Effort & Surrender :: Gretchen Robinson's Yoga Blog

Yoga Trip!!!

2006-10-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

What better way to wander and re-establish harmony than a yoga trip to Los Angeles! Finally, here is the information for our group trip to LA on January 17th - 21st (Wed. thru Sun.) and everyone is invited to join us on this fabulous yoga adventure.

We will be staying at the Ambrose Hotel, a boutique hotel that provides "ambrosia" for the soul all year-round. It is a totally zen hotel with an Asian inspired garden and koi pond, not to mention great rooms. The hotel is 5 minutes away from the beach, 5 minutes away from great shopping, and only 5-10 minutes away from all the yoga studios and teachers we will be experiencing. Go to their web site at http://www.ambrosehotel.com to see pictures of the hotel or ask me to see the brochure.

We are going to take classes from different yoga teachers, like Bryan Kest, Mark Blanchard, and others, and at different studios like Yoga Works, Exhale, and more. This is a great opportunity to experience a nice variety of styles of teaching and studios.

The total cost of the trip is $1399 per person, or $899 per person if you share a room with someone else. (Please note, I will do my best to help you find someone to share a room but I can not guarantee it.) This covers your hotel room, one rental car per 3 people, parking, an all organic breakfast every morning, all the yoga classes, and a special treat of $150 worth of spa treatments at Willow Spa, where you will also receive a complimentary tea drink in their tropical garden along with a complimentary foot massage. Check out their web site at http://www.willowspa.com

All you need to do is book your airfare to arrive and depart whenever it's convenient for you and pay for additional meals. There are a lot of very inexpensive options for dining. There will be a lot of free time to shop, go to the beach, museums, or whatever your heart desires. You can join us as a group for dinner or be on your own. Just enjoy your experience, however it works for you. The whole point of the trip is to relax, energize, and experience the energy of different studios and the energy and styles of different teachers.

I will need a commitment from you by November 6th of $250 so I can reserve the hotel rooms. It is the off season which is a big time for large groups to come in so we need to reserve our rooms early. The balance of the trip must be paid by December 6th.

The more people who come to share the energy, the more fun it will be. What better way to relax after the hectic holiday season than to get away and practice yoga with your friends.

Om Shanti as we travel down this path together,
Gretchen

Looking Inside Yourself

2006-10-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

I know that some of you in class this morning were not happy because you thought you did not get in a cardiovascular workout. First of all, if you did not, that is because you were not breathing and besides, most of you do not truly understand what a cardiovascular workout is and why and how it is important to your health. If you are really honest with yourselves, the issue is not the cardiovascular workout that you think you did not get. You are using that to avoid looking at the truth. If you want to do that, fine. No one is judging you for it. However, if you do want to really be honest, this is one of the instances to which I was refering this morning where you have a great opportunity to learn, to grow, and to transform. Whether you realize it or not, this is why you came to yoga. Examine the real reasons behind this dissatisfaction. Let this be your teacher. Let the attachment to your expectations go. This is what is prohibiting some of you in your yoga practice and in your lives. Many of you are not growing, your bodies are not opening up, and they are not going to as long as you hold on to that. It is your choice to stay there but when you are ready and want to grow and open and transform yourselves, then examine yourselves, look at yourselves, and when you do, not only will you spread your wings and fly, but everyone around you will benefit as well. Remember, you create your own reality by the choices you make. The choices are not always easy. I am not here to judge those choices but I am here to guide you in the practice of yoga, not aerobics, but yoga, and all that entails. What I did today was guide you to a deeper place, now it is your choice to continue to go there or not, to decide if you are ready or not. Whichever you choose, do not judge yourselves good or bad, one is not better than the other.

May you find your peace.

Om Shanti,
Gretchen

Teaching at the Juvenile Detention Center

2006-10-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, there is a group of us that volunteer to teach yoga at the Juvenile Detention Center in Olathe. We teach there once a week and rotate the weeks between us so we are only there about once every 6 weeks. It has been such a rewarding experience for all of us. The kids only get to do the yoga every other week because they rotate the classes between the girls and the boys. I always feel such a sense of responsibility to these kids, especially since I may only see them once and never again. They are all in there for various reasons and for various lengths of time. Because of this, we don't get to build a relationship with the kids and because they see a different teacher every week, their experiences are so different each week. When I go, I always hope that there is something I say that they can take with them from that class and hopefully, it will make a difference in their lives.

Today when I taught, I had the boys and they were a little more unruly then I have had before. I should tell you though that every group has been really good and when I say this group was more unruly, they still were pretty good. They just wanted to talk a lot when they were asked not to and that sort of thing. There always seems to be one in every group like that but today, the whole group was like that. At one point I stopped the practice and I said to them, "You create your own reality. You create your reality by the choices you make." I intended to use that statement as a segway to let them know it was up to them as to how the rest of the class was going to go, etc. and I thought one or two might also get what I really meant by that. The boys just blew me away today because every single one in there stopped, their faces completely changed and you could see that all of a sudden, they truly realized that they alone were responsible for their being there. Every single one of them dropped their heads down. It was very sad and very moving all at the same time. The reality they chose for the rest of the class was quite beautiful.

Another message I always try to impart to them is that none of us is there to judge them, not in their practice, nor for the reasons they are there. I always ask them to not judge themselves or each other in the practice, or for the reasons they are there. I always tell them they can not go back and change things. What has happened has happened. They need to forgive themselves and let it go, learn from it, but let it go and realize if a similar situation presents itself again, they can tell themselves they have already had that experience, it wasn't good and they don't need to do it again. Be strong when they need to be and have the strength to let go when they need to let go. I also tell them that they are worthy. They are worthy of love and happiness and it is their right.

When you see these kids, you realize that is exactly what they are, just kids. They still have so much innocence in their faces and some have a lot of hurt in their faces, some anger, some sadness, but always, the innocence is still there. Some come from homes that make it difficult for them to believe all of this, some come from homes like your's and mine. For some, this seems a way of life, for some, jail is a refuge, and for others, they just made a stupid decision at the moment. For whatever reason they are there, they are not bad kids and one of the things this jail is so good about is their volunteer program. They have many programs and
volunteers and the thought behind it is just to let the kids know they are cared about in this world. A little care goes a long way and can turn someone's life around. Are we going to turn them all around? Absolutely not. Are we going to turn some around? Absolutely.

If you have kids at home, give them a big hug and be thankful for them. Spend time with them, treat them with respect, and most importantly, love them with all your heart. That is what they truly want from you. Isn't that what we all truly want?

Om Shanti,
Gretchen

PS.
Thank you to Sumya for organizing our teaching at the Juvenile Detention Center

Physical Health

2006-09-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

If we live our lives continually motivated by anger and hatred, even our physical health deteriorates.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Within You, Without You

2006-09-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

We were talking - about the space between us all
And the people - who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth - then it's far too late when they pass away

We were talking - about the love we all could share
When we find it - to try our best to hold it there - with our love
With our love we could save the world - if they only knew

Try to realise it's all within yourself - no-one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you.

We were talking - about the love that's gone so cold
And the people who gain the world and lose their soul
They don't know, they can't see - are you one of them ?

When you've seen beyond yourself
then you may find peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come when you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you.

~by George Harrison (The Beatles, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Did you know that George Harrison was a devoted yogi particularly of Japa yoga, the practice of Mantra meditation, from his mid 20's until his death at the age of 58
in 2001? He is resposible for bringing Indian music to the West and exposing many people to yoga and meditation so a big thank you to George for being one of those
who made it possible for all of us to be practicing yoga today. If you read his lyrics from the song, "Within you, Without You", you realize he is simply talking about
yoga. He wrote those lyrics almost 40 years ago and they seem so appropriate to the state the world is in today. The only way the state of the world is going to change, is to make the changes inside ourselves. Whether or not we do, "life flows on within you, and without you". We can't stop the flow of life, but we can change how we live while life flows on within us, and without us. Your yoga practice is a tool to help make those changes.

Om shanti, Om peace.

Contributing to Society

2006-09-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

In this world, in order to enable society to develop, all its members have to assume responsibilites and make their contribution. If we do not make collective contributions then there will be no development.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, speaking to the Tibetan National Assembly inDharamsala, May 1989

Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahuda Vadanti

2006-09-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

EKAM SAT, VIPRA BAHUDA VADANTI.
There is but one REALITY, though the wise speak of it in many ways.

What use...

2006-09-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

What use is a melody in an unmusical song? What use are eyes which express no kindness? Other than a facial appearance, what do eyes With no quality of kindness really do? A kindly look is the ornament of the eyes. Without kindness the eyes are two unsightly sores.

-Tirukkural 58: 573-575

Anger and Desire

2006-08-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

t is not that anger and desire are inherently evil or that we should feel ashamed when they arise. It is a matter of seeing them as the delusions that they are: distorted conceptions that paint a false picture of reality. They are negative because they lead to unhappiness and confusion.

