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Thursday, February 02, 2012
January Blues
I was talking to a friend this month who said he was having a hard time finding the drive to do things he loved after Christmas, and found himself wasting hours in front of the TV instead. This story brought back memories of my first semester back from Christmas break in college where I remember spending hours in my dorm room eating the cookies that my Dad had sent back with me for my friends and me, but eating them all myself.
I call these the January Blues. It's when the festive high of the holidays is over, reality kicks in, and not only do we perhaps have a few more pounds on us, but the credit card bills are padded as well. Yuck! To add to it this year, the moon just entered Aquarius which is all about the devil being in the details, making us go back and either redo, or at least check everything twice. No wonder my friend was having severe thoughts close to depression. It's kicking us when we're down.
Although Pity Parties can also have their place, if I can stay motivated and disciplined enough, this is what I do:
1. Get moving: Exercise will naturally induce endorphins into the brain. They kick those depressing thoughts out onto the sidewalk where they belong;
2. See your favorite people: They say that toll collectors have the highest rate of suicide of any profession because they never are able to participate with the world they see cruising by in front of them. As humans, we need to feel we are part of a community. Find a place where you fit in, where you feel loved, and go there;
3. Stay off alcohol: Although I thought this article about Pity Parties was very smart, if you are severely down in the dumps, I highly recommend staying away from the alcohol. It's a natural depressant and may make you feel worse in the morning.
Luckily, January is almost over and we'll soon be onto another chapter in our lives. In February of my freshman year, I remember classes kicking in, meeting the group of friends who I truly clicked with, and my getting involved in multiple campus activities that I was passionate about.
Unfortunately, this year, Aquarius Moon is still with us for another three weeks, so if those January Blues stick with you for a few weeks more, know that there are some solutions as mentioned above, everything will pass, and perhaps we'll learn something from those details we'll have to meticulously go over.
Posted by Ingrid on 02/02 at 07:18 PM
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Thursday, February 02, 2012
Finding Balance
This week I became much more aware of the need to find balance in my life. I am not sure if it was inspired by moving into an apartment that has a Feng Shui Kua number of 6, about balance, or if with all the hectic tasks of transition, I felt I was missing major focal points of my life. Whatever it is, I decided on a plan to ensure I was including everything I wanted in my life.
First, I listed all the areas of my life that I wanted to cover:
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Work
4. Physical Activity
5. Companionship/Romance
6. Creative and/or Spiritual Outlet
7. New hopes and dreams
8. Ensuring my home foundation is solid
9. Time to relax.
Next, I set up appointments, either with myself or with others, to accomplish the above objectives. I would also set time limits so that one objective didn't start to bleed into other objectives on the list. For example, I work from home, and although it's easy to sometimes work past 5 pm, knowing that I had set a limit to the work portion of life, it enabled me to work more efficiently and to get things done during the day so that I could go meet friends in the evening.
Some weeks I may have fallen behind in one of the areas, due to external demands, but then I would try to make up for it in the following week.
I find these objectives fit where I am in my current stage of life, and you may want to add or delete areas depending on your own needs or wants.
At the end of the week, as I checked off each area that I accomplished, I found myself feeling very satisfied with myself, enabling me to confidently embrace others with purpose and enthusiasm for their lives. To use a more scientific term, I achieved equilibrium. Are you achieving yours?
Posted by Ingrid on 02/02 at 07:10 PM
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Friday, January 28, 2011
Stop and Be Grateful
Life seems to be really busy for everyone these days, and even though I purposely tried to slow things down, it just hasn't happened. This winter I decided to take a little break from the office and work on some projects that were time-consuming enough to intrude on a forty-five hour a week job.
This week we are completing the German translation of my yoga DVDs, which will then air on the German version of the fitness channel, Body in Balance. They will also be available on Amazon.de as well as stores throughout Germany, according to the deal I signed last fall with a large German distributor. I hadn't the time or energy to create the new voice-over while I had a 100% job in the office, and so taking a break from Credit Suisse on January 1st gave me time to complete the voice record. Yahoo!
At the same time, I also have gotten involved in organizing a retreat with my dear friend and fellow Yogi from Los Angeles, Tom Morley. If you haven't checked out the website, you can see all the amazing details at: http://www.tomsretreats.com. We are bringing a group to Arosa, Switzerland in March for a week of yoga, ski, and fun in the Swiss Alps. I am super excited!
