The Mirror Never Lies

Yoga holds up a mirror. It connects to the light and the dark within. Yoga tells you you're hurting, you're avoiding, you're destroying. It also tells you you're accepting, you're open, you're grateful. Whatever is going on inside you spiritually, yoga will let it rise. On Day 2 of my Yoga Conference journey, I know that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. My yoga is showing me that by following my heart, my fears are dissolving. The logical mind questions this transition period, but my spiritual Self trusts the journey. You can never fail when you learn. Right now, I'm learning to shift my perspective and connect with my higher Self. Yoga has awakened uncomfortableness and plenty of goodness as well. It'll continue to do so because every day is a new day. The way seasons change, so do we. Some days I ride the waves of life smoothly. Other days (since no two are alike) I let my obstacles win. I'm not perfect. I'm work-in-progress. Yoga helps me make sense of the mental noise in my head. It also helps me believe in truth and love. This YC has allowed me to understand that the truth that lies in your heart, will never fail you. What is yoga showing you? If you don't practice yoga, stand in front of a mirror, repeat this statement, "I love and accept myself". Now see what the mirror is showing you. That's your truth.

My Yoga Conference Journey

This week-end, I'll be attending the Yoga Conference in Toronto. This is where world renowned master teachers present enlightening yoga workshops, meditation, and insightful lecture. 
This time around, I'm drawn to 4 amazing workshops with the following Gurus:

The Pelvis - Unlock your Hips with Natasha Rizopoulos

This is where it all begins - at the root! The focus will be on the understanding and unlocking of the hips (1st/root chakra), which is the area that keeps us grounded and safe.








Obstacle as Path with Cyndi Lee

In this workshop, we'll deepen our understanding of the postures that touch our core.  In my case, the famous heart openers I've been avoiding, will be explored with compassion.












Everyday Miracles (with my absolute favorite teacher) Seane Corn

In this class, Seane will guide us through a clearer understanding of miracles that we experience in our lives. Seane Corn's classes go way beyond an asana practice. She shares her spiritual approach to life, which is elating. 






Colors in Me: Creative Tools for Sharing Yoga with Children with Tamika Schilbe & Carolyn Jyoti Burke
The children workshop is a first for me.  Having two kids of my own, I'm developping greater interest in sharing the beauty of yoga with them. 

I look forward to sharing my YC experience with all of  my supportive readers.

Namaste
Marisa

Better to Fail than to Bail

Almost daily, I happily turn to my Angels Oracle cards for guidance.  I'm always blown away by the content of the card I draw.  Today, following yesterday's post, I ironically drew the 'Heart Chakra' card.  The heart chakra (aka Anahata meaning unstuck) is the 4th chakra.  It's associated with love, kindness towards your Self and others, as well as following your heart.  As I began my meditation with this chakra in mind, I envisioned a pink glow around my heart.  Suddenly the question surfaced - 'what am I afraid of?'.  Without further ado, 'Failure' replied.  At this point in my life, I'm experiencing strange and wonderful changes.  We all undergo change throughout our lives.  But change is scary.  It scares us because it's unfamiliar.  Being open minded isn't enough to get you through transitions, but being 'open hearted' is.  This is when we stand at the mercy of the Universe and ask for its guidance and support.  After all, we're never alone, so might as well just show up wearing your 'Team Universe' t-shirt. Of course, that's not enough.  My heart is telling me that I'm afraid to fail.  Check.  So now what?  During meditation, I decided to hug failure and told myself that it's OK to fail.  Our greatest teachings are born through our failures.  So, now I'm wearing my 'Team Universe' t-shirt and I have my friend Failure on stand by. Although there's no space for him right now, should he appear, I'll thank him for the wise lesson.

Bend it like a Silly Band

Ah, backbends!  When you allow yourself to surrender in a backbend, it's so liberating.  The challenge is allowing yourself to let go - of fear, your ego's attachment to perfection, and your judging thoughts.
Backbends, aka Heart Openers, awaken your emotions and assess your flexibility. I never loved backbends. I always believed I had a flexible personality, but when I began fearing heart openers in my yoga practice, I knew I had some "stuff" buried inside.  May be I silently fear change making me stiff rather than flexible.
The beauty of yoga is that it awakens any "crap" you've compressed over years. Whenever you feel challenged by a pose, that's your cue to look inside.  My humble advice (inhale through your nose) is to practice with conscious compassion of the feelings that surface (exhale through your mouth), rather then push them away. Breathing will slowly release any tension, so you can be flexible on and off the mat.

