August 29, 2010
"LET IT BE"
2010 has unfolded as a very challenging and tumultuous time for most of us. Personally, I have suffered the devestating loss of family members and friends, this year already. Danielle's death at 22 years old, continues to be a place of greif and sadness. I am hearing this echoed in talking to co-workers and friends. This can make us feel fearful and uncertain about moving forward. What it can and should do, is to make us feel our aliveness even more. To appreciate and be grateful for each and every breath. To truly LIVE each day as if it were our last!
Two of my dearest friends inspired me to write this message, as they are both experiencing the sudden the loss of a relationship, that happened "out of the blue!" Relationships are the toughest level of yoga we have to practice, as they challenge us on every level. We will either grow or stay stuck and try to manipulate the situation.It is hard for me to hear and know they are going through such emotional pain and heartbreak. My initial reaction is to be angry and upset, because both scenarios don't make any sense and they just "suck wind".
I am more dissapointed in the lack of intergrity and people incapable of honoring their word. Why is it so hard to be honest and upfront? Both parties contribute to a relationship and I am not saying these ladies are perfect, but they are GODDESSE'S on the path of spiritual development. They are trying to Be and do what they say, while allowing for others to be their own individual.
One of the friends was advising me a few months ago about a potential relationship. She said, "you may get hurt, but you have been hurt before, so you already know you can survive it."
Surviving it is the key! Having the patience with the process and trusting that there will be light, sooner than later.The mental noise swirls and consumes our brains as we wonder "What is wrong with me", "What could I have done differently? and then the big one, "Why didn't he care enough about me to do this? We have to remind ourselves that is usually not about the "me". It is either timing, divine or otherwise, or a sacred contract that has expired.
As we continue to learn, if a person does not have th download, they are incapable of showing up in a way that might match our needs and expectations.
Fear is at the root of all things dark. The opposite of fear is love.
Fears manifests itself in: confusion, worry, doubt, lying, procastination,judgement, shame and guilt.
Love manifests itself as: joy, appreciation, acceptance, happiness, kindness, charity, support, allowing and being in the moment.
"When you are afraid of anything, you are acknowledging its power to hurt you. Remember that where your heart is, there is also your treasure also. You believe in what you value. If you are afraid, you are valuing wrongly." A Course in Miracles
"All fear is ultimately reducible to the basic misperception that you have the ability to usurp the power of God. Of course, you neither can nor have been able to do this. Here is the real basis for your escape from fear. The escape is brought about by your acceptance of the Atonement, which enables you to realize that your errors never really occurred." A Course in Miracles
One of these Goddesse's was told by a friend to "Let it Be". I thought these were 3 very powerful words! I am so grateful to her friend, because these 3 words are empowering and can keep one in away from fear. It doesn't provide an answer, but it stops one from going into darkness. I have been using these words in sitautions where I find myself complaining and beginning to criticize others. When I am worried or feeling overwhelmed about what I "should be doing", I say "let it Be" and it works. Letting it be, is also allowing you to let go and let God! If you just remember that is it the goal and job of the ego to keep you in fear. We may have to turn away from fear literally thousands of times a day. We then become like the tides in the ocean, through the gentleness of water (our thoughts; choosing good ones) to take down a mountain side.
See below the words to one of the greatest songs ever produced by the Beetles. Let these words be an "answer".
The Beatles (Lennon/McCartney)
From the album Let It Be
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
July 11, 2010
What I Know for Sure About YOGA
Oprah Winfrey has inspired me as a woman, a mother, a friend, and Yoga teacher. When I was green on the teaching front, it was her O Magazine that fueled my “Practices with Messages” each week. My favorite section quickly became “What I Know for Sure.” This is where I could feel the authentic Oprah, and absorb her messages and metaphors. Many weeks, I read out loud to the class, her verbatim words, cleanly torn from the magazine.
The biggest catalyst for my style of teaching was when she quoted Maya Angelou. “When you learn teach, when you get give.” I took these words to heart as I devoured spiritual books and learned more about the spiritual side of this practice.
I’ve listed 18 statements I ABSOLUTELY KNOW FOR SURE about Yoga.
1)What I know for sure is that yoga is an ancient discipline that has shifted the lives and hearts of many. Many people find yoga practice as a means to let go of something like stress, tension, pain and anxiety. Other’s come to the yoga practice to find something such as strength, flexibility, courage and themselves. The majority come for both, which is about finding the balance, or the middle path that the Buddha spoke to.
