Spanish Language Archives | Essential You Yoga

Health and Wealth in the New Year

Feliz Ano Nuevo! The bombas exploded at midnight, lighting the night sky and filling the barrios with even more explosions than have been heard during the whole month of December. Nicaraguense set afire both fireworks that exploded individually and effigies of the old year — scarecrow men stuffed with firecrackers, newspapers, and messages of a happy new year. When the explosions quieted, the visiting began – house to house as neighbors visited neighbors and friends and families mingled. After 1 am, the crowds dispersed – either early to bed or out for late night fiestas celebrating until dawn broke the sky. Don’t ever let anyone tell you the Nicas don’t know how to party.

My 2013 in Nicaragua finds me working in a hotel mornings and teaching yoga afternoons and evenings. Continue reading “Health and Wealth in the New Year”

Palabras y Memorias

One of the cool things about learning a new language is that I have all these little jewels of memories associated with my new vocabulary. Por ejamplo, I learned the word for “horse” from listening to a toddler repeat, “caballo, caballo,” as a work horse trotted by on the cobblestones.

I learned “por ejamplo” thanks to my patient first teacher in Spanish. Our lessons consisted of me trying to explain my day en español. A wonderful way to learn the vocabulary that fits your life!

Sideways glances quickly taught me that “me gusta” is not the way to express that you think an individual is nice. Continue reading “Palabras y Memorias”

Vishuddhi – the Chakra of Communication

I am constantly pulled back to work with the chakras in my asana and meditation practice. I find that chakra work often comes off the mat, coloring food choices, what colors I incorporate into my outfits, and which essential oils I wear. Further, if I’m working with a particular chakra, I’ll keep work in the front of my conciousness as I’m having interactions with people throughout my day. I’ll notice if a person may trigger some of the lessons I need to practice to balance a particular chakra, or perhaps I’ll notice that the somebody has a complementary chakra issue – where mine is depleted, perhaps their is showing in excess.

Continue reading “Vishuddhi – the Chakra of Communication”

Subtle Language

Learning the Spanish language has been a sometimes illusive goal that I’ve fiercely practiced for the last seven months. I’ve had my ups and downs – my nights of frustration at not being able to follow the late night, beer laden jumble of conversation and the sudden clarity as the vendors sing-songy jingles and the calls of mothers to children become intelligible. Each step on the long road to fluency is a joy, rewarded by further understanding and connection with the beautiful people I encounter along the way.

One part of language here is that it encompasses more than simply words. Communication in Nicaragua is a full body experience. Continue reading “Subtle Language”

Platicando en Espanol

Right before I left for the island of Ometepe, I was at a point of complete frustration with my language learning. While I was able to communicate well with people I knew, I was still a train wreck when it came to talking to people not used to my accent or way of speaking. Although I’d been studying irregular verbs for well over a month, I could never remember the correct conjugation while speaking with somebody. I didn’t feel like I was learning new words or making any progress. I had plateaued and plateaued hard.

Then, my dear friend returned to the country with my new kindle. I downloaded a few primers to get used to reading in spanish. Free downloads are available on kindle that tell fairytales using simple vocabulary. My intent was to read these to further immerse myself in the language. (Yeah, because being in a Spanish speaking country surrounded by Spanish speakers 90% of the time isn’t immersion enough!) Anyway – my good intentions went to the wind when I realized the vocabulary wasn’t quite simple enough for me and I found myself bouncing back and forth to the Spanish dictionary so often that it took me a good half-an-hour to read four sentences. Perhaps with more learning, that will become realistic.

Continue reading “Platicando en Espanol”

Mas Espanol, Por Favor

Tomorrow marks 2 months here in Nicaragua. Prior to leaving, my hope was that I would be fluent in Spanish at 2 months into my trip. I’ve discovered, though, that Spanish language, like anything else in life, presents the opportunity for constant learning. That is to say, there’s always more to know!

However, I am pleased with my rate of learning. I’m happy that I can understand the majority of a conversation when the speaker slows it down for me. I’ve even found that I can translate when a native Spanish speaker is speaking to an English speaker. (Again, speaking very slowly!)

Continue reading “Mas Espanol, Por Favor”

Spanish as a Path to Svadhyaya

I had a moment of triumph this morning when I finally remembered the word for stapler — ingrapadora. This after almost a month of asking for the…what do you call it again? Squeezing motions with my hands while I hold up the pile of papers, corners dangling, wishing to be connected by a small metal staple.

Another moment of triumph last night as I spoke with a tour guide from Esteli who was in town touring the yoga studio with one of his clients. Even though he spoke rapidly, I was able to keep up without asking to ask him to slow down. (One of the first phrases I learned…”mas despacio, por favor!”)

I find myself slipping into English less often. Continue reading “Spanish as a Path to Svadhyaya”

Slower, Please

It turns out that my Spanish is wretched. Ok, I knew it wasn’t great, but I truly have been studying with a few different programs at home, and oh my — you wouldn’t know it to listen to me in a conversation. This morning, the lamp in my room crashed to the floor, shattering the light bulb. This put me in need of a new light bulb, a broom, and a dustpan. The conversation I had went something like this….

me – “Good morning, how are you?”

Ella – “Good morning! Very well, and you?”

me – “Very well…….I need…” here, I mime sweeping with a broom.

Continue reading “Slower, Please”