Is this winter bringing you closer to your bliss or farther from it?

At this time in the cycle of the seasons, as the coldness grows and the days shorten I cozy into hibernation mode. I don't go out as much, instead exploring more creativity, reading and introspection time. Sometimes the hibernation can feel isolating, the darkness can get depressing, and the limitations of outdoor play can get suffocating. 


How do you create a lifestyle in a way that works with, instead of against, the cycles of nature? 

"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are—if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time"

-Joseph Campbell

Take a few deep breaths and check in with yourself. What do you notice? Open up to the part of yourSelf that knows beyond knowing. Let yourself be in silence here for as long as feels right. 

Reflect on brings you joy in life. What are some highlights of experiences that left you feeling ecstatic. Take your time. Also notice any of those things you've "always wanted to try."

When you're ready, write or draw all that you came up with.  Put this map of bliss somewhere you'll see it regularly. Let your map inspire you to weave what you love throughout your day.

In a time where productivity is so valued, allow yourself the freedom to just be and the inspiration to do whatever you do joyfully, without expectations.

This song brought me joy today. Click play on the first song called Follow My Bliss (ps Autumn Skye is an incredible visual artist, who's sacred geometry filled paintings can be found here )

Sat Nam

What are you grateful for?

What does Thanksgiving look like for you? Amidst the pumpkin pie and potatoes, do you remember to give thanks?

Let this seasonal celebration be an opportunity to bring more gratitude into your life. Try this-

With your palms pressed together at your heart center, complete the following sentences for yourself after taking a few deep breaths.

I am grateful for myself because......
I am grateful for my life because.....
I am grateful for my partner/friend/family member because....(and tell them!)
I am grateful for my local community because...
I am grateful for my global community because....

Add any more categories that feel right. Write down some of your gratitudes if you like, or share them with a friend.

I notice that I can get caught up in what's not working. Practicing gratitude regularly helps me to see the bigger picture more and inspires more love for the life I'm living.

One of my favorite mantras is one to give thanks to the Source for ALL that we experience (even that which we don't understand....)

"Wahe Guru is an expression of complete ecstatic awe of the Divine" -http://www.spiritvoyage.com/
To express your awe, or to cultivate more appreciation of the Divine in all things, chant this mantra aloud or silently.

Check out Snatam Kaur's recording of this beautiful mantra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtuRQ5VRVDs

In closing, thank YOU, dear reader for stumbling upon this page, for following your path, your heart, your dreams and for being a part of this global community.
Namaste

Earthdance-Join the gobal community in prayer for peace

Namaste

There's an even going on in over 100 places all over the world with the intention to pulsate more peace into this planet. I'd love for you to join. Wherever you are at 6 Central today, stop what you're doing to join many communities in a synchronized prayer for peace. 

If you're in or around Winnipeg and care to join me- 

I'll be at the Oodena Celebration Circle at the Forks ( Map at- http://www.theforks.com/attractions/at-the-forks/oodena-celebration-circle) 

And since it's for earthDANCE-Bring instruments and toys for music and dancing to follow the prayer. 

"We are one global family
All colors, All races

One world united.

We dance for peace and the healing of our planet Earth

Peace for all nations.

Peace for our communities.

And peace within ourselves.

As we join all dance floors across the world,

let us connect heart to heart.

Through our diversity we recognize Unity.

Through our compassion we recognize Peace.

Our love is the power to transform our world
Let us send it out

NOW..."

Thanks for taking the time to create more Peace and Harmony in your life, and the lives of those around you. It's such a blessing to use the gift of sound to connect in with our global community. 

How will you bring more peace into your day to day life? 

Yogic tip for staying warm this fall

The weather offers us constant reminders of impermanence. From hot sunny days to chilled winds and grey skies we can observe our inner landscape changing in unison.

Here's a yoga practice you can do anywhere to stimulate warmth from the inside out: Next time you need some heat in your body or some calming of your mind try the Ujjayi Breath. Patanjali (author of the Yoga Sutras) shares that the breath be both dirga (long) and suksma (smooth). This is done by slightly hugging in your throat, slowing down your inhale and exhale. 

