The First Class

What a wonderful night! It's the first night before the (possibly) first Early Morning Class in the Barrington area!

Of course I can't sleep!

I am SO excited!

I am so excited to share the joy of teaching on Good Friday with friends... people I love and enjoy practicing with. It's perfect. It's a new beginning!

Tomorrow morning - 5:30 am - at Nirvana Yoga Studio (410 Main St. in Barrington) we will be happy, smiling, joyous and free. We will be experiencing this feeling each and every Friday morning

... at 5:30 until 6:45 am.

Get your fix of freedom early in the day and get ready for a great weekend!

Thank you ahead of time - much love and light!

Namaste

Om Shanti Om

Sadhana (Practice)

One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night.

-- Kahlil Gibran

Life is full of celebrations and valleys... or so it seems. The celebration of a personal victory is always more sweet after a failure or defeat. The Winter Olympics are currently in full swing. Most of the Olympians have trained their entire life to get to this point... whether they are 16 or in their 20's, 30's, or 40's. They have dedicated their lives... and their parents have dedicated THEIR lives... to sport. I again return to the thought that it takes 10,000 times to practice a skill until the person becomes an expert. These Olympians are experts because not only have they practiced their skill 10,000 times... they have done it with the intention and heart to become excellent. But, if you think that they were successful each of those 10,000 or more times you have a warped sense of reality. The number of times these athletes failed out number the times that they were successful by... millions. Meaning, each time they hit the slopes, put on skates, or... ??? ... was only part of the practice. The preparation, the training, the visualization... that is also part of the 10,000 times. With visualization, athletes visualize their success... and sometimes their failures. Those athletes that visualize their failures are more likely to fail. Those athletes that visualize their successes, regardless of talent, are more likely to succeed.

What does all of this athlete talk have to do with "real-lifers"? We do the same things. The more that we visualize our success the more likely the chance of success actually happening.This is especially important to do while in a slump, a valley, a bad day. I have visualized the day that I would come out of the darkness. The day that the dawn would appear and the sun would shine. What I didn't realize is that we create our own dawn and we choose when it will happen. Like an athlete, I have practiced creating my dawn. My practice has been over the past 5 years. I have had successes and failures. As I continue to practice and visualize my successes consistently outweigh my failures. I remember the day that I opened the curtains in the house... that was my first success. The day I decided I had what I needed to be successful on my own... another success and a huge celebration. The day that I decided to open up and have friends help me... another massive success. The day that I took responsibility for my happiness... JOY. The day that I signed up for Yoga Teacher Training... not only successful but an amazing celebration. The day that I graduated and received my certificate... fabulous! Today I was asked to teach a class at my studio...and I am so proud of the journey that I took to get to this place, here and now. I have not been alone on the journey. People that surrounded me with love, nudged me forward, that supported me when I thought I would crumble, that listened to me and the drama... woke me up early and told me the truth... I love you all!

One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night. The path of night is how we learn, how we grow, how we become aware, how we start to FEEL. Yoga is a way to move from thinking into feeling. It is a tool that helps navigate the darkness of night. On the mat, each morning, is where I continually learn to feel. I continue to use the tools provided within this ancient practice and move forward with love... into the light. NAMASTE - I bow to you. The light within me honors the light within you.

Being of Service

I never really understood what it meant to "be of service." I always thought that there would need to be a grand gesture of going to Aftica on a Mission trip or doing something else equally extraordinary. I never realized that I could be of service just where I am. The part I was missing is that I really don't need to concentrate on what I am going to do in the service area. I needed to change my perception to always think "How can I help?"

I work at a very large company with layers upon layers of organizational structure. I inhabit a cube that is famous for housing the only Gaiam Ball Chair in the company - with the possible exception of the fitness center. All of the walls are tan and the cube fabric is beige. I lovingly call this place beige-land. 

I have been wondering for a while now what my purpose is in this place. I have had the feeling that there was a larger reason that I was in that role at that organization and I needed to wait for the answer. The waiting is difficult, searching for clues to a purpose in beige-land. The work became monotonous, boring, stale. Tasks become de-motivating and repetitious. Some people love jobs like this... I do not thrive in this environment.


As I have been patiently asking for guidance, messages from different areas pacified my antsi-ness. It started one Sunday, before what turned out to be an incredibly sweaty yoga class, my teacher (Marlene) said, "Remember... you are right where you need to be at this moment." She has probably said this many times over, this was just the first time I heard it. Then she proceeded to put together a series of poses that were challenging and completely inspiring.


