tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18847325191711410432024-03-13T19:38:53.778-07:00Yoga With SerraMy intention is to let the breath of God flow through all I am & to spread love, light and inspiration wherever I go.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-40850963138371178542014-08-29T21:50:00.003-07:002014-08-29T21:50:50.438-07:00Journey To Self Love (Month-long Outline)<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Journey To Self Love</span></div>
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<span class="s1">#JOURNEYTOSELFLOVE</span></div>
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<span class="s1">WEEK #1: Sept 1-6th </span></div>
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<span class="s1">1: Opening/Intention Setting CEREMONY</span></div>
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<span class="s1">2: 8-Limbs/Yamas: AHIMSA (Pamper Your Self)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">3: 8-Limbs/Yamas: SATYA (Check In</span></div>
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<span class="s1">4: 8-Limbs/Yamas: ASTEYA (Gift Your Self)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">5: 8-Limbs/Yamas: BRAMACHARYA (Refrain)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">6: 8-Limbs/Yamas: APARIGRAHA (List of Why You Love Your Self & Love Note)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Week #2: Sept 7-13th </span></div>
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<span class="s1">7: 8-Limbs/Niyamas: SAUCHA (Cleanse)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">8: 8-Limbs/Niyamas: SANTOSHA (Affirmation)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">9: 8-Limbs/Niyamas: TAPAS (Writing Exercise on Judgement)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">10: 8-Limbs/Niyamas: SVADHYAYA (Sacred Texts)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">11: 8-Limbs/Niyamas: ISVARA PRANIDHANA (Surrender)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">12: 8-Limbs: ASANA (Poses)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">13: 8-Limbs: PRANAYAMA (Breath Work)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Week #3: Sept 14-20th </span></div>
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<span class="s1">14: 8-Limbs: PRATYAHARA (Streamline)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">15: 8-Limbs: DHARANA (Focus Desires)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">16: 8-Limbs: DHYANA (Meditation)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">17: 8-Limbs: SAMADHI (Oneness - Writing Exercise on Masculine & Feminine in You)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">18: Nurture Your Self</span></div>
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<span class="s1">19: Embrace the Unknown</span></div>
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<span class="s1">20: Media Black Out</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Week #4: Sept 20-27th </span></div>
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<span class="s1">21: Adventure</span></div>
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<span class="s1">22: Do something that scares you</span></div>
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<span class="s1">23: Dance</span></div>
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<span class="s1">24: Dream Big</span></div>
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<span class="s1">25: Date Night</span></div>
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<span class="s1">26: “Power of Vulnerability”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">27: Listen Deeply</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Week #5: Sept 28-20th</span></div>
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<span class="s1">28: Truth Speaking</span></div>
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<span class="s1">29: Wedding Bouquet & Ring Selection</span></div>
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<span class="s1">30: Wedding Ceremony</span></div>
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Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-39127312256278912112014-08-29T21:02:00.000-07:002014-08-29T21:04:19.388-07:00Journey To Self LoveMany people jump from one relationship to the next without taking the time to pause and return to themselves to heal, learn from their past relationships, and assess how to best move forward. <br />
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This is so important!<br />
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Every relationship we have acts as a mirror and the more we open ourselves up, the more it hurts if things don't work out. <br />
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This phenomenon is not even necessarily connected to time.<br />
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The level of depth in which we open ourselves up to is directly correlated to how much hurt we experience.<br />
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Yes, it has a lot to do with how it ends... was there clarity on both ends as to why it ended? Was there compassion in how it ended? Was it you who ended it or them? If it was them, did there reason have to do with you or was it on them? Did they cheat or did they ends things cleanly? <br />
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And still, how it ends and how that feels has a lot to do with how deeply you opened to love.<br />
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And so, it is extremely important to heal from the letdown before opening to someone else. <br />
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Otherwise, your next relationship will most likely not work out and the fallout will have a compounding affect.<br />
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This phenomenon is actually true for any unprocessed event in your life. <br />
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If un-dealt with, the emotions fester and the next similar trigger will stir up the same story, and same emotions, only now the story has a much larger history. <br />
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As Sigmund Freud so adequately put, "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways."<br />
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Child-Parent and love relationships, are intricately woven.<br />
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Often times the patterns we repeat in love, stem from as far back as childhood and, if you believe in reincarnation, previous lifetimes. <br />
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So the unprocessed pain and inability to break free from the pattern can often time have the weight of lifetimes of history repeating itself.<br />
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Your chaos is ancient.<br />
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If you don't take the time to heal, you take all your old baggage that didn't work before and with the heavy weight of lifetimes of that which did not work out, you dump it into the lap of your new partner and somehow expect it to work.<br />
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As Albert Einstein ingeniously puts it, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over, but expecting a different result."<br />
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When we hold the vibration of the victim, we attract other victims.<br />
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As Dr. Sandra D. Wilson so simply puts, "hurt people hurt people."<br />
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This concept should be familiar, it is called the "Universal Law of Attraction."<br />
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When we hold the vibration of the healer, we attract those who are also healed.<br />
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Wouldn't it be nice to break free of this ancient cycle and begin to attract healers instead of victims?<br />
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How do we break free from the cycle?<br />
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The answer is simple and yet one of the toughest things to do.<br />
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Consciousness.<br />
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One of my favorite quotes comes from the 13 Grandmothers and says "The hardest journey is from your head to your heart, but once you get there, you'll know who you are."<br />
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In shedding the light of our own consciousness of our repeating patterns and their origin, then forgiving ourselves, and those who have triggered the wound, we automatically change our vibration from that of the victim to that of the healer.<br />
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In order to help take this journey from head (victim) to heart (healer), I have devised a 30 Day Challenge I am calling "Journey To Self Love."<br />
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I will post the challenges daily on this blog, with the possible exception of Sept 20 & 21st when I will possible by off the grid and without internet as part of the challenge.<br />
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On these dates, I will post the challenges ahead of time on the 19th.<br />
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For a more interactive experience, please follow me on Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/serralynnsmick">@serralynnsmick</a><br />
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I will post daily there with pictures and can't wait to see your daily posts & shared experience as you take this journey with me & all other IG participants.<br />
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Because this challenge will entail some planning ahead, I will give you the month layout as well as weekly layouts so you can make sure to make time & space & acquire the necessary items & quiet time for these daily activities. <br />
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My next post will give the month-long plan<br />
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Lead with your heart,<br />
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<3 SerraSerra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-73332223084542671422013-05-15T18:28:00.000-07:002013-05-16T10:17:33.090-07:00Spinning Mandala Flow with Serra Lynn SmickPlease enjoy the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNorOK_IX8">Spinning Mandala Flow</a> by yours truly...<br />
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<br />Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-46182163460222133032013-05-15T18:21:00.002-07:002013-05-16T10:17:01.604-07:00Fall In Love with God<br />
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<span class="s1"> We may call many places home in our lives, and where we make that decision, and connection comes from the heart. Home is where the heart is. We may go through many rites of passage in our lives, play many roles, take up many different habits and hobbies, and go through many different jobs and preferences. Throughout the changes, there is one thing that remains constant throughout our entire existence and that is our soul, the center of our Being, our essence, and the One who experiences all the many seasons of our life. Our soul is formless and detached from the changes we experience. It is our Ego that personalizes our experience and leads us to suffering. Our Ego roots us into this physical world, and prevents us from experiencing our divine, formless nature. There is a journey that takes place in going from the outermost shell of our experience, the Ego, inwards towards the divine Self that is aware of and connected to God throughout all time and space. God lives in the tabernacle of our heart, where we call Home.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Making the journey from the outer, individual self, inwards to the divine Self entails sinking down into the shadows our own sub, and unconscious mind, through the many layers of Ego and identify. Ego is anything not happening in the present moment. It is not the noticing that comes from Ego, rather it is the recognition, reaction and response that is born from the noticing. Ego creates story. Unbiased and diligent study are required in order to understand the Ego. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> To study Ego, create a strong, honest, consistent and present discipline of noticing the Ego. As we go further and further down the rabbit hole of our own consciousness, we will discover that Ego gets curiouser and curiouser. Through studying the turbulence of our Ego, we illuminate the darkness within, connect to the peaceful, powerful and all knowing light of consciousness within and contribute an even more radiant light to Universal light. As we make the journey through the layers of Ego, we will fall more and more in love with our Self. When we fall in love with our Self, we intrinsically fall in love with God. Falling in love with God is the way Home.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"> We can choose to illuminate our path through spreading love and light through our every thought, emotion, word and action. This is the next step. Its a journey! Beyond the deep, intimate, gut and soul wrenching shadow work that helps us descend into our own individual hearts, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a bright light. Once we are there, we are totally connected to the collective heart. Each and everyone of us is our own greatest guru, or teacher. Walking a spiritual path, a brightly lit path, means living in the present, and therefore viewing everything as a blessing. When the time is right, and we feel like sharing with the right person who is ready to receive our information, we share our path through shadow work towards love. Move from the heart and we can do no wrong. </span></div>
<br />Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-70690889650843539142013-05-02T21:13:00.003-07:002013-05-02T21:13:40.908-07:00Impermanence As the Only Constant
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>We know from the universal law of conservation of energy that in a closed system, energy is permanent in that it is neither created nor destroyed, and impermanent in that it is in a continual state of flux. Energy has the capacity to change from one form to another. An example of this is the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, as in photosynthesis. In observing the formula for photosynthesis, 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2, we find that the units on one side of the equation are equal to the other side of the equation. Energy can take the form of a wave, or a particle. In the example above, light energy is an example of energy in wave form, and carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2o), sugar (C6H12o6) and oxygen (O2) are examples of energy in particle form. Behind the form lies the formless, where what exists now was once only a possibility. An example of this is an oak tree. Within the acorn lies the potential to become an oak tree. What is the driving force behind the collaboration of events that occurs in order for the acorn to become the oak? Some would say coincidence, yet most would agree that there is a driving force behind the orchestration of life. Who, or what is the driving force? The force goes by many names according to your beliefs: religious, spiritual or otherwise. For the sake of simplicity, and respect for all beliefs lets call this force “Great Spirit.” Impermanence is a part of life, and we have a choice in how we respond. Ignorance, or being in the dark about, and resisting the universal truth of impermanence, gives rise to attachment and aversion. Ignorance, attachment and aversion are the three poisons that taint our actions. We reap what we sow, and so as long as our actions, or karma, are poisoned, so too will our path. Our most loving and nurturing choice is to embrace impermanence through acceptance of what is.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Over time and space, we can observe the impermanence of energy within the Universe, and within ourselves. Of course this is true since we are a microcosm of the macrocosm. We’ve all heard the phrase “times have changed,” and the famous quote by Heraticlus “nothing endures but change.” We know these principles and yet applying them to our everyday life is a lot easier said than done, especially when our mind and heart get involved. When we have an experience that is pleasurable, our hearts open wide and the mind becomes attached to the the rush of joy and ecstasy we receive. Once the mind recognizes that the experience is a positive one, it creates a preference and seeks to repeat, or hold onto the experience, which creates attachment. One of our deepest fears is the loss of what we become attached to, and the ultimate loss is loss of life. Death is our greatest fear because it threatens loss of everything we know, and yet death and change are the only constants in life. Maybe it is time to develop a healthier relationship to all things that come our way in life, especially death. Attachment is an extreme reaction to a situation, and like the “yin-yang” symbol, the polar opposite is true as well. Just as the darkness cannot be appreciated without the existence of light, attachment cannot be felt without the felt existence of aversion. Where there is attachment, there is the possibility of loss, and thus aversion to whatever threatens to rip it from our grasp. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>When we have a negative experience of something in life, we become averted to its continuity, or repetition, and want nothing to do with it. We will do just about anything to extricate ourselves from the uncomfortable feelings that arise from coming face to face with something we don’t like. It is important to understand that it is not the person, place, or thing which agitates us that is the problem, rather it is the our reaction to it that creates inner turmoil. It is also important to understand that magic and growth happen outside of our comfort zone. If we can learn to detach ourselves from the situation, and from our projections of a negative outcome long enough to gain a more broad perspective, we can open up to the possibility of a different result. There are infinite possible outcomes to any situation. Fear creates aversion. Fear of not being enough, loss, and of the unknown are a few common sources of disturbance. We all have different core fears, and becoming familiar with your authentic fears will assist in observing the sources of your aversions, however deep or superficial they may appear. As Alan Watts put it “the only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” Our most favored outcome is one where we can gain access to expansion and love, which could arguably be stated as the purpose of life. Love is expansion. If we can learn to love through all of our experiences, we can remain in a constant state of expansion, which is the ultimate goal of all religious and spiritual paths. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>In the present moment, everything is always exactly as it should be. Our bodies, jobs, roles, life stages, preferences, thoughts, emotions are continually in a state of flux. Yes, this brings up attachment and aversion as we cling to what we want, and reject what we don’t. Remember that with every death, there is also rebirth. “Out with the old and in with the new.” This phenomenon happens with or without or participation. We can choose to consciously let go of what no longer serves us in order to make space for what we do want, or life can do the work for us. It can be tough when we are left in the dark as to why we experience a loss. It helps to remember that in each moment lies is a gift. Our gift is that in each moment there is an opportunity for growth and to live out our highest truth with integrity and purpose. By accepting, honoring and learning from each moment, we live a life of faith, and prayer. Offering one’s life up to Great Spirit as a vessel for growth and expansion of human consciousness is the ultimate prayer. Have faith in the continual flux of everything in the world of form, including thought and emotion, and set yourself free from the bonds of attachment, and aversion. The winds of change will continue to blow wild and free. As the wolf spider weaves a web between two blades of grass, rather than two solid structure so the wind does not destroy its home, it is up to us to prepare our hearts and minds to bend with the wind by not clinging to things and events in our life. When we truly surrender to each moment and let the breath of Great Spirit flow through our lives, we allow process of our own personal life path to unfold naturally and sing beautiful stories of love, and mystery with our lives. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>We build walls around our preferences to protect them from what threatens their existence. As the late J. Krishnamurti says, “only the mind which has no walls, no foothold, no barrier, no resting place, which is moving completely with life, timelessly pushing on, exploring, exploding-only such a mind can be happy, eternally new, because it is creative in itself... Such a mind is life itself, because life has no resting place.” If we resist, and deny the impermanent nature of all things, and work to control the outcome of our experience we stagnate, and deny the natural flow of Great Spirit. It is up to use to awaken to our path, our way, and our light. Ultimately there is only one path, one way, one truth, and one light. Discovering how our own individual path aligns with the One true path is our purpose for living in this world. In the now moment lies the gateway to acceptance of what is. </span></div>
Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-8921256179513917592012-06-23T10:03:00.002-07:002012-06-23T10:03:16.605-07:00Alignment<br />
