Home » About This Blog: Thread of Spirit

About This Blog: Thread of Spirit

Posted by lanthony on Oct 8, 2011 in | 12 comments

As a yoga teacher I have, at times, placed the expectation upon myself to be a certain kind of person. I have held the misconception that I needed to live in very specific ways in order to be worthy of inspiring others on this path. Like many moments on my yoga mat, in my role as a teacher I have sometimes felt weak, unstable, insecure, unworthy, stuck, bored, unmotivated, or unsupported. I have finally come to see that like our practice on the mat, this is all okay. I now believe that the very best teachers are the ones who dive deeply into their own experience and lean in to each and every sweet, messy moment, willing to let our teaching be an extension of our own practice, which is in essence, our entire life.

I have been blessed to build a life that keeps me in a constant relationship with yoga. I have been teaching for over 12 years, and have owned a studio for almost that long.

My first intention with this blog is to openly embrace being fully human, to show the world what so many of us have in common so that just maybe you will begin to see something amazing in even the messiest moments of your own life. Just maybe you will begin to see how perfect you are… as well as how perfect you don’t need to be!

As I write, I hope to also remind myself of my own humanness. Being human means we will sometimes fail, we will sometimes react, we will sometimes disconnect, disengage, get defensive, get angry, hurt, be self righteous, self-centered and narrow-minded…yes, even when we’re yoga teachers! Opening to the possibility that we are perfect allows us to soften, to feel lighter, to forgive our selves and others when we stumble. I want this reminder for myself as much as I want to share it with you.

My second intention with this blog is to share the one specific revelation that has made the most profound difference in my experience of life. It is something I still tread lightly around in most of my teaching platforms…but something I desperately want to share.

It started off as tiny thread. I barley noticed it tugging at me from some place I couldn’t even put my finger on. After a while, though, I began to realize it had always been there. Although accepting my humanness brings me comfort and peace, this thing asks me to shed my humanness like a cocoon. And when I do I feel even more alive. This thread connects me to every other being in the world, to the ones I have loved and the ones I thought I could never forgive, until there is no separation between us. Until there is nothing but this thing I now call spirit, or even God, that makes me, and everyone else, part of something whole and Divine.

Because I don’t live in constant awareness of this Divinity, it most often feels to me like a thread. A thread that is always here, within me and within each of us, connecting us to each other, to ourselves and to our shared Divinity. Sometimes I can barely sense it’s presence; sometimes it becomes so large that it swallows me whole and I spend time living from inside of what I thought was only a small thin thread, and other times I forget completely that it’s there, buried and covered by my humanness.

So this blog, Thread of Spirit, shares my realization of Divinity. It is part memoir, part teaching, part journal and personal exploration, and part just a place to connect with the world of both human and spiritual beings.

I would be honored to receive your comments. Please don’t be a stranger.

With Gratitude and Love,

Cori Martinez

Next Post: Three Words Only…but a lot can be said in three words.

12 Comments

Patsy / April 22, 2012

Cori,

This is beautiful! I love the way you “Wove” the thread of the message:)

Love you, Patsy oxoxoxox

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Seth / April 10, 2012

Taking chances and opening yourself only makes you stronger. I think this blog is a great avenue to do just that. I always enjoy reading your posts as well as the other Yogi’s and you have made Asha a great place to explore my own emotions and experiences.

On a side note, I tried PowerYoga while in San Diego the other day. Good workout but I did not leave feeling at peace. After it was over, I longed for Asha and the relaxed, mellow connection to others that I feel there. That experience verified to me what a great job you all do of not just teaching Yoga, but teaching life.

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Eliza / April 5, 2012

Hi Cori,

Its been a year since Mexico and so much has changed in my life, I reflect now as I did then about the impermanence in all things and how we are all the same, share the same experiences, thoughts, actions..I took a look at your blog as I feel a connection in this realm of the spirit. as you said, – Sometimes I can barely sense it’s presence; other times I forget completely that it’s there, buried and covered by my humanness and sometimes its so very large. I will look forward to reading more of your blog in the future.

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Karen / April 5, 2012

As I am back working after four years of being a stay at home mom, I miss the luxury of the time I had to attend many yoga classes throughout midtown Sacramento with many wonderful instructors, including you of course.
I still go to classes though nowhere near as often as my mind and body would like. But, leave it to you Cori to write a blog that I read on the day I lived my own “humanness” stressing and acting out defensively from feeling overwhelmed – this blog is just like your yoga classes which although always varied always ended up being exactly what I needed. Thank you.

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Cherryl "C" / April 4, 2012

Hi Cori. My one and only yoga experience was at
one of your classes. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Though
your class is out of my budget scope, this blog
is a way for me to explore. Your words have
intrigued me. I look forward to the path. Thanks

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Nora St John / April 3, 2012

Hi Cori,
The path lives in all of us when we can fully embrace who we are. Asha is the place I go to to remind myself of the obvious, Love is the root of life, We are all in this together, We are all exactly where we should be right now.

Your journey creates the space for each of us to pursue our own journeys. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share, be supported and support this lovely project.

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Summer / March 21, 2012

Wonderful to see this side of you Cori! Thank you for always being an inspiration.

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Brett / March 14, 2012

Cori, Your classes, personal philosophy and teachings have been absolutely instrumental in helping me identify the areas I needed to address. It’s a lifelong journey but through your practice, your leadership and inspiration to other Asha teachers you continue to positively affect so many. I can’t really begin to explain how much you and Asha have benefited me but one thing I do know is I will never be the same. You are amazing. Thank you! Brett

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- Cori Martinez / March 14, 2012
  
  It’s an honor, Brett. Really. xo
  
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Emily / March 14, 2012

Beautifully said. I can’t wait for the journey in your blog. It’s been pretty great in real life:) You are amazing! Big Love

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Gina / March 14, 2012

Lovely Cori! Thank you! xoxo

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Patsy / November 18, 2011

I have practiced yoga at many different places and have found one that resonates in my heart. This studio is warm and welcoming and its name is Asha Yoga.

While I was reflecting back on tonight’s “Dynamic Yoga” class with Cori, I realized that there were 2 fellow teacher trainee alumni and current teacher trainees all practicing under the guidance of their teacher, and I smiled with contentment. Cori has made Asha a very safe haven for me to practice. I continue to travel to Asha for practice because I am building a strong yoga foundation inward and within the rooms.

When I leave, I get to carry a beautiful message without even speaking. People have seen a change and they are inquiring. The change they see is a vibration of love. I receive this love and compassion from the teachings at Asha.

Cori writes eloquently in this Blog:
“I think there is a high value for the student who picks one studio for their primary practice because their immersion into a supportive community offers them a safe place to open up and they can narrow their focus to a very useful degree.” I find this so true for me. Thank you Asha.

Namaste
Patsy

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