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hollyhrogers63

Musings From Holly Llama

My teacher from gobodhiyoga.com told me this, “I like to think of the movement between one yoga asana and another as the song of my practice, and each individual pose as the space between the notes that gives the intention behind the movements their personality rhythm and expression.” Syl Carson

      Sometimes my practice is smooth and fluid like her description of a symphony, and other times it is like rock music with choppy riffs and metal rhythms.  An excerpt from my journal.  July 2, 2019.

Vinyasa flow

I like to go slow – find the full expression of the pose – but I linger there, worried about what comes next.  At this point I intellectualize instead of keeping the mind/body connection.  I’m afraid I do this off my yoga mat too.  I stay to long where I am, even if I’m not comfortable, instead of using faith that I will know what is next.

     How can I take these insights from my yoga practice and apply them to my life, long after my mat is rolled up and put away?  The Yoga Sutras contain 196 threads of wisdom or threads of knowledge that help support a comprehensive yoga practice.  These nuggets of wisdom teach you to let go of attachments that are weighing you down, stop with the self- judgement and learn self-compassion instead. 

     The second book of the Yoga Sutras describes the qualities needed to change the mind effectively and gradually, from a state of distraction to one of attention.  Sutra 2:1 says the practice of yoga consists of three components: tapas (austerity), svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara pranidhana (unshakeable faith in the guiding and protecting power of God).

Image by Paul Bulai

Tapas means to heat; to glow; to shine; to purify; to fire; to change; to transform.  Accepting pain as a help for purification to acquire radiance of body and clarity of mind.  Tapas also refers to austerity, meaning undertaking the practices that puts your body and mind through hardship so as to expand your endurance. 

Svadhyaya translates to self-study.  Sva = self, one’s own inner reality.  Adhyaya = a chapter; a season or phase; a portion; a lesson; study.  The study of yourself through each chapter and season of your life, separately and as a whole.  How each chapter relates to each other. This is not study for mere logic, quoting or debating. The purpose of study is to become as a little child, humble and teachable. The sutras say we self-study through study of the scriptures.

Ishvara is the guiding and protecting force, divine providence.  Pranidhana = complete surrender; complete recognition; embracing tightly; keeping at the center of life.  When these are joined together it refers to having complete faith in the guiding and protecting power of God.  The last part of the Sutra refers to kriya which means action, effort to initiate with purpose.  And last yoga the process of acquiring a calm and tranquil mind.

Image by Swapnil Swivedi

     Definitely a work in progress.  Some days, weeks and years go better than others, but this is where the beauty lies. At any given moment in time, we may feel like we are not succeeding, only later to realize it was part of the plan to move us forward.  My thoughts from my journal, teach me I still need practice living in the present moment.  I linger in the past, and sometimes fear the future.  Trust and allow is what is needed. 

                                         Namaste Friends,  Holly

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The Four Faces of Avidya

Why are we always getting into difficulties in life?  Have you ever stopped to wonder if it is our perception that causes these difficulties? Our perceptions have a profound effect on how we experience life, they mold, shape and influence our personal realities.  Perception is a lens or mindset from which we view others, situations and things.  Often the perceptions that we have about ourselves and others are based on false beliefs, shrouded by thoughts of doubt, confusion and fear.  These thoughts create obstacles to our spiritual progress, and are at the heart of destructive behavior.  

Image by Brendan Church

     The Yoga Sutras, an ancient Indian text complied by Patanjali, gives us an insight into understanding the qualities of the mind, and how we perceive things.  We gather, organize, identify and interpret sensory information to create perception.  The way we interpret or understand something may not always be correct, creating a false perception.  Believing to be correct, we act, many times bringing pain to ourselves and others even though our intentions were good.  Just as equally challenging is the opposite, we interpret and understand a situation correctly, but we allow doubt to override our awareness, so we take no action.  This also creates suffering, for our actions may have been most beneficial.  The Yoga Sutras use both of these examples as opposite ends of a spectrum, the whole spectrum is known as Avidya.  Avidya translated means “incorrect comprehension”.  This idea of incorrect comprehension or ignorance describes both false perception of reality, and a false perception of Self. (The Heart of Yoga)

     Avidya is also described as a veil that covers the knowledge of who we really are.  Our true essential nature is clouded by the activity of the mind. Avidya may manifest as four different faces, or aspects that don’t always appear on the surface, and yet they are constantly swimming around in our unconscious minds, accumulated from our many unconscious actions. They all stem from ignorance. 

    • Asmita: Living from the ego…we mistake physical, emotional and mental aspects of the mind as the true Self. This is the face that we erroneously attach ourselves to;  believing self-image, positions, roles and possession we attain in this life identify us, but this is a false identity. Yes, a healthy ego serves us in this world to some degree, but don’t mistake it for who you really are.  Learn to recognize that everything is impermanent, except for the unchanging Self.  
    • Raga: The face of desire…attaching to and chasing that which is pleasurable, seems like the thing that will bring us happiness.  This is the illusion of raga, we become trapped in an endless cycle of seeking pleasure, and attaching to the impermanent. When raga is present, we might find ourselves being selfish, hoarding or clinging to transient things believing they contribute to our identity.  This perception that our worth is connected to the material world  only serves to feed our egos further blinding us to our true eternal nature. This veil of illusion is universal.  We are always wanting, or never satisfied.  If it were possible to see through this veil, we would see that the material world with its transient nature, presents obstacles for our growth and self-study, but is not meant to define us.  True contentment begins with an awareness of the impermanent parts of our lives, then learning to practice non-attachment from our desires in all their forms.  
    • Dvesa: The face of aversion…running away from and rejecting things.  When we have difficult experiences in life, we generally don’t have the desire to repeat them.  We may assume that  people, places and things that relate to these experiences will bring us pain again, so we avoid them.  I remember a personal experience like it was yesterday.  I have an aversion to hospitals. When I was six years old my little sister got hit by a car while crossing the street with my parents.  I was not with them at the time, but out of town with a friend.  I got the news of the accident, and was taken to the hospital.  I still remember walking through the parking garage, staring down at the zipper of my gray striped jumper, wondering if my sister Heidi was going to make it. My little heart was racing, I was so scared.
      Me and my sister Heidi
      Fast forward fourteen years and I am about to deliver my first son.   When we arrive at the hospital, I refused to get out of the car, as if staying in there was magically going to stop the baby from coming.  My husband finally convinced me to go inside. Most of what happened next was a blur, except I remember that I could barely breathe.  In this state, I felt like I was going to die.   We could go into the psyche, and the effects of PTSD, but that is not the point here. The point is, if we are always running away from and avoiding our dislikes, or constantly chasing pleasure, we are unable to see our problems clearly. Thankfully my husband was able to intervene,  but it took some time for me  to find a calm enough mind to see things clearly.  When I did, I was so grateful for the wise decision to go inside to have my baby.  Although it might have been a more exciting story to tell If my son was born in the car.   It is a calm and unagitated mind that can discern and make wise decisions.  When our mind is clouded with aversion it is difficult to see that the things we are avoiding may be just what is needed for growth and healing. Dvesa also shows its face as rejecting things that are not familiar, even though we have no prior history of pain.
    • Abhinivesa: The face of fear… the fear of death. This is a universal fear remaining with us until we die.  “We know that one day we will indeed die, yet our fear of death is deeply buried in our unconsciousness.” (gobodhiyoga.com) In its less primal form, abhinivesa show its face as the fear of aging or getting old, which is so prevalent in our Western culture.  This fear of aging keeps us from living a full and happy life.  No matter the money, time and energy we spend on the fountain of youth, aging will come to us all.  When we can change the perception around aging and embrace it as a rite of passage, joy in the aging process can return.  Wisdom comes from life experiences; this takes time for experiences to ripen into wisdom.  It is not just the fear of death, fear is also expressed in everyday life.  From having doubts about ourselves and abilities, to being judged, unaccepted and criticized. Our fears keep us playing it safe, at the expense of having a fuller life.  When we can come to an understanding that death is part of life, our perspectives can be widened.  Understanding that the only permeance is the Spirit, and that you are eternal can help reduce the impact this fear can hold over you.    

