SPRING INTO NEW BEGINNINGS
MARCH 22, 2010
March 20th was Spring Equinox, and we know intellectually this means that the shadow of Winter moves on. But still that lingering bit of heaviness continues to remain, we are still wearing all our layers of warm clothing and you can feel the tiredness in the air. We have had a 2009 that was colder than usual, a lost summer and finding the getty up and go this Jan/Feb/Mar may have seemed insurmountable because of the record breaking number of grey days. So let's acknowledge the darkness and see it as the fertilizer making our souls more fertile for the new beginnings of Spring. We only make a new beginning by acknowledging the endings in our life.
Often/sometimes/who am I kidding most always challenge rides along side positive change (paraphrased from Sadie Nardini). Instead of denying we still feel a bit peaked let's stoke our fire gently. Think about how you want to share in the new beginnings of Spring. Do you want to see your life from a new perspective? Do you want to make a fresh start of things?
On the mat we practice in waves that each have a beginning, middle and end to feel this natural cycle. For many of us endings are harder than beginnings. Or maybe you think they're both hard. I get that. We have even in each breath a CLEAN SLATE to breath in fresh air and rejuvenation. And yet so often our human tendancy is to RECREATE THE PAST (breathing in an old way, thinking in old paradigms, living the old stories). Just know you don't have to.
To begin again, to start afresh isn't always popular. As you change your energy impacts those around you and if they are resistant they may not see you as the superstar you are. This doesn't mean we have to keep doing what everyone else is doing and letting your life decisions be made by default. That way of life is staying in the Dark. It is living life unconsciously. Let go of making the opinions of others more important than your own. You're never going to get everyone to agree on how you should live your life anyway.
I didn't transition into teaching yoga to be popular or to be controversial, I simply taught because doing so brought me into full alignment with living a more loving life. When I made this new beginning one Spring many years ago I certainly was going against the grain of popular opinion (why leave a highly paying, glamourous corporate job with international travel for less money, less time, less travel?) But I had to follow the light and make my own choice. Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions. And eventually friends/family who really love you for you will appreciate any new beginning you wish to make.
Know this, when you come to TBY, we come together in Satsang (community) that is like minded. You will be with other people who want to make richer discoveries into who they are and through this self-discovery make more conscious choices. And that is the well-spring of all new beginnings! Love your life don't wait. Peace out, Silvia
GUEST BLOG - Spring is less than a month away!
FEBRUARY 27TH: Hi Friends! This note came to me from my friend and fellow teacher at total body yoga Mary Scudella this morning. I thought you'd enjoy it! And don't forget Mary teaches Yoga for Children Teacher Training Workshop this weekend and there are two spots left!
Can you believe Spring is less than a month away? The Spring Equinox occurs on Friday, March 20. Before our snow the other day, I observed my crocuses starting to creep out of the ground. The earth is preparing for Spring. What are you doing to prepare for Spring?
This past Saturday we began preparing for the arrival of Spring in our yoga practice. We flowed through a detox practice which stimulated and refreshed the liver and kidneys. Forward bending and backwards bending not only aligns the spine, but helps us to cleanse our system through nourishing our organs that process waste. At home, try poses like high lunge and pyramid, Warrior 1 variation arching backwards and standing splits. Even strong backbends like bow can be combined with child's pose, as long as you move cautiously from one to the next. It you'd like to add a further cleansing effect to the body, add in some twists like twisting lunge or revolved chair pose to wring out what is weighing you down. Don't forget to come back to center in downward facing dog or child's pose, feel the breath and release what binds you.
The seeds, bulbs, and roots beneath the surface of the earth are readying themselves for Spring. They have stored up energy from the fall, taken in water and minerals for nourishment and are awaiting the gentle warming ahead. Spend some time readying yourself for Spring. Through your yoga practice and through your diet - shed off the winter quiet and prepare yourself for the glory of waking up to the sun that lies ahead!
Namaste, Mary