REAL(LY), TRU(e)LY GRATEFUL (Thanksgiving Schedule & News) November 22, 2016
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Buddhism, Faith, Fitness, Gratitude, Health, Life, Mantra, Minneapolis, Philosophy, Suffering, Texas, Twin Cities, Wisdom, Yoga.Tags: cultivating gratitude, gratitude, Texas, yoga practice
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When I first got back to Houston, a man I didn’t know inserted himself in a conversation with my mother; I only got to see a handful of friends; it took a really long time to walk a few blocks; I ate way too much sugar; and I took a yoga class many of my students would hate.
Wait! What? That doesn’t sound right. In fact, it doesn’t even sound like me. And the truth is that while the facts above real(ly) happened; they are not true.
In his book Open Heart, Open Mind, the Nepalese Tibetan Buddhist teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche describes how something can be “real but not true” – and offers the words as a mantra which allows us to check in with our attitudes, our perspectives, and the past conditions which establish both. The bottom line being that we view our current circumstances through the lens of past experiences. Mindfulness-based practices like yoga and Buddhism create the opportunity to examine our kleshas – or, how our thought patterns color our experiences.
So, if I were to re-frame what happened as I actually perceived it: When I first got back home to Houston, a man I’d never met before asked if I needed help with my bags (I did); I made plans to spend the day with friends who are like family to me; I spent part of the afternoon on a walkabout with two of those friends, exploring their neighborhood and quacking as we ducked; I ate a lot of dessert; and I took a yoga class with some super groovy hip openers!
Yeah, still colored, but suddenly the events are joyful. Suddenly there is room for gratitude.
“Gratitude awakens another way of being in the world, one that nurtures the heart and helps to create a life of meaning and purpose. The old barriers no longer confine us and the old fears no longer constrict or claim us. Gratitude opens us to freedom, a sense of generosity, and connection to the wider world.” – Angeles Arrien
“I didn’t say, ‘We can be grateful for everything.’ I said, ‘We can be grateful in every given moment for the opportunity. And even when we are confronted with something that is terribly difficult we can rise to this occasion and respond to the opportunity that’s given to us…. Most of the time what s given to us is the opportunity to enjoy, and we only miss it because we are rushing through life.”
– Brother David Steindl-Rast
Right now, a lot of people are struggling to be grateful. That’s super real. It’s so real that we sometimes forget there is more to life than struggle. We struggle so much we actually look forward…to more struggles. However, it’s also true that each of us has something for which we can be grateful – and, we get to choose how we spend our time and energy. We get to choose how we look forward.
“There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on.” – Leo Christopher
When someone gives us a precious gift, we give thanks. So, thank you to all the people who have spent time with me this year – on and off the mat. Your presence reminds me to appreciate every aspect of the practice, and every aspect of life. Your presence reminds me of all the ways one can practice. Thank you also, to the very talented teachers covering my classes this week – and to the people who show up for those classes. Thank you all for the opportunity to learn and grow and love within this practice.
Every time I step on a mat, I learn something new. Maybe I learn it from the teacher that’s leading the group; maybe I learn it from the teacher on the mat; maybe I learn it from the teacher within – either way, my future self is grateful. This week, “Do something that your future self will thank you for.” (unknown)
The Nokomis Yoga schedule will be as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov. 22nd @ 12:00 PM (60 minutes with SARAH)
- Tuesday, Nov. 22nd @ 7:15 PM (75 minutes with ERIKA)
- Wednesday, Nov. 23rd @ 4:30 PM (60 minutes – CANCELLED)
Sarah Kalweit and Erika Peterson both teach regular classes at Nokomis Yoga. For more on their teaching, check out their bios.
The Wednesday night Slow Flow at Flourish will be cancelled on November 23rd. Please join me on November 30th.
Weather permitting, I’ll return to Common Ground on Monday, November 30th.
For information on my incredible YMCA subs, please check the online schedules. (Also, please note that the Downtown Minneapolis will run an alternate schedule 11/24 – 11/275)
~~ HAVE A PEACEFUL, GRACEFUL, GRATEFUL, & JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON ~~
Take the Deepest Breath You’ve Taken All Day – All Day, On Retreat! September 30, 2016
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Art, Bhakti, Books, Changing Perspectives, Depression, Donate, Faith, Fitness, Food, Gratitude, Healing Stories, Health, Karma, Karma Yoga, Kirtan, Life, Love, Mantra, Meditation, Men, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music, Mysticism, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Sukkot, Twin Cities, Wisdom, Women, Writing, Yoga.Tags: community, gratitude, heart, inspiration, kindness, laughter
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What if you had a day, just a day? A day away from your regular routines, worries, and fears…. A day where everything you need is provided. Would you still worry? Would you still fear? Would you grumble and complain?
Or would you express a little gratitude?
Scientists, meditation practitioners, monks, and nuns have proven a link between gratitude and happiness. Even considering the possibility that there is something in your life for which you can be grateful, can affect your well-being in a positive way. So, what happens if you spend a day giving thanks for what you have – as well as for what you may have in the future?
Be joyful at your festival – you and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow who live within your city.
