One of the best things about yoga (if not THE best), is that after each practice, you really do grow and you really do transcend into a higher self. You become enlightened by your own abilities and the miracles of your amazing body. You learn, you discover a lot about yourself, and you gain a great deal of humility. When all of this radiates from ourselves, we put peace into our lives and into the lives of those around us.
“Let your practice point you toward the untouchable peace and happiness that is always within you.” -Kaitlin Quistgaard
I DON’T LIVE?
So a couple of weeks ago, I went to dinner with a few people from work to a sushi place. Being vegan (and my colleagues know this about me), I ordered a veggie roll and some tofu udon soup. That udon was delicious, by the way. After everyone had put in their orders, I guess it was time for sake bombs.
Dude: “Nohea, c’mon! You doin’ one?”
Me: “Oh, nah…I’ll pass. I don’t drink.”
Dude: “You don’t eat, you don’t drink. You don’t live!”
Me: LOL
I really did get a chuckle out of that. I laughed, brushed it off my shoulders, and said, “To each his own.”
In this day and age, it’s almost unbelievable to hear someone say they do not drink alcohol; and those whose eyes and worlds have refused to open, it is a disgusting consternation to hear someone say they do not eat meat.
No, I do not drink. Yes, I have in the past; but it’s been two and a half years now since my last drink. My dad is a recovering alcoholic, who has been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, amongst many other illnesses, who’s had family and loved ones crying by his bedside wondering if he will make it, whose life had almost been lost too many times to remember anymore. I have joined him in his journey of sobriety of almost three years.
And my other half, my best friend, my teacher, my strong man…I have joined him in his journey of sobriety of almost seven years. So nah…I don’t drink, and I’m totally okay and content with that.
I don’t live because I don’t eat meat? I have enhanced my life. I have lengthened my life. I have saved lives. Enough said.
Respect people and their decisions, and forgive those who have failed to observe that with you. We are all connected, let love flow.
In light.
cooljeweledmoon:
shakti the best road kitty there ever was
I’d love to do this…however, my cat is ten times the size of this one. I guess that just means I’ll have more cushion for when I take a rest :)
(via who-hibou)
You are full of infinite possibilities! When you realize that, you radiate; and when you shine, you light paths, your own being the brightest. When we let this be, it becomes a cycle and so, we all walk together in auras bursting with joyous flames.
“You are a beautiful and divine being, full of light and love, and in one with everything.”
I WANT A PUDU
1. Spent last night watching a documentary on the wildlife in the Andes Mountains with my beau. OMG! Such beauty! Such majesty! Humans better not fuck this place up…
2. Got garlic and parsley sweet potato fries baking in the oven.
3. The Pudus, the world’s smallest deers, live in the “Dragon’s Back” of the Andes Mountains. There’s a part of the Andes where the animals are like…scaled down. So cool!!! Please watch the documentary. I’ll try to find it on YouTube for you guys :)
4. I didn’t wake up until 1pm today. Ahhhhhh…sweet sleep.
5. I had a dream about losing some items in water and I had to scoop them up with my hands. What?
6. Embrace your differences. Embrace our differences.
7. Went out with a few coworkers last night to a sushi place. $11 for a vegetable roll and it was…less than all right.
8. Made some tempura “ice cream” for dessert. GODSOGOOD.
9. Have you taken a conscious breath today?
10. Thigh-highs make me feel so sexy.
11. Apocalypto is such a great fucking movie.
12. Natural World - Andes - The Dragon’s Back
13. “Five minutes of meditating makes a difference.” -Jay
14. Inhale.
Namaste.
MACHINE WASHABLE
If you were a piece of garment, what would your care label say?
What instructions would you have, to be the best version of yourself, to be the best that you can be? How would those instructions apply to your yoga practice and how would those steps apply to each yoga asana? How would you bring those instructions off the mat and into your life, to cultivate it and to nourish it?
And so, I take this opportunity to share with you my care label (off the bat with some and maybe more thought into others):
- Appropriate preparations and warm ups result in extreme flexibility.
- Needs occasional self-reminders to realize that I am enough.
- Right side of body is tighter than the left side, and may need extra time to find stillness.
- Strong legs and amazing lower body strength, bring it.
- Upper body strength isn’t weak; there are no weak body parts, just body parts that have louder voices to heed. Please listen to them.
- The ego creeps in sometimes and that’s normal and okay, just keep brushing it off the mat.
- A little push, a little oomph is needed to open up sometimes.
- Ecstatic toes and enthusiastic fingers all the time! Feel free to share my energy.
- Feeds off the energy of others.
- Sucker for warriors/Virabhadrasanas.
- Always willing to be at the service of others.
- Welcome modifications, and welcome magic!
- Binds are a favorite.
- Sometimes, a mental note to breathe is needed.
- Machine washable: each practice, each asana, each day, each moment, each breath, is a new journey every time, and so the slate is cleaned every time.
That is all I can think of right now, but I invite you and I encourage you to look within and acknowledge yourself. Meet your best and truest self this very moment. You are so full of light! I would love to know what your care label would say (long or short, detailed or brief)! And even if you didn’t share, it would be an honor to know that you just took the time to make yourself aware of yourself.
Namaste, sweet souls.
If you were a piece of garment, what would your care label say?
WELCOME TO YOURSELF
Yoga helps with that…that uniting with yourself, that moment of self-awareness and realization. It’s not always easy; some days can be easier and some days, it may take longer. But that’s the beauty of yoga- you always eventually come to yourself.
Meet yourself where you are in your practice. There is no need to rush. There are no expectations. The only place you need to be is here. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to be present. You’re here, and it’s exactly where you should be. Breathe…and immerse yourself in the beauty of your body, in the peace of your soul and mind. Fidget, make necessary adjustments, it’s okay…and then find stillness in your posture. You will find yourself and you will be okay with yourself. You are a beautiful and divine being, filled with infinite light and love, and in one with everything.
Come to your mat and discover, awaken, radiate, love…your body is always yearning for you because you are enough.
Namaste.
(via vida-seeker)
