It is DONE!

... as I have completed and graduated from the 30 day Yoga Teacher Training Program from Seven Centers Arts in Sedona.

It was a very emotional and moving day, knowing that this incredibly unique and life-changing experience was coming to an end.  There were hugs and tears all around our new-found family. 

7 Centers Yoga Arts is a top-notch school with an incredible staff and I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to WAKE UP and re-evaluate their life.  I was exposed to and learned so much during this time that tonight I feel stunned, but happy.  Now I just need some time to assimilate all that I've learned and to be dedicated to my personal yoga practice and discipline.

I could never have done this without the unfailing support of Dennis and my family and friends.  I so appreciate everyone respecting my techno silence while I fully focused on the training.   I have felt loved and supported throughout the entire experience, and I am deeply humbled and grateful to be surrounded by such Love. 

I will REALLY MISS seeing my new friends from school ~ but I know I  have made lifelong connections.  This is the first time I am TRULY grateful for Facebook as a communication tool. 

I will admit, however, that I am tired.  What a blessing that my roommate, Kim, talked me into staying ONE MORE DAY to regroup.  She is so wise ...

Will be back in my own bed (albeit on the hide-a-bed in our AZ Room due to the remodel) by Thursday night.  But I don't care ... THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

My Love To All ~
Diana

My Last Weekend in Sedona (at least for THIS visit!)

It is Sunday night already!  Where did the weekend go?  Oh ~ that's right ... preparing my presentation and SHOPPING.  God Bless the Sedona Goodwill store!!

All kidding aside, it was a wonderful weekend.  By the time I got home on Saturday, I did a little laundry, got caught up with Dennis and the remodel update, and then it was time to get ready for Oktoberfest with my roommate, Kim, and her friends.

Nothing like falling off the Ayurvedic Wagon in one fell swoop ...

Let me assure you that I did NOT drink that entire beer, but instead swapped half of it for a lovely glass of red wine.  And that bratwurst ... the bread stayed on my plate.  Of course I did finish off the evening with a quarter of a giant pretzel with mustard.  IT TASTED SO GOOD!!!

The best part of it all ~ I STILL felt great this morning!

Here is a photo of my roommate, Kim, with her friend, Linda, who gifted us with the tickets to the event.  Kim is on the right. 

Kim is such a sweetheart ~ over the 4 weeks that I've been here, we've become friends, for sure.  She has taught me so much, and tonight she allowed me to show her how to create a blog.  When she really gets going on it, I will share the address with you as she has many valuable ideas to share.  She is incredibly talented in many arenas!

So here I am on The Eve of my last day and a half at 7 Centers.  I do still need to get up at 3:45AM tomorrow and Tuesday for a 5AM start.  I prepped most of my presentation this morning, but will tweak it more tomorrow evening.  Did you know that you breathe 21,600 times per day??

I send heartfelt thanks to my family and friends; I feel so supported and loved. 

CARPE MOMENTO.
Diana

Magical Friday Full Moon

Today was such a special day ~ our last full day completely immersed in the training.   Of course I have mixed emotions .... on one hand I am ready to go home, but on the other hand, I don't want to let this go.  Such is life, eh?

We did our last Sadhana with Jeff at 4:50AM.  No more neti pot, eye washing, and gum massaging with oil and salt, while squatting in the cold and windy morning darkness.  Our practice today (until breakfast at 7AM) was another Transformational Yoga Practice.  Thankfully, this time he didn't make us hold cobra for 10 minutes, but instead incorporated other not-quite-as-difficult poses (thank you!).  But we did finish the practice with full-on dancing which brings me such joy!  Our Sadhana practice is definitely a part of this experience which I will always treasure, and I intend to create my own daily Sadhana practice when I return home.

We took another lovely hike today ~ this time to the top of  Sugarloaf.  It was a much easier hike with another beautiful view.  It was a gorgeous day, so we took the opportunity to have a review class at the top.  We always begin and end our classes with at least an Om, and I've discovered that I especially love to chant outside. 

