I think I understand what it is like to be Guruji Rev. Jaganath Carrera, or maybe 1% of what it like to be a Guru.  As I'm sure he feels when witnessing his disciples do something that is not good for them, or others-- I watch as my students and friends suffer with their own egos that get in the way of their inner peace and happiness.  Watching them struggle in poses and in life tears a little at my heart.  Why if after I have said countless times to not push themselves, to let go of the need to be perfect that some students continue to struggle, red-faced and determined to be what they cannot at that moment?  Is it the animal in us?

I watch as Yoga Dog turns into Non-Yogic Dog instantly when he sees a German Shepard or other large threat.  It is my job as his owner (or mother as we call it in my house) to remind him to come back to a centered, non-threatened state.  He is allowed to be aware and alert but not aggressive, hair standing on end.

 
Not attractive and scary to others.

We sometimes get like this.  Our friends and family watch as we spin out of control, unable to calm ourselves.  In the dog training world we call that red zoning and we try to train the dog to not get themselves worked up into that mindset.

So how do we humans train ourselves to not get into the "red zone?"  How do we get out of this state of fear that stops us from being able to breathe through life's ups and downs?

The best way I know is through daily practice of a mindful meditation practice.  Hatha Yoga is the easiest way I know of to prepare for mindful meditation.  I have witnessed it over and over again.  My best witness is myself.  If I skip a meditation day (or week) I have less patience with others and with myself.  I can witness the mind going to places I don't want it to go-- fear, frustration, impatience, etc.   Without daily meditation I have trouble calling the negatives thoughts back, or even better- not letting my mind go there at all.

Guruji often says that the mind is like a puppy.  It is overly excited and needs to be trained.   
  
If you find yourself saying I'll go to Yoga class later, you probably need it now.  If you find yourself saying, "I don't have the money to take the classes..." remind yourself how expensive mental and physical medication is or anger management classes are.  Furthermore, isn't it important to teach our children how to be peacemakers?  To teach children, you must model the behavior you are teaching, isn't that so?

The heart pumps life sustaining blood to itself first. It must if it is to continue doing a good job pumping blood to the rest of the body.  This is a good lesson for us.  Be like our own hearts.  Remember to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our loved ones.

I wish you all the clarity to understand that the more you fight against Yoga, the more you probably need it for your growth.  (Ah yes, Guruji has said that often as well.)  Yoga is about scrubbing-- like coal into a diamond.  We are all diamonds inside-- it just takes a few bumps up against ourselves (and others in our Sangha) to chisel away at the build up defenses we have built through habits that no longer serve us.

Remember though that the chiseling comes when we work against the habits that keep us stuck, keep us doing exactly as we were before-- safe (so we think) but not happy.

Ah, peace.  May it come to us today. (For our family, friends, canine companions sake, as well as, ourselves.)

Many blessings to you,

Yoga Girl & Yoga Dog

P.S. The deadline for letting us know if you're coming to the retreat June 15th is coming up.  Maybe you can spare two nights away for your health and well-being?  You will be home before Father's Day dinner, we promise.

New favorite spot in the world-- Infini-T in Princeton.

Indian music is playing softly as I sip my peach ginger tea.  Around me are the cutest Ethiopian seats, dark wood and tapestries from many different countries- countries that aren't afraid of mixing bright colors.  Large brown handmade vases line the walls and the variety of teas and healthy foods you can order make me want to come every day of my five day staycation.
I had a chilled curried quinoa, mango & goji berries.  Very tasty.  

You have to check this place out.

And there's an open mic night on Friday nights!  Hm, you might see me here with Swami Cat one day soon, singing our latest song.  Or I'll be on the floor in the corner-- yes floor seating as in Turkish restaurants.  I might ask if I could move in.  It's very homey.

Hope you have a sweet and peaceful weekend.  Enjoy!

Om Shanti!

karuna

Swami Cat Art

Guess what everyone?  Swami Cat is publishing a book!  Check out the new art work by the amazingly talented Yogi, Nitya Martino.  http://artandsoul108.com/index.php
These paintings are part of the collection being put together into a book.

And this summer-- the Swami Cat Yoga for Families Tour!  A concert sing-a-long, Hatha Yoga class and puppet show all-in-one!

Looking for volunteers for a practice Family Yoga class-- let me know if you're interested.

