Jan 16, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Yoga for Vets, Yoga Pre-Conference
My name is Chris Eder…and I’ve spent the past 23 years on active duty service to THE United States of America as a Combat Correspondent in the Air Force. Since 9/11, I have found myself in some interesting places. Sometimes by myself, sometimes with people I had never met, and sometimes with people who I love(d) as a brother or a sister.
I don’t sleep. For many years, I just told people I was a “morning” person. That was maybe less than half true…as I really do enjoy being up before anyone else. Hot showers, fresh coffee, etc. But the truth was…I couldn’t sleep. I used to spend as many hours as possible working. People thought it was because I was a hard worker. OK…they were right! However, as I have learned over the years…working hard is also an unhealthy coping mechanism. Avoidance! It is hard to tell something is wrong when you continue to out-perform everyone!
In 2003, I found myself traveling throughout Iraq by any means possible. I was equipped with a 9mm, no ammunition, a flak vest I think my dad wore in Vietnam, and my camera gear. For a short period of time, I called the Al Rasheed Hotel home. That is until Oct 26, 2003 when insurgents attacked it with 68mm and 88mm rockets. Under Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was in the hotel that night. Check the story out, Sec Wolfowitz is wearing my flak vest! Things got worse after my second deployment to Baghdad during the “Surge of Operations.” Damn…the insurgents had our location dialed in! 20+ attacks a day seemed “normal” for so long.
So…why yoga? Hell…why not? What is the worst thing that can happen? I started yoga back in 1999 because of a pinched sciatic nerve and a diagnosis of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I instantly was hooked! During my 2007 deployment to Iraq, I was actually teaching 5-6 classes a week. Anyone…and I mean anyone… can do yoga. I introduce to you Lieutenant Colonel Tom Bryant.
Lieutenant Colonel Bryant, US Army is my friend/mentor and hands down the best person to ever come from Alabama. LTC Bryant is the last person I thought would try yoga. He is a typical Southern conservative, “Roll Tide!”-preaching, family loving, church going, hunting/fishing military kind of guy. He would often poke fun of me when we worked together about how I taught and practiced yoga. Tom recently sent me a Facebook message:
“Are you sitting down? You should.”
Last night I did yoga. And since I’m deployed, you know I wasn’t drunk or high. It lasted 20 minutes, was called relaxation yoga or something like that. Really just seemed like a lot of stretching to me, but this Japanese guy with a ponytail on the video kept talking about “seeing your breathing” and “step mindfully downward on your heels” and a bunch of other platitudinal crap I didn’t understand. But the stretching stuff was cool.”
Even this staunch yoga antagonist found yoga to be at the very least, “cool!” There is a good chance what you think Yoga is…is not at all what it really is. Yoga can be whatever you want it to be…killer workout, awesome stretch, or a time to reset and restore your batteries. For me, I *try* to start every day with 15-30 minutes of meditation and yoga. I also end each day with some grounding breath work to help clear and prepare my mind for sleep. Trust me…I know it sounds fruity, crazy, or even esoteric…but IT WORKS!
I’ve been practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching since 2007. I often wonder where I would be today without yoga. I see my brothers and sisters-in-arms who share *our* nightmares, panic attacks, alertness, relationship issues, memory problems…the list can go on forever. I know just how tough my life is…and wonder how much tougher and often debilitating it would be without yoga in my life.
YOGA helps by reducing your anxiety levels. For many of us Vets…that should be enough! Specifically, the tools and techniques leveraged in the Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans with PTSD, (MYT) it soothes the inner tiger. MYT is an embodyoga®-based, empirically informed, clinically tested program comprised of five practices: Pranayama (breathing), Asana (postures connected with breath), Yoga Nidra, Meditation, and Gratitude. Each practice is a tool Veterans can use to cope with Post Traumatic Stress, and together, they form a comprehensive system–a toolbox–that will carry Veterans into a life of strength and resilience. These yoga practices don’t cure PTSD…rather, they create a place where healing can begin.
Think YOU can’t do yoga? Think again! You probably can’t run a marathon either…but if you wanted to, you would start of slow. You should do the same thing with yoga.