      These four faces of avidya, either working together or alone cloud our perceptions and create suffering.  Collectively they are known as the “Five Kleshas” or five causes of suffering (avidya, asmita, raga, dvesa, abhinivesa).  At any given time, the five kleshas can be inconsequential in their influence, to causing complete blindness of our true Self.   The Yoga Sutras say we suffer, because of the illusion of separation between our individual consciousness and our connection to God consciousness.  God is always within us, but we don’t always know who we are.  We confuse the physical reality as the only reality, losing sight of the true, eternal and imperishable reality.  We can work with the five causes of suffering by first understanding them, acknowledging them, and reflecting on how their seeds grow into suffering.  When we can see something clearly with “correct knowledge” the veil of avidya is lifted and a profound peace is found inside.  From this place we come to know who we really are.

Image by Ainsley Myles

                                                              Namaste, Holly

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A Three Year Journey

Three years ago, I embarked on a personal journey of self-study.  That desire led me to sign up for a yoga teacher training with Bodhi Yoga(gobodhiyoga.com). My intention for the training was to learn and deepen my own personal practice, which at that time was more directed towards the physical aspects of a yoga practice.  I was not exactly sure where it was going to lead me.  I knew that yoga was such a broad and vast subject, but I really had no idea how broad and vast.  I really did not set out to teach yoga at that time in my life, and I see now that the decision to take the training was mostly driven by my ego.  Funny to reflect back on that now, for at the time that was nowhere in the forefront of my mind.  There was a second driving force, that was not attached to ego, a seed in my heart for the love of the practice in its many forms.  This has been what has sustained me over the last three years.  I have completed three other trainings before finishing this initial one that I started.  Why, you might ask has it taken so long to complete the first one I started?  Truthfully, it has taken time to process the information to the point where I felt comfortable enough to share.  This was a personal journey, not the physical one that I started out on.  Through the past three years, physical things have come and gone, pinched nerves, sore stiff muscles, and a cyst removal.   I have had two whiplashes, a concussion and joint pain to say the least. The physical practice has waxed and waned, but the spiritual practice has ever increased.  Through study, blogging and deep introspection I have truly grown.   I have faced some of my greatest fears around being vulnerable, and putting myself out there for judgement.  Scary as it was, I’m still alive to tell you about it. 

    I have in no way arrived, but am still traveling on this journey.  There are still obstacles to overcome, dragons to slay, and treasures to find.

I feel so much gratitude for those who have gone before, and walked the path to enlightenment, to show me the way.  My Savior, who teaches me how to change my heart, and redeems me.  The Buddha who teaches me how to change my mind, and my thoughts.  Patanjali who gives practical tools to overcome obstacles and illusion, and many, many teachers for their wisdom, and kindness.  The path of yoga, that leads to a union with God is a path worth taking.  May you enjoy your journey.

PS.  And a special thanks to Syl Carson for her love of the practice and her gifted way of teaching.

                                                            Namaste,  Holly

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The Guru

As part of my Yoga teacher training, I was required to watch a couple of controversial documentaries.   “Wild Wild Country”, in which a guru builds a utopian city in the desert of Oregon.  Many middle-class families, as well as others joined this group, only later to realize they were entering what some called the “heart of darkness.” Second in the lineup was the Documentary, “Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator.”  This documentary examines the rise and fall of the founder of Bikram Yoga.  Bikram Choudhury a very charismatic yogi/guru who built his empire on manipulation and abuse of all kinds. Ironically, many have turned a blind eye and excused his behavior, because they want to separate the man from the teacher. Meanwhile, many still flock to Mexico and pay high prices for training, just to get a chance to meet him in person.  SAY WHAT!  The list goes on. Kundalini master, Yogi Bhajan, Pattabhi Jois, Kausthub Desikachar, John Friend and others all accused of sexual, mental and emotional misconduct, all while exploiting their positions of trust.   

     Truthfully the thought of all this disturbs me, and I cannot deliberately look the other way.  I ask myself how has the role of guru become so tarnished?  Perhaps because of all the exploitation and desire for control and power over others.  It is hard to say, but what we do know is the traditional one-on-one guru-student relationship has been changed by globalization of Today’s Modern Yoga.

     Guru derives from a Sanskrit term meaning “profound,” “dense,” “heavy,” or “weighty.” In Indian tradition the guru was the teacher, guide, expert or master within a certain field of knowledge.  They were divine teachers, and dispellers of darkness and ignorance.  Their disciples developed trust in them over many years of instruction, as the seeker wished to discover the same potential that the guru had already realized.  The guru also served as a counselor, to help mold values and spirituality.  Conceptions of the guru vary as well, from one who can grant liberation to one who is a guide who shows the way.  

