself held and supported. Four is the number of Imahot, the Mothers. Invoke the mothers in your life, sources of life, nourishment, nurturing, wisdom. They may be alive in the world now, or no longer, your family or not, female or male. Feel them holding you, blessing you. Remember what a miracle you are, just for being born, for the strength of your soul residing in your body. Realize that with all your talents and accomplishments, your soul is on this Omer journey, moving from constraint to freedom, from burden to joy. Notice where you feel clouded or heavy and where you feel bright and light. Celebrate both. Count the Omer. Tonight is the fourth night of the Omer.
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, April 17, 2010
19 - Free Soul
Let me linger with this great combo of community and combo of comfort - extra life with day 18 and extra soul, neshama yeteirah, that arrives for each Shabbat. Would kind of like to stay and extend the 18=chai=life omer day that coincided with Shabbat today. Enjoyed the best of both worlds: Netivot/Pathways davenning my favorite way, then kiddush lunch with the rest of the community, friends, congregants, and my dad.
First, about favorites. While teaching this morning I noticed that I was repeating the phrase “one of my favorite _______”; noticing the words we repeat is an important reflective tool for teachers. As soon as I spotted the pattern I shared with the Netivot/Pathways participants that this is where I bring all of my favorites. Its true. My favorite chants, my favorite meditation techniques, my favorite spiritual teachings. My favorite movements chosen to stretch and stir body, mind and soul, emotions and energy too. Netivot is designed to be an experience of Shabbat in the truest sense, with the inner reflection and all-level presence to the sacred within and within all. My favorite way to spend Shabbat morning, deep in striving with minyan members all completely at choice with being there.
And about community. The impetus to create Netivot/Pathways: A Jewish Center for Growth and Healing (when I first jotted notes in 2000 and when I first offered a synagogue-based center in 2003 and as I continue to offer a non-center based sessions) was always to acknowledge everyone's unique pathway to soul and wisdom. Constantly moving on our own path, the traditional Jewish prayer service is not the place for everyone, at all times, to connect spiritually. The synagogue should still be a place to connect with community. Netivot/Pathways provides an alternative spiritual home base, often within a synagogue community. More than just another service a community can offer, it does the work of building community and catalyzing healing.
A natural center of community, temples and synagogues must serve lots of needs, and my contention is and always has been that the spiritual is primary. So clearly I remember reviewing the Mission Statement of a synagogue where I worked (there have been three so no need to assume it was one or the other) and looking again and again for any of the following: God, soul, spiritual. They were completely missing and sorely absent; it took about a year for me to provoke a re-write. No matter what the other missions are – Israel, social action, education, youth – aligning soul with service and service with soul is the key to effectiveness. Focusing on anything other without being true to soul is a dangerous shortcut. It may be easier, or quicker, or initially seem more accessible, but make no mistake soul must be at the center.
Netivot/Pathways throughout the years has offered multiple pathways for souls seeking wisdom. Already welcomed by synagogues, seminaries, youth groups, day schools, educator's groups, Hillels and Federations, my vision is that the Jewish community recognizes the need and supports my new model. Among the pathways are: Pathways Shabbatot across the country, Detox Rav Yoga, healing services and workshops, bereavement groups, Rav Yoga, Refu'ah Yoga, Jewish Spiritual Direction, Yoga Eema prenatal yoga, family Tefilla Yoga, Finding Your Soul Mate groups, High Holiday Institute, monthly Shabbat Netivot/Pathways, 12 Step Torah, and Tefila Yoga.
Tefila Yoga fuses the wisdoms of Judaism and yoga, breathing and moving prayerfully with yoga postures that match the kavanah (intent) of the siddur service prayers. Lauded by both experienced davveners (Jews fluent in traditional Jewish prayer) and those with less fluency or affinity for traditional prayer techniques, Tefila Yoga is a meeting place for both. When Orthodox and traditional pray-ers attend Tefila Yoga they go back to their minyan routine with added awareness and dimensions of spiritual experience and often a new appreciation for yoga wisdom. When people attracted to the yoga element attend, an accessible and relevant portal to Jewish prayer wisdom becomes part of their experience on the mat and also opens a point of connection for future davenning experiences of whatever type.
Such a blessing for me, and from me, Netivot/Pathways has been running High Holiday services for the past four years and Shabbat sessions for the past four months (in Chicago at Anshe Emet Synagogue). Returning to my roots of personal practice joined by amazing participants is fabulous. Recent years I was practicing baby asanas (i.e.diaper change asana) and embracing that asana while recovering from the effects of the triplet pregnancy. Far from my professional precedent of the early years of my career (ten years ago!), a conscious choice to open myself personally has deepened my work, attracted lovely followers and freed me to follow my soul in service.
