Don't worry, be happy: find out how

Happy - what a documentary - its on Netflix. Watch it.

"HAPPY takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of India. The documentary invites the globe to get happy."


Find your flow, and do it often = more happiness:
Great ideas from a book called "FLOW, the psychology of optimal experience"

FLOW: explained (not simply) as synergistic aspects of consciousness.  It is like when you are fulfilled with this sense of accomplishment, you are doing something you enjoy to do, you do it well and nothing else seems to matter when you are doing it. Other aspects: you know what is next, you are in control, forget problems, you get into a rhythm, forget yourself (the ego disappears). Life feels more valuable and worth living.
.

Flow can happen anywhere - your personal time (dancing), at work, cooking, cleaning, rock climbing, yoga.

Experience flow on a regular basis, feel happy more often.

Baseline function and our brains:
We typically function on a "baseline" - not too happy, not too sad. We are getting by. L I V I N G.

Our brains work on a compare and contrast basis: there is no pleasure without pain.  So when we have both good and bad experiences happen, we know that those respective feelings only last for a short time.  ie: I get disappointed from not getting a job, I feel sucky for a few days and bounce back with another application (which I shall be putting in today :)).  I go on a great date and feel happy (happy might only lasts a while if he doesn't call back).

So its important to remember this when you are within a situation, specifically a crappy one. This too shall pass.

The research into emotions show that the bad experience really enable people to understand things from a deep perspective. There is something about when you fall and get back up; you are much stronger than before.  And within these experiences you can find an ah-ha moment and you can recover from adversity faster, back to baseline quicker. 

I had a really crappy thing happen my senior year in High School, my house burned down. I was weighed down by post-traumatic stress and anger. It took years for me to look back and really understand the importance of that event. But I now feel that I lessened my reliance on material things, started to really value people more (and my animals and both were saved) and after going through that event I was a little rough on the edges. I felt that I "endured", I gained this sense I had a story, survived a hard experience (not comparing to others and there are heaps of worse things obviously). But its just this sense of getting knocked around and feeling better from it. No pain, no gain right?! 



Madonna said it: "you know that we are living in a material world" - we are taught to acquire not how to manage our reactions:
What we are told in our society is the way to be happy - we are driven to focus on making more money, work your way up the career ladder, get fancy cars and clothes. Stuff. 
But we do not get tools to work on the inside - the emotions.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.  And we have to learn this at random.

Interestingly, when you a see a graph of yearly income crossed with happiness, the general happiness graph line is pretty constant. When basic needs are met, more money doesn't seem to buy more happiness.

"Anyone that says money doesn't buy happiness, then talk to someone under a bridge. Someone who say money buys you happiness then talk to Bill Gates."

It's due to the "hedonic treadmill": as humans we have a great ability to adapt. And as we acquire things and start to live materially "richer" lives we adapt. It become normal and we always will want more. It is the enemy of happiness.



Understand your goals - internal and externally:
What are your goals? Are they goals for you or for what you want others to think of you? Is the MBA going to make your father proud finally? Is the need for the BMW to show your status?
Some of this is ok - it is just about being aware of what you would really get from achieving your goals. Cause I guarantee it will be anti climatic when you realise people do not really care that much about your stuff.
This exercise will prove that the effort you put in certain areas will shift and the effects will only yield positive results in your life.  

Love the research in the documentary about extrinsic goals vs intrinsically goals:
-external: wealth/money, image (look good), status/popularity 
-internal (needs we all have): personal growth (be who I really am), relationship (closeness), community feeling (help the world be a better place).

Different sides of the values system.  They find that external goals will bring less happiness and fulfillment.

The film discussed the impact of the intense work ethic in Japan.  In order to rebuild after WWI, the shift of focus went towards work and away from family.   Achieving status and things, this nation is literally working themselves to death. 
Pursuit of economic growth was at the detriment of culture, environment, social systems. GDP is not enough. In Bhutan, the government look at a Gross National Happiness (vs Product) - "whats going to make our people happy"? The answer is within the self, because fleeting pleasures does not help with contentment.