Finding A Genuine Guru

     If you desire to become a spiritual seeker, and to know the truth about who you really are, the help of a Master or a true Guru is desirable.  Someone who can help you with spiritual development and self-realization.  In this day and age, it may be difficult to find a reliable authority to be your Teacher or Guru.  It is not a trial-and-error process to find the right fit, nor is it based on how many followers or how popular they may be.  The true Guru’s desire is  to help you reach your own full Mastery.  When looking for a Guru, ask yourself this question…am I a sincere seeker?  Is the person I have been led to a true representative of God.  Do I know this within my heart, and would I put my whole life in their hands? Use caution, if anyone ask you to do some type of practice, be sure that the scriptures also recommend this practice. By scriptures I mean, sacred holy texts and revered writings. These holy texts contain teachings that have been tried and tested by sages, prophets and saints. Through study of these holy texts, we can seek to understand other religions, their doctrines, and teachings which have led many honest seekers to the knowledge of the Self.  Remember, there is truth, and the presentation of the truth.  Truth has to be presented through some form, whatever the form may be, it still must stand up to the truth. These holy texts are the standard to measure a true teacher.  Following someone or something blindly keeps you from thinking for yourself.  Ask questions, and watch the words and actions of those we hold in high esteem, their actions are a form of visual teaching.

     There are Teachers, Masters and Enlightened Masters.  Teachers may talk about higher states of consciousness, but they have not yet attained these states themselves.  Masters are those who have acquired skills and knowledge in certain areas, and are then qualified to teach or share that knowledge with others.  We can learn from the masters who are living or dead.  Their teachings can give us great insights.  Living Masters offer the advantage of personal interaction, and the ability to ask questions if they arise.  Finally, there are Enlightened Masters, but they are very rare.  These Masters have reached full enlightenment. They are in the world, but not of the world.  They can show you the way. 

Understanding Our True Nature

     A true Guru helps you understand that all knowledge is within you.  That you are more than just a physical body and a mind full of constant chatter.   Inside each of us is the true Self, the real Guru.  This may be interesting to some and confusing to others.  The Self is infinite, eternal and unchanging.  You are God’s handiwork, a reflection of his image.  As the Psalmist said so beautifully, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (psalm 139:14) It is in the battle ground of the mind that we distort this truth about ourselves. These misconceptions about ourselves occur when we do not have knowledge about this truth.  When we have ignorance of the true Self, we are ruled by our ego.  A life lived through the ego brings with it, attachment and selfish pleasure.  One way to recognize if we are operating from our ego is an awareness to the things we desire.  If we don’t have or get the things we want, jealousy and enmity show up in all their forms.  Attachment to things and the fear of death, keeps us clinging to our youth, rather than embracing change and rites of passage throughout our lives.  When we forget the truth of who we really are, suffering occurs.  A good teacher can help you understand the true Self by giving you tools for self-study and reflection, which promotes self-awareness, understanding and knowledge. (gobodhiyoga.com)

     Our first Gurus were our parents, then school teachers, professors, and clergy.  They helped us on our quest for understanding and knowledge.  On our life journey we may at some point desire a path that is more than just knowledge, a path of self-realization.  Can you do it on your own, yes, but a true Guru will help you remove the layers of ignorance that cover your true essence.

     If a Guru is what you desire, meditate with pure intent that you will be guided.  There is a quote that says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”  The true Guru will only teach from Pure Love.  Only pure light and love can come from them and it will be given in what ever form you need at the moment.  A true Guru will help you in the process of remembering who you are, without any compensation. The Guru can only show you the way, the path to Self Realization requires an act of will.  There is a wealth of knowledge inside of you, just waiting to be discovered.   

                                                                 Namaste, Holly

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Why We Sit

Meditation posture is important, why you might say.  Somedays when I have missed my meditation practice, I tell myself as I slide between the sheets.  “I will meditate right now, it’s quiet.” Inevitably I’m asleep in minutes.  It’s true, I can observe my thoughts and actions anytime, anywhere, this is helpful for my growth, and mindfulness, but it is not the same as developing a regular sitting meditation practice. 

     Does the seat we take and our posture play an important role in our meditation?  At the very basic level it helps keep us alert, and allows the spine to be supported by its natural curves.  This means the spine can hold the upper body erect with less effort.  In yoga we call this bone stacking.  When we slouch, the muscles have to do all the work.  When the muscles get tired, we want to move and fidget causing ourselves to get easily distracted.

     Not everyone is able to sit on the floor crossed legged. The ability to do this depends so much on your hip flexibility. Hip flexibility is developed over time, but if you want to start a sitting meditation practice here are some tips to get you started.

Give Yourself Some Support

      • A chair that doesn’t encourage you to slouch
      • A wall or piece of furniture you can lean against to stack your spine
      • A folded blanket to elevate the hips above the knees
      • A formal meditation cushion called a “Zafu”
      • A meditation bench (great if sitting crossed legged is uncomfortable)
      • A peaceful place in nature is good too

     Once you have decided to start a meditation practice, learning to sit with good alignment takes practice.  It is a skill to calm the mind, while keeping the body awake and relaxed.  The mind is like a chattering monkey, it will not become still until the body becomes still.  If you do commit to a consistent meditation practice, I would personally recommend getting yourself a formal meditation cushion.  These cushions are generally firm and allow your hips to be above the knees, allowing for proper alignment and comfort.  Sitting to meditate over time strengthens the abdominal and back muscles, and increases rotation in the hips. (gobodhiyoga.com)

Understanding the Seven Points of Posture

        1. Legs: The best seat to take, is the one that is the most comfortable for you. Below are a few examples of traditional seats for meditation, but a sturdy chair is great too.
        2. Pelvis and Spine: It is important to find a neutral pelvis.  What does that mean exactly?  Think of your pelvis as a bowl.  If you tip the bowl/pelvis forward or back too much it effects the natural curves in the spine.  When the pelvis is neutral the spine can stack in its most efficient way.  Try this, place your hands on the top of your hipbones. Rock the pelvis forward and notice what that does to your core and neck (cervical spine).  Now rock the pelvis back, what do you notice?   When you rock back, the low back curve is flattened and the back muscles are over stretched. Now see if you can find the place in-between, this is the neutral position.  From this neutral position, elongate the spine. Grounding through the sitz bones, lengthen the spine all the way to the crown of the head.
        3. Hands: Rest them in your lap, palms down.  This downward position helps relax the flow of energy in your body.  Using hand Mudras is also an option to achieve specific results.
        4. Shoulders: With the spine strong, allow the shoulders and muscles of the back to relax.
        5. Chin: Bring your chin level with the floor, this creates a very slight tuck of the chin.
        6. Jaw:  Allow the jaw to relax, the top and bottom teeth are not touching, and the tip of the tongue rests just behind the two front teeth.
        7. Eyes: Relax your eyes to a soft gaze slightly in front of you.  If this is too difficult, you can close the eyes.

