Welcome to the December
2006 Newsletter
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Contents:
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Schedule (Fall
2006)
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS:
108 SURYA NAMASKARS
for the Winter Solstice
Wednesday, December 20th, 7-9am
at YiY in Mountain View
by donation, with refreshments afterwards
FOUNDATIONS SERIES in
FREMONT
Coming in 2007
at Mind-Body Zone:
Janurary 28th - Standing
Poses
March 25th - Forward
Bends
May 20th - Backbends
$35 per class, $30 if preregistered 1 week in advance, or
$80 for all three workshops! For details, visit
http://www.mindbody-zone.com/index_files/Page1032.htm
The Foundations of BACKBENDING
Saturday, February 24th
at YiY in Mountain View
$35, or $30 if preregistered by 2/27
More information HERE
Y.E.S.
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING 2007
with
Joyce Anue, Connie Habash, and many other
fine teachers
at Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, San
Jose, CA
1 weekend/month, February - October 2007
See the CSE website for details
and registration: HERE
CLASS SCHEDULE:
TUESDAYS
9:30-11AM Iyengar & Vinyasa,
Beginning
YIY,
Mountain View
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This
Month's Article:
"Peaceful Mind, Peace
on Earth (part 1)"
by Connie Habash
In honor of the
holidays and the New Year, I'm writing a two-part
series on creating inner peace. This first
part gives you some simple and practical ideas
for feeling more at peace, and part two will
discuss details of yogic philosophy to calm the
mind. Enjoy!
Holiday cards say it. We hear it in carols. "Peace
on Earth" is a familiar refrain during December. It's
a shared sentiment among all traditions, religions,
and spiritual paths. We'd all like to see
Peace come to our planet. Yet, from tension
in the line at the bank, to arguments with
our spouses, to military campaigns, we still don't
see the harmony we'd like to in our world. There's
much to be done before we will experience peace
in our world.
As I will discuss further next month, the truth
is that peace in our world starts by each of us
being willing to develop peace in our own minds
and hearts. We know that this is not an easy
task. Yet, until we as individuals become
more loving, understanding, and at ease within,
we will continue to see violence and conflict between
cultures, creeds, and countries. When enough
individuals change their own inner state, we'll
see the outer states getting along more harmoniously.
Interestingly,
we hear the most about Peace on Earth during a
time in the United States when
we may be the most stressed out, impatient, and
lonely - the holiday season. Although the
meaning of the holidays is intended to bring about
love, joy, and harmony, the evolution of Christmastime
in the U.S. has turned it into a high-pressure,
high consumption cultural event.
We all could use some simple reminders to help
us embody the spirit of good will and happiness that
the holiday is intended to invoke. I've compiled
a number of ideas for you to turn those moments
of loneliness in longing for friends or family, or
the frustration of sitting in bumper-to-bumper
traffic by the shopping mall into another opportunity
to find more inner peace and joy. Although
simple, these practices aren't necessarily easy
to do. But if you can apply them even a little,
I'm certain you will feel a bit more calm
in your mind and openness in your heart.
1)
Be present
It's common
to fall into the mental aggitation of worry about
getting everything you need to get done right
now. Our minds are often racing around,
thinking about packages to be sent, worrying
about how we'll pay for gifts let alone the gas
bill, or thinking about a new job for the new
year. Stop for a moment and simply breathe. Listen
to the sounds and look around. See what's right
here, right now. Be in this moment for
a few more breaths, and see how it feels. Give
yourself space between this moment and anything
in the future (or past), and notice the mind
slowing down.
2) Let Go of Attachment to Outcome The
holiday season is full of great expectations. If
we practice letting go of expecting anything,
we can accept more easily and graciously what
we receive, and our mind relaxes. Go to
the holiday party open to whatever arises. Let
go of the need to receive any particular gift,
or any particular praise when giving one. Be
open to whatever happens. When you're in
this space, you can enjoy something fun without
needing it to last, and you can let go more easily
of disappointments.
3) Open to Possibilities
Sometimes the best gifts are ones
that we never expected. You might receive something
even better than you had imagined in your life. Rather
than cling to what you think you should have and
push away anything that doesn't measure up, consider
the idea that there's more possible out there than
you can conceive of right now. Open to appreciate
the little things that are possible in this moment. Sometimes
simply changing our perspective will relax and uplift
the mind.
