"It's Hard to be a Saint in the City"

Dear Swami Cat,

Bruce Springsteen wrote, "It's so hard to be a saint in the city."  And it's true for the suburbs as well.  I find myself busy, busy, busy and then depleted of creativity, joy and patience.  But you'd be proud of me.  I took myself out into nature this weekend and watched as a neon green inch worm sauntered in down dog over and over in front of me.  I watched egrets take flight and turtles almost trust me but then jump last minute into the water.  There was a gorgeous butterfly that landed on the flower I had just hand-picked from the CSA I belong to.  I feel so much better in nature.  Then when I get home, ironing, dusting, cooking an organic, healthy meal for my family and cleaning off the clutter of my desk hounds me so much that I feel overwhelmed and unable to do any of it.  I don't see the beauty inside as I did watching that inch worm.

What can I do?  I can't give up my home and live outdoors always.

Bruce also penned, "They ride the line of balance and hold on by just a thread."   That's how I feel.

Signed,

Nature Girl


Dear Nature Girl,

Yes, nature is beautiful, all the miracles that surround you.  You take a walk and can marvel at the smallest of details that the universe displays before us-- a spider's intricate web, a caterpillar turning into a butterfly but can you not also see the beauty inside?  The handiwork of the craftsman that made the shelves that you have to dust and is it not easier to breathe once all the papers are put away.

I understand.  I know what it is like to dislike the "chores" of life.  I was once in a band and living with several band-mates on the road.  It's awful seeing dishes in the sink but day after day we all would not admit they were ours and so they sat there, congealing, foul smelling and a nasty reminder of just how ugly life could be.  But something happened when I couldn't take it anymore and cleaned all of them.  I didn't mind the suds, the repetitive motion, the chore.  I was doing it not only for me, but for my fellow band mates.   Could you not also think of the chores as little gifts to your family and the world?  Maybe we can not always say "I love you" as we would like, but it is the little things-- doing laundry for your family, making a tasty, healthy meal that help the world be a better place.  Outside we see sunsets and say "Ah," why can't we also wipe away dust and say, "Ah" as well.

Hope you can put on some good music and dance around as you do those chores.

And for you another few lyrics, from the memorable funky fun band, the B-52's--
"Housework, housework, housework...I am doing my housework / Got no time to fool 'round / I am doing my housework / Cleanin' up and I'm gettin' down."

Om and purr,
Swami Cat

What's New

Hari Om Yoga Friends,


What's New:
My first episode of Inside The Yoga Sutras is up on Youtube!  Rev. Jaganath Carrera's interview is very informative.  Please curl up on the sunny part of the rug when you have a few minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER-FwGOT5gI

What's Not New:
What is not new to us but new to many of Dr. Oz watchers: Meditation can help with many things, stress, focus and now weight loss.  This is the topic being covered on Dr. Oz Wednesday with special guest Deepak Chopra.

 Anything new happening in your part of the collective Yoga mat?

Om and Purr,
Swami Cat

Too Much Yoga Causes...

Dear Swami Cat,

I'm thinking about Yoga too much.  It's on my mind constantly and even when I'm driving in my car I am thinking about Yoga.  I drove too far today and had to make a U-turn and then I was late to work.  Is there such a thing as too much Yoga?  Have you heard of this before?  What should I do?

Signed,
Yoga-On-The-Brain

Hari Om YOTB,

Ah yes, this is a problem.  Keeping the lessons of Yoga in the forefront of the mind is advantageous to ones progress on the path.  Yet one of the practices of Yoga is mindfulness.  This does not mean fill your mind with thoughts, in fact some translate it as clearing the mind.  Unfortunately the mind is a tricky one and it is not so easy to "clear the mind" as they say.  And so we Yogis practice one-pointedness, focusing on one thing during meditation to help focus the mind.  This focus could be on a mantra, on a candle or on one's breath.  There are many practices you can try and you will find what works for you.

