Yoga Nuggets

Going to a funeral is a pretty stark reminder of the brevity of life. It does not matter if you make it to 100 years; in the scheme of things, it's quick. Take the time you have been given to truly live. Yes, we have bills to pay and responsibilities to others, but if you're not careful, you might lose sight of what life is really about. Time is an illusion. Things or circumstances can change almost quicker than you take a deep breath. Hearing and truly feeling the love and happiness that this special person shared with countless people reinforced truths that we all know...but, forget sometimes. Here are 7 truths to practice. And, yes, just like yoga, consider life a practice. You came here without training and continue to learn along the journey. Just like a yogi hits the mat for the first time, so do all us in this practice of living. 1. Love is the Light that brightens another. Share it, receive it, and keep it going. You won't lose anything...it only gets brighter. ...

Aging is a bittersweet journey. When you're young, you can't wait to get older; paradoxically, as you get older, you wish you were younger. One is either looking forward or back. The concept of simply enjoying the present has its fleeting moments; but easily fades in the background of the mind with distraction. If one does not make the conscious effort to make the most of their only moment...now, the see-saw of "should have, could have, would have" will always sway back and forth. Yoga helps you in the aging process. It certainly has helped me. I can only speak from my experiences; therefore, if I was to explain how yoga helps you before age 40, it would be an assumption. The anatomical benefits speak for themselves. You build strength, improve internal bodily functions, and enjoy more flexibility. From a mental standpoint, the gifts of yoga manifest when you're ready. Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball when least expected. Yoga has a way o...

I feel compelled to share a beautiful speech made by our ancestors of Indian descent. They not only talked the talk, they walked the walk. May I, me and many others learn to understand and follow these simple directions of life. Chief Blackfoot is one of the "giants", in my mind, that has shoulders we should stand on to see further so we can be more, live more and love more.... "Believe   in the beauty and strength of your own being. Forget the foolish belief that you and your fellow human beings were born evil. Those who would control you all the days of your life on earth perpetuate the belief The Source of Life made things to have a bad spirit. Live a life of truth and honesty. This makes you a person of quality and dignity. Truth and honesty are the kind of leadership qualities that attracts others. Give honor and respect to others regardless of age and situation in life. This quality makes you and others worthy of honor and respect, which makes others, feel ...

Remember the song by the Steve Miller band, Fly Like an Eagle ? If not, take a listen to get in the moment. Get that mind focused on what you're reading now...not what's next on the eternal list. I know it is not just me, but time seems to be slipping faster than ever before. A week feels like it is finished in the matter of a day. Looking forward to the weekend is somewhat a bittersweet anticipation. It comes and goes by so quickly. Technology, the mindset of getting immediate results, and multi-tasking has reached a point of an ironic setback for us. The purpose, I thought, that advanced technology would provide is more time. More time to enjoy time with family, friends, or whatever makes you happy. Instead, the list of tasks to complete has gotten longer and has to be done quicker to keep up. Something is seriously wrong with what is being ingrained in the collective mindset. What yoga does for me and many others who take a piece of precious time to practice is that it still...

I have been practicing yoga for six years and teaching for three of them. It is a journey of learning a new way to do a pose, seeing things from a different perspective and many other assortment of changes. When I teach my students, I read quotes, stories, or do sequences that generate the energy I sense is needed. Ironically, what I sense they need, I need too. Definitely a win-win situation. I recently learned that my calmness and approach to teaching gives the illusion that I am in a constant state of peace. After talking to a long term student and friend about some issues that were bothering me, she shocked me with the statement..."I can't believe you ever get angry"! I immediately purged a bunch of stuff that has been bothering me and saw the relief in her face that I get pissed off just like anyone else. I'm a yogi, not a saint. Whew...feels good to get that off my chest! Here's my revelation for this week: Unless you have become "enlightened", yo...

The physical benefits of yoga are a mere fraction of the true reward of practicing. It does take time (and practice) to "see" or feel the changes emerge. Patience and perseverance will pay off. The practice of yoga will even help you become more patient if that is an issue. Here is a short clip from my You Tube channel explaining more about a lifestyle of a yogi: http://youtu.be/mwOT7YUSPtc Enjoy your day and your practice!

I just returned from a week long advanced yoga training course with Ganga White at the White Lotus Foundation. It was truly a powerful time of self-discovery, sharpening yoga skills and connections. This thought provocative poem was written by Ganga White. When I first read it, I immediately thought of one my favorite songs by John Lennon, Imagine. Take time to read and feel the words. Ponder the "what if"; imagine the "what ifs" being the world's reality. Nothing has ever changed until one started to question and imagine another way of doing things. "It is easy if you try." We simply have to slow down for a moment and understand that each of us makes an impact on the planet's energy. Imagine what would happen if even half of the world lived with the mindset this poem conveys. The ripple effect of the positive energy would ignite a change for all... What if our religion was each other If our practice was our life If prayer, our words What if the t...

The two words, conscious living , may seem redundant. But, before that thought solidifies in your mind, see if you practice the following actions. Think about each question before you instantly let the answer cross the mind. Consciously think, then wait for the answer to come. ~Do you see things as they really are or is your perception distorted by an unwillingness to see the truth? ~Are you open to learn something about yourself you assumed you knew from a different perspective? ~Are you truly aware of what guides you in making your choices in life or do have barriers? Conscious living requires one to be able to accept complete responsibility for all their actions. Very often, circumstances or other people are blamed for our negative experiences; however, how it is dealt with is a conscious choice. Life is not always easy. It is an early instilled habit that makes the mind worry about the future or hold onto the past. It is easier to keep the "facts" as you have learned them...