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Dear Precious Soul,
Taking time everyday to stop what I'm doing and spend conscious time with my breath has become a necessity for me. In fact I'm not sure where I would be on all levels with out my breathing time. I am saddened by the fact that this is not the norm in our culture, we are either chasing or running from something most of the time. And yet how vital is it to our wellbeing for our nervous system to rest and reset? Very fucking important! When we take a pause in our day to day for just for 15 minutes it gives our bodies, minds and hearts a moment to catch up with life, to actually process what is happening in and around us. It's called rest and reset. This is hugely hard for me at times. Although the idea of rest sounds nice and I actually long for it, more often than not numbing out seems easier. Distraction, avoidance, denial...all true and I say this with so much compassion towards myself. I didn't know there was a healthy way to be with the hard shit in life until I found yoga. As I look back now I realize that at a very young age fight, flight or freeze became my natural environment and continued to be an unconscious pattern for a long time. Sad to say that if you stay here long enough you eventually crash. Will you honestly look at this with me... how often do you pause in your day to notice how you're feeling? How is your breathing? I'm talking truly tuning in to yourself to feel and be present to what is happening in and around you right now? Our connection or lack of connection to ourselves which includes our breathing hugely affects the way we move and hold our bodies in daily life which directly effects our health and how we feel. How often are we "doing" to keep our minds occupied so we don't have to feel? It can be as simple as having the television on in the background while making a meal (seems pretty innocent right?), or looking at our electronic devices multiple times in an hour (HUGE), multi-tasking... like when you're on the phone while eating (I did this just yesterday). Humans these days are constantly engaged, we've grown accustomed to it, even addicted to it and most folks are not even aware when it's happening. In fact I wasn't aware until I sat down for the first time to meditate. Five minutes my teacher said, just sit and watch your breath for five minutes. What an eye opener that was. I couldn't believe how insanely busy my thinking mind was. Imagine New York City inside your head, thoughts fighting with other thoughts fighting with feelings that I don't want to feel and the confusion of it all... paralyzing at times. It's a lot to take in day in and day out. To this day fight, flight and freeze still feel strangely safe and even weirdly comfortable to me. Deep down I know that there is truly nothing safe or comfortable about living this way. Learning to surrender instead of fight, to stay put rather than take flight, and to open instead of freeze is real. Suddenly the heart muscle is engaging and it can make you feel real vulnerable and even down right uncomfortable. Especially if you're used to using the mind muscle which is constantly analyzing, fixating and trying to figure it all out. Over thinking can be exhausting in my opinion and creates a tightening inside and out while allowing our breath to flow and deepen creates a softening. This softening gives us access to our heart which can feel like a kind of internal yoga space where it is safe to feel, listen, acknowledge, allow, witness, remember, grieve, discover...experience all of it. True safety. Here you can get to know yourself, the you who you think you are or were told or conditioned to be, the you that identifies with your trauma, the shadow side of you, the joy side of you, it's all here just waiting to be invited in and heard. Breathe, soften and listen...your hearts innate nature is a compassionate and nurturing response to whatever is arising in this space. I won't lie and say this is easy. It can be really hard even excruciating at times and you want to run away and sometimes you do. But sometimes you stay and remember to call on your heart muscle and love comes flooding in to sit beside you and something beautiful begins to happen...healing. I learn and grown so much each time I step away from my own need for busy-ness. Each step is a step towards my own heart and it feels so good to come home. At times I feel like I am truly meeting myself for the first time. When we offer the gift of presence to our own heart we can't help but emerge a more compassionate and authentic human being. Join me once a month for Soul Yoga Sunday ~ June 23rd ~ 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sign up Soul Yoga is intended to be a deeply restorative practice where your breath is center stage. Your breath is one of if not THE most powerful tool that you have access to. Crazy right?!! I mean its right there all the time! With breath as guide and teacher asana becomes more comfortable which can then lead you into an experience of deep relaxation and clarity. As this practice is very intuitive for me I will introduce the rattle and drumming when it feels right, both can help aid in gaining access to another softer layer of consciousness and quite possibly a journey into your Soul Garden. If this resinates with you please join us. This practice is safe for all levels of practitioners that would like to explore breath, body, mind & Heart. Drop in for $40 ~ Pay early with cash or Venmo - $30 or online $33. Early cut off is June 22nd. Sign up I hope to see you and your Soul soon! In Light, Misty Poem by Ruth Powers Instead of trying to fix And fretting about All that stuff outside of me, When I take a breath And feel the sun And just for this moment Let it all be then I see That there is a space In this place I call my heart... Whether it seems Like things are coming together Or falling apart... I guess it's kind of all the same And I don't need to find a name To pin to this feeling.. But if I did, It might be "healing".
