Some Kiss We Want

There is some kiss we want with
our whole lives, the touch of
spirit on the body.

Seawater
begs the pearl to break its shell.
And the lily, how passionately
it needs some wild darling!

At night, I open the window and ask
the moon to come and press its
face against mine.
Breathe into me.

Close the language-door and
open the love window.
The moon
won't use the door, only the window.

--Rumi. Translator: Coleman Barks

"We are set free if we set others free, for it is only by example we can teach"

Dr Edward Bach, 1932

Lendrick Lodge weekend retreat

The journey of a  yogini is one of constant learning and to learn is to be forever young . Some say that the secret of youth resides on a healthy spine but I also think that an inquiring mind and a light heart that is connected to the highest purpose is essential. 

This weekend has been a great learning experience for me. I have met a group of fantastic people with the most diverse life experiences, ages and backgrounds. And our differences disappeared as we all bathed together in the light of yoga during the weekend.  The atmosphere was one of openess, trust and camaraderie. I reckon that this was largely created by our willingness to make the weekend special. We were all so willing to meet , learn, exchange, relax and enjoy.

My little  personal experiment for the weekend  was trying to be as open as I could , having  no expectation and going  with the flow. I tried hard to 'simply be'. By relaxing my grip and working 'with the flow'  and against the grain of my deeply seated habits and comfort zone as much as I could  I felt 'strangely'  inner reassured , connected and genuinely content and grateful for no special reason.

Om shanti!

Hatha Yoga Flow



Yoga in Chiang Mai, Thailand

To be flowing is to be in harmony with the constant state of change. Not forcing, but moving gracefully, using the breath as a guide. Moving, releasing, expanding.   Flow  in a balanced way, not too much, not too little. The middle way. The yoga way.

As Erich Shciffmann says when something is moving very fast we have the impression that it is still, in perfect balance. And this is what we are doing even when it does not seem we are doing much. Moving with confidence, respecting our limits, gracefully.  To keep postures at a comfortable level there is a lot of movement going on inside the body, different muscles contracting and lengthening to create the balance of the posture. This is yoga, the union of two apparent contradictory statements or actions.

My idea of flow starts in the mind and heart. To be willing to enter the flow, to have a personal experience of what the flow is. At an asana level it is to  experience the flow  between and within asanas . At an energetic level  connecting with the breath and allowing  the breath to move the body; to be receptive enough  to feel the energy moving and shifting boundaries inside and out.