A few words come to mind after today's TED Talks: slay, courage, love.
Another day of love.
I choose love.
Beltran
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
YES!!!
Today you brought it. And it was glorious. Thank you!!!
I'll see y'all for more tomorrow...
Beltran
I'll see y'all for more tomorrow...
Beltran
Monday, June 5, 2017
The Summer of 2013
I first stepped on a yoga mat in August of 2012, a mere 7 months after the birth of my little Aug Pie. I was asked to participate in a yoga session in the backyard of a sorta colleague (Cynthia student taught at PLHS) so she could practice her yoga teaching skills seeing as how she was recently certified.
I liked the idea of getting out of baby mode, so I agreed.
In that backyard on that glorious day, as I awkwardly figured out what asana meant and what sit bones were (your butt apparently), I awkwardly began walking a path that I once thought frivolous. I mean practicing yoga is couched in privilege. My beloved mother never had the chance to roll out a mat and focus on her breathing; she was too busy working the night shift to feed her kids. Getting to go to a yoga class costs money. Period. And getting to practice (on the mat, at least) costs time. But with all that aside, yoga did change my life and is far more than warrior pose and namaste.
The second yoga class I ever attended was with a brute of a teacher who literally put me in a headstand and subsequently knocked me over. After class I sweetly asked if there was someone else perhaps a little less...focused?? That led me to a beautiful soul named Sarah and to an immersion program in the summer of 2013.
That summer I cracked wide open. And while all the details aren't meant for your lovely eyes, one thing I will share is that Sarah taught me what a good teacher does. At the end of our time together, she gathered us all around and gave each attendee mala beads and a yoga pose to practice.
I received tadasana. That's mountain pose...a standing pose.
Sarah explained why.
"Yolanda - Tadasana, so that she might experience that her firm connection to the ground, and thus to all things, is indeed her base for ascending, for living the loving kindness she so naturally exudes."
In that moment, I felt seen.
I felt I mattered.
I understood the role of a teacher.
I hope I have done that for some of you. (Ultimately, my goal is to be the kind of teacher Sarah is...)
Thank you to all the first day presenters. It takes a lot to speak in front of your peers and I saw each of you today. And each of you matters in Room 853, our Indra's Net.
See y'all tomorrow.
Love and Light,
Beltran
I liked the idea of getting out of baby mode, so I agreed.
In that backyard on that glorious day, as I awkwardly figured out what asana meant and what sit bones were (your butt apparently), I awkwardly began walking a path that I once thought frivolous. I mean practicing yoga is couched in privilege. My beloved mother never had the chance to roll out a mat and focus on her breathing; she was too busy working the night shift to feed her kids. Getting to go to a yoga class costs money. Period. And getting to practice (on the mat, at least) costs time. But with all that aside, yoga did change my life and is far more than warrior pose and namaste.
The second yoga class I ever attended was with a brute of a teacher who literally put me in a headstand and subsequently knocked me over. After class I sweetly asked if there was someone else perhaps a little less...focused?? That led me to a beautiful soul named Sarah and to an immersion program in the summer of 2013.
That summer I cracked wide open. And while all the details aren't meant for your lovely eyes, one thing I will share is that Sarah taught me what a good teacher does. At the end of our time together, she gathered us all around and gave each attendee mala beads and a yoga pose to practice.
I received tadasana. That's mountain pose...a standing pose.
Sarah explained why.
"Yolanda - Tadasana, so that she might experience that her firm connection to the ground, and thus to all things, is indeed her base for ascending, for living the loving kindness she so naturally exudes."
In that moment, I felt seen.
I felt I mattered.
I understood the role of a teacher.
I hope I have done that for some of you. (Ultimately, my goal is to be the kind of teacher Sarah is...)
Thank you to all the first day presenters. It takes a lot to speak in front of your peers and I saw each of you today. And each of you matters in Room 853, our Indra's Net.
See y'all tomorrow.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Sunday, June 4, 2017
I'm Back
I'm back with the need to write and at this point in the game, why censor myself? You have been in my orbit since the end of August and some of you have seen me...really seen me so you already know that I am a writer (daily journaler since 1984, thank you very much) and you know that I admire people who are intelligent and brave and compassionate. Thus, it shouldn't come as a surprise that with the "alone time" I have today (kiddos are on a playdate with the hubs) I am rereading Kirker's blog about his Whole30 experience.
It's hilarious.
In period 4 when he was presenting, he made reference to my insanity for pretty much being on a Whole3Years diet...and it made me remember that I am usually all or nothing. I decided to give up Dr Pepper on a dare with my mom back in October...of 2004 that is, and I went from a two can a day habit to nada. I decided to revamp my diet back in December...of 2014 that is, and I went from eating out all the time to pretty much cooking every single meal. I'm just a bit intense and maybe that why I connected with Kirk way back when he owned the yoga studio I frequented. Like minds and all...
