And, attitude is everything. I did not realize this was Fat Tuesday until today, thanks to someone in my Yoga class mentioning it. Realizing it was Fat Tuesday brought a lot into perspective. It explains why I let myself be so indulgent this past weekend with some cocktails and rich food. Leading into the weekend I knew something would have to change. We've all heard it said before that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. That's the truth. What I didn't know, when I was having these awarenesses, was that Lent was starting this week. I've never really practiced Lent before, but I am and will now. This is a powerful time to activate positive changes. And, the positive Forces are on our side supporting us in our transformation...

Before I realized it was Fat Tuesday today, I was speaking to my Yoga class earlier this morning about this very thing. I was basically saying we are in the last month of Winter. Everything in life is Vinyasa. A Vinyasa is a cycle with a beginning, middle and end. And, everything in our world is a cycle, the rotation of the earth on its axis, the rotation of the earth around the sun, (and, of course, on and on in infinite dimensions throughout the Universe, there are vinyasas) the seasons, of course, are a vinyasa, the months are a vinyasa, each week, each day, each hour, each minute, each second, each breath is a vinyasa. When we observe Nature, we realize as we move from Fall to Winter, this is the time of Nature going through it's most powerful energetic release...dying unto itself, to be reborn. Winter is the time when Nature completey withdraws energetically into itself, to restore, revitalize, renew and rebirth, i.e. hibernation. If we consider the vinyasa of Winter, we realize everything we are feeling right now, both individually and collectively, is right on track with our Natural rhythms...the seasons of our soul. The seasons are the way our souls are ripened, and as Shiva Rea would say, we never know when the fruit is going to fall from the tree. If Winter has a beginning, middle and end, then at this moment, we are in the end of the Winter vinyasa. For the blossoming to take place, we must not be afraid to release the protective sheaths of our buds that have kept us protected. The blossom will break free from the bud, but in this great energetic release happening in Nature and our inner Nature, we must realize that in the season of our soul, its normal we might be feeling as though some part of us is releasing or dying right now. I invited the class to honor this sacred transformation, this time of letting go of the old, unhealthy thoughts, ways, attitudes, aspects of oneself and to realize the time is ripe to choose new, positive, healthier ways to be reborn into...with the emergence of Spring. And, of course, this sacred time of Lent is on our side and giving us a powerful hand in this process. Soon, the days will be filled with even more light as the time changes. And, on March 21st, Spring will emerge and blossom forth new beginnings for each and everyone of us. The most important thing, is we must choose from our center of will and determination, our 3rd chakra, that we will make healthier choices for ourself and align into this shift in a positive way. The beauty is our Yoga practice guides us exactly where we need to go with each breath we breathe, the more we surrender to knowing, hearing and following this guidance. Through the stillnes, which we find through our practice of Yoga Asanas, breath and meditation, we can hear the guiding Intelligence.

So what are some of the ways I am choosing to align in a healthier way with mySelf? One of the principles of Yoga is study of the scriptures. As part of my 200 hour Yoga training with Shiva, we are required to read different texts on Yoga. I am currently reading the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Upanishads. In the next couple of months, I will also read a book on Tantra and also Pranayama. Study of the scriptures, is one of the Niyamas in the eight-limbed path of Yoga, otherwise known as Astanga. The eight-limbed path was developed by the father of Yoga, Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutras over 2000 years ago. I am also committing myself to spending even more time in meditation, as well as, developing in other pratices of Pranayama. And, I am also going to practice some hot Yoga, as well.

The Spring Equinox is one of the most powerful times of the year, as it is the turn, the shift toward light and summer. In April-May, spiritually-minded individuals all over the planet honor this powerful time with a tradition called Navaratri, a nine-day celebration which happens twice a year honoring the transition into summer (lightness) and winter (darkness). It's a time of clearing out old-regressive energy to give birth to a new, enlightened, healthier reality. So whatever it is, as we release Winter and grow positively into Spring, decide to commit yourself to some path which is going to bring about positive results for you, whether it's Yoga, meditation, pranayama, study of the scriptures, eating healthier, or all of it. If you do, you will find everything in your life improves simultaneously, and you will blossom forth into Spring feeling the positive energy of Life with you.

Namaste!

"As our health improves everything in our life improves simultaneously." -David Wolfe
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