Happy New Year!

Infinite blessings now and always…

Just before the new year, I was contacted by an awesome company called Learn it Live.  Learn it Live has created an incredible technology platform that allows, anyone with a computer, anywhere in the world, to learn from top experts and professionals in, pretty much, all fields…LIVE. 

The more I have learned about this company, its initiatives and its vision for positive global transformation and evolution, the more I have fallen in love with it. 

So, I’ve set up my profile and, finally, a dream I have had for a long time of being able to bring you Yoga, health, wellness videos with me, has come true.  But, it’s come true in an even better way because it will be LIVE.  We’ll be able to interact, talk, discuss topics, answer questions, share, connect and feel the positive energy of one another in this awesome cOMmunity as we all grow and evolve in positive ways.  The first True Yoga class with me will be this Friday, January 6th at 1-2 pm (EST).  Throughout the month of January, all classes with me will be FREE.  I will also be offering classes in nutrition, health and wellness.  The first nutrition class with me is Monday, January 9th from 1-1:30 pm (EST). To sign up for any of the classes I am offering in January is simple and free…simply click here to register for classes with me or anyone else on Learn it Live…

God is AWESOME and He works in incredible ways.  I am fully surrendered to His grace and glory and leading my life in the best way.  Remember, the journey of life and Yoga is about progress, not perfection, which, I write about in the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book.  As we begin a new year, we find ourselves creating resolutions for ourselves.  There is no failure.  There is only doing our best one day at a time.  You can make positive changes for yourself, but go easy on yourself, and remember to set realistic resolutions.  We are not here to be perfect.  We are here to live life to the fullest and progress in the best way possible realizing anything is possible. 

Practice, and all is coming. -Pattabhi Jois

I have mentioned that quote by Astanga Yoga Master and guru, Pattabhi Jois, many times.  And, I remind people that the comma after practice is very important.  Life is not about immediate gratification.   It’s about having patience always and enjoying the journey, each day to the fullest. 

‘Live each present moment completely.  Fully enjoy the beauty and wonder of each instant and the future will take care of itself.’  -Paramahansa Yogananda

So, as we inhale into this new year and exhale out the years we’ve lived, let’s remember to live each present moment completely fully experiencing the awesomeness of God’s love, grace and glory in each moment.

I love this poem by my incredibly gifted friend, Mark Head.  

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, ^Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

I feel a transformation unlike I have felt with any Christmas ever before.  Do you feel it too?  It feels like there is a peacefulness settling onto our planet and into our hearts.  Perhaps, all of the hardships we have faced in life have finally brought us to this place of Divine Surrender.  In Yoga, that surrender is called Isvara Pranidhana…surrender to the Will of God.   Through the pain is the healing and the best way out is through…. 

So, I have surrendered, finally, to God’s Love and Will for my life.  I know that He knows what’s best for me and I am only an instrument to be tuned according to His purpose…

I would like to share with you some wonderful stories I discovered over the past several weeks.  First of all, I am so grateful to be connected to all of you.  I feel like we are awakening to the brotherhood of our humanity…to our oneness…realizing we are all in this together.  No matter what we seek, where we knock or how we ask, we will realize one Universal Truth…God is the greatest comforter, lover, strengthener and healer there is in our lives.  We must turn ourselves to God time and time again and choose to walk with Him in this life.  Through all of the changes in life, God will be by our side forever.  It is important we cultivate a relationship with our Higher Power, with the Wonderful Counselor in the stillness of our heart, in our quiet hours, so that we can feel him by our side and ever with us along the path of this life.  When we seek Him, we will find Him and we will know he is always with us.  Let’s allow ourselves to feel and know His presence now and as we journey into the new year and all the years to come.  He will heal our hearts, our minds, our bodies and unite us all for Good.  I believe that.  That is the reality I believe is awakening from our hearts and minds…realizing the truth of our unity and oneness on planet earth as a spiritual community of souls sent here to make this world a better place and to realize what it means to really love one another…selflessly…for that is the only real love there is.

These are a few incredible stories I found that touched my heart over the last several weeks.  I hope you, too, had a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah celebration with family and friends.  This is definitely a time to celebrate.  Positive changes are happening on planet earth.  How long our own healing or the healing of the world takes is not what’s relevant…what matters is moving forward with that intention, of our inner and outer world healing and becoming a better place, living and breathing in our body, hearts and minds. 

The Risk of Love

‘To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket–safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable…. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love…is Hell.’- C.S. Lewis

I absolutely loved this story that reminds us of the true Spirit of love and giving:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57344495/secret-santa-inspires-heroin-addict-to-clean-up/ 

And, I also fell in love with the music of Justin Hines and his incredible story of inspiration, love and strength:  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7392060n&tag=contentMain%3BcontentBody This music by him is so, so good:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPZlFW4nDmk&ob=av2n  I love the South African remix of the song Say What You Will:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNn0XwKlpY  He reminds us all to Love and to say what you will before it’s too late.  Love, love, love for love is all we need and remember that as you let go into loving, you are loved and filled with all the love you could ever need by the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace. 

Love is. In the silence, in the stillness is everything…all we could ever need…the breath of God…loving us…He is the lover. And, I am humbled, strengthened, healed by His love… Namaste!  - Leanne

Also, I love this book.  It’s called Where Jesus Walked.  I gave it to my mom for Christmas…it’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever seen.  If you have ever wished to go to Jerusalem and experience the historical life of Jesus…this is an incredible book that can take you there visually. This book is powerful, beautiful, uplifting and filled with spiritual and healing insight and wisdom. Of course, I also recommend this one, too. 

‘May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.’- Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry, www.christchurchplano.org

Merry CHRISTmas blessings of love, joy, health, healing and the peace that passes all understanding now and always…

Thank you for reading the True Yoga Blog.  I will be back soon to share more.  Also, a joyous New Year 2012 to you and all your loved ones.  Victory to the Light…Jai guru!

Hello True Yoga Blog friends,

How is everyone feeling post Thanksgiving?  I had a wonderful and healing time with family.  I allowed myself to eat, any and all of, the foods that found their way onto my plate.  I have realized, in recent years, I feel best when I go with the flow with everything in life, even eating.  Most of the time I live a very healthy lifestyle, pretty much drinking smoothies for breakfast and lunch, although today I had soup, too…but…it’s nourishing to let our bodies be fed with the food Life is bringing to the table.  So many people, especially on the Yoga path, can become so picky and restrictive about their diets.  Everything in moderation is best I believe…always…

Did you see this?  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stewart-j-lawrence/when-yogis-kill-the-grisl_b_1077457.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false I don’t like having to share information like that, but, it’s unbelievable something like that could happen with a company whose practices are supposedly so positive. I honestly don’t know the truth of everything that article said, but, I do know I am very conscious of the people I choose to align myself with these days.  I will not sell myself for money any longer.  For many years I did…I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing…but I did.  I’m sure many of us have done that at one point in our life.  Maybe not sell our soul…but certainly do things we didn’t believe in fully with our heart. 

But, that certainly isn’t good publicity for the company.  I can only imagine how troubled they are by that event, nonetheless, very Black Swanish.  Apparently, that stuff does happen in the real world.  It’s probably best for companies to encourage teamwork more than competition, always. 

I gotta tell you, I am a little turned off by everything the Yoga world has become.  Yoga has become like a popularity contest in a lot of ways.  I decided, pretty much over the past year, to respectfully bow out of competing with any or all of my peers.  I have no interest to compete with anyone.  The idea of that is really nauseating to me.  But, to each their own.  It’s just surreal when Yoga, a spiritual practice, becomes competitive.  That’s too much for me.  There are a billion things I’d rather do than to compete with someone in the Yoga world to be the best Yogi…get a life people.  I know there are a lot of teachers out there doing a lot of good, but, a lot of them are also seeking recognition for their acts.  That’s wherein the issue lies.  Yoga is about selfless service…not fame and recognition.  If fame and recognition comes as a result of one’s selfless actions, that’s great…but don’t seek it.  Fame is a double edged sword.  If you want to be famous, you better be comfortable with everything about you being known…I mean everything…every booger you ever picked…all of it. 