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<span class="s1">Every thought, emotion, and action from every experience leaves an imprint on the physical body. Spiritually, the physical body is a projection of our human experience, and a sacred temple in which to explore, and expand our consciousness within. Physically, bones, muscles, joints, etc. differ in size, shape, joints and configuration, and tension in the body differs in location, intensity and its ability to release. These differences make asana alignment challenging in unique ways. Respect the body, and accept the challenges it presents as a unique gift. Perfect asana is achieved through consciously finding accurate alignment for each individual, as well as arriving at an edge, where the asana is filled with integrity, breath, and intention. To explore an asana’s edge, use the breath to feel around in the body, then go a little beyond the edge to explore what comes up emotionally, and spiritually with acceptance and detachment. Then, back off from the edge to explore what comes up for you here. Every asana is dynamic, so dance around its edge and be open to the many gifts each asana has to offer each time it is visited. Practice <i>ahimsa</i>, compassion, by honoring the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual edges that are met while consciously doing battle with blockages, and illusions in the way of finding Truth. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>There are some basic principles to finding the most perfect alignment. There is a lot to be discovered through consciousness of breath, it is our life force and guide during asana practice. Breath tells us where we are at. If we have gone too far beyond our edge, the breath will become short, labored, or disappear completely. If we are not quite at our edge, the breath will might lose its tenacity, and strength. Finding the utmost integrity in as asana requires a strong, balanced, and conscious breath where the inhale and exhale are matched with intensity, and depth. Bones are more dense than muscles, making them stronger. Stacking the bones in each asana creates a strong foundation that balances out weight, and effort, more evenly between bone structure and muscle engagement. Balancing the strength and flexibility of antagonistic muscles also ensures proper alignment, as well as prevents tension and strain injuries. Antagonistic muscles work together in opposites such as the quadricep and hamstring. For instance, if the quadricep, or front of the thigh, is not engaged while stretching the hamstring, or back of the thigh, then it is possible to over-stretch, and strain the hamstring. If the hamstring is not engaged to balance out a hamstring stretch, then it is possible to strain the quadricep. Another example is with the antagonistic muscles of the core and back. In a forward bend, the core is engaged so the back muscles can relax and lengthen. In a back bend, the back is engaged so the core can relax and stretch. Back muscles are constantly taking a beating, and are easily prone to tension injuries. Proper bone alignment, and muscle balance can help heal, and prevent further injuries. For instance, in a back strengthening asana such as Warrior III, if the antagonistic muscles of the core are not actively balanced with the muscles of the back, too much tension may build, and result in injury. Consistent engagement of the bundhas, energetic locks, will also help to zip up the asana into proper alignment on a more subtle level. Engagement of the bundhas also help gather up, and shuttle excess energy towards the central energy energy channel, the shushumna nadi, the final energetic channel leading towards enlightenment. Even though enlightenment is rarely realized, bundha activation during asana practice does serve as a great energetic tune-up. Activate and become aware of the whole body to create proper alignment, and optimal flow of energy that feeds all parts of the body, especially the hands and feet. Lastly, proper alignment seeks to balance the principles of sthira and sukha. Sthira is strength, and grounding, while sukha is softness, and expansion. Balancing the forces of sthira and sukha in each asana, creates grace in your practice. Proper alignment is a living, breathing, practice. It takes many years to integrate all the many principles of proper alignment into a practice, and the journey is the reward.</span></div>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-27991074535229192622012-06-23T10:01:00.002-07:002012-06-23T10:01:29.046-07:00The Warrior's Prayer<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I am what I am.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In having faith in the beauty within me I develop trust.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In softness I have strength.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In silence I walk with the Gods.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In Peace I understand myself and the world.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In conflict I walk away.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In detachment I am free.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In respecting all living things I respect myself.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In dedication I honor the courage within me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In eternity I have compassion for the nature of all things.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In love I unconditionally accept the evolution of others.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In freedom I have power.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In my individuality I express the God-Force within me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In service I give of what I have become.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I am what I am:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Eternal, immortal, universal, and infinite.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">And so be it.</span></div>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-65941680779425408962012-06-23T10:01:00.000-07:002012-06-23T10:01:13.300-07:00The song of the Sylvapolitan<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I am the earth I am</span></div>
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I am the opening heart I am<br />
I am the sky I am<br />
I am the endless expanse of awareness I am</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I am the starlight of eternity I am<br />
I am the moonlight of presence I am<br />
I am the sunshine of life I am</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I am the thunder of being I am<br />
I am the lightening of passions I am<br />
I am the rainfall of tears I am<br />
I am the winds of forgiveness I am<br />
I am the sparkling morning dew of laughter I am<br />
I am the clouds of life passing I am<br />
I am the rainbow of memories and futures to come I am</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">I am caves I am<br />
I am deep deep sleep I am<br />
I am luminous fish in dark pools I am<br />
I am dreams of remembrance I am<br />
I am crystals I am<br />
I am life awakening to myself I am</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">I am rivers I am<br />
I am the running pulse of procreation I am <br />
I am waterfalls I am<br />
I am orgasmic joy I am</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">I am fields and forests I am<br />
I am fertility, nourishment, and growth I am<br />
I am deserts and arid lands I am<br />
I am patience and the burning will of perseverance I am</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">I am rocky shores I am<br />
I am life in transition I am<br />
I am hurricanes I am<br />
I am trust and surrender I am<br />
I am strong ocean currents I am<br />
I am life in the flow I am</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">My tribe is creation<br />
The earth is my clan<br />
All that exist here are my people<br />
I am the flowering of forever I am<br />
In the garden of the Divine family of creation</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Pachamama Prayer (in Quechua)<br />
Pacha mama mucha napin<br />
Yuya rinchis mama tay tay - ta<br />
Wasin chista allun chista<br />
Munas canchis kow sai nin chista</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Mother Earth, on the altar with reverence<br />
We remember you, mother, and father sky<br />
Our home, our family<br />
We love you, for giving us our lives</span></div>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-63194014717264106832012-03-16T19:42:00.000-07:002012-03-16T19:42:31.212-07:00Reminded<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Reminded, not grounded</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">No thing matters</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">There is no light, nor dark</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">There is no up, nor down</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">There is no inside, nor outside</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Surveying this land,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Navigating through these rock formations,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Leading & nurturing a herd,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Connecting with & sharing the sweet, sweet Mother,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Drinking deeply of Her nectar,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">and Playing my role as a strong medicine woman</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">...all as I have done for thousands and thousands of years</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Her blood is my blood</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Her life force is my life force</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Make the inside like the outside</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">all is One </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Serra Lynn Smick</span></div><div class="p1">*written after a phenomenal day of exploring the Indians Campground near Fort Hunter Liggett in CA. </div>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-46951733569181584442012-02-27T08:56:00.000-08:002012-02-27T08:56:13.096-08:00Michael Gilman "A String of Pearls: 108 Meditations""Approach your practice of (Tai Chi) Ashtanga with a mixture of awe, respect and love. Realize that people have been doing the same movements that you are now doing for at least 20 generations, and every time you start, the cumulative greatness of this art is expressed through you. You are the forward edge of the wave that is moving endlessly forwards, pushed by the entire ocean of the past."Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-67322923608804182032012-02-13T11:57:00.000-08:002012-02-13T11:58:16.924-08:00Recommended Book List<div class="p1">Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss</div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by H. David Coulter</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Anam Cara: a book of celtic wisdom by John O’Donohue</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Animal Speak by Ted Andrews </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Ashtanga Yoga “The Practice Manual” by David Swenson</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Autobiography of a Yogi by Pramahansa Yogananda</span></div><div class="p4">A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle</div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Enlightened Heart: an anthology of sacred poetry by Stephen Mitchell </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Buddha by Deepak Chopra</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Dosha for Life by linda Bretherton & Kim Whitham</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Emotional Anatomy by Stanley Keleman</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Energy Medicine by Donna Eden</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Fierce Medicine by Ana T. Forrest</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Freedom From the Known by J. Krishnamurti</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Guru Papers: masks of authoritarian power by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Yoga Beyond Belief by Ganga White</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita by Paramahansa Yogananda</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Hatha Yoga Pradipika (version by Bihar School of Yoga)</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Heart of Yoga by Shiva Rae</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Integrative Medicine by Andrew Wyle</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon & David Life</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Kabir: ecstatic poems by Robert Bly</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Light On Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Meditation and Other Spiritual Disciplines by Swami Swahananda</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Meditation by the Monks of the Ramakrishna Order</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Meditations From the Mat by Rolf Gates</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, Ph. D.