Discovering Beauty

I don't know if it's because I am in this fresh new landscape, or if it's just the pure power of it, but everyday seems to lead me deeper into a sense of awe about the world we live in. Everyday I am blessed to visit the ocean and to connect to it's vastness and power. Everyday is filled with dramatic sunsets that leave me feeling humble at the artistry and intention present in the world. As I witness all this raw and wild beauty around me in nature I am also finding my heart opening at the preciousness of the beauty that is closer to me as well. I find myself appreciating more my partner and my two little dogs and finding that my time with them is more sacred than I ever imagined or experienced before.

This sense of sacredness and appreciation comes from the sense that the world we live in is changing very quickly. I feel an urgent need to appreciate the beauty in it's current form before it's gone. Nothing ever stays the same and I am just trying to appreciate the world as it is right now--and everything in it, knowing it's changing right now and will always be.

My open heart brings a sense of tenderness, sadness, and joy all at once. I want this earth and the richness of it to stay beautiful and vibrant. I want healing and restoration to the sick and dying aspects of this earth. I know though that change is inevitable. The earth is always changing, species always coming and going, and life manifesting in new creative ways. My lesson then is to find the beauty in the death and rebirth happening all around. To learn to be OK with death is hard, but in reality it's how things work. It's natural and it's the way nature and divine intelligence works to bring forth new life. It's all the same in the end anyway.

I am holding space within my life and in my yoga, to pay attention to the death and birth cycles. I can feel it in my breath, my thoughts, my movements, and my interactions. I am trying to feel at ease within the change and to open without resisting it. The beauty is in the movement towards that flow--breathe it in, breathe it out, feel it and release it. This way I am aligning with nature in the chaos and order.

What a beautiful mess I am in, we are in. How blessed our journey is, and how interesting our world is shaping out to be. I am trying not to be fearful of the changes I can deeply feel are on their way for our planet and way of life. May our practice keep us strong enough to face this challenge with courage and love.

May we step into our evolution conscious of every action and its impact--helping to create more beauty than when we started our journey. Every breath, every movement, every interaction as creative and beautiful as the source that gave birth to the energy of this planet.

Peace and Namaste

October Chicago Workshops

Please spread the word :)

Friday Oct 3rd 6-8:30 p.m.



SUNSHINE Yoga & Spa
9031 W. 151st Street, Suite 205
Orland Park IL 60462
(Located within the Orland Atrium Bldg., 2 stoplights East of LaGrange Rd. on the South Side of the Street.)

708.873.6030

Mystery,
Magic, and Awe - A Yoga Adventure
Is there something missing from your yoga practice, like Joy? Then this PLAYshop is for you. Take time for this light hearted adventure that will surely awaken your senses to more aliveness in your practice. We will take time to journey into variations of Mandala Namaskars (circular movements/salutations), hip openers, arm balances, and backbends. This is a mindful alignment based vinyasa practice open to all levels who are adventurous, curious, lighthearted, and playful (best if you have some yoga experience, but don't think you have to be a yoga rock star).

Saturday October 4th 3-5 p.m.

Bloom Yoga Studio, Chicago IL www.bloomyogastudio.com <http://www.bloomyogastudio.com/>

Workshop Theme TBA
possible...

Expanding Your Vision-Arm Balancing With Courage

Sometimes in practice we don't do just because we think we can't. In this workshop we will expand our vision of what our practice is for and open up to something even larger than what we thought possible. You can do arm balances and in this workshop you learn how and create steps to begin your journey into the full poses over time. Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to expand your vision and potential for greatness in your practice.

Sunday October 5th Total Body Yoga

210 Terrace Drive
Mundelein IL 60060
847-772-9642
info@totalbodyyoga.com

Sunday, October 05, 2008 2:00 PM: Rasa Flow: Sensual, Sweaty and Sweet

RASA FLOW: SENSUAL, SWEATY AND SWEET:Rasa, the juice of life is contained within our breath and body waiting patiently to be discovered by our senses. This class is for those open to and curious about playful, pulsing, and expansive ways of being in their body. This class/playshop is an exploration of breath, movement, and life through creative namaskars, hip openers, forward folds, backbends, and deep delicious twists.

TIME: 2pm - 4pm

COST: $25.00

My First Adventure

I will be subbing for a month at Bamboo Yoga in Coronado www.bambooyoga.com
Tu at 4:30 and 5:30
Th at 5:30

Wish me luck!

If any of you have friends in San Diego send them along my way for support!

Stepping into courageous new beginnings

I have been in San Diego for a few days now after an adventurous cross country trip that brought me do the deepest highs and lows of emotions that I knew of--or thought I knew. It began with a week long adventure with my fav teacher Desiree Rumbough at the beautiful Kripalu center in Lennox, MA.

The workshop was called Raising Your Vibration. Not only did that take on a whole new meaning--but I felt within my body and heart a lift that helped me step into a more courageous way of being in this world. The root of the word "courage" is the Latin word "cor," meaning "heart." The English word "core" comes from the same Latin root. For me this means finding my center through my heart and moving into the world from a centered heart (brings a whole new understanding to core work right!)

Within the past few weeks I have had many opportunities to engage the world from this new found center. I am once again trying to navigate a new city trying to find work and a yoga community to call home. Relying on faith right now that just as before it will happen in the right time and right place--perfectly unfolding. I just have to do the work and enter the flow. Keep my heart open and let my heart lead--not my head, or my doubt--or fear.

I have been encouraged by the heart felt words written and spoken from by many of you. Thanks for your support and for the well wishes as we make our new home here in San Diego. I will write more as I grow into the new surroundings.

I have met some really amazing people in the last few weeks, and have deepened friendships with others. I have enjoyed the honesty that change brings us to face--and the openness that change brings to our hearts. I feel so courageous and grounded in my heart. May we all find our courage and live from that heartfelt expression of life.