Ok, I'm saying it. It's time. I'm sure you've heard wherever you are, unless you live in another country, that we have been drenched in rain in North Texas for the past three months straight. It's unbelievable and relentless. There has been devestating flooding in surrounding areas and it seems to be causing challenging situations. One of the situations I'm aware of is an infestation of webworm catepillars. I was at a friend's house, the weekend before last, and her back porch had these hairy-little-caterpillar critters squirming all over it. I looked up to the tree hanging over the deck and noticed all of these nests. Many of the trees leaves had been eaten off by the webworms. The following day NBC 5 did a story on this very situation. Not to mention this coming Wednesday is July 4th and it looks as though the rain will keep many from enjoying outdoor activities. Last year the lakes were too low, making water activities dangerous... this year, the water is too high, again making boating and other activities hazardous because there could be trees and other materials in areas where the water levels have risen...

I wish I could say I think it will all go away and the hot Texas summer weather will return. For the past 6 years I've lived here, I've been accustomed to dry summers where the weatherman's forecast looked like 7 days of sun and no clouds and temperatures in the low 100s. But I honestly don't think this summer will be like that. Now, I'm open to being surprised. But, my sense is this weather is not going away. It doesn't mean we won't have any sunny days, but this summer will be anything but the "normal" weather we've known. It feels as though the weather is not going to just blow away and change, but it will be like this all the way through the summer. And, really, who knows what's next? If a typical Texas summer can go from sunny, dry, 100 degree weather to constant rain and temperatures only in the high 80s...anything is possible. Many people love the change, too. I can see why, especially for those people who've lived here for a long time and are tired of every summer being so hot. As for me, I enjoy rain from time-to-time, but in moderation. I am definitely a sun person and prefer to have more sunny days than rainy ones.

So, what does all of this have to do with Yoga you might ask? It has everything to do with it. The last three months have been a perfect mirror for what our practice is teaching us.

1) Let go of your expectations. The only thing to expect is the unexpected.
2) Find the sunshine within yourself. (As a student so eloquently said.)
3) Slow down, go within and feel.
4) Go with the flow...even when the flow is overflowing...trust in the moment that you are exactly where you need to be.
5) Surrender to what is.
6) Be still and listen...to the constant rain, or the sound of your breath, or the birds chirping, or whatever fills the space you are in...tune into yourSelf.
7) When you tune in and feel and hear your inner Guidance guiding you...follow it and be not afraid.

Also, I am getting ready to head out of town next Friday to attend Shiva Rea's two-week Summer Immersion Training. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for this incredible experience. One of the greatest tools I've realized recently in my life is the healing effect of journaling. For a long time, I felt as though blogging was providing me with this, but I now see there is so much more I need to channel, personal revelations and it has been incredibly cathartic for me to begin to journal. The other day as I was practicing Yoga and feeling emotionally heavy and down, I felt the strong guidance that journaling was in order. So, when I finished my practice I picked up my journal and allowed my stream of consciousness to just flow. I have found a new way to express and release and communicate and I am so grateful my Spiritual Psychologist encouraged me to experience this and I listened to her guidance. Namaste!Read more