“Reason is powerless in the expression of Love.” ― Rumi
May your day start and end with love.
Namaste.
- Your Charmed Yogi
Photo credit: Pinterest
Rumi’s love
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Effort vs.surrender: yoga’s tug-of-war
One of the most difficult parts of any yoga practice is cultivating the ability to find the perfect balance of effort and surrender. I always loved when my teacher would remind us to, “go to your edge, but not past it.” Aaaah, the edge. That point in your practice where any less wouldn’t be enough, but any more would be too much. Getting to the edge requires some effort — effort in body and focus. Resisting the urge to go beyond requires surrender and faith — surrender to what your practice IS here and now.
If there’s one thing that yoga has taught me more than anything is acceptance of exactly where I am in my practice at any given moment; to let go of ego; and embrace the process. The next time you go to your mat, try to find your edge. Go to it, and surrender to the moment.
“If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.” - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Namaste.
- Your Charmed Yogi
Photo credit: Pinterest
The Power of Expectation
We talk a lot about letting go of expectation in yoga. Expectation of others, and expectations of ourselves. But, part of being human is recognizing that we do have certain expectations that we can either let go or learn to shift. But here’s a different perspective on the power of acceptance for what is vs. expectation from ourselves and in relationships from one of my favorite bloggers, Janis Cohen, LCSW. Expectations are a part of all relationships, including the relationship you have with yourself. They are the deal breakers.
You expect others to be a certain way and, if you are intuitive enough, you get what you expect by expecting the right things from the right people.
Read the full post, “The Power of Expectation” on The Human Experience blog.
Namaste.
- Your Charmed Yogi
Photo credit: Pinterest
Selfishly be someone else’s miracle
My mom used to tell me that you may never know the impact you’ve had on others. A smile to a stranger,a touch, or just listening to a friend in need may seem trivial 
to us, but at the moment it’s given to another, it could be quite grand.
In graduate school we dove into the topic of altruism. Does it or doesn’t it actually exist? Some theorists believe it doesn’t exist because the person performing the selfless act may still derive joy or satisfaction from the act of giving.
I recently came upon this argument again and started to think about whether or not I’ve ever truly been altruistic.
I thought about the times I’ve volunteered my time, or given money to charity, or helped out a friend in need. And they all felt awesome. Dammit.
I thought about how I’ve rescued two (now three) dogs from shelters. But in truth, I sought out these dogs for companionship. Dammit again. So then I thought, you know what? Who the heck cares where the motivation comes from so long as you’re giving of yourself and receptive to love.
Selfishly give of yourself to others; be someone else’s miracle and enjoy the feeling of an open heart. Then you both feel awesome.
Namaste.
- Your Charmed Yogi
Photo credit: Woodland Care & Rehabilitation
Your authentic self is calling
I commented in a previous post about “finding myself,” but the truth is you don’t have to look any further than inside. Your authentic self is calling, close your eyes and answer from within. Namaste. – Your Charmed Yogi Photo … Continue reading
I traded in my stiletto life for a flip flop
According to Heraclitus, “the only constant is change.” Call it perpetual motion, flux, evolution, development, metamorphosis; but it is what it is — change. We all know change is inevitable, and yet, we often resist ; straddling the fence … Continue reading
The Art of Doing Nothing
I found this article written by Dawn James and found it most interesting and really want to share it with you all. I do some of her tips, although I need to try to do them more often. Enjoy!
Can you imagine yourself, like a teenager, doing nothing? I can. I learned from my son.
What captured my attention at first was the subtle, almost elegant manner in which he arrived home each day, slipped off his back pack and strolled onto the deck in the back yard.
What a lovely way of describing the art of being.
The wisdom of children’s stories
Lately, I’ve been trying to get in touch with my inner child by going back and reading some of my favorite books from childhood. These books are filled with wisdom and divinity that rivals some of the oldest spiritual … Continue reading
You are already happy
“You are already happy. The reason you don’t experience it is that it’s covered up by layers of suppressed emotions and negative thoughts. Shift your attention and your inherent happiness flashes forth.” - Steve Ross
Meditation Induces Positive Structural Brain Changes
News from
Medscape Medical News
" June 18, 2012 — Integrative body-mind training (IBMT), a type of Chinese mindfulness meditation, may induce positive structural changes in the brain's white matter, new research suggests."
This article makes us aware of several scientific studies which have analysed and, with the aid of modern technology, have located specific positive changes on the brain of those people practicing IBMT.
'nuff said