As mentioned, I felt I couldn't complete these two tasks while being in the office forty-five hours a week. Thus, I thought my schedule would be lighter without having to report to Credit Suisse each day, and I would be almost carefree for a few weeks. Unfortunately this is not the case, since even though I am now spending most of my time in the mountains to become more familiar with the area for the retreat, I am still at my laptop 5-7 hours a day, working with my producers, distributors, and yoga clients. I wake up in the middle of the night to send emails and worry if we are going to make budget and schedule deadlines.
Because I am aware of this constant mind movement, I have made a point to stop and take a moment to be grateful. I feel so fortunate to have this time, and as I look out my window now with a view of the Swiss Alps, I realize that life is really good. I am so fortunate and I have a great life. I am going to see my family when I get to Calfornia, and in the meantime, I am skiing a few times a week and having a blast with my new friends here in the mountains.
If you haven't seen my recent posts of photos on Facebook, feel free to check them out. I am not an active photographer, but with the picturesque views here, I can't help but snap and upload away.
Thus, my blog this week hopes to communicate a message that even when we try and slow things down, it is often not possible, and this can get us very stressed. At the same time, we still need to look around and say, wow, life is really good right now. I believe many of you are also pursuing your passions, finding your true value, and taking an opportunity to laugh. Continue on, and although life is busy, know that you probably wouldn't change a thing. Be grateful for this fact, and know that you are also living a dream, hopefully and someway, no matter where you are.
Auf wiedersehen!
Posted by Ingrid on 01/28 at 11:00 PM
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Friday, January 21, 2011
Greetings from the Swiss mountains in Arosa!
Greetings from the Swiss mountains in Arosa!
Over the next few weeks, I am very excited to be doing a bit of traveling and for clients, as well as friends and family, I thought it useful this week to send a newsletter dedicated to my schedule. If you are in Arosa or in Santa Monica, let me know so that we can practice, dance, and meditate together along the way. Here is where you can find me:
Sat., Jan. 22 - Monday, Jan. 31st: In Arosa for a private client
Jan. 31-Feb. 3 - Zurich for local classes (SwissLife Binz and Migros Fitnesspark)
Feb. 4-7th: Arosa with girlfriends for a trek up to Heimeli (http://www.heimeli.ch)
Feb. 9-28th: Santa Monica, California. These few weeks I will be finalizing our attendee list for the Ski and Yoga Holiday with Tom Morley and myself. If you haven't checked out the details yet, they are available at http://www.tomsretreats.com. Everyone is invited and we would love to ski and practice with you in this heavenly land.
March 1-5: Back in Switzerland (Zurich and Arosa) preparing for the retreat attendees
March 6-11: Retreat with Tom Morley to the Swiss Mountains!!!!!! http://www.edenarosa.ch
See you on the slopes or in the yoga studio!
Posted by Ingrid on 01/21 at 11:25 PM
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Practicing Yoga in the Mountains
During my summers spent here in Switzerland as a teenager, one of my favorite things to do was hike up to a mountain hut, stay overnight, and then hike down in the morning. We would go with 30 other people from the boarding school that I attended, and it was always the highlight of the summer.
This year, I have this opportunity to do this again, but with some of my favorite yogis from around the world. A world famous yoga instructor, as well as one of my favorite colleagues, Tom Morley, is coming from Los Angeles. We are organizing a week of yoga and skiing in the Swiss Alps where Tom will lead, and I will be adjusting poses for the twice daily classes.
On the last night of the trip, we will hike up 1.5 hours to a beautiful mountain hut (www.heimeli.ch), have dinner, sleep there, and then take sleds back down to town in the morning. I think it will be an adventure of a lifetime!
If you would like to join us March 6-11th, for this dreamy yoga week, email me and I will let you know all the details.
Besides the night at Heimeli, we will be spending the remaining four nights at Hotel Eden in Arosa (www.edenarosa.ch). I truly believe it will be a week to remember, as so many of my summers in the Swiss mountains have been!
Posted by Ingrid on 01/12 at 07:20 PM
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Wednesday, January 05, 2011
What Do I Practice?
This week I got back on the mat for the first time after the holidays. I had been teaching and doing a very simple practice at home for the past two weeks, but on Monday, after my family left, I had an opportunity to attend a full class. Since some of my students may be curious about what I observe about my own physical practice, I thought I would put down my top 4 key-takeaways from my first time on the mat in what felt like a long time. For many teachers, we often practice what we preach, and thus, it is a good way to further explain what I try to slip in between asana instruction in the studio.
