Yoga Lessons From the Library

The combination of library + yoga makes sense. Both serve that very human desire for introspection, time to process, space to learn. With kids, libraries are not just for quiet—there is dancing, singing, and the occasional crying when the story must be interrupted for a diaper change. However, we all start to learn from a very young age by the gentle “shhhhhhh” that brings us back to consciousness: I am entering an intelligence that is bigger and older than me; I am standing on hallowed ground.

A little while back, Librarian Michelle Robinson of the Racho-Palms library, asked me to do a yoga story time with her toddler group. And, as often is the case, while I was to be the teacher, I learned a lot as well. I confess, it had been a while since I had been inside a library. I felt shifted by hanging around all the books and the people who love them.

Listening—the practice of listening is important both in story time and in yoga. In common usage, “listening” might start to imply obedience or following directions, but this kind of listening is more that that. It’s not because you need to be quiet, or because you need to learn, but roots from the joy of receiving and just taking it all in. It is so healing to listen to stories that are not your own.

Many ideas, many ways—I often get stuck in thinking that there is not enough space for me or my ideas and that I need to find the one right answer or one right thing to do in order to make my life be ok. It felt so comforting to see a library full of different books and ideas. There is room in the world for more ideas than one person could read. And, in that beautiful sea, it is not so much about who is right or wrong or best. Yoga has this idea too. Its not about finding the one “right answer” or thing to believe in. Yoga is about opening your heart and mind wide enough to hold it all and let it all live.

Engagement & focus—those isles of books reflect endless years of work and passion. Each author loved something enough to really explore. Interest is a muscle that needs a work out—just as much as you biceps or heart. Choose something that sparks you and embark on an adventure this Summer. You don’t need to understand why. If you feel disconnected, like its all the same or nothing matters, give yourself permission to just start anywhere. Like me, you might be reassured to know that there are stories that you haven't heard yet. We must train ourselves to follow our sparks of interest whenever they come.

Through out the Summer, I will be teaching some yoga classes at the local libraries and of course I would love it if you would come. But beyond that, let this be a general reminder to love your libraries. This Summer, Kathleen Moran of the Mar Vista Library, Michelle Robinson of the Rancho-Palms Library and many wonderful staff and volunteers will be sharing stories from around the world.

Here's my schedule of FREE yoga in the library:

• Wednesday, July 6th, 10:30m to 11:00am • Baby and Toddler Yoga Story Time! @ Rancho-Palms Public Library • 2920 Overland Ave. LA, 90064  We will do some yoga and read some yoga books and poems.

• Saturday July 9th, 11:30 to 12:15  • Family Yoga Adventure @ Rancho-Palms Public Library • 2920 Overland Ave. LA, 90064 • Explore ideas about what yoga is and can be. This will be enjoyable for kids and adults.

• Tuesday July 12th, 4 to 5 pm • One World, Many Stories @ Mar Vista Public Library • 12006 Venice Blvd. LA 9006 • We will explore yoga through stories from India. Part of the Summer Reading Program. Great for kids aged kindergarten through 6th grade and their parents.

• Friday August 26th, 3:30 to 4:30 • Kids Book Club @ Rancho-Palms Public Library • 2920 Overland Ave. LA, 90064 • Explore of yoga through fiction, non-fiction, poems, and learning about the a sun salutation and breath. Recommended for school aged children.

p.s. please "like" Yoga in Mar Vista.