Free From Suffering

I recently read an article on Yoga Journal, Ultimate Practice by Kate Holcombe.  She writes about how yoga takes us closer to our SELF and away from suffering.  Oh, I loved this article so much and it's funny how things always come when we need affirmation or a little clarity.  I've been recognizing myself in separate pieces, body, mind, spirit, heart, and ego; Holcombe talks about how yoga helps us recognize between the different parts of ourselves but the most important and steady part of us is our Self.

From this place of connection, you can observe your emotions and reactions and recognize them as separate from your true nature, valid and painful though they may be. This is the promise of yoga. And while the process of getting there may not be simple, the end result is easy to understand: We feel better. -K. Holcombe

Feeling is a part of healing.  We may not want to let ourselves feel pain but through the pain, and hardship, on the other side, we bring ourselves closer to our true Self. It feels like we are out of control of our life, that showing any kind of deep emotion is viewed as weak.  On the contrary, when we let ourselves feel, we are letting our Self exist without judgement.  It takes more strength to let ourselves be than try to control with our mind what we think we should be.  It takes so much more effort to try to convince ourselves of what we are not feeling rather than just feeling it. If we are constantly "controlling our emotions" we are hiding from ourselves, there's no growth there.  There must be a struggle for strength to come. If we push everything away, how will we ever become better human beings, blissful human beings?

In my practice of yoga, I've become physically more flexible, stronger and balanced but more significantly is the flexibility, strength and balance of my mind. In practicing physically, without trying, I've become more refined from within, and my body has also benefited.  The practice of yoga has helped me steady the undulations of my mind.  So when the outside world brings me troubles or hardships, I can move through these experiences with grace.  I am free from suffering.

If it sounds simple, it isn't...It's entirely another to practice consistently enough to actually experience it. But this is why we practice. -K. Holcombe

It really isn't simple and consistency is key.  It is extremely difficult to practice not being distracted by our mind, and the environment we are in. The society we live in throws so many things in our faces about what we should be doing, all these transient things that take us away from who we really are.  It kills me. It kills me to see our youth taking part in so many frivolous matters, distracting themselves from their true Self.  We keep our physical and mental body so busy that we don't have the time to hear our self.  It takes a lot of practice, and through practice and recognition of all our parts, we will bring ourselves to our true Self.

Some of this may sound crazy, very abstract, and silly to some of you but for those of you wanting and willing to be your better you, I commend you for stepping out of fear, moving forwards with uncertainty and towards your true Self.

Sending you all so much love and peace. 

Ojai Lavender Festival

Audrey and I took a little getaway to Ojai for 2 days, which included The Ojai Lavender Festival.  The entire weekend was AMAZING.  I LOVE OJAI.  I am pretty sure I belong there.  Everyone we came across was kind, helpful and at least 50 years old (my kind of crowd). 

We arrived in Ojai early in the mornnig for an Iyengar yoga class with Suza Francina.  (If you are ever in Ojai, please take her class, she is a lovely woman and very fun teacher. ) After class, Suza asked me if I was in the teacher training program and she thinks I would be a good teacher.  I was so surprised! I am not yet in the Iyengar teacher training program but am currently assisting and will be pursuing the program in the near future.  Suza asked me if I would be interested in teaching older students, mainly 50+ in age.  I am very interested in teaching older students, when I was younger I wanted to be a gerontologist.  Suza gave me a book to further my studies!  I was so overwhelmed with warmth and appreciation.  I put out in the Universe about a year ago that I will be a yoga teacher and since then, people and things are finding me through my journey and making the future clearer every day.  It's funny how things all come together, and going with the flow can bring so many wonderful opportunities. I could not ask for more or anything other than what the Universe is bringing into my life.  I am so grateful!

After yoga, Audrey and I had a delicious lunch at Osteria Monte Grappa.  Audrey had a sandwich and I had a burger (as always); we shared a strawberry panna cotta and chocolate hazelnut gelato for dessert. OH MY...if ever there was a time we've ever been speechless.  I can't even describe what we experienced, just look at Audrey's face (photos in slideshow). We walked along the main street with shops and small markets.  We went to Rainbows which is their main grocery store, Audrey had a green juice and I found a coconut which I had the juice guy cut open for me so I could drink/eat the insides. YUM.

We made our way to the Casa Ojai, for pool time, and a bit of relaxing.  For dinner we went to Agave Maria's (a recommendation from the local pharmacy clerk).  I had their pixie margarita, made from the local pixie tangerine. More goodness.

Saturday we attended the Lavender Festival, Audrey was determined to become a fairy so she got her face painted.  We walked around and put so many creams/oils/body butters on our skin and smelled EVERYTHING; we are pretty sure we were on a lavender high the entire time and for a while after.

Thanks to Ojai for being so kind and welcoming to us and thanks to Audrey for sharing this getaway with me. Here's to many more restorative and soul enriching experiences. Love you, boo!