Category: Daily Doses of Delight

Each morning the first thing I do is to go sit out under the Catalpa tree.

I arrange myself on my red, heart shaped plush pillow, wrap myself up in blankets, and close my eyes.

Now you might be imagining this beautifully landscaped, clean, picturesque scene. You can go with that if you’d like, but the reality is that there’s a half falling over wood pile behind the tree, garbage and recycling bins next to it, and a wooden bench that really needs refinishing on the other side.

I don’t mind any of it. It’s the tree I want to be with.

Read More “Meditating Under The Catalpa Tree”

Have you felt profoundly deep gratitude in your heart while working with a truly inspired teacher?

We are all blessed with guides on this journey of life. Every so often we are invited to study with a master, and it doesn’t matter if they are well known or nameless; it is such an honor to learn from them.

I just completed a Yoga Therapy Training with my teacher, John Friend. His ability to heal, uplift, and impart his enormous skill is internationally celebrated. The waves of what he is giving the world are universally felt by every heart in the yoga community.

I have just posted an interview with John Friend that has many insightful teachings.

Read More “Studying With A Master”

What is the ultimate expression of freedom for you? To me (and I know I’m not alone) freedom conjures up images of standing with my arms out, heart lifted and open, head back, smiling at the beauty of the world.

This gesture echos the open winged flight of birds. Flying seems to be the ultimate expression of freedom. Don’t you feel like you’re flying sometimes, when you’re riding the high points of the waves of life?

Read More “Want to Fly?”

This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting for.

You have planted seeds of intention. You have nourished them with your practice, living your yoga. You have worked with the secret ingredients of Gratitude and Trust in the wisdom of the universe. You have cultivated your awareness.

Now is the time of change. Now is the experience of fullness. Now is the time of manifestation.

Read More “Today Everything Changes!”

It’s amazing how many layers there are to life. Yoga helps us become more attuned to the subtle levels, even as we work with the physical.

In asana, if you move from the subtle – from the breath, your ability to create harmony in your practice is so much clearer. In contrast, if you forget about the fullness of who you are and just focus on the physical, the practice tends to harden and freedom is more elusive.

Your body is one of your greatest teachers.

Read More “The Vibration of Healing”

I’d like to share a little story with you.

Last year I took a training with John Friend in Sarasota, Florida. One of the days I spent my lunch break swimming in the calm, clear, lusciously blue Atlantic Ocean. It was one of those picture perfect, blue sky experiences that make you so grateful to be alive.

While I played in the push and pull of the gentle waves, marveling at the expanse of ocean and the spaciousness of sky, a pelican glided down to rest on the water not far from me. I don’t know if you’ve seen a pelican fly before, but they are so totally graceful in the air with their wide wingspan. This pelican and I shared long minutes regarding each other before it took to the sky again.

When I returned to the afternoon session of the training I was beaming. I felt so energized, and so excited to be alive.

Read More “Feel Younger with Childlike Wonder”

Have you felt your emotions and energy shift because of the vibes others are putting out? Sometimes this is uplifting, such as when you ride upon the excitement or happiness of another. Sometimes, however, it can be a struggle to not be brought down by a person who isn’t feeling their best.

What generally happens when we need to protect ourselves is we harden on the outside. We get defensive and tighten up. This outer tension can cause physical and emotional discomfort, and, more often than not, it is accompanied by less than optimal posture. When we contract like this, it is very difficult to stay centered, and we are less likely to be of service to others. Also, in this contracted state, we loose the expansive perspective that allows us to see what is really going on.

Read More “The Diamond Center of Self”

The other day I got off the highway on the way to yoga class and there was an elderly black man with a sign on the side of the road. I didn’t have anything to give him. When he looked at me I placed my hands together in front of my heart, bowed my head to him and said a silent prayer. He got it. I drove away crying.

Through the emotions that came, I found my way back to the teaching that we are, all of us, expressions of divinity. God is playing in manifestation as you and me. As that man on the side of the road. As the hardships and also as the beauty and harmony.

Read More “Hardship and Harmony”