This morning my boyfriend woke up earlier than usual and was awake and up for my morning routine; deep breathing, a cup of tea, the occasional oil pull, and asanas and pranayama. 


His comment got me thinking how taking care of our bodies is our job we need to do every day.  I believe that the body is a temple; it is home to our mind and our soul, the true significance of our life.   It is our duty to exercise our body so that we can improve our mind and nurture our soul to continue our development as spiritual beings.  Our bodies are not to be abused or neglected; they should be treated as something that is sacred and the house to life.

Yoga is my way to keep my body a healthy temple.  The idea of the body as a temple stems make to the earliest stages of yoga; respect for all, including the body.  Through the practice there is constant evidence that yoga is a way to treat your body as a temple.

Asanas work to keep the physical body healthy and strong.  I look at daily asanas as daily upkeep, keeping the house clean is a daily task and so should your body.  Practicing ayurveda gives us a little more than asanas and makes for a routine of self-care. 

Through daily yoga practices and a healthy lifestyle we can achieve the four purusharthas; dharma, living life’s purpose; artha, the prosperity and wealthy needed to live well; kama, the enjoyment and pleasure; and moksha, the spiritual liberation. 

We are born into untouched bodies that experience every stage of life with us.  If we do not take care of that, our experiences stop and we can no long evolve our minds or our spirit.  The way you treat your body effects your soul and who you are as a human being. We shouldn’t just focus on keeping our body active and physically healthy, it is equality as important to nourish the body with spirituality and wholesome nourishing food.  Surround yourself with people who life your spirits and challenge you.  Stay positive and your body will thank you.

Your body is your temple, take care of it.

Namaste.
Anita

I believe that everything has an aura and an emotion it gives off.  When I walk into a room I can sense the emotion or aura within the room and from the people inside.  By understanding your aura and the meaning of different auras, I am able to act and react to situations in a manner that is comforting and pleasing to myself and those around me.

The definition of an aura is; the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place or a supposed emanation surrounding the body of a living creature, viewed by mystics, spiritualists, and some practitioners of complementary medicine as the essence of the individual, and allegedly discernible by people with special sensibilities.

I read Life Colors: What the Colors in You Aura Reveal by Pamala Oslie many years ago and completely related.  I knew that everything gave off an energy and aura but wasn’t sure exactly how to read it or respond.  It was a great book that I highly recommend.

I believe that the human aura is the release form the soul of the person it surrounds.  I view it as a form of energy and not so much matter.  The human aura is made up of numerous elements that are present with the soul of the person.  Each person has their own unique aura that varies in some degree.

When I am observing the aura, each color represents a particular thought, mental state, and emotion of feeling in the soul.
Here are a few auric colors and their meaning-

Auric Colors

1. Black indicates hatred, malice, revenge, and low feelings
2, There are many shades of grey that mean different things

• Bright grey indicates selfishness
• Ghastly grey indicates fear and terror
• Dark grey indicates a melancholy emotionGreens also have different meanings for the shades

3, Green

• Bright lively green indicates diplomacy, worldly wisdom, tact, politeness
• Dirty muddy green indicates low deceit, falsehood, trickery of a low order.
• Dark dull green indicates jealousy, envy, materialism.

4. Red is the color of passion, but yet again the shades have different meanings

• Bright flashes or lightning indicates anger
• Crimson red represents love and different shades of red and crimson indicate different kinds of love

5. Brown represents avarice and greed
6. Bright orange represents  pride and ambition
7. Shades of yellow represent different forms of intellectual power
8. Blue often indicates  religiousness or spirituality


Obviously there are many other colors and shades that represent different emotional, personality, and mental auras.  My primary auric color is blue meaning I am a sensitive, intuitive, and sometimes can sense large events before they happen.  Peaceful situations make me the happiest.  People with blue auras are often spiritual, calm, and generous.

There are many, many online quizzes that say they can read your aura.  Although they seem great; they are often incorrect because you are taking the quiz and as we grow older we suppress our natural instinct and often answer questions the way society formed us to.  If you want to know you aura, I suggest doing some reading about auric colors and in no time you will be able to sense your color and others around you.

