Truth

Truth is simple. 

If something seems burdened or too complex or hard to understand it's probably art. 

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny. We learned that in Social Studies somewhere along the line. I can't even remember how it was presented. Something about someone or some thing's destiny as being pre-determined I think. Regardless, now those 2 words all all the buzz rage. "Manifest your Destiny!" and the like. Hard to get away from all this destiny and this manifesting. So of course, I jumped on the bandwagon and  tweeted "its a great day for manifesting! come to Transformational Flow tonight at 6:30 etc..."

So I've got a full room. "How to manifest" in 90m minutes? Simple. Navel center - 3rd chakra - manipura chakra. The place where (according to me) "you make your dreams into realities." So a bunch of agni sara later, we're doing some poses. And then the manifest part. It takes the holy trinity of chakras to make the formula work: 3rd eye (6th chakra), heart (4th chakra), and navel (3rd chakra). 1st - you have a heart's desire (4th chakra). 2nd - you zoom out and get a big picture and clarity that this is what you are meant to do (6th chakra). And 3rd - you get in and do the work on the physical plane (3rd step, 3rd chakra). The cycle continues. You may say, "why is this so hard? why am i doing all this work?" and then you remember, "oh, i had a heart's desire." Then you zoom out (6th chakra) and in this bigger picture, see why your heart's desire is important and get inspired to continue. Then back to work - 3rd chakra - apply your will and execute the deeds on the physical plane.

It's a perfect formula. Perfect for manifesting. Perfect for growth. Perfect of overcoming obstacles. Just perfect just cuz.

It's your destiny to manifest. Maybe its your manifest destiny. That's what we do. That's who we are. For now at least.

Results

In yoga we talk about not focussing on results. But looking at results, aka action/reaction, helps us to understand cause and effect and therefore, karma. Once we understand and embody that our actions create reactions, and that we have some semblance of control over those actions and reactions, we more clearly see how we play a part in this big ol thang we call "life's circumstances." As we play with goals, results, cause/effect, action/reaction, we begin to more fully understand how this physical dimension works. We can then layer that into the emotional body and the mind, and begin to master our emotions and move into more conscious thinking and decision making. As we keep laying this foundation of understanding and embodiment, we prepare ourselves to more gracefully move into a dimension that contains cause and effect, but is not run by it.

Value system

What are you wiling to lie for? Cheat for? Steal for? Kill for? Give up your integrity for? Those are the things you value the most. What are they? And what is your system for protecting them?

Feather of the Peacock Pose

Last week Yoga International published a short video of my tip on how to stick your forearm stand (pincha mayurasana aka feather of the peacock pose). For this tip, you need a working split. One viewer wrote and asked, "what if you don't have a working split?" This was my response. I hope it's helpful:

Hi (insert name here)-

Thanks so much for asking! Without actually seeing where you are with your journey on pincha, it's hard for me to give you the one big pointer that will "tip" you over the edge to success! That being said, 

1) continue to work on your split - stretch hams and quads - both on the floor and standing 

2) keep working on the shoulder alignment for strength as well as shoulder mobility. the tighter the shoulders, the harder this pose will be since you have to fight not only gravity, but your own physical immobilities 

3) when you do kick up, think of kicking the legs straight up instead of into the wall. Its' like you are catching and upward wind tunnel. Once you are past the point of fear of going upside down, kicking into the wall can become a big habit, and a hard one to break. 

I hope I get to practice with you in person sometime! I would love to help you dial this in!

peace and love

Jean

and yes, I hope I get practice with all of you at some point - pincha mayurasana or something else. 
And here is the link to the quick tip:

https://yogainternational.com/article/view/one-quick-tip-for-sticking-your-forearmstand

Commandment #9: Love isn't Lust

Commandment #9: Love isn't Lust

Another excerpt from Heart, Hips, and Relationships workshop.

Lust is all things sensual, sense related, second chakra. Love is beyond the senses. As you grow, you don't need to keep trying to keep the sensory experiences alive. This is not to say that if the sensory is still working for you, that you need to put a lid on it! Just keep doing it! Not a problem. But if "the thrill is gone," so what? Does it mean you love each other any less? Don't compare your relationship to someone else's view of what a "good relationship" looks like. Sometimes, you move past needing the sensory to feel successful and alive.

It's like getting attached to asana. Some people will love asana their whole lives. Others won't. No greater than or less than. They are still doing yoga. Still doing Life.

Lust on and on and on if it serves you.
But lust isn't love, and all things sensory can fade.
Thank God love isn't one of those sensory things.

Commandment #3: Truth is not a weapon

In the workshop "heart, hips, and relationships" I lay out the 10 Commandments of relationship according to me. And this year, I added the 11th commandment. 

#3 - Truth is not a weapon. 

Am I telling the truth because I feel hurt  less than in some way? Am I using this idea of telling the truth in order to hurt back and give myself a boost? Am I telling the truth because I feel lost and lonely and invisible and i need someone to acknowledge me to affirm that I exist? 

There are times in relationship where we need to tell our truth to a loved one (or other lucky devil), when in fact, we really just want to knock them down a few pegs. Lucky them. So before casting these pearls of wisdom, consider these points:

#1. Tell yourself the truth first- what do I really want to get out of this interchange? If you can be brutally honest with yourself, then you can be brutally honest with another.

Then remember the following:

1. You exist

2. You are equal to, no matter what perception you have chosen to give your truth to

3. You are worthy.

4. Tell yourself the truth first. 

Do you what need to do in the moment, and see if telling the truth was the cause that created your desired effect (karma). And feel deep in your heart. If you plan on using truth as a weapon, be very clear on what dragon you want to slay. For Truth is not a weapon, but that which shines a light and helps us grow. (Think fertilizer vs Round up)