1. Hello Mat. Hello Me.
The first thing I did when I got into the studio was rush into Child's Pose. My body was drawn to it like a magnet and it made me realize I was craving some alone time. It was the first time in two weeks that I hadn't been in someone else's presence during waking hours. Over the holidays, I had my dad, uncle, and aunt to visit, and the companionship was wonderful. We made meals together, we hiked, we visited relatives, and it was really great to have three good pals around all the time. But, I realized again, we also need time for ourselves and to return to our own true selves. On the mat, there is no one to influence your decisions, and you have time to look inward. Child's Pose is a great metaphor for this, and it is no surprise my body had an impulse to go there. I then savored every minute of the 90-minute class, since I felt me body and soul requiring it. I returned to my own wishes and wants, where at the end of class, I knew confidently where my life was now able to head according to me.
2. Hello Cookies. I Remember You, Mr. Cake.
Not every moment of yoga class was full of flowers and butterflies. With each challenging pose, I could feel the thousands of calories I had eaten over the last few weeks. The desert table at Aunt Kathi's had looked so innocent. As the yoga teacher asked me to lift one leg solely with my core strength, I could feel each cookie and piece of cake weighing me down. As we twisted to help detoxify the liver, I felt those glasses of champagne from New Years' Eve stopping me from twisting to my full capacity. Ok, butter, alcohol, and sugar, good-bye for now, my sweet friends.
3. Sleep, You Were Good To Me.
In class, especially my prenatal classes, where women who are pregnant need a lot of rest, I tell my students that balancing poses tell us if we are getting enough sleep. If we have a harder time staying in Warrior Three or Tree Pose, then perhaps we had better get to bed earlier tonight. With a full night's sleep behind me, I was able to hold my balance like I had never done before. At least there was one success from the previous week off.
4. Attention Shoppers (and Yoga Practitioners): Keep Your Mind in the Room.
Throughout my entire practice, I also needed to continue reminding myself to keep my mind in the room. It is easier when we are focusing on the challenging dynamic sequences, but when the movements slow down, it is common for our minds to jump back to our daily tasks. When I teach, you may notice, I start to speak (or preach) more when our bodies are slow. It is a technique I like from my own practice, where I appreciate something to help me stay focused when my mind starts to race. I try to include optimistic, helpful tips that help guide our lives. As an alternative to my voice, I often turn up the music. If you can't concentrate on your breath, then focus on something external to help keep your mind from racing away.
It is with these observations from my mat, that I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. Whether you are practicing either on or off the mat, make sure to take time to find your true self. In addition, it doesn't hurt to stay away from the cookies for a little while, and also remember to get lots of rest. With these basic yoga practices, I feel my 2011 is off to a great start!
Posted by Ingrid on 01/05 at 07:22 PM
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Sunday, December 12, 2010
Yesterday is History and Tomorrow is a Mystery
Currently, there is a lot of uncertainty for many people in 2011. People are changing jobs, moving, entering new relationships, or leaving old ones. At the same time, we are going back to basics, as well as expanding into our true selves. Many of us know there are changes, but not exactly how they will come together. With this uncertainty, what do we do? The only solution is to be in the moment. For this holiday season of stress and with many things to do, I have put down three techniques that I feel help us stay sane:
1. Be Aware
Often if we are too busy worrying about our future, we can miss opportunities that may cross our paths. People come into our lives for a reason, and they are God's way of showing us our next steps. I love being a Californian for this reason because we are often more open to meeting new people than other cultures dictate. I never know where it might lead, and it is always somewhere entertaining, if not enlightening. Be true to your intuition, to your goal, and keep that guiding star in sight, but also realize that like me, you too probably are where you are today because of the people you met along the way.
2. During Free Time, Follow the Appropriate Inclinations
I believe our intuition also tells us exactly what we need to be doing and when we need to be doing it. Recently, when I have freetime, I look into what I have a driving urge to do right then and there. Perhaps it is going to the gym, or perhaps it is the office. As mentioned in previous blogs, I have given in to an impulse of going to the office on Saturdays recently, and through this, I truly believe my knowledge and skills have improved. I got some good feedback last week, and for that I was grateful. But only go to the office if you feel like it. More realistically, if you feel like going for a bike ride rather than the gym at the moment, but can't put your finger on exactly why, just go. You never know whom you might meet along the bike path.
3. Gratitude for What We Have Today
I receive these daily inspirational thoughts from http://www.tut.com, and recently they sent me:
It's not as if one day you'll just look down, Ingrid, and discover that you're on the yellow brick road, living the life of your dreams. But that one day you'll look back and discover you always have been.