In Denmark, schooling is free and health care. Also there are co community living which seems great. LOVE the different ways of living in other countries. Importance of relationships, connection, support, help is a unique dynamic for both the parents and kids.



Quotes I really like:
"I don't understand and I don't need to understand"
"Social connection is intrinsically programed into us, it is fulfilling"
"Through intention we can change our brain (literally it gets thicker)."
"Happiness is a skill, like learning the violin."
"Happiness, the more you have, the more everyone has."



There truly is so many differently ways to live.  But the "net" is we want to be happy, shift your goals, and FLOW as much as possible. Don't worry, be happy.

do you

Covering up who we are: similarities and differences
We spend so much time trying to figure out we think we should be - it covers up who we are. Well then "who are we" you might ask?

You would expect a very individual response, and in part, there would be very personal aspects that define us on this earth here and now. But you can look at this more simply; the big picture. Focus on our similarities as human beings vs our differences. Foundationally, we all have the same emotional desires of happiness, peace, love. Individually, we will always have different talents, ways to express ourselves, degrees of passion, levels of emotions.

But by focusing on our similarities there will be more harmony; across people and within.  We might not understand and agree with specific religions - Muslim, Jewish, Atheist, Christian. But if we focus on the fact that these are different paths and just an institution that is made up people.  These people wake up everyday like us and want the same things that we do; happiness, peace, food.
The more you can learn about what you do not understand, the more you look for connection and similarity and the more we will find peace - across people and within.

However, the differences are beautiful; you should feel authentic, unique and we should embrace these vs feel shame.


Find yourself: accept and inspire within your pain
Find your wound and you will find yourself. Live within that space and inspire others -  vs see it has your fatal flaw. It has beautiful if you change your perspective.  If you are a drug addict go within that community and have empathy, related to people and find passion to inspire, if you have been sexual abused be there for others to lean on who have endure these types of experiences.

W are always looking for our purpose and this is one way where you will find your purpose. Your purpose doesn't have to change the world but know by inspiring one people you will be doing enough to impact the world.

World peace starts within each of us. By doing you, you will help others, it can be that simple.





Your soul is Altruistic while your ego is selfish

I feel I have found my purpose, through life studies and yoga
Still searching what this means, but it feels right and I am sharing. I am "doing me" by doing this.

My motto:
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu: may all beings everywhere, everyone, be happy and free. May the thoughts, words and actions (my karma's) contribute in someway to that happiness and freedom. To all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILeToVl4QWs

nothing like an elevator ride to slap you into the now

You know that moment you get on an elevator, you mind racing to the action you are taking once you get off, ie: like I was doing today and thinking about the cold walk to the recycle bin. You push the floor you are going but in a second you realise there is no movement happening. Then your heart lurches. Um, maybe it ends now, here. Dramatic..yes. But you have to admit this has happened at least once. "Is this thing going to plunge to my early demise"? What feels like minutes goes by and it jerks and starts moving slowly down towards your floor.

 

This is getting called "getting slapped into the now" Any moment could be your last. Even though my current situation sucks, atleast I am not at the bottom of that shaft. It feels wrong to use that wood by the way.

 

Urgh, I hate elevators and elevator dreams but I loved this elevator picture...though I am still trying to decide what it evens means....

Its not all rainbows but Im trying to love the rain first

why so serious

I have had a few people ask me why Yoga has to be so serious, and that fact makes them less compelled to do yoga.  Interesting.

I have mixed feelings - it is a serious but also good to laugh at the absurdity of this "self" we falsely create and live through in life. It is not "serious" like life and death but seriously shutting off the mind, for a respite from life.

Its like saying "yo mind, I am not listening to you, you are not in control. Watch this, I am doing yoga and contradict any negativity you send my way, I am not worrying about yesterday or planning tomorrow. I am here, now."

