Freedom in the Asana

The asana practice is truly a blessing of self-discovery. Each time I visit the mat, it feels very familiar yet fearfully new. Those first few moments of feeling the sensations of natural rubber beneath my feet, the airy space surrounding my body, and the joy of knowing I have finally arrived, sends pure bliss running through my veins. However, I am also flooded with thoughts of knowing I have to listen, be present, and fully conscious in order to be receptive to the gifts of the practice. This is the sense of newest, because I am totally unaware of the gifts the Divine has in store.

As I breathe and move in and out of the asana experience, I am constantly reminded that the beauty and art of the practice is about uncovering and peeling back the layers of who I am. As someone who did ballet and modern dance most of my life, the asana practice was first an easy fit. Then I spent years paralyzed by the perfection of having to get the postures just right. After many moons, I realized I needed to find the passion in the experience. Somewhat like those moments, when music, dance and my body became one. The beauty of the unknown and the possibility of what is being revealed has taken hold of my physical form and pours luscious nectar into my soul. That unconscious flow of spirit and lightness in my heart, continues to give me “freedom in the asana.”

At that sweet moment on the mat, I begin to listen and truly hear God speaking through my body.

Lessons of Mindfulness

Approaching your life from a healing perception, requires inner wakefulness and personal acceptance of personal responsibilities. Lack of motivation, old habits, laziness, self-deception and passive states of mind are not conductive for those who seek to walk path of freedom and bliss.

Ayurveda and yoga are tools that encourage mindfulness in every aspect of your life. From the simple acts of awaking to the morning sun, taking your dog on a morning walk, holding the elevator for a co-worker, making time to enjoy a meal, and of course retiring at night to a star filled sky, the elements of yoga and Ayurveda teach conscious choices at every step in your life.

We all have varying experiences with food. I sometimes equate eating with relationships. At one moment the senses stimulate pleasing memories, taste activate moments of bliss, and there are times when we eat so fast that we barely remember what we ate. The tools of Ayurveda and yoga help us to become aware of the joyous process of food. It initially starts with purchasing organically grown foods from local farmers, cooking with fresh ingredients, inhaling with deep appreciation the bounty you have been given, and finally mindfully consuming the meal.

With food and in life, allow yourself time to slowly connect and experience of joy in front of you. When we consciously slow down the process of accepting the beauty in front of us, we naturally return to our true state of happiness.

The foundation...

Many think freedom comes from removing the pains and stressors of life. I believe this is not the case. Freedom comes when we fully steep into our own personal realities, and live life with passion and zest. Removing ourselves from the truth and savoring the fantasy of denial only leads to temporary happiness. Our goal is to dive into the deep end, open our hearts to the unexpected, and splash around in the nectar called LIFE!