Acceptance and Light

Recently I've been trying to expand my "yoga blog" horizon and exploring links and other Yogi-blogs in blog-land. It's been a bit trying I have to admit. After reading post after post of rants, negativity and snobism I'm really ready for some positive love and light. Ranging from Ashtanga-cultism to discussions around Pattabhi Jois' possible sexism, to venerable hate on for anything non-Iyengar; I'm really done. I admit that I've indulged in a rant or two (especially lately!) so I thought I'd push some light by writing a happy post today. (Utkatasana "chair pose" in the early morning mist at the lake)

Yesterday we braved the biting cold wind and clouds to practice Guerrilla Yoga in the park! It was COLD. I had on a yoga tank, t-shirt and active jacket and still I was shivering. Perhaps my headache-cold attributed to my general feeling of "wtf am I doing here?". A fantastic local Anusara teacher, Leanne, had offered to lead the practice and there were only a smattering of six yogi/nis today. So we set up our mats in a small circle under the biggest tree in the clearing. For the first Intention setting part of the practice, Leanne had us meditate on breathing friendship into our lives. As she guided us on how to send light and love to someone dear all I could think was "Holy Mother of God I am so F%@king cold, my head hurts, this sucks, I hope she stops talking soon so we can just get this over with...." and so on. Lol. I wasn't very "zen".

We all kept our coats on and practice did manage, after a few vigorous Sun Salutations, to warm me up. The sun even made an appearance, forcing His way through the bitter cold wind. At about that point all my bitter, negative, hateful thoughts melted away and I was HAPPY. My head stopped hurting, my catastrophic feelings about the practice disappeared and I was feeling great. The practice had a beautiful, non-competitive supportive feeling. We all faced each other, we were all smiling, I had no feelings of unworthiness ("we're not worthy!") being surrounded by teachers (oh did I mention the group was 4 teachers and Andrew and I?).

Suddenly the power of the wind as we connected our toes in the grass to come into a circle of "trees" or vrksasanas, fingers touching and hearts opening to the sky above us, transformed into a reminder that Nature is Here. In the present. I could hear Her whistle through the leaves all around me even as I lay in savasana. Asking me to remember that Autumn is here, and is to be embraced and accepted as the Natural Order of Life. The Wheel.

Then, just as quickly it was gone. I was cold again, wanting savasana to be over, hoping the ending meditation would be quick ("please let me get some HOT COFFEE") and I could warm up. Ah well. It did set the mood for a wonderful evening cooking a very Canadian Autumn meal of local and organic apple-cranberry pork, salad and blueberry desert, drinking WAY too much wine and not being able to get out of bed this morning in time for Global Mala. lol.

How was your weekend? Anyone else ready for some open, accepting yoga blog posts?

Blessings!

Copyright EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com