2) What I know for sure is that yoga is like a rock, in which one can cling to for support, guidance and solace. During trials and tribulations of life, yoga practice is the one steady consistent thing you can count on. While sometimes when we are suffering and in pain, the practice can feel more challenging, however, at the end of the class, we feel more relaxed and peaceful. Yoga is a place where we sit, stand and lay, feeling supported and grounded, even in the midst of a personal storm. Yoga is up for the task, acting as bedrock and a strong foundation. We have flashes of inspiration, solve problems and receive answers to our hearts deepest questions. All we have to do is reach out and grab this hand of strength.
3)What I know for sure is that yoga is a life-long discipline. We can practice yoga our whole lives. Mistakenly, when most people think of yoga, they only think of the Asana side of the practice. The practice is composed of at least 8 limbs, as described and translated for us by Pantajali. As we mature, our focus shifts more away from the physical levels of the practice, and we can engage in meditation, pranayama, Bhakti and Karma yoga.
4)What I know for sure is that yoga is Healing
The data points speak for themselves. Testamonies abound about how the practice has helped people recover from chronic back, neck, spine, knee, shoulder and emotional ailments. Modern chiropractors, Acupuncturist, doctors and therapists, are recommending yoga as part of a patients healing prescription. around the world talk about the healing aspects of yoga. Yoga touches us physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally. Yoga practice is like an eraser. You feel the stress, worry, pain, tension and fear, literally drip out of the body via sweat, or with each and every exhale.
5) What I know for sure is that Yoga is forgiving.
The yoga practice reminds me of the sun. The sun comes out every day to light our way, provide heat and contribute to the growth of the planet. The sun doesn’t have to be motivated, in a good mood, happy, sad, lonely, or get something in return. Unfailing, each day it is there. Yoga is the same. You can skip out on practice for weeks, months and even years at a time, but once you hit your mat again, the body remembers. It’s like a file that has sat dormant without use. All you have to do is press open, and start once again. Have you ever noticed that you are not nearly as sore, or out of sorts as you are when you skip out on the gym, pilates or running for example? Students are always surprised at the grace in which the mat re-receives them. Unlike a human being who might be withholding due to the absence, Yoga practice welcomes us with open arms as we take our first breath.
6)What I know for sure is that Yoga is not a Religion.
Yoga is a spiritual practice that respects and honors all religions. If one is a practicing Christian, Jew or Muslim, the practice supports the religion by allowing the person to be the best that they can be. Yoga does not discriminate and doesn’t care about the creed or color. The healing, challenges, and growth are available to all that step into the practice.
7)What I know for sure is that Yoga opens the body.
The most flexible and pliable people are surprised to find that there are nooks and crannies in their bodies that are untapped. Yoga is about creating aliveness and sensation. The body opens on a deep, deep level, that begins to be detected as one commits more and more to the practice. Sometimes it feels as if we are trying to open a can with a rusty can opener. The rust is the natural decay of the body from lack of movement, stretching and care. As the layers open, it is metaphorically like peeling back an onion. The layers are a deep continuum that offers different aspects of strength, mobility and balance.
8)What I know for sure is that Yoga makes you stronger.
If you feel frail whether it be mentally or physically you will gain strength from the inside out. All levels of the mental and physical aspects of the self join together to create harmony, and work in unison so that the areas that need more strength receive it and the areas that are good, continue to excel. The beauty of the strength is that it in deep into the layers of the muscle, fascia and is long lasting. Through the yoga asanas, we build strength the old fashioned way, using our natural body weight as the device.
9) What I know for sure is that Yoga opens your Heart
The energy of the heart center is based around the middle of the chest and in-between the shoulder blades. As we breathe in and out of the nose, we can feel this area broaden and expand. Most of the physical movements in one shape or form, connects with the energy of the heart. Yoga creates compassion, joy and forgiveness for the self, which mirrors the energies of the heart. We are loving beings by nature, who want to be generous and open. Yoga helps to remove the barriers that we put around the heart in a method to protect it, from being further broken. Breaking the heart open allows more light and energy to flow in, thus helping to serve as a guiding light toward more compassion and love.
10) What I know for sure is that Yoga is for EVERYBODY!
It is so sad and disappointing to hear people say that yoga isn’t for them. Typically, they try one class, and from there make a decision based on this one experience. As many have heard me say, it is like eating at one bad restraint and deciding you don’t like to each outside of the home. There was a song from the 70’s in which the hook of the song said, “There must be 50 ways to leave your lover”. There must be thousands of ways to practice yoga. For as many personalities and people there are, there are as many teachers and styles. The idea is that you make the practice your own, thereby practicing in a way that is unique, holistic and meaningful to you. You always have the option to modify, skip, add on, take away, during a class. Some of the most enriching and healing classes occur when one backs off during practicing, whether than working at top speed.
11) What I know for sure is that Yoga is not easy and takes courage to practice.
