How Ayurveda can keep you healthy over the holidays

The ancient science of Ayurveda has many practical and easy suggestions to stay healthy in every season. I was introduced to Ayurveda in 2004 and it has changed the way I eat, shower, sleep, nap, drive, you name it and it has a new meaning after learning about my dosha.

Your constitution(dosha) is very important in order for you to stay healthy and live a long and happy life. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, air/space, water/fire, water, earth. These Mahabhutas (master elements) impact everything about you from the way your dream, think, walk, talk, what you are attracted to, and what you don't like.

Knowing your dosha is essential to make positive changes that create and restore balance in the mind-body. Here are my top 3 favorite Ayurvedic techniques that have helped me over the years.

1. Abhyanga - Full body oil massage. Heat up the oil (sesame for vata, coconut for Pitta, sunflower/safflower/mustard for Kapha) , rub it all over, leave it on, then have a hot shower/bath. Clean only the parts that need it and leave the oil on. Benefits, relieves dry skin, keeps you feeling warmer and detoxifies the body.

2. Neti Pot - For years I have raved about the benefits of this practice. Neti pot is done with a small pot that has a spout. Mix some warm filtered water with ionized salt, tip your head pour the water through, after warm use Nasaya oil to keep your nose lubricated. Benefits, helps prevent colds/flu by maintaining a healthy, clean mucus membrane in your nose, gets rid of excess phlegm and mucus, helps keeps sinuses clear and open.

3. Tongue Scraping - I can't live without my stainless steel tongue scraper. It's a small metal (you got it, depends on your dosha which is best to use) u shaped scraper that you drag across your tongue from back to front 7 to 14 times to remove the buildup of ama (toxins) that settle on your tongue. It is especially noticeable first thing in the morning. When you stick your tongue out you may see a whitish, or yellowish layer, that's ama and if you use your toothbrush on your tongue you're only pushing it deeper into your tongue. Think of your tongue as a shag carpet! Main benefit, your breath is fresher, tongue is clean so you taste food better, and you get rid of ama instead of swallowing it or pushing it deeper into your tongue.

I hope you enjoyed this little intro about the way Ayurveda has helped me to be healthier and happier!!!

Shovelasana - Syallabus 5

Talk about an extreme pose, SHOVELASANA! Wow did it ever snow a lot here in the last 24 hours, which means shoveling for many of us. Every year thousands of people seriously hurt their backs from shoveling. Many of the injuries are related to loaded flexion of the spine (rounding in your lumbar back) add some rotation in there and that spells danger for your discs.

The discs in your spine act like tiny shock absorbers and are like a jelly filled doughnut (what a great word -DOUGHNUT). When you round forward it causes the jelly (meniscus) to squeeze out the back or sides, if you do this over and over and over again, you can tear, herniate or rupture these discs. The most common site of bulging or herniated discs are L5 - S1. The bulging disc is only part of the problem, it impinges on the nerves that run through your spine and can cause debilitating pain, and numbness.

Prevention is far easier than treatment folks. If your back has been impaired Anusara Yoga offers several bio mechanical alignments that can relieve the pain, the swelling and even heal the rupture. It takes constant work, every day though, you can't let it slide!

Many yoga students have been taught to roll up and down or bend into a forward bend while loading the spines flexion mostly at L5-S1, or even hang while doing that. Sure every once in a while no big deal, in fact a wide variety of movements are good for your spine BUT, if you are a serious yoga student and you do this kind of movement everyday, this can be weakening the discs in the spine and you never know what action will potentially rupture the weakened disc.

If your yoga practice is causing you more pain, and not just in your back or your're getting injured you likely have no muscular engagement that helps hold the spine in it's natural, safe alignment. Pain is the bodies way of telling you that something is misaligned somewhere.

Emergency rooms, walk-in clinics and doctors offices will be filled today with people that injured their backs shoveling (although now you know perhaps that action was the 'straw that broke the camels' back' Sorry, I had to say it!)

So practice SHOVELASANA, first check your attitude, open up to a bigger energy like the one dumping all the beautiful unique snowflakes down from the sky, enjoy this SNOWDAY, do a little bit a time, don't lift more than you can handle, small scoops, hire someone to do it for you, if you are doing it yourself than alignment is the key to reducing the chance that you may end up flat on your back, missing work and having fun for the rest of the week.

Bend your knees deep, create a curve in your lower back by taking your thigh bones, in, back, and apart, once you have a curve, lengthen your tailbone down, draw your belly in (a strong core also supports a strong back), keep your spine long and listen to your body

Also I recommend coming in having a warm tea and do a backbend practice. Your legs govern your lower back so if you are having pain in your lumber spine that make sure you are engaging your legs, lift and spread your toes, hug your shins to the midline and then take you thigh bones, in, back, and apart.

I would never myself do backbends with pulling my knees into my chest in between. If the backbends are causing you pain (discomfort is normal)then there is a good chance you are not optimally lines up and need some clear instructions on how to do that. I can help you with sore backs!

I LOVE the snow,it means snowboarding for me and I can't wait to hit the slopes with my pain-free back :) that was created through proper, specific alignment in yoga!

The Holy-Days are here

I am about to get ready to venture down to the mall to do some holiday shopping. I am not even there yet and I know the parking lots will be full of cars, the roads are icy because we had our first real snowfall yesterday, and people can be... well.... stressed lets say around this time of the year.