That being said, I’m thinking of writing an anonymous column for a magazine.  I’m looking forward to this opportunity.  I will not discuss the details of this, but the subject matter is something I’m incredibly passionate about…sexuality and healing.  I am also very conscious about what I give my name to these days.  But, I would be willing to write this article because I believe this topic is something that is so essential for our culture and world.  If I am able to write this column, I hope it will be something that will be enlightening and transformational for all of us, individually and collectively.

I’ve also been really inspired by MyLifeYoga.  I just liked their facebook page.  I love the quotes they share like this one with this pic I posted on the True Yoga Blog.  I’ve been reflecting, a lot, about love recently and that was something I realized in my reflections.  Love does not seek to posses, but to free.  Amen.  As I was searching online for that quote, I came across these ones, as well.  These are all powerful so I will share them with you here.

“Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.”

- Rabindranath Tagore, was a Bengali poet, novelist, musician, painter and playwright who reshaped Bengali literature and music.

“It is only when we no longer compulsively need someone that we can have a real relationship with them.”

- Anthony Storr, was an English psychiatrist and author.

“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.”

- Anonymous

“An intimate relationship does not banish loneliness. Only when we are comfortable with who we are can we truly function independently in a healthy way, can we truly function within a relationship. Two halves do not make a whole when it comes to a healthy relationship: it takes two wholes.”

- Patricia Fry, is an author and publisher.

One of my friends was wearing a sweatshirt the other night that said Christmas is for Friends.  I loved that.  Also true.  And, this is also the time of realizing who our true friends really are.  Just because you let certain people into your life doesn’t mean you have to continue to keep them close to you.  You can find the healthy space and boundaries you need, at any time, for yourself and others.  Sometimes when we are establishing these boundaries in our friendships and relationships, it doesn’t always feel great for yourself or others.  But, trust that if you do what’s best for you, and not worry about other people liking you, you will really be doing what’s best for everyone.  The spiritual teaching is that you don’t have to like everyone, but you must learn to love them as a soul.  Paramahansa Yogananda said that…so did Jesus in so many words.  Sometimes the most powerful way to love someone is from afar.  Find a way to create the healthy space and boundaries you need in your life this holiday.  Do it in a loving way, but, do it nonetheless and you’ll feel better.  Winter season, and the great Winter Solstice on December 22nd, is almost here.  This is the time to let go of the past and to be reborn into a new year aligning with the people and things that are best for your life.  Don’t be afraid to make the changes you need to make.  Life is not a popularity contest.  It’s about being true to yourself.  If you do that, you will find you always have true friends in life.

Love and light to you and I will be back more to share on the True Yoga Blogs soon.  You can also read the most recent post on the Fresh Fruit Cleanse blog here. 

(A pic of me signing books at the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book release party on 10/22/11.)

Namaste friends…

Thank you for staying connected to the True Yoga Blog even though I haven’t been able to write as much recently.  Things have been so busy.  I’m sure for us all.  Not only is it the holidays but I also ran a special offer with a local Yoga studio in town so I’ve been busy ordering Fresh Fruit Cleanse books and True Yoga DVDS for several hundred people.  I’m so glad more people will get to read the book and experience the awesome benefits of Yoga.  As so many of us know, Yoga is one of the most powerful practices for healing body, mind and heart.  It’s amazing how good a little breath and movement can have us feel.  There is a great Zen philosopher who says ‘To have a human body is a joyous thing.’  You can definitely feel the joy of having a body when you give it the gift and wonderful sensation of movement and breath through all of the poses.  Yes, some of the poses are a little challenging, but, when you are connected to the breath in your poses, first, you will realize how good you can feel…

I will be doing some reformatting of the True Yoga DVD so you will now be able to purchase the classes separately according to what level of Yoga you feel most comfortable practicing.  The DVD currently has 3 classes:  Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced and is available for $20.  With the reformatted True Yoga DVD, you will be able to purchase the classes separately for much less.  I’ll keep you posted as this project gets completed. 

What else has been going on.  The Fresh Fruit Cleanse book release party at Remedy Spa was a huge success.  We had a great turnout and I was so grateful to be able to share that special moment with so many loved ones and friends.  Thank you to all of you who attended.  You can read more about the book release party here.  Also, if you aren’t a fan yet of the Fresh Fruit Cleanse on facebook, please friend it by going to www.facebook.com/freshfruitcleanse  Have you read the book yet?  If you haven’t, I believe you will find lots of beneficial information for your health and well-being.  In the book I also write about the benefits of Yoga and meditation as part of a balanced and healthy life.  The book is available for purchase on amazon.com and via the Fresh Fruit Cleanse website:  www.freshfruitcleanse.com  Oh, I can’t believe I haven’t shared the latest clip of me on Fox 4 Good Day.  I appeared on Fox 4 Good Day about a month ago to talk about the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book and book release party.  It’s always so much fun getting to go on there…I have been on Fox 4 several times over the last 5 years.  But, I hadn’t ever made a recipe on live TV.  I think it went pretty well.  You can view the clip of me making the oh so delicious raw chocolate pudding from the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book on Fox 4 Good Day here. 

Let’s see…what else.  I have felt so grateful recently…more than I can ever remember feeling.  I’m so aware of all the blessings that are in my life and it’s incredible how hardships and difficult times can awaken us to a deeper experience of gratitude for the preciousness of life.  Next week will be the third year since my father’s passing.  But I am aware and grateful, more than ever, of all the love and positive energy that surrounds me through my family, loved ones and friends.  I even feel such positive support and love from this awesome community of True Yoga Blog readers, as well, and it feels so good to feel that, too.  Thank you for tuning in, commenting and sharing your positive energy and support with me.  It means a lot to me and I can feel it.  I will spend next week with my family and friends and I’m so looking forward to seeing everyone.  

What a gift to be awake in the moment and grateful to the blessing of life…even on a difficult day.  There are still days where are I don’t always feel ‘perfect’…but I know that when I’m feeling that way…this too, shall pass.  They say that mantra…this too, shall pass…is one of the most enlightening and powerful mantras we can recite at any moment in our life…even on the days when everything feels perfect and positive.  It’s important to remember that there just may be a day when we don’t feel perfect, again, but when that days comes that, too, will only be temporary.  One of the most important qualities we realize through Yoga practice and meditation is equanimity of mind.  Life becomes supremely balanced and we no longer fluctuate between extreme highs and lows.  We are able to rest in the bliss of the moment rather than dwell in the past or future where all of our mind made troubles lie.  So, just let go of all that and be here now.  There was a quote someone posted on Facebook the other day and I loved it.  I was able to remind myself of the quote in a moment where I was feeling a little anxious and I immediately felt peaceful, again, just by inhaling and exhaling and settling into the peacefulness of the present moment.

“When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future, when I am depressed it is because I am living in the past, when I am peaceful I am in the present.” – Author Unknown

Speaking of Facebook, though, I am really spending less personal time on there these days and that feels so good.  I love updating the Fresh Fruit Cleanse page and I do think Facebook can be a really good way to stay in touch with people, but, it can also be a major imbalance in life if we let it.  I am noticing when I get an urge to log on and if it doesn’t serve a productive purpose I am refraining and finding something else more productive to do.  Jimmy Kimmel did a joke about a National Unfriend Day on Facebook in his monologue the other night.  It was hilarious.  You can watch it here.  It’s 2:17 minutes into his monologue at the beginning of the show.  NUD.  I totally get what he’s saying though.  I think he has a point. 

Finally, I would like to share an awesome article that was written and submitted for the True Yoga Blog by Lexi from Lexi Yoga:  www.lexiyoga.com  Thank you, Lexi, for sharing this informative and beneficial article with us.  I completely agree…Yoga is incredible for alleviating back discomfort and pain.  Blessings to you and all of us on our Yoga journey.  Also, please stay up-to-date with me on the Fresh Fruit Cleanse Blog here, as well.  I will be back soon to write more on the True Yoga Blog…  If I don’t get a chance to write before next week…Happy Thanksigiving to all.  Namaste!

