Hello…

Wow…it’s been a long time since I was sick. I started to come down with something Friday night and it has taken me all the way until now to feel better. But, I’m grateful I didn’t have to go to the doctor. As soon as I got sick, I knew there was going to be some emotional healing I needed to experience. I realized there were some things I would need to communicate, express or say with different people in my life. Whenever I have been sick, more recently, I’ve realized there is, usually, some kind of emotional healing related to it. Something we need to process or deal with that we have been avoiding feeling…

So, I’m glad being sick made me slow down and feel. I’ve been really busy lately, and of course, last weekend I was at Shiva Rea in Austin where we went through more than 15 hours of Yoga practice in two days. It was awesome, but not entirely restful. I haven’t taken time to rest like this in a long time. It’s been good…even though I haven’t felt the best. I guess sometimes it takes not feeling well to slow ourselves down so we will rest. Master Yogi, Sri Dharma Mittra says it’s in our restfulness that our impurities are removed. Through rest, we are able to dissolve tension on all levels…not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. It’s powerful to simply lie and allow the waves of consciousness (chitta) to draw to the surface every unfelt feeling, thought and emotion. As the fluctuation rises to the surface, we can allow the Supreme Consciousness to dissolve it and return us back into the stillness again.

Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of consciousness. – Patanjali Sutra 1.2

Or, when the mind ceases to be disturbed by thoughts, feelings and emotions. Everything in Yoga, the poses, the breath, meditation is intended to settle one into this stillness, or Universal Consciousness…the supreme state, the supreme knower, the witness (purusha), the one who observes all things and is not idetified wiht the ego, or the world of change (prakriti). So much of our Self is superficially identified with the material world, even other people…and yet we are the Self…what really is there to identify with? That’s why the Yogis realized the more we settle into that stillness, the more we realize the Truth of who we really are…unbounded Consciousness itself.

Psalm 46:10 (King James Version)

10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

One of my favorite invocations is:

Om Namah Shivaya Gurave
I offer myself to the Light/goodness within the heart, the eternal teacher

Satchidananda Murtaye
Whose nature is Supreme Consciousness and pulsates with the greatest joy imaginable.

Nishprapanchaya Shantaya
Who is always present and full of peace.

Niralambaya Tejase
Whose essence is completely free from limitation and sparkles with divine luminosity.

I just found this other translation, and I love it. It expresses it even more beautifully:

Om Namah Shivaya Gurave
I see the goodness in everything
and everybody, including myself.

Satchidananda Murtaye
I am a being residing in a state of
consciousness and grace.

Nishprapancaya Shantaya
I know that peacefulness is
always present.
I don’t have to worry, because
I know that Supreme Consciousness
is in control, not me.

Niralambaya Tejase
I am radiant and joyful, regardless
of external circumstance, because
of this knowing.

“I’s a petition from the bottom of one’s heart to open to the teacher within. The mantra is meant to bring us into the right frame of mind to access our infinite being.”

So, what does all this mean? It means it’s time to PARTY! Just kidding. Well, it’s at least time to dance, even if it’s just by yourself.

This is similar to what Shiva said…if someone is swearing at you…if someone looks at you in a mean way…you celebrate because it means you are standing in the Light. Don’t take offense…simply turn it back over to the Light. I used to reject people’s negative feelings, thoughts and emotions that I felt they were projecting toward me. Now, I breathe it in…I inahle it deeply and fully…because it’s all Light…and some people would say…it’s all Love…breathe in the energy of life…breathe in the Flow…and exhale out from your heart…exhale out love, compassion and turn it all back over to the Light, the Source from which which all things, all of us flow.

So, there’s a lot of great things coming up, which I’ve posted on the Workshops page of the True Yoga website. The first is the Partners Thai Yoga Workshop on Valentine’s Day weekend at exhale spa. This is one of my favorite workshops all year. People feel so amazing from this class. You can come with a romantic partner, a friend, or just by yourself and we will pair you with someone. In this class you learn amazing ways to stretch your friend or loved one and to make each other feel good. It really does awaken the bliss body. If I could, I would have someone give me these stretches as much as possible. I’m looking forward to having that special person in my life, again, when the time is right. Until then, I’m grateful anytime my friends will share some Partner Yoga love with me, and, I’ve been enjoying incorporating more of these partner assisted Yoga stretches in class, as well.

Speaking of Partner Yoga. Ricky Tran and I will be leading an Art of Adjusting Workshop on March 13th from 1:30 – 4:30 pm at Karmany Yoga. This class will be for students and teachers and we will explore some amazing partner assists, stretches and adjustments in the Yoga poses, both active poses and passive/restorative poses. I’m really looking forward to this clsas and will share more details with you soon…

And, of course…Brazil…Wahe!!! If you are looking for the experience of a lifetime, then join Global Soul Adventures founder, Kate LaCroix and myself as we journey to the most beautiful beaches of Brazil with a wonderful group of inspiring Yogis this March 17-28th, 2010. We will enjoy eco-adventure and Yoga as we explore the coast of Brazil, spending a few days at a time in each of these exotic locations. The islands we will be traveling to are islands most foreigners never get to experience. Because Kate has lived in Brazil, she knows the culture and land of Brazil very well and is able to guide us to some incredible places. We will also get to experience some amazing Yoga in Mother Nature in these inspiring, uplifting and beautiful locations. I’m looking forward to experiencing this amazing journey with you. For more info or to register, click here. You can also read more on the Workshops page, as well.

And, of course my heart goes out to the people of Haiti. Over $250 million that the U.S. has donated…that is inspiring. May God’s grace alleviate the pain and suffering in the hearts and minds of all of those who have lost loved ones or whose loved ones were harmed in such a devestating loss. Our prayers go out to the people of Haiti.