Passions and Yoga

Well, I am back and committed to blogging as I feel good sharing my thoughts and experiences. I have started my 200 hr yoga teacher training. I can't describe in words the feelings of pure joy I am having by doing this. Because I have talked about this for a year and it is now a reality. I feel for the first time that I found my passion and it's amazing. For me when this all fell into place yoga as well as horticulture therapy my attitude shifted, I had a pep in my step a smile on my face and real gratitude for this life. So, I say this because we all need to keep pushing ourselves to find our passion. Just think if we were all on the path to our passions what would this world be like? I challenge everyone to keep exploring and pay attention to your responses to experiences, and events in your life that ignite, joy, playfulness, curiosity and an open heart to share.

This is a picture of a hike I did in Washington State called Lake Twenty-Two,

Once you find your inner voice, Listen good

I have chased a dream that I thought was me because I wanted to be significant. I defined that by seeking jobs and degrees that I thought would give me significants. This thinking has taken me on a journey that helped me become aware of my true passions and made me listen to my inner voice. As I embark on this new level of awareness may I reflect and check in with myself. 

I want to share my plans which are coming up in April. I plan to move down to Portland as the Community College has a horticulture therapy program. I was first exposed to horticulture therapy in my undergrad studies then I had the opportunity to do a independent study project at a local assisted living home with horticulture therapy. After this hands on exposure with planning a curriculum and seeing how much the ladies enjoyed themselves, I knew then this was going to be a part of my life. So, I am now taking steps to make that desire come true and I am so excited for this journey. 

I also state in my blog the desire to further my knowledge in yoga as it helps me shift my energy to the positive and brings clarity to my perspective on life. I say this because it helps me be a better me, so I found a school in Portland that teaches the 200 hr. Wow, just when I thought I couldn’t do both horticulture therapy and yoga. 

I feel that life can really amaze you and to never give up your true desires because there is only one life so live it seated in passion. I feel when you live a life of passion your perspective of the world shifts and you see the lessons, the blessings and the beauty in all that surround you. 

Big questions for 2013

Wow life can throw you some curves especially when you have an idea of what your next move. The year of 2012 I wanted to stay in the horticulture industry, so I applied to a local farm which was a great experience. Then I was offered a job as a produce manager for two farm stands. I took this job which was physically challenging and I released my stress at the nearby yoga studio. When I stepped into those classes I felt a sense of excitement and a commitment to self growth. The warm flow classes grounded my spirit and livened my soul. I felt a deeper calling to further my knowledge in yoga, so I researched some. Yet, when I was laid off from my job that research became a reality to pursue yoga teacher training. I became excited again and was looking at training in India and Chicago as my cousin lives there. Then over the holidays my Nana passed so family gathered together to support one another. Life became clouded and grief set in. I must say she went peacefully which is a blessing.

Now I have interviewed for a job as a trail coordinator for a big wholesaler and they want to do a second interview with me. So, I say which way should my path go and I have no solid answer. I don't even hear my inner voice talking and I am at a place of questioning this next step.

I read the Daily Love today from one of the co-authors and she talked about the question we all ask ourselves WHO AM I? She says to find this answer you need to identify the feelings you feel when your doing something you enjoy.

So, when I do yoga I feel

grounded

inspired

excited

challenged

open heart

life learner

spiritual

curious

present

So, when I do horticulture I feel

passionate

curious

grounded

excited

seeker

happy

calm

present

I think this is a great exercise to do and to keep yourself aware of your feelings when doing certain things. So, I plan to delve deeper to hear that inner voice. Where is my life path? Where do I want my life path to go? What direction ignites the most fear within me?

Life is full of options and choices

Wow, I have been absent in posting about yoga. It seems to me that you are more busy and less discipline when unemployed or maybe I am just talking about myself.

So, I started this blog as a way to write down my journey into yoga and into finding a teacher training program that fits my desires. This has been a process that I have taken seriously as it is a big investment finically and spiritually. I want to do my training in India the sacred place that born this practice. I also am intrigued by the idea of studying at an ashram as it sounds amazing. Yet, another option has floated into my path. Last week my sister and I went to visit my cousin in Chicago which made me start to think I should check out yoga studios in the area. So, I went to a class at Yoga Now in the Gold Coast neighborhood. I took a vinyasa level 1-2 class which was fun and different as the teacher focused on alignment and proper form. This started to turn my wheels thinking I need to explore the options of Chicago yoga to India yoga training. And, I ask myself do I compare with pros and cons or my inner feelings. I say that the inner feelings is my method. So, I write this to keep myself accountable and on track. The new year and new journey is right around the corner, so I must have a program selected by Jan. 1 2013.

