Assist

When is the last time you tried a handstand? Handstands look scary -- you're upside down and supporting yourself with your arms -- those same arms with the waving wings (if you have these you know what I'm talking about!) and no discernible biceps! Plus to get there you have to swing your uncoordinated legs from the ground to up over your head. What's that I hear? No thanks, you say? What about a little help from a friend?

Handstands are a regular feature in many yoga classes, and a good (experienced, compassionate) teacher can get most students to fly into the pose for at least a second or two by offering something we all want: control.

After the preliminaries, when a student is ready for the main event, the teacher stands against the wall to brace herself. As the student mindfully flings her legs into the air, the one thing the teacher does not do is grab those flying legs. As the student's torso moves toward the wall, the teacher will take hold of the hips and guide the student into an upright upside down pose. Yay! Being supported by the hips gives the hand-stander a feeling of security in two ways: Being held, guided and supported; and having legs free to come back to earth at any time without restraint.

And therein lies the secret: Having the freedom to fly up when you are ready, and the freedom to return to earth in your own time. Imagine being in a handstand with someone holding your legs while your arms feel about to give way. That would be a panicky moment fueled by a lack of control.

So next time you are ready to try something a little scary, ask for a little assist. Find someone you know won't try to control your efforts by grabbing your metaphorical legs, but who will guide you toward where you want to go when you are ready, and allow you to decide how far, how long, and when to step back. The choice is not whether to go it alone or to ask for help; the choice is in asking for the appropriate kind of help. An assist, a leg up, a helping hand.

And it's okay if you don't always get all the way up, it's still fun to try!

Hello there, 2014!

Everyone (well, some people) expected the world to change dramatically on 12/21/12, and were disappointed when there was no angel chorus and no apocalypse and not even a good thunderstorm . . . And 2013 was no walk in the park, was it? Lightening strikes aside, I believe the world can and will be a better place, and that we are in the midst of making it that way. 

Life is like a labyrinth. There is one way in to the center, and that way twists and winds and sometimes brings you to an unexpected place. Then you arrive at the center where it is calm and serene, but that is a small space and you are there for a short time before stepping back out onto the path. Which still twists and winds and even if it is more familiar than it was on the way in, you may become disoriented and not know just how close you are to the end. Then, suddenly, you are stepping out of the labyrinth, wondering at how much quicker it was to get out than to get in. 

Those are the three levels to a labyrinth walk: Release, Receive, and Return. Or, Purgation, Illumination, and Union.

On 12/21/12 we stepped into the labyrinth and began to walk, letting go of all the old paradigms and systems and beliefs that no longer served our highest interests. During 2013 we twisted and turned and didn't always know what we were doing or where we were going; but as it is impossible to get lost in a labyrinth, we were safe and always heading in the right direction. Release.

The December solstice brought us into the center of the labyrinth. We celebrated and lit candles and gathered with loved ones. Some of us brought Nature into our homes in the form of a tree. We took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Receive.

As we move into the new year of 2014, we are back on the winding path. But this time there is familiarity, a sense of having been here before. You feel more free, released of constraints.That which you've been hoping, dreaming and yearning for all these years is finally within your grasp. You may not be able to put a name or label on what it is you want, but you feel it and it is being magnified. Now is the time to open your eyes and your heart, and make each step one that brings you closer to Love. Return.

"There's nothing you can sing that can't be sung."(Beatles) So whatever it is, sing it out. Do it with a spirit of lovingkindness. Know that what you do is for the good of all, even if that isn't obvious. Allow that even if you don't understand the Big Picture, there is one, and you are part of it. Walk with a light heart and a helping hand (and I don't just mean those who are obvious "helpers" like nurses and firefighters, but those who keep the world running from behind the scenes, like  dish washers and office managers). 

That sounds vague, but the details are in you. Each person's path is slightly different, like in the labyrinth: This one walks close to the edges of the path; that one treads on a fragrant plant, releasing a lovely aroma, and another picks their way, carefully avoiding the muddy parts. Some stride through purposefully, others meander. Look at what you are doing now and keep doing it, but with a new light shining on your busyness. 

I believe in World Peace and Unlimited Abundance and that may sound like a pipe dream or the answer to a beauty contest question, but I hold that in my heart and it lets me smile and have patience and cultivate compassion. These beautiful states are mirrored back to me by most people I come in contact with every day; these reflections strengthen my faith that harmony is within the grasp of all on Earth.

Peace.

Wish List

Thanksgiving is behind us, and ahead looms the spectre of Christmas. Is it a friendly ghost or a wicked one for you? Let’s shine it up, turn on some sparkly lights, and make a list of what we want for the holidays this year, to ensure a good time for all!

I’ll take some of that old standby, Peace on Earth, please. And a sprinkling of snow, but not too much, I don’t want to be greedy. Glittery ornaments and some fresh-smelling greens would be appreciated as well. Send me some marvelous stories in the newspapers, full of compassion and good will. Remember that feeling of empathy we discovered during the Hurricane? You can keep that going for a while, too. I’ll take some star shaped cookies, and don’t tell anyone, but I also like fruitcake!

In the spirit of the season, I’ll ask for too much – you can decide what to choose for me. Let’s add good health and prosperity for all, and a barrel of laughs. There’s no such thing as too much hope, so put that on my list, too. Oh, and red wine. A pinch of silliness goes a long way, and will go well with the wine! I already have reindeer antlers (see enclosed photo) but maybe some elfish shoes?

