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

You know you're a Yogi when...

1. Your Facebook wall posts consist of a quote from a Swami, The Dalai Lama or another Saint or wise ol' peacekeeper

2. You wake before everyone else in your house/neighborhood and instead of going back to sleep, you fall asleep in meditation

3. Instead of cursing the loud mouth drunk neighbor whose car needs a muffler, you picture him surrounded by light and love.  Then you put in some ear plugs.

4. You chanted Ram! Ram! Ram! during the earthquake and enjoyed the ride.

What else?  Send in your responses and I'll post them here!

Sutra 1.3: The Seer Abides In Its Own Nature

Ah, so much going on at the same time.  As I write this, a friend is struggling to give birth to a new human baby.  Jai to the little one and its mother.  Another friend is struggling with negative thoughts that plague her mind, poor thing.  Yoga Dog as usual is in sit, stay, drop it training as I watch and just giggle inside.  Luckily I am a cat and no one expects me to train in such mundane "trickery."  Since I do not have to bother with such trainings and have more time to study the Yoga Sutras, the primary text of the ancient science of Raja Yoga. 

Sri Patanjali's Sutras: 1.3  Then The Seer (Self) Abides In Its Own Nature


You are not the body nor the mind.  So simple, yet most of us get bogged down by distortions that cloud our ability to see the truth.  Our mind creates thoughts and desires.  The Seer or Self knows this but sometimes is mixed up by the mind.  For example, one day Yoga Dog was walking by a beautiful lake and looked in the clear water.  First he thought there was another dog looking back at him so he barked and barked.  After I told him that he was looking at a reflection of himself he recoiled in horror.  The lake from all his barking was rippling and he looked like a wavy mess.  He thought that was what he looked like.  Of course we know that his head is not wavy and misshapen.  He is not as good looking as a cat, but he is handsome for a dog.  Why is it that he could not see himself?  He thought that the reflection was him.  Of course we know that the reflection we see in a lake or mirror is not us, but then again if we have never seen ourselves before this might be something our mind believes.  This is how our mind works sometimes-- it looks at the reflection from mirrors, from other people-- and we take that as truth.  But our True Selves never change, and we are within pure and beautiful.

So how do we see ourselves as always true and unwavy?  We must help the mind get clear and calm again, just like the lake water.  When we allow our minds to be disturbed by negative thoughts, worrying, judgment, etc. we can no longer see our True Selves.  It is through meditation and Hatha Yoga that we can help the mind practice being in this calm clear state.  It isn't easy, but with time, perseverance and enthusiasm we can master the mind.

Any questions?  Try reading Sri Swami Satchidananda's translation and commentary of the Sutras (see picture above.)  Also my friend Rev. Jaganath's book Inside The Yoga Sutras is so helpful in understanding this ancient and wise text.  Rev. Jaganath analyzes the Sanskrit words and helps the reader understand why each word was used and what it meant at that time.  Very interesting!

And of course I want to hear from you.  Are you having a hard time with The Yoga Sutras?  Or any part of Yoga?  Life?  Love?  Going back to school?  Let me know.  I'm all ears, and a little fur.

With much respect, love and purring,

Swami Cat

Day 2: The Sutras

 Day 2 of the Sutra Discussions. 

Feel free to write in your own thoughts and comments regarding the Sutras.  It is more fun with a dialogue, no?

Here we go...
Pada 1.2

This is the crux of Yoga.  This is why we do Yoga.  This section of the Sutras is the most important and if you could only study one of the sections, this would be the one.

Yoga chitta vritti nirodha. 

"Chitta Vritti"-- it sounds like a new snack food.

It is Sanskrit and it means the stopping of all the bouncing around of the mind is Yoga.

It is like when I was a little bitty furball and I saw a piece of yarn I would run and pounce on it.  But then I was distracted by the fly and so followed it.  It led me to the window and I jumped up and saw the dog outside and fell of the ledge, hurt my paws and ran to my mommy.

