Jennifer Waters Yoga

Proud

2012-01-14T23:51:00.000-08:00

Recently someone close to me expressed worry that I was not proud of them... First of all, who would ever put me on that pedestal to have that sort of opinion may not have the right person for the job and Secondly, I have learned that to make anyone proud of you one has to first be proud of themselves.

I always wanted my Mother to be proud of me and remember fondly these conversations of how I become this person she would be proud of. It was never what you thought the answer would be it wasn't a certain figure that I needed to make or live a certain way or even have a certain job it was always a reflection of my own happiness. To my mom my own happiness was the key to her being proud of me.

At first seems simpler than achieving a certain figure, job title or lifestyle but yet how easy is it to be happy? It changes for me day to day. Some days I am super happy and others I am sad. Overall though I am in a state of happiness a majority of time. I didn't even have the guts to ask my mom the question are you proud of me UNTIL I actually felt proud of myself or even some what accomplished in my goals. Yes, my mother was determined to have me finish my degree and if I hadn't have ever asked her I may have thought that would do the trick but it wasn't until I was actually some what happy that she said she was proud of me.

Now I look at myself being asked this very question about someone I love and I find myself muddling with what would make me proud of someone. Again hard for me to even put myself in that peer role but if I had to I guess resilience, grace and poise are the qualities that I think come from accomplishment. And for some reason pride and proud-fulness are words that are mini finish lines along our life's journey.

The dictionary says...

proud |proud|

adjective

1 feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated : a proud grandma of three boys | she got nine As and he was so proud of her.

• (of an event, achievement, etc.) causing someone to feel this way : we have a proud history of innovation.

• having or showing a consciousness of one's own dignity : I was too proud to go home.

• having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself or one's importance : a proud, arrogant man.

• imposing; splendid : bulrushes emerge tall and proud from the middle of the pond.

2 [ predic. ] Brit. slightly projecting from a surface : when the brake is engaged, the lever does not stand proud of the horizontal.

I love the relationship between dignity and proud-fulness in the definition. I think it takes dignity to even ask someone if they are proud of you. It shows you care to hear feedback and what a version of the universe thinks and feels about you. You must have a strong even center to even ask this question and to make yourself this vulnerable.

Pride when out of balance can move us towards detachment and not remember how much we are a part of everything that made us who we are but the shear will to ask if someone else is proud of you is a healthy dose of pride in my opinion.

Happy "Goodness" Friday!

2011-04-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

One of the highest tantric teaching is to look for the intrinsic goodness in all things. It sounds so simple and it is and yet, so powerful!

Ask yourself the question: What do I love about myself most today?

Whatever your answer is, that is the key to unlocking an awakening of connection to yourself. You can harmonize yourself with this remembrance and thus do the same when you see others.

Whatever your purpose... to feel liberated, enlightened or happy... all the same this teaching is fundamental, intrinsic and a door to possibilities.

A practice for someone special...

2011-04-23T01:35:00.000-07:00

Contrary to my last entry and class I taught... this time what if you practiced for someone special. Especially someone who really needs some extra love. Give it a try to see if you are able to surprise yourself and do more than you think you can?

We are meant to connect. There is a nerve bundle called the Vagus nerve and it fires when you see or experience connection. When it fires it releases a drug called oxcitocin, which is cleverly nicknamed the "love" hormone. Thus Science would say that we should feel happier if we seek to connect and cooperate.

Energetically we can use this in our practice since it really isn't the postures that are going to make us happier per say. They may make us happier in our bodies and relieve pain but it's the intention that we add to the practice that really makes for a great recipe. Say you practice for a specific friend, thus adding the magical ingredient of "love" or connection or meaning. Whoa meaning! love! connection!... I think my vagus nerve is firing... my chest is expanding and I'm feeling a little teary and excited. :)

Since it's also been Scientifically proven that the human race is connected then if you practice for someone else they will feel it and what a great gift to give a friend an energetic moment of pure love and specially delivered by universe.

I am the most important...

2011-04-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

"I am the most important..." I don't know about you but that phrase just doesn't quite feel right. How can it be true when there is such a huge world out there their has to be someone or something more important than me, right? Then I remembered the Tantric view and theory on why this world exists... to delight and be aware. So why wouldn't the universe want to delight and learn through me?

So what exactly should I do since I am the most important and why?

The first part of that question is easy, its bhavana or another question asking you what you want to create. Though it is cliche, love and beauty, are the first things that come to mind.

There was this guru who said to a student asking if Asana practice was a means to an end or necessary part of the yogic path in order to achieve happiness. The guru responded by saying, "you can make a meal for a loved one and you can make that same meal for a not so loved one. The meal is going to be the same on the outside but the energy within it will be different." So we can practice asanas and they may all look the same on the outside but that is not what matters its the inside.

This leads to the WHY? question. An advanced practitioner of life would ask why they are making the meal, practicing asana, taking the walk and for who perhaps? If you do what makes you happy its for you! This is where the universe's comic dance perfectly aligns within you and you sing a greater song, dance a bigger dance and shine bigger from the inside attracting more things that you will like.

Do what makes you happy, for who makes you happy and keep asking yourself why to make sure your heart is in everything you do. <3

Bad Dreams.... Good Day?

2011-01-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

How are you supposed to have a good day after waking up from a horrific dream? Paralyzed by my dream I wondered how I was going to move but previous to that question I wondered WHY did I have that awful dream?

Good 'ole Google reminds me that bad dreams are a simple reminder that the universe and our subconscious are having to work over time while we are asleep because we hadn't been proactive in our life. In some way I hadn't be showing up enough in some aspect of my life.... so there was my solution... wake up and show up more today!

Leaders whether they are in public view or leaders by example are the ones who come up with solutions... they are not the ones who complain or tip toe by their problems. They face them with grace, honesty and dignity so that everything is resolved, moved through, faced and transformed when necessary.

So be the leaders we are meant to be... strong and open to discover the solutions!

Consumed by mystery...

2011-01-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

The first principle in Anusara Yoga's elegant system is "open to grace." Which could mean anything when you just phrase it as such but broken down and unpacked it means... philosophically you remember something bigger than just yourself, you begin with a students mind open and porous, your inner body gets brighter, you settle, you soften your skin and truly all things come into balance when you relate yourself to the universe and the awe-inspiring potential in each of us.

OTG (open to grace) happens all the time, is threaded through all of the other principles and is essentially what happens when any of the other principles or all of them come into perfect balance. So the first principle is the key to everything and know that the first step is threaded through everything why not treat every moment as the most important first we have ever embarked upon. Everything is a first!

So poor yourself like fuel into the flames of your life and be consumed by mystery.

Room in our hearts...

2011-01-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

In order to maintain anything it takes effort. Energy delicately matching our ambition. And if you are like me you don't dream small, everything needs to go to its fullest, its ultimate state and be larger than life. Which is not always the easiest ambition to sustain and to be quite honest, this ambition feels like the undoing to the progression. Just like anything we have to stop and get gas, we can't just blaze through. Actually, I even have hope for us to have natural friction perpetuating technology on day but totally off subject... Regardless, it takes effort to match your ambition, which poses an interesting question... How much?

The variables in this equation are Ambition, Effort and Sustaining that relationship. So first off 'how much' do you want it? Secondly, 'how much' effort do you need to get the ball rolling to the point where your energy and ambition meet? And finally how the heck do you keep it going? We as yogis talk about going deeper all the time but does that mean to "go deeper"? I mean where do we dig? How do we dig? Who's to say that digging would even get us to that deeper place?

I posed this question to my beloved who tends to have a completely different pair of binoculars to look through at the world than I do. He says "Soften". Soften to go deeper and I thought well that sounds a lot like what John Friend would say about melting our hearts but I was looking in the efforting category of tools to go deeper. So a light bulb goes off in my mind! In order to sustain the ambition you need to hug in strong to it but at the same time make room in your heart for all the joys of the world.

Make room in your heart for all the joys of the world.... what's ambition without a little chocolate along the way. Getting there should be just as sweet as all the effort. And make every effort one of JOY!

In our yoga practice we can effort more with the areas of our bodies that don't always join in and then melt open the place where the dreams and ambitions come from to make room for all the joys to flow in.

The Re-charge!

2011-01-04T23:55:00.000-08:00

It is auspiciously the New Moon of the New Year and what a great time to re-charge your intentions. After the New Year you feel a super flux of energy super excitement to a super calm and how easy it is to steer off your consistant goals when there is such a tidal wave of energies. So it works out well this year to have a New Moons energies recharge your intentions and vigor to maintain your goals you hold dear to your heart.

Something we all hold dear is our integrity, its the luster you see in yourself when you glance in the mirror, its the confidence and commitment you use to support your friends and its your ability to serve others with fluid grace. Sometimes we need a reminder; that at our essence we are good and that we just do our best just like everyone else does. And I don't know about you but the New Year feels fresh and new with possibilities of new starts. Everything is a new opportunity for make CHIT (awareness) happen!

Give it your best go and keep a consistent flow so that you don't get knocked off course. Happy New Year and many blessings to you and yours! <3>

Brighten the dullness

2010-12-30T01:50:00.000-08:00

With the darkest day is behind us... we step into longer and brighter days! So lets pump up the light in our lives and live it with the brightest intentions. The energy after Winter Solstice feels slow moving after the holidays everything is a little less exciting so it is up to us to pump it up. The easiest way to get making "shift happen" is to find the meaning. It is the end of the year where we are as close as it gets to the beginning so be grateful for the journey it took you to get here.

Be ever grateful for every person and experience that happened to make this current moment possible. It has made you who you are and that is always something to be grateful for. No matter if it was the best or worst year of your life be grateful and see the good things. By doing this you send a memo to the universe saying thanks for the "love" and I am ready for more.

"Gratitude is the gateway to love" - JF

The Darkest Day of the Year

2010-12-21T01:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Winter Solstice!

