My Mirror

Recently I put a bird feeder in my backyard garden. Initially my goal was for my indoor cat, Jade to have some entertainment while I was out. I must say, I found myself enjoying them as well. As I watch them interact, I notice how much they are like us, with very distinct personalities.

Some hog the perch and chirp loudly at another who is trying to get in on the goods. While others gracefully move to another perch to let their friend enjoy. Some stand on the outskirts waiting for an opportunity that rarely arises, forced to only watch the others munch away happily. Some make their presence known, by bumping another off the perch, to get on it. My favorite stayed on the perch, on the opposite side of the window from which Jade and I looked on. He stayed on the perch for a long while, as no one else seemed interested in bumping him off. Every time someone new came onto another perch on the feeder, he popped his little head out to see who was there. He popped out right, left and even down to see what everyone else was doing. He was the watcher, had to know everything that was going on around him.

As I watch, I relate to some, others remind me of people I have encountered. Every situation in life can be a mirror. If we are willing to look into it, we can see parts of ourselves that we like and maybe parts we don’t. But to see it from a perspective of the ‘watcher’ we have a clear perspective of what it is within ourselves that we would perhaps like to change. It can also be a gentle reminder to embrace it all, love what we see. Like the carefree nature of the birds that are joyfully nibbling on their treats, Jade and I watch.

Shiny Red Nose

The best part about the Holiday season for me as a kid was the return of my favorite Christmas character, Rudolph.
I never understood at the time why he was my favorite character, but I know now….

He speaks to all of us – parts of us that are vulnerable, feel not good enough or feelings of just trying to ‘fit in.’
As a kid he gave me some comfort that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Now as an adult, I sit and look at my Lenox Rudolph ornament hanging so sweetly on my three foot tree and I think how in the Christmas special ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ his shiny red nose was the light that saw everyone through the storm.

Perhaps we can all learn something from that.
Perhaps our own light can shine brightly and show us the way through the storms of our own life.

Grateful

Thank you Mother Earth for your nuturance and support – For providing solid ground for us to plant our feet on.

Thank you Friends for your gentle kindness and love – For making this world a more beautiful place just by being you.

Thank you those perceived as Enemies for being the teacher – For showing so clearly where the inner work should begin.

Thank you Body for the gift of sharing the physical practice of yoga – For the ability to give and receive hugs.

Thank you for another day to Breath, Live and Love.

By Laurie Ahlemann

Three Sides of Truth

We have all heard the saying there are three sides to every story – your version, my version and what really happen.
If we delve deep into the philosophy of yoga, we begin to understand the three sides of truth. My version and your version are based on our own perceptions, created by events and experiences from our lives. We begin to create ways of dealing with these events as they come up which become our habits or knee-jerk reactions. With repeated use they then become parts of our personalities – our definition of who we are.
Since all of our experiences differ, our perceptions of the same situation differ as well.

The other side of this same truth, what really happened, is the version based in clarity, not clouded by our individual perceptions.

Yoga speaks of Satya (truthfulness) as one of the Yamas (outward practices). Our Authentic Truth is our Divine Self speaking to us. The trouble is it speaks softly and a lot of times it is inaudible among all the chaos going on in our minds and hearts. To hear the voice of our Authentic Truth, we need to clean house a bit. We do this through Svadhyaya (self-study).

The practice of Svadhyaya enables us to look inside ourselves and begin to understand what creates the chaos, what drives our patterns. Through this work we begin to realize what no longer fits. We begin to recognize patterns and behaviors which create stress and drama in our lives. We can then let them go, allowing the light of our Divine Self to emerge. We can then shine this light on all three sides of the truth and see all three versions simultaneously. All of the drama and hurt feelings will be bypassed, creating harmony and balance instead.
Edited by Alexandra Marks

