Tag Archives for challenges

What you Resist Persists

“What you resist persists.” Carl Jung

lonely woman standing on rocky coast
Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com

This is a such a simple, yet powerful message that I keep coming back to again and again. Today I decided to set aside time to understand the WordPress block editor instead of resisting it and clinging to the old version.

Have you noticed when others have been caught in this struggle with what is happening? Have you noticed it in yourself?

When we want “what is” to be different, we are resisting. The more we resist, deny, criticize, complain and fight the truth … the more internal struggle we will have.

A part of us is conditioned to resist what’s happening to us, especially when things don’t go the way we had wanted. We don’t accept the feelings of annoyance, disappointment, hurt, sadness or distress that come up, and we want them to go away.

We want things to be the same as they were before. A part of us still thinks that by resisting, the uncomfortable feelings will go away but they won’t. They will become stronger, and can take over our minds, and cause a lot of suffering.

So, this is what I have to say to you:

Recognize if there is a situation in your life that you are resisting or denying is happening.

Ask yourself. “Am I ready to face this now?” If it isn’t the right time, that’s okay. Keep coming back to it until you are ready.

If it is something that is very upsetting, center yourself with slow deep breaths. Perhaps bring a hand onto your belly and another above your heart center.

Feel that sense of touch, and perhaps the connection to your inner self. The part of you that is hurting right now.

Recognizing when we are resisting is a powerful practice. At the beginning we may wonder what the big deal is …. after all resisting feels normal … until we are able to see that resisting is a conditioned response that has become as habit.  A habit that brings us suffering.

  • Let go of how you expected things to be.
  • Take control of what you CAN do to keep moving forward.
  • Make space for it.
  • Don’t hold on to anger or blame others. This will only cause you more hurt.
  • Embrace the highs and lows of life as they come along, and go with the ever changing flow of life.

And now you have a choice.

Life is Like … Yoga

This is a repost for all my yoga friends out there. Enjoy!

In my years of practicing and teaching yoga I have found it to be a wonderful metaphor for life.

When practicing yoga I have learned so much about myself,  life and living fully. My practice takes me to my Middle Ground. It centers me, rejuvenates, nourishes and makes me feel alive and connected to my higher Self.

  • Like life, in yoga we tune in to our mind, body and soul connection
  • Like life, in yoga we learn to find the balance between holding tight and letting go
  • Like life, in yoga we learn to accept ourselves just the way we are
  • Like life, in yoga we  understand the difference between strength and courage
  • Like life, in yoga we learn to face our challenges in the present moment
  • Like life, in yoga we learn to soften into resistance and be more flexible
  • Like life, in yoga we learn to breathe deeply to release tension and ride the waves of highs and lows
  • Like life, in yoga we realize that bending over backwards doesn’t always serve us…
  • And yes, like life, yoga doesn’t have to be taken so seriously!

Namaste

Inspiration – Eckhart on ego

ego burden

“If you consider the ego to be your personal problem, that’s just more ego.”

~ Eckhart Tolle

Smiling …. After all, my ego is much bigger problem compared to yours!

Today, let go of taking things so personally and let your ego take a back seat. Let go of comparisons and feeling you are alone. You are not.

We all have gone through these feelings.

What happens next depends on your decision to let go, and move forward.

Realize that there is a more powerful You ready to take charge and facilitate your growth.

Let go of the personal and join the rest of us on the same journey.

Namaste

There is Love Here

I started to write this post a few months ago, and forgot about it. When I came across it again, it brought back such a smile!

I am grateful to the committed and wonderful women and men who come to my yoga classes. Thank you for your openness, kindness and willingness to explore all aspects of your being. We touch each others hearts and souls … and have fun along the way. There is love here. 💕

oo0O0oo

love yoga

Today was a day that went beyond the ordinary. In yoga class there were my regular morning peeps and a wonderful woman coming up to the anniversary of her second hip replacement. When I asked the class about what they wanted to take care of, or what to open up to,  she said she wanted to be challenged.

Okay. Two things crossed my mind…

Firstly, she has an appointment with her orthopedics surgeon next week. “Do no harm! Keep her safe” was the message from my cautious teacher mind.

Secondly, she also has a birthday coming up and her family are coming into town. She deserves to feel special and alive. An other voice said “Give her the gift of experiencing something she hasn’t been able to do for several years. Let her feel supported and have fun! ”

So, to cut longer story short, we explored pigeon pose and all it variations with bolsters, blankets and blocks. It looked like a playground.
And it became one.
Others understood and felt connected to her experience, as they also tried out a different approach for themselves.

We breathed into the exploration and the opening of the body … and were surprised.
There was a lot of love in that room.

Namaste

Supported pigeon pose

p.s. You can find out more about my yoga classes at http://www.relishyoga.com

 

* Fulfilling Saturday

yoga happy
Saturday’s are my busiest work day. As a yoga teacher and mentor for teachers, today is the day when most people can come to class or attend a workshop.

I love it! But it does take me away from my regular check ins on WordPress, and being as available for my husband Don.

Today was a very good day. I woke up and checked in with Don to see how his night went. He is going through a new round of chemotherapy for skin cancer that has metastasized to his lungs. He slept well last night, but didn’t have the energy to get up to feed and water the dogs or have breakfast with us. So I did the doggy duty before getting ready to teach a gentle yoga flow class at 9.00.

I am so appreciative of my regular students who show up no matter what, even when others have escaped to the shore or the beach for the weekend. (Its a big thing here around Philly!)

After class I set up for a Restorative Yoga workshop. Three new people appeared ready to relax and be restored! They brought humor and a willingness to go with this strange and intimidating yoga stuff.

As I watched the participants let go and connect to their physical body and breath, it was wonderful to hear at the end “I never thought I would last for an hour and a half, but I wanted it to go forever”. So many of us have forgotten how to let go and relax as part of our daily living. We don’t need a class to sign up for, but we do need to be aware how essential relaxation is for our well being.

restorative yoga

We talked about starting a gentle beginners class to introduce them to more yoga in a safe and nurturing environment.
I hope I never forget how intimidating yoga might sound to people, until they experience it for themselves in a way that they are ready for.

After a snack I met with a yoga teacher as part of catching up with my signature program mentoring yoga teachers. A new insight and discovery of a way to be true to herself and keep her students safe was embraced 💛

Saturday is a time of practice, teaching and inspiring others to tune in to their own wisdom, be open to new knowledge and integrate it into their very being.

happy day

Saturdays are no longer “leisure” to me but one of the most meaningful happy days of the week.

When I left the studio I stopped off and got some great looking Norwegian  salmon for dinner. (Almost as good as Scottish!).  I soaked a cedar plank and we had delicious grilled salmon.
Don came down and manned the grill. He was able to eat and said he enjoyed his meal.

This has become an awesome day. 🌞

Gratitude to all of you who touch my life and expand the love and connection is so many ways.

Namaste