Happy New Year! Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. It was nice to slow down for a couple of weeks after Christmas. I still taught, but much less than my normal schedule. It also feels good to be back in the swing of things.

I'm still opening up to my vision for 2007. I'm allowing the inspiration for the year ahead to flow into me, rather than putting pressure on myself to become completely crystal clear about how I think it all "should" look. This is definitely new for me, as in many of the years past I would have had all of my goals written down by now. I do intend to write them down, but I'm allowing the process to happen in its own time. I definitely believe in the power of the written word and have seen many incredible transformations and openings in my life, just by writing down my vision...

One vision I have for my Yoga practice in the year ahead is to be able to do a Handstand Press. I decided I would commit myself to the practice and possible realization of this in 2007. What I found amazing, is how fearful I am of this commitment. I am afraid because I realize that in order to be able to open up to this, it will require me to shift certain things in my life. To be able to cultivate and awaken the strength necessary for this pose, I will need to be even more conscious of my health and what I'm eating, and be committed to developing the strength necessary to do it. I do believe it's possible, even though I have fears and uncertainties about what the practice and development in this will look like.

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." - Raymond Lindquist

After I decided to make this a committed practice in 2007, I noticed I began to feel discouraged. So much so, that earlier today, as I was feeling frustrated at my perceived "inability" I said to my partner that I was thinking about quitting Yoga. Now, I'm not serious. But, I, too, find myself feeling discouraged at times. At times, I compare myself to others and measure their abilities against mine. Even though Yoga teaches us not to do this, I am susceptible at times to my human tendencies. Discouragement is a dark place to be in, it is the deflation of hope and belief. It often manifests as a result of thinking that where we are, is not where we "should" be, or by comparing ourselves to what we perceive someone elses abiltities to be. If we compare ourselves to others it is self-defeating. All we can do is commit to being the best we can be. Knowing all of this doesn't mean we won't sometimes find ourselves in this darkness. One thing we can know, is the darkness is always the opening to the Light.

"Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Discouragement can also come when we are unsure or uncertain about the way ahead. When we want something but don't know how we're going to get there.

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood; an inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." - G.K. Chesterton

A few more awarenesses came to me today as I was teaching. What does it mean to be encouraged? Perhaps encouragement is finding the strength in the unknown. We know that in order to experience courage, we must be strong, even when we are afraid or uncertain. So, to be encouraged, is to be in courage...in the experience of being courageous. Courage is the manifestation of strength in the unknown, uncertainty and even fear.

To be committed to a Yoga practice is to be courageous. How many people do you know who've been committed to the practice of growth in anything for a long period of time, be it Yoga, Golf, Tennis, a musical instrument, and so on and on? Sure, there are many people who do these things recreationally, but how many are really committed with body, mind and heart to becoming the very best they can be. Many of the great Yogi's who've practiced Yoga for a long time, i.e. 20 to 40 years are considered to be Yoga Masters. No doubt, they've found themselves in places of discouragement from time-to-time as they've committed themselves deeper and deeper to their practice, their growth. But, each time we find ourselves in that place of darkness or discouragement, it is ultimately, an opportunity to realize an even greater strength within one's own Self.

"Courage is the basic virtue for everyone so long as he continues to grow, to move ahead." - Rollo May

So, as you're envisioning the possiblities of 2007, it's possible you may find yourself uncertain about the way ahead. This is how we usually know we're about to begin a journey of unprecedented growth. I encourage you to be courageous, to practice with body, mind and heart and to commit yourself completely to being the best you can be and awakening to your true potential with every breath you breathe...

Namaste! Happy Courageous New Year!
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