Namaste.

There is something about a book that can move you and make you really think about your life, beliefs, and spirituality.  I recently finished reading The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Howard cutler.  It was such a great read making me feel assured that I am where I want to be in my life.  It was inspired by the Dalai Lama and his spiritual joyfulness.  The book talks about the importance of finding happiness in everyday life through your own mental state apart from outside factors.  It really spoke to me on an intimate level and highly recommend it for anyone regardless if you have spiritual rules or religious guidelines.

I shared this book with a friend and she is finding it just as captivating as I did.  I want to share with you a few other of my favorite books that really ignite my mind and help me discover my spirituality.
The books have inspired me to change for the better and continue to be the human I am today.

• Cutting through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche made me evaluate the nature of spiritual materialism.  It gets to the details by clearly highlighting the most common pitfalls spiritual people fall into now and again.  It is hard hitting but also very compassionate.  It makes the reader dig deep and analyze their spiritual path.



• Finding Freedom by Jarvis Jay Masters is one of the most honest spiritual books that I have read time and time again, and find something new each time.  The book was written by Masters who has been a death row inmate since 1990.  He was prisoned 9 years before death row after being convicted of collaborating with two inmates in the murder of a prison guard.  In the book he insists he’s innocent and showcases supportive material.  The book was written from inside the wall of the prison and will provoke all sorts of emotions on his journey to find spirituality.



• A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine, describes how to meditate and gives simple instructions that were very beneficial to me when beginning my journey.  It outlines the importance of mindfulness and the spiritual stages and developments.  Although the book is based on Buddhism and Vipassana meditation, I believe it is a great read for anyone interested in meditation regardless of their beliefs.



• A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber is a phenomenal book about his thoughts about men and women’s place in the universe concerning sexuality, spirituality and many other topics.  He somehow connect religions and spiritual traditions into the arts and business.  It is very inspirational and captivating.


I enjoy reading books that spark question and curiosity.  If you have books that bring joy and spirituality to your life, I would love to hear about them so I can engage with you as well.

Namaste.

I think writing is an exceptional way to express your thoughts, feelings, and daily activities.  I love writing to share my beliefs and activities with you and I write a personal journal to express more intimate facts about my life.



Expressing and feeling emotions on paper is good for personal growth and helps remind me to focus on what really matters.  Here is a list about why I write.

1.    Ever had a great idea and by the time you had time to take action you forgot it?  That happens to me all the time.  I keep a notepad in my purse and in just about every room of the house just in case I get a life changing idea.

2.    Writing my goals and dreams down is so important to me.  I find that written goals bring clarity and focus to the steps I need to accomplish them.  It is also a reminder to keep working on it every day because I see in written every day I open up my journal.

3.    I write down what is important to me and what I need to focus on that day and that week.  It is so easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle of society and forget priorities and what I want to accomplish.

4.    When things upset me, instead of bottling it up inside, I write it down.  I feel so much better after I explain the situation in detail in my journal.  It is a good way to accept a disagreement and move on.  I find this a good tactic when there is a reoccurring situation that is upsetting, I release all my emotion and am able to continue on my day without it hindering my mind.

5.    I journal for pleasure.  There is nothing better than writing about your feelings, emotions, ideas, and daily activities.  I use my blog to express myself and my beliefs.  My journal is more of an intimate writing that only I see.  I share my deepest aspirations, goals, fears, and everything in between.

I write to feel alive, to share experiences with others, to help people in need, to do my part to inspire the world, and to discover meaning.  To me, writing is an extension of my physical life that will be able to be accessed for many years. 

Why do you write?

Namaste.

Anita

Every day we are bombarded with people telling us how to live our lives, what is good for us, and what to believe.  But how often do we listen to these people and does it really change the way we thing?  I was having tea with an acquaintance a few days ago and after our tea and conversation she told me that I was an inspirational person.  I felt honored she felt that way towards me and a little stunned.