So, here is my yoga practice while at the mall. I will stand in Mountain pose with my feet aligned (center of the heels out to the base of my second toes) which I will do through my winter boots. I will microbend my knees and take the top of my thighs back so my femur bones sit well deep in there homes, I will lengthen my tailbone and from there I will be physically grounded and emotionally. Then comes the hard part, lengthen up through my spine to the very top of my head and beyond to the sun, stars and moon but this is the toughest, I will keep my heart open!

In the hustle and bustle I will keep my eyes open so I don't miss all the beautiful lights and decorations. We can get so myopic when we are deep in the crowds. Then I will acknowledge that these folks are just trying to do what I am doing which is get a gift for someone I love or care for to remind them that we love them this holiday season.

If I don't get you a present this year, forgive me! Know that you are loved and love doesn't need to be in box, with wrapping paper and a bow. I will challenge you to do the same the next time you are caught in a long line up of holiday shoppers since that might your toughest yoga practice to date!

om and warm holiday blessings,
m

Light in the Dark

As the days get shorter, the dark comes early and the desire to snuggle up with a cup of warm tea and my cozy blanket calls. These will be some of the darkest days of the year in London, Ontario but there is always light in the dark. We just put up our tree and I love to sit by it's warm glow. Even walking around outside people have put up their holiday lights to brighten up the darkest days. I love that single candle in the window of a dark home. So symbolic of the light within our hearts. It's precious and sometimes we forget it's even there. I use my yoga practice to remind me of the light of my consciousness, my mind, and my heart. When I close my eyes no matter what time of the day or where I am I can still see the dance of a faint light. The Yin-Yang represents just that. We can only know the dark because we know the light. We can only know what being and living positive means because we know what it is like to live in the negative. In Tantra, two energies that seem totally opposite are actually complementary. The dark has it's place, as does the light. The yogi always remembers the light and honours the darkness.
warm cups of tea and cozy blankets to you.
om
Mindy

Anusara Yoga in Santa Fe with John Friend highlights

WOW, that is the only place I can begin to describe what went down in Sante Fe over the last 5 days. First, Sante Fe is so beautiful they call it the land of enchantment. The retreat center is on a mountain of rose quartz and home of the Carmelites. The sunsets here are so beautiful and every day the sky was clear, blue and vast. Being surrounded on all sides by the magnificant mountains, Sangre de Cristo Mountain, Spanish, in English it means "Blood of Christ" they are actaully part of the Rocky Mountains, and got their name for the red colou the mountains take on at sunset and sunrise. Sante Fe is surrounded by other mountain ranges like then Culebra Range,Taos Mountains, Rincon Mountains, and the Santa Fe Mountains.

It is pretty amazing to be here on Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. You should have seen the puja! WOW, it was full of pictures of loved ones that had passed, skeletons, flowers, candles, and candy. On this day the viel between the spirit world becomes very thin, making it easier to connect with ancestors of the past. I felt a very deep connetion to my Grandpa -Norman Willis, he always supported my wackiness and I loved him dearly. I was brought to tears many times as John instructed us to remeber the way those people we cared about laughed, spoke,and walked. Truly powerful. I also felt connected to my Uncle Mono (Germono Ongaro) who passed away many years ago, he had a strong presence in our family and we all miss him still.

Canada had great representation there too, Catherine Heighway (London), Lynn and her hubby from Winnipeg, Robin Galt from Montreal and myself. But seriously Canada, when I get back I am going to work very hard at expanding Anusara in our city and in Canada. We are a bit behind and we don't have to be.

Okay so here are some John highlights:
~ Halloween is John's New Year! It is the time of year that we move into the dark, where we plant seeds that will be nutured over the next few months and manifest in the Spring.
~ Shiva Shakti Tantra is a blend of the the northern India's Shaivism and South India's Goddess teaching.
~The essence of helping people is love, duh! Too bad not everyone is aware of that.
~The viels get thin at this time of the year between the absolute and the relative worlds so we have more access to spirts. This is the week to learn how to become more physic.
~Being tight leads to dullness of life. In yoga you learn to be sensitive and feel more, be more in tune.
~Be open to what really is without preference.
~You are more vulnerable when you are tight and contracted that is why being open is so important We can move through life with more ease and grace.
~Most people will come to yoga as their last resort for healing and Anusara teachers are highly trained to meet them where they are and help them to shift their attitude, line up so healing can happen.
~Working on your feet can clear your hole body because they are full of terminal points.
~RICE is an old way of treating injuries. John teaches therapies from a sprained ankle, a hip replacement, falls, breaks, everything!
~The body holds memories, they come up and are released with these therapies when the body is ready to let them go, it can take some time.
~ You have to be ready and willing to drop old ways of seeing yourself. If you are ready to do that then we are here to serve you.
-What seems chaotic is not. Naure is full of patterns, even raindrops have a pattern when the fall.
-The universe communicates in ways that you are not expecting.
-om should be chanted with an ng sound at the end and your mouth open, even though John had been teaching it with the mouth closed for years. Because he is open to learn something new.
- Any yoga pose is a double edge sword. Healing or hurting.
-Yoga is living with excellence. Everything we do we do with awareness.
-Bandha not a lock but refer to the locks you would see in waterways, they are channels that direct the prana.
-Question authority or paradigms!
-You can become allergic to oats if you eat oatmeal everday for breakfast.
-You can`t change what you don`t notice.
-muscle cramps happen because musclar energy and organic energy are not balanced.
-Prana is the messenger of the mind.
-MS research shows a connection to eating wheat! No wheat Mommy|

okay so there is about 20 more pages of notes. That`s all the tid bites for now! See you in London on Wednesday morning.

