Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

Translation:" May all beings, everywhere, be happy and free. And may the thoughts and actions of my own life contribute, in some way, to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

This chant has become one of my favorites. Although I don't often use it as a chant in class, you may notice I play songs inspired by this chant often. I love that our actions can contribute to others happiness through our actions. We come to the mat to learn lessons from our practice and the ultimate goal is to be able to apply these lessons in life. It is up to us to take these lessons of compassion, ultimate love, ahimsa and giving and pass it on.

As we give to others, we will strengthen our own soul and the souls/spirits of others. Through showing compassion and joy to others, we can be the living "lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu." I read a line from a book tonight that said our goal in yoga is to live life and allow life to move through us transparently. Watching life happen, enjoying life happen and showing our compassion in life can help us to bring a little more yoga into the world we live in.

How long until I find Results?

This is a common question yoga students ask. The answer is...it is a lifetime practice. I still learn from my practice everyday. It changes, it gets better, it gets worse, it evolves. We learn to listen and see our bodies as they change with life. Everyone is always learning on the mat, from themselves or from their teachers. The body itself can be a great teacher. We learn to allow things to happen rather than to react to things that happen.

Progress in yoga is not necessarily seen in more difficult postures. You can learn from a warrior two, even if you have done this pose a million times. It still has things to teach you. Sometimes we are excited about the progression of postures, but we lose respect for the practice itself. I urge you to continue to search for the heart of your practice and to stay dedicated in finding your intention in each practice as you step upon your mat.

It is important not to fill your schedule so tight that you lose time for yoga practice. The more you practice, the more you learn. There are lessons in the practice we can only learn on our mat, but the effects of the lessons are seen in our everyday life. Our practice can center our hearts and help us find the peace to carry into our life's busy days. Remember the benefits your practice brings you: Energy, range of motion, mental and emotional stability. You will gain more by fitting in your practice than by leaving it out.

Om, Shant, Shanti, Shanti

Om, peace, peace, peace. It is that time of year. Time to give thanks for all we have. Time to consider the people, things, places we've been, experiences we've had and be grateful for all we have in our lives. This mantra is a mantra of the season, although appropriate in practice any time of year. It helps us set an intention of gratitude for our life and our practice. We are able to affirm that peace is there for the taking in our lives, we simply must choose to accept it. Yoga Journal suggests setting intent with each shanti: first shanti = peace within self, second shanti = peace in your family and friends, third shanti = peace on Earth. This helps to open the heart and accept even those we are in struggles with in our lives. Open your heart this season and invite peace within; set the intention to give and receive peace.

29 days of giving

Yoga Journal has an article about a woman that gave a gift everyday for 29 days. A gift as small as a dollar to the guy on the street, to a purchased gift at the store for a friend. Giving of time, food, flowers, or larger gifts all helped her to realize how giving to others helps heal and keep her in a right state of mind as well. Giving to others (Strangers or close friends) helps us to release harbored emotions of stress toward others. Cami Walker wrote a book of her giving: 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. Check out 29gifts.org and see how you can participate in the giving!