A Time to Practice
For many, the desire to change something is felt throughout life. But, the fear of change wraps its arms around the mind's ego and rational side. What if's widen the gap between the desire and the courage to take the first step forward. Truth is, change happens...so why not recognize it as your partner in living. Unexpected changes are given the opportunity to present themselves to you. Living methodically and at the expectations of others weighs you down. Thinking, loving, and living with purpose that resonates from your heart transcends you to the beautiful unknown.
A passion not pursued is an inner purpose unfulfilled. A pursued passion demands change.
The practice of yoga has lifted the shackles off countless people. The energy changes that evolve from a mind, body, spirit based practice is like falling in love. When the student is ready, he or she can fall in love at first practice. The time to be fearless of vulnerability has come. For others, it is a process of getting to know the teacher within and falling deeply in love with each acknowledgement of inward change. Very much like getting to discover layers of your Self you never knew.
The practice only gets old if the student gets stagnant. Just like the rain's water starts moving a stagnant creek, so does change in a person's practice and life. We all must keep moving all parts of ourselves; or, we will lose what we had the whole time. No excuses. This is life. Keep the practice fresh. Take risks with others sharing the same thoughts. Learn from the ones who can help push you out of your comfort zone.
Is it possible to always be happy and full of positive emotions? That is like thinking one hearty meal will keep your stomach full forever. What you ate has to go in many directions within the body to nourish, stimulate, and disperse. What is needed is kept and what is not is eliminated. So it is with life. Nourish who and what you love with your uniqueness. Get to know parts of yourself you didn't even realize were there. Change what holds you back and be pulled forward by what inspires you.
Keep branching out like the magnificent Sequoia Sempervirens (Redwood Trees) with no concerns of end in sight. Perfectly named for their nature to stand strong and beautiful (currently between 600 and 2200 years old)...Sempervirens is Latin for "forever lasting". Honor the Redwoods when you practice Tree. Feel the strength of their unimaginable deep roots that help them reach higher. Doing poses that are named after Nature's creatures is a meditative approach to your practice. You might find yourself seeing what is outdoors all around you with new eyes...a new reverence...a new love.
To live consciously takes practice. The practice becomes a habit. The habit of conscious living loves change. Without change, the spice of variety is lost. We need the seasons of change to grow. The classic song Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds sings the words from the Book of Ecclesiastes.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
A yoga practice is a physical reminder of change. The practice will change with time. The body changes with time. You appreciate and accept the gift to roll with the changes in time. The mind understands better what the heart has always known. The revelations can range from life changing to subtle whispers of reassurance. Bottom line, it's all good.
There's a time to practice and it is up to you to take your turn on the mat.
A passion not pursued is an inner purpose unfulfilled. A pursued passion demands change.
The practice of yoga has lifted the shackles off countless people. The energy changes that evolve from a mind, body, spirit based practice is like falling in love. When the student is ready, he or she can fall in love at first practice. The time to be fearless of vulnerability has come. For others, it is a process of getting to know the teacher within and falling deeply in love with each acknowledgement of inward change. Very much like getting to discover layers of your Self you never knew.
The practice only gets old if the student gets stagnant. Just like the rain's water starts moving a stagnant creek, so does change in a person's practice and life. We all must keep moving all parts of ourselves; or, we will lose what we had the whole time. No excuses. This is life. Keep the practice fresh. Take risks with others sharing the same thoughts. Learn from the ones who can help push you out of your comfort zone.
Is it possible to always be happy and full of positive emotions? That is like thinking one hearty meal will keep your stomach full forever. What you ate has to go in many directions within the body to nourish, stimulate, and disperse. What is needed is kept and what is not is eliminated. So it is with life. Nourish who and what you love with your uniqueness. Get to know parts of yourself you didn't even realize were there. Change what holds you back and be pulled forward by what inspires you.
Keep branching out like the magnificent Sequoia Sempervirens (Redwood Trees) with no concerns of end in sight. Perfectly named for their nature to stand strong and beautiful (currently between 600 and 2200 years old)...Sempervirens is Latin for "forever lasting". Honor the Redwoods when you practice Tree. Feel the strength of their unimaginable deep roots that help them reach higher. Doing poses that are named after Nature's creatures is a meditative approach to your practice. You might find yourself seeing what is outdoors all around you with new eyes...a new reverence...a new love.
To live consciously takes practice. The practice becomes a habit. The habit of conscious living loves change. Without change, the spice of variety is lost. We need the seasons of change to grow. The classic song Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds sings the words from the Book of Ecclesiastes.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
A yoga practice is a physical reminder of change. The practice will change with time. The body changes with time. You appreciate and accept the gift to roll with the changes in time. The mind understands better what the heart has always known. The revelations can range from life changing to subtle whispers of reassurance. Bottom line, it's all good.
There's a time to practice and it is up to you to take your turn on the mat.
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