Child’s Pose is For Losers

What do you do when you can’t take child’s pose of all poses?   At one point or another we’ve thought that child’s pose is for losers.  But if you can’t even take child’s pose?  What does that make you?  A lousy loser? 

Well I humbly take that title. 

While I was leading my yoga retreat in Maui earlier this month, I injured my knee.  I wish I could’ve said it was from diving with sharks or something noble like that, but it was from yoga.  My very first real yoga injury.  Not bad for a 6 year streak.  I was in samakonasana (side splits) and was making a transition to hanumanasana (forward splits).   The scene unfolded like the Matrix in slow motion, I saw and felt the top of my left knee go one way and the bottom go another way.  I remember vividly the sensation that slowly arose and finally registered in my mind that I needed to stop and pause.   There was no panic.  No one even realized what was happening to me.  It all happened so quickly but in my mind so slowly.  I was actually teaching this transition and still talking to the class and watching them transition.  No hiccups.  No burps.  No pauses in my teaching.  As my insides pause, the top of the knee and the bottom of the knee came back together and I carried on.  No big deal… until I stood up and felt like my left knee was gonna buckle under.  

So for the last 4 days of the retreat or so, I hobbled along with a brace and polluted the sweet smell of Maui with my tiger balm fragrance.  Of course my ego was not pleased and fueled my desire to continue my practice for the sake of my other body part’s happiness.  

I got on the mat, 5:30am the next day and have never been so humbled by my practice.  I could not even take child’s pose.  Talk about a bruised ego!  Bending it all the way was not pleasant and straightening it all the way wasn’t either.  ”It’s not all bad,” I thought because I could still do 90 degrees.  So I attempted some very very very slow sun salutations followed by some shoulder openers, mild backbends, and long inversions.   I moved so slowly that I only got in 7 poses before I pooped out.  So my practiced primarily involved sitting.  UGH!  You know how much I love sitting

As I sat, I witnessed so many emotions surface… from anger, pity, regret, frustration, sadness, shame, and eventually ended with curiosity.  I wondered, if I can’t even do child’s pose of all poses, why do I even practice?   Why should I continue to practice?

In the silence that morning, I saw more clearly than ever before that my practice in the last 6-7 years has all been about the physical aspects of yoga.  I’ve embraced the other limbs of yoga and they’ve been a guide for my practice , but they have never been the foundation for my practice.  Wow!!!  When I realized that I no longer had the physical ability to do what I knew my practice mainly consisted of, it was like my whole entire yoga life has been knocked down.  ”Now what?!!  You can’t even do child’s pose.  What a loser, right?!”

After I got over the loser thoughts, I really came to appreciate my practice in a whole new light.  The idea that the other limbs of yoga:

1. Yama :  Universal morality
2. Niyama :  Personal observances
3. Asanas :  Body postures
4. Pranayama :  Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5. Pratyahara :  Control of the senses
6. Dharana :  Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana :  Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
8. Samadhi :  Union with the Divine

could be the foundation of my practice and not just a sprinkle here and there when it was convenient to study and live them.  It’s been about 3 weeks since the sprain (thank goodness nothing tore) and I still can’t put all my body weight down in child’s pose but a very interesting thing occurred…. the moment I let go of my attachment to my physical practice (what I couldn’t do, still could do, wish I could do), I could see and feel the healing process unfold in slow motion similar to when it got injured.  Funny thing is that some poses that I stopped doing for a few weeks have become stronger without me even trying so hard like I used to.  Hmmmm….  Continue your practice, in whatever form it comes to you in, and all is coming.  Most definitely!  

On an even brighter note, I hope you enjoy this video of my yoga retreat.  I’m so thankful for the opportunity to hold space for these wonderful yogis.  I don’t even regret my sprained knee.  

Day 6: Life’s a Beach

My last full day here in Maui and if you know me, you know I’ll be eating up a storm.  This place is packed with good food that is fresh, organic, and as healthy as I would want (or trick myself into believing it has great nutritional value).  Since I was coming down from Huelo, I HAD to stop by Makawao and have my fresh catch of the day with eggs benedict at Market Fresh Bistro.  It was a purposeful breakfast as I was accompanied by Greg from Lumeria.   I’m seriously considering this place for my retreat.

