Harvest: Reap What You Sow

With the season change and the Jewish New Year, a time of beginnings is upon us. We begin holiday season and the air seems to breathe new life into us. Life begins anew again, and with the shift comes an opportunity to look at our routines and our habits with fresh eyes.

The Fall is a time of harvest. We reap what we sow and our bodies can be a wonderful sign post for that. Consider this: what does it feel like when, over time, you practice your health regime? Consistent time at the gym, and portion control will reveal itself through your body. It is one of the few places where you can see immediate results. The same goes for what happens to your body when you increase your daily sugar intake, and slack off on your cardio. The body softens, and expands a bit. It can happen gradually, when all of a sudden you notice that your jeans are a little too tight.

Today is the result of all of the moments that have lead up to it. Your practices, your trial and error, your awareness to the details have all gone into this moment and today is what you have to show for it. That means, whatever you begin today will be revealed as well. So here are some things to consider:

What daily practice can benefit you the most? Is it a 20 minute daily meditation upon awakening? Is it increasing your greens by adding a daily green juice and a large salad for lunch? Is it a morning walk that balances the hemispheres of your brain and gets the heart pumping the blood to all of your extremities? Choose one, two or three habits that you are able to incorporate daily for the next six months. Then, leave the results up to the universe. Don't even think about it until the six months is up and notice what happens.

On the flip side, some things are simply out of our hands. I, for one, have a tendency to try to will things to be the way that I want. Having spent my teens years in the '80's, I know all about "manifesting" and using my thoughts to create my reality; however, that type of thinking had me working really hard to make things go my way. Especially things that were not up to me. Consider that what the universe has in store for you may be much better than the thing you think you want. So, trust. The relationship that didn't work out, the job you lost, the argument with your child...just let it be. Let it go, and allow it to unfold itself. Trust that there is more that will reveal itself. You don't know everything. When I accept this mind set, I am not only more open-minded, but more open-hearted. I soften and I allow all to be as it is.

What if the world doesn't need changing? What if the world needs more accepting?

Focus on your daily work. Relieve yourself from needing to make life go a certain way.

Extra credit: write a list of habits that are already in place, and give yourself the credit you deserve. Have a beautiful week.

YOGI ABDOMINALS

September calls for a revamp of the diet and exercise plan. After the expansion of Summer, the Fall comes and asks that we hone in on health routines in preparation for the harvest and for the more internal months ahead. Nothing gives a jumpstart to the connection to fitness like core and abdominal work. When we connect in with the abdominals, there is a renewed sense of self and that the goals that we forth require intentional action. Abdominal work boots the metabolism, the digestive system and gives an overall sense of taking action. This routine can be added to your normal practice or any fitness regime you are currently following. Or, it may just be the jump start you were looking for. Try adding this to your daily self-care list for the remainder of September. 

YOGI ABDOMINALS
Strengthen and firm the abdominal muscles with this quick routine that you can add daily this week to your practice.
BOAT POSE WITH BENT KNEES
Balance on your sit bones. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the floor, and lift your chest and sternum upward as you gaze up. Keep your knees bent, and your calves parallel to the floor. Balance here, using your lower abdominal muscles.
EXTEND LEGS
Now, extend your legs so that your toes are at eye level. Hold for another couple of breaths, then cross your arms over your chest as you slowly lower down. Hover there, using your abdominal muscles to keep your feet and shoulders just off of the floor.
On the next exhale, sweep your arms back out to the sides, and bring yourself back into Half Boat. Repeat 3 times.
SINGLE LEG SIT-UPS (both sides)
Lie down on your back with your left foot flat on the floor. Extend your right leg straight up in the air. Interlace your fingers, palms pressing away from you, and reach up towards your straight leg several times in a sit-up motion. Engage your lower abs. Repeat on the left side.
SCISSORS (x8)
Next, bring your hands underneath your butt with your palms down. Scissor the legs eight times on each side. Remember to continue to use your core. Really get the full range of motion for 8 reps on each leg.
YOGI BICYCLES (x8)
Still on your back, interlace your fingers behind the base of your head. Extend the right leg straight, as you bend the left knee in and try to touch your opposite elbow to the knee. Again, use your abdominal strength, and avoid pulling your head forward with your hands.
FOREARM PLANK WITH SINGLE LEG LIFTS
Now, come onto your forearms and toes, so that you are in somewhat of a push-up position. Heels pressing back. Sit bones aim towards your heels. Belly lifted upward towards the spine. Be careful not to sway the lower back. Lift your right foot a few inches off of the floor, engaging your core. Hold for 3 breaths and switch sides.
SPHYNX
Come all the way down onto your belly with your palms and forearms on the floor. Keep the lower body extended and relaxed and lift the chest up. Press your forearms and hands into the mat.

