Dream, dream, dream....

Our dreams- drip dropping in an out of of our heads waiting to be part of something bigger. Waking from our dreams, can at times be jarring, startled by the revelations that occur...and just like that these dreams that have such power, are gone. Take your dreams, whether they be of the nocturnal or the indulgent mind wander and start to make them reality. These adventitious risks associated with putting dreams into action can be daunting as well as downright breathtaking. Life is a beautiful watercolor of the "failures" that make the triumphs so much more vibrant and eye-popping. Whatever it is that makes you ignite and light up, go further and do THAT----Don't stop to ponder for long---Ready, set, GO.

Just Be You.

Kathryn Budig does it again. Her message regarding body image and sticking to your goals regardless of your surroundings or even your thoughts is inspiring. Today I would like to share a quote from a recent interview in Origin Magazine...It goes a little something like this, " I deal with negative, nasty comments on a regular basis. It’s difficult to digest because I’ve always been sensitive and it’s a slap in the face to have someone respond cruely when you’re trying to lift people up. It’s been a huge lesson for me. Not everyone can or will love you. You could run a cotton candy and unicorn farm and someone’s gonna think you’re an asshole. Everyone’s fighting their own battle and it often has nothing to do with you. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Stand up for what you believe in even if it causes waves. People love to judge, get used to it and stop taking it personally. So, my biggest struggles have been my biggest teachers. Funny how it always works out that way". Well said! For the full interview, head on over here: http://www.originmagazine.com/2013/12/31/kathryn-budig-interview/

Morning Light

What is it about winter that makes for tired mornings? Lately I find it harder to get up and go, but am finding the return of a spring in my step as we get ready for Spring. One of the best ways to balance out the Winter Weary is a morning practice or routine. It is said that Asana or the physical practice of yoga is best in early morning or evening. As we wake it is recommended to shower, preform Abhyanga or self massage, and then Asana. It is easier said then done, but worth it.If you are not a morning shower person, I recommend at least brushing teeth and splashing some cold water on your face. Find a space, draw the curtains back and allow the morning light to slowly grow with your breathe and movement. It doesn't have to be strenuous or lengthy but find time to sit, and find stillness, and then explore with gentle awareness what your body needs. For suggestion, you can start with 5 minutes of meditation, and gentle stretching seated on the floor. Then make your way into downward facing dog for 5-8 breaths, step forward for an extended forward fold-about 8 to ten breaths and slowly rise pulling belly button towards the spin, one vertebrae at a time, all the way to stand. As we rise with the sun, you can continue to energize yourself with sun salutations. See below!

What is bliss?

What is bliss? Today is Thought Provoking Thursday, I came across the Song of the Soul, in B.K.S. Iyenger's Light on Yoga and found a descriptive answer to this question. It is as follows... Song of the Soul I am neither ego nor reason, I am neither mind nor thought, I cannot be heard nor cast into words, nor by smell nor sight ever caught: In light and wind I am not found, nor yet in earth and sky- Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I. I have no name, I have no life, I breathe no vital air, No elements have moulded me, no bodily sheath is my lair: I have no speech, no hands and feet, nor means of evolution- Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss in dissolution I cast aside hatred and passion, I conquered delusion and greed; No touch of pride caressed me, so envy never did breed: Beyond all faiths, past reach of wealth, past freedom, past desire, Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is my attire. Virtue and vice, or pleasure and pain, are not my heritage, Nor sacred texts nor offerings, nor prayer, nor pilgrimage: I am neither food, nor eating, nor yet the eater am I- Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I. I have no misgiving of death, no chasms of race divide me, No parent ever called me child, no bond of birth ever tied me:

I am neither disciple nor master, I have no kin, no friend- Consciousness and joy am I, and merging in Bliss is my end. Neither knowable, knowledge, nor knower am I, formless is my form, I dwell within the sens but they are not my home: Ever serenely balanced, I am neither free nor bound- Consciousnesses and Joy am I, and Bliss is where I am found.

108 Sun Salutations

The winter solstice marked the shortest day of the year yesterday, and today is the first day with light gradually getting longer. On this very foggy, rainy day, I went out for my run. Often on my runs, I get these crazy ideas, and today I thought why not welcome the light back into our lives by completing 108 sun salutations? I had heard of this practice before, and after doing some research have found many interesting ties to the number 108. If you are going to complete this practice at home, there are some very important things to have ready. They are as follows: One: Water, duh. Two: A clean and clutter free space to practice (I want to thank my dear teacher Sarah Sturges for this one) less clutter, equals less mind clutter. Three: Soothing instrumental jams (music although, is always optional) Four: An open mind, determination, and sticking to your intention. Beginning my practice I was pumped, ready to do this, and had so carefully plotted out in my head how I was going to do Surya Namaskar As for the first 25, then Surya Namaskar Bs for the next 50, and you get the point. Surya Namaskar means Sun Salutation, and there are variations A, B, and C. What I discovered in my practice that I continue to learn over and over, is that I had to let go of whatever expectations I had. We have to forget ideas we have about how something should be carried out and just experience things for what they are. Which in this case was a marathon of a yoga practice, by Surya Namaskar B # 42 I finally let go. What I discovered after this letting go, was how much of a creature of habit I was. Always stepping into plank with the same foot, and stepping forward with the same foot. For the next 68 rounds, I tried so very hard to stop stepping back into plank with my right foot and stepping forward with my left. By the final 8, with eyes closed and more open awareness I was able to complete my practice alternating stepping back with right, stepping forward with left, stepping back with left, stepping forward with right. On my final few sun salutations, I didn’t want it to end. So with that thought in my head I took the opportunity to savor every moment of this last commitment to movement---and at the commencement of 108 sun salutations, I had a yogic high that I hadn’t experienced in a long time, in addition to a very increased awareness to my arms. Would I do it again? Absolutely. If you would like to join me in doing so, in closing I have a few suggestions. Don’t stop breathing Listen to your body not your ego Drink plenty of water, during, and after, and to celebrate even more, cook a nourishing meal. My home-made enchiladas were just what I needed.

Come Back To Yourself Again and Again.

One of the things that has been on my mind lately is the constant battle some of us face regarding the inability to really listen to what our body, heart and mind need. Often we can get stuck in a tangled web of "truths" in wolf's clothing that we make up in our heads. Things like I am not good enough, I don't deserve that, I have to, I am, etc. The list goes on, these assumptions we make in our head become our truth, and they are often not truth, but just thoughts. One of my teacher role models Kathryn Budig reminds her students and herself to Aim True. In the video I am posting below, she states "Aim True means the ability to wake up every single day and just set intention". This intention that we try to have for ourselves first thing in the morning, at the start of our new goal, is so innocent, and unscathed and achievable. This becomes difficult to stay true to however, when you factor in our own thoughts about ourselves, or even what the world tells us. We are constantly bombarded with flashes of images and ideals of what we should be, could be, need to be. I have found that through the practice of yoga, you can become aware of these thoughts that are in fact not truth, and come back to yourself, on your mat, your field of grass, your living, room, sitting in your car, again and again. We do this over and over so that as Ms. Budig says, you can always Aim True to who you are, what you want, and truly listen. Always be yourself, everyone else is taken.

Want to know more about the Intermediate Course?

http://herbalacademyofne.com/intermediate-herbal-course/?ap_id=SantaLena Online Intermediate Herbal Course