I like when teacher cracks a jokes or light hearted comments, more so if it applies to the teaching, the class.  ie: don't squeeze your butt checks like your holding a quarter, muscles are contracted but not tense like that (funnier in the moment that reading flat forsure).

When we are mid class, the sweat is dripping, the mind is pissing us off, it is great when a joke breaks this stiffness; a smile, or the room has a chuckle, it lightens the mood and gives a bit of motivation. But I do think too many would be distracting.

I had a friend tell me once, she has a teacher who gets a flow going and allows the class to do it a few times within their own breath.  Then the teacher puts on hard core rap to pump up the energy. It is a hint of humor to tackle the flow.
Nothing like a little Tupac or Too Short to get To-flow :).

This article explores this topic and is a good read.
http://blogs.yogajournal.com/mensblog/2013/02/21/that-clown-in-the-back-row/#.USZk8O3ip7E.facebook

New Places, New Chances

Going to a new place is a new experience and within that experience God can be seen.  It is the opportunity for many things to happen; bring a new dynamic, thought, perspective, physical benefit, better emotions, etc.

If you are having a bad day - go somewhere, get some fresh air and a walk might just change your mood. You might meet someone, find a new store, enjoy nature. Possibility.

And being the one to take another out of where they are is a beautiful thing. Both on a small or big scale - to the store, on a trip, to a new place, to a place where they can look down to see where they are, escape, explore, find. Most people move through the day and don't not think or care to see the possible but know changes (conscious or not) happen in the act of movement to a new place.

This can be physically. Or in the mind - through art, film, discussion.
This post is inspired by documentary Waste Land. Artist Vik Muniz goes to the worlds largest landfill on a journey to be inspired for an art project. What he finds differs from what he expected - the a land-city of low-lifes is actually filled with 3k smiling, hard working, pickers.  Its a way to make money but many have pride as they recycle to make our world a better place.
Using garbage the artist wanted create art, to transport people into this place, and use the money raised to help get the "pickers" to "get out" of the place; bettering conditions, opportunities, etc.

I really like how Vik Muniz talked about art - standing close to it and seeing the material vs backing away to see the image. Both experiences. With this project, he is making beautiful portraits on a large scale with garbage. Its says so much - about the location, the items, the person. Deep. Multi dimension. I love art. The moment something becomes something else - magic.

In the film, they start to debate where of not to take individual out of Brazil to London for an art show to sell the paintings.
Will knowing what is out there drive them to think differently and take action to get whatever it is that they want? Or will the experience haunt them?  Does the experience stand on its own for what it is?
They know they will go back.  Realisations are powerful and the stories play out as such. "I'd rather want everything and have nothing than have everything and want nothing. Because at least when you want something your life has a meaning, it's worthwhile."



To go to a new place or to lead someone to a new place - both different, both fulfilling.
Your personal experience changes you, and to lead people can be even more fulfilling. It is like when one volunteers, you usually get just as much out if then the experience than the cause in which you are volunteering for.

And see for yoga - I think it is both physically a new place and a mental new place.

The moral of tonights post - go to new places, open your eyes beyond the physcial places you go, take others to new experiences. Challenge your mind and others - in this act God will be seen.

practice makes you brighter

Practice doesn't make perfect in the yoga sense, as perfection is not a destination but rather as attempt to make ourselves better. We can strive for it. Trying find a balance of self-expectations; enough to push us to do and not too much that we judge ourselves. But as BKS Ivengar says, practice makes you brighter.

 

As you practice, life will start to get better; in indirect and direct ways. Maybe you do not always see it, but believing that the sole action of practice will make you better and brighter. A glow. We all know the glow - be it from being pregos, good love, a job well job, a good workout, lots of sleep. Well the "yoga glow" is common - do an intense power class and you will see it within yourself. Who doesn't want to be shinny.

