Yoga = Unity

Last summer I traveled to Europe for an incredible tour through 7 different countries. While in Austria, my host family there was curious about yoga. Since I'd been practicing on and off for many years, I felt there were a few basics I could share.  So one evening just before the sun had set, we were out in the back yard and I led them through a few postures.

In that moment I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if I could actually lead them through a real class. The thought truly inspired me...but was not something  I really thought I could manage to make happen in my life.

Shortly after that thought, another one came. Wouldn't it be great if I had a deeper sense of my own yoga practice so that I could take it with me on the road to help keep me (and those around me) centered and balanced?  While the tour was amazing in almost every way, I had to admit the traveling was taking its toll on my well being.

When I returned back to California in the Fall, I took a class at the Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, excited to try out a new studio.  I walked into The Soul for the first time, and I felt an immediate resonance with the feeling there, the people and the teachings.  I felt at home.

Soon, I was attending class almost every day - sometimes twice a day!

I thought...wouldn't it be wonderful if I could spend all day here...or even a whole week here!?

Then, I discovered their teacher training program and was excited to learn that the structure was an intensive course - perfect for someone like me with such a busy and fluctuating schedule.  That was when the butterflies began tickling my inside...and it seemed they were whispering for me to 'take this yoga training!'

I contemplated this for a few months with questions like...where would the money come from? Is now the right time? How will I use this skill in my life, and will it really be practical?

Love Remains

As songs get written, they usually start out with one thought, motivation or spark of insight, and then continue traveling and expanding into other landscapes, picking up more meanings and insights along the way.

"Love Remains" started as a song about ending a relationship with someone while still hoping to one day get back together, thinking that maybe then things would be better. Most of us have been in that place before, clinging to that hope of one day being able to make things work. Though most often we find it doesn't usually work out that way.

The song then came to reflect the peace I'd made with a different relationship in my life. One that was very difficult for me, one where I just wanted to stay angry at this person forever and never dig deep enough to find compassion and forgiveness for a person that I'd once cared so much about.

So far, its been my greatest life lesson about Love.

I truly didn't think I would regain the capacity to bring full love and forgiveness to this relationship, but there came a time where I could almost taste that residual anger like a poison, and I knew it was killing me. I knew it wasn't me.

So, after about two years of holding on, I let it go...

And finally, "Love Remains" brings a smile to my face as I remember my beautiful friend Matt. The one who was known for his LoVE sign.

His passing is a reminder that LoVE truly remains. People will come and go in our lives, all of our lives...but the LoVE of these relationships, the LoVE of our connections with each other's hearts, ALWAYS remains.

So, what about you? What does "Love Remains" mean to you?
Where in your life have you remembered or forgotten that Love remains?

Whatever the answers...they are yours to sing about.