Sunday Sutra - 2.1 - Portion on Practice

Sutra 2.1

Accepting Pain As help for Purification, 

Study of Spiritual Books & Surrender to the Supreme Being 

constitute Yoga in practice.
*(The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Translation & Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda)

                                

                               Tapas means "to burn or create heat."  By accepting all the pain that comes to us, even though the nature of the mind is to run after pleasure.  Tapas also refers to self-discipline Although control of the senses & organs seems to bring pain in the beginning, it eventually ends in happiness.  

       
~ If tapas is understood in this light, we will look forward to pain; we will even thank people who cause it, since they are giving us the opportunity to steady our minds & burn out impurities.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna divides the true austerities into 3 groups: Physical, Verbal, Mental

                          1. Physical: Worship, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy & non-injury
                          2. Verbal: Speech should bring tranquility and be truthful, pleasant & beneficial.
                          3. Mental: Svadhyaya meaning study of the true Self

In reading the scriptures we slowly rise-up, expanding the mind.  The more we elevate the mind, the better our understanding is.  However the Self cannot be know by theory alone.  Only when you transcend the mind can you understand it.

It is when you start quoting from your own experience that your words have weight.

Limit your reading and put into practice what you read.  Select anything that will remind you of your goal.

Surrendering to the Supreme Being.  I understand this to mean dedicating the fruits of your actions to God or to humanity - God in manifestation 

LoveLee

Saturday Yoga Classes at The Cultural Hut

Yoga @ The Cultural Hut

Yoga at The Cultural Hut in Los Angeles, CA

Breast Cancer Awareness Information

Know Your Facts

1. All women are at risk for breast cancer. All breast problems must be checked.
2. African American/Black women under the age of 40 have more aggressive and deadly tumors, need earlier, more frequent breast cancer screenings, and aggressive medical treatment to increase their survival advantages.
3. Elderly black women may be less aware of breast cancer risk factors or delay medical attention, which results in more advanced disease.
4. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among black women
5. Please know that MEN can also get breast cancer! The symptoms are the same as for women. Look at and feel your chest and pectoral muscles for any unusual changes. If you find any signs as listed below, see your doctor to be checked immediately.

• A lump in the pecs, chest, collarbone, nipples, torso, or underarms.
• Discharge or fluid from the nipples that is bloody, clear, pus-like, or smells bad.
• Skin changes that are bumpy, dark, different color, itchy, painful, rash-like, puckered, redness, sore/ulcer, shrunken, swollen, or tender.
• Take charge of your health: Learn about your family’s cancer history as cancer of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate are related and either side can carry the gene.
• Reduce your alcohol and fat intake, reduce your weight, and increase your exercise.
• http://aabcainc.org/

Saturday, September 27, 2014

@ 

10:00am-11:00pm

Leimert Park near corner of Crenshaw Blvd & Vernon Ave, Los Angeles, CA

I'm here now and that's all I know

Not concerned with what I was suppose to do last month, last week, or last night

I'm here now and its a good place to be

I've come a long way to get here and gone nowhere at all

I've shed a lot of tears and rose from the fall

"but Dear God I'm here, I'm here!"

I look around me as the sun sets and I wonder who needs to go to an art museum when its happening in real time all around us.  I look at my surroundings and feel like I'm in a painting sometimes.  

I've been absorbing so much information the last few months so now I'm like how do I to convert that to action.  To be continued...

Inna Di Red Stephen Marley

Namaste

LoveLee

Upward Facing Dog - Take 1

           


Take 1?  O.k. so it was more like take 50.  I re-recorded this video so many times because I wasn't able to position the camera the way I wanted.  Even though I'm not happy with the quality of the video, I am happy that I completed & posted it.  I usually obsess about things being perfect before  I move with it and that sometimes causes those things to never happen.  Practice being o.k. with being here, wherever that may be and whatever that may look like.  Then from here we progress to there and so on.

Blessings,

LoveLee

Chia Seeds

           Who knew? Who knew that one day the plant pets that we know & love so much, would one day be such a powerful nutritional resource.  So as you can see I picked up a bag from Trader Joe's & it cost around $4 something.   

