In The Presence of a Guru (or 2):

Today, I will be meeting two of the most inspirational Ashtangis and teachers/gurus in the world.  Sharath Jois (grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) and Saraswathi Jois (daughter of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) will be coming to Charlottesville, VA to do a yoga practice and lecture on Ashtanga Yoga.

I signed up and registered today and, quite literally, had tears in my eyes.  These are the happiest tears I’ve cried in a very, very long time.
Ashtanga Yoga came into my life a year and a half ago at yoga teacher training. It was brand new to me and quite daunting. But I immediately fell in love with it. It changed my body so quickly, inside and out, in ways that I never imagined possible.  After graduating from “yoga school” I kind of fell off the bandwagon of my Ashtanga practice (that’s what having 3 jobs will do to a lady..oy!).  But, in the last few weeks, something has kept telling me to get back to it. So I started practicing it again at home, 6 days a week and remembered why I love it so much. I feel so strong when I practice, and it helps me work through my “junk”.  I’ve said for so long how I would love to study with Sharath, because I find him so awe-inspiring and amazing.  I always thought, however, that my only opportunity to do that would be to travel to Mysore, India.
And then, today, one of my girlfriends from yoga school texted me if I was going to UVA on Friday. I had no clue what she was talking about. When she told me that Sharath and Saraswathi would be there doing a workshop, I immediately jumped up and down, and started crying from pure excitement and happiness. I immediately signed up and registered for it.
I cannot believe that this is happening.  Being in the presence of Guruji’s lineage is going to be so amazing.
This week can’t go by fast enough!
This little yogi is in a state of pure bliss and happiness and excitement right now.

Here’s the link: http://www.uvacontemplation.org/gurusongrounds

Getting out of a funk:

Sometimes, you just get in a funk. You don't know why. Maybe it's the lack of sleep? Maybe it's the fact that the weather is crazy (67 one day, BLIZZARD THE NEXT)? Maybe it's having 3 jobs and a lack of free time to spend doing things you really crave and need to feel less zombified? I don't know. But sometimes, sometimes you just get in a funk. And then you read a quote from a fellow yoga teacher that really resonates with you and zaps you out of your daze:


“Having a bad day? Going through a rough patch? Life crisis? Don’t panic. In the words of Liz Gilbert - don’t fall apart, it becomes a habit. Stay calm and know that you are where you are right now for a very important reason. Life will never give you something you can’t handle. It will all make sense in a little while, but for now: Go back to basics. Drink water. Breathe deeply. Eat foods that heal. Surround yourself with loving people. Read books that resonate with your soul. Go for a walk in the woods, on the beach, in the park, in your backyard…anywhere you can breathe fresh air and see the sky above. Close your eyes. Connect. Remind yourself of the things you have to be grateful for, and let the words ‘Thank You’ become your most important mantra. You can do this. You are strong, you are whole, and you are not alone.” - Rachel Brathen

Time to find happy again.

Om shanti,

Z