Feathered Love

Painting by Elena Romanova, shop PortLove
@ Etsy.com

How to Heal a Broken Heart

Today's post is dedicated to two women, who opened their hearts to me, and shared their stories of heartbreak.  Although both stories were completely different, their pain was equal.  They loved fully, gave consistently, listened attentively, and committed wholeheartedly.  So what went wrong?  How could both relationships fall short of success?  Without trying to be insensitive, I'm not interested in the story, because that's already the past and cannot change.  The how, why, when, this, that, isn't important right now.  The focus needs to be on the present moment.  Feeling not good enough today?  Want to start healing so you can get back to your best Self?  Then welcome to Day 1 of "Me, Myself & I".  MMI happens when you choose to get unstuck to old thoughts and habits.  Listen up ladies!  Everything you lovingly gave to your partners, must now be given to your Self.  Love and accept your Self right now.  Give your Self kind thoughts.  Listen attentively to your body and address any discomfort you're feeling.  Commit wholeheartedly to your Self by retiring your old thoughts and beliefs.  It's all about YOU!  Get back your power!  Getting back your power means being open and receptive to love - especially Self love.  Don't live in regret.  You lived through this experience for a reason.  You'll get back to happy when you choose happy thinking.  Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year are rooted on this moment.  MMI starts right now, so tune in and trust the journey.

l.o.v.e.

love nature

live in the moment
open your heart & your mind will follow
visualize an optimistic outcome for anyone sick
enrich your life by seeing good in everyone

Meeting my Idol

Do you have a wish list of influential people you'd love to meet?  If my friend Vanessa was given 24 hours to live, I think she'd beg to share it with Jon Bon Jovi.  Throughout my teenage years, my dream was to meet Madonna (got over that one).  In my college days, as my interest in fashion marketing grew, my list was topped by Diesel's CEO, Renzo Rosso.  I was so impressed with the cutting edge message in every ad campaign.  I knew the leader of that brand had to be someone with keen foresight.  I even went so far as to send him a personal me-selling-myself package to his office in Italy.  Then one day it happened.  I landed my dream job at Diesel's Canadian office.  Not quite with Renzo, but almost there.  Naturally, I kept visualizing the day I'd meet the advertising God of the fashion industry.  The Universe supported my vision and one hot summer day, I met him.  We were at a meeting in Italy and my boss brought me over to meet him.  As I held my bombay tonic in one hand, before he even heard my name, he whipped out a toothbrush from his pocket, dipped it in my drink, brushed his tooth and proudly showed us his diamond pierced molar!  Now that's a lasting impression.  Suddenly, the person I so admired, quickly turned into a man I wish I'd never met.  On the other hand, I admired his brand marketing vision.  It just so happened that he turned out to be self-absorbed and ego driven.  His vision never changed, but mine was certainly altered.  Sometimes, we create these falsehoods about others.  Note to Self: No one is perfect, so don't expect your "idol" to live up to your fictional desires - even if it's Oprah!  Our authenticity is hidden behind layers of love and fear.  Accept that perfection is an illusion and expect the unexpected.

Yoga for a Broken Heart

Yoga for a Broken Heart

Turn to Light

In our darkest times, we look for light.  Let this image guide your thoughts towards the light.  We are all being supported by higher powers.  Imagine yourself climbing towards your higher thoughts; your better thoughts.  Climb away from the darkness and into the peek of light.  You are never alone.  Today light is guiding your spirit.  Trust it and let go of any fears.  When you reach the top, welcome the summit and release low-level, negative thoughts.  Open your heart and accept what awaits you.

