Music and Grief

This morning as I walked home from the Yoga studio, something so simple as a snow covered dog statue opened up the space where my grief lives. There was that heavy hearted sorrow that I've grown acquainted with over years of loss, most recently being the death of my sister in a house fire this summer. 

While there is some unhealthy programming I have around being with (or not being with) the tenderness of pain, there's also music.

On the day I found out my little sister was gone from this world I needed music like I never have before. There was such a trembling nausea that overtook me. When it was time to leave our mountain host's home I curled up in the back of the camper van and put Krishna Das on. He sings mantras as a form of devotion; they help to quiet the mind and serve to connect the one chanting or listening to that greater whole that we're a part of. I don't believe that anything or anyone is lost, but I couldn't find a sense of where my sister's spirit was. I just needed to let go into those waves of Divine Love. I listened for a long time; the nausea had quieted behind the music. But when I turned the music off, when I stopped focusing on those mantras and what they represent, the sickness could no longer be held at bay. 

Today when I was riding another wave of grief, I opened to song and the power it has to channel and express feelings that are too strong for words. I sang my way across bridges and into the library. I found my friend and roommate, who was also in the midst of a mournful morning. We would not have had the experience of connecting with each other in such a raw and true way if we hadn't been feeling the sadness that comes from endings. 

Today there was a school shooting in connecticut leaving 27 dead, 18 of them children. My prayers, the love flowing through this heart and these songs are with those now gone and all those left behind. 

Feeling connected to others isn't always pleasant or easy, but the richness of using grief as a doorway for compassion is convincing me it's worth it. Here's some Krishna Das to listen to as you let your heart swell as wide as the world.

Gratitude Meditation

Namaste lovelies,

A big thanks for all of your caring thoughts, supportive words and shining present eyes. Life's transitions sure wouldn't be as rich and warm without you. We all affect one another, and we don't usually know how much we're appreciated by those around us simply for being who we are. Living from an authentic, heart centered place is such a gift to yourself as well as those around you. 

Take some time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude this weekend in between bouts of savoring your culinary appreciation. Sit with yourself and explore what else there is to give thanks for with the following meditation.

For those of you who want to deepen your discovery of how your body, beliefs and quality of life are connected, I'm now giving Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions  at Serene Yoga Studios as well as Hollow Reed Holistic. I'm also offering one-one-one and private Yoga classes for those who want a more personalized practice. 

Here's what Psychology Today says about gratitude:"It opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain.  Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. The positive emotions we evoke can soothe distress and broaden our thinking patterns so we develop a larger and more expansive view of our lives.  Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things."

Gratitude Meditation

This is a fantastic self-critic-stomping technique. If the critic pokes its head in, notice that it's there and kindly let it out again.

Invite a deep breath in through your nose. Let it fall out of your mouth. Do this at least a couple more times.

Let yourself sit in the place of the witness-look at yourself as the whole, dynamic being you are. What do you appreciate about yourself?  Take your time with this. It's kind of like acknowledging the qualities you value in a dear friend. 

Notice what's happening in your body as you continue to cultivate that gratitude for yourself. After a while, let any details or stories about why you're grateful drop. Just be with the sense of gratitude. What is it like to honor yourself as you are in this moment? Nourish your capacity to be unconditionally grateful. 

Continue in a similar way, extending it out to the life you live and the relationships you have. Check out what there is to appreciate. Notice physical sensations. Then allow for that unconditional gratitude to grow. 

Bring your hands together in front of your heart, palms gently pressing together. Ground down through your seat or your feet. As you inhale widen your arms and roll your shoulders back. Lift your chest and your gaze. With your exhale, bring your hands back together in front of your heart. Do this movement, synchronized with your breath, a few times. When it feels done for you, let your hands rest together at your chest for another deep breath. 

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. "Melody Beattie 

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice."  ~Meister Eckhart

Fragility

"Well, why wouldnt someone want to feel fragile? I think fagility is one of the most underrated things as a human being. I believe that we're doing Yoga so that we can be strong enough to be fragile. I mean, we are fragile, and we're living in a society were we could easily be destroyed -psychologically, emotionally, and physically- so why shouldn't we feel fragile? life is on a silk thread hanging like a cocoon from a tree, and it's a fragile thing. I don't think Yoga is to keep you from feeling fragile. I think it's to enable you to be consciously fragile but still feel like, "I'm fine with this fragility.""-Rodney Yee

I've certainly been feeling fragile since my sister's passing. And despite my beliefs about death, I can't sidestep the natural process of grieving. It's common, even habitual, for us to distract ourselves from uncomfortable emotions. It might be reading a fantasy novel, getting lost on the internet or talking about anything other than what's aching to be felt. We have no shortage of ways to avert our attention in this society. 

