Hello Hips

Namaste

Avoidance can suffice for only so long.
Warning signs,  physical problems,  imbalances and painful twinges come and go. For me so often now that I know exactly what will happen next.

Lower back, hip socket, weak knee, shakey leg, limp.

Token asana, chiropractor, massage, acupuncture, rest.

Short period of reprieve.

Little white lie to myself.

Average time span for complete cycle - 3 months.

It would be nice to break this cycle. Or at the very least adopt a yoga practise that focuses on my weaknesses more than (or at least as much as) my strengths. I have the tools, the books, the belief and commitment to a regular practise of Hatha yoga. And after my recent soak in a week of practise I also have been introduced to a specific set of asana to work thoroughly into my knees and hips.

A fellow yogi has been working daily for the past two years on a practise that has worked deeply into her hips and knees; mainly with the intention to relieve the discomfort of  arthritis. 

At first she was concerned that such a focus on specific asana may compromise other areas of her devotion to the system of yoga.  However she has been rewarded with more ease in the specific areas, increased strength and flexibility through her core, muscles and ligaments coming to her attention that she was not aware of, a real sense of release on the lower chakras, and an essence of expansion across her chest and opening of the heart area and Anahata chakra.

Inspired by her commitment and story I too have begun the very same practise.

While taking me into postures that I find difficult I can sense some patience pervading my practise. A sense of gentleness and acceptance toward my challenging tight hips, flexors and adductors.

It's early days yet but I  am noticing a shift into a positive and loving practise.
I am aware of a focus/will that before I have not allowed.
My energy went into supporting avoidance instead of flooding action.

After the first 3 days of the daily practise I was lying in bed at night, relaxing myself into sleep and I could feel the energy of my sacral chakra - Svadhisthana -   unwinding itself across my tummy.  I could feel and see with my inner eye gentle lines of energy moving through and massaging the insides of my hip girdle and traveling down, engaging with the base chakra - Muladhara - through my thighs, knees, calves and feet. Confirmation.

I can feel the work deep in my hips as I walk and sit more mindfully.

Another pattern of avoidance exposed and accepted.
A new pattern of self love imposed.

Hello my darling hips and knees.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Dawn

I Am Home

Namaste

I am home; settled back in to my working week, family routine and daily worldly interactions.

The winter sun is low and casting broad shafts of southern light. The trees are glistening, laden with dew and raindrops. And my heart is warm, smiling and singing “Om Namah Shivaya”.  The mantra is on a permanent loop, resonating and reminding me throughout the day to return to centre, to be still and seek truth in the moment.

I retire at night with the mantra. I awake with the mantra. The joy simmering within has clarity and quietly emanates out to the world.

Something has moved along, woken up, stepped up. I can feel it as gait of body, clarity of mind and tenderness of heart. 

At this  moment I am witness of my own experience of a week at the Sivananda Ahsram & Beacon Yoga Centre.  The program and event   honoured and celebrated the MahiSamadhi of  Sivananda, and offered complete submersion and surrender into all aspects of the yogic practice and lifestyle. A daily schedule committed to meditation, japa, kirtan, jnana, raja, pranayama, asana, havan.  

My interest is revitalised.  My sense of commitment renewed.   And my gratitude is immeasurable.

The ongoing spiritual program at the Beacon Yoga Centre, that attends the many aspects of YOGA, is an absolute gem and a gift to the broader Western Australian community. We are so blessed and lucky to have access to this full range of yoga experience.

I would like to express my love with many thanks and much gratitude to the facilitators, organisers and ashram staff,  residents and volunteers for their dedication and support that enabled and sustained this event.

I would also like to express my love and deep appreciation to Sawmi Uditramananda Saraswati  and Viswa Chaitanya  for their comprehensive and selfless  sharing of wisdom; always with clarity and great humour.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Dawn

Decision Time.

There are times in our life when we are called upon to step up.
This call may be from a friend, teacher, fellow traveller or circumstance. Sometimes to 'step up' may mean moving into a part of life that we may have been able to avoid thus far; stepping aside or around but not up.

Sometimes to step up is really to step into that which it is time for you to do. Perhaps to share your gift, joy, passion or even purpose. It is a time to reveal yourself and move forward.

I believe by pure fate and circumstance that the universe has urged me forward. And so the time has come for me to step deeper into my practise of yoga. It is time for me to commit to, deepen and share this passion.

My yoga teacher of the last several years has decided to retire from group classes to write and devote time to her spiritual interests. As a consequence a small core group of us who loved this particular style of hatha yoga - Heart of Yoga - were without a teacher. I offered to facilitate a weekly practise, same time, same place. And so the time and space to step up ...had arrived. I have been teaching a class ever since.

My decision has been made.
With steadiness, ease and a lot of research I will now step into the next part of my yoga journey.
As I live in a remote area I have chosen a distance education program with Integral Yoga Australia and one on one yoga session with another Heart of Yoga teacher who also lives in the region.

My hope is that you can enjoy this journey with me as I share my new learnings and deepening experience of yoga as student and teacher.

Hari Om Tat Sat
Dawn