     When we can maintain this upright vertical posture during our meditation practice, unnecessary tension in the muscles is released.  On a subtler level, when the external body is still, the internal body is released.  The more relaxed we can be, the more precise our awareness, so rather than being “asleep” we become “awake”, enlightened.  We can move from the head, to the heart, to our true nature.

                                                          Namaste, Holly

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Restorative Yoga

Believe it or not, each year the American Psychological Association surveys Americans about what stresses them out.  The survey is looking for both mental and physical stressors.  This polling started in 2007, and has continued to the present, giving us some ideas of the external stressors in our culture. It’s not hard to imagine that 2020 was a lot different from the past thirteen years.  COVID-19 being at the top of the list while uncertainty of the future, and education being disrupted were second and third respectively.  Other factors listed were:  work, finances, family, discrimination (perceived or real), and political conflict. These are just some of the external stressors.  Some internal stressors might include anxiety, depression-related disorders, illness, disease and trauma.

            Interestingly enough, there might be some good reasons we are experiencing more stress.  With the increase of technology, we interact with a greater diversity of people.  Although diversity is good, and creates better solutions to problems, it strains our brains and confronts our values.  In turn we have to figure out how to get along.  Perhaps we are comparing ourselves to the top 0.001%, where everyone is beautiful, rich and successful.  This is a recipe for stress and anxiety.   Our materialistic culture puts tons of demands on our time and resources as well.  Ugg…I feel tension just writhing this.

            In this fast-paced world that we live in, it’s nice to have something tried and true as a tool to destress.  In the past I ran my legs off like Forest Gump, which worked at the time, but was not sustainable.  Hiking was something I also enjoyed to renew my energy, but I couldn’t do this with out significant planning.  Then I discovered Restorative Yoga.  AHHHHH

What is Restorative Yoga?

            Born from Hatha yoga and perfected by B.K.S. Iyengar and Judith Lasater, restorative yoga focuses on replenishing and balancing your energy (prana) which has been lost or taken by the stresses of life. Restorative yoga comes from and Indian tradition, and uses props to support you in a passive way.  Many of the passive postures in restore come from the active poses that you might see in an Ashtanga yoga practice.  The yoga poses are held for an extended period of time, usually five to twenty minutes, with a focus on rest and relaxation. The philosophies of yoga apply to this gentle practice as well.  Learning patience, faith and devotion through practice helps you cope with everyday stress.  Restorative yoga is deeply relaxing when you are able to train the mind to be quiet, bringing about a sense of harmony.  The practice is receptive rather than active, and teaches the art of “letting go”. The practice leads to self-discovery as the mind and body find a state of balance.  In this balanced state you just might find what ails you.  Using the breath and external support as tools, tension and stress is released on a deep level, which promotes healing from within.

Physical Benefits

            Life is full of loads of repetition, unfortunately this can lead to imbalances. Taking the time to rebalance yourself also restores your energy.  Below are some additional benefits to this practice.

      • Promotes healing from injury
      • Disease prevention by reducing cortisol levels and glucose levels
      • Promotes hormonal balance in women
      • Headache relief
      • Calms and relaxes the nervous system
      • Reduce physical tension and pain
      • Supports over-all health and well-being

Psychological and Emotional Benefits

            Mental health, which influences our thoughts and actions, covers three ways we experience “well-being”.  Psychologically, socially, and emotionally.  These three areas can be affected in many ways.  One way we are affected, is a lack of energy.  This is where Restorative yoga can help. Taking the time to nurture your body, mind and spirit, helps unravel stress that has accumulated over time.  It works on a deep level to release emotions and energy that affect all aspects of us.  Through this therapeutic practice, our mental state and our emotional state can both be brought into balance.

How Does Restorative Yoga Work?

          Our bodies have an automatic response to danger, this is called the fight, flight or freeze response.  This enables us to respond quickly to threatening situations, even if those situations are psychological threats.  These threats affect each one of us differently based on our individual experience, the coping mechanisms we have acquired and our overall view of life.  Meaning, what we value, where our boundaries are and the rules and beliefs we have set for ourselves.  That being said, our systems spend a lot of time operating in the sympathetic nerves system.  This system can be described as the antagonist to the parasympathetic nervous system which stimulates the body to “feed and breed” and then to “rest and digest”.

            Did you know that the release of hormones that flood your body when you go into fight or flight must pass through your tissues and then be released into your urine before your body returns to normal?  This process takes about 20 minutes.  You need 20 minutes of respite to completely calm down. So, if someone tells you to CALM DOWN, say OK give be twenty minutes of peace.  If the stressful situation continues, your heart rate will remain elevated and your body will continue to pump out adrenaline. Your thinking will be clouded, you will be reactive even when you KNOW that a different response is called for.  Cortisol is also released; this hormone initially promotes survival and motivates us for success.  If the stress is chronic (ongoing) cortisol dysfunction can occur.  There is a large body of evidence linking the relationship between stress and pain.  Cortisol is a potent anti-inflammatory and glucose mobilizer, but if cortisol is constantly being released due to prolonged stress, it does the opposite producing widespread inflammation and pain.  Ouch!

            Restorative yoga aims to shift you from sympathetic to parasympathetic arousal.  Using centering techniques such as, breathing, meditation, supported yoga poses and visualization, to help you feel at ease in your body.  In this calm state the nervous system promotes healing, repair, immunity, and anabolic growth required for restored energy reserves and longevity.

            Moving at a slow pace that feels natural to you, an awareness of the breath is created. This triggers the parasympathetic nervous system to activate, and mitigate the effects of the stress response.  As your system begins to relax, an over all calming effect makes space for a heightened awareness.   In this heightened awareness, physical sensations, thoughts or emotions may arise.  This is part of the yoga experience, getting to know our true nature on a deeper more intimate level.  The focus is inward, away from worldly cares.  The practice becomes a safe place for self-exploration of who you are, what you want, and ways you can serve the world.  As I said earlier, the practice is passive and receptive.  The greatest benefits come from a releasing and surrendering, rather than a forcing.  Surrendering allows for acceptance of your individual limitations as well as your strengths. 