Yoga and Back Pain

Why Back Pain Happens 

If a person has been suffering from back pain, then one way to alleviate the pain and discomfort that person feels is through the practice of Yoga. Back pains which one of the most common pain and discomforts today originated from stressed and tensed muscles groups that support the spinal column found at the back. The triggering factors that are associated causing back pains are stress, overuse, under use and misuse, wear and tear and sedentary lifestyle. A person may not be conscious about these triggering factors. If not corrected then there can be other possible health threats that it can impose to people. Other than a regular exercise and healthy lifestyle, back pains can be corrected with Yoga. 

Another cause of back aches is improper posturing and positioning when standing and sitting. Sometimes, it can be due to under fatigued muscle groups that are found at the lumbar region and the neck. These areas are susceptible to turning, bending, and twisting which causes such pain. Other sources of back pains are stress, scoliosis and back injuries that have happened earlier. Of course many people will resort to medical treatments and regimens when in fact, for practicalities sake, people suffering from such pains can be relieved through gentle and conscious Yoga practices. It is already been proven to be an effective, efficient and safe way to address the underlying cause of the problem. It can also prevent recurrence of bouts of back pains. Yoga does not suggest that people should be ignoring medical advice. However in most cases, one still should seek medical attention and be evaluated by medical experts to ensure the well-being of a person through proper diagnosis and medical treatment. 

What Yoga Does To Relieve Back Pains 

Yoga potentially strengthens different muscle groups. Through the varying postures in Yoga, these help to strengthen abdominal and back muscle groups. It enables the body to assume a proper and upright posture and movement when standing and sitting. When the body follows the postures in Yoga, these stretches and relax tensed and affected muscles therefore these can relieve the muscles from stress and tension. So when the muscles have already been properly condition, the back pain will be offset. 

Yoga also stretches and strengthens the lower muscle groups hence releasing the tension in the lower back. When muscles are relaxed, blood circulation will be improved which brings the needed oxygen and nutrients to injured muscle tissues. It also helps the spinal column to maintain the normal and natural curvature to essentially prevent lower back pains. 

Overall, Yoga is beneficial and is an effective alternative therapy to heal back pains. It hastens the recovery process of injured muscle tissues and can excellently prevent further damage and possible complications. If back pain will not be addressed well, then permanent disability can be imposed on the affected individual. Yoga does not only keep the body healthy and in equilibrium but also develops an increasing aware to one’s body, mind and spirit. 

Find out fow yoga can make you look taller can make you look slimmer. http://www.lexiyoga.com/can-yoga-make-you-taller

Omg…I was doing a little searching around on ABCs website and I didn’t realize there were other shows available to watch online, too.  This is what I wanted to share, as well.  Watching this the other night reminded me that, when we have perspective in life, it helps us to realize how blessed we are and to be grateful for all that we have, including, health and well-being.  Here is the clip about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords inspiring story if you didn’t get to see this special story and interview with her on Sunday night.

It’s been an interesting couple of days.  First of all, all is well.  I’m so grateful to be alive.  In fact, this is what I wrote in the True Yoga Newsletter I just sent out: 

What Comes to Mind…

Life is Awesome and God Rocks

I’m falling in love with life again. As a child I was in love with the world, fearless and free. Then, there was a time where I was afraid the world, or people, would hurt me. It’s hard to imagine fears like that could have ever existed. As a child we are completely fearless, vulnerable and open. Then, somewhere along the way we felt the fear of being hurt from things that happen in life and we put up walls to protect ourselves from being wounded by anyone or anything.

As our hearts and minds heal and awaken, it feels so good to know those walls are coming down for all of us and we are, once again, able to live from the fearless heart of our inner, exuberant and joyous carefree child. Everything and everyone we have ever known in life has been a teacher, a guru, pointing us home to ourselves…the joyous nature of Love flowing through us.

The other day I was at the mall and there was a little girl wearing a shirt that said ‘God ROCKS’. Later that evening I went to teach at Yoga Balance in McKinney. The lovely Tracy Carruth had made awesome Yoga tank tops and shirts that say Yoga ROCKS and I picked one up to wear. I love that shirt. But, the t shirt I saw earlier in the day reminded me it’s really God that ROCKS. Yoga is a practice that helps us to reconnect with our unbounded childlike essence of joy where we, once again, realize life or God is Good. Sure, there are challenges in life, but, every challenge and person we know in life is really helping us to heal and grow stronger. When we surrender ourselves to the lesson, and, to God’s grace and glory we can know unconditional love and forgiveness for ourselves and one another…

The intent of asana is that you are calm in the midst of turbulence. The success… of your practice should be judged by how well you remain centered in the midst of change. Not your leg behind your head or handstand in the middle of the room. Success of asana is measured by how well you deal with the challenges of life. - Rod Stryker

In this ever-changing world we live in, there is so much Goodness to be experienced and realized. I no longer fear life or the challenges life brings. Can you, too, feel the joy that is bubbling to the surface and overflowing from all of our hearts and minds? We are one. One family, one nation, one world, under God. And, may God bless us all. How grateful we are to be alive and to awaken and know this life is but a dream. And, yet, each of us has the incredible opportunity to live this dream to the fullest with the light and joy in our hearts flowing out to everyone and everything in the world. What will we create with this abundance of love and joy we get to share with one another and all of the planet?

As I’m writing this I’m reminded of the quote we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. So, I searched for the quote online and found this:

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.

Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

-The Elders Oraibi Arizona Hopi Nation

So, celebrate we will. I’m looking forward to you celebrating with me this month at the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book release party as we come together in the spirit of fellowship and love. Yoga is beyond race, religion or creed. Yoga is the one pulse, the one heart, the one breath breathing and uniting us all. It is pure energy liberating us all into the infinite…the reality of no beginning and no end…only life, only love everlasting.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at the party and celebrating in the grace of God’s rockin’ love with all of you. Thank you for being the incredible instrument of light and love you all are in this world. It is a blessing to know all of you.

I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through, listen to this music.
I am the concert from the mouth of every creature, singing with the myriad chorus.
I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through, listen to this music.-Hafiz

Fresh Fruit Cleanse Book Release Party

If you do not currently receive the True Yoga Newsletter, you can subscribe to it here.  Yes, I’m so looking forward to the Fresh Fruit Cleanse Book Release Party on Saturday, October 22nd.  This will be a fabulous evening with the most loving and wonderful people I know in Dallas.  The awesomeness of a person dwells in their heart, not in their accomplishments or worldly achievements.  The most important quality of a human being to me is the goodness, realness, sincerity of their heart.  I believe we are evolving into being kinder, loving human beings with one another.  Perhaps all of the suffering in the world has finally brought us to our knees, collectively, in devotion to one another and our connectedness as human beings on planet earth.  We are all brothers and sisters.  Of course we have a lot further we can go in our love and respect for one another, but I do believe we have grown incredibly in our loving kindness with each other.  It feels so good to be loving.  Paramahansa Yogananda says ‘we either come to our knees in desparation or devotion.’ 

Progess, not perfection

 The other day I was reflecting on many things.  Since writing the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book I have, in moments, felt a self-imposed pressure to be ‘perfect.’  Even though I write in the book that the most important thing in our journey of life is progress, not perfection, still, there’s times where I’ve been hard on myself or others for not being ‘perfect’, which, is completely unrealistic, unattainable and not even fun anyways.  We are here to live and learn in life as we go along.  Not to try to be on some pedastal of perfection.  The point of being human is to be human, to experience life, to learn from our experiences and to choose what has us feel our best as we realize what that is.  I think it’s awesome that each day is a new opportunity.  If yesterday you did something you didn’t like or that didn’t feel good, or, if you spent time with people you wished you wouldn’t have…you can change it and, simply, do something different the next day.  How awesome is that?!? 

