YogaPrairie

My Rocket Journal

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Karen Soroko, E-RYT, owner of  Yoga Prairie  (comment on my blog)

What is the Rocket?  The Rocket is a vinyasa system of yoga (moving with the breath), that is suitable for any level of yoga practitioner.  The practice is invigorating, strengthening, enhances flexibility, health of the immune and nervous systems, so it makes you feel happy, healthy & stronger.  It is also quite fun to do.  Many students smile & laugh during the practice, everyone sweats, it is also a system of yoga that will help you control your weight.  The key element is listening to your breath.  If you only move with the breath, you will get stronger and you won't get injured while doing it.  Come & try it - I guarantee you will love the practice!

Today is June 9th, 2008, Monday -    I am preparing for a 10-day teacher training in San Francisco, CA in "The Rocket".  (see www.itsyoga.com ).  I first did the rocket, a 90 min. ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice, in 2003.  I couldn't do all of the poses, it was really hard, I was really tired afterward and I was HAPPY.  Years of feeling sad/depressed just lifted away after that one practice.

I fell in love with Ashtanga yoga that year & was taking any & all workshops in Ashtanga.  The rocket is different - it combines two levels of the Ashtanga practice & is designed to cleanse/purify, body, mind, nervous system & energize you.  It does do that.  And it's really fun!  It is also appropriate for any level after your beginner's series, you simply flow with the practice and do what you can.  Each time you practice you will be stronger, lighter & be able to do more of the poses.  There's no pressure to perform them perfectly.

I have been wanting to get the training to teach it since then, and never got around to it.  Now, this year, I turned 49.  Yup, 49 years old now.  What does a yoga teacher do when preparing to turn 50?  Head out for a kick-butt yoga training of course!  Now is the time. 

Back tracking a bit.....  Before deciding to go for it in San Francisco, I just opened the yoga studio (in Eden Prairie, MN).  My boyfriend, Angus, and I did most of the work to the place.  Lots of painting for me. Lots of heavy labor for him.  Little time for yoga.  So when we opened I was a bit out of shape (two classes a week vs. current 15 now)...  My hormones went wacky (also from having to cut back on the yoga to have the energy to paint walls & decorate a yoga studio!) My diet went to sh-t.  I was eating like my boyfriend & teenage sons - lots of pizza, quick easy calories.  Gained about 10 pounds between the stress, hormonal wackiness (pre-menopause?), pizza and lack of yoga.  So the studio Opened March 1st, I turned 49 April 28, logical next step - pick an impossible goal - 10 days of 8-hr. day yoga training.  With this in my near future, my diet has changed and my habits....

Eating healthier  Simple is better for me, I am always working now because of the studio, so mornings are water (2-3 glasses) & coffee (I know -- my bad), then a smoothie after the first class: with spirulina, banana, & mixed berries!.  Then late lunch (around 2-3 pm), so I can have a good supply of energy available for evening yoga classes I teach.  The toughest part:  eating LIGHT in the evening!  When it's finally time to relax.  My boyfriend, who loves pizza, also is a really good cook.  Gradually we are moving towards salads & stir fry in the evening & I am eating smaller portions, less dessert & sometimes just another smoothie instead.  I have never felt better than when I was drinking smoothies in the morning and evening, and having a healthy lunch mid-day.  Perhaps you can think back to when you were trying out a healthy eating routine?  Try it now! 

So today, Monday, June 9th is the first day of my log.  I'll write a little each day and then switch it over to this blog  while in San Fran.  Check in again - & get inspired to clean up your act too.   .

p.m.  After a long day of yoga & doing the business thing, I rode my bike the final time to & from the studio (with son Jacob, 16).  I was a bit tired from the day, but riding by the gas station with the price showing at OVER $4.00 per gallon of gas! ! ! I was happy to be riding my bike & living only two miles from work!

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 - Good afternoon!  Last night I talked to my friend, Kim (I'm staying with her in San Francisco).  We talked about the food in San Francisco, she said fresh, local, organic food is readily available . . daily and prepared mmm so well.  I can't wait, food is great in Eden Prairie, but like Kim says, food doesn't grow here year 'round.  She also commented on the sun setting on the Bay!  Right now I can only imagine.

This morning I practiced a headstand & almost went into a handstand.  I have this fear of inversions, many people do.  The Rocket - well - there are ALOT of inversions.  I figure if I can do this, I'll be able to teach ANYONE to do it!