This is like the mind when we do not practice a form of meditation or Yoga.  Most people have trouble staying true to their path in life because there are so many distractions.  Many people have a very hard time sitting still and being quiet.  They say it is the scariest thing.  And if you ask them what they are scared of, they say-- their own thoughts.  Ahhh, the mind.  It IS the last frontier.  (Spock did not have a problem with chitta vritti.  His mind was not an incessant whirling.)

So what to do with our distracted, ego-centered mind that leads us to pain, suffering and ignorance?

We practice Yoga.  And put away the balls of yarn before we start.

Om and purr,
Swami Cat

Now Yoga

Sitting with Yoga Girl and Gopal up on the mountains, looking at nature's beauty, I was reminded of how I feel after I meditate.  I admit, it has been awhile since I woke up early and did my full meditation and asana series.  This summer I took a part time job teaching kittens how to act (other than cute.)  My whole day was about wrangling kittens.  Have you ever tried to focus a clutter of kittens?  It is almost impossible except I know a secret.  Kittens love to play.  And so to re-focus them every so often I became the leader of Simon Says.  This then reminded me of meditation for is not the mind like a kitchen full of hungry chirping kittens?

And so when I returned from nature's quiet where I could easily meditate to the the home where dishes, laundry and cat liter lay, I opened my copy of Rev. Jaganath's Inside The Yoga Sutras.  I opened right to the first Pada.  "Now, the exposition of Yoga."  The only way to practice Yoga is to do it in the present.  Focus.  Be alert.  And so I will be alert and ask you to join me on my journey.  Once a day we together can study a section.

And so it begins.  See you back here tomorrow.

Om and purr,

Swami Cat

Tail of the Day

Tail of the Day

by

Swami Cat

Every morning do a little stretch, breathe and Purring. 

When I miss my stretch, breathe and purr the day is a little off.  Sometimes the off day steamrolls into a bad day when I hiss at my students, stub another paw toe and miss many opportunities to serve others.  But when I take the few precious moments for myself the day is easier and I have more patience with others, the world becomes more colorful.  It's the difference between a cloudy day and a sunny day.  It is an old antennae TV channel filled with static instead of HD.

Yesterday I took a long walk with Gopal, A.K.A. Yoga Dog and taught him the joys of early morning Hatha.  We stretched, breathed and purred.  He did not get the purr down but he is very adept at the pant.  For the rest of the day we enjoyed each others' company, chose healthy foods to eat and for everyone we met along the way we smiled.  Gopal came up with the brilliant idea of picking up trash on our walk home.  We had paws full by the time we found a dumpster and hopefully all the people in the passing cars that saw us doing a good deed were inspired to as well.  It was a wonderful day watching the rain instead of cursing it, as could have happened. 

And so may you all find a little time to stretch, breathe and purr today.

A little reminder,

from
Swami Cat

Time Off

Things to do before school starts again:
Try new Yoga classes
Make organic meals
Shop in local stores (anyone know a local farm that sells eggs?)
Take my bicycle off the bike rack and use it at the park
Kayak, kayak, kayak
See more of the world -- New Hampshire White Mountains next!
Write in this blog every day (every day I'm not "seeing the world")
Playtime with Yoga Dog.
Plan Swami Cat's live tour to Yoga studios near you
Create the Swami Cat book of Wisdom To Purr By (Just made that up, do you like it)
Hopefully sign up more followers to the blog.
Much easier to write if I know people are reading.
Put more artistic and business effort into writing career

What's your To Do list?

"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

Will you be a winner?

There's only one week left in the Where in the World is Swami Cat contest.  There is already one winner.  You too can be a winner if you can guess correctly the location of Swami Cat in this photo.  Reply as a comment to the post with your guess.  Good Luck!

Winner!

Last month's contest to pick Yoga Girl's logo color scheme winner is Jayadevi Petty!  Congratulations!  Looking forward to creating the Yoga Girl t-shirt in purple with gold lettering!  Thank you all who participated!

This month's contest has to do with the blog's picture-- Do you know where in the world Swami Cat is?  Leave us a comment here to enter.  If you are right, you win a copy of the most recent Yoga Life Society Satsang DVD with Sri Guruji Rev. Jaganath Carrera, entitled, "This is the Heart of Yoga."