Mix these ingredients together and you have a very happy, certified organic Nikki

Then it was off to film my video… again on a full stomach.. there just isn’t enough time to digest and wait… time is running out.

Of course all that shooting made me hungry so off to my next favorite place for lunch:  Mama’s Fish House.  

First course: lobster guacamole with local chips (taro, bread fruit, plantains)

Second course: Opakapaka ceviche

Finally, a trio of sashimi with various black, red, and macadamia sea salt

Well the whole thing wasn’t just about eating… Mama’s has an Inn that is attached to the restaurant and sits right on the beach.   Possible retreat option… of course!

Imagine yoga on this lawn that faces the ocean and then a quick dip in the water afterwards... or nap in that hammock works for me too

What a day!  Another round of video making (yes my belly is full so I gotta work it off).   Then off to check in the last possible retreat place at the Blue Tile House.  It’s another property that sits right on the beach.  

My head was starting to spin trying to decide which place would be best for my retreat so I decided to go scout out some snorkeling places and where my next meal was gonna be.  I ended up at the end of  Makena at La Perouse Bay where a local friend told me had good snorkeling.  Saw many varieties of fish but it was cloudy and dark… so back towards the Makena resort area to just chill and watch the sunset.   

Off in the distant I see something bob up and down… it looked like a head.  There were no swimmers or snorkelers around so it couldn’t have been a person.  I ignored it.  Then up it came again and again.  Perhaps it was seaweed or some other debris drifting in the waves.   All of a sudden two people come running on the beach with their snorkel masks and shouted towards me, there’s two turtles out there.   What?!  I look closer and it was!  

Oh my!  My heart pounding.  My snorkel mask was way at the other end of the beach so I ran.  I hate running and hate even more running on sand in a hurry.  But when you need to do something, you just do it.  I’ve always wanted to swim with a sea turtle but could never do it because you have to go out far and deep into the sea (you all know the lack of my swimming skills).  These two turtles were about 15-20 feet off the shore at a nearby rock. 

I jump in and WOW!!   Jaw dropping or in this case, teeth biting my snorkel moment.  The two honus (green sea turtle) were feeding on the seaweed growing on the rock.  They were massive!   Their shells were probably about 3 feet across.  They didn’t mind us at all.  I was so close I gently touched her shell and for a moment I stopped breathing.  It was such a magical moment.  

The hono's I saw glided just like this one that was taken by a photographer I know, Adam A. Palmer

I spent over an hour swimming with them and watching them eat.  They didn’t leave and I didn’t want to leave either.  I didn’t want it to end.. until I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore because it was getting cold as the sun was setting.

So I listened to my own belly that was growling.  Next order of business… FOOD!  

Drove into Kihei and decided to try a Japanese restaurant that everyone raves about, Sansei.  Yes, more fish!  

Their award winning, mango crab salad roll.

Poke Duo: ahi and hamachi

Finally, spicy lobster ramen to warm my belly

What a day!  I could not ask for anything more.  My last day could not be more perfect.  Sea food, sea turtles, and a beautiful sunset!  I am in awe at how this whole week turned out.  Nothing planned.  No rules.  No expecations.  It all started with just one mantra:  “Life’s a Beach,” (day 1) which inspired, “I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation,” (day 2) which inspired, “Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away,” (day 3, day 4, day 5 and all the way to the last minute).

Maui, I will be back!

I always leave another piece of my heart with you, Maui.

Day 2: Life’s a Beach

It’s 4:30am and Mr. Rooster cocka-doodle-doos in the distant.  I turn over and bury my face while grumping about the sound.  Roosters don’t come with snooze!  I fall back asleep but Mr. Rooster didn’t.  For another half hour he continues to annoy wake up the world.  By that time, I’m wide awake and now am having a debate with my myself… I should want to get up and do my yoga.  Yes I do want to.  And the difference between “want” and “will” is just a simple decision to just get up.  Well it took me another half hour to close the gap between the two words but I’m sure glad I did.  This is what greated me during my practice on my front porch at Lumeria:

early morning rain not only brings a nice soothing sound during practice but also a beautiful rainbow for my drishti

Then it was off to do a photoshoot for my new website at Ho’okipa beach park on the North shore side of Maui:

Ho'okipa Beach Park

With only an hour or so left before taking a 3 hour handstand workshop, I had to fuel up… local style of course:

Hawaiian style shoyu and ginger po'ke (ahi tuna)... yum! so fresh!