Learning to Live Outside the Box - The Meditation/Self Esteem Link

Most of us are no strangers to meditation even if the extent of practice is five minutes at the end of a yoga class. The benefits of meditation can still be attained; a quieter mind, more relaxed state of being, even if just for the moment. But what if these moments of bliss could last longer? What if meditation was a self-esteem booster as well?
Think about it. We all live inside a small dimension of delusion at least some of the time. Every one of us has that little pre-recorded gem of discouragement that always seems to show up at the most inopportune times. We define ourselves by what others think of us, how others see us. The power to change how we see ourselves and the negative thought patterns we are overwhelmed with is already there inside us. We hold the key to our potential. We need to know who we truly are in order to take charge of our lives. We need a purpose and intent instead of just moving through life reacting to people and events unconsciously. But how do we hear the voice of our authentic selves over all the other chatter that goes on in our heads? This is where meditation steps in.
The goal of meditation is to acquire stillness, not necessarily silence. Thoughts will come up. It is what we do with them that makes the difference. We want to acknowledge their presence and instead of fighting them, gently guide them toward peacefulness. Be creative with where these thoughts go. This is the ground work for new thinking patterns. Maybe envision a familiar place rediscovering the feelings associated with it, or make one up. By becoming more aware of thoughts and feelings we begin to create new commentary in our minds. This awareness is what helps us move through blocks, fears, low self-esteem and allows us to build a trust in our inner wisdom. Albert Einstein said “ Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them” so we must become more in tune with what we need, more aware of what our authentic self wants.
We need to acquire a deep acceptance of our life and ourselves right now, as we are. Contentment is the easiest path toward our true nature. This does not mean we shouldn’t work toward a higher goal. It simple means to recognize it is a journey. Be content, not satisfied. When content, our actions are driven by love and we allow ourselves to open up and let love radiate through us instead of being driven by fear .We always find what we are looking for so if we see the negative in everything, that is exactly what we get. Look for the positive. It is all in the perspective.
Here is a technique to bring awareness to your thoughts throughout the course of the day. Periodically check in, see where your thoughts are going. Whenever they turn negative in any way, change the direction. A teacher of mine had a great reminder for this. If you had to pay a dollar for every thought, you would spend your money wisely buying happy thoughts instead of angry ones. During idle thinking times add whatever it is you need, patience, peace of mind. Repeat positive affirmations to yourself. This can also be done in meditation. Keep in mind an affirmation is always stated as if it is already so. Even if your patience is at an all time low today, say ‘I am a patient person’ over and over to yourself. If you continue to say it, eventually it will be true.
Trust your inner wisdom. Allow yourself to be who you truly are. Self-acceptance is the key to becoming that confident powerful being just waiting to shine through. Tear down the walls of confinement and let that authentic self shine.
Three minute meditation
1. Sit comfortable in a chair or cross-legged on the floor straight spine with palms on the knees, preferable palms facing up. Head facing forward, eyes closed but looking down toward chin. (This helps keep you connected with your inner self)
2. Slowly inhale and exhale, focusing on the rhythm of your breath. Continue for a few moments.
3. Repeat a positive affirmation to yourself a few times. Absorb it. Believe it.
4. Inhale deeply. Hold breath for 10-20 seconds. Exhale. Repeat three times.
5. Let breathing return to normal and slowly come back to awareness.

Yamas and Unconditional Love

Our yoga practice can always be a place of growth and self discovery if we pay attention to the subtle aspects of change within ourselves. We can also find profound change by paying attention and applying the Yamas, the first of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as written in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The first Yama, Ahimsa – non-violence, teaches us to be gentle with ourselves in our physical practice of yoga. It also teaches us that even thoughts and words can be acts of himsa if we are not mindful of them. When we are kind to our bodies, ourselves and others we begin to trust ourselves and others a little more – a perfect breeding ground for unconditional love to begin to emerge.

When Satya – Truthfulness, the second Yama, is present in all aspects of our lives it can bring us closer to feeling unconditional love, for only an open heart can truly see our own truths clearly even when unpleasant or even painful at times.

Asteya – Non-Stealing teaches us that by not being aware of the here and now we steal the opportunity of a true presence from ourselves. Only in the present moment can profound change be recognized and brought to light.

Brahmacharya -Non-Indulgence teaches us to enjoy everything in moderation. This keeps us in a more balanced state of being which helps us to achieve balance in all relationships.

Aparigraha – Non-Greed shows us that by needing to possess people we confine them. In order for there to be life in a relationship energy and light needs to dance between us. Then we begin to see each other as we truly are – not as a reflection of what we want or think the other should be.

The essence of unconditional love is a love that can withstand the ebb and flow of life and not only survive but thrive!

The Art of Teaching Yoga

Every great piece of art has many components that make it a masterpiece; some aspects subtle, some not so subtle.

Beginning with the not so subtle, a great yoga class should consist of safe, clear instruction and teach you something. Perhaps it will be a better understanding of the asana (posture), or the philosophy of yoga or maybe even something about yourself.

The subtle consists of the energetic qualities of the sequence and the teacher leading the class. You may not know why you like one class or yoga teacher better than another. You just know there is something that resonates.

When a class is energetically balanced the feeling is one of stillness and peacefulness even if just for a fleeting moment and the physical body feels more open and free.

If you have been thinking about taking on the amazing journey of Yoga Teacher Training, here are a few things to consider:

While most Yoga Teacher Trainings are geared toward certifying you to become a Yoga Teacher, it is certainly not the only reason to do it.

Your own yoga practice will evolve not only physically but your understanding of the practice as a whole will be deeper.

A Yoga Teacher Training can be best described as a Journey to Self – beautiful and revealing - Get ready for the ride of your life!

The practice of yoga and sharing the practice of yoga as a Yoga Teacher is one of great rewards – We become our own masterpiece.