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Think On These Things by J. Krishnamurti</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Vedanta: Voice of Freedom by Swami Vivekananda</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Way of Council by Jack Zimmerman & Virginia Coyle</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic by Darren John Main</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feurstein</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting by Stephanie Pappas</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-76602909413964449572012-02-06T17:06:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.033-08:00Yoga EtiquetteStudio Etiquette<br /><br />Payment: <br /><br />Yoga is based on honesty, so simply be honest. Do not try to get free classes just because your friend is the teacher, or because you are a teacher. Teachers usually get free yoga where the teach, but this does not mean you should get free everywhere. Do not try to change your namie in order to take advantage of new student packages most studios have to offer. You only get to be a new students once. Simply abide by the rules for each studio you enjoy practicing at. Remember that the type of energy you project, you also attract. As an instructor, it is a rare occasion that you will find yourself behind the desk, but the same rules apply, just be honest and have integrity in all your transactions and dealings.<br /><br />Teachers: <br /><br />Many of us have preferences for which teacher we most enjoy practicing with, and this is normal and perfectly acceptable. what is unacceptable is voicing your opinions on which teachers are awesome and which are not at the studio, especially within earshot of any owner, secretary or, god forbid, teachers. This classifying forgets that we are all entitled to our own experience and opinions, not to mention it is incredibly rude, and if your words happen to fall on the wrong ears, say your least favorite teacher's ears, they can be extremely, and unnecessarily hurtful. This also means that if you show up to take your favorite teachers class and there is you may not know, or don't prefer, take class anyways. Everything happens for a reason and you are meant to show up that day for yoga with that specific teacher, like it or not. Leaving would be missing out on an opportunity to learn. If that means that you end up judging and comparing the teacher the whole time, then shame on you, but watch your judging and comparing, naturally detaching from it and learn more about it, maybe you'll even get to transform it into love and light, which is the purpose of living. It is also highly inappropriate if you are a teacher comparing other teachers as well. keep your opinions to yourself, practice with your preferred teachers, and learn to let go if you show up and your favorite teacher has a sub.<br /><br />Chatting in the Lobby:<br /><br />Depending on the studio, the lobby may be located within ear shot of the class room. If this is the case, keep your volume to a dull roar. Typically, if you arrive 15 minutes early or right before, you are also arriving when previous classes are winding down, or already in savasana meditation. Respect the savasana by not chatting away loudly in the lobby, disrespecting the peace and quite of the students still in class. Keep this in mind if you are the instructor checking your students in as well.<br /><br /><br /><br />Class Etiquette<br /><br />Scents: <br /><br />No matter how pleasant you think your favorite oils, perfumes, sprays, lotions, etc. are keep in mind that in a room full of perspiring yoga students your strong scents may in fact insult the nostrils of a fellow student, this goes for teachers too.<br /><br />Alcohol or drug Use: <br /><br />This kind of goes without saying, and mostly for the reason that you should always come to the mat with the intention of letting whatever is meant to happen happen, but preparing yourself beforehand with the utmost integrity. Showing up drunk or high does not set you up to be clear to experience the process that occurs or not. It is also dangerous for you and for your fellow students and teacher, as you never know what can happen when mixing drugs or alcohol with an intense physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual experience. <br /><br />Arrive early for class: <br /><br />Not only is it extremely distracting to have students come to class late for the students, but also for the teacher. Once class begins, a beautiful orchestration of energy begins to flow involving the teacher and students together as one moving, breathing, flowing energy. A trust and safeness is felt as the energy of the individual merges with the group as a whole. If a student walks in late, it interrupts this mutually felt trust and safety that is felt. Eventually, the energies will merge again, but if this can be avoided. Arriving not just on time, but early to allow for ample time to pay, go to the bathroom, set your things in a safe spot, create your sacred space, and drop in is the way to not only avoid interrupting the sacred flow of experience that occurs in each class, but it also sets you up for success. It is acting with compassion for you, for your class mates and for your teacher. Teachers should arrive early, how early depends on the protocol of the studio where you teach. Typically, you want to arrive with enough time to get settled, and prepared for teaching. Make sure you give yourself enough time to set up music, set up your mat, and water, clear the room of any negative energy, and set your intention for teaching, usually about 15 minutes is ample time for this.<br /><br />Remove your shoes: <br /><br />In the class room, treat the space with respect. Your mat is placed on the floor, where your sacred experience takes place. Respect not only your mat, but the floor beneath it by removing your shoes. This will also prevent tracking dirt all over the studio floor where often times your feet, hands, and who knows what other body parts may touch.<br /><br />Electronic devices: <br /><br />Yoga is meant to calm the fluctuations of the mind and so a peaceful, and relaxing environment is key. It is also meant to bring you into the present moment. a phone call can not only disturb the ears of everyone in the class room, but it can also set everyone’s mind off on wondering who the phone belongs to, who just irritated and distracted them, who is calling, and what did they want, thereby bringing everybody into the past and future and away from the present moment. Do not bring your phone, or beeper into class under any circumstances. In some special cases, the teacher may allow you to bring in your phone, but this must be communicated to the teacher ahead of time. Also, you must ask the teacher if it is ok rather than tell them, and be respectful of whatever their choice is. Remember that the teacher has a whole class to consider, not just you.<br /><br />Mat placement:<br /><br />Some classrooms will have mirrors and some will not. If mirrors are present, this is an opportunity for you to visually check your own alignment by placing your mat so that you have a clear visual line to the mirror. This is not always possible, but do your best. Give others the same opportunity to check out and refine their own alignment by placing your mat in a way so that the students behind you can also see. Often times staggering mats works best for this. Also, many students come to class and bring all their old habits in with them, such as continually placing their mat in the same spot. Yoga is about breaking patterns, so do not feed into your old, rigid patterns by continually “getting your spot” in class. When you walk into the room, see if you can tap into your intuition to tell you where you should place your mat for this particular class. This will keep your perspective fresh from the moment you set your mat down.<br /><br />Respect other space:<br /><br />Whether you are slightly new to yoga, or a seasoned practitioner you probably can remember some amazing breakthroughs you had had on your mat, physically, mentally and emotionally. So, in a way you have gone through some processes, or journeys on your mat. Now think about your practice as a whole and the accumulation of journeys you have gone through, which is your journey through yoga. think about how special that is to you and think about how that journey takes place on your mat. Your mat hold the collective vibration of the accumulation of all the experiences that have taken place on it, and so is very sacred. Respect your mat by keeping it clean, physically, and energetically. Respect others mats too by consciously walking around, thereby respecting their sacred space. <br /><br />Let the teacher be the teacher: <br /><br />Not only from a student’s perspective, but also from a teacher’s, it is extremely rude when a student takes liberty to instruct another student, get up to adjust the heat, lights, music, doors, windows, etc. Hold space for the teacher to hold the energy of the room in a safe and nurturing environment. Additionally, if a student takes liberty to help out the teacher in the way they see fit, it subconsciously causes the class to lose trust in the teacher’s ability to lead. An exception to this rule is if the teacher asks for your help. As a teacher, if a student challenges your authority, and begins to help you out, ask them kindly to stop and return to their mat. After class, it is up to you if you want to ask them not to do that again and offer an explanation why. Often times, asking them to stop and return to their mat is enough. If it becomes a problem, it is up to you to talk with the necessary people so as to create a safe space for your students while you are teaching.<br /><br />Let the class be the class:<br /><br />Sometimes we show up to a class and it is not what we expected or wanted to get from that hour or hour and a half of our precious time. However expecting and getting are two things that yoga invites us to overcome. Yoga does not just take place on the mat, it takes place in your life as well. So coming to class with expectations, and wanting to get something particular out of the class demonstrates a weak yoga practice. If you happen to show up and are not in love with the flow, your dissatisfaction with class becomes your practice and you can learn to detach from and watch it. If you can manage to shift your perspective in this way, you can open yourself up to experience one of the most powerful, and important yoga classes you have ever taken. This is a far better demonstration of integrity than leaving, or doing your own thing.