Tis' the darkest day of the year... longest night and shortest day. Many things are born in the dark... dreams, seeds and even wishes. We drop wishes into dark wells with hope and belief that they will be heard. This day of the year is where nature aligns at a threshold awakes to all possibilities. All we really ever need to do to make things grow is to align with the natural flow of nature.

Tonight we practiced with our eyes closed for the entire practice. This not only challenges and strengthens our inner practice, senses and connection but it also allows us to practice belief. Belief in ourselves first and foremost, in our dreams or wishes and of course others and the power of the universe.

Dive deep into the darkness and your hearts inner guidance and offer blessings in the form of wishes and dreams out to the universe.

How many yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb?

2010-12-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

How many Bikram teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three. One to preheat the new bulb, one to screw it in and one to remind the light bulb changer to “Lockyourknees Lockyourknees Lockyourknees!”
How many Anusara teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Four. One to hold the bulb, one to outer-spiral the ladder to screw in the bulb, one to say what a great community light-bulb changing creates and one to clap when it is over.
How many Iyengar teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three. One to put a block under the bulb, one to wrap a strap around the bulb and one to talk about their personal experience with Mr. Iyengar.
How many Ashtanga Yoga teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one, except it is done while ujjayi breathing at 6am holding mula bandha with one leg behind the head.
How Many Power Yoga Teachers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Three. One to reach for the bulb in utkattasana, one to sweat profusely and one to turn up the volume on the sound system.
How many Viniyoga Teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to unscrew the old bulb and one to screw in the new bulb since they ideally only handle one bulb at a time.
How many Kundalini Yoga Teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? None – they don’t change it, they just revive the old bulb with ‘breath of fire’.
How many Yoga Therapy Yoga Teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three. One to screw it in, one to mention all the bones and muscles used in the installation and one to use the word “circumduction”.
How many Yin Yoga Teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to unscrew the old lightbulb and one to groan as the old lightbulb finally releases.
How many Restorative Yoga Teachers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to take the old bulb out and lay it on a bolster and one to wake up the new bulb by turning on the wall switch.
How many Raja Yogins does it take to screw in a lightbulb? One to just sit and become the light.
How many Bhakti Yogins does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. They just learn to love darkness.
How many Karma Yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to screw the new bulb in and one to help surrender the fruits of the old bulb’s illuminations.
How many Jnana Yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one to flick the switch up and down and observe their own continued presence beyond light and darkness.
How many Tantra Yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb? As many as they consciously desire.
How many Advaita Yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb? Only One of course. And they were predestined to do it. By Another. Even though there’s only One, of course.
How many Vichar Yogins does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to stand underneath the lightbulb and ask “Who am I?”, which then causes the light bulb to come on.
How many Yoga Philosophers does it take to screw in a lighgtbulb? Four. One to debate the reality of the burned out bulb, two to argue if the truth is found better in light or darkness and one to write about it. But the bulb never gets changed.

Talented Negotiators

2010-12-07T00:11:00.001-08:00

To find a "Happy Medium" in any situation there needs to be at the basic level a commonality between the two parties. Discover this by seeing the good in each other. This is the easiest way and even more basic at least you both agree to LISTEN.

This applies to our asana practice in that by design we have a "Happy Medium" directly built in to our system. It is the midline of our bodies. Slice the body in half and along the middle runs a channel of energy (shushuna), a bridge between the hemispheres of our brains and a place where we can feel centered and balanced. If we are able to strengthen our own connections between these seemingly opposites sides of our bodies then hopefully we be able to find common ground in any of life's seemingly opposing situations.

How far could a little more listening take us?

What if we tried to gain more understanding before offering our side?

If in fact we were able to perfectly sync up the right and left sides of our bodies, we would have a greater chance for the left and right hemispheres of our brains to communicate to one another thus using our fullest capacity to be brilliant. And they don't call it "Happy Medium" for nothing... :)

...the end

2010-12-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

"it's when it's seemingly at the end... that we are called to be our brightest"

As the ending seemingly of Yoga Swami draws nearer, I pause and reflect and am compelled to grow brighter...

... in spirit

... in intelligence

... in compassion

Not gripping the experience but holding it as precious and close to my heart as I can. The experience flows through slower and I feel the fragility of things I may take for granted. I may never practice to the person next to me and I may never practice in this way like I have today but clinging and gripping only makes it worse. Shining brighter actually feels more healthy, life affirming and even eases transitions in and out of postures.

Remain your brightest especially when faced with the moment of dissolving energy it is so precious, sweet and can bring such clarity to our feelings.

Water & Wonder

2010-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

The way you end one cycle is the way you begin another. The way we go to bed at night and end one day will effect how we wake up the next day. The way we end one posture will transfer to the beginning of the next posture. This Restorative class that I have taught at Yoga Swami for 5 years is being threatened of being its last. So in honoring the possibility I hold the highest regard for the ending of this cycle of classes.

Like water though in a bottle it is contained but when let out it is relentless. It will find a way to be free and fluid. We must be like the water fluid in our transitions and relentless to find new hope. Use the gift of WONDER to melt the minds frustrations and fears into curiosity. Wonder with open hearts and minds how to flow smoothly and grace filled into the next stage of this journey.

Blessings to the entire Yoga Swami Family... and Gratitude for all the beings who have made this Restorative space and class so successful and special. <3

Light the Candle and Purify

2010-12-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

When I was little I remember one Holiday season where we light the candles like Jewish practitioners would do and all I can remember is us just going through the motions and never really understanding WHY this is a tradition and is practiced. SO this year I decided to Wikipedia the meaning. I found a great story about how the jewish people had reclaimed a favored temple and needed to purify it. Their theory was in order to purify the temple you had to burn a candle for 8 days however, they only had enough oil for one. Miraculously the oil left the candle burning for 8 days!

This made perfect sense and what a great time of year to light the flame and purify. Fire brings 3 great qualities; heat, light and transformative power. Getting warm enough in ones body you can feel more and sync up your actions better. Lighting your focus with clear and presence only supports a more accurate use of ones abilities. Transforming energy within our own temples to serve us better in the next years sounds perfect and protective as many people get sick during these months of Holi-daze!

Hugging muscle energy in and keeping the inner bright with breath supports a well balanced and even scrubbing of our bodies temples. Even simply holding a posture and just breathing into the form clears the channels of energy as they flow through you. So 8 days of lighting candles can be the perfect metaphor for what we do in our bodies to cleanse our own temples each year.

Happy Chanukah!

Trust & Muscle Energy

2010-12-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

To many of us Trust is a gift an offering where as if you were to practice Trust you would want to embody it and that would mean you would need to be strong and full of stamina. Muscle energy or hugging ones muscles to bones creates stability. Stability, strength and steadfastness is what you really want in your friends.

I found a list recently of all of the efficacy of ones practice. One effect of practicing yoga is that you are able to see the divine play. To me this one is huge because I didn't always see it that way... I saw utter chaos and glimpses of intrinsic order and only when it was going my way. I remember the day that my perspective shifted and I just happened to be practicing yoga and the instructor, John Friend was pointing out how the rainbow always appears in the same order, when practicing postures in a certain order opens up the body. When rain drops fall they seem chaotic but when measured from beneath they create a pattern. The order is always shifting so we have to chase it in the shakti and keep lining up with it. Easier said than done I know...

Embody the trust, by first feeling things as they are as raw as they may appear then hug in muscles to bones embodying the trust and then flow in order with the shakti or how the energy moves you.

Friendship

2010-11-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

Friendship is such a blessing and each of us has angels of virtue who will never know how much they have affected us and there really is no way of expressing this besides simply living their teachings. Dedicating a practice, meditation or day to a friend is a sweet gift to remember and celebrate their virtues and teachings. Embody friendship!

What would be the qualities of this?

- commitment

- steadfastness

- balance

First be friendly with yourself, make friends with this vessel you have been given especially when it is stiff and not as mobil. To do this hug your muscles to the bones and that is when the body feels its safest. Then commit to hold steady in every posture like your friend was there for you.

There are 4 types of friends:

1. Teacher - someone who has walked the path before you

2. Student - someone who looks to you for guidance

3. Equal Friend - someone who walks beside you along the path

4. Not so Friend - someone who makes it difficult for you to walk your path

We experience these levels in our postures and that is why we practice so many diverse postures in yoga. This allows us to practicing making friends with even the most wobbly or difficult postures. Again the key is the hug the muscles to bones and then balance that with an extension through your bones. This sounds easy but we often don't recruit all of the muscles of our bodies. Some stay asleep and yet some over work. Find the perfect balance in a relationship in your body and you will be honoring all of the friend relationships in your life. Especially the one you dedicate your practice too.... practice their teachings.

What a great thing for someone to say about you.... You are a great friend!

Thank You - Mantra

2010-11-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

Each year for Thanksgiving my we will go around the table and each tell about what we are most thankful for. This is such a wonderful practice. It allows us to dive into our hearts when we remember our blessings. It creates a marker each year to reflect back on and sends a message to the universe/shakti that you not only appreciate this but are ready for more in the next year.

A fun practicing using this wisdom is to reflect first and then sum up the thing you are most grateful for into ONE word. Usually a heart quality comes from this such as: love, trust, patience, friendship, health, confidence, etc. Write this down on some special piece of paper and meditate chanting the "thank you" mantra.

To chant a mantra with the most effectiveness sing it internally with every cell of your being. Perhaps even feel how your inner being and brightness stays steady and buoyant with the mantra as your outer being melts around your inner body listening to the sweetness of the mantras vibration and teachings. Other things to notice; the colors you see when your eyes are closed, the dance around the mantra as the center of the meditation, and how the resistant areas of your body receive the mantra.

Whenever something of a maha or great teaching comes along say a little "thank you" mantra to sing back to the universe acknowledging the blessings.

thanksGiving

2010-11-23T22:13:00.000-08:00

Making everything we do an offering filters us to be our best selves. Even receiving everything as an offering allows it to flow through you sweeter. Every breath, thought and action a gift to the universe, your friends and teachers.

