Inspiration and Angels at I Can Do it, Toronto 2014

One of the teachers who has inspired my life and my teachings with yoga students is Louise Hay (Author of "You Can Heal Your Life").  Louise's approach to the power of affirmation, is in many ways the power of the yogic concept of mantra.  I am a firm believer that we are spiritual beings living a human experience, so prayer, meditation, yoga, and the idea that our loved ones and angels watch over us, is something I have both experienced and believe in.  For years I have been fond of the books & Angel Cards of Doreen Virtue.  Since childhood I have experienced, and believed that angels surround us, guide us and intercede for us.  This is the back story to my recent weekend with a line up of incredible teachers at I Can Do It, Toronto, 2014.

Radleigh Valentine, Doreen Virtue and Michael.

After 3 months teaching yoga in India, I was eager to learn, but something more for my heart & spirit rather than physical asana.  Being a fan of the work of Doreen Virtue, I thought it would be fun to enroll in her Angel Card Reading Certification Course.  I think I purchased my first Angel Cards 10 years ago, gifted many to friends, found another in Ireland, and most recently a deck while on journey to India.  To be in the presence of Doreen, Radleigh Valentine, and Doreen's husband Michael was like being taught by Angels.  It was a magical experience, and Doreen spoke to me after the certification course, confirming many things I already had felt about myself after reading her brilliant book "Realms of the Earth Angels".  Radleigh had the most joyful spirit, and all three of them inspired the entire crowd of 500 in the most profound way.

With Dr. Brian Weiss

The biggest inspiration to attending this weekend was finding the book recently in India "Many Lives, Many Masters" by Dr. Brian Weiss, which has been recommended to me for years, and I finally found it.  After reading the book, I raced to as many book stores in North India and South India to find more of his work.  I read through 3 more books, and I am currently reading Miracles Happen.  After experiencing the healing power of hypnosis (past life regression) last year, and reading this book, I was eager to attend his workshop or meet him.  This manifested quick at I Can Do It.  Dr. Brian Weiss put us (a jam packed crowd at Roy Thomson Hall) through an incredible past life regression.

Immaculee Ilibagiz, (Author of Let to Tell) who shared her incredible story of being a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, experiencing the miracle of surviving from her prayer of the rosary (a prayer dear to my heart), and forgiveness of the people who murdered her family and tribe.  Her ability to forgive people who killed her family, and her conviction to her faith in Christ Jesus as the example of forgiveness led the entire crowd to a standing ovation.  Regardless of your religion, focused prayer is meditation, rosary is much like mantra on positive words, which can transform fear/hurt into love.  Forgiveness is the key to spiritual liberation, in yoga we would call this the mastery of the 2nd sutra (Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodaha), because unforgiveness is the seed to quieting the monkey mind.  It was so incredible to listen to this beautiful woman, and a blessing to meet her. 

I truly loved every minute of this weekend, and felt inspired by every teacher/author!  Anita Moorjani shared her incredible story of having stage 4 cancer, coma, and returning to share her story of the importance to "LOVE YOURSELF".  Alex Woodard led people to tears with songs and tales from his recent book "For the Sender".  Julie Daniluk inspired people to be conscious of what they eat, and understanding the "why" behind it.  I loved her because nutrition and foods that heal has always been something I love and share with my yoga students.  We also had the beautiful experience of doing some Kundalini Kriya's with Gabrielle Bernstein, which was much fun!  She is full of energy, honesty, and joy, with the message to all of us to "be the light so others recognize their light in yours"!  

This was a weekend of Yoga for the Mind & Spirit, and I am grateful for all of it.  The common thread of a "Course in Miracles" was weaved through many of the speakers, and while I would love to highlight all of them, I'd rather suggest that if you get a chance to go to a Hay House Event, please go!!!  Your heart and soul will be filled with inspiration and joy!

You Can Heal Your Life

Most people who practice yoga can attest to the healing benefits they have experienced with yoga.  People have healed both their body and their mind with yoga.  One of the biggest aspects of this healing is the breath.  Taking the time to connect with the breath, allow the body to flow with deep breaths, and quiet all the clutter/memories in the subconscious mind (chitta).