Also, I think we can be way too hard on ourselves and others.  Some people might call this being judgmental.  Especially nowadays with Facebook and social media everyone is so involved in each others lives.  Do you know there are Yoga instructors and saints who smoke cigarettes?  Do you know there are monks who brew and drink beer?  I mean, really, we can become way too obsessed with the physical body and trying to be perfect.  Writing a book about cleansing actually reminded me to not obsess so much in life.  Everything in moderation. Yes, most days I prefer to follow an optimally healthy program giving myself the best food and nutrition, exercise, Yoga, etc.  But, occasionally, it feels good to just let it all go and give yourself an indlugence in life, whatever that is for you. 

Live and Let Live

When I went out of town to Portland, Oregon a couple of weeks ago I actually went to a place called Voo Doo Donuts.  Their specialty donut is a maple glazed donut with bacon on top.  Can you believe that?  How gross and disgusting, but delicious is that.  I didn’t think I’d like it but of course I had to try it.  And, actually, it did taste pretty good.  I definitely would not want to eat a maple glazed bacon donut everyday…but when life gives you a once-in-a-while opportunity to eat a maple glazed donut with bacon, don’t feel guilty about it, don’t judge yourself for it and certainly don’t judge anyone else for eating it.  The only time it’s appropriate for us to intervene in other people’s choices in life is if they are harming themselves or others.  Or, if they are actually seeking our advice or support in some way.  Otherwise, stay of out of your neighbors business, stop judging them for anything they do, and live and let live.  You’ll be a lot happier when you stop concering yourself with other people’s business and just live your life and let them live theirs.  And you’ll also be happy when you no longer care what other people think.  There are plenty of people who could judge me for writing a Fresh Fruit Cleanse book and then eating a maple glazed bacon donut or doing anything else ‘unhealthy’ at times, but, thank goodness, I no longer am worried about what other people think.  I am not trying to prove anything to anyone.  All I’m doing my best to do is be the best, most loving person I can in this world, take good care of myself and body in the best way I can, while still living life a little too, and serving God in the best way possible.  At the end of the day that really is it.  Yogananda says every morning ask God “How may I best serve today?”  Then, he says don’t let worries trouble your soul, have a vision for your life, but live each moment fully. 

He also says if you are a dutiful soul, meaning, you serve God only, as Arrested Development sings in Mr. Wendyll, ‘beautiful heaven awaits.’  Yogananda says for those souls who don’t listen to God and serve their Higher Power, well, they will get another chance on planet earth.  But, if you are a dutiful soul and serve God, he didn’t say if you are perfect and don’t ever eat maple bacon donuts, but, he says duitful souls will go to heaven, and there they will get to stay for as long as they like.  I wish I could post the whole description he writes of heaven, which, he calls the astral world…it is the most beautiful description I have ever read in my life, but, I’m technically not allowed to repost information from the SRF meditation lessons.  So, if you would like to study Paramahansa Yogananda’s meditation lessons, you can order them here for a very nominal cost. 

Love, not judge

Also, in feeling a slight bit of negative energy over the last couple of days…have you ever noticed not everyone is always happy for your accomplishments in life?  Sometimes people get jealous or envious.  The best thing to do when we feel other people being jealous is to just offer back love in return.  I’m sure we’ve all felt those feelings before so we can certainly be compassionate.  But, there is no need to get involved in those emotions or any kind of struggle if we ever experience ourselves or anyone else feeling those feelings.  Just love.  That’s all.  Love people, be kind, forgive them for not being perfect also.  Send your love into the future and see everyone getting along and being kind to each other in this spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood of life.

Step Up!

Anyhow, today I was reminded of my first Yoga teacher who would say ‘your issues are in your tissues.’  I love that.  Today, I added to that, ‘And, if you have issues with people…you have issues.’  It’s completely common sense but true.  Just let go of having issues with people.  Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, who recently passed away said ‘live every day like it’s your last and one day you’ll be right.’  Any day could be our last, let’s let go of struggling with anyone about anything and just live our lives in the best way we can.  As I was meditating on all of this over the last couple of days, a very powerful incantation that Tony Robbins teaches came through my awareness.  I attended many Tony Robbins seminars in 2002-2003.  At each seminar he would have us recite this incantation, literally, shouting it powerfully at the top of our lungs.  So, I’d like to share it with you here.  Say it loud and realize as you say it, you are aligning yourself with it and this incantation will awaken in your life when your heart really seeks to be and know this as Truth.  The reality is anything is possible.  We are each capable of unlimited potential.  So, each day ask God how you may best serve today and leave the rest to Divine Intelligence guiding your life in the best way possible, and, trusting that even when change happens whether that’s in a relationship, work or anything else…the change is for the best.  Don’t let anyone or anything in life get you down.

Now I am The Voice
I will lead, not follow
I will create, not destroy
I will believe, not doubt
I am a force for good
I am a force for God
I am a leader
Defy the odds
Set a new standard
Step up!
Step up!
Step up!

Fresh Air Fund

Also, a couple more things.  I’d like to remind us all about the Fresh Air Fund.  The Fresh Air Fund is a wonderful non-profit organization that gives inner city children the opportunity to retreat to a peaceful place in the country for two weeks every summer.   Children live with a volunteer host family who share the beauty, peace and healing energy of nature with the children.  The children get to enjoy the blessing of playing outside and many other activities like fishing, horseback riding giving them an incredible, loving and uplifting experience in life.  If you would like to be a Volunteer Host Family, please contact the Fresh Air Fund at the link below. 

www.freshairfundhost.org

Yoga Stage

Also, I’ll be learning about this awesome new site a little more, but, wanted to mention it briefly on the True Yoga Blog, too.  Yoga Stage www.yogastage.com is an online resource for all things Yoga.  Yogastage is a vibrant, online resource for instructors, students and studios.  This is where practitioners will find one another and will also discover yoga festivals, excursions and much more in our shared Yoga world. I love the idea of bringing the Yoga community together with an online site and so glad you have created this Jeff and Jessica.  We’re looking forward to exploring the site more and hopefully sharing and receiving all kinds of valuable and inspiring information.  All the best. 

So, don’t let anyone get you down ever.  Just remember…step up, step up, step up!  You are a force for Good, you are a force for God.  With God on your side, anything is possible.  Yogananda also says it another way…I love his teachings and words:

“Forget your dream-born mortal weakness.  Wake up and know that you and God are one.”   – Paramahansa Yogananda

(Awesome news…when I went to Portland I visited Powell’s books.  I had no idea the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book would be on the shelf there but it is!  So, the picture above is from my trip to Powell’s when I was so happily surprised to find out the Fresh Fruit Cleanse is at Powell’s in Portland.  Definitely not my favorite picture of myself, but, since I’m not going to worry about people judging me, there’s nothing to worry about.   What an awesome bookstore.  If you haven’t ever been to Powell’s, it’s definitely a trip worth making.  And, Voo Doo donuts, too.  But, only Voo Doo in moderation.) 

Blessings!

Here’s a Yoga pic of me in Scorpion pose I thought you might like, too.  Scorpion Pose reminds me anythnig is possible. 

Also, in regard to Occupy Wall Street, this is the most poweful message I have read.  Someone posted this on Facebook…it really resonated with me.  Perhaps, you saw this also.  Like the Bhagavad-Gita says, ‘Let the work alone be the joy, ne’er the fruits thereof.’

Hello Friends,

I hope this finds you well.  I haven’t written on the True Yoga Blog as much as I would like to recently, but, things have been busy.  I’m sure for us all.  As many of you know, the Fresh Fruit Cleanse was officially released about a month ago on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and in bookstores like Barnes & Noble, etc.  It was awesome to see the Fresh Fruit Cleanse books on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.  I’d always sort of whimsically dreamed of the possibility of writing a book, one day, but didn’t in my wildest dreams ever believe that dream would come true…especially now in life…

Dreams Come True

The awesomeness of life is when we let go and let God…amazing and miraculous possibilities unfold.  I was really at a crossroads last summer when I received the offer to write the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book.  I was considering an entire career change from Yoga to school teacher.   Writing the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book has brought so much healing into my own life as I’ve grown to realize how to better care for my body with the incredible power of food and nutrition.