Restorative Yoga for Everyone

          Does restorative yoga sound easy?  Actually, it is an advanced practice, that everyone can do if they desire.  It is a journey into stillness.  It can have a profound affect on calming the overstimulated mind and healing the physical body, but it takes practice.  Releasing habitual tension, perceptions and sometimes painful emotions takes time and self-care.  Conscious relaxation is a skill to develop… a skill to un-wind.  When we can face things in our lives that we are avoiding, we can heal.  It is a practice that asks us to stop and engage, instead of running away or controlling.  Restorative yoga awakens what is called in Sanskrit “Ojas”, which means “vitality and Immunity”. (gobodhiyoga.com)

            On a physical level Ojas has the qualities of holding things together, providing support, substance and lubrication.  Ojas supports our emotional calm, our mental and emotional endurance, and allows us to feel deeply, to have the ability to empathize and to be patient and compassionate.  When we are in balance, we feel a sense of contentment.   The practice of restorative yoga gives us the opportunity to turn inward, helping us maintain these qualities.  Rest, nourishment and self-care are all so important in our fast-paced world.  If you find you struggle with restorative yoga you’re not alone.  Remember, restorative practice is practice, and with dedication the mind can be trained to focus and the body can learn to surrender. It is not a one-size fits all.  The practice gives you the opportunity to discover what works best for you.  You learn to see what you are avoiding, and in turn, what you embrace. Releasing tension and focusing on the breath are key to the practice.

Why I Love Restorative Yoga

          I can be a nervous Nelly, and tend to worry a lot about things that I can’t control.  I have a hard time being still, unless I intentionally set aside time, like vacation or meditation. I know it may sound like a coined phrase, but restorative yoga takes me from a state of “doing” to a state of “being”.  It gives me glimpses of quietude, and a calm state of mind.  I have learned many profound insights about myself, by asking honest questions.  In the end, this awareness has enlightened me and helped me on my path of transformation.  Like always, good luck on your journey. 

                                               Namaste,  Holly

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Mudras

What was the best part of your day today?  That one moment when you made a connection?    Today while changing my granddaughter Willow’s diaper, I looked her right in the eyes and said, “Do you know I love you so much!”  She didn’t answer, but made this sign with her tiny little hand.  My heart nearly exploded.  I asked her if she could please hold that while I took her picture, and she actually did.  Hands are more that just functional, the position her hand took   sent me a clear message…I love you too. 

     Our hands carry power and creative energy. With their sensitivity and dexterity we can manipulate all sorts of tools and instruments.  We can heal with their touch, or harm.  The intention we wish to convey can be felt in a single touch or gesture.  The hands are considered sacred, a masterpiece of divine engineering.  Throughout history the hand was viewed as a mini universe, with all the elements at play.  Each finger representing these principles.  The thumb/earth, index finger/metal, middle finger/fire, ring finger/wood and pinky/water.  These elements are woven through art and philosophy in the Chinese tradition.  In India a tradition similar to that of China emerged.  Ancient seers known as (rishis) discovered a connection between the hand and the Pancha  Maha  Bhuta (5 great elements).  The five great elements theory is used throughout East Asia.  It consists of fire, air, ether/space, earth and water.  Stuff of this world, but there is also an inner constitution of these five elements.  Balance between the inner and the outer natural world is said to create harmony.  Through years of research, experiment, and sharing of ideas from other Asian cultures, a large body of gestures known as Mudras came about.  We know quite a bit about mudras, because Hindu and Buddhist scholars wrote formal and systematic discourse in which gestures were described in detail.  They are also described in mythology and depicted in art and dance.

     Other societies in antiquity used “ritual gestures” meaning using the hands for worship.  In ancient Hebrew society, the hand was a symbol of one’s power.  In Egypt, the hands, head or arms were used.  These gestures may be the most difficult and complex to understand.  It is possible that a gesture can be interpreted in a number of ways.  Sometime the form and meaning may be very specific, and other times left for one to discover.

     The ritual use of the hand is laden with symbolism, and consequently a divine offering to the student who wishes to learn and understand.

Understanding the meaning and depth of Hand Mudras

      The word mudra translated form Sanskrit means, “seal” “mark” or “gesture”.  Hand mudras contain two parts, form and context.

     Hand gestures can be of ancient origin, or part of our modern culture.  A simple handshake, crossing our fingers, giving someone a “thumbs up”, or blowing a kiss are ways we communicate without words. Where these gestures first came from is perhaps a mystery, but these non-verbal acts have meaning we understand.  Our hands are the bearers of these important symbols.  Hand gestures encourage us to think deeply about possible meanings. For example,  Chin Mudra is formed by gently placing the tip of the index finger under the tip of the thumb, while keeping the other three fingers extended.   The pressure of your fingers should be very light, and your hands are relaxed.  Once the form is made, you can contemplate  the context if you would like.  The thumb is symbolic of universal consciousness (divine).  The index finger is symbolic of individual consciousness (human).  When the finger and the thumb connect there is a union. It is symbolic as well as energetic.   When meditating using chin mudra, the intent could be personal.  The finite part of ourselves connecting with the infinite self, or in a broader sense, our humaness longs to connect with the cosmic consciousness. 

     Mudra can be practiced any time anywhere, and may be easy or difficult depending on the flexibility of the hands.  Our hands can hold a lot of tension, which can also correspond with tension in the body.  Over time and with practice the hands will become stronger and more flexible.  Always remember mudra are healing and holy gestures, so treat your fingers with love and care.  These gestures can be used in meditation, pranayama (breath work), and asana (yoga postures). Mudra brings to mind how connected we are to each other, and to the practice. (gobodhiyoga.com)

want to Learn More

     Of course, there is a lot of information on the internet.   Some needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but if you are willing to sort through it all you can began to find some common threads of knowledge.  Here are some references I have found helpful:

Gertrud, Hirschi.  MUDRAS: Yoga in your Hands.  Samuel Weiser, Inc. 2000

Cain, Carroll.  Mudras of YOGA.  Singing Dragon; Crds edition. October 31, 2013

Cain, Carroll.  Mudras of India: A comprehensive guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance.  Singing Dragon; 1st edition.  July 1, 2013

     I love working with hand mudras and the centering, focus and connection they can bring to the practice.  Give it a try, I would love to hear your thoughts.

