Limitations are Merely Self-Imposed

In tonight’s class I taught, I had an interesting thought I shared with my students. Do you often go into a pose assuming it will look exactly as you did it last time? I am guessing there are a few poses in which you do. Personally, basic standing poses such as Warrior II and Triangle Poses are my weak spot. I just plop myself into my usual position and hang out there until I think it is time to go to the other side. I don’t even try to take myself more deeply. I just assume my pose will look the same today as it did yesterday and it will tomorrow.

When I realized what I was doing, it made me think. Where else in my life do I just plunk myself down and assume I have gone as far as I can go? There are so many places we can limit ourselves in what we have – happiness (really, test yourself – being happier than you are comfortable with can be incredibly uncomfortable and we usually only allow it for brief periods), love, money, career, health, even the number of vacations or where we go on our vacations! Where in your life do you feel a bit stale? Is it time to blow past a self-imposed limitation? You see, the irony of physical limitations is they are primarily perceived. What I mean is you can move beyond your “wall”, which is, in fact, merely a speed bump. Our flexibility is tied mostly to our consciousness. If you think you are tight, guess what? You are right! If you think you can loosen up and move past your inflexibility or weakness, guess what? You are right, too. If you think you can move past your current health crisis, guess what? You are right! Maybe it is time to blow past a few of those limitations and experience the joy on the other side…

Random Act of Kindness

I was the victim of a random act of kindness today. I had just taught my morning class and my students were leaving. It snowed throughout class so students were brushing off the windows on their cars. I peaked out the window only to see one of my students brushing off the windows of my car! It just made me smile. Thanks, L, for that kindness. It has brightened my heart today so I know it is being passed on to others through me.

Taxes: Just My Opinion

I just received this email from my parents:

Father Daughter Talk

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, how is your friend Audrey doing?

She replied, Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.

Her wise father asked his daughter, “Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA, and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.”

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That's a crazy idea. How would that be fair? I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked, and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

Perhaps it is needless to say, I tend toward the Democrat side and my parents the Republican. Also probably needless to say, they have considerably more money than I have.

The truth is, I am not a staunch Democrat. After studying government in college, I am far too politically cynical to feel either side is the best answer. But apparently I am Democrat enough to put a bee in my parents’ proverbial bonnet. (Actually, over the years they have made several comments, indicating that it is quite an issue for them. One friend pointed out, with humor, that they were okay with me living with my boyfriend for two years before I married him, leaving my religion of birth, and my brother coming out after 10 years of marriage, but my being a Democrat [and a “light” one at that] is too much for them to bear!)

It all comes to money to them, it seems anyway. As this story shows, they seem to think that I will change my mind when I have more money to lose in the game. Now, admittedly, they may very well be right, I just desperately hope they are not. I may not have had a lot of money to pay in taxes over the years to experience that side of the angst, but there have been times when the taxes I paid made meeting rent/mortgage difficult for me. And even in those months I was grateful to pay taxes. I am self-employed so I pay more taxes than those employed by others. I am also often paid in cash and I always report every penny. I am so incredibly grateful to live in this country. I know this may sound silly, but it is absolutely true. I am grateful to be free, to live where my children can roam the streets without being shot at, where education is free, women have rights, we have religious freedom, we have roads that are taken care of, good medical care, to not have to serve in the armed forces, and to have people who are willing to serve for me to protect my said rights. My list goes on. I have always been willing to pay for my part to be here. I like to think that that gratitude will continue when I am able to pay more and I will be grateful I can pay more so that others who will struggle to pay their taxes and meet their mortgage won’t have to pay as much.

In the Past Year

Okay, I have been tagged and I am thrilled! I challenged Nona at Everyday Yogini to answer these questions on her birthday and now she challenged me right back. These questions are a tradition started by a group of friends I lived with for a year. For each birthday we had a big dinner for the guest of honor. After the dinner (and, usually, after much wine had been drunk), each person at the table could ask the birthday person one question about the previous year and then one question about the next year. There were no boundaries with the questions and the birthday person had to answer them (although she could be vague…) I continue the tradition with my sister and mother on our birthdays. It is wonderfully introspective on a very special day. These are just some typical questions:

In the Past year:

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Hmmm…I am not sure. I tend to speak faster than my brain can process the appropriateness of the comment so I am guessing there are a few times my mouth embarrassed me…
What are you proudest of achieving?
Two things. One, I continue to homeschool my children. It isn’t always easy, but, like cooking from scratch, feels nourishing to my soul. Two, I have begun a new company, one that is based on my values. I did it by inspiring a group of women to live from their values as well so I am especially proud of changing their lives as well.

