The truth is within - my story

The beginning of my text it will be an outflow but I promise by the middle or end it will make sense.

All my life I had/have people doubting of the potential of my dreams. Starting of course from my family.  I didn't have emotional or financial support to pursuit what I want to be or do. Its understandable...sometimes the parents want a brilliant and secured future for their children and their children dreams are just...lets say not good enough. When I was a young teen I enjoyed dancing. I was not great or the best in my school but I liked. My mom didn't believe that I could make a future out of it so I had to painfully quit my school dance. She wanted me to study for a college degree. She wanted me to be a doctor, a lawyer, a dentist or whatever sounds appropriate in the eyes of the society.  I remember that the only pleasurable feeling after dancing I had that resonated with me was when I was traveling, camping and being in the nature. But to travel you need money somehow. So I met some "hippie friends" they taught me how to make jewelry on the street. So I started making jewelry, selling on the street in Rio and to friends. Again I was criticized by family, by friends and other people, because I was acting like a homeless hippie girl. (I didn't give a fuck - 17 years old me)
I started traveling my whole country and it was great. Nothing it will pay the experience of what I did. I decided to go to college, but to study Tourism because you know why.  For my family it was better than nothing. I continued with my travels, selling jewelry and being myself.
I got to work with tourism and it was really stressful/fun times. One day (some years after college) I got an invitation from a friend to do some dance work for a TV program, I remember she said she really needed someone that looks like me, because the girl was suppose to do it got sick...Anyway I said ok. It was really cool to be in contact with dance and dancers again. There I met another girl that her job was to dance and travel, then I though wowww thats the dream job. We exchange contacts, she referred me to the company, I exchange materials with them and then I had airplane ticket and permission to work in USA in my mail just like that.
Then again some people didn't believed in me. Because I was not dancing for a long time, I was not considered professional dancer, I did not speak english well, I didn't have friends there etc ( I will be fine - 24 years old me) I didn't give up because it was really exciting to say no. I went, I met wonderful people, I danced, I rides elephants in the circus, I travelled most of all states of USA and I was myself. I ended up there for 7 years. No regrets.
During my ups and downs I found yoga. I was thirst to learn more than the physical aspects of the practice. I invested some money for the Yoga Teaching Training course there. Again people around me though it was unnecessary, waist of money and time. I was doing for myself, not envisioning to be a yoga teacher in the future and make money out of it. I decide to do it because I really felt I need to love me better and that was a gift from me to Me.
After a while I started teaching because it was fulfilling. I found my practice, I found my guru and teachers to continue to inspire my path.  I decided to dedicate my life to the studies of Ashtanga yoga and you know again I get " you will be doing the same thing everyday, you will get injuries or is too difficult etc...
I did not give up on my practice because I felt my whole heart in it. Thats the point. You need to find your heart in something to brings to you life purpose. Even in Mysore, India (Ashtanga yoga birthplace) I met people there practicing in the same Institute, that would skip classes for a run, bad mouth about the teacher (Sharath) skip led classes because it was hard and be there only for the external view for others, and to say yes I am a yoga teacher and I studied there but the truth inside it was No I am here only for my yoga teacher curriculum vitae. Unfortunately this person didn't enjoy the magic of surrendering to the teacher. Before I came to Poland also it was a big life decision. I had "people" that said I should not believe in love, not in my skills, that I would not be able to teach in english in Poland, I should not go because I don't speak the language and also Poland sucks, also I should not trust in men and I should not leave USA.
Don't let your dreams drawn into mud cause somebody else jealousy or frustrations.
And yes I came, Here I am. I trust myself, I trust in my truth and Im blessed because it comes from a place of love and surrendering.
Sorry for going on so long. What I want to say from the beginning is that don't let anyone rule your life, your feelings and your thoughts. Create a life you want to live in. Be whoever you wanna be. Live the deep dream you have inside your heart. Use your gift to uplift others. If you don't know your gift maybe its time to find out. But don't be something, don't be somewhere just cause! You are so special, so unique, nothing can be waisted in uncertain and pains. Believe you can do it and move from a place of love, respect and non attachment. Shine bright as 10.000 suns.
Namaste.

Decision Making Process - Living in Yoga

Inspired by a question that came up during a conversation today I got motivated to write this text.