When practicing each posture as a mudra or gesture you are reflecting each moment on what is the most thoughtful gift. Asking the question: am I really giving it my best effort? Am I balancing and sustaining my energy knowing that each movement after will be considered an offering as well?

Welcome everything as it is, receiving it as a gift and then pouring our best self through everything we do. We all are moving, living and loving works of art lets flow and offer this as our truth.

Happy thanksGiving!

Loyalty

2010-11-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

Loyalty encompasses 2 virtues... A strong steadfastness in your commitment to that which you are loyal and a tender, open, sensitivity to be there for them even when its at its most difficult. You would never let your friend down and this is a major part of a yogi's practice. We strive to be the people you can count on. We want you to feel safe around us. We are all born with this potential but we must remember and cultivate are skills in order to do this to the capacity and level that our lives, community and universe ask of us.

These intrinsic virtues can be used to take our yoga practice to the next level. Also, help us to embody these virtues deeper. So without words we stand tall, hold strong with the utmost sweetness to our friends and loved ones they know we support them.

This theme was inspired by the great spirited people of Metro-Detroit. With their hard work ethic and sweet sensitivity we have "Built this City" solid with loyalty to our culture. It is a rich culture at that, full of love for Cars, Music, Sports and the essentials Water. :) To my peeps, thanks for seeing me, I surely see you!

Yoga is for flexibility...

2010-11-10T00:51:00.000-08:00

It is a huge misconception that Yoga is for flexibility and that in order to get flexible you stretch. Actually you can only be truly as flexible as you are strong and strong as you are flexible. Allow me to explain...
If you were a true rubber band man then your knuckles would touch the ground by now and you wouldn't be much of a man. If you were a true strong man then you wouldn't be able to pick up the dumb bells in order to do the squats to make you strong. As in our bodies so it is in life... in order to navigate this world we have to hold strong to the people we cherish, protect them and serve. On the other hand if we gripped to hard we might not be able to get out of the way when things in life are falling apart.

Hold strong with discipline and you can actually become more flexible... be open minded and flexible enough to navigate your body with brilliance and you can fire the muscle groups you don't necessarily always do and you will be able to strengthen and stretch in balance. Muscles hug to bones so that your joints are protects and you can then shine out through your bones and feel balanced energy flowing through you.

Hug to those you love and be strong to continue your practice so that you can shine and navigate this complex and adventurous world.

Beauty in the World

2010-11-10T00:41:00.000-08:00

Teaching a class at Lululemon is not only an honor but a great opportunity to celebrate beauty. It's one of the things that we can all agree on... we all know the what we think is beautiful and not so beautiful. We can all agree when something is unfinished, messy or even not as beautiful as it could be and its not judgment its just our nature to seek the beauty in life. Honestly, there is so much beauty in the world its sometimes hard to drink it all in.

If each yoga posture we practice is an offering then how can we honor our gifts and talents? We simply have to move to the Lakshmi of the posture. The final, full fruition and best we could possibly be at in that moment. If we go there anyone observing your practice will see the beauty of your efforts and minimally if you smile then its contagious. Smile from the inside in every pose and you will know your practicing at your capacity.

To inspire you here is one of my favorite songs to have stuck in my head... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qX7ZsxD3Ik&ob=av3e

Rainbow Spanda

2010-11-10T00:31:00.001-08:00

Weaving and spiraling through our bodies is color, vibration and sound. Like a rainbow its orderly and leaves a map of density. Even down to the smallest nadis, acupuncture points or meridians these are places of nada... or sound. Everything vibrates and not only can we see the color and density but we can feel the vibratory quality.

If we sang up our spines we would travel through a complete symphony of sounds. Starting at the base with lower and slower sounds all the way to the top where it might be so high pitched and quick we can't hear it or see it.

This rainbow bridge of vibrational centers is referred to as our chakras, a map for us to guide with attention them into a steady and balanced pulse. If each of these centers vibrates at a harmonious pace then we create balanced cells which simply mean they are healthy. Health is a pretty high reason to practice attention to the details. :)

Forgiveness

2010-11-10T00:11:00.000-08:00

Forgiveness means seeing the good even when we are blinding by the past, the hurt and the trauma. Though, what we often don't realize is that it is us that is suffering by not loosening our grip to those things we hold with tension. I don't know about you but I would do pretty much anything to not suffering... it's optional after all. So it may take practice but once you see one thing that is good, that makes you laugh or that connects you to that object or person, your vision will grow and you will empty of your hatred, gripping, and friction and be truly filled with life's love and beauty that is already there.

So in class we all shared the postures we haven't made friends with yet just as an experiment to see if practicing them would trigger us and if we could bring ourselves to not only practice them but see the good in them. Together we all celebrating and shared in our human capacity to choose to love or hate. To grow or to stay the same and of course to suffer or not... we all survived the postures and felt like bigger beings because of it.

Shift Happens

2010-11-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

I can't stand the idea that my life is written and set in stone. That I am simply this character in a movie just playing my story all the way through. That would mean that nothing I do really makes a difference and no matter how hard I try nothing will change. This concept simply doesn't make sense. A friend of mine Manoj, a Murti dealer who loves telling the story of his scroll he found in India. There is this city in India holds the"shiva scrolls" that are written in time according to Shiva. You can visit this place and if you do your scroll is there and will tell you your past, present, future and even when you die. He has visited this place and knows when he dies, even has shared with me that his wife is happy because she dies before him. I think this is sweet because that means she can't stand living without him, I know the feeling.

Manoj being a friend of mine I felt compelled to confront him on this story because after careful contemplation, meditation and thought this concept doesn't feel right in my heart. I can't believe that this is all written that there is no way I can change my life and maybe that is because I have come so far from where I was. Just 9 years ago I was giving out cigarettes at bars in Detroit and yes, smoking cigarettes. I seem like an anomaly if you know me and know what kind of person I am today.

I asked Manoj if there is anyway we can change our scrolls and luckily he said "yes." He told me of this man who as soon as he had seen his scroll in India he began practicing meditation and preparing himself for his death. His scroll told him he was going to die at the age of 57. At the age of 57 this man like the scroll said rolled off a road in a violent car accident and walked awayunharmed. When asked what happened he told Manoj that he dropped deep into meditation, stayed calm and now is 70 years old. Further more, the man went back to the city in India to view his scrolls be he saw it and it actually hade changed. Re-written?

This was awesome news, though it seems mystical and impossible, I needed to hear that there was a possibility! Not only can I re-write my scrolls but the practice that I hold dear is potent enough to bring thatkind of presence and make me adept to change and navigate this life. We may all be flowing down a river but I get a paddle and the better I refine my skills with the paddle the better I can navigate this life's obstacles.

With precision and practice.... Shift Happens!!!

Purna

2010-10-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

One of the 6 attributes of the aboslute it's always interesting trying to talk about these in our relative world. Purna to be perfect in a way of being so empty your full and so full you empty. As the moon was full last night it was displaying its most brilliant light reflected from the sun. It shined down on me nudging me to awaken in the middle of the night.

Practicing with the fullest efforts invites the sweetest emptiness in the pauses. Oddly enough we can be fully present in the moments of emptiness so its all really balances out and makes our experience just perfect through purna goggles.

Let go and empty of worries and open up to fullness... brightness of a new day and work keenly in order to sustain your compacity for more fullness by balancing out the fullness and emptiness throughout the postures.

Precious & Temporary

2010-10-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

After weeks of no sun, a whirlwind of new experiences and minimal alone time I realize how precious the simple moments can be. A warm ray of sunshine as it seems to poke out of through the clouds and shine upon my face and no one else. Remembering how lucky I am to have such great teachers who believe in me and a moment like right NOW to just soak in it all. So Precious! Since my teacher always talks about meaning, and attitude I figured it would be a great practice to dive into discovering what that is in each moment. After reflecting, comparing and contrasting between all the things that hold meaning to me, in the end its the people who believe in me that can part the seas for me. They can break, build, empower and make me go the extra mile.

This simple realization makes me know even more in my heart that we are all connected. In this web of love we each have the power to tug and stretch one another to the edge of our capability. How vulnerable this makes me feel... and yet knowing this truth makes me feel empowered to know my source of fuel whenever I need to go further, deeper and stronger.

This leads me to the point of this entry... inspired by my teachers and ever more grateful to them I am beginning an additional blog called "Thank you letters to my teachers." This idea has been with me for sometime but after truly discovering my meaning I feel I owe it to my teachers for guiding me to the door, portal and place.

My teacher, John Friend would say the highest teaching he could give anyone is "remember your teachers." This phrase plugs you into your heart, your meaning and the depth of power that comes from caring about a legacy, that is of our humanity.

Why and How?

2010-10-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

"he who has the why to live bears no burden by the how"

In other words if you know why then you know how as well. In each of our hearts in a meaning encased in a diamond... as we all know diamonds are forever. This meaning pulses in us and can be the reason we wake up in the morning, the reason we practice and the reason why we do anything and everything.

Excavate the cave of your heart in search of that diamond that is your everlasting treasure.

To and From...

2010-10-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Where are you coming from and what do you want to move towards? Put the to and the from on opposite teams but give them equal stats and let your consciousness play between them finding the contrast as a beautiful game of life. Love where you are and move towards what you want to be and may you find more freedom there.

We can use the "to and from" to help fully expand and integrate our postures. The focal point of a posture often get's referred to but how often do you really track the pathway of the prana as it flow from and to? Honor your curves... feel a balanced flow of energy... can you hug in as much as you extend yourself?

Meditation and practice on the pulsation of focal points and it can ultimately lead you to finding more freedom from refining, reflecting and remembering the integration of your past experiences.

Beautiful like a rainbow...

2010-10-08T14:24:00.001-07:00

Cool Eye Art I am in love with these photos of human eyes... enjoy!