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I have a very natural and deep desire to explore the unseen, to dive beneath the surface and explore the mystery that lives there. I'll tell you a story that might give this deeper meaning... I live in Western Colorado and have from 6 months on, but I was born in Chicago, Illinois. My mom grew up in Chicago and most of her family lives there. When my grandmothers health began to decline, my mom, dad, brother, sister and me, although still in moms belly, moved to Chicago to help care for my grandmother. This is how I came to be born in Chicago. The land of our birth was held very sacred by our ancestors. It was believed to be our true mother, something we can learn from that gives direction to our life. And so for me this is the land beneath and surrounding the rather large city of Chicago. There is a great deal of water surrounding Chicago, the leading sources of water being Lake Michigan, groundwater aquifers, and the Fox and Kankakee Rivers. So combined with being a Pisces (water sign) it's no surprise that I love to swim and play in the ocean, lakes, rivers, any type of water will do. One thing though, is that I am a bit cautious around large bodies of water and don't usually venture out too too far. Anyway, I began the journey of exploring my birth land. I learned a lot just by reading about it but I also took time to sit and contemplate, even meditate on the land to see what I could learn from it. In one meditation in particular I was drawn to the very large body of water that is Lake Michigan. My natural instinct was to swim out to the middle of the lake, dive down and swim to the bottom. On the bottom of the lake there was a very large and beautiful green emerald. This emerald felt like the part of me that is wisdom. After spending some time absorbing all that I could from the emerald I sensed that I was meant to bring it to the surface. As this happened I could feel that I liked being in the deep more than I liked being on the surface. What it revealed was a deeper understanding of who I am. My work is to dive deep into the lake of my being, here I find and connect to what is the gem, my heart and wisdom center. It is coming to the surface that allows me to share what I have learned, and although this feeds my soul tremendously is not necessarily the easiest part of the journey for me. Because to share fully is to allow myself to be seen. And so it is naked and vulnerable that I share with you Unclothed.
What I really want to say is... I feel like the world has changed so much over the past few years. Where has everyone gone? What are we all doing now? Where are our minds and hearts? Is it just me or does the world feel like a much lonelier place? Or have I just retreated from it all. I feel like our entire human world went through this collective trauma and it rewired us. The old ways no longer work. What I feel is a lack of pure joy, enjoyment for life. Friendships. Fear of loss. Fear of getting old, paying the bills is getting harder, getting sick. fear of each other. What will everyone think if they really know me? So I hide. Hide out, hide it, just hide. Pain, so much pain like a gigantic hole that cannot be filled no matter how hard I try. I am running out of options and so here I sit trying to figure it out, to make sense of the confusion and chaos that my life has become. Everyday a new arrival...Rumi knew didn't he. Greet them at the door laughing he says, even if the clear out all your furniture. I am frustrated and just want to find some people that I can really connect with. Can you be honest with me but even more importantly can I be honest with you. Can i feel heard or am I just talking to a wall? All of these emotions that I am feeling, doubts, fears, confusion around what is real, what is true and what is a lie. Will you hurt me? Have you already and just cant tell me so you walk away. Is it someone else, am I not good enough, can't get it right, didn't get there soon enough, didn't love you the way you wanted to be loved. What is love anyway? Just a passing thing. You change you move one and I am left here spinning always trying to be there for you not knowing how to be there for me. How to be alone, to face the world alone now. I wanted that to work out. I wanted to love you and feel that feeling that was so strong between us, that magic elixer and then all the shit comes in and I can't feel it anymore. You give up. You say I will not accept no for an answer, we are going to make it through and now you just say, this isn't working, I don't want to hurt you, you're a great gal. What does that even mean. Empty. Life feels empty. I feel lost. How do I change with change? How do I keep moving forward instead of looking to the past and wanting it to be like that. It felt so safe and now it feels so scary. All the things I used to want just feel lost, like why want them? A retreat in Jamaica because I am feeling all full and wanting to share what I have and then what? Trying to do it like I did how do I do it differently. What is different anyway. How do i get my voice out there to be heard, to be