4th Of July Weekend Schedule

I'll be teaching on the morning of the 4th of July if you want to come celebrate your freedom!

4th OF JULY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Saturday: Solar Flow 3 - 9:30-11:00am
Monday: Solar Flow 2 - 9:30-10:45am, Basics Flow - 6:00-7:00pm, Solar Flow 1, 7:05-8:05pm
Tuesday: All Levels Flow - 9:30-11:00am, No evening classes

Be safe and enjoy!

kula

It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.–Irish proverb

Santorini Photos

Namaste Yogins!

I have posted some of our photos from our wonderful yoga retreat if any of you are interested in a glimpse at life across the globe.

Santorini Photos

Hope to see you soon!

Love,

Gina

We Need a Name

I posted earlier about Race For The Cure and there was some interest from my yogi friends. Well, we need a name and a snappy one so I can get us set up to register online.

So go ahead get those creative juices flowing and get our team a name!!

Love
Michelle

OM Again!

Hi everyone, So sorry to have missed you at our impromptu kula reunion at Laura's Restorative Class last night. Jeff and I are experiencing technical difficulties with our internal clocks right now. We had to draw the shades in our bedroom last "night" because we fell asleep before it was even dark out. And then this morning we were both up with the monks (even earlier than Becky Petersen gets up). Oy vey!

I just wanted to offer a special thanks to those of you who continued your practice last week and supported both the studio and our blessed subs Laura, Anita, Sarah and Jill. Each time you make time for your practice helps keep the studio going and I really appreciate the opportunity to teach in our community so THANK YOU. You are the heart of Kansas Siddhi Yoga.

I am so looking forward to seeing you all very soon. One thing that became extremely clear to me while away with a group of people from around the country is that we are all living in a time that yoga is essential for our well being and our spiritual evolution. Without it, I fear we'll just be stuck in the cycle of samsara. Samsāra is ignorance of and a disconnection from the True Self, The Big "I". It is this ignorance of one's true self that leads to cycles of stress, anxiety, anger, discontent and a sense of always being "behind". A commitment to yoga illuminates the off-ramp from the spiritual traffic circle of samsara. The path is there for us, let's walk it hand in hand. I'll see you there...

Much love and gratitude to you all, Gina

Does anyone know if we are getting together before the workshop tonight? Also I tried sending an email via the new mass mailing routine and got no response; did anyone receive it?

Becky, is Miss Harley Legal Yet?

Becky,

I can't wait to hear the outcome of the ID situation! Don't you just love trying to get an answer -- a logical answer -- from the government? Miss you and Harley; give her a hug for me!

Clara

keepin it light

Becky, you crack me up. thanks so much for your humor in your respose to Leslie (square peg). I can relate to those feelings. mike

Missing the Kula

Namaste Kula!

Just wanted to let you know how remarkable I find your posts while I've been gone. Just when I thought I couldn't get any prouder of you, you begin to pull back the veil even more revealing your magnificence. Thank you for that, it's empowering and inspiring. Together we can initiate the changes we need to reveal our dharma, our highest purpose. You're making things happen with these little posts, thank you!!!

I've posted a couple tidbits on the main blog site, moyogablog.blogspot.com. Can't wait to see you when I get back!

Much love and gratitude,
Gina

do the right thing

funny we are on this subject today,,,,,,doubts. On my way home from texas yesterday I purchased Yoga Journal june 2006. I read an article "DO THE RIGHT THING" starting on page 61. It addresses Leslie's questions. Please read the whole article, I feel it will give us the direction we are looking for. Remember during Kula we talked about sitting, meditation, being still, being present, and listening to the calm subtle big I. "The more you get to know it (big I), the more it will be there to guide you and the more you will be living your own dharma, the deep truth of your most personal and most universal being." This is the last line from that article. mike

Focus

Reading Leslie's entry made me want to share a similar "pull". I am constantly looking for the balance between my life and the "world out there". I think of people who don't have money to pay the rent, to afford a/c, where violence is an everyday occurence and I feel at a loss as to understand why I am afforded such luxuries and they are not. I have a quiet place to meditate, a beautiful place to go to practice yoga, a place to bathe, to grow vegetables and flowers, to feed the birds, to have a place to share with family and friends. And then I think of the picture of the little girl in Africa who has a vulture watching her as she tries to crawl towards the food station. The only think on her tiny emaciated body is a necklace and bracelet. Nothing else. She has been stripped of everything life has to offer other than her suffering. I've named her Dove and to me she represents all that is in the world. I have an incredible amount of love for Dove and everything she represents. She is much more courageous than I could ever be. From her I try to draw strength and humility and a strong resolve to take what I have learned with yoga and the kula and to find a way to be even more aware of the world around me and take focused action.
deb

Square Peg

Do you ever feel like there's something more you should be doing with your life? But you just can't seem to figure it out? No doubt it was this very feeling that led me to yoga (and all of you) 10 months ago. And yet...here I am again (still?) hearing that call, feeling that undeniable pull toward something. I just can't for the life of me figure it out.