Meditation in New Mexico

I'm at the Toronto airport waiting for my flight to Sante Fe. I always get a bit nervous when I fly but I have found several ways to help me get through it with more ease. In 2003 I was taught a meditaiton that I used for 4 years with great benefits.

These days I meditate on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. I have to tell you his works like magic for me. Meditation is a tool to help foucs the mind. Many people think that the purpose of mediation is to stop your thoughts. Ask anyone who meditates if that is possible and I think they would tell you that you can't do it.

Instead meditation can be used to redirect thoughts, for example using a mantra. I find the use of a mantra helps remind me of why I am meditating and what I am meditating on. Most cities have meditation groups which can really help you get started. I love to mediate with others since it feels so powerful. I am happy to sit quietly and use my mala beads, like right now in the airport or on the plane or perhaps ontop of a moutain of rose quartz in New Mexico.

If you are interested in following my journey I thank you and I will share as openly from my heart as I can.

May all being be happy, free and at peace,
om,
mindy

It feels so good to expand my boundries!!!

I am having a bit of a hard time typing since I am still buzzing from the yoga practice we did this morning. A few months ago I was randomly inspired to go deeper into my yoga poses and really breakthrough the places in my body that I feel are stuck or tight. I found the tightest place in my body is right behind my heart, that part of my spine has been the most stubborn to move, but not anymore. I realized how much hard work it takes to get into that place and I am more than willing to do it after feeling my heart fully open and expand.

There is nothing easy about the path of yoga! Yoga is not a casual effort you make every now and again. If you truly want expansion then you must apply the right-effort and not passively sit by the side-lines of life waiting for something to happen. Year after year the deeper I go into yoga, the more I learn about myself, my fears, my limitations, my boundries and by knowing that I can safely, slowly expand from there.

Today I was surrounding by some of the most amazing yogis in our community, committed to practicing 128 poses in a row, it was very very difficult, we were at our boundries and we smiled when we radically expanded from the place that we started. I have said this many times, I have NEVER been the same and neither has my yoga practice since doing the 3 Anusara Syllabus series from beginning to end. I hope you will be inspired to join us next time.

Smiling from the heart and through every fabric of my being,
Mindy
Check out the making of the Anusara Poster with the amazing Darren Rhodes

Life Changing Experience

After a full week of recovery I am almost, but not quite back to normal. A seemingly harmless change of hair colour translated into a severe allergic reaction including my entire head swelling, a visit to the ER, headaches, body aches and not being able to go to work. Not only was this a physical journey but an emotional one.

I care about the way I look! Is that because I was born with an ego, I suppose but I know that my ego is part of who I am and I don't need to transcend my ego to reach Self-Realization. The ego can play tricks on our minds but we must learn to redirect the ego back to our true nature. I am aware that I am aware! I am joyful that I am awake! Pratabhijna is the splendor of Self-Recognition, when the individual self, realizes the Universal Self, and that can be recognized in this moment, right now!

Sicknesses, injuries, traumatic experiences, loss at situations in which we can become cloaked, isolated, depressed and it leads to a feeling of disconnect. That feeling has haunted me for the last week but as I heal and move forward instead of just looking at this experience as horrible, I am looking at how it connects me back to the big picture again. What have I learned about myself? What work do I need to do to stay connected? Every experience is a learning opportunity and I am taking my time to figure out how I will expand my own consciousness from this particular experience.

I know where all the guys are!!!

I figured out where all the guys are when their lady counterparts are at yoga. So where do you think they are? They are at hockey, that's right hockey. I was just a two Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie games and it is full of guys and if they weren't at the game they were likely watching it on tv.

So how do we inspire our male consorts to start stepping it up and doing some yoga? Suggestions? No really please tell me!!! It is strange that most of the yoga classes are filled up with woman with a few men sprinkled in. I love when there are more guys in the class, it does help to balance the feminine energy, plus the om and innvocation sound so much better with their deeper tones.

I guess we need to bribe them to come, tell them you will go to a hockey game with them if they will come to yoga with you. That seems like a fair trade to me. Let me know how it goes or I can't wait to meet your boyfriends, husbands and friends at yoga very soon.

Yoga is not just for women, humanity needs this practice!

Peace,
Mindy

Iceberg Effect

Unlike El Nino which is a warming effect, the iceberg effect it a a chilling experience. You probably already know this but please let me put my 3 years of University to some use here. Only the tip of the iceberg is showing on the surface, one ninth to be more specific, hence "this is the tip of the iceberg" saying. I am not really relating this to physical Geography although I find that all intriguing, but instead I am referring to the mystery of life and the ways in which we see the tip and then remember and relive our problems and our past.

When I look back into the past, I recount this memories of friends and experience that I can conveniently categorize by the tip, the one person that reminds me of the other people I used to hang out with because of that one person, or the stories tied to that particular iceberg. That person only has to grace my mind in a passing thought and I remember the entire iceberg below.

The mind creates pathways through our habitual thoughts and our experiences so it makes sense that we may have a hard time seeing the big picture or we are reminded of it just by seeing that one person from our past. It doesn't depend on whether the person represents a "positive" or "negative" our minds will flashback to the past and all the sorted details of the relationship.

I remember hiding from an ex-boyfriend since I didn't want him to see me, even though I could see him, all the while I am fuming "he's this,that, ahh that one time he did this to me, and so on and on and on and on. That can go on for some time, if we let it. Then we have a Titanic situation on our hands, we see the iceberg, we are heading right for it, then boom, you know the rest. So have can we steer out minds in a new direction?

