Day: December 21, 2016

Categories
Yoga

Yin & Yang

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Feeling so much better having attended a Therapeutic Yoga class during lunch today. The class is very well attended by students ranging from age 13 all the way to looks like, maybe 70’s. With nearly 50 students, I was surprised and then not so surprised. He masterfully creates the sense of safety and trust based on actual expertise – of course, people are drawn to that. I was inspired that there’s so much need out there that this teacher was able to respond to … it’s gentle and yet quite challenging; it’s relaxing but better than caffeine awakening, it’s calming and yet … super energizing. It’s quite the Yin & Yang and I loved it. This teacher led us to replenish ourselves physically, mentally and energetically. To me, the session rather reminded me of a class I took in Tokyo last summer – it’s caring and gentle but … challenging in a non-competitive way. You may even work up a light sweat:)

Inspired, getting mini-presents ready tonight for the loyal students who practiced being “present” this year by simply showing up … it’s a gift for sure to have students who give me the opportunity to blend what I’ve learned and try things out. I am filled with gratitude for their true “flexibility” – here’s the next two days as we head into Christmas Eve …Quite saddened that I am no longer teaching the Sunday night restorative class I had the honor of holding space for the last nearly 3 years. Having attended the 3 Invitational sessions with Judith this year – irony of ironies, I don’t get to share all that knowledge in that particular style I love – Yet Sunday evening is a tough time slot …for me with the training and impending travels and subbing frowned upon…as attached and wistful as I was … sometimes one has to let go one thing to let something else enter … it looks to be a sign from the higher self.

Besides, so happy for the lovely yogini who took over – it’s so sweet to have more yoga teachers who want to spread this kind of quiet yet powerful practice also. We are blessed:)

Thursday @ 7:40 am @ Bay Club, Redwood Shores – Yin Yoga
Friday @ 9:30 am @ Bay Club, subbing for lovely Ms. C – Hatha Yoga

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Embracing the Darkness @ Winter Solstice

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Instead of running from the shadows, let it pass through as it invariably does. Tide turns, darkness breaks for light, earth moves around the sun, the moon moves around the earth, and this earth rotates … nothing appears still and yet, notice, notice that stillness deep deep within. The sun, the moon, even this earth, the entire expanse of the Universe is all … within. This gift of darkness we cherish and embrace … toes curled up against the warmth of the hearth, finding that this breath is still with us – steady, unbreakable … silky and soft like the velvety night sky where darkness descends so early … tonight.

If you had a very tough rough challenging year, here’s the chance to let them all ink through into the fabric of the impending darkness, letting the dark liquid of distress blot and smudge into the folds of midnight indigo blues and black. Soak up your very own vintage nectar at the wounds of hurt and see …if the bleeding stops; see how it feels; see how resilient you are. Be comforted knowing that in this longest night, there is still dawn at the end of this night and the night after … and after. Tomorrow, discard the dark stained fabric, now just a rag, acknowledge all that was soaked up and … toss away with no regrets. Redress the wounds and let the healing take an absolute shape as we are each designed to heal and renew – with each breath, clearing, clearing the path. Gratitude for the darkness that allows us to take notice – that the light shine brighter in the dark. Namaste:)

Lovely Rumi …

Wine of Divine Grace is Limitless

All limits come only from the faults of the cup
Moonlight floods the whole sky
From horizon to horizon
How much it can fill your room
Depends on its windows
Grant a great dignity my friend
To the cup of your life
Love has designed it to hold its eternal wine
~Rumi