Balance

I talked last week in my yoga classes about the concept of balance.....we obviously practice "balance" in our postures constantly in yoga class. However, what brings me back to yoga over and over again are the ways that the physical practice helps me to incorporate new ways of being (spiritually, emotionally and physically) in my day to day life. So, balance becomes more than balancing on one foot in Tree pose or Warrior III. Yoga becomes a way for me to practice being calm and staying "balanced" in the stressful and overwhelming times in my day and week.

If you are an ongoing student of mine...you will probably find that I stress themes in yoga class that are also lessons I am trying to learn! As a Mom of a graduating high school senior, I have so many thoughts and feelings going through my mind these days...that I could easily become overwhelmed and extraordinarily stressed out!! (This may still happen...even with yoga...stay tuned!!) Through the practice of yoga I hope to try to find some balance and calm amidst the flurry of activity and change that each day brings. Yoga practice doesn't create an easy path, but it provides some tools to help us survive the journey with grace and joy.
Enjoy the beauty of this day!
See you in yoga class!

flexibility!

Ran across this quote:
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape!!
Have a wonderful day!

Satya

The yoga teaching of "Satya" relates to how we speak the truth....to ourselves and to others. When we speak, we need to find balance between speaking the truth harshly vs. avoiding the truth or telling lies. How often do you tell yourself (or others) things that are not really true? How many times do we speak our truth in a need to "prove ourselves" or to be "right" in an argument?

We have all had times when we have started speaking before we really thought about the impact of our words. One of the biggest benefits for me in yoga is the fact that the practice helps me to slow down, think things through, and be more deliberate in my choices and decision making. I do not always say and do the right thing (believe me....I have put my "foot in mouth" many a time!) but I do believe that I am improving my ability to listen and respond more thoughtfully in difficult conversations.

Yoga and the concept of Satya are a practice.....not an end point or destination. It's easy to start to get down on yourself for all of the times you have failed to speak up....and for all the times you have opened your mouth when it should have remained closed....but through continued practice and perserverance, we can all hope to become more loving and thoughtful people....in our thoughts, deeds, and in the words we speak.

Namaste....

What a gift!!

Those of you who take my classes....just want to tell you what a gift it is to be your teacher! I love the practice of yoga.....and nothing brings me greater pleasure than seeing content and rested faces at the end of a class!
May each of you recognize and feel the divine nature that is in you....and celebrate the wonderful person you are!
Peace and contentment to you all!
Karen

May Day!

Maybe I am really "dating" myself...but I remember May Day as a kid.....making construction paper baskets, filling them with a few goodies, then bringing them to the porches of my neighbors, ringing the doorbell, and running like crazy! Part of the tradition for us was to give some small tiny day brightener to someone else without them figuring out the giver.

Today we hear about "paying it forward" or "random acts of kindness." Whatever you call it, it can be a wonderfully exhilarating feeling to do something nice and unexpected for someone else. Challenge yourself to make this May Day a day in which you practice some small gestures of kindness...just because. Then enjoy the warmth and satisfaction that comes from doing something selfless and generous for someone else.

Happy May Day!!