noticed, acknowledged. Who will listen, Why would they anyway? Is anything I do or know worth anything. How do i exist in this world. How do I tell someone to work through the fear? That it will be ok if you just ride the wave and see what can be possible for healing. Am I just talking to myself right now. Maybe that is all that I can do is to do the work myself, Alone! I can't seem to find a way. I am blind with all of this torment and in the back of my mind I'm thinking there is a whole world out there that I am not experiencing because I am trapped in here. Stuck, feet can't move. everything feels flat, empty, I don't like life anymore. Death is the end and why do any of it at all, what is the point? Every time I just come to this point of I give up. I don't know how to live in this world of loss and pain. I don't know how to find the thing that used to move me forward. That had hope of it always getting better. That anything is possible. You know anyone can write a book, lead a class, why do I feel like I need to be perfect to put myself out there? The poet William Stafford calls it a thread... There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread. In Light, Misty Here we are...Just finished teaching Saturday morning zoom class. It's a new experience for me and I'm learning as I go along. I don't really know what will happen from moment to moment beyond the fact that I am teaching and hope the students are engaging. More times than I wish students devices lose sound (like this morning we got an alert that kicked some students out of the class:) bummer guys! The past few weeks I have been trying to keep it all going smoothly and riding the roller coaster of how I could create a good experience for everyone. Of course I want that and in the process I have realized that I only have so much control over what happens. Whether it's in a zoom class or in life in general I know that I feel more centered and grounded when I allow the things that I don't have control over to just be. Wanting to make sure everyone is ok has been a recurring theme for me in life. It started at a young age just wanting the members of my family to get along and be happy. If I could make sure everyone was ok then I would be ok. It was a way that I could create a sense of safety and a more stable environment for myself. Probably a normal reaction for a little kid. As an adult I have realized that security doesn't come from controlling or holding onto things. When I am continuously working to control a situation or hold onto an idea or a personal possession I am pulled away from the one thing that gives me all that I need, my center. This separation from my center creates fragmentation within my being. I lose sight of why I am really here and what it is that I need to be doing. The indecision that comes from self doubt puts me in a constant state of instability. When I step back from my holding I can see that the emotional charge I get from this false sense of security or happiness only lasts a short time and then the roller coaster takes off again. I have experienced one actual roller coaster (not metaphorically) in my life. It was in my 20's and I made it through the ride by screaming my head off. It was exhausting and it was then that I knew this ride was not for me. I haven't been on one since. Feeling lost or scared is only eased when we finally do find our way back home. The aim of yoga is to find home. We hold onto that which is not ours to hold because we are afraid. Fear is a powerful human emotion that only leads us farther into the wilderness. It originates from grabbing hold of a thought or belief that we are alone and as long as we choose to hold on to that thought we stay on the roller coaster and we are in for a ride. The foundation of yoga is made up of eight limbs. The first four are yama's (restraints of a spiritual life), niyamas (practices we are to observe and cultivate), asana (pose) and pranayama (breath). Aparigraha is the fifth of the five yamas and it means non-attachment or letting go. If holding onto things seems to bring us happiness then this yama might imply that we are not meant to enjoy or experience life. In truth it means to recognize the fears that are at the root of our holding and let them go. We will most likely find more enjoyment out of life when we do let go. I read a quote this morning by General Barry McCaffry "Do not take counsel of your fears." We may acknowledge our fears, offer our deep love and compassion to that part of our being and then let the fear go. In the process we come back to our breath, to the place of presence and peace - our center, and it is from this place that we can take purposeful action. Life is teaching me that a good path is available to each one of us. Inspired by Meditations on the Mat - If we were to write down everything we want in life, let's say a few years from now, and if we were to focus on our spiritual practice, I think we would find in a few years that we would have sold ourselves short, because truthfully, what the Universe - God - Divine has instore for us is far more beautiful than what we can imagine for ourselves.
