Am I the only one who didn't know Van Morrison released an album in 2005? I was looking for music for Yoga class, and I stumbled upon a song of his called Stranded, which is really good.

So, you may have received the announcement about the Special New Year 'Prana Flow' Yoga Class I am leading this Saturday at Natural Trends. I have found a renewed sense of inspiration in my Yoga practice and I am looking forward to sharing it with you in a class that allows us to go deeper into the flow and the opportunities for opening in our body, mind and spirit. Since the beginning of this year, I've been finding there is so much more potential for opening and strengthening we can align into, but an hour long class is just not long enough sometimes...

Since first beginning Yoga in 2001, I have experimented with many different styles of Yoga. When I first studied with Shiva Rea in the summer of 2007, I felt a deep alignment with her energy/style, but ever-increasingly, the power and positivity of her inspired practice continues to become illuminated to me. Of course, all the different systems of Yoga have so much value. I really believe it's about finding this appreciation and integration of the different styles/teachers of Yoga and allowing them to become one, for ourself, in the way that is going to best serve our growth and body at this moment. This doesn't mean we shouldn't have one teacher we resonate with most deeply, but i have found so much value in being open to the grace and guidance of many teachers on my path. I never thought I would really find a deep appreciation for the Ashtanga system, which are actually Shiva Rea's roots and where her Prana Flow style opened up from, but from the Fall of 2007 to just this past Winter, I practiced the 2nd series of Ashtanga Yoga every week, in my home. I found going to class, was often too rigorous for my body, which is also what Shiva discovered after about 10 years of Ashtanga practice. But practicing that system, not only allowed me to grow into powerful places in my practice, but it also enlightened me to the ingeniousness of the style of Yoga, Prana Flow, that Shiva teaches, because it is so healing. So, I am finding an even deeper appreciation for the incredibly healing movement therapy and practice that Shiva has shared with us, and it is, not only opening me up to healing, but also it is opening me up in my body in ways I have been hoping and dreaming I would be able to open. With that being said, I hope you can come this Saturday, so you can also really experience the potential for opening and transformation which lies within your own body, mind and breath.

One of the great insights opening up for me, I believe through my practice, is the awareness of love as a journey, not a destination. Sometimes, I think I have been afraid to love, and allow my heart to be open, because I have been concerned about the end result. In 2009, I am releasing any and all obsession with a destination, be it in my relationships, my Yoga practice, or in any other way I am relating with my Self or another.

Oh ya, also, also, also, Desiree Rumbaugh, who is an Anusara inspired teacher is coming to Dallas in February 13-15. I have studied with her once before and she certainly has a lot of Light to share. And, I am also thrilled that Dharma Mittra is returning to Dallas in April 25-26. And as one of the great Master Yogi's on the planet, he certainly reflects back to you the Light within your own Self. Those of you who attend class with me in the area, I hope you will consider attending at least one of these workshops. I suppose if you had to pick, one or the other, I would suggest experiencing Yoga with Sri Dharma, but if you can attend both, definitely do!

I'd like to share this affirmation which was given to us at the Center for Spiritual Living last weekend. It's very powerful...

Today I am conscious that my relationships
are a reflection of me,
an opportunity for growth,
and an expression of Spirit's Love.
I consciously engage in my interactions
with others.
And so it is.

One more thing, you can watch the Chant4Change on a live webcast, on Monday, January 19th!

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I do want to say HAPPY New Year. I am feeling incredibly positive and hopeful about the year ahead, even in light of, all that has been happening in our world, and all that has happened in my own personal world. Perhaps this optimism is connected to an awakening of the quality of sraddha, faith, which is the first quality of enlightenment we develop as we grow on the Yogic path and in our personal Yoga practice. There's this song I just downloaded by Michael Franti called Have a Little Faith. It's amazing and I'll be playing it in class for those of you who practice with me, and I'll post the lyrics at the end of this blog.

So, the Yoga retreat in Costa Rica is almost here, just two weeks away. This is a dream come true, as I have been envisioning the possibility of going to Costa Rica for almost seven years. If you are just finding out about this retreat I'll be leading, there is still time to register, and, airfare to Costa Rica is very affordable. We are still honoring the early bird pricing so it's not too late to join us. You can find more information here...

So, I'm weaning off of my 5 day liquid cleanse. I did eat my first bites of salad today, and I'm actually almost uncomfortably full. Over the course of 5 days I only ate raw almonds twice, once on Tuesday and once on Thursday. Other than that, I sustained the cleanse on only liquids and it was awesome. In fact, I believe it has radically transformed my eating practices. This transformation has been happening over the course of the seven years I've been practicing Yoga. I have gradually grown healthier and healthier with my relationship to food, both in the quantity and quality of what I eat. One of the reasons why I was inspired to commit to this cleanse, was to experiment with whether I would notice visible differences in my ability in the Asanas, as well as, the quality of my meditations. And, the answer is definitely yes. Yesterday, I was able to go the deeper into a pose than ever before. It's a pose I've been practicing for almost one and a half years called Uttana Salabhasana B. I am also seeking to become stronger in my practice, although since my father's passing, I am noticing my primary place of focus right now needs to be on healing my heart, so I've been being guided into opening more deeply in my backbends and heart, i.e. the softening and letting go.

One of the other benefits I experienced during my fast, was feeling increased clarity and energy, as well. During the next several days, I still intend to eat very lightly, and I may even find that I go a day or two on very little, if any, food at all. It's an incredibly empowering feeling to be able to break one's addiction to food, since food is a drug and our greatest addiction. If you've never read Autobiography of a Yogi, it is a must-read. In there, Paramahansa Yogananda tells the true story of a Yogi/Saint who lived on sunlight and ether alone. For over forty years, she took no food or drink. I know this sounds mind-boggling, but it's true. We do not survive on food, but on Prana, or the Cosmic Energy/Light/Life Force. Yogananda talks about how one day, we will learn, just like the plants, how to turn sunlight into sustenance. Plants do this, which is what chlorophyll is, and whether we are a vegetarian or a meat-eater, that is actually the energy we are receiving when we eat food. (Because even if we eat meat, the animal received it's energy from some animal which eats plants.)