Oh and if you are interested in purchasing a Swami Cat picture for hanging in a child's room
    $10
or a postcard size for the office or mailing to a friend
    $4
let me know.

As Swami Cat says,
"Om and Purrrrr."

      Yoga Girl

Satsang

Hari Om,

Satsang!  Come join us for another Satsang, just like the one posted on YouTube last November.

My experience is that I leave lighter, more at peace, filled with joy, love and laughter.

Come on down to Akasha this Friday night at 7:30 and you'll see for yourself.  Or if you have a question that you are dying to ask Guruji and you can not get there-- comment here and I'll make sure he gets the question.  I'm official videographer so I'll post your answer here on the website.  Voila-- the integration of thousands of years of Sage advice and the internet!

Satsang at Akasha -  A Space to Heal

with Reverend Jaganath Carrera

Friday, 13 April

7:30pm - 9:30pm, $15

Click on yogalifesociety.com for more information.
 

Sending you peace, healing and joy today and everyday!
-- Yoga Girl

Spring Updates

How have you been?
I hope this Spring has been good to you so far.
It's a lovely cool day in upstate NY.
We've been in the woods playing with moss, grass and dirt.  Nothing better than allowing yourself to get dirty. My mother won't be yelling at me because I'm the one who will be doing the laundry.
We're doing a photo shoot for J's CD cover. 

Split helps hip!

Yoga Dog snuck into a few photos.

I love this dog.

I've been meaning to write to update you on a few things:
     1. I don't wash my hair with baking soda anymore.  It really worked well, but I couldn't wash it all out  sometimes and my head itched. Apple Cider Vinegar & water is an excellent conditioner, but be careful it actually can make your hair too greasy.  I only do every other washing with it. 
     2. I cut my hair.  It's fun to look a little different.  The comment I get most is, "It's so cute."  Cute is not what I'm usually going for, but I can grow into cute.  Cute isn't bad.
     3. Writing is going really well.  I'm done with this one play that I think is going to be done all over the country.  Now I just have to send it out to contests and meet the right producer.
     4. Back to teaching Yoga Wed. nights.  I love it and missed teaching the class.
     5. I'm excited to announce that I'm running a Yoga Retreat for Artists and those who want to explore their artistic side more.  Flyer is below.
     6. I sang background vocals on one song for J's CD, soon to be released.
     7. Zumba rocks!  So much fun to dance my way to a healthy body.
     8. Best news ever-- I've found that if I do a split stretch (like I did everyday when I was young) my hip doesn't hurt.  Splits are not usually in the Yoga routine, but I'm putting it in mine.
     9. Making a personalized Hatha Yoga DVD for a friend.  And I owe my cousin a CD of the relaxation into Sivasana that I do at the end of every Yoga class that I teach.  It's been almost seven years now that I've been teaching Yoga.  Amazing.
     10.  It's a year since Yoga Dog came to live with us and he's fitting right into the family.  Swami Cat is still a little uncomfortable with the change, but he's meditating on it.  Soon he'll be on tour and out of the house often so that might help.  Look for the Swami Cat Family Yoga tour coming to a studio near you this summer.

That's all I have for now.

Blessings to you for health, peace and fun this Easter/Passover/Rebirth season.

Love,
Yoga Girl

P.S. We found that we were poisoning Yoga Dog.  Be careful of your flea/tick medicines.  They are really toxic.  Poor Yoga Dog was getting sick once a month for a few days.  I thought it was sympathy pains for my monthly pains.  Turns out the flea/tick gel (K-9 Advantix) we put on him once a month was the culprit.  It had the best least harmful write up.  But now we know it has made other dogs sick and some little ones have even died.  Poor Yoga Dog.  So now we're hoping to use only essential oils that repel bugs.  So, Yoga Dog just as I wrote this had a tick.  "Tick!  I yelled.  Where's the tweezers?!"   It's going to be a very buggy Spring/Summer that's for sure. 

Are you itchy?  I'm itchy.

Send us your bug stories.  Or your Top Ten Updates.  We love comments and letters. 

The Swami Cat Tour & Book Coming Soon!

Om and Purr to you, my friends.

I don't think I told you the great news.  Yoga Girl and I are planning a summer tour to Yoga centers near you.  Family Yoga sessions, Yoga songs and skits will be a mixture of entertainment and learning for the young and young at heart. 