I suggest yoga, I know big surprise for some of you, but really, yoga gives us a chance to re steer our minds, habits, attitudes toward something better, like the setting sun on the ocean. Through yoga we can learn how to hold the image of a challenging person in our hearts, minds, and bodies with space, maybe even forgiveness. Easier said than done, like most yoga. It is really in the practice that we create a capacity to actually do it, without it make no mistake it is far easier to see the tip of the iceberg and then dive deep into your mind and pull out a bunch of painful stories of betrayal, hurt and abandonment.

Metta is the practice of loving kindness. It can be a way to help you move on from your past, cut the ties to that iceberg or at least admire their beauty from a distance without steering right into them. This is not something I feel can happen on your first attempt, I am quite certain it can and will take some time to learn how to steer your ship so be patient, open, soft and even forgiving toward yourself. It might help your cruise through your day a bit easier or at least without catastrophe.

happy travels and much metta!
Mindy

Anusara Video - The Heart of Transformation

I was super excited to come home yesterday and see my shipment of the new Anusara movie. I snuggled up last night after a wonderful weekend in Buckhorn lake, getting deeply connected to nature and nurturing myself as I transition into Fall. The movie was great, I just love to hear John speak and it was awesome to hear all of the other teachers talking about their own personal journey with Anusara. i can relate to almost all of the other teachers and also the love that we all feel for John and the work that he is doing for our community. I really want everyone to see this video so you have a deeper understanding about what this is all about.

What Anusara is about for me is a way, a method, a opportunity for me to live more fully from my heart. Easier said than done. I realize I have more work to do but that it is just getting better and better as I go. One day I hope to be in that circle of teachers, closest to John because I truly believe that we can all change the world but that it begins within our own community. Every time I teach a yoga class my intention is to bring my students into the sacred space of their own hearts, the place of a connection to something bigger, to have a moment where they accept themselves as they are.

I can only offer my humble gratitude to my teacher Todd Norian that once told me in the midst of my confustion...."Mindy you just have to follow your heart." Once again easier said than done but since that was over 5 years ago I really trust my heart more than I ever have and it has only lead me to bigger and better things. Does that take courage, discipline, effort, you bet it does but when these moments of total delight follow you know in your heart it is so worth it.

I am heading to Sante Fe, New Mexico for more John and I can't wait!!! I appreciate everyone that has been supporting me on this journey and I can't wait to support you on your path however I can. Follow your heart today and you will be transformed.
om
Mindy

Kula

I used to think I could teach myself everything I needed to know about yoga from books and through home practice. I know that although I deepened my understanding of yoga and myself by doing that, I was also very limited in how expansive I could become alone. This is where Kula and community comes in. If you have been coming to my class lately I have really been trying to hard to inspire community, let me clarify, meaningful community in my classes and the studio. Without yoga friends this can be a lonely path. I love love love the community that we are building at The Mindful Body. I hold it in the highest light. I have seen friendships begin, old relationships end, love bloom and kinship of a special kind at the studio and it truly touches my heart. The bottom line is you need to get involved in the community, even if your shy, I get it but smile, say hello, take a chance to meet someone new every class, and you will see that it gets easier. I want students to know that most of the people that come to class would probably never crossed paths in this lifetime and to understand that not only have we crossed paths but I am honoured to walk beside you, as a teacher, student, and a friend. Love to my Kula, lets grow our community. Please bring your friends to a free class the entire week from Sept 7th to the 11th and spread the love!

Lululemon Ambassador Summit highlights!

It's been almost 2 weeks since the summit in Vancouver and I am still lit up over the entire event. First I have to offer my deepest gratitude to everyone at Lululemon that believed in my to send me there to be a part of this event. I am so grateful to be part of the Lululemon community and it has only grown since being in Vancouver connecting on a deeper level to what Lulu is all about. The entire Summit was about ways in which we can elevate our communities. So hear it is folks, what do we need in our community to elevate it?? I agree London is a bit on the conservative side so what can we/I do to inspire greatness here? I want to know what you think. If you have any suggestions for me please speak up, I want to serve this community the best that I can.
I was also amazed and blown away by the other ambassadors, wow what amazing people!!! I had 3 Olympians at my table when I was eating breakfast, total honour! I have to give a huge shout out to the Ambassadors in our community Dave, Lisa, Heather, Brian sorry if I missed anyone but what a true honour to be in each others company.
So apparently Lulu likes to break the mold and rules!!! I guess that is one of the reasons I like this company so much. They are not afraid to be themselves, and in order to shift people from mediocre to greatness sometimes you just have to! Not everything fits nicely into a box or label so Lulu's are always thinking outside the box for creative ways at making this world better! So cool.
Peace my lulu friends and yogis in our community get down there and pick out a nice outfit, support our local store, you need to know how much this company gives back!!! Not to mention I saw how much work goes into making one sports bra and it is so impressive. okay now i'm done!

Yoga at the Beach

I just had a great weekend with some great friends at the beach. One of the reasons I like the beach so much is that I love doing yoga in the sand. Sure you are giving up some of the stability of the floor but the sand is a soft catch if you try a new pose and fall over. I did my very first drop back on the beach and maybe some other poses too. Yesterday all three of us were in a line doing headstand, how fun?? Warning, you may get some strange looks but people are really just curious and want to know what your doing? Last Thursday we had a group of kids watching us and clapping when we did handstands and arm balances. Before you know it you will see kids and adults staring to give it a try too. I think seeing a group of adults laughing, hula hooping, spinning poi, swimming and laughing is so great for the next generation. You choose how you participate in the world so choose well and have fun :)
Blessed to have great people in my life and to live by the beach,
Mindy

Beloved Anusara

I too like so many other students and teachers passionate about Anusara and John have felt the desire to say something about the article written by the New York Times. If you have not yet had a look then be sure to check it out. I don't feel that the author was truly able to capture what Ansuara is all about. In fact it is very difficult to capture an experience or to speak from your heart clearly about it.