Now I am ready to move into a new day. Today is day 19 of the Omer! That is 2 weeks and 5 days of the Omer.
Inspiration for today:
Learn about Sacred Activism (if you only want a short preview ff to 4:54 and watch that last piece)
More about soul and service with my favorite yoga instructor, the world renowned Seane Corn.
Support Netivot/Pathways: A Jewish Center for Growth and Healing – are you being called to support this work? I'm looking for your support in the forms of professional expertise, promotion, seeking great spaces, seeking invitations, seeking funding so we can take it to the next level and beyond. Contact me so we can talk.
First, about favorites. While teaching this morning I noticed that I was repeating the phrase “one of my favorite _______”; noticing the words we repeat is an important reflective tool for teachers. As soon as I spotted the pattern I shared with the Netivot/Pathways participants that this is where I bring all of my favorites. Its true. My favorite chants, my favorite meditation techniques, my favorite spiritual teachings. My favorite movements chosen to stretch and stir body, mind and soul, emotions and energy too. Netivot is designed to be an experience of Shabbat in the truest sense, with the inner reflection and all-level presence to the sacred within and within all. My favorite way to spend Shabbat morning, deep in striving with minyan members all completely at choice with being there.
And about community. The impetus to create Netivot/Pathways: A Jewish Center for Growth and Healing (when I first jotted notes in 2000 and when I first offered a synagogue-based center in 2003 and as I continue to offer a non-center based sessions) was always to acknowledge everyone's unique pathway to soul and wisdom. Constantly moving on our own path, the traditional Jewish prayer service is not the place for everyone, at all times, to connect spiritually. The synagogue should still be a place to connect with community. Netivot/Pathways provides an alternative spiritual home base, often within a synagogue community. More than just another service a community can offer, it does the work of building community and catalyzing healing.
A natural center of community, temples and synagogues must serve lots of needs, and my contention is and always has been that the spiritual is primary. So clearly I remember reviewing the Mission Statement of a synagogue where I worked (there have been three so no need to assume it was one or the other) and looking again and again for any of the following: God, soul, spiritual. They were completely missing and sorely absent; it took about a year for me to provoke a re-write. No matter what the other missions are – Israel, social action, education, youth – aligning soul with service and service with soul is the key to effectiveness. Focusing on anything other without being true to soul is a dangerous shortcut. It may be easier, or quicker, or initially seem more accessible, but make no mistake soul must be at the center.
Netivot/Pathways throughout the years has offered multiple pathways for souls seeking wisdom. Already welcomed by synagogues, seminaries, youth groups, day schools, educator's groups, Hillels and Federations, my vision is that the Jewish community recognizes the need and supports my new model. Among the pathways are: Pathways Shabbatot across the country, Detox Rav Yoga, healing services and workshops, bereavement groups, Rav Yoga, Refu'ah Yoga, Jewish Spiritual Direction, Yoga Eema prenatal yoga, family Tefilla Yoga, Finding Your Soul Mate groups, High Holiday Institute, monthly Shabbat Netivot/Pathways, 12 Step Torah, and Tefila Yoga.
Tefila Yoga fuses the wisdoms of Judaism and yoga, breathing and moving prayerfully with yoga postures that match the kavanah (intent) of the siddur service prayers. Lauded by both experienced davveners (Jews fluent in traditional Jewish prayer) and those with less fluency or affinity for traditional prayer techniques, Tefila Yoga is a meeting place for both. When Orthodox and traditional pray-ers attend Tefila Yoga they go back to their minyan routine with added awareness and dimensions of spiritual experience and often a new appreciation for yoga wisdom. When people attracted to the yoga element attend, an accessible and relevant portal to Jewish prayer wisdom becomes part of their experience on the mat and also opens a point of connection for future davenning experiences of whatever type.
Such a blessing for me, and from me, Netivot/Pathways has been running High Holiday services for the past four years and Shabbat sessions for the past four months (in Chicago at Anshe Emet Synagogue). Returning to my roots of personal practice joined by amazing participants is fabulous. Recent years I was practicing baby asanas (i.e.diaper change asana) and embracing that asana while recovering from the effects of the triplet pregnancy. Far from my professional precedent of the early years of my career (ten years ago!), a conscious choice to open myself personally has deepened my work, attracted lovely followers and freed me to follow my soul in service.
