My day off...

So, I've been writing a lot when I'm super inspired, today is a test in what comes out of me when I'm not so inspired. Not to say, I'm uninspired, just that it was my day off,I got up and practiced, had Starbucks, saw Prometheus, bought a new window unit air conditioner and installed it, had my lovely friend Maria buy me a belated birthday lunch, and ate dinner at Puravegan. Oh, and had a nap lol. So, all of these things have made it a somewhat leisurely day, even though in the midst of it, it did not seem leisurely at all. Tomorrow is my Saturday morning in the park class, part of the Tower Grove Farmers Market. Its gotten so big I ordered a mic and got it in the mail so will be using it tomorrow for the first time, which I hope goes well. Its hard when there's 150+ people for them to hear me. I'm reading this book Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele, and have read the Brahmacharya section and started the Aparigraha section this morning. She has an amazing spin on these ancient ethical practices that otherwise seemed daunting to me. She takes a "lofty" idea, or what seems like a lofty idea to a midwestern mind anyway, and makes it seem like the easiest thing on the planet and I've actually put some of it into action by her suggestions. Wow. If you've been trying to follow the path of yoga, not just asana, but yoga, the philosophy and all please give it a read. I bought it at Moksha in Chicago but its available on amazon and not for as much as I paid for it, but I'm in no way disappointed in the amount I paid since I'm getting so much from it. After watching Kino Macgregor discuss the sutras with such ease and knowledge of them, and hearing her speak in person I really am inspired to dig deeper into them and gain an experential knowledge, so then when someone asks I'll have an educated opinion to give. I have read them many, many times, but always come back to the same place, how does this fit in my life?!? But now, I'm seeing it, and again, this practice of ashtanga yoga is opening me up so much that I am coming to a place that these observances are naturally things that I'm wanting to acknowledge in my being. Placing restrictions on ones behaviour may not seem like opening up to many, but when you see the bigger picture, which I definitely am lately, you see the need for the compassion and care involved in relating with others, and relating with others starts at home, with oneself I believe: hence the Yamas, observances of how we interact with others, and Niyamas, observances of how we deal with ourselves. Those short definitions may be simplistic rather than full expressions of the meanings of these words, but they suit the topic I'm on. Anyhow, so think about it, how do you treat yourself? How do you treat others? Notice that usually how you treat yourself, not meaning buying yourself shit, eating well, etc, but meaning your internal dialogue with yourself, is usually how you treat others, and usually that how you treat others is behind their back, maybe? I'm speaking from experience here, not just looking to point a finger. Remember when you point a finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you! lol So, lets be conscious, in life, not just in our asana practice. Although, the practice of asana is a great metaphor for life. On your mat are you kind, compassionate, not grasping for the next asana or a bigger, better version of one you're doing, all that and more but still disciplined in your practice? Watch that next time, and then see how it translates into your day. Thats why I'm such a big proponent of a morning practice, not only because Pattabhi told me to get up at 4am every day to practice, but in that listening to him I learned why he told me to do that. Do it, then go out into your day. Start off being conscious, aware, mindful, open, disciplined, with yourself and then take those and many more great attributes into the world and lead by example. Show others how they can be, by being it yourself. As Ghandi said, we must be the change we wish to see in the world. I'm finally understanding that quote, do you?