Often, when we dream about where we could be, and then we look around, we quickly we realize we already have many of those things. Take a look and see if you too are on the yellow the brick road already. I am writing this blog because there is uncertainty for me as well. I know I will remain in Switzerland, but my project in January is still uncertain. I am awaiting signs of whether this will be at Credit Suisse again, or in the yoga/wellness industry. In the meantime, I am grateful for the friends and family who I love, who love me, as well as my current great adventures. I am writing this blog from vacation in the Swiss Alps in Arosa, where I feel fortunate to have found an opportunity to teach yoga here for the week. Life is actually quite good, despite the uncertainty of the next steps.
As we all await the feedback from God, if we stay in the moment, I believe we will all have a really great holiday, even despite the uncertainty. Truly enjoy each day!
P.S. Feel free to check out my video to the left of the week I spent in Arosa. We had guest performers from The Sugarhill Gang (Hip, Hop, aHippity Hop, if you remember them from 1979), and I met some great new friends, including the cool owners, Valerie and Hitsch Leu. Check out the video from Hotel Eden!
Posted by Ingrid on 12/12 at 06:16 PM
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Sunday, November 21, 2010
It’s Not the Journey, but Who You are Traveling With
By this point, I think we are all familiar with the saying "It's not the destination, but the journey." In addition, I think we also have heard "It is more than where we are, it is with whom we are." It was brought to my attention a few times this week, and since it is so important, I thought it was worth reflecting upon.
What I saw in two incidents that follow, allowed me to put some logic to these common situations. There are people in this world that we communicate better with than others, who allow us to naturally relax, and make the ride of life just a little bit easier.
1. At the Office: A colleague commented that I looked more relaxed recently since I started working with a new team a few weeks ago. It took this comment to make me realize that with my new project, I am more inclined to wear my hair down, rather than in a tight ponytail or bun. It is a simple action, but somehow my subconscious was physically demonstrating that I was more content. The 2-3 people with whom I now work very closely, I am very easily able to communicate. When they speak, I easily hear them. When I speak, they very quickly understand exactly what I am trying to communicate (even in my broken German  ). I truly enjoyed my previous group and colleagues very much. I love to see them, meet them for drinks on a Friday evening, and catch up with them casually. What I have now realized, after the comment about my recent hairstyle change, is that my new colleagues and I communicate much more fluidly. It is not a deal breaker if colleagues are not receptive, but in order to be more relaxed, and be ourselves, it is a thrill to not have to double check on what is being said, especially in high stress, fast, or tense situations. For a more technical look at communication styles, I highly recommend the Myers-Briggs Personality Questionnaire.
2. With a Yoga (or other) Teacher: The difference of whom we are with was brought to my attention in another situation last week when multiple students asked me to let them know if and when I would be out of town and who would be a substitute for my class. After many years of trying to understand why people have "favorite" teachers, I am now attributing it to the fact that we "hear" some teachers better than others. Some people call it resonating, and like my work example above, I believe it is due to similar communication styles. When you spend an hour or so with someone, trying to absorb and imitate what they are saying, it is easier and more enjoyable when you can do it with ease rather than with strain. Especially during our free time, we don't want to be under stress about yoga .
As we enter the holiday season, start to set intentions for 2011, as well as set-up our free time, I thought it a good time to put some thought into whom we want to travel with. All people have something to contribute, including my previous colleagues as well as a guest yoga teacher. This week's blog is not trying to communicate that we should block out everyone we don't easily communicate with. It is more a reflection on how we best can relax a little, especially during the holidays and put some logic behind why we like taking one teacher's class over another's. Enjoy your days, both in and out of the office .
Posted by Ingrid on 11/21 at 08:55 AM
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Come On Baby, What Lights Your Fire?
The last two Saturday mornings I have sprung out of bed before 6:00 a.m., with an unexplainable energy to go to the office. It was really strange. I do like my office job, but I know I also have a full list of weekend activities that can keep me more than occupied. When I found myself spending many of my weekend days there recently, and then was teased by my colleagues for being at the office late on a Friday night, I decided to analyze what was going on. I have two major key takeaways from this reflection:
1. Life is Ever Changing.
I know that life is full of very many chapters, and there are three things that are certain in this life - death, taxes, and change. I know my circumstances will not always be where I have complete control over my weekend activities and can decide whatever it is that I want to do. I also know that projects get busy and then slow down. Right now, we have some big deliverables due at the end of November, so why not get them out of the way when I have the time instead of stressing about finding enough time on Monday? I also know that priorities change and the office will probably not be my biggest priority at a later point. There will be other times to focus on friends, family, and other core values that mean the most. For example, my Dad, Uncle, and Aunt are coming to visit for two weeks over Christmas. I know I won't want to be at the office then.
