Be Fearless & Pure …

Posted on by
1

This week in Yoga, I shared a meditation with you from The Bhagavad Gita, the spiritual book that guides (and explains) Yoga.  It is a beautiful story and guide to living a fulfilling and enlightening life.  It enhances every spiritual practice and if your Yoga is beginning to be about more than just the asanas (poses) on the mat, then The Gita is the perfect step into the higher potential of your Yoga practice.

The meditation in classes this week comes from the beginning of Chapter 16 of The Bhagavad Gita and I share it again with you here:

Be fearless and pure; never waver in your determination or your dedication to a good and spiritual life.  Give freely.  Be self-controlled, sincere, truthful, loving, and full of the desire to serve others.  Seek the truth in all things; learn to be detatched and take joy in the sacrifices you make to support goodness.

Do not get angry or harm any living creature, but be compassionate and gentle; show goodwill to all.

Cultivate vigor, patience, will, purity, avoid malice and pride.  Then, you will achieve your divine destiny. …

These divine and good qualities will lead you to freedom.

The Bhagavad Gita is available widely.  It is a short and transformative guide.  You can even find free Apps of Gita translations for your iPhone or Droid.  I hope you’ll explore its beauty.

Bear & Rabbit Say "Thank You"

Posted on by
Reply

During 2011, Peaceful Hands Yoga students were incredibly generous to the Wildlife Center of Virginia … donating time, supplies, and food that helped save the lives of many wild animals.  I’ve said “thank you” before, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you all yet again for your kindness.  Your generosity embodies the pure spirit of yoga!

This spring many of you helped with an online voting campaign to name the Wildlife Center’s new Red-Tailed Hawk RUBY — in honor of the young civil rights hero, Ruby Bridges.

Also this spring, many of you became part of “TEAM BUNNY” collecting fresh young dandelions, lettuce, and other fresh greens to help provide tasty and nutritious food to the overflowing number of young rabbit patients at the Center.  Rabbit patients are fussy eaters.  The time you spent collecting and picking bags of fresh greens ensured that these fussy eaters had something they liked!

This fall, you changed your focus to “TEAM BEAR”, working together to gather food to feed a young, underfed bear cub.  You provided so much good, nutritious food!  My car was filled to overflowing several times.  Many of you tapped your friends, local grocers, and your schools to collect donations.  The bear grew big and strong and was released back to the wild in early December.

And, then, you joined in a WILDLIFE CENTER BENEFIT yoga class in December to support the Wildlife Center — bringing monetary donations, supplies, and other equipment that will support the Center’s work in the days, weeks, and year ahead!

I thank you for your kindness to all creatures — big and small — and for the inspiration you are to me.  I’m uplifted by you whenever you unroll your yoga mat with me.  And, I’m uplifted by the kindness of your heart!

But, really … I think two Friends of the Center, BEAR & RABBIT, say “thank you” much better than I ever could.

Here’s the link to this special little presentation: Bear & Rabbit Review 2011 at the Wildlife Center.

December 22, 2012 ~ Do Yoga & Benefit The Wildlife Center of Virginia!

Posted on by
Reply

On SATURDAY, December 22, 2012 join me for a special morning Yoga class in Orange to greet the Winter Solstice and warm your internal holiday lights!   Join in some joyful yuletide Yoga flow!

9:30 a.m. at Peaceful Hands Yoga Studio our NEW location in the historic Silk Mill: 307A Madison Road in Orange.

This class will benefit
THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA! 

Your class “cost”?  1) Make a cash/check donation to the Wildlife Center of Virginia or, 2) If you prefer, bring a bag filled with helpful supplies for the Center.  Please choose items from this list:

Paper Towels w Tissues (no lotion) w Glad/Hefty Trash Bags (all sizes) w Dawn Dish Detergent (blue) w Ziplock Bags wDishwashing Gloves w Safety Glasses/Goggles w 10-gallon Aquarium wTuna/Sardines in Water w Canned Dog Food w Large, heavy duty “Kong” toys w Pillowcases w Basic office supplies: 20 lb. white paper, pens, padded mailing envelopes, dry erase markers & erasers.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia depends entirely on the generosity of individuals like us to support their life-saving work.  They’ll care for more than 2,600 wild animals this year.  Please join us & please be generous!

