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Tags: animals, yoga films, Yoga video
I was sad one day and went for a walk; I sat in a field.
A rabbit noticed my condition and came near.
It often does not take more than that to help
at times– to just be close to creatures who
are so full of knowing, so full of love that they
don't chat, they just gaze with their marvelous
understanding. -St. John
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We can't get back to nature. We are nature. When we can remember that, we tend to make better choices for our environment.
What we do to nature, we do to ourselves.
Have you ever wondered why so many of the Yoga postures are named for things found in the natural world? We have cows and cats, Camels and Crescent Moons. Notice there is no Angry Motorist, Stressed Out Mom, or Corporate Bigwig posture…
The Yogis spent much time observing the natural world, and how we could live more in tune with the way of nature. They saw where the human condition could get us off track. There's all the usual suspects of greed, fear, pride, stress, and strife, but the main culprit is our lack of awareness.
This is where our practice can really shine. In slowing down, we can observe ourself in real-time, seeing aspects of ourselves we'd like to strengthen, and parts we would rather see less of.
Our practice can return us to that simpler time, where we could do one thing at a time, more in harmony with the natural world.
Our stress levels plummet, and we begin to heal.
Just stand in tree pose. Go ahead, back away from the monitor. Stand up tall and true on one leg. Embody the essence of a particular tree that you know.
Aspire to her strength and suppleness, her grounding and reaching. Unconditionally sheltering and feeding all who come. Stand in gratitude for your chosen tree.
All this time she's been breathing in your exhales, and providing your inhales.
Ask what you can learn from her. If she could speak in our language, I'd imagine she'd say: "Use less paper and wood. When you do need to buy paper, seek out recycled… and in solidarity with me, stand in tree pose in the checkout line."
Yes, there is a Rabbit pose:
And the rabbit stealing a cookie pose:
Somedays, a carrot just doesn't cut it.
Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.
-john
p.s. Two spots just opened up in our Oct. 2nd. Fall retreat, (The Oct 15th retreat is full up) Let me know right away if you'd like to join us.
Tags: animals, Rabbit pose, Tree Pose, yoga poetry
When our heart truly opens, we don't choose the direction it takes us. In honor of Valentines Day and our heart-opening Yoga class earlier, I wanted to share this story of a special couple, a guest-post by Carrie:
Caring for a Little Girl
I never wanted to have children, at least that’s what I’ve always told myself. I often think, “There are too many people on the planet already, I don’t want to give up my freedoms, I don’t want to change my lifestyle, and what is the world going to be like when they’re my age”.
Yet, now I find one of my greatests joys is caring for a little girl. My love and admiration of her grows daily. She frolics around outside for most of the day, eats lots of veggies and grains, and sleeps inside for company and warmer comfort at night. She lets me know her likes and dislikes, loves to be held, wakes me up in the morning with her clucks, and entertains me with her curious ways.
‘2Blindy’ is her name. She once lived in a small backyard flock. I first noticed her when she squawked and flapped away from another girl who had just pecked her in the eye. I saw this happen time after time as I worked in the vegetable garden near by. Part of my job there at the farm was to feed and get the chickens water each morning and collect eggs. I accepted this task reluctantly at first because I did not like the idea of “stealing” their eggs from under the nesting hens.
Gradually I got used to it and started accepting that if this ‘had’ to get done by someone, why not let it be me. After all, I sing to them calmly and quietly as I “steal”!
The more I witnessed 2Blindy getting pecked each day, the more I realized how much I wanted her to feel at least a few minutes of peace while she tried to get some food and water. So I started to pick her up and put her on my lap two times a day, while blocking her head so she wouldn’t get pecked. I can only imagine how horrible it was to not have peace and kindness while just trying to live.
She got used to me and would come running around the corner when she heard my voice, sometimes even tripping over a rock in the dirt pen. Needless to say, I also fell…. (and what I mean by that was, in love with her).
One 19 degree morning when I got to work I found her outside on a ladder, puffed up in a ball, shivering. She had a bloody wing and looked hopeless and lonely. I told the farmer of this chickens condition, and it was recommended that I, “put her inside the house in a box with the other dying bird”. As I did this my heart sank. Sometime later I found it stuck in my throat, not knowing what to do or to say.
At 3am the Delhi airport is a sea of humanity The roads are a mix of new and prehistoric, and the air thick with dust, exaust, and puja fires. I'm whisked off to a fine apartment in Delhi for a beautiful home-stay with Jyoti and Sunthil. Their dog Shelly barks in Hindi but we reach a quick understanding and become best of friends.
On the way to the Jammu/Kashmir border, The roads seem in absolute chaos. It's terrifiying and hilarious at the same time, I do my best to defer to the back seat but have no choice but to ride shotgun for 14 hours. It's an impossible mix of vehicles, horse drawn carts, pedestrians, bicycles and stray animals. This can't be how it is, yet, it is.
We're heading to VaishnoDevi, a mountain top temple to Mother. In the backseat everyone is alseep. How can they sleep at a time like this? If I don't stay awake to jam on my imaginary brake pedal we're all doomed for sure!