What would you do differently with the benefit of hindsight?
I would have let go of my fears so much sooner. Control just makes you crazy. I generally don’t believe in regret, it is a waste of energy. But fears…what an even bigger waste of energy.

What did you love about last year?
I loved learning (and continuing to learn) to live from a deeper, more inspired space. I am finally more inline with my life purpose and it is glorious!

In the Next year:

What do you want to say you accomplished next year on this day?
You know, I don’t want to even limit myself with a guess. Let’s just say I am sure much will have transpired…

What are you looking most forward to in the next year?
I am so excited to see what comes from the adventure of my life now that I am more in the flow of what is coming. It will be amazing.

What goal of yours are you most tantalized by?
My company…

If you knew you only had the next year to live, what would you make sure to do? What is stopping you?
You know what…I AM DOING IT!! And it feels great to be able to say that and mean it!

Okay, now it is your turn. Feel free to tag yourself (or keep the questions for your birthday!) I especially want to hear what Karen, Beth, Heather, Marya, and Aleia have to say!

What's for Dinner: Skillet Bread

(I get so many questions about what I eat since I am meat-, wheat-, dairy-, soy-, and corn-free. So I began a recipe page at GroupRecipes.com and will be starting a "What's for Dinner" column here in my blog. You can use the widget at the bottom of the column to the left to link to my GroupRecipe page for more recipes.)

• 1 C Oat flour


• 1 C Barley flour


• ½ t salt


• ¼ rounded t baking soda


• 2 t baking powder


• ¾ C rice milk


• Vegetable oil for frying (I use safflower)

1. Mix flour together in a bowl. Add salt, baking soda and baking powder and mix well. Add rice milk and mix well.


2. Begin heating a nonstick skillet over med-low heat with safflower oil.


3. Now it gets a bit tricky because the dough is so sticky. You may need to add more flour to make it more manageable. It also doesn’t stick well together due to the lack of gluten. Flour a flat surface well and turn the dough out. Cut the dough into two pieces. Shape each into a 6 inch round. Cut like a pizza into 6-8 triangles (depending on the size you want.) Place them in the skillet. Let them brown on one side (about 5 min) and then turn for another 1-2 minutes.

Wheat Free Skillet Bread @ Group Recipes

Day 28 and 30 and 31: I DID IT!!

(I committed to practicing yoga each day in the month of January as part of World Yoga Practice Month. I tracked my progress here in this blog and also at my World Yoga Practice Month Page)

Still feeling under the weather so haven’t been out to blog much. I am proud to say (or perhaps shout) I DID IT!! I practiced every day in the month of January. I have always been quite dedicated to doing something most days, but I can honestly say I would not have done anything the past few days when I was feeling sick if it hadn’t been for woyopracmo.

Even though I have been feeling less than my best, I have still been meditating and sitting on my mat. I was inspired by a fellow yogini, Nona, who brought her mat to the hospital when she had an overnight procedure done! (I especially liked the part about doing a headstand the moment the iv was out – THAT is inspiring!)

For the month of February, we are all setting a goal for ourselves. Mine is to deepen my meditation practice. I will let you know what happens.

Beautiful Women

I just received this email from my mother. I have read it a few times in the past and love its message. Enjoy

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote
when asked to share her 'beauty tips.'
It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips,
speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes,
seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
share your food
with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored,
renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.

Day 28: Not Feeling Well

I am still not feeling well and in a pre-woyopracmo day, I would have skipped a practice all-together, except for my meditation. Not so any longer! I am at least going to do my Savasana (with its focus on surrender) and then off to bed.

Day 26 and 27: Quick Report

I am tired and not feeling well so I am going to make this a quick report. Yesterday I taught in the morning and finished the day with Savasana. Today, not feeling well, I did some restorative work for myself and am off to my Savasana. Good night!

Day 25: Quiet Day

(I have committed to practicing yoga every day for the month of January for World Yoga Practice Month. You can track my progress on this blog and on the World Yoga Practice Month Site [name: Yoga Laura]. Better yet, join me!)

I slept in again today. Glorious! I just love sleeping in. I used to feel guilty sleeping in because I “should” be working. (Even in college I was in the library by 8 am on Saturday mornings.) No more, my friend! I love to do it, I relish it, and I am grateful I can. I am perfectly okay with missing my morning practice in order to sleep in. I no longer feel the attachment to my practice I used to. My practice is something I truly enjoy and look forward to doing so I know, even if I miss my morning meditation, that I will get to something at some point during the day. I am off to my forward folds and Savasana. Have a lovely evening!

