December 19th, 2011
The power of Yoga permeates our practice no matter which angle we approach it from. As we stretch, breathe bigger, quiet the mind and/or challenge our bodies things begin to change. A broadening of ourselves cracks open and we begin to see new possibilities on many levels. What we believed to be impossible at one point in our lives begins to seem not only possible but is already happening in our lives and all around us. We begin to dream of new possibilities, and see them realized.
As I was biking the island yesterday I began to have these thoughts and images around how we relate to one another when it comes to dreaming. It seems that there is a cultural conditioning, which is well accepted, to be what I will call a Dream Squasher. We may not realize we have that habit, or condition. We may even validate our actions with reasoning like, “but I need to help them out so they don’t get hurt,” or “I need to speak my truth.” In the end what we are inflicting on one another is another opinion (often unasked for) that pulls the rug out from the dreaming process.
Do you recognize this behavior in yourself? Want to set it free? First recognize your habitual responses that start in the gut and find their way to your tongue that are less than supportive, or down right undermining. You’ll also need to be clearly aware of when someone is sharing a dream, notice your conditioned need to squash it, and take a breath.
Here is your time to step onto the platform called supportive. No Fairy Godmother (nor Godfather) leaves home without this bit of magic. If you want to become a Fairy Godmother then first you will need to learn to charge your responses and words with the magic of support, inspiration and empowerment. These powerful three are the fairy dust we all are brightened and encouraged by.
Support is the way in which we keep something or someone “upright”. We sustain and provide help when asked for, and belief in the dream. We even stretch our own awareness to see how this dream will and can become a reality.
Inspiration is a stimulus energy that helps the creative process to mature. It is like compost that nourishes the dreaming process. There is the moment when we first begin to share our dreams that catches our breath, and we await the next “inspiration.” The Fairy Godmother gets to stimulate that inspiration, that intake of new ideas, and breathes energy into it.
Empowerment is the fine art of creating space for power to be declared. We bring the quality of esteem alive by giving high regard and consideration to another’s ideas or dreams which is like hypercharging the concept. With great dexterity we step aside and create the space for the manifestation of another’s dream. Pow!
Our transformation is complete as we begin to hear our words transform from discouraging, disapproval, and disempowering to our magic 3 – support, inspiration and empowerment. Responds like, “what are you thinking”, or “did you consider…” become, “wow, that’s sounds wonderful” or “I love hearing how excited you are with this idea, and I know you can bring it alive with the passion you are feeling.”
As with many transformational processes, the “feel good” quality is symbiotic. The benefits are felt by both the dreamer and you. There is such a rush when you are dreaming your dream and someone else creates the space and energy for it to be realized. As you support another that rush flies through you as well. I guess that’s why it is often called divine. Here is to more of us on the path of Fairydom.
Posted in Inspirations from Class, Spirit, Uncategorized, yoga | No Comments »
November 12th, 2011
It’s November and for many of us this is the month that reminds us to open our hearts to gratitude. On Thanksgiving Day we gather in community, feasting together in the bounty of our harvest and giving thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. Giving thanks for our family, friends, loved ones, health, and prosperity, just to name a few things, uplifts us and opens our eyes again to these gifts. It is a powerful experience and one that can generate amazing changes in our lives.
One day a year is a wonderful beginning to what can become a daily or even moment to moment life altering and affirming path of life. But let’s start with the baby steps, and not get too carried away, right away.
For example, start by noticing how often you are feeling thankful, or in appreciation. Do you feel and see the abundance of life that surrounds you, or do you often find your focus is on what is lacking? Open your eyes and heart to appreciate something right now! Go on, what is in your field of awareness right NOW that you are thankful for?
Next take it to the street. Start moving through your day and notice how you are relating to the people, places and things that you interact with every day. Do you struggle with them, or feel a sense of thankfulness for them? Just notice. Maybe you catch yourself grumbling about the cracks in the sidewalks, or noticing there is not enough room for you on the bus. What about the flowers that are growing along the sidewalks? Did you see them? Did you consider that the crowded bus means less people polluting with cars? Bring your awareness to that. The person who opened the door for you gives you an opportunity to get those feel good vibes of gratitude flowing, or criticize them for not holding the door wide enough for you. Are you starting to see and feel what is going on here?
Every moment is an opportunity to feel good or not. AND how you feel will affect others all day around you. Want to live in a feel good community? Then start feeling good. The best way I know is to feel the bliss of gratitude. That’s right give some thanks, feel it within yourself and watch what happens.
I recently noticed this sense of community spirit with two restaurateurs here in Key West. They are in business right across the street from one another, and a number of times I have noticed that they help one another, offer each other assistance and support. There is a lot of appreciation and support that flows between them. At the same time another restaurateur down the street feels the sting of lack, and competes with the other two establishments, often doing things in an effort to undercut or undermine the other businesses nearby. Guess which two are thriving businesses, and who is struggling to survive?