Try first with your mouth open. 

Exhale with a hhhaaa as if you were fogging up a mirror. Notice what happens in your throat as you do this. When you're ready, practice with your mouth closed. Over time your breath will sound like the waves of the ocean (or a really flooded lake!)

I welcome your tips on staying cozy as we transition into equinox. 

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy News: I'm so close to being done my practicum! yay! In my excitement I'm offering discounted sessions-1 1/2 hours for only $30-for those who book a session this month. 

Thanks for being a part of this journey! I'll be hosting a community celebration when I'm fully certified, so stay tuned. 

"Peace between countries rests on the solid foundation of love between individuals"-Mahatma Gandhi

Bicycling Yogis!

wow so seeing this sure spurred on a new post! There's a couple of yogis bicycling across the continent promoting yoga and a sustainable life.

check them out http://www.growyogafarm.org/

and if you happen to read this in time, they're teaching a class at the St Norbert Farmer's Market on August 13 from 9-10:30. I'm teaching at that time, so if you go, do let me know what it's like!

I just came back from a Kirtan with Swaha http://www.swaha.ca/
Gratitude for sharing this sacred celebration with community
Is there a song, a mantra or sound that has been serving your journey? If so, I'd love to hear it!

Softening Resistance

I simply wish to share some mantra medicine that has been serving me and helping me to soften my resistance to being present and compassionate with myself.

Deva Premal sings the Moola Mantra. Let me know what this chant is like for you, or share your favorite mantra right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLvbmpmKylM

Holding space for opposites

Is it time that your internal opposites faced each other? 

It's a good thing that I've learned a bit about duality/non-duality/unity through some Eastern philosophies. Otherwise, I might still be completely convinced ( I still am a little) that I was at least a tad nutters for all the ups and downs and opposites I would oscillate between. 

I've learned two main things. 

1) That's OK. You're Human. 

2) Congratulations, you have tools and toys for exploring what that means. 

Here are two of my favorite ways to explore dynamic duality. 

1) Alternate nostril breathing. 

A breath that flows in one side of your body, and out the other. A way to explore the right and left sides of your body, balance the hemispheres of your brain, and soothe your nervous system (among other benfits). After practicing I like to breath deeply exploring my body again as one whole. 

2) Two Part Dialogue 

A technique I learned as a part of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. In a nutshell, one witnesses two different sensations in their body. Give it a try.

 First, sense in to a part of your body where you notice sensation. Stay with it for a few breaths and get really familiar with it. 

Then, find another spot in your body with very different or opposite kinds of sensations. Stay here and explore. Keep noticing what's happening now as you go back and forth between the 2 kinds of sensations. Notice what it's like to hold space for both. 

Let me know what this was like for you, or if you'd like instructions for the Alternate Nostril breath by e-mailing me at jessicawynyoga@gmail.com

Have a balanced day. How are you going to play on the teeter totter today? 

"It's ok to have too much fun"-quote on the door at PRYT training center

Picture from http://thefoxesclub.yolasite.com/fox-chat.php

Summer Solstice

Namaste and Happy Solstice!

How are you welcoming Summer and honoring the shortening of days?

This morning I woke up early for a special Summer Solstice practice at the Yoga Shala (440 Don Ave.)

A grey cloud cover rippled overhead as my partner and I biked to the studio. There was an opening across the building streaked horizon where the morning's glow shone through. We had time to enjoy the songs of the birds by the river before heading inside. We were one of the first to arrive. I liked seeing the other yogis flow in, seeing who'd I'd be sharing this practice with. The studio filled up and we were led through a flowing Ashtanga practice by Jonathan Austman. Thelonious Monk said that talking about music is like dancing architecture. I sometimes feel the same about my personal practice. But here's this-the power of practicing in community with a skilled teacher with the intention to serve is like no home practice I can ever have.

If you're interested in the Mysore practice of Ashtanga, check out the Canada Day open house.

Create a delicious day

Life out of Balance? What is your self-care priority?

My friend's mom recently said that life doesn't have ups and downs. Life is ups and downs. 


