ESSENCE OF YOGA

During this morning's meditation, I've been reflecting on the dramatic changes that have occurred in my life as a result of beginning to embody the teachings of Yoga Master Shiva Rea.  I discovered Shiva's workshops completely by chance 5 years ago as I was flipping through the Kripalu Yoga Center catalog and I stumbled on a workshop entitled - Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Shiva Rea.

That first encounter took place in July of 2003 - almost 5 years ago at this point.  I will fill you in more on that experience in another post but briefly - I was 50 years old at that time and had never really practiced Vinyasa before that.  This was a 6 day retreat with very hard core yoga practice every single day.  We did a LOT of yoga and boy was I in over my head!  In spite of the immense challenge of getting through those 6 days of teacher training I was completely hooked on Shiva's practice and her philosophy.

So now, almost 5 years later as a result of continuing on this path of embodying her teachings, here is what I have found:

According to Shiva - the "Shakti" or Divine presence is everywhere. As we begin to embody our "YOGA" 24/ 7 in every aspect of our lives, every action we take becomes an expression of the Divine.

Let me repeat that because I believe that this single fact is the crux of her teachings (at least for me anyway . . . ) 

EVERY ACTION WE TAKE BECOMES AN EXPRESSION OF THE DIVINE . . . .

If we can truly embody this belief that the divine is everywhere and our actions can be expressions of this sacred presence -- then ALL of our actions and our thoughts become SACRED!

Let me repeat that in case you didn't get it the first time:

ALL OF OUR ACTIONS AND THOUGHTS ARE A SACRED EXPRESSION OF THE DIVINE.

Once you begin to truly embody this - then transformation happens effortlessly.
That's right -- it's as if you are literally riding on the wings of the goddess.

At least that's been my experience.

I'm not saying that we should be totally passive and sit back and do nothing. What I AM saying is that once you are able to completely surrender to this Divine Presence in your life - transformation WILL happen and it will be effortless because you will allow yourself to be carried by that Divine Light.

This IS the essence of YOGA.  Complete surrender to the Divine Light which leads to freedom from the bondage of the attachment to the FEARS which keep us bound to acting from fear rather than acting from freedom.

The key here is to cultivate the Power of Intention.  It is my goal on this blog to provide you with the tools to do just that. 

With all due respect to my teacher, I continue on this path with all of my heart and soul. As a yoga studio owner, I am sharing this path with as many people as possible and I now hope to devote this blog to spreading these teachings in the form of tools and practices that you can begin to use today to move towards a healing path in your life.

NAMASTE . . . JAI MA!

During this morning's meditation, I've been reflecting on the dramatic changes that have occurred in my life as a result of beginning to embody the teachings of Yoga Master Shiva Rea.  I discovered Shiva's workshops completely by chance 5 years ago as I was flipping through the Kripalu Yoga Center catalog and I stumbled on a workshop entitled - Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Shiva Rea.

That first encounter took place in July of 2003 - almost 5 years ago at this point.  I will fill you in more on that experience in another post but briefly - I was 50 years old at that time and had never really practiced Vinyasa before that.  This was a 6 day retreat with very hard core yoga practice every single day.  We did a LOT of yoga and boy was I in over my head!  In spite of the immense challenge of getting through those 6 days of teacher training I was completely hooked on Shiva's practice and her philosophy.

So now, almost 5 years later as a result of continuing on this path of embodying her teachings, here is what I have found:

According to Shiva - the "Shakti" or Divine presence is everywhere. As we begin to embody our "YOGA" 24/ 7 in every aspect of our lives, every action we take becomes an expression of the Divine.

Let me repeat that because I believe that this single fact is the crux of her teachings (at least for me anyway . . . ) 

EVERY ACTION WE TAKE BECOMES AN EXPRESSION OF THE DIVINE . . . .

If we can truly embody this belief that the divine is everywhere and our actions can be expressions of this sacred presence -- then ALL of our actions and our thoughts become SACRED!

Let me repeat that in case you didn't get it the first time:

ALL OF OUR ACTIONS AND THOUGHTS ARE A SACRED EXPRESSION OF THE DIVINE.

Once you begin to truly embody this - then transformation happens effortlessly.
That's right -- it's as if you are literally riding on the wings of the goddess.

At least that's been my experience.

I'm not saying that we should be totally passive and sit back and do nothing. What I AM saying is that once you are able to completely surrender to this Divine Presence in your life - transformation WILL happen and it will be effortless because you will allow yourself to be carried by that Divine Light.

This IS the essence of YOGA.  Complete surrender to the Divine Light which leads to freedom from the bondage of the attachment to the FEARS which keep us bound to acting from fear rather than acting from freedom.

The key here is to cultivate the Power of Intention.  It is my goal on this blog to provide you with the tools to do just that. 

With all due respect to my teacher, I continue on this path with all of my heart and soul. As a yoga studio owner, I am sharing this path with as many people as possible and I now hope to devote this blog to spreading these teachings in the form of tools and practices that you can begin to use today to move towards a healing path in your life.

NAMASTE . . . JAI MA!