To learn more about the Wildlife Center of Virginia, their animals, and to watch bear cubs, owls, eagles, and more on their “addicting” online LIVE Critter Cam, visit them at Wildlife Center of Virginia
We’ll have a little OPEN HOUSE in the new studio following class from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  You can pick up a nice last-minute stocking stuffer from my new line of Peaceful Gifts (including, finally, my hand-blended massage oil in take-home bottles!), enjoy some hot apple cider and a little sweet treat, and see the “OM-azing” space that is our new Yoga home.

If you have questions about this special benefit Yoga class please email me at peacefulhands@gmail.com or call 540.672.9528.

 

Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

Posted on by
8

In “Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1”, I told you about the blessing that guided our Thanksgiving Yoga Savasana, our time of deep relaxation that comes toward the end of a yoga class.

But, you knew I couldn’t let class end without just a few more words about gratitude.

After all, each week I am filled with deep gratitude for the people who take time out of their busy days and lives to join me on their yoga mats.  I am so uplifted and inspired by the yoga practices of those of you who unroll your mats with me each week.  I’m overwhelmed by your coolness, your kindness, your wisdom, and your sense of humor and adventure!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And so, as in all of our classes, we end with a bit of stillness, a bit of meditation.  And … for our Thanksgiving class this year … these words:

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson


Feeling Blessed? Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for the Gratitude Savasana and Energy Bridge instruction:Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

And, here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

Posted on by
8

This week was our Thanksgiving Yoga class … one of my favorite classes, and I love to share it with people who have been unrolling their mats with me for nearly 10 years now, as well as with those who have just come to enjoy and benefit from a yoga practice.

For nearly a decade, I closed my Thanksgiving Class with the beautiful and sweet blessing from W.E.B. DuBois “Give Us Thankful Hearts”.  If you don’t know it, I encourage you to give it a click.

This year, I offered two blessings.

The first came during Savasana, our time of relaxation and release.  While absorbing the fruits of our yoga practice we lit the fire of our true heart of kindness.  And, then we connected our warm heart light with the hearts of those for whom we are grateful … friends, family, and others … who inspire, uplift, support, and care for, and about, us through good times and bad.  We built an energy bridge … our heart connected to the hearts of so many others.

And, the blessing that guided us was this:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”    ~ Albert Schweitzer

Of course, we needn’t wait until Thanksgiving to build an Energy Bridge of gratitude to those who care for us.  But, it’s a nice reminder just the same.

The Thanksgiving blessing for our meditation during class is beautiful, too.  So beautiful that it deserves its own entry …

Feeling Blessed?  Here’s more on gratitude from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the timeless and inspiring Thanksgiving blessing from W.E.B. du Bois.  It is the blessing that I share at the end of every Yoga class at Thanksgiving: Give Us Thankful Hearts

Click here for another beautiful blessing that guided our meditation at the end of one Thanksgiving Yoga class: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

Here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

For “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of another Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice click: I Give Thanks

 

A Flow Chart To Live By

Posted on by
Reply

The best flow chart.  Ever. 

I wish I knew who to thank for this chart … it came to me from a friend (and it came to her from a friend … and so on and so on and on and on and on). 

So, thank you “Anonymous” for reminding us all that worry is depleting and serves no real purpose.  I suppose I’ll still worry but perhaps this chart can remind me to worry … less.

Enjoy your sunshine … whether it’s outside in your day or glowing deep in your heart.

Namaste.

Groucho, The Buddha Kitty

Posted on by
2

I don’t usually post personal messages on this blog. That was never the point.