Creamy Tomato Soup - a Family Favorite

• 1 15-oz can navy or other white bean


• 2 15-oz can diced tomatoes (can use tomatoes with green chiles but that is too spicy for my family)


• salt and pepper


• tortilla strips for the top

1. Put the beans and tomatoes in a food processor and process until smooth.


2. Heat the soup to hot, adding salt and pepper to taste.


3. I fry up strips of tortillas (brown rice ones in our house) and use them as decoration over the top of the soup.


4. Creamy and delicious!

Creamy Tomato Soup @ Group Recipes

Have you noticed the widget at the bottom of the left hand column in this blog? I have a site at Group Recipes.com where I am going to share our favorite recipes. I will also blog them here. You can link from the widget or the link just above to access my site. From my kitchen to yours. Enjoy!

“Your Edge”

What is your edge in a pose? You know, the place where you feel you cannot go more deeply into the pose? It feels like a wall, doesn’t it? Like you couldn’t possibly go further. Did you know there is no such thing as a “wall” in stretching? We are working with soft tissue here, it can always lengthen. Now, it is true you reach a place in which you can’t go further, for now, but that place is always moving. If you were to hold the spot for a moment longer, breathe into it, see it release, you would then find the “wall” moves. I have begun calling it a “speed bump” instead of a wall because although it may slow us down, it certainly doesn’t need to stop us. The key to transforming your wall to merely a speed bump is to keep your mind in the pose, feel the resistance, breathe into it, see it moving. What often happens, though, is we go into a pose the same way every time. We go to our same place, rest for a moment (often thinking about something else), then we pop out and do the next pose. Of course, this isn’t true with all of our poses. I find it most prevalent in poses you don’t enjoy or ones that you do so frequently you have developed a strong habitual pattern in it. I encourage you to enter poses anew each time.

Think of how many places in your life, off the mat, in which you do the same thing. You assume it will be the same each time, whatever it is. Your job will be just as stressful today as yesterday, your commute will be just as challenging, you will always make the same amount of money, your parents will always be controlling, your children will always be hard to handle in a restaurant. You get the idea. This concept shows up everywhere.

Instead of assuming the same position each time, assume it will be different. Let yourself open to the possibilities. Let your body open to the poses and your mind to your life. Let your life be unforgettable.

“Live the Unforgettable”

I cut this saying out a magazine last fall. Doesn't it sound fabulous! I have many inspirational quotes (I am a collector, as you have probably noticed) and this one, from an ad, has affected more than any other. I realized that much of my life was unforgettable - absolutely fabulous. Then there were also parts that were unremarkable and it was time to change them. I want all parts of my life to be unforgettable - I want to have and do all that I have set out to do and I just get tingly with excitement when I think about it.

What do you want? What would make your life unforgettable? Let yourself dream about it and imagine it. Let the excitement draw you into the steps needed to turn your dream into reality. Let your life be unforgettable, too!

Day 24: A Quickie

I woke early for my japa and meditation. I skipped my afternoon asana to go to my homeschool playgroup. I am off to forward folds and twists and Savasana. You know, I am with all of you who want to continue this group. I am having such fun. Although I have practiced yoga for years, I do find I am even more committed because of this group. Fabulous!

Day 22 and 23: Another Lesson in Surrender

(Continue to follow my home practice as commit to practicing everyday in January for World Yoga Practice Month.)

Yesterday was glorious! Began the day with japa and meditation, did an arm balance practice to Mr. Rogers (other parents of small children will understand!), taught two yoga classes, and then ended the evening with a lovely forward fold and twist practice and Savasana. It is on these days that I have to pinch myself, I am so excited about what I get to do for a living!

Today was a sleep in morning so I didn’t do my morning practice. I also skipped the afternoon asana due to a play date for my children. I taught my advanced class tonight and had a great time! Now I am off to my evening practice.

I have mentioned before that one of my practices for this year is surrender. I found this quote today on my Compassion Club blog, left there by my partner, Marya (breezeatdawn). The quote is from Wayne Dyer:

“I release the need to determine how things “should” be.
If you are suffering in your life right now, I can guarantee that this condition is tied up with some kind of attachment to how things should be going.”

It was just what I needed and perfect for me! I have one area in my life in which I am currently suffering. I have been working on manifesting what I want in that area and then realized that my even bigger manifesting work has been on creating joy in my life, pure joy. My suffering has been because I didn’t think this area is going the way I think it should be. But what if the situation is heading me toward feeling more joy? I want to release expectation, enjoy what is happening, and let everything flow from that energy, not the energy of expectations and attachment, both fear-based thinking. Interestingly, my insight happened in the middle of tonight’s class. I had a burst of energy and felt the “expectation” just flow out of me. Wow! It was fabulous!

Day 20 and 21: Still Going Strong

(Follow my practice for the month of January as I journal what I do for World Yoga Practice Month -- I am YogaLaura if you want to check out my page!)