 

The fire/light within is no match for what life will send your way.

 

cure or learn to endure - yoga

life will knock you down, its how you get back up

You will remember the times you got back up and learn more from that experience than anyone who glides by in life. Even though you feel like a loser, you really are the winner.

As hard as it is - find the positive, control your thoughts, journal, talk to subjective people and wait it out.

 

POW! BAM! BIF!

Happy day of love

Its not only Valentines Day but my birthday - holler. Double rammy.

 

I came across this: "people were created to be loved, things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved, and people are being used."

So beautifully true.

Stop attaching and loving your things. Love the people around you - those you know and don't. The world could be fixed one bit of love at a time.

no more pass card, thank you skinny biatch

I have been giving my self a "pass card" when it comes to a few postures.  I didn't realise I was doing it until the other day.  And I justified my pass card because I felt my skinny-ish arms deserved it and it was not necessary for me to have that much muscle to do them, right? I never want Madonna freakishly strong body, its just not for me.

I am not the one in class that rushes to do a pose because it looks cool. I want my body to be ready for the pose and to do it right. And no its not an lazy excuse, no really, at least I didn't think so. 
Anyway, its never been about showing off or competing, that's one reason I love yoga.  I try to let go of caring about others opinions on the mat and its helping off the mat as well. Validation is an interesting human need, the more you let go of it the lighter/free-er you feel. More complete.

However, I do want to ensure I am progressing and practicing what I preach about finding the edge in each pose. So the other day was in "extended forward bend", as the blood was rushing to my head, upside down, I peered between my legs was amazed when I noticed this super skinny girl, shoot right up into headstand. I mean her bicep was as big as my wrist. I was intrigued, so I kept my eye on her and saw her do side crow without breaking a sweat. This is when I realised I need to start trying these postures.

I know I shy away from things I do not know exactly what I am doing and I also have fear; lots of it stored away inside to come out at undesired times.  In the inversions, I fear falling, hurting my self or more so my unsuspecting neighbor.

Hall pass is now in the garbage Tracy, its time to figure out a way to face some of these arm balancing and inversion postures. If I do not try and face the fear on the mat, I will not be able to do the things I need to do off the mat.

So when I say thank you skinny biatch for indirectly making me throw the "pass cards" away, I am sincere. I promise.

ever get into a posture like WTF

I took a class from a new teacher, which I love doing. I am a new teacher and this gives me reassurance that it does takes time to be an all star teacher that knows what to say straight for over an hour, with the perfect flow.

We were doing Frog posture and it didn't feel right. Maybe I am just not flexible that way, but it felt like maybe this wasn't a posture. Whatever it was I was NOT doing it correctly, as I still have bruises on my knees from the experience. This was my WTF moment this week.

Frog Pose (Bhekasana), can also be called Mandukasana. Plenty of sites out there already talk through specific steps to do it so I am/have been refraining from recreating the wheel in my blog (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2465).

Typically looks like:

 And from what I could find online also looks like this within Yin Yoga:

 

Yet another new yoga popping up, this seems to be a deeper slower yoga (Iyengar-ish). However some new postures, reaching different areas?!?
As I said I found this way of frog painful (in the bruised, this is wrong kind of way). Though I realised I am super tight on my inner thigh, maybe a good way to work it?



How beautiful is Frog in ballet, a little more visual appealing ;)

the important questions

<3 good to keep in the back of your mind when the reality of every drama is putting a damper on the day <3

 

The end is nothing, the road is all!

Who knew there were so many ways "roads" is intertwined into our live - literally, metaphorically, purposeful. I am thinking of this today and inspired by it, so I am sharing. This started from another documentary Sunday - The Way with Martin Sheen directed by Emilio Estevez.

I remember an "ah-ha" moment years ago, when I realised it was not about the destination but all about the journey. I was on a road trip, stressing about getting to where we going, excited for what we were going to do when we got there. When we got there, I found myself reflecting back on the journey and how fun that was. Never in the present. Ah-ha.