"Fear is the cheapest room in the house, I'd like to see you in better living conditions” ~ Anonymous. Below is the LINK for this morning's zoom class (the full recording). Enjoy! If you would like to do some work with me around finding your center through yoga and breath please reach out to me. I am offering a sliding scale from $55 - $85 for a 1 hr. 15 min. session. You pay what you can afford. I would love to meet with you in a private session or small group via zoom, google hangout, facetime or any other virtual platform that you prefer. OM,Misty [email protected] "If we know anything about a path at all, it's only because of the Great ones that have gone before us. Out of their love and kindness, they have left some footprints for us to follow. So, in the same way that they wish for us, we wish that all beings everywhere, including ourselves, to be safe, be happy, have good health, and enough to eat. And may we all live at ease of heart with whatever comes to us in life." ~Krishna Das Saturday Morning Yoga on Zoom A peacock crossed my path the other day -so amazing these birds. When an animal crosses my path I see it as a sign or message and so I like to look up the symbolism to see what message is being sent. When I looked up the peacock it seemed fitting for our current situation and so I’m sharing this with you. The peacock spirit animal is the epitome of beauty. This graceful power animal offers lessons about self-love, honor, integrity and the importance of facing life’s challenges as well as the unknown with courage and confidence. When the peacock struts gracefully into your life you may be entering a time of rebirth. You possess a firm connection between the past and present and recognize its effect on the future. You readily see the importance of integrity and honor. Confident in all you do, you also recognize the need for light-heartedness and laughter. Maintaining a delicate balance of confidence and humility is the key. Balance is obtained by having a strong foundation. Those studying the mysticism of the peacock should pay attention to the feet. The feet are our foundation and support system. Peacocks have sharp, powerful metatarsal spurs also known as ‘kicking thorns’. They use these to defend themselves against predators. Their legs are strong and they have three strong toes facing forward and one facing backwards. What message about balance and having a strong foundation is the peacock bringing to you? Historically, some traditions equate the peacock spirit animal to the Phoenix, a mythical bird that is said to have risen from funeral pyre ash and to be reborn. Why the comparison? Like the Phoenix, the peacock exudes confidence and offers encouragement to shed the old to make way for the new. Embracing your inner truth and allowing your true colors to show can be a point of inspiration and comfort for those around you. Lead by example. If you talk the talk, be sure you walk the walk. It is the peacock’s consistent grace and confidence that attracts attention and admiration. The iridescent blue green color of the peacock’s feathers has often been associated with royalty and the traits of self-confidence and leadership. The distinctive pattern of “eyes” on the feathers is associated with vision and wisdom. What message is the peacock bringing to you? I had a fun time yesterday mountain biking with the Sunday Sinners! I feel so strong on my bike this summer. Honestly, I haven't felt this strong in a long time, my BF ( best friend ) Gary says 10 years and I think he's right. I feel more in my body and more like myself than I ever have. It's awesome! I have done some serious work on myself this past year. Diving in to look at some old patterns and deep wounding and really allowing myself to go there and do the work to heal. I have lightened my load emotionally and I really feel it in my physical body and in my attitude. My creative energy is amazing and I am loving life. This really isn't an ad for yoga but yoga is it for me. My practice, my teacher's and my studio are all an amazing gift in my life. Yoga really helps me to connect to myself and to what is real. I had the opportunity to sit by Rifle Gap and enjoy my meditation practice numerous times this past week. As I was driving home I noticed this rather amazing shift in my perspective, everything appeared to be more clear. The colors were brighter, the shapes more defined like my internal lens had been cleaned and I was now seeing through new clear lenses. This is the beauty of the practice. As I sit I watch my breath I hear my mantra in the back ground and I just watch and allow my thoughts to move through. It seems simple. It is. Not necessarily easy though and so an amazing tool for processing and digesting life. The results are clear seeing. Last month in our Women's Healing Circle Erin was sharing how what we say isn't necessarily true. What we say is a manifestation of our thoughts and emotions and generally we tend to believe that all of this is true. We tend to see through our own set of lenses that have been clouded over by our past experiences, beliefs, judgments etc. If all of this isn't true then what is? Exactly! What is is true. This moment is happening and it is beautiful. Even when it doesn't feel beautiful it is, even when it hurts, even when we hate it - beautiful. Ram Das, one of my favorite spiritual teachers, teaches us to love everything. When you have a dark thought, the kind that doesn't serve you in any way, love that thought. When you have pain, could be physical or emotional, love that pain. Love it all because as Rumi says in The Guest House - it has been sent from beyond. This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice. meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. Love YOU, Light, Misty I recently had the opportunity for a mini camping retreat with Beth (our VW van). A lovely friend shared a quiet spot by a little lake and gave me the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of sunshine, fresh air and friendship. We took some time to sit by the lake in the morning and practice our mindfulness/meditation practice amidst the birds and the breeze, it was quit wonderful really. I've noticed that this concept, mindfulness, is quite popular these days. I see magazine and newspaper articles, there are a ton of books on mindfulness, I personally like to use mindfulness as a tool when I am teaching a yoga class. To simplify it mindfulness is simply giving mindful attention to life. This practice of mindfulness or meditation is a part of my day that I really look forward to and cherish. However it didn't start this way. I remember the first time I attempted to meditate, my teacher back then (15 years ago) instructed me to start small. So, I set a timer for 3 minutes figuring this will be a piece of cake. It was the longest 3 minutes of my life and in that 3 minutes I learned that my mind never stopped thinking. It was like a crowded room of voices all trying to talk over each other. This experience inspired me to commit to a meditation practice.
