Breaking Up With Coffee

I confess. I am a coffee drinker. You might call me a one a day cupper. I pour a mug. Add milk, sugar, and a little vanilla flavoring. Delish! But me, a coffee addict? Nonsense! It’s only one cup a day. Perhaps you find that you are in a similar relationship. But now, I ask you. Have you ever wanted to break up? End it once and for all, cut all ties, and move on? I have, a few times in the past. But somehow, coffee and I get together (sometimes by accident!) and before I know it, we’re in a relationship once more. But coffee and I haven’t been doing well lately. Mentally, it’s been bothering me that I have been resistant to letting go of one cup a day. How hard can that be? In addition, my belly has been feeling ‘off’. My intuition is telling me it’s the coffee again. I am ready to agree.

The intuitive term, “I feel it in my gut” expresses the notion that a lot more is happening there than digestion. We may know things to be true, but often the mind takes over and creates a different story. My mind has been indicating to me that it can’t be the coffee. After all, it is only one cup. My practice of yoga has taught me a thing or two in recent years. One is to listen to my gut and what it has to say. It will always tell me the truth. Even about coffee.
Now I begin to take the necessary steps to dissolve this relationship. Step 1: Write these words down- I am breaking up with coffee. Check. Step two: Make it public (thank you readers!). Check. Step three: Put the coffee maker away. Check. Tomorrow I am bringing out the variety of teas that have been growing as a lovely collection in my panty and placing them in a pretty glass jar on my kitchen counter. I will softly boil the water and wait for the soft whistle. I will make a choice between Classic India Spice, Mountain high chai, and Tulsi original. I will gently pour the water in the mug and allow the tea to brew slowly. I will wait, sigh, and dream because there’s something about tea that allows for contemplation and softness. Coffee says “let’s get going, I’m ready!” Tea responds “What’s the rush? Sit and stay awhile”. My breathing will relax and I will understand that my decision was right yet again.

I invite you to take a moment to listen to your inner voice. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Place the palms of your hands on your belly. Breathe deeply and slowly. Listen. And wait. Are you in a relationship with a habit that you are ready to let go of? What words do you hear whispering to you today?

With peace and love,

Linda

(photo credit: gbccchurch.org)

A Gift of Yoga Practice

The practice of yoga is cracking me open little by little. By nature, I am a very private person. I take small, baby steps not big, bold ones, to get to the next stage of my life. I am careful about friendships and tend to limit myself to an intimate few. The first year after YTT (yoga teacher training), I really did not pursue yoga teaching. I attended classes and workshops and I continued my own personal practice. To be honest, I was a little confused about this. Why was I not teaching? Lately, the crack has been opening alittle more. There was no need to rush. Everything has its own time. I had to learn to be patient, And that is where writing came back into my life. I had adored writing when I was a child and a teen (I was going to be a writer), but somewhere along the way, it trinkled down to nothing and disappeared from my life. Recently, I have rediscovered its joy. The freedom, the expression of spirit, and the way it makes me feel authentic and real. My yoga practice has unblocked and rediscovered the creative energy that lay dormant inside me. It feels wonderful! It started with journaling and has expanded to blog writing and writing meditations for friends and family. I started writing the blog in late autumn. It is still a work in progress. Going "public" was scary for a private person like me. So at first, no one knew about the blog. But now, I am feeling a desire to share more. To not be so private and careful, but to continue expanding, opening, and breathing. Trusting and knowing that my breath will be along on the journey. There are so many beautiful spirits out there I want to connect with. Do you find that too? My heart is directing me now. I feel that my yoga practice is inviting the partnership of writing in. All of a sudden, it feels right. "There are years that ask questions and years that answer" (Zora Neale Hurston) . 2011 feels like a year where answers will happen. I am now teaching a weekly gentle yoga class at a local venue in town. I have led a workshop on "ahimsa" at a local home studio and will be leading a"satya" conversation there in a February gathering. I am looking into "yoga and writing" workshops (I have found some great ones out there!) and my intention is to lead "yoga and writing" workshops for yoga practitioners and for "secret" writers like myself. I believe I have found my niche. Is this what my spirit has been preparing me for? Therefore, with a courageous, open heart and a trusting hand extended in friendship, I invite you to take a look at the beginnings of this, my blog writing. As cracks widen and more light begins to shine through, I intend to excavate and share deeper parts of my spirit with readers and the people in my life. You can subscribe to the blog and receive updated blog posts by e-mail. I welcome your comments under posts and hope to continue to learn from you as well. As my writing and yoga practice lead me back to the authentic corners of my soul, I expect my blog to evolve and grow as I will. I look forward to sharing this path of life with you. This reminds me of Rumi's wonderful quote: "Out beyond the ideas of right-doing or wrong-doing there is a field- I'll meet you there". What is expanding in your spirit right now?

With light and love and friendship,

Linda

photo credit: bolstablog.wordpress.com

What Does Your Yoga Practice Mean To You?

What is this practice of yoga? The reasons why we originally came to our mats are diverse and different for everyone. I can hardly remember why I began practicing yoga- it's as if yoga has now always been an integral part of my life. Through the years, this practice has evolved from a completely physical practice to a practice of body, mind, and spirit integration, which is still in progress. My increased physical flexibility has been a stepping stone to increased mental flexibility. Learning to breathe again (how did I survive all those years without breathing properly?!) has created a foundation for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being to which I may return over and over again. When I come back to my mat again and again, I feel a sense of peace and relief. The lessons that I learn about myself on my mat travel with me off the mat. The practice of yoga has supported me through the many different situations of my life. I have come to learn that yoga practice is more than just "doing" poses and relaxing. It has become a daily practice and a way of living.

I'm interested in listening to your thoughts. Let's begin a conversation of sharing. Why did you begin the practice of yoga? What does yoga mean to you? Thank you for sharing!