As you reflect back on this ‘2020’ year, may your vision have the utmost of clarity. May you clearly see what is important and what isn’t for you.
What have you learned about yourself and your life?
What are your priorities?
Were you able to see the sun between the clouds? The light in the darkness? The positive in all the negativity?
This is your LIFE!
How can you make it the best that it ever was?
What do you need to do, change, or release in order to live your best life?
Perhaps you are ‘good’ where you are; you have found your place of contentment.
Can you stay there?
It’s always a balancing act.
2020 is in the past and we need to live in the present.
I hope 2021 is filled with beautiful clarity as we live and breathe and enjoy each precious, present moment.
Breathe it in & let it go!
Happy NewYear!
PEACE, LOVE & LIGHT
Are You Strong Enough to be Gentle?
I heard this quote not too long ago and it really made me take a pause and think.....Am I ? Are You?
Am I strong enough to let my guard down and be real, make mistakes and not take life so seriously? Have some fun sometimes? Am I? Are you?
Can I be strong enough to battle the storms inside my mind , overcome any obstacles that are thrown my way but still be able to wrap myself in a hug and say ‘ it’s ok’? Can I? Can you?
Am I strong enough to have an open mind and to look at other’s opinions and/or perspectives respectfully but still be considerate and not defensive to others or myself? Am I? Are you?
Am I strong enough to be gentle to myself and others?
Am I strong enough to begin something and then stop but then pick up where I left off without judgment or doubt?
Am I ? Are you!
Can I be gentle without beating myself up yet stand up tall and strong reaching for my full potential? Can I? Can you?
This quote and the many questions is why I practice yoga.....to help me find answers and give me direction.
Yoga is not just movement, breathing and meditation. Although these all are very beneficial and important.
Yoga is helping me be a better person and helping me live a better life.
Yoga gives us the opportunity to practice everything before we live it. Moment by moment. Giving things a test run and making mistakes in a safe place.
“Being strong enough to be gentle. “
Everyday.
I am. Are you?
What is your Yoga?
There are many reasons why you practice Yoga and what brought you to practice in the first place. The list is endless and the reason is as unique as you are.
But , what keeps pulling you back to your mat to practice? Again, the reasons are as endless and as unique as you are. And the reason can change constantly.
The benefits of the practice continues to grow as you continue to practice. There is a reason it’s called practice. This is a safe place to make mistakes, explore and discover what makes you tick, how you react and how you live.
At first, you might practice to find something physical like strength or flexibility. But then , slowly, as your practice evolves and continues, you discover more benefits.
You can find:
Flexibility
Strength
Stress relief
Stability
Balance
Peace
Calmness
Discipline
Confidence
Self worth
Courage
Kindness
Empathy
Compassion
Gratitude
You find that you want to slow down and take a pause or a moment to stop and smell the roses.
You come to accept and have less expectations.
You allow stuff to be released as you let go of attachments.
You learn to soften.
You learn to be more aware and observe more.
You look at things in different ways. New perspectives.
You discover new things about yourself as you explore the physical body , mind and emotional state.
You realize the wisdom that resides within and that you have everything that you need in the moment.
You find more ease and contentment in life.
There is more being and less doing.
You can concentrate and focus easier.
There is more clarity.
You breathe better as you learn how to control your breath making it easier to deal with anxiety and depression.
I could go on and on...... as I, myself, keep discovering more and more.
Some questions to consider:
WHY did you begin your practice?
WHAT keeps you practicing?
WHAT have you discovered about yourself?
HOW do you live your practice?
WHAT do you need to work on?
Keep discovering, keep exploring, keep practicing one breath at a time.
Om Shanti
Namaste
We Are Always Learning
I always knew that not every asana (posture) was for every body. Some people are not just able to do certain things. And that is totally ok, we are all uniquely different. There are a variety of reasons from skeletal, muscle or ligament tightness to injuries; just to name a few.
Being an experienced yoga teacher I knew this.......I knew this! But I didn’t appreciate the actual reality. I’m pretty sure that I took my body and all it could do for granted.
We all do!
I know now ,that I definitely didn’t have enough empathy for others. Even though I thought I was empathetic.
I knew that lots of my students struggled ,but I don’t think I understood, til now.
Now I get it!
The frustration of doing the most basic of things like child’s pose or moving that back foot forward between your hands in low lunge. (I’m working on it)
Downward facing dog.....Arg! Forward bend? Forget it! I can’t go anywhere near the floor. Calming? Yeah right! Agony is more like it.
I’m still just trying to sit somewhat comfortably.
Sciatica has brought me to the most humblest of places. This 5 month injury (so far) is slowly going away but in the meantime I have learned so much.
Hopefully this new wisdom will make me a better teacher, one who can really understand and empathize with her students
The universe moves in the most mysterious of ways. Who knew I was due for a powerful lesson? Our lessons come in many forms. There is always so much more to learn. I’m open and ready. Are you?