Opposing Energies

2010-10-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Nelson Mandela brought the two opposing energies of his people together with one common thread... they all love to win a world cup and/or root for a team that represents them as a country. The blacks didn't even like rugby and the whites didn't even know their new countries national anthem but through the commonality both were remedied.

The opposing energies can be brought together with a common love or even enemy... so really its about finding the commonality. In each pose we have a midline and it dances with each posture but it comes together and expands apart equally. For some of us that means we have to hug in more because we are already very expansive and for others they need to expand out more to celebrate all their hugging in.

We all want to make beauty in this world and we all appreciate beauty so that usually a great common thread to pull into when building anything with the opposing actions.

Trust in Laundry

2010-10-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

As many of you know the european's don't use dryers for their clothes and a friend of mine who was visiting from Denmark. We did our laundry together and her clothes were "dried" for the first time in their existence. I don't think she knew exactly what was going to happen to her clothes because when she went to hold them up she realized they all shrank. Especially the shirts that used to be long enough to wear as dresses. They were no longer dresses but shirts with 3/4 sleeves... :)

This was hilarious to say the least and she was thrilled to have an entirely new wardrobe. I was so impressed with how she handled it. She could have totally lost her "chit" and gone off but instead she giggled and made light of it.

We put faith in our washing machines every time we put our clothes in there. Ever hear of the sock monster? Do we always handle the oops's in life with elegance and giggles? Each time we practice we can use those moments when our leg is chattering and soften lighten up a bit and move through it with sweetness.

A healthy dose of spacious luminosity keeps us giggling through the tough times and safe in the transitions.

Nothing like the Dentist to test ones practice...

2010-10-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

After teaching a class with a loving theme about loving yourself, your reflection and finding the beauty first... I go to the Dentist right after and am met with an even bigger challenge. The dentist revealed how frightening it is to not be in control, to not know if you can really trust the person, and experience utter pain in such an uncompromising place.

I kept saying to myself you can do this use your yoga training... 3 hours of poking, proding, numbing and sucking and in the last 30 minutes I finally was able to meditate through it. FEW! Better late than never I guess. My body was tense the first 2.5 hours and I just kept working at it... softening the areas of my body that were cringing and reacting to the pain and in the last 30 minutes I was simply watching a movie.

I am not saying that this should always be our goal to separate ourselves completely from the pain because the pain is good I obviously needed to experience 2.5 hours of steady trauma. It made the last 30 minutes sweet and peace-filled. Also, I am now realizing that as the Novocaine wears off I am prepared for the residual pain to come.

Basically I am trying to say is just when you think your practice is working the universe is full of obstacles, surprises and adversity to challenge where ever you think you are at. There is no stillness in success it is a constant pulsation of effort and surrender. When you think about it we are not alone that is life, a constant struggle, pull, prod and pulse of all things gaining a losing its self of accomplishment.

Is it working?

2010-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

How do you know your practice is working? Whether it be pranayama, asana, eating habits or even just living the best life you can? How do you know it's working?

This is one of my favorite contemplations because why stick with something if it isn't working? I only practice yoga because it works for me, it's not the easy way that is for sure but I love the Shiva-Shakti Tantra philosophy, the incorporation of breath and practice and that I have become more aware and delightful person.

I used to say that I would know if my practice is working if I kept noticing how my relationships kept improving... and they have. Though I had totally forgotten about my relationship with myself. A few mornings ago after a week of lack of sleep and criticizing myself as I look in the mirror always looking for the improvements... this one morning I first saw how beautiful I was and nearly fell over because of my immediate response. I first wondered what I had done but after much reflection I think it is a reflection of my practice and how the mirror really bounces back what is going on.

Firsts and Lasts

2010-10-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

Being away from home for sometime allowed me to enter back into my home life with such a fresh perspective. Ever encounter, person, experience was like I was a baby who just came into the world of wonder. This is also highlighted by 2 of the 5 actions of shiva... concealment and revealment. Like playing peeka-boo with a baby each time is fresh and exciting. This is how we can make a lengthy meditation practice feel special each moment of it.

The mystery sustains the meditation... when the outer world is concealed what is the goodness you see inside yourself? What is revealed that you hold precious and can sit with for a long period of time?

If you conceal the outerworld and all you see is good, imagine when you open your eyes for the first time how beautiful of an outerworld you will see.

Repetitions & Monotony

2010-10-03T12:47:00.001-07:00

Ever have that moment of brilliance when you realized that you have been here before. You see so clearly that you are in a groove of the past and replaying the cycle... though this time you have a chance to make a shift.

This is your chance to find that balance of settled knowing and skillful action. Take the other path if only to see how it feels. Believe that you can make a shift in your entire life in one practice, day even moment.

Shift happens and its happening to you if you don't make it yourself.

Building from the foundation...

2010-08-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

We have all had those times in our lives when we feel in the flow... someone calls you right as your thinking of them... you show up at the perfect time to be a part of something special... someone just happens to be going through the same thing you are and you have someone to talk too... this is what happens when we are in alignment... these moments mean so much to us and can ultimately change our lives and our beliefs.

We build our alignment from the ground up just like we would a building, a home even our dreams...

Hip opening postures assist in preparing us for all other postures but especially help with establishing the foundation of a posture. Our bodies are built with a brilliant architectural structure, though begin with the same four corner base. When we find our best alignment we feel more connected to ourselves and ultimately to others because when we are aligned we flow with all the energy and beings around us.

Let's build our days, dreams and posture from the ground up. Hug in and root making space for growth and connection...

What makes home.... hOMe?

2010-08-06T01:21:00.000-07:00

After traveling for almost a month and coming home to a disheveled house in which a water main broke, the oven was pulled from the wall and a hole cut out in the bathroom I was hit with the contemplation of what makes a home... homey and what makes home... hOMe?

A hug that covers your circumference
A cushion that you can sprawl your limbs on
A smell of your mothers hair and/or cooking
A taste of the spices your grandmother used
A place you went to over and over when you were a child
A friends smile framed with their support and confidence in you
and most importantly a channel for energy to flow...

The first thing I do when I get back from a trip is take a bath. There is something womb like about sitting in warm water with candles, essential oils, epsom salt and music that equalizes my mood and allows me to settle. This ritual for me is like cleansing the Puja (alter) before placing a Murti (statue of deity) for the first time in its new home. However, the alter has to get a cleansing as well sometimes.

When there isn't space for our senses to breath we notice it...

How good it is to be home but how I wish my home felt more like hOMe... You can name it whatever you want but it isn't home until it is.

Cupcakes and Community

2010-07-14T04:47:00.000-07:00

In order to build community my hosts have been holding "goutes" which is like an early dinner snack with the intention of gathering locals to see their little store and enjoy conversation. So my host asked me if I would make cupcakes for this event. We made them in the morning and I showed them how to hoop, contact juggle and yoga in between batches. They both were naturals with both activities and I can't wait to hear and see how they progress when I do leave. While outside hooping a neighbor friend of theirs came over to discuss an exchange of support from one another. Knowing that this gentlemen has a tendency to spread the word quick through the town I handed him the hoop and invited him to show us his moves. He was great though he only did it once and wouldn't try it again.

Breakfast: Tea

Lunch: Lettuce & lambs quarter (poorman's spinach), tomatoes, assorted cheeses and berries in homemade yogurt.

Dinner: Lettuce & lambs quarter, tomatoes, assorted cheeses, baguette, slice of ham and cupcakes.

I guess the french like any excuse to eat. During the goute, which only a few loyal and adventurous people came to I busted out the hoola hoop again and gradually all of the girls tried it out. By the end of the fun they were practicing tricks and having a blast. The smiles on their faces were priceless! It is really hard for a small community to try something new because they have so much fear of each other judging them. There is a lack of city folk confidence and so they often coward under the spotlight of newness. However, today they conquered! With valiant effort and glorious swivels they shined so much the rain and clouds rolled into balance out the energy.

Since I haven't been near weather in a while it was strange that all of a sudden today I felt the rushing breeze turn into a cold front. I remembered the tornado show I watch on TV and so the hosts scrambled out to get the horses while I watched the shop and watched 3 mini funnel clouds poke out but not drop down thankfully. I love the wind but these fragile french villages would be devastated by a tornado.

Every community needs a heart beat... a hub of happening where they can all feel connected to the place they live and have a focal point to discuss. Keep your loved ones close and a good cupcake recipe in your pocket in the event you need to build some more community.

People are beautiful...

2010-07-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

Today I did my usual morning routine (run then eat breakfast) then we went into Djon and shopped for decorations for cupcakes as well as other errands my hosts had to do. We ended up walking through town and I couldn't help but feel that I really wanted to get back out to the country. The drive was long to get anywhere, though we stopped at a jam making company and a grain making company. Both were organic, masters of their craft and took great pride in their products. Later that night we went to a village event for July 14th, the French Independence Day. It is pretty much the same as American Independence Day; BBQ, Kids lighting off fire crackers, people drinking a lot of wine in this case and sweet gossip about one another.

A small town is full of beautiful people. So small yet that when they get bored they resort to gossip. I define gossip as the comments that are not life affirming or nice about others. It is much more delightful and pleasant to talk about someone else in a way that affirms their goodness. At the same time I notice these simple people are so beautiful and normal. Each is full of insecurities and fear as well as a gift and life in the right setting.

It comes back time and time again to the highest... see the good in people first!

Breakfast: Poppy bread, jam, sweet thin tea cookies and tea.

Lunch: Ate out and I choose a salad that had a pasta salad with tomato sauce under arugula and goat cheese along with a tiny bottle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Dinner: Happy 14th of July - Village Dinner! Beef sausage, Pork Sausage, Pork on some bone, Lard (french specialty), Cucumber and Tomato salad w/mustard, oil & vinegar dressing, baguette, Camembert cheese and a chocolate drumstick.

Lots of fireworks and lots of laughs... even the speculation of what gossip was going to go around the next day. Including the chatter about "the american."

Simplicity is Precision...

