working together – Page 2 – Mile High Pilates and Yoga

snaggletoothopti — Burn the Negatives; Make Room for the Positives. Photo: Herb Ryan: http://www.custerfreepress.com

By Peg Ryan
Mile High Pilates and Yoga
January 22, 2017

CUSTER, SD – Winter can feel overwhelming at times. For example, weather can interfere with the best laid plans. Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to walk more. You start off really well and suddenly the temperatures dive, the sidewalks shine with ice and the trails in the woods are clogged with snow. Even winter sports enthusiasts can be disappointed when there is just enough snow and ice to be a hazard, but not enough to support the fun stuff. If you decide to go elsewhere to ski or swim, you can find yourself stymied by airline delays or cancellations. Then there is the busyness that comes in January after the long stretch of holiday breaks that characterize November and December. So much to catch up on – so little time! Despite solstice the days are still short. Time seems compressed and suddenly everyone seems to want a piece of yours. There just never seems to be enough to go around.

Combine all this with Seasonal Affected Disorder and (dare I say it . . .) post-election anxiety and we have the ingredients for a deep dive into depression. Take heart, though. Just when you think hope is pointless and the light at the end of the tunnel appears dim or even non-existent, along comes the Burning Beetle Blues Festival in Custer SD. What a great example of turning negatives into positives.

For the past couple of decades, the forests in western states from Canada to the southwest U.S. have been ravaged by an onslaught of voracious bark beetles. The plague has had an enormous impact on the Black Hills in general, and Custer in particular. About 5 years ago, some Custer residents decided to turn the hand-wringing and lamentation into action. Thus began the Bark Beetle Blues festival. The first year of the event saw residents drowning their sorrows in music and art. Sculptures and picture frames were created with the “blue wood” of the dead trees remaining after the beetles had their fill. The talented musicians of the Black Hills wrote songs and performed them for a delighted audience. School children danced and sang. The festival became a much needed and appreciated antidote for cabin fever in the middle of January when most South Dakotans are house-bound and already longing for Spring. The following year launched what has become a tradition of burning a huge effigy of a beetle. Since then the festival has grown to include a variety show and fireworks display. Last year a crew from National Geographic turned up to film the event. (Unfortunately, I could not find an on-line link to the article, but you can probably find a paper copy in a local library.) Some years have featured bitter cold January weather, but that has not stopped a huge crowd from turning out for these events.

Witnessing this year’s event made me think of the ritual of the fire puja. Fire is one of the five basic elements including earth, water, air and ether (empty space) that provide the energies of our known universe. Using the ritual of fire helps us to let go of things that are no longer useful to make room for new ideas and intentions. Of course we always want to honor the power of fire and treat it appropriately, but with safety taken into consideration, we can all create our own fire ritual. If you’re feeling stuck, it can be very satisfying to think about the obstacles in your path, write them on paper and cast them in the fire. Taking some time to recognize the factors in your way can be the first step to finding ways around them.

Many of us can find examples in our own lives where unexpected positives have emerged from even the most dire or sorrowful situations. This is certainly true for me. Many of the plans I made in my life have not panned out, but other things have happened that I never could have imagined. This has become a good reminder when I become disappointed over something not going my way. And – yes – I need to remind myself. It is a daily practice to remember to take each day as it comes and accept things as they are, proceeding from there instead of wishing things were different and letting negativity cloud my day.

In recent weeks I’ve seen friends of mine turn their fear into activism. They have been joined by others who share their concerns. Perhaps they’ve been surprised to learn that so many others felt the same way they did. It is a confidence-builder to find out you’re not alone. Taking that first dangerous step into the unknown can feel so solitary and isolating. But once that leap is made, the results can be surprising. In the fire ritual, mourning can be a necessary process leading up to the decision to let go. But at some point it is necessary to let the mourning pass and rejoin the world. It’s not always easy and it can be a rocky process, but all it really takes is putting one foot in front of the other and being open to the opportunities around you. That, too, is an opportunity for practice.

