My So-Called Yoga Life

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller
My So-Called Yoga Life
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    • ๐‘ซ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’Ž๐’”โœจ

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

      ๐‘จ ๐’…๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’Ž ๐’Š๐’” ๐’—๐’Š๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’”๐’•๐’“๐’‚๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’• ๐’‡๐’“๐’๐’Ž ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’‰๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’•,

      ๐‘ช๐’“๐’Š๐’”๐’‘ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’—๐’Š๐’—๐’Š๐’… ๐’Š๐’•โ€™๐’” ๐’‚๐’ ๐’†๐’™๐’’๐’–๐’Š๐’”๐’Š๐’•๐’† ๐’‘๐’Š๐’†๐’„๐’† ๐’๐’‡ ๐’‚๐’“๐’•.

      ๐‘ฐ๐’• ๐’„๐’๐’๐’‹๐’–๐’“๐’†๐’” ๐’†๐’Ž๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’๐’‡ ๐’‘๐’‚๐’”๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’๐’‚๐’•๐’† ๐’…๐’†๐’‘๐’•๐’‰,

      ๐‘ฐ๐’• ๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ๐’” ๐’•๐’‰๐’“๐’๐’–๐’ˆ๐’‰ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’”๐’๐’–๐’ ๐’˜๐’Š๐’•๐’‰ ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‚๐’–๐’•๐’š ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’ƒ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’…๐’•๐’‰.

      .

      ๐‘จ ๐’ˆ๐’๐’Š๐’Ž๐’Ž๐’†๐’“…๐’‚ ๐’‡๐’๐’Š๐’„๐’Œ๐’†๐’“…๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’“๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’• ๐’๐’ ๐’„๐’–๐’†,

      ๐’€๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’•๐’‰๐’๐’–๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’•๐’” ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’‡๐’†๐’†๐’๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ๐’” ๐’‚๐’“๐’† ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’ ๐’—๐’Š๐’†๐’˜,

      ๐‘ฌ๐’๐’•๐’†๐’“๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’‡๐’๐’„๐’–๐’” ๐’‚๐’” ๐’•๐’‰๐’†๐’š ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’ˆ๐’Š๐’ ๐’•๐’ ๐’…๐’†๐’‡๐’Š๐’๐’†,

      ๐‘ณ๐’Š๐’Œ๐’† ๐’๐’Š๐’•๐’•๐’๐’† ๐’‘๐’Š๐’„๐’•๐’–๐’“๐’†๐’” ๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’๐’ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’˜๐’‚๐’๐’๐’” ๐’๐’‡ ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’….

      .

      ๐‘ฉ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’๐’Š๐’‡๐’† ๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’ ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’‘๐’”๐’š๐’„๐’‰๐’†,

      ๐‘พ๐’‰๐’Š๐’„๐’‰ ๐’”๐’๐’๐’˜๐’” ๐’•๐’ ๐’„๐’‚๐’•๐’„๐’‰ ๐’‚ ๐’ˆ๐’๐’Š๐’Ž๐’‘๐’”๐’†,

      ๐‘ณ๐’Š๐’Œ๐’† ๐’‚ ๐’”๐’˜๐’†๐’†๐’• ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’„๐’๐’๐’๐’–๐’“๐’‡๐’–๐’ ๐’”๐’–๐’๐’“๐’Š๐’”๐’†,

      ๐‘ฌ๐’™๐’„๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‚ ๐’„๐’‚๐’”๐’„๐’‚๐’…๐’† ๐’๐’‡ ๐’”๐’–๐’ƒ๐’๐’Š๐’Ž๐’† ๐’Š๐’Ž๐’‘๐’“๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’”.

      .

      ๐‘ฐ๐’• ๐’‡๐’†๐’†๐’๐’” ๐’”๐’ ๐’Ž๐’‚๐’ˆ๐’Š๐’„๐’‚๐’ ๐’•๐’ ๐’๐’†๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’…๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’Ž ๐’–๐’๐’‡๐’๐’๐’…,

      ๐‘จ๐’๐’… ๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’Œ ๐’‚๐’ƒ๐’๐’–๐’• ๐’˜๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’‚๐’“๐’† ๐’‚๐’ƒ๐’๐’–๐’• ๐’•๐’ ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‰๐’๐’๐’….