I got to thinking, everyone in our life is put there for a reason; whether it is to inspire you or to help guide you in a certain way.  I have been blessed to have met some truly inspirational people and have read the works of some of the world’s most influential and inspiring people.  I want to share some of the people who have inspired me to be the person I am today.

•    Mahatma Gandhi- His profound spirituality and belief in justice has arguably inspired all of mankind.  By believing in his cause, he showed us that persistence and working for a cause you believe in can change the world.  He inspired me to be persistent in my beliefs and never give up. 
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Mahatma Gandhi



•    Buddha- Many people are unaware of the story behind Buddha.  He was a young prince who gave up the comforts of being prince to seek the meaning of life in meditation in forests.  After finding the meaning of life, he traveled India teaching meditation and inner peace as a spiritual teacher.  The simplistic and spiritual life he lived has inspired me to live the way I do, and to strive for constant growth of knowledge.
“The mind is everything.  What you think you become.” –Buddha



•    Nelson Mandela- His campaign for justice and freedom in South Africa personifying struggle was inspiration for the people of his country and those of the world.  He became the first democratic president of South Africa after he spent 20 years in jail because of his opposition to apartheid.  He inspired me to believe in a cause and not to back down when the majority is against it.  His character and leadership is second to none.


“There is no passion to be found playing small- in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” –Nelson Mandela

You probably were aware of the good works of all these inspiring people, but how often do you think about them and really feel appreciative for their inspiration.  I hope this list helps you find inspiration, help you pursue goals, and works towards becoming a better person.  It is never too late to become an inspirational person, but it requires extraordinary will power and strength. 

Be inspiring.

Namaste.

“Faith means belief in something concerning which doubt is theoretically possible.” –William James
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary faith is a “strong belief or trust in someone or something.”  I believe that having faith in something is essential in a healthy human existence.  Faith is an expression of hope that there is something better.  I believe faith is engrained in our minds from the first day on this earth.  It is more than just a wish for something, it is a firm believing and spiritual connection to something greater.



Faith is an expression that goes beyond the conscious mind.  I believe faith is one of the original expressions of the human heart.  Our hearts provide faith in things that are uncertain.  The uncertainty in the future of humanity is indisputable, but people are still having kids because they have faith in humanity and what is to come.
Is faith the key to eternal happiness?  The easier it becomes to live in this world, the easier it is to lose faith.  With technology a pivotal part in the way the world turns, I believe we are losing faith and happiness.  Because of technology, things are becoming more convenient and the need to believe in a greater good is becoming less necessary.  There is no need to put faith in the earth that it will yield food because we have supermarkets and grocery stores.  Without faith we lose the little aspects of life that bring happiness.




Faith is what enables positive growth and movement in everyday life.  It is what keeps the mind and emotions balanced.  It provides peace, support, comfort, security, and awareness that there is something better to come.

People who lack faith are those who are trapped in bad situations, jobs they hate, and relationships that are going nowhere.  They stay in circumstances that don’t make them happy because they don’t have faith that something better will come along.

Whether you are a religious person or not, we can agree that faith is one of the most important things in life.  I believe it is a quality that we are born with and as we grow older we define it in our own unique way. 
“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Faith is a doorway to the greater good of the world, recognizing that we need faith in humanity is the first step to opening the door.

Namaste,




Anita

My spiritually ignites creativity within me.  Recently I have been feeling very creative expressing myself and my spirituality through drawing, painting, and yoga.  I believe that there is a strong connection between spirituality and creativity.  Creativity doesn’t necessarily mean that I am expressing myself in flawless pieces of art, it means that the concept of creativity is visible in everything do.


I define creativity as an inspired expression of feelings and emotions.  My creativity is drawn from different experiences and influences in my life.  I believe that creativity is spontaneous and can depict any emotion or aspect of human nature at a certain time. 