<br /><br />Talking during class:<br /><br />In the few lingering moments before class begins you should give yourself some time to shift gears from your busy life to your yoga practice. It is impossible to shift into an inward focused practice when you spend these moments talking with your neighbor. In addition, talking before class disturbs those around who who are trying to make that inward shift. During the entire duration of class, remaining silent is essential. Only the teachers voice and any music played during class should be heard.<br /><br />Leaving early:<br /><br />There will be times when a student needs to leave early. In this case, it is up to the teacher to allow this or not. If you chose to let them take class, you can place them in the back of the room, so that when they leave early it is of the least disturbance to the rest of the class. Some yoga is better than no yoga.<br /><br />Special cases:<br /><br />This includes temporary or permanent injuries, disfigurements, and illnesses. This is a very personal subject. First of all it is up to the student to decide whether they want to practice or not. If you feel up to coming to class with an injury or disfigurement, great! Everybody who wants to show up to their mat should be honored and recognized for that. It takes a lot of courage to show up. As far as illness goes, practice ahimsa (compassion) both for yourself and for others. If you are contagious, do not bring your illness into the room and share it with your fellow students and teacher, and potentially the whole studio. If your are ill, but not contagious, its really up to you to decide. If you want to practice, by all means practice.<br /><br />Savasana: <br /><br />Savasana is the part of class where the benefits are realized. If you need to skip out on savasana once in a great while, its ok, just tell your teacher ahead of time. If this becomes a regular occurrence or preference, take a look at that. If you can’t come to the whole class, then you can’t show up to receive the full benefits. If this is the case, then why come to class?<br /><br />Keep track of your things: <br /><br />It can be pretty frustrating to leave the studio and realize you left your favorite mat, mat towel, wallet, etc. at the studio. “Yoga Brain” is that the totally present, and a little too connected to the intense experience we just had, so not connected to things like belongings state of mind we tend to get when leaving the studio. Yoga Brain can be blamed for many things, including forget our belonging at the studio. Try to make it a habit of making one last final check list of your belongings before you leave the studio. in addition, you wouldn’t believe the hot, sweaty, smelly pile of belongings that tend to accumulate from the many washings of yoga brain a studio experience on a daily basis.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-75554185471696381992012-01-17T17:17:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.060-08:00Using stones to enhance sankalpa (intention) in yogaAnother great way to enhance your intention or prayer is by imploring the use of crystals or natural earth stones into your practice and into your teaching. a specific frequency of energy, or light, falls within a specific pattern and, therefore, emit a specific color. this phenomenon can be applied to earth stones in the study of metaphysics, loosely defined as the study of what is beyond physical form. beyond the physical properties of each stone lies a specific purpose. typically, a stone’s color will be a good indicator as to what its purpose is in relation to. when compared to the colors of the chakras, such as the royal blue stone lapis lazuli being good for clearing out and opening up the throat chakra.<br /><br />Some good stones and their brief uses (for more info look to “the crystal bible”):<br /><br />Volcanic rocks or rose quartz : grounding and balancing for the primal force<br />carnelian: calms temperament and balances ability to create with personal intention<br />citrine: promotes confidence and helps develop one’s personality<br />jade: healing for the heart and emotional matters<br />lapis lazuli: opens and promotes truth speaking and healing of the throat chakra<br />amethyst: opens third eye and enhances intuition<br />quartz : strengthens connection to spiritSerra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-71139092032443372832012-01-17T17:16:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.073-08:00What is Tarot and how can it enhance my sankalpa (intention) for yogaTarot cards depict a story and explain patterns we find in both the microcosm of ourselves and the macrocosm of the universe. within the cards, 21 major arcana cards depict a story of a young journeyer that evolves through overcoming first an earthly challenge followed by a spiritual challenge. like a deck of cards, 56 minor arcana cards are divided into four major suites (wands, swords, cups and pentacles, or disks) depict different types of challenges we overcome during different periods of our lives. Wands represent the nature of fire within and depict a story of overcoming challenges of the action and creation realm. cups represent the nature of water within us and depict a story of overcoming challenges of the emotional and spiritual realm. swords represent the nature of air within us and depict a story of overcoming challenges of the mind. pentacles, or disks, represent the nature of earth within us and depict a story of overcoming challenges of the material realm. certain card layouts can tell a specific story to answer a specific question, where each card represents a specific piece of the puzzle. You don’t have to be trained to read tarot cards, they are based on intuition. Where it is good to know the story of the major and minor arcana cards as well as the different suites and what they represent, it is not necessary. Having the foundational knowledge of the cards and their meaning can only enhance your readings, allowing one to extract even more meaning from them. <br /><br /> Reading cards, whether pulling a layout to answer a specific or general question or pulling a single card can help create a sankalpa (focus or intention) for each class. at the very least, pulling one card, meditating on the message in the card and allowing that message to be the focus of your class can help redirect your karma (actions) towards a more intentional purpose-fulfilling direction.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-26206744992438898582012-01-17T17:15:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.086-08:00What is Reiki and how can it enhance teaching yoga?Practicing Reiki is to use energy medicine by removing the ego and any attachment to outcome, opening up energetic pathways in the body to allowing universal healing energy to flow through the hand chakras and into the recipient. this is an extremely special gift to be able to share with your students as you adjust them deeper into poses. Healing will already be taking place, this will make it a smooth transition for them through this emotional, physical and spiritual release.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-62764984020632672112012-01-17T15:10:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.099-08:00Bundhas or Energetic LocksHere are a few bundhas or energetic locks used in a physical yoga practice that I have found to be very helpful, in fact they have revolutionized my yoga practice. I hope you enjoy them.<br /><br />mula (root lock): appropriately named, this energetic lock is Located in the muladhara/root chakra. engagement of this bundha during asana and pranayama practices can help turn the normal downward, or apana, flowing energy in an upwards, or prana, flowing direction. it is this upward flowing energy that frees the latent, potential energy of the jiva, or soul, called kundalini. Unleashing the kundalini from the base of the spine upwards brings our consciousness closer to god, closer to reaching samadhi, or enlightenment. a bundha is an energetic lock and not an actual physical location in the body, however we can begin to feel its subtleties by accessing specific locations in the physical body. to find this bundha find your pelvic floor muscles and practice squeezing the genitals and the anus together and separately. notice a “pulling up” and in sensation and you lift the pelvic floor. then notice a more subtle energetic ring, or sphincter, about 3 inches up and in between the genitals and the anus, this is the mula bundha. Lift in and up on mula bundha to prevent the energy created in your yoga practice, and aimed at attaining enlightenment, from escaping out through the root chakra. at first you may want to work with engaging this bundha only on the exhales, and gradually evolve your yoga practice to involve mula bundha throughout the entire asana and pranayama portion of class. this bundahs physical purpose is to create strength and lightness in your physical practice, as well as supporting the length and structure of the lumbar spine.<br /><br />uddiyana (abdominal lock): engaging this lock connects our emotions, and creativity towards our heart center, and physically it strengthens the abdominals and supports the thoracic spine. this energetic lock is also sometimes called “the flying up and in lock.” this description more accurately describes the action one takes to perform this lock. to engage this bundha pull the naval straight back towards the spine and lift it slightly up towards the rib cage. I like to envision a tiny little bird has flown into my naval and its destination is my rib cage.<br /><br />jalandhara (chin lock): this energetic lock exists within the throat chakra and connects your ability to speak your truth with your heart center. This bundha also has the physical purpose of lengthening and supporting the cervical spine. to activate this bundha lengthen the base of your skull skyward and press your chin straight back into the front of your throat. Make it comfortable! <br /><br />Maha (The great seal): is the engagement of the three previous bundhas all at once. Typically, multiple bundhas should be engaged from the bottom up and released from the top, down. engagement of the great seal brings the practitioner focus, allowing one to rest more fully into the present moment and into stillness of the mind. It also balances doshas (or aryuvedic constitutions), chakras (energy centers) as well as unties energetic granthis (knots). when the great seal is in place, the vayus (winds) within the body are directed through the nadis (energetic pathways) through muladhara (root) chakra and into the opening of the sushumna nadi (central energetic pathway from root to crown. when energy is running in this direction, enlightenment is a possibility. <br /><br />hri bundha (heart or core lock): this energetic lock is to be obtained once mastery of maha bundha is attained. this lock allows for a soft open heart that is supported by a strong and lengthened spine. to activate the lock grow your spine up and out your pelvis, engage mula, uddiyana and jalandhara bundhas, pull your front and back ribs in and down, squeeze your lower tips of your shoulder blades into towards the kidneys and slide them down your back, inflate your chest, and lengthen up through all sides of your torso. imploring hri budha reverses a tendency to close down the heart, and lets us practice opening our hearts and share our love with the universe in a vulnerable and fearless way.