It's Official...

I have submitted my registration for Yoga Journal's Geneva Conference at the end of March. Does anyone else find filling those as overwhelming as I? Not because they are hard, but because there's so much goodness to choose from it's practically impossible to make a decision about how to divide one's time! I find it interesting that often I find one session time that has a whole handful of classes I wish I could attend and one session time which I have a hard time finding any class that sparks my interest. I wonder, does that happen to others too?

So here's my general observations/feelings about the sessions I'm attending.

First off I'm SUPER excited to be attending the all day intensive OM Yoga Breast Cancer Survivor Teacher Training with Cyndi Lee on Thursday. If I had to choose just one session to attend during this conference, this would be the one. Not necessarily because I have a history with breast cancer specifically, but because my family has been touched by cancer in general. And I'm of the age where I'm more and more aware of other moms in our community who are or have battled cancer, breast or other. And I have breasts and girls who will someday have breasts of their own. And above all I believe in the power yoga has to help people heal and the need for those who have battled cancer to find healing beyond their physical bodies. And if by going to this one workshop I can help bring pieces of that power back to my community, my time will have been well spent.

When I'm looking at what sessions to choose at a conference I try to share time with both my yogi hats on...one of a practitioner, one as a teacher. I think because of the amazing gift I've been given through the opportunity to attend this conference on scholarship I felt a bit more of a responsibility to choose sessions more geared towards the teacher in me, knowing full well the yogi in me will benefit as well. Because of my own personal interests and concerns and the population I serve here in our little town (may who have special physical considerations of their own) it comes to no surprise that I've drawn to several sessions that offer a focus on anatomy and alignment in asana as well as those offering a therapeutic focus and guidance for hands on adjustments.

That doesn't mean I didn't allow myself to choose a couple sessions just for me. I'm especially excited to be taking a session with Seane Corn. Seane has an amazing energetic and spiritually charged personality and the Yogini all women's session I attended with her last spring at the Midwest Yoga conference was an experience I will forever remember and at the same time may never fully be able to grasp. This time I'll be joining Seane for a Detox Flow class which I'm fully expecting will kick my butt, especially since it's on day 3!

A few facts that surprised me once I got done making my choices:

• Rodney Yee is probably the most influential teacher in my DVD collection, the one I have turned to the most for inspiration at a practitioner and teacher, yet I'm not attending one session lead by him. He will be giving a keynote address and I do hope he'll talk more about his involvement with the Urban Zen Foundation.
• As much as I enjoyed the workshop I attended in the fall of '06 with Desiree Rumbaugh and as much as I enjoy the principals of Anusara yoga, I didn't end up in one of her sessions either. I think this is partially due to the fact Desiree visits Des Moines on a relatively regular basis so I know opportunities to study with her will more often be present that with some of the other instructors who will be presenting.
• I don't seem to getting any closer to choosing one tradition of yoga to practice or teach because my sessions include those taught by Vinyasa teachers, Ashtanga teachers, Iyengar teachers...just to name a few. And for once I can honestly say I'm not frustrated by that fact. I'm finding I'm more and more OK with finding inspiration from a variety of styles which gives me the freedom to structure my classes for the variety of individuals and teaching environments I find myself in these days.

The various arrangements that I need to make to make attending the conference a reality (making childcare arrangements, figuring out "more affordable" lodging than the resort offers, and getting my own classes covered) are slowly falling into place. I will admit that I'm feeling a little bit of guilt over the fact I will be gone for my youngest daughter's 3rd birthday, especially since we already had a few fun activities planned for her special day. I know she'll have a great day regardless...and I hope my hubby remembers to take plenty of pictures!

Even with the registration confirmation in my inbox I'm still having a hard time grasping the reality that I AM GOING! I get teary (and giddy with excitement) every time I think about it! You can be sure I'll be sharing about my experiences here!


namaste