......where you look is where you go

Yogis,

As we walk through life we are guided by our eyes. Always scanning ahead of us for walls we may bump into, obstacles that might trip us or holes that could turn our ankle. At the same time, we are seeing the unique architecture of the building ahead and the red berries on the holly tree. All occurring without any effort on our part. In fact, we may be so deep in our own inner chatter that although the eyes are seeing, we see nothing. 

When we get to a turning point in the road it is the eyes that first make the turn and we tag along. We look and everything else follows.  Because where we look is where we go……

This is a powerful principle that can be harnessed to guide your life in positive directions.

We have magnificent eyes that can see infinite shades of red, the jaw dropping awe of a cloudless sunset, the tiny toes on a newborn foot and the vastness of the dark sea. But we also have an inner vision that has the capacity to see even beyond what exists for our physical eyes to land on. Not limited by ‘what is’. Our ability to visualize opens new worlds. We can choose to see anything.

Where we look is where we go…….

We visualize all day even if we aren’t aware, so what we are visualizing is of great importance. Our mind often prefers to look at all the potential problems that may arise. As if somehow preparing for the worst will keep us from being surprised. This goes by the name of worry. But all that does is increase the possibilities for trouble. By seeing something over and over we give it attention and awareness which gives it energy.

Where we look is where we go……

If on the other hand we use the inner screen to visualize what we are wanting to manifest in our life, that is what becomes potent.  Seeing what we want already manifested, in full color, over and over and over will inevitably draw it toward you. Our inner gaze can create our outer view.

The practice begins by noticing what you visualize. Where do your inner eyes like to go? What stories do they love to watch?

Then when you notice a scene that doesn’t serve you and your purpose, turn off the projector and select a new movie. It takes wanting to, and then inner determination to change your script. And patience. But it can absolutely be done. Visualize it!

A knee injury……spend time each day visualizing it completely healed. Sit quietly and see yourself moving it with ease.  A project you are working on……..watch the scene where you are presenting the completed project on time to the accolades of your team. 

Instead of picturing the financial woes you feel are coming, turn your sights to a flow of abundance. See a sold sign on your house. Visualize the positive pregnancy test. Watch as your event fills.

Because where you look is where you go……..

I think tonight I will watch the one with me doing handstand,
SARAH

Time for Me

                 .......a nourishing women's winter weekend retreat


Serenity Circle Yoga's first weekend retreat!
March 1-3
Book your room now!

Details here -  http://serenitycircleyoga.squarespace.com/new-events-1/

......just do something

Yogis,

There are times in life where we get a little stuck. The forward movement that we were riding high on takes a pause. As if our car has hit a snow drift and we are spinning our wheels. For me that can happen around this time of year. I think it is the extra time inside and the dull shade of gray that the sky displays on many mornings.

I have been noticing how when the ‘stuckness’ appears, I do one of two things. Push the pedal harder to try to smash my way through or do nothing. Neither is very effective. Lately I have been idling in the do-nothing phase. As if I simply turned the ignition off and walked away.

The mind loves this. The negative self-chatter kicks into high gear. Who were you to think you could make that happen….. What makes you think you deserve that…..   You aren’t working hard enough….. What you offer isn’t needed…… You need more skills…..  Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 

Which of course feeds into more do-nothingness. But the longer the engine is off, the colder it becomes. The harder to get it started. The days come and go with no noticeable forward movement. 

This is where I found myself this week.

In classes we are working right now with the energy of fire which is the energy of action. Forward movement. Heat. Transformation. Taking something and changing it into something else.

At one point in class I give a couple of challenging options for students to work on. Arm balances, correctly aligned chaturangas or holding plank. My queue is to work from exactly where you are and take some small baby step into the uncomfortable. Not to push the pedal harder by doing something beyond where you are which eventually leads to injury but also not to do what you know is easy. But most importantly……Just Do Something!

I woke up Wednesday morning hearing myself saying – Just Do Something! Anything!

A few hours later a package arrived. It was a chakra necklace from my cousin.  It came with seven small crystals, each a color of a chakra. I immediately placed the yellow one in which represents fire and put it around my neck. I spent the remainder of the day taking my own baby steps. Applying some gentle heat. 

Making that phone call I kept putting off. Posting a note looking for drum lessons so I can learn how to play my new African drum. Reaching out to someone I want to get to know better. Opening up a blank document and placing the first words for my book’s introduction on the page. Creating the flyer for my very first weekend women’s retreat, for which I have spent a year preparing but couldn’t seem to take that final step!

When the car has been sitting idle and cold, we don’t floor the engine and roar down the street. We turn the key and patiently allow it to warm. We gently press out the coughs and sputters and ease it down the road. Our life needs the same care.