-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"

The Daily Work

2006-08-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

“Our everyday yoga practice brings us home, allows us to abide in our natural state, that universal place inside ourselves—changeless, eternal, whole—a place that contains and embraces all the emotions."
—Amy Weintraub, “Depression and Our Forgotten Magnificence,” Yoga International (July/Aug, 2002)

This quote reminded me of how often people ask me if I believe yoga can heal whatever it is they think needs healing and most of the time, my answer is yes. Yoga is a daily pracitce but in this country we still have a huge gym mentality. We are treating it like other forms of exercise, pushing ourselves too hard while doing it and then not doing it every day. There is no denying it is an incredible form of exercise and one that should be practiced every single day, and that doesn't mean you have to go to a class everyday or shouldn't do other forms of exercise if you enjoy them. At least doing 20 minutes of sun salutations everyday will keep you strong, flexible and balanced.

Yoga is so much more than the physical exercise. Sometimes, the thing that needs healing has been caused by over exercising or injuries. We have a very unhealthy image in this country of what is healthy. Sometimes, and most often, the things in our physical bodies that need healing actually don't have anything to do with the physical body but rather the emotional body and the spirit. As the physical body heals, so does the emotional/spirit body and as the emotional/spirit body heals, so does the physical body but it takes work. We have spent a lifetime, or many lifetimes, to get where we are so the undoing doesn't happen overnight. The work is continual. The work is daily.

Love and light,
Gretchen

There exists...

2006-08-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

There exists something that cannot be described.
-Maharamayana

Reflections

2006-07-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

We are coming into the long, lazy days of summer, better known as the dog days. Now is a good time to stop and reflect on yourselves and your yoga practice. Not
to mention that Mercury just went retrograde and will be there for 3 weeks and is always a good time to go inward and do some self-reflection. I am asking you to take
some time and think about your yoga practice and ask yourself a lot of questions.

How do I feel in my yoga practice? If I feel good, why do I feel good? If I don't feel good, why don't I feel good? Is yoga just a workout for me? If so, why am I
not able to accept it and let it be more? What is stopping me from experiencing and accepting the practice? Can I sit in stillness? Can I accept doing the same thing
over and over, accepting that each day is starting the practice all over again? Can I practice without judgement, without judging myself, other practitioners, or the
teachers? If not, why do I feel the need to judge? Do I understand that the breath is the foundation of the practice, strengthening the deep internal core muscles,
providing oxygen to the muscles of the body, calming my mind, and massaging my central nervous system? Do I even breathe the ujayyii breath in my practice? Do I
understand that sometimes doing more in the practice is growth and sometimes doing less is growth? Do I understand that doing the more "advanced" postures does
not mean I am more advanced in my yoga? Am I living from the heart, anahatta, or am I living from my third chakra, manipura, allowing my emotions to control my
life? Do I know the philosophy of yoga? Do I live my yoga? Do I understand that yoga is not just a practice on the mat? Am I practicing yoga?

There are so many questions to ask yourself and the first step is being aware. Be aware of how you feel when you ask yourself these questions. It is not the answer
that is important, but the feeling that is important. Don't judge yourself, good or bad. Be accepting of what comes up, acknowledge it and then let it go and then, you
will be practicing your yoga.

Love and light,
Gretchen

Glow in One's Heart

2006-07-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

"...what is better than the practice of acceptance to help us live through life's roller-coasters with an ever-present glow in one's heart!?"
~Mark Blanchard

Visit Mark's website at http://www.marksyoga.com

Love Expressing

2006-07-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

Independence Day is another time when families tend to gather.

I want to take this opportunity to remind us all, once again, that no one knows our secret hurts better than our family members. They are, without a doubt, our greatest teachers.

Today, I am thankful, once again, for having such skilled teachers in my life. Not only do I get the opportunity to examine areas in my life where I still do not love myself, but I also am offered plenty of practice at forgiving myself and others.

This morning, when I awoke, I looked at the clock and saw it read 12:41, and that it was flashing. I knew this meant that we had a power outage.

As I reset the clock, I saw the metaphor:

Each day is a new day.
Each day is a chance to start over fresh.
Yesterday does not have any power over today,
which I do not give it.

Today I may forgive my yesterday
and I may recommit to staying in love
totally present in the now;
in the newness of this moment.

Today, I am thankful for those who love me enough
to point me in the direction
I need, for my self healing.

Today, I forgive myself
For all the areas
where I fall short
Of whom I think I Am
Of whom I wish to be
Of whom I hope to become
Of whom I think
I should be!

Today I love myself,
just as I am.

When I love myself enough
Perhaps I will free myself
Of my need
For the approval of others.

As I begin my new day,
I am truly grateful
for each and every teacher
present in my life.

Today, once again,
I claim my independence.
as I affirm my freedom.

Thank you,
one and all!

Elliott Teters

To subscribe to the newsletter, Love Expressing, visit the website at:

http://www.loveexpressing.com

Delusion

2006-07-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

If you want to get rid of your enemy, the true way is to realize that your enemy is delusion.

-Kegon Sutra

Summer Solstice

2006-06-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2006
The Sun's Peak
Summer Solstice

On the longest day of the year, the sun, which has on the days preceding seemed to rise higher and higher into the sky, reaches its zenith and rises no more. This day, which in the Northern Hemisphere can occur between the 20th and 23rd of June, marks the start of summer and is known as the summer solstice. From time immemorial, the coming of summer's light and warmth has been a time of gladness and celebration. In June, the snows had long since melted, the ground had thawed, the first fruits were
ripening on their vines, and Mother Nature had once again renewed herself. Though most of us have turned away from our agricultural heritage, the summer solstice remains a time of new beginnings and life-enriching endings. It is the day the sun reaches the peak of its power as well as the day that heralds the shorter days that eventually bring with them autumn's chills.

For ancient peoples of the Americas and Europe, the summer solstice was a particularly joyous day-and one auspicious for those seeking year-long luck, fertility, abundance, and prosperity. Men and women on two continents would gather to pay tribute to the sun's magnificence, to pray for a bountiful harvest, and to bolster the sun's energy with bonfires and fireworks. Today, the summer solstice represents an optimal time to upon the blessings we have received in seasons past and visualize the new bounties we hope to receive in the season just beginning to flourish. At noon, when the sun is at its highest point, we can pay reverence to its incredible strength and its ability to create life while also musing on the impermanence of life as represented by the impermanence of the season. You can reestablish your innate connection to nature on the summer solstice by spending time outdoors; following the sun's procession as the day passes; burning sun oils such as orange, benzion, or juniper; or decorating an altar with solar images, summer greens, or colorful blossoms.

Just as the summer solstice is symbolic of agricultural growth, so is it symbolic of personal growth. It is a wonderful time to nurture your potential as you would nurture a tiny seedling and let your creative energy express itself fully. On the summer solstice, you may feel compelled to emulate the noontime sun and be at one with the world around you or to let your inner brilliance shine forth at full strength, if only for a single day. Your life, like the seasons, follows a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and summers, whether literal or figurative, can always be celebrated.

~From the Daily Om

Contentment

2006-06-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

If we're looking for outer conditions to bring us contentment, we're looking in vain.

-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"

Learning and Teaching

2006-06-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Practice right conduct, learning and teaching; Be truthful always, learning and teaching; Master the passions, learning and teaching; Control the senses, learning and teaching; Strive for peace always, learning and teaching; Rouse kundalini, learning and teaching; Serve humanity, learning and teaching; Beget progeny, learning and teaching. Satyavacha says: "Be truthful always." Taponitya says: "Master the passions." Naka declares: "Learning and teaching are Necessary for spiritual progress."

-Taittiriya Upanishad

Getting to the Root of Zen

2006-06-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

For some years now, students have not been getting to the root of the aim of Zen, instead taking the verbal teachings of Buddhas and Zen masters to be the ultimate rule. That is like ignoring a hundred thousand pure clear oceans and only focusing attention on a single bubble.

-Ying-an

Attentiveness

2006-06-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

Attentiveness is the path to true life; Indifference is the path to death. The attentive do not die; The indifferent are as if they are dead already.

-Dhammapada

The Invitation

2006-05-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Invitation
~by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's desire.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed for the fear of future pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of human beings.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true.
I want to know if you disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusations of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, your’s or mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver moon "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are now or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Dropped Into Still Waters - The Ripple Effect

2006-05-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

In a world of six billion people, it's easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread and expand as they move outward. The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will wash over the world.

Should the opportunity arise, the recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone's life. Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you
create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as possible.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community, and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples moves onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of
love and kindness.

~Daily OM

Gateways to a Beautiful Life

2006-05-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

#1. The main work of every human being is inner work. Each day, do something significant to deepen yourself. To have more of the life that you truly want, you
must first become more of who you truly are.

#2. See your life as a fantastic growth school. Everything that you experience, both good and challenging, has come to you to teach you the lesson that you most
needed to learn at that particular stage of your evolution as a person. Understand this truth, and keep asking yourself, "What opportunity does this person or situation
represent" in terms of your personal growth. This is a great source of inner peace.

#3. Be true to yourself--the best life is the authentic life. Never betray yourself. Take off your social mask and have the personal bravery to present the real you to the world. The world will be richer for it.