For me, MYT has been a game changer. There are many different styles of yoga available. I like all of them too! Each style of yoga is based on a set of accepted and foundational precepts of Hatha yoga. However, not all yoga is beneficial to Veterans struggling with trauma. The five practices that comprise the MYT tool-kit specifically target your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Many Veterans suffering from PTSD have an over stimulated sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This is the flight or fight system…very important to have engaged during war…but not very helpful to be engaged when you return…or…constantly engaged for days, weeks, months. These MYT practices will help greatly (have worked greatly for me) at reducing an over-stimulated SNS.
My favorite tools are the breathing tools. They have the greatest impact on ‘chillining’ me out. How can something so simple do so much? How can something we take for granted (usually until our last breath) be so effective in our recovery? Just for fun…I’d like for you to stop breathing for 20 minutes. What…you can’t? You think you might die. I agree! So…public math here…if I can increase both the quality and quantity of your breath…would that not increase the quality and quantity of your life? Check out this free sample from Suzanne Manafort.
BIO:
Chris Eder is a certified Vinyasa/Hatha Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor, journalist, and Director of Communications for MYT. His yoga journey began in 1999 after he encountered the joys of a pinched sciatic nerve and a diagnosis of Adult ADD. A friend introduced him to yoga as an alternative to pain pills and other meds. When not teaching yoga, he is working on his seva project, MalaforVets.
Some Recent Photos from Chris’s Practice…
Jan 10, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Festival Experience
Silvia Mordini sharing Happiness at SYF2014
The first yoga conference I’ve ever attended was the Midwest Yoga Conference organized by Jonny Kest about 10 years ago. Silvia Mordini
In all honesty, I was very nervous. I over thought what I’d wear, the brand of snacks or drinks I’d bring, even my time of arrival. I didn’t want to be too early and appear too eager even though to me this compared to a kid awaiting Christmas morning.
My expectation was that of personal and pose judgment from my fellow yogis combined with a deep concern for not being good enough to practice with the die-hards. And what’s worse, I was afraid to talk about it, as going to a yoga conference meant I was admitting to my yoga addiction.
What I found instead was no one paid any special or particular attention to me. It was easy to get lost in the crowd and simply practice my yoga. The sheer opportunity to learn from so many teachers all gathered in one place further propelled my enthusiasm for the practice.
Below are five reasons why you should go to a yoga festival:
Solo adventure:
It’s a chance to travel somewhere by yourself, facing uncertainty and growth all at once. It not only gets you out of your comfort zone but also your normal yoga clique.
Community:
It is a smart way to network with a lot of passionate yogis all in one place. So whether you are trying to grow awareness, establish your personal brand, or sell a yoga product; there’s no place more conducive to doing so. The joy of connecting face-to-face instead of via social media sites like Facebook or Twitter heightens the power for future collaboration.
Trends:
A yoga festival is a direct opportunity to see what is currently trending and popular in terms of clothing, style, music, sequencing, and much more.
Inspiration:
Learning new perspectives from a variety of geographically diverse teachers boosts our collective creative energies. You can’t help but feel the life-enhancing power of being a part of the creative process.
Vacation:
A yoga festival or conference is not only partly a retreat but also a kind of yoga vacation. The locations offered this year alone are in beautiful parts of the world such as Bali, Whistler, Sedona, Arizona, Lake Tahoe, and Colorado. What better way to spend your time away from work than doing something you love and investing in your own personal growth and development?
By attending a festival you realize how yoga expands us spirituality by narrowing and focusing our world lens on the most meaningful human essentials: cooperation, kindness, love, and learning.
These shared qualities only get strengthened when we are with a cohort of other highly conscious individuals. The benefits of how elevated your spirit feels in the post yoga festival high last far beyond your last workshop. The knowledge and experience you gain will last a lifetime.
What festivals are on your agenda? What are you most excited for?
