HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thanks to all of you who came to the Open House. It was lovely to have you here.
I do understand the dilemma some of you had with the weather,
delayed Christmas celebrations, out of town trips, etc.
May your "new year" be full of delight and wonder!!!!

It is my birthday today. My husband gave me a little book entitled, WABI SABI. The Art of Everyday Life.
I read this quote today, from this lovely and wise little book:
"NOTHING IS SECURE BUT LIFE, TRANSITION, THE ENERGIZING SPIRIT... PEOPLE WISH TO BE SETTLED; ONLY SO FAR AS THEY ARE UNSETTLED IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THEM." -Emerson

Traps

Holiday De-stressor class #3. Well the snow hampered attendance at our last class of this series, but thankfully some of you were able to make it. The falling snow was beautiful as we practiced together in a warm, cozy room.

The opening theme, from Kitchen Table Wisdom, centered around how it is possible for our physical bodies to serve as a warning when we compromise our integrity, even in very little ways... such as not saying "no" when we need to, etc. Maybe we get a migraine, or chest pain, or just exhaustion.
Our old belief systems, even our instincts sometimes do not serve us and may not offer us wisdom. They may actually be "traps".
When you are experiencing physical symptoms, you might ask yourself, "am I betraying my values in some way, what I know to be true and right?"
The author also says, when we experience pain, there may be a deep wisdom or message wrapped up inside that pain. "In a paradoxical way, pain might point the way to a greater wholeness and become a potent force in healing....."
The author warns us against "denying our suffering and seeking comfort at all cost.... or we may be left without intimacy or compassion."
She also says that unexplained pain may sometimes direct our attention to something that is unacknowledged, something we are afraid to know or feel.

So maybe we do not need to strengthen the life force within as much as we need to free it, where it has become trapped in old beliefs and shame.

"We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are."
- a Talmudic teaching

Objectivity

For Week #2 of the Holiday De-stressor our theme centered around "objectivity". Objectivity is helpful if it gives us a wise perspective and allows us to still maintain our humanity and an open heart. However if we distance ourselves in a protective mode so that we don't feel pain, we lose touch with the purpose of life.... "to grow in wisdom and learn to love better".
At the bingo game it says" you have to be present to win". (Jack Kornfield)
So I suppose.... if we are too caught up in "details", we might miss the most important point, we might miss being touched by life.

Wednesday Morning Students

Many of you know Susan Hanson. She has been coming to Simply Yoga classes for years.
Recently she has been diagnosed with Leukemia/Lymphoma for which she is being treated and will soon begin her chemotherapy. She will continue to come to class and would love your support on this journey. She has a blog in which you will be able to follow her progress:
www.caringbridge.org. Click on visit. Enter "doodah" where it says site name.
Password is zeldamarie.... and you are there.

Winter Classes

Yes, it is already time to sign up for Winter classes starting January 20th.
Classes are filling. Don't wait too long and be disappointed. I suspect the "Simply Yoga" classes will fill!!!!
The Yoga and Knitting Retreat would make a great gift for someone special on your list or for yourself.
To register you can call 383-3200 or go online: www.whatcomcommunityed.com, or mail in your form.

Grace

December classes ("Holiday De-stressor") began this week. As usual at the beginning of each class I do a reading and a reflection to set the tone of our practice. For week #1 our story was entitled Grace from Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen MD. This story highlights the belief that, if we are not ready for a transformative experience we will miss it.... a bag of gold will look like a rock and we will pass it by. Readiness is essential for each one of us to progress mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Readiness requires that we surrender our old worn out views, release what no longer serves us and begin to listen more deeply. It requires humility, curiosity and wonder.
I think this story also shares that "grace" is available to us regularly. Can you find daily moments of grace in your life?

YOGA WATERCOLORS

Just in case you didn't know, some of my yoga paintings from the 2009 calendar are up at The Bagelry for another month, until the end of December. These are real students, doing accessible yoga poses. Enjoy a bagel and check them out. The spirit of yoga shines.

Welcome to my new blog...

Hello everyone,
I am delighted to be sharing with you, through a blog.
I will be posting reflections, resources and things of interest to my yoga students and friends.
Please feel free to give me feedback at class or email... you can do this via the blog.
Blessings,
Maureen

MAUREEN'S OPEN HOUSE- 2008

I will be hosting an Open House, at my home, for all my cherished yoga students, Sunday, December 28th, 2-5pm.
Please put the date on your calendar. All students who are in class will get an invitation, those who are not in the December classes, I will be calling or emailing you. If you need directions to my house let me know.