#4. Remember that we collect what we project. Our outer lives are nothing more than a mirror image of our inner lives. Pour light on your dark side. Become aware of the false assumptions, limiting beliefs, and fears that are keeping you small, and your exterior world will change.

#5. We see the world not as it is but as we are. Know that the truth in any given circumstance is filtered through your personal stained glass window--your personal
context. Clean up the windows, and you'll clean up your life. Then you'll see the truth.

#6. Live in your heart--it's wisdom never lies. Follow the quiet promptings of your heart, and you'll be led in the direction of your destiny.

#7. Stand in the curiosity of your life. In surrendering control, you'll create a space for possibilities to enter and treasures to flow.

#8. Care for yourself. Do something each day to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. These are essential acts of self-respect and self-love.

#9. Build human connections. Dedicate yourself to deepening your bonds with the people around you. Focus on helping others achieve their dreams, and be more
concerned with selfless service rather than self-gratification. You're here to enrich this world, and you betray yourself once you forget this truth.

#10. Leave a legacy. The deepest longing of the human heart is the need to live for a cause greater than oneself.

Excerpted from "The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO

Let There be Peace

2006-05-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

Secrets to Peace Issue 130-06
Let There be Peace
May 10, 2006

I love the idea expressed behind the word “let”.

It is the ultimate creation tool.

When we look at the biblical creation story, with each new creation, God would “let there be light, or let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

Typically, when we think of creation, we think of action. We equate it to doing; but, let seems to imply that the way of creation is “allowing” or “being” instead of doing.

I looked up let, in an online dictionary and it said, “to give permission or opportunity to”.

I thought, this may be what I leave out of my attempts at the creation process. I want. I expect. I may even demand, but perhaps I forget to “give permission to” or “allow” that which I want to see manifest.

Perhaps, “Let there be peace” must be accompanied by a release of my observations of where peace is not?

Maybe “allowing” peace is about non-resistance and not about demanding change?

Today, I will “let” these ideas percolate within my consciousness.

Thank you for “letting” me share my thoughts with you.

Elliott Teters

2006-04-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

Silencing The Chatter
Taming Monkey Mind In Meditation

It's been called the monkey mind - the endless chattering in your head as you jump in your mind from thought to thought while you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future. Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you're left totally confused.

One way to tame this wild creature in your head is through meditation - although the paradox is that when you clear your mind for meditation you actually invite the monkey in your mind to play. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this mental beast by moving beyond thought - to become aware of a thought rather than thinking a thought. The difference is subtle, but significant. When you are aware of your thoughts, you can let your thoughts rise and float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.

To develop your concentration, you may want to start by focusing on the breath while you meditate. Whenever your monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and
then return your focus to your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to focus on the rise and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you
concentrate on the sound of the breath. Fire can also be mesmerizing, and focusing on a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind. Keep the gaze soft
and unfocused while observing the color, shape, and movement of the flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need and continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, devotional singing, and mantras also still the mind. However you choose to tame the monkey mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises, notice it and then allow it to go away. With practice, your monkey mind will become quiet and so will you.

~From the Daily Om

Peace

2006-04-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

We all hear the same sounds. We look up and see the same sky. We cry the same tears. Our feelings and emotions are the same. All mothers are sisters. All fathers are brothers. All children are one.

Yet there is hate. There is violence. There is intolerance. There is confusion among people. We don't try hard enough to understand each other. We don't seem to realize that we all have the same basic needs, no matter who we are or what part of the world we come from.

We must understand the differences among us and celebrate the sameness. We must make the world a place where love and friendship dominate our hearts. Equality, respect, compassion, and kindness must guide our actions. Only then will we all be able to peacefully and lovingly live the life we each choose.

~Susan Polis Shutz

My Practice

2006-04-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

About a week ago in one of the evening classes, someone made the comment to me that I don't know what it's like to struggle in a yoga posture and asked to see me do a posture with which I struggle. I was in the middle of teaching the class and continued on with the class without commenting. This particular class was taking people outside of their comfort zones and working on postures that didn't necessarily come easy to them so there were a lot of people falling out of postures, etc. That is what spurred that comment and I thought a lot about it later that evening. I want to share with you my thoughts and also a little bit about my own practice, about which I am asked a lot.

First of all, there are not any postures with which I struggle. Does that mean I can do the postures or even do them well? Not necessarily. There are a lot of postures that I can't do, yet, but I don't ever struggle in them. I work hard in my postures but always with a sense of calmness, with a great awareness of my body, and always, always guided by my breath. Whenever there is a new posture that I am learning, I never have the thought that I can't do the posture; in fact, I always think I can. Does that mean I can do the posture? Sometimes, sometimes not, but more often I can and I can because I believe I can. The mind is one of our most powerful tools and the vibration of our thoughts dictate a lot. The biggest obstacle we face in yoga is ourselves.

Being able to do a posture is just the end result of opening ourselves up and finding balance. Balance in our physical bodies, balance in our minds, and balance in our spirits. The goal is not to achieve a perfect posture, which there is no such thing; the goal is to remove the obstacles that are prohibiting us from being able to do the posture. The posture is just the end result of the journey. Sometimes the imbalances are physical, sometimes they are mental with the biggest mental obstacle being fear, and that's ok. That is as important to work through as the physical aspects and many of the physical blocks are caused from the fear. It's all about bringing the body, the mind, and the spirit into balance with one another and then ultimately bringing that balance into our lives. We do all of this work not for the
time we spend on our mats, but rather the time we spend off of our mats.

I am often asked if I go to classes, do I do my own practice at home, and do I use videos. Yes to all of that. I do teach at least 12 classes per week so I get a lot in just by the little bits I do in a class. I do go to classes when I can. Because I teach at the same times as most other classes, there are not many I am able to attend, but I always love to just be a student and I love experiencing everyone's energy. I attend as many workshops as I am able; not for teaching so much, but for my own practice. My teaching comes from my own practice because I am just sharing what I know in my own body.

I do sometimes do videos at home and sometimes I do my own practice without videos. When I do my own practice, I don't think about what I'm going to do, I just let my body dictate the next posture. I just do whatever feels good and I never let a day go by without doing some yoga. I may not get a full practice in but I always do something.

I love the practice of yoga. I love the way my body feels in the practice, I love when I find new openings in my body, I love how grounded and centered I feel in my life and continue to feel more so every day. I love the way pranayama and chanting affect my body, the way they open my chakras, and the clarity of mind that I get from them. I love that I have found the abilitly to travel to other planes in this universe allowing me to see how it is all connected.

I love sharing my experiences with all of you and I love what I learn from all of you. Mostly, I love what I learn from practicing, because the guru is truly inside each of us.

Om shanti as together, we travel down our individual paths,
Gretchen

The Practitioner

2006-03-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

As in the ocean's midmost depth no wave is born, but all is still, so let the practitioner be still, be motionless, and nowhere should one swell.

-Sutta-nipata, translated by Dines Anderson and Helmer Smith

Meditation

2006-03-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

When you are with someone you love very much, you can talk and it is pleasant, but the reality is not in the conversation. It is in simply being together. Meditation is the highest form of prayer. In it you are so close to God that you don't need to say a thing--it is just great to be together.

-Swami Chetananda

Peace and Harmony

2006-03-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Way to Practice

2006-03-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

It is not proper to watch other people. This will not help your practice. If you are annoyed, watch the annoyance in your own mind. If others' discipline is bad or they are not good monks, this is not for your to judge. You will not discover wisdom watching others. Monks'discipline is a tool to use for your own mediation. It is not a weapon to use to criticize or find fault. No one can do your practice for you, nor can you do practice for anyone else, just be mindful of our own doings. This is the way to practice.

~Ajahn Chah, "Bodhinyana"

The Prana of the Universe

2006-03-16T12:27:00.000-08:00

The sun is the prana of the universe, And it rises to bring light to our eyes. The earth draws the lower fire of apana; The space between sun and earth is samana, And the moving air is vyana. "Fire is udana. When that fire goes out, The senses are drawn back into the mind And the person is ready for rebirth. "Whatever the content of consciousness At the time of death, that is what unites us To prana, udana, and the Self, To be reborn in the plane we have earned."

-Prashna Upanishad

Lord of Love

2006-03-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

All is change in the world of the senses, But changeless is the supreme Lord of Love, Meditate on him, be absorbed in him, Wake up from this dream of separateness.

-Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Objects of the World

2006-03-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

"In every direction," said the Buddha, "above, below, around, and within, you see things you know and recognize. Put them down. Do not let consciousness dwell on the products of existence and things that come and go, for there is no rest of relief there. When you understand that by taking the objects of the world for granted as total reality, you are tied to the world, then this understanding will release you from your dependence on objects and will stop your craving and your desire for constant becoming. Then you can let go your hold and engage with things as they are, instead."

