In Rhythms Yoga: Monday Morning Challenge

A challenge for your Monday: “do one thing, daily, to challenge yourself towards personal growth”. Move into the “uncomfortable zone” in order to practice self-love, compassion and to find adventure. Learn to expand your horizon and engage in play. Practice letting-go of expectations, self-judgment and negativity. You may discover a new activity to bring vitality, curiosity, and more meaning into your life. Stepping out of your comfort zone may be scary, but the outcome may be well-worth the effort.

In order to challenge myself and bring this idea to life, I have found a new activity that requires me to learn new skills and build strength in my physical and mental body. I signed-up for aerial silks at a studio called, Aerial Revolution.  They specialize in aerial arts, circus acrobatics, yoga and dance.  Their online description reads: “Aerial Arts, Circus Acrobatics, Yoga and Dance”. I have found this practice to be an avenue where I can work on finding adventure while building on practices of finding trust in others and learning to let-go of fear and expectations.

Aerial silks is full of challenges. Learning to properly tie the silk knots around the wrist, legs, and ankles is crucial to overall safety and success. There are many “ties” to learn for the different skills like “climbing”, “ the Russian climb”, “5 skins the cat” and “angel”. To really “learn” something in my body, I have to “feel” it again and again to fully understand it. I am not good at tying knots around my body, and quickly learn to rely on others in class to help me properly wrap the silks even before I learn any new aerial skills. At that moment, I realize that my ego was is present, and the skill being learned was, “it’s okay to ask for help” and a lesson in being vulnerable.

Learning to move upwardly on the silks, or to “climb” takes much practice and perseverance. Small moments of success, fuel my return. Each time I return to elevate my climb, I notice small progressions. The silks become more comfortable wrapped around my ankles and wrists, and I become more aware of the muscles in my upper back, shoulders, and arms as I build strength. I discover small moments of success as I practice climbing, piking, kicking over, and lifting.

As I reflect on learning to climb up the silks, I realize that building small successes in my aerial practice can be applied to my daily life. I am learning the skill of finding contentment in my day-to-day life. I also realize that I can focus on the positive, rather than the negative things in life, in my relationships, both in work and in play.

Finding a challenge towards personal growth could be as simple as adding something new into your day. It doesn’t have to involve a physical challenge or learning to tie silk knots. I invite you to find something that inspires you, something that furthers your learning and fuels your curiosity. I have found that practicing yoga, both the physical postures, the asanas, and the philosophies, have opened a new world of opportunities like finding more self-acceptance, building my desire to learn and play, while fueling my daily decisions with an open-heart and mind. I am learning life-lessons to stay young in the mind, curious in the heart, and living with more passion and connection to the universe that upholds me.

To learn more about Aerial Revolution’s classes, workshops and performances, go to http://studiorevolutionsd.com. They are located at 5370 Napa St., San Diego, 92110.

Check with your doctor before performing any form of exercise including yoga and breathing techniques.
Always honor your body. If a posture gives you pain, gently come out.

Namaste,
Christi Iacono, 500 hr. cert. yoga instructor and owner of In Rhythms Yoga

Christi Iacono is a 500 hour certified yoga instructor, kids yoga instructor, and owner of In Rhythms Yoga. IRY is a small neighborhood studio in Clairemont, S.D., located in the Mount Streets. She guides adults, kids and families in the ancient tradition of yoga. Christi has experienced many positive physical and mental transformations from her daily personal practice. She is passionate about  sharing her experience, inspiration, and dedication with her students. She is committed to being a life-long student and teacher of the practice. Christi carefully works with each student in order to find the variation that best serves their body. Work to find the balance of effort and ease in every posture, “sthira sukham asanam.” Yoga is accessible to all.

IRY offers regularly scheduled vinyasa and yin-based classes on, Sat., Sun. (Yin-Yoga) and Wed. mornings as well as Tues. and Thurs. evening classes.

*Christi also teaches family and kids yoga.

*Christi uses Young Living Oils at the studio to enhance yoga class, meditation and in her home.  Visit http://www.apothecarysociety.com/ciacono to learn more.
*Go to www.inrhythmsyoga.com to see the full yoga schedule, instructors and for private lessons.