2. Find What Makes You Passionate at the Moment and Go With It.
We often don't know why we are driven by something, but when we look back, we realize it took us exactly where we needed to go. In addition, it was most often beyond our wildest dreams, plus to a place where we never thought we would end up. When people recollect the day they got that dreamy job or met a spouse, it was most probably while they were doing something they were passionate about. Life energizes us in ways we sometimes can't put logic to. I encourage everyone to go with it, since you never know where it takes you. Whether it is silly or materialistic, or someone or something, go with it for a little bit and see where you end up.
While I do find myself spending many hours in front of my laptop, I also see a balance, where I am still finding time to see friends, teach yoga, and look forward to my December vacation. At the same time, I have decided to focus on something that I find challenging, interesting, and for some strange reason unknown to me at the moment, lights my fire. For these reasons, I am not worried over my current obsession/addiction/infatuation. When people are on their deathbed, most people won't say they should have spent more time at the office, I know. But, for the time being, as long as I keep a balance, and know it won't forever be this way, I think it is okay.
This being said, what lights your fire, baby? What do you feel passionate about this very minute, and are you going for it?
Posted by Ingrid on 11/14 at 05:02 PM
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Friday, November 05, 2010
Dreams Can Come True
This week was so busy that I really don't remember having one moment to mindfully reflect, much less walk leisurely to the bathroom. Like many people, I raced from one activity to the next - office, teach yoga, go to German class, sleep, etc. I made it to Friday, kissing the pillow, and feeling grateful for making it through the week, barely in good health.
It is in busy times like these that we often forget what we are truly accomplishing, or we sometimes get frustrated with what we are not. I found two techniques this week to lift my spirits when I might sometimes feel physically, and thus emotionally, down.
Realize what you have accomplished.
I had a great accomplishment this week that I almost ran over on my way to my next activity. I taught my first full-length yoga classes in German! Just a few short months ago, I was asked if I could teach in my foreign language, and I very quickly shook my head with a matter-of -fact "No." Of course, the universe directs because last week I was given a class where the previous teacher spoke only German. All of a sudden, I felt I was up to the challenge. The first class was a little shaky, but after the third class, it was like I had taught yoga in this language my whole life. Wow. After class, I of course, had another appointment, and didn't have a minute to reflect, but later in the day, I reminded myself of what a big accomplishment it truly was. I went back to the day when I had that matter-of-fact "No" in my head, and how that had changed over barely 6 months. Very often we take these big milestones in stride, forgetting how important it is to reflect on how far we have come. We need to give ourselves credit, as well as the friends and family who have supported us in our goals. As soon I realized, I sent a note to my colleague who has been encouraging me to continue learning and to never give up. Namaste, my friend, since the light in you has certainly reflected the light in me!
Know that your dreams lie within the peaceful place in your heart.
Sometimes we feel we aren't getting what we want, but deep inside your heart, do you really want it? When that guy or girl doesn't call you, doesn't want to see you, or even dumps you, you feel you have lost a dream. Or that job interview that gives you a rejection, or the car you would love to buy, but it's too expensive. Often, if we look seriously at the picture, or think about what it would be like if the roles were reversed, we realize, we don't really want that person, that job, or that car. Our subconscious knows us better than we know ourselves sometimes. We were most probably putting out signs that we didn't want it to work in the first place. It is often the chase, otherwise known as the ego being afraid of rejection, that makes us desire someone or something. If we can't have it, then we want it more. When we take a moment to quiet our mind, touch base with our true selves, we realize almost always that we didn't want that person, position, or item in the first place. If you have a hard time digesting this idea, take a small vacation from your life. This is most simply done during the quiet time we spend after a physical activity. The physical practice helps us to clear the mind in order to more easily find that true self. Spending time alone in quietness allows us to better find our true selves. In yoga, it is Savasana, but this quiet time can be created truly after any of your favorite physical activities. Just take a few minutes to sit in silence.
I feel fortunate to have my practice because it allows me to touch base with who I truly am. Then, in turn, it easily allows me to reflect on which goals I have accomplished that are important to me. It is a lifesaver as I run to my next activity, allowing me to arrive with confidence in what I have brought to the world, rather than what I honestly have decided to leave behind.
Posted by Ingrid on 11/05 at 07:00 PM
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Looking Forward to Tomorrow While Not Forgetting What We Like About Yesterday
Lately, I got very caught up in my pursuit of my next steps - further integrating myself here in Switzerland. I love my life here, and have recently gotten a little obsessed with "becoming more Swiss". My Dad is Swiss, I grew up spending summers here, but when I speak I still have an accent. My level is an advanced intermediate, and my style for life still has many American influences. Since I have such respect and admiration for the life here, I have been grasping every piece of Swiss culture I can and been trying to improve my language skills at every opportunity.