Breaking up with your Mentor

A very dear friend announced her resignation today. After over ten years of dedication, sleepless nights and tears, she finally pulled the plug. Her career brought her tremendous highs and lows. Whenever she was feeling discouraged, she'd still manage to find the slightest silver lining that would convince her to stay. There's a fine line between loyalty and dedication. Her loyalty to the CEO (her mentor) was so strong that I believe she'd even take a bullet for him. When someone gives us our big break, how long are we indebted for? Yes, thanks to him, she was given a chance. But let's not be in denial here. She was given a chance because she had all the essential qualities: intelligence, dedication, passion, perseverance and tough skin (vital quality for surviving the fashion industry). Who wouldn't give someone that whole a chance? But when sales weren't stellar anymore, she also became the department punching bag. Her strong ties to her mentor kept her there longer than she deserved to be. Then there's the Ego that pops in saying you shouldn't leave a job when the company isn't thriving. So that guilt kept her there longer. I'm writing about her today because there are many people like her out there. We connect with our leaders on such a profound level that when better opportunities surface, we pass them up. Why do we give them so much power? They gave us our big break, but we also performed. We missed important family holidays for work. I even missed my close friend's wedding to attend a meeting in Europe. We're the rare employees that keep on giving. Today, my friend chose to honor her Self by listening to her heart. She'll forever be grateful for the experience, but no longer indebted. When we feel this sense of obligation to someone, we often give much more than we were given. Appreciation is important, however preserving your integrity is fundamental. There may never be a good time to leave a job, but there is a right time. When you can tell yourself that you'll eventually be forgotten, and accept that fact, then you're ready to begin a new chapter. I'm proud of my friend for honoring her truer Self. We're all on our path to greatness, at our own pace. While some prefer taking the highway, others may choose to take the small roads. Respect the journey for there's a right time for all of us to find our truth.

Letter to my High School teacher

Dear Miss Zannis,

   It's been eighteen years since I graduated from Villa Maria High School. As I began writing this blog, that feeling of being accepted and appreciated for my voice, brought me back to high school. As my former Public Speaking and English teacher, I have to thank you for much of my success. My strong oral and written English skills have played a big role in my career in Marketing and PR. But one of my most memorable experiences was life changing. 
   After having written what I believed was my best speech ever, you discouraged me from presenting it in a public speaking competition. That was the first time I tasted rejection. Being told I wasn't good enough was tough to absorb as a teen trying to find my voice. Regardless of your opinion, I still entered the contest. I'll never forget the day the decision, of who would represent our school at the provincials, was made. You pulled me out of class to tell me that I had won. That must have been very hard to do. That same day was when I learned that rejection tastes sweet. 
   You see Miss Zannis, I believe that people come into your life at a certain time, for a reason. Our paths crossed because I needed to learn that no matter what someone thinks of you, it's simply their own personal view. By not handing over my power to you, your opinion of me was none of my business.  I let you own your negative thoughts regarding my talent and I refused to buy into it. 
   Yes my big mouth got me in trouble many times. And I'm not denying that I was cocky with obnoxious tendencies - I was a teen! My voice however, remains my best tool for expression. You contributed tremendously to the skills I'm most proud of. I wholeheartedly thank you for the experiences we shared throughout high school.
   Today, I can sincerely say that I'm grateful to have lived through that rejection. In the midst of our greatest challenges, there are blessings. We're all worthy of success but the key is not to allow anyone to convince us otherwise. Thank you again for the memorable challenge. 

Sincerely,
Marisa (Class of '94)

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Shamrocks & Yoga

Did you know that St. Patrick used the shamrock - a 3-leafed plant, to illustrate the Christian teaching of the Holy Trinity (3 persons in one God)?  The Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit, are distinct yet coexist in unity.  In yoga, we honor our Self through the unity between the mind, body and breath.  All three elements connected are essential for an enlightened practice.

Green Tea Smoothie for St. Patrick's Day

Not a big green tea fan? You can still reap the benefits in this simple smoothie loaded with green goodness. One green tea bag, 3/4 cup boiling water, 1/2 cup mashed banana, 1/2 cup crushed ice, 1 tbs. Orange juice, 1/2 tsp. minced fresh Ginger, honey or sugar to taste. Brew the tea bag until desired strength. Remove tea bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Blend tea, banana, ice, orange juice and ginger until smooth. Add sweetener and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Open your Heart

Urdhva Dhanurasana or The Wheel Pose

Wondering what the world looks like from here?

Breathe, relax, open your heart & be grateful.