But dearest YOTB do not try these practices while driving.  Your one focus on the road should be reading the signs and watching for a potential accident.  Remember Yoga is first and foremost about doing what is needed for your health and well-being.  Keeping your thoughts on the road and nothing else is a practice of Yoga.  It reminds me of a quote from one of my dear friends whom I met while still on tour with my band Heavy Cream.  I was complaining about doing the dishes on the tour bus when he happened to walk by.

 "While washing the dishes one should only be washing the dishes, which means one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes. At first, glance, that might seem a little silly. Why put so much stress on a simple thing? But that’s precisely the point. The fact that I am standing there and washing these bowls is a wondrous reality. I am completely myself, following my breath, conscious of my presence, and conscious of my thoughts and actions. There’s no way I can be tossed around mindlessly like a bottle slapped here and there on the waves."

         – Thich Nhat Hanh 

Very good lesson, no?  I thought so.  I did all the dishes for the rest of the tour!

I hope this helps you. 

May all two and four legged beings find a spot of sunshine, a soft place to nap, and a scratch behind the ears.

Om and purr,

Swami Cat

Driving on Empty

Dear Swami Cat,

I just wanted you to know that I am so thankful for my mantra.  It keeps me calm during liftoffs on airplanes and has helped me through a tough upwards climb on a hike.  And tonight I added another thing to be grateful for regarding my mantra. 

I ran out of gas.  I was driving on fumes.  I found one gas station after another only to find it closed.  I was beginning to panic and so I repeated my mantra.  I know it helped me find the only open Exxon in miles.  I am eternally grateful for my mantra.

Love,
Yoga Girl

I appreciate you Summer!

YOGA GIRL'S ODE TO SUMMER

Outdoor Yoga
Walks in the dewy grass (good for absorption of chlorophyll)
Nighttime deep breaths in the cool relaxing air
Finding the night secret Avatar-like new universe of fireflies behind a wall of bushes
Honeysuckles!
Dairy free ice cream
Digging in the earth
Green leaves of basil, a healthy promising batch of tomatoes
Bird songs
Natural vitamin D
Nostalgic tunes on the radio (Bruce, Journey)
Friend time
Daytime lasts so long the night sneaks up and suprises you
Ocean time
Park time
Biking time
Taking my kayak down off its winter perch
Sitting on my terrace just soaking it all in


Take some time to appreciate while the butterflies fly and the crickets serenade.  Make your own list and I'll post it here!

The Perfect Yogi

Dear Swami Cat:

I've been thinking lately about how when I take Gopal, my dog out for a ride in the car he jumps into my car not knowing where we're going or for how long.  He willingly jumps in and sits comfortably, feeling the breeze, content and happy without any knowledge of what's happening next.  I'm jealous of his complete surrender.  How do I cultivate this for myself?

Signed,

Chauffeur

Dear Chauffeur,

If you desire to be like your dog there are a few options you can try.

1) Let someone else drive and stick your head out the window
2) Take a few minutes in the morning and meditate on the notion that we are not in control of the driver seat no matter how much it feels or looks like we are-- God's hand is really moving our car, not our foot on the pedal
3) Practice saying yes to someone who usually makes you lose your cool.  Maybe a small child at home who talks to you only when you pick up the telephone or a student who calls your name from across the room-- practice hearing that person's voice as the voic of God, drop everything and listen to that voice.  Then you will be like your dog.

Now if you want to know how to surrender like your cat just let a mouse or bird loose in your house and hunt it all day.  It's very focusing and better than Pilates at core strengthening.

Om and Purr,
Swami Cat

What we need now is a Laugh

Dearest Yogis,

Well we survived!  Another day.  Another chance to laugh, isn't it so?

I thought it about time we started a Yoga blast of laughter.  Send in your Yogic-style jokes.   I look forward to reading them.

