Happy Fall Y'ALL!!
Fall Inspiration & Happenings at LI Kula Yoga
Practicing the art of non-attachment
Let It Go Yo'
by: Desiree Joy Sparrow
Ancient Teachings for Modern Day Folk
Can you relate to the cartoon above? :-) This past Wednesday, (September 23rd) marked the first day of Fall. Fall brings up a mixture of feelings for many of us. Some of us feel a sense of sadness because it marks the end of the expansive Summer Season. Others however feel a sense of relief and excitement because it gives them a break from the heat. Wherever you fall in relation to this change, it brings up STUFF for all of us and reminds us that a CHANGE is coming.
As we move towards the cooler weather and there is less light with the days getting shorter, this time of year offers us the opportunity to come inside and take care of our INSIDE business.
Fall also reminds us to let go of what no longer serves us. Take a moment to watch how the trees just allow the leaves to fall without gripping. The trees know that if they let the leaves go there will be new leaves next year. They (the trees) trust in the Divine Order of Life.
The word for non-attachment or non-gripping in the 8 limb path of yoga is Aparigraha.
This moral teaching is often translated as avoiding our desire to accumulate more material objects, such as shoes, handbags and well, STUFF. The "stuff" can also be feelings, situations, relationships, people, phases of our life, the seasons, our age, our bodies, our careers, etc., etc. (The list really is endless). The point of Aparigraha is to live life more fully, with simplicity. Aparigraha also helps us to remember that the important and real things in our lives are never lost.
When my father passed last November, it was hard for me to LET GO and understand this teaching in the thickness of my sadness & grief. However, as time went on I discovered that my love for my father and his love for me will NEVER be lost. I also discovered that our deep love and the deep pain of his loss only made more room for MORE love in my life. When I let go of the fact that my dad would no longer be here on a physical level, I opened my heart to him being here with me always-beyond the physical. I also opened my heart to this almost seemingly impossible possibility of greater love and a sense of unwavering trust.
The point is, that love and trust will be your guides in the darkness, but we must make room for it. When we make room for love and trust a space is created which allows you to listen to your inner voice, follow your intuition, get out of your own way and LET GO. The Bhagavad Gita says, “Fear not what is not real, never was and never will be. What is real, always was and cannot be destroyed.”
Here are 10 tips for applying Aparigraha to your life' on and off' the yoga mat:
1).Be present. Let go of the to-do-lists in class. Remember you came to practice so don't cheat yourself.
2).Be willing to let go of thoughts and labels. Don't label yourself with your random thoughts. *i.e. I AM TIRED OR I AM SUCH A NERVOUS PERSON. You just feel tired but you are NOT tired. You are (add your name here) and you are so much more than tired, sick, cranky, nervous, etc.
3). Be open and willing to let your day transition. Allow the day to unfold and let go of expectations. Allow the possibility of magic to happen.
4).Be willing to let go of physical tension. You may be surprised how flexible you really are! Plus, carrying your tension with you everywhere wears down your body and nervous system.
(NO BUENO).
5).Be open to the NEW, including new teachers. I know we all have our favorites, but you might learn something new, meet someone inspiring, or think about something in a new way (JUST SAYIN')
6).Be open to change in your life. Perhaps it is time to let go of attachments to a certain spot in the room when practicing yoga? Or perhaps it is time for a career change? Be open to the flow & constant change which is occurring right now.
7).Be open in your practice & be the student. Let go of the attachments to your favorite poses or variations of poses. Hey, you may surprise yourself and rock out a split today:-)
8).Be willing to let go of personal “stuff.” Remember your baggage probably hasn't served you for a while, so you don’t need to carry it into that next relationship or bring "it" up your in that next argument.
9).Be willing to donate. Take the time to clear out the old stuff & donate your household items or clothing you don’t use to a women’s shelter or thrift shop. Have a garage sale or gather your friends and host a Community Swap Shop.
10).Be willing to accept that life has cycles. Everything is cyclical. No one escapes this. Everyone will experience birth, life, death and re-birth. Release attachments to people who aren’t bringing you joy, peace, and well-being. When you do, you energetically make room for awesome people & opportunities to come into your life.
Last thoughts & tips...
Releasing attachments doesn’t mean you are a free floating blob, with no favorite anythings or friends to depend on. Let's be honest, most of us are not monks who are willing to let go of all of our worldly possessions and the people we love (I know I'm not). The point of Aparigraha for the modern day yogi or modern day folk is to lighten up our load, donate, free up our schedules, rest, don't grip, don't hoard, and release what is not serving your truest, best, bad-ass self!
As the days and evenings get cooler take this time to pray, journal, meditate, and reflect on what things, ideas, and people are essential to your life and happiness right now.
Enjoy & when in doubt, Let It Go Yo'!
Desiree Joy Sparrow is the Program Director and Lead Trainer at LI Kula Yoga. She is a Community Leader, a 500hr E-RYT, a Reiki Master, a Wellness Coach and a trained Social Worker.