Our London kula traveled to Detroit to study with John when the Times were shooting pics of the class. There are so many things that tugged on my heart strings about they way it was written I needed some time to process and step back. After coming back from Paris and having the joy of getting to spend 7 days with John (the most amount of time since I first met him back in 2007) was an absolute expanding experience. John is a source of light, knowledge and love for those that choose to walk with him on this path.

I believe that the article did a crappy job of truly describing what John has created, which in my opinion is a style of yoga that touches your heart, spirit and opens the body. Before yoga I suffered like many others from addictions, like an eating disorder, shopping addiction, gambling issues and many others and only really truly began to heal my life when I was introduced to Anusara Yoga. I had tried and was also passionate about other styles of yoga (particularly hot yoga and vinyasa) when I first started in 2003. I found that the Anusara teachers (Todd Norian and Ann Greene) were so welcoming of me and supportive, I remember sitting in awe at The Toronto Yoga Show in 2004 at how many people were going up and hugging them both. I knew exactly what they were talking about after spending only a few hours as a student in the loving guidance. I gained so much clarity on yoga were I felt more confused then ever by studying all the different types with the subtle but powerful underlying philosophies.

In the article the author refers to John as 'doughy' and I think WTF, how can you talk about this man that has helped so many of us on so many levels heal and love life, how can you call him 'doughy'. John is an unwavering presence at the core of the Anusara system. He created a yoga that frankly works miracles of healing through his no nonsense biomechanical and yet deeply spiritual teachings. I have healed not only my injuries but my heart with Anusara and the amazing teachers that I have been blessed with.

I am sadly guilty and working each day to grow as a student and teacher when speaking of other types of yoga. I don't feel any shift, or do some yoga teachers even mention why I am practicing yoga, what are the deeper meanings or even say anything at all about spirit, in fact some yoga teachers are told not to talk about it in their classes. Again I have to question that. I have been to yoga classes with "certified teachers" that don't have a clue about alignment and actually set their students up for injuries some very serious. I have been adjusted out of good alignment by teachers but never an Anusara teacher. I went to a class in Windsor where the teacher was blasting Lady Gaga while showing us her vinyasa home practice, blasted by heat dishes at the front of the class, while the rest of the class lingered in what I see as dangerous alignment.

Part of the Anusara system that is so powerful is the certification process. If the teacher is certified I know I am going to have a great class, learn, expand, meet new people, and other than that I just don't have confidence in some of the yoga teachers out there. I don't question that their heart is in the right place and they truly want to serve their community but they don't have sufficient training or any at all for that matter. As a student first I have been to some horrible classes and with the rise of yoga's popularity it seems to me like that is more and more common.

I am a huge spokesperson for Anusara since yes like many others my life has evolved in a way I never ever thought possible and I send my deepest, sweetest gratitude to my teachers Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Martin Kirk, Noah, Tara, Ross, and so on.... and especially to John for all that he has done for this world. He deserves all the successes that he has and if you are open can teach you how to remember your own worthiness and live an inspired, fun, happy and healthy life too.

Peace and blessings,
Mindy

Here is the article
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/magazine/25Yoga-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

Gratitude

Well I am happy to be back in Canada, with my family (pug and Marty). We were in Paris for almost 2 weeks and it was so spectacular. What a radical expansion it is to visit a new country, see their culture, eat the food. We saw so many things that were new I can barely keep it all straight, it seems like a blur. That trip to Paris was a huge marker for me and what I dream of.

I am closer and closer to getting certified. Each time I study with John, I get it more and more and more. John Friend is one of the most inspiring yoga teacher that has walked this planet. What he does every day is so amazing, that it is truly a blessing to be able to spend my time learning and growing under his watchful eye. My dream means that I must travel and Paris was a stepping stone on that path. I am planning to go to the next training with him in New Mexico and by then will be almost ready to write the exam and take the next few steps on this amazing path of teacher training.

Now that we are hope, I am so grateful for no-smoking by-laws. It seems that so many people smoke in Paris, old and very young. I was a bit taken back by it all, it made me feel sick many times. I rode the waves of health from a terrible cramping episode the day before the training, that had me bed ridden, possibly from drinking the water, but not sure, to moments of feeling great, followed by well more sickness, throwing up and just feeling out of sorts digestion wise. Back home I am so grateful for all the food, veggies and fruits that was have access to and especially the kitchen. Food is so important, we must enjoy what we eat, who we are eating with and how we are eating.

om peace,
Mindy

From Paris with Love Vol.3

This is such an amazing place, I am loving my time learning from John and all the other students here. I have noticed that at times I am so emotional, i just start to cry, tears that are truly originating from a deep gratitude to be able to recieve this knowledge from John. I know, just like in the past, that every time I step fully onto the path of Anusara, I am a new person, stronger, more sensitive, more attuned, more physically aligned.

We just got back from the Eiffel Tower where there is a huge line up to take the elevator up, but a small line up for the stairs. Today was hot, the hottest it's been since we have been here and I was all for taking the stairs. Staris are a really good idea since it has been very difficult for us to find food other than the amazing fresh breads and cheeses and I am pretty sure that I will be bringing back some extra weight from Paris and it is not from souveniers either. Everyone enjoys the experience of food here, we are too but honestly I miss my juicer.

bon soir,
Mindy

From Paris with Love Vol 2.