When you begin a meditation practice it may seem like not much is happening at first. In fact it may feel the opposite. Besides the lists of things to do, the he said she said stories, negative thoughts or patterns show up like judgment, anger and fear. At first you may not even notice that something starts to happen. What does happen is that you begin making space to be with what is rather than with the past or future plans. As the great teacher Ram Das puts it, this allows us to see more of the mystery of life itself. This is a place where we can step into another dimension and remember who we really \ are. Beyond the small sense of self to the vastness of the greater Self is in deed liberating. In this we discover our true nature. We become the consciousness rather than our experiences and this gives us the opportunity to rest in the timeless. Instead of focusing on the changing conditions we turn our attention to the One who knows and we rest in awareness itself. I am excited about where my meditation practice is taking me. There are times now when I am going about life that I find myself able to just watch my thoughts. It is truly a gift in these moments to not be so caught up in my thoughts. I can actually see that I am not them and I get a glimpse of something that actually feels like freedom. I find myself in this place of wonder, realizing that all of this time I have been believing what my thoughts were telling me and suddenly it's like someone turned on the light and I can see. So, loving my practice, a sense of presence, even touching on enlightenment and bliss at times there are still days when I have resistance. I wish it weren't so but I am human and I am required but inspired to tap into my resolve every day and sit. A lovely poem by Rumi ~ You have been walking the ocean's edge, holding up your robes to keep them dry. You must dive deeper under, A thousand times deeper. I have heard that there are approximately 3000 pages and 1000 studies out there on meditation, here are just a few of the facts: meditation creates more balance in your life and lessens stress, can help you to be more pliable and less reactive, more mental clarity, attention & focus, academic performance goes up, improved emotional regulation, stronger resiliency, more access to compassion, improved ability to resolve conflicts, improved immune function, Nero protection, more rapid healing, increased integration of different dimensions of our capacities and executive functions. Light, Sivakami I am so thankful for you. For the way that you smile and love life. You have a way of being that is unique and so beautiful. This way allows the light to shine through and encourages with unconditional love. Maybe you feel different about yourself than how I see you. Maybe you feel wrong or out of place in some way. You question your actions and words and even your truths. It's ok, your still getting to know yourself. You're so concerned with everyone else's opinion that you have forgotten mine. And then of course there's your own opinion which includes all the "stuff" that gets in the way of you truly shining. You look to others to be your strength and to give you stability. What if you could do that for yourself. You've learned to protect because at some point you had to. The armoring that you've created makes you feel safe when in reality it only serves to help you become those things that you are afraid of. Perhaps you can feel how that fear separates you from God, from life itself. At times you may find yourself so self absorbed in "this is me" that you cannot find the love that you so desperately seek. And seeking you are my love. Maybe it's time to ask your self “Is what I’m seeing really true?” Perhaps now is the time to dive deeper. Deeper still... into the space underneath the noise, underneath the many voices inside and outside telling you who you are. Go to the gem that sits in the deepest part, She is the One that holds the wisdom you seek. You’ll find her in the space between, in between where you and life have become separate. Your desire to know her is great. It is your desire to know who you really are. To know this mighty, exceptional and extraordinary being within you. This is a new perspective for you and here you will find that all things are possible. Everything that you need exists in this place and when you are here you are connected to everything. Here you can find an answer to every perceived problem and the world becomes new. You find that your most important work for each day is just to meet the world with kindness and love. So, stay your course my dear one and know that you are not alone. Make those decisions that may not be easy but are healthy. The ones that may not always be pleasant but they are helpful. Cut through all that noise - the answers are here. Here is where I am waiting for you.
Om Tat Sat - Supreme Absolute Truth
These days of fall have me diving deeper into the science of Ayurveda, pronounced A yur ve da.
In this ancient sister science of yoga there are three Dosha's or elements; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Dosha is often translated as your physical constitution or body type and is represented by the elements earth, water, fire, air and spaciousness. In Sanskrit (ancient language of India), dosha is defined as "that which contaminates" or disease causing agents in the body. In other words an imbalance of vata, pitta, or kappa dosha will cause disease in your body and when there is balance between these three dosha's health exists. As well as the dosha's in relationship to your body there are dosha's in the seasons. Autumn is Vata Dosha and is represented by air and space. Perhaps you've notices lately how spacious the views are now that the leaves have blown off of the trees. Pitta Dosha season is summer and is represented by fire and water, often referred to as transformational qualities. The Kapha Dosha which represents the earth and water is the densest of the three elements and shows up in winter and early spring. With Vata season upon us the weather is turning cooler and dryer and this can upset your Vata Dosha regardless of your constitution. So here are some simple Ayurvedic tips for staying grounded and healthy as we move into winter:
Click on the link below to discover your Ayurvedic body type.
