EVERMORE WONDERS . . .

Many blog posts ago, I wrote about the correlation of effective listening to the 3A's of Anusara Yoga -- attitude, alignment and action.  At the time, I thought that was a pretty good comparison and I could make a good case for using those A's for many of the things I do.  I still can.

Though these days, I'm a bit less vocal about shouting the wonders of Anusara from the rooftops. I still reflect on all the good lessons and happy times I shared in the almost-fifteen years I've studied Anusara.

Today, I include different stuff in my study.  Carefully evaluating a presenter's qualifications and material before making a decision to invest.  And, I've found the webinars are a great way to go in this new world.  No packing, no airports to traverse, no husband (or pets) to leave behind.  It's just a more comfortable, yet still effective way of study, and a way to explore new and previously-unknown-to-me instructors.

I've wandered -- back to the title; which comes from this quote:

"If you’re really listening, if you’re awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold evermore wonders." 
~ Andrew Harvey

So, for 2013, I've decided to use the word 'listen' as one of my guides.  I will continue to learn, I will absorb more, and my heart will hold 'evermore wonders'  (LOVE those two words).

Oh, and I was listening yesterday during Wisdom Warriors, as we prepped our way into some backbends.  Comes the dreaded phrase, 'lie on your backs'; which always happens before the dreaded pose -- urdhva dhanurasana (aka backbend or wheel).  I gave it good effort for the first one, and got on top of my head.  Then, she (Desiree Rumbaugh) says:  "give me a number between 5 and 10."  We do. She picks 13.  I know, it doesn't make sense, but it's Desiree; who are we to argue?  13 what?  You got it, 13 Urdhva's.

So, we begin.  A roomful of 50+ year olds (and three 60+ year olds and one 70+ year old) counting down 13 urdhva's.  Each one, my friend (Desiree) is standing over me.  Each one, she grabs my shoulders (and shoulder blades) and helps me up. Each one, she directs by heart (which is about to hold 13 EVERMORE WONDERS), over my hands.

I'm not tired, I'm not even thinking about NOT doing all 13, and we finish.  13 Urdhva Dhanurasanas, with some help from a friend.  Be still my heart.

Today?  Teaching in Temecula:  Gentle/Therapeutic at Yoga For Life at 12:30pm; then practicing with my own group of Wisdom Warriors (which is growing!) at Living Yoga, 2:30pm.

Hope your Thursday is a great one,