And, quite honestly, who wants to read about me? I’d much rather encourage your yoga practice and your good health journey.

But, today, I’m breaking my rules …

This weekend, I lost Groucho, my Buddha Kitty, who has inspired my yoga practice and made my heart joyful for 13 years.

For 13 years, Groucho rarely missed when I unrolled my yoga mat at home. Sometimes she just came in and sat for a few mintues, sometimes she laid down against my shoulders when I was in Shoulderstand … or walked in and out under me while I was in Upward Bow or Bridge pose. And, more than once she licked my nose as I was upside down in a Headstand.

Her favorite part was always Savasana and Meditation, when she would curl up under the blanket, or lay down by my head, or rest near my feet as I sat in quiet, just breathing, just being.

I will miss all the joy — and warmth — she brought to me. And, all the wisdom she shared.

In 2007, I posted some of her words of wisdom. And, here they are again. She may be gone from the earth, but her essence will always be with me. And, her words will continue to inspire me:

“As I was doing my yoga yesterday, I was joined by Groucho, one of my cats. She often sits in on my practices, patiently waiting for savasana and meditation, when she can crawl under my prayer blanket for a cozy snooze.

“Yesterday, I asked her in my heart to communicate with me, to share a secret with me. And, she told me this:

“I live. I love. I rest.”

I will miss her. She was one cool kitty and unrolling my yoga mat will never be quite as joyful without her there watching and hanging out.

I live. I love. I rest.

And, may you Live, Love, and Rest, too.

Namasté,
Jackie

Joy. Play. Peace.

Posted on by
Reply
I always …

Wait, let me start again.

I almost always … (there, that’s better)

I almost always begin yoga class by asking those practicing with me to set a small intention in their heart. An intention to guide their practice … a small gift that their yoga can give to them. We come back to that intention at the end of practice, to allow it to unfold and blossom into a very real gift to guide us on our way.

And, then I offer my intention to all those who unrolled their mats with me … and, since a couple of you asked me to post that little blessing here, here it is:

May you carry your yoga with you when you roll up your mat.

May it bring you,

Joy, when you need it …
Playfulness, when you least expect it … and …

Peace, always.
Namasté
Jackie

Say Hi To RUBY

Posted on by
1

The Wildlife Center of Virginia announced today that their newest animal ambassador — a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk — has been named RUBY!

Ruby was the top vote-getter in the Wildlife Center’s online “Name The Hawk” contest. Although, many votes were disqualified because of cheating and “robo-voting”, the honest votes were tallied and Ruby came out on top.

Ruby was a name suggested by a local First Grade class to honor Ruby Bridges, the civil rights pioneer who in 1960 entered an all-white elementary school in New Orleans and helped lead the city into the age of desegregation. Her bravery was a touchstone in the national effort to bring racial equality into schools.

According to the Wildlife Center of Virginia the final voting percentage was:

Ruby 35.3 percent
Twizzler 25.6 percent
Poppy 17.4 percent
Phoenix 15.3 percent
Cherry Tail 6.5 percent

It’s unfortunate that the voting was tampered with by computer hackers who dumped thousands of votes into the system. But, those unfair votes were identified and removed from the final tally.

Ruby, the Red-tailed Hawk, begins her new adventure now as a Wildlife Ambassador & Educator. She will be seen by tens of thousands of children and adults EVERY year.

She will join the Wildlife Center’s human staff in classrooms, at school assemblies, and other events throughout Virginia, to teach important environmental lessons and to help people see how we can be better friends to all wildlife.

And, as her name honors Ruby Bridges, she will also be a wonderful reminder to children of how one little girl’s bravery helped make an amazing difference in the work for civil rights and equality.

Click here to read the Wildlife Center’s official statement and learn how you can help Ruby and the Wildlife Center of Virginia carry out their important work!

THANK YOU TEAM RUBY! Your passion and caring made the difference. Thank you for voting, for spreading the word, and for helping this amazing bird honor a very special Civil Rights Hero!