Pura Shanti

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning.
— Lao Tzu

Aparigraha is one of the basic yamas outlined by Patanjali.  It is stated as being both the “abstention from greed” and also as “not coveting”.  Letting go of earthly possessions, avoiding hoarding or collection can be hard enough; but what if what you’re clinging to is a concept?  An idea of how things “could” or “should” be?  What if this idea of unnecessary acquisition isn’t so much an acquisition of objects, but of non-essential stress, worry and twisted perceptions over that which we have no control?  In the end isn’t all worry and stress, all the “shoulds” and “woulds”, all of the “might have beens” really, truly, deeply, aren’t they ALL non-essential?  Is claiming a new promotion truly a measure of your success in life?  Is getting a new car?  Is nailing that challenging yoga pose a make or break deal in life?  Is it not a better measure of success tapping into how much joy we feel in our heart?

In the practice of Aparigraha, non-grasping, we free ourselves from both the past and future and learn to gracefully ride the wave of the here and now.  It is said that our ability to truly let go and relax is in direct relation to our ability to trust.  Let the universe take care of everything for you.  In the end doesn’t everything fall into place exactly as it needs to?  When we set our intentions in a way that best serve those around us AND the Self, we are often times rewarded.  Letting go of our attachment to the need for reward is the difficult part.  Full surrender.  Serve yourself a slice once in awhile.

In seeking to tap into a space of deeper joy, release, enthusiasm, surrender and creativity we bind with our water element.  To get there we must LET. IT. GO.  Flow with the subtle force of water; slow and steady water winds it’s way through any hurdle thrown into its path. Working with Svadisthana (2nd Chakra) connects us with the rushing waters of freedom.  Set yourself free from the ties that bind!

Here are a few postures which will allow you to find a passionate path in life and move through stagnant times.  Let go and bring on the flow!  Remember to bring your own shape and rhythm to each of these poses.  Dancing, graceful movement, variations, creativity, flow and adding a personal flavor are great ways to further deepen your connection to the Svadisthana.  Don’t forget to release attachment to whether or not you can do the full expression of the sample poses.  Step into a place of non-judgement and be really, really real; right now. Keep the breath moving, the mind present, let your hair down and enjoy the ride.  Take this cruise with grace and dive into the rapids of release!  Start living. NOW.  Namaste.

“Truth is the same always. Whoever ponders it will get the same answer. Buddha got it. Patanjali got it. Jesus got it. Mohammed got it. The answer is the same, but the method of working it out may vary this way or that. (115)”

                             ― Swami Satchidananda, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

 Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana - One Legged Wheel at sunset

Playa Guiones, Pacific Coast Costa Rica

A snapshot from my most recent Yoga Teacher Training.  Namaste

What’s the point in talking the talk if you can’t walk the walk? Yes, you, I’m talking to you, and myself and everyone else out there in the world.  There is so much going on in the world around us today and all of it happening so fast, but yet how many people do we hear on a daily basis complaining and then returning home to their same routine, their recliner and potato chips?  Well - wake up world!  Get a little rhythm in your step and start a little song and dance.  

Walking the walk doesn’t mean tough guy, tough love, prove it, get up, stand up out of your chair and hit someone in the face- type of walk the walk.  I’m talking about the difference between using a set of vocabulary and then actually, truly embodying it; BEING that expression of truth.  And you ALL know what I’m talking about because the two are NOT one in the same.  We FEEL the difference when we SAY “I’m so proud of you,” but what we mean is, “why you and not ME?”  It’s not the words that count, it’s what’s going on in that inner space – what’s going on in there?  Do you ever stop and ask yourself that?  Generally our biggest hurdle in life is our very own Self.  Ever had anyone tell you to “get out of your own way”?  Perhaps they were trying to nudge you toward walking the walk and doing a little less talky talky….

In this morning’s yoga practice we worked with the intention of opening ourselves up to receive.  It is one thing to say “I’m ready for this” and it is an entirely different thing to BE ready for this; be it change, move, progress, receptivity, creativity, what have you.  To the beats of roots reggae we moved and grooved, it was IrieAsana day…that’s right flow yoga to roots reggae music.  The pulse and infinity flow style of yoga connected us to our 2^nd chakra and that water element – movin’ and groovin’ our way right into receptivity.  Afterall, Gandhi did tell us to “BE the change we wish to see in the world” he did not tell us to mindlessly babble about it…and then never actually DO anything.  This is called apathy and nobody likes a whiner who lacks full intention.   You feel me?  What are your creative juices expressing to you?  How can you physically manifest the language of your body, heart, mind and soul?  Often times we don’t need words at ALL to get positive change to start rolling.  Just saying you’re ready, you’re open, you’re aware; just sayingit is NOT ENOUGH – witness how inaction has served you in the past!  Or better said, how it has failed to serve you.

In yoga we call this sankalpa, or intention, and it makes all of the difference.  It changes a yoga practice from simple exercise to something with purpose.  Sankalpa changes your day from mundane to meaningful.  But sankalpa is not just a word; it is a state of being.  If YOU can’t believe what you’re saying to yourself and others, if YOUR VERY OWN verbal expressions aren’t truly FELT down at the soul level…well, then how can you expect the universe around you to buy into it and offer up what you’re waiting for?  Guess what?  The universe doesn’t buy it, and it’ll serve you up an empty plate.

So where do we go from here you’re asking….here are some simple exercises to help you move from the space of empty words toward meaningful, fully embodied intention:

1.)     Sit in hero’s pose for a few moments with your breath in Pushpaputa Mudra .  In this mudra take both hands open like a bowl, fingers towards one another diagonally.  Pushpaputa translates to “handful of flowers” and helps us tap into that sense of abundance and trust - you must BELIEVE in it, in order to EMBODY it.  Visualize your hands full of beautiful flowers, the world is at your fingertips, you just need to see it and then make it your own!  Rich out and GRAB what you want!

2.)    Work with the OM or “creation mantra”.  Visualize the symbolic representation of OM, or just the word, repeat to yourself silently the mantra or sing it out loud for the entire world to hear.  This sound of creation taps us into our own creative forces – make something happen!  See the change. 

3.)    Sacral Chakra postures such as hip openers: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon), Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle), Utkata Konasana (Goddess Squat), Hanumanasana (seated split) and Malasana (squat or garland) as well as flowing, creative movement or sequencing style classes/postures.   Anything that gets you up and moving and going with the flow – step aside stagnant waters, there’s a river of positive motion coming through!

4.)    Just move.  One. Foot. In. front. Of. The. Other.  Just begin.  One small thought changes us and over time it becomes habit, becomes routine.  We start to notice that we ARE what we think!  Just showing up is 80% of the work, we’ve heard it a million times.  Getting to the mat, getting back to the computer for your next blog entry, stopping self-hindrance by recognizing those hurdles that hold us back.  GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!!!  And then let the floodgates open and hold on for a helluva ride. 

William Shakespeare says “the readiness is all.”  Do you FEEL ready? No need for an echoing shout, an Austin Powers-esque “YEAH BABY!” Just notice.  Do you FEEL it?  Dig way down and bear silent witness to that innermost voice.  Can you BE it?  Can you picture yourself BECOMING this dream?  MANIFESTING this sensation?  EMBODYING this hope? NOW:  shut your mouth and start to put one foot in front of the other, put our money where our mouth is…let’s ALL start to walk the walk a little more and talk the talk a little less.

No lo pierdan!  Don’t  miss out on this!

OM presents

Yoga n’Angola: A Capoeira & Yoga Fusion Workshop
with Jonathan Wolf
www.dragonflutesrising.com

Experience your yogic movement in a new way with this synthesis of Capoeira Angola and steady asana practice. Capoeira Angola is a Brazilian dance and martial art that combines flexibility and strength with fluid, dynamic movement. Hand stands, headstands, and Forrest inspired abdominal work will be a few of the movements we will venture into in this fun filled workshop.

Featuring the instrument 
Of Capoeira Angola: the berimbau + Sacred songs.

If you have, bring a pair of dance/athletic shoes. 
Si los tiene, lleve unos tenis.

Find Jonathan’s Music on iTunes:
first album:
http://itunes.apple.com/ us/album/ dragon-flutes-rising/ id353744510
second album: 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/riding-the-wind/id448314014

8.000c Drop-In 
6.000c Nacional

www.vivaelmomento.com
tel: 8995-2122 or 2756-8434
OMvivaelmomento@gmail.com

So nice we have to do it TWICE!  Come join us!

AcroYOga at OM…AGAIN!  We’re so lucky!

(Source: sweettartrach, via kissmyasana)

I’d endure a yoga class for you

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awww…must be true love!

YAY!  AcroYoga is BACK at OM!!!!  Sunday, January 15th from 10a.m. to 1p.m.  Come play!  $25 drop-in rate.  Locals, come ask about your special deal!

WOrkshop #3 - Masters Class

Workshop #2 - Tantra Yoga Practice

Workshop #1 - Introduction to Tantra

So excited for the upcoming Tantra Yoga Series at OM in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  Come join us!  Pura vida!

Wishing you a happy whatever doesn’t offend you

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