4) Spread Good Will
When we are making someone else
happy, it naturally brings happiness to our heart. A
smile, a kind word, a thoughtful gesture make
a difference - to you and to others. Do the dishes
for the host of the party. Fold a few sweaters
that are a mess all over the display table at the
clothing store. Practice thinking about how
you can spread good will and good cheer wherever
you are, and notice the shift in your inner state
when someone else benefits from your thoughtfulness. In
yoga, we call this seva - selfless service.
5) Celebrate Other's Success and Joys
Imagine that you are that other
person, and feel the happiness they might experience
as they greet their newborn child. Think of
the elation as they find out they're getting a raise. Rather
than compare ourselves (and come up short) or get
caught in the trap of jealousy, open yourself to
feeling their celebration. Your mind will feel
much more at peace than longing and comparing.
6) Express Gratitude
Find a penny, pick it up, and
give thanks. Show appreciation for the patience
of the salesperson with your request. Feel
grateful for a moment of harmony between you and
a challenging family member. When we feel gratitude
towards whatever we receive, great or small, our
hearts become light and joyful.
7) Don't Take the Credit
Whatever you do to benefit others,
let it go. Whatever mistakes you make, let
them go. Offer your actions to a higher
source - the Divine. Know that you've done
your best and let it be what it is. When we
replay the compliments on the delicious dinner we
made, we often feel pressured to exceed that the
next time. When we ruminate over the fact that
someone criticized our presentation at work, our
self-esteem plummets. Don't take the credit
for the positive or negative - just do your best
and let the results be up to that Higher Power. You'll
be much more relaxed.
8) Honor the Feelings
Emotions come and go, like waves
on the ocean. When you're with someone in pain
or in joy, acknowledge their feelings without fixing,
comparing, or analyzing. This will create more
harmony in your relationships. When you have
emotions arise, do the same for yourself. Simply
feel and respect those feelings. It eases the
tension created by trying to cling to them or make
them go away.
9) Trust the Process
Most of the time, things work
out. When we're doing our best and unattached
to the outcome, sooner or later things get better. Usually,
we learn and grow in the process - perhaps even more
valuable than getting "what we want". Whether
you believe in God/dess or simply in the flow of
nature, trust the process and allow yourself to be
carried by that flow. You can start in small
steps: trusting that you'll make it to your appointment
(if not on time, at least with enough time to receive
what you need); trust that the idea will come to
you; trust that there will be enough food for
everyone coming to the party. Then, you can
practice trusting the bigger things. The practice
of trust creates peace of mind.
Whatever you practice this month, know that
you're taking steps towards inner harmony and well-being
by taking steps towards peace. May your heart
and the heart of all beings be joyful. May
your mind and the mind of all beings be at peace.
© 2006 Constance
L. Habash
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Announcements |
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In
honor of the holiday season,
DECEMBER is YOGA
FOR MEDITATION MONTH. All classes
will be focuses on this inner spiritual exploration,
with prepartion in body, heart, and mind
for meditation. The end of each class
with include a sitting meditation, starting
with 3 minutes in length, that will increase
by one minute each class. By the end of the
month, you will have begun a substantial
meditation practice! Join me on Tues
or Fri mornings at YiY.
HOLIDAY
SCHEDULE is as
usual, with subs on
these days: Friday, December 29th - with
Michelle Robinson; Tuesday, January 2nd - with
Setareh Moafi
If you are planning to attend PRENATAL
CLASS on
Wed, 12/27, please email me - I'm uncertain
whether to cancel or get a sub, as I am out
of town.
***Yes, I AM TEACHING CLASS
THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, Tuesday 12/26!!! Hope
to see you there
108 SURYA
NAMASKARS (sun salutes) returns for the
Winter Solstice. I chant the 12 mantras
to the sun, while the Ashtanga yogis lead the
sun salutes. Come early or late, do 1
or 108, or just sit, chant, and meditate! This
is a very meditative and transformative
practice. 7-9am on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20th
at YiY in Mountain View. By donation,
with refreshments afterwards.
