Power

Yesterday I taught the first Power Yoga class scheduled at Maya Tulum, the grandmother of yoga studios here in Tulum, Mexico. Most days when I enter to teach, a calm 'Om' echoes tranquilly through my mind.  But the “Power” word rang in my ears when the manager asked if I could teach the class.  Of course I could teach the class but, “What if the students aren’t ready?” I asked.  “I mean, in my classes I don’t get too many ‘power’ types.” I continued.

 It was true.  Of the three years I had been teaching at what was not too many years ago an out right Ashram, I could easily count the number of times I had some power yogis.  Mostly, my students there  were more serious about basics, meditation and breathwork.  Many were people new to yoga and I took great pleasure in introducing to a practice.

“Let me know how it goes.” was the manager’s response.

I was excited and, to be honest, curious about who the title would attract.  I hoped for a group of power people, ones who would jump from crow into plank and come through their vinyasa lightly, ready for the next sequence.  I had planned the class with series upon series of movement to the rhythm of the breath.  We would dance through our practice and I became intimidated as I prepared.  Insecurity crept in. “What if they are not even challenged by the class?  What if I have been practicing in Tulum for too long with the same teachers and students.”  I knew that sometimes I felt stale.  I attributed it to not venturing out from Tulum, especially not to practice yoga. Twice a year, sometimes more often, I would go to Boston or New York and challenge myself there but I never went to classes in Playa del Carmen or Cancun or even other people’s classes in my own little pueblo.  I often preferred to stay in my own yoga world with my books and video’s and motivate myself. 

So, as I started to freak out and change my plan to include more challenging series, the voice of my guru came into my head and said, “the most powerful thing anyone can do is breathe”. 

I stopped.  I listened. And I thought about it.

That was the truth.  Breathing, finding the breath, is what is it all about no matter what physical power we have.  I let go of my class redesign and let myself be motivated by who came to the practice.  I took a deep breath and let myself be with the class and their abilities rather than the label.   I shared my intuition with them and reminded them that without the breath there is no yoga.  Without the breath there is no power.  Without the breath there is nothing.  I began the class as always, reminding people to take a moment to check in with your breath, appreciate it and enjoy it.  And on that day I reminded them that whatever your physical practice, your breath is your power yoga. So, breathe.

Salsa!!

It is Sunday night and I am relaxing when I hear music in the distance: salsa music.  It is coming from La Zebra and I am ready.  I was already at the 6 pm class so I have practiced my dance steps for tonight.  And, like a cobra rising to the tune of the flute, I pull myself out of the hammock and head downstairs to check my face.  I was already dressed.  I was only waiting.  Resting actually.  Salsa is a vigorous dance and I know I have an early Monday morning.  But somehow, I cannot resist.

I take my bicycle under the starlit street to La Zebra, feeling the pull of the music and the energy of the dance increase with each turn of the pedal.  When I reach the entrance, I see other people experiencing the same magnetic draw.  We all want to dance.  We all feel the rhythm and we move quickly through the sand to enter the restaurant.  I can see the band to my right as I enter and greet my friends.  The people here are friendly and they know I want to just dance.  To my right I can see the live band.  There are eight of them and they are grooving Cuban musicians.  They are the center of the heat that is rising from this place with the pure Latin salsa.  No one can stand still.  Even if you don’t want to dance you still have to move. 

I go through the restaurant and down the stairs to the beach and the dance platform: palm trees in the center reaching to the star filled sky and the new moon that is rising.  The dance floor is crowded but it is ok, I will be welcome.  I take the first hand that reaches for mine and I start to move.  Then I start to smile.  With each turn I feel a little lighter and my smile is a little bigger.  With each dip I feel a little more dramatic, more graceful and as I come out of a doble entschufla, I am beaming at having remembered my 1 and then 5.  I am still on beat and the beat in Tulum on a Sunday night is only at la Zebra’s, Latin Salsa party.

Changing a Routine

This morning I thought I would step out of my routine.  I generally waken early and do my things: a yoga class or writing with a coffee.  But today, I decided to ride my bike to a nearby cenote.  It felt good to break up my routine as I headed up the beach road on my rusty pink bike.  It wasn’t that early, just about 8. But the culture here isn’t an early one.  I had the road to myself and they were just opening the gate at the cenote as I arrived.  The gentleman opening was sleepy eyed but greeted me pleasantly.  He would make money for tortillas before it hit 9 am.  I paid him, having wrapped two bright 10 pesos coins in my towel. It used to be free and I missed that more than a little.

But I shook off the nostalgia and walked my bicycle through the campground to the water’s edge.  I was sweating already and knew the water would feel good.  The crispish morning air, at a “crisp” 80 or so degrees, was refreshing.  The water would be more so.  August had been a hot month, but the days had been getting cooler.  Mornings were probably the most comfortable time of the day for me. 

