I can’t believe it’s already September. Time really does fly when you are enjoying your life and making new connections. This was by far my busiest summer. It was a crazy yogalicious time. I was really blessed to learn from world class teachers Geshe Michael Roach, Betsey Downing and Sianna Sherman. Each new experience opened my mind and my heart to opportunities, possibilities and deep personal growth. Geshe Michael Roach re-enforced the importance of service. At his training I was able to over come suspicion and open my heart to create a wonderful fulfilling and inspired friendship with a person and teacher I misjudged.
Betsey Downing taught me the importance of non judgemental curiosity and successful approximation which created in me the ability to trust my instincts and love myself fully as I am. Yoga 4 Hope gave me the opportunity to throw my heart into something with wild love and abandonment and to serve the local community. I felt so much love at that event. Sianna Sherman taught me that community and Kula does really exist in our local and international yoga community. I learned this summer that Love is Greater and far more powerful then fear.
This September marks the 6th year of Eastside Yoga Studio. It does my heart so good to know that we have made a positive impact on our community. This beautiful and life affirming practice had changed me so profoundly and I am grateful for all the experiences it has afforded me. The experiences I have had are both good and not so good. It has been the challenging situations that have created the greatest amount of personal growth.
When I started my path as a studio owner I was approached to join forces with an existing studio. At the time Eastside Yoga was being offered at Tecumseh United Church, for over 3 years. and we were quickly out growing our rented space. I was so excited to be offered what I thought was an amazing opportunity, I almost let my emotions win out over good judgement. I wanted so badly to create a space solely devoted to the practice of yoga for my existing students. In the end the universe unfolded as it should and offered me a space of my own. Feelings were hurt. People felt betrayed and upon reflection I don’t think the highest intentions were set forth in this particular arrangement. I was devastated by the outcome and I have not fully resolved the issues surrounding this circumstance.
This challenge has been my greatest teaching point and opportunity. It has made me a better yoga teacher and help me to examine my feelings of self worth. One phrase that was said to me at the time of this particular purposed merger was “never give away your power” from the very person who wanted it. This reminds me everyday to stand fully in my own power. This person has by far been my greatest teacher. I thank her for that everyday. I send her blessings. We will never be friends but we will always be colleagues and though I will never think of her fondly, I have to thank her for being a great source of inspiration, frustration, anger and surrender. She reminds to be truthful, to live from my heart and to always have the highest intention when serving others. As the summer grows to a close and I look back on what yoga lessons I learned and by far this one was the most profound. As we head into the fall months there will be lots more opportunities to sit at the feet of great yoga teachers…next stop Powerful Yoga by Bryan Kest….
“Your vision becomes clear when you look inside your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” Carl Jung
Love, Gratitude and Light
D