Now I am ready to move into a new day. Today is day 19 of the Omer! That is 2 weeks and 5 days of the Omer.
Inspiration for today:
Learn about Sacred Activism (if you only want a short preview ff to 4:54 and watch that last piece)
More about soul and service with my favorite yoga instructor, the world renowned Seane Corn.
Support Netivot/Pathways: A Jewish Center for Growth and Healing – are you being called to support this work? I'm looking for your support in the forms of professional expertise, promotion, seeking great spaces, seeking invitations, seeking funding so we can take it to the next level and beyond. Contact me so we can talk.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
17 - Counting Chromosomes
All three of us were sucking on Tootsie Pops from the embryologist's stash of candy, and enjoying ourselves even while I was quite uncomfortable with each of the three poking sessions. The expert prenatal diagnostician who was a pioneer of this CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling ) procedure in the United States, and who would soon become my primary ob/gyn, was taking samples from the chorion (pre-placental) tissue of each twelve week old fetus. Genetic tests would give us valuable information about the health of each fetus enabling us to make the best decisions about their care. Some of the most dire chromosomal outcomes happen when there are too many or too few chromosomes. While we were counting days until the results came in, some geneticist was counting chromosomes.
Omer counting is bound by a thick cord to my pregnancy because my first success at counting each day was when I was on bed rest counting towards the goal of carrying my three beyond the average triplet term of 32 weeks to 33 weeks. In 5768/2008 getting through the Omer counting period was the Jewish calendar's way of determining life and death. Had I gone into labor at the beginning of the omer they would have been 26 weeks, not really viable. For those of you now thinking that usually pregancy lasts 40 weeks, it is significant that fifty percent of triplet pregnancies end at 28 weeks. And those surviving babies can be under 2 pounds with scary odds and need lots of intervention and months of NICU time. I wrote my first ever omer piece last year in reflection of that very real counting towards life (I will share it with you for tomorrow in advance of counting on Shabbat). I went into labor on Shavuot, just after the counting ended, and after five more days in the hospital holding them in just a bit longer they were born.
All chromosomes had previously been accounted for. Upon hearing the results, minus the gender determination, we were relieved to learn that there were no chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic tests give valuable information that may determine the course of a pregnancy and pre-natal treatment. Multiple gestations complicate the environment because one fetus in distress can threaten the others. Done between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, CVS gives results much sooner than amniocentesis and give more options to expectant parents – again especially in multiple pregnancies or for families with known genetic concerns. Though we weren't in the latter category, it is significant that technology makes it possible to genetically test embryos before they are implanted. The impact of this is huge. When the genetic panel blood draw shows that wanna-be parents, or genetic donors, are carriers of Jewish genetic diseases (or other less common ones) the information may lead to a decision to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation embryonic genetic screening. With chromosomal abnormalities that always prevent a pregnancy from producing a child, this can spare the mother. With genetic diseases that will bring disability or pain it is helpful information that may help families prepare.
Connection to my synagogue community and several sunny hours at shul today in meetings and shmoozing inspired this kind-of preachy topic. In my home community this Shabbat is Jewish Genetics Shabbat co-sponsored by the national resource Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders when we will hear personal stories from the bimah Shabbat morning. Community is the partner theme for today. I felt so at home today at shul, warmed by the real community feeling. I think in my original omer essay I commented on the community support during our high risk pregnancy and challenging start so I won't go further with that here. For today, in the present, I'm happy to be getting back to being a contributing member of the community, helping to care for those who cared for me, and those who will in turn share with others in their need.
Abundant blessings in our community mean that I cannot even count the number of people who assisted us in our times of need. Once we got past counting chromosomes, and counting days till our babies entered the world, we got busy counting fingers and toes, diapers and bottles, hours of sleep. Nearly two years later we get to count ourselves blessed with a full family and a close community for sharing caring. Now that is worth counting each day.
Today is the 17th day of the Omer, 2 weeks and 3 days of the Omer.
Also this Shabbat is Netivot/Pathways, a contemplative alternative morning of meditation, yoga and more. We will try to coordinate timing with the Jewish Genetic Shabbat speakers, then continue Netivot/Pathways with a Spiritual Direction session and more.
and for personal practice: try listening to another person's story with the intent of only listening for the bigger picture, what is important to THEM, where God is in it for them. take a break from comparing yourself, from critiquing their decisions or life, from correcting them or giving advice. this is the practice of Spiritual Direction; you can try it for your self. I welcome your reactions and responses.