Where are you stuck? What do you want to manifest but can’t seem to gain momentum? Beginning now, just do something, every day. Open a new door. Place one foot outside your comfort zone. And before long the snow drift will be in the rear-view mirror. Just do something……

Happy Full Moon,
SARAH

Time for Me

                 .......a nourishing women's winter weekend retreat


Serenity Circle Yoga's first weekend retreat!
March 1-3


Details here -  http://serenitycircleyoga.squarespace.com/new-events-1/

.....sleep your way to change

Yogis,

I have always wanted to be able to speak two languages. I find it so intriguing that the mind can have the same thoughts using two completely different sets of words. I would love to know what that feels like.

Growing up I remember hearing that if you listened to language tapes as you were falling asleep you could become fluent in that language (never actually tried). I also knew it was best to do your final studying right before bed (this I did). The idea being that new thoughts are imprinted differently in the period of drifting off to sleep and that they are bound to stick.

As an adult I discovered the powerful yogic practice which uses this same process to create lasting change in our lives. It is called Yoga Nidra….. 

Yoga nidra translates to yogic sleep. The entire practice is done lying on the floor on the back (ok, count me in!) For the next 30 to 60 minutes an instructor guides you on a mind journey through the parts of the body, breathing, various images and visualizations. Your only effort is to remain still, aware and follow the voice.

What happens is a very deep relaxation. Not only the body, but the mind and the emotions……all places that hold tension. In a typical night’s sleep, we often fall asleep but don’t truly relax. In fact, one hour of yoga nidra is said to be as restorative as four hours of sleep. 

As the body relaxes and the mind continues following the voice, the brain waves slow. There is a sensation of drifting in and out of consciousness. Somehow asleep, yet following instructions. Although still aware we begin operating more from the subconscious mind. Our place of receptivity. A fertile soil for new ways of thinking, being, living.

So yes, yoga nidra feels absolutely blissful, but the real power lies in what we sow in the soil. At the beginning of the practice you are asked to mentally repeat a resolve to yourself. An intention. A short simple statement in the positive and in the present that represents what it is that you want to create. The change you desire. For example, ‘I am courageous’. Or ‘I am patient. ‘I live in abundance’. ‘I release fear of the future’. And then at the end you state it to yourself again with heartfelt feeling and conviction.

The practice of yoga nidra is gaining popularity as we all look for ways to release the tensions that our current way of living brings. Many of the newer diseases have their roots in the thoughts, worries and tension backpack we carry. Stress has become second nature. Here is a practice that unwinds all of that.

I am thrilled to now be teaching it here locally with my first workshop next Sunday at Washington Yoga Center. But there are classes springing up everywhere. Give it a try! Create change while you sleep!

Just try not to snore too loud……..

Om,
SARAH

......we teach what we need

Yogis,

Many of you already know this about me. Every Friday night, after going to a hot yoga class where I get the chance to be told what to do, followed by a beer and light fare at a restaurant bar, I take a bath. This has been my faithful ritual for ten years now.

During that time my new yoga assistant, Phoebe, came into my life.  As I head up to light the candles and get the music going, she is typically out on her walk. For the first few years, when she returned, she would never come to check on me – which in her mind is her sole life’s purpose. It made her uncomfortable to come in there.

Eventually she began to come up, nudge the door open and come over to say hi. I always greet her with a big hello and begin reviewing what we did that day…… since she is one of those dogs who understands what is said. I then always add in one sentence that I know will make her uncomfortable. Friday night I mentioned the names of the dogs that we spent the last few days with.  With that, she does an about face, and without even a glance back she beelines out the door and into her bed. 

She doesn’t like to be uncomfortable……..

I laugh every time. Feeling safe with other dogs has been one of her biggest hurdles to overcome and is the one that we continue to work on together. But last night as she sauntered out with her ‘I have had enough’ look, I had an ‘Aha’ moment. I too hate to be in an uncomfortable situation. I too want to beeline for the door when discussions take that awkward turn.

So here I am teaching her to be ok with discomfort, adding in that one sentence on each conversation to gradually make the uncomfortable comfortable, when that is exactly what I need. Yes! We teach what it is that we most need.

Another example. This summer I introduced sitting on your toes to everyone and I have been teaching it and doing it daily. Oh my gosh, the difference in my feet! I had no idea how much I needed more opening in my feet.

Of course, I also teach where I have been and the wisdom I gathered there, but often I find that my classes are driven by what I need. We all do it. By teaching something we establish it in our own bodies and minds. 

Notice what you teach your friends, your kids, your pets and your coworkers. What are you trying to guide them toward, persuade them to believe, or want them to do? Do you perhaps crave more of that in your life? Does it feel easier to guide it in others than to do it yourself?  I know it does for me…...

So, I will continue to make her uncomfortable, one baby step at a time and in the process, I will learn to be brave. 

Om,
SARAH