Inspired

Now that the summer olympics is in full swing, I was noticing that I have two very opposite responses to the athletes. One side of me says, "wow, their ambition and training is amazing...if I applied myself and had more discipline, maybe I would realize that I can do more than I think." The other side of me says "don't be silly...you are nothing like those people and never will be."

These thoughts come up for me from time to time on the yoga mat as well. There are times that I wonder where my edge might really be and how my practice may evolve if I stay with it...and then there are times that I am faced with a pose that is beyond my ability, and thoughts like "how can you even call yourself a yoga teacher if you can't do that?" somehow surface. How can I work on gaining new skills and feel good about my efforts and progress, while also recognizing my limitations and simply be ok with that?

The Olympic athletes are to be admired and appreciated for their tireless training. Even if I am not an Olympian (and trust me...I know I never will be!!) I can still choose to do some small things to be healthy and to try to be my best on and off the mat each day. Maybe I will do some balance poses or some ABS crunches while I watch the next event. Just because I am not competing in the Olympic games doesn't mean I can't imagine what it might be like to work hard and realize a dream.

Find Peace

It's a tough and violent world out there. So, what do we make of recent news events that defy understanding and are so very painful? It can be easy to succumb to fear and feeling overwhelmed and defensive, especially with all of the grief, sadness and acts of violence that confront us.

While it is true that there is violence and pain, we need to remember that it is also a wonderful world, full of beauty and abundance.Our yoga mats can be a place where we practice peace. We can choose peace and connection over violence and fear. Take time to be quiet and nurture your own inner beauty and joyful heart. The world is in need of your example.

Unique

As human beings, we share many similar characteristics and have the same basic needs. We are more alike than we are different. Yet, even with our similar natures, we are unique creatures with specific talents and gifts. Take time to think about the gifts and talents that you have and how you might fully use them today. Hiding or denying what we have to offer simply deprives us of living fully and it deprives the world of the good that we might do.
If you struggle with what your gifts are and with what you are truly meant to do....use your time on the mat to allow your "true self" to emerge. Let go of self doubt, be present and aware. Let go of fear and self criticism and see what emerges.
You are fabulous and have so much to offer....find ways to shine!

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!! I hope that all of you are staying cool and enjoying the holiday. Yes, this is a holiday that celebrates our nation's independence....but hopefully it is also a collective celebration of all that is good and right in America. Instead of finding fault and ways that divide us, let us remember that we are united as a people.
In yoga practice we get the opportunity to be quiet and get in touch with our true nature. Hopefully we also get in touch with the realization that we are all so much more the same than we are different from each other.
Enjoy your holiday week...celebrate freedom in all its forms....and I will see you on the mat again next week!