I am living proof that dreams really do come true.  If we perservere and don’t ever give up in life, amazing things can happen.  Writing the book was a lot of hard work and focus, but the experience strengthened me and developed me to believe in myself in so many ways.  I remembered that there is an umlimited potential within myself and through that potential, or God, anything is possible. 

So, if you haven’t read the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book yet I hope you will.  I believe it will serve as a powerful guidebook for your life.  There are so many awesome recipes in it.  I love the Detox Blast Smoothie made with 2 apples, 2 pears, 1 lemon, flax seed oil, turmeric, cayenne pepper, sea salt and water.  I feel amazing when I drink this smoothie and I drink it almost everyday.  It’s incredible.  It’s like every cell of my body feels alive, nourished, energized and refreshed when I drink it.  It’s completely revitalizing. 

Let’s see…what else.  Oh, I’ll be going on Fox 4 Good Day next month on the morning of October 18th around 8:30 am to talk about the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book.  Also, the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book release party will be in October, too.  I’m so looking forward to this wonderful event and being able to share this celebration with so many loved ones and friends.  What a blessing this life is.

Transcending Life’s Difficulties

I really had a powerful reminder of the preciousness of life when I traveled to Joplin, Missouri this past week.  This was a completely spontaneous trip to visit a friend of mine who recently moved to Missouri.  I didn’t realize I would be seeing the damage from the unbelievably devestating tornado that struck Joplin last May.  I realized from seeing the unimaginable damage that when natural disasters happen like the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Japan it isn’t impossible to imagine the destruction that’s happened without actually seeing it.  This was the first time I had ever been to the sight of a natural disaster.  And, it was far more destructive than I could have ever possibly fathomed.  I now realize anytime there is a natural disaster this is the case.  The news reports it and so often we have no concept of just how truly devestating it was.  I will now know that when something of this magnitude happens it really is as bad, and possibly, far worse than the news or media is able to describe it to be.  I know it’s not particularly uplifting to think about natural disasters, but, I think it’s important we realize the severity of these cataclysmic events so that when they do happen, we realize just how essential our prayers and support are to the people in those places.

Win a Dream Yoga Retreat!

On a lighter note, there is a wonderful opportunity I would like to share with you.  Dominique Debay Hotel and Resort Marketing is currently offering a sweepstake where anyone who likes their facebook page  www.facebook.com\ddhrm will have the chance to win a 3 night stay in their Laluna Beach Resort, Grenada www.laluna.comspecializing in Yoga lovers and followers.  Classes they offer include Vinyasa, Yin, and Kundalini which are all wonderful Yoga practices for body, mind and soul.  So, click on that link and good luck.  You could be the lucky winner of a Dream Yoga Retreat!

Yogi Clothing

Also, I was recently sent some beautiful Yoga clothes from Yogi Clothing.  I love the brown pants and cute white t-shirt they sent me.  You can see a picture of the awesome pants they sent me here .  I’ll be sure to post a pic of me in the cute white T soon.  Thank you to Yogi Clothing for sending me this beautiful clothing.  I love your clothes and hope to be wearing more of this excellent line of clothing for my Yoga practice and everyday life. 

I will be back to write more soon on the True Yoga Blog.  Thank you for reading.  I appreciate all of your positive energy and support.  Also, be sure to check out the Fresh Fruit Cleanse blog, too.  I will be updating it soon with lots of information for your health and wellness.  Blessings to all and victory to the Light of Love and Truth…

Jai guru

Namaste to all…

Well, there is certainly a lot going on in the world, but, when hasn’t there been?  Bottom line…it’s all good.  Even if we all have to learn how to farm again…we’ll find a way.  The American people of this country are some of the strongest people on the planet.  We may have to change our ways to grow better, but, we will discover what that is and do what’s best.  That’s what I believe.  These are fascinating times and we’re alive now because we’ve grown to a place where we can move forward in life courageously.  What an incredible, awesome experience this is to be alive.  I feel excited about what the future holds because I know that where there is a will, there is a way and we will find a way to grow and persevere in a positive way…individually and collectively.  Perseverance, not giving up, is one of the most important qualities we can awaken in the human spirit no matter what we seek to realize personally, professionally, spiritually…each one of us has the potential to awaken perseverance and move forward in the best way possible in life with each breath we breathe…

I’m so happy to say the Fresh Fruit Cleanse has been released!  It’s now available online at amazon.com and at www.barnesandnoble.com.  It’s also available in-store at Barnes & Noble bookstores.  It was so awesome when I realized it was available on amazon.com last week.  A couple of my friends let me know they had received their copy.   I’m so glad everyone is able to read it!  This is a dream come true.  The Fresh Fruit Cleanse book is dear to my heart.  I spent nine months writing and editing it and, in it, I share my personal story of transformation.  You can learn more about the book and me on http://www.freshfruitcleanse.com/About-Leanne-Hall.html  I would love for you to order a copy… I believe you will find lots of beneficial information to support you in growing well physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  I’ve also started a Fresh Fruit Cleanse facebook page so if you like it, please do.  You can like it from www.freshfruitcleanse.com or via facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FreshFruitCleanse.  I’m looking forward to sharing lots of wonderful information about nutrition, health and wellness on the Fresh Fruit Cleanse blog and on facebook.  I’m learning so much about nutrition and health these days and I’m so excited to be able to share what I’m learning with you.  In addition to everything in the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book, I’ve also learned about Supercritical Sea Buckthorn Oil with Omega 7s.  I recently began taking it and really feel and see a difference.  I’m also taking mushrooms.  (no, not those kind of mushrooms)  You can get them at any health food store and they are incredible and full of medicinal benefits.  I’ll be sharing about all of this on the Fresh Fruit Cleanse blog soon, so stay tuned. 

Let’s see, what else…oh, of course…there’s still time to register for the True Yoga Retreat to Iceland.  A $500 deposit is due by August 15th.  If you are interested in joining us, we would love for you to come with us!  You can learn more here.  This will be the trip of a lifetime…the time to live and experience life is now…so let’s let ourselves live and enjoy this precious gift of life to the fullest.  Several years ago I met someone I was really inspired by…she came to my Yoga class and we became friends.  She lives the term carpe diem like no one else I’ve ever met in my life.  She said she realized the importance of living life NOW when a couple of her close friends passed away a few years after college.  That really set in when she said that to me.  Carpe diem.  Life is short…the time to live is now.  That doesn’t mean be ‘careless.’  But, the future is promised to no one even though we live our lives constantly thinking it is.  If you feel like you can afford this trip, even though it might seem ‘irrational’ (because of all the reasons we so often give ourselves for why we can’t follow our heart and LIVE) then realize it’s not irrational and come with us.  The all-inclusive pricing for a double starts at $1950.  Airfare to Iceland is affordable and costs no more than $1000 round trip.  For more info, please email leanne@trueyogainc.com. 

One more thing, I went to a laughter Yoga class last week.  It was awesome.  I had so much fun!  If you haven’t ever been to a laughter Yoga class I suggest you go.  I learned children laugh about 160 times a day and adults laugh about 16.  We adults take life too seriously.  We are only here for a short time and it’s a cosmic picture show.  This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have great respect, appreciation, and reverence for this experience we call life, but, it is but a dream and, one day, we will all be gone from here.  So laugh often, love deeply and forgive quickly.  Life is too short for drama and playing small.  I put that quote in the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book, as well as, many others that have been so valuable in my life and the way I see life and live.  I’m so grateful to be able to share everything in the book with everyone.  It is years of valuable lessons and experiences I’ve learned along the way and I hope you find it to be meaningful, inspirational and beneficial for you and your life.  Someone recently posted a review of the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book and you can read it here. 

Blessings and namaste…I will be back soon…

God bless us all…

(Pictures of us at laughter Yoga laughing our faces off…I’m in the 2nd one below…can you find me?)