Another Sunday, again after Marlene's class, I was grocery shopping and quite literally ran into the card rack and was faced with a card that said, "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have!" (Teddy Roosevelt) This quote helped as I was attempting to sell a house in an incredibly low market, then realizing that I was not going to find a new house with the quality I wanted within my budget. This quote was more of a mantra during this period in time

The message that brought the pieces together for me was during Teacher Training. Rolf gave a dharma talk that I could grab onto. He talked about a previous job where he seemed to be in constant conflict with his boss. After a while of being in conflict he finally changed his mode of thinking to "How can I help." One day he walked into his bosses office and, instead of arguing against his bosses idea, asked that question; "How can I help?" This changed the dynamic of his relationship with his boss... to the point that he attended Rolf's wedding.


I realized I needed to take these three items and blend them into a mode of operation that is completely selfless and focused on the greater good. In addition, I wanted to be mindful of how I utilized it... over-using it could cause me not to follow through on other "How can I help you?" commitments. I started to use this as I walked through the halls, met with my team, interact with my boss(es). Then I noticed things start to change. Not only for me, but around me. People became more focused on how they can help others. At the end of last year I was assigned a new role that allowed me to put this to the test. Incredibly, I have noticed that the people not looking to help others but only out to help themselves are being asked to either change or find a new activity. I have noticed the use of the word "Mindful" in sentences and to describe work. The best part is; I am seeing change in the organization that gives me hope.

This action is what it means to "BE of service." Always being in the mode of "How can I help?" is beneficial to everyone

Let it rain

The following blog entry is completely inspired by the song "Rain" by Creed in their new album "Full Circle".

I am very influenced by music. My family is extremely musical and I've been exposed to every genre of music in existence since before I was born. Both of my parents were music majors at Indiana University and my mother taught piano and flute lessons as I was growing up. I was listening to music the other day and one of my favorite songs came on. As I listened to the lyrics I made the connection of how they link to events in my life over the recent past, and especialy how I've been feeling over the last week.


So, I'm sitting in my car, listening to the lyrics;

"Can you help me out? Can you lend me a hand?

It's safe to say that I'm stuck again

Trapped between this life and the light

I just can't figure out how to make it right..."

A thought shot through my mind ike a bolt of lightning; I realize that I have been stuck in this in-between place of understanding the journey and, yet, not achieving a feeling that I know how to make this process right. I've been blessed to have avenues of support as one situation after another pops up in-front of me. Like one of those Cowboy games that pop up villians in windows and along the streets where the objective is to shoot at them before they get you!

"... I tried to figure out
I can understand what it means to be whole again
Trapped between the truth and the consequence
Nothing's real, nothing's making sense..."

As the situations seem to go from odd... to odder... to completely Twighlight Zone... I continue to focus on the present moment. I understand that I have everything that I need to thrive. I know that I am surrounded by love. I understand what it means to be whole again. In this moment nothing is wrong, there are no problems. In this moment all is well and completely sane. I remind myself that I can handle everything happening in this moment and this too shall pass.

"... A thousand times before

I've wondered if there's something more, something more

I feel it's gonna rain lie this for days

So let it rain down and wash everything away

I hope that tomorrow the sun will shine

I feel it's gonna rain for days and day, I feel it's gonna rain..."

Notwithstanding any cliche references involving weather, there are various levels of storms that we must pass through in our lives to get to the sun. There are moments of sunshine in-between storms. My favorite is when there's rain while the sun is shining. I need the rain so I can grow, so I can learn from the current events and become aware of actions and reactions. I may not gain full understanding but I know that when the rain stops all of the crud will be washed away (kinda' like the salt that is currently covering my car).

"... Fall down, wash away my yesterdays

Fall down, so let the rain fall down on me..."

Noticing what I am Noticing

Awareness is an interesting thing... As I continue in my practice I increase the awareness of how things are settling into my body. January has been incredibly stressful at work. The work days have been long and full of intensity, the situations have needed a lot of practicing ahimsa (do no harm). Indeed, I have also been practicing selflessness in my actions at work - asking questions and suggesting changes for the greater good. This has been the majority of my practice in January.