 

I started incorporating them in my diet by throwing the seeds in my eggs and other random dishes like lentils.  Then I decided to do the "porridge" recipe.  I don't know if it really constitutes being a porridge but that's what I like to call it.  I just soaked some seeds in almond milk for about 30ish minutes and it started to become gel-like.  I didn't add any spices or sugar and it was surprisingly good.  Next time I'll add some fruit but its a good base to add almost anything to.  Loving it!

           I'm transitioning to a more plant based diet and Chia seeds are a great source of protein, containing 3grams per tbsp. They also provides 2.9g of Omega-3 fatty acids and 6g of fiber.  Studies are also being done to determine the potential of using chia seeds to treat type 2 diabetes.   Good stuff.  

Enjoy!

LoveLee

Cleanse / Detox

Isn't she beautiful!

I'm in love with my new juicer.  I've conjured up every reason to not buy one sooner, the #1 reason being that I've been nomadic for so long that I figured I would buy one and not be able to take it with me to the next place.  I feel like I'm mastering the art of efficient downsizing.

I decided to do a cleanse where I eliminated meat, dairy, rice, grains & caffeine. So I pretty much just ate fruits & vegetables but I did have lentils.  I juiced, ate raw & cooked veggies along with 2-3 fruit servings a day.  I did it for 5 days and on the 6th day the only modification I made was I had a cup of decaf coffee and regular coffee - no dairy included.  I would say the first 2 days I wasn't feeling it but definitely after the 3rd I was good.  It's definitely a mental thing because as soon as my mind realized there were things it couldn't have, it started craving them.   

This is Day 1 - I used all the ingredients shown in that amount.  I like the earthy taste of beets but I think I'm more forgiving because I love the pretty color it produces.  

This is the preparation stage which is building the foundation.  

I decided to focus on Ahimsa during this week because part of its meaning is Kindness, Friendliness & Thoughtful Consideration of others as well as yourself.  When we feed our bodies the goodness it needs we are expressing an act of love towards ourselves and others because it flows to your consciousness of how you interact with others. Everything is connected. We all are connected. Live Life Like it.

LoveLee

Connecting Flight to Self

I'm tired but the fatigue reminds me to go Further 

Blessed beyond belief but because I'm a Believer I Breathed this into Existence 

Everyday I wake up Energized because the possibilities are endless and I'm gonna exhaust them to the end

I can feel that I'm Connected again and this surge is my Source of Energy

For the last few months I felt like I had flat lined energetically.  I was just here but not really "here".  Now that I've been in L.A. for almost a month I feel alive again.  It's not for everyone and I guess that's the point.  You have to feel connected to where you live and from your environment you draw inspiration.  I remember the moment on the plane when it really hit that I was moving to the other side of the country, with no physical support team.  I didn't know how I was gonna do it but I knew that I had to do it.  Now, two part-time jobs later and a semi-permanent but breathing room apt to live in, I'm that much closer to materializing my dreams.  Which is to build my LoveLee Yoga health and wellness empire...to be continued. 

Peace and Blessings,

LoveLee

Welcome to Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

         

            O.k., so I'm not sure if I've said this before but My LoveLee Yoga is a peak into my life; which is now, and may always be, random.  I am now in the beautiful state of California and for me there couldn't be a more foreign reality.  I felt less oriented when I lived in Ghana just to get a gauge on how I'm feeling.  I'm staying in a hostel in Hollywood just off of Hollywood Blvd.  I'm here to do what many have come to Los Angeles to do and that is to "make it", whatever that means.  Since I'm a Yoga teacher this is a great place to improve my personal and professional practice and to sync up with the health conscious vibe that permeates out here.  Within my first week here I'm staying at my third hostel, have seen more crazy people, homelessness, hipsters and tourists than I care to recall.  For anyone preparing to move here, make sure you don't forget your skateboard, that is apparently the go to mode of transportation.  And since we're on the topic of transportation I just want to say that I rocks with LA's metro system.  I was gonna say love but so far New York's transit is the only place that gets a love rating but I really dig it.  I've gotten to my destinations quickly and inexpensively.  You can ride the bus/train all day for $5 dollars which is actually better than NY since they did away with the Fun Pass (I still haven't gotten over that).