During this process, people kept telling me that my international and advanced business experience was valuable in my profile, but I kept denying it, in that I wanted to be only Swiss and be fluent in German.
Right in the middle of this, I was scheduled to attend a global reunion of the international MBA program where I studied in 2002. Not only were there going to be people from around the world, but the common language is English. As I left for the weekend, I was frustrated at all the time I would be "wasting" by speaking English, getting away from my German lessons, and being immersed in many different cultures rather than the one I wanted to focus on.
With each conversation throughout the weekend, I realized that my past experiences, in this case, my international business education, are also what prepare me for the next steps in life. There is nothing wrong with being a part of both worlds, and it is true that these topics make me a well-rounded manager. I am more able to enter successfully the workplace with a mature perspective. Speaking German is one part, but having a head on my shoulders to process properly the information is also important.
This experience with the Tbirds (fellow alumni and alumnae) reminded me that we each have our own path, and that everything we do adds up to make us who we are today. We can continue to look forward, but we must not forget what we liked about yesterday and what we can bring with us that also adds value. I truly adore my fellow alums and look forward to spending more time with them in the future. It reminded me that this is what yoga is all about - finding balance, being in the moment, and recognizing that we each have our own path. It is this path which is what makes us special and unique, allowing us to best contribute our special skills to the world.
Much peace and success,
Ingrid
Weekend Highlights
During the weekend, I had an amazing time with my fellow alums, where we were quickly brought up to speed on strategic business topics, including: green technology, doing business in developing countries, how to spell success, and being asked the question, "do we exist if we don't show up in Google?". It allowed me to see what was going on globally and how it affected me individually.
We also we also had a more leisure section of the trip, which allowed me to laugh and share stories with people I truly adore. The tone was set when we visited the church where Maria got married in The Sound of Music and had dinner in an Austrian barn with fun music.
Through each of these topics, conversations, and adventures, I fell in love again with where I came from. To get an idea of what I experienced during this great weekend, including a piece of the presentation on spelling success, plus pictures of the church and the barn, you can watch the highlights at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Mra54dvXk.
Posted by Ingrid on 10/29 at 12:30 AM
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Getting Away
I went away for a weekend recently, and my blackberry stopped receiving emails the minute I arrived at my destination. I knew immediately that it was happening for a reason, and after a few minutes of frustration, I decided just to let it go. Something was telling me to truly get away, forget the details of home, and just be in the moment. This weekend, the universe was forcing me to step outside my daily routine, and from this experience, I have listed three top reasons I think it is important to get away:
1. Getting Some Distance From Your Life. I continually try to convince myself that I am able to see the bigger picture even when I have a constant feed of reminders of home no matter where I am. Fortunately, I also know better than that, in that each email takes me to a place other than where I am at the moment. Sometimes we are too close to our daily chores to see the bigger picture and the bigger priorities. Are we headed in the right direction for us from a strategic level? Or are we caught up in the day-to-day that doesn't let us stop to think if this is truly the direction in which we need to be heading? Let your blackberry stop working sometimes and see if it changes your perspective.
2. Getting Support from Those Who Know and Love Us. When we get away, it is often to see family, and this I enthusiastically endorse. Recently, I visited my parents in Prague for the weekend. We spent long lunches, walks, and coffees plotting the next steps in life and exchanging feedback. I am passionate about discussing plans with our parents because they have our best interests at heart, plus they know us very well. My parents have often been able to help me see where my skills are, where I can apply them best, and when I may need help. For example, both my parents know my passion for an international life and people. They have always encouraged me to explore, do, and go. When I told them I wanted to move to Switzerland for a new job, they were supportive 100% of the way, and I have never once doubted this decision. Next, they told me they could help in decorating my apartment and choosing my clothes. They know this is not my strong suit, nor a strong priority of mine. With their support, I was able to make the whole picture come together.
3. Comparing Notes with Someone in Our Field, But in a Different Culture. When I was in Prague, I also sneaked away for an afternoon to take a private yoga lesson with a teacher I really enjoy. Not only did she extend and challenge my physical practice in ways that I normally don't include in my daily routine, but we also compared notes on the similarities of being a full-time yoga teacher. She too was struggling with the concept of how to find balance with life outside the studio. I felt it refreshing to hear a similar perspective from someone who had the same job that I did in LA, 6000 miles away. It confirmed my decision to continue to find a balance between life in the studio and life in the office.
