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A yogi with implants December 18, 2008

Posted by admin in : Health Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , 3comments

There seems to be a lot of controversy in the yoga community as to whether or not a yogi should undergo breast augmentation, but who is to say what is right or wrong when it comes to someone else’s body? We all have the freedom to do as we choose, but yogis tend to be judged more harshly because having something artificial surgically implanted in the body does not fall in line with the basic core principals of the traditional yogic lifestyle, as described in the Yoga Sutra of Pantanjali.

I found myself at a crossroad about a year ago when I went in for a consultation to speak to a plastic surgeon about getting implants. I spent hours on the internet researching everything there was to know and there was a ton of comprehensive information on what type of implants to get, what size, risks, costs, sensitivity, side effects, types of incisions, saline vs. silicone, complications, testimonials, and how to choose the right plastic surgeon, but nothing made mention to the fact that my body would spend the rest of its life trying to break down the silicone-rubber shells because the body’s ego-system would never accept the implants  as part of the natural order of life within the body.  

No matter which way I looked at it or how I tried to rationalize it in my mind, the bottom line was I was going to pay thousands of dollars for something I wasn’t even sure my body would accept. Had it been a year sooner, I probably would have done it, but I was being pulled towards a more holistic way of living and my conscience would no longer allow me to go through with it. It seemed hypocritical for me to preach about how bad partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and paraben chemicals were for the body and then turn around and have artificial breasts implanted in mine. It seemed to go against everything I believed in as a yogi so I had to consider my reasoning for wanting to get it done and what the implications would be if I went through with it. 

Yoga wasn’t just about the physical asana practice…it was about every aspect of my being.  It was about making an effort to live up to a certain standard that supported an overall healthy disposition because yoga wasn’t just an age-old sacred practice, but a healing art and highly respected philosophy.  The Eight Limbs of Yoga, as described by Pantanjali, seemed to endorse an overall healthy lifestyle and a more fulfilling and meaningful life so I could easily see how following the 10 steps could lead to virtuous transformation and self-realization. I wanted to uphold the core values as closely as possible and getting implants didn’t seem to be in integrity with the values I was trying to uphold as a yogi. 

I really wanted to go through with the surgery, but I also wanted to embody the art of right living and the sacred union between the mind, body, and spirit as much as possible so I realized I needed to look at the root of why I was feeling self-conscious and heal whatever insecurities I had before making the decision to move forward.   

Through a committed yoga practice, I got more in touch with my body and in the process, I learned how to love myself and build confidence I never had growing up. I finally felt good in my body for the first time in years and although I still wanted the surgery, I made the decision not to go through with it, but that’s not to say others should do the same, as we are all walking along different spiritual paths. We need to make decisions based on what’s best for our own bodies and it’s not for anyone else to judge.

We live in a world where beautiful models and porn stars are idolized, but even they are not perfect. We all have insecurities or hang-ups and we can’t compare ourselves to the celebrities we see on television. Our world is so judgmental; it’s no wonder we never feel good enough. It was important for me to be able to love myself and be happy in my own body so I had to let go of the self-defeating thought patterns I had grown accustomed to as a child.

Everybody has the right to feel beautiful and if that means undergoing surgery than so be it. It’s just important to think long and hard about what’s right for you because breast augmentation is a big decision and you might be judged as a yogi, but it’s your body so it’s your decision…just make sure you’re making an informed decision so there are no regrets later.

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Trust the Inner Teacher August 16, 2008

Posted by admin in : Yoga Tags:, , , , add a comment

Before I sent out information to companies interested in yoga, I set an intention for my business to attract those who would most connect with my teaching style. Anyone who practices yoga knows the importance of finding the right teacher in order to get the most out of their practice. There are many styles and varieties of yoga and each teacher adds his or her own creative personal touch based upon his own life experiences.  

I think its important people find the right teacher, as they will not get as much out of a class if there isn’t a connection with the instructor. I left the corporate world to teach yoga to businesses because yoga is a healing art and I wanted to open myself up to be a channel of the sacred yogic teachings. Knowing how the Law of Attraction works, I set an intention to attract students who would get the most out of my class both physically and emotionally. Once I set the intention, I knew it was important to stay open because the Universal Law of Attraction doesn’t work if we are not open to receive. The universe will guide you and show you the way, but you have to be fully present, which demands conscious awareness. 

One of my students approached me after class one day and asked if I knew about Plum Tree Yoga, which I found interesting because Plum Tree was a place I had heard wonderful things about and always wanted to try, but never got around to it. Long story short, my student said the studio was looking for a new teacher and told me to call and speak to the owner because my teaching style was very similar and she thought my energy would fit right in. I didn’t say anything, but I thought she was crazy because Plum Tree was one of those places you dreamed of working. To imagine actually working there didn’t seem realistic, as most of the teachers there have been teaching for years and much more senior than me. I thanked my student for being so sweet and thinking of me, but then brushed it aside knowing Plum Tree would never hire someone like “me”.

