Have you heard of Avidya?  Avidya is like a smoke screen that veils our perceptions from knowing the Truth (Sat). On the path of Yoga, Avidya is a constant that gives our practice a limitless source of continued definition.  It is one of the most trying practices in yoga, as we can be aware of it, make choices because of that awareness, but it is believed that Avidya is a constant.  That’s right it never goes away.

Picture a tree with the roots deep and limitless, with 4 branches.  The roots are Avidya and the branches are how Avidya grows within us in the form of Ego, Fear, Desire and Aversion.  Very much like the colored film they put on stage lighting that basks the stage in that color, Avidya colors how we see things moment to moment.  At times it can be any one or all of the branches of Avidya that are operating your perception.  When unaware you will then act or react and make choices because of what you are desiring, fearing, wanting to avoid, or simply believe YOU have the right to with no awareness of anything else.

Tricky you say?  YES it is!  The practice of yoga begins to not only bend your body, but your mind as well.  You begin to be more aware of how you are thinking, and from there you have the opportunity to understand things more clearly.  This is when you step onto the path of Avidya awareness.  You’ll start to note how your desires are tainting how you are seeing a given situation, and may then be negating the situation for others.  Or you might be aware of how you are experiencing something because of some fear you have that has nothing to do with that moment.  At other times you may want to avoid something based on a past experience that is now limiting what could be happening in the present moment.  And of course then there is the Ego, and its drive to have it be about YOU, you, you and no one else.   Remember I did say it is tricky.

Avidya, is not something that we can get rid of it, we can only be aware that our experiences and perceptions are being driven by them.  It is from that awareness where we begin to experience changes.  Rather than acting out of fear, ego, desires or aversion we see how it is tainting our perceptions and we can awaken to ‘what is’, free from Avidya.  Imagine any scenario where you begin to expand your perception beyond your fears, desires, avoidance or ego.  What would that be like?

I welcome you to a joyful practice, with the true pleasure of watching yourself grow and shed the old. May laughter be close at hand, as it will temper the experience of falling back into being unaware then aware again.  May compassion be a touchstone for you, as you stretch onto the Avidya mat and its strong roots continually offer you new moments of awakening.  Did I just hear someone laughing?  What a beautiful sound of freedom! Namaste.

Gretchen Mills from Key West Yoga Sanctuary and I joined in on the National Day of Unplugging to create a wonderful event for Key West.  We kicked off the event on Friday evening with a Music Jam/Potluck.  What sweetness to hang with friends, families (lots of little ones playing on the beach) sing, and eat wonderfully nourishing food while the sunset! Thank you Lazy Dog for bringing paddle boards over for us to play on.  And then we did it, we turned it all off!

The rest of the evening was reading, relaxing and a great nights sleep.  I was aware of how my shoulders unwound during the night and it felt divine.

Saturday was a day for being in nature, spending time with loved ones, eating nourishing food, doing Yoga and Meditation, creating art and music, or just being!  We offered events around town to encourage all of that including a wonderful children’s art project with Jenni Franke at Key West Wildlife Center, pottery painting at Honest Works Island Pottery, and a picnic at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (box lunch provided by Help Yourself!).

I kicked off my morning with yoga, by teaching class at Ft Zach.  Then it was time to chillax at the beach.  I brought a picnic breakfast, books to read, a comfy beach chair to enjoy.  It was such a treat to just be at the beach with friends, and loved ones watching the day wander by.  It was the annual around the island sailing race, so I was there to cheer on my friends as they came around the point pushing against the current.  Rah! For lunch Don brought us a nutritious box lunch from Help Yourself! We lingered, we chatted, we played with babies, and laughed a lot.

By 3 pm it was time to leave the beach and head over to the Key West Yoga Sanctuary for Raji’s class JourneyDance .  What a treat to experience her offering, spirit and space to dance with others and be expressive with music.  We rocked it, bounced it, partnered, expressed, connected and liberated IT!  Wahoo!

The feeling of elation took me to Higg’s Beach where a few of us met to give thanks for the day.  As the sunset on my 24 hours I reflected on the freedom this time of unplugging connected me to, and the knowing I can do this at anytime I so declare.  I declare it now that we shall do it again for our second annual day next March, and whenever the inspiration initiates between now and then.  “See” you then!

Thank you!

I saw her first as an image of a rainbow the day before she arrived.  A fleeting image of a rainbow over the water came to me as I glanced up quickly looking over the water.  Then I noticed her as an interesting ship coming towards us the next day as I was walking to set up for yoga. She had the most interesting triangular rigging, something I had not seen before.

As she continued to move towards our shore, and I continued to prep the yoga “platform”, my eyes kept being called to her.  And then it happened.  First the awakening, as I recognized the rainbow on her bow.  Then I saw the white dove, and finally the words Greenpeace.

My heart began to flutter, and my spirit soared. Completely inspired I grabbed my camera and began to run like a school girl, with all the glee, joy and speed I could muster towards her.  As I ran I was so aware of all the emotions running through me, especially the sense of youth, joy and exhilaration!  Incumbered by my sandals, I kicked them off and flew to the entrance of the harbor.

Once there I found myself jumping up and down waving to her as she passed by so gracefully with strength and power.  The honor of seeing Rainbow Warrior pass through our waters sent chills through me.  My childhood memories of the stories of Greenpeace, and all the work they do to honor our planet  flew through me and my arms as they waved.  Gratitude oozed through me and outward.

I’m not sure anyone on board saw me, but I know for sure SHE did.  It was an honor and a privilege I will not soon forget.  I am so thankful for the experience of this awakening and inspiration!  Keep your senses open.  You may soon have one yourself.

One of the ways to practice yoga is through studying the sacred texts, like the Yoga Sutras or the Baghavad Gita.  I was recently reading Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation of The Yoga Sutras and came across this advice, “Whether you are interested in reaching Samadhi (bliss) or plan to ignore Yoga entirely, I would advise you to remember at least this one Sutra.  It will be very helpful to you in keeping a peaceful mind in your daily life. You may not have any great goal in your life, but just try to follow this one Sutra very well and you will see its efficacy.”

The Sutra he is referring to is 1.33.  “By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.”

Ah, can you imagine a sense of undisturbed calmness in your mind, body and spirit?  Delicious!  So what is Patanjali speaking of in this Sutra?  He suggests that in your daily life you will come across people expressing 4 energetic forms.  They are sukha or happiness, duhka or unhappiness, punya or virtuousness and apunya or wickedness.  The keys he gives for maintaining your sense of well-being in light of these energies are friendliness, compassion, delight, and indifference or disregard.

As you come upon a happy person, find a sense of friendliness to them.  Recognize that there may be some old habits which may create some other response to someone’s happiness other than friendliness.  Apparently even 4000 years ago people would act in a less than friendly way when approached by other’s happiness.  Take a breath and ignite in you a friendly response. It will be a selfless act that all, including you, will benefit from.

Patanjali then suggests that when you come upon an unhappy person, reach inward and ignite compassion for them.  Your feeling of well-being will be energized by compassion, rather than being sucked out of you in feeling sadness or even empathy toward them.  You certainly will not help others by becoming unhappy as well.

The third interaction is when you come upon one who is virtuous.   How delightful to see true virtue being expressed, and to inspire it within you!  Let virtuousness in others be the lighted path for you to follow, with a heart that sings delight.

Then lastly, what do you do when you are in the presence of wickedness?  Indifference is the key, he says.  This one can often be confusing, as we may believe he is suggesting that we do nothing about wickedness.  Not true.  He is saying that when in its presence do not react with anything else other than indifference when it is in your face, because any action you will take at that point will be like pouring oil on a fire.  Once away from the wickedness, your actions, centered in your undisturbed calmness, will be virtuous, compassionate and friendly.  What magic you will create!

Happy – Friendly               Unhappy – Compassion                 Virtuous – Delight             Wicked – Indifference

And away we go….

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!”

Each moment there are thousands of neurological activations happening in your body.  Each thought generates an electrical spark, which has a chemical reaction and all of this is triggered by your personal Samskara (habit.)  When we practice yoga, we become fine-tuned to all that is going on, and awakened to the response/reactions.  Choice is born from that awareness, we become Response-Able.

Take another breath.  What is happening now?

It is that practice in yoga that is the key to your transformation.  When you become aware of what is happening now, and aware of what you are feeling, your choices broaden.  When you are unaware of what is going on, your habits or conditional reactions will govern you.  It is like the movie Groundhog Day, when everything just keeps repeating itself and you don’t know why nor do you like it.  As you become more familiar with what is happening, what you are feeling, and what thoughts you are thinking you will begin to see the moment when a reaction can become simply a response.

Think of it this way, a response is the feeling you have about what is happening.  It is the result of the stimulus in the moment.   Have you ever heard a choir sing, and then the responds?  That is what is happening in your body.  The mind has a thought and the body sings the responds with a feeling.  A reaction is what you are doing with that responds (and often it is not for the highest good.)  We all have had those moments when we react to something, and then soon after regretted what we said or did.  Would you like to avoid feeling regret?

Underlining the transition from a response to reactions is very often the inability to accept was is happening.  This is a whole other subject for an article, but is key to this one as well.  Accepting what is happening in a given moment can be so very tricky for some, as it implies that you are condoning it.  Number ONE understanding of acceptance is that it is simply stating what is happening in the moment.  It is neither condoning it nor stating that it will continue.  When we can accept what is happening we simple see the presence clearly.  From there we can make choices that serve us, and continue to amplify feelings that inspire us.

For instance imagine it is raining right now.  If you start flying off the handle, not accepting that it is raining, how would you feel?  What choices might you make?  How wet would you be?  On the other hand, when you accept that it is raining you may find your umbrella, enjoy the free car wash and be happy for the plants in your yard.

Learn to be more present in the feelings you are having, and let the response factor guide you.  If what is happening in a given moment is creating a feeling just be with it.  Be in the feeling and let your mind hear it.  “I’m feeling _____________(name the feeling) right now.”  Creating some space to observe the feeling before jumping into action gives you the opportunity to give a broadened perspective on it.  Maybe all you need to do is feel it.  Let your Response-Ability be exercised daily, simply take a breath and feel what is going on now.