No Regrets - there are no mistakesDo you look back in your past and feel like you could have done something better? Avoided a situation or person? Had better judgement of character to avoid being hurt? Maybe you hurt someone? Made a choice and now you feel you are “paying” for it?
These are all common thoughts and feelings people have when they look back and wish they could change some important decisions they made. The question is – are any of these mistakes, really mistakes? You can see things a lot differently, which will make the road ahead much easier. Every single choice, experience, decision made – even if the outcome did not seem as pleasant as we had hoped – is all part of the path that is leading to our growth and learning. There are lessons our soul has to learn, so that our vibration can increase and be set free from suffering. We come to this world to learn, and the ultimate goal is enlightenment. We are given the same lessons, over and over, until we finally get it. But we need to be ready to take the lesson. If we miss it, again, we will meet a person, make a decision, and ultimately CHOOSE to learn the lesson, yet again. What happens is sometimes, we get sucked into self pity. We think “why me? WHY WHY WHY!?” Change this thought to, “here is the lesson, yet again. Thank you universe, I am grateful to get another chance to grow.” When you embrace every experience in this way, you will find the next experience will just keep bringing your vibration higher and higher. Meaning, your soul’s experience will jump to the next level of understanding, and you will start to see results in your life that you never thought were possible. You will finally be in a peaceful place in your career, family, partners, friends – not necessarily all at once, but when the time is right and the lessons are learned. Always have faith that the universe is taking care of you and leading you in the direction for your highest good. Look forward, not back. The only time you look back is to gather the lessons.
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Yoga for the Solar eclipseNew moons are a time to shed whats no longer serving you – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It is a time of new beginnings. The new moon of August 21st is combined with a solar eclipse, which means energies are fluctuating greatly. Emotions are more heightened, we may be hyper, overwhelmed, drained – this can happen for days before and after the eclipse. This type of energy is similar to that of the full moon, but may be even stronger at this time.
If you are especially sensitive, you may feel the shifts and effects even more strongly. It is great to incorporate a practice in order to allow these energies to be transformed for our highest benefit and to set intentions. Yoga and meditation will help channel the heightened energy in a more direct way. As a teacher, I usually gage where the energy of my students are. If around this time, I see heightened and “hyper” energy, I may choose to include a class that either helps to release this through a strong vinyasa flow or Kundalini yoga blast, or, we may go into a more gentle, calming flow. If the energy is drained, the class would be rejuvenating and allow for deep rest. Regardless of what happens in the yoga class, the breath, movement, stretching, and meditation will help release, transform, and channel the amazing energy in a more healthy, healing and productive way! Make the best of this time, and join me this week for some healing yoga classes. Love, Light, and Health Being True To YourselfMany of us face our daily lives surrounded by messages, opinions, and criticisms – messages from the media, from society, from politicians, from acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and even family. What we need to recognize is that even a message from a most trusted friend, may not be OUR truth. What can happen is we take their words and make it true. We allow our minds to be shifted and shaped by outside opinions and beliefs. This is all these statements are – opinions and beliefs, not truths. It is not wrong to ask for advice, but the advice should be coming from a pure source, without any ego involvement. It takes some wisdom and intuition to differentiate where someone’s words are coming from, but soon you can capture when someone is giving you their advice or opinion based on fear or conditioning.
The key to making decisions in life is to be true to yourself. When society puts boundaries and rules around how to live your life, always question it. Is it wrong to take a path that supposedly seems risky, will not give you as much money, or maybe, will lead to a potential heart break or disappointment? Whatever you intuitively choose, whatever it leads to, this was the best path for your journey as a soul. Choices we make can be wrong for only one reason – it is not what is true in our hearts. If you know yourself, love yourself, and have faith that all will balance and be ok, always, ALWAYS follow your truth and your heart. Essentially, follow your gut, your intuition, and all will be well. Logic will play a roll, but combining this with intuition will help you feel through life, lead you to wonderful discoveries about yourself, and wonderful adventures. Things you would never have thought could happen, will happen, because you listened to your truth. You followed your instinct. One mistake people make is to not believe in a gut feeling. I’m saying to you now, NEVER, EVER ignore this feeling. Listen, and listen patiently. Even if it seems confusing, one way or another, the truth is there. Listen to the outside world with an open mind, but never let it influence your final decision, unless the messages are from pure truth. You are an infinite being, connected to the infinite universe. You have nothing but answers inside. Let this connection to your highest self be the path you take in life. Live freely, be yourself. Let go if all the false beliefs, fears, and restrictions. Say what you mean, say what you feel, be who you are. There will always be those who do not appreciate your true essence; these are the people still stuck in the framework of society. You do not need these people in your life. But you WILL attract those who have found the truth, and those are the people who will remain in your life. Yoga as a way of lifeIf you are new to yoga, you may be under the impression that the purpose is to stretch, be flexible, meditate, and relax the mind and body. These are definitely some really good reasons to attend a yoga class. However, it is much more than just what you do on your mat.
A lot of people say “I do yoga” – as if it is an activity, an exercise. The definition of yoga is connection and oneness with the Universe. What we really need to start saying is “I live yoga”. Make this your new affirmation! So when we are stretching, breathing and meditating on the mat, this represents a small portion of yoga. Being on the mat is a test, a test of the mind, body, and spirit. You are aware of yourself. It is a time to create new habits, to transform, so that whatever is practised on the mat, can then be applied to real daily life. You can actually do this with any type of yoga – it is all about your intention. You may attend a class that is seemingly all about the “workout” – in fact, you may avoid these classes, or only go to these. But guess what? Even this physical type yoga class, can become a test of your inner strength. You can watch your thoughts and be present with yourself in every single sequence. You can learn about yourself and your tendencies, and bring this new awareness into your daily life. Kundalini yoga is different in that it actually takes you more directly to your core, and in fact, may bring up deeper issues that need to be worked on in daily life. The awareness becomes so strong that you can immediately apply this to your life – whether it be a strong emotion, a thought, or perhaps a shift in perception. Your reactions on the mat, are usually a representation of how you react in life. Being in total awareness is the first step. The next step is to release the egos reactions, fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, sadness...and connect to the real Self, to the Universe. Practice this on the yoga mat, then apply it to your life – you are living yoga. The real Self, is not all those attachments. When you “do” yoga, you are learning the art of non-attachment, non-reaction. Notice that thought, maybe “I can’t do this pose”. Notice that feeling – maybe anxiety. Ask yourself where this is coming from. Most likely it is an attachment to something or someone. Living yoga means letting go of all these attachments, and being one with all life and the universe. Loving yourself and life, no matter how harsh things might seem out there. Being still – being aware – being at peace – within. Use each and every moment in your yoga class to achieve the real essence of yoga. A beautiful example of living yoga is when I was in Bali. I remember the pure energy of the people who lived there. I was in a yoga class, while someone was sweeping very loudly just outside the space. I felt myself starting to react, annoyed. Then I realized, they don’t see it is a bothersome noise, because they are so present in the moment of life, they would not let such a noise affect them if they were in my position. They are so at peace with themselves, that they don’t let such small, insignificant things, bother them. They are just simply happy. This is true yoga. |
AuthorElvira is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Yoga Instructor. She combines her knowledge of the naturopathic modalities with mind-body therapy, yoga, ayurveda, exercise, and energy healing. Archives
January 2019
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