                                                                   Namaste, Holly

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Yoga is Not Just Stretching

Have you ever been to a yoga class for the first time, perhaps you are feeling a bit apprehensive to begin with, then you hear the instructor say… “Gently place your leg behind your head.”  Say what?  Your nervous system goes into overdrive, and you tell yourself, “I can’t do yoga, I’m not flexible!”  Seriously, this was not a made-up experience.  The good news is, you don’t have to be flexible to start a yoga practice, or to do yoga.  The more you come to understand the different structures of a practice, the more useful yoga will be as a tool for integrating wholeness.  (gobodhiyoga.com)

     The purpose of this article is not to explore the different types of yoga. See my article titled Today’s Modern Yoga.  The purpose here is to acquaint you with the varied structures of the practice that could be applied to any type of yoga.  The structures of practice can be used in various combinations or as stand-alone practices.  The aim is union, achieving a mind-body connection.

Warming Up/Tissue Preparation

     Not just specific to yoga, but any physical activity, begin by warming up and preparing the tissues of the body.  This helps prevent injuries by lubricating and loosening the joints, as well as increasing blood flow to your muscles.  In yoga we often use the chant “OM” as an effective way to begin preparing the tissues.  If it is your first time going to a yoga class, and this happens, don’t dismay.  This fundamental symbol of A U(O) M – “OM” used in the yoga tradition, symbolizes the three states of consciousness.  Waking state, dream state, and deep sleep.  The sound “OM” is an important exhalation exercise not included in our regular breathing exercises. (Int J Yoga, 2014 Jul-Dec; 7(2):104-110).  Chanting is a traditional way to begin to prepare the tissues, also incorporating gentle progressive movements.

Vinyasa (Flow)

     The word vinyasa translated from Sanskrit means “to place in a special way”.  Vinyasa is sometimes explained as consciousness in motion.  This structure of the practices teaches us to cultivate awareness as we link each action to the next.  For example, where would I want to place my feet, or hands or other body parts in relation to where I am now, and where I want to go.  This practice on the mat helps us in life as well.  The choices and actions I make now, determine where I will go in the future.  The insights we gain about ourselves on the mat, allow us to see a starting point from where we can take a skillful action.  Vinyasa can be used as a warm-up, or a stand-alone practice.  The structure of vinyasa can be used to compliment the individual or group needs.  Vinyasa is artful, linking asanas or postures together in a harmonious way.  When practiced with the breath a rhythm and flow is created.

Asana Practice

     What is an Asana?  An asana is a body posture, or translated, “the seat we take”.  The postures are the physical structure of a yoga practice.  Asanas provide context that creates a relationship between the external (physical) and the internal (conscious) landscape.  Asana postures are tools to improve strength, flexibility, balance and focus.  The postures are generally named after animals, sages, or nature.  When we place our body in an asana, we can begin to gain a deeper understanding of self, which in turn creates heightened consciousness.  Asanas can be incorporated into a vigorous practice, or the seat you choose to take may be simple…a restful posture for meditation.  This is personal, and based on your needs.

Pranayama Practice (Breathwork)

     The purpose of a pranayama practice is to strengthen the mind-body connection.  Through different breathing techniques you can build a relationship to “life force.”  What does that mean exactly? Life Force is also known in many traditions as energy.  Polynesians call it mana, a spiritual energy.  Iroquois Indians call it orenda, the Chinese refer to this energy as chi, and Indian traditions call it prana.   One way to balance and expand your life force is through control and training of your breath.   With practice you can learn to control the timing, duration and frequency of every breath.  Pranayama strengthens the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn decreases stress and lowers blood pressure.  Normally breathing is automatic, with very little thought, unless you can’t breathe.  Through pranayama you can choose to consciously take control of the breath.  Regular practice of breath control improves lung function, oxygenates your vital organs, helps your thinking and moves energy!  The amount of energy or prana that we hold depends on our life choices.   We can incorporate pranayama practices to expand prana and recharge ourselves.   Breathwork gives you insight into yourself, allowing you to increase and refine your vital energy.  Pranayama can be a practice by its self, or incorporated into the structure of a yoga practice.

Meditation Practice

     Part of a yoga practice is learning to steady the mind.  From ancient Indian texts known as the Yoga Sutras, Sage Patanjali states, Yoga is, “the ceasing of the fluctuations of the mind”.  Meditation is a different kind of work; it provides healing without physical exertion.  That is not to say it is easy, it takes discipline and regular practice to be effective.  With regular practice you can develop a capacity to open to the present moment.  When we take the time to quiet ourselves, we can gain an understanding of our conditioned patterns of thinking, many of which return us again and again to thoughts of anxiety, depression and limitations. Through meditation we have the opportunity to become aware of these patterns.  An awareness gives us the opportunity to make a different choice, rather that just a conditioned response.  Meditation develops a sustainably healthy mind, a mind that is able to be adaptive to the present moment with whatever circumstances that may arise.

     Meditation can also be a part of a physical moving yoga practice.  When the breath is linked to certain movements, a rhythm occurs, creating a meditative state.  This type of practice is often used before a seated meditation.  Our asana and pranayama practices need to be supporting us in a way to progress on the yogic path towards deep meditation. Often the postures become the focus and the breath no longer becomes the foundation of the practice.  The practice “should be steady and comfortable”.

Restorative

    The idea of Restorative Yoga as a complete stand-alone practice is fairly new.  Using restorative postures and restorative breath as part of the structure within a yoga practice is intelligence of action, known as (kratu).  Restorative postures used within a practice allows moments of rest and introspection.  Savasana, also known as corpse pose allows for rest and integration of the “work” done throughout the practice.  During this restful pose, the seeds of transformation can take root in your body on a cellular level.  In other words, you are absorbing the full effects of your practice.  Savasana can be used more broadly as a mindfulness meditation, and can be used after all types of exercise.  Having a moment to rest and focus on the breath restores your energy. 

     A practice of restorative yoga is nurturing, and is excellent for people with health challenges.  It is for stress relief and restoring the reservoirs of the body and mind.  Restorative yoga is unique in that it uses props to hold you in poses for an extended amount of time.   It is a receptive practice, not an active practice.

    Yoga is so much more than stretching, more than just physical exercise.  Yoga teaches patience, devotion and faith.  When you apply the teachings on and off the mat you are better able to handle the stresses of everyday life, bringing balance and harmony to your body and mind.  I have often heard it said, “the advanced yogi is the one who can let go of the “ego” and stay in their own practice.”   If you decide to join a class and the instructor cues, “gently place your leg behind your head,” you can close your eyes and breathe, all is well. 

                                                                                    Namaste, Holly

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Today’s Modern Yoga

Yoga can be quite confusing when first starting. You might wonder what type of class to take, what to wear, where to go.  In sharing with you some of my thoughts, my hope is to give you a little background to make it a bit easier to navigate the sea of choices.   By no means is this a comprehensive breakdown of yoga, but hopefully a simplified way to get your foot in the door of a yoga practice that might be the right fit for you. 