Peace to you all during the holiday season!

Standing Barefoot Before God

I'm inspired.  All it took was a magazine article to wind me up and set me spinning, or should I say, writing again.  "Standing Barefoot Before God, The agony and the ecstasy of writing as a spiritual practice" written by Rabbi Rami was published in October's Ode Magazine.  It is written by a Rabbi which first caught my attention since  I'm reading it two months later and it is Chanukah.  I'm in need of a little bit of chutzpah to combat the graying days.

But this article is not written in a Jewish perspective it is written in a Yogic perspective, what I mean is that the author quotes the new testament, Hinduism and "The Legend of Bagger Vance."  (Great movie if you haven't seen it.) Moreover he's speaking my language-- the language of creativity.  He says that writing can be a spiritual practice if 1) You don't write what you know.  2)You can't write what you don't know.  3)You must write.  It is much like damned if you do, damned if you don't-- and he says that being damned is quite liberating!  I love this idea.  Also he says not to worry about publishing, or producing -- just write for writing's sake.  This is what I used to do years ago after I read the book, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I wrote five pages a day and have dozens of journals to prove it.  I stopped writing like this because I felt that the the destination was not fruitful.  Writing plays, articles and short stories that were not published or produced felt like little deaths and all of the tombstones were collected alphabetically in my hard drive. 

Rabbi Rami has reminded me that, "write what you know and keep at it until you at last realize yo udon't know much and what you do know is terrifyingly trite and stupefyingly boring."  Most of us who reach this point quit-- but if you stay with it, like Moses standing barefoot where he meets God, then you find liberation.

This is exactly like meditation.  "...it leaves you raw and bleeding rather than smug and satisfied.  It leaves you hanging on the cross of your own hubris..." leading to your own crucifixion and therefore absolutely free.

Beautiful.

(I'm going to go write some more offline.  Maybe it'll end up here.  Maybe not.  And that's the point.)

Om Shanti. 

Carbohydrates

Ah, Carbs.
My doctor says that I most likely have hypoglycemia and it is kept in check by eating a low carb diet.  

I have heard of low-carb, of course I have, but I don't think I ever really thought about it.  I am one of the most health food conscious people I know.  At work they ask me what I'm eating all the time and when I tell them kale, they wonder why I'm eating a garnish.  


Being healthy for me means: vegetarian but a little fish once in awhile, taking six vitamins every day (and I just learned that I should spread them out throughout the day -- it's helped my energy level), no dairy for I'm lactose intolerant and don't like factory farming of cows, and trying to reduce my gluten intake for fear that it causes my frequent bouts of candida.  Oh yes and sugar, I try to do less of that as well for so many reasons.


Just an hour ago my doctor said to me try a low-carb diet and he said that gluten-free doesn't mean low-carb.  Hm, I wondered, what is a low-carb diet.  I know that some fruits and veggies are carbs, so what am I do to?  


Luckily for me, the internet has a zillion articles on the topic.  Below I have pasted a few of the lessons I learned today:


Bad carbs are carbohydrate foods that have been highly refined and processed, removing most of the nutritional value and fiber. They're generally loaded with high-calorie fats, sweeteners, preservatives and other unhealthy additives.

With all the processing and additives, bad carbs can be made to be temptingly tasty. But they create a dramatic surge in insulin, which can overwork your pancreas, cause you to store fat and lead to diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease. (Many of these run in my family so I want to be very careful.)



The article also went on to describe how back before the industrial revolution people always ate the whole grain.  In the name of progress, the grains were stripped of their oily fibrous shells which have B vitamins and necessary fiber because it was easier to store the grains long term.  I remember Guruji mentioning that it seems ironic to him that we buy food today that says 100% whole wheat because that is what it is supposed to be but in our modern baked goods we take it out, process it and then in have to put it back in-- instead the bread we buy in grocery stores should have a label that states partial wheat, or in the case of Wonder Bread or bagels-- 0% whole wheat.





The following list I have printed out and will put on the fridge to remind me (and my husband who loves his fruit juice) that these items should be used sparingly as a treat, not a staple in our diet.