      ๐‘ฎ๐’–๐’Š๐’…๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’ ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’๐’Š๐’•๐’š ๐’•๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’”๐’‘๐’‚๐’“๐’Œ๐’๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’ˆ๐’๐’Š๐’Ž๐’Ž๐’†๐’“ ๐’๐’‡ ๐’‰๐’๐’‘๐’†,

      ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐’”๐’•๐’“๐’†๐’๐’ˆ๐’•๐’‰ ๐’๐’‡ ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’Š๐’” ๐’˜๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’Š๐’๐’—๐’๐’Œ๐’†.

      .

      ๐‘ณ๐’†๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’‰๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’• ๐’…๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’Ž ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’Š๐’Ž๐’‘๐’๐’๐’“๐’† ๐’Š๐’• ๐’•๐’ ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’† ๐’•๐’‰๐’“๐’๐’–๐’ˆ๐’‰,

      ๐‘บ๐’†๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’”๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’•๐’” ๐’‰๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’๐’†๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’”๐’‘๐’Š๐’“๐’Š๐’• ๐’ˆ๐’๐’Š๐’…๐’† ๐’˜๐’Š๐’•๐’‰ ๐’ˆ๐’“๐’‚๐’„๐’†,

      ๐’€๐’๐’– ๐’‚๐’“๐’† ๐’‘๐’๐’˜๐’†๐’“๐’‡๐’–๐’ ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’š๐’๐’๐’… ๐’‚ll ๐’Ž๐’†๐’‚๐’”๐’–๐’“๐’†,

      ๐’‡๐’“๐’†๐’† ๐’•๐’ ๐’‡๐’†๐’†๐’ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‚๐’–๐’•๐’š ๐’๐’‡ ๐’š๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’…๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’Žโ€™๐’” ๐’†๐’Ž๐’ƒ๐’“๐’‚๐’„๐’†.

      .

      ๐“‘๐”‚: ๐“›๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ชโ™ฅ๏ธ

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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 ๐Ÿงญ ๐ŸŒน

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

      ๐‘ญ๐’๐’๐’๐’๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’๐’†๐’†๐’…๐’๐’† ๐’๐’ ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’‘๐’‚๐’”๐’”,

      ย ๐‘ต๐’๐’• ๐’‹๐’–๐’”๐’• ๐’‚๐’๐’š ๐’๐’๐’… ๐’Ž๐’‚๐’ˆ๐’๐’†๐’•๐’Š๐’„ ๐’“๐’๐’”๐’†,

      ๐‘ฐ๐’•โ€™๐’” ๐’‚ ๐’”๐’‘๐’†๐’„๐’Š๐’‚๐’ ๐’๐’๐’† ๐’‹๐’–๐’”๐’• ๐’“๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’• ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’Ž๐’†,

      ๐‘จ๐’๐’… ๐’Š๐’•โ€™๐’” ๐’Š๐’๐’‡๐’๐’–๐’†๐’๐’„๐’† ๐’Š๐’” ๐’˜๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’ˆ๐’“๐’๐’˜๐’”.

      .

      ๐‘พ๐’Š๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’ ๐‘ฐ ๐’‡๐’†๐’†๐’ ๐’Š๐’• ๐’”๐’‰๐’Š๐’‡๐’• ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’„๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ๐’†,

      ๐‘จ๐’” ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’”๐’†๐’‚ ๐’๐’‡ ๐’•๐’‰๐’๐’–๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’•๐’” ๐’”๐’‘๐’๐’‚๐’”๐’‰ ๐’•๐’ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’‡๐’“๐’,

      ๐‘ฐ๐’‡ ๐‘ฐ ๐’…๐’๐’โ€™๐’• ๐’Ž๐’‚๐’๐’†๐’–๐’—๐’†๐’“ ๐’„๐’‚๐’“๐’†๐’‡๐’–๐’๐’๐’š,

      ๐‘พ๐’‚๐’—๐’†๐’” ๐’๐’‡ ๐’†๐’Ž๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’„๐’๐’–๐’๐’… ๐’‘๐’–๐’๐’ ๐’Ž๐’† ๐’…๐’๐’˜๐’ ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’๐’๐’˜.

      .

      ๐‘ถ๐’ƒ๐’”๐’†๐’“๐’—๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’Š๐’๐’•๐’†๐’๐’•๐’๐’š ๐’Š๐’ ๐’‚๐’๐’ ๐’…๐’Š๐’“๐’†๐’„๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’๐’”,

      ๐‘ด๐’‚๐’ˆ๐’๐’†๐’•๐’Š๐’„ ๐’„๐’–๐’“๐’“๐’†๐’๐’•๐’” ๐’‡๐’๐’๐’˜ ๐’๐’๐’•๐’ ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’Ž๐’‚๐’‘,

      ๐‘ด๐’š ๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’… ๐’Ž๐’‚๐’š ๐’•๐’“๐’š ๐’•๐’ ๐’•๐’“๐’Š๐’„๐’Œ ๐’Ž๐’†,

      ๐‘บ๐’ ๐‘ฐ ๐’„๐’‚๐’โ€™๐’• ๐’‡๐’Š๐’๐’… ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’˜๐’‚๐’š ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’† ๐’†๐’๐’•๐’“๐’‚๐’‘๐’‘๐’†๐’….