Thou Shall Not Criticize

Criticism. The ugly "C" word. For Lent this year, I decided to give up soft drinks and criticism. I felt it was important to add an action that is negative and challenging to stop. After 48 hours, putting an end to criticism seemed near impossible. First, there's self-criticism which pays a visit at least three times a week. Then there's criticism towards others. Who would've guessed Lent 2012 would be tougher than a handstand? Today, as I criticized myself for struggling with this, I was given a brilliant tip. Whenever you criticize, note it on paper with a check mark. What a brilliant exercise that helps put things in perspective. Thanks to a sheet with check marks, I realized that faultfinding is one of my strengths! If you're stuck in judgment gear, here's an affirmation you can repeat daily: "I release all criticism. I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored to me in every moment."LH

Acknowledge yourself for being centered when there is incredible chaos around you.  Acknowledge yourself for being courageous and for doing so much more than you thought you could.  -Louise Hay

Goal Setting

I've been a Lululemon fan for over a decade. Aside from creating sweat-appropriate clothing, the brand represents a lifestyle for me. A big part of their brand values is goal setting. So I couldn't resist printing out a copy of their famous Vision and Goals worksheet. I've always been hesitant to set goals. Come January 1st, I'm part of the masses that set out a goal that's usually exercise related. And like most people, if by week 4, I don't feel life-changing results, I quit. Giving up on a well-intended goal is about as bad as dumping your fiance, a week before the wedding. That's also when your mental inbox starts getting hate mail. "Dear Marisa, Welcome to the Quitters Club. Since you failed to accomplish your goal, you're getting an upgrade. Would you like the 'Loser View' or 'Lazy Daisy View'?" What does it really mean when we check out early on our goals? Are we setting the bar too high? Are we scared to fail? Or are we afraid to succeed? After all, if you succeed, you now know you could do it, so you have no excuses. After having been discouraged by goals many times, here's what I've learned. Set a small goal like, 'I will run 2km a day' rather than saying you'll run a half marathon. Love and encourage yourself throughout the process. Honor your effort. The feeling you get whether you accomplish something big or small, is the same. You're so proud for having committed and succeeded. Once you've realized a goal, set another one. This time, set the bar higher. I read an article where Kim Kardashian says that her and her mom (Manager/Mogul) set goals and visions for what they want to achieve every six months. They also write an outrageous goal they feel is way over the top. That is the power of visualization and affirmations. Right now, set a goal. Verbalize your goal as though you've already accomplished it. Now close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving your goal. Do this everyday. If you work hard and want it badly enough, the Universe will support you. Get goaling already; the Universe is waiting.

Take Five and Repeat

Today I'm offering 5 suggestions that are for everyone's highest good.
#1. Trust what the Universe gives you. There's a reason for everything, so accept the experience and though you may not understand the lesson, when you're ready, it'll be revealed to you.
#2. Dedicate time each day to your well being. Too busy for You? Then take 10 minutes to stop, breathe and be in the moment. Got 20 minutes? A few yoga poses can quickly reenergize your body and mind. Eating healthy is also nurturing your well being. 
#3. Befriend your fears. This is definitely a challenging one. Try something small each day that scares you. With every tiny step, you will release a little of that fear within.
#4. Scream in your pillow. Having a bad day? Feeling mad at the world? Then pound the pillow. Releasing your anger is very liberating and therapeutic. The key is not to release your anger at others, so let your pillow have it.
#5. Walk barefoot often. I've realized that the best way to feel connected to the earth is to walk barefoot. Allowing your feet to feel the energy of the earth brings you balance and keeps you grounded. During anxious times, make your feet hit the ground so you can get back to your center.

Celebrate Imperfections

Did you criticize yourself at any time today? May be you called yourself stupid for an oversight? If you're living amongst our perfection-driven society, then you probably did. Why do most of us give importance to this desire to achieve perfection? Its great to be driven to excel, however it's not right to condemn ourselves for our slightest mistakes. When we were in our mother's womb, I'm sure she was praying for a healthy child, not a perfect one. Our culture is so focused on doing rather than being. It's OK if you set your alarm clock to 6pm rather than 6am. It's OK if you overcooked your pasta because of American Idol. And it's also OK if you sent your child to school wearing her brother's underwear. Imagine if we celebrated every time we did something right. We'd all be party animals! Instead the vast majority of our human society put more importance on what we do wrong. Our critical inner voice is our greatest enemy. So stop. Breathe. Be. Remind yourself of how great you are. Now think of one small thing you did right today, and smile. The next time that judgmental voice pops by for a visit, shut it down with affirmations of gratitude. Be grateful for your imperfections because they make you whole. Aim to be your biggest fan rather than your worst critic.