The road in our lives:
The high road, the open road, the road to hell, dignified road, road to the whitehouse, wrong road, road to nowhere, road not taken, road rage, fork in the road, its a long road, keep your eye on the road, hit the road, end of the road, all roads lead to rome, get the show on the road, road to recovery, where the rubber meets the road....

“If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.”
― George Harrison

“I probably did too much thinking in India. I blame it on the roads, for they were superb...”
― Robert Edison Fulton Jr.

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!
Bob Marley

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.
Henry Ward Beecher

Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life.
Pythagoras





Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

THE END IS NOTHING - THE ROAD IS ALL

hot yoga popping up

Couldn't help it. :)

 

I feel like every studio I join is hot yoga.  I get it. I like it. But its stanky and intense. Getting hot is important, but you can do it from the inside out with breath and work.

 

A little yoga funny for the day - cause I feel dizzy and queasy almost each class. Look, the sweating is good and detoxifying - if you can mentally shut off and get through a class covered in your and others sweat, with your nostrils filling with smells of garlic, onion, last nights meal, then you can't face most things in life!

Animal cuteness for the day

Upavishta Konasana - Seated Angle Posture Bear Style

Tripod Headstand - from Prasarita Padottanasana Kitten Style

Cutest Cat Cow warm up ever 

Now this ones just showing off

 

Upward facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

 

Double Cutestness

bulldog in upward dog is heartwarming sweet

 

Monkey stretch

Your grass can be green, just water it

Trying to get that grass on the other side of the fence?

I think we all do, in thought or action. On a daily basis - their life seems so great cause x, y, z. If I only had that over there, I'd be ____.







Good little Haiku, pretty powerfully addresses this phenomenon.

Familiarity
With tending our weedy lawn,
Eyes drawn to the fence

Weary of striving,
A new setting may allure:
Maybe no weeds there?

Yet, love is right here,
Satisfaction, work well done.
Be patient, do right

What's this "edge" all about?

What is with this edge you hear about in yoga classes?

Understanding your edge:
In each posture we come to a point which we cannot go any further. Yes, it can be very frustrating, as we are facing a barrier within ourselves  Maybe it is tight muscles that impacts the body from bending further, not enough muscle strength to continue taking the weight, balance is not stable, body shape does not allow - this is the place where you will find your edge.

The edge is yours and yours alone. When you hit it, it is not about letting your ego to push you further or about judging yourself in this space (it does not matter if the person next to you is touching their toes, you are structural different; we all might be human but we are unique like a snowflake).

Once you learn to stop judging, and comparing yourself on the mat, you will learn to take this lesson off the mat. Comparing and judging just causes self-inflicted pain and unnecessary heartache.


We are human, which means we typically lead with our Ego. When it takes more control in yoga  that's when you might push yourself too far and can get injured (yoga and injury seems to be a hot topic these days).  Being human also means have a little voice in our head which can easily talk us into not getting close enough to our edge. And know that every day is different, we might  not eat enough, or sleep enough, or had a bad day, and this life situation might make it impossible to get to your "edge" as well.

It takes time, patience and introspection to start to explore these ideas in a class.



Respecting your edge and relaxing into it:
What we have learned so far: your edge is about ignoring your ego, respecting your body, not competing. So than what is the "edge" about?

Relaxing and Breathing - sounds easy enough?!

It is about relaxing into the posture, you will notice that when you hit a point of self-contention you tense up but if you relax these unnecessary muscle tension you will go deeper.  Physically you will see improvements in depth, and strength.

At the same time, it is also about sending breath to that area.  Breath helps calm the body (physically with heart rate, circulation) and mind (psychologically - calming nerves).

Breath is more than oxygen, we are also sending a type of energy to this point of the "edge". A mental energy, yes. But it can be called may things like Prana, Life Force (Luke Skywalker knows all about this) or Chi or Qi in Chinese. Our subtle body.

