How to change the world...

It's a beautiful day! With all the colors of grey in the sky, and its still gorgeous! A new yoga studio has opened up in the world and it will brighten up many peoples lives :) 

My good friend Angela posted this the other day, and it just seems fitting to pass it back on.

I Wanted To Change The World 

When I was young, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as I got older, I tried to change my family.

Now, I realize the only thing I can change is myself. Suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

(Unknown Monk, around 1100 A.D.)

and here's the link to Angela's studio:

http://solyogastudio.com

Focus on What's Right

The following passage is really speaking to me at this moment in my life...

We are so incredibly well trained to notice what's wrong in any given relationship, work situation, or experience that it's easy to overlook what's right. That's not surprising, because our entire education system trains us to notice flaws and mistakes: in school, the wrong answers are marked, not the right ones. In relationships, we spend a lot of time, energy, and money, often with the help of therapists, working on fixing what's wrong. At work, we study our failures and mistakes for hidden clues so that we can prevent them from happening again.
But what if we have it backward? What would we be like now if all the answers we got correct on every test had been marked? What if we spent as much energy in relationships noticing and appreciating the other person's gifts and talents and the strengths and beauty of the relationship itself as we do exposing and dealing with it's flaws? What if, at work, we spent an equal amount of time looking at what is working and how we can do more of that as we do analyzing what's wrong?
An "asset focus" - noticing and appreciating, as Joan Borysenko puts it, what doesn't need healing, is an incredibly powerful tool for creating connection, fostering creative thinking, and over overcoming obstacles. (M.J. Ryan)

Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutations

Surya Namaskar - bowing to the inner sun: The Sun Salutations that initiate many yoga classes are rich in symbolism. Surya is chief solar deity who drives his chariot across the sky each day as the most visible form of God that one can see. It is also the ancient Sanskrit term for "sun", which in most ancient mythology is revered, as Richard Rosen (2003) says, "as both the physical and spiritual heart of the world." Namaskara is from the root namas, to bow (as in "namaste"). In the myths of the Vedas, the gods use the heat for many purposes, especially creation. Our "inner sun", the spiritual heart center, is seen as the source of light and truth along one's life path. In Surya Namaskara, we are bowing to the truth of who we are in our essence, releasing the head lower than the heart, connecting with our inner wisdom (Mark Stephens).

The Sun Salutation is a series of 12 postures performed in a single, graceful flow while coordinating each movement with the breath. You will generate heat and and energy, build strength, and increase flexibility - It is considered the best exercise for the human body!

Different styles of yoga have their own Sun Salutation variation. The image is of the classical hatha variation. Try it out!!

P.S. Remember to inhale during backward bending postures and exhale during forward bending postures. Do it on the right side first and then on the left side. In between hold downward facing dog for 3-5 breaths. Enjoy :)

the way of not knowing

a sweet yoga student (thank you Jen!) passed on a book filled with meditations the other day, and today this one spoke to me...

"ideas and data make up the way of knowing. planning and predictability usually follow.
do you also know the way of not knowing?
the way of not knowing embraces surprise, enjoys the unexpected, and welcomes wonder and mystery.
in the way of not knowing, you let go of the need to know or control, instead allowing life to come to you.

1. breathe mindfully for about 1 min.
2. set your intention. for example: "may this practice help me live well."
3. open your awareness to sounds and listen mindfully.
4. allow all sounds and sensations. be curious. what will happen next? let it in.
5. notice your thoughts. hear them without fighting or feeding them. appreciate their variety.
6. relax. letr all your experiences come and go without resistance or control.
7. you do not have to know anything for this meditation."

wonderful, right?
love,
moi :)

Website is launched!

Wow! What a feeling! Feels so cool:)
I'm all excited and cant wait to hear all your comments... Please share!

Check it out!

Dimitra Yoga website!!




Love,
Me

Website 3rd try

I've said it. I've posted it. Now I just have to make it happen. Actually, we will make it happen this time. With the help of my friend Sue, who's editing, pushing (gently!), and directing, this website has no choice but happen.

The first time was last February. It was me playing with my new computer's tools (oh,  iWeb! that sounds cool!). Plus, I had plenty of time on my hands... (remember that snowstorm up here in the northeast that kept us tight, not warm, but snowed in?!! I had to do something to not go bonkers.).

The second time was me trying to believe in a person who wanted to help (also, me trying to just push it away from me and make it somebody else's business), who said they knew who, and all that in exchange for yoga (pretty simple for me!)... and nope it didn't happen. Life... Then, I just laid low. Until...

Until the third time, when my friend Sue happened. I mean you got to love her. Admire her as well. No procrastination. Nope. None. She likes this she says. This, meaning figuring out how to make a website. I pretend I believe her. I do a little, but not a 100%. (I mean, hellloooo!! I'd rather go out for lunch, or go get a pedicure). She's persistent. I let her take charge (not that I really was in charge in this case). So, now I get to do "homework". "Homework", are all the assignments during this process. My contributions to my website. So, even though I'm a bit out of my comfort zone, here I am. I am persistent too. I can do my homework. I'm on it. I'm riding the writing wave. And even though its past my bedtime, I cant stop until I have a blog post as well. (am yoga will be biting me back tomorrow morning).

February will be called "The productive month". Last year I started this blog. This year I am finishing up a website. Not bad for February, not bad at all.

Here's todays reflection, taken from the Bhagavad Gita:

"For concentration is better than mere practice, and meditation is better than concentration; but higher than meditation is surrender in love of the fruit of one's actions, for on surrender follows peace."

Friends that do SUP Yoga together, not only stay together, but also build web sites together:)

I love you

If It Is Not Too Dark by Hafiz
 
Go for a walk, if it is not too dark.
Get some fresh air, try to smile.
Say something kind to a safe-looking stranger, if one happens by. 
Always exercise your heart's knowing. 
You might as well attempt something real along this path:
 
Take your spouse or lover into your arms
The way you did when you first met.
Let tenderness pour from your eyes
The way the Sun gazes warmly on the earth.
 
Play a game with some children.
Extend yourself to a friend.
Sing a few ribald songs to your pets and plants -
Why not let them get drunk and wild!
 
Let's toast
Every rung we've climbed on Evolution's ladder.
Whisper, "I love you! I love you!" to the whole mad world. 
Let's stop reading about God -We will never understand Him.
Jump to your feet, wave your fists,
Threaten and warn the whole Universe
That your heart can no longer live Without real love!