Today is 1.17.11 - Martin Luther King Day.

Many of us in Arizona, and others around the country collectively mourn for those in Tuscon who were recently affected by the shooting tragedy there.

"Hate cannot drive out pain, only love can do that." - Martin Luther King

I have a question..... How did we get so far from AHIMISA?? Ahimsa not only means non-violence and non-harming; but having kindness, compassion and forgiveness in thoughts, words and actions toward ALL living beings and respect for the views of others.

Jainism is one of, if not the earliest religion recorded in history. It's teachings were rooted in Ahimsa. Its philosophy and practice emphasizes the necessity of self effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Regarding every living being as you do yourself, harming no one.

What a different place the world would be if everyone could be committed to this one virtue.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!" Martin Luther King

Mr. King has inspired me on this day to recommit myself in the practice of Ahimsa. Perhaps he can inspire you too!

2011...a new perspective

2011, around the corner! Wow! The other night at dinner, my husband, Tom said, "I think I finally found my Dharma." After a couple of bumpy years in the economy, and basically reinventing the wheel, it's interesting to look back and see the flowers that take root when you're in the mudd. Looking back over 2010 I see how my yoga teachers, colleagues, and students, have taught me a lot about yoga and life!

I loved the questions that Paulette Bodeman, one of my beloved Anusara yoga teachers, asked in class yesterday on Christmas Eve. "How do you live your life?" How do you stand when it gets tough? Can you surrender to the Shakti?" (Shakti is that feminine part of self that loves to dance and create beauty.) When we connect to the Absolute, and keep our eye on the target, the Shakti inevidably has our back!

We all have to tread through the mudd, sometimes. The question is are you living your Dharma? Or should I say, "Are you living in Dharmony? - Lol"

There has been much talk about Dharma (duty, life purpose, or loving service) in my classes and others I've attended this month, and one thing is certain... We are in this together, we need each other! Yoga mimics life.... it makes me smile!

A quote I love for the New Year...

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Mother Theresa

Some inspiration from Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You were born to manifest that light that is within you.

It is not in just some of us; it is in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Namaste

An Amazing Journey

9/14/10

After five days of instense studies; today I finished Immersion 1 of Anusara Yoga! Anusara means "flowing with grace". The Shiva-Shakti tantra philosophy is fascinating to me! Much different philosophy from traditional styles of yoga. I feel like I've come home! This yoga has revealed a lot of truth to me, mostly about myself. Sometimes it is difficult to look in the mirror. Lol!

I shifted to Anusara some 4 years ago after practing several other traditions for many years, I turned to Anusara, mostly because I was happy to work deep in a backbend without pain (finally)! I had no idea just how deep all that "heart-opening" would take me.

The first principle of Anusara is: "Open To Grace". I've heard this thousands of times in yoga class before, but this weekend I realized just how hard it really is. I must allow much more vulnerability both into my practice and my life. This is not easy! It is humbling to be reminded of just how much I still don't know about yoga! What an AMAZING JOURNEY!

How does life continue to pass by so quickly?? My yoga continues to be the big teacher in my life! Both inspiring and revealing at so many levels. I have been speaking much about manifesting dreams and aspiritions this week in class. It seems so much bigger than me. But something else is driving this creativity within me and you, something unseen and good. Have you heard that song by the Indigo Girls? "Darkness has a calling that's insatiable, and lightness has a call that's hard to hear". Surrendering in the effort..... this is the practice! Grace supports us all!!
Namaste

BREATHE

Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to god.
-Krishnamacharya

A quote from Bill Gates Sr. - love this!

"Life is the ultimate teacher, but it is usually through experience and not scientific research that we discover it's deeper lessons. We are all here for a single purpose; to grow in wisdom and learn to love. We can do this through losing as well as through winning, by having and by not having, by succeeding or by failing. All we need to do is to show up openhearted for class... So fulfilling life's purpose may depend more on how we play than what we are dealt. You have to be present to win!!"