<br /><br />jivha (tongue lock): pressing the tip of your hardened front tip of your tongue onto the roof of your mouth, just behind the teeth. engagement of this bundha locks the throat chakra towards the anja & crown chakra, connecting the power of speaking your truth toward intuition and connection to spirit.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-62200136857223982982012-01-14T18:01:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.113-08:00Inspiration<b></b>The more I watch my self, the more I take the role of the silent witness, and through this, can learn about my self. The more I learn about my self, the more I step into the role of my true, higher Self. The more I step into my higher Self, the more I accept my divinity, my connection to the Whole, my participation in Reality. The more I grow, the more I ascend and raise my vibration. The more I raise my vibration, the more I participate in raising the vibration of the Whole. The more I help raise the vibration of the Whole, the more power the Whole gives me to continue to raise the vibration and heal the Whole. When that is my highest intention, prayer and purpose I can do no wrong. The Universe responds and brings me more opportunity to continue the cycle of death and rebirth to ascend with the Universe and be a positive force of love, healing, compassion and truth. This growth is sustained by the Universe providing me the means to live and continue following my heart and letting it lead me towards abundance. Living this way is win-win. Surrendering judgements, labeling, and attachment to all outcome creates an even stronger connection to faith, and Spirit. Understanding that Spirit works in mysterious ways and so we must unveil or ideas of how we can experience a joyful, loving, blissful life. Life can be seen as a continual practice of falling gracefully through the layers of self to finally arrive at Self, if we are diligent in our living a life's message of integrity. Let go and let God. Live life fully without fear. Be a warrior of the light by committing to continually hunt down the darkness and making light of it. See every moment as an opportunity to live your deepest purpose. Follow your heart towards living a life of love and compassion, within and without. Connect to Spirit to walk in the light of Truth. Let the air calm the fluctuation of thought and bring you stillness of the mind. Let the firm, dynamic Earth beneath you teach you un-attachment and bring you strength, support, grounding and steadiness. Let the penetrating Sun warm your heart. Let the flowing waters bring you stillness. These are the medicines, both within and without. Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin. To all my relations. Misla aya kolo! I love you! I stand in your honor and intend positive change, healing, love, light, peace, Truth & Oneness. I vow to honor you always by following a Spiritual path led by the light. Ekae. It is good. <b></b>Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-78859276250119055452011-11-29T09:22:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:45:34.126-08:00Yoga PlaylistThe Root Center - Andi Goldman & Jonathan Goldman - Tantra of Sound Harmonizer<br />Om Shanti - Daphne Tse And Matt Pszonak - Jala<br />Constellation of the Heart (Native Edit) - I Awake - The Core<br />Wandering Star - Portishead - Dummy<br />Rainbow - Oh Land - Oh Land<br />You Wish - Nightmares On Wax - In a Space Outta Sound<br />All I Want - Ganga - Don't Wake Me Up<br />Nataraja - The Dum Dum Project - Desi Vibes<br />Where We Are - Mackintosh Braun - Where We Are<br />May All Beings - EarthRise SoundSystem - The Yoga Sessions<br />Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening<br />Swagga (Downlink Remix) - Excision & Datsik - Boom / Swagga (Remixes)<br />Saturdays - Cut Copy<br />Dream Machine - Mark Farina - Om 10<br />Where Is My Mind? - Pixies - Surfer Rosa<br />So This Is Goodbye - William Fitzsimmons - Derivatives<br />Slip Away - Si*Sé - Si*SéSerra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-46018658141554413222011-11-02T14:06:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.139-08:00Relaxing into my own divine nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMiLXdBPfUk/TrGwv0QNFOI/AAAAAAAAAGg/kB7NeCWA55o/s1600/P1020924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMiLXdBPfUk/TrGwv0QNFOI/AAAAAAAAAGg/kB7NeCWA55o/s320/P1020924.JPG" /></a></div><br />As we live and grow through time, we evolve. Everything living evolves over time. Natural selection acts upon the individual favoring traits that are best suited to their environment. We know that this happens on a genetic level, but we are made up of body, mind & spirit. We know that through time, as a species, our brains have become larger & we are learning & building upon that knowledge exponentially. On an individual level, we learn so many things as we grow and live. So, mentally, we evolve individually as well as together. Over time, we have evolved spiritually from the accumulation of teachings from enlightened ones, such as Buddha & Jesus, and from the accumulation of human experience with divine connection. <br /> Universally, we are all connected to, and so affect, each other. When we forget about this connection we feel separate from the whole, lonely, disconnected to life and we are more likely to experience, and get stuck in, fear, guilt, judgement, blame, hate, and other darker illusions. They are dark because they are unconscious to the one universal truth, that we are perfect, whole & complete. They are illusions because they prevent us from experiencing our truth, our connection to divinity. Divinity is the collection of life force, or spirit. We are a part of this life force and yet we have our own individual life force as well. God is in everything, and everywhere & God is in us too. We are a microcosm of the macrocosm that is Spirit.<br /> The purpose of walking a spiritual path is to hold true to your highest good, your highest purpose, to see the divinity in you & reflect it outwards, spreading love & light wherever you go, no matter what. To live this path is to live your truth, your Tao, your way. just surrender your life to God, to let God flow through all you feel, see, think, say, and do. I promise what you manifest co-creatively with God will be much better than you could have ever dreamed of. It is true, walking a spiritual path requires that you are present to everything. Sometimes when you commit your life to growing spiritually, the Universe brings you some tough lessons. Sometimes you might think to yourself, “I was so much happier when I was ignorant!” Just remember, as with everything, there is a fluctuation. What goes up must come back down, so when you find yourself in a lull, remember that it will go back up when it is meant to & when it does, watch out for pure awesomeness. Do not get attached to the highs or avert yourself from the lows, experience them with equanimity. The highs of a a more spiritually evolved being are naturally higher in vibration & therefore more intense. It may be tough always walking in the light, but it is infinitely rewarding.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-46694816345275223402011-10-31T21:43:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.151-08:00The dance of masculine & feminineThe masculine way follows clarity, action, and decision making skills. The feminine way follows the natural flow of life. Men make decisions from their head, while women make decisions from their heart. Both are effective, but the masculine gifts the feminine by contributing his clarity, action & decision making skills. Masculine has trouble getting out of the head, and so the feminine is able to gifts by bringing the masculine into the body & into the heart, helping to reconnect with life. Masculine & feminine polarity is a reciprocal & a mutually beneficial gift from the Universe, especially when used as a sadhana, or spiritual practice.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-57770805578801142522011-10-26T23:22:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.180-08:00My Burning Man ExperienceI first heard about Burning Man about 5 years ago from a long time girlfriend who had never been. WHen I first looked into it, I got about half a page down into the What Is Burning Man article & knew right away that my Husband would not be into this. It was a little pricey & I knew he wouldn't let me go. Yes, I knew I had a choice to go anyways, but it wouldn't have been worth-it & I couldn't afford to do it on my own either. So many years went past & we ended up peacefully separating and are now better friends than ever. When I became single again at he ripe of age of 29 & having not been single for 10 years, Burning Man was put on my "stuff i've always wanted to do & can now" list. I was a little hesitant to buy a ticket at first since I didn't know anyone that was going & who I could camp with, but then I discovered my friends from Big Sur were going & bought a ticket on the spot. As I began to prepare I was overwhelmed with how much planning & preparation was needed to go be wild, crazy & free in the desert for a week, but some order is necessary to be the foundation from which you can be wild, crazy & free from. The structure at Burning Man is so essential to your survival at Burning Man. Sometimes it is the only structure within your experience at Burning Man & you rely on it to get back to your home to your tent at who knows what hour. <br /> Burning Man started at 12AM on Monday, August 29th, this year & I left that night in order to carpool up with some experienced Burners. Hooray for not getting lost or broken down without friends! We left around 9PM & drove through the night. Somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, at 2AM, my girlfriend's tire blew & one of the guys in the group googled tire shops in the area & called one. They picked up! We were within 12 miles & so we got our tire fixed & were on the road again in no time. Around 10AM on Tuesday, we arrived to Reno, 2 hours from Burning Man. We stopped at a gas station & one of the women in the group was having a panic attack after driving all night with her son in the car, so she took some meds & rode in with me the last 2 hours, sleeping. I was a little nervous, but thought "If anyone can handle this, I can. I am a Reiki Master after all" :-) So, driving into nowheresville, a.k.a. Black Rock City, Nevada, I was doing Reiki on a woman who was about to get the shock of her life possibly. As we pulled off the dirt road & onto the playa, dried up ocean bed, the car began to jostle her and she woke up. Mother Nature decided to create a display of sand/dust storms for us to freak out over in the long drive to the gate. Coned-off lanes contrasted the natural desert scene & directed us towards will call, the gate and eventually the welcoming committee. We first pulled up to some Rangers who were not wearing goggles or a mask & so were covered from head to toe in a thick layer of playa dust, almost as if on purpose to scare us. I definitely had an "oh shit" moment here and this sent the newly awoken and still panicky passenger of mine into a crying fit. It was hard not freaking out myself & consoling her, but I pulled it off. I pulled over to will call where the other caravaners were and right before my passenger got out she asked me if I wanted any Ketamine. My Mother had a brain injured patient who got that way because she took too much Ketamine. I declined, but was curious as to what it does to you so I asked. It