Below are a few pictures of my visit to Prague to see my Mom and Step-Dad. When I sometimes get caught up in the daily challenges of life, I look at these pictures and remember how important it is to get away. I think of what perspectives I learned, I remember the importance of spending time with those we love, and the value in finding new conversation partners. I know those times will soon come again, and this time, I will consciously turn off my blackberry. I will not need to wait for the universe to tell me to do so via T-Mobile.
For the collage of pictures, click: http://gallery.me.com/ivonburg#100024
Posted by Ingrid on 10/20 at 11:58 PM
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Taking A Moment
Whenever I teach, I continually stress the importance of clearing the mind: stopping the mind from jumping and seeing if we can focus on one thing for more than a couple of seconds. This clearing of the mind in yoga class is purely a practice for real life, and it brought to mind a few experiences where I have seen it used successfully.
First, I see Tiger Woods and many professional athletes doing it all the time. When they hit a successful shot, I know what was going through their head during the shot - absolutely nothing. A golfer stands there in silence as he prepares his mind. Then, when he or she is ready, they begin, focusing on their back swing with full concentration. No wonder they require silence before they take their shot, before the diver jumps off the board, or the tennis player serves a ball.
I speak from my personal experience as a teenager; I was a competitive diver. I realized recently that I was using my yoga practice each time I would step on the board at age 13 without awareness. I had this technique, which almost all divers do, to stop about halfway across the board, before they begin their approach. I would never begin my approach to the end of the board until my mind was clear and I was focused on the present moment. Then, when I was ready, I would take each step, watching it, placing each foot with thoughtfulness, and finally bend my knees to take that jump. Without fail, if I was focused, I would be successful. If I wasn't, it was only frustration when I came up for air again.
In tennis as well, people would often tease me for bouncing the ball so many times before I went to serve. As a child, I never knew why I liked to do it, but now I know...I was focusing.
This week, a friend of mine who doesn't practice yoga, sent me an article about a successful study where men who practiced yoga performed better in bed. He asked me if I thought it was true. I can only say that as a yoga teacher, athlete, and liver of life, everything we do with mindfulness has a much greater chance of success. When people get the high score, win a game or an argument, or accomplish difficult tasks, it is because they were focused. They had a clear mind, and were not thinking of their shopping list for the grocery store during their event. If men start taking their thoughts from the office, the sports score, even their relationship into the bedroom, it certainly makes sense that they will be less successful. My friend also asked me if it was embarrassing to talk about. As a yoga teacher and spiritual follower, I think no. If we can be as successful as any gold medal winner in all aspects of our life, and have the power to do so by keeping the mind clear, then I say, go for it, reflect on it, and also talk about it. Take the physical practice of yoga off the mat and use it to your advantage in any situation.
Posted by Ingrid on 10/14 at 05:48 AM
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Friday, October 08, 2010
What Affects Your Life Today That Happened Yesterday?
Are there events that happened to us as small children that get buried in our subconscious that can then resurface later?
Recently, I have been so driven to learn the Swiss-German language that sometimes I wonder if my body has been taken over by aliens reincarnated from Heidi. At every opportunity, I listen to conversations in the language in hopes of picking up a new term, joke, or phrase. I ask all my Swiss friends to correct me when I try to speak, and I have a tutor that I meet with twice a week. Then, sometimes it gets embarrassing when I start practicing with anyone who will listen. The gas station attendent was very pleased last week when I laughed loudly at all his silly jokes, and we would have continued the banter all night, if it wasn't for the impatient person waiting in line behind me.
It was at this point, that I started to look closer at why I am so driven to learn this language. Why do I feel passionate about this new topic, and where is it coming from?
I always knew that from the age of 2 to 6, I was home for a majority of the day alone with my Swiss grandmother in the U.S., where I grew up. From what my Dad has told me, she would always speak English when my parents were around, since it was the common language, but from this deep desire to learn the language, I have a theory that perhaps she must have spoken to me directly in her mother tongue when it was just the two of us. Not only that, but when she started to develop Alzheimer's when I was 4, her language of preference became Swiss-German, and there must have been something that was, at that point, grounded inside of me forever more.
Last week, I also heard that astrologically, we are all processing emotional issues that we dealt with in 1982-83. Whether you believe in astrology or not, I do find it interesting to look back in our history, and see how those developments affect us today. For me, this is even more influential, since I was 7 and 8 at that time, still a child, and able to absorb everything around me like a sponge. At this point, Grandma was in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer's, and although in a nursing home, we visited her twice a week, where for at least an hour each day, I was hearing, and perhaps needing to respond in this language that I have never fully developed until now.