2010-07-12T00:59:00.000-07:00

This morning I awoke before the sun... that is extremely rare for me... and just before the rooster started to cockadoodle doo! I put on my running shoes and began to run thinking I had a route, though I missed the road I was supposed to turn on and instead I simply ran down this hill with forest on both sides. On the way I passed 1 large pig and a baby pig... a heard of white cows that decided to run with me as I went by... and a pack of wild boar were digging for truffles. Hardly any cars were on the road though one stopped and asked me if I could give him directions... lol hillarious, right! Later we cleaned the horse stalls, picked weeds to feed to the chickens, watered the garden, painted the doors for the store and went into Largnes which is a close larger town to walk around and see the castles, churches and view of France.

Breakfast: peach/mint cake, poppy cake, fresh currants (black & red), raspberries, blueberries from the garden, blackberry jam they made homemade last year and ginseng tea.

Lunch: baguette like bread, cheese plate, mixed berries from the garden with homemade yogurt, couscous blend with pork and zucchini from the garden.

Dinner: blend of pork & fat in the form of a paste smeared on toasted baguette, polish whiskey, red sparkling champagne, shrimp in their shells, tomatoes and couscous.

It is odd that we call this type of lifestyle the "simple life." It is completely simple in some aspects such as using whole foods, tending to the tasks at hand, eating 3 square meals and sleeping at least 8 hours a night. Though have you ever tried to make homemade bread before? I noticed that she weighed the ingredients and so I asked why not just measure them and she replied its not as precise and you have room for error. When things are so simple precision is key! She mentioned that the garden would typically be a lot larger though due to the late ending winter she actually had to buy some vegetables since they aren't ready. There fore, the slightest imbalance in the weather affects the regular precision of things. The simple life is exciting... what do you do when the plan doesn't unfold? Luckily, the simple folk are masters of being resourceful as well and the French not only are resourceful but they can make damn near anything taste amazing! Simplicity with Precision...

Language

2010-07-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how attached we are to our language until we are plopped into a place where no speaks it or even if they do there is a translation process happening that doesn't always work. Sub-text doesn't translate exactly! This just proves that language or mantra is an equal manifestation of the heart and the mind. These two aspects of us marry to create an artistic baby of unique expression.

At first when you are hanging around with people who don't speak your language you feel like you can't wait to get out of there. However, you can't because you don't want to be rude and deep down you want to learn their language so you just be patient. Catch the little words here and there that you can or simply soften to observe and drink in the mannerisms and gestures.

The mind wants to resist just like meditation, it wants to do anything but be still like the mouse Ganesh sits on. Though if the mind is simply placed in this situation and the heart and body stay steady for the mind. The mind gets bored with fighting and decides to join in because again it wants to move and flutter and play. So the mind starts to figure out anyway it can to understand, learn and communicate.

This process was amazing to me today and was so in the French mind flow that beginning this post in English I had to remember the flow of English. By the way this place is so simple they make their own bread and yogurt, and I get to learn how to do this.

Know why!

2010-07-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

A good musician doesn't just play the notes... they know what the notes and song means. As yoga instructors we are given the opportunity to contemplate teachings that involve all aspects of being... mentally, physically and spiritually. They are all interlinked, there for it wouldn't be yogic if it was just a work out class. Don't get me wrong I can't help but feel spiritual in those moments of a sweaty and grueling class especially by the time we have made it to savasana but in order for us to take ourselves beyond our own limited ideas of ourselves it takes a heart quality and tangible meaning. I realized that speaking of spirit, god and soul are all to abstract for me to feel that deep connection. It needs to be about relationships and relationships to and from things, experiences and people. We as humans bounce our experience off the feedback of the universe and the universe is constantly giving us feedback and meaning. For whatever reason we don't always notice it even though it is as close as the pulsing gift of breath and heart beat.

So what if we applied this metaphor to everyday life... the notes are the things we do (karmas) day in and day out... and the meaning of the song of life is what we FEEL it is and if we don't contemplate this perhaps we aren't living as rich of a life. So know why and experience the wealth and riches of every moment of this life.

The United Nations of Anusara Yoga

2010-07-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Teacher Intensive with John Friend 2010 was a collective of yogis from 17 different countries representing and gathering together in the American Church in Paris to help one another become better teachers of yoga. The training was given in 3 languages, English, French and Spanish and it was the first of it's kind. Though we all tended to cluster together by countries we would blend more and more by the 3rd day. Some of us even would pair up with people who didn't speak our languages only to find that we all speak the same language of the heart and that we all had the same struggles to find the world to explain the truth of our hearts. It is all about contemplation we discovered that the themes of classes and heart qualities of life are not something we can read about or study. We realized we have to find them in the dark and silence of our meditations and contemplations. We would have to remember the experiences that touched our hearts and made us feel more connected to ourselves and then hunt down the perfect words that reflected that experience with respect.

The challenges of this training united and strengthened our bond as Anusara Yogis as we would help each other after the practice with homework type exercises. As we would practice creating concise 5 minute openers for classes we realized that when we each would express the "why" or meaning of the theme it would touch each of our hearts. Some were so good we could feel the truth and authenticity start to rumble the akasha (fabric of life or space). Oh what a sweet gift to not only to be able to find the words to speak how we each feel but to listen to one of your friends who speaks their version and it lifts you up as well. This is how we as "the united nations of Anusara yoga" can inspire our students, friends and our communities.

Remembrance

2010-07-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Remembrance creates consistency. Especially when we give a personal meaning to something in order to expand it towards the universal. Remembering all of the levels of friends in your life, from your teachers, parents and mentors all the way to your enemy or "not friend right now."

We all have these relationships and are these type of friends to others. When I think of my teachers I have the utmost respect for them and so I listen and open to hear their wisdom. When I think of my close loved ones who are suffering and my students I feel compassion and yet determined to be strong for them. When I think of my friends I am sympathetic and supportive, for their success only strengthens our trust. Lastly, when I think of the people I don't consider my friends anymore, I think of creating space and dissolving the charge I have for them, this protects me and allows for the other person to be as they are without giving up any of my energy.

Perhaps if we address how much we really do care for others we will awaken to how much others care for us and how much this love truly connects us all.

Worthiness

2010-07-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

After hearing that there was over 100 people on the waiting list to get into the teacher training in Paris I felt humbled that I was chosen to be able to attend. John kept saying that we are all worthy and this was very hard to receive. I thought it was strange that it moved me so much to just be in the space of worthiness. I kept telling myself I am worthy and would melt my heart. I am not a person who lacks in confidence usually so it is odd that some part of me wasn't feeling worthy of this gift.

So what if we all just put ourselves in the place and space of worthiness just to give ourselves a chance to see what happens. Perhaps our greatness just gets greater and our ability to evolve as a being is possible. Yoga is definitely a spiritual practice... it allows us to experience ourselves and we are worthy of experiencing ourselves and the fullest and greatest life that we can imagine.

You are worthy! You are allowed to feel good! You are allowed to have fun! You are worthy of receiving meaningful gifts all the time! Open to this experience!

Freedom

2010-07-06T10:45:00.001-07:00

John spoke of The Declaration of Independence and a story he told regarding the signing of this auspicious document. That day July 4th, 1776, a hot day where all the men were wearing full suits and sweating. On this day a Frenchmen stood up and spoke of freedom. He spoke in length and detail about this feeling that is common amongst everyone on this planet. Exhausted from putting so much into this speech he nearly collapsed to his chair. One by one every other man in the room stood and walked to sign The Declaration of Independence. It is a mystery to this day who that man was though it is speculated that it was Comte de Saint Germain or "the professor." Germain was a teacher to Ben Franklin and others.

Everyone on this planet wants freedom... freedom from suffering and pain... freedom from discrimination and judgment... and the freedom to be themselves and express their love.

We don't ever hear anyone say "I want the maximum pain and suffering"... is that a coincidence?

Ressentir

2010-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ressentir = feel or experience

What a beautiful word... to feel! Can you only imagine what the world would be like if we felt first and then discerned and discriminated second. We would be more open to one others great qualities before assuming, limiting and judging. Technical knowledge can help us to have more fun and enjoyment in life, but the feeling must be there first so we can soak in the moment and know where to go from there.

Wisdom from a Ceremony

2010-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

My little sister graduated from Bastyr with a Bachelors in Herbal Science and during the ceremony I took notes on the little things that were said that I loved.

in reverse order:

"It is not what you get out of life it's what life gets out of you"

"It's one thing to be compassionate it's entirely another to make a back bone of it"

The version of the divided sea we don't always hear... "after being chased to the edge of the sea they actually got their feet wet... and one guy walk all the way into the water up to his nose and because of that the sea parted... no ones makes a path for us, we just have to take the first step."

"We have to sacrifice to make things sacred"

The French Say:

2010-06-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

"Praise the god of the world, drink the wine and let the world be the world"

At home...

2010-06-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

When you get tossed into a strange situation where you don't recognize how can you feel at home? Perhaps you will notice the people who are around you and feel more at home. Or notice that there is always something familiar in an unfamiliar situation. Your breath as been with you your entire life and simply listening to its sweet music might bring you back home. Use the familiar to make the most unfamiliar situation feel at home. There is no place like home... ;-)

Tantra is the technology of relationships

2010-06-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

Tantra means to weave and loom and in order to make a stable fabric there needs to be a balance in the threads. We seek to find the balance between what stays stable to allow other things to grow and expand. We keep some aspects of our life rooted so that others can rise. The tantra we study and practice that allows us to practice postures is mirrored by our ability to bring these practices into our relationships in everyday life. The first thing we do when we meet someone is we feel their energy so we know if we trust them enough to bring them closer to our hearts. Be patient and wait for the stability before diving in or expanding out.

Kula keeps the Rhythm

2010-06-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

When we can't seem to find our rhythm we can look to our kula (community of the heart) to get back in sync. Though we all have unique beats we follow we all have a beat in our heart and unites us and strengthens and heals us when we really need it most. We beat like one drum as a community and can bring one another back in touch with the bass drum and source of our meaning.... connection.

