COMMUNITY

Intention: COMMUNITY

Before you resolve to change, grow and renew yourself this year, take some time to focus on the value of community in your life.

Recently, I’ve redefined what “community” means to me. Gender, race, family, physical proximity to someone; none of these default a person to being part of your community, though it may be a great place to start. Rather, your vibe attracts your tribe.

During this class, allow the strength of your tribe to power your practice.

--- PRACTICE COMMUNITY ---

Occasionally during practice, expand your focus to draw in energy from people who mean most to you, whether they are near or far.

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” – Albert Schweitzer

“People heal from pain when they have an authentic connection with another human being.” – Marshall B. Rosenberg

“People inspire you or they drain you. Pick them wisely.” – Hans F. Hansen

SUN SALUTATIONS: “Surround yourself ONLY with people who lift you higher.” – Oprah

CORE: Keep smiling! “A smile is the shortest distance between two people.” – Victor Borge

BALANCING: Maybe practice balance postures with a partner this time. Either come together with someone you know and trust deeply, or share your practice with a yogi you’ve only recently met. “Try to love others and serve others and hopefully you’ll find those who love and serve you in return.” – Steven Colbert

CROW POSE: “Invest in people who invest in you.” – Unknown

FINAL STANDING SERIES: Don’t give up yet. Commit to your practice as strongly as you commit to your tribe. “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” – Henry Ford

HERO POSE (after Camel Pose): Bring all your attention to a great friend, someone you choose to keep in your life for many great reasons. “A good friend is the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” – Lois Wyse

SUPINE TWIST: Bring your focus back to someone you choose to keep in your life, in some cases, they may literally be lying down right next to you right now. If so, reach out to them; connect to them in some way. “Friends pick us up when we’re down, and if they can’t pick us up, they lie down and listen for a while.” – Unknown

I hope you are inspired to take your intentions off your mat and back out into the world.

Namaste.

--- PERSONAL INSPIRATION ---

Why COMMUNITY?

On a deeply personal note, through extensive self-study, I’ve learned that I need to carefully examine any feelings of shame or guilt that rise in response to people’s actions around me. Are these feelings truly warranted or are my emotions erupting in response to an illusion made up by my mind? Is there really something I’ve done to feel intense guilt or shame or is someone’s behavior unnecessarily causing me to worry? My struggle begins and ends with me. This I know. However, beyond the acknowledgement of my inner struggle, I am now taking a closer look at my environment, chosen or otherwise.

Given that there is so much about life that I cannot change (I don’t hate many things but I HATE the phrase “it is what it is”. The phrase, to me, implies a defeatist mindset), I do have the ability to make choices about the people I invite into my life. When I spend my time with someone, I am choosing to do so, and hopefully for good reason. When I give a second (or third) thought to someone’s behavior, I am choosing to do so, and hopefully for good reason. And, if I choose to avoid interacting with a person or expel them from my thoughts, it is always with good intent, to maintain my wellness and sanity.

It’s a profoundly life-changing choice: to embrace a person or to deny them.

And then, after the decision has been made, all I can do is hope to move forward without regret and remember that people can, sometimes, change and choices are, sometimes, reversible.

The irony is that it’s all part of an endless cycle. In order to maintain perspective and be strong enough to include or exclude people from my life, first I must rely on the people I trust most and hope that they are, in fact, solid sources of support, respect and reason.

And so, community has been on my mind lately.

On a lighter note, recently my husband convinced me to watch all of the Harry Potter movies from beginning to end. (No, I still have not read the books. Yes, I know, that is TRULY something to be ashamed of!) The story of Harry Potter is wonderfully inspiring with many profound life lessons that everyone should take the time to learn. I will forever be amazed at the idea that a young person can overcome so much hardship, all without the presence of his parents, all with the support of his friends and teachers.

I also learned recently that “blood is thicker than water” was originally intended to mean that the relationships we choose are much stronger than the relationships we are born into by chance.

http://www.cracked.com/article_20251_the-5-most-frequently-misused-proverbs.html

From a Cracked article:

“... we've actually got it backward -- the "water of the womb," or our family relationships, is not as strong as the "blood of the covenant." Rather than "blood" shared by family, the original interpretation of the term was literal blood. In other words, the blood that is shed by soldiers on the battlefield makes for stronger bonds than those of the family you happened by chance to be born into.”

It makes perfect sense that my bonds with my teacher friends are so enduring.

If you’ve read to the end of this lengthy and somewhat emotional blog post, I sincerely thank you for your attention.

I hope you are inspired to live your life to the fullest.

Namaste.

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