Take some time today to focus your attention on yourself as a whole- the parts that are fragile and vulnerable as well as the parts that are empowered and strong. Acknowledge everything that's present right now. What's happening in your body? Find a Yoga posture that helps you to accentuate the sensations. For example, I've been noticing heaviness in my chest; a heavy heart. Forward folds have been allowing me to curl into myself, looking inwards at what's happening there. When I uncurl and explore a backbend I've felt more vulnerable with the pain, while allowing space to open and let go of that heaviness. 

Honor yourself and welcome the possibilities.

May your practice today serve your ability to be ok with being fragile. 
May you be truly happy.
Namaste
Jessica

Savoring what's Shared

We played this song at my little sister's funeral. I know I tend to take it for granted that I'll see people again. 

Practice being fully present to yourself, so that you can be present to all your relationships, appreciating the unique beauty in every moment. Change is constant; sometimes change is sudden... What's Happening Now?

On Death, with Love

How to put words to such bursts of change? The element of fire has the characteristic of transformation.   Many have been transformed since the flames claimed the lives of my sister, Lisa Mosher, and family friend, Alyssa Bernardin.  

I'll continue to share about how Yoga and Community has been serving me through all of this. For now, here's a piece from Kalil Gibran's The Prophet. I read this after I found out, while I was in the beautiful resort town of Fernie, B.C. Notice what comes up for you as you read it. Watch your breath. Notice your body. What happens around your heart?

You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Be Patient as you watch the Eagle Grow

Sometimes I think that I'm done with this cultivating patience thing, that it's time to move on to bigger and better ventures! Ahem, yes well, perhaps that's why my muggy morning dream illustrated my need to integrate this state to balance out it's overly embraced opposite of haste.


My dream self was holding a leash with a young eagle harnessed in at the end. It seemed like I was trying really hard to make this fresh life fly. The environment we were in was busy, chaotic even. There was a striving, a craving to be somewhere else. The bird couldn't fly. No matter how much effort from me or the creature, no adventures were going to happen just yet. There needed to be more space for growing into being able to soar freely. I rushing when I could be witnessing the natural unfolding of this life. 


Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism all value the virtue of patience as a way to enlightenment or as a way to grow closer to God. In the First Nations seven sacred teachings the eagle represents Love. I encourage you to witness your relationship with the pace at which you practice Eagle Pose. Notice the space in your body, the space between breaths, between thoughts. 


What's happening now? 


Garudasana a.k.a Eagle Pose


Do some Sun Salutations or other warm ups before exploring this asana.


Stand with your feet together and your hands together in front of your heart.


Invite a deep breath in. With your exhale, bend your knees and sink your hips down. 


Ground down through your left foot. Inhale to lift your right foot and cross your leg over your left leg. Hook your right foot around your left calf if you can, or point your toes back. Keep your navel drawn in; this will support your balance. 


Inhale your arms up and over head. Exhale your right arm under your left with elbows bent. Bring your palms together and take deep breaths here. 


When you're ready, unwind your arms and legs and stand back in Mountain Pose. Explore this asana on the other side. 


"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it"-Rumi

Celebrating Solstice

  Here is the sunrise I saw this morning from Garbage Hill.

It was so beautiful in person, in the quieter part of the day; birds sharing the soundscape with the beeping and clanking of morning work. Even though technically yesterday was Summer Solstice, I was inspired to celebrate this still very long day with some morning yoga that included a few Sun(rise) Salutations. I chanted the Gayatri Mantra as I cycled to the hill. I adore Deva Premal's version. I encourage  you to listen to it when you can. Notice what it's like to feel the mantra. This mind-quieting, connection inspiring tool is a particularly dear friend of mine. Here it is written if you'd like to chant along:


     Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
     tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ
     bhárgo devásya dhīmahi     dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt 


Take a few deep breaths. Ask yourself how you want to honor all this light and life force that's available to you now. As the darkness of night now grows again, ask yourself how you can best honor also your shadows. You never know what gems might be hidden there until you open up to discovery. 