Let Yoga Girl know of a Yoga Center you would like us to tour to by replying to this blog post or on Facebook.

And Swami Cat is working with the New Jersey Yogi and artist, Nitya to provide you with a book of Yoga fun phrases, a children's book, t-shirts and posters to adorn your home Yoga studio.

It's going to be a fun summer!  I know, I know-- it's not even Spring yet.  But I get so excited when the sun comes back to warm us.  It is like a shot of vitamins; I get so much energy. 

So let me know if there's a child in need of some Yoga fun (or you yourself) and we'll try to come out your way.

Ruby asking Swami Cat the answer to life, the universe and everything. 

Ommmmm Meow,

Swami Cat.

Splitting the Tulips

Last night at the Geshe Michael Roach talk in Princeton I heard a really beautiful explanation of Karma.  Geshe Michael said that he doesn't use the word Karma because we don't understand it fully.  He told us about his tulips that he planted and his Master asked if he dug up the tulips, split them and spread them out?  He did not know what his Master was talking about.  It turns out that tulips if kept in the ground multiply and then battle each other for the nutrients and eventually he would have smaller tulips and not as nice.  He says we need to plant seeds as well-- spread them out, plant them and when we give without any reward we get back so much more.  I'm not saying it as well as him, so you might want to listen to his talk from last night.  It is on Ustream.  If you have a chance to see him live, do so.  He's sweet and very funny.  He has many classes and books for sale.  Check him out at http://geshemichaelroach.com/

Enjoy the Ustream video by clinking on the link below.

http://ustre.am/:1pJY8

Namaste,
karuna (Yoga Girl)

Big Superheros for Health

Yoga Girl's List of Little Ways that add up to being a Big Superhero for Health and Harmony.

1. Instead of throwing out hole-y socks use them instead of swiffer wet/dry sweeper sheets
2. Use salt and water paste to clean ovens, countertops even makes a great emergency detergent for dishes and laundry.  I used an old container of scented salt for the bath that someone gave me ages ago and I find too drying on my skin-- but it made the oven top sparkle!   cleaning-with-salt.html
3. I met someone who actually likes the smell of bleach.  It is synonymous with clean to her.  I gag just thinking about it.  Instead of that toxic carcinogen for all my bathroom chores I use vinegar, baking soda, Dr. Bronners soap and any essential oil I have, such as lemongrass, tea tree oil or peppermint.  It smells better and the scent lasts a long time.  No need for glade plug-ins chemicals.
4. I grew up cleaning the house with pledge but my parents had us cleaning the house with my dad's old t-shirts and underwear.  I don't know if any other household did this but it was very funny if we left out the tighty whiteys when friends came over.  Although it was funny, underwear cotton is very thick and soft so it does make a great cleaning cloth.  I tend to use old t-shirts now but have fond memories of Fruit of the Loom. 
5. When it is time to clean the wood furniture out comes the olive oil which I pour just a few drops of right on a cut piece of an old t-shirt or sock and add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil-- smells great.

6. And today I add a new one to my list-- homemade shampoo.  I'm going to try it for the first time today.  I'll let you know how it goes.  My reason for trying it is the great website-- The Story of Stuff Project www.storyofstuff which makes cute cartoon movies that really explains how big industry dupes us into believing we need all these products to smell better, look better and be healthier.  Chemicals in our homes, on our skin, in our water-- Oh my!  So here's the latest post on their website:


I just cut my hair, so I hope the new shampoo/conditioner work so I can show it off today. 

May we all live in peace, harmony and health.  Oh, and learn to laugh a little along the way.

Om Shanti!

Yoga Girl

A New Year, A New Outlook

 

Let's all have a little fun this week.  And enjoy the bodies and minds we live in.  Be well my friends.

--Yoga Girl

Three Things I'm Thinking About

Going along with the getting things done that I've been doing are lists.  I'm into lists lately.  Feels good to cross things off the list.

So here's my latest.