Often the greatest works of creativity come from those that feel spiritually connected with something.  Some people confuse creativity with fine art.  Creativity is not limited to those who are talented and gifted in the arts, but anyone who channels emotion in a way to create a physical connection with something. 
Spiritually comes second nature to me and so does my creativity.  I nurture my spirituality through my creativity and vice versa. One without the other makes me feel like I am not doing everything that I can.
Scientifically, our brain has a creative side and a logical side.  The creative side of the brain processes spirituality.  I believe that spiritual people are able to think outside of the box more effectively and are able to dig down deep and connect with the wisdom in the mind.

I try making sure I never limit my thoughts and ideas.  A creative mind is one engulfed in spirituality and emotion.  I find when I limit my thoughts I feel restricted and flustered.  Releasing all inhibitions creates a healthy environment for spiritually. 
The connection between two of the greatest aspects of life is undeniable.  Here are a few of my favorite creativity quotes.

“Spiritual growth and creativity are two sides of the same coin.” –Lada Ray



“Creativity is the power to connect to the seemingly unconnected” –William Plomer
“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.” – Charles Mingus
“You can’t use up creativity, the more you use, the more you have.” –Maya Angelou
“The creative adult is the child who survived.”
“Creativity is the opposite of TV.” – Jerry Stahl

Release your creativity through spirituality.

Namaste.



Anita

Growing up I celebrated Christmas, the religious holiday, with my family, but as I grew up and decided I would form my own spirituality I began celebrating December (winter) Solstice.  I honor the cycles and the seasons that remind us of the ever changing flow of life that we are part of.  Obviously, you cannot get rid of Christmas in today’s society but, I put my effort in celebrating and having a Solstice party.





Sunday, December 21st was the Winter Solstice.  And just like the past 7 years, we hosted a Winter Solstice dinner party at our house for our good friends that celebrate it as well.  It is great to have friends that have similar beliefs and enjoy celebrating aspects of the earth….we also have a summer solstice party too! :D

At our party we celebrate the “light” coming back to the world.  After the solstice the days begin to get longer and nights get shorter, meaning the sun will be out longer.  At our celebration we make a big dinner, similar to the one I used to make when celebrating Christmas, give gifts, usually have a campfire and engage in conversation all night. 

Even though we have good friends that understand what the Winter Solstice is about, I often get questions from students in my yoga class or other acquaintances what it is.  Here are a few common questions I get-
What is the December (winter) Solstice?  The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon where the sun in in the furthest part of the southern sky.   It is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. After the winter solstice the days begin to get longer and the nights get shorter.  It is the first (unofficial) day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern.  Below is a map of the world during the time of the solstice.




Is it related to Christmas?  Some believe it is because there is no date in the bible that specifically says December 25 was the birth of Christ.  The December solstice is tied to many cultures and events including the Mayan apocalypse scare that marked the end of their calendar.

Do you decorate for the solstice? Yes we do.  We decorate the house with evergreens and wreaths representing the rebirth of the circle of life.  We decorate the house with candles, lights, mirrors, prisms, and everything that creates light to welcome back the light.



The winter solstice is a magical time when we acknowledge our incredible earth and the change in seasons.  Even though the winter solstice has past, make your calendars to celebrate the summer solstice on June 21, 2015.

Happy Solstice!

Namaste

Anita

Positive energy creates positive results.  I believe that one of the most important things in life is to maintain a creative optimistic view to share with the world.  A few days ago I was able to meet up with an old friend from college, grab some coffee, and catch up.  We hadn’t talked since college graduation, it was very interesting to see how both our lives had gone in completely different directions.  She had been married, had two children, and had recently gotten divorced.  During her marriage and after having children, she let herself go.  She stopped focusing on her physical health, mental health, and spiritual health, and instead focused her energy on others and the negative energy coming from the events happening.

She continued to tell me about her new epiphany, realizing she needed to start putting herself first and make a lifestyle change to recreate a new healthy individual.  Even though she realized that she needed to make a change she was still scared, and didn’t believe that she could do it.  Her response for everything was, “I really want to do this for myself, but I don’t think I can.”