was the funniest thing, this woman was asian & barely spoke any english & she looked at me & said "fucked up" in her japanese accent. It made me laugh & set the tone for my adventure on to the gate by myself. <br /> When she got out fo the car my car engulfed layers of playa dust & it set in that it was about 110F. You couldn't roll the windows down because of the dust storms & the a/c didn't work. You just have to blast air & get as naked as you can to survive. Oh... and don't forget your goggles & face mask/scarf to keep the dust out & so you can still breathe. I then pulled up to a 65 year old man who tried to act like my ticket was fake... he obviously didn't get the memo about how gullible I am & thought it was funny. After driving all night, I didn't think it was very funny. Then I headed to the welcoming gate where they said "Welcome Home." Having never been to Burning Man I said "I've never been here before," & they were super welcoming. They got me & a few other Burners out of our cars & made us make love to the playa. As we undulated & made playa angels getting the playa all over us, they explained how the playa was going to be everywhere for the next week & we better get used to it, become one with it & love it. After that they had us ring out a bell & yell out "I am no longer a Virgin!" to Black Rock City, a made up name for the city in which Burning Man takes place, which is a temporary, leave no trace behind city that is only up for one week out of the year. This would be the 25th anniversary of Burning Man, which started by just a few dudes in San Fran. Once I left the welcoming committee I headed out to the city to locate my Big Sur people and our camp. I had the address & had yet to figure out the layout of the city & how to find my friends. Burning Man is layed out like a clock. The center of the clock is called the playa, although playa is the geological term for flat, dried up ocean bed that Burning Man is built on. From 2-10 O' Clock, radiating out from the center were streets. Each street was 15 min apart, so you could live on 2 or 2:25, etc. Going across those streets were encircling streets that created concentric circles to the playa. So you would have an actual address when you were there, like 2 & G, or 3:15 & I. Towards the center of the playa with A & towards the outskirts of the city was L. The central most street, which encircled the playa, was called Esplanade. I parked near the address & set out to search for my group with my jar of water, goggles & scarf over my mouth. Everybody was in party mode & I ended up walking in the vicinity of 8:15 & E for 3 hours in the hot sun, in the dust & continuously having to return to my car for more water & more chap stick. Finally I gave up & went back to my car to fix my bike, get in the Burning Man mode & start having some fun. Fun entailed getting half naked & smoking a solar bowl with a new friend I made on the playa & heading out on my bike to search some more. I rode around for awhile & when I gave up on that I landed at some trampolines & decided to have a jumpsy. Not long after I got on a woman asked if she could join me & we started doing acro yoga on the trampoline. I guess it was pretty good because the Burning Man filming crew asked if they could film us. She asked me where I was staying & I told her I couldn't find my camp & that I hadn't slept in 36 hours & needed to set up my tent & sleep. She told me to set up in her camp & took such good care of me. I do a lot of camping & have an amazing tent, so I set it up & made it all nice & homey & fell right asleep around 8PM & didn't wake up until 9AM the next morning to the sound of someone puking right outside my tent. Awesome! <br /> I set my mat out on the playa under a shade structure the camp had & began a little Ashtanga practice. I was facing the street side of our camp & it was a little ironic doing yoga & being disciplined while watching people who looked like they never went to bed & are staggering out of the port-a-potties. I knew that might be me soon, but I wanted to start my burn off right, with some yoga. One of the guys in the camp took me to a yoga class that was down the street & it was pretty good. The teacher didn't even use a mat, she practiced right on the playa & was totally covered in it by the end of class. It was awesome! After the yoga class, he took me to the Temple of Remembrance. The temple is the largest wooden structure built without a foundation & consists of multiple towers connecting to a central tower via arched pathways. In the central tower was over 100 bowls & gongs set to go off to play a song from the bottom of the chamber upwards, awakening the 7 chakras and opening your crown chakra (where your connection to divinity lies). When I sat down in the temple I immediately went into deep meditation for a good hour. I felt completely connected to God in that temple, it was very powerful. After the temple, we went to Center Camp, where they had internet & a system for finding people & leaving messages. Thankfully, one of the members of our group put a message in about having had to move camp sites & so we located them. After saying hi I returned to my temporary camp & broke everything down & had to set everything back up again at my true camp site, in the heat & a light dust storm. <br /> It was so good to see familiar faces amongst the chaos of the previous few days & I was so happy to still have a week left to bond & have fun with my group. I loved my group & had so much fun with them. The first night we all got dressed up & headed out together on our bikes. We stopped at the "poops," as we called them, and then headed out to an Irish Pub that was seemingly in the middle of nowhere & made with plywood. You are drawn towards warmth at night in the desert & so anything with fire is fun. This Irish Pub had two trash cans with fire in them to warm up near & some really amazing dub step to dance to & warm up that way as well. After the Irish Pub we headed over to a main stage where Fractal Nation was opening that night & caught a really awesome fire dancing show as well as Sofia Thom, who is an amazing dancer & performer. A few of the women in the group stayed at a campfire that was near the show & the rest of the group headed off into the dark night, across the playa t check out some of the art. We checked out a giant wheel with skeletons that looked as though they were rowing a boat, twisting left and right, when the wheel was spinning. Then we headed over to a giant zip line that traversed the mile-wide playa. We lost some more members of the group, but pushed on to visit the Temple and right away I went into deep meditation again for another hour. At this point I only had one friend with me & it was about 3/4AM, so we headed back to camp. <br /> Each night there was some kind of main event & our group would get all dressed up & would head out on our bikes together & the group would get broken up over the course of the night based on who was wanting to do what & it flowed quite naturally. One night they set all of the many art instillations on fire, which was awesome because they were all over the place & some were pretty big. It got pretty hot & we had to watch out for ashes. This night was special because our group cleaned out dome & put on a formal dinner where we all got dressed up. Another night we all walked to go watch the big Trojan Horse burn. This was my favorite burn. We were pretty close & the horse was pretty big. I had come to love this horse actually. It was right near our street close to Esplanade & during the day, it stood out as being big & black & at night stood out as being lit up in neon red. It was our beacon toward home/camp. I didn't realize how much I would miss that Trojan beacon ;-( Another night we all went out on a mutant vehicle/art car called the Samba Bus. They played good music that was a break from the constant dub step, although I do love dub step, & had a double decker London Style bus with the top removed & a bar upstairs. We rode this car out to watch the Man burn. After the burn it got really quite & I realized my group had disappeared. I decided I didn't want to be out that deep in the middle of the playa by myself & I wanted to get back to camp & call it an early night. Being deep playa & having no art instillations or trojan Horse to guide me having been burned, my bearings were off & I was lucky to have headed towards Esplanade, the exterior of both the playa & the neighborhood. I remembered that we had ridden pretty far from camp to hop on the art car &, by the grace of God, remembered the address where we had parked. I was a little nervous at finding the campsite where my bike was at remembering that there was nothing really stand-out-ish about it & it was now very dark. I ended up walking to the edge of the playa & being pretty far away from where my bike was, so I headed towards the right street. Once I got to the street I began looking for the cross street & had only gotten 2 blocks down when, in the darkness of the desert, it appeared as thought the street had ended. I had a little mental break down & knew that this was no time for me to lose my shit & that I had to get my shit together. My perception was a wee bit altered as well, so I really needed to get it together. Primal instincts kicked in & I decided I needed to pee & then I could calm down, walk back out to the main road & start back again down the street hoping to see where the street continued. I finally happened upon the cross street & like a beacon from heaven I had left my flashing red light on from my head lamp, which was squeezed around the basket of my bike & so amongst a sea of bikes in an obscure camp site in the middle of nowhere I found my bike & happily, and groggily rode back to my camp at about 2AM. During the day, we would ease into the day & when we felt motivated go out & play & visit other people. Although, our camp itself was really cool. We had a dome equipped with stereos for playing music, a kitchen, a bar, hammocks & lots of chill space & pillows. Hanging from the top of our dome was a nest with colorful ribbons & peacock feathers hanging from it. It was really great & so we spent a lot of time just chillin' at our camp. The last day we were all there, Sunday, we spent a good portion of the day packing up & tearing down our beautiful little home for a week & had fun doing it. After we packed everything up, we got ready out of our cars & headed to go watch the Temple burn. This burn was silent, unlike the others that were orchestrated with dub step or other loud music. It had a very different feel to the other burns, it was silent, sacred & spacious. The temple meant different things to different people. For me it was a place where I found God & where I made a promise to my Self, to God & the the Universe which I am a part of that I will always see that I am enough & that I will always remember my connection to wholeness & never let my Self feel lonely. I also wrote a note in sharpie on the plywood walls of the temple two of my dear friends who passed away. So to me the temple burning was symbolic of me releasing their spirits & also releasing the outcome of my life to God, of offering my life up to God & letting that promise & that remembrance be ignited. <br /> It took us 5 long hours getting through the line out of Burning Man & then we had a long drive through the night to get to Reno for breakfast. Our group was all tired, delirious, hungry & fragile on that long drive towards breakfast. We all met up & woke up a little with some good food & then headed to one of our friends houses on a beautiful 200 acre property outside Tahoe to spend one last night together & be blissed out by the presence of so many trees & creeks to play around in, a drastic contrast to the lifeless playa life we had all just been through. The whole week was very surreal, eye-opening, freeing & respectful. I found a family amongst strangers in the middle of nowhere for 10 days. We created a sustainable community in which we all shared our inherent gifts with each other, sometimes material, sometimes, immaterial. It was a beautiful experiment to be a part of & a beautiful experience & one that I will never willfully miss out on in the future, come hell or high water.