Certified! -Now what?-

I have just completed the July Intensive Teacher Training at Yoga Passage.
250hours of intense yoga immersion - truly amazing!
My teachers were so radiant and wise, my peers were so compassionate, funny and humble... and now I too am a teacher!

And now I find myself wondering "where do I begin"?

The whole idea of yoga is the integration of the various components of a human being:
body/mind/spirit... which amplifies the experience of life and the influence we have on the world. Ever notice how those powerful moments in your life seem vibrant in your memories, and how when you are experiencing one your aren't thinking about how you have laundry to do when you get home. You are totally there: body/mind/spirit - fully present. This is the meaning of life, you know. To experience YOUR life! No one's gonna do it like you, so celebrate it!

Take care of your body. * Heal. Nourish. Stretch. Bend. Grow. Dance.
Take care of your mind. ** Stop. Awake. Gentle. Aware. Grow. Aspire.
Take care of your spirit. *** Cleanse . Nurture. Accept. Connect. Grow. Radiate Love.

You'll note that a common thread in my proposals for how to care for your self is GROW. Its a big part of what got us out of the oceans and thumbs to help us open pickle jars... adaptation! Evolution! Just because we are the dominant species on the planet does not mean we're done, kids. We've got a planet full of mess and still need to learn to play nice with everyone. (Yes, everyone.)

I bet you're thinking: but its hard enough to try to get time to do yoga let alone evolve and change the world. You can, but it starts with small steps. Even just being mindful about being a little extra gentle with your partner when they snap at you after a difficult day... Taking two minutes to stop and breathe when your feel a headache coming on... These little choices can create dramatic change because we come to notice that these small changes make a difference in how we feel about ourselves, our relationships and eventually the rest of the world.

So where do I start? Start with the most complex of asanas - The Smile.
Close your eyes and imagine your favorite person smiling at you. Feel their warmth as they wrap their arms around you for a big hug. You are safe. You are loved. Ahhh!
(*Go ahead and try it now - I'll wait.*)

There's a smile on your face isn't there? Its THIS smile that is connected with pure YOU-ness. Why do I say that? Because when we tap into that place where we are loved and accepted and safe, we tap into unconditional love and unconditional love can be shared with anyone and everyone. (Yes, everyone.)

And my challenge to everyone is to use this Smile of Unconditional Love.
Smile at yourself in the mirror in the morning. Smile at your children as you set off for work. Smile at the people along the way as you commute. Smile at work. Smile at the people who make your lunch. Smile at the people sitting nearby in the park. Smile when you find out that the deadline is really tomorrow and not next week as your were expecting. Smile, smile, smile.
Your smile may be the one that turned somebody's day around.

For your body- the smiling muscles help to clear the face and head from tension of the frontalis, temporalis, occipitalis and masseter (jaw) that can block proper blood flow throughout the head and rest of the body.
For your mind- creating the habit of smiling despite adversity prepares the mind for success because we have an ingrained association that when we smile, something good is going on. This can trigger the associated physiological responses that can actually help get our mind get the rest of the way there.
For your spirit- well, the stage has been set for a good experience. Be present and aware of this experience. Positive or negative, you will learn something. Be gentle with yourself as you practice.

Bright Blessings!