Tuesday, November 29, 2011

"I make the most of all that comes.

And the least of all that goes."

-Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

This quote has stuck with me since I came across it. Only to recently research a bit more about its author. Turns out Sara was a poet who suffered from poor health most of her life. Her fate may have been dark, but her words, these words, prove a good reminder to me in how to face the waves in life.

With a smile.
:)

Satya

Truth in our hearts and our beings. This week's practice is with satya, the second nama or restraint in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. And I can't help but love even the written word! It's beautiful, inside and out. To me, this practice of satya reminds me to be honest with myself in my heart. What really matters to me? What is superficial and what is real? What will make my heart happy? What will help people? What will positively affect those that I love? There are so many ways to instill satya into your self. I have been doing it via chanting and reciting it as mantra (word or group of words capable of creating transformation).

Since the first half of Yoga Therapy training I have been waking up at 6am, meditating from 6:30-7 and doing asana from 7-8. The asana flows from what I feel I "need" with a few "regulars" that my body appreciates and a bunch of other asana/kriya that my body needs on a given day at a given time. So when I practice the asana I feel as though I'm creating space in my body, within my cells that constitute my bones, breath, blood, skin, ligaments, tendons...and within that space I place the intention of satya.

I want to instill that feeling of truthfulness in my heart as a "part" of me, as a physical and spiritual part of who "I" am. And really, who I am is really that which connects to everyone..that which we are all. A higher being, a higher love (no intended Steve Winwood props). And that is what makes me feel closer to the truth. It's almost a circle of truth. It takes me practicing to get in touch with that truth, and this truth is the universal truth upon which all beings connect. And it is from that truth that the world moves. I just like connecting to the source. It makes me feel pure. Like a big ball of light. It reminds me of what we all already know.

Which brings me to my job as a yoga teacher.
To remind people of what we already know.
Love.