Om

It's wild how powerful the mind truely is. I've just spent 3 days alone in the woods and am amazed at how the slightest negative thought can manifest itself in to physical action. It's something I've been noticing in small bits for sometime now on my mat. Like when I'm doing a simple pose like down dog, if my mind is focused on what's coming next like "oh no I hate this next pose" the current pose becomes less enjoyable and seemingly harder. Just the same when I was hiking if I were focused on the fact that I had another 8-9 miles over a steep mountain, the next step during that thought seemed more difficult. If in savasana I am thinking of anything at all, I am not fully experiencing the moment, therefore unable to fully find the freedom in the pose. I find myself falling in to these same patterns in my professional life as well. At times I have been able to find a good creative flow where I am enjoying every aspect of my job and other times it's like pulling teeth. I am very blessed to have found a profession which I am passionate about, some people compromise their happieness and well being their entire lives. This makes me feel guilty when I begin to dread going to work. The times when I can relax and enjoy waking up, practicing some asana's and have some good food. Then head to my wonderful place of work, which I have created. A place where I can relax and fully appreciate the moment and the people around me. This is when grace has entered my life and I have allowed it. This is truely a blessing.
    Yesterday while I was sitting in the sun waiting for a ride out of the wild, A retired Marine walked over and began talking to me, (one of the luxuries of being heavily tattooed, random people strike up random conversations, usually about my tattoos and then to theirs or their feelings about tattoos or hopes and ideas of future ones..) During our conversation (largly dominated by him) he talked about the fact that he had not only given 20 years of his life in service but he now suffers severe mental illness and is so heavily medicated that he cannot act fast enough to speak the words his mind can process, (which are slowed) I thought to my self that this poor guy(named Joe I think) didn't ever expect he would end up where he is. Also I felt terrible that so many people, myself included, would swiftly pass him by never realizing this mans sacrifice of his entire life to (the best of his knowledge) create freedom for his people. This man was and is an inspiration. After our conversation he was on his way to voulenteer at a food pantry an amazingly selfless being whom was a real pleasure to listen to. At first I was like "oh great here we go another wacko who wants to tell me all his ideas for his next tattoos". Which I'm sure he did although I have a terrible case of selective hearing (I will almost unconciously block out all talk of tattoos unless I'm at work.)
     I guess I'm a true believer in the power of yoga practice. I wanted to introduce him to it right there on the side of the road. Probably a similar reaction that devout Christian missionaries have when "the spirit moves" them to "save" someone. I guess not as extreem. Haha. But I did feel that a regular practice might help clear some things up for him and could possibly help counter-act some of the effects of all the medications. It was nice to have the spaciousness to have those moments with Joe by the side of the road. It reminded me to be greatful for what I have with each moment. Also it reminds me act selflessly and to look for ways to perform  service or sava which can help bring freedom to others.
   It seemed Joe really just wanted someone to talk to, whom would listen. Had I judged him negativly on his appearance or his speach, I would have missed out on his delightful conversation and the message with-in it.  
   The entire experience with Joe was yet another realization of how a negative thought process could have potentially closed me off to an important reinforcement to stay open to the world full of offerings and teachings. Om. 

Next weekend I begin 100hr Anusara Immersion with my wonderful teacher Stacey Millner-Collins. The immersion will take place at City Yoga in Columbia SC one weekend a month over the next 9 months. This is a place which has become sacred to me over the last few years. I am extreemly excited to expand my understanding of yogic philosophies and deepen my practice. 
   This is a threshold for me and my level of commitment to anything other than tattooing for a number of years now. It feels amazingly freeing to be commiting to something other than work, something for me. I am very excited!!!