-Sutta Nipata

Buddha Speaks

2006-03-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

"But what makes these 'experts' preach their own opinion and call it truth?" asked the inquirer. "Is it an inheritance of humankind to do this, or is it merely something they gain satisfaction from?" "Apart from consciousness," answered the Buddha, "no absolute truths exist. False reasoning declares one view to be true and another view wrong. It is delight in their dearly held opinions that makes them assert that anyone who disagrees is bound to come to a bad end. But no true seeker becomes embroiled in all this. Pass by peacefully and go a stainless way, free from theories, lusts, and
dogmas."

-Majjhima Nikaya

"Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000. Reprinted by with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

Disparaging Words

2006-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Disparaging words pain a man even when uttered in jest. Therefore, those who know human nature are courteous even to their enemies.

-Tirukkural 100:995

Why I Don't Use Props

2006-02-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

The subject of the use of props, or rather why I don't allow them in my classes has come up again and I would like to address that with all of you. I do not use props
for a number of reasons. First of all, when you are using a prop, you are not truly in the posture for where your body is. You may feel like you are but in fact, the
prop is only giving you a perception that you are and making your ego feel better because that is not where your body is. We are trying to move past the blockages of
our bodies and in my opinion, using the blocks and props only prevents that. If you can place your hand on a block, you can place your hand on your leg which will also make you engage your stabilizer muscles which you need to be doing anyway. When you use straps, you are using leverage and that can be a recipe for injuries.

I know this is a different opinion from some teachers, but it is what I believe as well as some other teachers believe. This is a 5,000 year old practice and the use of props has only been in the last 15 - 20 years. Besides the reasons I have stated, I want to stay more true to the practice of yoga.

I know everyone wants to be deeper in a posture but part of the yoga practice is also accepting where we are each day. This is not just a physical exercise and I can not
stress that enough. I relate the practice of yoga to retail. In a retail store, 80% of your merchandise does not sell but you need that 80% to sell the other 20%. You
need the daily physical practice of yoga to help with the mental/spiritual benefits of yoga. Yes, the physical practice is hugely important, but it is not just physical
exercise.

Since I am addressing the use of props, I will also address why I don't use music. First of all, let me say that I think music is very important in our lives for a lot of reasons that I am not going to go in to right now, but I don't use it in my classes because I want the breath to be the music and I want you to learn to calm yourselves and not rely on the music to do it. I also feel like it is a distraction to the mind while you are practicing. You are suppose to be listening to the sound of your breath, not the sound of the music. Again, this is also staying true to the 5,000 year old yoga practice.

These are my beliefs and I have to teach what I believe.

Om Shanti and good health to all of you physically, mentally, and spiritually,
Gretchen

Effort and Patience

2006-02-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

Effort gets things going. Patience allows them to get to completion. Known for his breakthroughs in motivation, Ralph Marston says that without effort, patience would accomplish very little, and without patience, the passing setbacks and disappointments will soon overwhelm the most aggressive effort. It is the balance of effort and patience that is where power lies. The most effective effort is continuing effort, which calls for focused patience to the process. Notice that the most successful people have the stamina to apply effort in many ways before they succeed. The balance of the two seemingly opposing actions is what most of us find frustrating. Marston says, "Balance aggressive effort with a deep underlying patience and the results you achieve will be truly amazing." So it is with our yoga practice. Arrive at the sticky mat every day; apply effort and patience to the practice to see the power of the practice unfold.

Spiritual Imprints

2006-02-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Aboriginal Dreamtime

Everything in the natural world leaves its mark on the earth. The Australian Aborigines, who have one of the longest continuous cultural histories of any group on earth, know this. Dreamtime, the spirituality and culture of the Aborigines, explains the origins and culture of the land and its people. In Aboriginal Dreaming, every meaningful activity, event, or life process is believed to leave behind a vibrational residue. Aborigines speak of the seed power deposited on the earth that all natural life brings forth known as jiva or guruwari. As plants leave an image of themselves as seeds, so too do the oceans, the mountains, and the smallest pebble. Everything in nature contains the memory of when they were created and vibrates with that life force.

"Dreaming," in Aboriginal culture, is comprised of the knowledge, faith, and practices derived from the stories of creation and the history of Australia. Dreamtime ceremonies, rituals, stories, and drawings describe the time when humans, plants, and animals were created. Often referred to as the time before time, it was during Dreamtime that the ancestral spirits came to earth in human and other forms, creating rivers, lakes, hills, and deserts. When their work was done, the ancestral spirits became a part of the earth, changing into plants, animals, land, and the sky.

The places the ancestral spirits traveled and where they came to rest was told to the Aborigines through Dreaming. Aborigines know that they do not own the land but are a part of it and that it is their duty to respect and look after the earth. Aboriginal Dreaming acknowledges that the ancestral spirits still reside in the natural world and their resonate everywhere. The past is still alive and breathing today, as it will be in the future.

From the Daily OM

Word of Peace

2006-02-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

Better than a thousand useless words is one word that gives peace.

-Buddha

Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day. May your day be filled with lots of love, both received and shared.

Gathering For Truth - Satsang

2006-02-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

Satsang is a Sanskrit word combining "satya" meaning "truth" and "sangha" meaning "group. " It describes a gathering of people for the purpose of spiritual truth.
Satsang is often used when referring to a meeting with a guru or a spiritual mentor. During Satsang, participants read inspiring words, discuss its teachings, meditate, and find ways to bring this awareness into daily life.

While attending services or spiritual study groups can be thought of as participating in Satsangs, this practice can also apply to any group of people that are gathered to
inspire one another and express the truth free from judgment. A Satsang can be a group of people that are gathered to sing, play, or listen to music. All that needs to be there is the intention to inspire one another and tell the truth. A Satsang can also be a support group, book club, yoga class, or meeting between friends for coffee or conversation. We don't need to be in a place of worship or supervised by appointed leaders to experience the truth. The truth can be found in every moment and it can be
experienced with anyone. Spending time with someone who enlightens us can be as simple as visiting with a grandmother or talking to a best friend.

There is wisdom to be gleaned from being with people even when the gatherings are not specifically intended for personal improvement or spiritual transformation. Any
occasion we are gathered with people who understand and support us can be a spiritual experience. While gatherings with the intention of communing with spirit are undoubtedly powerful and inspiring, getting together with people that uplift us by their presence alone is also vital to our well-being. When we recognize all the people we know that support and enrich us, our lives can become an extended Satsang.

~The Daily Om

Mindfullness

2006-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Mindfulness is not just a word or a discourse by the Buddha, but a meaningful state of mind. It means we have to be here now, in this very moment, and we have to know what is happening internally and externally. It means being alert to our motives and learning to change unwholesome thoughts and emotions into wholesome ones. Mindfulness is a mental activity that in due course eliminates all suffering.

-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"

Truth in Vision - The Sixth Chakra

2006-02-09T05:44:00.000-08:00

Within each of us lies the capacity to be a finely tuned receptor for psychic signals and clairvoyant sight. The sixth chakra is the source of internal visions, telepathy, and intuition. Located at the level of the forehead, this chakra, known also as the third eye, or Anja, is the energy center from which we draw our dreams, memories, and visions. From the sixth chakra, we gain the ability to discern the truth and see the past, present, and future in detail. The blessings that come into our lives are often the result of the images we are able to perceive via the sixth chakra. In Sanskrit, Anja means both "to perceive" and "to command," because when this chakra is strong, visualization is the first step in manifesting your desires.

Associated with the imagination and big picture thinking, the sixth chakra can be visualized as a deep indigo lotus with only two petals. Like its element, light, it is the source of all seeing. Weakness or imbalance of the Anja chakra can lead to oversensitivity, lack of discipline, and a strong fear of success. An overabundance of sixth chakra energy often results in spiritual arrogance, unhealthy pride, and an inability to see what is in front of oneself. A balanced third eye is open to guidance from all the other chakras. The visualization capacity of this chakra can be nurtured and honed by focusing on the body's other chakra centers and filling that body part with the appropriate color of light. Balancing your Anja chakra can have a positive effect on many vision and sinus ailments, headaches, and learning disabilities.

It is possible to stimulate the sixth chakra directly by listening to energetic, dynamic music, playing drums, practicing hand mudras, or exposing the chakra to mugwort, lapis lazuli, sapphire, or quartz. Doing so can help you get in touch with your innate psychic abilities, access buried memories, and improve your intuitive senses. It can also give you an increased sense of confidence and power, because it is the third eye that makes your dreams yours to imagine and then create.

Humanity

2006-02-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

The whole of humanity is…one human family. This planet is our only home.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Reflections

2006-02-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

Reflections Of Self
We Are All Mirrors For Each Other

When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. "Like attracts like" is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity,sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.

Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself. Who you are can be laid bare to you through what you see in others. It is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues.

When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike,
accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience. You can also
cultivate in you the traits and behaviors that you do like. Be loving and respectful to all people, and you will attract individuals that will love and respect you back. Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror.

Year of the Dog

2006-01-30T12:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year as January 29th marked the beginning of the Year of the Dog in Chinese astrology! What does that mean for all of us?

Last year was the year of the rooster and was about planting seeds and putting things into motion. We all need to ask ourselves what we put into motion. It was also about joy and the grief or divorce of letting go of the past. This year, the year of the dog, is about who is going to help us "grow" the seeds.

Dogs connect to the priest energy - the service of little things and nurturing. This is a good year to do some volunteer work.

We all need to watch out about being too critical this year and we need to watch the intent behind any criticism.

We need to look at the people who support us and how we can support them.

Horse, dogs, and tigers are the protectors this year.

Humanitarism will be important this year.

Loyalty, fidelity, and vows are important this year.

Your duty is very important this year.

Love is about being clear, honest - how much are you going to do for someone. Commitments are very important.

This year and next are the years to make changes in society. Territorial.

Slow, steady economic year.

Be honored to serve or don't serve at all.

This is a year of how we give to others and why.

Happy New Year and best wishes for a year filled with good dog energy!

Meditation

2006-01-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

It is crucial for you to understand what meditation is. It is not some special
posture, and it's not just a set of mental exercises. Meditation is the cultivation of mindfulness and the application of that mindfulness once cultivated. You do not have to sit to meditate. You can meditate while washing the dishes. You can meditate in the shower, or roller skating, or typing letters. Meditation is awareness, and it must be applied to each and every activity of one's life. This isn't easy.

-Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English"

Enlightenment

2006-01-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

Enlightenment--that magnificent escape from anguish and ignorance--never happens by accident. It results from the brave and sometimes lonely battle of one person against his own weaknesses.

-Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano, "Landscapes of Wonder"

The State of Yoga

2006-01-25T05:33:00.000-08:00

Those who aspire to the state of yoga should seek the Self in inner solitude through meditation. With body and mind controlled they should constantly practice one-pointedness, free from expectations and attachment to material possessions.

-Bhagavad Gita 6:10

Meditation

2006-01-23T05:44:00.000-08:00

In meditation, don't expect anything. Just sit back and see what happens. Treat the whole thing as an experiment. Take an active interest in the test itself, but don't get distracted by your expectations about the results. For that matter, don't be anxious for any result whatsoever.

-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English"

Yoga and Breath

2006-01-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

Yoga and Breath

PROGRESSIVE POWER YOGA™ DRAMATICALLY ENHANCES
THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

UCLA School of Medicine’s Dr. Hannah Zackson, M.D. finds great personal strength and overall health improvement by practicing Progressive Power Yoga™ with Veteran Yogi Mark Blanchard.

LOS ANGELES, 2003 — Although yoga has its roots in the ancient East, the powerful and undeniable results of steady practice capture the attention of today’s doctors of Western medicine. Yoga has always addressed the needs of human beings as a whole, not as a system of parts. This ancient holistic view honors the vital necessity of living in a state of balance—mind, body and spirit. In a world where our senses are constantly assaulted by the shrill demands of modern living, our balance suffers greatly and therefore our overall well-being.

Dr. Hannah Zackson, M.D., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has been studying Progressive Power Yoga™ with Yoga Master Mark Blanchard for four years and is most enthusiastic both personally and professionally about its compelling results. Her area of practice is pulmonalogy—lung and breathing disorders, but she also teaches courses in doctor/patient relationships.

Always athletic, Hannah was in gyms and various workout classes throughout her life, performing with a certain caution as she suffers from scoliosis, or curvature of the spine— a not uncommon condition that afflicts more women than men. Because Hannah did not want to have to endure some of the more drastic corrections prescribed, she chose the active route. Four years ago, Dr. Zackson, mother of two, began practicing Progressive Power Yoga™ with Mark Blanchard and has been enjoying powerful results, both personal and professional ever since. Being also that her area of practice has to do with the lungs and quality of breath, Mark’s classes were a natural, as a prime focus is the life-enhancing properties of yoga-trained breathing.

A healer herself, she not only notices the increased strength and health benefits in her own life, she highly recommends it to others. "The re sults of practicing Progressive Power Yoga™ are remarkable in my own life as so many key areas are enhanced. Our ideal state of being is one of balance—mind, body, spirit and when you take the time to focus on yourself, it helps harmonize the internal and external forces that can so often be in conflict—conflict that can lead to illness. My overall strength and flexibility have greatly improved, as well as the empowering added benefit of serenity of mind. Mark’s classes are a wonderful way of maintaining health of the mind and body as a whole. And the more consistent you are, the healthier you will stay. When the mind, body and spirit are in true balance, the organ systems of the body perform better together as a result. As a doctor, I see less colds and runny noses with steady practice of this deep, ancient way of staying healthy that has steadily evolved over the centuries."

More and more medical professionals in the United States are seeing the extraordinary benefits of yoga practice, and Dr. Zackson, M.D., is one that looks forward to practicing Progressive Power Yoga™ with Mark Blanchard as a powerful way of improving and maintaining her own physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Good Health and Life in Balance to you.

Namaste!

Focused Value - Quality vs. Quantity

2006-01-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

We live in an age of quantity. The media shapes us with the notion that larger, faster, and more are often synonymous with better. We are told that we need to find more time, more possessions, and more love to be truly happy. A smaller quantity of anything that is high in quality will almost always be more satisfying. A single
piece of our favorite chocolate or a thin spread of freshly made preserves can satisfy us more than a full bucket of a product that we aren't very fond of. Similarly, one fulfilling experience can eclipse many empty moments strung together. It is not the quantity of time that matters, but the quality that you experience during each moment. Every minute is an opportunity to love yourself and others, develop confidence and self-respect, and exhibit courage.

Ultimately, quality can make life sweeter. When you focus on quality, all your life experiences can be meaningful. A modest portion of good, healthy food can nourish and
satisfy you on multiple levels and, when organically grown, nourish the earth as well. Likewise, a few hours of deep, restful slumber will leave you feeling more refreshed than a night's worth of frequently interrupted sleep. A few minutes spent with a loved one catching up on the important details about family, work, or community can carry more meaning than two hours spent watching television together.

Often, in the pursuit of quantity we cheat ourselves of quality. Then again, quantity also plays a significant role in our lives. Certain elements, such as hugs, kisses,
abundance, and love, are best had in copious amounts that are high in quality. But faced with the choice between a single, heartfelt grin and a lifetime of empty smiles, most would, no doubt, choose the former. Ultimately, it is not how much you live or have or do but what you make of each moment that counts.

From the Daily Om

Lotus of Love

2006-01-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Lotus Of Love
The Fourth Chakra

The human body, according to ancient Vedic texts, is the seat of a network of cooperating energy fields also known as chakras. At the very center of these fields, unifying and filtering them, lies the heart chakra. This chakra is located over the chest and is often called the heart lotus because its influence radiates outward like the petals of a flower.

The heart chakra is believed by many to be at the core of your emotional being. When balanced, it can be a source of love, confidence, creativity, and inspiration. Discord
within the heart chakra can affect all your energy centers, because the fourth chakra is a gate between the upper and lower chakras. The heart chakra can be visualized as intersecting triangles that are smoky green. It is associated with holly and poppy flowers, malachite and
emerald crystals, and the element of air. The heart chakra gives us the ability to love, trust, and feel deep compassion for others. A balanced heart opens the mind to the radiating warmth of the universe and makes profound relationships possible. But when imbalanced, those same qualities can become twisted, leading us to feel hate, fear, or jealousy. Blockages in the fourth chakra can manifest as immune system and heart maladies because of the chakra's association with the physical heart, the circulatory system, and the blood.

There are numerous means of energizing and balancing this chakra. Try sitting up with your back straight, and breathe deeply to center yourself. Rapidly tap your heart center, located in the middle of your chest, with your fingertips. Gradually increase and then decrease the
intensity of your tapping over a three minute period. Jasmine, lavender, and marjoram scents can exert a balancing effect over this chakra. You can also influence your heart chakra by loving yourself and learning to laugh freely. And while existing without the positive influence of the fourth chakra can leave you feeling disconnected, isolated, and filled with unexpressed emotions, too much heart chakra influence can lead to restlessness, dreaminess, and aimless wandering. The heart chakra is the point of new beginnings. Nurture it, and you will find that contentment will emerge from all aspects of your being.
~From the Daily Om

Miracle of Mindfulness

2006-01-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves. Consider, for example: a magician who cuts his body into many parts and places each part in a different region--hands in the south, arms in the east, legs in the north, and then by some miraculous power lets forth a cry which reassembles whole every part of his body. Mindfulness is like that--it is the miracle which can call back in a flash our dispersed mind and restore it to wholeness so that we can live each minute of life.

-Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"

Exploring the Mind

2006-01-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

When you recognize what an important role mind plays in yoga, you can see why exploring the mind is essential. As conditioning in the body narrows the body's movements, so do habits in the mind tend to make you more "narrow-minded." A narrow mind involves more than just being attached to a particular set of beliefs. It narrows the whole field of perception and also cuts off emotional responsiveness and empathy. Rigidity in the mind constricts mental movement and consequently limits the field of what is possible for you in life. The beliefs, values, headsets, and even the wants that live in thought create self-images that determine what you think, imagine, and therefore what you do. In physical yoga, the process of confronting and nudging the body's limits, blocks, and conditionings opens and transforms you. So, too, as you get to know your mind, how it works, and where your psychological limits are, the process opens the mind and literally expands consciousness.

