40 DAYS HAVE COME AND GONE…..

…..And if you’ve been practicing every day for 40 days, what have you experienced?  How has your practice changed?  Has anything in your life changed, or shifted?  What have you discovered about yourSELF?  These are all rhetorical questions, of course, but nonetheless – they are worth asking.

I’ve intentionally been a little more quiet these last 8 days or so, for several reasons.  I wanted to give everyone participating their own space – free of any  opinion or influence.  I wanted you to do this on your own, to show up for YOU.  And I found that practice for me over the last week has been very personal.  A lot of meditation and contemplation, a lot of (very) necessary layer-peeling.

When you think about it, this is pretty powerful – putting yourSELF first for 40 days.  How often do we end up last on our own list?  How often do we neglect something that seems so basic – conscious breathing?  How much better do you feel?

Keep practicing…

 

September 29, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 32 – STILLING THE LAKE OF THE MIND

This is a FABULOUS guided meditation by Rod Stryker!  I hope you will be coming to the Master Class on Sunday, September 25th – we’ll be doing this meditation together!

 

September 21, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 31 – GOING FOR 40!!!

For those of you who have ventured into the 30-day practice, and completed the 30-day practice…… Why not go for 40?!?!

It is said that the number 40 has spiritual significance.  40 days to bring about spiritual transformation, to have a purifying effect.  A person 40 years of age attains true understanding.  40 days of rain purified the world, and so on…..  Regardless of your belief system, there is a very positive effect of practicing for 40 consecutive days.

There is no guarantee that you’ll be an “enlightened” being after 40 days, but I’ll guarantee you’ll be looking at the world differently.  You’ll be more compassionate, and less judgmental.  If you are committed to the next 10 days and “Going for 40,” I will offer this suggestion for your practice:  Meditation.   Meditation, meditation, meditation.  Sit quietly, and listen.  Offer loving-kindness to someone you need to forgive, or to someone who simply presents a challenge to your life.

For example, “I forgive you, _________ .  May you be safe.  May you be happy.  May you be healthy.”   Maybe fill in the blank with a different name each day?  Maybe on day 40 you fill in the blank with your own name?

For the next 10 days, in addition to your asana practice, meditate – for at least 20 minutes each day.  You do have 20 minutes every day.

Let’s do this.

September 20, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  2 Comments

THE LAST THREE DAYS

Sometimes it really amazes me how quickly time gets away from us.  It keeps me aware of why it’s so important to stop (or at least slow down) and breathe.  My apologies for the lapse in posts.  It has been a busy weekend, to say the least.

DAY 28 – I purposely waited until the evening to sit for meditation.  My intention was to create a positive intention for Sunrise Yoga to take with me into sleep.  Lots of prayers, lots of breath, lots of smiles and positive thought.

DAY 29 – Fall Equinox Sunrise Yoga.  I woke at 4;30 with the same smile I was wearing the night before.  I continued with the same intention, chanted Gayatri the whole drive down to North Beach.  Once I arrived I sat in my car, breathed and meditated on the beauty of the day.  It was chilly.  It was blustery.  But it was beautiful.  THANK YOU to the nearly 60 people who showed up for Sunrise Yoga!  Your dedication to your practice and your community is inspiring!

DAY 30 – When you get on your mat every day, you learn something new every day.  Whether it’s emotional, energetic or physical – there’s always a lesson there, waiting to be conveyed.  For me, today it was my foot placement in Revolved Triangle.  One simple adjustment in how my weight was distributed in my front foot created a brand new pose.  This is one of the reasons I love this practice so much!

 

September 19, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  3 Comments

DAY 27 – PATIENCE AND GRATITUDE

Get on your mat, or simply sit in a quiet place, and breathe.  Give thanks for every opportunity you’ve experienced up to this moment, and breathe.  Be patient with those are afraid (including yourself), and breathe.  Know that every time a door closes, at least three more open.  I’m living proof.

 

September 17, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments