My So-Called Yoga Life

Tag: energy

• My Reason

  Posted at 10:46 pm by Lisa K, on October 18, 2019

  

  I’ve got no place I’m headed

  Nowhere I feel at home

  I’ll travel the world to seek something

  Just not sure what I’m looking for…

  Trying to find a reason

  To go on in this world of pain

  Can’t find the beauty in the sunshine

  All I can feel is the cold rain

  One day I saw you there

  I stopped running and saw where I belong

  You gave me this sudden feeling

  I couldn’t breathe it was so strong

  Now I have a meaning

  and it feels like the world was meant for me

  For me to be with you

  Cause loving you is all I need

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  Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged art, creative, creativity, energy, happy, heart, inspiration, life, lifestyle, love, motivation, poems, Poetry, writing

• 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔✨

  Posted at 1:04 am by Lisa K, on October 5, 2019

  

  𝑨 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕,

  𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒕.

  𝑰𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉,

  𝑰𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒕𝒉.

  .

  𝑨 𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓…𝒂 𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓…𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒖𝒆,

  𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘,

  𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆,

  𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅.

  .

  𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒆,

  𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒔𝒆,

  𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆,

  𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔.

  .

  𝑰𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒅,

  𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅.

  𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆,

  𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒌𝒆.

  .

  𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉,

  𝑺𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆,

  𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒂ll 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆,

  𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎’𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆.

  .

  𝓑𝔂: 𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪♥️

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  Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 4 Comments | Tagged art, creativity, energy, happy, inspiration, life, magical, makeart, motivation, poems, Poetry, writer, writing, Yogaart, yogartist

• True North 🧭 🌹

  Posted at 4:18 pm by Lisa K, on September 29, 2019

  

  𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔,

   𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆,

  𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆,

  𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔.

  .

  𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆,

  𝑨𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐,

  𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚,

  𝑾𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘.

  .

  𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔,

  𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒑,

  𝑴𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒆,

  𝑺𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅.

  .

  𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,

  𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒘𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,

  𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚,

  𝑺𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚.

  .

  𝑩𝒚: 𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪♥️

  .

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  Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 6 Comments | Tagged art, beautyoflife, belove, Creativewriting, energy, expressyourself, innervoice, inspiration, life, listenwithin, love, makeart, poems, Poetry, truenorth, writing, Yogaart

• Rᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ɪɴ💫

  Posted at 12:58 am by Lisa K, on August 1, 2019

  

  Sᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ǫᴜɪᴇᴛʟʏ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀᴡᴀʏ,

  Iᴛ ʜᴀs ᴛᴀᴋᴇɴ sᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ ғᴏʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀ,

  Sᴏ ᴇɴᴛɪᴄɪɴɢʟʏ ɪᴛ ᴀsᴋs ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ,

  Aɴᴅ ʏᴇᴛ ɪ ᴘᴀᴜsᴇ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ɪ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ɪɴ.

   

  Sᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴇғғᴏʀᴛ ʜᴀs ɢɪᴠᴇɴ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪs ᴏᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ,

  I ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴘᴜᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴅs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ғᴇʟᴛ,

  I ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴇsᴄʀɪʙᴇ,

  Oғ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴛʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇᴄᴏᴍᴘʀᴇss.

   

  Jᴜsᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ,

  I ғᴇʟᴛ ʙᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪʀᴏɴᴄʟᴀᴅ,

  I sᴀᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄʀᴀᴄᴋ ᴏғ ᴀɴ ᴏᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ,

  Iᴛ ᴏᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ.

   

  Tʜᴇ ᴠᴀsᴛ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛɪɴʏ sᴘᴀᴄᴇ,

  Iᴛ sᴇᴇᴍs ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ʜᴀs ɢʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ,

  I ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜᴏᴡ ʟᴏɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ sᴛᴀʏ,

  Sᴏ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ɴᴏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀsᴛᴇ.

   

  Eᴀᴄʜ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ɪs ᴀ ɢɪғᴛ ɪɴ ᴛɪᴍᴇ,

  I ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴀs ɪ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ,

  Cᴀʀᴇғᴜʟʟʏ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴜᴘ,

  Tʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ ʜᴀs ʜᴀᴅ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴠᴇ.

   

  Sᴜᴄʜ sᴏғᴛɴᴇss ɴᴏᴡ ʀᴏᴜɴᴅs ʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴇᴅɢᴇs,

  A ᴍᴇᴛᴀᴘʜᴏʀ ғᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪs ʟɪғᴇ,

  I ʟᴇᴛ ɪᴛ ғʟᴏᴡ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴍʏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ,

  Tʜᴇʀᴇ ɪs sᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀs ɪᴄᴇ.

   

  Fᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ғʀᴇᴇ ɪs ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ,

  Hᴏᴡ ʟᴏɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟᴀsᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ,

  Sᴏ ɪ ʟᴇᴛ ɪᴛ ғɪʟʟ ᴍʏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏᴜʟ,

  Tʜᴇʀᴇ ɪs ɴᴏ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴇʟsᴇ ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ.

   

  By: 𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪♥️

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  Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged art, creativity, energy, gratitude, heart, inspiration, life, love, poems, Poetry, time, writing

• Cosmic Love

  Posted at 3:10 am by Lisa K, on March 18, 2018

  

  Cosmic Love

  Love is warm, soft and sweetly divine.
  Love is vast, blissful and overwhelming at times.
  Love is comforting, powerful and without condition.
  It is something we search for as part of life’s mission.
  Love is supposed to be thoughtful, Love is supposed to be kind,  but how can it be those things when sometimes it’s blind?

  Is Love our own? Or is it only shared?
  How can we have it without another who cares?
  Is self Love the same as what we desire from others?
  Or do we require the heart of another?
  How can Love be free from pain?
  Without judgement or sadness, can it be without bane?

  Love is vulnerable, it’s soft to the core, how can we enjoy it when it’s attached to much more?

  Does Love mean sacrifice? Must we be vulnerable to obtain? These things are not easy and can cause some to abstain.

  Is it the human condition that holds us back? From the feeling of Pure Love, our senses may lack.
  Freedom in Love is such a beautiful thing, the thought alone makes my little heart sing.
  Maybe that’s part of our work in this form,
  To unify our souls and let Cosmic Love be reborn.

  By: Lisa Michelle ♥️

   

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  Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 3 Comments | Tagged beauty, communication, Creativewriting, creativity, emotions, energy, inspiration, life, love, motivation, poems, Poetry, reallove, whatislove, writing, yogapoems

• 5 Tips to Motivate the Home Practitioner in the Winter

  Posted at 3:34 am by Lisa K, on January 16, 2018

  

  So over the last month we have had temperatures as low as -30 degrees and even though the heat is on in the house and I have a space heater, it is difficult to get my yoga practice going in the morning sometimes. I feel almost like the fact that my life has called for some evening practice times has been a godsend even though I am really more of a morning person, lol.  So I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my tried, tested and true motivation methods to get on that mat in the early morning during the dark and cold winter months.

  1. When you open your eyes in the morning, drink a large glass of water as soon as your alarm goes off to make you wake up! I keep my water bottle beside my bed so that I pop up and drink it when I turn the alarm off. This helps to get me up, get my digestive tract moving and overall the habit of doing this helps prime me for getting out of bed. It helps that in the next 15 mins, I will need to use the washroom as well, lol!
  2. Once you are up, turn the space heater on in your practice space right away so it can start to warm things up from the get-go. I always find that when I do this, I feel happy to step on my mat next to the extra warmth already going. It’s akin to having a car-starter for that morning drive! It just makes things that little bit easier, which actually goes a long way!
  3. Wear some extra layers that you can peel off as you warm up. I like to practice in leggings and a sports bra. It isn’t fun to put this on early on a cold day and get to practicing yoga. I wear a long sleeve top and after my surya namaskara, I am usually ready to take it off. Wear whatever makes you feel comfy and able to move without feeling unnecessarily chilly. Even with my space heater, I am acutely aware of the temperature difference as it occilates from left to right.
  4. When it’s cold, sometimes I like to try and talk myself out of doing my whole practice. This is actually okay because as you warm up, your mind will change because you will feel that beautiful feeling of your muscles waking up and lengthening as you warm and strengthen. This is one of my favourite parts of practice. As a home practitioner, it is commonplace to have this internal dialogue of doing just standing poses or primary series for me. I relish the end of my practice when I finish the entire thing and actually enjoy doing some of my more difficult poses because I am more aware of how much more fluid and connected I feel as I practice compared to before I started or how I would feel if I didn’t practice. In fact, the memory of this endorphin high is what helps motivate me each time I feel like giving in to my desire to stay in bed. Over time, it has become a serious motivator so that now I am able to get up at 4:30am when I need to start home practice as early as 5am so that I can fit it into my day.

