Namaste Yogis and Yoginis, Here in NJ we’ve experienced rain, clouds and cool temperatures for most of spring. Yesterday a landscaper friend told me 37 of the last 42 days rained. I don’t know if that is true but it certainly feels accurate to me. Of course, like many aspects of our lives, the weather is completely out of our control. We simply can’t change it; we can only change the way we deal with it. Having a 5 year old has heightened my awareness of my habitual impulse to curse a rainy day. Catching my own tongue, I instead talk with William about how the rain helps grow flowers, nourish our crops, and fill our reservoirs. Of course I believe this and enjoy the practice of shifting my consciousness but… I must say I am also completely ready and willing to do some serious sun dancing! And now is the time! This weekend marks the beginning of summer with the Solstice, which is the longest and lightest (at least above the clouds) day of the year. Since prehistoric times, people in every corner of the Earth have celebrated the summer solstice with sun dancing, devotion rituals, singing and other expressions of gratitude and joy. To yogis, the Sun (known in Sanskrit as Surya) is understood to be the Giver of Life, nourishment for growth. Our earth and all its creatures wouldn’t exist without the sun’s energy, light and warmth. The Solstice is symbolic not only of universal life force but al so of personal growth; a time to nurture our potential and express our creative energy. So this issue is dedicated to the Shining Light –up there and in here! |
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IN THIS ISSUE —— |
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| WORDS OF WISDOM |
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"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” – Steve Martin back to top |
| WILLIAM 101 - HOW DO YOUR FLOWERS GROW? |
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I don’t think we were actually fighting but… let's just say my husband and I were having a heated debate about our Hydrangea bushes. (Yes, over flowers.) William was in hearing distance, and become upset that we talking so ‘vigorously’. Here’s what he had to say about the whole thing: “Why do we need a garden any way. People are flowers. People can be our garden. Think of all of us as a big family patch of flowers that can walk.” back to top |
| SPREADING LIGHT ONE SUN |
When you breath in and out, you share the air of all of creation. When you watch the sun set, it's like connecting with all of creation...“All humanity shares the sunlight; that sunlight is neither yours nor mine. It is the life-giving energy, which we all share. ”Krishnamurti back to top |
| DEVOTION IN MOTION |
| About 10 years ago I was in Teacher Training with the renowned Indian Yoga Master TKV Desikachar who offered a deeply poignant lesson about the Sun Salutes. (the core of a vinyasa style yoga includes a Down Dog, Plank, and Cobra or Up Dog.) He explained that they are performed as a gesture (mudra) of devotion and dedication from the student to the teacher. His son Kausthub demonstrated this in front of a room filled with hundreds of yogis. In dedication to his teacher (and father) Kausthub flowed through the series with such visible heart felt devotion that it literally moved me to tears. The shift in energy in the whole room was palatable. To bring this energy into my own salutes I too set an intention and dedication; sometimes it’s the sun or earth, some times the Greater Energy, my teachers, family, or some one who needs healing. Either way, when I consciously bring to mind whom or what I am honoring my practice rises to another level and takes on a truly different feel and meaning for me. Try it in your own practice! back to top |
| SUN SALUTE |
| http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/928_2.cfm Article on the symbolic and mythic overtones - by Richard Rosen back to top |
| "Forget not that the earth likes to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." -Kahlil Gibran |
| GO WITH THE GLOW |
| Thank you for meeting me here!
May you enjoy this bright season of recreation and transformation! But as the weather has taught us this year, the glow must come from inside. And since there is always the chance that the rain will continue...remember: “Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”...
Do keep in touch! I love to hear your comments, suggestions or any thoughts you would like to share. In addition, please let me know if you have an email address correction or a friend that you would like to add to the list.
Lastly, please let me know if you are reading this on a computer and get the format with photos. Or if you read this on your phone or travel devise. I'm deciding what format to continue sending this in.
With great warmth, Jillian |