Reflection

2010-06-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Running along side a Lake you may just glance and notice your reflection... if it is still enough. Recently, I noticed this and I remembered that the universe is always giving me feedback, whether I recognize it or not. Sometimes I will just roll through moments and not soak in the meaning of that moment. Even while practicing yoga I have to consciously remember the mat underneath me, to use the wall, my breath and the space around me to feel, hear and see the feedback. Where am I in space and what am I going to do with all of this information... just let it pass by or use it grow. A friend told me of a great practice... after a memorable experience go home and journal about all of the moments of glimmer, you know the ones that touched you and some part of you awakened. Write those down and know that Shakti will notice that you were paying attention and that you are ready for more glimmers and shimmers.

Memoires

2010-05-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is the first Memorial Day I have ever had the opportunity to teach a yoga class on. I know the day is meant to imply we should remember all the people who have served for our country and though I do honor them if I honor and remember one person in my past who has transformed me it brings a deeper meaning to my practice. Memories are special and can create imprints in us and simply remembering these you can use that honor to infuse the integrity of your practice.

We breath into our back bodies in order to honor the bigger energy, the universal and the auspicious that connects us all. Whether you have known someone who has served and died in service or you don't we all have someone close to us who has past and who can help us to remember this day fully.

Gil Hedley: Our Sacred Hearts

2010-05-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

"The only rigidity we have is the way we hold ourselves".... "our true nature is fluidity"

I love this clip and now I think and believe in my heart we are meant to be fluid beings. Taping into this fluidity might just guide us naturally into the flow of our lives.

Resilience

2010-05-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

re·sil·ience [ri-zil-yuhns, -zil-ee-uhns] NOUN

1. the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.

2. ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.

Why wouldn't we want to become more resilient? To not get sick, to heal faster and all around be stronger and more ready for anything to come our way... I used to think that this meant breaking myself down, pushing myself to an edge and then repairing. Well, what if we could be conscious of how much repair each expansion is going need? How expansive we can get from each time we hug in? I think we can if we are conscious to the measuring and keep refining it each time. To measure keep adjusting the effort and the surrender so you know how much to soften/let go/surrender and how much to boost the effort in the pose. We know how much is too much and we also know that often our boundaries are constantly changing so it is a constant practice to sew a new garment of being each moment in a balanced fashion.

PICTURE: This sculpture is named "Future Mutation".... from an artist who creates the deadliest and most resilient art in the world.... viruses.

Rejuvination

2010-05-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

What if in the moment of utter tiredness you can close your eyes, quiet yourself and dive into the rejuvenating waters of your heart?.... why not?

You can be fresh like new every moment of stillness if you truly tap into the source inside you. We do this minimally every time we practice "savasana." Typically called translated as "corpse pose".... and perhaps that is what it is, a little death for a bigger rebirth and life. But what if in every moment of stillness we could be that quiet and still that we could hear the universe pumping through us?

This practice can only birth more awakeness... CHIT! More stamina when we need it most, in the most dynamic moments we don't just separate and sleep... instead we awaken from the inside. Like our ears hearing sound for the first time, like the clap of a note hitting the silence.

Mistakes...

2010-05-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

"The next time a friend says I made a mistake... you can say to them that is good, if they hadn't made that mistake perhaps you nor I would be here right now" - stephen hawking

Each mistake is organized and calculated and rebalanced by the universe naturally. We notice this after looking back at our lives and see how interrelated everything is. There fore, there are no mistakes... we can forgive ourselves and live on from this moment with the freedom to chose the best attitude and action in each moment. So we can steer but we can't stop moving, which can get dizzy sometimes... ;-)

So while practicing yoga forgive yourself immediately allowing each moment to be pure and as it is and as it should be... allowing for the full fruition of each pose as it is today.

You CARE!

2010-04-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

When I was young I would say to my parents "I don't care!" because I knew that would hurt then and make them feel what I was feeling in the moment of disappointment. Now I look back at how awful it really was to say something like that.... or to EVER say something like that. I think practicing yoga has opened me up to feel more and be more, though also to care more. Maybe not care more, perhaps I have always cared I am just more honest and truer with how I feel. Unafraid of how much I really do CARE.

It is our caring that makes us vulnerable though also makes us strong and powerful. Because we care we can dig deep into the things and people that mean the most and harness strength from that attachment. You can still a moment with LOVE and caring. Think about it.... or better yet... think about who... who needs you the most right now.... who is supporting you the most right now and how steady you become with their face/image in your mind. Harness this power and you can use it transform your mood, your body even your life!

Each of us have at least one thing/person that we care about so much it makes us dig deeper and become more powerful through that connection. This is a perpetual practice.... the caring keeps expanding...

You know your yoga practice is working when your connections in life are becoming more abundant and life affirming.

Blades of Grass

2010-04-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

In the Yurt (Yoga Swami) the grass has found its way into the room. Bursting through the edges peaking in to watch our practices... perhaps they just want to be a part of the joy we share in the room or perhaps its just reaching for the light. Either way their presence is brought into our practice ... often times in yoga class we just keep our eyes off of others and on the floor... taking moment to take in your surroundings looking for the good and noticing its all a reflection of you.

Be like the blade of grass strong enough to break through but delicate and sweet at the same time. Perhaps that is the grass's strength the rooting power to allow it to rise up even sometimes through pavement.

Align with nature and be a student to your breath and anything is possible. :)

Presence of Mind

2010-04-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Asking to get to the next level isn't what we really what we always need.... it's the strength or the presence of mind to move THROUGH to the next level... The difference is hanging out in a pose and waiting for someone else to do all the work compared to you gathering more and more presence of mind and strength to be ready to move through.

There is really no reason we should try to rush anything... YES there is an urgency but if we put some trust in our efforts then we will progress.... ask for more presence of mind and courage to move through obstacles not missing a moment of the experience.

Take charge of your life and step into the flow with "presence of mind."

Chaos into Order

2010-04-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Our chakra centers are gears that organize the chaos of vibration... They are in a particular order... same as the rainbow colored order after the rain and the light as it refracts off a prism. These gears are a colored map inside us and just like a map it can't show us which way to go but it can help us to navigate, balance our energy and illuminate what hasn't been explored before.

Moving through the chakras we allow them to balance individually and then harmonize and sing as a symphony would.

Fear is good!

2010-04-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

I am running the La Jolla 1/2 Marathon this month and everyone that I mention it to mentions the steep hill. After hearing enough of people talk "chit" about it I started to gain a nice dose of fear about it myself. They would say "don't even try to run it... just walk it" or "it's so tough but the end of the course is just as hard because it ends with a hill as well."

So I decided I better see for myself before the race.... I noticed a little extra bit of adrenaline pumping even on the flat part before the hill. The fear made me be extra cautious, conscious of my alignment and drink in the moments like they might be the last of my life.... and then I saw the flat part again and said.."that was it?" That was what everyone was talking about?

Perhaps this is how many things are in life? We build up this fear but then it's good cause we are that much more captured by the moment... we are present to the possibility of injury... we protect ourselves and dig deep! This all sounds good to me.... so now I view fear as a good thing... As long as it's not so debilitating that I can't show up and I can logically think things through it's actually an asset.

"A spoon full of fear helps the moment sink in." - JW

Transitions & Transformations

2010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

As this yoga quarter ends I am eager to begin 2 new classes; one at the Willows in Encinitas and the other at Haute Yoga in Solana Beach. The universe is clever though as new things spring up other things dissolve such as my classes at Bodacious Living. Last night as I pondered and noticed how I felt about the shifting energy I recognized the tendency to either go out and party on the Full Moon or stay in and just simmer and sit in the transitioning space. I think it is normal for all of us to do things to take our minds off the moment and keep moving to not have to feel the dynamic energy fully. When transformation is happening there is often a heat and a bit of light, which is an opportunity for us to become more cohesive with the process and with our own patterns. Even between postures we often don't pay as much attention to the transitions and even when we are asked to hold a posture for a long period of time we might space out to cope. So let us take a break here and there when things get turbulent to notice, brew, simmer and steep in the energy as it burns off and dissolves the things we don't need, making space for new opportunities.

New classes to come check out:

The Willows 5:00pm Tuesdays "Happy Hour"

Haute Yoga 5:00pm Saturdays "Mixed Level Vinyasa"

DETROIT!

2010-03-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

I do believe that sometimes it takes a long time to be away from something or someone before you can really appreciate them fully again. The concealment & revealment powers of Shiva are so essential in our growth process. After 7 years of being away from my home town, I returned with a mission to re-connect with as many of my family members, friends and favorite spots as I could... all the while being witness to John Friend's Rockin' Shri Workshop in the Rock City itself.

Each day I would get to spend time with Mom (my hero) and run and practice yoga and the local kula spot to my Mom's house. Detroit's people are a rare bread, they are extremely strong and hard working though when you get to know them or they let you in you find they are gentle and sweet. Each yoga class had to have music whether to illustrate the theme or just to get people pumped! The weather, economy and hope were the main underlining topics of discussion. Building would fall over night and the people would have the hope that something agricultural or recreational would fill its space. Talk about a manifestation power, when they saw distruction, smudges or inbalances they were already looking to change and evolve. There was an urgency to change, be better and re-make the city as a beacon of hope for the rest of the country. If Detroit can change and evolve than any city can...

Detroit has always sprouted some creative musicians and artists however, they are adapting their crafts to the city... hoopers hooped outside in what I would call COLD weather (32 degrees). Drawers and sketchers have dove into tatooing as a way to share the art with others in a personal way... and chefs and culinary innovators are trying to make food healthier, farm fresh produce more available and aware and create guides to assist anyone in living a full life. Yogis not only just practiced they gathered to create art (the puja for the Anusara event), made t shirts to show their pride for their art as community members, and were always questioning how their practice can be lived off the mat and help children to lead the way in our innovation to become even better.

I love Detroit and now where a tattooed D to keep the memories and meaning always near.