Next FOUNDATIONS workshop: BACKBENDS at
YiY in Mountain View. Saturday, FEBRUARY
24TH, 2-4pm. Backbends open the chest and
heart and generally increase heat in the body. Learn
the essential actions of backbends as we explore
the basic backbending poses kneeling, on our
backs, on our stomachs, and even standing. Simple
yoga philosophy rounds out the practice. $35,
or $30 if preregistered by 2/17. See the FLYER
HERE
MISSED SOME OF THE FOUNDATIONS
SERIES? Want to review one, or have a friend
that's a beginner who needs a good start? You're
in luck, because I'm teaching them at Mind/Body
Zone in Fremont! 3 Saturdays in early
2007: January 28th - Standing Poses; March
25th - Forward Bends; May 20th - Backbends. For
more information, see this flyer FOUNDATIONS.html
YOGA TEACHER
TRAINING STARTING FEB 2007! Connie
will be teaching portions of the nine-month Y.E.S.
Teacher Training with Joyce Anue. Applications
are now being received. For more information,
see Joyce's website: http://www.joyceanue.com or
the CSE website
INSPIRATIONAL
MOVIE for the holidays. No
matter what spiritual tradition you follow, you
may find this moving: http://www.asilentnightmovie.com
Share
Awakening Self with a friend! Forward
this newsletter to them, and they can subscribe
at any time by clicking this link: SUBSCRIBE
HERE
Would you
like to contribute an article or poem
to the Awakening Self newsletter? I love writing
that touches the heart and spirit, rich with
personal experience and examples, focused on
yoga and/or spiritual growth. Please send submissions
to me at:
connie@awakeningself.com
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Yoga
of the Seasons: |
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Winter
Greetings
Feeling a little withdrawn? You're
not alone... well, not in the figurative sense! As we head towards
the shortest day of the year on December 21st, it's natural for us to
feel more inwardly focused. The
increased darkness facilitates inner reflectiveness. We tend
to enjoy the quiet, solitary moments at this turn from Fall to Winter. 'Tis
the season to be wrapped up, nice and cozy, sipping egg nog or tea in
front of a fire.
This is contrasted
with the outward energy of the holidays in our culture - parties, shopping,
celebrating. We may not always feel like boisterous celebrations,
when our bodies, minds, and spirits want peace, quiet, and restoration. Don't
feel pressured to keep up with everyone else, or what everyone appears to
be doing! Even if you have to schedule it in your planner, you'll
probably feel better if you take some quiet, alone time each week,
or better yet, each day. It's healthy and normal to want some
of this time just for yourself.
During this time of solitude, reflect on yourself
and your life. What
is your body needing right now? What lies within my heart at
this moment? How can I find peace of mind? Is my soul longing
for something, some fulfillment deep within? You may find some
guidance now, if you take the time to listen. As we allow ourselves
some quiet outer space, we are better able to hear our soft inner voice,
often drowned out by our busy lives, that knows what we truly need. A
meditation practice will greatly aid you in quieting the outer noise
in order to find the inner knowing.
If you renew yourself with
peaceful solitude and tap into your guidance within, you will likely
find you have more energy for celebration and feel more open to
connecting with others. During this holiday season, give yourself
that down time so that you can more fully enjoy the festivities the season
has to offer.
Copyright © 2006 by Constance
L. Habash
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Spiritual
Quotes
"If you want to find
God, hang out in the space between your thoughts."
~
Alan Cohen
One leaf left on a
branch
and not a sound of sadness
or despair. One
leaf left
on a branch and no unhappiness.
One leaf left
all by itself
in the air and it does not speak
of loneliness
or death.
One leaf spends itself
in swaying mildy in the
breeze.
~ David Ignatow
It is our quiet time.
We do not speak, because the voices are within
us.
It is our quiet time.
We do not walk, because the earth is all within
us.
It is our quiet time.
We do not dance, because the music has lifted
us to a place where the spirit is.
It is our quiet time.
We rest with all of nature. We
wake when the seven sisters wake.
We greet them in the sky over the opening of
the kiva.
~ Nancy Wood
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Previous newsletters:
November
2006
October 2006
September 2006
August
2006
July
2006
June
2006
May 2006
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