Sutra Sunday

"Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory" - Pattabhi Jois

The Magic of Endings

Yoga's true value is applying the practice and lessons learned on the mat to daily life. Yoga may have physical aspects, but essentially it's a practice of living well and training the mind to help do that. I've been working hard to take my teachings to heart as I navigate through uncharted territories and unsteady waters. A large part of my practice lately has been shifting from perceiving endings as something final and difficult to infusing them with gratitude and seeing the power in letting go. My mantra has become "Endings ARE Beautiful," and I've discovered a magic to endings that I've never experienced before. 

Bittersweet Symphony

I'm going on an adventure! I'm sure you're used to hearing these words from me. Usually the next words involve how long I'll be away, where I'm going, what I'm doing and gratitude to my lovely yoga family for covering my classes. However, this time the script is different and this time the words are more difficult for me to say. So . . . . . here goes.

Bottoms Up

I am an inversion addict! I admit it. I understand and am committed to living in the awareness that yoga is more than a physical practice. For the most part, I endeavour to find balance between yang and yin in my practice and life, but some days life just happens, and I skip parts of my practice. However, it is rare for me to skip going upside down at least once during the day.

Why? What are the benefits? I could give you the generic list that can be easily found through Google. Instead, I’ll tell you my inversion journey and story. So, . . . . . here it is!

The Practice of Yoga Begins Now

Beginnings are super exciting yet can also be paralyzingly scary. I get it! My mind loves to get involved (a bit too involved) before I even begin something. I want the excitement of something new, and the benefits that I envision RIGHT NOW! But, I get bogged down in the perceived details, the unfamiliar and the unknown, which sometimes prevents me from starting. This can happen when wanting to start a yoga practice. Having been approached for advice by a few people on how to get started with yoga, I've broken this beginning into three manageable steps.

Welcome 2018

As I take time to honour the beginning of this new year, I reflect on my word for 2018 to let it sink in. I gave up new year's resolutions long ago and instead choose a word to shape my year to come. In the beginning, I actively chose the words to reflect what I wanted to create. These last couple of years, the words have simply come to me, and I trust that I'm intuitively setting myself up for a state of mind, way of being, attitude, etc. that for whatever reason I will be needing that year.

Heeding the Call

This year has been a year that has asked me to step up. The last few years have been about a journey to come back to myself and discover, possibly for the first time since I was a child, who I truly am. I love learning, I love to explore, and I am most comfortable (for the most part) in the background. But, something about this year told me that it was time to come forward, time to share and time to be seen. Maybe every year I am called to do different tasks and just never heard them before. Or maybe I have heard the calls in the past, but what was being asked just felt too scary at the time. For whatever reason, this year I heard the definite call and despite the fear, I have had the strength to follow through. 

There have been three things in the last few years that have made a huge difference in my life and my journey – yoga, breath work, and gratitude. I have now had the opportunity to share all three of these things and pass along the knowledge that was given and passed down to me. I have been honoured to witness the growth of our teacher trainees as I help to guide them deeper into the magical practice of yoga. I had the opportunity to share the power of breath work to educators at the Southeastern Alberta Teacher’s Convention. Finally, last night I shared the influence that gratitude has had on my life.  All of these things have challenged me, scared me and pushed me far outside of my comfort zone. Thank you to all of you who have been present for one or more of these offerings and thank you for giving me this space to share and be seen. If there is anything I can help you with in your journey or any more information you would like, do not hesitate to reach out ❤️