The Art of Origami

The other day I went to a new yoga studio. The teacher was brimming with wisdom and experience. It flowed forth at an incredible rate. I could not retain it all but this is what I took from the class.
Yoga is like origami.
The basic poses consist of one fold. In order to build upon those poses, that one fold must be perfect. More advance poses can be 3-4 folds, each depending on the accuracy of the previous fold.
The image was pleasing and artistic to me. I just wanted to share.

Meet Me In The Middle

Today in yoga, we talked about how the back of the body represents the past and the front of the body the future. Our eyes are in front and they pull us forward into a time that we can't even be sure will come.

So much of our energy is either spent regretting the past or worrying about the future. All the beauty and wisdom we need to sustain us in right here, in the moment, in our middle, between our front and back. I really like the image of the middle of the physical body being the metaphor the present moment. Think of it and meet me in "the middle."

Simple Joys, Small Gifts

Living in the present allows us to appreciate simple joys & small gifts. Just take a moment and think how much of our lives we spend lamenting the past, wishing things had gone better, or anticipating and worrying about the future.

If we live in the present, we are able to appreciate simple joys: a good cup of coffee, children laughing in the back seat, the vibrant green grass. We are also able to value the idea of giving a small gift: a smile to a stranger, an unexpected hug, a moment to listen.

The ability to find simple joy and give small gifts can be the difference between a long & happy life and a life filled with angst & regret. Namaste.

Travel Souvenirs

Traveling can be done in many differnt ways. It can be done around the world to exotic locations and be filled with new, eye-opening experiences. It can also be done when you look inside yourself and take a journey through your thoughts especially on days when you aren't feeling quite right. Travel can be educational, exciting or just a way to "get away from it all".

During my recent travels through the plethora of information that is on the internet, I came across many websites and blogs that are trying to make a difference by helping out the environment. Some of my favorite sites are listed in the sidebar and I'll continue to add more as I find them.

Are you in there?

They say the eyes are the window of the soul. So, when you take the time to look the people you come across in life (the checkout girl, the postman etc...) ask, "Are you in there?"

By opening yourself to the inner person, you acknowledge their individuality. You put yourself in a position to accept their gift of being. If you continue on your life with a closed and guarded attitude, you miss the gifts offered to you by the universe.

So next time you have a chance, really look. Your life will be richer for it.

The Goal

In yoga they say the goal is elusive. What they mean is that you may think the goal is to achieve perfection in a pose but there is not such thing. Once you have aligned your hips, you must move onto your inner groins, then you must address your breath and so it goes in an endless cycle of minutia adjustments.

Because you will never be able to attain your goal--it is best to enjoy the journey. Embrace the journey and struggle. I think this is applicable to all goals in life. You may think your goal is to make money, get married, etc...but there is always more. If we honor the journeys in life, we appreciate the moment. The goal is elusive but the journey is very real.

Infinite Freedom

What is infinite freedom? Is it possible?

I have thought a lot about it and decided on a physical level it is not. Our freedom of movement is restricted by our range of motion. Our social freedom is restricted by our friends and community. Usually, we willing give up some personal freedom to be part of a larger network: family unit, town, country. There is a trade off.

The only place where no one can restrict us is our minds. In our minds we can go forward without fear, repression, obligation. Our great cerebral cortex is a galaxy of neurons. Our thoughts can bounce, travel, grow. I think the best time to do this is just after waking or just before falling asleep. It is a pleasant segue way into the dream world.

Enjoy your infinite freedom and don't forget to indulge.

A View Within

It is so rare that we take the time to close our eyes and look within. Yet, when we look within we are privy to the most beautiful and imaginative views. Why is it than that we also look out?

When we see ugliness and filth we think this must be the way the world is. Yet if we look in and see beauty, perhaps we will be more likely spread kindness and beauty like seeds. Looking in can be done anytime, anywhere. You can see the view within while you sit in traffic and you know what? It will definitely feed your soul and set you on a better road!

A None-Prayer

Today in yoga, I learned a none-prayer. It is a simple and beautiful closure that one can do any time.
Cross your hands, touch your thumbs to your forehead, "Remember positive thoughts."
Touch your thumbs to your mouth, "Remember kind words."
Touch your thumbs to your heart, "Remember good intentions."

Irritability

What is irritability? Yesterday I was irritable for no apparent reason. I really gave this some thought. I felt guilty for my feelings.

I have concluded that irritability is a heightened sensory state. (Think about when you irritate your skin by excessive rubbing.) I cloistered myself away from my family in my room. I piled blankets on my bed and read in a quiet environment. I assume the origin of this heightened state was hormonal but I could be wrong. I do, however, find the thought of limiting contact with others and limiting stimulus to be helpful guidelines.

Maybe our irritable moments are times we don't examine ourselves but merely be one with our environment. We breathe and leave as few ripples on the surface as possible. It's OK to be quiet in a busy world.

A Chinese Proverb

A Chinese farmer has a stallion. One day the stallion runs away. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

A few days later the stallion returns with three mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

The next week the farmer's son breaks his leg taming the wild mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

A month later the Chinese army comes and demands all the young men soldier age. The farmer's son does not have to go because of his leg. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
And so it goes...

Moving Meditations

In yoga, we move to the rhythm of our breath. An inhale brings you to downward dog, an exhale to up dog. The movement becomes secondary to the breath.

We talked about how movement becomes a meditation. What if, in everyday life, we could think of our breath and chores of rote could become meditations. For instance, think of something such as folding the laundry. Imagine if we could remind ourselves to be present in the moment. If we could enjoy the warmth of the fabric, the softness of a pair of pajamas, pride in the way we fold like laundry was origami. Think how enjoyable our lives could be? Our enjoyment would be infinite if we could remember to make our lives a moving meditation.