So, to borrow from Shakespeare, if now is the winter of your discontent, try moving out of your own way. Throw those obstacles into the fire and take a chance on something new. Renew your resolve to do whatever you decided to accomplish in 2017. And remember – if your New Year’s resolutions are already getting lost in the undertow or if weather has gotten in the way of your movement plans, there is no better time than now to find a new activity. An exercise class is a great way to start. Movement will lift your mood and boost your energy. Also just like my activist friends, you may be surprised to find friendly like-minded souls who will happily help you along on your journey without judgment of any kind. We are all looking forward to having you to join us. Our welcome mat is always out!

The power of community is both humbling and inspiring. Each of us has our own special individual gifts to offer the world. But when we join those gifts together an energy is created by the group that can be much greater than the capacity of the individual parts.

This past weekend I had the great pleasure of participating in the inaugural edition of the South Dakota Yoga Conference. We live in a rural state with a low population scattered over a large geographic area. Yet the human resources available here are world class. Presenters with expertise in a wide variety of mind-body disciplines came from all over the state to gather with a group of enthusiastic attendees from multiple states. There were an amazing 33 sessions available over two full days. The variety of topics and expertise of the presenters made it difficult to chose among them. In the end all choices were good. A total win-win for everyone! In the past I’ve attended national conferences with “name-brand” yoga teachers. This quality event was every bit as impressive as any of those – maybe even better since it was right in my own back yard. No planes or passports required. Dates for next year’s conference have already been set (last weekend in July 2017) so mark your calendars!

If you are reading this blog from outside South Dakota, take heart. Of course, you are welcome to come here and attend also. But if that is not possible for you, my point about community is that it can be found anywhere. Sometimes where you least expect it. This conference was conceived by three friends who saw the need and took the chance that others would recognize that need. They are 3 fabulous and energetic ladies (Scottie Bruch, Jillian Anawaty and Cheri Isaacson) but I’m sure they won’t mind me saying that they have no particular special powers. What they do have is a passion for spreading yoga and all related health promoting and life enhancing practices. My point is that any of us is capable to putting together a community. It requires a passion for learning and sharing and a willingness to take that first dangerous step into the unknown. When these women began this quest, they did not know what the outcome would be. But they believed in the concept and in the power of community. Wonder or wonders the community responded! A call for presenters was put out and the rest is history.

There was a preliminary session at the conference which was open to all current or aspiring yoga teachers and anyone else interested in participating in this gathering. This became an opportunity for us to share challenges, successes and ideas with others engaged in both similar and different pursuits. Here in the Black Hills we are fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive and close-knit yoga community yet we have never had an opportunity like this before. The seed has now been planted so the possibility exists for something else of value to grow from this experience.

Even though many of us are in different work and/or life situations, it was interesting to see how much we could each benefit from the experience of others. This is actually not such a surprising result. In fact, it is yet another benefit of community. We learn that others are going through or have gone through similar situations to our own. It’s easy to feel isolated in today’s world where so many of the institutions we used to rely on are no longer working. Our society often places a value on being independent. We perpetuate the myth that we should all be capable of solving our own problems. Yet human beings are by nature social creatures who are drawn to groups. As the song says, “no man is an island”. The fact is we all rely on others in many ways whether or not we realize it. When you become isolated, you might feel like your thoughts or problems are unique and insurmountable. It can be so comforting to learn that you are not alone. By becoming part of a group you may be surprised to find that there are others who are or have been where you are and can show you by example that change is possible.

There are opportunities for community everywhere. Anyone feeling lost or alone can look for them. Or create one yourself based on your own passions and interests. It may surprise you to find that there are others out there who share your interests. Whatever you have learned will be different from what they have learned so the sharing can begin. All that’s required is an open mind and a willingness to take a chance. If you’re afraid to join an existing group, give it a try. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again. Maybe try a different group. When you start a group or become a member of an existing group you will derive many benefits. But it is helpful to remember that the goals of the group are not just about you. A group provides a larger vision of what can be accomplished when people join together. Although what each individual contributes is valuable, what can be achieved as a whole is what’s important. So offer your expertise and be willing to give freely but let others provide theirs as well. We all gain when we all contribute. No matter what your intention, though, don’t give up. Keep trying. You never know when the right circumstances will arise.

Time for yourself has its value and everyone needs to be alone sometimes. But community can be a magical and powerful force capable of transforming lives. Keep your mind and heart open and release your expectations. Just let it unfold organically without trying to force it. The result may be totally different from what you thought might happen but you may just get what you need.