Here is mine which I heard from the sweetest most open hearted nurse/Yogi that I ever had the privilege of learning from-- Radha/Ginny at Freehold Yoga Center

The Joke:
This guy walks into a barber and asks him to buzz his hair and says,"Whatever you do, do not take my headphones off."  The barber cuts his hair as he wishes but thinks that's weird because it won't look very good.  Next week the same guy comes in and asks for the same thing.  This happens three more times and then the next time the guy comes in asks for a haircut and reminds him that whatever you do don't take the headphones off.  So the barber begins to cut.  This time the guy falls asleep.  So he quickly takes the headphones off, buzzes his hair and then replaces them on his ears.  But when he tries to wake the guy, the guy doesn't wake up.  The barber tries but the man's fallen unconscious.  The barber lifts the headphones to his own ears and hears, "Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out."

 Don't Forget To Breathe!

(And on your walk today even if it rains you can smell those wonderful flowers that are bursting open right now!)

Please send your own favorite Yogic joke to Swami Cat.

On Death and Birth

Dear Readers of the Yoga Girl Blog,

Thank you so much for the kind words regarding this hard time that my family is going through with the passing of my grandmother a few weeks ago and now my grandfather on Sunday.  Many in the Yoga community have been so sweet and it feels as if I have a second family's support.

Having loved ones pass out of their body is such a reflective time.  I am reminded so often lately to not take any moment for granted. 

My grandfather's recent passing was a bittersweet goodbye.  He so badly wanted to end his suffering and did not want us to see him so frail.  He used to be a boxer and was very proud of his machismo, as well as his knuckle-crushing handshake.  So being under 100 pounds at the end was not how he wanted to be remembered.  So I am happy he is now pain-free and I hope with all my heart that he is reunited with his beloved wife who passed about six years ago now.  They knew each other as kids and married at eighteen.  It makes me feel so happy to imagine them together again.

I am glad that this ordeal is over, especially for my parents.  They have been running, shopping, making doctor's appointments and taking care of their parents on a daily basis for almost a year.  I have a new vivid compassion for caregivers now.  So hard they work, many times forgetting to take care of themselves. 

So I asked my mother how she feels now that her father has passed.  She didn't hesitate when she answered.  She told me that she isn't afraid of dying now and that it reminded her of when she gave birth.  She said that when she was giving birth to me she was very nervous about the pain and didn't know what to expect.  But, she thought, if her mother could give birth (who was not the most courageous person-- running away from even a discussion of pain) then she could do it.  Mom said that she used, "If mom can do it, I can do it" as her mantra.  And now watching her father's slow decline, she is no longer afraid of death either because she can see it is just like giving birth.  Giving birth is a violent pushing and contracting of a baby away from one world into another.  Mom said, "maybe death is just another messy birthing from one world into another."  What a profound notion, I thought.  So maybe some deaths are harder because they need more of the pushing and contracting to get them to their next adventure.

I like this thought.  And I like knowing that my mother isn't afraid of death now, for she has a mantra, "If my parents could do it, I can do it."  And so shall I use this mantra when my time comes. 

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
Peace to all.
Love to all.
Light to all.
And rest in this peace Poppy Mel and Grandma Ethel.

Cesar's Way

Obsession. 

My dog's obsession is his bone that he will chew on until he kills it.

My new obsession is my dog.  I rush home from work so we can go on a walk together and have time to practice what I've been learning from Cesar Milan's DVD.  Harrison and I are both benefiting from Cesar's teachings on dog psychology and behavior.   

As Cesar's DVD teaches me tricks to snap a dog out of his obsessions that are bad for him or us, I constantly see new and improved ways that I can calmly and assertively train my junior high school students.  Okay, okay dogs-- kids not the same.  But Cesar's Way is all about calm, assertive energy that redirects the canine when s/he is not focusing on the right thing.

My favorite part of this training is learning that dogs when they walk following a pack leader, their ears are back, they are submissive and are in a open mind zone.  They clear their mind and all stress, anxiety, defensive nature goes away so that they can just follow.  This is the same as a person in a good Yoga class, is it not?  I love knowing that when I calmly, assertively take Harrison on a walk that he is in a Yoga zone. 

