I'd rather be 'mad'

Living everyday is pure love; and sadly, it seems, society is against being this way.

Society often mocks those who let go and love every plant, every animal, every human being. Society likes to say that those souls are "mad". So that society only approves of societal love, or that love which is 'give and take', meaning 'love with a reason', or love with strings attached.

Those who love life and all that lives .. dont give up on your love! Let love for all things flow from your heart! See love in everything!

Feel the tenderness of new shoots. See the kindness in an animals eyes. Know that every human, including yourself, is part of god-consciousness.
This is real love.

It is not easy to go deep inside our self, to find the love there, and to bring it out and share it with society. But when we can, we start to feel that common thread of life that connects us all. And when we can do this, we start loving everything and everyone, regardless of the societal notions to do otherwise.

No .. its not easy opening our self to this transformation. After all, any change in our self is a change in our consciousness .. a true paradigm shift. Even so, know that love is the only thing that can bring us to a place of true living.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

! Renovations !

Hamsa Yogashala will be closed from January 28-February 2. That is from Wednesday to Monday.

A work crew will be there putting the finishing touches on the ceiling and applying a fresh coat of paint!

Yea!

So .. NO Yoga classes during that time.

As such things happen: I was contacted last night by a friend who invited me to PA for a visit. So, rather than me be here with the workcrew, I will be spending time with Yoga friends.

Please mark your calendars.

There are classes ALL DAY TODAY, Friday (Jan 23), and tomr, Saturday, from 8-9:30am (Jany 24). Then classes on Monday and Tuesday (Jan 26 and 27).

Again, the shala will be closed from Wednesday the 28th to Monday, February 2d.

All class-card holders will simply extend their date one week.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Grassroots and MLK Day

Regardless of our political leanings, individual efforts - grassroots efforts - is what makes us strong while bringing us closer to spirit.

The Obama campaign has chosen this day, MLK Day, to focus on individual efforts. Below is a link where you can enter your zip code, determine a mile radius and a length of time, to find and contribute in a way best suited to you:
http://usaservice.org/content/home/

Seva, "selfless service", is part of Yoga. It not only brings happiness into our life, but happiness into the lives of others. And that, is a win-win situation!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

! FREE YOGA !

FREE YOGA!

EVERY THUSDAY!

Hamsa Yogashala!

Loving Kindness

Loving kindness means to be kind and merciful. To be upright and sincere. To be joyous and content. To let everyone you meet go away better and happier than they were before you stood before them. Loving kindness is the living expression of god.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

How to Meditate

Relax your body completely.

Relax your mind completely.

Imagine a world of possibility where anything can happen!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Exquisite Paradox

The most exquisite paradox: as soon as you give it all up,

you can have it all. As long as you want power,

you can't have it. The minute you don't want power,

you'll have more than you ever dreamed possible.

-Ram Dass

My Imperfections

My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God

as my successes and my talents

and I lay them both at his feet.

-Mahatma Gandhi

All of Life

All of life .. everything in the great web of life .. is interconnected.

Our individual health and happiness is not separate from the health and happiness that others seek.

Our individual inner strength and spiritual wisdom affect the world outside us, just as the innter strengths and spiritual wisdom of others affect us.

Earth, air, fire, water .. all .. we are totally dependent on these forces of nature. For it is these forces which constantly supply the nourishment we need. If these forces, within us, are weak, we will not achieve health or happiness.

In the same way, there is a collective intelligence, and if this collective pool of intelligence is undernourished, then our individual intelligence becomes confused and disoriented.

The best way to help yourself is to keep nature healthy and strong, for we are an integral part of it.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Depression

There are many causes of Depression. From genetic factors, to brain biochemistry, to environment stressors, to low self-esteem or excess worrying. Whatever the reason, the pain is still real, the overwhelming sadness and despair, and the tears that come when no one is there.

Yoga encourages us to seek out others to open our heart to, Yoga friends who will embrace us without judgment. Yoga also asks us to:

Know .. that you are sacred and precious just as you are.

Know .. that your life has worth and value.

Know .. that there is beauty and wonder all about you, in the people you meet and experiences you have.

Know .. that goodness and joy are already within you.

Know .. that you have a divine purpose, and that is to be happy, healthy and whole.

Know .. that when you smile, the body and soul smile too. Smile softly to yourself and Know that you are loved.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi