Tag: yoga

Seize the Mantra. Seize the Moment.

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When it comes down to it, this is what it comes down to: Seize the Mantra and Seize the Moment. My mantra for now is HAVE FAITH. My moment is NOW.

By FAITH I mean “complete trust or confidence in the universe.”  And by NOW, I mean now is the perfect timing. Repeating my mantra of HAVE FAITH daily for a small moment manifests hope that I can let go of the worry and fear. As I know very well, worrying is like praying for what you don’t want. Yet I do it all the time…

Seizing moments of solitude are no easy feat either, especially adding in full time job/ wife & mother of three, but regardless of where you are in life, it is hard to find time to be alone, sit still and be in silence. Nonetheless, I highly encourage seizing the mantra and the moment. (Yes, I am speaking to you!)

Give yourself permission the loving kindness you deserve. I believe we all need it and we are not getting enough of it. This valuable time to notice to what is stirring beneath the surface in our soul and to listen for our inner voice. This voice is a culmination of so many entities within ourselves from the murmuring of our heart to the butterflies in our stomach. I like to think of these sensations as intuition or inner voice. Unfortunately, the inner voice can be exacerbated by the fluctuations of the mind and our dear friend Ego. Even more so, when we are feeling emotional or find ourselves in unforeseen places in our lives, our thoughts can cause us to feel clouded and confused; making it difficult to identify what is the voice of our intuition and what is the voice of our dear friend Ego. Consider this: think of the Ego and Intuition as the Shoulder Angels, the Good Angel and the Bad Angel.

When we give ourselves up and release to this sacred space, there is potential to find answers to our unspoken fears and worries or at the very least to help lessen the anxiety. Too often this mind chatter and worry are futile and unrealistic but at the same time so very hard to let go.

Here is a fun practice if you need a little guidance.

Get in a comfortable seated pose with hands in anjali mudra (prayer pose) near your heart or maybe place your hands on your knees with palms to the sky (to be open to receive from the universe). Another option, is savasana with one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Now, close your eyes, soften your brow and your jaw, become conscious with your breath. Taking a deep rich breath inward, then connecting the bottom of your inhale with the beginning of your exhale. Repeat. Notice the symphonic rhythm. Notice your chest and belly rise and fall with every breath in this quiet dance with yourself. Take comfort in being alone, sitting in stillness and silencing your mind. Begin to repeat your mantra. Again. And again. 

This is exactly where you need to be.

This moment: Connecting breath to body and repeating your mantra. HAVE FAITH.

To start, try allotting 5-10 minutes daily. Then, begin bump up your meditation practice adding minute to minute increments. Keep in mind, the longer you commit to holding this space, the calmer and more at peace you become, and in turn allowing for a deeper connection with humanity. This cherished practice of quieting the mind with breath and body is essential to creating and building a deeper life of gratitude and peace.

At the end of the day, this is what I wish to have more than anything else; less worry, less doubt, more fun and more freedom to be my best self and I sincerely wish the same for each and every one of you too. Most of all, Have Faith. 

May this be your mantra for the moment: Seize the Moment, Seize the Mantra and Have Faith…

 

Melissa

 

What the World needs now.

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This is about how I feel right now. The world needs a group hug. Words escape me and I feel hollow inside. I know, this to shall pass…I suppose (sigh). I am confounded and saddened by all of the judgement and anger amongst each other on social media and in the world. I guess because I know how difficult it is to change deeply ingrained viewpoints and fundamental values. We each have a unique path and private story that has made us who we are today, and a lot of these memories, experiences and moments become a part of us at such a young and impressionable age we often don’t remember why.

It just is.

Whatever these beliefs are we continue to share them with our children, our children’s children and so it goes. The values, judgements, bias, love, all of it.

Why do these tragedies happen? Well the answers are all over the internet. Pick the one that one fits nicely with your life and beliefs. I assure you it is there. I have read so many facts, opinions, statistics and I certainly haven’t found the right answer for me. It’s so much larger than I have the ability to wrap my brain and heart around.

Here is what I do believe wholeheartedly:

If we encouraged each other more than discouraged each other.

If we love each other more than fear one another.

If we stop, listen, gain some perspective with the opposing side and be ok to respectfully disagree.

To acknowledge our differences and understand I’m not here to change you, vice versa…but be respectful.

I think when we begin toacknowledge our differences and compromise rather than create a larger divide and separation, that is when positive change happens. 

Yes, the world has a lot of evil and hate.m, but with Pandora’s box open, perhaps we do this instead:

Look in each other’s eyes and really see the other person – their strength, beauty, passion, faults, insecurities and the life that we don’t know. We have m

All of it. Unconditional, boundless love.

Say “I see you. I see hurt, I see love, I see connection and mostly I see a need to be accepted.” Our ego plays a huge role in our lives. Here is a comforting thought: We all have this ego voice in our head. We are human. Think of it as batteries included, but here is the bigger voice… We are humanity, therefore, we will prevail, stronger, more mindful and with more compassion. We have a choice. Let’s choose to love and being ok with not having all the answers.