So I've been thinking about how I can translate this training to the classroom with 20-30 Jr. High students.  I can't put them on a leash, but I can use calm, assertive energy and practice some Yoga techniques with them.  I have taught them a relaxation exercise and after that lesson my students always beg me to do it again and again.  They tell me that they never learned how to relax or quiet their mind and they see the benefits right away.

I hope some day I am able to teach more ways to bring peace into their lives.  And one way I hope to do this is by creating a calm but fun classroom where students know their boundaries and I can find tricks that refocus them quickly just like a quick harmless yank on the leash redirects Harrison.

If you have any Yogic redirecting tricks for kids or dogs, let me know.


Lots of love, light and calm, assertive energy to you.


--Yoga Girl

A letter from Swami Cat

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Thank you for your letters.  I understand that some of you want to know a little bit about my daily routine.  Do I wake and do Asanas and Pranayama?  But of course.  Meditation-- every day.  Twice daily if I can fit it into my night time schedule, if not just a little on my bed before I take my nightly catnap.

The day is busy full of responding to emails, writing my book of Yogic Lessons from the Liter Box, working on editing the Inside the Yoga Studio: Swami Cat Yoga Interviews, and consulting with other animals that wish to follow the Yogic lifestyle.  There are many.

Have you noticed that when you do your Yoga practices outside there are animals paying attention?  They are looking for some peace and the ability to rest in meditation as well, I assure you.  It is not as easy for the wild animals.  Those poor souls must always be on the lookout for a predator or an encroaching construction tractor that they have lost their instinctive ability to be at peace.

Just recently I had a call from a squirrel that doesn't know why the humans are so upset with her.  She couldn't see their point of view.  After a few sessions of Yoga Nidra we spoke about the human's desire to feed the birds and see their pretty colors and so she discontinued her attack of the bird feeder and resumed her search for acorns.  Another happy soul.

Often I am faced with a challenge that even I can not handle calmly right away.  Just recently the home where I reside, with Yoga Girl has had an invader.  Yes, Yoga Girl did invite him in, but I was not consulted.  This creature is of a loving nature but has not had proper Yogic training.  I am taking upon myself to teach him to stop licking certain parts of his body early in the morning and focus more on his downward dog stretches that he does quite well.  He is a very willing student but he is of the species of animals that does not listen well to cats, so I am sometimes met with a growl.  Luckily the growling subsides quickly when I show him that I have the doggy treats in my paw.

I'll keep you updated on Yoga Dog's progress.

Please let me know if you are having any problems with your animals or your Yogic practice.  I am here to serve.

With much love, light and purring.

Swami Cat

Ettiquette

What happened to being quiet when you are in the audience and letting the artist entertain you?  In this current climate of Youtube I think some people think they are allowed to be the center of attention all the times because they constantly tweet or update their status on Facebook.  I am embarrassed that last few times I've been out to see a performance that someone in the audience thought they had the right to talk directly to the performer in the middle of their show.  It happened to us last night at Lily Thomlin's show in Red Bank.  In the middle of her show a woman in the front row asked if Lily could sign her autograph.  Lily was going to say no but the audience urged her to do it.  Then the woman asked if she could sign it for her daughter and spelled it out-- two names with unique spellings.  This took about four minutes, but who has such an ego that they think that it is okay to waste hundreds of other people's time?  What made the night even worse was that I had a hard time listening to Lily for the five women behind me were straight out of the book of rudeness.  They probably think that "Etiquette" is a kind of French croquette.  They were talking the whole time but not in a whisper a full out cackling, ranting misery.  Three people asked them to be quiet but they continued to talk as if they were at home watching a football game and their team was losing.  I am afraid that performers might think all of New Jersey is this uncultured and selfish.

Is this a trend?  I hope not.