I put my toe in the water and looked up to see two ducks flying overhead.  “I think that is a good sign”, I said as I let my foot sink a little deeper into the clear cool water.  I wondered for just a moment about crocodiles.  I knew they slept in the heat of the day but I wondered what their custom was for the morning.  “They are probably sleeping off their nocturnal feasting”, I told myself as I piled my clothes on the dock that extended into the water and then just dove right in.  

It was heaven surrounding my body: cool, clear heaven. The water and the gentle coolness of it embraced me.  I came to the surface to look around.  It was only me and the manglers gently reaching their arms under the water.  There were a few orchids still in bloom, the flowers gently rising above the manglers, but mostly it was green and the blue of the sky above.  I swam further and started to play.  I practiced water ballet. I did summersaults and the back-stroke and turns and just about anything I wanted to.  No one would witness my madness. I did 4 dolphins back to back.  Those are the moves where you are on your back in the water and you arch your back and pull yourself around under the water in a circle.  Then you resurface and if you want, you can go back under and make a circle again.  I love them but after 4, I was lightheaded and a little dizzy.  So I just floated.  My ears under the water, the sun on my face, the only sound I heard was my own heart beat.  I was in heaven.  I was in Tulum.

Just a Rainy Day

It is a rainy day at the beach.  Nice.  Nice for me anyway.  Because I know it will stop.  And I know where all the leaks are in my house.  And I can make a wish on the rainbow that will most certainly arrive in an hour or two.  Plus, I already had my yoga practice. And I walked the dogs on the beach in between storms with no one except us and the drift wood, lots of it.  It seems to come from everywhere: whole trees, parts of trees, parts of buildings and parts of ships.  Each piece talks to me if I stop to look closely, if I don’t run from the rain.  Each piece tells a story with its barnacles, the moss and the places where it has been worn smooth by, I imagine, the reef and the waves.  Today, they are there, like the tourists usually are, resting on the shore and glistening in the salt and the intermittent sun.  They disappear often, taken to other places by the sea or by ambitious artists here.  Then, I miss them, wishing I had been the one with the strength to carry them home to my workshop. But often, after while, they resurface like the tourists generally do. But I fail to recognize them until I nearly trip over them and then say hello.  Or I fall into them and then stop, look closely and perhaps listen to a story.  I love a rainy day at the beach.  I know it is only one day and that I make a new friend. 

Taste of Mexico Vacation- December 14 to 19, 2010 & January 19 to 25, 2011

Let us help you get to know the taste of Mexico as you discover, create and enjoy Mexico's sensational dishes with one of the most well respected chefs in Tulum.  To compliment your gastronomic adventure, learn the language and the dance and feel the energy of the area.  In this 6 days 7 nights intensive you will immerse yourself not only in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, but also in Spanish, Salsa dancing and yoga.  This intimate classroom setting with a maximum of 8 students includes accommodations in ocean view suite or in elegant Tulum town boutique hotel, authentic Mexican meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), daily morning yoga class, 2 cooking classes, 4 Salsa dance classes, 1 spa/massage treatment, 1 local excursion, scheduled airport transfers as well as all entrance fees to parks and historical sites mentioned in this itinerary.     Other activities and excursions available for a fee.  Drinks during classes are included.  Tips and alcoholic beverages during other meals and personal purchase not mentioned in this itinerary are not included.

Prices from $1750USD to $1950USD per person single occupancy. 

 Learn more by visiting our Facebook or contact Jiri or Joanne at passagetoculture@gmail.com

Salsa Dance Vacation on Tulum Beach Mexico. December 1 thru December 7, 2010. Sign up by October 31, 2010

No one dances Salsa like the Mexicans and where better to practice than on the hot Caribbean beaches of Tulum, Mexico. Move from beginner to advance or fine tune your dance steps with our expert local dancers. Package includes stay in ocean view suite, authentic Mexican cuisine (breakfast, lunch and dinner), daily Salsa lessons, 1 Mexican cooking class, 1 local excursion (1 jungle and cenote tour on horse back or Float down the ancient canals at Muyil), 2 spa/massage treatments and scheduled airport transfers as well as all entrance fees to historical sites and parks mentioned in itinerary. Other activities and excursions available for a fee. Certain meals may include alcohol beverages. Learn more on our Facebook.
$2515USD per person, single occupancy. Airfare not included.

It's Not Just Wine Vacation in Northern Italy- 8 days & 7 nights Vacation in Verona, Italy. June 20-28, 2011, July 1-8, 2011 and September 1-8, 2011.

Avoid the crowd and join us for incredible wine, great food and history in Verona.  From Juliet's balcony to Piazza dei Signori-Piazza Dante, not to mention the famous Roman Arena di Verona.  We will take you on a 7 day passage of a lifetime.  See and experience one of Italy's most romantic regions through the eyes of the locals.  Taste the fruits of Italy as you sample wine at the base of the medieval Castle of Soave.  Enjoy scenic driver through rolling vineyards, relax at the waterfalls of Molina, and be sure to fall in love with the breathtaking Lago di Garda.

Bring along 4 or more friends and enjoy 10% off.

Prices from $2200USD per person double occupancy to $2950 single occupancy.

Visit our Facebook to learn more.