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Back to Nature

July 17, 2010 in Yoga, animals, creativity, jnana, writing | 8 comments

a wild rabbit

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:  

Rabbit Yoga pose

 

And the rabbit stealing a cookie pose:

rabbit steals a cookie

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.

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Caring for a Girl

February 14, 2010 in ahimsa, animals, writing | 5 comments

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:

Carrie and Boo

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.

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World Vegetarian Day

September 30, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, ahimsa | Add Your Comment

 Namaste.

I got some emails regarding the Fruit Fly Liberation blogpost.  Most were favorable, a few were fun, and a couple were hostile.  I’m used to the full-spectrum of reactions to my suggesting compassion.  For some reason, some people are threatened by the idea of caring for others.  

I wouldn’t say they are cold or heartless, just misinformed.  I bet they care for their dog or cat just fine.  All of us have a level of compassion, where we draw our line.  This is selective compassion.  The Practice of Ahimsa, or non-violence asks us to lower this line to include more beings. This is a foundational aspect of Yoga.

Myself, I don’t feel qualified to decide which beings to care for, it’s a matter of simplification to care for all beings, even the small ones, even the unpopular ones.  If the pigeons raid the feeder, I put more seed out. They are hungry too.  Ditto for the Squirrels.  Why not? 

As I was washing my greens for dinner tonight I noticed this tiny little bug in the basin of water.  He sure was small, and… he was swimming.  I held him a leaf, and he climbed on.  As I set him out in the garden, I could imagine his relief.  

Yes, I project a lot onto others… But this bug was trying to save himself, as you would if you were dumped in the middle of the ocean.  My dinner was nicer in knowing that he survived it.

This will to live is inherent in all beings.  We share the same Prana, (not the Yoga-pants, but the lifeforce) that animates him.

Okay, so John’s ranting about the bugs again.  

But It’s really not about the bugs, it’s about recognizing the gift of life in all beings.  

October first is World Vegetarian Day.  Please read:  The Startling Effects of Going Vegetarian for Just One Day  

Yoga asks us to examine our beliefs often, and hold our truths lightly, cause they change as we learn more about ourselves and our world.  We don’t have to be selective, we can care for all beings.  Om Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

 The further I walk along this path, the less I need to know.  

As we head off to our Fall Retreat at Spirit Fire this weekend, our group will live in peaceful practice and enjoy amazing Vegetarian food.  

We’ve got a full house this trip, but a couple spots may still be left for the Spring 2010 retreat.  Email me right away if you’re interested in joining us though.  

Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.

john

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Catch and Release

April 30, 2009 in Yoga | Add Your Comment

In Asana class the other day we talked about balancing strive with acceptance and humility.  Our physical practice can invoke our striving nature, our need to compete, to improve, or ‘collect’ postures,  especially the ones we see as advanced.  This can distract us from our path, and can lead to frustration and injury.  Depth in our practice must be balanced with humility and acceptance.

I recalled as a boy fishing with my father, We practiced ‘catch and release’ fishing.  When hooked, we’d haul the fish in, unhook her, and set her free.  

I thought about how that could be a metaphor for how we can aspire to live.  With a loose grip on things and experiences, we can flow with what is, that dance between grasping and contentment, The sanskrit terms are: Graha and Santosha.  

Everything is on loan, including the breath you just took.  (stop reading, sit up straight, close your eyes and take three long, smooth, borrowed breaths)

I was always horrified to catch a fish, it is such an act of violence.  Don’t tell dad, but towards the end of my fishing hobby I realized that if I didn’t bait the hook, I wouldn’t catch anything.  Dad would be hauling them in, calling over to me , "Any bites?"  nope, none at all Dad. 

Vinyasa Yoga is to flow with breath and intention.  Why limit this to Yoga class?

Live in Vinyasa, loosen your grip on things, thoughts, and experiences… Breathe. Catch and release. Step into your flow.

Om Shanti, Peace to the fishes. I’ll see you in class.

-j

p.s.  did you do the three breaths?  Couple spots still open for the Invoking Shiva class this weekend, and our Fall Retreat is 3/4′s full, or would that be 1/4 empty ?  Let me know right away if you’d like to join us.  Details on the Yoga Events page.

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Mooseplay

July 26, 2008 in Uncategorized, animals | Add Your Comment

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 ! 

 

 

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