Living In The Flow

4 Comments

1. 
   miltt

   March 30, 2009 at 6:25 am

   I don’t think yoga should be singled out as the only helpful tool in these difficult times. I do believe that the mind-sets that accompany yoga, which can be attained through other forms of inner work do have a lot to do with how we assay this journey. I think our pioneer ancestors would turn over in their graves to see what weak-assed descendants they have left. Hell, the present generation almost disproves Darwin in its inability to adjust to the least bit of discomfort.

   Though poverty is in the pocketbook, belly and quality of life, recession, distant war, global warming and all the other issues critical to world progress is, in tyerms of individual life, mostly in the minds of the vast majority of people. If you choose to believe that the sky is falling, for you, it has already fallen. If you panic over rumors or over what is happening in the headlines of the newspapers, then you are forever doomed to suffer the slings and arrows of outragious prognosticators.

   Many of us are deeply in the flow through a variety of methods that make life less complex. I smile thinking of Bob Marley’s “Don’t worry; be happy” song. There is truth in that music … except if you are the one out of work.

   Those of us who have lived through recessions and depressions, wars, famines and pestilences have learned that under the worst of circumstances, no one in this country is ever left to starve to death – unless he or she makes that choice. You know the old philosophy: That which does not kill me makes me angry enough to do something about it? No? Well I just made that one up. It is a piece of a life focus that allowed me to both do it as well as preach it to others – yeah, I am one of those people who has written self-help books! Art as an emolient to sooth the savage beasts from within and without.

   For those for whom Yoga contributes to peace of mind, body wellness and focus, I can tell you that it really does work. But it isn’t the only road to Utopia. It is all about perception and if you choose to perceive everything as negative, you will act upon those perceptions. If you choose to look at life as “There is them and there is me,” you are in a better position to look at other people’s problems as just that — other people’s problems. That doesn’t mean you should be innured to their pain. It simply means that if you can afford to maintain your lifestyle and choose to do so, the fact that someone else is out of work, has been evicted from his home or had her facelift repossessed for failure to pay for it, that doesn’t mean you are in the same difficulty as they are.

   Anyway, if you can afford Yoga to feel better, you really should go for it. However, you also should just feel a little better because you aren’t at the end of your financial rope. Some of the people who really need it don’t have the bank account to support it and may not have a car to get to it … or a home to return to afterward. But do use it as a tool to seek inner peace and physical welfare. We all need all of those things that we can get.

   Lollipops and unicorns

2. 
   ninabmay

   April 1, 2009 at 11:40 am

   I have been practicing Yoga ever since I was a teen watching Richard Hittleman on PBS. I have had many different teachers and experienced many styles. It depends how I feel and what is good for me that day as far as my current practice. It is always evolving. Being in tune with yourself and the world at large comes with practice and experience. I am grateful I always have Yoga to come back to. Thanks for the tip on the Yogaglo. I will check it out.

   Nina

3. 
   grahamsale

   April 1, 2009 at 4:54 pm

   I love Hatha yoga and have done it on & off for years – in my living room, not in Bikrim’s hot house. Nevertheless, it makes me feel spectacular when I’m finished.

   Being a reformed Westernized athlete who previously only believed only in running and weight lifting, I’ve been grateful for the gift of discovering this amazing “exercise” which is what I consider it. I love, love it’s benefits an am a huge advocate for it. However, I’m don’t look to Yoga for spirituality or effervescence – that’s a whole different philosophy and not part of my perspective.

   To each his own…use what works…and share it if it does…that helps all of us.

4. 
   isabelledusoleil

   April 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm

   So glad to hear that you are embodying Yoga in your own way. That is your gift. I respect and honor each of my students for livng and getting out of Yoga what they need. There are many entry doors and multiple approaches. When I started Yoga at 13, I felt so good without understanding it. My body would litterally take me to class in the metro in Paris 3 to 4 times a week. At 17, I started teaching Yoga in the most natural way.
   As I mentioned in my post, Yoga is one of the numerous ways. I never meant to single it out!
   Tantra Yoga, the Yoga foundation is all inclusive and quite comprehensive.