What I am noticing, as my asana practice becomes sacred space and my meditation is integrated into my daily routine, is that I am becoming more aware. I am noticing shifts of perception that are happening in seconds now that, in the past, would take days or weeks. When I started this journey I was blissfully oblivious to what was going on around and within me. I didn't feel anything unless it was extreme. For example; for me to qualify as "being sick" I needed to have a fever and be completely unable to move. However, now, I am sensing the signs leading to illness and able to take appropriate preventative action - rest!

Now, here's the interesting part. I was the recipient of information a couple of days ago that would, in the past, set off a chain reaction of events driven by past conditioning - fear, self doubt, anger. Today, during a meeting, I noticed myself drifting from intense concentration on the conversation... then immediately into nothingness... then I found my thoughts focused on the personal situation. I noticed this shifting of thoughts and had an experience of "WOAH... what just happened!"

Noticing this enabled me to make a choice: I could refocus or continue into la-la-land. All kidding aside, I was able to quickly recognize the issue and re-focus my attention and concentration for the remainder of the meeting. Then, after the meeting, something important happened... I gave myself the gift of space to honestly feel what I was feeling and not judge but accept that it is what it is. Again... noticing what I am noticing here. I'm being honest with my feelings and not judging them as good or bad but accepting them at the point in time.

I am awed...

I Do Not Create Problems For Myself

My first introduction to Eckhart Tolle was when Oprah started the sessions for "A New Earth." I read the book, I followed the series, but it didn't really hit home. The concepts made sense and I understood the words but the meaning didn't take hold until later in the same year.


As I was listening to a Podcast of a show one night and I remember Oprah asking him, "... you don't have any issues? You don't have any problems? Not a one?" Eckhart's response was, "(pause)... I do not create any problems for myself." Ever since that night, his response has stuck with me. How do you do that? What is the process in which you do not create any problems for yourself?


There are so many ways that we create problems for ourselves. The trap that I find myself falling into is wanting things to be different than they are. Interestingly enough this is one of the things that my employers have valued about me. This way of thinking has been praised and fostered through years of post-graduate employment. Man, does this get me into trouble in my personal life. Exasperating the problem-generator is my tenacity to find a solution... looking at every angle... the thought that there has to be a way.


After I read "A New Earth" I picked up "The Power of Now." At the same time I was going through Yoga Teacher Training and learning the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The underlying concept of each is being in this moment... HERE... NOW... and dealing with the situation with basic principles of conduct; the first of which is Do No Harm.


When I start to solve a problem, it is important to understand and accept the present situation. Once the problem is identified, the search for a better or different way begins. This is a good life skill to have. However, balance is necessary to not generate any problems while attempting to solve the first one.


In my work environment I have figured out that I can cultivate this skill without a problem as long as I do not attach myself to an end result. In my personal life I need to apply the same balance. Between wanting things to be different than they are then attaching to an end result the only outcome can be problems... and many of them. They multiply!!


In my personal life accepting what is remains the key. Recently I have been wanting to change a situation. It involved schedules and location - neither of which were working out for my end goal. My end goal, by the way, which I had become completely attached. My tenacity kicked in... I was going to make this work! I problem solved the heck out of the situation. I analyzed it, turned it inside out, shoved it upside down, took it apart and put it back together again. I even attempted to talk it to death. Unfortunately the end result remained the same.


This created a problem for me. I generated it, fostered it, breathed life into it... a living, breathing problem. It finally exploded when, exasperated, I realized that it just wasn't going to work. Nothing that I could do, think, or will into place would make the situation any different than it was. The vision that I had created in my mind was not going to happen. Simply, I had failed... and generated a very large, oozing, problem along with the failure.


Lesson learned: accept the present moment as it is and be grateful for it. This moment comes around only once - take it in. There are NO problems in the present moment. There is nothing to solve, nothing to fix, nothing to change. The present moment is perfect.


Eckhart does not create problems for himself because he cultivates his practice of being in the moment. Within the moment he applies the appropriate principle. With every thought, word, and action he applies the appropriate principle. He does not want for anything different and knows that he already has what he needs to be successful.


So, what do I need to do now? Apply the principle of forgiveness... to myself. Accept the moment and situation as it is. Then let my "failure" go. We must fail many times over before we finally succeed... and what I really need to realize is... I am already successful!! What I wanted in the first place... I already had!

I Want What You Have

The following post is inspired by an excerpt from "Meditations from the Mat" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. 

