Thoughts become things...

"When you get out of bed this morning, you had the thought of getting out of bed before you took action.  You can't take any action without thinking the thought first.  It's your thoughts that determine whether your words and actions will be positive or negative.  Whatever you want in your life, you want because you love it, but most people think and talk about what they don't love more than they think and  talk about what they do love.  They give out more negativity than love, and in doing so they are inadvertently depriving themselves of all the good things in life. Think about what you love."

The concept of controlling your own attitude and choosing positivity over negativity is a simple one, but many of us have a hard time putting it into practice.  Sometimes it feels like outside forces, like the weather, a nasty co-worker, an unsolvable problem, or a challenging relationship, are really the ones in control, and we are powerless over the bad mood or misfortune that results.

The reality is that the mind is really the only thing we DO have control over.  Someone once said, "We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it."  Pratyhara is the yogic concept of "control of the senses."  This means practicing non-reaction towards the trials and tribulations of life.  This is the only way to maintain peace and tranquility in a turbulent world.  It means practicing kindness when you could choose argument or anger.  Practicing patience when your instinct is road rage.  Taking a breath instead of yelling.  (In these moments, breathing is your best friend!)

We not only have the power to not react when life threatens to send us into the darkness of negativity.  We also have the power to create the things we want in life, whether that be happiness or goals that we are cultivating deep within our hearts.

The path to what we seek begins first with a thought.  So, practice making it a positive thought.  Because thoughts become things.

"Think Love, Be Love."-Buddha

Be the change you wish to see in the world...

This week in class, I shared this story of a boy throwing sand dollars into the ocean.  A man walked by and said, "why are you doing that.  There are thousands of them washed up on the shore.  You can't make a difference."  The boy replied, "I did for that one."

Often we are overwhelmed with the problems we see in the world.  With such an influx of information from social media and the news, from friends with personal issues to tornado victims, it is easy to feel powerless.  

But, like the boy and his lone sand dollar, if we can recognize one small way we can help in the world, we can make a  difference in one life. If we each do this, just imagine the change we can make in the world.

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

Let yourself be silently drawn...

Most people know that going to yoga class is great for your body.  Moving into the different asanas, or poses, can help increase flexibility, strength, respiratory health, blood flow, and focus, just to name a few.  However, your yoga practice can also be an opportunity to reconnect to your spirit and settle your mind.  The stillness we try to create while flowing through a yoga session creates optimal conditions for planting seeds of healing.

Every class I teach, I try to share some piece of wisdom that I know helps me, and that I hope can strike a chord with my students.

This week in class, I shared this quote by Rumi, a poet who lived during the 13th century whose words are as valuable today as they were then:

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.  It will not lead you astray."

I don't think any of us really knows why we might feel pulled toward something.  Whether it be a passion for art or music, or a burning desire to risk everything and start a new enterprise.  There might be so many obstacles in the way to your goal that you might even want to abandon it, renouncing it as silly or unrealistic.

Rumi says that it is not necessarily you fighting for this thing that you want that is leading you to what you desire, but the thing itself that is drawing you to it.  It's your destiny.

So, even when it seems impossible, it is ok to put this desire out of your mind for a moment, and let it do the work to come towards you for a while.

This can apply to your yoga practice too.  Whether you are trying to reach your toes or fly up into crow pose, often it is when you stop trying to force yourself to the end of the pose and focus on being present where you are, you will suddenly find yourself exactly where you want to be.

Namaste <3