There is an amazing skill in these drivers, not an inch of space is wasted, and the timing is precise. Suthil and Swamiji are masters of these roads. What seems out of control is actually a moving-meditation, one that I'll not try today.
A helicopter is arranged for our ascent, after a trek and crawl/shimmy though a narrow crevice shin-deep in freezing water, there are the natural deities. To have darshan is to be seen by her, and to hopefully take mothers blessings with you.
Words could never do these places justice. after an all-night harrowing drive from Amritsar, Haridwar is stunning to sleepless eyes. Against my doctors orders, a wade into the Ganges is refreshing and grounding. I wander the streets trying to buy a bottle of water, alas not a single shop will accept my 1,000 rupee note. (about $20) I'm so wealthy that I'm actually quite poor and thirsty. That's probably a good metaphor to stop at.
I'm flying off to Assam to a Shakti temple for Devi in the form of Chinnamasta and Tripura Sundari. It's where Sati and Shiva would meet for their trysts before getting married. I'm working on some pictures, hopefully soon.
I offer you all the amazing blessings these places hold.
-john
Tags: India
When we chant Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu it means May *All* Beings Be Free of Suffering.
We vow to do our best. So you've got fruit flies?
Here's a pic of my nifty fruit fly catch and release system:
I've found that a copy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali works very well as the base, I think they come for knowledge as well as the tasty bit of over-ripe banana. Leave this setup for a few hours.
While you're waiting, go practice all the Yoga postures named after bugs. Scorpion anyone? I'm drawing a blank on the others, Perhaps we could list them in the comments. Let's hear what you've got?
After your Shavasana, sneak up and swiftly pull the cork out, cause they are fast! (when you're little you have to be.) Bring them outside and open up over another piece of nice fruit for them to take refuge on.
Make it organic, say Mantra for them and I can almost guarantee that you will never come back as a fruit fly. Change the 'bait' fruit daily, or you'll be hatching more flies.
Om Shanti, I'll see you in class, and we'll be sure to do 'Live-Bug' pose.
John
P.S. Hope you can join us for Sunday's Equinox Workshop, and the following week is our Open Mic Kirtan, and restorative class. See the events page for details.
Tags: ahimsa, chant, concord ma, matnra, yoga
Stepped out my front door on Saturday and swoosh, my feet went right out from under me.
Down the stairs I went. I’d like to say that I landed in wheel pose, but no. I slammed down in an undignified heap on the ground.
I immediately spouted something profane about the person who was supposed to clear the stairs. Of course it’s their fault, not mine…
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class. -john
P.S. Take off your Glasses and See was a fascinating read! (thanks Susan)
I was also intrigued by: The Oxford Project A riveting look at small-town American life.
An update from Cheri at Maple Farm Sanctuary:
In late September a Mendon resident called us saying there was a Canada Goose in her yard, unable to fly. Jim and I got our net and small blankets and went to catch the goose. When we arrived it was obvious the goose couldn’t fly but there we no signs of injury. Once we got him back to the sanctuary, I examined him for obvious broken bones or other trauma. The only finding was that he was young and very underweight.
We didn’t want him to bond with us (as difficult as that was!) so we provided him with lots of food, fresh water and the ability to stay in the barn or leave. He began going into the barnyard and making practice flights. He flourished! He knew the barn schedule better than we did. As I fed the squished grapes to the chickens at night the goose quickly grew to appreciate the special treat as well.
As November came to an end more flocks of Canada Geese were coming to visit our fields. With each coming and going was a lot of honking. Our little goose was now paying closer attention to all of this activity. Then, one morning a flock landed with the usual fanfare. Our goose honked a few times as if to inquire…is it time to go? I opened the barnyard gate and called "goose-goose". He followed me from the barnyard to the top of the slope overlooking the flock of geese. I stopped….he walked right past me and straight into the flock. A few geese pecked at him to let him know who was boss. He bravely moved into the flock and, in a blink of an eye, it became a page out of "Where’s Waldo?". When the geese left at dusk no one was left standing in the field. "Goose-Goose" healed, grew up and moved on.
Geese still come to our fields everyday. I still check for "Goose-Goose" and occasionally think I recognize him. Hopefully he will have a good life and avoid the hunters gun, predators leap and the changes to his environment.
We’ll have to gather for a field trip down to the shelter, let me know if you’d be interested in join a volunteer work party for a day this spring. Namaste! John
P.S. Save the date: Saturday January 31′st for the next gathering at Yoga and Nia For Life in Concord, Mass. details very soon.
Elephant and dog become best friends:
Share video with a friend by clicking the button below:
May All Beings be Happy and Free
Om Lokah Samastha Sukino Bhavantu
Wishing peace and prosperity for you and your family in 2009
Om Shanti
I Just had to share this video of twin baby mooses. You can click the share button below to email it to a friend.
Thanks to those who could make it to the outdoor class at the Maynard Farmers Market this am. Hope to see you all at the Smiletrain benefit tonight ! see you in class -john
Be sure to check out the Fall retreat with John !
Tags: animals