Read the article originally posted on YOGANONYMOUS by clicking here:
Below are the 5 Reasons why you should go to a Yoga Festival, By Silvia Mordini
SILVIA CAN BE REACHED:
Web: www.alchemytours.com or www.silviamordini.com
Email at silvia@alchemytours.com
Twitter @alchemytours @inspiredyogagal
Facebook Silvia Mordini (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1164596386)
Instagram inspiredyogagal
Jan 7, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Conference, Yoga Philosophy
So the word “TRUTH” has been coming up a lot over the past week! I do not force one way (my way)on anyone… as I choose to believe that everyone’s truth can be different…that perspective comes into play.The practice of yoga puts us in the drivers seat as “Truth Seeker!” Our truth can shift and change as we change (and hopefully evolve) especially in regards to relationships, and really isn’t it ALL about relationships…with ourselves, one another, our bodies, our spirits, our planet, our GOD! With that being said, as a yogi the way in which we respond to each other never shifts and changes, it’s always from a place of love. In yoga we practice “Ahimsa” (love, non-violence) and it is the first Yama. Ahimsa is considered the most important of the Yamas and Niyamas or “Ten Yogic Commandments” and most yogis believe that without the Yama and Niyamas there is no yoga…and as Dharma Mittra says, “NO YOGA, NO PEACE, KNOW YOGA, KNOW PEACE.” As a truth seeker, I started by looking up the definition of TRUTH and this is what I found:
1. a archaic: fidelity, constancy
b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
2. a (1): the state of being the case : fact (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3)often capitalized: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true <truths of thermodynamics>
c: the body of true statements and propositions
3. a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
b:chiefly British: true 2
c: fidelity to an original or to a standard
4.capitalizedChristian Science: god
— in truth
: in accordance with fact : actually
Truth
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)
In philosophy, the property of statements, thoughts, or propositions that are said, in ordinary discourse, to agree with the facts or to state what is the case. At least four major types of truth theory have been proposed: correspondence theories (see realism), coherence theories (see coherentism, idealism), pragmatic theories (see pragmatism), and deflationary theories. The latter group encompasses a wide variety of views, including the redundancy theory, the disquotational theory, and the prosentential theory.
WOW! the word “theory” is used frequestly, along with “standard”, “actually” and then the heavy hitter God…so what is it? Is “TRUTH” a theory that has actually become your own personal standard? Your own personal God?
In the practice of yoga we use the word Satya (truthfulness) and it’s meaning:
Satya or Sathya is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates into English as “truth” or “correct”. It is a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the emblem of many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.
Sathya is also defined in Sanskrit as “sate hitam satyam” which translates to “The path to ultimate truth or Sat is sathya (i.e. the real truth)”.
Hence all the deeds, words, and wisdom that bring us closer to the Ultimate Truth are the truth.
Philosophical meaning
The philosophical meaning of the word ‘Satya’ is “unchangeable”, “that which has no distortion”, “that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person”, “that which pervades the universe in all its constancy.” Human life progresses through different stages—from childhood to adolescence, from adolescence to youth, and youth to old age. It is through these changes that people progress in the manifest world. That is why human life or its receptacle, the body, is not Satya.
In Hinduism, Truth is defined as “unchangeable”, “that which has no distortion”, “that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person”, “that which pervades the universe in all its constancy”. Human body, therefore is not completely true as it changes with time, for example. There are many references, properties and explanations of truth by Hindu sages that explain varied facets of truth, such as “Satyam eva jayate” (Truth alone wins), “Satyam muktaye” (Truth liberates), “Satya’ is ‘Parahit’artham’ va’unmanaso yatha’rthatvam’ satyam” (Satya is the benevolent use of words and the mind for the welfare of others or in other words responsibilities is truth too), “When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him ( patanjali yogasutras, sutra number 2.36 ), “The face of truth is covered by a golden bowl. Unveil it, O Pusan (Sun), so that I who have truth as my duty (satyadharma) may see it!” (Brhadaranyaka V 15 1-4 and the brief IIsa Upanisad 15-18), Truth is superior to silence (Manusmriti), etc. Combined with other words, satya acts as modifier, like “ultra” or “highest,” or more literally “truest,” connoting purity and excellence. For example, satyaloka is the “highest heaven’ and Satya Yuga is the “golden age” or best of the four cyclical cosmic ages in Hinduism, and so on.
There is a more subtle meaning of the word, ‘Satya’, which is Citsvaru’pa (the Supreme consciousness) or Parama Purusha. In the field of Sadhana or intuitional practice, the meaning of ‘Satya’ is ‘Parahit’artham’ va’unmanaso yatha’rthatvam’ satyam i.e., Satya is the benevolent use of words and the mind for the welfare of others. This is to say that a benevolent sage must be truthful regardless of the meaning of satya.
