Continuation from my prior post about ringing in the New Year in NYC…
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| MT and me |
The first day of the New Year, MT and I booked over to Laughing Lotus for a revive class with the yoga goddess herself Dana Flynn.
To put it simply, that class rocked.
Words cannot even express how amazing it was to celebrate the first day of the new year with my soul sister on the mat right next to me and Dana leading us through the practice.
The flow was fun, the music was inspirational, and the words that came out of Dana’s mouth swept my heart into the skies. All I could feel was the love and energy in the room. People were dancing. People were singing. People were laughing and wooping. It was magical.
The night before, I decided to name 2012 the year of the Happy Warrior on behalf of my desires to lighten up as well as live FIERCELY.
And wouldn’t you know it, Dana’s class was exactly the way I want to lead my year. It was a fierce class to say the least; my fire was definitely burning. But it was also FUN. Her selection of music became my heart beat. Everyone around me were shaking their downward “loving” dog as Dana cutely put it. Yogis around me broke out into random giggles as the exuberant energies of their bodies pushed itself to expression.
Now I’m used to the more serious yoga practice because well, I’m a pretty intense person. When teachers tell me to smile as I’m struggling to hold a pose, it takes a lot for me to not roll my eyes and say “there’s nothing to really SMILE in this pose”. This was different. The smile that danced my lips came straight from my heart’s deepest desire to be seen. It was as if there should have never been a doubt in my mind that yoga is about fully expressing the heart not just by doing chest openers but by allowing love to permeate the entire body. There is a time for the more “serious” practice. But it’s also just as important to remember that we’re going to die anyway! Why make ourselves to be more important that we really are?
Which is why I REALLY need more classes like the one at the Lotus. Pema Chodron and Thich Naht Hanh are constantly reminding their students to take things more lightly. And what better way to do that then dance your way through yoga class?
At one point during class this song came on and I was practically screaming the chorus as we were flowing.
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| feeling the yoga glow |
This song is a perfect expression of how my heart feels towards my yoga practice -
I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try
Try to divide something so real
So ’til the end of time
I’m telling you there is
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I’m feeling
The class finished with a sweet member of the Lotus community playing the ukulele as we laid in savasana, feeling our hearts come back into our bodies. What a perfect ending.
A few days later I still get tingles thinking about that class. Anyone who studies under Dana is truly blessed. And hey who knows, that might be me someday! But for now I have to focus on raising $$ for my IIN studies. One thing at a time right?
Namaste
January 5th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Sounds like you had an amazing class! It's simply a reflection of you sacred yogini. I like how you mention to take things more lightly, I believe this lightness is a new way of being fierce on the mat. Ease up and enjoy. That's grace. You look so happy, keep going!!Cheers,Diane
January 8th, 2012 at 3:35 am
Live ukulele during savasana?! Sounds like heaven!
January 8th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
super cute photos! sounds like an enlivening, bountiful class! <3
January 9th, 2012 at 2:15 am
Wow, that sounds simply amazing.
January 10th, 2012 at 2:05 am
Dana is amazing… so creative and different!
March 28th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
this picture "feeling the yoga glow" is soooo sweet and lovely!!!!!!!!!!