Thoughts on Meditation

Meditation, just the word can sound intimidating.  What is it really supposed to look like?  How does one do it?  And, why would one want to meditate?  In all honesty, those were questions I used to ask.  While I do not have the answers to many things in life, I do have insight into meditation.  In its purest form, it is a calming and clearing of the mind.  Nothing fancy - actually the only thing needed is one's breath.  Meditation is not meant to be hard.  It is simply a way for one to connect within and detach from thoughts, feelings, and judgments.  Meditation opens one up to a place of calm.  To start, find a comfortable seated position, with eyes closed take a couple of deep breaths in and out, then let the body breathe on its own.  Any time a thought comes into the mind, do not attach - let it pass and roll through just like waves rolling onto the shore.  While meditating one can focus on the simple mantra that says "I'm breathing in peace. I'm breathing out peace."  Pattern that phrase with each breath and begin to invite new and good things into your life.  Stop after whatever time desired (5 minutes - 60 minutes).  End by giving up gratitude and reading something meaningful.  Then, set out on your way and see how meditation has lightened and brightened your day!

Yoga at The Art Walk

The First Thursday of every month Laguna Beach hosts what they call "The Art Walk."Galleries are open from 5:00 - 9:00pm with free food and drinks.  It's like an open house, art gallery style.  Tonight, and every Thursday Art Walk,  I am teaching a free community based flow yoga class from 7:30 - 8:30pm at Ritual Yoga Arts.  Come join me for an hour of Vino and Vinyasa.  Amazing art, amazing drinks, amazing food - equals good fun.  I love my job! Click on the link below to learn more about the event.  Hope to see you at the Ritual art gallery/yoga studio. 
Yoga at The Art Walk

My Favorite Mantra...

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all…

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To me this says it all.  I love the mantra.  I love what it stands for, how it promotes peace and looking at life from a different perspective. Thanks for allowing me the space to share something meaningful:
lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now
samastah: all beings sharing that same location
sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering
bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence
antu: may it be so, it must be so
(antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)

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 This is a prayer each one of us can practice every day. It reminds us that our relationships with all beings and things should be mutually beneficial if we ourselves desire happiness and liberation from suffering. No true or lasting happiness can come from causing unhappiness to others. No true or lasting freedom can come from depriving others of their freedom. If we say we want every being to be happy and free, then we have to question everything that we do-how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak, and even how we think.

 The practices of yoga can guide us toward right action and a lifestyle guided by compassionate concern for the happiness of others. The first step toward understanding the link between how we treat others and our own happiness and liberation is to look at the deeper aspects of what the practice of yoga may be able to reveal to us...
              -Some of the parts written are from Sharon Gannon,
adapted from Yoga & Vegetarianism

Best Friend Surprise Visits

Two years ago when I was getting ready to move to Europe my best friend Christine was getting ready to move to San Francisco.  Two Southern California beach gals were parting ways.  She was hired by Stanford to work in medicine and I was offered a once in a lifetime experience to teach yoga in Vienna.  Neither one of us could say no.  Since then many things in our lives have changed but our friendship remains the same.  I had not seen her since October!  So my best guy friend Rajko, from Serbia, talked me into driving with him to San Francisco on Cinco de Mayo to surprise Christine.  We did.  It was last minute and the word fun is an understatement.  

This past weekend my girlfriend called me.  She had returned the surprise and driven down to So Cal with her boyfriend.  It was last minute.  I was shocked.  Loved every second I got to spend with Christine and Grant... rum punch, beach walks and all.  Sometimes it's okay to do the unexpected.  Friendships are worth the effort, because when it comes down to it - our lives are about the people we have in them...  I am grateful for my close friends :)

A Crow on my Patio

I've had this crow on my patio.  Thought is was injured as for the last two days it has not left the outdoor living space and cried like a baby from sun down to sun up.  I'm losing sleep over this damn bird.  Considered going out and trying to give it food but then thought twice...
Today as I'm sleep deprived and wearing white yoga spandex pants (I only wear these when not in my right mind) I decided to call the rescue to see if there was anything that could be done for this poor bird.  I called.  The man in uniform came.  In my tight white yoga pants I sent a text to my private yoga client letting them know I'd be there in one sec as I was taking care of this bird situation... my text went through as, "I'll be there in one sex."  Hate auto correct!
Text sent.  Standing by police officer I accidentally said out lout "OH SHIT!" 
He said, "Can I help you?"  I said, "Oh, sorry I was sending a text and meant to say something else and auto correct goofed it for me."  We both laughed and agreed that auto correct on text has led us both to some embarrassing moments.  Whew~ 
So, outside we go to my back patio.  Bird is there.  Bird is removed.  I am grateful.  Tell him how I was so tired that if I had one more night of that damn bird I was going to shoot myself.  I was kidding.  He took me serious.  Never tell a man who is dressed as a cop that you're thinking of shooting yourself!  They do not find humor in dramatic yoga teachers who can't text spell and wear white spandex - or do they.  He left laughing...
I'm just glad I can get some sleep.  I no longer have a crow on my back patio.