My Field Trip to the Omega Institute

Nature is the norm at Omega.

I see the light.

Nothing reminds me of my childhood education for experiential learning more than my annual trip to the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. Omega, being the last letter of the Greek alphabet implies completion or integration and the sound:"o". "Oh"is precisely the way I feel after a weekend spent there. My mind feels wide open, my heart serenely settled, my body unwound. Yes, I am there as the leader. The teacher is really an advanced student whose learning comes from being a pioneer and leading the group, and what better setting to learn and grow than the grounds at Omega.

From one of my walks.

The acres of forest and sustainability upon which this retreat center is founded provides an open setting and environment to support any modality of study for exploration. From the lake to the nature trails, the vegetable and herb gardens, the oval stone sanctuary and the human treasures found along the way. All available as stepping stones towards a journey into the self. A journey that one can only take alone, but at Omega we do so in community. Most of the staff at Omega are volunteers, which speaks volumes for its value. These beautiful and intelligent beings facilitate all of the workshops with support in setting up the workshop rooms, making the meals from the organic fruit, herb and vegetables grown on the grounds(as well as local farmers) and keep the spartan cabins and dorms clean.

A ritual for you

Offering

Full Moon in Pisces!

Imagine my delight to be amongst the other workshop leaders like Stephen Forrest, one of my favorite astrologers, in line at the cafeteria (an experience in itself!). I attended some of the open activities that are scheduled daily during the workshop break time. I took a lovely 7am yoga class in a  mostly glass room that looks out to the woods. I practiced mindfulness meditation in the oval sanctuary. I even went to an awesome two hour demonstration of medium Lisa Williams who was teaching a workshop there as well. People from all of the workshops, Tony Horton's P90X, the Shambala Center, motivational speakers, astrology students all gathered to see if they could make contact with a relative who had passed on.

bliss by the lake

Yes

The intimate group of intelligent and curious students who I lead were a delight. In showing up for my practice, which is being open to teaching and being open to the student, I found myself with a classroom full of gifted teachers themselves. Each reflecting an aspect of me, each revealing to me more lovable parts of myself. Within this setting, we felt protected and in an intimate environment for exploration. What would we find?

The word that seemed to permeate the space and that penetrated my heart so deeply was: Gratitude.

So grateful for the opportunity to connect with you all this way. May our continued journey bring the sweetness of connection and the space for the individual. Experiential learning is just the best!

The Omega "goodbye" committee

Man and nature together. Treasures. 

Impeccable You

The quest for perfection may not begin with the purest intentions, but may still lead to an honest path.

Many of us are working to fill ourselves up with externals or even spiritual currency in order to become invulnerable and powerful. In the end, each have limited returns. In order to find impeccability, we must examine and refine our motives. Underneath the surface, where insecurities hide and our fears or secrets lurk, we must address the original wound or hurt. The beauty of the journey is that all roads lead to the same place: the gift of exactly who you are. After all, you are only here to live and express the purest version of YOU. You are already perfect. Just as you are. In your natural state.

I had a wonderful opportunity to work with Women's Health Magazine at their first Well-thy Event. The currency of self care is true wealth and has abundant returns that last through time. I am looking forward to continuing that journey in a couple of weeks at Omega. Hope to see you there!

The Well-thy Retreat House was full! 

My students arriving for rooftop Yogalosophy.

"Love your body!"

Remember to breathe.

Opposition energy is dynamic.

Feel your way through.

You already have a perfect body.

Being interviewed on Well-th.

Just being myself. It's what I've got.

This is the ideal time to simplify your life and find that source of purity from within.  As above, so below. The best possible way to return to your natural state is to pare down on all that is unneeded. Keep what works.

Daily: 

• meditation, 
• hygiene, 
• journaling, 
• creating,
• physical activity,
• breath work, 
• hydration, 
• sustenance, 
• service, 
• love, 
• work, 
• community, 
• relaxation 
• play.

This is a good life. A good, honest life. For this moment, take only what you need. No more and no less.
Chop wood, carry water. Shine on. 

FUN IN THE SUN!

Get out your Sun Salutes, for Summer is at a peak in August. I am a bit of a Sun worshipper myself and just love being outdoors with the Sun shining in my eyes. I try to get my daily dose of Vitamin D, eat plenty of leafy greens and organic fruits and vegetables to consume the light of the sun that is contained within this manna from the heavens. I practice daily gratitude for the sun that rises and falls without my doing a thing to make that happen. I surrender fully to the wisdom of the universe and try to bring my consciousness to my actions. Surely the best possible form of gratitude is to have fun and to create just for the sake of creation. Find ways to have fun through creating:

• Get your heart rate up by dancing or playing a game.
• Do 108 sun salutes just for the fun of it.
• Try a new recipe and create an edible masterpiece.
• Sing at the top of your lungs.
• Do something out of the ordinary.
• Make a stranger smile.