The accepted interpretation however, is “the Truth which equals love.” This concept of truth is not merely a synonym of fact or correctness, but is more metaphysical, like the difference between brain and mind. This ‘bigger picture’ notion of truth implies a higher order, a higher principle or a higher knowledge. Satya is what one becomes aware of upon becoming a Bodhi (enlightened or awakened person). Thus, this is more akin to the sum of the rules of the universe or the universal reality. This idea of a universal reality is common in Eastern philosophy.
So, let me give the cliff noted version of all of this so far…. ok Truth is God, God is Love so it seems that we can not seperate the three…Truth, God and LOVE! That seems so simple and easy, so why do we continue to fight over varying ideas of TRUTH, when we should always do the loving thing, which would be the Godly thing, which in essence would be the TRUTH. If the Truth is never changing, always constant…then it seems always doing the loving thing would be a SURE THING.
Ok, moving on..
Combined with other words, satya acts as modifier, like “ultra” or “highest,” or more literally “truest,” connoting purity and excellence. For example, satyaloka is the “highest heaven’ and Satya Yuga is the “golden age” or best of the four cyclical cosmic ages in Hinduism.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it is written, “When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him.”[1] According to Paramahamsa Yogananda, “During deep, dreamless sleep (sushupti), and in the samadhi meditation of the yogi, man abides in his true nature, the soul, and cognizes Absolute Truth (Paramarthika). It is a mistake to think that ordinary persons are never in communion with God or the Ultimate Truth. If all men did not occasionally pass into the state of deep, dreamless sleep, even if only for a period of minutes, they could not live at all. The average person has no conscious recollection of his soul experiences; but, as a part of the Universal Whole, from time to time he must replenish his being from the Source of Life, Love, and Truth.” [2]
If you made it this far, you may have gotten more than you bargained for in this blog entry, thank you for sticking with me…as we continue to follow this truth seeking path together and separately, may we both remember, AHIMSA, SATYA and Ishvara pranidhana (Surrender to God) ~ <3
I look forward to sharing my practice with everyone at THE SEDONA YOGA FESTIVAL!
February 6-10, 2014
10% OFF!! use CODE: TYMI
for more info stay connected to SedonaYogaFestival.com
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Jan 3, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Conference
If it weren’t for all those OTHER people, life would be good. Life, we project so many conditions on it. I would almost pity life for the bad rap it gets, but life is ongoing, no matter what we think about it.
While growing up we are molded, shaped, sometimes wounded emotionally and physically, being most profoundly affected by family – biological and non-biological. We are incessantly bombarded by worldly news of scams, scandals, suppression and corruption. The media perpetuates anticipation of worst case scenarios. The news anchor announces at 7:00 p.m., “Tune in to catch the latest fear infused breaking news at 11:00 p.m.” These insidious impressions make it easy to slide down the slippery slope of indignation, divisiveness, cynicism, and self righteousness. We’re invited, “Join now. Become a worldwide member of the Up In Arms Club, with its affiliate branches, Bent Out Of Shape, Up On My Soap Box and Ruffled Feathers.”
These external influences train(ed) us, with mutually unspoken messages and agreements. Some messages are warm and supportive, others, derogatory and suppressive. Our familial and societal acculturation affects our capacity for perceiving and receiving life’s blessings. I had enough fortitude and support to be fruitfully productive for years, yet, I had also internalized the suppressive saboteur archetype, hampering my own joy. I used to allow these types who perpetuated that vibration, into my world. Bubble busters, as well as, kind, supportive people can be found in men and women, all religions, socio-economic classes, political parties, and ethnicities. I used to make myself a dim wit, erroneously thinking that by diminishing my light, I would ease the discomfort of those unaware of their own internal source. That is what I was trained to believe. Eventually, I realized that suppressive people usually seek their power from controlling others. Now, I just move on, managing my energy for enjoying life and serving others.
DO THE TIME
I train daily. Life’s just more fun that way. Knowing the guaranteed results of joy training, I eagerly meditate, daily. This training reveals the impervious joy and continuity of peace that is, always right here, within. The self-honesty that is required; acknowledging internalized pettiness from self or others, is an acquired taste, not always easy to face. Reviewing what I am accepting and rejecting into my consciousness is a full time job. But, in the long run, doing the time saves time, bringing about a mindful, efficient flow.