I DO know that I'm not living up to my full potential. I've settled for a job that requires nothing more of me than to show up (I basically sort & shelve books at the public library during the school year). I think the sad truth is that I'm afraid of making the "wrong" choice - that if I really put myself out there to do what makes my heart sing, then I'll have to follow through. I'll have to live up to that standard and deep down I guess I'm afraid that I won't be able to do it. Not to mention that this would require KNOWING what makes my heart sing! Therein lies the rub. ;)

Fear keeps me stuck. I know that. My question is - how to move past the fear to get to get the answers I'm seeking? I can think of all sorts of things that I would enjoy doing, but I can think of even MORE reasons why I couldn't possibly do those things. I'll be 42 next month and I feel like I should have my proverbial shit together. But my reality is that I'm a little square peg trying my best not to get noticed as I work myself into places I don't fit.

I'm sharing this in hopes of eliciting feedback from those who may feel (or have felt) similarly - or even just thoughts on how to begin getting unstuck. :)

~ Leslie

Stop, hey what's that sound?

Tonight in class, I was listening to Gina talk about going to a presentation on heart health where a number of proven self-care strategies were described. Gina said she had the feeling that few, if any, of the people present would likely adopt the heart healthy behaviors...because, like so many others, they don't perceive themselves as currently having a need to change. Everything is fine right now, so why do something that is difficult or uncomfortable? Of course, the reality is that everything might not be fine and one might not even be aware of it...there might not be a symptom in the world or a measurable physiological indicator.

That's how it was with me. Everyone would have said I was the picture of health. In fact, most would describe me as some sort of health nut. A long time vegetarian, regular exerciser, non-smoker and rare consumer of alcohol. But, one day, as if out of nowhere, a lump appeared in my breast -- my healthy habits and my yoga practice had not prevented cancer. What the %$^#&? After the shock dissipated, I recalled that all of us are subject to old age, sickness, decay and death...even those of us who make every effort to avoid the realities of living in a finite body. Since my prevention plan had failed, I decided that my healthy lifestyle would help me get through treatment, would protect me against side effects, would sustain me when things got tough.

But I also had to stop. I had to prioritize far more than ever before because I had a limited amount of energy. As Gina talked tonight about the fact that so many of us refuse to stop and take a look inside, I recalled one of my spiritual advisors telling me that it took something as dramatic as cancer to make me stop -- and it wasn't that I was doing bad things. In fact, all my busy-ness was what one might call admirable. Serving at the soup kitchen regularly. Teaching lots of courses and advising several student organizations. Teaching yoga classes. Going to church. And on and on and on...When I was forced to pare everything down to the essentials, I realized that all my busy-ness, though borne out of good intentions, continally drew me outward, left little time for stillness. And as I got still, things became clearer...

I don't think my busy-ness caused me to have cancer. But I think my busy-ness was a distraction from the Big I. And somehow, cancer reintroduced me to her, forced me to be quiet enough to hear her voice, still enough to feel her within me.

"Those who refuse to go within go without..."

ode to caffeine

It has been 33 days since I last ingested caffeine. I'm mentioning this because tomorrow I'm driving to Santa Fe and I'm sure that caffeine will enter my system. I wanted to make sure that I went 30 days to break my addiction (since I was a teenager -- so about half my life.) About two weeks ago, my body through a huge temper tantrum. It is the year that my allergies act up, and I really don't think my body knew how to react without caffeine. I thought I was going to have to break down and drink some coffee or coke or something. I didn't and I don't think I my willpower was so strong alone. I'm sure I made it because I had the cleanse experienced and the Kula for support. Thank you!!!!

Blogging From Greece

Hi gang,

I'm going to do my best to blog from Santorini as frequently as possible. A woman at the hotel assures me there is an Internet Cafe nearby so Jeff and I will scout it out when we arrive. I'll post to the main blog site in hopes of reviving a little life on that site. Thank YOU for bringing this blog site back to life. I think blogging is not only therapeutic for the writer but a way to unite us and remind us of our similarities. These are the seeds of compassion for all beings.