This being said, we also all process childhood experiences differently. My cousins grew up with my grandmother as well, but no one has been so driven by Swiss-German to pack up their bags and move full-time to Switzerland. In addition, a girlfriend of mine said just yesterday that her "hippie" and liberal parents have inspired her to live a free-style city life, while it has caused her two sisters to marry their first boyfriends and have children at a very young age. We each walk away with our own interpretations.
With these thoughts, I put the question out to you - what childhood experiences have affected how you are driven today, the passions you pursue, or the lifestyle you lead? In addition, is there an event in 1982-83 that may be driving you particularly today, in fall 2010?
With Heidi in my body, and what I believe is more my Grandmother looking over me, I have recently pursued a new project for January 2011 that works completely in Swiss-German. This blog was inspired by how astounded I was at my energy to track down the manager, get my language level high enough to perform, and ace the interview (thanks Grandma ). Come early 2011,when the new project starts, I will face the true test. If my theory is correct though, there is a little girl waiting inside of me, just bursting to break free!
Posted by Ingrid on 10/08 at 09:09 PM
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Sunday, October 03, 2010
Is This Place Working For Me?
The best-selling author, Eckhart Tolle, wrote in his book, "The Power of Now", that he found he could be more creative on the West Coast of North America rather than other destinations on planet Earth. He said that everyone has a place that "works" better for them, and for Eckhart, it was the innovative "energy" of the West Coast of North America that caused him to write his masterpieces. In many ways, this makes sense, since not only is the West Coast where the internet was born, and with millions of books sold later, I do believe he is onto something.
Combined with the fact that since my move to Switzerland, people have asked me repeatedly how I like it and if I am going to stay, I decided to reflect on Eckhart's theory, and identify why I feel Switzerland works for me:
1. Order: The Swiss are known for their tidiness and pristine organization. For me, this works. Although I love India and places that have life moving at a million miles a minute, for a place where I feel I can function at my highest potential, surroundings with less "distractions" work best. Everyone collects information differently, according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and for me, when I have too much going on around me, I get too caught up in the details and then, I can't process anything.
A very good school friend commented on this the last time we were in the supermarket in LA together. With these mega markets, I often get "overwhelmed" and end up walking out in a daze. She, on the other hand, is an "N", as opposed to me, an "S", according to the MBTI, and processes information in a different way, so she wasn't as highly affected. This is the same reason why I prefer to have things put away in drawers or cabinets in my house. When I come into the room, I do not have to process every little rubber band or gadget sitting on the table. When I lived with boyfriends or roomates in the past who didn't mind the clutter, it was a constant battle. People look at the world differently, and the neatness/orderliness of Switzerland really works for me on a daily basis.
2. Challenge: I have also learned that I am driven by "new" experiences. As soon as something gets old or routine, I don't feel energized by it. This is probably true for many people, but for people with my MBTI, this is even more of the case. This also probably explains the 12 boyfriends in 10 years, and the 14 apartments to go with it . Here in Switzerland, I am consistently learning a new word, expression, or part of Swiss life. My language level is advanced intermediate, so although I can get around and do everything, there is still much to learn. At the same time, I feel grounded, since I spent a lot of time here as a child, and understand the systems (the post, the trains, etc), but life is always full of new things at every turn. Also, since almost all people here speak English, I know I will never be totally stranded and feel safe, but by having a daily challenge, it keeps me motivated.
3. Values I Respect:
a. Education: The people of Switzerland are primarily very well-educated and are very logical in their decision-making processes. For me, this is a very high value of mine, and for this reason, I walk around with a great deal of respect for not only my friends and colleagues, but also for the post office lady and the television commentator. It is up to us to surround ourselves with people we enjoy spending time with, and for me, I find the people here great. Of course, there are great people everywhere, but for me, I find it here more consistently.
b. Food: Since nutrition has always been a pet passon of mine, plus we spend many hours a day putting food into our bodies, I realized that it was important for me to be in a place where I was in agreement with the way food is prepared. Up until now, Switzerland has been able to stay further away from preservatives and chemicals that infiltrate the food much more than in the U.S. and the EU, unfortunately. I know not everyone is sensitive to organic vs. non-organic, but for me, it makes my quality of life just so much better.
I believe that the West Coast of North America has worked well for Ekhart since he respects and believes in innovation. For me, between the way I personally process information, love having a consistent challenge, and agree with the values of the Swiss people, it has helped me answer the question with a yes, I am going to stay. Yodel-ay--Yahoo !
Posted by Ingrid on 10/03 at 06:51 AM
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