      .

      ๐‘ญ๐’๐’“ ๐’๐’๐’˜ ๐’•๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‚๐’–๐’•๐’Š๐’‡๐’–๐’ ๐’“๐’๐’”๐’† ๐’Š๐’” ๐’ƒ๐’“๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’•,

      ๐‘ด๐’š ๐’•๐’“๐’–๐’† ๐’๐’๐’“๐’•๐’‰ ๐’…๐’“๐’‚๐’˜๐’” ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’†๐’š๐’† ๐’•๐’๐’˜๐’‚๐’“๐’…๐’” ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’•,

      ๐‘จ๐’๐’˜๐’‚๐’š๐’” ๐’๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‰๐’๐’˜ ๐’•๐’ ๐’‰๐’‚๐’“๐’๐’†๐’”๐’” ๐’•๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’†๐’๐’†๐’“๐’ˆ๐’š,

      ๐‘บ๐’ ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’…๐’Š๐’“๐’†๐’„๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’‘๐’–๐’“๐’‘๐’๐’”๐’† ๐’‚๐’“๐’† ๐’˜๐’๐’—๐’†๐’ ๐’Š๐’ ๐’”๐’š๐’๐’†๐’“๐’ˆ๐’š.

      .

      ๐‘ฉ๐’š: ๐“›๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ชโ™ฅ๏ธ

      .

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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

    • Rแด‡แด€แด…ส แด›แด แดกแด€สŸแด‹ ษชษด๐Ÿ’ซ

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

      Sแด›แด€ษดแด…ษชษดษข วซแดœษชแด‡แด›สŸส ษชษด แด›สœแด‡ แด…แดแดส€แดกแด€ส,

      Iแด› สœแด€s แด›แด€แด‹แด‡ษด sแด สŸแดษดษข า“แดส€ ษชแด› แด›แด แด€แด˜แด˜แด‡แด€ส€,

      Sแด แด‡ษดแด›ษชแด„ษชษดษขสŸส ษชแด› แด€sแด‹s แดแด‡ แด›แด แด‡ษดแด›แด‡ส€,

      Aษดแด… สแด‡แด› ษช แด˜แด€แดœsแด‡ ส™แด‡า“แดส€แด‡ ษช แดกแด€สŸแด‹ ษชษด.

       

      Sแด แดแดœแด„สœ แด‡า“า“แดส€แด› สœแด€s ษขษชแด แด‡ษด แดกแด€ส แด›แด แด›สœษชs แดแด˜แด‡ษดษชษดษข,

      I แด„แด€ษด’แด› แด‡แด แด‡ษด แด˜แดœแด› ษชษดแด›แด แดกแดส€แด…s แดกสœแด€แด› ษช สœแด€แด แด‡ า“แด‡สŸแด›,

      I แดกส€ษชแด›แด‡ แด…แดแดกษด แดกสœแด€แด› ษช แด„แด€ษด แด…แด‡sแด„ส€ษชส™แด‡,

      Oา“ แดกสœแด€แด› ษช แด›ส€ส แด›แด แด…แด‡แด„แดแดแด˜ส€แด‡ss.

       

      Jแดœsแด› แดกสœแด‡ษด ษช แด›สœแดแดœษขสœแด› ษช แด„แดแดœสŸแด…ษด’แด› แดแดแด แด‡,

      I า“แด‡สŸแด› ส™แดแดœษดแด… แด€ษดแด… ษชส€แดษดแด„สŸแด€แด…,

      I sแด€แดก แด›สœแด€แด› แด„ส€แด€แด„แด‹ แดา“ แด€ษด แดแด˜แด‡ษดษชษดษข,

      Iแด› แดแด˜แด‡ษดแด‡แด… แดœแด˜ ส™แด‡า“แดส€แด‡ ษช แด‹ษดแด‡แดก ษช สœแด€แด….