Our Yoga Practice

2006-01-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

We are all responsible for our own yoga practice.

Remembering to Live

2006-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Taking Time - Remembering To Live

Many present-day cultures are busy ones. Wanting it all, we look always forward, striving to live optimally and successfully, improving ourselves, and immersing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of great achievements. In doing so, however, it is easy to focus our attention on tomorrow while letting today slip by unsavored. It becomes difficult to stop, to soften our focus, to look around, and to consider the here and now. We forget how important it is to just take pleasure in the simple joys of existence, like clear blue skies, birds singing, sunsets, the laughter of a loved one, or the rich taste of a favorite dish. You may feel you are too busy to revel in the small stuff, but your future will wait for you and there will always be another responsibility on the horizon. Each moment of your life, however, has the potential to bring happiness, satisfaction, and growth.

There is a saying: Life is what happens while you are busy making plans. While not entirely true, there are real benefits to taking the time to experience life's positive aspects. Many of us, if we try, will find we are able to make time for living. If you are truly scheduled down to the minute, shake off some unimportant commitments so you can focus on what is vital. Give up control for a few minutes or an hour, and watch the world go by, take a walk in an unfamiliar place, bask in the sunshine, look at the clouds, or play in the snow. There are other delights that come from doing that which we enjoy, but which may not fit into our grand plans or seem like a waste of time, such as treasured hobbies or practicing recreational skills. These are vital, too.

Remembering to live expresses that you value the whole of your life, rather than just the past or the future. It reminds you why you do what you do and helps you appreciate who you are, instead of only who you will become. The path you will walk is hidden from you, but the path you are walking can be enjoyed from moment to moment, if you take the time to be a part of the
goodness around you. Next time you find yourself overwhelmed with goals, healing, and becoming conscious, don't forget tojust live.

From the Daily Om

Miracle of Mindfulness

2006-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves. Consider, for example: a magician who cuts his body into many parts and places each part in a different region--hands in the south, arms in the east,legs in the north, and then by some miraculous power lets forth a cry which reassembles whole every part of his body. Mindfulness is like that--it is the miracle which can call back in a flash our dispersed mind and restore it to wholeness so that we can live each minute of life.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"

Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T20:52:00.000-08:00

Let's give ourselves the courage to keep going when no one else believes in
us, the vision to be able to see past the fear to where beauty lives,
passion for everything we do, truth in always listening to our inner
selves, and possibilities because anything is possible if we really
believe. Let's give oursleves the gift of responsibility so we may have a
say in our lives.
~Joey

Happy New Year!

Beacons of Light

2005-12-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

"Let our practice remind us of the life fulfilling prana for which we are blessed and thank the divine power of the universe for this force and awareness in our lives. We are indeed honored to be on this path. May we be lights to those who are astray and open to those who are leading the way."
~Andy Russell

Ethics, Meditation, and Wisdom

2005-12-29T20:03:00.000-08:00

The more you practice the three trainings of ethics, meditation, and wisdom, the more difficult it will become for you to act in a way that is contrary to an ethical, compassionate attitude. Ethics arise naturally out of contemplating the three trainings.

-Martine Batchelor, "Meditation for Life"

We are Here

2005-12-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

We are not here to fix,
Change or belittle
Another person.

We are here to
Support, forgive, and
Heal on another.
`unknown

Holiday Blessings

2005-12-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

May the light of love and devotion shine brightly in your hearts.
May the light of understanding shine in your minds.
May the light of harmony glow in your home.
May the light of service shine forth ceaselessly from your hands.
May the light of peace emanate from your being.
May your presence light the lamps of love and peace wherever you go.
May your smile, your words, and your actions be as sweet as the sweets of this festive season.
May you have the true wealth of health, happiness, peace, and spiritual upliftment.
~blessing by Swami Chidanand Saraswati

May you all let your light shine!
Wishing you much love, peace, and happiness this holiday season.

Love and light,
Gretchen

Light Bulb Moments

2005-12-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

The ah hah....ahhhh moments.

Resistance

2005-12-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

Transformation, change, growth, actualizing potential - these are very positive sounding ideals that most people who do yoga strive for. Yet all of us who are involved in any growth process face resistance. In yoga there is resistance in the tissue, resistance to doing yoga, resistance to changing the habits and lifestyles that impede growth. As a person who has been involved with yoga and growth-oriented activities for years, it seemingly would be nice if I could tell you that I have conquered resistance. I have not. I do not feel that it can be totally conquered, although it need not be a significant problem either. You can learn to use it as a teacher, for resistance can teach you where your habits and attachments lie. It can also teach you where you block yourself and where you are self-protective.
~Joel Kramer

Yoga Gifts

2005-12-22T16:39:00.000-08:00

Looking for the perfect gift for the yoga people on your list? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Effort and Surrender, The Art and Wisdom of Yoga
A beautiful gift book filled with aritistic photos of asanas and inspirational yoga quotes.

2. Prescriptions for Happiness
A pill bottle filled with quotes on happiness to tear off for yourself or to share with others.

3. Mark Blanchard's Progressive Power Yoga videos.
Perfect for your home practice. Comes in a set of three so you're not always doing the same practice.

4. A yoga retreat trip to Kauai
Yoga, sun, beaches....what more needs to be said!

All can be found at either the Anhatta Yoga Center store, amazon.com , target.com , or progressivepoweryoga.com

Happy Shopping!

What Matters

2005-12-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

What Matters
Getting Back To Holiday Basics

The true meaning of the holidays can easily get lost in the details. While many of the diverse festivals and feasts we celebrate are designed to be times for celebrating life, new beginnings, traditions, and landmark occasions, those sentiments can be swept away by the stress of overloaded to-do lists and seemingly never-ending holidayobligations. Yet there are many unique and satisfying ways to celebrate the holidays without spending too much money or becoming exhausted in the process. Whereas the media, and possibly even loved ones, may encourage you to do and buy more, concentrating on the spirit of faith, giving, love, and hope during the holidays can help you do more with less. You can create new holiday traditions that help you focus on what you find important.

Holidays can be a wonderful time for taking stock of what matters most to you. This can include family, community, helping those less fortunate, and loving the earth. If you feel driven to give the people in your life gifts, consider presents that encourage positive living or whose impact will continue to be felt long after the holidays. Think about donating your effort to making someone else's life better by hosting a party for seniors or volunteering at a homeless shelter. You can also make a charitable donation or plant a seedling tree in a loved one's name. Instead of giving your friends and family material goods, give them the gift of your time. Organize get-togethers that include relatives or acquaintances that you seldom see and emphasize togetherness, fun, and celebration. Time spent making homemade gifts can give you a chance to ruminate on what you treasure about your loved ones.

When exploring the true meaning of the holidays and getting back to the true spirit of the season, allow yourself to alter existing traditions. Even a blessing before a meal or a walk under the stars can help you reconnect with the holidays. Do what fulfills you and then stop before your celebration becomes more of a hassle than a happy occasion. Get back to the basics of generosity and goodwill, and your holiday will certainly be a rewarding one.

Courtesy of the Daily Om

Act in Freedom

2005-12-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

Those established in the Self have renounced selfish attachments to their actions and cut through doubts with spiritual wisdom. They act in freedom.

-Bhagavad Gita 4:41

Priviledge

2005-12-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

Even if it's a little thing, do something for those in need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.
~Albert Einstein

Present

2005-12-16T21:42:00.000-08:00

During the hectic holiday season, it is more important than ever to keep up your yoga practice, not only for your physical body but for your mind and spirit. If you can't make it to a class or feel like you don't have the time to practice at home, at least do your sun salutations, and most importantly, BREATHE! This will help keep you strong and flexible and help soothe the central nervous system. Your practice is not a just a gift to yourself but to the people around you, giving them the best present of all.

Happiness

2005-12-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.
~Ramona L. Anderson

Hawaii Yoga Trip with Gretchen Robinson and Mark Blanchard

2005-12-13T19:12:00.000-08:00

Please join Mark Blanchard and me on a yoga retreat trip to the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Kauai, April 29th - May 4th, 2006. Enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the world while practicing yoga daily, meeting people from different parts of the country, and having as much fun as your heart desires!!

The Sheraton Kauai Resort is located alongside Poipu Beach - the '#1 Beach in America' as designated by the 'Travel Channel and Dr. Beach in USA TODAY,' - on Kauai's sunny South Shore. The deluxe, low rise, Hawaiian haven provides gracious accommodations with a choice of mesmerizing oceanfront or colorful, tropical garden views. The 'Galleria of Oceanfront Dining & Entertainment' has a choice of four restaurants and a surf-view lounge, and easy access to all the wonders of Hawaii's 'Garden Island,' Kauai.