The basic bad carbs list includes:

• All candies, jelly and jams,
• Sodas, fruit juices, fruit drinks,
• Pudding, custards and other sweets,
• Processed refined grains, like white rice,
• Bread and pasta made with any refined flour,
• Cakes, cookies and other sweet bakery products.

I do crave chocolate chip cookies and other sweets, but I also love my health and want to stay healthy, vibrant and clear long into my old age.   Therefore, I start today another promise to myself to be the change I want to see in the world.  (Thank you Mahatma Gandhiji for wonderful words to live by.)

If you would like to read more about carbs:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6628.asp

And a helpful Yogic Diet guide is on the Yoga Life Society website under learning center.


Enjoy the beautiful day.

Love and light,
Yoga Girl

HAPPY DIWALI!

And don't forget to vote on the Yoga Girl logo in the post below.  All the voters will be put into a hat and the winner is interviewed by Swami Cat on the soon to be released Swami Cat TV show!

Om Shanti!

Voting

I did research last night on who to vote for in today's election.  It is sad that it took me so long to do any research.  I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even know who was running.  My television stations run New York and Pennsylvania commercials and that doesn't help me in the middle of New Jersey.  The websites for the candidates aren't that helpful for they are just another expensive advertisement.  How do we chose who to vote for?  Do we vote for the person who we think will vote most like us?  Do we vote for the person who seems strong and will stand up for his/her beliefs?  Or do we vote for the personality, the one who has a more polished website and better photographer for this person knows how the game of politics is played?  Or maybe I vote like a Yogi and try to find the candidate whose values are most focused on peace and compassion.  I was impressed with the Green party candidate for this reason, although I never heard of him, his website was not as high tech and I know that he doesn't have a chance of winning.  So do I not vote for him because it is like throwing a vote away?  It reminds me of the time I almost voted for Nader.  I do wish we had a system that wasn't focused on just two parties.  I feel many of us aren't happy with either one.  But it doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.  I read that other countries have many parties on the ballot.  Why is it that in America we have to boil everything down to smaller, quicker, easier to put on a sound bite?  Anyway, I couldn't sleep last night for my mind was going around and around these questions.  "What would Guruji do?"  That is what I came up with.  I decided to meditate on it before I went out to vote.  I take the voting process very seriously ever since I saw the mini series John Adams.  When I saw how much they sacrificed for the future generations so that we could live in a free society, and saw how they agonized over the right wording for posterity, I started to take our responsibilities more seriously.  I want the founding fathers and mothers to be proud of what we've become.  Until I find a more active role that interests me in the political arena, what I have to give back is the pressing of electronic light up buttons behind a curtain.  And I'll do it proudly for so many in other countries and even in our own find that the road just to cast a vote is a struggle.  And so I vote for them. 

Hope you remembered to vote. 

Om Shanti.

Happy Hall-ohm-ween!

Haven't had a blog post in such a long time.  Sorry my friends, life has been about teaching junior high, settling into married life and family.  Two days a week I dedicate some service to my parents and grandparents, cooking and spending time with them.  One night I teach Yoga.  Another I go to a playwriting group or work on my writing.  So doesn't leave much time to write on the blog but today I promise to get back to once a week.  This is the place I can look at what is going on in my life and see if I'm keeping the balance-- if I'm actually living the Yogic life.  Right now I'm a little out of balance and it has manifested in headaches and a tight back.  So please let me know that you read the blog, for that helps me to get to the computer to write it.

In fact I have another contest:  Which Yoga Girl Logo design do you like best?  It will be printed onto a T-Shirt as Yoga Girl's official costume.  My new mother-in-law, Bruna designed them.  Aren't they fun?  It is backwards so I can print it out on an iron-on transfer.

Pick A) Purple with gold lettering

B) Gold with purple lettering

or

C) Black and white

Everyone who replies to the blog with his/her answer is entered to win a chance to be interviewed by Swami Cat for the upcoming new show "Inside The Yoga Studio." 
 