Can decision making process be influenced by Yoga? Yes and No. Its depends.

The practice of Yoga give us tools to gain control of our minds through physical exercises ( Asanas and Pranayama ),Yamas  and Niyamas ( Moral codes and observances)(http://ashtangametamorphosis.blogspot.com/2014/02/benefits-of-yoga-in-your-body-and-life.html)

There are also the other limbs of Yoga, but the Yamas, Niyamas and Asanas are the ones in which our practice starts and where we start to purify ourselves on a physical and spiritual level.

If the "student" only practice physical exercises the benefits will be mostly in a physical level, as a healthier body. But even only practicing asanas after many years of practice with consistence, the student may notice a change in his behaviors, because conscious breath combine with the poses have a calming effect in the nervous system.  When the nervous system is calm and balanced (Ida and Pingala Channels, connected with the right and left nostrils), the brain works in harmony. When the brain is in harmony we think clearly and we don not act by impulse.

The most important tools the yoga practice give us are the Yamas and Niyamas. Without those the benefits of yoga are incomplete. When we apply those rules in our daily lives our choices and decisions are based in Truth and Love itself. So combining a strong heart with a balanced mind from the physical exercises, the practice of yoga Yes can definitely influence any aspect of your life.

How yoga affects your life is entirely up to you. Its your choice to follow this ancients teachings and be open to it. Its your choice to open your heart and embrace whatever is there deep inside yourself. You know your own truth and I believe this practice is sometimes like a mirror that allow us to see ourselves deeper and raw. A sincere practice of yoga with no attachment to results will build a strong connection to a power greater (God, or whatever you believe) than us and from that point you will flow into life intuitively according to your truth. 

Want to start practicing Yoga and don't know where to start? Here is my advice :)

Congratulations!!! You took the first step to the beginning of a beautiful journey to the center of yourself.
So what now?
People approach yoga in the beginning with different intentions. You may feel attract to start "yoga" because of health reasons, peace of mind, tone the body, maybe to be more flexible or more strong, maybe because looks cool or maybe because you feel curious about it. Anyway does not matter your reason, with time and practice yoga gives to you an immeasurable benefits for body and mind.
The first reason I approached a yoga class it was because of a annoying back pain I had for a long time.
Now a days its really easy to find asanas (postures) and materials online and on books on how to perform postures. I do not recommend this start specially if you are a beginner. I believe those videos of demonstrations should be taken more as an inspiration than a teacher substituter.
There are many many styles of yoga classes specially in the west. I recommend to try as much as possible different styles until you find one thats resonates with you.
I remember I tried so many styles, from gentle yoga, basic yoga, flow yoga, vinyasa yoga, Kundaline, hot yoga, Iyengar yoga (really liked) and Ashtanga yoga which is what I practice. I never have tried Birkam yoga so I have no opinion about it.
Each style of yoga fits people with different personalities and life styles and you just need to find one that fits yours. Does not matter what you choose because if you practice with love and devotion based on the Yamas and Niyamas (read my older post to understand better) the practice it you bring the mental, physical and spiritual benefits.
I recommend joining a yoga class of style of your choice and after some time when you figure out what is good for you (can take years, don't rush don't worry) stick with one teacher.
Its really important to practice with the same teacher, to create a teacher and student relationship. Is just like visiting the same doctor over the years. The doctor knows your body and health history and knows the exactly medicine and amount you should take.  Other good point about going to a yoga studio is the community and the motivation you get. People are there for different reason but there is support and respect and non judgment. Does not matter how you look in the posture or how well you do something, what really matters is how you feel.
Other advice is to follow your heart. Don't pressure yourself to do things, don't complicate....choose something that makes you feel good. Don't choose a style because of the labels or because looks cool or it is in fashion or because Lady Gaga is doing! (who cares!). The practice of yoga revels our authentic Self, its like looking in a mirror and observing everything pure and raw. So with that in mind find something thats feeds your soul and that makes you want to do it again and not something you force yourself to do it because other people are doing. In the end is just a breathing exercise synchronized with poses. The practice of yoga is mean to bring body, mind and soul in harmony so the poses are a very tiny part of what yoga is really about.
Happy journey!!!!