It was heartbreaking listening to someone with such a passive negativity voice in their head.  I work hard every day to bring positivity into the world, and it is very hard encountering an old friend with very little positivity towards themselves.  The quote “Turn your can’ts into cans, and dreams into plans,” motivated me when I decided to take on the yoga lifestyle and embrace everything that makes me who I am.



I think society should try removing the word “can’t” from our vocabulary.  It creates unnecessary limits that we then believe to be true.  My advice to those of you like my friend, try to understand that only you hold the power to change the negative thoughts into positive ones.  Make the decision every day to only entertain positive feelings, envision achieving the dreams that may seem unreachable.


When I consciously focus on changing my mindset, it is easy believing I can make my dreams into plans.  It is hard not to get discouraged when the outcome doesn’t come quickly, but that is where the powerful positivity of the mind is necessary.  When I want something bad enough, I know I will find a way to work to get it. 

Stop using “can’t,” replace it with a smile and a “can.”  Believe you can and you will.

Namaste.

It’s been a couple months since my sister started taking yoga classes.  The first couple months she would call me right after class and be so amazed at the things she was able to achieve.  But, the calls of excitement have turned into calls of frustration.  “Why am I not getting any better? I don’t think I can do I can get better? Maybe yoga isn’t for me?”  I hear these questions of frustration all the time. 

I stressed to her that yoga is a journey and not something that happens overnight.  It is important not to focus on the destination, but embrace every moment of the journey.




Yoga is a journey towards increased awareness and acceptance of the way things are around you.  Learning to free yourself from usual pressures of society is a big step in yoga growth. 

When starting yoga it is common to see great developments quickly, and then have it followed by a plateau where it feels like you’re not gaining anything more.  It is important to remember how far you have come.

Yoga strengthens your mind, body, and spirit are key components in the journey.




I had a difficult time in the beginning of my journey with letting go of a future-focused mindset and being results oriented.  When I finally tapped into the collective spirit and energy of yoga, I learned how to release all social responsibility while I am on my mat.

If you are like my sister and feeling discouraged about yoga, or if there is something else you are having trouble achieving, know that everything in life is a journey and that’s what makes getting there that much more worth it.  There is a destination upon arriving in each moment along the journey.  Every moment is a step towards a greater destination.

Namaste.

I often get emails and phone calls from people who want to begin taking my class asking what to wear.  This morning after teaching my yoga class I stopped by a few stores to pick up new yoga clothes and I figured the topic of yoga apparel would be a great post to share.

My suggestion is to wear something form fitting and comfortable.  After all, you only get out of what you put in to it. 




When decided what to wear, it all depends on the yoga class and how rigorous it is going to be.  When I am doing power yoga or Bikram yoga, I sweat a lot.  I wear clothes that wick away sweat and keep me cool.  I would suggest something similar to the sweat wicking fabrics you would wear when running.

Baggy t-shirts are okay for men, but I always suggest women were a tight fitting top so that it won’t flip inside out when doing inversions.  Tucking in a baggy shirt can be dangerous and poses a risk of falling.  It is important to wear something comfortable but tight enough it won’t distract you.


It is also important that women wear a conservative tops and bottoms that aren’t see-through.  Wearing something low cut could be risky when doing inverted poses.  And wearing thin pants can give everyone a show behind you.

When purchasing clothes to practice in, there is no need to splurge on big labels.  Here are some of my favorite places to get yoga apparel:

•    Nike- I have always loved Nike for athletic clothing.  They have good quality clothing that won’t hinder your yoga experience.  They also have a new line called Nike Studio Wrap Pack, it is a footwear that helps give more traction and protection if you are having a difficult time holding poses for a long period of time. 


•    Old Navy- There are few places to buy workout clothes that are as affordable as Old Navy.  Most of their work out gear is under $30, and they also have petite, tall, and plus size options.


•    Target- Here is another store that won’t break your budget.  You will find a wide selection of tops and bottoms adequate for yoga.  The clothing often goes on sale too.