Hola…

De repente, me siento como escribir en espanol. Si, hablo espanol, pero, necesito practicar mas.  Fui a espana cuando tenia veinte anos y estaba estudiando en la universidad.  Pero, hace muchos anos sin hablar espanol mucho. 

Ok, I’ll translate that…I said:

Suddenly, I feel like writing in Spanish.  Yes, I speak Spanish, but, I need to practice more.  I went to Spain when I was twenty and I was studying in college.  But, it’s been a while without speaking a lot of Spanish.

I guess sometimes I feel a little delirious in this world we’re living in…anyone else?  All of a sudden I just felt like speaking/typing Spanish…so why not?!  It’s my blog…I can do what I want to do…woo hoo.  Maybe I’ll write an entire blog post in Spanish sometime and then have one of my Spanish speaking friends proofread so I can know how grammatically correct or incorrect it is.  That would definitely be interesting to see after all these years.  If anyone speaks Spanish…how did that look above? 

Apparently, I’m also in the mood to just ramble.  And, I’m cool with that, too.  I mean, really…we’re waking up from the karmic wheel of delusion realizing we are living in a strange, strange, yet, beautiful world even amongst all of the suffering and pain.  Because there obviously is a lot of it.  In Light of the pain and suffering we must remember it is all a Cosmic Dream.  My heart was definitely saddened by the tragedy in Norway.  I could hardly believe such a thing.  And, I was also saddened by the death of Amy Winehouse.  It’s understandable people are seeking relief from this world.  I don’t know what ended Amy’s life, but, what I’ve read in the spiritual teachings of Yogananda is that, while death is relief from this world, suicide is not.  He says there is no peacefulness in the afterlife for one who takes their life, but, that struggle is carried with them.  Peacefulness comes to those courageous souls who are able to stand strong in the battle of life.  And, no doubt, it is a battle.  The Bhagavad-Gita talks about this…but there is also victory for those who are devoted to the Truth.  So, where is the hope?  It’s in aligning with Truth, God’s law or the spiritual laws of the Universe.  These are often referred to as the Yamas in Yoga.   How do we align with Truth?  By seeking to know it…when we seek the answers will come.  Gandhi said Truth is God and God is Truth.  This world is filled with lost souls, misguided wanderers or even people who have no desire in their hearts to find and know God/Love.  Yogananda also says we will be brought to our knees in desperation or devotion.  That has been one of the most powerful teachings that has guided my life over the past several years.  He says we must learn to behave.  It’s not easy always, but it is possible.  He also says something like, if you think for 2 hours a day, write for 4 hours.  If you write for 4 hours a day, meditate all the time…

Well, since I just finished the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book and spent the last year of my life writing, I guess that means I’ll be spending a lot of time meditating, too.  Meditation is where the peace and love of God is found.  The love we bring in our hearts to the world can be reflected back to us as we know the love of God in our body, heart, mind and soul.  So, love all, but, be wise to not subject yourself to situations that don’t honor your spirit and soul…that can be certain relationships in life or places that don’t have you feel your best.  If it doesn’t have you feel your best then don’t go there.  Some people might think that’s easier said than done.  But, that is completely possible.  I’m going to write about conscious living communities in another post soon…souls/people who honor each other and live by the same spiritual laws and truths.  I believe this will be the way of the future.  Less will be more and we will find that the most important thing in life is being aligned with a spiritual family who shares the same principles/Truth as us.  This is the way through the world…finding strength, not only in God, but in the spiritual fellowship of one another. 

I’m so looking forward to you being able to read the Fresh Fruit Cleanse.  There is a spiritual message in the book, as well as, all of the information about nutrition, health, wellness and lots of great recipes.  I hope you find it uplifting and strengthening for you and your life.  There are wonderful quotes in it and I hope it is a very powerful guidebook for you to help you align with your highest Good/Truth in your life. 

Speaking of quotes, I would like to share this passage with you.  This is a book my dentist gave me…it’s called Streams in the Desert and it is daily devotional readings.  This is the devotional reading for today, July 27.  A couple of years ago I started going to a dentist here in Dallas.  He wasn’t referred to me by anyone in particular (although obviously by God/Spirit).  Not only is he my dentist, but he has been a spiritual healer in my life.  Who would ever imagine their dentist would also provide spiritual healing to them?  Maybe you have a dentist like this, too, although I hadn’t ever imagined such a thing.  That whole experience opened my eyes to the reality that guru/Spirit is all around us enlightening us each step of the way when we are open to it, and, even when are not.  Spirit still finds a way to shine its Light into us and guide our hearts and souls where we are meant to go and heal what needs to be healed…otherwise…we do fall to our knees if we aren’t listening.

In Light of the challenges going on in the world, that can leave us feeling hopeless at times, this passage spoke to me today more powerfully than anything has spoken to me recently in my life.  These were the exact words I needed to hear so I hope you also find strength in them, as well. 

By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. (Galatians 5:5) 

There are times when everything looks very dark to me-so dark that I have to wait before I have hope.  Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when we must even wait for hope.  When we see no hint of success yet refuse to despair, when we see nothing but darkness of night through our window yet keep the shutters open because stars may appear in the sky, and when we have an empty place in our heart yet will not allow it to be filled with anything less than God’s best-that is the greatest kind of patience in the universe.  It is the story of Job in the midst of the storm, Abraham on the road to Moriah, Moses in the desert of Midian, and the Son of Man in the Garden of Gethsemane.  And there is patience as strong as that which endures because we see “him who is invisible.” (Heb. 11:27)  It is the kind of patience that waits for hope.  

Dear Lord, You have made waiting beautiful and patience divine.  You have taught us that Your will should be accepted simply because it is Your will.  You have revealed to us that a person may see nothing but sorrow in his cup yet still be willing to drink it because of a conviction that Your eyes see further than his own. 

Father, give me Your divine power-the power of Gethsemane.  Give me the strength to wait for hope-to look through the window when there are no stars.  Even when my joy is gone, give me the strength to stand victoriously in the darkest night and say, “To my heavenly Father, the sun still shines.” 

I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope. George Matheson 

Strive to be one of the few who walks this earth with every present realization-every morning, noon, and night-that the unknown that people call heaven is directly behind those things that are visible.

Oh, also, I saw a phenomenal movie called Another Earth last night.  It was a screening.  The movie will be released on August 5th.  Afterward, there was a Q & A with the Director and the leading actress there in person at Angelika here in Dallas…it was awesome!  Definitely go see it.  It will rock and awaken your world. 

Thank you for tuning in and reading the True Yoga Blog.  There is much to be hopeful about, in fact, everything really.  But, when we don’t feel hopeful we can wait in faith and know hope will come.  Faith or Sraddha is the first quality of enlightenment. 

God bless us all…I will be back soon…

All dressed in fruit   Yea…it’s almost here.  I know, where have I been?  I’ve been finishing up the book and the website, especially.  (And, I just had some new pics taken this weekend…like the one above.)  The Fresh Fruit Cleanse website just launched this week and I’m so happy!  We’ve been working on it for a while and it’s finally ready, and, the Fresh Fruit Cleanse is available for pre-order now.  Please check it out here.  The Fresh Fruit Cleanse website will feature a health and wellness blog that I will be updating regularly with healthy tips and information, including, wonderful recipes as I discover them along the way.  I’m so looking forward to sharing all of this with you and hope it will be helpful for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. 

