Suffering Is Optional
A familiar yoga adage comes to mind as I consider the loss of a relationship in my life — Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Truthfully, there is no sense in avoiding pain. It is a natural part of life…
Movement Opens Up Mastery
photo by Blair Dunn Whether exercising our physical body, reading a novel, or practicing a spiritual teaching, we open ourselves to learning something new. Within any of these experiences, the opportunity exists for us to move our knowledge needle closer…
No Point of View In All Relations
In my youth, critical thinking was highly valued as the primary skill of a problem solver. Of course, in the western worldview of North America, rational science was god. Hence, children were trained to analyze data, diagnose problems, and choose…
Left Loving
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. George Sand During COVID’s social distancing requirements, so many of our intimate, loving relationships have been limited to drive-by kisses, elbow rubs or online chats. The absence of…
Truth Telling
We now know that perception dictates reality, and for many, reality is seen as truth. During conflict mediations I tell my clients, truth is coloured by perceptions, desires and beliefs. Thus, there are as many truths in any given situation…
Fear Crushing
When people live under prolonged fear of any life-threatening situation — COVID, war, violence, social oppression, bullying, etc. — they experience trauma. Although Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has traditionally been associated with war survivors, we now know that trauma is…
Reflection and Restoration
Summer is my time to fully surrender to nature’s call outdoors. Over 30 years ago, I committed to readjusting my “internal rhythm” to match that of the four seasons. For instance, instead of revving up my energy in September to…
Easing into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow) — Part III
Do you wonder why so many children can effortlessly pop up into Urdhva Dhanurasana (UD), regardless of their gender or strength, only to quickly lose this capacity as they age? As you may recall, by the time we reach age…
Easing into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow) — Part II
The aging process is most often marked by a spine that slumps forward. When our inner core and spine are no longer strong and flexible, we further demonstrate aging by hunching the shoulders up and forward. Both these misalignments are…
Easing into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow) — Part I
As children, our curiosity tends to overtake our fear and we relish turning ourselves upside down or over backward in order to explore new experiences. As we age, if we are not watchful, our fear can overtake our curiosity and…
Easing into Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance)
Poet, Czeslaw Milosz, queried What good is poetry if it cannot save nations or people? I would add, or planet, and pose the same question with regard to yoga. What good is yoga if it cannot save nations or people…
Easing into Adho Mukha Vrksasana – Part II (Handstand)
Courage is a habit. Cultivate it with Adho Mukha Vrksasana. If you just discovered this post from my blog and have not practiced its immediate predecessor, then I would suggest beginning your practice of Adho Mukha Vrksasana I (AMV) here.…