A few suggestions from Swami Cat

Dear Loyal Readers,

Here are a few of my new favorite things…

1. CATKU: What Is The Sound of One Cat Napping?

I must give a warm thank you to Reverend Janaki and Reverend Jaganath for finding such a funny book of haikus which are an almost too truthful look at the world through the eyes of a cat.  I don’t think I could write it better, although these cats did not find the peace and joy that Yoga can bring.  Even the animal kingdom falls prey to all the trappings of a large ego, such as “feeling superior than the dog species” and obsession with a tin can of food.

2. Special thanks to KC for bringing my attention to a new wonderfully enlightening program entitled, "Speaking of Faith." She knew I listen to many of NPR’s fine podcasts as I do my nightly walk along the picket fence and she suggested I download episodes of  “Being” hosted by Krista Tippett.

There is one from this summer that has an interview with Matthew Sanford, a Yoga instructor and author who has been paraplegic since he was thirteen years old.  What insight he has into the mind-body communication.  He eloquently explains that there is a subtler level on which to feel, that is accomplished by listening deeply to the body.  One description he shared is so vivid I can not stop thinking about it.  He explained being fully alive in his body, completely sinking into it, letting go of all tension– it is like a hug from someone you love.  How beautiful.  It must be like when my mother picked me up by the scruff of the neck when I was a young kitten and I became limp and yet utterly comfortable. 

This has inspired me to purchase his new book, “WAKING Mind and Body.”  I look forward to snuggling up with this new book while sipping ginger tea on the cooling Autumn nights.

3.Well, I thought I was alone in my unique feline focus on the Yogic arts but I stand corrected.  CL sent me a link to what I just have to say are the most flexible companion pets I have ever seen.  dhttp://yogadogz.com/cats2010.html

I hope you all continue to send me new and exciting Yoga tidbits that you come across.

And remember the Yoga life is not a purrfect, it is a practice. 

Om Sweet Om,

Swami Cat

A Letter To Swami Cat

Dear Swami Cat,

I’m so sorry you couldn’t be there at our wedding because of that catastrophe with your ingrown paw nail.  Then again it was the biggest honor having Sri Rev. Jaganath Carrera officiate.  He told us to take time beforehand to meditate together so that we could be present and enjoy our wedding.  And boy was he right.  At one point while Guruji was speaking about marriage, instead of being nervous about saying my vows, I looked out at the congregation and saw all the couples all leaning into one another holding hands and remembering back to the day when they took their vows.  It was really a touching ceremony and I still have relatives calling to tell us how grateful they were that Guruji took the time to explain the puja and why it was important that everyone not only bear witness but also bless the wedding rings for they will hold within them everyone’s thoughts and prayers.  He also explained that the real moment of marriage in a Yogic ceremony was when we garland one another.  It is the moment that we see each other not only as our partners but also as God embodied within this human form.  I think the ceremony turned a lot of people onto Yoga.  Hopefully we’ll see some of these friends and family join us at Satsang.

Also thank you Swami Cat for that really thoughtful gift card to Petco.  Now all we need is a pet.  Although, I’m a little afraid to tell you that we were thinking of a dog.  Would that offend you?  I’m pretty sure dogs do Yoga too.  I saw one light cocoa colored poodle in a Hatha class once, it was being trained to be a therapy dog so it had to stay with people all day.  When we began Kapalabati breathing she joined in.  I thought it was a fluke but then she stopped when we stopped and began again for our second round.  So what do you think? 

Your faithful assistant,

Yoga Girl

If you would like to send Swami Cat a message feel free to email him through his assistant Yoga Girl at lewritestuff@yahoo.com or go onto his new Facebook page.

Remember to take time to clean your litter box now so you can nap all the rest of the day.

Om and purr.

Swami Cat's response to Marianne

Dearest Marianne,

I empathize with your problem of constant lateness and was moved to respond to your comment on Yoga Girl's blog.  Ah yes, the lateness habit.  I too once had this particular problem.  As a kitten I was so excited by life, I wanted to do everything at once and unfortunately that meant that nothing was done well.  I was often late to dinner and missed out on the best, juiciest morsels. 

