Alone Time

Over the past couple of weeks, my writings have been inspired through conversations with others. They have provided the spark that ignited a connection to writing about a certain topic from a yogic perspective. So this week, I asked my husband if anything was floating around in his awareness that I might like to approach for my weekly blog. Our dinner conversation was around how he's gotten into bicycling over the past few weeks. He started out riding with another friend, who has now left for the summer, and has continued riding by himself. I asked if he preferred to ride with someone or was it also good being alone."

He replied, "I'm fine riding by myself". I asked, "Does it act like think time?" to which he replied, "it does, but I also just enjoy the beauty of our surrounding mountains, blue skies and palm trees. Perhaps that what you could write about this week...being alone.

It sounded familiar. After going over my previous blogs, I discovered a version of the following and thought it worthy of a reprint. Particularly as we leave for Australia in the near future and I myself, am looking forward to having some serious alone time.

My question for the week is-How much time do you spend each day alone? Not with the radio on whilst you're driving, or lounging in front of the TV, but simple being in the act of sitting quietly...just you.

And then you might ask the question...why is this important? Good question. When we get to a place where we are completely at ease and accepting of who we are, with all of our unique imperfections, where we hold our own hearts in gentle compassion we can then begin to truly express this same feeling to all others.

This thought has been prompted by the upcoming yoga retreat to Australia. It's a time that is carved out of our daily busy lives, where we have the opportunity to hear our own inner voice, with no interruption or distraction. People who have attended retreats in the past have had many challenges and obstacles in getting there in the first place...kids, finances, travel, other obligations...things that initially might have screamed "NO", you really can't afford to go. But, many have found a way. They would all tell you that it was worth the "sacrifice" to feed their own soul, as they returned to all of the original objections with greater love, peace and appreciation.

I know that when we returned from our 9-day yoga retreat in Australia in October of 2009, even with me teaching the retreat, the residue from its impact lasted for almost three months. THREE MONTHS!! Through the feeling of unplugging, looking after my well-being on all levels of body, mind and spirit, I was able to hold onto that for weeks post-retreat.

You can too. Look into your heart and see if it's asking you to take some time for yourself. Even if it's not an exotic or extended retreat, but perhaps your own staycation retreat. It not only serves your own higher good, but those of others. It's an investment of energy that will continue to resonate well after the experience has finished.

Abundance...Is It About Stuff?

What is it that you wish to have more of in your life?

Good health, peaceful environment, less busy time or freedom from worries around money? It's a good question to ask ourselves every now and again. What is it that I need to support me along my journey? What stuff do I need to fulfill my purpose?

Getting clear on our path and purpose can be found in the yogic teachings through uncovering our "Purusharthas", the four elements that help us to define our role in the world. They are Dharma (purpose), Artha (wealth, value), Kama (passion/joy) and Moksha (freedom). One way to begin to answer the initial question of "what do I wish I had more of in my life" is to gaim some level of clarity around our purpose and what we need to help us fufill it.

Answering questions such as:

"What is my role in the world?"
"When I am serving the highest good, what am I doing?"
"Do I have enough?"
"Are my things making me happy, or stealing my joy?"
"What am I passionate about?"
"What am I doing to free myself from activities and perceptions that me me unhappy?"

These types of questions are posed when we are trying to clarify what we need to do to enhance our dharmic path. When we begin to gain clarity, it seems as though the importance of material wealth is put into perspective. We begin to uncover and feel gratitude for elements in our lives that have no material value, but are laden with richness.

Acknowledging on a daily basis all that we are grateful for helps to point us in a direction of recognizing how much abundance presently surrounds us. Simple things such as friends, family, love, opportunity, free speech and good health. Gratitude is a bridge that connects us to our own abundance. Without having a feeling of thankfulness towards all that we are and all that we have, we may take for granted the many blessings that surround us. We may exhibit that "spoilt child" type of behavior of always wanting more and not being happy with what we have. Gratitude leads the way towards recognizing what is truly important and present in our lives...now, in this moment, today.

