A little “chakra-for-dummies” for those of us who could use a reference : ) Bigger-ize it to find out more.

Happy Tuesday!

Thanks to YogaDork

For anyone worried about the over-commercialization/bastardization/trendiness/superficiality of yoga, this guy’s keepin’ it real. If I’m half that flexible at his age, somebody throw me a party.

Via ashappyaskings.tumblr.com

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” ~D.H. Lawrence

“This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms and heart, to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion.”

–The Holstee Manifesto, 2009.
Order the poster here

It’s Thursday. Which means it’s almost Friday. And yesterday Asya and I met for happy hour instead of going to Will’s class, which I was trying to justify, when I came across this poem by the Indian master-poet, Ghalib. I think he’d understand…

For Tomorrow’s Sake, Don’t Skimp With Me On Wine Today
By Ghalib
Translated by Agha Shahid Ali

For tomorrow’s sake, don’t skimp with me on wine today.
A stingy portion implies a suspicion of heaven’s abundance.

The horse of life is galloping; we’ll never know the stopping place.
Our hands are not touching the reins, nor our feet the stirrups.

I keep a certain distance from the reality of things.
It’s the same distance between me and utter confusion.

The scene, the one looking, and the ability to see are all the same.
If that is so, why am I confused about what is in front of me?

The greatness of a river depends on its magnificent face.
If we break it into bubbles and drops and waves, we are lost.

She is not free from her ways to increase her beauty.
The mirror she sees is on the inside of her veil.

What we think is obvious is so far beyond our comprehension.
We are still dreaming even when we dream we are awake.

From the smell of my friend’s friend I get the smell of my friend.
Listen, Ghalib, you are busy worshiping God’s friend.

WIN: A copy of Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal by Bruce Black (courtesy of Rodmell Press).

TO ENTER: Complete the following mad lib:

What to do: Write down a word for each below.

adjective
adjective
yoga pose you struggle with
verb
noun (body part)
yoga pose you love
friend’s name
adjective
verb
noun
adverb
adjective
past tense verb
noun
Then, fill in the appropriate blanks. And post the final the comments below!

Yoga is __1__ and makes me feel __2__. When I practice __3__ I really need to __4__ my ___5__ afterward. But doing __6__ with __7__ I feel __8__ and want to __9__ a __10__ __11__ right away. It’s the most __12__ feeling since I __13__ __14__.

(*inspired by curvyyoga.com)

Then go post your comment on YogaDork.

Giveaway closes end of Sunday, April 10th. Winners (yes, winnerS!) will be chosen at random and announced Monday the 11th. Have fun! Good luck!!

Read more about Bruce, his writing and his yoga http://journalpractice.wordpress.com

We might be too cool for school, but the nerdy English teacher in me just had to share this anyway. At least she does yoga, so, umm, hopefully this isn’t too random.

“The eyes of the future are looking
back at us and they are praying for us
to see beyond our own time. They
are kneeling with hands clasped that
we might act with restraint, that we
might leave room for the life that is
destined to come. To protect what is
wild is to protect what is gentle.
Perhaps the wilderness we fear is the
pause between our own heartbeats,
the silent space that says we live only
by grace. Wilderness lives by this
same grace. Wild mercy is in our hands.”

—Terry Tempest Williams

from Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert (2001)