A few blogs ago I promised kale recipes... this is my favorite and a crowd pleaser.
 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-kale-chips/

If you have a teen at home, or know a teen, or are a teen... this is a great blog to follow. 
http://www.shantigeneration.com/blog/ayurvedic-wisdom-for-common-teen-imbalances

And lastly I've been thinking about the way pants fit, or should I say don't fit me.  So many times I wear them a few times and then realize that they don't fit well.  They are not made for curves.  Many times they are more like torture devices.  I wish I could wear my Yoga pants all day everyday.  I was noticing that my Yoga pants have a special extra insert on the inside crotch area.  Regular pants don't have this.  Why don't regular pants have extra in the inside so that it fits well, moves well and frankly doesn't give you a wedgie?  If anyone out there is a fashion designer please get on this.  I'll be your biggest fan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/fashion/17elastic.html?pagewanted=all

Each year when that day arrives that we call New Year’s Eve I always get a little melancholy.  I try to not make it a big deal, not fretting about resolutions or obsessing about things that I have not yet accomplished but the melancholy always sneaks itself into my consciousness.  What I decided this year is to accept it into my life and see how I can use it to self-propel myself into action. 

I think it was my favorite self-help book, The Artists Way by Julia Cameron http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Spiritual-Creativity-Anniversary/dp/1585421464 that first introduced this idea of taking something negative and using it as motivation.  I definitely know that she talks about jealousy and how that is a signal that you want to do something and once you make a small move in that direction the jealousy goes away.  It’s true, I’ve tried it.  Every year as I watched the Tony Awards and got jealous over the newest play that has all of the attention, I would pout for a day or two.  Now I make sure I am sending out a play to a contest or writing a new one when the Tony’s come around. 

Jealousy is a topic for another blog entry, but it is similar to the feeling of melancholy that happens on New Year’s Eve.  It feels like a dark empty well.  So this year I decided to focus on getting things done.  I’m refocused, reenergized and suddenly the empty well is overflowing.  In just a few days I have a completely new play that I’m almost done with.  I have a few producing plays or music events that I want to start working on for next year.  It’s amazing but even though I’m completely busy, writing after work, on my lunch break—even before I leave for work in the morning.  Instead of being exhausted, I’m super energized.  I remember my graduate school professor writing during a faculty meeting and when I asked her if she was taking the minutes of the meeting she smirked and told me she was finishing a play.  That’s the get-it-done feeling that I feel like I’m taking new vitamins.  I’m even writing lists before I go to bed of all the things I want to accomplish the next day, phone calls, emails, etc.—so that when I have a break at work I can cross something off the list.  Very satisfying.

So instead of what I’m resolving to do better this coming year, instead of focusing on the negative (I need to lose ten pounds, eat healthier, meditate more, I’m going to focus on what I’m bringing into my life.  It was a television commercial that made me think of this as well.  Have you seen the one that has all these people standing on scales and instead of where it usually flashes a digital number, the scale flashes the word Joy or Serenity, etc.  It’s such a great idea. 

Would you like to join me in my quest to get things done?  This year theme– PROGRESS!

Join me this Saturday at Cando in Princeton to bring an awareness of progress into our Yoga practice.  I’m subbing for the 10 am class.

And if you are interested, here’s a website I found that discusses progress in terms of Yoga and leadership. 

http://www.theleadershipyoga.com/phases-of-progress-in-yoga

Might be a good site to follow.

Happy and healthy 2012!

Yoga Girl

NOT AN APPLE A DAY BUT A LEAFY GREEN A DAY

In a Yogic Healing class I took this past year I learned a lot about what we can do for ourselves to keep ourselves healthy.  Many of our pains can be prevented or aided by certain simple ways of living.  Most amazingly, if we can only do this one thing we might never be in pain again.  Our body heals itself if we are in an alkaline state.  Unfortunately most of what we love eating, white bread, pasta, sugar, meat and alcohol creates an acid state in our body.  Our bodies’ innate ability to heal itself is quickly compromised when our daily routine includes mostly these addictive foods. 

So what do we do if we already have the pain?  Many times a change in diet can help tremendously.  But at first, it’s mighty hard because taking a few bad items out of the daily rotation doesn’t create an alkaline state.  So at first it is necessary to eliminate these foods until you feel better.  Then, of course, going back to old habits will lead you back to where you started, uncomfortable and in pain.

One of the most common complaints of my Yoga students throughout the years has been back pain, especially sciatica.  This is the first of several heal yourself blog posts.  You might notice a common denominator – leavy greens yes—sugar, white flour, alcohol—no.  Here’s to a new healthy, happy year. 