I say that my life is random because in the last year span I've lived in Ghana, West Africa and enjoyed the beach, had a pit stop in Bethlehem, PA (my hometown) which I've recently been reminded is the "fake" Bethlehem by someone who is from the "real" Bethlehem.  O.k. we all know Jesus wasn't born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania...or was he?  I then jumped down to Allen, TX and worked in a Austrian/German restaurant and got my schnitzel on.  This was probably my least favorite place because public transportation is extremely limited.  I've now hopped over to Los Angeles, CA and started a new chapter.  Everyone here has a story and they are more than willing to share it with you.  Yoga is not just our presence on the map, its the way we live our lives.  And now I'm continuing to make space to create and share my lovelee yoga.    

Peace & Blessings

The Importance of a Guru

           The word guru can be defined as "that which dispels darkness".  I can understand that translation because there are questions that arise and I wish I had someone to go to that would shed some light on the situation.  Of course I understand the need to go within but a little help from a trusted adviser never hurts.  When a guru enters our life we don't always recognize this person as our guru but as we begin to awaken it becomes more clear. 

I've been grappling with the fact that I don't have a guru but I feel like I need one.  When I think of who my guru would be the first person that comes to minds is Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati whom I learned about when I went to visit the Ananda Ashram.  The first time I went to visit this ashram in upstate NY I felt at home and every time I return I'm met with that same feeling.  Joan Suval, who is one of his senior disciples, said you have that feeling because you've been here before.  Shri Sarasvati passed away long before I even knew about the ashram but I feel a connection to him and his teachings and although I'm not sure of what the outcome will be I feel like he is the first step on my quest. 

Even if it is not a guru that you seek, an ancestor/spiritual guide, or adviser is important because  “The blind cannot lead the blind,” said Paramahansaji. “Only a master, one who knows God, may rightly teach others about Him."

          

 

LoveLee

Om

I'm currently reading the Upanishads Breath of the Eternal translated by Swami Prabhavananda and the thing that popped out at me this morning is the explanation of Om.  During the story of Nachiketa meeting with the King of Death, Nachiketa asks the King to tell him the secret of immortality.  The King replies "It is-Om.  This syllable is Brahman.  This syllable is indeed supreme...The Self, whose symbol is OM, is the omniscient Lord."  This Self that he speaks of is our true Self.  "Smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest, this Self forever dwells within the hearts of all.  When a man is free from desire, his mind and senses purified, he beholds the glory of the Self and is without sorrow."
        
           Everyday we are meet with many distractions and obstacles that can prevent us from connecting with our higher selves.  We use these challenges as reasons to not work out, to not eat well or to not meditate.  Sometimes our situation is so bad that we use external devices to drown out the stress, anger and pain.  It's when we use these challenges to go inward and connect with our higher power that we truly connect with ourselves.  I have shed countless tears because of difficult things going on in my life even when I realize that its because of choices that I have made.  After the shower storm I then remember that these things are not as powerful as I make them out to be.  Yes, they cause discomfort at the time that you're experiencing them however, we all have the ability to rise above them and change the flow of our lives.  By using various tools such as prayer, mantras and meditation we can move closer to our true Selves and become more firmly rooted in who we are.  With that security we create a better world for ourselves and those around us. 

Om, pronounced as AUM, is broken up into three parts.  Before beginning, always take a deep cleansing breath.  Then begin by holding the A (kind of like they do in church when saying a solemn Amen).  Next form your mouth into an O and allow the A to flow into a U.  Lastly, close your mouth and stretch the U into a humming M.  Try to make each component as even as possible and again let it flow from one part to the next.  Take another cleansing breath at the end.

Any sound therapy is a greater way to help you connect with your inner voice and especially practicing Om will help you connect with your higher self.  The more comfortable you become with Oming the more powerful you'll become. 



Namaste and Have a LoveLee day!