 Yoga is one of the six fundamental paths in India called Darsana, which translates “to see” or “sight”, “view”, “point of view”, or even “a certain way of seeing”. One way to understand this, described by D.K.V. Desikachar in his book The Heart of Yoga, is to see a mirror that you use to look inside yourself. Like this, yoga gives us a way of seeing, that allows us the opportunity to better recognize ourselves. We naturally will look deeper inside ourselves as we progress down the path of yoga. Sounds kind of…scary. Who wants to look deeper inside, that’s where we hide all of our “pain” right? Fears, anxiety, anger, hatred, jealousy, insecurity, and…should I continue? But what about happiness, and joy, and experiencing your heart and the stillness that lies there? Mark Nepo asks in Seven Thousand Ways to Listen, “Can you softened your pain till it forms a nectar in your heart? Have you eaten of this nectar? Can you search for the pain softened in others and eat of their nectar? ” Here in Colorado we get to enjoy those incredibly juicy peaches from palisade, can’t you just taste the luscious nectar inside? The famous composer Beethoven, lost his hearing at a relatively young age. He was in deep despair over the progression of his hearing loss and how it was effecting his gift of music. On October 6, 1802, he writes a letter to his brothers confessing to them his deep despair and loss of interest in continuing on this journey of life, and that he was actually considering suiside. In a way this letter was both a surrender to and acceptance of his gift and his loss. He never sent the letter and resolved to live finding the nectar in his pain, and bringing that nectar through his incredible gift of music. The letter was found shortly after his death in March of 1827. This kind of work requires going into the fire in a sense. But how? “It is said that the souls intent on living will reach deep into their wound and bring out the fire living there, which out in the open turns to light. It is said that those intent on making things better will reach deep into their minds and bring out the fire there, which out in the open turns to truth. It is said that those who love like rain soothe every fire” (again ~ Mark Nepo). Through your practice of yoga you courageously reach into the fire. As you surrender to each breath, you stand in front of the mirror that allows you to see inside yourself. This process done again and again softens the pain and transforms it to nectar. I hope your mouth is watering at the thought. Won’t you take that first step? It’s so juicy… Om Shanti - Peace Happy New Year,
For as long as I can remember I have loved hearts, they are the one thing that I collect. I have a kind of rule that wherever I am, if I find a heart it is a sign that I am exactly where I am meant to be in that moment. I love this game and I believe that the heart is my Dharma (life's purpose). I long to know true love and see all beings as one. I don't know if I would consider myself to be a religious person but I do have a deep respect for the different traditions that follow the heart. Dearest to my heart is Christ, who to me represents a heart that is awakened to a kind of love where all are welcomed and not judged. In my home I have a picture of Christ hanging on the wall where we have our Christmas tree placed this year. I didn't conscously plan for Jesus to be above the tree but it's kind of cool that it turned out that way. Anyway, in the center of Christ's chest is a vibrant red heart that is radiating with a powerful heart energy. When I look at this picture I feel the power behind the heart of Christ, the Dynamic, Spiritual Heart. In Sanskrit this is called Hridaya , hrid - center, ayam - this. This center in the human body is the seat of Pure Consciousness, realized as Existence, Knowledge and Bliss. On the path of yoga this is really what we call the seat of God in us, the Self or our soul. The word yoga simply means union and the ultimate goal of yoga practice is a re-union with the Self (soul). Yoga is a tool we've been given to help awaken the memory within us of who we really are. To remind us of how wonderful we are, how good we are, and how worthy of whatever we are longing for we are. It is my deepest hope that together we can discover a deeper meaning of the Self in this coming year and dwell more fully in the cave of the Heart. Shanti Om, Misty Here is a great informative article on coffee from joyful belly.
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Coffee/233?lnk=159&inf_contact_key=6cffc4a0f5cfbe244472839a6e16cd615aab93b8806341184ee13c0696f741d1 From self-consciousness to self-awareness.