FULL SPECTRUM EMOTIONS
Feeling emotions as they surface sets them free. Otherwise, they remain as physical discomforts, distracting from joy. If ancient hurts have been deeply buried, grieving can feel like a bottomless pit. Acknowledging painful emotions does not preclude feeling peace. Feeling them is the way through them. Being present with all, increases discernment, assisting in expressing thoughtful responses, rather than destructive emotional reactions. Eventually, tears of sorrow are replaced with tears so full with the richness of life that more meditation feels necessary, for integrating the prolific beauty being perceived. Then, the internal and external saboteurs are suddenly outnumbered. They don’t stand a chance.
Life, it turns out, is good, no matter what we think.
EIGHT JOY TRAINING TIPS
1. Meditate daily (start easy, with a timer if necessary)
2. Conscious Breathing (use counts until you develop focus)
3. Track limiting/derogatory thoughts (breathe through, dissolve, and release)
4. Surround yourself with affirmative people, language, objects
5. Do enjoyable exercise to increase endorphins
6. Set your own pleasurable pace for practicing these tips
7. Forgive yourself when you slip
8. Be grateful for the privilege of learning and the pleasure of serving
~ Marguerite Baca
Dec 29, 2013 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Conference
The cousin team of Nick and Javier Montoya present Sedona Yoga Festival Pre-Festival Training: Ageless Yoga for Everyone
Who is this cousin team of Nick Montoya and Javier Montoya who have made it their mission to help people get healthy – no matter age or physical ability? Together, they teach, inspire and motivate thousands through their Ageless Program workshops, classes, DVDs and retreats.
After experiencing serious health issues at the age of 50, Nick regained his health through the practice of yoga and meditation. Nick was no stranger to the stresses of life that was the culprit for his poor health. He was a senior manager for a Fortune 50 company, raising three daughters pretty much on his own, as his wife suffered from both bipolar and borderline personality disorders. He had severe leg and back pain – some days he could not walk. His blood pressure was extremely high. He was 50 pounds overweight. Migraines or stress-induced headaches were constant. The prescribed medications in his medicine cabinet would increase with every doctor visit. The medications treated the symptoms, not the source and he continued to feel worse and worse. Nick’s body began to shut down and he felt that at any moment he would die. Until his eldest daughter made him go to a yoga class…
Javier is a musician, composer, vocalist and all around artist. His lifestyle choices in his early twenties brought his dreams to a screeching halt. His daily routine consisted of several hours of practicing guitar followed by hours of creating music on keyboard, followed by practicing golf and then going to work as a bartender and topping the late night off with binge drinking. One morning while practicing guitar, his left wrist cramped up and remained stuck. He watched as his numb hand slowly reopened and he sat fearful as he could not play another chord. The cramping did not subside and doctors were liberal with the medication. Emotional stress added insult to the injury and Javier developed gastroesophegeal reflux. Now he was no longer able to sing. Like his cousin, yoga and Ayurvedic health was the answer and Javier dedicated his life to eating holistically and practicing Yoga and Qigong. Javier came back stronger than ever and rededicated his life to sharing his learnings and talents with the world.
Nick has the natural gift of teacher. He easily formulates processes and steps into programs to make learning simple, fun and lasting. Nick captured his most successful project planning process into a book published in 2006 called “The Magic Megaphone”. It was not a surprise that when he left the corporate world to become a yoga teacher, he was able to formulate programs to teach people how to be their healthiest best. These programs include “The Ageless Program”, “Ageless Yoga with Nick Montoya”, and “Ageless Movement & Breath From Your Chair”.
Nick creates a comfortable and welcoming environment for his students to have a quality experience. This includes music and not just any music; music that is created and composed for the teaching at hand. There was no better person to do this for him than his younger cousin Javier. He called upon Javier to compose music for his early DVDs and to assist him with retreats. Javier not only brought his music to the table, he is also a yoga teacher and specializes in chakra balancing and Nick readily added Javier to the teaching mix. It became the MontoYoga teaching team.
Sedona Yoga Festival is proud to have Nick and Javier conduct their Ageless Beginner Yoga Workshop as an all-day pre- festival experience on Thursday, February 6. It will be a transformative journey for everyone, no matter if this is your first introduction to yoga or if you have been practicing for years.
