Ever get stuck between a rock and hard place? When you do, it’s like no matter what, no matter what options, the outcome of your decision might not be quite desirable. 

Recently, I was guiding a friend through a challenging decision. She felt that no matter which way she turned, it was “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” She felt defeated and frustrated.

Sometimes when faced with situations like that, it helps to take a step back and look at the situation objectively. List out the pros and cons to weigh out the consequences. 

During that reflection, also take a better look at your moral compass. What serves you best? What is in line with your core values? 

Still can’t find the right answers? Try meditating upon your Third Eye Chakra, the Ajna Chakra, to open your mind, find more clarity and connect with your inner wisdom. 

I mostly self-practice nowadays due to my schedule. But last week, I had the opportunity to take class at a studio. I consider it quite a gift to be able to take other teachers’ classes. I can just connect without practicing with a teacher’s mind. Unfortunately, though, I couldn’t lose myself in this particular class. 

This teacher, whom I didn’t know, would cue the oddest posture names. The one that broke the camel’s back was “auspicious one-armed pose.” I seriously looked up with a perplexed, WTF-look to see what the teacher was referring to. 

After class, I reflected upon TRADITION in yoga. I highly regard & honor the traditional practice of yoga, but I’ve noticed how today’s yoga practice has morphed & slightly steered away from tradition, some in an unfortunate “auspciously one-armed-pose” kind of way but mostly into way that honors tradition in a more modern method. 

I’ve adapted it myself, in fact, incorporating a more mindful, movement & mobility practice into transitions & traditional postures, yet without creating crazy made up names. Many of my cues have also shifted, mostly in an anatomical way that promotes safety & heightened understanding of our body’s functionality. 

As a practitioner for almost 20 years, I’m constantly learning ways to honor this practice & yet keep it adaptable to my (aging) changing body. I also love sharing what I learn in all of my classes. 

How are you adapting yet honoring tradition as a teacher or student? I’d love to hear!

I’ve been dealing with some minor health issues lately. It seemed to come out of no where, but in full effect. I started to feel betrayed by my body—“how dare my body get ill…I take care of myself inside and out.” 

Then I watched a documentary called “Heal”. If you haven’t seen it, you should. Basically, this film shows how thoughts, beliefs and emotions have a huge impact on our health and ability to heal. After watching the film, I looked at my own life and realized that I was under a lot of stress. I started to take on too many projects. I kept stressing over all my future projects and not allowing myself to be fully present in my current projects. And, I had emotions that were constantly in flux.

I strongly believe that I was making self sick. 

Did you know that stress can affect your gastrointestinal system? Scientists have pointed out that the gut imbalance has a connection to the mind. Yogis may point out the imbalance in the 🌞Manipura Chakra🌞. 

Your Manipura Chakra, your third chakra which color is yellow, is located in your solar plexus. It is tied to your wisdom, self-confidence and feelings of well-being. When it’s imbalanced, you may feel tired, weak, sick and, since it anatomically governs the pancreas, digestive system’s organs and adrenal glands, you may experience digestive issues. 

Having felt imbalanced in my Manipura Chakra, I’ve been meditating upon this space, visualizing a brillant, glowing yellow light in my stomach area. Each in-breath, I invite more balance, self-awareness, and loving assertiveness. Each out-breath I release tension. 

Repeating these #affirmations have helped too:

✨I balance my personal power from a place of compassion and self-esteem. 

✨I am strong. I have courage.

✨I have control and am worthy of creating a life I want.

Sense imbalance too? Try this healing meditation too. Namaste, yogis.

While chatting with students before class last week, one student commented on how he’s really been enjoying my thought-provoking posts lately, adding that it’s nice to see positive things on his social media feed. 

That led to a discussion about “Why is it so easy to express hate than it is to express love?” 

It’s sad to think that most of our surroundings is in that mindset. I guess it is easy to exploit things we don’t really understand, are jealous of, or dislike. Ironically, though, hate is such a strong emotion that sometimes it takes more energy to hate than love. 

Before you hate on something, gossip or spread untruths, take a moment to look at yourself first. Most likely, what you’re hating on is actually a reflection of yourself—your own flaws or fears. Perhaps, practice a bit self-reflection and self-compassion to see what you can improve to be more at peace with yourself. Loving yourself first to then love others.