To the wholeness of being human,
Namaste

"Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor."- Francis Lucille

Driven by Discontent? Cultivate Compassionate Contentment

Have you ever gone through times that are so busy, but nothing much seems to get done? That feeling for me can feed into a cycle of stress and anxiety. When there is a sense of not doing or accomplishing enough, the inner critic's volume can get turned up. I try to do to appease the growing discontent about my abilities, a reflection of my conditional self love. 


The Yoga Sutras include Santosha, contentment, as a part of the journey towards harmony. When I slow down and let myself just be with myself as I am, even with all there is or isn't to do, I can move from a more calm place. I can practice opening up to unconditional love. What courage that takes! To find love, acceptance and contentment when that critic is telling me I'm failing or not good enough takes tremendous softening, strength, and practice. 


Regular meditation trains us and rewires our brain. We watch what unfolds as it unfolds; we nurture our ability to be at peace with ourselves just as we are. Throughout that process our discontents can teach us about our relationship to ourselves and the life we're living. Try the practice below and notice how that affects the intention you move with for the rest of the day.


Start with a Centering Meditation. 
Notice your breath as it is
Your body in this moment
Your thoughts as they arise 
Your emotions 
And what's happening now in your life.


Stand with your feet hip width apart. Bring your palms together in front of your heart center. Take a deep breath here. On an inhale, reach your arms up and over head. As you exhale, fold forward, hinging from your hips. Bring your hands to your legs or down to the floor. 


Notice what's happening now. What's your relationship to yourself in this position? Stay here for at least 5 deep breaths or as long as it feels right to. 


When you're ready, place your hands on your hips and inhale back up to standing. Pause here and notice what's happening in this moment. 


Invite your hands to touch in Anjali mudra again in front of your heart. Draw your navel in towards your spine. Inhale reach your arms up. Exhale and slide your shoulders down your back and let your chest open upwards as you lift your gaze. Take at least 5 breaths here and notice what happens. 


Inhale to lift back to upright, exhale your hands back to your heart. 


What do you notice now? 


"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."- Buddha


"A youthful mind is seldom totally free from ambition; to curb that, is the first step to contentment, since to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment."- Frances Burney


Namaste
Jessica

Spring Cleansing for that Summer Shine

We've only got one more week until Summer Solstice, and that means only one more week of spring cleaning to go. If you feel bogged down in anyway or feel like life is just too full, this practice will support you in clearing more space in your mind, body and spirit. All Yoga practice is a purification process so we can connect with that Truth and Bliss within, so do your best to give yourself that time as regularly as you can. 


This meditation will support your connection with where you're at now, the twists will wring out your liver for that inner cleanse, and the backbend will be your energetic master cleanser, helping you make the space for an open heart and a vibrant summer. Enjoy! 


Check in with yourself. Breath, body, thoughts, emotions, and life. Take your time with each of these parts of yourself.
What do you notice? 
Set an intention for your practice. What would serve you best right now to let go of? What are you creating space for in your life?


Sit on a block or cushion in a cross legged position. Ground down into your foundation, down through your sitting bones. Place your left hand on your right knee, place your right hand on the floor behind you. Inhale to lengthen your spine. Exhale to spiral into your twist towards the right. Breath deeply here, focusing on the exhales as you let go of tension. When you're done on this side, take a breath in the middle and then explore the twist to the left. 


Stand with your feet hip width apart. Bring your palms together in front of your heart center. Take a deep breath here. On an inhale, reach your arms up and over head. As you exhale, fold forward, hinging from your hips. Bring your hands to the floor, bending your knees if you need to. Step your right foot back behind you so you're in a lunge. Square your hips. Bring your left hand to the floor on the inner edge of your left foot. Ground your left arm and leg towards each other. Inhale to lift your right arm up towards the ceiling. Breath deeply here. When you're ready, bring your right hand to the floor and inhale your left arm up. Open your chest to the side wall and slide your shoulders down away from your ears. Explore this position with your breath. Switch sides when you're ready. 


Invite your hands to touch in Anjali mudra again in front of your heart. Draw your navel in towards your spine. Inhale reach your arms up. Exhale and slide your shoulders down your back and let your chest open upwards as you lift your gaze. Keep rooting down through your feet as you breath deeply here. Inhale to lift back to upright, exhale your hands back to your heart. Do 2 more, see how each one is unique. 


Lay down, bend your knees and roll onto your right side. Reach your left arm back behind you and turn your gaze to follow. Let both shoulders surrender towards the floor. What is it like to breath here? 


Take some time for your final resting pose, Savasana. Let yourself soften and simmer in the benefits of your practice. 