The True Yoga Blog will still be here, too. I’ll still be sharing information and inspiration related to all things Yoga.  Of course, Yoga really is everything so that means there’s lots that can be shared.  I’m hoping the True Yoga Blog will become a community platform for promoting wonderful Yoga events and workshops happening locally and beyond.  I also hope it will serve as a place where people are able to come together to share their incredible work, products, stories and more.  There are so many wonderful products I learn about all the time and I would love to feature them here so you can know about them, too.  In one of my previous blog posts I wrote aboutJuil sandals.  I love those shoes.  I wear my Juils almost everyday to Yoga class.  They are awesome and I feel so good wearing them… 

Let’s see…what else.  Mostly, I’m grateful.  Is life perfect?  No.  But, I’m grateful to be here and to be alive and to be experiencing this gift of life.  I’ve been spending a lot of time studying the SRF meditation lessons recently.  I’m almost done with the program.  There are about 150 lessons in the program, which, generally takes about 3-5 years to complete.  They are sent via mail every two weeks.  One time I forgot to renew my subscription because I had moved and didn’t realize they didn’t have my new address.  So, a couple of months passed without receiving any lessons in the mail.  But, I began the lessons in late 2007, so, I’m basically right on track because I’m almost done and it feels amazing to be almost complete.  Once I complete this series of lessons there are advanced lessons.  If you are interested in the SRF meditation lessons they can be ordered online for a very nominal amount.  I highly recommend this self-study.  In Yoga, this is called Svadhyaya, which means self-study.  This is one of the Niyamas of the eight-limbed path of Yoga. 

Paramahansa Yogananda is an incredible guru of meditation.  Although he passed away in 1952, his teachings are just alive now as ever.  He is actually called a living guru.  Sometimes I wonder if he is somehow magically writing the lessons now even though he’s no longer here in his physical body, because, they are almost always completely relevant to exactly what I am thinking, feeling, experiencing at that moment in my life.  It’s like they are speaking to me through space and time.  Well, this makes sense since it’s actually said that Yoga is beyond all space and time.  There is a magical and mysterious world and universe unfolding right before our very eyes.  We are Light, we are an idea…how mind-blowingly incredible…let’s close our eyes and meditate on that. 

It’s quite possible as you progress on the path of Yoga you will be inspired to meditate at really any given moment.  Let yourself let go into meditation whenever you feel moved or inspired to be still.  Simply close your eyes, sit upright with your spine long, and allow your gaze to turn to the point between your eyebrows, the 3rd eye, also called the eye of Light.  Gaze into the eye of Light or 3rd eye and sit peacefully, inhaling and exhaling and watching your breath.  You will feel a peace within you and all around you.  The yogis call the peace we open to through Yoga/meditation, the peace that passes all understanding. 

There is much more I could say but that’s all I’ll say for now.  I hope to be back sooner rather than later to write more.  Please check out the new Fresh Fruit Cleanse website…I hope you like it and have a beautiful week…

Blessings and jai guru

Namaste to all…

It’s been so long since I last posted on the True Yoga Blog and I’m really happy to have found the time to write again.  I hope everyone is well.  Oh my gosh, there is so much I could write about and say.  It’s hard to know where to begin.  Feels like I could write another book with all that’s happened in the last several weeks.  Well, let’s start there with the book, the Fresh Fruit Cleanse. 

The Fresh Fruit Cleanse

It’s almost finished!  It’s even in layout now, which means it looks like it will look when it’s published.   It was so awesome seeing it like that.  Once it goes to the printer in a couple of weeks, it will take about 3-5 more weeks for it to be printed and distributed. We will be having a fabulous book release party here in Dallas, TX for the Fresh Fruit Cleanse.  It will be at the W Hotel!  How awesome is that!?!  I taught a Yoga class there a couple of weeks ago.   Smartwater asked me to teach it for an event they were sponsoring  in partnership with Bliss Spa at the W.  So, we had an outside Yoga class, poolside, about twenty stories up overlooking the Dallas skyline.  It was awesome!  There was a great turnout and I’m so grateful for all of you who were able to join me for the class.  The W, smartwater and Bliss Spa loved the class so much they asked to have the book release party for the Fresh Fruit Cleanse there.  I couldn’t ask for it to be in a better place in Dallas.  This event will be so incredible.  It will be a party, so we won’t be wearing Yoga clothes, which, will also be great since so many of us in the Yoga community don’t ever get to see each other dressed up.  This will be an event to come dressed and looking fabulous.  We will have a DJ, drinks, and one of the chefs from the W hotel will be making some of the recipes from the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book, as well as, their own inspired vegetarian creations.  I am so looking forward to this and I will keep you posted on when it will be.  I look forward to you joining me for this wonderfully special and blessed event…

The Transcendental Absolute

We are all so blessed and it’s time we realize it.  It doesn’t have anything to do with dollars in the bank account.  It has to do with the Spirit within us and all around us that moves in every cell and molecule of our being.  The Spirit that ignites us to life.  This Spirit of Life/Light is briliant…brighter than a thousand million suns and moons and stars.  I am grateful because I feel like I am finally waking up.  Like I am finally coming out of the slumber of the last many years of my life.  When Buddha was asked if he was a God or a man, he simply replied, ‘I am awake.’  Yoga is the practice of attuning ourselves with this Light…the Light of God/Consciousness/Love.  It certainly helps to live a healthy life, as much as possible, to be attuned with that Light.  Fasting, cleansing and eating healthily are powerful practices for attuning ourselves most powerfully with that Light and clearing our body, heart and mind for the sanctuary of Light and Love that God intends us to be.  He intends us to be a clear channel to share that Light in the most positive way possible with others.  Is it easy always?  No.  But, I do believe the healthier we become in our choices, keeping in mind moderation is the key to life in everything (I believe…even healthy stuff…gotta indulge a little sometimes)…the clearer we become and the more easily that Light and Love can flow within us and through us to everyone and everything.  Certainly meditation is one of the most powerful tools for aligning our body, heart and mind with that Light of Consciousness and Love.  And, don’t be hard on yourself.  When stuff that doesn’t feel positive comes up, just let it go.  Let go of judging yourself or anyone else.  It’s a good thing when those thoughts or feelings come up because then we can release it and let it go and come back to the Transcendental Absolute. 

Place your burden
at the feet of the Lord of the Universe
who accomplishes everything.
Remain all the time steadfast in the heart,
in the Transcendental Absolute.
God knows the past, present and future.
He will determine the future for you
and accomplish the work.
What is to be done will be done
at the proper time. Don’t worry.
Abide in the heart and surrender your acts
to the divine.- Ramana Maharshi

The Dalai Lama

All of that brings to my awareness the recent trip I took to see the Dalai Lama at the University of Arkansas.  It was such an incredible experience to be in the same space and place as him.  He is absolutely one of the most gentle and compassionate souls I’ve ever been in the presence of…the sweetness of his Spirit is palpable-it’s an energy that fills every cell of your being with the feeling of love.  You can also feel his energy simply by bringing him into your conscious awareness.  One of the things I loved that he spoke about was the simple phrase, my enemy, my teacher.  I love the way he expressed that so simply and succinctly.  I’ve elaborated on that awareness many times in Yoga class.  But, it’s powerful to have it expressed in such a simple way.  Again, when situations, experiences, people, relationships bring up negative feelings or emotions in us that is part of a purification and an opportunity to allow those feelings and thoughts to be released, let go of and healed so that we continue to heal our hearts and minds.  He said if we only had people in our life who loved and adored us and who we loved and adored, we wouldn’t ever learn the profound spiritual teachings of love, compassion, forgiveness.  The people who have been in our life who have felt like they have given us some kind of difficulty or trouble have really been our teachers.  Through those experiences or people we learn the invaluable and healing lessons of unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion and it is that healing that makes the world within us and all around us a better place.  So, the next time it feels like someone gives you trouble…rejoice.  They are a teacher awakening your heart and mind to greater Light and Love within yourself and all around you.  However, it’s important to realize that the Dalai Lama also said if a dog is attacking you, obviously, don’t just stand there.  Get out of the way and protect yourself from its attack.  The same is true with situations or people in life.  Do not let yourself be harmed by people.  Protect yourself if someone is attacking you, but, still, continue to offer love, forgiveness and compassion with a healthy space between you and the person or situation.  With space and time and love all things can heal…including our own Self.  I love the quote by Michael Brown who says love is giving someone the space to evolve.  It’s definitely not about putting ourselves in harms way, but, always offering love and compassion all along the way to ourselves and to everyone and everything. 