What I have noticed from true devotees of the practice is the ability to live with compassion, to take responsibility for their own lives, the ability to forgive themselves and others, and most importantly the ability to live with JOY.  When I say "true devotees", I mean the folks who look beyond asana, who look beyond labels and accolades, and really shine with radiant light & compassion in their eyes that light in their eyes which only comes from embracing the 8 Limbed practice of yoga. 

What is the most repeated concept in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali?  Cheerfulness and JOY.  Some would say, how can we have joy when others are so mean, or when we had to endure this trauma, or when this always happens to me?  Sadly some Yoga Enthusiasts may say only when I can perfect that asana, or when I can make it past the Ashtanga Primary Series......Very interesting mantras.

What about changing those mantras to positive affirmations like.... kind and loving people are always attracted to me, I am strong enough to forgive, understand and be grateful for all experiences, and amazing things always happen to me.  What about evolving past perfecting an asana, and embracing the chance to be present with your breath without judgement or expectation, knowing full well that nothing is ever perfect?  What about being fine with making it through Surya Namaskar A & B devoid of the expectation of anything more than connecting to your breath?

From my experience, teaching, studies and observations I have learned we are truly creatures of habit both on and off the yoga mat.  Patterns, unconscious and conscious that have everything to do with the patterns established in our childhood, belief systems.  It is easy to blame someone else, feel apathy, or say it is karma.  While things may well be our destiny or past life karma, our choice and our evolution comes from how we react, how we recognize the things we allow & enable, and how we establish our self worth and most importantly how we forgive and let go.  This comes from an  unbiased analysis of relationship patterns established from our formative years.

The Vedas began hinting at Dharma, Karma, then Yoga Sutras outlined the "handbook" to conscious living towards enlightenment, Jesus enlightened people in the Bible on power of faith & forgiveness, The Buddah asked for us to see how all is one, Transcendental Meditation elaborated or power of silence, and modern western gurus have elaborated with studies of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), therapy, hypnosis etc.

Today we have people like Tony Robbins, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Prema Chodron, and many more encouraging people to change their belief systems, or Yoga Teachers elaborating on the Bhagavad Gita & Yoga Sutras to help people take control of their life.  I am one of those teachers who emphasizes the importance of the Yoga Sutras so Yoga can be embraced as a path to enlightenment along with the benefit of a slimmer waist. 

Generally the message of positive affirmations is agreed upon by both ancient Eastern and Modern Western Gurus.  This notion that we create our journey, that everything is our creation, or a reflection of us.  This idea that what makes us mad is actually not the other person, our job, our achievements or lack their of but a deeper pattern behavior or vrittis (misconceptions).  Recognizing that every aspect of this Universe, every relationship is truly a reflection of our deepest belief systems that we control.

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥२॥
yogaś-citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ ||2||
When you are in a state of yoga, all misconceptions (vrittis) that can exist in the mutable aspect of human beings (chitta) disappear. ||2||

But like the phrase goes, when you point one finger - 3 are pointing back.  I recognized that I myself still need to apply some of the precepts of this practice into my own life and yoga practice.  Hence why Yoga is a practice and why in life we repeat lessons, until they are learned.  The Modern Western Guru who I referred to, to help many students worldwide is Louise Hay.  Her story, and her outline of affirmations to change our body, relationships and environment with affirmation, breathe and conscious living, is nothing short of brilliant.  While I love the Holy Bible, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the Bhagavad Gita...I think Louise writes an easy to read, easy to relate text, and modern version to self healing & enlightenment.  

If you are a Yoga Teacher or student this is a book you should invest in for your self healing and to understand behavior patterns to help others.  If you are a person who struggles in relationships, with finances, with health, or anything.....this is the book for you.  If you are a person who thinks you know best, and yet you struggle with physical illness or job issues.....then this is especially the book for you.  Life is too short to waste time with negative energy, so keep your thoughts, environment and heart shinning with love ~ Namaste