Message from the Hopi Elders

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We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour

Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour

And there are things to be considered.

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your truth

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold on to the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, and push off the river,

Keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.

See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally,

least of all ourselves.

For the moment that we do,

our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word "struggle" from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that you do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we have been waiting for...

--- THE ELDERS, Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona, June 8, 2000

Taken from Karuna Erickson's book, Heart Yoga (page 7)

15 Minute Yoga Practice

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No more excuses of not having enough time to practice. You can get the stress reducing effects of a Yoga practice in just 15 minutes!

What I hear the most often from my students is that they "just can't find the time" to practice at home. Sometimes I feel that this is the result of holding an unrealistic pre-conceived idea of what a Yoga practice should look like.

Micheal Lee, founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, describes a 15 minute Yoga practice that, given the opportunity, could create a little bliss in your day. Read the whole blog "15 minutes Stress Prevention".

Try it out! All you have to lose is a little stress!

Connection

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These are my two favourite quotes of the week. They are both offering the sense that everything within our bodies and beyond is connected. Yoga has taught me this, over and over.

"Healing is not selective. You can’t heal one thing in the body without healing something else." --Dr. Max Gerson

"When you physically stretch... you create space and allow for greater movement, greater vulnerability and more growth. It’s the same when you stretch yourself emotionally, too. Your physical and emotional selves aren’t separate––stretch one, and you usually stretch the other, too. It isn’t always comfortable at first, but it’s a wonderful thing. Surrender to it. You won’t regret it." -- Unknown

What's your favourite quote?

3 Simple Ways to Start Your Day

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What would it be like to take a little time for your body and yourself, before you jump into the hustle and bustle of your day?

This week was the beginning of the Early Bird Yoga challenge. A group of 6 daring students have committed to practicing Yoga 4 mornings a week, from 7am-8am, for the next 4 weeks. It's been amazing to see all the benefits that Yoga has to offer, already shining through in the first week.

I thought I'd share with you some really simple Yoga exercises that you can practice at home. Commit to your own personal Early Bird Yoga challenge!

#1.One of my all-time favourite morning Yoga sequences is the 6 movements of the spine. It helps to slowly wake-up and warm-up your body, as well to calm your whole nervous system. Bonus: In Yoga it is said that "your youth resides in your spine". No botox required! What have you got to lose, really?
Here's how to practice this the 6 movements of the spine.

#2. Another really great practice for the morning is the breath of joy. How can you go wrong, with a name like that!? The breath of joy brings heat to the body and increases circulation. Letting out a really loud HA! breath is a great way to release any emotional stress that might be showing up as well. Here is how to practice.

#3. Although swinging twist is borrowed from Qigong, I love it! It reminds me of waking up in my old neighbourhood in East Van and seeing all the little ladies in the park practicing this exercise together every morning. So awesome! It's an amazing way to wake up the spine and release tension in your neck and shoulders. I know this comes as a huge surprise to everyone, but we hold a lot of tension there. It's also known as a kidney exercise as it helps stimulate the kidney area. This makes it a very energizing practice. No coffee needed! Well maybe just one cup... Here's how to explore!

Try them out! See what might happen if you gave yourself a little time to connect with your body in the morning. Have fun!

Practice from the Dark Side

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What would it be like to explore your least favourite poses? You know the ones. The poses you somehow "forget" to practice, that you keep in the dark.

I love attending Yoga classes because every teacher has a different practice to offer. A pose that can feel so amazing to one person, can be a moment in hell for another. Left to my own devices, I might skip certain poses. But if it's suggested in class, I'll usually give it a try and take a moment to wonder why I despise it so much.

Here's how to connect with your Dark Side:

Without searching too much, place your body in a pose that you would, without a doubt, say NO to. Make sure that it's safe for your body. To what ever extent is possible, settle into this pose and ask yourself: "what is it about this pose that I say NO to, that I keep in the dark?"

Now ask yourself: "how does this relate to what's happening in my life right now?"

Consider that what kinds of things you choose for and against leads to realizing life patterns.

Remember to simply be curious. Notice what's happening. No need to figure anything out today.

It may be helpful to know that even Darth Vader makes it out of the Dark Side in the end. Given the chance, your least favourite pose may become your favourite someday.

Have fun exploring!

Surrender To This Moment: Child's Pose

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"I am child of the universe. I am safe and protected." Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy

Child pose is up there with my top favourite poses. It is so simple, yet so powerful. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy believes that Child Pose engenders nurturing, caring for, and loving oneself. Some Yogi's say that, when held for longer periods of time, Child's pose is better than any other hip opener. Try it out! See what happens.

Here's how Yin Yoga describes getting into the pose.

As you explore this pose, ask yourself: "To what extent am I able to surrender to this moment, just as it is, without trying to fix, change, or figure anything out?" What do you notice?

Once again, no need for a long complicated Yoga practice. Simply surrender to the child within you!