  People have gasped in disbelief when I tell them the schedule I have and even more so at the schedule I had before I had children. As a dental hygienist working down in the city, I would have to get up at 3:20am to fit practice in at my shala before heading to work for 7:30am. I know it sounds crazy, but when something changes your life the way practicing yoga has changed mine, it is really a no brainer. The priming of practicing at early times and the feeling in my body after each time I practice continues to serve as a serious motivator for me to continue. Don’t get me wrong, there are still days where I have had REAL trouble, but knowing that my feeling will return if I push through has allowed me to get past the initial inertia many times.

  5. My final tip is to plan for a delicious cup of coffee and breakfast after practice. I often think about what I will do and how I will feel after I am done to motivate me to get out of bed when it is most difficult. I also remind myself how upset I will be if I do give in and stay in bed. There is just too much to gain from getting up and doing my asana and breathing through each pose. It really is such a personal time, to connect and feel into me before I spend the day as open to what the day may hold as possible. It is a way to regroup and collect myself, and each time I am able to will myself onto the mat and do my practice is another proof that I am the master of my destiny. It sounds cliche, but I enjoy the ability I have to help myself be my best self each time I am able to do so. I feel confident, I feel strong, I feel capable and most of all, I feel ME. It is what keeps me motivated, sane even. My practice is one thing I can count on, whether it is only standing because my son wakes up or I’m able to do my whole practice. I am there, everyday, contributing to the betterment of my physical, mental and spiritual health. I am my own master. I am the director of what I am capable of doing and it feels fucking awesome.

  So be your master. Kick your butt out of bed for a meditation, a run, yoga, anything that helps you reset yourself and find YOU before you begin your day. It will only bring joy, happiness and confidence and who wouldn’t want that??

  Be your best self, hug yourself and look in the mirror today- smile and tell yourself you are amazing because YOU ARE!!

  Much Love,

  Lisa xo

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  Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged ashtanga, energy, exercise, health, inspiration, life, lifestyle, motivation, winter, Yoga, yoga mom, yogainspiration, yogalife, yogapractice

• The Obligatory New Year’s Post: 2018

  Posted at 2:31 am by Lisa K, on January 1, 2018

  

  It seems that this year, I am so much more aware of the happenings over the last year than in those past. I started this blog this year and in preparing my writings for it, I suppose it has helped me to really put conscious memory into action as I ponder my thoughts and feelings. I have observed a great deal about my little life and noticed some wonderful things and also some places that could use some really overdue attention. I really love writing this blog, by the way;) There is far too much truth in the fact that we mostly, blindly, fail to acknowledge places in our lives that make us uncomfortable. For me, in the past it was a fear of failing to be my best all the time. I have managed to work quite a bit there and feel much better about this work in progress. This year I experienced some dark times in the beginning of it. Out of my control, but they quelled my growing ability to shine forth more confidently. Many steps back, I notice that I must draw attention once again to confidence in the radiance of my being.
  In 2018, I will take charge of old patterns rather than let them play out. I will speak from within and hold no expectation of how it will be interpreted by those around me. If I am true, I can’t be mistaken for anything other than the true intention that I really am. If negativity happens, it is not me but a reflection of others. I will be TRUE.  I also noticed that I live in a very regimented pattern in my life. Im an ashtangi and it is not difficult to see why I love the practice of Ashtanga yoga so much. It is also very disciplined. However, it impedes my social interactions with people. If time spent doesn’t fit into my comfortable schedule, I can get, well, agitated. I have been aware of this for some time, and have made some progress but it needs more.

  I also can’t cook. I don’t like holding meals because food doesn’t inspire me. I am also vegetarian, which doesn’t harmonize with people around me. Food is more of a subsistence of life for me. It seems to create issues for social gatherings because I don’t relate well to others in this way. I am good at doing activities with people or having a coffee and a chat. Evening visits with a glass of wine aren’t too shabby either, lol, right?? But in all seriousness, I want to connect again without fear of judgement. If I don’t fear it, it can’t burden me. I will practice my meditations, affirmations and general thoughts to help create new mental patterns. If you think it enough, it will become real.  I know my intentions are to relate to others, to feel them.