These are my suggestions for sciatica that I learned at the Yogic Healing class and some online research. 

At the first sign of pain, apply a cold compress to the lower back for fifteen to twenty minutes. Repeat this action every two to three hours. Continue to keep the area cold for as long as possible for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

After applying a cold compress for a couple of days, switch to using a heat pad. Use some type of heating pad to the affected area for fifteen minutes at a time. Every hour, repeat the process until it seems to lose its effectiveness. When you apply heat to the muscles, it relaxes them, while helping to reduce spasms. Circulation is also increased and toxins around the nerves are flushed away.

When treating sciatica, make sure that bowel movements remain regular. If you do not have regular bowel movements, try using a mild natural laxative, or an enema.  However, if you chose laxative, do not continue to use it for more than a couple of days, because your bowel movements could become dependent on the laxative. After a couple of days of using the laxative, resort to a high fiber - low fat diet to continue having regular bowel movements naturally.

Getting plenty of sleep is also very important.  Studies have shown that the body does the majority of healing while we sleep (also in sivasana at the end of a Hatha class.) Lying on our back is best, however, if the pain is too immense and keeps you awake; try raising your knees with a small pillow. Doing this will take some pressure off the nerves. If you must sleep on your side, curling up and putting a pillow between your knees will work just as fine.

If you can, go for a walk. Walking is known to be one of the best exercises for sciatica. Exercise helps to relieve and prevent it. Walking keeps muscles loose, while improving circulation throughout the body, including the area of the damaged nerve.

Coming up soon--- Kale, not Just a Plate Decoration (recipes for those who don’t think greens are yummy)

I hope that has helped you or someone you love.  Drop me a line if you have a specific ailment that is stopping you from living your life with gusto.  I’ll look into my healing files and try to come up with something you can do to heal yourself.

With lots of love, light and healing for the new year!

Yoga Girl

P.S. Many thanks goes out to my fabulous teacher, the honored and respected Yoga teacher and Director of the Integral Yoga Institute, Margabandhu Martarano. 

For more information about Margabandhu and his classes check out http://www.iyinj.org.

This Is Hard To Admit

It's so clear out today.  Sunshine makes the chill not so bad.  Yoga Dog and I went exploring this morning and found some new nooks to imagine what lived inside. I'm so grateful for our morning walks together.  Because I am not a morning person, even though for the past decade I've had to be, I do not hesitate when he wakes me up with the tapping of his toenails on the wood floor.  His need to go to the bathroom pulls me right out of bed without a thought to ignore him.

This is what meditation is supposed to be like.  It is supposed to be automatic, a call to worship, a call to honor and commune with the millions of others waking at dawn to connect to the universe.  It has been awhile since I did my daily meditation practice.  This is hard to admit for me.  For six years I woke up early and enjoyed the silence, the connection to the Om of the world, and a deep connection to God that I felt.  I wondered why everyone did not do this simple practice in the morning.  The hardest part was rolling out of bed, but once I sat cross-legged in front of Guruji's picture, Swamiji's, Shiva and Grandma Irene, I felt like I had walked straight into a family group hug.  I also added in a little ritual I garnered from the Native American sweat lodge ceremonies I had been to.  I added a hand wave around the candle in lieu of walking around the sacred fire.  As I circled the flame I gave away anything I was holding onto that was not serving me and into that void, I thought deeply about what I wanted to invite in that day.  It could have been love, patience, gratefulness, etc.  I enjoyed this moment in my day when I could remind myself what I wanted to think about during the day.  I used to say that I could tell the difference if I didn't meditate and when I did.  If I was running late and skipped meditation then I was impatient with my students and found myself unhappier throughout the day.  So how did this happen that I lost my meditation practice?  I am embarrassed because I teach that meditation is important and I have seen it transform my friends into living Saints.  So how did I lose my way?  My routine was interrupted I suppose.  Life changed a little. 

And yet, here I am early in the morning, after walking the dog.  I feel good that we had some nice winter breaths outside, some exercise and now it is time to begin again.  Here I go, before the hunger pangs arrive and I start my day.  Before the dust on the furniture pulls me into a chore.  Before I remember how many things are on my To do list, I will sit on my meditation cushion and see what happens.

Om Shanti.

Yoga Girl

The Busy Months

And how are you coping with the busy days of winter?