I did intend to blog much more but it is so amazing here I am just always out taking everything in. We went on a bike tour (crazy, I will NEVER EVER complain about traffic and the drivers in London, you would know if you have been to Paris). The bike tour ended with an awesome boat ride on the Seine River and through Paris highlighting all of the amazing buildings that make the Paris skyline so amazing. The Eiffel Tower sparkles with thousands of lights every night on the hour, it is beautiful!!!

Now to update you on the Teacher Training with John. The training is going amazing. Each day is intense and full. The room has about 130 students from 17 different countries (there are a few other Canadians, woowhoo!!!!). There are translators for both French and Spanish. We have begun doing some practice teaching and each day it gets a bit more layered. I was finally able to make a comment out loud in the class, I was sweating, my heart was racing and my face was beat red. I have so much respect for John and this system I always want to be clear and speak intelligently. He is randomly calling on us to get up in front of the room and teach. I pray that he asks me and that he doesn't know I am there at the same time.

He is so supportive of all of the students and we have been speaking a lot on Adhikara, which is studentship. It is important for you to know what type of student you are since the amount of knowledge I can share with you depends upon your desire to know and ask questions. I promise to be the best student always, so that i can better serve all my students. This training only solidfies why I am here, why I am teaching yoga.

For all my friends and kula back home I am sending you love everyday! I am dedicated to this system fully and will stay focused on every detail while i am here. Please stay cool, I hear that there is a wicked heat wave back home. Breathe in through you mouth making a small o-shape (like sucking air up through a straw), this can help cool your body temperature.

Missing you all,
Mindy

John Friend in Paris

I am always amazed but never surprised at how everthing aligns. I have to begin by thanking you for sending me healing vibes yesterday. Just over 24 hours ago I was bedridden with cramps and feeling horrible. I posted that I was in need of some extra love and energy and show up for John's workshop and the first topic of discussion is how when we think of someone we can actually change their electromagnetic field. John's class was so great today! As soon as we sat to center he asked us what our intention was, what did we offer, what did we need? I needed to remember I am worthy, I am divine, I am healing with every breath and I immediately began to feel better when I aligned myself with something bigger than the painful cramps that still lingered. Now a few hours later and wine, bread, cheese and wonderful company with Marty and Robin I feel on top of the world. The Effiel tower is so amazing tonight, it is sparkling with tons of lights.
bon nuit mon amie,
Mindy

Paris Bound!

I am like a kid before Christmas, can't sleep, so excited to go on this adventure. This will be my first time in Europe, the longest flight I have been on so far and I am sharing this experience with Marty, which I know will make it even better. The main reason for his trip is to study with my beloved teacher John Friend. It starts off with a weekend workshop then 5 days of teacher training with him focusing on Shiva-Shakti Tantra. I am positive that I will return with some great stuff and can't wait to share it with you. Thank you everyone that has been supporting me on this journey toward certification. I will be blogging while in Paris so keep checking my blog for updates.

Au revoir mon ami...
Bonjour Paris :D

light,
Mindy

The Passing of a Yogi

I just found out some sad news, the passing of one of our community's yogi teachers, Calvin Hawn
Calvin passed due to a car accident early on Tuesday morning. Sadly I found out last night and instantly felt deeply saddened to hear about the end of this man's life. I started to see Calvin around at The Lotus Centre, in 2004 and have ran into him many times over the last few years. He always had a big bright smile and was always beaming with positivity. He started a Daily Gratitude that many people in our community followed on his facebook.
I realized that I have been very fortunate since I have not been affected personally with news like this for a while now, in fact since my grandfather passed in 2002. The end of his life is really just a new beginning. This past week I have been teaching my students about Karuna, the emotion of sadness. When we go beyond our own sadness, we move toward compassion. Compassion allows us to heal and to let go. The rasa of sadness, deserves it's place in our mind-body, but I take comfort in knowing this is all part of a pulsation, that joy will replace the sadness and then the sadness will return. If we understand our human experience so full of emotions, such a wild ride sometime,then we can remember the place within us that never changes, never dies, the place of pure, auspicious light, of peace, deep in our hearts. Every time I do yoga I connect to that place inside of me and through compassion to those around me. Sending love and light to Calvin Hawn, a wonderful yogi in our community that left a trail of light behind him, in order to remind us of our own light.

Veerya Rasa

This week I am teaching classes that remind us of our courageous nature. Each person will expereince Veerya Rasa - Courage in their own way. For some people it will be to taste a new food for others bungee jumping is just not enough so these rasa's are relative to one's personal life experience. You will be facing what you fear on your yoga mat, you may see or feel things coming up that are not pleasant but be courageous because you will uncover so much good stuff about yourself, you will touch a part of yourself that is a fearless warrior.

Roar today......

om
min

Abhuta Rasa

I had such a great time last week teaching about Abhuta Rasa. When we can just be in the unknown, present in the moment we are filled with awe, but as soon as we understand the how and why that feeling disappears. I believe it is important to acknowledge your feelings and emotions in the moment, to sit with them, to taste them, to be okay with them. If you give emotions space and acknowledgment then they can happily move through your body and they don't get stuck or ignored and because you are acknowledging them they will dissipate.

in awe,
Mindy

70 Birthday Salutations this Morning

This morning I continued the tradition of doing as many Sun Salutations as my age. Each one dedicated to that particular year of my life, from a thought in my parents hearts, to womb, to kicking and screaming, then growing up, tragedy, triumph, miracles, meltdowns, successes, failures, loves, heartbreaks, friendships present and past, perfect health, sicknesses, life, death, falling off bikes, climbing mountains, snowboarding through powder, dreams, desires, camping trips, University, Casey and Betty, acne, eating disorders, tattoos, road trips, yoga trips, yoga, light, dark, sandals, snowshoes, lakes, rivers, sunrises, sunsets, amazing ideas, very bad ideas, psychiatric hospitals, laughing hysterically, smiles, tears, promises, truth, lies, responsibilities, irresponsibility, awards, trophies, races, beaches, dinner parties, front porches, baby birds, beauty marks, hand made scars, laundry on the clothes line, hands in the wet cement, bike paths, double bikes, meteor showers, northern lights, asthma attacks, pranayama, jobless, best job in the world, single, engaged, soon to be married, happy, in love, proud.........