Since we were running a little late getting back to the Center, we took an early break and then reunited again this evening for a Fire Ceremony and mantra at sunset called Agnihotra.  I actually found a very good description of it at this website ~

http://www.soul-guidance.com/health/agnihotra.htm#Introduction  

Here are some images of our ceremony ~

Shrada is the founder of Seven Centers

 

 

 

 

 

After this we went into the yurt and I was SO SURPRISED to be greeted by this scene ~

 

 

Shrada had created a beautiful atmosphere in the yurt to discuss Vedic mythology.  She told stories of the Gods and Goddesses, she shared her experiences while visiting temples in India, and we chanted to the various deities that we discussed. 

 

To wrap up the session, while Shrada burned slips of paper with names of loved ones that we wanted to pray for, we chanted 33 names of The Divine Mother and threw rose petals into the center altar. 

 

 

 

Knowing that we were doing this under the Full Moon (the moon actually represents Mother), made the experience very memorable.  I was touched.

 

I had 2 more magical moments today that made this day so special.  The Center has 2 resident cats, one of which is quite friendly and frequently joins us during our class work.  In the entire 4 weeks, Lionheart has never come to me and cuddled in my lap.  Well, today he did.  I was so happy that I began to cry!  And of course it REALLY made me miss Mr. Muggins. 

 

My other magical moment today was coming home and finding a package in my bathroom.  A dear friend had sent me a beautiful card and a gorgeous amethyst bracelet.   I was so surprised and honored by such a lovely gift. 

 

So I go to bed now with a very happy heart. 

 

CARPE MOMENTO.

Diana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Full Moon and Eclipse

Hey ~ I had my dates wrong about the Full Moon and Eclipse

Check this out from The Power Path ~

Full moon and partial lunar eclipse is Friday, October 18 at 5:37 PM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). This eclipse opens a window until November 3 of a time that supports deep change. The energy of this full moon can be a bit challenging if you are not in alignment with what you need at this time. If you are ignoring your own signals to go offline and reset certain things in your life, this full moon could bring you to your knees. Don't do anything against your better judgment and take some time for reflection and rest.

On the other hand, there is an opportunity for the heightened experience of bliss and well being if you are aligned with spirit. Make sure you are not so scheduled up with obligations around this time that you can actually take advantage and experience what is possible. Be in nature, around beauty, and doing what inspires you.

AND... stay out of conflict by not taking things personally. It is hardly ever about you....

The moon was so gorgeous this morning at 4:15AM.  Looking forward to seeing it again tomorrow morning ... the LAST TIME I need to be up THAT early during my training.  What perfect timing!

 

Diana

 

The Planets are Lining Up!

Today (Wednesday) just FLEW by.  Time is really speeding up now that we're getting to the end. 

Since the students are teaching the yoga practice in the morning, we're all getting very comfortable in the role.  I didn't have to teach anything today, but I will tomorrow morning.  In fact, I can't stay here long because I need to get ready for bed and then do some research and class prep.

But I did want to share about our hike today.  I can't remember the name of where we were, but WE WERE UP THERE!  We had to scramble up some pretty steep and slippery slopes, but we all made it both up AND down.  It was worth it ~ WHAT A VIEW.  Yes, that is Bell Rock way out there. 

We made it back to the Center a little late, so we skipped Yoga Nidra and went right into our session with the Vedic Astrologer.  VERY INTERESTING.  It was quite a "coincidence" ~ Deborah, the Astrologer is exactly 16 days younger than I am.  It also appears that I am right in the midst of a very powerful time which is greatly supporting me in moving forward in a strong spiritual way.  The planets are also offering great discipline for me at this time.  Deborah said to me that now is the time to BE COURAGEOUS.    NO WONDER I chose to do this training right now! 

The icing on the cake was coming home and having my roommate, Kim, wanting to immediately show me a YouTube by a friend of hers who is an astrologer himself.  We watched his forecast for this coming week and WOW!  It is more of the same message that I'm hearing over and over again.   

If you can take a few moments, I high recommend you listen to Tom and hear what is happening for ALL of us during this time ~ INCLUDING a full moon tomorrow, and an ECLIPSE Friday night.  Tom has an excellent way of getting his point across and he'll make you smile in the process. 

http://newparadigmastrology.com/

I think it is so magical that no matter where any of us are on the planet, we all can see and experience the same full moon and eclipse. 

