Yoga~ Plain and Simple

The spiritual path is a "Reality Project" a term coined by Stephen Cope in one of my favorite books of all time "Yoga and the Quest for True Self. In order to feel what is Real we go to its contrasting opposite.. and literally jump into the murky depths of the unreal. We dive into the illusion-- flop around, go belly up, try belly down and tread water dog paddle style until we become tired, exhausted and on the edge of giving up. Then in the darkest hour we stretch out our feet and touch the sandy bottom of Reality and walk to shore.

A famous modern day yogi A. Desai says "Reality is more sacred to me than my most sacred concept. Reality is the message of consciousness. Reality is God in disguise." Reality is this moment, a live, streaming, real-time experience of each moment where awareness is completely absorbed in what is happening now. If we do not like what is happening now then unconsciously we may move into "WHY, is this happening now?" and fight the truth of the moment. But the truth remains,, this IS happening now. So, the Reality Project begs us to change the question to "WHAT is happening now?" because then we have the opportunity to really love. From a yogic perspective, LOVE is acceptance of what is. If you are in the moment, you are in love. Now, that is the knight in shining armor of true LOVE we've been searching for not the white dress, not the house or 1.5 kids. Being in the moment, observing the truth and accepting what is. And, to choose to say "I do" to every moment, again and again. That is the essence of the spiritual path... plain and simple. It is a divine marriage of Self to Reality for the sake of LOVE.

Namaste~ Sienna

Open to the moment, and miracles are revealed.

Anusara Yoga in Paris-- I can feel the heat!

Yesterday in class John Friend said-- “Downward facing dog... now make your hands strong, grip the floor with your finger pads in total commitment to your practice and as a sign of honoring your teacher (meaning anyone who has been an inspiration in your life). He continued... “ Out of hundreds of applicants you were specifically chosen to attend this training-- you are worthy to be here! Know that it is your dharma to claim your space at this training and claim your place in the world.” I could feel a current of fear shoot up my spine because worthiness is something I have been working on my whole life. And, even though I have been teaching for almost 10 years there are still times I get nervous and think-- what the heck am I doing leading the class? I know these thoughts stem from my childhood but on some level they are still alive in me. It is similar to someone giving you a complement and then saying to yourself “ah, they must be blind!” or “they are just saying that to be nice”. This self doubt acts like a poison that eats away at us from the inside.

When John spoke yesterday his words triggered the seed of unworthiness in me and laid it out on my mat for me to practice on-- all day long. At first I resisted, an old habit of mine that I know does not work, then I turned to the quiet place inside of me that whispers the truth of who I am. With trust I allowed the discomfort to surface; the sweating, the heat and shortened breath but I stayed with it. By the end of the day I felt joy creeping in because I know these times of discomfort are golden invitations to transform the patterns that limit me. And, that the path of yoga has the power to send the stone walls built around my heart tumbling to the ground in one day. I knew that by allowing the discomfort its full expression that I would be liberated with each drop of sweat and tear that hit my mat. This process went on like a wave inside of me for 2 hours. Finally, by the end I felt more spacious and my breath deepened. I felt more alive and a fullness inside my heart like it was vibrating out of my chest. I felt humble and at the same time I felt a sense of worthiness bubbling up inside. “Whoa-yah, thank you spirit...now were talking!” I said to myself. The next day I showed up again on my mat... ready to do it all over and open up to the mystery of what I would find this time. ~Namaste Sienna

A stroll down the Rue de Rivoli

Our first afternoon stroll down Rue de Rivoli, the main street of the Louvre with buzzing outdoor cafes every 4th shop and people busily walking by. The mix of people is amazing; from model chic with strappy platform heels- emanating the Eiffel tower to ripped jean shorts with off the shoulder t-shirts and sneakers. I decided to go someplace in between... but I did bring my black strappy mini platform heels, which Kyra likes, for some later evening Paris jaunt.

Walking down the Rue we tripped over a wonderful corner outdoor cafe and sat down to our first Parisian meal. Vegetable quiche with a glass of grigio blanc for me and jamon crape with orangina for Kyra. The Place du Carrousel, the Louvre and the Jardin Des Tuileries were so close behind it felt like the most exquisite golden peacock sitting on our shoulder singing the sweet secrets of Paris in our ears. The Parian bird of culture, magnificence, human history is vastly different that of the Costa Rica bird of brilliant natural splendor and mother earths trembling vibrance but somehow I feel equally alive in both. I lounge in my black and gold wicker chair and take in the view around me. My mind is full and has an appetite for intense chatter like it gulped down 3 espresso while my body was away in the bathroom. My mind quickly tweets about everything I take in. From the awe of the intense beauty in human creation to the judgements of the our self importance and human over-indulgence. Yoga quickly hops off that mat and sits down next to me at our sidewalk cafe reminding me that these thoughts are always a reflection of myself and what I see is more about me that what I gaze upon. With that bell ringing like the hand hammered Tibetan bowl that I play in class I take another look. A half second later I see the incredible passionate beauty of human connection and creation, I see the life force in Parisian’s communication and I see a vibrant country teaming with spirited lovers of life. This touches me deeply as I recognize this succulent passion in myself as well. I feel it pumping like golden champagne in my veins.. it is the bubbly of life that has been a fountain inside of me since I was born.

Maybe the aliveness I feel is why I feel so at home in the rainforest jungle and the city jungle. I see they are both coming from the nectar of the same magnificent flower. The One flower all creation is born out of and will eventually dissolve back into. I feel immensely grateful to be here in Paris, what a wonderful creation. Tomorrow we will climb the Eiffel tower and visit the Mona Lisa.

In Parisian love and Namaste~

Sienna

My cat says..."take me to Paris, or else!"

I was away from home most of the weekend and when I returned my cat decided to welcome me with a dainty poop on my yoga mat! Pets just 'say' it like it is don't they? "meow, why did you leave me alone, you love yoga more than me, how could you??... meow" I was laughing so hard I dropped to the floor...

6 days till Paris... must figure out the cat thing.

French in 7 days?

Paris w/ John Friend .. leaving in 7 days. Wondering if I can learn to speak French in 7 days.. any gurus with instant French transmissions? Seriously, bonjour is the only word I know. Yo no comprendo, oye ve.