Omer counting is bound by a thick cord to my pregnancy because my first success at counting each day was when I was on bed rest counting towards the goal of carrying my three beyond the average triplet term of 32 weeks to 33 weeks. In 5768/2008 getting through the Omer counting period was the Jewish calendar's way of determining life and death. Had I gone into labor at the beginning of the omer they would have been 26 weeks, not really viable. For those of you now thinking that usually pregancy lasts 40 weeks, it is significant that fifty percent of triplet pregnancies end at 28 weeks. And those surviving babies can be under 2 pounds with scary odds and need lots of intervention and months of NICU time. I wrote my first ever omer piece last year in reflection of that very real counting towards life (I will share it with you for tomorrow in advance of counting on Shabbat). I went into labor on Shavuot, just after the counting ended, and after five more days in the hospital holding them in just a bit longer they were born.
All chromosomes had previously been accounted for. Upon hearing the results, minus the gender determination, we were relieved to learn that there were no chromosomal abnormalities. Genetic tests give valuable information that may determine the course of a pregnancy and pre-natal treatment. Multiple gestations complicate the environment because one fetus in distress can threaten the others. Done between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, CVS gives results much sooner than amniocentesis and give more options to expectant parents – again especially in multiple pregnancies or for families with known genetic concerns. Though we weren't in the latter category, it is significant that technology makes it possible to genetically test embryos before they are implanted. The impact of this is huge. When the genetic panel blood draw shows that wanna-be parents, or genetic donors, are carriers of Jewish genetic diseases (or other less common ones) the information may lead to a decision to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation embryonic genetic screening. With chromosomal abnormalities that always prevent a pregnancy from producing a child, this can spare the mother. With genetic diseases that will bring disability or pain it is helpful information that may help families prepare.
Connection to my synagogue community and several sunny hours at shul today in meetings and shmoozing inspired this kind-of preachy topic. In my home community this Shabbat is Jewish Genetics Shabbat co-sponsored by the national resource Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders when we will hear personal stories from the bimah Shabbat morning. Community is the partner theme for today. I felt so at home today at shul, warmed by the real community feeling. I think in my original omer essay I commented on the community support during our high risk pregnancy and challenging start so I won't go further with that here. For today, in the present, I'm happy to be getting back to being a contributing member of the community, helping to care for those who cared for me, and those who will in turn share with others in their need.
Abundant blessings in our community mean that I cannot even count the number of people who assisted us in our times of need. Once we got past counting chromosomes, and counting days till our babies entered the world, we got busy counting fingers and toes, diapers and bottles, hours of sleep. Nearly two years later we get to count ourselves blessed with a full family and a close community for sharing caring. Now that is worth counting each day.
Today is the 17th day of the Omer, 2 weeks and 3 days of the Omer.
Also this Shabbat is Netivot/Pathways, a contemplative alternative morning of meditation, yoga and more. We will try to coordinate timing with the Jewish Genetic Shabbat speakers, then continue Netivot/Pathways with a Spiritual Direction session and more.
and for personal practice: try listening to another person's story with the intent of only listening for the bigger picture, what is important to THEM, where God is in it for them. take a break from comparing yourself, from critiquing their decisions or life, from correcting them or giving advice. this is the practice of Spiritual Direction; you can try it for your self. I welcome your reactions and responses.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
15 - doing my days
At a shiva house today two people were talking about me literally behind my back. Standing right next to me they were discussing my personal and professional commitments, just wondering to each other out loud how I manage my life. I was sitting, or standing near the food table, tending to my flock of three -wiping faces, cleaning up spills, enjoying the zen of motherhood.
This morning, and yesterday too, I awoke to a peaceful house, rather my husband gently woke me to tell me it was time to get up. It was so quiet, I was so comfortable, so soundly sleeping, so content in my body laying in bed. I didn't believe that it was already 9:30 am and the girls were quiet. What a great start to the day.
I sensed that this peace would pervade the day. And it did. My first vision of the girls upon opening their door was silliness. Two grinning girls completely naked, the third dressed and equally proud of herself. We ate breakfast together, and I made a to do list. We played.
Yesterday at nap time I loaded them up for a ride. For the first time ever, all three walked to the car. No pulling the car up to the door while hoping they are safe inside, carrying them out one at a time and then going back for bags. One single procession. How amazing is that? So amazing! We stopped to see my Grandma so she could see with her own eyes that Hallel really can walk now. She had been really worried about my easy going girl. I took them to my mom at work and they followed their Savta around the high school like little duckings. I ducked out to go to a meeting with a favorite colleague. We had lots of fun at Savta and Grandma Jerry's house, more play and a delicious dinner. Home late at night, I designed Haley's siddur cover.
