Harry Potter & Yoga

One of my students recently shared an article on my FB page "Yoga Leads to Satan, Says Northern Ireland Priest".

I don't usually respond to articles like this. For me, it's the practice of the Law of Attraction.  I don't want to focus on negative stuff because I don't want to give it energy.  I want to focus on the positive & give energy to that.

But this article had a few interesting comments that I couldn't resist responding to:

1.  Reading Harry Potter leads to evil.

2.  A yoga teacher from Derry, Ireland who was quoted saying "In all the time I've been teaching, not one person has ever expressed an interest going deeper into the spiritual elements of yoga"

3.  The one that really caught my attention & got me thinking: "those enjoying yoga...are taking risks with their spiritual health opening themselves up..."

Ok, so honestly, I included #1 just because I think it's funny.  I've read some of the Harry Potter books (not all) & I definitely don't feel inclined to evil.  But maybe I missed the turning point because I stopped reading just in time!

#2 makes me a little sad.  I love the physicality of yoga, especially the power practice that I /we teach at my studio.  But there's way more to it than that.  And to hear that someone has been teaching & never been asked by students about the spiritual piece?  I don't know...maybe shes only been teaching for a couple months (joking!).

And then #3.  The most-noteworthy for me.  Because for me, a big piece of yoga is all about opening yourself up.  And it sure is risky all right!  Seriously.  Obviously, you open up your physical body - nothing too crazy there.  But you also open up your mind & question the way you live your life.  You open your eyes & see things differently or things that you've never seen before.  You open your heart - that's the riskiest of all.  You let yourself love others, you let others love you, and you love yourself.  Unconditionally.  And that's something this world needs more of.

I'll take it.  Yoga & the risks.  And I'll continue to encourage everyone I know to do that same.

(and I may even finish reading the Harry Potter books too!)

Winter Wonderland?

Yesterday morning I attempted to post the above photo & video to FB.  My plan was to join my fellow New Englanders in complaining about the cold, snowy winter.  I couldn't do it - it wouldn't post.  FB didn't stop me & it wasn't for lack of trying.  It was most likely, as we say in my house, operator error:)

I took it as sign.  Stop complaining.  It's New England & it's winter - what'd you expect?

I've definitely been complaining about the weather.  We returned home from Florida just over a week ago - that's been a really challenging adjustment!  Snowpants, hat, gloves vs. shorts & a t-shirt.  What do you think?

But, here we are....again!  I wrote a blog last winter about why it's great to live in New England in the winter.  For many of the same reasons I'm writing this blog.  To create a shift.  Now, I can't say I've totally managed to embrace the weather & do a total turnaround, but I sure am trying. 

It was cold outside today.  But it was bright & sparkly & sunny outside too. Our son, like so many kids his age, loves the snow!  We have a warm, toasty home to come inside to after being outdoors.  This morning, I saw cardinals in a bush behind our house - the contrast of the red bird in the white snow was beautiful.  Everywhere we go, things look different & it's interesting to reflect on that.

Alot of beauty, alot to be grateful for.

I'm not saying it's easy.  But it's a practice.  And just like my yoga practice on my mat, when I focus on what's going right & what I have to be grateful for, life is better.