•    Nordstrom- Nordstrom sells just about everything, including workout clothes.  They offer a wide selection of brands for whatever you are looking for, at many price points.


You can find yoga and fitness apparel at plenty of stores.  I don’t wear a single brand, I wear clothes that fit and won’t hinder my practice.  It’s not necessary to go out and spend a fortune on clothes.  Find clothes that fit and feel comfortable.  Yoga isn’t about looking good, it is about feeling good and creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

If you have any other questions about beginning yoga, don’t hesitate to ask.  I want to create a positive and open environment everywhere I go, including this site.

Namaste.

Yesterday was an incredible break from my daily routine.  My partner took the afternoon off from work and surprised me with a romantic afternoon at an apple orchard near our house.  It was such beautiful weather at a gorgeous venue.  It was a very intimate afternoon, we were one of three families at the orchard.  You wouldn’t think going to an orchard would be that fun but it was a blast acting like children picking apples in a fairy tale garden.


Surprisingly, there are a lot of things to do at an orchard.  We picked apples and got to try all the yummy homemade snacks the family who owned the orchard was selling.  We had our fair share of apple pie, apple fritters, and applesauce.  The fresh sweets were even better knowing they were all homemade and the fruit was picked right from their backyard. 





But the highlight of the afternoon was when my partner pulled our picnic basket out of the trunk of our car.  It was very romantic getting lost in the beautiful apple trees, laying a blanket down, having a few snacks, and enjoying each other’s company.  I don’t give him enough credit for the little romantic things he does for me.




We picked enough apples to bring home and make our very own apple pie.  We spent the evening in the kitchen cooking dinner and baking our own apple pie.  I am so lucky to have found a man like him.  We have to best conversations about our views and what is going on within our spirituality.  He truly understands my views and beliefs and loves me for them.



Yesterday afternoon was a great way to spend time with my partner, have a good conversation, get outside and be active.  I would highly recommend a little afternoon getaway to the orchard, it is more romantic than you thing.



Namaste.

Being a spiritual person has made me who I am today.  Looking back at old pictures reminiscing and reliving my childhood make me so happy I was raised the way I was.  Growing up my parents were very religious.  I went to services with them until I was about 13 then they let me make the decision if I wanted to go or what spirituality I wanted believe.  I continued to go with my parents until I got to high school, then I only went with them on holidays.  When I went to college and found yoga, I quickly adopted a holistic approach to spirituality.  I was so grateful my parents let me choose what I wanted to believe in from my own experiences.  …on a side note, after I saw the movie, Life of Pi, I felt such a connection to Pi while he was experiencing different religions and forms of spirituality.  It was truly an incredible film. Check out the clip here.

I often pose the question to myself, what is a human life without the attention to the aspects of life beyond our physical, emotional, and mental concerns?  Through the ways of the world and my love for humanity I defined my own meaning of spirituality.  Although I have no tangible believes system, I have my ideas and a unique belief’s that work for me.   When I began practicing yoga, it awoke my spirit even more that I would have imagined.  Being able to be one with my mind, body, and spirit and open my heart is such a way, made me realize how much more the world has to offer.  I embrace all the natural world and work to contribute my part to it. 

I focus on the natural abilities of the human anatomy and how I can maintain my spirituality as one with my physical body.  I do what I believe is good for my body; what is healthy and what I feel is emotionally right.  Devoting time each day to reflect on who I am, how I can service society and help take care of the world is very important to my spirituality. 



I believe in positive energy and negative energy.  Each human being has their own energy they contribute to the world.  I believe that through actions you can make your energy stronger or even change your type of energy.  Going along with changing energies, I believe in karma.  The sum of a person’s actions decides the fate of their future.  I believe that karma is not a punishment for actions, but a result in those action.

As a spiritual person, I focus on enjoying every day, embracing who I am, and appreciating the world around me.  To maintain my spiritual health I spend time meditating, doing yoga, reflecting on each day, and spending time trying to make the world a better place.




Although others may not understand my spirituality, I know how I view it and help make the world a better place because of it.

Namaste.