Back in 2008 I picked up Rolfs' book and started reading it. By March of the next year I was engaged in his Yoga Teacher Training.


Interesting how the universe puts things in-front of you before they happen. Even more interesting is that we don't necessarily realize it. It takes being in tune with a Higher Power to start to become aware. So, this morning, I picked up Rolf's book again, asking for a message; "What do I need to know today?"


Day 58: 
"All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied. And be a simple kind of man, someone you can love and understand..." Lynyrd Skynyrd


At the end of this entry there is the most beautiful paragraph ever:

"On the mat I have learned no to live too fast. Troubles have come and they have passed. I found a woman and I found love. And I try never to forget that there is something up above. I've learned not to lust, and to believe that what I need is in my soul. I follow my heart and nothing else. I've become a simple man who I can love and understand. I am satisfied."

THAT'S what I want.......... and I have faith that I am on my way.


At the end of the Yoga Teacher Training course, during graduation, one of the students wrapped up his experience by saying to Rolf, "I want what you have..."


Rolf's response was simply, "I want what YOU have." So, not only is he satisfied, but humble too. Going further, he also recognizes qualities in others that he wants to cultivate. There is so much to learn on this simple path.

Getting Yourself Out of Your Way

This picture was taken by my beautiful friend Kellie Wilson this past weekend in the Chicago area. The ice crystals hanging on the tree was from the fog that morning. Her gift is my joy to share. This tree resembles the Three of Life and is a perfect picture and metaphor for this blog post. Thank you Kellie!

How many times have "we" - the collective "we" - been inspired to begin something just to have it fizzle out over time? The start of a new year is filled with aspiration, hope, and what we call "New Year Resolutions." The majority of us resolve to lose weight, get healthy, stop smoking, exercise more... whatever the goal is.


We start off with a BANG! If our thing is running, we start out with a great 3 mile run that makes us so sore we can barely move our body the next day (or, even worse, that afternoon). Ever notice how full the gym is the first two weeks of January? There's an act of God if a treadmill or elliptical machine is available when you walk in the door! By February the treadmills become more available. And, if we are still sticking with the exercise program we began with in March, there's an issue finding an open treadmill only every once-n-a-while. By the time May rolls around no one is in the gym.


We are so inspired at the start of a project or goal that we literally will ourselves to do it. Some people go to the point of spreadsheets, charts, and other mechanisms to assist us in showing our progress to our end goal. Honestly....... this has never worked for me. Usually by the second week of January there is something that has "come up" to get in the way of achieving my end result. Life has effectively gotten in the way. Some way, some how, it has snuck in and something else has taken priority. Before I know it... I've missed three or four workouts and I'm off of the wagon.


I've noticed that I have willed myself into a lot of life. I've willed myself to complete my homework, eat brussel sprouts, try escargot - by the way, not my favorite but I've heard many people like the dish. I've willed myself through relationships that weren't healthy. I have willed myself into diets, exercise routines... clothes. None of this made me feel any better, solved my problems, or really "worked" for me. Something else would always take priority over the goal. I've effectively gotten into my own way.


So the solution must be to change our habit... right? I could go into the psychology of changing a habit and how many times an action needs to be done in order for the habit to change... blah blah blah. Again, honestly, it's not about what we DO. We DO a lot. What we need to DO is stop.


Yes... I said STOP. Stop and figure out what we really need to fix... which is how we are BEING.


I've used the "I don't have time" excuse... as if there were a limited amount of it. What I have realized is that there is an abundance of this thing called "time"... we need to find our way of capturing it. This is different for each individual. We can make more time for ourselves by the way we are being... not in what we are doing.


So, this year I have made the decision to take small steps to achieve my goal without a timetable. I've made the decision to get out of my own way. Which is a good thing because I have a big goal... a really big goal... it may take many years to accomplish. My whole heart is focused on this goal. I don't see this goal as a vision or an image in my mind, it does not have a color or a shape or take place in a specific location... it is how I feel and how I am being, everything else will fall into place as it should. Every day I move forward with faith. As long as I focus on this, and take action from the heart, I am well on my way to achieving my goal.


Peace, Joy, and Love to all Beings... on this journey called Life.