Things became easier for me when I began to practice Yoga off the mat.  All of a sudden the teachings of Yoga that I learned in my classes were spilling out into my life.  While studying Patanjali's Yoga Sutras with my master, Sri Swami Purrananda, I learned that one of the most important teachings is of Ahimsa or non-violence.   This means non-violence in action and in thought.  I began to see that my lateness was actually causing others discomfort.  They were disturbed by my lateness for they have as many pressures and things to do in life as I, yet they could show up on time and began to become angry, resentful and grumbled under their breath.  Furthermore I caused myself much suffering.  Isn't it true that when you realize you are late your body, mind and spirit begin rushing and beating yourself up.  The whole trip in the car there are a few choice angered words at yourself, at the traffic and maybe even at God for creating the traffic jam.  This is violent thought, violence that we have self-created and can easily remedy. 

So what to do?   I began to put others' needs in front of my own.  I thought about them waiting for me and the beating myself up and endless excuses I would make up on the way there.  I began to get up earlier and meditate more.  In meditation I set my intentions for the day and start the thought process of thinking of others first.  It became easier and easier.  And now I arrive early, and guess what?  I have time to look around, take in the surprise beauty of a quick passing hummingbird, smell the honeysuckle, say hello to passersby-- things I didn't have time to do before.  It is so wonderful not being late as a habit.  I highly recommend it.  I feel lighter with a great sense of accomplishment. 

It is not easy to break a habit.  In Yoga we focus on creating new positive habits.  It is said, you need to practice a long time, without break and with enthusiasm. 

I hope this helps you, my friend.

Let me know how it goes.

Remember the Yogic life is not a purrfect, it is a practice. 

Om Sweet Om.

Swami Cat

The Gift of Waiting

Today I waited.  I know you’ve done this too — U.P.S. called and said they would deliver my package today anytime from 9am until 6pm.  I really thought it was going to be around 9am.  I don't know why I thought that, I just hoped, I guess.  I had errands to run and I didn’t want to be stuck in the house all day.  Turns out I was.  It wasn’t until 5:50 tonight that my doorbell rang. 

And it struck me that I wasn’t that annoyed with U.P.S.  I had decided to stay home so I wouldn’t have to go pick up the package.  It was my decision.  Yet, normally I would have been counting the hours, and bad TV shows I watched, wondering where the UPS man was. 

Instead I used this time at home to go deeper into a long meditation this morning.  My mind wouldn’t stop forming stories of future plays I want to write.  But it did become quiet at some point and I was glad that the day was wide open and I had extra time to meditate.  Then I worked on wedding projects, answered emails for Swami Cat, (since I take care of all his correspondence) and around 5pm waited for my honey to come home for dinner.  He was stuck in traffic right near home but couldn’t get to the exit. So I had to wait some more. 

While waiting I remembered a time when I hated to wait.  I was furious with one ex-boyfriend for leaving me alone all day and then coming home just in time to eat and go to sleep, when he could have been home earlier.  He just stopped by a friend’s to help him do some gardening or some other very nice thing that left me at home re-warming dinner.

Lately people have been telling me how proud of me they are that I “waited” for the right man to come.  My Gyno actually told me this.  Friends have mentioned it.  I do feel very lucky, but I don’t know if you call what I was doing waiting.  I was praying, begging, manifesting my life partner into existence with all my heart.  So I would not call it waiting, unless maybe waiting impatiently.  The very notion of “waiting” makes me think pacing, agonizing, short shallow breaths that cause one to become angry.  I have had this type of waiting several times in my life. 

But today no.  I waited patiently.  Whoa- did I just say that?  One of my spiritual goals in life is to garner patience.  I have never been a patient child, so my mother reminds me often.

I have a book on my bookshelf that a friend loaned me.  I took it down today as I thought about this idea of waiting.  It’s called The Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting by Holly Whitcomb.  It’s such a great reminder that all good things come to those who wait.  The seven gifts that she writes about are: patience, loss of control, living in the present, compassion, gratitude, humility and then trust in God.  What lovely gifts.  In the book she quotes one of my favorite writers, Madeleine L’Engle:

“During the two years when A Wrinkle in Time was consistently being rejected by publisher after publisher, I often went out and shouted at God.  “Why don’t you let it get accepted?”  But when Wrinkle was finally published, it was exactly the right moment for it, and if it had been published two years earlier it might well have dropped into a black pit of oblivion.”

