Now 2 weeks into new year. How have the intentions of New Year , seeds begun playing out? Just passed through Makra Sankranti, celebration of the return of the light. Time of creativity and initiation.
Blissology Project
After some effort today (metro maintenance & shuttles) I arrived at Studio D.C., Dupont Circle to attend a much anticipated workshop with Eion Finn, creator of The Blissology Project, which is “a manifestation of his life mission to be a conduit for the force of Love.” The effort to get there was so worth it as Eoin is an exceptional teacher that lives and breathes his philosophy of love, joy & kindness. His linking of yoga to nature holds a special place in my heart as I have discovered this connection years ago and have been incorporating that in my own practice and teaching message. Through remembering to find our inner places of stillness on a regular basis, discovering our life’s purpose and that the Earth is our home Eion playfully invites us to “find maximum joy, awe, love and bliss”. For more information on this effort go to www.Blissology.com.
Suffering Is Optional
Students either giggle or have a puzzled look on their faces after hearing this phrase. When I first heard this in a class I was a bit confused as well until I began to explore the meaning in a deeper way.
Falling Into Autumn – a GAEA Excursion
Sunday morning started out foggy & chilly but this determined group of women took off down the C & O Canal towpath anyway from Brunswick and headed for Harpers Ferry. Before starting out we took a moment to align with the earth and her autumn rhythms & warmed up with some gentle stretching & yoga. The sun quickly began to burn through the mist & by the time we arrived at the clearing above along the Potomac River scenic views began to appear. Sixty degree temps greeted us after we had traveled the 5.5 miles to our destination. After a brief tour of town we headed back to Brunswick where a yummy brunch awaited us.
GAEA Excursions was created to provide opportunities for women to get outside, realign with nature’s rhythms, bond with other women and do something pleasurable; all activities that boost feel good hormones and reduce stress. This is an organic program that is constantly evolving & producing new adventures as the seasons unfold. Get your ‘wild girl self’ on & go to www.livingbalanced.org for the latest events!
In the Flow
Recently, my schedule allowed a week long yoga retreat at Kripalu in Lenox, Massachusetts. Kripalu is one of the largest yoga retreat centers in the U.S. and a lovely place to slow down and unwind. My program was an immersion with Shiva Rea that included meditation, ayruveda for summer, fluid power yoga, kalari martial arts, trance dance & time in nature. Learning to flow without constraints around time was a main focus of the week. Kripalu is an Oasis for many. No need to worry about meals as they are all prepared with love and abundance. Took a few days to recover from the long ride (7 hrs from Frederick) and needed to pull back and rest more before my energy returned.
First night, lights out by 10 pm. The next night was 4th of July. Disappointed when the much acclaimed fireworks from nearby Tanglewood did not appear. However, when returning to my room that evening some loud noises out side my bedroom window caught my attention. And there they were, beautiful & spectacular fireworks right from my bedroom window! Splendid weather appeared the next day as well so a bike ride through local Lennox was a must. The beautiful New England mansions were so enthralling, I did not see the pot hole. Still too far to walk, kept riding while the air slowly leaked out of my back tire, feeling the sensation of wheel to pavement without the cushion of a tire tube. Fortunately, a local gardener heard the loud noise my flat tire was making. She insisted on hoisting my bike to the roof of her van and taking me the remaining 2 miles back to Kripalu.
The next day was again gorgeous. The evening agenda called for a fire pit ceremony creating a sense of anticipation for many of us. However, shortly after dinner the wind picked up and a thunderstorm rolled in forcing the fire event to be cancelled. Some of us stood outside to watch the clouds blow over, witnessing a beautiful summer storm. All let out exclamations of joy when a double rainbow appeared! The next day was very slow with built in time to to spend some alone time in nature. A grassy place off the beaten path caught my eye to throw out my yoga mat and lie under a tree. After all the yoga & meditation during the week a sense of sifting was happening within me, unnecessary gunk dissolving and finally washing through me into the earth as I lay there quiet & still.
Lessons from the week included an awareness of what happens when one learns to wait or stay. Something will always shift. Trust in this process. Even when life brings disappointment something else is just around the corner even if the exact timing is unknown. Learning to stay or shift one’s attitude will carry us through. Returning to the seasonal flows can help as well. Summer seems like a more active time but it is really when we need to rest or slow down more especially during the hotter times of day. Learning to pay attention to our own energy levels is crucial to preventing burn out, fatigue & malaise. So as the “dog days of summer” approach, pay attention to your energy levels, create space for rest and stillness, play or move but in the cooler times of the day, find joy in summer’s simple pleasures and flow at a slower pace.