Yogananda also suggests fasting as a regular practice for both physical and spiritual reasons. I can definitely see myself going without food, for a day or more, when the Spirit moves me to fast. There is some really interesting information on this website about fasting which I think you will enjoy.

One more thing, and this sounds awesome. If you are in or near the D.C. area, this is definitely something to check out. All the information is in the pic above or on the website www.chant4change.com, but basically, it's a gathering of some of Yoga's greatest teachers and musicians on the night before the inauguration in Washington D.C.

Here is a little info from the website:

Celebrate the Inauguration of Barack Obama with sacred activist Shiva Rea, world-renowned kirtan/chant artists Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits and 400 other conscious revolutionaries including Saul David Raye, Daphne Tse, and Joshua Greene. Join us for a night of chant, dance, expression and teaching within sight of the White House and the Washington Monument. This is the place to be on the night before the Inauguration. Millions are converging on the nation’s capital to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. Be here now at the heart of the movement! Breathe! Chant! Move! Dance! We will lift our hearts and voices to empower ourselves, our new leaders, our city, our country and our world in this revolutionary gathering of sacred sound and movement.

Have a Little Faith-Michael Franti
I know it's hard when you're down
and the bad times seem to follow you around
and they got no reason to show
Don't let it go, oh no
and when it's 3 in the morn
and you've told your whole life story to a telephone
and the radio's the only thing to let you know
You're not alone, oh no

Just have a little faith in me
I'll have a little faith in you
So have a little faith in me
Don't let it go, oh no
And I wish I was there
Just to run my own fingers through your worries and cares
Even though I fumble and fall
Don't let it go, oh no

and when the rain falls down
You know the flower's gonna bloom
and when the hard times come
You know the teacher's in the room
and when the sun comes up
You know that I'll be there for you

Don't let it go, oh no
Just have a little faith in me
I'll have a little faith in you
Uh huh
So have a little faith in me
Don't let it go, oh no

Just have a little faith in me
Uh huh
I'll have a little faith in you
So have a little faith in me
Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go

Just be strong for me
I'll be strong for you
Just be strong for me
I'll be strong for you
Just be strong for me
I'll be strong for you
Just be strong for me

Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go
Don't let it go

Oh...
Don't let it go Read more

I'm writing this post in a slightly delirious state. I decided to go on a liquid cleanse/fast for up to 10 days. I have no idea how long I will make it. Today was my first full day and I have felt hungry. I successfully completed a 5-day liquid cleanse about 5 years ago, but we were allowed to have the occasional avocado/almond smoothie, etc. I have completed several 5-day fruit cleanses, but the cleanse I am on right now is the infamous Master Cleanser, also known as, The Lemonade Diet. I attempted it once about 6 years ago and only made it one full day. I do not have any expectations this time. I'm realizing it really is about taking it one breath at time and finding the will-power within myself to make it to the next moment. I have heard the first few days are the most difficult, but after that, it becomes much easier as the hunger for food begins to dissipate. From the fruit cleanses I have done in the past, I know that once the benefits begin to be noticeably visible, as well as, energetically experienced, a compelling motivation kicks in to sustain the positive effects as long as possible.

I was motivated to take part in this cleanse for several reasons, one of which is to grow to new places in my Yoga practice. There are places I've been seeking to grow into for quite some time, and I believe as I lighten myself energetically, my growth into these places will come with greater ease. As my first Yoga teacher used to say and we've all heard said before, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I have endeavored to grow into these places doing things one way, and now it is time to align with another way, to explore the possibility of heightened growth/results. Of course it requires a great deal of will-power to sustain a cleanse like this, so it is also a test of my will-power to challenge myself to grow in this way. One of the things that is supporting me, and I've found to be helpful with any cleanse I've ever done, is going through it with a friend. So, I am grateful to have someone growing through this with me.

We'll see how it goes. I've learned to be gentle with myself, it's all a practice and every effort to positively align ourselves with our Highest Good counts. Whether I make it two days, three days, or more is not what is most important. What matters is what I am learning about myself along the way. Although, the other said benefits have definitely inspired me to give it a go as long as I can. I can already tell it's having me realize how easily distracted I can be and how much of my time/energy I spend focusing on food. Here are some of the other benefits of cleansing:

-Gained energy and vitality.
-Better regularity and digestion.
-Cleansing of the whole body, not just the colon.
-Can assist the body in stabilizing blood sugar and
lowering blood pressure.
-Greater joint flexibility, less pain, better sleep, and
better relaxation.
-A reduction of inflammation, pain, digestive
disorders, and lethargy.
-A reduction of mucus in the body (less congestion),
help with allergies, asthma, and acne.
-Creating a balanced pH environment that is less
hospitable to disease.
-Clearer thinking for a healthier and happier
disposition.
-Help with improving mental problems and
depression.
-Feeling vibrant and looking radiant w/ glowing
skin.
-Drug detoxification and a cleaner bloodstream.
-Improved sense of smell and taste.
-Help with past food sensitivities and food
allergies.
-An enhanced immune system giving assistance with
many ailments from A to Z.
-Renewed taste buds with an appreciation and
appetite for healthier and simpler foods.

I actually found the manual for the Master Cleanser online. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me, as well. I will be back to write more, once the rumblings in my stomach quiet down. May we be showered with Infinite Blessings in the year ahead. Namahungry!

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