What do you align with? (In response to Anusara in the news)

I practice yoga.  Specifically, I study Anusara yoga.  What does this mean?  It means I recognize my heart has grown several sizes, my mind has awesomely expanded, my outer form has taken on great transformation-yes, I used to be bowlegged, due to my willingness to receive the teachings of a certain method of yoga at a certain point in my practice.  That being said, I truly learn from all systems of yoga; I am a student of Life.

The teacher is helpful; the teaching is transformational; further, the consciousness which absorbs the Truth already present in the soul is the garden for heart-growing, the door to mind-opening, the vessel for body-discovering. 

The answers we are seeking are already in each of us.  It is actually when we can differentiate ourselves from the teacher, and when we can remember the sound of our own voice that we've found the guru:  that heavy, happy truth in our heart of hearts.  I feel so honored that my path is one of sharing my truth in order for others to get more deeply connected to theirs, in the name of yoga.

Among all the sri-full opportunities to grow as a Being, first and foremost I align with my heart.  

Living like there is no other day to live.

There are just some beautiful people in the world who know how to do this.  Live like there is no other day to live.  Just the ordinary, beautiful life set before you, right here.  On this day.  Everyday.

Kathy is one of these people.  She has taught me how to live more fully, be a better teacher, an intuitive mother, a sensitive and loyal friend.  -And she is teaching me how to let go.  -And I thought that she was my student.  I am so humbled this week in the effect of surrendering, yielding, falling back into the arms of Grace.  As I let go of Kathy.

I want. I want. I don't want.

Isn't it funny when that deep and wondrous thing that you want, that you are culling from the cavernous depths of your heart manifests as the thing you don't want?  

And then you are staring at it face to grimacing face, going, "but, I don't want this" when it arises from the hearts' wellspring.

So that's how it goes.  You set your most sincere intention in seeking (like a temper-tantrum-throwing toddler with a three-word vocabulary) that thing that you thought you wanted. And, when it finally is yours:  you toss your head in disgust, throw your body to the floor, and hurl the third word, "mine" (which you thought you were ready to embrace) out the door.  

Lucky I am the humble student to a real-life toddler. Maybe the burgeoning toddler within will learn a thing or two.

New Year's Unresolutions

To do or not to do. Not to do is what Patanjali wanted the yogi to do. The first two of eight limbs of yoga refer to ethical guidelines in matters of the self and in society. They are all about undoing, letting go, doing less.  

For the New Year, I resolve to follow her advice:

Do less in order to create more space. Speak less so that I may hear more. Let go of the past to make room for the tomorrow. Get rid of, so that I may gain. Simplify to to allow for creativity.

What do you resolve not to do?