So many memories blasted through my mind in every round, there were moments during the sun salutations that I was sobbing, eyes soaked, sweating, smiling, laughing, talking to myself, talking to my dog, singing, chanting, feeling the support of the universe in the form of a warm breeze coming through the open windows, wanting to quit, wanting to keep going, heart pulsing, every cobra sliding through the patch of sun on the floor, birds singing...

I treasure my life now, then and always, and i am beyond grateful for all that I have, for consciousness, for love, light, peace and hope. Thanks for sharing this day with me in any form....
mj

Friday, November 26, 2010
Continuing Education Credits
November 26–28, 2010 Friday–Sunday 2 nights
Anusara Yoga® and Sacred Music: Optimize Your World
Amy Ippoliti and Shantala

Open your body, tune your vibration, and optimize your world. Join popular Anusara Yoga teacher Amy Ippoliti and international kirtan leaders Shantala, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, over Thanksgiving weekend and discover the powerful tools of Anusara Yoga, pranayama, meditation, and chanting. more …
This program is eligible for CE credits for athletic trainers, and yoga instructors.

I think this is the perfect bachlorette party!!!

The Radiance Sutras

Enter the space inside your head
See it as already vast,
Endlessly spacious.

This spaciousness that you are
Is permeated by luminosity.
Know this radiance as the soul of the world

Vijana bhairava tantra,
The Radiance Sutras

We can go so limited in our minds about our life. I can attest that yoga has opened my mind fully and has helped me discard my negative self-talk. When you soften, breathe, and turn into your heart you will be touched by the light that is always there.
Om
MJ

Anusara Yoga - Open to Grace

Many thanks to Darryl and Karen Bell for their support and vision to create such a beautiful video and include me in it. Karen and I had discussed this video over a year ago and now it is done. We are creating our own destiny's in every moment. The flowers that bloom in the garden now are from seeds planted earlier. Dreams can be realities if we nurture those seeds with love and mindfulness. Thanks for checking the video out.
Om peace,
MJ

Home Practice

I felt like just describing how excited I get to practice my own yoga at home. Today, I have two large windows wide open and the wind is blowing a freshness into the room. The sun is shining in the top corner of my mat. Every time I step onto my mat I am reminded of my nature. I am reminded of my freedom to live my life the way I am living it right now. I am not trying to escape the world around me through my yoga practice, instead I learn how to engage in this world fully. My home practice gives me strength and peace of mind, courage to expand my limits. Have you been on your mat today? What did you learn?
Om peace friends,
Mindy

Dedication & Commitment

I have always felt like I run out of fuel to stay committed to anything for long periods of time. Maybe I get bored or just don't stop "feelin' it" after a while. Whatever the reasons, I am pleasantly surprised at staying fully committed to my yoga practice. Yoga is an evolving practice so it is always interesting, I never get bored doing it. When I was younger I couldn't do the splits or handstands or anything like that but after even a year or two of yoga, I could! Or at least I was closer. Yoga takes a dedication and a commitment in order to see the amazing benefits in all areas of your life. So stick with it, let the fuel to stay committed come from a place in your heart, to be part of something bigger.
Peace on the path,
Mindy

Moment of Gratitude

I can't begin to explain how I feel about being asked to assist my teachers Todd Norian & his Goddess wife Ann Greene! It is such a privilege to work along side 2 of the most amazing teachers in the world. Every single time I get to see them or study with them I expand my mind ten-fold. I was introduced to them back in 2004 at the Toronto Yoga Conference. I was totally drawn in by their little write up about the workshop they were offering and it was everything they said it would be. I had so many moments of awakening that I had not EVER experienced in yoga before that. Something I have always hung onto was they taught me to spread my toes, my pinky toe in particular and something huge lined up inside me, it was an AH-HA moment. I came back to London telling all my students to spread their pinky toes!!!! I didn't quite get it back then but I got the feeling of Anusara and now I wish so much to teach that to my students. Hope to see you at yoga very soon!

Spring Cleaning

This Spring I have the urge to rid more than just weeds from the garden. How many habits, friendships, jobs do you feel zap your of energy? What would you do to gain that energy back? The last few weeks I have had to make some hard decisions, decisions that will hurt and upset people around me. I quit two jobs last month and I already feel that the energy that was stagnant is churning again. Without our careful attention we may end up with a garden full of energy-draining weeds.
Even more difficult than leaving a job is cutting out friends. If our friendships or relationships are more work than what we feel we receive are they worth it? Again difficult questions with no easy solutions. Just because it is difficult we still have to honour and recognize our place in this world, in our lives, we are in the captain's seat, we are steering the ship, we are ultimately responsible.
Sometimes I feel just like Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield as described in the most popular yoga text, The Bhagavad Gita. In this story, Arujuna faces difficult decisions on right and wrong and asks for God's help. In the end he is told to do his Dharma, his righteous duty and do it well, that inaction is action. I am choosing to act on behalf of my heart. I hope you also find peace in the difficult decisions we all must make on this journey.

