healing – Yoga with Katrina Ariel

Navigating Pain and Loss with Grace

October 14, 2013Katrina Ariel

A rather talented intuitive once told me, “Your life is a demonstration.”

I took this to mean that by living my truth, I am often able to bring inspiration or insight to others. I also think that it means I am demonstrating to myself the depth of courage, love, and wisdom that lives within me, and all others.

This particular sharing is a very personal one, and I ask you, as always, to simply take what speaks to your heart, and respectfully leave the rest.

On Sunday I miscarried at 10 weeks of pregnancy.

I started having signs on Friday, and it was scary, not knowing what would happen. However the fear subsided when I knew that I was miscarrying. It was no longer unknown once the process started, and I realized all there was to do was let go and ride it out. My body did a very good job of naturally going through the process, though I will be recovering for some time.

I know that this is very common; that many women miscarry their first pregnancy, and that they often go on to have as many children as they wish. I have friends who have been through this and now have little ones, and this gives me great comfort.

The love and support I have been receiving from friends and family is so appreciated. If you choose to email me with your own words of care, please know that, though I may not reply, they will be gratefully received.

It happened on Thanksgiving weekend, and I find that interesting, especially since we had a house fire 5 years ago at the same time. I think it is a reminder to stay focused on what there is to be grateful for, even within the intensity and emotions of loss.

I also find it interesting that I miscarried a week after I had announced my pregnancy. It would have been much more convenient if it had happened before. Then I could have kept it all to myself and gone on with life without so many people being aware of what I’ve been through.

Yet, that isn’t really my way – to quietly pretend the world didn’t just shift for me. It is much more appropriate that it happened as it did. Because now I can tell you, with my characteristic open honesty, how I feel and what is helping me through.

All is Full of Love

First and foremost, this has been another deepening of Trust.

You can call it “Faith” if you prefer, as there definitely is an element of believing in something unseen. However, it is much more than that, since I have been shown time and again that I am truly taken care of. No matter what.

I keep leaning on that, and looking back on my life at the proof that I see: even in the most scary, uncomfortable, emotional times everything truly has turned out in the best possible way.

And so I stay with that trust. I remember in my heart and think often about how beautifully the mystery and magic of life unfolds when I allow it to do so, especially when it doesn’t look as I think it should.

The Yoga of Reciprocity: Brilliant Abundance (Ayni)

January 13, 2013Katrina Ariel

There is a concept in Andean culture called “Ayni.”

Ayni is the exchange of reciprocity in every way. It tells us that all is interwoven, and is the central, root principle of the Andean culture.

One of the beautiful things about having this awareness of reciprocity as a foundation to all of life is that it encourages respect, kindness, knowledge, and the blessings that each person has to be shared. Through this sharing, there is not only enough for everyone, but an abundance of goodness and wealth in every sense.

Here’s a quote demostrating the same concept from a great yogi:

“Divine Abundance follows the law of service and generosity. Give and then receive. Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” ~ Paramahansa Yoganada

We all want abundance and flow of goodness in our lives. And I know that you likely have this concept in your awareness in many ways.

However, I’d like to draw your attention to another perspective of Ayni or reciprocity that often draws less focus, but can create great abundance of health, happiness, and success in your life.

Perfection and Great Healing in Reciprocity

Just as giving to the world brings those gifts back to you, what you give yourself is what you receive.

Let’s look at this example: say you have an area in your body or life that you are unhappy with. Perhaps there is a physical discomfort or limitation, or perhaps there is a judgement you hold for yourself on some level, be it physical or otherwise.

If you extend feelings of judgment, anger, impatience, or dislike to yourself in any way, these heavy energies show up in what you receive from yourself and can manifest physically.

In contrast, if you practice giving yourself love, kindness, and complete acceptance–espeically those parts of you that have not been receiving these gifts–you will find a great healing occurs in the quality of what you feel and experience in your body and life.

When your focus is to give lovingkindness, joy, compassion, peace, and light to yourself and others, these elements are abundant in your experience.

And what is abundance, truly, if not the physical and energetic manifestations of goodness and freedom?

When you are in right relationship, or balanced reciprocity with the world and yourself, all that you desire comes forth. This includes health, wealth, and fulfillment on every level.