We are all in this life together, and we ARE connected.
Diana
 

 

Mid-October Update regarding RESET

I just made another post this evening (see below), but I wanted to add this.  This message from The Power Path describes EXACTLY how I feel ~


"This is a reminder about the opportunities this month to make deep and permanent change by allowing things that are already showing signs of disintegrating to really fall apart and go into the void and out of existence. If you feel despairing about this process it is only natural as the mind cannot conceive of the creativity that lies just beyond. It only knows to focus on what is being "lost" or "being failed".

We are headed towards an eclipse and full moon on Thursday (update to follow) and it would be a great time to just simply observe in your life what is shifting around. Often your intentions of raising the quality of your life will show up by removing that which you have putting up with. So don't be surprised if something you own gives up the ghost forcing you to replace it with a new and better model. Remember the mantra for this time "where one door closes another opens". And when all else fails, give it over to spirit. Don't take things personally and watch your projections by not taking things out on others."

Blessings,
Lena

Computer cheating on a Tuesday night

Yes, I will admit that I'm cheating on my during-the-week techno silence, but it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, right?  Besides, I can already feel the lessening of the intensity of learning this week ... our focus is now on how to teach a class, and gratefully, I have experience in that arena.  And, unlike the other 3 weeks, we have no evening classes except for Friday.  That means I'll be home by 5PM the next 2 nights.  Those extra 3 hours each evening seem like an eternity!

I am really excited about tomorrow ~ we're getting the first of 2 lectures from the Vedic Astrologer who did each of our charts.  Several of my fellow students have signed up for a personal reading, but I'm not feeling the need to do that.  After 4+ hours of lectures from the Astrologer over the next 2 days, I think I can take the general information that I learn from her and tie it together with what is growing in my heart, and I think I can figure out what is next for me.  Besides, I've already explored a lot of my shortcomings ~ I am ready to move FORWARD. 

We were also given our "Final Presentation" theme today and I'm very pleased with what I drew from the brass cup.  On Monday and Tuesday, each of us will present a 20 minute yoga class on the theme that we received.  My theme is pranayama ~ the breath.  And my presentation isn't until 8:30AM on Tuesday ~ I'm the second to last presentation of the training.  After each of the 15 of us do our presentations and receive teacher feedback, then our GRADUATION will be at noon on Tuesday.  One week from today!

We have worked our way into such a routine, that the days are flying by now.  The 8 hours of intensity from 4AM until noon don't seem that long anymore, and the afternoons are quite lovely with our daily hike in the red rocks before our afternoon class and practice.  Truth be told, if I didn't miss Dennis and Muggins so much, I could keep this schedule up for even longer.  The discipline is so good for me, and I feel GREAT.  It's obvious that I really needed this full-on cleanse. 

Even though I will say that the cleanse has not been easy on all of us.  Resetting the body is not always elegant.  In fact, 3 of us, who have Pitta constitutions, all broke out in a rash.  Mine presented itself on Saturday, which I was the last one of the 3.  The staff has been very attentive and done everything possible to understand and soothe it.  We're on a hand-made cream made of cilantro and aloe vera, and drinking aloe juice twice a day.  It has DEFINITELY cooled down my fire as last night was the FIRST night I slept with my window closed.  And wouldn't you know it, my roommate told me that a pack of javelinas noisily went through the back yard last night.  Bummer that I missed it!  Will open my window and brave the cold tonight in hopes of it happening again.  Anyway, I am healing quickly and the itching has subsided.  All is well.

Our group was in the kitchen again today to prepare lunch for everyone.  More new experiences ... we made sushi and Miso soup ~ neither of which have I EVER made before!  Everything was delicious and well received by the students and staff.  Look out Dennis when we get our kitchen back ~ I'm ready to cook some new stuff!

OK ~ so I guess I'd better get going into my night shower, and into bed for a little reading of our manual.   

But first of all ... HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, Mr. Muggins!  He was truly born on this day which was the same time I was going through radiation for breast cancer.  I'm so happy he came into the world and worked his way into our life.

Love to all,
Diana