For seven days you must celebrate the Festival to YHVH*, your God, in the place which YHVH* shall choose, because the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your produce, and in all the work of your hands, and you will only be happy.
(*NOTE: YHVH is commonly translated as “the Lord” in English.)
– Deuteronomy 16:14 – 15
Every cultural has rituals, meaningful traditions, marking liminal or threshold moments throughout the year. The Hebrew Bible / Old Testament outlines a series of ritual “holidays,” times when people are to gather for reflection, remembrance, and thanksgiving. Sukkot, the Festival of the Tabernacles, is the seventh and final holiday outlined in Deuteronomy, which some people view as a mandate for happiness. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as the Season of Happiness.
But, what is happiness? How is it defined by the sages of various cultures? And how do we make ourselves happy? For that matter, how can we “only be happy” for any given period of time?
The answers to all those questions (and more) are within you. You just have to go deeper.
At the end of Sukkot 2016, join Myra K. Rucker, Meghan Murray, and special guest Kalyani for a day of community, ritual, harvest focused meals, and yoga – all centered around the link between gratitude, mindfulness, and happiness.
WHEN: Saturday, October 22, 2016, 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM (see below for full schedule)
WHERE: St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church (3121 Groveland School Road, Minnetonka, MN), approximately 40 minutes outside of downtown Minneapolis.
WHO: Everyone (sons, daughters, neighbors, strangers) are welcome.
WHAT: Myra will lead two (2) alignment and breath focused yoga practices focusing on gratitude and the ritual of Sukkot, a walking meditation, and conversation to cultivate gratitude. Meghan will prepare yoga-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free fall harvest meals guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds. Special guest Kalyani (Colleen Buckman) will close out the festival with breath work and music, including selections from her new album Fertile Ground.
HOW: Register online (or offline with Myra) by October 15th.
FULL PACKAGE A (Includes all events and meals*): $125, 10% discount available for senior.
+ Meals are not certified Kosher. Refrigeration is available for any attendee.
….and no one shall appear…empty-handed.” – Deuteronomy 16:16
In addition to being a phenomenal chef and baker, Meghan is also an amazing potter, who annually donates bowls to the Powderhorn Empty Bowls fundraiser. You can support this great fundraiser during our retreat by bringing a bowl to donate, purchasing a bowl to donate ($10), or purchasing a bowl as a keepsake ($20, includes donation). Either way, we will use the bowls and fill them with gratitude!
We will provide a limited amount of mats and props. At least one (1) meal and one (1) meditation/yoga practice may be held outdoors. Events are intended to be communal; however, quiet spaces will be reserved for anyone wishing to retreat in silence – and conversation pits will be reserved for anyone wishing to continue dialogue during the silent portions of the weekend.
** St. Luke’s is around the cornder from Mind Body Solutions and less than 2 miles from The Marsh. Contact The Marsh directly if you are interested in reserving a hotel room or utilizing their spa facilities. **
~ We are grateful for your presence ~
Saturday, October 22nd (tentative schedule):
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Heart Opening Yoga
12:30 PM – 1:45 AM LUNCH & “Guided” Conversation (1 space designated for silence)
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM Journey Meditation (1 space designated for silence / journal writing)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM YOGA
6:00 PM – 7:15 PM DINNER & “Guided” Conversation (1 space designated for silence)
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Closing Celebration & “Leave” Taking with Music & Breath by Kalyani (Colleen Buckman)
~ NAMASTE ~
GRATITUDE: The Priceless Gift (Thanksgiving Schedule & News) November 24, 2014
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Faith, Fitness, Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Texas, Twin Cities, Yoga.Tags: gratitude
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Who is rich? The one who appreciates what he has… ~Talmud – Avot 4:1
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it s like wrapping a gift and not giving it.
~William Arthur Ward
I am feeling rich, indeed, for being home in Texas this week with my family and friends. However, I am also feeling the richness of having so many people in the Twin Cities who are looking forward to my return. It’s a funny place to be – a gratitude threshold, as it were – between gratitude for what is, what was, and what will be. (If only we could live in this place of thanks!)
Many thanks to everyone who has shared their yoga practice with me – and their thoughts on the practice. Your presence (on and off the mat) are true gifts. I tell people all the time that if they appreciate the classes I lead they should thank the people around them, as these are the people who teach me, the people who bring it all together, and the people who keep me coming back.
While I am in Texas, some very gifted teachers (on and off the mat) have agreed to sub for me.
The Nokomis Yoga schedule will be as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov. 25th @ 12:00 PM (60 minutes with MELISSA)
- Tuesday, Nov. 25th @ 7:15 PM (75 minutes with ANTONELLA)
- Wednesday, Nov. 26th @ 4:30 PM (60 minutes – CANCELED)
Melissa Cross and Antonella Borgatti both teach regular classes at Nokomis Yoga. For more on their insightful teaching, check out their bios.
The Wednesday night Slow Flow at Flourish will be canceled on November 26th. Please join me on December 3rd.
For information on my incredible YMCA subs, please check the online schedules. (Also, please note that the Downtown Minneapolis will run an alternate schedule 11/27 – 11/30.)
A Joyful Practice 