My answers might not be your answers. Maybe it’s as simple as reaching out to acknowledge another human for the sake of humanity.

Hug and look at the other person and say “I SEE YOU.”

Wow… It is truly profound. Human connection. Humanity. Try it and see.

Peace, love, respect,

Melissa

A Year Ago Today 

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Astavakrasana, also known as Eight Angled Pose. The top photo was taken today; the bottom exactly a year ago today. This photo represents a growth on visual and physical level because I can see the improvements superficially and externally from one to the other. However, way above and beyond feeling stronger physically, I am mentally and spiritually stronger.🙏🏼 

This life, I can choose to live in love and gratitude or I can choose to live in fear and judgement. Whichever path I  choose will breed more of the same. I’m not saying I live a perfect life of love and gratitude all the time. No way, no how. Far from it!! There will be times that fear and judgement show up, but now when that happens, I acknowledge them and just as graciously escort them out. Being mindful of the path I choose takes practice. Everyday saying no to fear means saying yes to love. 

Growth is inevitable, and it is uncomfortable and uncertain. 

No question about it. Believe me, I’m the first to admit it. Ask anyone who knows me. 

So, (pause) when we boldly move beyond these resistant and difficult moments, we are making a choice to live. 

It’s that simple.

 We are all stronger than we think. – Physically, Spiritually and yes Mentally. The transformation of ourselves is happening every minute of every hour of every day, week…month…and year. Most of the time we don’t pay attention to this transformation, we just keep doing, we just keep being, often unaware. 

We just do. (Here’s secret: it’s ok).

 But here’s the thing, I’ll let you in on another secret: Yoga. It  redefines our purpose in life. No shit. 

Yoga is not only refining your body physically, although when you start seeing this, it feels so deeply amazing. Yoga also offers us an  invitation to a reintroduction of ourselves: to our true selves. Guess what else: She is graciously awaiting your acceptance. 

Most of us find our way through asanas or yoga poses because we SEE the physical transformation. We FEEL empowered and stronger when we repeatedly step on our mat, flowing through each pose. Eventually though, this repetitive practice will open ourselves up to a curiosity, an intuitive calling.

 Just wait for it. It might not be this second, hour, day, month or year, but keep moving on your mat… No matter what. 

Never stop. No matter how difficult or inadequate or resistant life becomes. And  one more thing: be patient with yourself and most importantly be willing to listen. Trust me. 

Take life one breath at a time-Melissa 

Boom Boom Boom

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What can I say when nothing needs to be said.
I feel it in my heart
I hear it in my head.
Boom Boom Boom.
I am not sure how else to explain my sudden calling, that woke me up in the middle of the night to Boom Boom Boom.
I woke up to this part of a song that I have not heard in a very long time. I really can’t recall the last time that I heard it, but I remember that I loved it. This early morning awakening were the parts of a song I could not fully identify:
“I could not believe the information
My heart going boom boom boom
Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home.”
So at 3 in the morning, normally feeling groggy and incoherent, I sat up, wide eyed, my heart was going boom boom boom. I remember thinking, I have got to find the name of this song! It was nagging at me like the nostalgic smell you remember from your childhood that you can’t recall.
Boom boom boom just kept repeating it in my mind. Let me just say, I knew that it represented something more than just another song, but I didn’t know how or why it was different. Now most people that know me know that I am a music/lyric lover. With that said, there really isn’t a song in my repertoire that does not carry some emotional significance. However, I have never had a song wake me up so suddenly to a boom boom boom in my head and heart. So I had to delve a little deeper.
What am I eluding to you might be wondering?
First listen to the song as you read the lyrics
https://open.spotify.com/track/4tIhDBT9YgxR38EJ7kXN2F

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
[I] just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
“Son, ” he said “Grab your things,
I’ve come to take you home.”

To keepin’ silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho’ my life was in a rut
“Till I thought of what I’d say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” he said “Grab your things
I’ve come to take you home.”

When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” I said “You can keep my things,
they’ve come to take me home.”

This song came out in 1977. I couldn’t believe it is that old! Well, maybe not old, but it is a classic! So after hearing it for the first time in years, it was as if I was being reunited with a long lost friend or memory, I was lost for words. It spoke to me like no other song and the timing is spot on! This song has been an awakening and what better time to have one than at 3 am in the morning? Peter Gabriel, the artist who created this moving ballad almost 40 years ago says the meaning of this song is “It’s about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get… It’s about letting go.” BOOM.
At the end of the day, I know what I want to do, but I am never one to do anything quickly. It is very frustrating, because I want things done quickly, but it is not how I am wired.
For example:
I did not want to come out of my mom’s womb (three weeks late to be exact) and I pouted for the next 5-10 years. My brothers might think I have never recovered.
I was a late walker.
I was held back in elementary school.
I can be socially awkward.
I can be apprehensive in establishing long term relationships.
I am painfully slow to get into water. Side note – NEVER PUSH ME IN!
Anyway, you get the point…
And I might want to clarify that I am not saying that I am ready, but I am tip-toeing… to the ready, just ever so slowly. I am trusting in the timing and universe. I am a believer that the universe gives you what you need. However… I am just now open to receiving it.
I see it. I feel it. I hear it.
Boom boom boom.
Who said 40 was old when I am just now starting to figure it out?