Yoga and self-awareness go hand in hand. In fact you might say that yoga’s purpose is to bring you into a greater sense of self awareness or self knowledge. Sometimes self-awareness and self-consciousness are used synonymously in fact this very subject has been coming up for me lately. Self-awareness is the ability to look inside and to recognize oneself as an individual being that is separate from the environment around you and other individuals. When feeling self-conscious we become preoccupied with the smallest details of our actions and how others might be perceiving them. With thoughts like “is everyone looking at me” and “what are they thinking” we might be coming from a place of low self-esteem or embarrassment of who we are rather than self-awareness. When we are in a state of self-awareness we are noticing details but in a much different way. Have ever been in an accident and experienced everything happening in slow motion? This is a heightened state of awareness. With practice we can learn this heightened state and find the space to actually interpret our thoughts and emotions rather than falling into the pattern of self-consciousness. From the ancient tradition of yoga we learn that to truly be in a state of self-awareness we must learn to quiet the mind. The breath has been used universally as a link for developing self-awareness. In fact the beauty of unifying breath and movement, or life, is Yoga. For thousands of years the word yoga has been emphasized as union, oneness, and love. When we step into a this type of awareness we move outside of our thoughts and notice a different perspective. We may begin to notice our personality, our strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, values, motivation, emotions in any given moment. We learn to notice where our thoughts and emotions are taking us without judgment. This gives us the opportunity to change the thoughts and interpretations of our mind. When we change the interpretations of our mind we can begin to change our emotions. Now we decide how we will behave and respond, we choose our actions. With this type of awareness we are victorious. Ujjayi pranayama (pronounced oo-jai), is an ancient yogic breathing technique that helps calm the mind and body. Commonly translated as “victorious breath,” Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath which first fills the lower belly, rises to the lower rib cage, and finally moves into the upper chest and throat. Air enters the lungs and the belly expands during this type of breathing rather than the chest. Experience it here… (You can practice this as you read or have someone slowly read you the following text aloud and put in a break after each section.):
Each of us is already infinitely wondrous-- miraculous, awe-inspiring, unfathomable (Divine if you prefer) Our wondrous nature is the same as the infinite wonder of the universe. We experience this infinite wonder by waking up to reality. ~ Quote from Gita in a nutshell #4 Shanti OM You may have heard about cleansing and just how good it is for you. So what now? Should you really take time out of your busy schedule to cleanse? And if so, how do you actually do a cleanse? Ayurvedic cleansing is simple and easy and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Use the information below from Banyan Botanicals to start unlocking the vast potential of your health and well-being.
Why to do a Cleanse You may already be taking care of yourself by eating healthy food, doing yoga and exercising. So why do you need to do a cleanse? Because prevention is the name of the game, and even the finest instruments require tuning on a periodic basis. A cleanse based on Ayurvedic principles allows your body the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate, as well as remove toxins that may have accumulated in your system. Most of us have some exposure to unhealthy toxins in our food, water and environment. Poorly digested food can further add to a build-up of toxins, which Ayurveda calls ama. This toxic build-up in the system causes sub- optimal performance of your body’s tissues and organs, right down to the cellular level. Signs that toxic residue has accumulated in your system may include a heavy coating on your tongue, sluggishness after you eat, foggy thinking, and joint and muscle aches. Cleansing starts the clean-up process and leaves you feeling lighter and refreshed. The benefits from doing even the simplest cleanse can be powerful. An Ayurvedic cleanse can help:
There are a variety of ways to cleanse. Ayurveda’s full cleanse is called Panchakarma, which can be done with a trained practitioner. However, a simpler, less involved yet highly effective version of this is to do a whole foods cleanse at home, which is what we describe here. How to do a Cleanse Just a few easy steps form the foundation of your cleansing experience: 1. Mono Diet Kitchari for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kitchari is considered a nutritionally whole food. Made from rice and yellow mung dal, this very basic Ayurvedic combination is considered one of the easiest foods to digest, allowing the digestive system to rest and reset while giving your tissues nourishment and sustenance. It is important to have cooked, easy to digest foods during a cleanse because this allows the body to turn its attention from breaking down your food to actually mobilizing and getting rid of toxic build-up. Make your kitchari with digestive spices like turmeric, cumin and ginger, which not only add great flavor, but also kindle the digestive fire and boost the immune system. Add some ghee as internal oleation helps loosen toxins. And finish the recipe with fresh seasonal vegetables of your choice, giving you valuable fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Learn how to make kitchari with our video at www.banyanbotanicals.com/kitchari Sip hot water and hot detox tea. Hot water kindles the digestion and also helps naturally flush toxins from the system. Sip hot water throughout the day, and also hydrate yourself with plenty of room temperature water if needed, but avoid cold, iced drinks and caffeine. Start and end your day with a cup of an herbal detox tea. If you want, you can make it at home with fresh spices like cumin, coriander, fennel and fresh ginger. Leave at least 5 hours between meals. This affords ample time for digestion and allows the body to remove the toxic stores that have been tucked away