       

      Tสœแด‡ แด แด€sแด› า“แด‡แด‡สŸษชษดษข แดา“ แด›สœแด€แด› แด›ษชษดส sแด˜แด€แด„แด‡,

      Iแด› sแด‡แด‡แดs แด›สœแด‡ แดกแดส€แด‹ สœแด€s ษขส€แด€ษดแด›แด‡แด… ษขส€แด€แด„แด‡,

      I แด…แดษด’แด› แด‹ษดแดแดก สœแดแดก สŸแดษดษข ษชแด› แดกษชสŸสŸ sแด›แด€ส,

      Sแด แด›สœแด‡ส€แด‡ ษชs แดŠแดœsแด› ษดแด แด›ษชแดแด‡ แด›แด แดกแด€sแด›แด‡.

       

      Eแด€แด„สœ แดแดแดแด‡ษดแด› ษชs แด€ ษขษชา“แด› ษชษด แด›ษชแดแด‡,

      I ส™ส€แด‡แด€แด›สœแด‡ แด…แด‡แด‡แด˜สŸส แด€s ษช แดแดแด แด‡,

      Cแด€ส€แด‡า“แดœสŸสŸส า“แด‡แด‡สŸษชษดษข า“แดส€ แดกสœแด€แด› แด„แดแดแด‡s แดœแด˜,

      Tสœแด‡ แด˜แด€ษชษด สœแด€s สœแด€แด… sแดแดแด‡แด›สœษชษดษข แด›แด แด˜ส€แดแด แด‡.

       

      Sแดœแด„สœ sแดา“แด›ษดแด‡ss ษดแดแดก ส€แดแดœษดแด…s ส€แดแดœษขสœ แด‡แด…ษขแด‡s,

      A แดแด‡แด›แด€แด˜สœแดส€ า“แดส€ แดกสœแด€แด› ษชs สŸษชา“แด‡,

      I สŸแด‡แด› ษชแด› า“สŸแดแดก แด…แดแดกษด แด›สœส€แดแดœษขสœ แดส ส™แด‡ษชษดษข,

      Tสœแด‡ส€แด‡ ษชs sแด แดแดœแด„สœ แดกแด€ส€แดแด›สœ แดกสœแด‡ส€แด‡ แด›สœแด‡ส€แด‡ แดกแด€s ษชแด„แด‡.

       

      Fแด‡แด‡สŸษชษดษข า“ส€แด‡แด‡ ษชs แด€ ษขส€แด‡แด€แด› แด˜สŸแด€แด„แด‡ แด›แด ส™แด‡,

      Hแดแดก สŸแดษดษข ษชแด› แดกษชสŸสŸ สŸแด€sแด› ษช แด…แด ษดแดแด› แด‹ษดแดแดก,

      Sแด ษช สŸแด‡แด› ษชแด› า“ษชสŸสŸ แดส สœแด‡แด€ส€แด› แด€ษดแด… sแดแดœสŸ,

      Tสœแด‡ส€แด‡ ษชs ษดแด แดกสœแด‡ส€แด‡ แด‡สŸsแด‡ ษช ษดแด‡แด‡แด… แด›แด ษขแด.

       

      By: ๐“›๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ชโ™ฅ๏ธ

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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 lifeโ€™s mission.
      Love is supposed to be thoughtful, Love is supposed to be kind, ย but how can it be those things when sometimes itโ€™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, itโ€™s soft to the core, how can we enjoy it when itโ€™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 thatโ€™s part of our work in this form,
      To unify our souls and let Cosmic Love be reborn.

      By: Lisa Michelle โ™ฅ๏ธ

       

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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. ย 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 Yearโ€™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 canโ€™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. ย 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 doesnโ€™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 canโ€™t cook. I donโ€™t like holding meals because food doesnโ€™t inspire me. I am also vegetarian, which doesnโ€™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 donโ€™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 arenโ€™t too shabby either, lol, right?? But in all seriousness, I want to connect again without fear of judgement. If I donโ€™t fear it, it canโ€™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. ย I know my intentions are to relate to others, to feel them.

      The new year isnโ€™t necessarily about changing things or becoming a new person. It is about reflecting on what works and what doesnโ€™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. ย Why do we experience feelings like anxiousness or fear? ย When things seem to be opposing me, I can get down. ย That’s when I start to think of ways to turn my current state into something more positive. ย 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. ย So much love and fun is meant to be had, but at the same time, it can get a bit overwhelming too. ย 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 righteousnessโ€. It is a powerful mantra which is said to purify the chanter and also the listener, by the Rig Veda.