     Originally yoga practices that offered physical postures fell under the umbrella of Hatha yoga. Hatha meaning “force,” which alludes to the physical, and also traditionally offered a total life philosophy of an eight limbed path.  This path consisted of eight mind-body disciplines to be mastered.  From the Hatha method sprang other physical practices, many of which are listed below.  It’s important to understand, that the physical practice of yoga initially was secondary to the ancient practices of Pranayama (expansion of the vital energy or life force by means of the breath), Dharana (focus or placement of mental faculty), and Nada (sound). At the very grass roots level, the practice of yoga was to make and enjoy a connection to the Divine.  Yoga as a means of health and fitness has only come about since the 1920’s and 1930’s. As Yoga was influenced by Western culture, it grew into several contemporary styles. I once read that you could liken this new style of yoga to a graft in the tree of yoga, with perhaps a few roots to the ancient Indian traditions. Today there is a plethora of disciplines and linages in the marketplace of yoga. The question to ask yourself is, what do I really want to gain from a yoga practice?

Common Types of Yoga (Not a complete list)

    • Anusara:    Started in the 90’s by John Friend, a child of Hatha yoga.  Anusara focuses on opening to grace, with the idea of connecting to a higher power.
    • Ashtanga: A strict form of yoga progressing in intensity through six series.  Considered a very physical practice with a heavy focus on breath to movement.
    • Bhakti:  Also called Bhakti marga, a path of devotion.  It is a spiritual path or spiritual practice of returning to our natural state, understanding that God is in us and all things.
    • Bikram: Consisting of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Practiced in 105-degree room with humidity. Hot Yoga is a take-off of Bikram where the room is heated, but there is not a set sequence and the temperature can vary.
    • Dharma:  Fairly new form of yoga. Started by Sri Dharma Mittra, a student of Yogi Gupta. Dharma yoga blends techniques from Hatha yoga and numerous other styles, with traditional yogic philosophy.
    • Hatha: Traditionally a catch all phrase for any type of yoga with physical postures called asanas.  Including breathing techniques known as pranayama. Hatha yoga  classes are typically slow-paced with a focus on proper alignment.
    • Iyengar: Heavily cued with a focus on alignment.  This type of yoga uses props, such as blocks, bolsters, blankets, straps, etc. to help support and find a specific alignment.
    • Karma: A spiritual path known as the “yoga of action.”  The focus is not on physical postures on the mat, but rather “right action” in deeds in order to achieve purity and oneness with humanity.  This is done without any compensation.
    • Kundalini: First introduced to the West by Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini yoga is a combination of Breath, movement, and sound in the form of chanting or mantra.  The movements  are known as “kryias,” which encompass breath control techniques with exercises to achieve a specific outcome, mainly purification.
    • Prenatal/Postnatal: Adhering to postures that are safe for expectant and postpartum moms. This type of yoga practice also utilizes certain breathing techniques, and meditation to sooth and calm the nervous system.
    • Restorative: The main focus of Restorative Yoga is exactly as it says, to restore and recover your energy with the aid of props and slow gentle movement held for an extended period of time, in order to facilitate healing through stillness.  Learning to relax helps alleviate stress and helps release built up tension.
    • Vinyasa/Vinyasa flow:  Generally, a faster paced style where postures are linked together with the breath.  Focus is on the transitions between the postures, sometimes referred to as the “space in-between.”  This style can also vary based on the school and instructor style.
    • Yin Yoga: Slower-paced, meditative version of the yoga asanas (postures).  The postures are generally held for 3-5 minutes, to target connective tissues, such as ligaments. Yin Yoga traces its roots to China, founded on the Taoist theory of yin/yang, opposite concepts that together represent balance.  A Yin practice can be a compliment to a Yang yoga practice, such as many listed above.

     After reading through the short list of different types of yoga, you might still be scratching your head trying to figure out where to start.  My suggestion is, look for a beginning class.  Try different styles until you find something you enjoy and gives you the opportunity to progress.  There are many free offerings on-line, trial weeks at local studios and punch passes to get you started.

     Though not resembling the ancient yoga traditions in many ways, these relatively modern traditions still have their place.  Some may argue this is not so, I can only speak from personal experience as to what modern yoga has done for me.  “We need to learn from and honor tradition while developing our ability to listen to our own uniqueness and needs.” (gobodhiyoga.com) Finding the right type of yoga may be all it takes to get started on the path to a more integrated you.  Best of luck my friends.

                                                                             Namaste, Holly                        

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MANIPURA

Standing in your own personal power is easier said than done, right?  Last week in my yoga therapy session we talked about being the “Boss,” and within any given situation there is a dance of power.  Aggression or passiveness, dominance or submission, the victim or the abuser, each holding opposing truths. These qualities might also be viewed as strengths-weaknesses based on your perspective.

     The subject came up after working on a construction site building a lake house in Maine.  I traveled with my husband and the general contractor to put in a very full week of work.  Traveling across the country amidst a pandemic was a bit tricky, but we were able to get there and work.  I had been asked to come and help, because of my nature of constantly keeping busy and seeing what needs to be done. I felt honored in some small way to get the invitation to help.  I clearly was not the “Boss,” and spent six long days being bossed around.  I don’t mind hard work, and I’m grateful when I don’t have to be in charge, but I don’t enjoy being bossed around.  I was quite surprised by the emotions that came up a few days into the job.  I found my self getting more and more irritated as the week progressed.  Generally, quite tolerant by nature, I was annoyed with how much this started to bug me.  I was bugged that I was bugged!  After I had some time to process the experience, I realized that it was more about how a person talks to you than what they are asking you to do.

     Truthfully, I probably manifested this experience as a teaching moment…as I have been trying to write this article on personal power for several months.  Reflecting back on this situation, I think the thing that bothered me the most, was my own inability to be direct and state exactly what I wanted and needed.  “I’m happy to help, but please talk to me in a way that is not condescending.” Condescension is usually a tone of voice more than anything.  After evaluating myself, was I just being overly sensitive?  I tried to look at the situation with an honest, unbiased point of view.  I realized the Boss carries most of the responsibility, they want to do a good job.  They may have anxiety and feel the need to control the situation, completely unaware of the impact they might be having on others.  I also have a responsibility to myself.  This is where my personal power was lacking.  I never took the opportunity to address the matter in a tactful, nonconfrontational way.  I had already let my emotions get the better of me.  I was to afraid to be direct and specific about what was happening and how it was impacting my work and attitude.  I did not express what was bothering me, and what changes I would like to see, rather I just kept getting more and more agitated.