In Kundalini yoga practice, a teacher once said that it takes courage to practice yoga. This is a statement that rings true. When we practice, we open places in ourselves that we love as well as, opening and exposing things we don’t want to look at or deal with. Sometimes we open up areas of deep sorrow and grief, and to return to the mat after such an experience, helps us to have the courage to keep going. Yoga gives the ego a run for its money, as during a practice, the ego becomes the servant. Falling when we can’t balance and inability to do poses we feel we should master, all keep the ego in check. We realize our humanness and that we should experience all energies in life,
and be careful of labeling ourselves in a negative manner.
12) What I know for sure is that Yoga brings peace.
A theory about world peace is that, each individual has to find the peace within oneself, in order for us to experience global peace. The more people that experience internal peace, this energy will spread to others who are unable to find it for themselves. We need to be the change we want to see in the world. Peace and serenity are available when we treat ourselves with respect and kindness. Yoga practices moves us towards greater acceptance of ourselves as we are. This acceptance of the selves quiets the arguments that we have on-going in the body, mind and heart. Peace is our natural state and to be otherwise, is unhealthy.
13)What I know for sure is that Yoga strengthens our relationships.
Relating to others and being in relationship with others, helps us to determine the who in the “ I am” in ourselves. Relationships of all types, gives us the direct experience needed to understand and learn if we are who we want to be being. Relationships heal us and give us a reason for being alive. Yoga strengthens our relationships because it helps us to be stronger on all levels. It helps us to be more mindful and watchful of our selves. Relationships can be the toughest yoga on the planet to practice off of the mat. We practice on the mat so that it becomes not only what we are doing, but who we are in all of our actions and intentions, when relating to others.
14) What I know for sure is that Yoga is about being a part of a Community.
What is so wonderful is teaching or attending a class with perfect strangers, only to feel that we are all connected. Yoga is the connector. As we breathe, and hear each other’s movements, it awakens feelings of apathy, support and invisible strength. The feelings of compassion and grace aboud as we work side by side, aware of the others presence and aware that someone we are safe and among birds of a feather. It is the feeling that without words we know that we are being seen and accepted for who we are. The judgment of the outside world diminishes in community and is replaced by grace and respect. One of the biggest reasons why people don’t practice yoga is that they fear yogi’s will judge them, if they are not able to keep up with the class flow, or know the practice. The opposite is true. The new student quickly realizes that everyone is too busy focusing on themselves to worry about them. If they do glance their way, it is usually to share a smile or twinkle in the eye of reassurance.
15) What I know for sure is that Yoga connects one to the self.
The spiritual teachings that I align with, suggest that knowing thyself is the most important mission
we have in life. We must know who we are on all levels, in order to be the contributor to life we were meant to be. We all have a purpose for being here, and it is our mission to find it. The self is comprised of different levels of energy that includes inherited energies of our ancestors and energies of the soul.
We have invisible energetic layers known as the Chakras, the Shushumna and Nadis that have been proven by science, that exist in and around the body.
16) What I know for sure is that Yoga is holistic, sacred and pure.
Yoga is organic, holistic and pure. You won’t find any pesticides, added chemical s or fertilizers. The practice has and always will be natural. The practice helps to detoxify the body and mind, so that the purity of the mind, heart and consciousness can awaken and be utilized. We have learned what the additions of chemicals to our food and air have done to our bodies and planet. Yoga is a practice that is in harmony with nature and life, as the poses are aptly named by Yogi’s observing nature.
17) What I know for sure is that Yoga mirrors life.
My teacher Bryan Kest ‘s my yoga teacher says that practicing yoga on the mat is like going through a mini life. Life is complex and full of uncertainty. There are many things that we enjoy in life, followed by things that cause us difficulty. We can experience life on the mat and practice going through different feelings and emotions, that give us the opportunity to experience them in a safe space, where we can learn to be less reactive and accepting of things the way they are. He used to give the example of being in a challenging pose as your boss screaming at you or being in an argument. He pointed out that if we could stay calm and continue to breath, we then knew we could do it outside of the yoga class and ride on the courage we cultivated on our mats.
18) What I know for sure is that Yoga is a gift.
I thank God for yoga everyday! It is a gift to the individual, the world and the teacher who gets to lead the practice. I attended a lecture with yoga Master , who spoke to being or having lived clean or good past live, evidenced he said by having yoga in your life today. Yoga is one of the oldest gifts of mankind, having survived the tests and scrutiny of time for more than 5,000 years. The beauty of this gift is that it is unknowing shed. Those who practice yoga create a more holistic, peaceful, kinder, loving energy for the planet. This is less taxing on our Mother Earth, and one less person the universe, God ,Buddha , the Angels, Guides, and ascended Masters have to worry about. This is a gift of the highest intention.
