Einstein enacting the concept of leela.

I’ve been storing up ideas during the last few weeks, as I waited for Laurie and Lisa to transfer the helm to me. One of those ideas came upon me recently when I saw a special edition magazine about Albert Einstein. The articles on its cover were all scientific and piqued my interest, but what I found the most interesting in the magazine after bringing it home and perusing it, was the very first article, an essay written by Einstein himself. I was surprised at Einstein’s humble, down to earth philosophy.

Here’s a quote:

“I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves — this critical basis I call the ideal of a pigsty. The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.”

If you’d like to read more here’s the link.

Namaste.
Katie

I have a dream that everywhere I go, I am reminded about yoga and inspired to keep up the good work. From this utopian ideal of mine, was born this blog. As with most utopian ideals, reality has a different ring to it. I have not had the time or attention to give this blog the energy it needs.

Enter – one young, energetic budding yogini – Katie Muat. Katie has an honest voice and a skill for writing and graciously volunteered to help transform this blog into a place of inspiration and community for Cosmic Dog Yoga. She is now our official Editor-In -Chief. Welcome Katie and thanks!

Be sure and check in for new and improved posts coming your way.

There has been a tension building in me lately between body and mind, brought on assuredly, by my lack of yoga. I wonder: have others noticed I’m not around the studio as much? Will Laurie and Lisa think I take my Karma Club Membership for granted? Do people think I’m losing interest in yoga? What makes me believe I could ever dedicate enough time to yoga to become a teacher?

My body is not concerned with these thoughts at. It sees the yoga mat bag in my car, which has somehow found its way to the trunk of late where I see it less often, and looks at it like a dog forlornly staring at her leash on a hook, waiting to be taken for a walk. I tell my body to settle down in the desk chair and it sighs in response, while my mind says, “Not today. Not enough time. Maybe tomorrow.”

I know I’ve been putting other things before my body’s health: socializing, class, on-campus extra-curriculars. I’ve been replacing the blissed-out yoga buzz with frequent dosages of caffeine…I tell myself that it’s okay because it’s just chai, not soda or coffee. All of the roles I play at school are nice, I get to feel important, but my body is left feeling unfulfilled, anxious and in knots.

I miss those moments where I find space in a joint that’s never been there before or find for the first time that arm balances are within my reach. Every class I come to—no matter how much time has lapsed since the previous one—I know I’ll experience one of those discovery moments. I miss waking up and discovering which muscles are sore, the promise of growth. I miss seeing all of the faces I know and love at the studio and being their class mate…not just the girl who signs them in on Saturdays.
I know how healing yoga is, but giving myself the right to enjoy it every day—to make it that much a priority is an ongoing balancing act that demands I push against the other areas of my life that tug on my shirtsleeves incessantly. To build up my practice to prepare for teacher training will require that I sacrifice other interests, but I know when I do, my body, mind and spirit will be at peace with one another.

By Katie Muat,

Karma Club Member and Cosmic Blog Editor-in-Chief

Katie’s Blog

Jamie wonders…”shouldn’t it be the life of your time, instead of the time of your life? If you are having the life of your time you are enjoying the moment as it is, thusly ensuring the time of your life. See?”

(we welcome notes from our students…. if you want to share anything insightful, please email me!)

Something Kelli said today really made me go have an Oprah moment-when she said the ‘tipping point” and combined with the class tonight, I definitely have some thoughts on the tipping points throughout everyone’s life.  The tipping point that got me on anti depressants and the tipping point that is moving me gently off of them. Best, Caryne

Suzanna’s newest iPod addition!

Submitted by Casey Walles

“I’ve been reading the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali a lot lately, and in the VIBHUTI PADA, it talks about attaining super natural powers ie: Telekinesis, telepathy, invisibility, levitation. I have the tendency to believe it’s possible with regular practice and meditation. What do you think?”

1. Have you MET Jollene yet? She’s one of the most awesome people on the planet.

2. It FEELS good.

3. You will free your body. Especially for yoga practitioners who are so good at control, expansion, freedom and release… this class will be the perfect balance. It’s yoga on a primordial level.

“Enlightenment is not a process of learning, it is a process of unlearning.”

–Dr. Kat Domingo