My Prayer for 2010

I have a calendar from 2009 that has quotes from the Dalai Lama. The last quote of the year is as follows:

May I become at all times, both now and forever

A protector for those without protection

A guide for those have lost their way

A ship for those with oceans to cross

A bridge for those with rivers to cross

A sanctuary for those in danger

A lamp for those without light

A place of refuge for those who lack shelter

And a servant to all in need.

All of us, at one time or another - in the now or future - has needed someone to be one of those "things" above. I have needed many people over the past three years to be those "things" for me. I am so grateful for those friends who have become my guides, protectors and bridges. I am grateful for those strangers that have become my lamp, refuge, and ship. I am blessed to have people in my life that continue to be servants to all those they come in contact with that are in need.

My wish for 2010 is that we all realize that each person we encounter, whether in passing or engaging in a conversation, is a person in need. I have hope for human compassion, kindness, and love. In 2010, I believe we will all find these things in people we know... and we don't. I pray that I am aware when I am in need and someone provides. Most of all, I pray that I can be of service and provide when others are facing uncertainty and loss. What comes around goes around - I'm sending compassion, kindness, and love out into the world this New Year's Day... and also to myself.

I wish you and yours a very blessed 2010!

I'm Smiling...

I walked into a Dealership at lunch to have my 25,000 mile tune up completed. The place was packed! People getting their car washed, tires checked, tune ups... a madhouse! I was one of many standing in line waiting to be helped. I waited... and waited... and waited. Fifteen minutes later a young man asked if he could help me. By then I was annoyed and irritated... so yeah! He could definately help.

Noticing that I wasn't practicing Ahimsa (non-violence in any way) I was only hurting myself by continuing to be irritated. So... I smiled. Simply a smile... I said hello to a couple of service people walking by. They smiled back. Simple acts of kindness... a smile... a hello during a very busy time when all of the other customers are complaining. As my car was being processed the expectation was set that my car might take longer than usual. Instead of an hour probaly an hour and a half or two. I smiled... I'm ok, I have all that I need to keep me occupied.

By the way, my car was ready in under an hour. I smiled....

Surrendering to Allow Change

I'm a gatherer of information... I always have been. So as I continue to expand my knowledge on Yoga as a whole I am searching for information on different types of yoga. As I enter the new year I am reading information to decide what branch of Yoga to study. During my search I ran across a book called "Yoga from the Inside Out: Making Peace with your Body" by Christina Sell. She describes her childhood as troubled and has a very driven nature. Within the first couple of pages in the book she hits on a huge point for Westerners: Surrender.

"... I was aware that there was not even a story line connected to the emotions at all. My body was simply releasing stored feelings. I continued to stay in the pose, following my breath and taking instruction from my teacher. Before leaving the workshop that evening, my teacher told me to not be afraid as I would go through changes. He said, 'You know, your challenge has never been strength or your willingness to work hard. You are good at those things. What you need to do now is surrender.'"

I notice the stored tension in people all around me in the workplace. People are fighting themselves from the inside - out! I see hunched shoulders, bad backs, sore necks, headaches, jaw clenching... the list goes on and on. Culturally we are taught not to show outbursts of emotions and/or feelings. As children we are taught that our outbursts are wrong or bad in some way. When, in fact, children are doing what our animalistic instinct tells us to do - release tension when the tension was there in that moment. Instead we push it inside of us and figure we'll deal with the hurt, defeat, pain, or suffering somehow.

A couple of years back I had two cats. One cat was older and calm, almost regal. The other was a kitten, full of spitfire and spunk. The kitten would stalk the older cat and jump out to attack him on countless occasions during the day. Although funny to watch, the older cat didn't enjoy it as much as I did, or the kitten. Of course this was all good and fun to the kitten. Each time the kitten pounced the older cat would let him have his fun, understanding the routine. Once the "attack" was over the older cat would simply get up and shake it off from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Then calmly walk away.

Animals release energy under stressful situations in that moment. Animals do not instinctually store tension. If you watch two ducks in a pond arguing at each other at the end they will flap their wings to release the tension. Imagine; a business setting two executives in a heated discussion in a filled conference room. Then, after the discussion, shaking or flapping his/her wings to release the tension? Culturally, there is etiquette and a time and place for the release of tension. What humans have over animals is CHOICE. The option to choose a reaction or action in a situation. There are tools we have to help control our reactions.

