The Car Wash

In class this week, a student recalled an experience she had with her 4 year old grandson. They made a date to go to the car wash and of course be inside the car as it went through the ritual of soap, water and much scrubbing and blowing. The child was enchanted. My student said she engaged her "inner -4 year old" and the experience became something magical once again.

A simple moment transformed into something wondrous and delightful! How full of grace that moment was for both. It just may be our "solemn duty" to reach for the awesome every day.

"The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice." - R. D. Lang

Simple Pleasures to Savor

The idea of finding and identifying simple, yet awesome moments is really just the practice of contentment. It is also the practice of taking on a new perspective, a fresh look.
Santosha, which means contentment, is the 2nd Niyama. Niyama is the 2nd of the 8 fold steps of classical yoga.
The Niyamas are practices that guide us.
Contentment is a practice. When we notice and feel discontent in our lives we have moved away from contentment. There is an old aphorism that says: "Enjoy everything. Need nothing". Santosha is intentional, it is more an action than a feeling.
What simple yet precious moments did you savor today? Begin with just one a day.
Record them if this keeps you connected to the practice. Share it with a loved one and let them know what this practice is about. Maybe they will join you.
What makes this practice particularly fun is to find something simple that you normally take for granted and let it become a "grace moment" in your day.
Example: Not knowing what I was going to have for lunch and finding some awesome leftovers that I had forgotten about in the fridge. SWEET, as they say.
It is as simple as that.

Yes! Classes back in full swing.

Ah, so glad to see all of you back to do yoga with me. Yoga community is what makes it fun.

This quarter our theme is "beginners mind". We will engage that "child- mind" ... find new things to awaken to, refining our sensitivity and awareness.
As I sit at my computer, the sun is shining through the trees and into my window and there is a glow on the lake. A moment just to say "WOW". Finding those simple and spectacular "wow moments" in every day creates more happiness and peace of mind.
This is a perfect practice for the season of winter. Winter is a slow, earthy time that asks for contentment.

January Classes

If you have not signed up yet for Winter Quarter you still have time. We start classes next week and I am very excited to see you all and some new faces.
We are having snow and ice this week which may keep people home and not heading out to "classes".
Hopefully by next week the weather may be a little more user friendly. However enjoy the beauty of the snow and clear skies, so pristine and magical.
See you soon