Much negativity has arisen this election year and I find the call of practice even more. As I practice, my breath eases, my body warms and slowly, I find THAT calm place, my center. Much like being in the eye of a storm. It is a moving, but still, center. There are many paths to find this bliss. Practicing Radiant Body Katonah Yoga helps me find my bliss. Using the Katonah Yoga Magic Square developed by Nevine Michaan, my teacher, as a map, I set up conditions to receive the blessings of the Asanas, Kriyas, Pranayama, Chanting and Mantras. I weave my personal narrative using my body as my vehicle and my breath as my fuel. My stability supports my ability; having my ability augmented by my stability gives me a higher vision. I open spaces in my organs, become buoyant through tai ji “stretches” in poses, and deepen my relaxation into the postures and increase awareness using Kundalini Yoga technology. By daily repetition, I gain insights to self adjust. I let go of my attachment to particular outcomes and find my rhythm, knowing that the universe is innately intelligent. When I catch my rhythm – I will be IN JOY, in the center. This is my higher bliss nature. And if I live from this place, I connect and live a life of deep presence, which is joyful, easeful and graceful. Through time, my personal narrative becomes epic. I transform the mundane to the mystical! So grateful to all my teachers for this practice and in awe with the wonders that open and become available.
After a class, a student told me: “I feel so good and I feel I grew a few inches!” It is opening that little space in our joints, organs and our subtle body that makes us more spacious. A tree is spacious because it sinks deep into the ground with its roots as its branches and trunk go up to the sky. A balloon is spacey because it just floats up. This metaphor from Nevine reminds us of the power of this practice. It is a process of expansion and contraction; finding ebbs and flow, losing concentration and reconnecting, lighting awareness on personal shadows and growing from that, reformation and transformation. After consistent daily practice, I am noticing more space in my body, a deeper calm and I am smiling more often; becoming radiant and according to one of my teachers, exuding a beautiful practice!