Enjoy a host of activities from water sports to tennis and nearby championship golf, a fitness center, massage and skin care salon, Hawaiian Cultural Center, and shopping. Sightseeing on Kauai is a must, not only to experience the spectacular scenic beauty, but also for the adventure and fun in traveling to each wonder - on horseback, by catamaran or raft, by kayak or helicopter, bicycle or on foot to name just a few. Kauai's list of activities is nearly endless. Stay in touch with the outside world via e-mail on one of four computers (two with cameras) in the News Library. And, of course, you can always just relax and soak up the sun until the nightly sunset Torch Lighting Ceremony.

For just $1850 single occupancy or $1300 double occupancy per person for a garden view room or $2250 for single occupancy and $1600 for double occupancy per person for ocean view rooms, you get to enjoy the following, a deal that can't be beat! Spouses and friends encouraged to come!

* Daily Yoga Classes
* Daily Buffet Breakfast
* Daily Sunset Mai Tai Punch Hour
* Luau by the beach one evening
* Torch Lighting Ceremony & Hawaiian Entertainment with Hula Dancers every evening
* Cultural Arts & Crafts, Lei Making and Hula Lessons
* 10% discount on dinner at Shell's Steak & Seafood, Naniwa Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar and Amoré Ristoranté Italiano (some
restrictions apply)
* Discount on selected Beach Activity Rentals
* Use of Fitness Center
* Use of Tennis Facilities.
* Guest News Library with Internet and e-mail access
* In-room coffee and tea
* In-room personal safe
* Local on-island telephone calls
* Toll-free and credit card access telephone calls
* Self-parking

Now is the perfect time to hint for that Christmas gift, Hanukah gift, or Mother's Day gift (retreat is the week before Mother's Day)!

Come feed your soul, expand your mind, re-energize yourself, meet new people, enjoy relaxing on the beach, horseback riding, spa
treatments, waterfalls, snorkeling....whatever your heart desires, and of course your yoga, all while enjoying one of the most beautiful
places on earth. What more could you ask for!

Tapes From Our Past

2005-12-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

We all have "tapes" from our past. We can't change or erase those tapes but we can turn them off and start to create new ones today. All of life is an experience. We have good experiences and bad experiences. The key is not judging ourselves for these experiences, good or bad, just recognizing they are what they are. If a bad experience re-presents itself, hopefully we can say to ourselves, "I have already had that experience and it wasn't a good one. I don't need to do it again." Easier said than done because we have the momentum of our memories pushing us forward. Once we can start to have self-awareness, it all becomes much easier.

3 Things for Creating Peace and Harmony in Your lIfe

2005-12-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

1. Breathe in positive thoughts, breathe out negative.

2. Send out loving thoughts to those who anger you. It will immediately stop the anger and you will get your power back. Do it as a way to empower yourself.

3. Have love for yourself, compassion for youself, and forgiveness for yourself first, so you may have love, compassion, and forgiveness for others.

Perfect

2005-12-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

We are all whole and perfect just as we are.

enlightenment

2005-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

What is Yoga?

2005-12-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

Yoga is a search for a direct experience.
Yoga is a spiritual science.
Yoga is a movement towards sanity and maturity.
Yoga is a lifestyle - an experimental approach to life - a lab where the forces of free will meet the momentum of karma.
Yoga is a system to a direct experience to come back to your true self.
Yoga is a search for The Reality.
~David Lipschutz

Love

2005-12-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

Without love we could not survive. Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Forgive Yourself

2005-12-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

Forgive yourself. Reconcile the things that cause duality and choose a path.

Learn to love; learn to be loved; learn to cry; and then learn to laugh.

Look at life as it does not relate to you and learn that Everyone is in process.

Don’t be afraid to reinvent; change happens and this is a good thing.

Remember you make the rules for your own life. You also create or destroy your own limitations. Know that as the game changes so too should you, but even more
important, know that as you change, so too will the world.

Remember that everything is a reflection. Be willing to look at how the tint of your own perceptual glasses is coloring the situation and embrace the rainbow. There is
no right way ? only the path that is spoken from the Truth of Who You Are after the dialogue has ceased.

Be flexible. Be willing to let go. Be willing to hang on. Be strong enough to take the appropriate action when the time reveals itself.

Give yourself a break. Be Un-domesticated. Go Crazy.

Know that prison is an illusion and you are your own gatekeeper. Find the keys to your heart; hang them in the same place every time and unlock your own mysteries.

Be Free!

Think of discomfort as tension and learn to relax.

Try not to place your opinion or what you think you want ahead of other people. In the end, you both lose.

Be patient. Know that in time all things will be revealed.

Remember, life is happening; don’t forget to show up for your own show. Pray to be present.

See if you can find out who you are without your "Story". Who are you after the dialogue has stopped?

Remember compassion is mastery; become a craftsman. Produce great work for yourself. Produce great work for your fellow man.

Make Peace. Make Love. Go to war if you have too, but always be prepared to pull the enemy into the boat for one day the opponent may be you.

Be fearless, but not foolish. Learn the difference between the two.

Do your best. Give yourself credit when you lose, and stay humble when you win. Tomorrow may be different.

Know that "holding on" while waiting for the answer - is the way. Know that "holding on" because you’re scared - is not.

Be Graceful. Be Gentle. Find the light within you and shine.

Learn to recognize when the path has revealed itself to you. Close your eyes; hold your breath and jump. Nothing is ever lost by trying.

This path is for the courageous. Know now that you are strong enough.

Know that you have been blessed even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Everything is always as it should be. Everything is always perfect; even when it’s perfectly painful.

Be afraid; it’s ok. Grieve; it’s ok,

Life is both short and long at the same time. It is both the prize and the challenge. Learn to savor the qualities of irony and then laugh.

Fall in love with you!

Know that life is as heavy or as light as you let it be. Breath in ? Breath out. You are here.

The kingdom of heaven is always within, and you are the Buddha.

Above all, Friends, learn your truth! Pray daily and practice the art of surrender.

We are blessed with tools. We are blessed with teachers. When the end of the journey keeps moving further away as you travel down the road, know that the journey
itself is the destination…………and Smile!
~unknown

Your True Self

2005-11-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Yoga is practiced without "reservation". As soon as you cross the front door of a Yoga studio, you are nude, you are facing your true Self, you are true, you are Your Self in front of yourself. You let go.
~Genevieve Crosslin

Thoughts on Yoga: 29 Nov. 2005

2005-11-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

Mystical and spiritual traditions have spoken about a place in the depths of our hearts; a place of stillness, beyond the world of the changing. A place of purity and ultimate trust, faith, compassion and love - the soul.

With consistent yoga practice the mind grows quiet and calm; we begin to hear the voice of the soul. Our own unique truth and specific purpose becomes clear. It is from this place that we begin to create our lives.
—Govindas

Plunging Into The Deep: Life Can Be Scary 29 Nov.2005

2005-11-29T05:26:00.000-08:00

Life can take us on a roller coaster ride full of highs and lows and twists and turns. Even for those of us who enjoy unexpected thrills, it's frightening to suddenly find ourselves heading for a deep plunge. Yet, it happens to all of us. At these moments, it is important to remember that you are not alone in your experiences. No matter how brave, strong, or levelheaded we are, sometimes, we all get scared. Our fears may revolve around our physical safety, particularly if we are not feeling well, living under difficult circumstances, or doing work that exposes us to hazardous conditions. Or, we may be experiencing financial woes that are causing us to be fearful about making ends meet. We may also fear the loss of a loved one who is sick, or we may be scared of never finding someone special to spend our life with. We may be scared to start at a new school, begin a different job, move to a new town, or meet new people. Whatever our fears are, they are valid, and we do not need to feel ashamed or embarrassed that we are, at times, afraid. It may be comforting to know that everyone gets scared, and it is perfectly OK. Sometimes just acknowledging our fears is enough to make us feel better. And while it sometimes takes a lot more to ease our mind, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that life can be scary at times. Giving ourselves permission to be scared lets us move through our fears so we can let it go. It also makes it alright to share our fears with others. Sharing our apprehensions with other people can make our fears less overwhelming because we are not letting them grow inside of us as pent up emotions. Sharing our fears also can lighten our burden because we are not carrying our worries all by ourselves. Remember that you are not alone. – Daily OM

Thoughts on Yoga: 27 Nov. 2005

2005-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

The ultimate essence of yoga is the contact and the union between the individual consciousness and the divine consciousness.–Raphael

Microcosm Of The Universe, The Way Of Vastu

2005-11-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

Vastu offers you the potential to receive guidance from the source of universal abundance by creating a microcosm of the universe within your personal environment. In this way, by aligning yourself with the source of all abundance, you will find it becomes much easier to manifest your dreams of a fulfilling and prosperous life. Just as the earth manifests forces composed of the five elements, so does the human brain. Your brain and body are electrical energy conductors. The thalamus is the relay center for all the sensory and motor activities that occur in the brain. Neurological research shows that the firing patterns of the neurons in the thalamus function differently when you are facing different directions. Your mind, then, can be considered the interactive result of the earth's magnetic field on your brain cells. You are like an energetic tuning fork! You work best when you're in harmony with your environment. If you place your body in alignment with the magnetic axis, you will think and act more in tune with nature. It will feel as though you're flowing along with the current of a stream instead of struggling to swim against the flow. Your success is directly related to the orientation and shape of your environment. Whether the space in question is an apartment, a home, an office building, or a single office within a larger building, the east and north directions exert important, beneficial influences on the inhabitants. Structures that are oriented to the east receive positive solar influences. Those oriented to the north gain positive magnetic influences. In order for you to experience their blessings of prosperity and abundance, creativity and productivity, the abundant energies from these two directions must enter an environment without obstruction. If these beneficial energies are blocked, you will experience setbacks and frustrations, and you will use up more energy than necessary to create the life you desire. In a square or rectangular structure, the five elements enhance and support your life at an optimum level. An irregularly shaped structure, on the other hand, interrupts their natural flow. When the five elements are not free to circulate properly, their energies get stuck and create stress in the environment. This is similar to a river that winds in so many directions that the water gets trapped in eddies, becomes stagnant, and moves slowly. According to one of the premises of Einstein's Kinetic Theory of Matter, atoms move in a straight line and are always in motion. This motion is facilitated by a square or rectangular shape. This is reprinted from The Way of Vastu: Creating Prosperity Through The Power Of The Vedas by Michael and Robin Mastro.–Daily OM

Guru: 25 Nov. 2005

2005-11-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Make it a way of life to observe yourself, for by being aware of your behavior you will be your own guru.–Kevin & Veninka Kingsland

Effort and Surrender: Great Yoga gift book for holiday giving!

