Bronze statues of Terry Fox – “The Marathon of Hope raised $24 million for cancer research in 1980 yet Terry was penniless, yet he was rich with the knowledge that he’d tried his very best, that he had run until he could run no more,” said his father.
A little boy at the leg of this Canadian hero who died of cancer at age 22.
Some may say yoga for the broken-hearted but … it’s not broken. It’s resilient and strong – just ignored or neglected.
Here’s an article that might resonate with some of us this season. It can be about any kind of loss – not necessarily loss of life itself, one might be grieving over. Some people may be so afraid of loss – any kind of loss – that they really have a “grip” and clinging on but sometimes more you tighten the grip, the more what is precious seem to slip through. What is there to be afraid of? Loss of faith, confidence, gasp … control. I suppose the list goes on …Loss of passion in a relationship? Loss of friendship? Loss of all that you possess materially? What if you had … nothing? Is that dreadful? Think – Grace, Peace and Harmony. It’s okay – not everything you have to hold onto, “fight” for; there is no need to slash about, slaying dragons, battling to hold onto all – maybe it’s meant to be that there’s an “end”. That it be lost. There’s no renewal and rebirth, no evolution, sometimes without emptying of what’s had its fill. What needs to change. It’s a cliche these days but we just have to let go. Breathe out the stale and let in the freshness. Feel light; simplify and possess less. Relinquish … control and feel the freedom.
Accumulate less, blow the dust off, de-clutter…just have less… junk, in order that we may discover the subtle power that lays dormant within, feel the real wealth that we each possess.
Reclaim vibrancy and brightness, freedom and … lightness through yoga …
Try the mudra – sure way to regain what’s lost:) Helpful to be a guitar player …
Sa – Index finger to thumb – for cultivating Wisdom and Knowledge
Ta – Middle finger to thumb – for greater Patience
Na – Ring finger to thumb – for restoration of Health and Energy
Ma – Little finger to thumb – for inviting Intuitive Communication
Sat Nam = “Truth is my Name” as I see the divinity, the light, the essence in you. As Judith says, we are merely a conduit or at times a mirror of those we interact with.
By the way, having experienced Gurmukh at Wanderlust, Lake Tahoe and at her home studio, Golden Bridge, in Santa Monica, I came to appreciate this unique practice too – I love kundalini yoga. Why do we have to pick one style? It’s ALL GOOD. Incorporate little gems for that precious moment. That moment when you feel that “prana” zip through you:) Awake without coffee:) Besides, I prefer matcha anyway…
This summer I was fortunate enough to take a week long intensive with … the living legend … Ramaswami Srivatsa.
So happy to find this on Utube! There’s part 1, 2 and 3 … from a learned authentic yoga teacher who humbly says “I am an old man.” at age 78. I garnered some laughter from the class and him, when he looked at me smiling wide eyed – and answered, that’s why I am the teacher:) when questioned, HOW does he keep track of the rather complex pranayama breath count – How does he do it? (obviously with great deal of concentration and years and years of … practice.) That is, he has this incredible “one-pointed focus”, probably much more than those much younger than him, that comes from years of training. The fact that all those sutras and mantra chants are in his head, readily shared is … amazing. I cannot believe he’s also 500 hrs. Yoga Alliance as he’s in his own league – Shouldn’t he be more like million hours educator? I mean who can actually certify him – he stands alone as a master. So so so blessed to have had the opportunity to have the health (thanks yoga!) to go through his intensive although that just touched the surface of what this yogi knows. Luckily he shares knowing he must leave behind as much as possible what was passed down to him…
A different teacher for every student, adapting to become a teacher a student needs … Vinyasa Krama.
Really love the way he stops after speaking very fast – he literally just gushes – and then stops when he feels that some may not be following, and then checks in.
“In the olden days, they believed that life span was predetermined” by the number of breaths … In Japan, there’s the similar belief about one’s “fate”. Can one change that through actions and practice? Yes, you can. I sincerely believe that if anything, change is easier than not changing – because “change” is the natural law… it’s …inevitable.