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves" -Carl Jung

ChildrenTeach

Children are the greatest teachers. The best lessons I've learned are thanks to my 3 year old daughter. With no concept of time, she teaches me to stay present. Filled with curiosity, her repetitive questions teach me to be understanding. Sharing her favorite snack, she teaches me kindness. Putting together a challenging puzzle, she teaches me patience. Seeing her eat snow off the ground, she teaches me to appreciate nature's gifts. Watching her fall off the balance beam three times, she teaches me perseverance. Hearing her contagious laugh, she teaches me to have fun. Children represent innocence. Their hearts are pure and loving. We all have an inner child. Pay attention to your inner child more often. The world can use more hugs and kisses.

Daily Self Checklist

Breathe. Be Loving. Breathe. Be Kind. Breathe. Be Patient. Breathe. Meditate.

Notice the Signs

Something pretty amazing happened to me recently. I lost my wallet somewhere in my grandparent's building. I had a comfortable amount of money in there, as well as my credit cards. Miraculously, my wallet was found and returned untouched, by a kind and loving 22 year old man. Three weeks prior to that incident, I lost my cell phone. I think I dropped it outside during a snowstorm. The same day my wallet did a 360, I received a call from a stranger who had found my phone. He not only brought it back to life, he took the time to see if there was a contact number at home, so he could return it to me. So what are the signs? Is the Universe trying to tell me I'm lucky? May be. But the message is much greater than luck. My wallet represents value and my cell phone communication. In actuality, I had lost a bit of both within my Self. The most significant part, is that both came back to me. Meditation has helped me connect me to my higher Self. During meditation, I repeat the mantra, 'Om Mani Padme Hum', which means loving kindness. Mantras/affirmations are like playing tennis. You hit the ball and it comes back to you. Whatever you send into the Universe will come back. In my case, the signs were clear. What I had temporarily lost within my Self, came back to me, and my words of loving kindness attracted the same within two strangers. Nourish your Self with a daily dose of love and when you're ready, you'll notice the signs.

Wake up to Happy

"Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." - Carl Jung

It's Never too Late

Are you stuck in status quo? Do you have regrets over unfulfilled ambitions? Somewhere, at some point in your life, you bought in to that doubting voice that told you that you can't. It's simple mathematics - passion + drive + discipline = achievement (talent accounts for a third). These traits are the fundamentals to creating your best life. Often times, we're terrified by success rather than failure. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? That's the power of the mind. The subconscious can brainwash you into believing that you're just not good enough. So how do we kick that doubtful voice to the curb? Being someone with a racing mind, the key for me is to stay centered with my higher Self. Whenever I'm greeted by negative thoughts, I breathe deeply and visualize the thoughts being packed into a durable luggage as its shipped to the universe. No one will wake up in the morning and tell you that you're good enough to follow your dreams. You're your own master. If you tell yourself daily what you want, it'll materialize. Say it out loud as though you already have it. Commit to your goals and take the challenge. We regret what we don't do. Let Nike's slogan be your mantra - 'Just do it!'.

"Yoga is a lifelong process of living & learning that nurtures our being & enriches the quality of our days." -Ganga White

Half Moon 9 months pregnant

In a world where we need to schedule a bathroom break on our iPhones, is it fair to say that making time for our Self is near impossible?  My day starts with my 10 month old waking up for his milk, closely followed by my 3 year old asking for breakfast.  That leaves me with 30 minutes to shower and hit the road - not for a jog, but for a meeting.  As 10 am quickly becomes 3 pm, the little voice comes to greet me.  "Did you breathe today?". Breathe?  I can barely check my e-mails.  Too busy to 'breathe'.   When you first learn about deep breathing, you realize that throughout your life, you were never breathing properly.  If breathing is natural from birth, how can it be that most of us don't really know how to do it?  It's quite simple.  While we're busy scheduling a bathroom break, we're completely ignoring our Self.  Deep breathing is living in the moment.  Most of us breathe into our chest when we're really supposed to breathe past our belly button.  Taking fifteen minutes out of a 24 hour day to breathe is honoring your Self.  With practice, your breath will slow down and so will you.  Moving fast, talking fast, producing fast is challenging yourself to do more.  Wouldn't you rather 'be' more? When we lose our breath, we lose a small piece of our Self.  We're too busy doing that we're missing the moment.  Dedicating time to meditate and breathing deeply nurtures our body and spirit.  As we mindfully slow down, we start to love and honor our Self.  Patience, love, acceptance, peace are just a few of the gifts we give ourselves through our breath. Tomorrow, instead of scheduling a coffee break, make it a breathing break.  I promise you'll get much more of a boost than you'd get with caffeine.  Serve your Self and the quality of your days will be enriched.