-New Fall Class Schedule-
-Monday:
10:00am-11:15am Hatha Yoga/Yoga Therapeutics-All Levels/Beginners(Desiree)
*7:00pm-8:15pm Yoga Flow (Vinyasa)-All Levels (Teresa*New Teacher)
-Tuesday:
10:00am-11:00am Pilates Matwork PLUS-All Levels (Desiree)
*4:00pm-5:15pm "NEW"Hatha Yoga-All Levels (Dani/Jill) *NEW CLASS*
-Wednesday:
10:00am-11:15am Hatha Yoga Flow-Open Level (Gina)
7:00pm-8:15pm Hatha Yoga -Open Level (Cody)
-Thursday:
*NEW CLASS & TEACHERS*
*10:00am-11:00am "NEW"Hatha Yoga Slow Flow -All Levels/Beginners(Kim)
*5:30pm-6:30pm "NEW" Yoga Power Hour/Yoga Fusion-All Levels (Teresa)
(starts 10/1)
-Friday:
10:00am-11:15am Hatha Yoga Flow-All Levels (Desiree)
4:30pm-5:45pm Happy Hour Yoga (w/ Jill is back!! Starts on Fri, 10/16)
7:00pm-8:15pm Reiki Circle, Last Friday of the Month
(Community Healers-by donation only)
-Saturday:
8:30am-9:30am Power Pilates Plus-All Levels (Desiree)
9:45am-11:15am Hatha Yoga-All Levels(Desiree)
-Sunday:
10:00am-11:15am Hatha Yoga/Soulful Sundays -All Levels (Desiree)
-EDUCATION & TRAININGS AT LI KULA YOGA-
-Yoga Teacher Trainings-
*200 hr LI Kula Yoga Teacher Training
*Our 200hr Yoga Alliance Approved TT program is almost SOLD OUT!!!
Apply today...program starts 10/24!
For more info visit: www.likulayoga.com
To apply call or email us at: 631-803-2438 or likulayoga@hotmail.com
&
*300hr Yoga & Ayurveda Teacher Training
*Our 300hr Yoga Alliance Approved TT program starts 11/22. Take your practice & teaching to the NEXT Level. Apply today, you won't regret it!
For more info visit: www.likulayoga.com
To apply call or email us at: 631-803-2438 or likulayoga@hotmail.com
-Soul Aligning & Psychic Development Courses-
*The Aligning Program
With Katherine Mitchell, Psychic Medium
Friday, Oct 16th 7pm-9pm
&
Sat, Oct 17th 12pm-7pm
INVESTMENT:$175.00
*REGISTER WITH A FRIEND FOR $160*
This is an exceptional time we are all experiencing here on earth. The intention of The Aligning workshop is to bring a profound shift of peace and awareness back to the individual, so you may know the true self and your purpose.
In this two day event we will experience the tools of breath work, meditation and the Eight Second Rule, as well as several other modalities utilized in The Aligning program.
For more information on The Aligning program please visit: www.thealigning.com
To register online visit:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-aligning-workshop-tickets-18200128073?aff=efbbt
OR REGISTER AT LI KULA YOGA (CASH OR CHECK ACCEPTED)
&
*The Psychic Development Course/Certification
w/ Katherine Mitchell, Psychic Medium
November 16, 2015-June 11, 2016
$990 in full (early Bird)
$1,100 (after 10/7)
*Or $130 per module*
Join Kathrine Mitchell, psychic-medium, artist and creator of the Aligning Program, as she shares her expertise of the metaphysical arts. Her commitment to create a course to empower people unfolds here in The Psychic Development Course.
The intention for the series of classes is to empower the individual to discover the natural state of intuition. When we learn to trust the self we can make choices to create an awesome life!
Time:12:00pm - 4:00pm
Dates (1 Saturday a month):
Psychic Ability 11/14/15
Sacred Space 12/12/15
Mind Motion Movement 1/9/16
The Chakras 2/13/16
Mediumship & Channeling 3/19/16
Crystals and Tools 4/16//16
Sessions and Practice 5/14/16
The Reader 6/11/16
This course will offer a certificate of completion, however all classes must be attended to receive certificate. You can attend any class, however only participants attending the course in its entirety will have access to Mediumship & Channeling, Sessions & Practice, as well as The Reader.
To Register CLICK ON EVENTBRITE LINK: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/psychic-development-course-tickets-18111727665?aff=efbbt
OR REGISTER AT LI KULA YOGA (CASH OR CHECK ACCEPTED)
Mission Be Gala
Mission Be Gala-10/3 @7pm
Helping children thrive through mindfulness
Mission Be provides a mindfulness-based, social-emotional learning program to help children thrive academically and beyond. The Mission Be model and program brings a mindfulness-based program to schools as an antidote to stress, violence, bullying and addiction and thereby increases the number of thriving, happy and peaceful children in the world.
The Mission Be Gala is a celebration of gratefulness to friends, family and The Mission Be team who have supported Mission Be’s growing initiative in schools in the New York and Long Island area. Come support Mission Be as they celebrate, dance and give thanks to many local friends, family and supporters at this happy and joyous celebration!
The Mission Be Gala will be held on Oct 3rd, 2015 at 7 pm at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore, New York. There will be live Music and Dancing, a Live and Silent Auction & Raffles.
Bring your friends and family!
Have a beautiful time while supporting an incredible cause!
Dress stunning! :)
For more information visit: www.missionbe.org/gala
Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/mission-bes-2015-gala-tickets-15585109482?aff=efbevent
Website: www.missionbe.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/618165471619434/