Dalai Lama

This Saturday I will be going to see the the Dalai Lama speak.  Last time I saw the HH the Dalai  Lama was just about a year ago in McLeod Gang, India.  I feel very blessed to have this opportunity again in such a short time.  It was fun to see him drive by on the road to the temple.  And we lived in an apartment right next door to his compound.  Now we will see him from afar in the giant Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.  Its a blessing none the less.

April yoga teacher training homework

The Pancreas

The pancreas functions as a gland in the endocrine system and as an organ in the digestive system.  It is a long (6-7 inches), thinner (1-2 inches) organ that is rounded (the head) on one end and slightly pointed (the tail) on the other.  It is located diagonally behind the stomach and connects directly to the duodenum (small intestines), the gallbladder, and the liver.   The pancreas consists of exocrine glands that secrete enzymes for digestion through the pancreatic duct, which runs through the center of the organ.  The enzymes produced are lipase for fat; amylase for starches; and peptidase for proteins.  Surrounding the ducts are grape like structures containing three groups of cells for endocrine functions.  The three groups of islet or island cells are alpha, beta(70%), and delta(5%).   These cells mainly produce the hormones glucagon (alpha) and insulin (beta) to be secreted into the blood stream.  Insulin lowers blood sugar levels while glucagon slowly increases blood sugar if it falls too low.  When the beta cells do not function properly diabetes can occur. 

 

Swallowtail Yoga

I have been involved with a new yoga training with my first yoga teacher, Elaine Wintman.  http://elainewintman.com/    The experience has profoundly changed my practice in great ways.  I feel much more aware of the connections and relationships inside my body.  For instance, I was able to find the connection between my kidneys and bladder in downward dog.  As strange as it sound it helped me to find the alinement of my spine.   Also in finding my kidneys I was able to rest both my kidneys and adrenals, which I realize are a bit over worked!  

I am learning so much more about anatomy and applying it to yoga.  I hope I do not scare away my students but talking about their pancreas!  I'm having lots of fun too.

I'm not sure exactly how it will apply to my work with children and children with special needs, but I'm sure it has already started to inform what I'm already doing.

The gentleness and supportiveness of this practice is really sweet and I hope to share that aspect more than anything else.  In this culture of  "no pain no gain" a little softness can go a long way.  And as we say in Swallowtail Yoga, "We don't throw our organs around!!"

I am also hoping to start leading more kirtans.  What a beautiful, powerful practice!  I hope to share it with others.  Check in to see what develops.  

Love and Shanthi