The Yoga Asanas are an excellent tool to release stored tension. Our bodies were made to be flexible and limber. Heck, babies do a form of asana without even realizing it! Yet the majority of Westerners are stiff and knotted - fighting ourselves from within. I often hear, "I'm too inflexible for yoga" and "I can't do yoga! I can't touch my toes if you paid me!" If we change the thinking about our "inflexibility" to having "stored tension in the body," we can begin to focus on that during a pose and, with our breath, surrender and stop fighting ourselves. We do not need to flap our arms or shake from nose to tail... simply breathe and focus on the stored tension to surrender to it.

One of the purposes of Yoga is to allow... allow the pose to happen... allow the energy to build and the body heat up... allow the body to cool and rest. The first "rule" of yoga is Ahimsa; non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or to the self. This goes as far as non-violence in thought, word, and action. Practicing surrender in our Asana allows us to move beyond the mat and utilize the practice in real-world situations... surrendering into a situation and accepting what is. Once we accept what is we have the choice of action. Following Ahimsa, our action would be mindful and, even within our thoughts, compassionate.

This takes practice... which brings us back to our mat. Within this circle there is a surrender to the process. Change will come as we allow the surrender to happen.

Simple Acts of Kindness

In the book "How Yoga Works" by Geshe Michael Roach, the main character discusses the cause and effect of thoughts as planting seeds in the mind. It is an overwhelming consideration that a single thought can manifest itself into something so much larger that does not serve us well. The simplification of the idea is what draws me to the blog today... as the book describes the first humans sitting in a cave eating, the idea of sharing food enters one of the humans' mind. As the human shares food, this single act of kindness starts a kind of chain reaction. "And then maybe the next day the first human goes out again looking for some food, and he is special, you see, and he notices that food seems a lot easier to find that day. And then some unspeakably holy, sacred string of thought passes through his mind and he says to himself, 'Maybe food is easier to find for me today because I shared my food yesterday.'"

This thought has been with me for the past couple of days. As the world around me seemed to be frantically looking for gifts or "getting somewhere," I wondered if my act of kindness to whomever I came into contact with would change the way that they interacted with me. What I found was an amazing reaction to just looking people in the eyes, smiling, and caring about them.

I'm not a psychologist, but I am an observer. What I observed is that when a person is engaged with a simple act of kindness the intention of their actions changes. For example: engage a cashier at a grocery store with a simple smile and conversation that may empathize with a busy Holiday season. Suddenly her posture changes, she's no longer worried how long the line is getting, she starts to smile, then laugh and brighten. More interesting; she isn't throwing produce across the scanner anymore... instead... she is intentionally taking care of the food. I even started noticing acts of kindness when driving. I observed my stress level decrease and traffic seemed to move a lot smoother as I focused on being kind to others around me... and my car too. I take care of you... you take care of me.

Of course - there are always exceptions to the experiment. I've allowed those interactions to pass knowing that maybe, one day, it will make a difference. Until then, I will keep experimenting and observing.

I would love to see your comments on observations. Please share!

Peace, Love and Joy this holiday season...

Patience

[The following "Day" is an excerpt from the book "Meditations from the Mat" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison]

Day 108: "How poor they are that have not patience! What would did ever heal but by degrees?" William Shakespear

This morning it is very quiet outside. Schools are closed for winter break, adults are home with their families and not rushing to work... the world outside has slowed for a moment. I notice the difference between this morning and yesterday with all of the snow and plows passing by the house every other hour. This morning all I hear is a bird chirping outside... and it's wonderful. It seems as if the world is healing itself after being scraped and picked.


Choosing to read this Day out of Rolf's book is perfect for this time of year. "As our spines become increasingly flexible, we begin to understand the extent of the physical consequences of decades of compensating for a bad back. Then we embark on a period of reconstruction. And this is where the real work begins." As the snow continues to fall nature is also going through a period of reconstruction. This is an annual occurrance, it happens everywhere in varying degrees. As it is with nature, it is also with us.


Nature turns inward during winter. It is a time of rest and inward reflection. "In A Course in Miracles, the adage "Many are called but few are chosen" is used to suggest that although life offers all of us countless opportunities for growth, all too few of us bother to pick up the signals. We don't choose to hear the message." As you do your practice, whether it is Yoga, Running, Meditation, Swimming, or another form of physical activity, take the time to turn inward. Take the time to pay attention to the signals and be aware. If we are not aware the message will pass us by.


Not to worry... it will come again... for God/Universe/Higher Power is patient and is waiting for you to become who you already are.