BEFORE

I was inspired to clean out my closet of old clothes.  It was really easy once I started.  Out went the shirt I've only worn a few times, and the pants that are way too big but they were on sale and were comfortable.  So I tried to get the whole collection down to 33 but I couldn't.  That's okay, I am donating a whole 2 large bags of clothes to Goodwill and now I have space in my closet. 

Check this out. 

AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay it still needs a closet makeover but it is less cluttered.   And now I feel like my mind has had a little Spring cleaning as well. 

Ah, Spring cleaning.  Making room for a few breezes and long walks in the woods.  I can't wait.

How's your closet and mind?  Any open space?

Lovely day to spend with friends

Ah the sun, it wakes up a joy in me that needed to come back to life.  With the sun comes more awareness of dust and clutter.  Time for Spring cleaning-- I feel the need for it.

Not this weekend though.

But I'm going to get ready for it.  A lovely new friend just introduced me to:

http://www.theproject333.com/

Check it out.  My goal is to get rid of the clothes that don't make me happy to be wearing them.  And I think I'll be shopping at consignment shops -- it's another way to recycle, and it makes me feel good.

If you'd like to join with me, let's inspire each other to get rid of that which no longer serves us and bring in some space to breathe, see and enjoy what we already have.  Of course I'll be buying a few new things (like pants for work, I can never find pants that fit well and are comfortable) but the goal is to keep to 33 things. 

I'm looking forward to this!  Join me, comment or email me.  I'd love to hear about the space you are consciously bringing into your life!

When I do the Spring cleaning I'll post pictures.  Please send me your pics too-- we'll inspire a closet revolution!

Om Shanti,

Yoga Girl

The Green Eyed Monster Strikes Again

Some days I wake up with this extra weight on my shoulders, unhappy with my career, unhappy with the choices I've made in life and I desperately want to stay home and work on my art.  This week I read about a successful writer who grew up in the same town as me.  I can't help but think that she has my ideal life.  But then there are other days like today when I wake up and I feel like I am in the right place, the right career and the burden of jealousy is lifted.  I can see how my path has brought me to a place where I might not be writing for a living, but I am teaching others to find their artistic outlet and even more fulfilling is my ability to share with them the Yogic Philosophy thinly veiled by lessons on how to be a theatre artist.

Have you read, The Artist's Way?  Its author, Julia Cameron suggests that jealousy is a way for us to know what to put effort into.  She says that if we put effort toward that goal then the jealousy goes away.  She's right.  I've tried it and it works. 

But then why does this nagging, unhealthy-- "I wish I had her life" keep coming back into my consciousness?  How do I know which is my path?  To put more effort into the art and someday have the sparkling hot spotlights on my work, or to cultivate gratitude for  my current job and enjoy the lightness it brings to my soul?

I can hear Swami Cat now, saying the answer dear Yoga Girl is...

Both. 

Okay, okay Swami Cat-- I'll rededicate myself to my meditation practice of which I spend a few minutes each morning in gratitude.  That will help.  And I will try to stick to the present moment-- always looking at how I can serve my students, other teachers, and myself.  But, I will continue to put my extra energy into making my writing career blossom, while maintaining a calm that is not attached to having it come to fruition in this lifetime.  Maybe yes, maybe no.  "You must have faith," I hear him saying, "for we do not know what is ultimately best for us and the universe." 

Ah yes, wise, wise, wise. 

Anyone else dealing with a recurring emotion that doesn't feel healthy?  Please let me know how you've handled it.  It's lonely having these thoughts by myself.

Kirtan

Kirtan, for me, is the easiest way to get out of my head.  I feel like I'm floating.  At home in front of pictures of Guruji, Swami Satchidanandaji and Swami Catji -- if my meditation isn't going so smoothly I begin to chant.  My go to chant is usually Jai Ganesha in order to remove the obstacles that are making meditation so hard that morning but then I usually branch out into other tunes that I've heard at different kirtans.  Wah's Om Nama Sivaya is so spiritually uplifting and Girish's Sita Ram makes my body sway (which is always good since my back is constantly stiff and movement helps.)  Now I have a new go to song:  Robin Renee's Chant (Words and Music.)  J and I heard her live the other night at One Yoga Studio.  She's been touring all over the country so it was a treat to have her perform right in the neighborhood.  She invited Swami Cat to the performance via Facebook so of course he came along as well.  It was a lively, moving night.  Swami Cat even jumped up and played harmonium with her at the end of the evening. 

