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