Speaking Our Truth
Our theme for this month’s A Woman’s Rite of Passage is Speaking Our Truth. Old proverbs such as “Children should be seen, not heard” and “Silence is a woman’s best garment” set a precedent for generations to come. Many of us have learned through our conditioning (upbringing, culture, religious beliefs, etc.) to stifle our voice. ...
Freedom To Be
I didn’t realize I needed to wax my eyebrows until my hairdresser let me know if I wasn’t going to die my hair it is a must….Why…Who says…The International Eyebrow & Hair Color Association? Here’s the best part of it…all of a sudden…I can’t leave the house without my eyebrows waxed. What will the neighbors ...
The Great Escape
It never seems to fail. The week before I present at a workshop, I am given unlimited personal examples to share on the subject at hand. Perhaps I am more conscious of my own behavior or perhaps the “threat” of exposing myself to people I don’t know brings my “humanness” to the surface, either way ...
The I Am Enough Mantra
In the Yoga Sutras, Pantanjali reminds us that ignorance (avidya) is the root cause of all suffering. In Light On The Yoga Sutras, B.K.S Iyengar identifies the seven states of ignorance: 1. smallness, feebleness, insignificance, inferiority, meanness 2. unsteadiness, fickleness, mutability 3. living with pains, afflictions, misery, agony 4. living with the association of pain ...
My Body, My TempleSeries: Causes of Suffering
Life Mantra: Where you are today is exactly where you need to be. In chapter II verse 3 of the Yoga Sutras, we learn that the five causes of suffering are: Avidya (Ignorance) Asmita (Egoism/Pride) Raga (Attachment) Dvesa (Aversion) Abinivesa (Fear) Suffering creates disconnection and isolation. These are the common feelings associated with poor body ...
I’m Engaged…Now What: Yoga Philosophy, Tapas (Heat)
Georg Feurstein defines tapas as “any practice that pushes the mind againstits own limits and the key ingredient of tapas is endurance”. Through thepractice of asanas and meditation we begin to see how deeply ingrained ourhabit patterns are. With patience, perseverance and determination we begin tochallenge belief systems, thought patterns and behaviors that ...
I’m Engaged…Now What: Yoga Philosophy, Santosa (Contentment)
Contentment lies in our ability to remain equanimous. It is not that our life experiences are good or bad, it is our reactions to them that produce suffering. Santosa teaches us how to remain in the moment, regardless if that moment is pleasurable or uncomfortable. Equanimity means becoming aware of emotions, sensations, feelings ...
I’m Engaged…Now What: Yoga Philosophy, Sauca (Cleanliness)
When applying sauca to our actions, bathing daily and practicing asanas (postures) consistently will help purify our body. Of equal importance is our selection of food and beverages. The food we ingest will either help to nourish and revitalize our body or it will continue to contribute to our negative habit patterns. Do we look ...
I’m Engaged…Now What: Yoga Philosophy, Brahmacarya (Moderation)
Originally, the yogis meant sexual abstinence when referring to Brahmacarya. The purpuse of Brahmacarya, for the yogis, was to harness this sexual energy into a more pure devotional energy. When exploring Brahmacaya in modern living we refer to moderation. It can be disheartening to explore the American culture where super size and bigger is ...
I’m Engaged…Now What: Yoga Philosophy, Satya
Satya, the second limb of the yamas, means truthfulness. On a grosser level, satya means not telling lies. On a more subtle level, satya means speaking and following one’s truth. This is extremely important when planning your wedding. Friends and family will share unsolicited advice on how to spend this special day, from who to ...