Reflection

Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world. ~ Hans Margolius

Yesterday, I finished Level 1 of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Training. What an amazing journey into myself and into a beautiful modality for serving others.  Tomorrow I begin Level 2. 

As I reflect on what the last week has brought me, I'm extremely excited for what is to come in the next week. The awareness and focus of breath, body, mind, and spirit and the "witnessing" of others through that process is profound and opening to say the least. I will be sure to write more on the conclusion of Level 2.

Michael Lee, the founder of PRYT says, "I developed a modality that would facilitate a journey toward the discovery of one's unique being and honor it's uniqueness in a way that would be more inviting than threatening." His ideas are brilliant and his book, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy: A Bridge from Body to Soul, was insightful... check it out.

Beauty

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you see beauty around you? Are you awed or "stopped in your tracks" by things you see throughout your day?  Can you see the beauty in your self? In others? I have been contemplating beauty, even more so, since reading an interesting book called Care of the Soul.

Thomas Moore wrote about "the World's Soul" and how noticing beauty in nature, art, and even inanimate objects is part of caring for our own soul.  He also says "Care of the Soul is not a project of self-improvement nor a way of being released from the troubles and pains of human existence... [but] honoring its expressions, giving it time and opportunity to reveal itself... "

I read back a few posts to where I had mentioned seeing beauty everywhere as a core asset. Let's go deeper. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who has ever looked at myself as needing improvement ;) It feels so much better to think, instead, of bringing out the beauty that is already there or uncovering the beauty from the layers of masks or "veils" placed over it. What if we looked at everything that way?

Yoga can sometimes become, just another self-improvement tool. While improvement and yoga are beautiful things, if the beauty inherent in myself is denied, it can become a daunting task or a fad, like other forms of exercise and diets (for example). Again, baby steps come to mind and seeing the beauty in each small change or the acceptance of what is while enjoying the journey.

Like the rainbow that we can not help but stop and admire. Like the sunset, sunrise, a baby, and great art... look for the beauty in yourself and everything around you and take a moment to let soul be revealed.

Go on a treasure hunt for beauty in life and in your yoga practice.

7 Colours

"After the rain comes the sun.... seven colours carved across the sky... " ~ Lost Witness (7 Colours)

I parked my car in the driveway, after driving back from Kula Yoga at Austin and the bank, in the pouring rain.  As I got out of the car, above the direction I had just come from, I saw a spectacular rainbow and a second "faded" rainbow above it (as seen in the picture above). Immediately, I felt a sense of peace, like the calm after a storm, wonder, and awe.  I was reminded of the importance of choosing to change perspective. As I was driving, the rainbow was hidden from view above me. The rain was blurring everything but the brilliance of the sun as it peeked through the clouds, near the horizon, on it's descent.  Once I was out of the car, and looking in another direction, there it stood in all it's glory.  Makes me wonder what else could be missed when only looking one way.

Later, I began contemplating the feeling the sight of the rainbow had stirred. What does a rainbow symbolize?

Promise?  Hope?  Beauty?  Reflection?  The reflection of beauty from something that may ,to some, be considered less beautiful or ugly?  Simply the refraction of light off water?  The spectrum?  The colours of the chakras talked of in yoga philosophy?  I decided to look up rainbow symbolism.  Maybe all of those plus more :) What does a rainbow symbolize to you?

To me, it stands for peace and hope through the "rainy" periods of life.  A reminder of choosing our perspective and the seven colours symbolize unity.

Abs

One of my favourite ab exercises of all time is laughter :)

The only time I would suggest exercise until pain is... laugh until it hurts. Besides being great for our abs; our face, heart, lungs, and disposition get a great "workout" as well.

Laughter is an instant vacation ~ Milton Berle

Another favourite exercise, of course, is yoga. Many of the postures target the core.  Also, focussing on the breath and drawing the belly up and in, while engaging the pelvic floor on every exhale, adds an intensity to the practice and can cause every posture to become "core work".  In yoga terms... this would be Uddiyana Bandha and Mula Bandha, respectively. This also helps to bring awareness to the breath, as well as the core, and is useful in preventing injury. 

Of the yoga postures, Navasana (Boat Pose) is one I often choose for its core benefits. 

Laugh, practice yoga, and breathe... rules to live by ;)

Happy Day

As my niece celebrates her fisrt birthday today. "Happy Day" Tiana :) I am reminded of the other new beginning last year.... I became an aunt. Watching all her firsts this past year has been entertaining and educational for all of us. For instance... there is such a thing as too much of a good thing... such as icing...

There's also good reason to sometimes take baby steps as you learn. Yoga is a good example of that. If I push myself too hard or try to progress too fast I may hurt myself or, at least, become frustrated. If, I take the time to feel into my body as I open up in different ways, I am more likely to notice my "edge" and coax it to move rather than pushing through it.

Watching a baby learn and grow can teach compassion for the "baby steps". I can turn that compassion towards myself as I learn and grow in my own way. When I watch new students take those baby steps, that bring so much excitement, I am inspired and excited myself to see how they change. In that, I am reminded to notice my baby steps and where they have brought me and continue to bring me each, happy day.

Core assets... make each day a "happy day". Find your core and your edge in your baby steps and watch out for that icing ;)

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

As I prepare for my first class in the newly renovated, second location of Kula Yoga, where I teach. I'm inspired by another new beginning. The new studio opened yesterday as well... adding to the synchronicity.

I attended a class this morning and enjoyed the view of raindrops pitter-pattering on the window while standing in Mountain Pose, Tadasana. Ta Da indeed :) The new space is beautiful and has a great feel. I felt on top of the world with the view (on the side of a mountain overlooking others and the river), the energy of a class well led, and the tingly sensation all over. Maybe a little from the head rush of coming up from forward fold as well ;)

I'm planning to take some pictures of the new studio to post. Perhaps I'll get one up of myself as well.

Core assets.... see beauty wherever you are and enjoy the headrushes when you can. Let your exhales find your core and hug it. Stand in your mountain of beauty and smile :)

Ta Da!

New Beginnings

For the past three years, March has been my month of new beginnings. This blog is now another.

Three years ago it was a break-up that led to a quick gathering of essentials to move out, question life, and, thus, begin a spiritual journey. This new journey began with a lot more yoga and reading of everything from relationship advice to an incredibly funny auto-biography by Dennis Kaye about his life with ALS (entitled Laugh, I Thought I'd Die) and, of course, many yoga-related publications.

Last year I became a yoga teacher. That was a beginning that led to, later that year, leaving a regular job to pursue my  dream and passion.

At the end of this month I am starting Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Training. To say that I'm excited and grateful for this "journey" would be an understatement. I love practicing, teaching, talking, and reading anything to do with yoga. The benefits of yoga for mind, body, and soul inspire me to share that with others.

"Core assests" are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual all rolled into one. The "yoga butt", calm mind (or "yoga mush brain", as I lovingly call it), and joy that can be attained through continued practice and self-discovery are but a few bonuses.

Would love for you to join me in exploring life through yoga for abs, asanas, and the rest of our "core assests".

To new beginnings...