<br /> Returning home was an experience in & of itself. The drive was so long, yet empowering having doen it by myself. I had a lot of time to think & process what I had just been through & even let it seep in & incorporate it into who I am & what gifts I have to offer this world. When I got home, unpacking became a multiple day adventure. Its true nothing that comes to the playa remains unchanged. The playa was a force to be reckoned with, both at Burning Man & back home. It sticks to everything & is so drying & smells distinctly like old, dried up ocean bed. Burning Man ended about 2 months ago & I am still finding playa everywhere. Although, it reminds me of my true Self & what I experienced there & so I don't mind it at all. Every time I find more playa I sing "I'm bringin' playa back!" I can tell you about my experience, but everyone has a different experience. You just have to go, I can't tell you why, but you just have to do it.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-57706840589772903492011-10-20T15:15:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.197-08:00India's 6 Darshanas (Philosophical Systems/Points of View)Together these 6 philosophical components provide a comprehensive system for understanding metaphysical, religious, sacred and profane realities, as well as a means for attaining liberation from the Ego in order to experience enlightenment. These 6 points of view incude the following...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Samkhya (the oldest): founded by Kapila around 700-600 B.C. This is the essence of yoga & defines the language of yoga. This system deals with spiritual & metaphysical purposes of human existence by utilizing reading, contemplation & meditation and yoga practice in order to understand the many different aspects of our being; spiritual, mental and physical. Purusha (consciousness) & Prakriti (nature), two of the elements are the source from which all that exists arose. Within prakriti lies three foundational types of energy, called the maha-gunas; tamas (inertia & decay), rajas (momentum & desire) & sattva (balance, luminosity & knowledge), as well as the three elements of the mind; buddhi (higher mind connecting Self with divinity), manas (lower mind connecting self with material world through senses), & ahamkara (Ego resides between the higher and lower mind). Also included are the 5 tanmatras (the 5 senses), 5 karmendriyas (5 organs of action; tongue, hands, legs, reproductive, & exctretory), 5 jnanendriyas (5 sense organs; ears, skin, eyes, tongue, & nose), and 5 mahabhutas (5 elements or states of matter; earth or solids, water or liquids, fire or transformation, air and prana—and space or void).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yoga: founded by Patanjali around 300 B.C. & is a practical application that deals with both the spiritual & metaphysical purposes of human existence. Yoga chitta vritta nirodhaha, meaning yoga is for the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. It is a system of tools that enable the yogi to dissolve the ego, sharpen body, mind & spirit and possibly even reach samadhi (enlightenment).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Vedanta: founded by Vyasa around 200 B.C. & deals with spiritual & metaphysical purposes of human existence. Is a religious philosophy recognizing our individual divinity through our connection to all of existence and honoring and respecting all religious paths as leading to the One.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Nyaya: founded by Guatama around 150 B.C. & provides an explanation of the universe based on observation. Is a philosophy using logic to recognize & obliterate the illusion of our physical form and life, including all sorrows that arise from life, in order to reach liberation of the soul, or enlightenment. Through four sources of valid knowledge (perception, inference, comparison & verbal testimony) one gains knowledge of the 16 categories (means & objects of valid knowledge, doubt, purpose, example, conclusion, the constituents of syllogism, argumentation, ascertainment, debate, disputations, destructive criticism, fallacy, quibble, refutations, as well as points of the opponents defeat).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Vaisesika: founded by Kanada around 200 A.D. & provides an explanation of the universe based on observation. This philosophy works from the principle that all objects of the known universe can be reduced down to a finite number of atoms, whose orientation & orchestration are guided by a Supreme Being. Through two sources of valid knowledge (perception & inference).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Purva Mimamsa: founded by Jaimini around 200-250 A.D. & defines rules for interpreting ancient Vedic (truth) texts as well as meaning, justification, & significance for following the rules of the texts.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-63505908310423537712011-10-17T11:45:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.211-08:00Women as Waves... notes for all the men out thereWomen are like the ocean and, since waves are a form of the ocean, women are also like waves.<br /><br />Like the ocean, women are wild, chaotic, disorganized, spontaneous, and formless masses of energy.<br /><br />Like waves, women are formed energy hurling at you. It is up to you to decide which ones you take & which ones you skip. Some you ride for awhile and quickly forget, others you ride for a short while and remember forever. There will be some you take and regret, others you skip and regret. Some are big, some are small. Some hurt, while others are massively healing.<br /><br />Assess if the wave, or woman, is one you can handle. If so, be totally present with it. Take control, lead, direct, pursue, and penetrate the energy and the experience. That is the masculine role. The masculine penetrates the feminine with love & presence and in return gains access to infinite love, light and vitality. Let go into the experience of a mutually beneficial dance of life, whether it be a woman or a wave.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-53265328364677268492011-10-08T00:48:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.224-08:00Promise to myselfAs a human Being, I have a choice to live my live unconsciously, or consciously.<br />To live unconsciously means to live solely in the physical world, <br />thinking that all of my existence can be played out in the physical realm.<br />But, we are so much more than physical beings.<br />Yogi Bajhan says "We are spiritual beings having a human experience, not the other way around."<br />To live consciously is to recognize that my existence is more than that.<br />That my existence, my experience, my time here as a human Beng is a gift.<br />A gift that is an aide toward enlightenment.<br />An aide towards recognizing my Oneness, my Divinity, my divine feminine role as a Goddess.<br />Choosing to live the life of a Goddess is not a right, its a privilege.<br />To radiate true Goddess beauty is to balance and transform both light & dark.<br />It is easy to hold light and show the world how beautiful it is,<br />but can you hold darkness as well, and radiate that with equanimity?<br />This is a true Goddess.<br />Living the path of a divine embodiment of a God/Goddess means that you have to be able to hold, have compassion for, forgive, accept and radiate light & dark with equanimity.<br />Not just that you are beautiful on the outside, but within as well, and all of the inside, dark & light alike, all of it IS beautiful!<br />Living the life of a Goddess is not always easy.<br />It means that often times you have to take the higher road, turn the other cheek, again & again, wait for divine intelligence to guide you through every breath, and sometimes your timing does not agree with Universal timing.<br />This past year has been the darkest & most light-filled & light-giving year of my life.<br />Today I stand in my own power because every moment I have lived fully according to my truth.<br />I give & receive love freely. <br />Tonight I have learned one of the toughest lessons of all.<br />Acceptance of what is.<br />Seeing timing of all beings and being accepting of it, even when it makes me hold on to a hope I am growing weary of holding. <br />I wish to hold no more. <br />I let go of all outcome. <br />I let things be.<br />I let what is to come to me when, how & where it is supposed to come to me.<br />I hold space for the goodness of life, for divine timing & purpose.<br />I remain open to love and accept nothing less than the kind of love that can match mine, which is feminine, gentle, soft, big, infinite, unconditional, formless, powerful, life-transforming and amazing. <br />I fully surrender to what is & can't wait to see how this love story of my Self unfolds.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884732519171141043.post-2420056683526585222011-09-27T21:19:00.000-07:002012-02-07T16:45:34.239-08:00Jivamukti Yoga"The Jivamukta is not transformed by pleasure or pain.<br /><br />Joy does not exalt the mukta, nor is the mukta depressed by pain.<br /><br />The Jivamukti no longer regards the world as real...<br /><br />The Jivamuktiis pure the akasha...<br /><br />The Jivamukti is neither subject to attachment, nor to egoism.<br /><br />The Jivamukti does not fear the world,<br /><br />Nor does the world fear the jivamukta<br /><br />The jivamukta is at peace with the ways of the world.<br /><br />The mukta is free from worldly-mindedness...<br /><br />Finally, the jivamukta maintains a cool head."<br /><br />-Vidyaranya, The Jivan-Mukti-Viveka<br /><br /> <br /><br />Jivamukti Yoga provides the jiva (individual soul) with a means to liberation, freedom from the bondage of maya (illusion).<br /><br /> <br /><br />The 5 Elements of Jivamukti Yoga:<br /><br />1. Scripture: Avid studying of the ancient sanskrit texts including Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads & Sanskrit alphabet & grammar.<br /><br />2. Bhakti (Devotion): Practicing compassion towards all living beings as well as letting go & letting God & loving all life brings to you.<br /><br />3. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Following a vegetarian diet as well as animal, environmental & social activism.<br /><br />4. Music: Singing devotional prayer songs or chanting the many names of God, often in kirtan, or call & response, format.<br /><br />5. Meditation: One-pointed mindfulness.<br /><br /> <br /><br />3 Types of Jivas:<br /><br />1. Pravahi (tamas): worldly & not interested in attaining enlightenment<br /><br />2. Maryada (rajas): seeks enlightenment through systematic approaches.<br /><br />3. Pushti (sattva): filled with the grace of God.Serra Lynn Smickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482263826718462533noreply@blogger.com0