I’ll leave it at that, with the caveat that I get to add more, later. Do you have a deadline? Don’t worry about timing on my end, you can deliver the Peace and Prosperity any time! Thank you, Namaste, Aloha, Shalom, Asti Spumanti, and so it is!

What’s on your list?

Me and My Tattoo

I have a tattoo on the back of my neck.  I got it when I became certified to teach yoga.  It is a beautiful lotus flower, in the traditional sailor-tattoo blue.  It makes me very happy.

My thousand-petaled lotus represents yoga to me.  Each petal is imbued with compassion, love, and gratitude, and I can visualize sending a petal floating off to people around me.  The lotus helps me remember why I practice yoga instead of step aerobics:  I strengthen my body while I elevate my spirit.  Sounds lofty, I know, but it’s true.  Yoga has many “limbs”, and although I began with the practice of poses (asana), I was soon led to practice compassion and gratitude, to meditate, and to live a life of awareness.  (Note the use of the word practice -- I ain’t perfect, but I am trying!)  My lotus tattoo is always with me to remind me of the life I aspire to lead.  

Not everyone appreciates my tattoo, and I understand that.  My mom likes it, though.  In fact, she came along with me and got a tattoo herself, a nice ankle bracelet that matches the silver bracelet she wears on her wrist.  To answer a popular question, yes it hurt.  But not so badly that I wouldn’t get another one, if the spirit moves me! For now, my thousand-petaled lotus blooms on my neck, reminding me to greet everyone around me with compassion and love -- and to float a petal for myself once in a while, too! 

The Golden Rule

Treat others as you want be treated yourself.  Do onto others as you would have done unto you.  Be nice and people will be nice back. The success of one does not diminish the accomplishments of another; another’s loss is a loss for all.  Move through your day seeing others as yourself, and treat them accordingly.

However you phrase it, The Golden Rule isn’t golden for nothing!  It may be the only rule humankind needs to live in peace, harmony, abundance and joy.  And it’s essential for our personal lives as well.  Think about it.  If you’d love a compliment about your cute new outfit, compliment someone else; seeing the happiness on their face as they receive your kind words will reflect onto and into you, and you will feel just as happy as they do.

Ah, but what about that guy who spies his friend toward the front of a long line and cuts in, taking the last few tickets for his family? You have choices in how you react. You can look daggers at the line-cutter and waste the rest of your day complaining about him, or you can gaze on him with compassion for his non-awareness, and go about the rest of your day still balanced and content.  Or if a friend starts again on her tale of woe, and you don’t have time or inclination to listen yet again, extricate yourself from the situation with sympathy and kindness rather than impatience and judgment.

We all make mistakes, we all do things we shouldn’t, we all act thoughtlessly at times, and we all would like our transgressions to be viewed with kindness and compassion.  Do  this for others, and you will receive treatment in kind.

And by the way, your outfit is stunning.

Song for Today

Listen to things you cannot hear

Look at things you cannot see

Speak of that for which you have no words

Comprehend what you don’t understand

Love those you haven’t met

Sing songs you haven’t heard

Pray for what you don't know you need

Do the things you cannot imagine

Give compassion to all

Say thank you

Cables of Connection

“Yoga” translates to “union”.  When we greet one another with “Namaste”, we acknowledge that we are “all part of the same light”.  When doing Reiki, one draws on the energy of the Universe, that same energy that surrounds, permeates, flows through everyone and everything, now and since time began.  (See the Law of Conservation of Energy:  Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed.  We’ve been using the same energy since the Big Bang!)

So, we are all connected; we are all One.  We may each be different and special in ourselves, but underlying us all is this connection of Life Force Energy that we share with every breath.

Remember this connection next time someone cuts you off in traffic, pushes ahead of you in line, says something dopey, or just generally irritates you.  Maybe you can dredge up some compassion for them, see them from another angle, or just shake your head fondly and send them some loving thoughts across those lines of connectivity.  It is through these cables of connection that we can learn to live with each other in peace.

Om Shanti.

The Knee Knows

A few years ago I had an operation on my knee.  It was considered a success, but still, I occasionally feel twinges and worry that the problem will return.  This is why I’ll often say to my yoga students, “Bring your attention to your knees” and “Put a micro-bend in your knees”.  Everyone has their own issues, whether it’s stiff hamstrings or the fear of headstand. The more aware one can become of different body parts and sensations that arise during yoga and in everyday activities, the better the chances to avoid injury and move forward in your practice.

As you go through your day -- up and down stairs carrying laundry baskets; crawling on the floor after babies or cleaning up spills, stretching up to swipe the cobweb on the ceiling – pay attention to what your body is saying to you.  Does it say, ahh, that feels good, or does it complain about the strain?  Take a moment of stillness and assess your joints and muscles.  Listen to your body and learn about yourself.

The perfect moment

Are you waiting for the perfect moment to chase your dream?  Stop hanging around and just jump on the next bus!  The perfect moment is always now, and lucky for us, perfect moments are like an unending string of pearls; they follow one after another in a long chain of time.

Choose your goal and walk toward it with confidence.  Self-assurance doesn't come naturally to everyone, but  if you know what you want or where you want to go, maybe you can fake it for a while -- like in those studies that say even a fake smile will improve your mood.  Stand tall, speak with authority, and don't waffle.  If you pursue your dreams with compassion, energy, and enthusiasm, no one will think to stand in your way; and if they do, well, just smile and walk around them.