Something has shifted today. I woke up to the sound of clapping. 3 claps. No one was in the room. Then Angus hollered from the kitchen "what did you say honey?". He too heard something - a voice. I knew then that today was going to be a very special day! I began with meditation and have been continuing my day with working on my new website, a break to clean the kitchen, then back to it. I wanted to share this joy and excitement with you as soon as possible! Today is a very special day - just watch for it - every moment something very special is going to show up for you today.
Namaste
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 10 of 40 day challenge
So The toughest part of a 40-day challenge. The challenge, for me, is staying present to being in a challenge! I forget! Then I remember there is a group of people in this with me. The past few days my challenge has been to stay in this game I have created to play - my life.
There are days, yes even for a yoga teacher/studio owner, where I feel like just hiding at home in bed. I get overwhelmed by all of the many tasks that I am supposed to do. My mind gives me multiple lists, I imagine that I must be missing something and that the house of cards called my life will come tumbling down if I miss that one thing!
Then it passes. In the next moment, the next breath, I pay attention to NOW. Right now, nothing is wrong! There is no major disaster happening, the world is peaceful outside of my screened door, I can hear the birds singing! Beyond those birds, I hear the traffic on the highway. People driving to work or to vacation (it is Friday) and once again my mind tries to break free to think about all of the energy wasted, the noise, the pollution. Once again, I rein in the mind and re-direct the thoughts...People will never stop moving! It's so funny - we will keep traveling and keep seeking a way to do that and we all do care deeply about our planet.
Some of us just are not aware of that at the moment.
So do you see the mind-game? The mind will not stop thinking. The discipline of yoga is to keep reining it in, to keep bringing the attention back to the present moment. To gain control over the monkey mind. Which, by the way, is an impossible task. So I practice ignoring my thoughts, re-directing my thoughts, and laughing at my thoughts. It can be amusing you know - OH! There's THAT ONE AGAIN! Ha ha ha ha haaaaahhh!
Keep it up - the practice of yoga. Asana, pranayama, the yamas and niyamas, meditation, keep practicing.
There are days, yes even for a yoga teacher/studio owner, where I feel like just hiding at home in bed. I get overwhelmed by all of the many tasks that I am supposed to do. My mind gives me multiple lists, I imagine that I must be missing something and that the house of cards called my life will come tumbling down if I miss that one thing!
Then it passes. In the next moment, the next breath, I pay attention to NOW. Right now, nothing is wrong! There is no major disaster happening, the world is peaceful outside of my screened door, I can hear the birds singing! Beyond those birds, I hear the traffic on the highway. People driving to work or to vacation (it is Friday) and once again my mind tries to break free to think about all of the energy wasted, the noise, the pollution. Once again, I rein in the mind and re-direct the thoughts...People will never stop moving! It's so funny - we will keep traveling and keep seeking a way to do that and we all do care deeply about our planet.
Some of us just are not aware of that at the moment.
So do you see the mind-game? The mind will not stop thinking. The discipline of yoga is to keep reining it in, to keep bringing the attention back to the present moment. To gain control over the monkey mind. Which, by the way, is an impossible task. So I practice ignoring my thoughts, re-directing my thoughts, and laughing at my thoughts. It can be amusing you know - OH! There's THAT ONE AGAIN! Ha ha ha ha haaaaahhh!
Keep it up - the practice of yoga. Asana, pranayama, the yamas and niyamas, meditation, keep practicing.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Nagin Sanghavi - a 93 year old teacher - how does he do it?
I have sat by Nagindas' side for 3 talks now and today & tomorrow one more each day is coming. He chose two subjects: Hindu god's & goddesses and what their mythology means (with stories!) and the philosophy of Yoga - more about the 8-limbed path of yoga - what being a yogi really means. (not the physical exercise - that's a start)...
As I watch and listen to him speak, I am so amazed by his powerful delivery of words. He talks about the power of the practice of yoga, self reflection, practice of improving yourself each moment, observing yourself and taking good care of yourself. He speaks about true yoga being all of that and more in order to make a difference in the world around you. He talks about where different aspects of yoga have come from many religions, but yoga is not a religion. One surprise we heard was that Christianity added the aspect of service to others as a practice. That this was not a part of yoga before Christ.
That these Hindu gods are for us to emulate. That they are or perhaps were, real human beings that became gods because of their gifts: wisdom, generosity, a willingness to give everything, power....
I am most touched by this 93-year old man, who emulates a true yogi, yet says that he is not one. He still gets angry, upset, he says (although I have not seen it in the two days I have spent with him so far). He is simple, humble, yet when he speaks, it is with a really powerful, booming voice & great authority. And strength. His posture is perfect when he speaks. His words are delivered with precise intentionality. His mind is more sharp than I can comprehend. Just when I think he might be at a loss for words because he pauses, he delivers a powerful sentence that has me once again, looking at myself and having me ask my self - am I patient? Do I practice without ceasing? A true yogi is that, practices for a very long time with out ceasing. Practicing by observing thoughts, actions, emotions, and trying always trying to improve.
Two more opportunities are coming this year to listen to him: today at 11 am at Yoga Prairie studio, and tomorrow at 3 pm at Om Collective studio in Minneapolis. (see www.yogaprairie.com for more info)
As I watch and listen to him speak, I am so amazed by his powerful delivery of words. He talks about the power of the practice of yoga, self reflection, practice of improving yourself each moment, observing yourself and taking good care of yourself. He speaks about true yoga being all of that and more in order to make a difference in the world around you. He talks about where different aspects of yoga have come from many religions, but yoga is not a religion. One surprise we heard was that Christianity added the aspect of service to others as a practice. That this was not a part of yoga before Christ.