     In Yoga Therapy/process work I role played this scenario with my Therapist. The roles were reversed.   I played the “Boss” and he played me.  I was extremely bossy, and very annoying.  My therapist took it for only a few minutes, then role played back to me.  Very directly, and without too much emotion, he simply said, “I don’t like it when you talk to me that way.”  Sounded so easy, nope not always easy.

     Why?  Let’s talk about our personal power center, the 3rd Chakra known as “Manipura.” This Chakra is located at the solar plexus, and its purpose is transformation. The potential to bring change and growth to ourselves and the world around us, resides in this energy center.  Just like your digestive system transmutes matter into energy, the 3rd chakra houses your inner fire that is transformative.  This inner fire empowers you to move forward on your path with courage and inner strength.

     The first chakra gives us roots to our tribe and containment for our energy to flow.  The 2nd chakra is about the fluid movement of energy through emotions and connection.   The 3rd chakra transforms our energy into a willed action, using conscious choice directed by the ego.   I like to say the ego acts like our personal CEO, mediating between the external/physical, and the internal/conscious world.   Think of it like this, our psyches consist of three parts:  the conscious self, the unconscious self, and the higher self.  The ego is concerned with the conscious self. It is the “I” or “me,” and it is how we interact with the outside world.  Sometimes the Ego gets a bad rap, and in some circles said to be an obstacle to enlightenment, but a healthy ego allows us to mature with a loving sense of self.  It gives us the ability to solve problems creatively, become resilient, and develop meaningful relationships.    We were not born with an ego, this allowed us to be one with our mamma.  As we grew and learned to relate to those around us, we began to understand ourselves. Each experience began to shape our identity and taught us lessons about power.  Where do we get it?  How do we use it? Why do we need it?

PERSONAL POWER

     Authentic power does not come from external sources, it does not come from what we do, but from who we are.  The truth is, the Divine is in our DNA, it is in our biological system in seven stages of power that lead and guide us to become more refined and transcendent in our personal power (Myss, 2017).   Our power comes from a sense that we are autonomous, and we have the ability to consciously choose what is best for ourself.  Then using our will to act upon that choice, is how we develop healthy power. 

     Personal power does not come from playing it safe.  It is about choosing a direction of action, then acting.  Healthy actions stem from pure desires, not from the ego.  When our higher self is directing our actions, we can acknowledge that self-interest is part of our nature, and looking after ourselves is good. Equally important is practicing the principle of altruism.  When we are concerned for the welfare of others as well as ourselves, everyone gains.

     We need personal power to enable us to set strong yet flexible boundaries.  A boundary signifies where you end and I begin.  We learned boundaries when we were small, and they evolved as we grew.   Boundaries are essential for physical and emotional space between others and ourselves. They show people how we want to be treated – letting others know what’s okay and what’s not.

     Without a sense of personal power, we often say ‘yes’ when we mean ‘no.’  So often we compromise ourselves unknowingly.  We do this by following unconscious patterns when relating to others. We can lose sight of what it is that we really want, in order to be liked and accepted.  The fear of rejection or disappointing others keeps us from truly expressing how we really feel or what we value.  When we understand that healthy boundaries allow us to be true to who we really are, we can take personal responsibility in communicating to others that we have self-respect and self-worth.  Exercising our personal power protects us from being manipulated, used or violated by others.

The Misuse of Power

     The misuse of personal power often involves trying to get someone else to do or get something for us that we can but won’t do for ourselves.  Expecting others to make us happy, fulfilled, successful, rich, proud or complete.  When we don’t act as an agent for our own lives, we feel acted upon.  When we give our power away, we make others responsible for our success or failure.  We live our lives as martyrs and victims, resenting and blaming those whom we have given our personal power to.  Manipulation, aggression or control is often used to gain a feeling of power over another, in order to raise our perception of self-esteem.  Every human has the potential to abuse power.  When we take from others or diminish their power, we harm others, in turn harming ourselves. Like I said earlier, power is not a force to be used as a weapon to get our own way.

Manipura City of Jewels

     Manipura means city of jewels.  Our personal journey is to plant and cultivate the seeds of clarity, self-confidence, self-assurance, knowledge, wisdom and the ability to make correct decisions in our city.  A city symbolizes our individual interior with its complexities and inner workings, as well as its limitations. When our inner workings/city is balanced, energy flows freely and the effect is like a power station giving us vitality and strength.  This power station is the hub of the digestive process, both physically and metaphorically, transforming raw material into empowering energy.  (gobodhiyoga.com) Just as we would protect our homes or business against theft, we need to consciously be aware of what robs our personal energy.  When our personal power center experiences energy theft, the result is disempowerment. And now we are working from a deficit.  The energy we lack may be confidence, courage and will power.

Regaining Personal Power

     The key to regaining personal power is to recognize where and to whom you are giving your power.  STOP giving away your power just to please others and fit in.  If you are constantly chipping away at your self-worth, it is easy to become a victim. Ask yourself, are you taking a “victim” role?  If so, examine why, what are you gaining from taking this role? If your personal power was taken from you at an early age, being a victim may become part of your core believes about who you are and how you fit into the world. Many of the beliefs we have about ourselves are subconscious. I know it may be hard to hear, but your role as a victim is a personal choice.  You can choose another path.  You are the creator of your own story, not one that is authored by others.

     Sometimes we view our suffering as a twisted sort of virtue, claiming to be tolerant, forgiving, and nonjudgmental, all the while deliberately subjecting ourselves to pain and abuse, becoming a martyr. This belief that we are suffering for a higher purpose only encourages powerlessness to grow.  Take a stand for yourself and replace this incorrect belief pattern with the truth…You do have the right to be here and have respect.  You do have the right to feel, and you do have the right to act and be an individual.  Do your best not to complain about things, it only implies you have no power over your situation, be a problem solver instead.  Take responsibility for your feelings, doing your best to not let others dictate your emotions.  Remember your boundaries, and forgive others.

     The sacred truth of this chakra is to Honor oneself, to mature in self-understanding to learn to stand on our own and take care of ourselves. To create an identity apart from our tribal self.  Maturing is a conscious decision, a rite of passage, an achievement that requires choice and personal power.  This could take a lifetime, but it starts with a clear vision of who you really are.  You are the creator of your own story. Every choice you make either empowers you or robs your energy.  Every choice you make to enhance your spirit strengthens your power.

 Namaste, Holly

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