Little by little. Boom boom boom. Listen, Breathe, Repeat,

Again and always 

Melissa 

The Time is Now Baby Grasshopper

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Screen Shot 2016-04-11 at 9.29.05 PM

I understand this is just the beginning. My restart button has been pushed and I am upgraded with a more balanced and healthier perspective of the world, and how I react to it. I read a great quote out of Rebecca Pacheco’s book “Do Your Om Thing”, “yoga is about encompassing and unifying all the layers of our being, our job as yogi’s is to master our emotions so that they don’t master us, on and off the mat.”

What now baby grasshopper? Jump, but keep learning and be open and receptive to every opportunity that presents itself and wait for it….

HAVE FUN…

So with that said, I am being proactive. Hello 3rd Chakra!

I asked to be put on the sub list at a local gym. YIKES…if not now then when?

Also, I will start teaching two classes a week – one restorative and one advanced- stay tuned for that…

In addition to my branching out, I will continue to offer classes at my home because it is a very special place to me. My living room is where I took the bold move to practice teach to all my wonderful and compassionate friends (Thanks guys! You know who you are!). It is where I continue to gain experience and build confidence in my ability to share this wonderful practice. I want to be certain that I am offering my most authentic self and teach with integrity and mindfulness. I know I will falter and I will freeze and forget, which is a realistic approach at this point in my yoga teaching. I am fine with not being perfect and I am even more fine with being imperfect. I want to establish myself as a teacher with grace and vulnerability. To LAUGH, to CRY and be SILENT when the moment happens, it will be the right thing to do.. I will listen to my heart and feel my breath and enjoy these wonderful opportunities.

When I look in the eye of my students and fellow yogis, I am saying I SEE YOU, without a word. I am so passionate about this thing called YOGA and EVERYTHING it has to offer. My need to share is essential, but more importantly I want these like minded soul searchers to understand that I have A LOT to learn. There is a tremendous amount of information about this ancient philosophy on and off the mat that I am just skimming the surface. That is delightful. I am a sponge soaking it all in.

It helps to be in a yoga community that is amazingly supportive and helpful. I feel extremely honored to be connected to such a wonderful tribe of radiant individuals. It is really life changing. My life (being more mindful), my relationships (who I want and do not want in my life) and my values (trusting in myself, listening to my intuition and following the path of the yoga sutras with more diligence and awareness.) Each and every aspect of my life has changed – for the better. I mean this yogic outlook really very pure and organic. Quite liberating and refreshing to be honest. Being more aware of my thoughts and emotions. I am and will continue learning to eliminate the mind stuff, the worries of past and future, of unrealistic expectations and attachments, silly assumptions and the special sauce we create.

Living with these core concepts of the seven chakras will essentially keep my body in check and balanced… and it flows into my life.

I WILL:

  1. Stay grounded (Root Chakra) I belong here. I AM.
  2. Get creative and feel the intuitive energy (Sacral Chakra) I FEEL.
  3. Be ambitious and bold. Have gumption and be proactive. (Solar Plexus) I DO.
  4. Follow my heart. Listen to it. Ignore fear. (Heart Chakra) I LOVE.
  5. Communicate and use self expression. Be clear, true and authentic. (Throat Chakra) I SPEAK.
  6. Visualize. Focus. Feed my Intuitive wisdom. (Third Eye Chakra) I SEE.
  7. (Crown Chakra) I UNDERSTAND.

I know this is not easy. I am 40 and I am just now learning these new tricks. I wish I had learned these amazing threads of knowledge sooner, but it comes to you when you are ready. I am ready. Maybe these new tricks (old but new to me) will help me with my depression, my self esteem, my self worth…but it is and always will be work in progress. There is no ending. This isn’t something that I can mark off my to do list, better yet realizing it will always be on my to do list.  This new way of living will take focus, discipline and flexibility and I am not talking about the physically, (although there is that too…) I am talking about mentally! One thing that never changes is change, but I will always have my yoga toolbox to guide and help me: Breath, trust and love. All of these are important instruments for my mind, body and spirit. It is all interconnected, and we are all interconnected…woowoo, it is true. 🙂 It is really beautiful to listen to when they are all balanced and in tune with each other.

I can honestly say I breathe with a deeper sense of purpose  and value which breathes life and gratitude into everything I do in my day to day actions. How I clean my house. How I communicate with humans and life.  What I put in my body. How I treat myself and how I treat everything/one around me. Yoga is the connection and I’m ready to dance.

Yoga:

Your body is poetry – Your breath is music – Create magic.

Melissa