This time of research is exciting for me. I plan to share the places and reasons I chose them, so get ready to explore the world of Yoga Teacher Training.

My Sunday morning moment

My day begins with a peaceful yoga awakening sequence which I am focusing more on my breath. As I am trying to direct my attention to my inner feelings instead of making sure my asana is perfect. I find this intention helps me to get a full practice that centers my inner being.  After my practice I make a chai tea latte for myself as a treat on this Sunday morning, yummy.

As I arrive at the Unitarian church I see our discussion today is about social justice and our interconnectedness to each other, the earth, etc. There some guest speakers who spoke about social justice and the woman minister reads a Rumi poem. I can’t recall the exact words so here is what I remember: When in the city it is noisy but be the noise, take in all around you, let your eyes close and your other eye guide you, may fear fall away and the circles of comfort become larger. As she read his words, I envisioned these circles of our fear breaking away and our hearts opening up. The sizes of the circles grow and extend out as we seek for deeper connection and with that comes a deeper connection to ourselves, the earth and others.

 As we step on our mats to ground ourselves and listen to that inner voice. We are also challenged on the mat by keeping in flow with our breath, pushing ourselves with new asanas. I think if we view life as one huge mat then events and situations can be viewed as a lesson to check in with your breath when life brings us tension, find your inner warrior when you must stand your ground. And lastly, know that we are all spiritual beings undergoing a human experience so live, love and grow.  

Thanksgiving celebrated and thoughts

So, I had a small thanksgiving gathering with my sis, and boyfriend. My sis and I did all the cooking and planning which I found to be such fun. I must confess I have recently got into cooking fresh wholesome food. It fulfills me as yoga does because I am taking care of my body, mind and soul.

Since, I have not been working yoga has taken a back seat in my life. I find that I am choosing  a daily run over yoga as my anxiety is rising due to my worrying nature. As I said in the last post, I am blessed to be able to have my own authority back. Yet, I have another voice saying, you gonna move home? find a yoga teacher training in India? Is this what you want? I feel my mind is a conveyor belt of thoughts which are not moving me into a space of empowerment. I recently watched a movie called: How to heal your Life by Louise Hay. The whole idea of the movie is that your thoughts create your life. If we change the way we think, feel and view situations our world will be filled with sun. So, I get the message yet I am having a hard time shifting my thoughts to the positive. This brings up questions for me about my next step.
 How bad do I want to teach yoga and live a life that aligns with my beliefs? How bad do I want to create a space that helps people love and accept themselves as they are? How bad do I want to grow and stay in a loving and compassionate energy field?
This jerks me into a state of action where I need to shift my negative energy and send it packing. I need to make time to research yoga teacher trainings. I also need to reintroduce myself to my beautiful pink yoga mat that supports me in my yoga poses. Thanks for listening as this has released the stale energy and may my theme song be:
They told him don't you ever come around here (negative unproductive thoughts)
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear (the face of fear that wont help my path appear)
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear (The passion is in my eyes and my heart is really clear on my path)
So beat it, just beat it ( so anything that hinders me from reaching happiness better BEAT IT, BEAT IT!!!)

I am ready to shift my energy so dont no negative energy come around here

 

Life really speaks if you are listening

So, the Vancouver yoga trip set in motion a chain of events emotionally for me. I was pulled out of the clouds and into a place of sunshine. My mood shifted to the positive, my thoughts were generating positive, and the energy from the yoga conference also brought about peace and joy within my soul. From this I started to ask how can I sustain this feeling of inner joy which is then generated out to the universe.

My sis and I spoke of this new found energy. We set up a path to happiness for me to follow and here they are:

Meditate both am/pm with lit candles at my spiritual alter.
Quit my job
Follow my ayurveda body type, which is vata
Daily yoga in the am before I start my day

So, Monday came and I was nervous to tell my boss I was quitting, yet 10 am roles around. We are in the greenhouse and she says there are more cut backs which I say oh ok, thinking nothing of it. Then she says and your last day is next week. At first I am shocked then I become filled with joy as I told the universe what I wanted and it was granted for me. I can honestly say I have never felt so blessed in my life as I was given signs that this was not my place and magically I am given an empty road where I can draw my own path. As I reflect back on this expereince it is positive and I learned many things, worked with great people and found my passion for great food once again. Yet, I know I am menat to do something else. As I end I want to share photos of my sis and I taking yoga to the streets of Vancouver. These moments were freeing and inspiring to break the norm for myself both inside and out.

Me getting my tree pose on as we check out Gastown

My sis with two on lookers doing the dancer

We had to pose in front of these colorful wall paintings