The Yoga of Change - Feb. 5, 2010

The Yoga Center began as a dream of mine. In 1998 I was led to space at Piccadilly Square. A space that was dedicated to only yoga. No one else used the space, so there was no moving of tables or chairs. Instead there was wide open space to practice yoga, acquire props to assist us in practice and space we began to call home...a place to feel safe and even nurtured.

We mourn the loss of that space. When I learned our lease was not to be renewed I was in shock. I tried bargaining with management, to problem solve about the increasingly challenging parking situation. Then I got angry. This wasn't a change I had decided upon; it was decided for us. I became angry that we had been there 11 years and were given 2 months to secure new space. I continued on through the stages of grief to depression, feeling very lost and without hope of finding a new home. Under stress I got a sinus infection, which I didn't even realize or get diagnosed for several weeks. (Remember the American Medical Association states 80% of our disease comes from stress.)

Finally, acceptance came.This was the right thing. This was what was supposed to happen. For a long period of time I was feeling the need for a change, yet I didn't know what or how. I was overwhelmed and exhausted from the business of yoga and wanted to focus on my strength, teaching yoga.

When I moved to Roanoke, which was my choice, I resisted acclimating myself to this new place. I continually compared it to where I lived before. Again, finally acceptance showed her smiling face and I was happy to be living here.

Sandra Day O'Connor says "Don't look back". Don't second think yourself or your decisions. How yogic she is! What's past is past. It certainly helps form a basis for our present, and when it's done, it's like a yoga pose when its complete. And so we move on from Piccadilly Square to our 2 new spaces. It's not the same. Nothing ever stays the same. Again, even your next practice of the same yoga pose or asana is different. Your experience of your body and your breath is changed from before. Each moment offering a new opportunity to be aware, awake and alive, fully present.

Yoga invites us to open the door to change. Yoga provides the tools with which to live. Yoga practice gives us the ground on which to feel steady and secure, so we can be flexible. In November and December as I was trying to make a new plan for The Yoga Center, I had to come back to the mat, every day. It grounded me so that I could get through my day, without physical harm or emotional upheaval. Yoga practice gives us the strength to do what is need, the flexibility to go with the flow, the courage to be present.

That which we resist persists. Breathe into the present moment, because it will not be here in another moment. It will be different. Breathe into the transformation that is Life. Breathe into the present, letting go of the past. Breathe into this moment as we cannot breath ahead. Breathe into now.

I honor your openness to yourself and what is happening in your body, your mind and your heart.

Namaste'

Cindy, surrendering to the flow, in rag doll pose at the Thursday morning Unitarian Univeralist Church class with Caryl.

Any kind of expectation creates a problem.

We should accept, but not expect.

Whatever comes, accept it. Whatever goes, accept it.

The immediate benefit is that your mind is always peaceful. - Sri Swami Satchidnanda