      IMG_3420

      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

    • Sankalpa~ Giving Beautiful Meaning to Every Single Day

      Posted at 2:48 am by Lisa K, on November 12, 2017

      What is sankalpa? ย It is broken down to mean ~ the highest truth of the heart which is followed above all others. It is an intention that you decide to follow that will serve your highest truth or purpose. Sankalpa is referenced in the Rig Veda which is one of the oldest yogic texts that form the foundation of our philosophical understandings of yoga. I have been to many yoga classes where the instructor will invite students to set an intention for the class. May it be to dedicate it to someone or a feeling inside such as โ€œI am joyโ€ or โ€œI am courageousโ€. The wonderful thing about sankalpa is that it posits that you already are the intention you wish to fulfill. It is just that we must realize and use our mind to focus on bringing out these qualities within ourselves, to connect within. I find this concept to be innately beautiful. Imagine…all the doubts you have about yourself, the unsure thoughts, the potential harmful self-talk you may have from time to time- become non-existent. There is no place for doubt when we already are what we wish to be. ย So confidence inspiring, with such conviction and above all so validating of who we are and what we are capable of doing. I am what I am meant to be. I am capable of fulfilling my dharma or my purpose in this life. ย There is no question.

      How does Ashtanga Yoga help us to see our Sankalpa?

      Yoga helps us to tune in, to become aware of the thought processes and internal obstacles that make the awareness of our abilities become obscure. We live in a society ridden with self-doubt and unfulfillable ideals. It is like we all want to be something that we think we are not able to be. There must be some impossible task to create dis-ease and woe in our hearts. ย Why???? Why do we want to feel inadequate? Why do we buy in to these ideals which are unattainable, therefore causing a sense of incapability?
      It is only when we are challenged that we can truly call on our innate abilities. They will automatically come to the forefront because we need them. It is not easy to commit yourself to doing a physically challenging practice on a daily basis. Ashtanga calls to us to do this. It asks us to be present, to breathe into difficulty, to find ease in what creates uneasiness. Yin and Yang are called to become one. A synchronicity within our internal controls is the savior to our woes. It is part of our creation. We live. We die. We are part of a cycle of life much greater than our individuality that we never ever become disconnected from. It is the fuel, the breath, the momentum of our existence. Sankalpa. Dharma. Life force. These qualities are one and the same. Ashtanga helps to repeatedly identify the strength and perseverance of what lies within so that our Sankalpa may become clear.

      Sankalpa makes me think about my highest truth and why we exist. What is my purpose?

      Itโ€™s a difficult thing to contemplate. What is the purpose of existence if we are merely part of a cycle? Why is sankalpa important? I believe it is a question we can only find the answer to in our own way. For me, I have only glimpsed my truth, most notably it has been in some deep conversations with my grandma that I have found some peace and a little bit of insight. I feel that part of my highest truth is to be of service to make the world a better place. I see this in my Grandma. My grandmother is a very strong woman. Among her impressive qualities are enduring love, she gives of herself freely with no expectation. She is compassionate, so giving of all of herself, her thoughts, her love and her life. I connected with her at a very young age. She made me feel strong, appreciated, capable and most of all, loved. I always felt that she would be there for me, even if I faltered or if there was negativity surrounding me. Her care was and is unconditional to this very day in her 85th year of life. She has discussed death and how life is part of this cycle with me from her perspective. When I hear her speak of it, I feel part of her knowing and understanding that it is just part of what it is to be a human being. Now that fact is mere science, but the understanding of it is a much deeper and darker reality that some priming for is a gift. My granny is a beautiful gift of so many things, I am grateful to be among those blessed to be a part of her family and life.
      You see, I view my Sankalpa as an intention with the undertone of service, of giving. The ultimate gift is to give without expectation. This is what may be the sankalpa of my daily life in little bits each day. I can be giving of my heart, to listen, to be thoughtful, to be supportive, to be kind. Like my grandma. ย Think about those little intentions that you can do each day to fulfill your own personal Sankalpa – I am courageous. I am joy. I am forgiveness. I am light. I am giving. We are really all of these things already. Do you know that? Find the beauty within you. It is strong. ย Share it with others and relish in the happiness that it gives you to make another feel your love. Do it without expectation. Find your Sankalpa and live it each day. How wonderful is it to be able to live your purpose, your highest truth, in little acts each and every day?

      Best Wishes to you all my friends. ย May the new week bring many smiles, laughter and love to you๐Ÿ’–

      Lisa Michelle xo

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 23 Comments | Tagged communication, energy, happy, inspiration, Livingyoga, motivation, philosophy, vedas, Yoga, yogainspiration, yogalife, yogaphilosophy
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