A Tool for Life

Everyone has some tool for which they utilize in order to strip down to their barest of emotions, feelings and true self. Many people will work what may seem to be endlessly to discover that tool, and once it is found, embrace it for all that it is. For me that tool is the practice of asanas and pranayama on my yoga mat.
Not to say that after my first experience on the mat I was able embody the feelings found at the deepest point inside of my soul, it was after years of commitment to exploration, that I am able to celebrate my personal path to finding balance, peace, and acceptance within.
Through the practice of yoga, as I spent many days, months, and years developing a wholehearted, devoted and passionate work of art through movement, I have found in myself the ability to acknowledge all that takes place inside of me, from the physical body, to soul. With that ability, comes awareness of inner-most and deepest of emotions. The practice that I have developed on my mat, has taught me to be able to let those feelings in, watch them come, watch them stir, watch my reaction from almost a third person point of view, and finally watch them go.
The acceptance of these inner reactions, is truly a gift, but not something that I believe will ever come easily. Every soul here with us on Earth, carries within, a beauty that comes along with truly living to the fullest. That beauty develops with time, with life and with living each moment to the fullest. Remember this, and next time your heart tugs, be a witness and acknowledge all that is going on inside.

Start At Your Heart

What I have found to be true, though I still often have to be reminded, is that the difference you wish to see in the world, must first come from with in you. Recently, I have found myself to have been deeply moved by the notion of contributing towards creating a better space of our global community. However, before I can sustainably pledge my time, effort and energy I must first be grounded in who I am. And this is where yoga comes in. Right now I can say, that I'm on the path of discovery, and I'm feeling radically stimulated just by what I have come to discover already.  

Yoga Journal Conference, day one, most moving day of my life so far

Truly. And that is why I sit here, sweaty yoga outfit and all; trust me that shower is calling my name. But what is more to me, is the day that I just finished. Honestly, I'm not sure where to start, and I can already promise that more is to come later, but I must touch on the yoga class I just return from. I've been in various classes where I've witness a yogi moving through their emotions, so much, that tears litterally fall from their eyes, and movement, connection of body, breath and soul, over rules the will-power that they've been battling up until that point to hold it all back. Each time I'm present to this, I'm a mix of reactions. I'm envious, I'm curious, and I want to be there for them right then. Tonight (as well as earlier today, more on that later) I was that yogini. Not only were there tears, there was a grin, pouring out from my heart, radiating through my veins, my skin and my entire body, wakening up my cheeks and sending a light that I could literaly feel from my eyes. This was my reaction to a class led by Nicki Doane, her husband Eddie Modestini, and Michael Franti, who I can not even begin to say enough about. This was my first experience with Nicki and her husband, and what great partners in practicing and sharing the practice of yoga. Being in the room of 300 yogis, and with these yogis sharing the magical gift of Michael Franti's music and words, was a gift in itself, and completed the day for me that I will forever remember. Today I was moved. I felt the single tie and connection that bonded everyone on their mats, together. Holding a strangers hand, reaching over for a much needed hug (both needed to be given and needed to be received), and smiling with the warmest tears of my heart running down my cheeks while resting and restoring in savasana, were all remarkably moving moments and highlights of a day gone down in history.

More to come later, I promise.

Yoga Meets Dance

So I really wasn't going to get started on this blog of mine until next week.... but.... After the class I just finished, taught by my dear friend Matece Skow, I was eager to get home and share my thoughts on "paper". 

Truthfully, I was curious and did not know what to expect in Matece's class; especially considering her loving, warm, and very playful character. Something I recognize in myself is a tendency to be guarded, and protective of my inner most light. In the hour and a half spent in this class, the four elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, were a basis for tapping into and releasing my soul. 

There are a select few times in my life that I can look back and truly remember the ability to let go completely, and watch as my inner most self poured out to the rest of the world. It was therapeutic beyond words, and the true bliss I felt in dancing and enjoying my own true creativity is unmatched.  

After today, the phrase "dance like no one is watching" takes on new meaning. Certainly there have been many times when the music blasts inside of my house or even my car and I find myself alone and unable to stop myself from bouncing to the beat. However there were still eyes on me that I had not acknowledged until now; my own judgement. 

What I found in myself today was the sincere meaning of letting the body go to what's inside. I've not enjoyed myself in such a way in too long. (And if you know me, you know thats saying a LOT). 

The link to my friend Matece's web page:

www.matece.com/page1.php

With the New Year, Take a Fresh Breath

I believe in the importance of rising to new challenges, and the exploration of new ideas. In life, one very important promise that I have made to myself, is to never give up on discovering who I am. In light of that, the New Year's resolution I have come up with for 2009 (along with a few others which I may share at a later date) is to explore the world of blogging, as a way to document, explore and share all that I am learning and experiencing in this world that I am appreciating even more each day. I'll leave my very first blog post at that, and promise more to come later. Best wishes for everyone for a wonderful new year.