The below article was read to a workshop at which I was participating in our final Savasana together.  It made a profound impression on me, so much so that I asked to share it with you.  Hope you enjoy!  Blessings!

Written by Marc Woolford

www.yogawithmarc.com

We are vibrational beings… we vibrate with everything, from the frequency of light we receive through our eyes and skin, the more dense but near lightening speed vibration of the movements of the eletricity in our nervous system, the sonic and subsonic oscillations of our cells and structure, the rhythms of our hearbeats and breathing, the waves of fluid rhythm of our organs and the fluid spaces within, to the daily, monthly and annual oscillations caused by the pull of the moon and sun and planets as our earth and our solar system spins in an intricate dance of gravitational harmonic variations that  effect  the rhythm of our lives … the movements of heavenly bodies within our galaxy and the music that our glaxy makes with others as the entire cosmos resonates with its own symphony influencing our species at wavelengths that span centuries, millennia, entire evolution …  at the centre of this vibration that we call life is the most powerful creative force imaginable - it is the witness.

The witness is powerful because it has the ability to resonate at any frequency it is witnessing, and in doing so, it knows directly the nature of the thing precisely as it is, and identifies with it, and in its resonance with it, feeds it, creates it, becomes it.

As human beings, the witness mostly identifies with the vibrations of the organ of the senses, the thinking brain, and in identifying with those vibrations it creates its own experience of reality based on what the brain calculates is reality.  The thinking brain is performing its function of collecting information from the vibrations of the senses, and draws the maps it needs to in order to survive as well as it can, without having to continually process the billions of bytes of vibrational information that is continually streaming in through the senses.

As long as the witness is busy identifying with thought, it cannot experience the nature of anything outside of the senses, it can only guess and predict through the brain’s calculations that are hard-wired by the sensual/ emotional/ actual experiences of the past. The thinking brain is deeply selective in what it occupies itself with and it becomes stagnant and un-vibrant in its linear, hard-wired repetition.  And in this stagnancy, the magnificent witness is submerged into the base frequency of the personality with all its fears and untruths.

“Yoga (Union)  occurs when the movements of the mind become still” … Patanjale

The physical practice of yoga (which in my opinion includes meditation - it is a physical practice that in its simplicity can take awareness of the physical into the energetic realms … and in my experience, it turns out that  the energetics are simply more subtle physical manifestations), gives the mind and its thinking process, time to explore the vibrational nature of being - to investigate the cycles of breath and movement, until the mind begins to resonate with these rhythms, and draws new maps that are a little less conflicted between the desire to change/move/be still, and the rhythms of breathing.  And in removing discord, the mind feels safe and can become less busy with superficial control, so that it may travel deeper into more subtle frequencies of  fluid systems that may benefit from a refinement of harmonic resonance. From there it can extrapolate into understanding and letting go of cellular disharmony and perhaps beyond.

The dissonance was put in place by the mind in the first place, so its job is first to replace the obvious conflict with something more truthful, more natural, something that might happen if the mind was not influenced by the history of its experience. (… at other times the witness identifies with the movements of the mind ... there is upward thinking and downward thinking - Patanjale)

The brain is clever enough to be able to imagine how things would be if it was once again innocent, and then put into practice how things would vibrate in relation to each other if there was no conflict… and in practicing, it re-draws the map it is holding, and the body starts to resonate with this new, ever-refining mind-set.

When there is enough harmony, or when the mind can accept that harmony is something that arises naturally when it lets go of the map built from fear and perception of history, when the thinking mind becomes aware of the fact that its movements are the source of the fear and injury, it begins to quieten gracefully, without a fight, without the nonsense of trying to use thought to stop thinking.  In its quietening, the tables turn and the mind can start to become the tool of the witness.

When this proper order is restored, the mind and ego surrender to the unfathomable wisdom of the witness with total trust (faith), and so it can be employed to guide the person(ality) along a rhythmic/vibrational path that is in harmony with the witness’es greatest desire - to experience all that is, and in experiencing it, to reunite with it and become it.  This of course will happen anyway…once thought has died along with the body, the witness is no longer hidden behind the veil (the map that has been constructed through thought), but in returning to source, there is no-one to experience the re-union except perhaps briefly as the mind is dying.

So this is the gift, by allowing the mind to resonate with the witness rather than the witness being deceived by the dissonant mind, we have the opportunity to have both the experience of life, and the experience of vibrational resonance with whatever the mind is pointed towards, including all other life, all other realities, all time, everything.  And the low-frequency experience of being human can become elevated until mind and body resonate with the direct experience of the divine.  Heaven on Earth.

