Feels Like OM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlKItmD9CbA

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Tonight, while searching on YouTube for videos about yoga, i stumbled upon some very disturbing footage concerning practicing yoga and Christianity. As a yoga instructor in a small city in the south, i certainly am aware that some people are tentative about yoga and unsure about the practice. Fortunately, i have had the opportunity to speak to many groups on the topic of yoga, including being interviewed on the radio. This gave me the chance to explain that Yoga is a philosophy NOT a religion.

In the time we had our studio, we did not experience any hostility or direct criticism from the people of our small community. To the contrary, time and time again, i have had students comment to me that they feel stronger in their beliefs as a result of practicing yoga. Not once have i ever had a student express fear or trepidation that practicing yoga would somehow inhibit their relationship with Christ or belief in any religion. In fact, our students very openly discussed their beliefs with each other before and after classes. Several students attended the same churches together or participated in the same community outreach organizations.

If i had to say, i would guess that the overwhelming majority of our students were very actively involved in their churches and would consider themselves devout Christians. Some students were Buddhists, some were Jewish, and some were Muslim. We also had people who were agnostic and atheist, and others who did not claim any organized religion at all. These differences in beliefs did not stop the students from all getting along. Actually, there were times when wonderful and engaging conversations came up as a result of these differences.

Sadly, just as misconceptions about religions can tear communities, villages, and countries apart, so too, can misconceptions about yoga. If one truly takes time to study yoga,however, it will soon become apparent that yoga is about acceptance - of your self and others. It is about removing judgment. It is not about denying your beliefs, but rather practicing those beliefs more fully.

For example, a very important part of our studio was charity focus. Each month, we had a different Focus Charity. The works and needs of that group were highlighted at the studio and on our website, and the proceeds of at least one class that month were donated to that charity. The practice of yoga is not limited to the physical practice on the mat. It is a philosophy of living in harmony with others, making a difference in the world, and treating others as you would wish to be treated - the same philosophy held by all major religions.

It is my privilege to currently be teaching my classes in a Methodist church. The pastor and congregation have not only been accepting and encouraging, they have opened the doors of their church to anyone in the community who wishes to come and practice yoga. There is no judgment there. No expectations. By extending this open hand, they have truly shown the compatibility of yoga and Christianity. It is a beautiful and loving gesture.

Until we can ALL come to a common ground of acceptance, love, and non-judgment there will continue to be arguments, violence, and war. Let us begin to build a stronger world, not bigger walls to divide us.

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i have had the abundant privilege of becoming a mommy in two very different ways. my oldest daughter, Jasmine, came to me when she was four years old. i remember the first day i saw her as vividly as if it were only moments ago (she is 26 now). i had just taken the position as director of a child care center. the previous director was taking me through the center to show me around. it was nap-time. there lying on a little mat, was the most adorable little girl i had ever seen. she was all curled up on her side, blonde curls surrounding her angelic little porcelain face. she had two fingers in her mouth, sucking away, and one crammed all the way up her nose. it was love at first sight. thankfully, i fell in love just as quickly with her daddy (yes, he was single, and we were engaged only 9 days after our first date!)
Caitlyn came along three years later. to say i was excited about being pregnant is the understatement of the world! i immediately started wearing maternity clothes and patting my belly. i was blessed with a wonderful pregnancy and not-nearly-as-scary-as-everyone-said delivery.
on the day Caitlyn was born - February 10th, 1990 - we went from a very stormy night and rainy morning to beautiful sunshine and unusually warm temperatures. she has been my “sunshine girl” ever since. She is not only beautiful and incredibly intelligent, she is deeply committed to making the world a better place. from the time she was a toddler, to now, away at college, Caitlyn has been a very deep thinker, bringing conversations to light that have illuminated our consciousness. she is creative and talented in ways that continue to surprise and inspire me.
both my daughters have qualities that i admire. they are both strong, independent, amazingly smart women. they are quirky and moody and funny and compassionate. it is an absolute joy to spend time with them. i not only love them dearly, but i really, really like them. they are great friends.
so, my message to moms?
don’t take a single moment for granted. answer the questions they ask - every single one of them, even if, at the time they seem like a silly, little question in the grocery store line. if you don’t know the answer, be honest, and tell them that. believe in them. all the time. love them. all the time. tell them how you sincerely feel, but also know when it is best to be quiet and just let them figure things out for themselves. admit you make mistakes. often. celebrate their uniqueness. do unexpected things to make life interesting. remember. always remember! and know when it’s best to forget. let it go. love them for the people they are, not who you expect them to be or who you wish you were. hold their hands. skip. blow bubbles. make cupcakes. fly kites. show them what you are truly passionate about and share it with them. don’t judge them if they don’t share the same passions. help them discover their own fire and fuel it with love and encouragement. sing. a lot. make up songs, but really, sing! laugh. a lot. cry. make memories that are worth sharing with your grandchildren. wish on stars. eat ice cream straight out of the carton with big spoons. hug them. hold them. let them go. yep, that’s the hardest part of all.
i love you both - always, forever, and then some!
wishing my Sunshine Girl the most spectacular 19th birthday! may this year be filled with love that’s overflowing, unexpected, happy adventures, and the never-ending knowledge that you make a difference in the world!

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so, i started this blog, because it gave me an outlet for some of my random thoughts. unfortunately, it also appears to be an avenue for people from around the globe to “comment” with solicitations for all kinds of things. i am asking that these unsolicited comments end. now. if anyone is able to give me a suggestion on how to stop this, i would greatly appreciate it. otherwise, i guess i will just omit the commit option from this blog.

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No doubt you have heard the rave reviews of Slumdog Millionaire. We don’t go out to the movies very often, but I really wanted to see this one, and I simply cannot get it out of my mind. If you haven’t seen it, please do. Yes, you will cry, so take a pocketful of hankies with you. More importantly, I believe this movie has the power to change our world. So many of us live in our own little microcosm of existence with very little awareness of the day to day life of others. This movie will open your mind and your heart. It is a message of hope, despite incredible odds. A multi-dimensional love story. Simply a beautiful, deeply touching, inspiring story.

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

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Recently, Lamont and I went to visit my mother-in-law, Edel. She is a teeny, tiny German lady with effervescent energy and more strength and determination than anyone I have ever known. Her life story would make the most inspiring movie - surviving Hitler’s Germany during WWII as a young girl and coming to America with a baby on her own.

During our visit, my sister Judy drove up from Florida to visit. She is 13 years older than I am, but has never looked healthier or happier. Now, Judy, is every bit as effervescent as Edel, with the same non-stop energy and enthusiasm. Sitting across the table from her, I couldn’t help but feel very fortunate to not only have such a cool and inspiring “older” sister, but also to be hopeful that I, too, will look that great when I am her age!

My mom was older when she had me. She was the most awesome lady ever! I never saw her as “old”. Vibrant, quirky, super-intelligent, and as zany as Lucy Ricardo, my mom set a great example on how to live life to its fullest and enjoy the moment. It was not uncommon for her to spontaneously break into a dance as we walked through the grocery store if a good song came on or to do a victory dance at the bowling alley whenever she got a strike (which was really quite often!). I’d like to believe that the older I become, the more like her I am growing to be. I spent way too many years worrying about what others’ thought and not embracing each and every moment to the fullest.

Coming up on my 49th birthday, I guess I could feel a sense of dread for the big 5-0 that comes next. Instead, I have never felt better or more hopeful or happy. With these amazing women as inspiration, I see age as only a number. It’s all about the life you choose to live - at this moment!

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