But the real reason I sat down to write is because I came across a quote on Kirk's blog that made me laugh out loud, and it motivated me to remind you that writing daily is such a good and healthy practice. It gives you a chance to reset and reflect and be real...and who couldn't use more of that?
Anyhoo, I'm off to read more, but before I go, here's what he said:
"They are serving breakfast empanadas with cheese and other fine ingredients enjoyed by those with no desire to improve their lives."
He's great.
It's hilarious.
In period 4 when he was presenting, he made reference to my insanity for pretty much being on a Whole3Years diet...and it made me remember that I am usually all or nothing. I decided to give up Dr Pepper on a dare with my mom back in October...of 2004 that is, and I went from a two can a day habit to nada. I decided to revamp my diet back in December...of 2014 that is, and I went from eating out all the time to pretty much cooking every single meal. I'm just a bit intense and maybe that why I connected with Kirk way back when he owned the yoga studio I frequented. Like minds and all...
But the real reason I sat down to write is because I came across a quote on Kirk's blog that made me laugh out loud, and it motivated me to remind you that writing daily is such a good and healthy practice. It gives you a chance to reset and reflect and be real...and who couldn't use more of that?
Anyhoo, I'm off to read more, but before I go, here's what he said:
"They are serving breakfast empanadas with cheese and other fine ingredients enjoyed by those with no desire to improve their lives."
He's great.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Stuff You Need to Know
Happy Saturday Morning, y'all...I have a cup of coffee in hand (post lemon water, of course) and we are headed to our final game of the futsal season in a bit. (Fingers crossed we can take a detour to Dark Horse so I can get 1) more coffee, 2) vegan donuts for the girls and 3) daily hipster fix).
Before we go though, a few things...
First, mad respect to the lovelies who played their hearts out at Powder Puff yesterday. You held off those seniors and their victory came because of a safety. The cheerleaders performance was smart and not just scandalous though I must respect all those who dared show up in the arena - dancing in front of a crowd is tough.
Secondly, on Monday I will be collecting ISJ so have yours ready. This, and your TED Talk, are pretty much it in terms of your grades.
Next, any of you interested can write yourself a letter and seal it in a self-addressed envelope (FIRST AND LAST NAME, CLASS PERIOD with me and THE DATE). Give me the letter before the last day of school and I will make sure you get it back in JUNE 2018 - right before graduation!!!!!!
And finally, TED Talks start on Monday so you should know if you are slated to present. Email me with questions.
Can't believe we're almost finished...what a long strange trip it's been...once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right...nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...because if you aren't careful, you'll end up planting ice...then you're gonna harvest wind.
xoxo,
Beltran
Before we go though, a few things...
First, mad respect to the lovelies who played their hearts out at Powder Puff yesterday. You held off those seniors and their victory came because of a safety. The cheerleaders performance was smart and not just scandalous though I must respect all those who dared show up in the arena - dancing in front of a crowd is tough.
Secondly, on Monday I will be collecting ISJ so have yours ready. This, and your TED Talk, are pretty much it in terms of your grades.
Next, any of you interested can write yourself a letter and seal it in a self-addressed envelope (FIRST AND LAST NAME, CLASS PERIOD with me and THE DATE). Give me the letter before the last day of school and I will make sure you get it back in JUNE 2018 - right before graduation!!!!!!
And finally, TED Talks start on Monday so you should know if you are slated to present. Email me with questions.
Can't believe we're almost finished...what a long strange trip it's been...once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right...nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...because if you aren't careful, you'll end up planting ice...then you're gonna harvest wind.
xoxo,
Beltran
Friday, June 2, 2017
Happy Friday
What a glorious day...thanks to Kirk for visiting periods 2 and 3 and for the wisdom he shared. And thanks to the other classes for ending the year on a nice, sweet note. I know some of you are just beyond ready to be done with school, but keep in mind that everything is temporary. All good things (and bad things too) pass. Everything passes.
I hope you have a great weekend...get those ISJ updated. I'll be collecting them Monday.
Onward to TED Talks!
Beltran
I hope you have a great weekend...get those ISJ updated. I'll be collecting them Monday.
Onward to TED Talks!
Beltran
Thursday, June 1, 2017
No...Yeah.
Q: Maya, does your hand hurt?
A: No, yeah...it's fine.
Q; Teddy, can I borrow your Kanye album collection?
A: No, yeah...it's cool.
Q: Fernando, do you like the way that random squishy ball feels?
A: No, yeah...I love the way it feels.
xoxo
A: No, yeah...it's fine.
Q; Teddy, can I borrow your Kanye album collection?
A: No, yeah...it's cool.
Q: Fernando, do you like the way that random squishy ball feels?
A: No, yeah...I love the way it feels.
xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)