The 3 hour workshop with the amazing Jennifer Lynn was playful and fun.  Learned so much.  Can’t wait to bring what I learned to class   I had the strength to hold a handstand but I discovered that I was missing a very key piece:  melt my chest towards the ground more than I ever thought I should.  It was physically a challenge with my tight scapula… or maybe it was something more than physical that was my challange so my second manta for this week:  I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation.

What a discovery!  So of course I had to go sit and let this idea of “letting my heart fall to the ground” settle in… at the beach of course!

Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Waiting for the sun to set at Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Sunset over Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

The 2nd night ended perfectly with a delicious meal from Coconut’s Fish Cafe.

This casual cafe just turned 3 and was named after a cat!

The food was nothing but casual.  It was fresh and packed a mouthful of flavor.

The best mahi mahi fish tacos I've ever had and grilled ono with wasabi ginger cream sauce over brown rice. The best surprise was the cole slaw that was made with coconut cream instead of mayo... yum!

 

To top the night off, I spotted this restaurant/bar sign that just re-affirms my week’s mantra. How perfect!

This week's mantra: Life's a Beach

 

And of course, I had to attempt a handstand in front of the sign and entertain some of the drunks at the bar:

Handstand outside the bar

 

This was my last night at Lumeria before going off to Hana and roughing it at Kipahulu campgrounds.  So if you don’t hear from me by wednesday, call a rescue team

Buddah watching over Lumeria

 

Aloha!  I hope you will let your heart fall to the ground and let it be your foundation.

Day 1: Life’s a Beach

I’m on the last leg of my crazy two week coast to coast travel.  In 4 days, I’ve visited five different airports and have traveled over 10,000 miles.  I’m convinced that it is about the destination.  Forget the journey.  Get me to my destination is all I could think about while going in and out of airports, air conditioned cabs, hotels, and planes.

I’m back in Maui for a week to scout out some possible retreat centers that I will be hosting this summer.  I came here with no expectations and literally no place to stay because first order of business when I landed was FOOD!  

Saimin at Da Kitchen, my favorite place to eat right after I leave the airport.

Then it was find a place to sleep for the next week.  I bought my camping gear and planned on camping a few days and staying a night at each of the possible retreat places… cause I just have to make sure it’s safe and clean for my students right?  ;)

Well it’s a beautiful thing when you come with no expectations and literally no plans because every thing does work out… perfectly.  Within an hour of sitting at an outdoor cafe, I made camping reservations and retreat reservations all in the order that it was meant to be in.  Best of all, I had two nights left of no accommodations and was gonna plan on just roughing it wherever I was that night.  I got a call from Lumeria, a new retreat center up in upcountry Makawao that was only 10 mins from where I was sitting at the cafe.  I was immediately invited to come check it out and at the end of the tour, they offered for me to stay for the two nights I didn’t have a place to sleep.  Poor me right?

Lumeria Edventure Retreat Center

The last week has quite an adventure of unexpected outcomes and I am reminded again that I am exactly where I need to be at exactly the right time and everything is perfect just the way it is.  Here’s a reminder that life’s a beach… this is my mantra for the next week.

Last weekend in Santa Barbara, CA

Life’s a beach when you

1. aren’t afraid to sing out loud

2. smile so big that the other person can’t help but smile back

3. you’re eating your favorite scoop of ice cream

4. can laugh until you tear up

5. can laugh even more until your abs hurt the next day

6. keep learning new things

7. surround yourself with positive people and spread love to those who aren’t so positive

8. count your blessings…

It also helps when your view looks like:

Earlier in the week: amusement parking it up at Universal Studios, Flordia

My home for the next week:

North Shore Maui

Coast to coast travel sucks, but feeling blessed indeed.

Where does your travels take you this year?