Jai Robin Renee!  Check out her CD's Live Devotion and Spirit.Rock.Sexy.  (www.robinrenee.com) She mentioned a new album coming out soon.  I can't wait.   

-- Yoga Girl

The Golden Compass

I'm always a little late with trends.  In high school everyone was wearing Doc Martens and I didn't get my first pair until I was in college.  Last month I started reading The Golden Compass trilogy because a friend recommended them.  I know, I know, you probably read them years ago or at least saw the movie with Nicole Kidman but I didn't know I'd enjoy the story so much.  I'm loving the spiritual aspects that mixes with science.  When the main character Lyra reads her "golden compass" she has to get into a meditative state to understand its meaning.  And now I'm onto the second book, The Subtle Knife where Lyra explains to the other main character Will, how to use another important tool while his mind is focused on pain in his hand.  "Just sort of relax your mind and say yes, it does hurt, I know.  Don't try and shut it out."  I was reading this thinking about what I learned in meditation teacher's training with Rev. Jaganath.  I learned that thoughts come into the mind and you can not force them out.  Instead try focusing on something positive and peaceful.  It could be focusing on a candle flame or a mantra. 

I love finding Yogic reminders in my daily life.  Anyone else find a Yogic hint today?

Om Shanti,

Yoga Girl

Thoughts on teaching Yoga class

I have to say that each and every time I lead a Yoga class I come out feeling lighter, more energized and positive about the world.  It's amazing.  For an hour and a half I focus my energy on others and really try to tap into what they need, reminding them to breathe, relax, stretch but only to their limit and cultivate compassion.  Maybe it is all that reminding I do, or maybe it is an energy thing but I love life more after Yoga class.

Imagine if I did that every day, all the time.... hmmmm.

Anyone one of you thinking of taking the Yoga Teacher's Training, I highly recommend it.  Especially if the classes come from the heart and focus on the teachings, not on the right clothes to wear.

How do you feel after teaching a Yoga class?  Or taking one?

-- Yoga Girl

Swami Cat's Theme Song?

Guilty Non-Pleasures

There's water pouring out of my bathroom ceiling.  The plumber said he'd be here between 9 and 11.  It is now 11:34.  I have six things on my To Do list today and yet I should add to it a visit to my grandparents who are both in the hospital again.  I don't know what to do first.  So instead of doing anything I'm going to make myself Tea and put on some good music and write in my blog.  It's been too long. 

Tomorrow J and I perform a Yoga Girl and Swami Cat skit at Jayanthi for Rev. Jaganath's 61st birthday celebration.  We've been practicing all week.  I have to sing, so I hope I don't choke like I did in college.  I had a solo and in the middle of it my voice cracked, or should I say squeaked.  I was so embarrassed.  But this is a comedy and I never said Yoga Girl was a professional singer.  She's more like Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) trying to be a Yogi.

Hope you all have a wonderful non-guilt filled day.  And maybe I will see you at the celebration tomorrow.  If so, please send me lots of positive, non-squeaky energy.

Love and light,
Yoga Girl (A.K.A. Karuna)

Most Brilliantly put-- in the age of the internet-- Arts-- Spirituality--Community...

This is a must watch video from Ted Talks online.  A brilliant speaker, Ben Cameron, is also a very nice guy.  I met him in Alaska while my play was being performed there, before I was a Yogi and was pursuing the arts as my livelihood.  What he mentions here is why I've started the blog in the first place to merge Yoga, service and my love of the arts.

Be Well.  Enjoy life.  Create and go to art when you can.

Love and light,

-- Yoga Girl