Resonating in this way is called love … and it has many many different  harmonics, from the most base to the most divine.  As the frequency steps into higher resonant frequencies, it simply resonates with more of all that is, but it is all love.  This is what the witness requires so that it can create, and its power is immense, increasing exponentially with each quantum step to the next harmonic.

Have i experienced everything that i am talking about ?  Of course not!   I’m just a bloke that lives in brighton and travels around alot teaching yoga to people that want to become innocent in their bodies again. This is just my thinking mind extrapolating from its experience of my yoga practice and teaching today.

In my priviledged position of being fed, housed and deeply appreciated for what i absolutely love doing, my mind can get  comfortable enough to let go and start functioning as it is meant to - as a tool that simply resonates with the vibrations of what the witness shines its light on.  Will i change my life for ever to resonate with the will of the Divine?… probably not tomorrow - i will be more preoccupied with having breakfast and a coffee so i can go and be in the role of  teacher to the lovely people that have welcomed me and opened their own minds to my musings, inspirations and ideas … but perhaps my musings will have risen a notch in frequency , into a higher harmonic of the love that drives me to do this work, so that i can communicate more directly with the witnesses that reside behind the eyes and minds of my ’students’, for whom i am truly grateful. Because without them, i would not have such a pleasant way to uncover the lightness in my own being…

“the light i see in you, shows me the light that lives in me” , or: namaste !

I find so much truth in the words above I had to share this with you!

In love there is acceptance.

In acceptance there is kindness.

In kindness there is compassion.

In compassion there is forgiveness.

In forgiveness there is freedom.

In freedom there is peace.

In God’s light and love, all is possible.

As a yoga instructor I often encourage students to listen to their bodies and it’s for this very reason.  When we listen to and honor the subtleties, physical sensations, the breath, the quiet voice within, emotions and intuition (innate intelligence deep within us all), we can prevent our body’s “screams” and the risk of injury in our practice.  Learning from past experience is also helpful.  For example, when we eat a food that upsets our digestion, energy level, ability to sleep or focus it’s probably best to avoid those foods.  When we practice a yoga pose that causes pain (not discomfort that we can breath and relax through, but PAIN) then it may be best to practice a variation and return to that pose gently when the body is ready to receive it.  I have come to learn that working with the whole being of a person, is far more effective then dealing with it’s parts as separate from the whole.  We are connected through the breath, through a web of connective tissues, fluid blood flow, muscles, bones, nerves and skin.  Allow your body to speak to you and speak back with kind actions and words.  Wish your body well.  Feed your body nourishing foods.  Drink water.  If you feel pain discover why, seek out help if need be.  Let your inner voice and intelligence guide you, when you do your body will scream less and your joy and well being will increase.  Then it will be possible for every area of your life to improve.

Remember life is a journey, self discovery takes a lifetime.  Sometimes we learn first by doing what is wrong.  When listening to the body, and whole being, it is not black and white, there are all shades of gray.  We hone our listening over time and it gets easier with practice.

Honor each others path and journey, we are unique and made different for a reason.  Let’s learn from one another, even if it’s what not to do.  Love yourself, love your neighbor.  To truly listen it takes deep concentration and a willingness to be present, to yourself and others.  What a gift!

So What is this Scaravelli Yoga?

Vanda Scaravelli was an inspired and inspiring woman, who came to yoga relatively late in life. Through her own explorations she realized something so simple yet almost impossible to fully understand: that the force of gravity is the very thing that supports us upright, and that if we are balanced, the wave of our exhalation elongates the spine.

Is that Scaravelli yoga? Vanda would be horrified to hear of such a thing – because to define it is to miss the point entirely. Perhaps a little history and some of my current understanding of the work can shed some light.

Vanda Scaravelli
Vanda played host to her friend Sri J Krishnamurti during his stays in Italy, and subsequently in Switzerland. He was a student of Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, and it was Iyengar who introduced Vanda to yoga when she was in her forties. She also took to heart the teachings of T.K.V. Desikachar, whose methods became known as viniyoga. She went on to teach yoga herself for many years, and shared her wisdom in her insightful book Awakening the Spine.

There was a kindness to her teaching that has been translated into the concept of working with the body’s tendencies in order to unravel them, rather than against them. This is a method successfully employed by osteopaths and rolfers. The value of working with gravity instead of against it is obvious. It makes sense philosophically as well as intellectually, allowing us to move away from the no-pain-no-gain paradigm towards a more Taoist sensibility of going with the natural flow of things.

The beauty of Vanda’s teachings burns bright in everyone she has worked with and inspired, but the revolutionary aspect was that yoga ceased being the passing on of a tradition, and became the beginning of an open-ended, ever-expanding exploration of what is going on right now.