Crazy Birds!

Maybe your someone like me, I see birds everywhere, all the time, all different ones. So I finally went to purchase a well known book called Animal Speak to find some answers about the ever present energy of birds in my life. I told my fiance all about the book and he has witnessed my bird thing many times in our relationship. As we sat and chatted about the book I went to turkey vultures, since they are always around me. They represent Purification-Death and Rebirth-New Vision. More details on the vulture to follow but first check this out!

Yesterday I was on my way to a massage, early morning and as I was stopped at a long light I saw a vulture off to my far left soaring around effortlessly as they usually do. Once I got to the massage I was speaking to my friends in their living room, I looked out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. I asked my friends, "do you SEE that?" as I point out the window. That same vulture had landed on the chimney of the house across the street. He sat there majestic with presence and formidable size, for quite a while as I told them the story about the book and my "bird things."

So here is some of the significance I have come to understand about that experience since I certainly believe well beyond a shadow of a doubt that , the experience has a deep message for me. This is from the book "For those with this totem, it speaks of a coming time when you will be noticed more for what you do than for how you appear," "If turkey vulture has come into your life, you will probably soon start to see auras and colours around people and things, if not a vulture can teach you." On levitation, the book says "It is a symbol of the disintegration of physical holds. It is a symbol of distributing one's energy so that gravity does not weight and hold one down-be it the actual gravity of the earth or the gravity of mundane situations and experiences."

Many things in my life have been shifting lately, friendships, jobs, opportunities and in the next few weeks I can see that continuing. I found this interesting as well, given my circumstances, "The turkey vulture has a highly developed sense of smell. They can find food simply by smelling if it is necessary. The sense of smell has been long associated with higher forms discrimination in metaphysical traditions. They can assist you in developing your own sense of smell that you can use effectively in all areas of your life. It will help you to decide whether or not something doesn't quiet smell right in your life." Whoa! This speaks so true to me and my current situations I have found so much wisdom, direction, and power to do what I need to right now in my life, for that I am so grateful.

Moving Onward & Outward

Well, I just gave notice that I am leaving another teaching job, that is 2 in the last few weeks. It became very clear to me with my busy lifestyle that in order take on new ventures I have to leave old ones behind. There is only so many hours in a day that someone can teach yoga. As a teacher if you don't practice yoga yourself you are undoubtedly going to experience some form of burn out. As the winds of change blow I set my sails and fly with grace onward and outward.

May all beings be happy, peace, peace, peace

What is MJ Yoga

Some people have been asking me what's all this "MJ yoga about?" And I say ask my mom!!!! She named me Melinda Jane. My understanding is the one grandma was Linda and the other Amelia, hence Melinda. I am honoured to be named after to amazing women.
As for MJ Yoga, my dream is to travel the world and teach yoga workshops, conferences and events so I am marketing myself as a Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher through this website/blog/facebook.

To Make a Difference is the Difference

I have a teaching job that began with a lot of uncertainty but has now turned into one of the most positive experiences I have had with teaching yoga. I knew I was going to teach teens, and not that I regularly follow psychics or anything but the one time I ever spoke to one, she told me I would be teaching teens. I tried for years at one place and it was great but it was not nearly as powerful as the opportunity I have at the moment. These girls are in trouble, weren't we all, but they are so young and now after 6 weeks way more open and trusting of me, I think that yoga can help them so much. Grace lead me there, literally her name is Grace, and I am happy to part of an effort to help our youth in trouble.

Super Green!

Have you noticed that everything blooming outside right now is so vibrant!!! The shoots poking out of the earth are the most vivid green I have ever seen. In the Spring, prana is concentrated in these new seedlings, growing taller and producing some of the most beautiful colourful blooms we will see all year. What is growing in the garden of your soul this Spring? Make time to remove old debris and self limiting behaviours so that new life may spring forward out of you....

Memories

I woke up this morning remembering how my mom used to hide easter eggs around the house for my sister and I to find and then some presents at the kitchen table. One of those gifts was always a dress to wear to Easter mass. I enjoyed the ritual of getting together all dressed up with family. It is so beautiful outside this morning the air is warm, the sun is clear, I feel like it is a good time to resurrect something new. I will make new rituals that are life affirming.

light and life,
Mindy

Long weekends

Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming outside. I was outside this morning with my fiance and puppy walking in the woods in the warm sun. Life is good! Long weekends help me to recharge, rest, clean and spend time with friends and family. This weekend we are getting together with friends since we both have no family around to eat and celebrate together. We have decided to have a raw vegan diner potluck, which is really challenging if your not used to making raw food. I am going to enjoy my food so much this week since next week I will be starting a cleanse.

Svadhyaya & Svatantrya

Through the practice of yoga we study ourselves very intimately. Self study - Svadhyaya is one of the niyama's as stated by the 8 Limb Path of Yoga. By studying ourselves, our reactions, our thoughts, our habits, our dreams we learn to better understand ourselves. This self awareness allows us to return to our true nature which is Svatantrya - Ulitmate Freedom. We are free to change our lives, to get a new job, to leave an old job, to wear whatever colour we want, to be a free thinker and spirit. Freedom is your birthright.

Om peace,
mj

Creating space

I quit a teaching job today. I was at this place for over 2 and a half years. It was time to leave and I knew it in my heart. I can only work if my heart agrees, if not it causes me to wilt inside. By leaving that job I feel like I created space for the universe to present me with a new opportunity to grow. I will be patient.