That's not to say, that being a modern day yogini that I don't need my computer and cell phone. They support me along my dharmic path as much as having students and a studio in which to practice and do what I am meant to do...share my love and knowledge of yoga to those who are willing to open themselves to it.

So? What do you need? What are you thankful for? Where does your abundance shine through?

The Girl Who Could Never Relax Her Shoulders

Once upon a time in a land full of calm and beauty, lived a girl who could never relax her shoulders. Although the other kids never made fun of her, she felt certain that she stood out to be unusual. The other kids all seemed to stand, sit and walk as though they were carrying something precious on their heads. The girl (WCNRHS) on the other hand, felt as though she were carrying the weight of her world on not only her head, but yes...her shoulders as well. She dreamed of a time when she could experience what it would be like to let go of this burden. To release the uneasy feeling of such a load.

Then one day, a magical and loving yoga goddess fairy appeared before TGWCNRHS. She came to honor the beckoning calls of relaxation that could be heard through the land sent out from the heart of TGWCNRHS.

The loving yoga goddess fairy stood before her new student, engaged her eyes, exhaled a deep and soothing breath as she began to speak.

"I understand that you feel you are the girl who can never relax her shoulders. That you have been calling out from your heart that this is something you seek. That by relaxing your shoulders your life will improve. Is this true?" asked the yoga fairy.

"Yes", the perpetually shrugging girl replied. "This is what I seek. Can you help me?"

The yoga fairy replied, "I can only point you in the right direction and give you some practices, but it is only YOU who can make the magic happen. Are you willing to take that responsibility?"

"I believe I am ready. Please teach me beautiful yoga fairy." replied the girl.

The yoga fairy's lesson was this:

The tension you hold in your shoulders is tension that you carry in your heart, mind and spirit. When you recognize and honor it as such your awareness will grow each and every time this tension shows itself. When you notice the tension, exhale your breath and your shoulders will begin to relax. The tension is a reminder to hold compassion for ourselves, others and the planet.

The now wide eyed girl closed her eyes, opened her heart to a feeling of love, drew in a deep slow breath and as she began to exhale...something miraculous happened. She began to notice the space between her earlobes and her shoulders. She began to think about a new perspective (as well as getting some earrings).

The magical and loving yoga goddess bid her student "Namaste'" and levitated away.

They all lived happily ever after.

The Feeling of Freedom

Having been born into the Western world, freedom has always been part of the vernacular. It's woven into the American National anthem, is seen on bumper stickers to support the troops, is contained within the US Constitution and reflected in the numerous speeches given by notable leaders. We annually celebrate freedom by marking July 4th, Independence day with the freedom to eat BBQ and watch fireworks. It's a day of national pride and celebration.

Writing each week from a yogic perspective, I wanted to sit with what the word "freedom" means within the paradigm of a yoga practice or from living a yogic based lifestyle. Within my own experience, the "free-est" I've ever felt is when I traveled to Africa without a predetermined amount of time. The only agenda that I had was a one-way ticket and no itinerary. I wanted to let the experience simply unfold before me without feeling that I had to be someplace at some specific time. I made the choice to be on "Africa time", resisting my more common practice of forcing my schedule into a place that might not see it from the same perspective.

Having given myself permission to "go with the flow", I had a completely unfamiliar experience...that of complete freedom. It was momentously liberating.

Freedom within yoga can be found on all levels of the practice. If we bring our awareness into the simplicity of our breath, we free our minds from focusing on things beyond our control. If we bring a feeling of opening and spaciousness into our bodies, we free up tightness within joints. If we allow whatever to arise during our meditation practice to simply come up, we begin to free ourselves from harsh self-criticism and judgment.

We in the United States and Australia are so very fortunate and blessed to have a free society. Within the society we are free to express ourselves and free to explore individual paths of spiritual pursuit. One challenge that living in these free societies are the self-imposed limitations that bind our bodies, minds and spirits. Although we may inhabit these countries, it is up to each individual within to seek their own boundless freedoms. Yoga is a way to pursue our deepest potential.

Find your own freedom as we celebrate the freedoms of our collective whole.