CITYNY Magazine — Feb/Mar 2000

   N E W S L E T T E R.. A R C H I V E S • Y O G A L I C I O U S #17 — December / 2001

Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

Welcome to YOGALICIOUS #17. This year has been one of tremendous change and challenge for all of us. While I don't know how it will effect our reflections and aspirations as the ball drops, I do have faith that we will be inspired, collectively and individually, to search a little deeper for resolutions of peace and happiness. May this issue inspire your journey of 'reflecting' and 'resolving' and may we all experience a Happy New Year and Happy Life.

With Faith,
Jillian
—— IN THIS ISSUE ——
RENEW IN PARADISE
RELEASE THE PAST - OPEN TO THE NEW
BRIGHT SPIRIT YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
DALAI LAMA WORDS 'FOR RESOLUTION WISDOM'
METTA BLESSING FOR A NEW YEAR


WORDS OF WISDOM

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
 
OUR CHALLENGES

Swami Satchidanada reminds us: "Yoga practice is like an obstacle race: many obstructions are purposely put on the way for us to pass through. They are there to make us understand and express our own capacities. We all have that strength, but we don't seem to know it. We seem to need to be challenged and tested in order to understand our own capacities. In fact, that is the natural law. If a river just flows easily, the water in the river does not express its power. But once you put an obstacle to the flow by constructing a dam, then you can see its strength in the form of tremendous electrical power."   back to top
 
FINDING HAPPINESS IN FIXING OURSELVES?
New Years resolutions are often plans for "bettering ourselves". Many of us resolve to be thinner, healthier, wealthier, more ambitious, more confidant: happier. We use the 'Drop of the Ball' as an alarm to fix what we don't like about ourselves. Consider Margaret Young's words, "Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." Through dedication to yoga practice, we have the opportunity to become present, intuitive, and clear, uncovering the wisdom and beauty of who we really are; perfect exactly as we are. Only then will we begin to find happiness.   back to top
 
AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP
We attract into our lives whatever we think about most, believe in most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and imagine most vividly. Creative visualization is magic in the truest meaning of the word. As the Maitri Upanishad states, "As is ones thought, so one becomes. That is an eternal mystery."   back to top
 
RESOLUTIONS - GO GLOBAL
"I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of great change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world." Dalai Lama. Read an excerpt from his book IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE. http://innerself.com/Creating_Realities/global.htm    back to top
 
NEW YEARS EVE CONCERT
Annual Concert for Peace, in the spectacular candle lit, Cathedral of St. John the Divine. This year's musical meditation features a world premiere by Tony® Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown. For info: http://www.stjohndivine.org/toursevents/toursevents_title.html   back to top
 
DETOXIFICATION
Prescription drugs, diet, alcohol, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, pesticides, and environmental chemicals can stress the liver's ability to detoxify. Here are some recommended books on detoxification. http://altmedicine.about.com/library/books/aabyb110101.htm   back to top
 
DAILY INSPIRATION
You can always consider the George Carlin Theory: "The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death. What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you're too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating...you finish off as an orgasm."   back to top
 
A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE NEW YEAR
You can always consider the George Carlin Theory: "The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death. What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you're too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating...you finish off as an orgasm."   back to top
 
TOP SITE AWARD
My web site, http://www.yogajillian.com, has been awarded Top Yoga Site with Four Stars from YogaMovement! Check out their great site http://www.yogamovement.com/links/topsites.html   back to top
 
RENEW IN PARADISE

I have only five spaces left for the second week of YOGA IN PARADISE Isla Mujeres, March 9-16, 2002. Here's what one of last years yogis had to say. "Wow. I love to travel and have been to quite a few places. This trip was one of the best weeks of my life." For more info visit www.yogajillian.com.  back to top
 
RELEASE THE PAST - OPEN TO THE NEW

A Transformational Mini-Retreat with Lois Nesbitt and Jillian Pransky Saturday, January 26 2:30-5:00. Spaces are going fast and will sell out, so reserve soon! Come release tension, toxins, and old belief patterns in order to invite in renewed energy and intentions. This retreat will include cleansing pranayama, gentle vinyasa, restorative yoga, deep relaxation, and meditation. Bring an eye cover and wear layers. Yoga Zone 138 Fifth Ave, (btwn 18 & 19th) Cost: $40 pre-registration. $45 at the door. To register call 212-647-9642.)  back to top
 
BRIGHT SPIRIT YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
I am leading The Bright Spirit Yoga Teacher Training Program along with Senior Yoga Zone teacher, Carrie Parker. This year long program begins April 2002 and is designed for serious yoga practitioners interested in either deepening their study of yoga or teaching. Classes are held in Hoboken, NJ. (Less than a 15 minute commute from NYC) For more information and application visit www.yogajillian.com email jillian_love@yahoo.com  back to top
THE DALAI LAMA WISDOM FOR YOUR RESOLUTIONS
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
 
METTA BLESSING FOR A NEW YEAR
Consider using this prayer in your New Years Meditation:
"May suffering ones be suffering free and the fear-struck fearless be. May the grieving shed all grief, and all beings find relief."
 

Thanks for reading everyone! As always, I‚d love to hear your recommendations and comments. Also, if you have a friend who‚d like to receive this newsletter, have them send in their e-mail. Please let me know of any email address changes of if you would like to be taken of the distribution.
 
Happy New Day, Every Day,
Jillian

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