Found Freedom

Found Freedom

 

I've been in the DFW area for approx. a month now and I've been experiencing some of the creative energy that pulsates here.  Last night I attended a launch party for Found Freedom Apparel and it's inspiring to see a young African American woman doing her thing.  Her clothes are beautiful and affordable and I unfortunately wasn't able to purchase something yesterday but I look forward to adding a piece to my collection soon.

 

 

 

 

Every day I find the freedom to speak, to live, to simple be.  Be You.  Be Free.

 

LoveLee

Third Eye Chakra

Ajna

               So I've been doing really well on my meditation challenge but I'm not even going to lie and say I haven't missed any days.  I've missed a total of 3 and before, that may have prevented me from continuing but thank you Jesus hallelujah I'm in a different place now.  I understand that everyday is not going to go as planned but we adjust and keep it moving.  Sometimes our plan, isn't God's plan.  Since starting the challenge however, I do feel a lot stronger and more grounded.  For about the last week+ my concentration has been on the Third Eye Chakra a.k.a Ajna and I can feel and see the difference in myself.  I was recently at the Dallas Meditation Center for a meditation/yoga workshop and the focus was on the 7 central chakras which run along the center of our body.  The main area that kept sticking out to me was the Third Eye.  I've been feeling a lack of direction and focus and oddly enough I've been noticing owls a lot which I learned is connected to the Ajna chakra.  So I decided to do some research and have found a big correlation between my life and this sixth chakra.  When there is an imbalance you may experience lack of focus and your sense of purpose may be off; um that was me to a T.  When you're balanced however, you will experience more clarity and your imagination will improve; and that is what I'm starting to experience now.  The color that governs this 6th main chakra is indigo and it's located in the area between your eyebrows.  You can focus your attention on these aspects as well as incorporating lavender scents into your space and holding or visualizing an amethyst crystal while you meditate.

Meditating for some people can be extremely difficult because the more we try to quiet the mind, the more active it wants to become.  Start with Dharana which is focusing your mind on one thing which will then help your mind to release all thoughts; don't worry this is definitely a process.  It's not something that will happen overnight and needs to be practiced frequently because the more we practice the better we become.  If all you can do is 5 minutes then start there and be happy about starting there.  I like to read some type of spiritual text before I meditate and then I'll reflect on the lesson that connects to where I'm at now.  There are endless ways to go about meditating but the important thing is find a way that connects with who you are.  Active Meditation is also a great way to start your meditation practice if you experience ADHD a little more than the rest of us.

 

Regardless of which route you take just start somewhere and the picture will become clearer. 

 

"Practice and all is coming." - Pattabhi Jois

LoveLee

Sutra 2:1 - Purification

Purification

 

 

I have not been feeling well the last couple of days and its not just physical.  My whole being has been off and I really wasn't understanding why.  This morning I made a cup of tea and sat down to read.  My go to book right now is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and I read from the 2nd Book - Sadhana Pada, Portion on Practice.  Verse 2:1 states:

 

"Accepting pain as help for purification, study of spiritual books, and surrender to the Supreme Being constitute Yoga in practice."

 

Sri Swami Satchidananda uses gold as an example by saying the more you fire gold the more pure it becomes.  The question is then asked "But how can this burning process be effected with our mental impurities?  By accepting all the pain that comes to us, even though the nature of the mind is to run after pleasure.  We will actually be happy to receive pain if we keep in mind its purifying effects."

 

As I sat down and meditated I viewed this feeling I've been carrying differently.  I know that God has some work when it come to me and there are a lot of habits, mental and physical, that I need to release.  And that's exactly how my body has been feeling; as if something is trying to come out of me.  So I gave thanks for this feeling of purification and for all of the blessings I'm given everyday.

