suffering is optional

From this months YJ - a great reminder:

In 2:15 of the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali teaches that suffering is caused by change, unfullfilled longing, habits, and fluctuations in energy. Not even the most enlightened among us is immune. But in the next sutra, Patanjali offers some hope when he says that we can "prevent the suffering that is yet to come."

Patanjali teaches that we can have pain, yet not suffer. If we accept the inevitability of life's twists and turns and find the opportunity for growth in the struggles we face, we can prevent the unnecessary, self-inflicted suffering that comes from such feelings as guilt, blame, and regret. We can't avoid Hardship in life, but through the practice of yoga, we can learn to see that Our true nature remains unchanged, and so we find peace and ease, even In the midst of difficulty.

turning muck into a beautiful sculpture

Living YOGA is my teacher - on and off the mat. Breathing, grounding, being in the moment.
I truly believe we are sent certain situations and circumstances to grow stronger from.
Whether that be an argument, or someone hitting my car, or just feeling down in the dumps.

My mother has also been a great teacher. She always been a HUGE light in my life and is always great about sending me thoughts and inspirations. One I would like to share:

There was A blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
Hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always
There for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
The world, I will marry you.'

One day, Someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
Came off, she was able to see everything, including her Boyfriend.

He asked Her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
Girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
Sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected
That. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
Led her to refuse to marry him.

Her Boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
Saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
They were yours, they were mine.'

This is How the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
Was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today Before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't Speak..

Before You complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
Who has nothing to eat.

Before You complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone
who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today Before you complain about life - Think of someone who went
Too early to heaven.

Before Whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who
Walks the same distance with their feet.

And when You are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
Unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your Job.

And when Depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on
Your face and think: you're alive and still Around.

namaste
see you in the flow~

new inspirations

For my whole life, the lie that is always stuck in my head is I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
I don't know the root source or where and when it manifested itself into me but it is suffocating at times. It comes and it goes but deep down I know that I AM GOOD ENOUGH.

Recently I have been reflecting upon the past 6 six years or so since I started practicing yoga.
Wow have things changed and evolved. Although I have veered off the path of studying with Baron Baptiste, I truly honor and humbly bow to his teachings. He will always be my first yoga teacher. His teachings are of truth and light. I think it is really easy to get caught up in SELF in this day and age, along with money and power. I am trying to figure out which path to take on this long journey ahead. How to inspire and give with intention.


Principles from Journey into Power that I am reflecting on:
• We are either now here or nowhere
• Be in the now and you will know how
• Growth is the most important thing there is
• In order to heal you need to feel
• Think less, be more
• We are the sum total of our reactions
• Don't try hard - try easy

• Build your house on a rock
• Establish neutral alignment
• Stack your joints
• Balance, Control, Surrender
• Work from the bones

COMMON MISTAKES
• Believing your doubts
• Despising the days of small beginnings
• Embracing tradition over intuition
• Not recognizing that the prize is in the process
• Falling into a trap of competition and comparison
• Not recognizing that sometimes less is more
• Not understanding your resistance

I will be leading two new intensives starting in July @ LifeTime Fitness - South Austin:

Beginner Yoga Intensive
Lifetime Fitness South Austin
July 7 - August 29
Email mbarnes@lifetimefitness.com to register

Journey Into Power - Intro to Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga
Lifetime Fitness South Austin
July 8 - August 28
Email mbarnes@lifetimefitness.com to register

don't despise the day of new beginnings

I have had a lot of beginners in class recently. It takes me back to my days training with Baron Baptiste. To him, I am ETERNALLY grateful for teaching me how to lead an OPEN level class.
It has come in so handy inside the classroom. I learn so much from beginner students. Thank you. I bow to you!!! Keep showing up and shining!!!