3 weeks down ~ and the training is heating up!

I find myself at another Sunday night, all prepped for bed and ready to shut down my laptop for another week.  Am I really going into my final full week already?

Beginning last week, the focus changed from getting us "clean" in body, mind, and spirit to now turning us into Yoga Teachers.  When we do our 3.5 hours of asana practice in the morning (from 8:30 to noon), we are being called on, without warning, to lead the class through a pose.  Even though I have been leading classes for a year and a half, their approach to each pose is very different than what I've been doing, so it does make my heart speed up when I hear my name.  Gratefully, the space is very safe and supportive and this week I am going to BREATHE and just go with it when I hear my name. 

We also began, with notice, leading sun salutations each day.  We've been divided into 3 groups, and each day one group leads the practice.  To build on this, now each group has been assigned a 35 minute Asana Practice and our group goes first tomorrow!  I fact, I PERSONALLY go first tomorrow! 

So here was my Sunday morning ~ up early, showered, and working on my part of the asana until 12:30PM.  I worked at Kim's dining room table so I could really spread out ~

 

But don't cry for me ... look at the view I had!

 

 





I am learning so much about myself during this process ~ how to live with discipline and be independent (I love Dennis very much but he DOES spoil me!),  being brave physically (hiking up scary rock places), understanding my personality and how it drives my choices, learning about healthier food choices and how to prepare them, learning about chants and mantras and planets, and most of all discovering, once again, the depth of my spirituality.  This process IS deeply changing me, much like our Grand Canyon River Rafting trip did back in May.  In fact, 5 months ago right now we were experiencing the first night from our cot, gazing at a million stars and listening to the roar of the River.  

I guess this year, my 60th year, is my time to transform. 

I spoke with Dennis today and he's going through his own learning process while transforming our home.  Of course there are issues, and I am so grateful he's there constantly to handle them.  Who knows how the project would turn out if he wasn't staying on top of all of the contractors.  The good news ~ by the time I get home next Thursday (not this week, but next), we just MIGHT have a working shower!  The remodel will be FAR from done, but if we can take a shower and possibly get the washer and dryer hooked up again, we'll be much happier campers living in the Arizona Room.

So off to bed I go.  Let's all stay in our Heart and In The Moment this week ~
Diana

The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

There is so much to learn in life, and I'm grateful that I've now experienced a stupa.  

A stupa is a Symbol of Enlightenment, and Sedona has two beautiful stupas on 14 lovely acres ~

 

 

 

This peaceful location is within a 5 minute drive of where I'm living, and visiting here is a powerful way to spend time in prayer and meditation.  

 

 

 

Read more about this special place here ~

http://www.stupas.org/arizona_general.html

 

 

I'm looking forward to an entire Sunday on my own tomorrow, and I intend to savor some time at the stupa again before my 4th week of school begins.

 

 

 



 

 

 

The End of Week 3

... and I'm feeling like it's all coming together for me.  The tapestry that we've been weaving at Seven Centers for 20 days is starting to become a piece of art. 

Even though I've practiced yoga off and on since my 20's, I truly did not understand the power and meaning of the practice.  Yoga, at its core, is all about the power of connection to ourselves and God, which will lead one to embracing balance, peace, and understanding of the Oneness of all life. 

My roommate enlightened me to a movie which is a powerful description of What Yoga Is.  The 65 minute movie is rightly entitled "Yoga Is:  A Transformational Journey".   I  just watched it for free via my Amazon Prime Account at ~

http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Is-A-Transformational-Journey/dp/B008B9JTXG


I highly recommend this movie as it explains yoga in a way that everyone can understand.

Will write more later about my week.
Diana

Sunday night sign-off ...

What a lovely weekend up here in Sedona!  The weather the last few days has been heavenly and I've so enjoyed having time to myself. 

I explored a little bit today, went to an Art Show, and ended up at my favorite place ... GOODWILL.  They have a really big one here with some really nice clothes.  I bought 3 tops for only $10!!!  This will definitely be part of my ritual for my remaining two weekends.

I got about 2 hours of studying in this afternoon.  So cozy, all propped up on my bed with my newly discovered favorite mantra playing.  It's 22 minutes and SO SOOTHING to my soul.  If you click on the link below, you can download it to your computer and have it for yourself.  Please let me know what you think of it ~

Ong So Hung Mantra

The meaning of the mantra is Creative Consciousness I Am That. 


The culmination of my day was getting a massage from my roommate, right here in my own home.  She is a Licensed Massage Therapist who works at Mii Amo Spa, and she also has a massage room for private clients in her home.  IT WAS FANTASTIC.

She's instructed me to take a leisurely Epsom Salt Bath tonight, so I'm shutting my computer down for the week and heading to my bath now. 

