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