Well, time to ride the bike back to the studio.  Tuesday is the only day I teach 5 classes.   Watch for more later!  You can send me questions too--email link is on top.

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 -   June 11 in Minnesota - it is COLD out (well feels cold - it is 66 F).  I did not ride my bike again last night.  I drove.  Glad I did.  3 classes after that with students & kicking out the high energy.  All I could do after is drive home, sit, eat a bit, go to bed & read about two pages before the eyes glued shut.  I am SORE today.  I started a new blog and the link is coming soon.  Had a fun morning, you'll have to wait & see when I get that link up later!  There'll be more pictures on that one too. 

Thursday, June 12, 2008 - A beautiful sunny day in Eden Prairie, Tammy Schwartz visited today, she went through my first year teacher training program.  I am so honored to have taught this bright, sunny, positive & powerful woman!  She encouraged me to create the teacher training program and is continually teaching me by requesting my teaching.  Thank you Tammy!  Plus we got to laugh & look at yurts on the internet & relax for awhile today.  Spending some down time is the perfect addition to my training regimen.  More tomorrow.

Saturday, June 14, 2008 - Even yoga teacher's miss a day here & there!   "Breakdowns only stop people who are not up to something".  The following is from a Landmark Education brochure.  I love this education.  Why?  Because anytime I get stuck, uninspired & life is looking "normal" or bleak, I can stop in at the Landmark Education center for a special evening about the Landmark Forum, assist at a seminar or introduction, and get wildly excited about my life again! (OUR next introduction at Yoga Prairie is Wednesday, June 18 at 7:15 pm (FREE)... So here it is:

"Each day presents us with a choice, an opportunity to live as if it is "business as usual" or to have our lives be up to something.  What are we out to accomplish?  Are we making the difference we want to make?  Are we in fact up to something?

At times each of us has had a sense of being UP TO SOMETHING, something bigger than ourselves -- times when we have stepped outside the constraints of our circumstances, when we stepped beyond our own limitations and stood for a possibility, a possibility that we didn't know how to achieve.  At those times, we did not reference what we were up to against who we had been or what had been done in the past, against what was predictable or expected, but rather against what we stood for and saw as possible.

When we are UP TO SOMETHING, life begins to be seen and related to differently.  Conditions and circumstances begin to reorder and realign themselves inside of what we stand for.  When we are up to something, our priorities and day-to-day activities shift from something to do or somewhere we are going and become an expression of our stand and of making that stand a reality.  We are called to step forward, to be and act in wholly new ways, to risk what we already know for something beyond the predictable.

When we are UP TO SOMETHING, we do more than give voice to our stand--we take bold, practical action that gives what we stand for the hard edge of making something happen.  When we are up to something our notion of and relationship to possibility itself moves from an abstract ideal or remote objective to a viable, living reality.

To be UP TO SOMETHING calls forth strength and creativity we didn't know we had.  It generates energy and excitement that attracts and invites the participation of others.  Being up to something transforms both how we see and hear others and how they see and hear us.

There is more, much more here.  You get the idea...what are YOU up to?  I'll tell you what I am up to.  I am up to being peaceful and conscious and giving 100% of myself to creating that kind of world around me.  We all deserve to live in that kind of world.  My children do and the future generations do.  If you are in my yoga class, you will become more aware of your body, how you hold yourself, how you breath, and you will be given the tools to become more comfortable in your own skin.  Posture improves, your alignment improves, your nervous system flows with fewer blockages and you become more healthy, vital & alive each day.  I even have students who have been practicing with me for 3 -4 years who have grown an inch just from improving their posture & back strength, not to mention they are stronger & more flexible!

So:  What can you do with more health & vitality?!  What can you imagine for yourself & your life with that?  Come & play with us for yoga class & check out our introductions to the Landmark Forum held about every 1-2 months here at Yoga Prairie or at the Landmark education center in Edina (4620 W. 77th St., Edina, MN, phone is: 952-893-1515).   If you want to attend the introduction on June 18, please make reservations in advance.  The introduction is free, but we need to know how many are coming.  When you come, please bring your calendar & a form of payment in the event you choose to register into the Landmark Forum.  (minimum deposit is $100, tuition is $485)   To reserve your free spot at the introduction, call me personally on my cell phone: 952-451-8045.  You can also call me if you have any questions about our studio, our classes, massages or yoga teacher training program.    Namaste,  Karen

June 16th through current date (click)