I can't believe that two weeks of my training are already done.  The time here seems long, but also short at the same time.  I miss Dennis and Muggins very much, but I'm staying in the moment as "we may never pass this way again".

Carpe Momento ...

October = RESET

I was already in bed, getting very sleepy, when I remembered that I hadn't yet read the October Forecast from The Power Path.

I just now read it and WOW!  The theme of the month is ...

"There are two faces to this month's theme. The first one is the deconstruction, dissolving, taking offline, shutting down, turning off, letting go, letting down, and allowing things to fall apart.

The second is the re-booting, turning on, flipping the switch, restarting, reconstructing, solidifying, bringing online, resetting and refocus."



Speaking personally, Dennis and I are certainly in Reset mode, and I have a feeling that many of our friends are ready to be in the same mode themselves. 

I invite you to take just a few moments to click the link below and read about this very powerful time.  Reset yourself before it's done for you. 

http://www.thepowerpath.com/index.php/power-path-home/the-power-path/monthly-forecast

Diana

Two weeks completed!

What a joy to take a break today and tomorrow!  As much as I am loving the experience, being home and chillin' is a real treat!  Of course there are always chores and real life stuff to handle, but I see the value in the balance of having some time at home to myself. 

Yes, I do call this home.  I feel SO VERY FORTUNATE to have found Kim's home as my base to work from.  Having all of the creature comforts here (which is a BUNCH more than Dennis and Muggins have right now) gives me the space and energy to rejuvenate so I can keep going through the process. 

It has occurred to me that I haven't shared an image of WHERE I am everyday.  Hopefully these visuals will help ~

Our main yoga room where all of the practices

and most of the lectures take place. 

 

 

This small retail section

is connected to the yoga room.

 Here are all of our mats, blankets, blocks

boosters, and pillows

 

 

This is the Yurt and part of the garden

on the west side of the yoga building.

I love our sessions in the yurt ~

especially at night. 

 

 

We eat our meals on the east side

of the yoga building.

Breakfast is eaten in the dining area inside, and 

all of the lunches are served and eaten outside. 

 

 

Speaking of food, I have discovered that I LOVE Indian food (Shruthi is our Indian Ayurvedic chef) and it has all been delicious.  I've discovered all sorts of healthy food choices including herb coffee, Sunflower butter, ghee, hemp milk, coconut water ~ just to name a few.  I'm excited to experiment on my own WHEN we get our kitchen back. 

 

I talked to Dennis today.  The remodel is coming along beautifully, but the house will surely not be completed by the time I get home.  I'm actually happy about that as it will disallow me from falling right back into my comfort patterns.   

 

It's dark now and I just returned from a pedicure (it felt good, but it was not as good as my Tony in Sahuarita!).  What a pleasant surprise to walk into my door and find that Kim had lit this for me in my living area ....

 

 

It is chilly tonight, so I'm going to curl up with a bowl of popcorn and watch one of Kim's spiritual movies.

 

The only thing missing is Dennis and Mr. Muggins. 

 

Diana



 

 

 



New Moon Friday night

Today's New Moon according to The Power Path ~
 
New Moon is Friday, October 4 at 6:34PM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) Even though it may be difficult to focus today and you may change your mind several times about what you are doing or what you wish to do, take some time today to stop everything and just be. Refrain from setting any kind of intentions or making to do lists.
 
This is a time for allowing at a deep level whatever it is that you need at this time whether it is healing, insight, clarity, rest, community, support, change, inspiration, clearing or movement. Be in the void and find a peaceful place to drop into where everything temporarily comes to a complete stop. From this place receive whatever it is you need. Be in gratitude.

 

And it was just that kind of day for me.  How about you?

 

 

Our day at the Center started at the regular time of 4:50AM, but after our cleansings, Jeff had a new practice for us.  This quote sums it up pretty well ~

 

“True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is–including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” ~ Craig Hamilton

 

Our morning practice was quite uncomfortable and challenging as we did several expanding poses and HELD THEM for 10-15 minutes each.  My most challenging pose was holding cobra.  The practice was teaching us how to calm the mind and JUST BE with the discomfort (quite perfect for the New Moon).  We wrapped up the session with DANCING and I was crying by the end of it.  Quite a release for me personally. 

 

Our Friday picnic lunch by Oak Creek was lovely, and as sore as I was feeling, I could have stayed there all day.  But back we came for more classroom work and then a 25 minute seated meditation.  Today I discovered the meditation bench which made my right knee and hip VERY HAPPY. 

 

 

After a dinner break, we went back to the Center and had our evening class in the Yurt until after 8PM.  It is quite windy here tonight, and it was so cozy learning the backstory about the Bhagavad Gita while the wind whistled and the weeping willow whipped the soft sides of the yurt. 

Home now and ready for bed, I feel gratitude for this day and the lessons it provided. 

Sweet Dreams ~
Diana