The day will consist of the four themes of transformation from The Ageless Program:
- LETTING GO of one thing that holds you back from being your healthiest best
- Being at PEACE with what you let go of
- REJUVENATE– to make young or youthful again, and
- CREATE the next chapter of your healthy life
The beautiful L’Auberge de Sedona is the host venue and the perfect setting for this special day. Nick and Javier are bringing an extraordinary team of Ageless teachers from around the country to assist for the day in order to ensure that every attendee gets special attention and care. An amazing lunch is provided and you can expect to be showered with Ageless gifts from Nick and Javier. You will be treated to the soulful music of Javier throughout the day. New lifelong friends will be made and the Ageless teachers will be on hand throughout the rest of the Festival to assist you on your Festival journey.
You will smile a lot. Laugh a lot. Feel good positive things that are buried within. The most common testimonial from those that have attended Ageless Workshops and Retreats is, “It changed my life for the better!”
Nick and Javier and the rest of the SYF team look forward to welcoming you to this special event.
Namaste.
There is limited space, so do not delay in registering for this pre-festival event at: https://sedonayogafestival.com/introduction-to-yoga-pre-conf/
For any questions, do not hesitate to contact Nick or Javier directly. You will find them approachable, caring and taking good care of you is their priority.
Connect with them on Facebook via The Ageless Program: www.facebook.com/TheAgelessProgram
E-mail Nick: nick@vayuproductions.com
E-mail Javier: javier@vayuproductions.com
Call Nick: 916.813.1369 Call Javier: 818.636.8564
Their website: www.vayuproductions.com
Dec 21, 2013 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters
Last night I absolutely had no choice but to sleep early. I could not keep my eyes open. Only it was only 7:30pm… Surely if I went to sleep at that time I would wake up in the middle of the night…
If I were to select a yoga posture that relates to the winter solstice it would be savasana, corpse pose. In savasana, practiced in a state that is not quite sleeping, that is not quite awake, we surrender. We surrender the effort of the body, the control of the breath, and simply allow for the freedom of our natural state to flow and re-organize itself somewhere between the conscious and the unconscious state.
Savasana is a pose of integration. A death and a rebirth. In our asana practice we open things up, let things go, and then we surrender. When practiced in silence with the focus on the breath and the prana in the body, our practice exposes the naked truth of the habits of our mind to us so clearly. As we find ourselves aware of the expansive nature of our self, connected to all that is, we are able to witness the tiny and noisy nature of the mind. In Savasana, we float in the natural meditative state that arises as a result of the asana. In this state, our essence re-aligns itself with our physical body, attachments and aversions fall away, and any great shifts are re-ordered in our being. Passing thoughts float by the in the expansive mind, and we simply let them go. In this practice of savasana, we allow for the openness of the present moment, just as it is, to be. It is like being re-born. Dying in corpse pose, to be re-born.
This is found when we can go inside and get quiet. This dark quiet, so like wintertime itself, is where we can find our fears, our irritations, our desires… where we can hear most clearly the chatter of a busy mind. If we simply sit, bundled in our blankets, layered in our clothes, in the dark of winter, like savasana, and be a witness to this mind, we are positioned to release all that we do not need, all that separates ourselves from the source of love that dwells within each of us… And like the stars on solstice night, the light begins to show itself in the darkness…
As the days will grow longer, so we can sit in the stillness and the quiet and awaken to the light in our being. The seeds we have planted for our life, lain dormant in this time of winter, are set to awaken. Releasing into savasana, waking up to the light, we can birth this solstice moment to reflect on those seeds that we will nourish, on the seeds of an abundant and peaceful world and life. These can grow into this new time as the light emerges.
This pause of the sun in relation to our earth is much like the pause at the the bottom of the breath… sit in it, connect to our true selves, our source material, the massive expansiveness that is the truth of our being… and let go. As Marc often says, “Love everything… Do nothing.”
I did wake up… at 1:30am. A glass of water, a moonbath, and then back to sleep on the longest night. To integrate, to release, and to nourish the seeds planted for a beautiful existence. Not by any action, but rather by surrendering to the pose. I woke up on this solstice, refreshed, renewed, and reborn again.
My Mind to Your Mind, photo by Paul Leroy
Letting the light grow, moving from stillness, we begin again… now.
