Mysore

It's been almost a year since I last blogged. I can't believe it but I leave for Mysore in 3 days. So, at the urging of those in my life who are worried about me traveling so far, those in my family that are scared I'm joining a cult and never coming back, and the ashtangis I practice with daily who can't make the trek yet themselves, I've decided to resurrect my blog and share my experiences. I don't know what to expect but I am thrilled to be making this journey. Of course none of this would be possible without the support of my husband and 3 children who have given me the gift of allowing me to step away from my life and responsibilities and travel to India to follow my passion. I am a lucky lady! It should be an interesting ride. Stay tuned . . .

Mysore

I just got the green light from the husband to go to Mysore in January. Let the adventure begin! :)

Manifestation

Tiff has inspired me to write about manifestation. Yesterday, I lost my job. I worked as an office manager at a law firm. It wasn't a meaningful job but it morphed into a job that allowed me to work 3 days a week and be paid full time wages and healthcare for me and my family. (I know hold your gasps! I have definitely had it very good!) It has been my job for 11 years. I got the job shortly after college just to earn a paycheck until I decided what I really wanted to do with my life. I always intended to go to law school but it just never felt right to me. So, life got in the way and here I am 34 years old and 3 kids later trying to figure out my next step.

Everyday after my practice I always express my gratitude for my life, my husband, our children and our home. I also ask the universe to bring the people into my life that I need to meet in order to realize my powers and really make a difference in this world. I guess this is the universe clearing the way for those people to enter my life. But I have to say I feel really stunned at this moment and it is quite a blow to our family financially. I'm grateful for the ride that I had but scared of what all of this will mean for my family. I have always believed that nothing happens randomly and that every challenge is an opportunity for growth but I am still freaking out! So, I am concentrating on setting my intentions and manisfesting. I just need to remind myself to be open to the possibilities, especially when the possibilities don't seem to exist. I welcome any insight.

The Power of Intention

So, I am close to the bottom of the blog list and realize it's time to post. Summer is coming to an end. Here in Michigan, some of the trees are already beginning to change colors and you can smell autum in the air. I love Fall. It is my absolute favorite time of year. I love to breathe in the crisp air, drink apple cider and kick up the leaves after they have fallen from the trees. For me, Fall symbolizes the begining of a period of reflection, introspection and setting of intentions. It also means back to school for my children. :) They start school next Tuesday. I can't believe I've got a third grader, a first grader and a daughter about to start her last year of preschool. Where does the time go? Next year I'll really feel weird when all three of them are in school everyday.

The past 6 months have been downright amazing for me beginning in March when I feel my path shifted. I have always known that it is easier to take the safe path or to live in a box and not challenge yourself. However, it's truly amazing what begins to unfold when you start to manifest, open doors, step outside of your box and leave your comfort zone. I've found that one door leads to the next and any obstacle that appears becomes an opportunity for growth. Let's face it, they are not called growing comfort, they are called growing pains. Growth is difficult but so amazing. I know for most people, change is scary. However, I have found that greatness always comes from diffcult challenges. You simply have to be open to the lessons that present themselves. For me, I would rather die than be stagnant.

Also, I have always believed that you get back what you put out in the world. I think this attitude also transmits to the practice. As Guruji says "Avoidance is not the answer". So, if there is anything you are avoiding in your life, Fall is a great time to look at those aspects or things you are avoiding and face them. I know that I really welcome this time of reflection and setting of intentions.

I'm Back!

Not bad. . . At this rate I'll have one post per month if I am lucky. I just can't seem to find the time to write about my daily experiences. I find summer leaves me feeling dizzy with everything and nothing to do. Between motherhood, practice and life, I find it hard to find the minutes I need to compose my thoughts.

Teacher training in Encinitas was amazing . . . life changing, really! It's hard to verbalize the sum of my experience. All I know is that I cannot wait to go back. My husband and I are planning a trip there in the Fall. He's actually going to be taking his first yoga class ever from Tim. I can't wait to see how that goes. Of course, I'll be learning to surf. (That was part of the bargain).

I truly would love to move to Encinitas. It is the first place that I have ever been to that really felt like home and I don't mean just the yoga experience. Simply driving around I felt like I was home. I know that doesn't quite explain the feeling I had. Call it intuition or wishful thinking, it doesn't really matter. I just know I loved every minute of it. As my teacher put it, I had a great "yoga vacation". It's a lot easier to do your practice without life getting in the way. In Encinitas, I had no children to carry around, no one to be responsible for, no stress. I was able to just enjoy my whole experience. It was truly awesome.

However, after 14 days of more yoga than more body was used to, when I returned home to my daily mysore practice, I was really stiff. In fact, it took me 5 days to do my whole practice which consists of the primary series and pasasana courtesy of Tim. (My teacher is authorized, not certified, so he cannot give out second series postures yet - he's working the 3rd series and will be certified upon completion of it) It was a really odd experience for me to be stiff. I should say locked up because that's how my body felt, locked. I am hyper flexible and this was my first experience with such stiffness. I know you are all crying for me! :)

Have no fear though, today was a good practice. All the stiffness has subsided. Now, if only my back would finish all this opening it has been working on then I would really be stellar!

Hiatus Anyone?

It has been quite a while since my last post. As a result of my injury I've been taking it easy, trying to rest my shoulder and ribs. I laugh as I write this because anyone who knows me knows that I am not a person who rests well. I am always doing something. I guess the universe has a way of forcing me to slow down. I have to say, this whole experience has been quite fascinating to me. It has forced me to sit back and be an observer . . . a looking bird if you will. For 3 weeks I was only able to stand on my mat and raise my arms up and down. Now, I am only doing up to Baddahkonasana. To my surprise, instead of being frustrated that I am not doing the entire primary series and what that might mean for my TT in SoCal, this injury has forced me to look at my pratice in an entirely different light. I have never been a person who backs off from anything. What I have truly realized is that every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition or create an awarness. I have such a greater awarness than I previously did. I feel like a beginner all over again and it is awesome!

I leave a week from today for SoCal. I am really excited. My injury is going to create a completely different experience than I had originally planned when I first signed up for this adventure. I do not believe in coincidences so I am just going with the flow and seeing where I land. It should be really interesting. Although, It's going to be hard being away from my husband and 3 children. I owe them a big bow and endless gratitude for allowing me the freedom to go. It will be great to see them after 15 days of being away. I am sure I'll have great stories to share.

My Return To The Mat

After 2 days off since my injury I returned to the mat today. I showed up and my teacher spent a long time talking to me about the practice and letting go of my expectations, ego, etc. I stood in samasthitih, inhaled while raising my arms over my head and then exhaled as I lowered them. That's all I did. That simple movement hurt. I then went to do finishing and just sat in padmasana. However, I could not hold my arms in the usual position so I rested them on my knees. Most importantly I simply breathed.

This is a very stange place for me to be. This whole practice is about me stepping outside of my box and peeling away all of those layers. (I think that is why this practice is not for everyone) I am hyper flexible and found it hard not to feel frustrated by my body's inability to cooperate with my need to feel as if I have to do the whole primary series. I do not believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason and I am where I guess I need to be. As RengegadeBodyWork said "you've got something to let go of there" Of couse I do. Issues always manifest in the physical if not realized elsewhere. So, the plan is to just go everyday and roll out my mat and set my intentions. I am just going to be and try not engage in whatever comes up. I'll keep you posted.