Madeleine also is quoted saying that what seems a “NO” is often a prelude to a greater “YES.” 

So true, so true.

Now I have to hope my friend doesn’t mind waiting a little bit longer for me to return this book.  It’s only been a year and a half.  What’s a little more waiting?

My question of the week is, how do you spend your waiting time? 

***The first three responses to this blog posting get signed photographs from the famous Swami Cat himself.***

Om Shanti!

What is Yoga Philosophy?

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“What is Yoga philosophy?”

Last night over dinner a friend asked me what Yoga philosophy is.  Trying to explain the Yoga Sutras to a friend who doesn’t do Yoga regularly is hard, made even harder by the fact that I had to check the rice pasta and make sure it wasn’t overcooking into an inedible mush.  I thought for a moment about what Guruji would say.  I told her that the basic teaching of Yoga is “do good, be good” (but that sounded too grade school and not exactly what I wanted to say) and then I went on to explain that Yoga is the underlying essence of all religions. 

Maybe I should have quoted Swami Satchidanda’s be “easeful, peaceful, useful” in order to stay centered and happy amidst whatever the world brings you each moment.  Or maybe I should have said that the teachings of Yoga are do a little pranayama, asana, meditation and something good on the behalf of others each day. 

Well what I did say, as I dolloped the tasty pesto onto the pasta, was that I would like to reread Guruji Rev. Jaganath Carrera’s book, Inside the Yoga Sutras and if she’d like to read it at the same time, then we could talk about it as we read.  It would be helpful to have someone reading it at the same time.  I would be a bit more motivated and it would be fun to discuss it.  Would anyone else like to join us in our reading and discussing?  Let me know.   

Also I’m interested… what do you say when someone asks, “What is Yoga philosophy?”

This week I’m happy to announce the first Yoga Girl blog contest.  All those who post a comment by Sept. 1^st are entered into a raffle and one lucky winner will receive a Swami Cat photograph signed and blessed by the wise feline himself.

Om Shanti!

Swami Cat Teaches Meditation

Here's my first Yoga Comedy Film.  If you like it
please share with friends.  Let's smile and laugh together.  Why not?  Laughter is great Yogic healing!

Getting older

I had gotten out of the habit of plucking the gray hairs, telling myself it was a natural part of getting older and I accepted this.  Mostly because there is nothing you can do about it and everyone goes through it.  So why hide getting older? 

Never thought I would care.  If the grays grew in a stripe like Lily Munster then that would have been cool. 

But looking old"er" for my wedding.  I don't know if I want that.  It's all about getting older in my family get-togethers lately.

Been watching my grandparents hit that stage in their life where they become like children again, and need my parents to help them.  My poor mother is losing sleep now wondering if grandma will hurt herself on the new oven that is in her almost assisted living facility.  (It's more of a hotel with two meals a day.)  Grandma might need more than that for she's having trouble finding the elevator and opening up her door.  This is hard, mom and dad had to do something and there's not enough room in their house for dad's mom and mom's dad.   (Both got sick at once and live in Florida.)  My parents are finding themselves in the situation of making decisions for their parents who previously were very independent people.

Watching my family struggle with the aging process makes me long for villages where the elders are taken care of by the tribe and looked to for advice and wisdom.  Therefore while sitting with her in the lobby of her new home away from home waiting for my parents to finish setting up her linens on the bed, and hang her clothes in the closet, I asked grandma a question that was on my mind.

"Gram, what should I do about my grays for the wedding?  I could dye them."

Grandma can not see too well anymore, so I'm sure she didn't notice them.
"Why can't you just pluck 'em?"

I had almost forgot about that option.  And so first thing this morning I took my grandma's advice.

Yogic?  Not Yogic?  I don't know.  What do you think?