  The new year isn’t necessarily about changing things or becoming a new person. It is about reflecting on what works and what doesn’t. Realizing what could do with some improvement and what is working better than ever. I like the reset feeling. It reminds me of morning time. I love the feeling of waking up and being out before others. Everything is fresh, untouched by the essence of daytime and I get to see it. That is what the new year is akin to. A time to refresh, reflect and be a better version of me.

  I hope you enjoy this time of year and start off in 2018 with your best foot forward. Be fierce, be powerful, be You.

  Happy New Year my loves!! Best for the coming year to you!!

  Much Love,

  Lisa Michelle xo

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  Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 16 Comments | Tagged beauty, communication, emotions, energy, gratitude, happy, healthy, heart, inspiration, joy, knowledge, life, lifestyle, love, meditation, motivation, release, wellness, Yoga

• Joy: Finding It Everyday

  Posted at 12:58 am by Lisa K, on December 18, 2017

  

  Sometimes I think about what emotions are.  Why do we experience feelings like anxiousness or fear?  When things seem to be opposing me, I can get down.  That’s when I start to think of ways to turn my current state into something more positive.  Life is short, be happy as much as possible and so today around the time of year when we wish to experience joy, there are often stressful shopping trips, cramped parking lots and many social engagements to attend.  So much love and fun is meant to be had, but at the same time, it can get a bit overwhelming too.  I have some thoughts on joy and how to bring it forth when life can throw you a curve ball;)

  What is pure joy?
  Is it the feeling of accomplishing a goal?
  Is it watching your child grow?
  Is it overcoming an obstacle?
  Is it learning something new or making connections?

  Joy is the outcome of giving.
  Joy is the release of positive emotion.
  Joy is the recognition of watching your child make good choices.
  Joy is finding that deep connection with another free of judgment.

  How can I find joy everyday?
  Be true to your feelings, be genuine.
  See each moment for the worth it gives to you.
  Look for it in places where it seems vacant.
  Bring it with you to others always, it will bring you more joy to give it.

  Look into the eyes of each person you talk to, really look.
  Smile at people you don’t know.
  Look in the mirror and smile when you feel down, really smile.
  Find light on days when the sun doesn’t shine.

  Use your happiness to extend to others.
  Spare some money for someone in need.
  Stare into the eyes of your lover each day, give a hug too.
  Find common ground in a distanced relationship.
  Excuse an outburst that was not thought through.

  Most of all- find a strength you have and let it lead you.
  Put blinders on and follow the path that feels right.
  Your heart doesn’t lie to you, it loves you unconditionally.
  Never question your worth, it will forever be priceless.

  Best wishes as you prepare this last week before the holidays and always.

  Love,

  Lisa Michelle xo

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  Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 14 Comments | Tagged communication, energy, happy, inspiration, joy, knowledge, life, love, motivation

• The Havan Fire Ceremony

  Posted at 2:41 am by Lisa K, on November 26, 2017

  

  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining a Havan Fire Ceremony with our current yoga teacher training group at The Yoga Mat. One of my colleagues is part of the Dhyan Foundation which is a spiritual and charitable organization run solely by volunteers to spread awareness and knowledge of the path of yoga. Teaching many authentic practices involved with yoga, the Havan is a ceremony dedicated to aid the positive forces of creation. As human beings we commence in a Havan for the peace and prosperity of our home and creation as a whole. The ritual has been recorded and it’s practice is sustained in ancient Vedic texts which are important resources involved in forming our understandings of yoga today.