Which, all of that brings to my awareness something else I want to share about.  I recently went to my high school reunion and it was really awesome.  It was incredible seeing so many people I have known throughout much of my life, but, many of whom I hadn’t seen in 5 years and some I hadn’t seen in 10 years or longer.  What did I realize from this experience, besides just having a lot of fun?  High school, middle school, adolescence, etc., was like the breeding ground for our greatest insecurities in life.  Who among us wasn’t afraid of peers making fun of you if they found out some silly secret about you?  I realized I was still harboring superficial fears about silly things from my past that I would have been horrified had any of my friends found out about those secrets in high school or middle school, but now, I just laugh.  Being able to laugh at ourselves is everything in life.  I write about this in the Fresh Fruit Cleanse.  (which is available for pre-order now on amazon.com)  I think so many unhealthy behaviors are triggered from superficial fears or paranoia’s about being known or seen by others.  Shiva says our greatest fear is the fear of being seen.  How fascinating is it that it seems that we long for connection more than anything in the world, and yet, we’re afraid of being seen?  That’s understandable though.  I suppose the fear is that if we are seen, we will be rejected.   When the exact opposite is true.  When we let ourselves be seen…silly secrets and all…then and only then…can we be loved, fully and completely by ourselves and others.  You don’t have to tell everyone your secrets, but, it’s good to be able to get to a point with ourselves that we can be that comfortable, loving and accepting of ourselves that we could tell the whole world our deepest secrets and it would be OK.  But, I’d recommend telling one or two close friends to begin with.  That’s what I did in the last year and it was really freeing and liberating.  All in perfect timing because by the time I went to my high school reunion last weekend, I was able to laugh at myself.  No one else really knew anything.  But, I knew and I accepted myself for who I am, which, is all that really matters.  Not only could you be loved, but, you will be loved when you love and accept yourself fully for everything and anything that has ever happened in your life.  Tell a friend, tell a loved one, tell a family member…but just let it go and let yourself be loved, not just by people, but by God.  God loves you completely.  This is one of the teachings of a monk from the Self-Realization Fellowship.  He says to write on a piece of paper that God loves you as much as he loves Jesus.  He says to put this piece of paper on your mirror and to look at it everyday and it will change your life.  Write:  God loves me as much as he loves Jesus.  The monk says God loves us more than we could ever imagine.  He loves the sinner and the saint all the same.  We are all God’s children.  Let yourself be loved.  Like Rumi says…

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers in yourself you have built against it.  – Rumi

I have reflected on that quote many times over the last week.  Thank you, Rumi…God bless us all…may we feel God’s Divine Love flowing in every cell of our being with every breath we breathe.  Sitting outside in the sunshine also helps to feel the warm current of God’s love flowing through our lives.  Let yourself close your eyes and soak in the Light of the One.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

Hmmm…oh, I can’t believe I forgot to write about this also.  So, Ulysses Press is going to make a donation to the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation in honor of the Fresh Fruit Cleanse!  I learned about FTPF a couple of months ago.  I asked Ulysses Press if they would be willing to donate part of the proceeds from the Fresh Fruit Cleanse to FTPF and they said they would make a donation!  How fabulous is that!?!  What a blessing.  I am so inspired by the work of FTPF and completely believe this is the direction that it’s essential we grow individually and collectively, nationally and internationally.  I believe we must return to the Source and to natural and resourceful living.  There is a quote in the Fresh Fruit Cleanse book.  The editor initially took it out, but, I’m so glad it found it’s way back in because it’s one of the most powerful quotes I’ve ever read.  I’d like to share it with you here…

May mankind instead of hunting for gold, racing for fame, or wasting productive forces in useless labors: choose the better part: the peaceful emulation in the discovery and direction of the natural forces for evolving nutritive products and the peaceable enjoyment of the fruits which the earth is able to produce in abundance for all. May man use his divine heritage of reason to attain true happiness by discovering the sources whence all earthly blessings flow and thus put an end to self-seeking and greed, to the increasing difficulties of making a living, the anxieties for the daily bread, to distress and crime-such is the aim of this little work, and in this may God aid us! — Julius Hensel, Bread from Stones, October 1, 1893

The Fresh Air Fund

Speaking of the charitable donation, I recently learned of another incredible charity called The Fresh Air Fund.  Here is a little information about this wonderful non-profit organization.  If you live in the area where they are looking for host families and have a peaceful place where a child could spend the summer, this might be the perfect way for you to make a positive difference in someones life…not just for a day…but, possibly, forever. 

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2010, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

“It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child’s face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted…”

What do Fresh Air children enjoy?

• Playing in the backyard
• Laughing in the sunshine
• Catching fireflies
• Riding bicycles
• Learning to swim
• Running barefoot through the grass
• Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
• Building sandcastles
• Making new friends
• Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

“We made s’mores and hot dogs over the fire. I’ve never cooked outside before!”

Grateful

When we focus on the gifts in life and on what we are grateful for, we realize we have enough always.  In fact, not only do we have enough, we have joy and love in our hearts to share and that’s what makes the world a better place.  So, let’s focus on God’s blessings in our lives, on all that we are grateful for each day.  Simply taking a few minutes to just close your eyes and be still and feel the love of God and all of the amazing people in your life who love you…it will fill your being with so much love you will melt into a peacefulness that passes all understanding.  You will know in your heart and mind that you are OK and all is well no matter what the external world or circumstances are. This life is a gift.  It is important to know we are provided for and all of our needs for life are met, like food, clothing, shelter…this is a spiritual teaching that they are and will be.  So, trust in that. Have faith.  Focus on what’s Good always.  Let your heart flow and overflow with love.  Keep feeling the Grace and the loving Presence of the One who has loved us all into Being.  The One who has ignited Life within all of us.  Feel the Love and the Energy of the Creator flowing through your body, heart and mind and, literally, every vein and cell and organ…every molecule…everywhere within you and all around you.  Feel that and keep feeling it.  Spend time everyday simply closing your eyes and feeling the One.  And, realize all is well.  All will be well…always…there is enough.  There will always be enough.  God is Good…God is amazing…God is incredible…so let’s keep planting fruit trees and be grateful.  Remember, this life is only a dream.  So, let go of taking it so seriously and wake up…like the Buddha.  Or, as my friend said…step out of the dream.  When I went to work today and asked the fitness director how he was doing he said…I’m just living the dream.  And, I said…aren’t we all.  Let’s wake up and be grateful we are alive.  We are not this body, we are not this mind.  One day the body and mind will be gone and we will let go of this world… The way to let go is through Love…loving God, loving ourselves, loving each other and loving the planet.  Love, love, love is all we need.  Thank you to the Beatles for that.  It’s not always easy, but it is possible always.   

Love, love, love, give, serve…jai guru!

Also, one more thing to check out:

Mountain Pose Yoga Festival

For Medical Professionals and Wellness Enthusiasts  

The Mountain Pose Yoga Festival, July 7 – 10, at beautiful Copper Mountain, Colorado has been organized to educate medical professionals on the benefits of yoga as part of a treatment program for specific diseases.  Additionally, wellness attendees will learn the amazing, life-long health benefits of yoga through medical researchers and professionals, yogis, musicians and motivational speakers. 

Organizers have collaborated with Dr. Satkirin Khalsa of Integrated Health Medicine, to present this educational opportunity, featuring such renowned presenters as “wellness warrior” Kris Carr, and yoga guru Rodney Yee. 

Attendees will be able to experience first-hand some of the ways yoga can be used for treatment of back pain, stress, anxiety and depression, the symptoms of menopause, altitude sickness, and heart disease.  Many of the techniques can be easily added into existing treatment programs, simply integrating an additional approach to health and healing, without abandoning traditional therapies. 

Mountain Pose Yoga Festival for the Medical Provider, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 6.50 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). 

Festival Packages start at $399. For session information, schedule details, complete bios of the presenters, additional rates and packages, please visit mountainposeyogafestival.com or call (888) 258-0565.

As always, thank you for reading the True Yoga Blogs…

God bless all of us…everyone and everything…