When you gather this Thanksgiving Day, let it be a kick off day for you to spend every day finding your bliss through gratitude. Some people find a gratitude journal or making a list daily in the morning or at night a great way to make a shift for themselves. If you need more support with this check out Heartmath at http://www.heartmath.org/. I know I speak for many when I say thank you for taking on this shift, and welcome to the bliss community.
Tags: community, gratitude, thanks
Posted in Articles, Spirit | 3 Comments »
October 17th, 2011
Some of you know that I have a passion for anything that supports a sustainable, healthy plant. Recently I was popping around the internet, and through a childhood friend’s twitter account I found this link. Mike Biddle and his team have discovered a way to reuse plastic! His method uses 90 percent (that’s right 90 percent) less energy to create plastic than “virgin” plastic does.
Please take the time to watch this. I say thank you Mike! Happy mining, as your resources are extensive and the contribution you are making to the health of our planet is enormous!
Posted in Healthy Planet | No Comments »
October 14th, 2011
I just met with Amy from Stay Fit Studio and we are delighted to announce that our 2011-2012 Yoga Teacher Training program will be held in their beautiful studio. It is a spacious room with mirrors, a wooden floor and plenty of room for us to explore the practice of yoga, teaching and discover who we are. Sounds like fun to me.
This will be our 5th year running this program in Key West, and we are looking forward to it. Our 200 hour program is approved by Yoga Alliance, and covers
History and Philosophy of Yoga Meditation
Breathing – Techniques, Principles and Practice
Study and practice of Asanas (postures)
Assisting and modification of poses
Physical Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology
Energy Anatomy and Physiology
Yogic Lifestyle
Understanding Sanskrit
Chanting, Bandhas, and Mudras
The Business and Ethics of Teaching Yoga
Developing Your Teaching Style and Class Format
Observation of Yoga classes
Hands on assisting of classes
Practice teaching
Self Growth for Teachers
The program includes The Forum, which meets for 20 weeks on Monday evenings from 6:30-9:30 pm and 4 weekend programs running from Dec 5- April 23. The design of the program allows you to continue to live and work here in Key West while participating in the program. With over 140 hour contact hours, and some 60 hours of self-study this program will inspire, challenge and develop self awareness and a deeper connection to both yoga and yourself.
Whether you want to simply learn more about yoga, or you feel ready to take the leap and become a yoga instructor this program will offer you the experience and opportunity, not to mention challenge you mentally, physically and spiritually.
Are you ready? We are!
Posted in Classes, Workshops, yoga | No Comments »
October 10th, 2011
I recently read a wonderful book, Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman. In it she mentions the concept of a Favor Bank and it tickled my fancy to share it all with you. It is really quite simple, yet so very profound. It is a mindset and a practice. And with the way the finances of the world are these days it is a breath of fresh air for many of us when it comes to banking. We can engage in this form of prosperity no matter what the finances of the world are doing.
So what is this Favor Bank? Let’s start by defining a favor by saying that a favor is something we do for others, with no expectation of anything in return, and in the act of doing the favor it feels good for all parties. So with that understanding a few other key things may come to mind. To begin with, most often you will be asked to do the favor (that way you are not forcing your desire on someone else.) Then find it in your heart to say yes, and let go of any thoughts of how it will be returned to you. Lastly keep your eye on the way it is feeling for you, and being received by the other.
Yes that’s right, let’s pause here and remember when doing a favor it mustn’t feel good for only one person! You can’t push someone over to do them a favor, nor take advantage of others. Key to the workings of the Favor Bank is that we make our transactions with free will and an open heart. Everyone feels the worth, joy and benefit. Kaching, a deposit and withdrawal is happening simultaneously!
Now here is how the Favor Bank has been viable for centuries. Each time you do a favor for someone you are making a deposit into the Favor Bank. Sounds easy, right? Many of us love to do favors. We are happy to, and may even go out of our way to do a favor for others as it makes us feel good to be in the light of gratitude.
But as the author reminds us, for the health of the “bank” we must remember to participate in withdrawals as well! Don’t get stuck in the “doing” of favors only. Be open to receiving them as well. When others offer to do something kind for us, it is extremely important to remember to accept it as a withdrawal from the Favor Bank. When asked, “Is there something I can help with” take a moment to see if it is your time to make a withdrawal, and open to receiving this wonderful gift.
Yes that’s right unlike other banks, you will receive a gift with each deposit and withdrawal. No fees. No penalties. No time limits. The interest on your capital deposit will cover you for a lifetime. So enjoy the rewards, with no fear of retributions. This bank is user friendly. May you hear the sound of prosperity often, “kaching!”
Posted in Articles, Spirit | 4 Comments »
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