Main blog site is: http://moyogablog.blogspot.com

Love to all,
Gina

I have been struggling with the seemingly straightforward task of getting my 7-year-old daughter a replacement social security card. Since this involves dealing with the government, it of course cannot be straightforward. NOT TO MENTION it touches on my not-so-submerged issues of why she doesn't have her social security card in the first place. Here is a very subtle hint--- it has to do with her abandoning,abusive, so-called father( may he be free of suffering and the roots of suffering.) Anyway, I have filled out the forms and am supposed to take all my paperwork to the office, but the application says that she and I each have to present 2 forms of I.D. and they don't accept birth certificates. How many 7-year-olds have any I.D? I want to avoid going to stand in line,inching my way to an apathetic clerk who I KNOW will tell me to leave and come back with a certain piece of paper that I have never heard of. Since I am a modern woman with access to a phone and a computer I think I can get some questions answered before I drive up there and stand in line. The local office never answers their phone, and the national number is an automated service that consistently spirals me back to requesting the application which I already have ,wadded up in my clenched fist. The automated system is voice activated so I keep calling back trying to rephrase my question in some magical way that will allow me to talk to a real person. In the midst of this I am clinging to the hope that my parents will babysit my daughter Harley so that I can make it to the Wed. a.m. yoga class, but alas, they can't. At this point my little girl is advising me to back away from the phone and take a break, but I am determined to win against this blasted system, so I continue to call, finally whimpering to please talk to a real person. The computerized voice assures me, over and over that it is set up to handle all my needs. So, like any sane person would do I begin cursing and banging the phone repeatedly down on the receiver. Thinking this might be actually effective, I put the phone back to my ear, where the preternaturally calm voice says," I didn't understand your last response. Could you please repeat that?" I eventually actually make it to a yoga class that night where Gina COINCIDENTALLY tells a story about a woman in the DMV office who, because of her yoga practice, is able to calmly and lovingly start over in line after being told that she has made it all the way to the front of the wrong line. Here I am today, preparing to go to the social security office with my wadded-up application And my intention to use this opportunity to practice equanimity and peace. I am going to wear my kula teeshirt in hopes that it will inspire me, as belonging to the kula itself has inspired me, to be a better person. Or if that doesn't happen, hopefully even I would be embarrassed to indulge in a fit of rage while wearing a yoga shirt! OK, here goes.............

Kansas City Race For The Cure

So, I just got my info in the mail yesterday about this year's race for the cure. I just wanted to throw the idea out for anyone in the Kula that might want to run, walk or stroll in the race with me this year. Last year was very packed with people but also very uplifting.

Just let me know if any are interested and we can come up with a "Kul" name for out team!!

Details
August 13 (Sunday)
7Am is the warm up
entry fee $25.00
Deadline to enter as a team July 31st
www.kckomen.org

Dannie, Avery and I particapated last year and Dannie walked for our friend Barb Grabill (survivor) Avery walked for his friend's Grandma Marianne Mayernik (survivor) and I ran for my dear friend JoAnne Mancini who lost her 8 year battle in August of 2003. I ran in full make up and earrings at 7AM as a reminder of how JoAnne was always so beautifully put together and she would yell at me if I didn't have lipstick and earrings on!!

Who will you walk for???
Love
Michelle

Springtime Yoga Immersion and Cleanse

Springtime Yoga Immersion and Cleanse

In her fabulous book, EAT, PRAY, LOVE, Elizabeth Gilbert recounts a story where a friend told her that Life's metaphors are God's lessons. Last night after yoga, I got an interesting lesson that relates to our practice.

Last weekend I bought an iPod. I've never been a "toy" person and the idea of "distinctions in sound quality" has always seemed a little over-critical to me (talk about "over critical!"). How wrong can one person be??!! I love my iPod. Totally.

Last night I was trying to set up a gizmo to play my Nano in the car. Without bothering to put on my glasses, I was trying to fit a small plastic jacket into the top of a bracket. No go. No go. No go. Does not fit. Does not work. Must need to return the blasted thing!!

After many minutes of frustration, I got my glasses and still couldn't make it work. Half an hour later, experimentaly I pulled up on the top of the bracket and found that what I thought was part of the piece actually was an adapter already in place. After it was removed, the necesary adapter slipped into place without a murmur of protest.

How like our lives! There's so much we don't need that fills our Selves and our time. Getting rid of the excess, cleansing ourselves of toxins, trying to shed bad habits and turn loose of resentments creates openings for what's necessary and useful.

We did a lot of hip openers in the lunar class last night. Seems more than my hips opened while practicing within our precious community.

Namaste,
Jerri

A huge thank you to all you attended the kula Sunday night. Meditating with you all was (as Mary C. Carpenter would say) like "resting in the arms of the Great Wide Open" again.

My business has been crazy and I have a book deadline racing toward me like a freight train barrelling down on a frightened deer on the tracks. I have been just as mesmerized and paralyzed by the lights and noise and danger as that deer likely would be. I've skipped yoga too many nights to mention, only to find that I'm making no real progress at the computer because I'm empty, wrung out with the sheer effort of Life, exhausted by my own responses to real and imagined stress.

Sitting with the kula brought me back to some undeniable Truths: the faster I spin, the less I'm accomplishing; only when my center is filled do I have anything to bring to the surface (and the damnably intimidating blank page); caring for my Self is fundamental to my ability to be in the world.

