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