  The Havan is a ritual where all aspects of the ceremony are performed and prepared for with intention. The fire is lit and Sanskrit chants are spoken to create the proper atmosphere for the spiritual intention. There is ghee or clarified butter used as an offering and it crackles the fire during chanting. It is at this time that fragrant medicinal herbs are spread into the fire. These are prepared specially at home prior to the ceremony for the purpose of offering. There is a conch shell blown as a horn before and after the ceremony. The hands are washed to purify before we begin. We sit with crossed legs and palms turned up to accept and allow the positive energy to flow freely around and through the group. The whole process serves as a meditation and a focus on creating a sacred and inclusive space for those involved to really connect with the intention but more importantly, with each other. As I sat and listened to our guide, Chaavi, chant, I could hear the Gayatri Mantra and pieces of other mantra which I have become familiar with through my own path of yoga. The Gayatri is a powerful mantra and is said to mean “May the divine light of the Supreme Being illuminate our intellect, to lead us along a path of righteousness”. It is a powerful mantra which is said to purify the chanter and also the listener, by the Rig Veda.

  

  Above: Chaavi performing the Havan for us

  When I went to Thailand to see Paul Dallaghan and Sri OP Tiwari almost eight years ago now, we did this very ceremony every morning before we began our pranayama and asana practice. I remember the ghee being spread over the flames of the fire and the grains being offered by students into the fire during the meditative chants that were performed by Paul and Tiwariji. The feelings I experienced at the end of our Havan back here in Canada with Chaavi were the same. I felt grounded, connected, soft and aware of something greater than each of us- our communal energy, when we ended the ceremony. It felt like we participated in something which drew up energy from within ourselves and from the one place with which we all exist. Such a peaceful and calming feeling overall. An experience which I highly recommend for yoga practitioners and non-yoga practitioners alike. At the end of the ceremony we were offered to place the ashes of the fire onto our third eye, the forehead as it is a way to connect our divine being. Of course I accepted this offering because, who wouldn’t want to experience that?

  My Personal Deeper Reflections on Yoga

  My reflections upon yoga are echoed with each experience I have had over these past 10+ years that I have been learning and practicing. The practices and the meanings are like a catapult for the mind into places of my being which lay in a sort of coma for much of my teenage to early adult life. As a child, I had no barometer for what was socially accepted and did what I felt was right. I painted my shoes. I participated in the science fair. I sang, danced and created art. I even earned a creative arts award on my grade eight graduation. I accomplished much in dance, I was accepted to a prestigious ballet school and won contests for art at local fairs. I followed my light. I did what I felt was right from within. As a teen, I became consumed by acceptance. There were some other disturbances as well. I turned inward, into my shell. I became insecure about socializing and fitting in. I lost connection with my internal knowing. I felt disconnected. I didn’t feel like I fit in with my peers. I had decorated my locker in grade 9 with a collage of cat pictures I liked. When some peers saw the effort I put into it, they thought it was weird. I was ridiculed by my local dance teacher when I came home from dance school. I didn’t want to pursue it because I wanted so much to be home with my family. I missed them and wanted more than anything to be with them than to follow my dream. My teacher couldn’t relate. I felt alone. I lost my connection, I became obsessed with perfection. I thought that if I did what was expected really well, no one would put me down. I could be invisible. If there was nothing to complain about, how could I be a spotlight? As I moved into adulthood, I was able to sort out many of the feelings I had as a teen. I mean, many kids struggle at this hormonal and changing time in life.

  It was Yoga that really helped me heal from my disconnection. It has helped me to reconnect to that inner voice that I had shut down because it didn’t fit in. You see, yoga doesn’t care if you are fitting in with the trend or what is cool. Yoga is there to help you reconnect with what is important, with what really matters in life. I feel more confident in my own skin now that I ever have as an adult. I am rekindling my own fire with that unstoppable energy that guided me as a child to do what is right for my soul, what is right for me. I once again march to the beat of my own drum and don’t care if it’s not the same beat as anyone else. I am me. I am happy to be me. I connect to me. It is a beautiful feeling. When I think about how many years went by where I was a bit lost, I feel bad, but I don’t dwell on what I can’t change. I move forward and let my light guide me where I need to be. It feels wondrous and I think we can all find that place within ourselves. I wish this for every human being on this planet. I dream of the day where we are all Yoga and we are all truly aware that we are ONE ~ Samadhi.

  LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU

  Means~ May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

  Best wishes my beautiful readers,

  Love,

  Lisa xo

   

   

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  Posted in Event Reviews, Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 24 Comments | Tagged energy, Havan, inspiration, knowledge, life, lifestyle, motivation, philosophy, startyoga, vedas, Yoga, yogainspiration, yogalife, yogaphilosophy, yogateacher

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