How do we learn to roll fluidly with them, even with grace? 


Self-care needs to be a priority. How have you taken care of yourself today?


Budhha said- ‎"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."


I've been noticing myself getting out of balance lately. I was wondering why. I have been doing my yoga and kirtan daily. What was missing? The invigoration I felt this weekend was just the answer. Talking with people living an inspired life, fire play and dancing, being in nature were exactly what I was needing to fuel my spirits. 


Here's a great video by Sierra Sullivan of lifestylized.com talking about this. I always appreciate seeing other people learning the same lessons as I. It brings about a feeling of a wider community. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6JX9G-RbRQ&feature=player_embedded#at=317


How do you take care of yourself and rejuvenate?

How can we bring Yoga into Politics?

Politics have been a huge topic lately. All the goings-on can pull us in many directions, playing with our thoughts and emotions. What do we do with all of that rage and worry? That passion for a just and harmonious system? Or with that apathy towards something we feel we can't change?

For me, the answer is my practice. Connecting in to the present moment through my body and breath serves me every time. Honoring the ranges of emotions through kirtan (love centered chanting/singing) has been so nourishing.
When things in this world of ours gets to be overwhelming and the doom sets in....  

Stop. Here, Now. Breath.                                                                                                                                                              Notice what's happening. Are your thoughts really present? what stories are they saying? Are emotions surfacing? What do you notice in your body?                                                                                    Remember that everybody, including You, has unique gifts to offer this world. Instead of slinking back from the world, tap into your essence to see what you can offer. How do you want to be of service?    The Sanskrit word Seva means self-less service, to offer your actions to something bigger. It can come in many forms, so do what feels right for you. 
      In Krishna Das's book "Chants of a Lifetime" he talks about when he left his guru in India. He asked Maharaji, his Guru, "How can I serve you?"
      "If I told you, it wouldn't be service." Maharaji replied. So Krishna Das sings as his service. Some dance. Some make food for others, garden, create groups.
      Whatever you do, be clear on the intention behind it.

A friend of mine posted this great quote. Perhaps you too will find it suiting in response to recent events.

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr

In Service,
With Love
Namaste
Jess

Spring Classes

This snowy May day doesn't feel much like spring, but the buds on the trees and rhubarb leaves say otherwise.

Time for some rejuvination and community connection with our Yoga practice! I appreciated my winter hibernation, but am loving the emergence from the cacoon. Here's my current class list for the spring. I'm looking for a place in the exchange to offer classes, and will be updating soon with outdoor yoga locations and times.

Mondays/Thursdays (starting May 9) 1:30-2:30 U of W Duckworth center- only $45 for non students for the 2 month term. wow!
Saturdays-4:00-500 at Be Yoga (474 St Mary's) a Gentle class in chairs for those with limited mobility or who are wanting a more subtle and slow practice
Sundays-1030-1130 &230-330 flowing classes, 400-500 Restorative at Be Yoga

Namaste

Volunteer needed for final Video

I need to video tape a couple Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions (scroll down for what PRYT is) for final learning videos as I near completion of my practicum. If you or anyone you know is interested, I will offer you the video taped session free, and give you 2 half priced sessions-that you can keep for yourself or share with a friend.

spritely.balance@gmail.com for more details or to book a session.

"Our heart glows, and secret unrest gnaws at the root of our being. Dealing with the unconscious has become a question of life for us. "
Carl Jung

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/carl_jung_2.html#ixzz1KZAWIf9b

Vulnerability

I saw this great Ted talk on Vulnerability today. I highly recommend it. A "researcher storyteller" displays the essence of why/how we do or don't connect.

It reminds me of how I feel closed off from others when I'm in a "bad" mood. From what she says, it's a fear of being seen, a fear of not being good enough for connection. I sometimes forget that when I try and hide my shadow, it blocks my light from shining too.

The courage it takes for someone to speak to their full experience of what's happening now in a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session always amazes me. I feel so honored that my clients are willing to allow me to support them through that process that isn't always comfortable, but is surely on the path to wholeness.

In what ways do you or don't you allow for vulnerability to show up in your life?