 

 

Perception is Powerful

 

LoveLee

 

Aliko Dangote

Africa's Richest Man

 

I feel like there is so much that I still need to learn especially when it comes to business and really just understanding life in general.  It's 1:03am in Texas and the rain is not only coming down but the lightening has come to join it.  I can't sleep and part of that is because I can't breathe.  There is a heaviness in my chest that has been lodged here for some time but today it seems like its been trying to escape all day.  I know God and of that I'm certain but sometimes I know I don't listen.  I've been called stubborn before as well as other variations of that but tonight I am all ears and God has spoken load and clear....again.  This video is not the first that I've heard of Mr. Dangote but whenever I'm doubting myself this is the man that God places in my path.  I've yet to travel to Nigeria but I have spent some time in Ghana and I know that being apart of the Pan-African Movement is part of my journey.  He is impacting Africa in a positive way and his net worth of 20.1 Billion Dollars is not just putting money in his own pocket but is also impacting other Africans in a positive way as well.  The goal isn't to be just like him it's to learn from Aliko Dangote and fulfill our own purpose which directly and indirectly affects positive change in others. 

 

 

 

LoveLee

 

P.S. - Now I don't know about them 18 hour days but a sistah definitely has some more work to do.

 



 

 

Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi Breath

 

       When I was first taught how to do ujjayi pranayama it was described to me as the Darth Vader breath because that's how you sound.  Or if you ask my sister it sounds like you're snoring.   I've been using this breathe a lot while meditating because it helps my mind focus inward instead of on the things that pop up in my head.  On Sunday I took an amazing yoga class with Brook Cheatham at Vibe Yoga in Allen, TX - http://vibeyoga.com/  During the class she encouraged us to keep the ujjayi breath with us as we transitioned from pose to pose.  When I sat down to meditate that evening I noticed such a difference.  I was able to take deeper and fuller breaths and I had such a good night sleep when I went to bed.  It does energize your body so doing it right before bed may not work for some but most things don't affect my ability to sleep so I had no problem. 

 

To practice Ujjayi Pranayama

 

1.) Sit in a comfortable position.  For many sukhasana, or a variation of it (see image below), is comfortable but if this doesn't work for you sit in a position that will not cause pain or discomfort. 

2.) Lower your chin slightly and bring your awareness to your breath. 

3.) Constrict your throat slightly and feel the breath moving along the back of your throat.  As you inhale try to get your throat to make a Saaaaa sound and as you exhale try making a Haaaas sound.  Your mouth is closed on both the in & exhale.  Make the breath as even as possible.  So the same amount of time its takes you to inhale is the same amount of time you want the exhale to be. 

 

Your breathing should be audible and airy and it may take some getting use to. Keep trying.  You'll know you're doing it right if you sound like Darth Vader.  Continue breathing this way as long as its comfortable but if your breath becomes choppy stop and continue at another time. 

 

Ujjayi breathing helps to improve your concentration and endurance in addition to helping to oxygenate your blood which increases your energy level.  For more benefits check out http://www.livestrong.com/article/132839-ujjayi-breathing-benefits/

 

 



Namaste,

LoveLee

 



Inspiration

 

 

           I use to feel inspired just leaving the house and riding the train in Philly.  As I waited on the platform I would conjure up entertaining ways to allow my mind to take its own trip as well.  Now, not so much.  I think I slowly started closing myself off to things and people and it wasn't a conscious decision but still a choice was made.  I'm aware of it now because I am conscious of the choice to shift in a different direction.  I like to write but haven't done so in some time.  I enjoy drawing but can't remember the last time my pencil formed an image.  Tonight I was inspired and look forward to reconnecting. 

 

I went to the Dallas Poetry Slam in North Dallas, TX and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I listened, LMAO at the titty talk and walked away feeling a pulse that I haven't felt in some time.  The poetry open mic is like a yoga class in the sense that it is a judge free zone.  You open yourself up to and are met with the support & encouragement of strangers that offer healing in a way that those closest to you sometimes can't provide.  It's not so much about what they've done but more about the courage you have to take that step on stage.  Now with that said I didn't drop any lines tonight but I'll share the pic when I do. 


 

 

September 18, 2010

I wish him peace
Peace because I’m not sure he has some…things on his mind
The love of his God
The love of his family
The love of himself that will take his life for the love of the cause he is fighting for
What about the DVD man?
Do you think he has peace…of the profit from selling those DVDs up & down Broad Street
Line of thought that I’m traveling on to get me back home
Inspiration is everywhere

LoveLee