Second Series - Punishment in Paradise

  I'm not going to lie to you. My practice has been like a roller coaster. Since when I came back from Mysore this year it's being difficult to maintain the same energy and attitude towards my mat, which is very natural I guess. There I had my teacher, the support of the Shala and the point of attention only towards my practice. Also the weather was great...plus the coconuts in the end of the practice! I can't complain :)
 My practice since India got longer but even when I got exhausted there I had to keep going. Not because it was an obligation but because it was such a special moment and opportunity to practice at the Shala receiving adjustments and energy from my teacher. If you are in the same spot I am or if you have been through this (Please I need your advice :) we may understand each other. Practicing the Primary plus a chunk of the Second Series 6 days a week is so tiring! At least for me....
 Then I tried to come up with solutions like " I will do only primary and second if I still have energy " or I will do primary in the morning and second late afternoon" or " maybe second 3 times a week" and etc........ and what I noticed in y body is my nervous system being unbalanced reflecting through my body and my thoughts.
  The second series or Nadi Shodhana its a practice build to clean the nervous system and this series is to challenge the nervous system using asanas as a false, self-imposed stress so that you practice how to remain calm and clear in the midst of challenge life situations. (Inspired by Kino MacGregor book)

  That being said I think is important to keep on going to create mental strength and stamina.Sometimes I wish I had only about a hour long practice instead of almost 2 but at the same time I'm thankful for my teacher to put me in this type of situation or I would never feel doubt of myself. My ego is really punched every time I had to do it. It hurts and sometimes I just want to run away from my mat but I choose this discipline to be the studies of my own self for self discoveries. Its amazing how this practice uses us as a laboratory and let us experiences ourselves raw and how it is.

There is no competition with God

 You probably have seen somewhere the moto " I only compete with myself". Well, this type of thinking and feeling shows more compassion towards others, but not to oneself.
 What I mean is even when one think that they are competing only with themselves, still have a competition. Roots in a rajasic state of mind that is attached to results, leading to create anxiety and a constant desire for the fruits of actions (results).
  We all want to become a better being, a better practitioner, a better anything you name... We may compete with ourselves each day towards this goal and sometimes thinking just in the results and not being fulfilled in the process.

" Obligatory action, performed without any craving or aversion by a man unattached to results - this kind of action is sattvic. "
Bhagavad Gita.

 One of the best gifts of surrendering to God, the Supreme Power (or you name it..) is the ability of trust. Performing the duties, your Sadhana and thats it. Finding equanimity in the center of ourselves even when life is twisted. And why worry about it? Everything made by him is Supreme Perfection and Supreme Love even when there is pain and fear.
 We do our Sadhana with love, dedication, devotion, determination and faith. God takes care of everything else. Offering the fruits of actions to Him, we create a state of equanimity and peace within.

Effort to LOVE

  I woke up today very early. It was dark. John drop me off at Starbucks so I could killed some time until I get my bus to go to work. After two hours of drinking tea and surfing on the internet I started my walk to the bus stop.
It's really cold today. I got lost and my phone did not help me to find my way to the bus stop. I saw this car stopped at the light, so I approached to ask for directions. It was a woman inside and she didn't even looked at me. I thought it was really weird. Then she said no with her hands. The car behind her did the same thing. They both had the age to be my mother. I walked away. I just needed directions. I was cold and my heart was broken. What a girl 5.4 with a pink backpack can do? I didn't believe on my own eyes. I walked and walked. Saw another car. The person gave me directions. He had a broken English and he was Mexican. God bless him. He showed me the way and also a shortcut.
  I could not stop thinking about it so its way I started writing.

 Two days until Christmas. Where is the love? It's so easy for people to judge others but they have no idea what is reality is really about. It's easy to love their own and ignore others just like a piece of trash. Then some of them go to church and praise Jesus. Hypocrites!
 Church is happening now. Church happens outside church. How you live and treat others it's the church. How much love you give is your temple. Jesus is a great example of that. Why they go to church? Listen theory but are lacking in practice.
 Love more is all we need. Not that love towards our loved ones. That is too easy. Love towards the strangers, that is brave! Be brave to love.
 Once I thought you get to be older to be wise. I was wrong. You just have to love enough and wisdom come. Love do not exclude anyone. Love includes everything. If you are selecting you are not loving in totality. Love is a conscious effort. It's a everyday action until becomes natural and part of your being. Love don't expect things in exchange and love do not fear. Love have Truth within. Love bring Light, Trust and Knowledge.
 Humans become worth for their capacity of love. It's not a social status, or if you are inside a Mercedes or standing in the cold. How much love can you give? We are here to make a difference. Be kind, respect, love and make your life worth of living.

