Off the mat

Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience. 

Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth. 

Just for now, be boundless, free, awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet. 

Drink in the possibility of being who and what you really are, so fully alive, that when you open your eyes the world looks different, newly born and vibrant, just for now. 

- Danna Faulds

How do you feel when you practice yoga? Are you present in the moment and notice the clearing of the mind, the lift in your mood, the ooey gooey good feeling when you release down in savasana? 

Do you wait for the next asana, or are you free in your thoughts, boundless in your body, enjoying this exact moment?

Do you notice the moment when separation drops away? When body, mind and spirit become one? 

Can yoga not only teach you and give you these feelings on the mat, but also off the mat? My biggest challenge in yoga is practicing it off the mat as well. Knowing that yoga has taught be how to relax, how to live in the moment, how to handle challenging situations. It has taught be to breathe. It has taught me to have an open heart. To do things whole heartedly. To love, love, love, and love some more. 

What has yoga taught you about life off the mat? 

Bob Marley - No words

I was recently searching around online, and came across the most beautiful, and truest words I have ever read. Even if you are not with someone right now, it still holds so much power and truth. I simply loved it. And have read it many times since coming across this quote. I don't have much to say about it, I am not going to analyze it...I am simply going to say, this is true. This is something we all must realize, no matter your relationship. 

Can I actually say one thing thought? Bob Marley - what a f*****g (can you swear on blogs?!) genius!   Thank you thank you - JAH love! 

"He's not perfect. you aren't either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the move you can. He isn't going to quote poetry, he's not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don't hurt him, don't change him, and don't expect for more than he can give. Don't analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he's not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don't exist, but there's always one guy that is perfect for you."

Love - that's all there is.

There is an innate desire within all of us – love. Love is what drives this whole beautiful world we live in. Love is what inspires us. We long to be loved, to give love, to see love, to fall in love.

Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart. Open up to the goodness that is. It is all right there in front of you, reach out and grab it.

Let go of the fears that hold you back. Let go of past heartbreaks that hardened your heart, for the worst prison would be a closed heart. Let your heart become soft once again, open up to your full potential, don’t hold back.

Bring that inner intention, the inner desire of love to the surface. Relish in it, bask in it’s light, live in love. Love is unconditional.

 You are a being of love, always.

There is only love. 

Drop The Control?

Let go of control. Let go of expectation. Let go of that to do list. 

Just let go. 

&

Simply be.

Live in the flow of life. Let things happen, and adapt when they do. If that is hard for you, take this as a challenge, and overcome it (New Years resolution anyone?). Do not try to control every situation. Do not expect a certain outcome. The things in our life happen for a reason and we must learn to accept that. We must learn how to see each situation for what it is. To be present in the moment. Work with what we are given. 

If you do this, you live life more freely, more full of love. 

You understand that life just is, and it will happen whether we try to control it or not....so why add the stress of assumption? 

Let life flow through you, let love come in. 

Let go, let go, let go. This world is filled with light and happiness - if you are to control anything, make it the conscious decision to be happy. Your soul is stronger than you think and you have the power within you to choose happiness. To choose to make the best of every situation. 

I invite you to go out and do just that. Let go of control. Simply let life be, live in the flow of it, and accept all that is. See the beauty all around you. 

Relish in the happiness of this unconditionally loving universe.

A Single Step

Begin with a single step.

Treat your yoga practice this way. The first step in mastering an advanced pose is simply giving it a try. And knowing that there is no such thing as failure. If you fall, that's great...you're one step closer already because you tried, you gave it your all. And you can try again. Don't let fear stop you. 

Start right now, take the step - take a leap of faith. Trust in your body, for your body can do amazing things. 

Drop expectation, drop judgement, drop your ideals, drop jealousy. Don't look at anyone else's practice.  Pick up strength, pick up determination, pick up faith, pick up trust. Look at your practice and your own journey in yoga. 

What can you work on to help you achieve the advanced pose? Never ever give up. Be patient. 

Feel good in your practice. Trust your body and listen to it. What does it need right now? Don't push yourself, with each day and each step you take, you are inching closer to your goals.  Yoga teaches us to love our bodies, to love where we are, right here, right now. 

Take the step....hell, take a leap. Jump in. Enjoy the ride.