A couple weeks later my student asked if I called the studio, but of course I didn’t so she asked if she could pass my name and number along to the owner. What was I going to say, ”no?” Not even a week later the owner called and asked if I could come in and meet with her and whether or not I would be open to teach a class. I was nervous and there was a part of me that just wanted to make some lame excuse and bail, but then I remembered my intention and how important it was to stay open so I faced my fear and went to meet her.

Her spirit was so sweet and genuine and the energy of the studio was warm and inviting. I connected immediately. It was obvious I was brought to Plum Tree for a reason so I told the owner I would teach the class and that was that. Thursday was the first class and I wasn’t that nervous until the students walked in. You could tell they had been coming to this class for a long time and were use to the other teacher and were skeptical about a new person coming in, but we all get that way, right? We walk in to our favorite class looking forward to the practice and then we see some stranger there to sub and we immediately feel grim and want to leave.

It was intimidating sitting in front of 12 women who were expecting someone else and who were use to a certain style of teaching, but I just said a little prayer and asked the universe to make me a channel of love and light and then I let go. I was convinced everyone hated the class and they were all going to tell the owner I was terrible and ask for someone else. Right? NO! Why are we so hard on ourselves and why do we not give ourselves enough credit?  It’s amazing the grief we put ourselves through and for no reason. It turns out the students actually liked my class and the owner asked me to come back and teach the following week so I wasted all that energy on silly self-defeating thoughts.

It’s not easy teaching a class to a room full of strangers all coming in with expectations, but you have to trust your ability as a teacher, as you are simply a vessel of divine love and light. Being a teacher is a gift. You are giving your students joy, inner peace, and an opportunity to get to know themselves better. Yoga is so much more than a physical practice of poses. It connects the mind and body and offers many physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Open yourself up to give and to honor the practice that brings people back again and again. Stay centered and let go of any nervousness knowing your spirit attracts students for reasons you may never know. Trust in yourself and allow the teaching to move through you…not from you.  

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Teaching yoga…full time August 6, 2008

Posted by admin in : Spiritual Growth Tags:, , , , , , , add a comment

Two weeks ago I was still sitting at a crossroads trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life. My dream was to write and teach yoga, but a little voice in my head kept telling me I couldn’t survive teaching yoga…I wouldn’t make any money. I was use to a corporate salary, paid time off, and benefits. Every time I thought about starting my own business doing the thing I love the most, I would get this tinge of excitement in my belly, but then this pestering little voice would come back and start telling me I was crazy…go back to corporate.

I was offered two different positions will well known companies in the Orlando area, which is where I use to live. My little brother is still there, as well as, my beautiful tribe of women. I also have a niece on the way so taking either position would have made it possible for me to see her all the time. It was a done deal, right? I had two concrete offers sitting on the table, which meant I could move back to Orlando with all my friends in an environment I was already comfortable, I would have income coming in right away, and life would be great, right?

No! I hate Orlando. It’s flat, hot, and uninteresting. I lived there for 8 years and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I absolutely love Atlanta and didn’t want to leave. My heart would fill  with an incredible sadness every time I thought about moving. My life was in Atlanta…my yoga studio and teachers…my spiritual network…my homeopathic doctors… my energy healer. Why would I even think about leaving? I’ll tell you why. I was scared…scared of not finding a job in Atlanta and making it financially.

I wasn’t trusting myself or the divine powers to be. The only reason I was even thinking about moving to Orlando was because it was immediate income and it was easy. You should never make a decision based out of fear or because it’s the easy thing to do. If you are, you are making the decision for the wrong reasons.  Once I stopped and asked myself, “What would you do if you could do absolutely anything you wanted and there was nothing stopping you,” I knew. I would write and teach yoga.

So there it was…the moment of truth. I turned down both jobs and then verbally stated to the Universe that I was going to stay in Atlanta, teach yoga, write in my blog, and I wasn’t going to starve doing it. I was being called to bring yoga to corporate, as I witnessed firsthand the stress people faced on a day-to-day basis and I saw the beautiful gifts yoga brought to employees in the work place. I knew in my heart it was what I was suppose to be doing so I had to trust, let go, and go for it. As soon as I made the decision and I mean AS SOON AS I made the decision, my whole life turned around.

I’ve never been more clear about anything in my whole life. It’s time for me to do what I love and love what I do. There’s no better feeling in the world than to have clarity on something as overwhelming as trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. Mental barriers are hard to get through, but when you do, it’s like a bolt of lightening comes out of the sky and fills you with a sense of knowing that is clear as day. It’s as if someone lifted the veil and you can finally see…FINALLY! It’s empowering and livens you in a way I can’t even begin to describe. I’m here to tell you if you follow your dreams and you make conscious decisions that contribute to your overall well being, the universe will support you 100%.

Do not let fear stop you from doing something you love. Open your heart and follow your dream. I promise you it’s possible. You have to honor yourself first and foremost. The universe can’t help you if you can’t help yourself and sometimes you have to dig through the sludge to get to where you’re going, but once you get there, you would trudge through it again 10 times over if you knew the end result was the same…it feels that good!

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