No, it's not a low-fat recipe for fruit cake. Brahmacharya is the Sanskrit word in Yoga for moderation in all things, not just food, but also material and, yes even, sexual moderation. Gasp! Yes, I'll give you a moment to breathe after that last one I mentioned. The principle of Brahmacharya refers to anything we might be tempted to be in excess of...which could even apply to our professional lives and our work.

So then, how do we practice being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually when we're served with such a Heaping helping of the Holidays with all its food, fun and spirits?

Though it's particulary tempting to be in excess during the Holidays, practicing the Yoga principle of Brahmacharya can be beneficial not just for keeping off those 5 - 10 extra pounds of physical heaviness, but for staying light and healthy emotionally and spiritually, as well.

Have you ever had a night of eating and/or drinking in excess? How have you felt the next day...full of life and energy or a bit heavy, bloated and unhealthy? I've begun to notice practicing moderation with what we put into our bodies is about a lot more than not gaining weight. When we overindulge in anything...(notice I did not say indulge), we create a heaviness within ourselves on every level of awareness, meaning physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

So then why do we choose to overindulge if we don't feel our best when we do it? Perhaps it's because "everyone else is doing it" or all those parties and work parties make it seem justifiable so you "might as well" because "you only live once."

Or maybe because somewhere within us we believe if we consume more (on any level) it'll make us happier, fuller and we will experience pleasure. In Yoga this idea that more/better equals happier/fuller is known as an illusion or maya of life.

"Yoga is not for him who gorges too much, nor for him who starves himself. It is not for him who sleeps too much, nor for him who stays awake. By moderation in eating and in resting, by regulation in working and by concordance in sleeping and waking, Yoga destroys all pain and sorrow." - Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyenger

So, next time you're tempted to overindulge in pie, fruit cake or for an illusory sense of fulfillment, remember that the true joy and light of life is within you and grows brighter and lighter everytime you choose to honor your body, mind and spirit.Read more

"Procrastination is opportunity's assassin." - Victor Kiam

"This one makes a net, this one stands and wishes. Would you like to make a bet which one gets the fishes?" - Chinese rhyme

"How many opportunities come along? If you wait for the right one, that's wrong, because it may never be right, and what have you got to lose? Even if it's disaster, you've tried, you've learned something, you've had an adventure. And that doesn't mean you can't do it again." - Edward McCabe

One of my dreams for the past 3 years has been to create a True Yoga DVD. So often, many of you would ask me to refer a good DVD to you, however, I've often been disappointed with the quality of Yoga DVD's I've experienced.

I'm excited to say that I will be releasing my first ever DVD sometime in January 06! In a another week or so, I will have a preview from the DVD so you can check out a clip from it here on True Yoga Life...

I had the fortune of being able to film it on the 20th floor of a penthouse overlooking the Dallas skyline. It makes for an incredible view and scenery as you are watching the DVD and is very "uplifting." In one of the sessions I filmed, the sun in setting in the background as you watch the sky turn from pink clouds, to dusk and then finally to night as the city lights illuminate the evening sky.

I will keep you posted on the development and exact scheduled release as I get closer to the finished project. I look forward to hearing from you on those projects/dreams you've "put off" and are now having the opportunity to fulfill.

Namaste!

"So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late." - Lee Iacocca Read more

Diet, Nutrition and Consciousness:
A 3 Part Seminar December 9 - 11th with Blair Lewis, PA

Check out this incredible event being held at Om Life Studio December 9 - 11. They have held this very successful seminar a few times before and Mr. Blair Lewis is back again by popular demand. You can view the full details of this event at:

http://www.omlifeyoga.org/calendar.htm

I will be attending this seminar and look forward to learning awesome information from this well-known author and speaker. Just a little of what we will learn is:

-The link between foods and moods.
-The anatomy of the digestive fire according to Ayurveda
-Foods that fight pain
-Foods for good mental health and joy!

Hope to see you there!Read more

Dear Friends of True Yoga,

I have missed seeing so many of you over the past few months as we have all been going through a great deal of tranformation since the closing of the studio. I hope this message finds each of you awakening to positive beginnings with each new moment of your life. I am deeply grateful for all that has transpired over the past year and for the opportuntiy to cross paths and become connected with each of you. One of the most important elements for creating health and wellness is being blessed with the gift of Sangha in our lives. In English, the Sanskrit word, Sangha, means "the gift of spiritual friendship/community." It is my intention that through this blog we will have the opportunity to receive, expand and share the gift of Sangha in our lives with one another.

Since January 2003, I have published an e-newsletter every month for True Yoga. It has felt incredibly unusual to have written no newsletter for the past few months since closing the studio in October of 2005. Having written the newsletter for so long, I myself, even grew to find great support in the "What Comes to Mind..." section each month. So often, this section would serve as a prophetic life lesson for me. Every month I would allow my stream of consciousness to flow and then find (sometimes to my dismay and discomfort) that I would be given Divine opportunities to put the words I had written each month into practice in my life.

So, in an attempt to continue to inspire myself and others to "Awaken to Our True Potential physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually", I have decided to begin a blog. It is my intention to bring you the most advanced information on practices for living a healthy, well-balanced and joyful life. In this blog I will continue to expand on the teachings of Yoga. Though many of us are no longer sharing a daily Asana practice together, it is through the incredible 'inter'connectedness of 'inter'net technology that we have the opportunity to continue to grow, learn and be enlightened together in the practice of living a True Yoga Life on and off the mat.

As this blog grows and evolves you will have access to:
-Weekly inspirations and quotes
-Contributions from the most knowledgeable wellness professionals around
-A network and referral center for health & wellness products, professionals and services
-Announcements on True Yoga workshops and Yoga retreats/events locally and beyond
-Recommended reading material and discussions on books & articles
-The opportunity to stay 'inter'connected with a growing, supportive network of True Yoga friends around the world
-And the opportunity to make a difference one breath at a time

As we continue to expand our horizons and allow our Life Force to lead us in the direction of our highest good, wherever this journey may take us, may this online community grow to be an extraordinary network of friends supporting one other in awakening to our true potential for the good of all.

Shantih, Shantih, Shantih and...
Peace, Peace, Peace

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Namaste!

Leanne
p.s. Please contact me at leanne@trueyogainc.com if you are interested in posting your services, etc. here.Read more