Hollywood Week w/John Friend

2010-03-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

3 Days of Advanced intensive:

We discovered ourselves through remembering the support from the goddess energy that is everywhere and in everything and we call her Shakti... or in her different phases of manifestation Kali, Saraswati and Lakshmi.

2 Day Weekend Workshop:

A couple of days of practicing next to all of my San Diego/Encinitas Kula's finest practitioners.... what a treat, we all brought each other up to a new level of understand and radiance!

The above photo is an art installation for Equal Rights that we would pass on our way to grab food or drive by... I just love the LOVE!

STRESS!!!

2010-02-24T00:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been stressed? Kind of a funny question but it's kinda nice to laugh a little about it... Stress isn't the problem... it's Disstress, that can be the problem...

Stress you can do something about, you can learn something from, you can even make art from all the pressure and friction.... where as disstress you just leave the stress alone push it aside and wait for it to show up again.... Like the 'disstress' jeans that never go out of style even though now I understand why my mom could never understand the fashion of it... it really doesn't make that much sense unless you stressed your jeans yourself and then they are not distressed... THEY HAVE CHARACTER!

In our postures address the contracted or stressed place first then grow from there...

Relationships

2010-02-21T17:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was so priviledge to witness two of my favorite yogi's unite in marriage. They chose to marry themselves and have the most organic wedding I have ever been to.... which now I am totally spoiled by. When we all said we wanted Cake, Devi said "well let's have cake then we will dance"... ;-) When the couple spoke of one another they said it was easy to love one another, it was simple to fall in love and that was the least of their intentions. This is what being in alignment is like... it takes some effort to discover yourself and show up but with gentle nudges to stay in the flow.... life actually gets easy and delightful!

When the couple fed each other cake it was tender and sweet.... theoretically a sign of a lasting love and relationship. Inspired by the event we practiced today with the same hugging in a marriage with our bodies so that we can shine beyond our mats!!! Tender the way we place our foundation on the mat, conscious of how we can spread our intellegence throughout our bodies with breath and savor the joy it is to have a deep understanding of ourselves. With all this we can be the radiant beings we are all meant to be.

Beauty

2010-02-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

When we look in the mirror we will often notice the wrinkles, zits and blemishes.... why don't we notice the good, the beauty first?

Default to noticing your beauty today and see if it affects your day... how you feel and how you inspire others to feel?

"Beauty is organized intelligence" -dk

"Beauty is that which inspires others to believe there is a divine or greater power" -jf

What do you want to say with the art of your being...which your constantly re-creating everyday, every moment and with every breath?

Shiva Sutra 1.2

2010-02-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

Jnanam Bandha

It took me a few times of reading this sutra to really get it... the first time I totally didn't get it and the second it just didn't make much sense but the third time i read it over I understood that it was exactly what I was dealing with.... Knowledge Binds Us!

If you "know" something then you are bound by your patterns of knowing something.... if you "don't know" something then you are bound by the patterns or even fears of not knowing... so what do you do? Approach everything with a natural openness... like a child when given a toy for the first time... they don't read the instructions they allow their imagination to wander and explore... just like doing a Downward Facing Dog posture for the millionth time.... feel it like it was the first time you ever experienced it and it even feels like a new body without any limitations... and even approaching a new posture... SETTLE! and allow what comes up to come up... always default to the play of it!

Shiva Shakti Tantra Kula

2010-02-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

In December 2009, John Friend came to visit Encinitas and I was invited to join him and our kula for a sadhana/practice we would all never forget. Three days we would all show up lay our mats down and simply practice together, sharing the space, sharing the grace, sharing the shakti flowing in all things and especially through our beautiful little town. This video captures masterfully the power of shiva & shakti and how they are together, dancing and flowing through our lives shinning with artistic power. This practice changed my life and helped me to realize that finding the balance within ourselves is not just a goal it's our dharma. Never give up! Stay Hungry! Make it happen!

Click here to view the Video!

Melt Your Heart Blow your Mind Tour - San Francisco

2010-02-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

A week long practice and study intensive in San Francisco with John Friend. We learned and rocked Immersion 1 the new concise material that allows practitioners of Anusara Yoga to learn the Shiva-Shakti Philosophy and the Universal Alignment Principles. Each day we deepened the practice and synced up with John and has way of guiding us into our hearts and dig for the meaning of our practice, creating art through our bodies, thoughts and words.

None of the material was new to me but hearing it in a different way and light allowed for it to be fused into my cells even deeper. We worked and refined the principles so much I actually feel like I re-organized the make up of my legs and hips. Never under estimate the power of the basics! It just proves how "Universal" the principles of alignment really are. One could never get sick of fine tuning an instrument they love to play so they can continue to play music and share what they want to say through embodiment.

Thanks to my home town kula for putting our mats together each day so that this experienced wasn't just felt it was shared and reflected in each of our eyes as we would play in the beautiful city of San Francisco in between study sessions.

Devotion

2010-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

What or who is that object in your life that when you think of them/it gives you a sense of pure love & devotion running through your every cell. Our relationships in our lives directly reflect our relationships to ourselves and the universe. So what if we choose a specific object/person to focus on and if just reciting their/its name you could flush your being with that love and devotion.

Devotion is not necessarily giving of yourself to a "higher power" though it can be... it is giving of yourself to a specific energy, mind state, feeling and virtue. In all your freedom what/who means enough that you would bind your energy to it and give of yourself.

1. Practice chanting the name of a student or someone who looks up to you.

2. Practice chanting the name of a peer or teacher who you look up to.

3. Practice chanting the name of a friend an equal who reminds you of who you really are.

4. Practice chanting your own name or I to understand the relationship you have with yourself.

5. Practice chanting the name of an enemy and separate yourself from their name/face and be protected by the force of your love and devotion. (*optional and most difficult)

Conquer!

2010-02-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

It is not the mountain we conquer... it is ourselves!

The ego, anger and fear all stay the same however, we can change our relationship to them. Sometimes it is necessary to use the ego for confidence and courage however, being able to adjust your relationship to it and use it as a tool is even more advanced. The stiffness in our body is present in the beginning and our default is to separate ourselves from this however, if we are able to engage to soreness like holding an object in space... not gripping, just holding it then we create a container for the conversation and relationship to flourish.

Conquer yourself today and every moment!

Mirror Mirror

2010-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

Scientists use a mirror to determine if animals are self aware. As far as I know dolphins and elephants are the only other animals that have this level of intelligence. Humans can even reflect inside themselves, polish their mirror inside with practice and reflect back out that goodness they find in themselves. You know your practice is working if you see more of your self as "goodness" in the world.

"a polished mirror can't help but reflect"

Sense of Smell

2010-01-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

Our sense of smell is usually looked over since we receive our world mostly through our eyes and our ears. Are sense of smell is important for many reason...

keeps you safe (usually smell smoke before you see the fire)

keeps you safe (w/regards to food you won't drink sore smelling milk)

80% of attraction is smell

mothers know the smell of thier babies

it has an important role in our memories

More things are remembered through scent because the part of the brain that is used to detect smell also connects to memories and feelings. All the senses are actually a sense of touch... it touches you in a certain way like a piece of art work would or like nutmeg at christmas time. It makes us feel something... something special and often w/o many words of description since we can detect up to 10,000 different scents.

In today's restorative yoga practice different scents were offered for each chakra. The idea is to open that area of energy in our bodies and notice what memories and experience come up through random different sorts of smells.

After teaching this practice and smelling all of the scents myself I noticed that I could smell everything the rest of the night... I mean everything to a point where I need to calm myself to not reach to some of the scents.

Progress

2010-01-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

Human progress has only happened relatively recent though it was because of one realization. We learned to manipulate our surroundings. In our lives and in our practice it is evident that in order for us to progress we must be gratefull for what we have. All of our efforts culminate each moment, so you never know when you are ready for more, but you can make it more likely if you are grateful for everything you already have and are.

Surprises in our practice come like prime numbers... at first there are many in a row but then as you keep counting they are fewer and farther between.

Technique Frees Talent

2010-01-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Discipline harnesses our innate free energy and hugs it to center channeling our talents in the directions we choose. Hug so much its too the bone!

We each have different talents, some of us can smile through an entire yoga class, some of us have a ton of strength and some can sustain postures for-seemingly-ever. Though without discipine or technique we would never discover these about ourselves.

Work hard Play hard!

Self Study (svadyaya)

2010-01-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Today I was in a room with a group of yoga practitioners who have supported me grown with me and encouraged me for years. And I was reminded of how I got there. The first class I stumbled into and what it meant to me at the time and what kept bringing me back over and over. Dive into that meaning and redefine it for yourself today. Why are you here? What brings you back to your mat time and time again? Who do you practice for?

And show up fully... tow the line with your destiny!

What if it was your last time to enjoy the pleasure of an asana practice? Take your pleasure seriously!

Pressure

2010-01-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

The only pressure you feel is the pressure you put on yourself. Yes our external world has influence but it is our choice to take things to heart or not. Our nature is freedom!

"beyond the age of information is the age of choices." -charles eames

Use the pressure you naturally feel to channel it towards creating diamonds in your life jewels of the process not so caught up in the mistakes and failure. They are just part of the creation and design process.

Mistakes: are the things you try to make it better

Failure: is arbitrary, you may fail at one thing but you succeed at giving your best in effort or you succeed in understanding that didn't work :-)

Life including its obstacles could be a pleasure... "who ever said that pleasure wasn't functional?"

TAKE YOUR PLEASURE SERIOUSLY!

Highest & Best!

2010-01-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

East vs. West

When studying Eastern texts I noticed they begin with the hardest, most refined, royal and deficult part first. To us westerners this could seem discouraging since we are used to our tests and text books growing increasing as you move through them so the most difficult things to learn are at the end. And I don't know about your schools but I hardly ever finished a text book in a year of school. So I never got to see the end, but when it came test time I always would go to the last question and work my way backwards so that way I knew I got the hardest over with first.