That these Hindu gods are for us to emulate. That they are or perhaps were, real human beings that became gods because of their gifts: wisdom, generosity, a willingness to give everything, power....
I am most touched by this 93-year old man, who emulates a true yogi, yet says that he is not one. He still gets angry, upset, he says (although I have not seen it in the two days I have spent with him so far). He is simple, humble, yet when he speaks, it is with a really powerful, booming voice & great authority. And strength. His posture is perfect when he speaks. His words are delivered with precise intentionality. His mind is more sharp than I can comprehend. Just when I think he might be at a loss for words because he pauses, he delivers a powerful sentence that has me once again, looking at myself and having me ask my self - am I patient? Do I practice without ceasing? A true yogi is that, practices for a very long time with out ceasing. Practicing by observing thoughts, actions, emotions, and trying always trying to improve.
Two more opportunities are coming this year to listen to him: today at 11 am at Yoga Prairie studio, and tomorrow at 3 pm at Om Collective studio in Minneapolis. (see www.yogaprairie.com for more info)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Ahimsa
Non violence in thought, word and action. Read more on the 40 Day Yoga Challenge blog.
(see previous entry for link)
(see previous entry for link)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
40 day challenge day 1
If you are following the 40 day yoga challenge, please go to this blog: http://40dayyoga.blogspot.com/
and click on "follow" I will write on that one for these 40 days.
A little morsel for you:
The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
(now what if your mind-stuff wasn't constantly bothering you?)
and click on "follow" I will write on that one for these 40 days.
A little morsel for you:
The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
(now what if your mind-stuff wasn't constantly bothering you?)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Preparation
As I prepare to paint a room and hallway today, I am thinking about preparation. I spend so much time in preparation.
I prepare to teach, I prepare for a guest speaker - sending out invitations, discussing the topic with him by email for months, talking to his daughter who will be taking care of him here...preparing my husband and home for their stay. . .
I am painting the room he will stay in - I am using the "company's coming" energy to give me the motivation to do all of this!
Back to preparation. . . my mind is a busy preparation machine. . . I prepare too much, I'm making myself wrong for preparing so well; doh, there it goes again, the busy mind making me wrong! Well, this is not fun.
The cat is fun. He was chasing the drop-cloth (plastic) I put down for painting. That was fun!
What would you like to do today to prepare for YOUR 40 day challenge? (it starts tomorrow!)
I prepare to teach, I prepare for a guest speaker - sending out invitations, discussing the topic with him by email for months, talking to his daughter who will be taking care of him here...preparing my husband and home for their stay. . .
I am painting the room he will stay in - I am using the "company's coming" energy to give me the motivation to do all of this!
Back to preparation. . . my mind is a busy preparation machine. . . I prepare too much, I'm making myself wrong for preparing so well; doh, there it goes again, the busy mind making me wrong! Well, this is not fun.
The cat is fun. He was chasing the drop-cloth (plastic) I put down for painting. That was fun!
What would you like to do today to prepare for YOUR 40 day challenge? (it starts tomorrow!)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Welcome to the 40-Day Yoga Challenge! (July 10-Aug 19, 2011)
If you are reading this, you have let me know you want to join the challenge. In joining the challenge you are participating by practicing yoga 4 to 6 days a week for a minimum of 60 minutes, with at least one day a 75 minutes of yoga practice. If you practice yoga 4 days, the other 2 days can be another form of exercise like walking or swimming.
Yoga practice includes: asana, pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and relaxation. If you are walking slowly and focus on your movement with the breath, this is also practicing yoga. If you are doing an intentional relaxation - focusing the mind on releasing your tension and breathing with ease, you are practicing yoga.
If you are eating mindfully, focusing on the texture, color, scent and flavor of each bite, you are practicing your yoga. (however, eating will not count towards the 6 days of exercise).
If you are in this challenge, please place a comment on this blog, stating your intention for the 40-day yoga challenge. What will you accomplish, have a breakthrough in - or transform? Tell us what future you see pulling you through this challenge.
If you have not yet declared yourself a participant and are reading this now, please sign up as a follower on this blog post and post your intention!
Yoga practice includes: asana, pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and relaxation. If you are walking slowly and focus on your movement with the breath, this is also practicing yoga. If you are doing an intentional relaxation - focusing the mind on releasing your tension and breathing with ease, you are practicing yoga.
If you are eating mindfully, focusing on the texture, color, scent and flavor of each bite, you are practicing your yoga. (however, eating will not count towards the 6 days of exercise).
If you are in this challenge, please place a comment on this blog, stating your intention for the 40-day yoga challenge. What will you accomplish, have a breakthrough in - or transform? Tell us what future you see pulling you through this challenge.
If you have not yet declared yourself a participant and are reading this now, please sign up as a follower on this blog post and post your intention!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Being a yoga teacher and the home practice
Being a yoga teacher gives me the added level of commitment to my practice that takes me deeper than I could have done without that. I am responsible and accountable for a yoga studio (I own the business) being open to our community. This is not a burden for me. It is a great honor that has been bestowed upon me.
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
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