May all beings everywhere be truly happy and peaceful.
May our thoughts, words, and actions support the harmony of life. 


Check out this deliciously dance-able version of the Lokaha Mantra, a mantra for world happiness and prosperity. 
Namaste
Jessica

Unfolding Awareness

    I was recently reminded of the re-connecting power of story while at a full moon celebration. We gathered under a sky brushed with pink. The smell of sage blended with the lilacs during the opening ceremonies. These were followed by a sharing circle. As people spoke so openly about themselves I felt the potency of being heard by a welcoming, non-judgmental group. The intimacy of the circle grew as each person had their space to speak. Even though some didn't otherwise know one another, the sacred tone created a sense of safety that allowed people to share in a beautifully honest way. 

I believe that bodies, like people, have stories to tell. My body has a story that teaches me through tingling. Sizzling sensations will slither through one of my legs. I've been learning to listen to this language. Sometimes I'm resistant to hearing what my body has to say. Like most relationships, there can be fighting. With regular practice and support, I'm learning how to be with what's happening now; witnessing the unfolding of this relationship with this embodied teacher. Self-care and slowing down are the main melodies of the songs it sings. 

Deep in the Amazon a story is waiting to be told. Amazon Voice is a project that aims to ensure the survival of indigenous cultures and the environment through empowering communities to tell their stories with modern technology. When I see how healing it can be for a single person to be welcomed to share their piece, I can only image how powerful it must be for a whole community to communicate their ways with the world. Watch the intro for their goal project and help them out with achieving it if you can. 

Body-mind psychologist Carl Rogers says, “People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner." I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.” 

See what it's like to watch with awe as you unfold, starting Now.

Try the attached meditation as a way to be guided through an exploration of your sunset palate. 

Namaste

Jessica

Jessica facilitates unfoldings in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Partner Yoga and Yoga classes. The next PRYT Partner Yoga class is on June 16th from 10:30-12 at Hollow Reed Holistic's Community Space next door to the apothecary. 

Our Brains in the process of Transformation

If you've ever wondered about the neurological happenings of your personal evolution, this is a TedTalk for you. Joe Dispenza teaches how we can support ourselves as we shift from who we are to who we want to be. 


Metacognition is defined as knowing about knowing, our cognition about our cognition. In Yoga, this would be what called the Witness Self. When we observe our behaviors and beliefs we have more power to create changes in our brain and the ways we live. As we regularly reinforce thoughts we know will serve us, others that are a part of different neural networks will fade away. Joe illustrates how this leads to our nature becoming more, for example, compassionate. 


Check in with yourself right now. Take a few deep breaths. Sense your body. 


Witness what's happening now.


How does your authentic self want to be living? 


Create an intention to do one thing later today to take a step in that direct. (go to 12:15 in the video to hear about the brain and intention)


"The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision - He allows things to come and go - His heart is open as the sky." 

~ Lao Tzu

Mantra for Compassion, Metta

I'm feeling on Deva Premal's Tara mantra right now. Notice what it's like to listen to it with your whole being. 

Here's the words so you can chant along:

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

This is a mantra of compassion and liberation. It came up in my awareness yesterday as I was having one of those being-a-paradoxical-human kind of times. I saw that while at times I feel at home in my body and connected to my truth and power, there are others when I'm restricted by negative self images. 

The beauty in allowing myself to be with pain is that it can be a river flowing towards an ocean of connection. I know I'm not alone in what I feel. How many other people share these ranges of being in relationship to themselves and the world around them? How can I embrace this opportunity to cultivate compassion for myself and all beings? I do my best to be with what's happening now as fully as I can in a welcoming way. I lean into my edges. I notice how the caring touch of a friend helps me soften into it with a sense support. I notice the actions that naturally want to arise. Of them is a practice of Metta, also known as loving-kindness or friendship.

Try this now, or the next time the waves of emotion have softened your armor. Use whatever words or phrases work for you right now. 

May I be truly happy, free and peaceful.

May all of us who feel inhibited by our body image be truly happy, free and peaceful. 

May all of us who notice restrictions in the ways we live because of harmful inner narratives be truly happy, free and peaceful.

May we all be truly happy.

May we all be free.

May we all be peaceful.

In Metta,

Namaste

Jessica

Everybody gets to play!...even the gross ones?

I'm doing my best to let everybody play today. Sounds fun right? If you're into being whole and sharing rich moments, then yes, I guess it was a fun day.

