Trigger

Never waste a good trigger.  This is a quote and an exceptionally great practice offered by Ana Forrest, creatrix of Forrest Yoga, a powerfully-healing form of yoga which I am blessed and trained to teach.
What does that quote mean? A trigger is anything--person, place, situation, organization--that causes some sort of physiological response in us, such as muscle-tightening, emotional stress, sweating, addictive behavior, or general discomfort. An example for me is when I make a mistake. I get very nervous, emotional, and frustrated with myself. The mistake is a trigger, and when I explore that trigger, I see that my perception of myself as perfect has been shattered. Exploring further, why do I feel I must be perfect? Well, to be good enough. What's good enough? I think you can see the endlessly frustrating moving target of perfectionism that I've set myself up for. Making productive use of this trigger, I practice savoring my successes and being happy with who I am and whatever I do, without applying some lofty standard I can't possibly hit that only serves to bring myself down.
A key point here is to use the trigger for its gift of information, then release it. We don't want to store away the triggers in our bodies--buried triggers become cancer, arthritis, heart disease, fibromyalgia and Alzheimer's, to name a few. 
Simply begin to notice your triggers. That's a great start. Practice becoming an explorer for the gifts hidden in the trigger. It's a great way to get stuck energy moving in your body and in your spirit.
Blessings!
Leta

Fixing others

We humans have a glorious tendency to think we have it together enough to go off and try to fix others, too. While I believe this is generally motivated by good intent, we're missing a key point here. This attitude that it's appropriate to try to fix others says that we think we have some inside knowledge that the other person isn't capable of having. We lose sight of the fact that we are all Spirit in form, all one, and all have access to the same "support system" in Spirit. We are all unique in our process, no doubt, but one process is no better than the other.  Yes, one may appear more satisfying than another, but that's not for us, looking in from the outside, to judge. Everyone is capable of choosing differently in any given moment.

Ernest Holmes states this idea quite nicely: If our human relations are to mean the most to us, we must sense that there is hidden within, around, and through each of us a Divine Presence manifesting itself in infinite variations—the same impulse, the same Love and Life, but never quite alike in any two persons.

Let's celebrate our uniqueness rather than try to fix it!

Enjoy your day!

Leta

How did you spend the day?

Today is Saturday, a day off for many folks.  If it was a day off for you, did you do something fun and enjoyable? Did you do something that fed your soul? Or did you just do chores and stuff that "HAD" to be done? Are you exhausted or energized now towards the end of the day?
How you spent the day says volumes about your priorities. Did you spend time on the things that you WANT to be your priorities? Are you a priority in your life, or does everyone else (and the house and assorted chores) come first?
You don't get a do-over on today, or this weekend, or this year. Maybe you want to reconsider how you spend your precious time?
Lovingly,
Leta

In all things, persist gently.

I love that phrase: persist gently.  It comes from a daily meditation written by Katherine Saux.
In two circumstances in my life right now, this idea is especially relevant. I tend to be quite impatient, especially where business development is concerned. I'm doing what I love, business IS growing, just not fast enough for me. Sometimes I slip into a "Why bother?" funk. Sometimes it feels like effort is maximum while income is minimal. Well, I don't want to stop doing what I love, so it is considerably easier on my spirit if I persist gently, rather than stomping my foot and demanding of the Universe.
I'm also working with someone who recently experienced the transition of a close family member. Our society tends to be so hard-hearted toward the grieving--just suck it up and get over it. NO! We serve ourselves and our long-term health as we feel and release the many mixed emotions that accompany such a loss. Persist gently--feel, express, release, and repeat as needed, no matter how long it takes. Sometimes it seems like "they" have set a timetable or perfect process for grieving. It is different for each person, and it takes what it takes. Persist gently.
Take this idea--persist gently--into your spirit and use it.  Your body and soul will so appreciate it!
Blessings,
Leta

Artist's Date at the State Fair

I went to the Kansas State Fair yesterday. It was an Artist's Date--that term comes from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's an outing whereby you feed your soul with some sort of artistry that is meaningful to you. 
I especially enjoyed the quilts, photography, painting and various arts and crafts.  The creativity and variety are amazing. Even the canned goods are works of art.
I also enjoyed the animals. I experienced a renewed appreciation for the variety of animals and for the humans that lovingly care for them. The two women who did the milking demonstration answered lots of questions for me and delighted me with their sharing of the various cow personalities.
Care for something, create something, be passionate about something--using your gifts blesses us all!
Thank you!
Leta

I've Been Wondering...

One of the suggestions offered by author Gay Hendricks in his book The Big Leap (the subject of the current class I am facilitating) is to spend time wondering. As a card-carrying control freak and person who prides herself on being organized, to simply hang out wondering is a challenge for me. I like stuff figured out and organized in a neat and tidy package. 
So I am wondering about assorted things: how I really want to spend my time, how to further expand my business enterprises, how to gently draw myself out of my comfort zone.
I really appreciate the concept of wondering. Prior to reading The Big Leap, I would have simply been frustrated with my confusion at not having everything figured out! Wondering lets me tap into the infinite potentials available to me, and gives the Universe more ways to support me--always a great thing!
How might you bring wondering into your life experience?
Enjoy!
Leta

New Forrest Yoga Class Schedule beginning 9/1/12

Here's the updated schedule for my Forrest Yoga Classes:

Class Schedule (all morning classes, 3 per week)
Wednesday, 8:45-10 am, Clearwater Wellness Center, Clearwater, KS
Thursday, 8:45-9:45 am, InnerWorks Holistic Health Center, 3425 W. Central, Wichita, KS
Saturday, 10-11:15 am, at my home studio, Wichita, KS
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Drop-in rate, multi-class packages and gift certificates available.

Do you want to try yoga without being seen by the general public? Do you have special physical needs that don't fit in a regular yoga class? I will come to you! Private sessions available--contact me to schedule.

I also offer Forrest Yoga employee benefit classes at your workplace. 
You can learn more about Forrest Yoga at www.forrestyoga.com.
Please contact me for information and appointment scheduling.  Thank you!