Each time I see and hear Jackie Evancho, the ten year old musical phenom, perform, I get the chills all over and something moves in me brings me to the verge of tears. I'm not sad, I'm not happy ..... I am moved. If you haven't yet witnessed any of her performances, do yourself a nice one and see one.

She was interviewed for a performance in Sarasota FL (PBS was doing a fundraiser and broadcast this amazing show). Not only does she have an angelic voice, but she is mature beyond her years. Once in a while you see her ten year old little girl surface identifiable by a shyness and giggly awe. Her performance is just beyond words. And I have never pretended to be a fan of classical or opera. It's more her aura that is mesmerizing.

And then she engages in conversation. A beautiful, gentle and kind little girl. So composed. So unimpressed with her own talent. I paraphrase when I recall her being asked what she thinks about when she sings. Her reply was that something sort of takes her over, something beautiful and powerful and it makes her very comfortable and very happy. Wow. She is giving credit over to a gift she has been graced with and not grabbing onto it as "hers". She just wants to share it and make people happy.

For me, that is where the yoga comes in. Without ever having stepped foot on a yoga mat or doing a down dog or chaturanga, (which I take liberty in presuming) she is living like a Yogini. This morning on the Today show she was told her new full album release is on the top of the charts.....on top of Adele and Lady Gaga. what did she think of that? ...... It was amazing she said, but it made her feel a little bad that she was taking their spot. And I wanted to cry again. My heart beats so strong and hope and faith filled me that yes, there is evidence of someone to admire. A gifted ten year old gentle and wise soul who happens to be a musical phenom.

I will always watch this beautiful girl sing and I pray to the higher graces that she stays protected and happy so she can share her joy with the world. My heart will always be open to her energy and I look forward to watching her mature. Even if the world may change her or her perception may seemingly shift as time goes on, we now see, today, her true essence. purity.

Yoga. Faith. Joy. Love. Centeredness.

Namaste

The Roll of Thunder - I am at Peace

Amidst everything going on - I feel a sense of Peace.  Peace at my soul level.  I'm just content and happy and I'm happy to say it.  I have not often felt this and certainly not for a long time but everything just as it is - is simply fine.  Its like the layers are all peeled back - and my true self is there and I have found peace.  Now I don't know how things will be tomorrow- or another day when I'm grinding away with the struggles in life....and I don't care so much.  Because everything right now in all its perfection and want and need and bounty and emotion and struggle and reward is OK.

Its a beautiful thing when you harness your own power so that all the crap and maya and uncertainty the world tries to throw at you just doesn't hit the mark.  Its a beautiful and powerful thing to know that there is a force that is greater than my wants and my needs and my ego - and today I am putting my faith in that - and I feel peace.

Its not a situational thing - I have this therefore I feel peace.  I don't have these problems therefore I have peace.  Its just there in the midst of it all.  And it is going to carry me through and it nourishes my soul.  I have the most wonderful people in my life to thank and share with.  The crazy is always around anytime you want to embrace it - and so is the peace.  Its right in the middle of it all - right where you stand - if you allow yourself to open to it.

"If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace."  Thich Nhat Hanh

Spring into EnLightenment

I look back at some of my posts and they tend to fall on the deep side of things for me.  I am very light at heart so I thought I would share some light hearted thoughts - all in a positive direction:

• i love to listen to all the different birds singing in my back yard
• even if they start at 5:30 AM (its natures alarm clock for the 6:15 AM yoga class)
• i don't love it when they poop on my car
• i'm not sure what to make of the many many mole holes at the edge of my property - Holy Mole-y
• i enjoy putting newly filled green balloons on the business sign outside
• sometimes i breathe in the helium when i fill them (maybe thats why I didn't know yesterday was Weds until the afternoon)
• I love that my business boutique is filled with local artists things
• and the aroma of lilacs from my friend Pats lilac bush (she got as a cutting from her Dad)
• everything has a story and it doesn't make you sappy if you like to hear whats behind everything - thats one of the richnesses in life
• i love that every day or two someone brand new comes into the yoga studio and signs up for class
• and i love it even more when they come back for more

make your own list - don't worry so much about punctuation (sorry to my high school english teacher) focus more on content than form......just like yoga.

namaste - hug a tree

great day

Absolutely Positively Definately I'm Sure......

People are fascinating.  I learn so much from observing and keeping an open mind and open heart.  I learn about others and that provides insight into myself.  I was recently in a store waiting calmly in the midst of an energetic flurry of activity of who needs what and when.  Yoga has taught me to stand in the center (more often than not I can do it) and not be swept up in external forces. 

A senior sales person was commenting on a customer issue and emphatically stated there was no possible way that could have happened.  Impossible - said with the utmost intensity and self assurance.  Convincing.  A strong energetic push on the statement.  Well, in a matter of 20 seconds it came to light that not only was it was very possible that could have happened, it most likely did happen.  And the self assured senior sales person got more quiet and the energetic push turned into more of a shying away. 

We should just train ourselves to take a moment and allow some situations to play out - without slamming the door on them - who does it really serve to close your mind off?  It really is a disservice to yourself and those around you.  It was quite amusing to see the events unfold - completely removed from them and just observing. 

Days later when I found myself hardening onto a fact or what I felt strongly was a fact - I remembered observing that day at the counter.  I allowed myself to soften around it - and to detach enough to ask myself - why is it so important to me to hold fast to this idea? 

It really wasn't that important.  Save it for the thngs that matter.  Its so much more energetically efficient.  There is so much going on today - we are wise to manage ourselves more efficiently (by struggling less in the mind to always insist on being right).  For me it takes almost all the struggle away and allows me to enter new situations with a fresh perspective. 

Namaste

Everything you need is already inside you

If you can believe in this statement long enough for it to show you it's validity then you are in a better place than you might realize. There are few things in my world that are more challenging than faith. It isn't tangible and sometimes difficult to measure the results. The scientific data can't measure faith. It's too subtle.

The money for your rent or new shoes isn't inside you but all the tools you need are. All you need to do is get quiet again and again. As Sri Dharma Mittra says, "simplify your wants and lead a contented life". It goes so much deeper than having to pay bills or having better health. That's all on the surface. All that is going to happen regardless, so why not refine your subtle body. You must find peace in the midst of all you have in your life.

Its hard work. But the more you practice the easier it gets and the more automatic it becomes. Things shift is amazing ways. I hope you get a glimpse.

Peace. Love. Laughter. Yoga.
Great Day
Namaste
Lisa

Patience When You Need it Most !

 Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
Lao Tzu


My answer is yes - sometimes it is difficult to remember that the water does settle......but it always does.  Without fail.  I had to remind myself the other day that the beautiful and powerful lotus flower (Padma) grows through the muck and gunk and blooms above.....

Great day

Namaste
Lisa

A new adVenture!

Things have been pretty quiet on this blog space lately. I have been working long hours creating space for like minded people to come and practice yoga. Some people will begin just to stretch while others will come for the peaceful aspects. Whatever the season or your reason I believe that with help from many talented and caring friends we have created just that space.

The response so far has been amazingly positive. We have been welcomed and we share in everyones excitement. Everyone who walks through the doors can feel the positive energy we have created. Our goal is to give you and your body a great workout. Our intention is clearly one of good health and clarity.

So if you are planning to come by just do it. See for yourself. And spread the word. It's already going viral.....body Kneads yoga. Give your body what it needs.

It's affordable to everyone and within reach. The rest is up to you.

Have a great day.

My smiling face is looking forward to your arrival on your mat.

namaste

Lisa and everyone from body Kneads yoga
1145 Reservoir Ave
2'nd floor