 Sharon Salzberg shared the phrase "everybody gets to play" while I was on retreat at Kripalu. I appreciate the all inclusive implication. Today emotions started arising that didn't align with my idea of how my day was going to go. I intended to be with them, inviting even these uncomfortable waves to play and maybe even teach me a something about myself.

There were heavy sensations calling attention to my chest. I made my way to my yoga room and put myself into a supported fish pose. The backbend allowed me to more fully explore what was arising in my heart space and in my emotional body. I stayed with the tears that were streaming, until a part of me felt like that was enough and decided to move on with my day.

I came across this video about Sacred Economics on Tad Hargrave's website. There I was trying to be "productive" learning more about marketing and economics and ended up being so moved by what I saw that I was back in a sea of tears. My dear friend arrived at the door as the video ended. It was such a blessing to get a hug right when I needed it! After I invited him in I noticed my face tensing-an indicator for me that I was masking up. I suggested some acroyoga. I knew it'd be a way I could get more into my body. I flew first. As much as I didn't want to be with the edgy emotions that were arising, I couldn't help it as my body was held in the air. I was reminded of the profound effect of touch. Breathing deeply as my body was stretched I was supported in my process of being present to myself. As much as I like to be an independent DIY kind of person, I'm always learning to embrace the richness of human exchange. Some things are just different, and at times more powerful, when someone else can hold down the fort and I can just let go.

 I'm grateful that I was willing to let myself be with the emotions that came up today. It was definitely edgy for me, but provided an opportunity to see more of who I am. On this journey towards wholeness I need welcome all the parts that make me both human and Divine.

Here's a Rumi poem for you. A friend of mine says that poetry comes alive when read aloud. Try it out, even (especially!) if it's edgy for you. You might get to know a guest of yours in a new and intimate way.

Free from Expectation or Attached to Outcome:How do you Give?

I believe everyone has a unique gift to offer. I feel it's our responsibility to uncover what it is so that we can share it with our communities. Living in such a stimulating culture and being bombarded with so many messages can make it difficult to be in tune with how we can contribute in a way that feels authentic. 

If you're like me, when you find something that really works for you, you want to share it with loved ones. Have you ever been really excited to give something special, only to be disappointed by the response?  I remember growing wheatgrass for my Dad. I had hoped it would help him get through his battle with prostate cancer. My gardening had a desired outcome-my Dad being cancer free. When he kindly declined my offer of this green healing juice, I felt helplessly deflated. 

One of the keys of a transformational Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session is letting go of expectations and desired outcomes to create the space for the possibilities unfolding moment by moment. Doing things with the process as the focus helps me to soften my grip on what I want to make happen. With an end point in mind, I can be blinded to the opportunities for discovery along the way. The desired outcome of my Dad's health improving restricted me from truly being present to him in the process of his illness. I feel there were opportunities for being in a spacious connection with him during that time. Often my attachments to doing something for him, and my disappointments at failing, blinded me from seeing them. 

What would it be like to give in a way that was free of expectations, to offer yourSelf for the sake of shining, trusting that the rays will ripple out in ways that are beyond our knowing?

Even this blog post: I sat down with the intention to write from an authentic place, without any end product in mind. The spaciousness I gave myself invited another wave in the grieving process to arise and be seen. 

Try this experiment: find something special do you. Offer it openly. Let go of expectations. What happens? 

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Spaciousness to Start Again

   I was at a meditation and kirtan retreat with Sharon Salzberg and Krishna Das a few weeks ago. They both encouraged exercising our abilities to let go of all that stuff that inevitably comes up when we sit. When we've noticed that we've lost focus of our breath, body, the mantra, it's an opportunity to begin the practice again. And again. And again, and again, and again... 

   There was a person who I had made up a challenging story about. It sounded something like this: that they had been giving me the cold shoulder and things were generally awkward since things changed from a friendly neighbor vibe. This was a story that didn't sit harmoniously with me and I had intended to transform it. I didn't know how it would happen, but was in for the ride to see how things might unfold. This person is someone who I regularly see through mutual friends and events. I was at a party this weekend and saw my practice in action. When he entered the scene I noticed my story about our relationship arise. I could feel my front body almost thicken in an expression of armoring. Then, I let the story drop. I allowed my armoring to soften and began our friendship again with an open curiosity. Delightful conversations followed, along with a deepened appreciation for the freedom to practice.

 What are the stories you're holding onto right now?

 Take a few breaths to check in with that. Do you notice any stories about your relationships? Your life situations? 