Benefits of Yoga in your body and life

As the time pass the students of yoga can feel and realize the benefits of this amazing practice blossoming in their life.
The people that are targeting just the physical aspects, find a countless of benefits with the consistent practice of yoga. The benefits you can first notice in your body are:
1- Digestion. 
When you start to notice the improvement of your digestion, your skin look better, hair, your mood changes for the best. Naturally and with time and self-study your body rejects or feel more attract for certain types of food. When you eat good, your practice is good, digestion is good...when you eat no healthy foods you will feel in your body. That is a great step! In this process of recognizing what is bad or good for your digestion you control what you eat with time your weight is balanced and healthy. Not too much or you feel to full to practice and have a slow digestion process and not too little because you need energy to maintain the practice and your life out off the mat.
2- Weight is balanced
In a yoga class you see all kinds of different shapes of bodies. They all move beutiful. Learning to observe other bodies types, we start to appreciate our own bodies. We are all different, and this make us special and unique. The concept of what is the right body type is something created to distract our minds, creating insecurity or ego. Nothing good come from that. Nobody need a six pack to look great or big boobs to look sexy. Start to feel good from inside and out.
3-Satisfaction
Oh yes, you slowly will become flexible. How is that? Its not like magic. One month of yoga is not going to make you super flexible. Its a slow humble process. Its take time and effort. Its painful, but its for the good. After time your body can go to places your mind never imagined before. You brake your own limitations. In this process you release toxins that are stored in your body for a long long time. Its a natural slow cleaning and detoxing process. Your joints get lubricated, muscles slowly being stretch renewing muscles fibres and getting stronger. The breath combines with movements is the gold key to release toxins, stress, tension and everything that do not serve our body out and away when we start to sweat. As we start to swear our blood gets hot, eliminating even more toxins out, cleaning the internal organs and at the same time keeping the joints warmer so you can go even deeper and get more flexible.
4-Flexibility
As you become more flexible, muscles slowly getting stronger, your body becomes clean and light you start to affect your mind in a different way that other physical activities did not provide this to you before.
Your mind becomes more calm, little easier to deal with. You find this interesting. You start to notice that this long term yoga students look very calm in their face and talk. You search about it...some point in your life.
5-Peace of mind- lower levels of stress
You discover that yoga is much more than a physical practice. It is a spiritual practice to find your path toward yourself, toward something much greater that us. You name it! Yoga is not a religion, but can be an excellent tool addition to your religion. Yoga is the union of the Divine.
6- Spiritual Practice
The point of the iceberg is the asana practice. What we can see. The rest submersed in the water is what we can not see. Its a internal practice. Some point we learn that yoga have 8 limbs or steps that we should dedicate ourselves with mind and heart.
Those are:

• Yama - the five restraints or the "don'ts"
  • Ahimsa - Non-violence
  • Satya - Truthfulness
  • Brahmacharya - Control of the senses and celibacy
  • Asteya - Non-stealing
  • Aparigraha - Non-covetousness and non-acceptance of gifts
• Niyama - the five observances or the "do's"
  • Saucha - Purity, cleanliness
  • Santosha - Contentment
  • Tapas - Austerity
  • Swadhyaya - Self-study, study of scriptures
  • Ishwara Pranidhana - Surrender to God's will
• Asana - Steady posture
• Pranayama - Control of prana or life force
• Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses
• Dharana - Concentration
• Dhyana - Meditation
• Samadhi - Super-conscious state

The practice of yoga is a purification of the mind. There is a purification of the body, but the purification of the mind is very difficult process. The 8 limbs of yoga ( 8 limbs of Patanjali ) its a beautiful gift left for us for a better, mindful and consciousness life.

 

7- Union

Is a everyday practice. Gratitude, compassion and love towards ourselves and others. No labels, no differences. Everything created by Divine energy pulsing life in the same soul.