2005-11-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

Effort and Surrender, the Yoga gift book I worked on with Eric Dinyer is still available on Target.com, Amazon.com, and also at the Anahatta gift store. It makes a great Yoga gift for the holiday season. I would be happy to personalize your book, if you decide to give one as a gift! Namaste.

Savoring Ceremony,Tea Rituals: 24 Nov. 2005

2005-11-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

Coffee may be the power beverage that gets us revved up in the morning and fuels us when we're burning the midnight oil, but tea is the drink we turn to when we want to relax and be refreshed at the same time. Black, green, white, herbal, hot, or ice cold, tea is more than a soothing beverage. It can be a ritual, a cultural experience, and even a spiritual practice. The reverence for tea has inspired ceremony in many cultures. From the spirituality of Chanoyu, the Japanese way of preparing and serving tea, to the sharing of Maté in Latin America, tea rituals are for celebration, ceremony, and relationship bonding. In China, tea rituals are part of many wedding ceremonies with the bride and groom serving their elder relatives in a show of respect and gratitude. The Chinese art of drinking and serving tea has been a source of inspiration for poetry and song. The Russian custom of chaepitie has inspired a unique style of teapots, caddies, teacups, and cozies. The samovar, a special brewing device, has become the symbol of the Russian tea ceremony and an object of art in its own right. Iced tea, popular in the U.S., as well as other parts of the world, is a modern ritual bringing cool relief on a sweltering summer day. You can turn your own tea time with a friend into a simple ceremony by preparing your tea with the intention of offering nourishment and good wishes to the other person. When you are seated together, rather than drinking your tea right away, look at one another and express your gratitude and appreciation for your friendship. When you pour the tea, again intend it as an offering. Drink your tea slowly, savoring its flavor and aroma. Let its warmth or its coolness soothe your body. When you are finished drinking your tea, thank your friend for taking part in this nourishing ritual with you. Whether savored in the presence of another or tasted alone, the custom of drinking tea provides a soothing pause in our hectic world. Drinking tea can be a daily ritual that brings inner calm and clarity to the body, mind, and soul.–Daily OM

Burning Brightly, Allowing Your Soul To Shine: 23 Nov. 2005

2005-11-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

At times, we've all wanted to crawl under a rock and hide away from the world. We may have preferred to be invisible rather than let other people see us or notice that we exist. This desire not to be seen often happens when we are feeling very hurt, angry, or simply weary of the world. And while we may console ourselves with the defense that we are shy, an introvert, or a loner, we may actually be hiding. When we hide and make believe that we are invisible, we can think that we no one sees us even though, truthfully, we are only really hiding from ourselves. And while we may try to live life as inconspicuously as possible, we only succeed in becoming more conspicuous because people can't help but notice that we are trying to hide our light. None of us are meant to hide; each one of us radiates a unique brilliance that is meant to illuminate the world. When we try to dim our light, we diminish the natural radiance of the Universe, and we deprive the people around us of the unique gifts and talents that we are here to share. Stepping out of the wings and letting your light shine is actually a way to serve the planet. We each have a responsibility to contribute to our community, and we do this when we let ourselves be seen. It doesn't do anyone any good when we try to hide. We are all beings of light and we are here to light the way for each other. When we let ourselves shine, we become a bright mirror that others can see their own reflected brilliance through, and they can't help but want to shine also. Shine your light out into the world, bless those around you by sharing your gifts, and watch the universe glow.

Quote of the Day: 22 Nov. 2005

2005-11-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

If our mind is not at peace we shall not be happy, even in the best external conditions.
–Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Dishing Out: Nov. 21 2005

2005-11-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

Whatever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves, we will use on others, and whatever attitudes we habitually use toward others, we will use on ourselves. The situation is comparable to our serving food to ourselves and to other people from the same bowl. Everyone ends up eating the same thing--we must examine carefully what we are dishing out. –Unknown

Discipline: 21 Nov. 2005

2005-11-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

Discipline in all activities is true yoga.– Unknown

The Lotus Flower: 21 Nov. 2005

2005-11-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

The lotus flower has been very symbolic in the East, because the East says you should live in the world but be untouched by it. . . . Hence the lotus flower has become a symbol of a spiritual style of living. . . . It grows from the mud in the water, and yet remains untouched. — Osho

Quote of the day: 20 Nov. 2005

2005-11-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

We are repsonsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.– Swami Vivekananda

Remember: 20 Nov. 2005

2005-11-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

We must remember that nothing in this world really belongs to us. At best, we are merely borrowers.–Christpher Isherwood

Breathing Room : 19 Nov. 2005

2005-11-19T20:40:00.000-08:00

Breath itself is an interesting lesson in control and surrender. By using breath, instead of the mind, to guide and control movement and stretch, the body can let go, surrendering to the posture more easily. When breath and body are coordinated, so they are moving as one, energy flows into the musculature, totally changing the quality of yoga. The proper use of breath gets you out of your mind and into your body, bringing a grace and sensuality to movement impossible when the mind is in control. This way of using breath gives a relaxed and centered attention to the whole organism, and can also be used to focus energy into different parts of the body. –Joel Kramer

Quote of the day: 19 Nov. 2005

2005-11-19T20:29:00.000-08:00

Not allowing a day to pass without doing some good is a boulder that will block your passage on the path to rebirth. Only virtuous deeds abound in true joy. All other deeds are empty and devoid of distinction.
–Tirukkural 4: 38-39

Eight Limbs of Yoga: 19 Nov. 2005

2005-11-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

Below are the eight limbs of yoga, as set forth by Patanjali. These concepts form the core of yogic teachings. While the eight limbs are always listed in a particular order, they are not level or steps. All limbs are equal and do not fall away as you progress.

1.Yama (Discipline), which involves being good to others

2. Niyama (Personal Purity), being good to oneself

3. Asana (Posture), practicing different poses for the purpose of detoxing and peparing the body for deep meditation

4. Prannayama (Breath), breathing with awareness for cleansing

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawl of the Senses), letting go of attachment to the material world

6. Dharana (Concentration), Focusing, perhaps on a mantra

7. Dhyana (Meditation), releasing stray thoughts

8. Samadhi (Divine Union), superconsciousness of union with Brahman
the divine essence of all that we know and do not know

Effort & Surrender: Holiday Yoga Gift Book: 18 Nov.2005

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Winged Formation: Birds fly in AV: 18 Nov. 2005

2005-11-18T05:58:00.000-08:00

As they swoop, drift, and glide, inscribing magnificent patterns across the sky, birds are serene displays of grace and beauty. Long a source of inspiration, birds can be messengers from the spirit realm, or a symbol of the human soul, as they cast off their earthly mooring and soar heavenward. An upturned wing, a graceful flutter, all so effortless and free... More magnificent still is the inspiring sight of birds migrating, progressing steadily across the horizon in a solid V formation that is a singular pattern too unique to be mere chance. Pushing steadily forward, this aerodynamic V reduces air resistance for the whole flock. With wings moving in harmony, the feathered group continues its course across the sky, covering more ground together in community than as individuals. When the bird at the front gets tired, she will move to the rear of the formation where the wind drag is lowest, and a more rested bird can take her place. By learning from the example of our winged guides, all of us can feel empowered to take on daring challenges as we chart adventurous courses. Feel the strength of others moving alongside you, as their presence lends power to your wings during this journey across the sky of life. When buffeted by unexpected gusts, we can choose to find refuge in the loving shelter of friends and family. We may even marvel as an otherwise difficult day passes by like a swift wind, as a kindred spirit charts a way for us through the clouds and rain ahead. If your wings begin to ache on your journey, look around for somebody else to fly at the front for a while. All of us move faster when we move together. Let your ego drop earthwards as we all soar ever higher. –Daily OM