One inch....

... at a time.

I am so totally committed to my yoga brain now. Every time I put my face on the mat, something inside smiles. Sivananda classes were new to me two months ago, but now feel like welcoming an old friend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I feel a resonance with my teacher that I haven't experienced with very many people. As we breathe kapalbhati kriya, I sense the energy moving into my limbs, as if I'm enfolded in a soft white cocoon. It takes focus. Yet I feel totally relaxed between rounds.

My stretches have moved forward. One pose surprised me tonight. I moved into it easily and further than I've been for several years. Oh, how did I get THERE? One inch at a time. My endurance has improved in a few short weeks.

Other more subtle changes are happening, almost organically. I have no taste for meat, and am moving toward a more vegetarian diet all the time. I walk past the meat counter at the supermarket and can hardly look at the red meat. I shop on the perimeter of the store where the fresh stuff is! I'm experimenting with a friend to find new vegetarian recipes. We share dinner once a week. Some recipes are great, others are not so great.

My boundaries are getting clearer. I heard from a long-ago friend today. She wanted to move here from the east coast so I could help her recover from a drug addiction. I had to say no. I feel for her, she sounded quite lost. But I also knew that this is not my professional field and that such a move for her would be disastrous for both of us. Moving will not solve her issues. I gently inquired about local services and supported her re-joining a 12 Step program. She had excuses for everything and why things don't work. I wish her well and a path she can follow. It's one inch at a time for her as well. What I can do is offer her compassion but not take on her energy.

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu: May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts and actions of our lives contribute to that happiness and that freedom for ALL living things. Namaste.