LOVE this woman.

While not big on New Years Resolutions I am big on changing things that aren't working for me and I currently have some of those "things" going on in my life, and I am pondering the future.

I just read this on Facebook. Here is my Facebook Page if you'd like to be on it.
Such wisdom from Pema Chodron below:

 LEAVING THE NEST

All too frequently we relate like timid birds who don't dare to leave the nest. Here we sit in a nest that's getting pretty smelly and that hasn't served its function for a very long time. No one is arriving to feed us. No one is protecting us and keeping us warm. And yet we keep hoping mother bird will arrive.

We could do ourselves the ultimate favor and finally get out of that nest. That this takes courage is obvious. That we could use some helpful hints is also clear. We may doubt that we're up to being a warrior-in-training. But we can ask ourselves this question: "Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?"
Excerpted from "The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times", page 7.Heart Advice weekly quotes from Pema Chodron, courtesy of Shambhala Publications.

I just added a testimonial link to the right of this post

Just spent the morning reading testimonials that people had written about time spent with me practicing yoga. Needless to say, I have a box of kleenex beside me! *sniff*

Testimonials from people from all different walks of life. Some of them momma's (pre and post natal), some of them dads, some athletes, grandparents, folks with limited mobility, children... and even peers and other teachers I admire greatly.

And the truth is... I didn't even know where to start I have so many!

I know that I am very vocal in telling people I care about "just what they mean to me" on a regular basis, but I want to tell you again.

You will never (in a million years) know what you all add to my life.

You ALL mean the world. To those I still see regularly, and to those of you who have moved on...I still think of you all the time.

*Yoga is still waiting for you if you have been on a break (nudge nudge wink wink)

I am so blessed to have known (and to still know) so many of you.

YOU have made my life more rich than I can ever say. Thank YOU so very much.

I've been back for two weeks already and the time is flyin' by!

Here are just a few pics of Venice Beach and some fellow Yogi's I love at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice Los Angeles. Sure missed all of you while I was away though! Its truly so great to be back. Missed our yoga so very much. I'll post some more pics very soon that we took from the road, the Getty Museum, The Oregon Coast, The Redwoods, Orange County and the VW Classic etc. I highly recommend taking a road trip down to Southern California. It so great and the weather can't be beat. 

*Oh, and registration is on for summer classes with me so register asap! I'd love to see you xo 

me and Erich Schiffmann

Venice beach

Venice beach

Venice beach

Hala Khouri and me. 

Venice beach

Venice beach

my partner and the car we drove to southern california in

Venice beach skateboard park rules

 some dude gettin' lots of air!

                                     

 me in bliss as we head to yoga in LA 

                                      

 Exhale in Venice   

                 

               
                                               

Venice beach

                                       

Venice beach

Venice beach

Venice beach

Venice beach

Our loyalties must include the whole human community, the entire planet Earth

Parabola Magazines Facebook status update today:
Human history can be viewed as a slowly dawning awareness that we are members of a larger group. Initially our loyalties were to ourselves and our immediate family, next, to bands of wandering hunter-gatherers, then to tribes, small settlements, city-states, nations.

We have broadened the circle of those we love. We have now organized what are modestly described as super-powers, which include groups of people from divergent ethnic and cultural backgrounds working in some sense together — surely a humanizing and character building experience. If we are to survive, our loyalties must be broadened further, to include the whole human community, the entire planet Earth. 

Many of those who run the nations will find this idea unpleasant. They will fear the loss of power. We will hear much about treason and disloyalty. Rich nation-states will have to share their wealth with poor ones. But the choice, as H. G. Wells once said in a different context, is clearly the universe or nothing.

–Carl Sagan, "Cosmos," Random House, 1980, p. 339

Your mind is like a living room.

Sometimes guests arrive and sit down. Sometimes you realize that you don’t like them, that you don’t enjoy their company. Eventually they leave. And you vow to be more careful about the people you invite. Learning whom to invite is an art. —Thich Nhat Hanh

Loving kindness. Community. Practice.

"It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth." --Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist now based in France.

I ♥ Thich Nhat Hanh. We don't want to miss our life.

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Love "your" tree. Its beautiful♥

Just spent the weekend studying with the one and only Judith Lasater and she recommended we watch this video, and I just did. So amazing. BTW, if you ever get a chance to do a workshop/training/bask in Judith's wisdom a while (in any city) I highly recommend taking advantage. I am full of gratitude.

She is coming back to Vancouver in September for a Restorative Yoga Teacher training. For more info go to www.judithlasater.com OR you can go to www.soulspringwellness.ca or email Christina directly at christina@soulspringwellness.ca. *A heads up that this woman has never had a workshop that hasn't sold out in record time.*

Enjoy the video. Thank you Judith Hanson Lasater for all you gave us this weekend.

Read this quote a week ago and haven't been able to get it out of my mind.

"If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem wonderful at all." MICHELANGELO-Renaissance sculptor and painter who spent 4 years lying on his back painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

If you had one wish for Christmas what would it be?

John Lennon answers in the video below:

Peace on Earth.

That implies no violence.

No starving children.

No violent minds.

No violent households.

No frustration.

No fear.

"We think the future is made in your mind"

its almost 2012!

If you're looking for a 2012 calendar for that special someone I recommend Thich Nhat Hanh's. It's really beautiful and full of lovely quotes from him and artwork by Adam Guan (you can click my pic to enlarge).

Below is a beautiful video of Thay and his calligraphy. I really hope to purchase a piece on his next tour. I didn't have the cash this time around but felt so lucky to hear him speak just the same. Namaste.

Compassion. If you have any enemies, feel compassion for them too.

Be honest and sincere anyway

The verses below were written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, India and are attributed to her:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and the Divine. It was never between you and them anyway.

Looks like I've got a favourite playwright

And his name is John P Shanley...

Choose Life over the other stuff. Get out of your head. Live. Dress up. Eat. Touch people. Help out. Give up. Love people. Give your best away. There's more. What's the problem? Relax. You're going to die. Throw a party. Eat off my plate. Sing to me. Meet me in the bedroom. Get a massage. Give one. Let your amazement out into the room. Pry open the box you hide your joy in. Be a poem. - John P. Shanley. Via Ntara.

I might be weird but I love ageing and always have (It sure beats the alternative!)

And I love these two. Hopefully we'll still be full of fun and learning new things when we get a little older too. This video is sweet and unscripted.

Hope every wonderful dad everywhere is getting spoiled rotten today!

Reflections of Motherhood

A beautiful mommy friend of mine named Sharla posted this on her facebook this morning. My favourite is "Google doesn't have children". I'd add just one more to the list..."Don't be afraid to ask for help".

Sometimes somebody just brightens your day for no reason...

Sometimes somebody just honour's you "just because" when you are least expecting it. Making others feel special is such a special gift. I feel I am so very blessed every day of my life for the lovely friends/colleagues/ students and peers who I am blessed to share my life with. You are all my teachers. Thanks so much Amanda. You really made my day.

I'll never get enough of Michael Stone.

Michael Stone on the Question, How Do I Enter My Life from Toronto Body Mind on Vimeo.

Thich Nhat Hanh

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind."

Thich Nhat Hanh in 'Peace Is Every Step : The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life' (1992)

Thich Nhat Hanh is giving a talk here in Vancouver at the Orpheum Theatre, Sun Aug 14 at 1pm.

Maybe I'll see ya there?