It was such a gift to have a review of the True Yoga DVD in yesterday's Dallas Morning News. I felt a great sense of relief and accomplishment when I saw it in the paper yesterday. Because I love my work so much, sometimes I'm unaware of the preparation I'm putting into it. I enjoy the process, so at times it almost feels effortless. The reality, though, is a tremendous amount of energy went into the review becoming a reality. From filming the DVD a year ago, to really committing to and developing a personal Yoga practice in my day-to-day life, (something I had been not fully committed to for four years) to developing a blog, re-creating a new monthly newsletter, throwing a DVD party in June, getting established at Exhale Spa, shooting new pictures for the website and re-designing the DVD cover.

Last night as I lay in bed, I became aware of the growth I've opened up to in the last year and the incredible journey it's been. It's amazing how the practice of Yoga has been my saving Grace time-and-time again in my life. Sometimes, its Grace just supports me in feeling uplifted and positive, when I might be having a day that is otherwise. Sometimes, however, its Grace has truly been life saving...not only when I first started, but just a year ago, when its Grace was there waiting for me to receive it again. Just last September, I experienced being in the lowest place I've ever been when it felt as though my entire life I had built up was in complete devestation and breakdown. When I finally decided to let go of the Yoga studio, I was struggling in every area of my life, my career, intimate relationship, family relationships, financially. I never thought I would rebuild here in Dallas. I was looking for a way to leave and found an opportunity with a successful Yoga studio in Asia, as many of you know, that recruits teachers from all around the world to teach there.

It's amazing how every experience we find ourselves in serves us, even though we're not always sure how it is. Over the 8 months I was communicating with the founders of Pure Yoga in Asia, we had several conversations about me moving there, to teach for them and manage one of the world's largest Yoga studios. In one of our conversations we had in February of this year, the founder asked me if I had a very strong personal Yoga practice. It's amazing because I had been "practicing" Yoga for almost five years, yet my reply was no, that it wasn't that strong. He remarked that it was extremely important to have a strong personal practice, and as he said this, I felt somewhat resistant to the idea of it. (Doing more Yoga than I'm already doing? I thought) But, then, when I was reading an article on Pure Yoga's website one day, about how one of the founders learned how to do Handstand, it inspired me to start practicing it, and the rest is Yoga history. Within about a month of daily practice, I was able to hold and balance in Handstand, which has been one of the most life-changing and enhancing experiences I've ever known.

Over the years I had heard people refer to their "practice" but didn't really understand the depth of what they were talking about until I really committed to my own personal practice at the beginning of this year. The experience I've had as I've grown and developed in my own practice has been like a rebirth. It's so fascinating that although I'm not in Asia, what opened up for me as I pursued that opportunity was the opportunity to develop my practice and my Self without even going there. The truth is, we can awaken anywhere, as the great spiritual teachers have shown us, even under a tree, and especially in our own home, if we're committed to it.

This quote has been resonating in my awareness since yesterday. I'm often reminded of this quote in my work and in my pursuits.

"The Bhagavad Gita also gives explanations of the term yoga and lays stress upon Karma Yoga (Yoga by action.) It is said: 'Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof. Never let the fruits of action be your motive; and never cease to work.' Work in the name of the Lord, abandoning selfish desires. Be not affected by success or failure. This equipose is called Yoga." - Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar

As I was looking for this quote in my book, I came upon this one which I'd also like to share with you.

"Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom. Twice blessed is he who knows true love and can love all God's creatures. He who works selflessly for the welfare of others with love in his heart is thrice blessed. But the man who combines within his mortal frame knowledge, love and selfless service is holy and becomes a pilgrimage, like the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Saraswati, and Jamuna. Those who meet him become calm and purified." - Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar

Hmmmm....let the work alone be the privilege, never the fruits thereof...What a great reminder as we move through our work in our daily life.

May we know joy in our daily work and practice...

Namaste! Read more