Yesterday I had a lovely japa and meditation to start my day. My husband got up with the kids (read: he allowed my to sleep in). It was glorious! When I finally woke up, the room was quiet. I just sat up in bed and meditated right then and there.

I then had a long nap in the afternoon instead of my usual asana practice. Might I say, “good choice!” I felt so much better resting. I get so exhausted during my cycle. Wait, scratch that, I want to change my view of my cycle. It is the natural, introspective, quiet time of the month. The fatigue is just my body’s way of telling me I am not yet quiet enough. Apparently I needed some quieting because I had a fabulous nap! I then did some forward folds before bed.

Today I took a class with Matt Sanford, author of Waking. He is an amazing teacher and I very much enjoy taking classes with him. He spoke about nonviolence (seeing how it was MLK Jr. Day) and what was particularly interesting for me, compared nonviolence to surrender. He said if you aren’t surrendering, you are not practicing nonviolence. Very interesting that he brought up both since I am currently studying both in my own life. Surrender is my niyama study for the year and for my program A Year of Living Compassionately, we are studying nonviolence. Matt likes to teach the subtle. Since he is paralyzed from the chest down, that is the level at which he practices yoga and he is powerful. He encouraged us to surrender in Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (Leg Lifts) and encouraged us to view struggle as an act of violence. Very interesting study for me and one I plan to play with in my life off the mat.

Off to my forward folds. Have a lovely night!

Day 19 – Early Class

I had an early class today so I was up extra early for my Japa and meditation session. I am really getting to love that early morning time when the house is quiet and I can feel the peace of the pre-dawn energy. My house is frequently filled with the sound of squealing children (either from joy or anger) and that, too, is musical in its own way. There is something about the quiet, early morning hours that connect me to God and my innermost self that is truly powerful. Now I am off to forward folds and Savasana before bed. Good night!

Day 18 – Backbends and Surrender

So, one of my new year’s resolutions is to open my back and psoas to Urdhva Dhanurasana and ultimately Dwi Pada Viparita Dhanurasana. My shoulders are ready and I think my upper back is almost ready. My psoas needs some work. It is where I carry my fear and I need to let myself release a bit more control to fully release this muscle. I am also working on surrender this year so I see many cross-overs in my goals. Today I worked on my psoas both physically and emotionally. I spent some time releasing the muscles in my practice and working in Urdhva Dhanurasana. I also spent the day letting go and flowing with what came up. You know, it is interesting having children. I think it was small children that helped me grasp the concept of the illusion of outer control. I giggle now when I hear a reference to “controlling your children.” There is no control with children. They have their own mind and will and what I hope for is being so in-sinc with them that I can guide them to living from their heart and making beautiful choices. I find I do that best when I can fully let go of my agenda and be present with them completely. Today was one of those days. Although there were things I wanted to do (in the house and on the mat), I didn’t feel tied to anything. I felt like I was on vacation, feeling that light and careless vacation feeling. When a child came to me needing something, I was able to effortless set aside what I was doing and be fully present with the child. When I am fully present, whatever the issue is is always resolved quickly and effortlessly. I am frequently amazed at how much easier a day goes when I am fully present with my little ones. Ironically, I got more done than I had originally hoped to get done!

Day 17 – Same ol’ Same ol’

I was up bright and early for my Japa session and meditation. Then I spent the morning with clients in my life coaching business and doing writing for a new internet-based yoga company I am starting. So much fun! I spent the afternoon at my homeschooling playgroup. Now I am off to spend the evening with my husband, chatting and doing my forward fold practice and Savasanaaaaahhhh….

Day 16: That’s My Yoga Girl!

Today I did lots of yoga and ahhhh….does it feel great! These are the days in which I remember exactly why I do what I do and feel the deep gratitude for 5000 years of wisdom. I woke early to a japa and meditation session. Then I taught a private yoga session. I have a great story to share from today.

This afternoon I did a workout video with my daughter. I love to do all kinds of exercise and I want to get my children excited about it, too. My daughter loves to “dance” with exercise videos so dance we do! Today we did the strengthening section of the video. When it was over, we were ready for more. On this video there is an aerobic portion and a yoga portion. I just assumed she would want to do the “dancing” so I suggested we do that section. She hesitated and then just agreed. My girl really likes to please others so sometimes I have a hard time finding out what she really wants and not what she thinks I want. I wanted to do what she wanted to do and I also wanted to help her voice what she wanted to do. I had her close her eyes and tell me what her tummy said when I said, “dance” and “yoga”. She opened her eyes with a big smile and said, “It wants yoga!” I laughed and said, “that’s my yoga girl!” So yoga we did…

I am off to my evening forward folds and Savaaaaasana.