Here is some astrological wisdom for the next couple of weeks for you: 

What a year of expansion it has been. The struggle that it has taken to see what has been hidden and to reveal our true selves and to BE SEEN. Leo is ruled by the Sun and takes center stage. Each of us is the Sun of our own Universe, playing our part as the star of our own movie. What has been revealed to you this year, about your nature? Jupiter, the planet of expansion and the guru has been expanding the sign of Leo, and we complete this journey on August 11, when Jupiter moves into the modest and health conscious sign of Virgo. This move will bring our self-care actions to the fore. Many of us will eliminate what we have found is simply excessive, yet we have the first week of August to get a last taste of indulgence. Enjoy. Celebrate what you have learned. Dance. Party. Play. Leo rules the heart, so get your heart rate up with some cardiovascular activities. Salute the Sun, and shine on.

New Horizons!

 The adventure of life comes with much excitement. Today marks an astonishing moment in planetary history. We get our very first view of the far off planet Pluto. It happens to coincide with the new moon in the emotional, moody and maternal sign of Cancer (exact at 625pm Pacific July 15th). Not only is the external world experiencing its first glimpse of a new planet, but it is reminding me of the New Horizons that I may have first launched in 2006 and the images I am personally logging today.

I

Dramatic Day at Corral Canyon

 As I re-examine myself today and apply what I have learned over this advanced testing period of the last 9 years, I can honestly say there were a few times I didn't think I would make it. On some level I hit bottom and I did give up. Time and again I find myself going through a cycle of death and rebirth. Just when I am positive that this is the end, I find myself at the summit with a new perspective and a new longing for the next chapter. Something within me wants to be alive! I can once again feel that motor from within. It's alive again, revving and  reigniting my passions.

I'm not completely certain, but I may be describing the force of the planet Pluto. Pluto is a transformational planetary energy. It represents alchemy and plumbing the depths to eliminate what is no longer useful. New Horizons is the Pluto mission that was launched in 2006. It makes me think back to that time. What was I doing when I launched my 2006 mission? When I look back, I can remember relationships that were formed, partnerships and risks that I was taking. Seeds I was planting. The mountain that I was viewing from the very bottom. So majestic and glorious, if perhaps daunting and maybe even my detachment from it. All that I didn't know, somehow allowing me the strength to begin the journey. The innocence guiding me, more than the certainty. 

Today I can look at this same mountain from the top. View the New Horizon. Take a breath. Sigh it out. See the pictures and images I have stored in my mind. Understanding what I have been through, perhaps a little bit more. With this understanding comes a need to reinvent. To shift and discard. To detach and release that which no longer serves. Shadowing the lessons that I may be getting from my reflection in planet Pluto. I don't know about you, but what I am noticing most from the image of Pluto is that big heart.

New Horizons: Pluto 2015

EMOTION OF THE OCEAN

Boat on Boat

We approach an emotional Full Moon in moody Cancer on July 2^nd. Full Moons always highlight our relationship between the masculine, external, out in the world self and the feminine, internal, emotional self. The Sun is currently in maternal and moody Cancer while the Full Moon is in all-business, task-master Capricorn. All work and no play. Finding balance between home and career, personal and public are the themes during this Full Moon. Cancer is a water sign, so being near bodies of water can heal you at this time. Capricorn is the Mountain.  A good full moon ritual may integrate these opposing elements by taking a walk on a bluff. Or take a hike through a trail that has a waterfall destination. Honor your feelings, and stay the course.

As Summer flows, the ocean and more at-home time connects us with the ebb and flow of being social and coming back to the self. We are made of 80 percent water, and water in all forms is incredibly soothing. Here in Los Angeles, water has become an obvious commodity and its value is even controversial. Are you entitled to water? Water represents the emotions. Are you entitled to your emotions? It is your birthright. (So far they haven’t found a way to bottle and sell that back to us.)



Water resets me from nearly any mood: When I’m angry, I drink a glass of water and literally feel myself cool down. When I feel low, a shower or bath can lift my spirits and energize me. Water cleanses me of others people’s energies. Water can be a playmate for surfers, or an intense force to be reckoned with as in a tsunami. Be sure to take your lessons from the water. Be fluid. Go with the flow, allow things to be as they are…move around them. Practice surrender and let go of forcing. Water is the strongest element as it can change the shape of the hardest rock with its current.

Play in the water! Find a lake, river or ocean.

Cleanse yourself with salt water baths, the ocean, or a walk in a Summer storm.

Be like water, humble, seeking the lowest level. Go with the flow....