Take a moment of pause today. Pause to notice your breath and the miracle of your life. Pause to notice the beauty of the world around you. Pause to slow down and simply BE.  What is the hurry?  When we stop to pause we allow ourselves space in the present moment to notice and be aware.  There is power in a simple pause. For healing to happen one must pause and rest.  For understanding and clarity one must pause to reflect and possibly study.Consider slowing down more throughout your day and just notice, just Be.  I believe we can find what we need when we take the time.  Time to listen (truly be present and hear), look (be more mindful), express (through words or creative expressions/art) and feel (sense what is happening within you).  Take time to be connected to the world around you, to all life.  Breathe it in.  When we pause we create space to learn and discover, like a child.  Children don’t hurry and anyone reading this with children knows what I mean.  Children are open to the world and they take the time to notice.  So be child like, slow down, pause and take it all in!

Filed under: 2, Yoga Philosophy, my thoughts on living by Cortney
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In light, there is love.

In love there is acceptance.

In acceptance there is kindness.

In kindness there is compassion.

In compassion there is forgiveness.

In forgiveness there is freedom.

In freedom there is peace.

In God’s light and love, all is possible.

Filed under: Yoga Philosophy, my thoughts on living, religion/Christianity by Cortney
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“When you listen to your body whisper, you don’t have to hear it scream.”  Author Unknown

As a yoga instructor I often encourage students to listen to their bodies and it’s for this very reason.  When we listen to and honor the subtleties, physical sensations, the breath, the quiet voice within, emotions and intuition (innate intelligence deep within us all), we can prevent our body’s “screams” and the risk of injury in our practice.  Learning from past experience is also helpful.  For example, when we eat a food that upsets our digestion, energy level, ability to sleep or focus it’s probably best to avoid those foods.  When we practice a yoga pose that causes pain (not discomfort that we can breath and relax through, but PAIN) then it may be best to practice a variation and return to that pose gently when the body is ready to receive it.  I have come to learn that working with the whole being of a person, is far more effective then dealing with it’s parts as separate from the whole.  We are connected through the breath, through a web of connective tissues, fluid blood flow, muscles, bones, nerves and skin.  Allow your body to speak to you and speak back with kind actions and words.  Wish your body well.  Feed your body nourishing foods.  Drink water.  If you feel pain discover why, seek out help if need be.  Let your inner voice and intelligence guide you, when you do your body will scream less and your joy and well being will increase.  Then it will be possible for every area of your life to improve.

Remember life is a journey, self discovery takes a lifetime.  Sometimes we learn first by doing what is wrong.  When listening to the body, and whole being, it is not black and white, there are all shades of gray.  We hone our listening over time and it gets easier with practice.

Honor each others path and journey, we are unique and made different for a reason.  Let’s learn from one another, even if it’s what not to do.  Love yourself, love your neighbor.  To truly listen it takes deep concentration and a willingness to be present, to yourself and others.  What a gift!

Filed under: Breath and Meditation, Quotes, my thoughts on living by Cortney
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