in the tissues for long periods of time. For this reason, try to avoid snacking. If you are ravishingly hungry, go ahead and have a snack that incorporates the same ingredients as the kitchari, and eat a larger portion at your next sitting to hold you over between meals. You may find that this gets easier with time. 2. Self Oil-Massage This incredibly nourishing treat for yourself also serves a vital role in the cleansing process. It helps mobilize toxins from the tissues while also calming the nervous system so that the body can move from stress-fighting functions to rejuvenating functions. Only in the parasympathetic rest and relax paradigm can the cells repair themselves, bringing healing to the body and a renewed state of well-being. Using warm oil is key in the massage, as this allows the oil to more deeply penetrate and nourish the tissues. Plus it feels good! video at www.banyanbotanicals.com/sm 3. Triphala The final key for any cleanse is to, well, CLEANSE! A gentle home cleanse does not have to include harsh purgatives. The most important thing is to give the body the opportunity to flush the toxins with regular, healthy bowel movements. Triphala helps gently support this type of cleansing while also being a powerful source of anti-oxidants. It rejuvenates the tissues, leaving you feeling lighter and revitalized. Take 2 tablets at bedtime. Alternately, if you prefer the traditional method of powder, take 1⁄2 tsp at bedtime with warm water, or steep in hot water at bedtime and drink in the morning. Adjust your dose as needed according to your body’s response. When to do a Cleanse Ayurveda traditionally recommends cleansing at natural transition points, such as the change of seasons. As the body shifts gears to adjust to the changes in the environment, a cleanse supports a gentle removal of the build- up from the passing season, allowing the body to more easily adapt to the incoming season. However, a gentle home cleanse can be done at almost any time that suits your schedule, whenever you feel the need to reset your digestion and remove toxicity. Make time to allow yourself to slow down and experience the benefits of the cleanse, rather than maintaining a hectic, stressful daily routine that may have contributed to the toxic build-up in the first place. If you are new to cleansing and just want to give this a try, you can start with a mini one-day cleanse. Even this is enough to give your digestive system a break, boosting the immune system, balancing doshas and removing unwanted residue. If you are ready to really experience the benefits of the home cleanse, commit to a three- to seven-day process, following the same routine on a daily basis. Add some gentle yoga and journaling to deepen your cleansing experience and to gain insight into your healing process. During this time, you may feel ups and downs, but stay with it, and you will definitely experience the uplifting benefits by the end-in body, mind and spirit. Post-Cleanse Once you have finished the cleanse, gently and consciously reintroduce activities into your daily routine, as quickly jumping back into your previous habits will be a shock to the system, rapidly re-building toxins and imbalancing doshas. Take some time to re-introduce other elements back into your normal diet, waiting a few extra days if you can to have heavier foods like dairy and meat. If there are previous habits that you know weren’t serving your health, now is a great time to let them go. And if you found portions of the cleanse beneficial, like the self-massage or Triphala, feel free to incorporate them into your long- term daily routine. The days that follow a cleanse are a great time to start taking rejuvenating herbs and formulas like Ashwagandha and Chyavanprash. They will continue to nourish the system and bolster energy and vitality. Take Ashwagandha before bed (2 tablets or 1⁄2 tsp boiled in a cup of milk with sweetner to taste). One or two teaspoons of Chyavanprash can be taken most anytime up to 2x daily. To read more about cleansing, download our Ebook at www. banyanbotanicals.com/cleansing_ ebook. Enjoy your renewed sense of health and well-being! BANYANBOTANICALS.COM Wa g'wan me Sistas and Bruddas,
That's how you say hello on the streets of Jamaica. Ahhhh Jamaica, my sweet home away from home. Summed up in a few words...simple, raw, beauty. I see and feel simple, raw, beauty, in the land, the air, the sea, and the people. When I am there I feel waves of Om Shanti (universal peace) seeping in and flowing through from head to toe. It’s in part my experience in Jamaica that has led me to ask myself how can I stay tuned to the raw simple beauty of life, and the peace and joy that that offers here at home where there are so many distractions. I have to take a moment to recall my steps as my feet touch down on Jamaican soil. First things first I put my phone on airplane mode, that takes care of that obvious distraction, I am transported by a car that I do not own, I have everything I need in one suitcase, I eat what grows on the island and lives in the sea, the ocean creates a rhythm of give and take as it continually washes up on the sand, and the cool breeze is blowin my cares and worries away all day long. All I really feel the need to say to a passerby is "wa g'wan me brudda/sista" and "ya mon". I realize with some dismay that I am the one who complicates my life. My unnecessary attachment to things, thoughts, and ideas is what creates stress and unrest in my life. If I want to see a change I have to make some changes in my life. In the four months since our trip to Jamaica I find myself more determined than ever to experience that freedom and bliss (moksha) in my daily life. Through my daily meditation practice I am discovering that what lies beneath the complications and distractions that I create is in fact bliss. Deepak Chopra stated at his recent Global Peace Meditation, "that if we can hold it in our minds we can hold it in our hands". As a way of holding the intention for complete peace, freedom, and joy, I have begun to create a vision board around Moksha. My Jamaican land is definitely a part of it and the mantra OM Shanti is at the core. Some lifestyle changes are taking place and seeds are being planted to cultivate peace. I am excited to see what's magical and beautiful and to share that with you. PEACE - The Final Frontier Om Shanti Love and Light, Misty |
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