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Illuminartyoga E-News
Issue # 13: March 14, 2004
Painting by Sue-Anne
Why Do We Believe We are Not Good Enough?
When Tibetan yogis began to teach in North America they came across something
they had never before encountered: the concept of self-loathing or even
self-hatred.
So many of us believe that we are not okay the way we are.
The media plays a huge role in making sure we continue this belief.
What kind of society would have 'Extreme Make-over' as one of its top T.V programs?
Not to mention the advertisements that tell us we are not thin enough, young enough,
beautiful enough, fit enough, etc.
Yoga is the Practice of Self-Acceptance
Yoga allows us the opportunity to work at self-acceptance.
In each posture, we learn to accept the limits of our bodies and to work with them.
Some days we may feel very irritated or we may be completely distracted and unfocused.
During yoga, we try to accept this. We bring ourselves as we are to the yoga mat, observing
the judging mind, trying not to get caught up in it.
The Seed of Misery is Attachment
Here's a quote from Bryan Kest, one of the top Power yoga teachers in the U.S.:
"The yogis traced back the root of all misery and, the seed from which that root
stemmed was attachment. And, what am I more attached to than me and my body?
I have this image of myself and, when I can't maintain it, a whole lot starts
to surface. A yoga practice tends to prod and poke at that image, forcing one
to experience limitations and boundaries not normally experienced. It's hard
to experience my limitations and boundaries, because they are not always congruent
with this image I have of myself. There also tends to be judgement, frustration, fear,
and a lot of reactiveness."
How Yoga Can Help us to Eradicate Self-Judgement
Kest continues: "The [yoga] practice purposely creates the environment for
these feelings to arise as an opportunity to eradicate them.
The eradication process begins with our awareness of them
and then with bringing our awareness to our breath, feeling them
but not feeding them.
Soon, they become less powerful due to the lack of food (mental
energy and unconscious loyalty) we give them. The weaker they
become, the less we experience them and their dark manifestations
in the outer world.
The less reactive we become, the more accepting we are of ourselves
and others, as well as experiences, and the more peace (balance) and
harmony pervades our life. Tension (stress) begins to cease and our
bodies start to release."
From this it's easy to see why yoga is so much more than exercise!
I want to leave you with this quote from Tsek Nayrb:
"All struggles become challenges to be accepting; and peace and
harmony pervade regardless of outside circumstances"
Spring Yoga Sessions
If you took a break from yoga and went into hibernation this winter,
I hope that you'll come back to join us. The spring session begins on
March 23rd, please call me to reserve your place, 514-577-1963.
If you know anyone who might be interested in yoga, please forward the URL for this
newsletter to them.
I look forward to seeing you!
Sue-Anne
Vegetarian Recipe
My vegetarian recipe this time is a simple desert that requires no baking, and
is always a hit at pot-luck dinner parties.
Carob Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup carob
1/2 cup peanut butter (substitute almond butter if peanut allergies are a concern)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Mix the carob, honey, peanut butter and sesame seeds together.
Shape into small balls and roll in the coconut. Keep in the
refrigerator until ready to serve.
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