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