The Study of Purity

[The following "Day" is from "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison]



Day 188:
Amy's Story: "I have had fibrocystic breast disese. Within the first month of yoga, the disease - and all of the painful symptoms - went away completely. Emotionally, I felt as if had let go of something, and then I realized that my illness was completely gone, Yoga makes me feel more like taking care of myself, so I am more conscious of what I put into my body , and I am more present. more aware of how things are affecting me. I feel more committed to taking care of myself."

I can personally attest to Amy's experience. Although I have not had a disease like Amy's, I have experienced the aspect of purity that Amy expresses... and the desire to maintain the body and an optimal level of functioning. Last year I started taking yoga classes seriously. I was at the studio 3 to 4 times a week. During this time I noticed that what I ate at lunch "inflamed" my belly so much that I could not do some twisted positions. Bothered by this, I started cutting out foods that could inflame my body. I had already cut out pop and coffee so the next thing to go was gluten. I didn't see an immediate difference - but in two weeks I noticed that my belly wasn't as bloated at class and I could bind while in twisting poses... like my hands could actually touch and there wasn't any discomfort!

The next step was after the holidays, I completely cut out sugar. WOW... what a difference that made! It affected everything from my hormones to my weight! And, I was no longer bloated. During this time period (3 months) I went from 165'ish to 132... a size 10 to almost a size 2.

My goal was not to lose weight, or fit into a dress or pair of jeans. My goal was to simply function and feel good... to balance out my physical body just as I was balancing out my mind during my yoga practice.

A week ago I received the Chopra Center Daily Practices Guide in the mail. I didn't open the packet of information until last night. There is a section on Eating Awareness Techniques that helped me become more aware of my habits and begin changing my un-conscious eating patterns immediately. Here they are and I hope they help you too:

"{The environment in which food is prepared and consumed makes an important contribution to the nourishing influence food has on the body. By paying attention to a few simple principles, you can help your system extract the highest levels of nourishment from everthing you eat.}

• Eat in a settled atmosphere.
• Don't eat when you are upset.
• Sit down to eat.
• Eat only when you feel hungry.
• Reduce ice-cold foods and drinks. They put out your fire.
• Don't talk while chewing your food, engage in light-hearted conversations.
• Eat at a moderate pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
• Wait until one meal is digested before eating the next.
• Sip warm water with your meals.
• Eat freshly-cooked meals whenever possible. Reduce FLUNC (frozen, leftover, un-cooked, nuked (microwaved), and canned) foods.
• Minimize raw foods - cooked food is much easier to digest.
• Do not cook with honey, replace with maple syrup. Honey can be used as a condiment.
• Drink milk separately from meals, preferably warm and either alone or with other sweet foods.
• Experience all six tastes at every meal.
• Leave 1/3 to 1/4 of your stomach empty to aid digestion.
• Sit quietly for a few minutes after your meal. Take a walk if you can."

If you are interested in balancing out your physical body with nutrition I highly recommend going to www.chopra.com and taking the Dosha quiz. I also highly recommend reading about Ayurveda and the natural and practical practice to balance the body.

I hope this has helped or touched someone today - thank you for allowing me to share.

Do what you love...

The following "Day" is taken from a book called "Meditations from the Mat" by Rolf Gates.

Day 150:"Let the beauty that you love be what you do" Rumi

As I prepare for an all day big corporate meeting, and presentation within that meeting, I know I will be dealing with pain bodies and egos everywhere... In one room... All day. So how do I bring my dharma forward in that setting? I will make them laugh... I will bring joy... I will support the work that came before me.

"... dharma is the recognition that each of us is born with unique gifts, and that it is our path to discover these gifts and share them with others. In sharing our gifts we live most fully, perform maximum service to those around us, and empower them to live out their dharma."

During Rolf's Vinyasa Teacher Training in 2009, the class noticed that each of us has a unique gift that we have shared with each other over the course of the training. As luck would have it, we have continued sharing our gifts via email, pictures, Facebook, blogs, etc. We continue to support each other in ways that are blind to the outside world.

As we practice - we share, we support, we grow...

"As we inhale, we prepare; as we exhale, we deepen the posture. Coming to the mat, we prepare; going forth into our lives, we shine. Our practice is an inhalation, our dharma is an exhalation."

Inhale joy... Exhale and shine....