Today during nap time I assembled new furniture for Haley's room, purchased to make things more comfortable for my dad. Then, I wrote my day 14 piece, and sent an email correspondence about an exciting job possibility, and another about another promising position.
After nap time we again walked out to the car and drove to our friend's house for a shiva visit. The girls played in the yard, sat on a big kid swing, fell in the mud, rode around on big wheels and scooters, all tended to by the Silver kids. They spotted spaghetti and ate their fill. They traipsed around the house like little menschen. I kept a loose eye on them and allowed them to explore and to mingle, to nosh too. I managed to squeeze in some brief conversations with the family and with my shul people, really good people. After searching for and finding all six shoes, two friends (former congregants) and I each carried out a girl. I arrived home with five minutes till the start of a business webinar. I turned over bed time to Abba and signed on to focus on my passion of providing people the best organic skin and body care.
Tomorrow I begin a new class, teaching Rav Yoga at a day school enrichment program, and next on my agenda is to design an amazing first day for these children. At the moment I don't have child care arranged for the afternoon, so that is also a priority.
In case you were wondering, like the women tonight were in full voice, there's the outline of my week thus far. Yes, I am mostly occupied with mommying and yes, my professional passions round out my life. What a blessing that I love my work and love my people!
This is for today. I imagine that life post-Omer will look quite different. Uh-oh. Pause. Aha! I may have just discovered my counting calling for the year – a transition from mostly mommying into a working Wonder Woman. Time to break out the Feminum cuffs.
for today: what is worth sharing about your daily life? what brought a smile to your face today? have you discovered what this Omer counting period means for you? are you transitioning in these seven weeks, intentionally or not?
This morning, and yesterday too, I awoke to a peaceful house, rather my husband gently woke me to tell me it was time to get up. It was so quiet, I was so comfortable, so soundly sleeping, so content in my body laying in bed. I didn't believe that it was already 9:30 am and the girls were quiet. What a great start to the day.
I sensed that this peace would pervade the day. And it did. My first vision of the girls upon opening their door was silliness. Two grinning girls completely naked, the third dressed and equally proud of herself. We ate breakfast together, and I made a to do list. We played.
Yesterday at nap time I loaded them up for a ride. For the first time ever, all three walked to the car. No pulling the car up to the door while hoping they are safe inside, carrying them out one at a time and then going back for bags. One single procession. How amazing is that? So amazing! We stopped to see my Grandma so she could see with her own eyes that Hallel really can walk now. She had been really worried about my easy going girl. I took them to my mom at work and they followed their Savta around the high school like little duckings. I ducked out to go to a meeting with a favorite colleague. We had lots of fun at Savta and Grandma Jerry's house, more play and a delicious dinner. Home late at night, I designed Haley's siddur cover.
Today during nap time I assembled new furniture for Haley's room, purchased to make things more comfortable for my dad. Then, I wrote my day 14 piece, and sent an email correspondence about an exciting job possibility, and another about another promising position.
After nap time we again walked out to the car and drove to our friend's house for a shiva visit. The girls played in the yard, sat on a big kid swing, fell in the mud, rode around on big wheels and scooters, all tended to by the Silver kids. They spotted spaghetti and ate their fill. They traipsed around the house like little menschen. I kept a loose eye on them and allowed them to explore and to mingle, to nosh too. I managed to squeeze in some brief conversations with the family and with my shul people, really good people. After searching for and finding all six shoes, two friends (former congregants) and I each carried out a girl. I arrived home with five minutes till the start of a business webinar. I turned over bed time to Abba and signed on to focus on my passion of providing people the best organic skin and body care.
Tomorrow I begin a new class, teaching Rav Yoga at a day school enrichment program, and next on my agenda is to design an amazing first day for these children. At the moment I don't have child care arranged for the afternoon, so that is also a priority.
In case you were wondering, like the women tonight were in full voice, there's the outline of my week thus far. Yes, I am mostly occupied with mommying and yes, my professional passions round out my life. What a blessing that I love my work and love my people!
This is for today. I imagine that life post-Omer will look quite different. Uh-oh. Pause. Aha! I may have just discovered my counting calling for the year – a transition from mostly mommying into a working Wonder Woman. Time to break out the Feminum cuffs.
for today: what is worth sharing about your daily life? what brought a smile to your face today? have you discovered what this Omer counting period means for you? are you transitioning in these seven weeks, intentionally or not?
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