My week is filled with running, running, running.  Drama club auditions this week, breaking hearts for some and boosting confidence in others, while also producing the upcoming show A Dickens Christmas.  Working on sound today for Cricket on the Hearth part of A Dickens Christmas.  And the work week felt long.  It wasn't, but it felt it.

And so J and I took in a Yoga class yesterday at the Freehold Yoga Center.  Ahhhh.
It's been so long that I almost forgot how good it was to participate in a full 1 1/2 class with fifteen minutes of pranayama.  When I practice at home there are a few shortcuts that happen since I feel the need to make the class shorter.  And there's something about the energy in a room full of Hatha Yoga practitioners that makes me sink deeper into myself.  Maybe their energy helps me focus, or relax.  Or maybe it is being outside of the house in a space for a certain fixed amount of time that gives me permission to let go of my daily life rushing around.  Whatever it is, I'm grateful for it.

And this Thanksgiving, I will be thanking Sri Guruji, Swami Satchidananda and Swami Sivanada for the blessing of Yoga lessons they've passed down to me.

What is it you're doing to help you stay grounded and let go of the rush of this time of year?

And if you'd like to cozy up to a good story check out the new NOW Theatre Company website including the page on A Dickens Christmas.  The show's in 2 1/2 weeks in East Brunswick, NJ.

nowtheatrecompany.org


Much relaxation and Om to you,
Yoga Girl

Look Both Ways!

Is it just me, or are people walking across the street without looking for cars these days?  I'm driving in parking lots (where there are a lot of cars coming both ways) and people are looking straight ahead, or in the opposite direction of my car.  I understand that if I, the driver, lose concentration then I will be forever horrified by what I've done, have to live with that forever and might go to jail.  But the consequences for not being mindful when crossing the street could be a huge injury, paralysis or the loss of my physical being on this Earth so I would think that they would listen to their inner mother who says, "Look both ways before crossing the street." 

Trying to be very mindful/grateful of the little things--

my beautiful nephew is walking with some assistance, is talking up a storm, and beyond a whisper.  He's saying "I love you" to everyone several times a day.  Which is sweet, until you think too much about it and remember he has short term memory loss and doesn't remember he just said it.  Oh wait the grateful list, right-- he's leaving the hospital for home in a few days.  My sister will once again be able to be with both children at once and lead some kind of "normal" existence. 

Yoga Dog and his girlfriend at the dog park

I'm also grateful that Yoga Dog wasn't eaten by another dog at the dog park.  He wasn't even scratched when a seemingly sweet new rescued dog was playing with him when suddenly he had Yoga Dog's face in his death jaws.  Yoga Dog is so trusting, playful and engages everyone that he doesn't realize when he's being too friendly too soon.  It took many scary moments to pry the dog's teeth off Yoga Dog's snout.  But luckily all we found was a lot of slobber and no blood.  I think we're going to be more mindful of where to bring Yoga Dog since he is overly friendly. 

This Friday Guruji Rev. Jaganath is having a Satsang at Akasha and guess what the topic is going to be?  Gratefulness.  Ah, another chance to live in the happy zone of what is good instead of the worries and negatives.  I hope to see you there.    yogalifesociety.com

Let me know what your challenges are on the path to mindfulness/gratefulness. 

Om and prem,
Yoga Girl

The Good Things

Sometimes it's good to remind yourself how good things are going.  The gratitude list.  I do this every morning.  Now I'm going to have to teach my nephew.  It breaks my heart-- the little five year old is now speaking which thank God is happening, and yet he says, "I hate myself."  For many nights now I've been uneasy thinking about this and can not get to sleep.  I want to tell him that maybe what he means is that he hates this situation.  Maybe he means that he hates the hospital but saying "I hate myself" is breaking his mother and my heart.  And I want to tell him, it will get better.  I want to tell him that he's making great progress and soon he'll be able to run and jump and "Party like a Rock Star."

So for Ethan this list is dedicated:

I can breathe on my own
My legs can kick
I can speak and others understand me
I can sing
I can smile
I can explore new things
I can snuggle up with family
I can laugh
I can sleep
I can enjoy dessert if and when I chose to
I can listen to my favorite music and movies
I can tell everyone to "Stop" and they listen.

May you find pleasure in the little things today.

