Invitation

More from Peter Block about invitation.

We come together to create a new possibility through having a conversation that we have not had before. We do not come together to negotiate interests, share our stories, or problem-solve the past or future.

No one will be asked in any way to yield on their commitments or interests. We are not coming together to decide anything. We begin with the belief that the commitments and interests of each of us have to be honored and taken into account by all.

Each agrees to participate in all discussions. There are always emergencies, and always pressing priorities, but the loss of even one person, for just one meeting, immensely reduces our chance of success./blockquote>;

Importance of Daily Self-Care

Um, yeah, probably the most important thing a student of yoga .. or life can to for themselves. Self-care includes practices like daily yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, plus eating whole foods that are preferably organic and/or local, drinking water especially spring water, getting outside, as well as things like self ahbyanga, neti, rising with the sun, scraping your tounge, brushing your teeth, hot showers/bathing, sauna, steam, takes herbs, receiving bodywork, acupuncture, chiropractic work, caring for your skin & hair & nails, plus journaling, processing & releasing ... I could go on, but without these practices, we have the potential of running the risk of getting overwhelmed by our own evolution. These practices are like the savasana of our life, they are essential for integration & soaking in the benefits of being alive. Here is are a few simple steps that you can incorporate daily: 1. rise with the sun 2. drink a glass of water (drink lots throughout the day) 3. scrape your tounge 4. brush your teeth 5. cleanse your nasal passages with a netti pot 6. massage your skin with a dosha appropriate oil 7. shower 8. meditate 9. practice yoga 10. say a prayer of gratitude

and .. get some rest!

Vernal Equinox

Vernal Equinox and Navaratri: Spring is in the air!-by Alessandra Pecorella

In coincidence with the vernal equinox (the arrival of Spring, literally when night and day have equal length) we also have the occurrence of the Hindu festival Navaratri, literally 9 nights , celebrating Shakti in her manifestations as Durga, Lakhsmi and Saraswati.

During the calendar year Navaratri is celebrated 4 times, corresponding to the change of the seasons (equinoxes and solstices). This is a time to profoundly reconnect with the Motherly Energy of the Earth, Shakti, the power lying at the base of the spine and in the very core of the planet. It is a time for reflection, cleansing, meditating , releasing the past and planting new seeds for the future. The festival of Navaratri is closed by a tenth day of music , parades and dancing to acknowledge the victory of Maha Shatki (the divine feminine energy).

Living Practices to tangibly reconnect  this time of year. Fasting in a way that is appropriate for your system is also traditionally part of Navaratri. Kirtan for the divine mother. Chanting  18-27-54 or 108 rounds for the different aspects of the Goddess, while meditating within your heart upon :

Om Dum Durgayai Namaha,

Om Shrim Maha Lakshimaye Namaha,

Om Aim Saraswataye Namaha

Days 1-3 (Tuesday -Thursday) Purification of Inner and Outer Obstacles on the Spritual Path (Durga Shakti) Days 4-6 (Friday – Sunday) Worshiping the Healing Beauty and Abundance of Maha Lakshmi Days 7-9 (Monday-Wednesday) Awakening the Divine Wisdom and Creativity of Saraswati Ma Day 10 Victory of Shakti

Hope you can find the space and time in your Sadhana to appreciate this transition in divine tune with the Eartly energy.

What are we eating?

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/06/moving-to-the-us-will-increase-your-cancer-risk-by-400/

convergence

The American yoga world needs more connection to the elemental raw energy of nature in order to manifest the creative force. The sanskrit word is sahaja, a spontaneous realization of the divine flow ... (We) recognize how important it is to dance if you are a human being on "the path" and how every movement can flow as yoga. How do we introduce people to the external flow of dance vs. the internal practice of yoga? .. We can by pass the mind and talk directly to our cells .. the core energy of cells is not biased. The cells are born dancing and they need help. They want to be happy and literally have freedom to dance in the body. Coax the cells to dance. It works every time. When you grow up in the West, you have to learn how to devour the root of your own inhibitions and two thousand years of conditioning. We can all be translators or poets of the non-verbalized world of movement, the one language everyone shares ... This is the understanding.