Abhinavagupta tells us in the tantraloka that the aspirant should always try for the highest and best thing first. Failing that try the next best, and so on. I like this because if we apply this quality of attitude to our practice and life then at least we know we are working at our potentials level. Afterall, if you reach your best one day it will be different the next and so its moving and fluxtuating with your potential, vulnerability and improvement.

Ask yourself what would be my best in this posture, today, as you do anything and begin with the best quality of attitude. It will not only effect your life but will inspire others and shine a light in your community. You never know what your best is until you go for it!

You've Got Rhythm!

2010-01-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

Just like when you find yourself dancing the night away at a concert or club.... or jogging miles past what you thought you could do and time just feels translucent... it's a steady rhythm that carries you. Like in your practice your breath or in your meditation your heart beat or breath that sings a rhythm that begs for the universe to play a melody to.

You feel this in your postures as you sync up your breath to a steady rhythm the movements and details of the posture plays a melody over it. If you settle to hear or feel the whole posture you notice each one has its own song in your wind instrument body or vessel. Your vessel for goodness, for light and for song!

So when you feel like you have lost your momentum come back to the rhythm which invites the dance of the universe to enrich and re-charge you.

Determination & Delight

2010-01-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

Put it all out there... give it your all... don't give up!!! We have heard these phrases so many times but what if we really believed in ourselves and lived them every moment? What would our life be like? At least we would know that we didn't leave any space for regret. So let's all approach this NEW year with Determination!

This doesn't mean you have to be hard and grimacing... you can be soft and sweet and determined... it's finding that balance in every moment and finding it on the mat only helps enforce it in your everyday life.

Presence

2010-01-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

This life is so precious and I am reminded of this every New Year that I get to experience. How we often celebrate make new intentions and have our hopes renewed by a fresh start. Using our yoga practices to practice this presence is where we have a chance to notice in a safe setting our tendencies to check out, drift, waiver or react.

Every day you wake up be present to it all. Leave no room for regret and we will for sure have full lives. What we achieve on our mats spills into our lives and that is one reason why practicing yoga can change the world. Align with nature and align with your hearts intentions and discover the meaning in everything you do.

Shadow Edge

2009-12-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

5 days left before the NEW YEAR.... it's that time when you can really reflect on the year and see yourself clearly. Like if you were to see a vase in front of a window... the light from behind hits the object and creates a shadow outline for us to make that object out. See yourself clearly, feel how you feel.... no matter what it is all emotions are pegs on a wheel which all lead to you to a clearer sense of your center.

Hug to your center in the New Year and you will just fine, everything will work out...

SHINE!

2009-12-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

Who are you not to shine?

On the darkest day of the year, where the ancients used to believe that if they didn't party the sun might not come back out.... Who are you not to shine?

When you have so many gifts and so much potential.... Who are you not to shine?

And with a long night's canvas of darkness... Who are you not to shine?

What makes you so special that you can run and hide from your destiny?... Toe the line and stand in your light!

The Looking Glass

2009-12-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

Alice looking into the looking glass is like the story of Shiva, and like most of my favorite Shiva stories it begins with him out in the middle of no where, nothing around him in the dark. And he "wonders" I wonder what I look like? So he begins to twist into himself reflecting into his heart and out manifests Shakti.... energy or everything we see today. Even the inanimate objects are living pulsing forms of shiva manifested... shakti. Just like artists they have ideas that are still in the concentration waiting to be manifested.

How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go? into yourself? into the void of understanding? of your truth? and so on...

Along your journey you may run into all sorts of characters, obstacles and flavors of tea... what is your current flavor (rasa) of emotional state? Drink it in and be humble and ready for the next one.... and there are many more than 31 flavors.

Humility, Humor & Wonder are your tools in WONDERLAND!

Traditions

2009-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Traditions are important in that they are potent. Each time we come together during the holidays it isn't just because our family wants to see us, its also to honor our ancestors and thier practices that meant so much to them.

As I get older I begin to understand the importance of these ancient practices, and as I read ancient yogic texts I realize that much of it is not exactly current or neccessary but honoring them and thier teaching in a current way is continuing the living experience we all share.

So as you get your holiday plans, gifts and other things together be grateful since no 2 holiday seasons are the same. People change, technology changes... the only thing constant is change. Let's honor the things that have a steady pulse and use those times as a reflection period.

No place like home!

2009-12-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

In The Wizard of OZ each character represents a different aspect of ourselves just like the deities mean to. For instance, the Scarecrow says he has lost his brain however, he is the first one to come up with all the ideas in the story. Maybe like we are the first to be critical of the things that we have the most of or mean the most to us.

Reflect on what energy you put out there and hug into your Courage (Lion), be Compassionate (Tin Man), and be Wise (Scarecrow) to the play of life. Your soul (Dorothy) is watching and your body (toto) responds to it all.

After all no matter where you journey you end up back at home... and there is no place like home!

Appreciation

2009-12-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

"open your mind to the play of being"

"when there is no subject reaching out and no object to possess, being opens from within" - Tarthang Tulku

Appreciate your efforts and allow your thoughts and feelings to remain alive...

Just "OK"

2009-11-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

The days when I say that I'm just OK are usually the best days. Being "just OK" allows me to be in the middle of it all, not too excited with the potential of loosing it and not too low where I'm grasping anything to pick me up. Who invented the phrase OK? or is it okay?

You can even find this lovely phrase in the dictionary...

1839, only survivor of a slang fad in Boston and New York c.1838-9 for abbreviations of common phrases with deliberate, jocular misspellings (cf. K.G. for "no go," as if spelled "know go"); in this case, "oll korrect." Further popularized by use as an election slogan by the O.K. Club, New York boosters of Democratic president Martin Van Buren's 1840 re-election bid, in allusion to his nickname Old Kinderhook, from his birth in the N.Y. village of Kinderhook. Van Buren lost, the word stuck, in part because it filled a need for a quick way to write an approval on a document, bill, etc. The noun is first attested 1841; the verb 1888. Spelled out as okeh, 1919, by Woodrow Wilson, on assumption that it represented Choctaw okeh "it is so" (a theory which lacks historical documentation); this was ousted quickly by okay after the appearance of that form in 1929. Okey-doke is student slang first attested 1932.

Warriors of Wonder!

2009-11-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

We are Warriors of Wonder!

When feeling sad, fearful, frustrated, angry and so on the Rasa (emotional flavor) that balances or re-aligns all of these is WONDER. Sit and embody wonderment, what changes, how does your breath change, how does your posture change and why not sustain this feeling through your day.

We are all Warriors in the story of our own lives. As my grandmother would always say, "God only gives us at most 99% of everything we want, that way he keeps it interesting."

Learn to love the questions... When you realize your a Warrior of Wonder you are free to choose what to be curious about next and fully immerse yourself in the Wonder of it all.

Equanimity

2009-11-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

At the seat of eternity, steady in the moment and eternal is your scope we have the choice to sustain this perspective of equanimity. Its a choice!

Sometimes looking up a word is as exciting as the result of the search. When looking up "equanimity" you find the definition of "composure" and composure is defined as "calmness" or "stillness"... even though I was really hoping to end up back with "equanimity" as my end result I didn't however, I can see why all these words tie in together.

Standing on both feet equally makes me feel calm, composed and gives a greater ability to be still. Breathing equal breathes allows my mind-state to equal out, better for making good choices. ;-)

Suffering

2009-11-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

After a week of suffering with clogged ears, I awoke today on edge, frustrated, bargaining with universe to help me, guide me.... however, I know the answers will come I simply need to listen inside... even though i might not be able to hear you, and I have been getting things wrong all week I know that just being with this is the best teacher.

When i go inside I don't feel so lonely, frustrated and over all I become more calm about the situation... I remember how special my senses are, how healthy I am most of the time and how much I appreciate sound...

Suffering is just another spoke on the wheel of consciousness at the center is always the source...

Small things...

2009-11-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

It is a rare opportunity for all of our efforts to come to fruition and fully manifest. It's all the time in between, all the little things that allow for the big things to occur. Look down at all the untold treasures at your feet, gather them up and notice then as a part of the journey.

It's often the little things that also set us over the edge, make us frustrated, make us feel limited but realizing that their are so many beautiful small things might make you feel a part of something bigger.

Samayama

2009-11-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

Samyama is dharana, dhyana and samadhi practised together or the journey between them. Where the observation becomes the observing.... light into light... spirit into spirit... Concentration of one point is a practice that can lead to the absorbtion into the moment and back pulsing through the one pointedness into ultimate expansion and back and forth. This applied in asana allows one stay present and their minds flow like "oil from a jug" -BKS Iyengar.

Practice with a liquid mind on the mat and it's more likely to poor over into your everyday life.

Inner Understanding

2009-10-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

Why do we all tend to want to be the same thing each Halloween... a fairy, goolish, or silly? Where does this urge come from?

"Wisdom is being aware of your own ignorance"

Gaining understanding through experience, listening and playfulness... each posture allows you to learn something about yourself and each moment we pause to listen we open ourselves up to hear the song of the universe through us and each moment we look within we gain a clearer understanding of our center...

Looking within yourself what is your intention of the day... a word, an idea, a thought but with every cell of your being hold this intention and allow it to infuse everything you do. In a sense dress yourself up in your intention. You can be anything you want!

From the inside out glow like a jack-o-lantern!

You are not a doer!

2009-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Remembering that we are not doers reminds us that we are flowing with something else. Our breath is entering and existing without our control and is something that is tangibly easy to sync up to. "Allow yourself to sail through your day and your breath be the wind in your sails."

Spiritual Magnetism

2009-10-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

"your souls power to attract or create what it needs for all-around happiness and well-being"

-yogananda pramahansa

Every action, thought and feeling done with your entire being will be that much more magnetic. This is what we practice in yoga which cultivates our magnetism. With this power you can attract and create, change or allow to flow through you depending on the type of energy it is and how it serves you. Even an annoying vibration wouldn't bother a calm being.