Lots of love, light and laughter,
Yoga Girl

Here's the video that took me months to edit but here he is with his older brother jumping and goofing around-- and singing my new yoga song appropriately titled, "My Yoga Song."  Enjoy.

Just a quick thought--

Sorry that I haven't been posting of late.  My nephew is in the hospital and I'm feeling the need to help family lately.  But as I do, I notice how much Yoga has taught me and kept me strong through it all. 
Seeing a once active four year old in the hospital slowed down by brain surgery is enough to put someone on the floor in fetal position for a very long time.  My heart is full and sometimes overflows with tears but my practice has deepened as of late.  I do my meditation and asana devoted to Ethan.  Whenever there is a lull in my day I pray for him and say my mantra. 

I feel lucky to have these practices in my life.  It was also such a gift that my sister who has been living at the hospital with him for three weeks now, asked me to lead a Yoga class for her.  My family is usually happy that I do Yoga but do not think it is for them.  It was so beautiful being able to help my sister breathe and find some relief from the daily stresses of nurses, medicines, new diagnoses, etc.

Ethan is getting a little better every day thanks to the many, many prayers.  We still do not know how many of his abilities he will regain but he smiles, and sings softly and can play catch.  These are all amazing gifts and I'm so thrilled to be able to be a part of his life. 

If you are interested there is a Benefit for Ethan concert on Dec. 10th.  Info below. 
Thank you for being a part of my life as well.

Om Shanti,
Yoga Girl

Namaste News Holistic Health Fair and Yogic Expo

Hello Yoga Friends,

What a wonderful event on Sept. 17th.  So many new friends I met and wonderful Yogic items that I was introduced to.  http://www.khataland.com/

Yoga Mat that folds to easily travel and magically the dirty side never touches the clean one.

I'm going to have to ask them to make a Yoga mat that folds smaller into my cat carrier.

There was also a really fancy reusable pouch that can be used instead of throw-away plastic zip locks.  I bought a few and now I can carry some catnip with me and the velcro keeps it nice and fresh. 

http://www.snootybootydiapers.com/catalog/green-home-and-dining-46-1.html




So many beautiful pieces of jewelry and essential oils. 
But even more beautiful...

Roshini from Urban Yoga Center

Michelle from Snooty Booty Diapers

Shannon and Rachel

Yoga Girl and Arlene Martin

Singing  My Yoga Song with the children

At the Yoga Life Society table, sending Guruji blessings

Johanna and Cyril from Urban Yoga Center

Such a lovely event.  I hope to be there next year.

Blessings to all!

Much love, light and purring,

Swami Cat

Couldn't help but stare long and hard at this picture of the cat with two faces.  http://news.yahoo.com/mass-cat-2-faces-lives-12-years-sets-131909351.html

Made me think of  Vishvarupa, the universal form of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna reveals that he is at once both the ultimate essence of Being in the universe and also its physical body, referred to as the Vishvarupa (`Universal Form`).



Why did I stare so hard and long at the cat with two faces?

Not because I couldn't believe this could happen in the world, but that I know anything can happen at any time.  Right now I am saddened to find my four year old beautiful nephew in the hospital having had two emergency out-of-the-blue brain surgeries last weekend and they are slowly waking him up from a coma today.  It is at these tremendously unbelievable times that I find myself hooking onto my Yoga practices more than ever.  It has become important to me to say my Mantra whole-heartedly for Ethan's health and my sister's and her husband's strength during these tough times. 

I am so grateful for the breathing techniques and kirtan chanting that has kept my mind from wandering to a dark place.  Furthermore the Sangha, the beautiful people who I know through Yoga and beyond have had an influx of well wishes and prayers for Ethan which just makes me so happy and grateful.

Yes, it has been a long time since I have written in the blog.
And yes I did say that I was going write a Swami Cat version of the Yoga Sutras every day, but life happens. 

What I do promise is that I am thinking of all of you, sending you love, healing and light every day.

May all beings find Yoga or some other form of peaceful practice to hold them steady through life's sudden Tsunamis.  

And yes, God, I too like Arjuna will continue to do my duty, what I was born for in the face of the scariest obstacles.  I will fight my inner demons by serving others today.   
 
Sending you love, light and a lot of energy to fight your own inner demons. 

Many, many blessings,

karuna (A.K.A. Yoga Girl)

A beautiful talk about Yoga without mentioning the word Yoga