My morning meditations have felt more centered since Sunday and I'm beginning to find my way back to the Flow. Again, thank you all, from the heart of my heart.

Jerri

Last night was our first kula reunion, and I loved it. Since I am techno-challenged, the face-to-face, skin-to-skin, being in the same room really feeds me and reconnects me in a way that blogging just doesn't. Although I was reminded last night that even blogging is an essential tool for consciously acting on our fervent promises to each other on the last day of our cleanse/immersion not to lose our sacred connection. Remember? I'm looking at our kula photo right now -- all those adorable beaming faces. There were nine people there last night, which is almost enough to form a coven but not quite enough to take over the world. We spoke of our tendency as humans to have trouble following through on all the commitments we make to sustain something we have begun. We planned to get together again in four weeks, which would be July 9. I am curious about where some of you were last night, and what are the chances of reaffirming our resolve to maintain a growing spiritual community. Was our dream just a mass hallucination brought on by protein-depletion and caffeine withdrawal??? I THINK NOT! Rise up, kula and make yourself heard. Where do we go from here?

NAMASTE WITH GRATITUDE

Generosity begins with our recognition of our debt to others. Thru our Kula we can help raise the consciousness of the world.

last week was a slide back into old habits. at least I was mindful of that. So our kula reunion last night couldn't have been timed any better. I am gratiful for the energy, vibration, and mindfulness of our Kula. I am refocused and energized to move forward in my journey, or quest we call life. you are feeding my spirit and helping me grow my soul (or our soul, we are all one!)
LOVE AND LIGHT, Mike

See You Sunday!

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at 6!

Big love,
Gina

An idea from Rod for how to stay in the kula flow

This was a fun idea sent to me by Rod, a member of our beloved kula. I thought you should see it all in his words!

*********************

5/26/06

Grow an edible herb, fruit or vegetable. In the process of selecting container, plant or seed, growing materials, planting, nurturing, observing growth, harvesting and finally eating; remembering immersion/cleanse intentions and actions being taken to follow through. I am doing this and sharing the idea if others would like to also. So far this is my first step, by writing this out and trying to think of an edible herb. This process will take 3-4 months and may help develop an appreciation for the process of growing and eating or sharing just one item.

For those who would like to use a different planting method, I found the following this past spring. So far it is successfully keeping our plants and garden alive, so I am transplanting other plants using the same method.

___________________ 2” peat potting soil with miracle grow
___________________ 2” peat moss
___________________ 2” peat potting soil with miracle grow
___________________ 2” peat moss
___________________ 2 sheets black newspaper, trimmed, covering holes, soaking wet

Find a bottom watering pot; water from top 3-4 days; then water once a week or as needed. Peat moss material is light, water absorbing and does not require as much water as heavier potting soil. This planting method is taken from “Lasagna Gardening” by Patricia Lanza (Midcontinent Public Library). She has also written books for just containers. The method works for containers or gardens. For gardens you increase the newspaper layers to 8-10 (wet to control weeds), no colored paper and can layer leaves, grass, compost and manure. Use a thinner layer of peat moss. Wet each layer. Build a minimum thickness of the deepest potted plant to the top of the newspaper. Missouri Organic Recycling has nice looking compost.

-Rod

An Update - 6/9/06

I planted an herb pot with curled parsley and thyme growing vigorously in it. It will need harvesting shortly and regularly. I have some rosemary and sage to go in it (just like the song!), just need to take the "thyme" to finish it. The layered method is working good, but maybe the pot could be larger.

The pot is sitting outside beside an old oak wooden rain barrel that I connected my guttering to this week. I am working on digging,grading and planting a Rain Garden that will have native Missouri plants growing in it http://www.rainkc.com/home/index.asp and be watered by the rain barrel.

I will be using the layered lasagna gardening method. I contacted the book's author about native plants and using newsprint. She graciously emailed back, overnight, excited about the idea! I think her method will keep out weeds and help plants to grow better. Anyway, the idea has expanded and may have some good recycling of newsprint, environmental and neighborhood effects. Yoga and gardening does work together and communicating with people!

-Rod

Kula Reunion on Sunday, June 11

We've set the time and date for 6pm on Sunday, June 11. Big hugs, a beautiful meditation, deep pranayamas and ecstatic chanting are all in store! See you at 6pm - we'll plan to finish up by 7:30 but if you need to leave earlier, that's fine too!

Namaste!

attachments----mindfulness

gina,
things were going bad this mornng. no way can i (little i) go to class with all these problems to handle. thank goodness I listened to my higher self (BIG I). Morning practice is exactly where I needed to be. thanks for reminding us about attachments. i too struggled with attachment this weekend. thanks for pointing us in the right direction. I took monday from challenging to mindful oneness.

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.-Joshua J. Marinet

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is most important is invisible to the eye. -The Little Prince

Namaste, mike