  Notice what happens in your body as you observe the narratives.

  Find a yoga pose that enhances your ability to be present to the sensations in your body. 

  What's Happening Now?

  Explore for as long as serves you, respect your edges. 

  Allow your process to guide you into other postures and places for observing what's happening in each successive now. 

"Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what's going on."-Pema Chodron

   

Gentle Partner Yoga Practice

I've been getting more and more into the arts that allow space for contact and connection. If you've had any experiences with partner yoga, acroyoga, contact dance or any other form of movement involving touch, you may have noticed how a familiar pose can become new territory. 


One of my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy clients had been practicing yoga for over a decade. He had a long term, intimate relationship with himself through Yoga. For him, being assisted into postures he knew so well provided a new space for him to witness how his body reflected his ways of living. He left the session with a clear intention to be more present to his wife. What wisdom does your body want to share? Are you giving yourself the space to listen?
Try the following gentle partner yoga practice


Throughout your practice, do your best to be a welcoming host to whatever arises. As Pema Chodron says, "Never underestimate the power of a compassionate presence.

Sit down back to back with your partner. 
Take a few deep breaths, in through your nose, and out through your mouth.
See what it's like to bring your breath to your back. Imagine you can massage your partner's back with your breath. Stay here for several full breaths.

Place the palms of your hands together. Rest your thumbs at your heart center. Take a deep breath in, extend your arms to the side and up. Weave your arms around your partner's arms. As you exhale next, bend to one side. Ground one pair of hands or forearms on the floor and reach up and over with your other arm. Take a few breaths here as you feel the qualities of sensations where you and your partner's bodies connect. When you're ready, switch sides.

Come back to center. Let your shoulders soften back against your partner as you lengthen your spine. Reach your right hand back to your partner's knee, reach your left hand to your right knee. As you inhale, root into your sitting bones, lift through your crown. Exhale, to spiral into your shared twist. Take a few breaths here. Switch sides when you're ready.

Feel free to keep exploring movement with your partner. Share a savasana, corpse pose, when 
your practice together feels complete. Let me know what your partner yoga practice was like :) 


If you want to meet yourself more through your body, come to PRYT partner yoga class at Hollow Reed Holistic's community space every other Saturday at 10:30 or book a PRYT session by calling or emailing. 

Have a Blissful day

Namaste

Yoga this Spring, Guided Meditation

Namaste and Happy Spring! 

In what ways have you been caring for yourself on this journey of sacred self discovery? What new growth are you celebrating? What are you letting decay to nourish that new life?

Even though we didn't have as full on of a winter, I'm still feeling myself letting go of a few layers as I open up to the fresh possibilities of the blossoming season. As I let relationships, roles and ways of being die and transform, I allow more space for that which is aligned with where's I'm at right Now. A part of that means giving myself time for writing, which means more blog posts! yay! 

One of branches of new growth I'm really excited for is the start of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy at Hollow Reed Holistic's community space next door to their apothecary. (http://www.hollowreedholistic.ca/)

Between the other radiant healers, the soothing smells of the plant medicines, and the friendly people who flow through, I'm so grateful to connect more with the community by sharing what I'm passionate about. Here's where you can find me this spring:

Morning Yoga at Hollow Reed's Community Space
Thursdays
8:00-9:30-$10

Partner Yoga-Phoenix Rising Style
April 21, May 5, May 19 etc.
10:30-12-$10

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions
45 m-$40
90 m-$75

Go here  to listen to a guided PRYT centering meditation. Use it to create space to check in with yourself. Let it be one of the gifts you give yourself today, and feel free to let me know what you get out of it. One thing I appreciate most about what I do is that I get to see unique journeys people of connecting more fully to themselves. 

'"Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy."-Joseph Campbell

The Science of Transformation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFZZagLRPes&feature=player_embedded

Thank you to my friend Xina Lorreen for posting this right when I was pondering the mysteries of how Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy really works to transform ourselves and our lives around us. As you let go into the Loving Presence that is the container in a strong session, our DNA relaxes and our immune system is more free to be healthy.

What kind of presence are you cultivating and how do you imagine that's changing your DNA? How is it changing the world around you?

Take a moment right now to connect in with the power we all have access to.
 Breath into your heart. Move. Sing. Dance. Play. Write. Walk. Appreciate.
 Do whatever serves your ability to offer a Loving Presence to yourself and those around you.

PS-If you want to learn more about the tube torus of energy, Nassim Haramein is your guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyqBnd3Xwck