Everything in life has energy - ever step into the sunlight, close your eyes and soak in the energy - you feel more alive, happy, active. There is something there, its powerful.  There are 2 kinds of energy, natural (sun, wind, food, plants, people, animals, atoms,etc) and man made (electricity, cars, fire, plumbing systems, etc). 

Studies are happening now to help scientifically define and help explain this "life force" energy or Prana.  From a yogic perspective, the spine is the main energy lifeline within the body, there are main points of concentration along the way (Chakara) and ways to move it around.  Better flow is better balance. The mouth and breath is the main channel/way to help bring in this Prana.  In your yoga class you might already be practicing pranayama - breathing practicing.

So during the process of breath and relaxation you will not only gain progress physically but physiologically and psychologically. 



There is not a golden spoon, it takes practice and time:
Nothing comes easy in life, well at least not for me. And if it does there is some unresolved tension that will come with that (pay a price); see post on Ghandis's Dangerous Virtues (The dangers of virtue without effort).

Triangle posture was one or many asana's that I dreaded and found my edge quickly.  Every few classes, I'd make my self get through a few more breaths in this pose. In time, I was able to power through without stopping. My foundation and leg strength increased. As well as my stamina; I felt more fit. I was then able to explore other elements of the posture, like the back twist, turning the gaze to the ceiling, extension of the arms in equal direction, rotation of the thigh, and the mula bandha and feet for balance stability.

The edge changes each day - sometimes a few steps back before forward (like life).



Hit your edge, turn off the ego, attention to the points of tension, relax the muscles and take baby steps each class to explore it (focusing on different aspects of the posture).



The unseen reality of living and benefits beyond the obvi

We know there are aspects of life that we trust are true but do not necessarily see it with our own eyes. We cannot always "see it to believe it". We all need to have a bit of faith: trust smart people, trust what we know and trust logical reasoning. Same with yoga, there are benefits beyond what we can see.

Smart people say it is so:
We definitely can not see that there are billions of galaxies within the big dipper but we trust the scientists and logic of others that tell us so.
Doctors tell us whats going on inside us and the incredible complexity of the body, marine biologist tell us about the alien like animals in the depths of the unexplored ocean, the list goes on.

Mother natures' magic tell us so:
We know many facets of nature happen without an explainable/visible reason - we know to drink milk from our mothers without being told.  We know animals have amazing instincts and the power of evolution.  A small little insect like the Honey Bee makes life possible through the pollination of plants.

We still do not even know the foundation of everything - Atoms are known, but what makes up Atoms? It is thought that Atoms are made up of tiny vibrating strings (String Theory), this is a energy wave moving and bouncing to create life. Everything is energy.


Benefits of yoga beyond the obvi:
Emotions and feelings like love, anger, hope - we cannot see them but know they exist.  Our emotions and past impressions/experiences manifest in the body. If we have a loss in our life we can have pain in our stomach, if we experience a blissful moment like a wedding we can fill happiness in our chest.

With Yoga we increase not only the physical functions of the body but the energetic, we release blockages that are not necessarily seen or known

I know I have blockages in my legs (I have been told by Reiki masters and guru's in India).  I think back to my Triangle Pose, and know that this posture is helping send fresh circulation and prana to the legs. The benefits are happening in the subtle body through this asana now. The effect are not black and white. 

The exploration of the impacts of meditation are surfacing; Mindfulness Meditation studies are showing aspects of the brain are physically changing, in particular the areas which happiness comes from. Doctors are starting to connect the physical impacts of yoga and synergistic benefits for other athletes (like runners which is another hot topic). Combining yoga with other sports yields a lot of benefits.



You have an edge on and off the mat. Life is about exploring this edge, understanding if you can trudge on or if this is where you are suppose to be. 

Live an examined life,
Tracy