My story
One of my mother’s friends introduced me to yoga when I was 12. Enjoying the way it made me feel, I practiced quite obsessively for a few years, spending a couple of hours a day playing with the postures and even some of the breathing techniques. With my teenage years came a desire for approval and I abandoned my yoga for more worldly pursuits. I focused first on academia, and then in an about-face in my early twenties, I decided to make a career out of music. I returned to yoga about ten years ago for a very mundane reason: I was searching for relief from relentless back, neck and shoulder pain. Luckily, I found my way to osteopath and yoga teacher Pete Blackaby, who pointed out that it was simply because my spine was out of balance (diagnosed as scoliosis and lordosis) and that, as a result, I was having to make an effort to hold myself up. If I wanted it to change, I would need to do some yoga, ideally a kind that would help me discover what it was I was doing wrong, so that I could let it go. Something in my soul jumped for joy – the penny had finally dropped – and so I began.

It felt like a home-coming. At first I was mostly just lying down on my mat and feeling the force of gravity and the movement of the breath and yet it was a revelation. I couldn’t get enough of it, and by adding a soft shoulder stand and a supine twist I could give myself an osteopathic treatment, free of charge and as often as I wanted.

Venturing out to recommended classes, I felt very much at home with the people that both taught and attended them. I started learning about the principles of this work, and instinctively felt the truth in what was being expressed. I became fascinated with the anatomy of the breath, and it soon became obvious that posture, breathing habits and state of mind are so intimately related, that working on one will transform the others. I began to recognise the real source of my aches and pains, and with each joyous release I gained insight into the nature of movement that would later prove invaluable to my teaching.

To broaden my perspective I delved into other practices. From the Feldenkrais Method I learned that, by having the patience to go back to the very beginning, it becomes possible to re-educate the nervous system at the autonomic level. Qi gong helped me experience the value of whole-hearted engagement and abandoned release in movement. It all concurred with what felt like the truth in my yoga practice. From endeavoring always to arrive on my mat with a fresh mind, I found myself beginning to arrive in the world with a new openness to experience. Through acceptance of what is, change seemed to come easily and often.

I started sharing my discoveries with fellow students and teachers, and before long found myself being asked to teach. Initially I resisted the idea that this could be my vocation. I was finally commanding decent fees and royalties for my music production and writing work, and I was reluctant to start all over again. But as my sensitivity developed, deliberately immersing myself in stressful environments seemed ridiculous. I found myself neglecting the music and instead practising yoga for hours on end – for the love of it, just for the way my body would respond to it. It was becoming my creativity, my song.

Before long, whilst on a yoga retreat in Turkey, I simply knew it was time. So I came back to England, enrolled on the next available Scaravelli-inspired teacher training course, and with the support of my teachers, and backed by the AIYP (Association of Independent Yoga Practitioners), I began taking my own classes. Once I had made the decision, I felt no loss in leaving my music career behind. With hindsight, I can see that I had been trying to use my creativity to communicate something ‘other’ to people, to share a feeling of something universal. Now I could do that directly – I had found my path, and the world opened up.

Teaching came naturally to me. It was as if I had never done anything else: I could see what was going on in people’s bodies and I could help, if not with words then with touch. And those moments of transformation that occur in people when something becomes clear or when something is released are like nectar to me. Of course my journey continues – there is ever more to discover, ever more to let go of, both as a practitioner and as a teacher – but I now value every single thing that conspired to bring me here, and each new challenge that presents itself feels like a gift.

I think the point of telling you my story is to illustrate that yoga isn’t just for the fit, the beautiful and the extraordinary people – it can become a gift of transformation beyond measure for anyone that chooses to step on their mat and begin listening to their own song. Whatever kind of yoga you practise, be inspired. Read Vanda’s book, or re-read your own source with a fresh mind. Practice without preconception, open your mind and your heart and rediscover the true meaning of the word yoga – for yourself.

Marc Woolford for Yoga Magazine

I have mixed feeling about the forced 4 day winter-cation!  Added time to rest, welcome; more time to do detailed cleaning around the house, necessary; time to catch up on reading, loved it; enjoying beans and cornbread, yummy and finally the very real possibility of rolling black outs, but didn’t happen at my house, grateful!  Being cooped up inside with only so much to do with a 4 year old and husband, challenged by hazardous road conditions (just to get to the store), canceling a full weeks work, constant water running to prevent frozen/bursting pipes and a heater that struggled to keep us warm inside; scary, nerve-racking and costly!

The reality is this is an act of nature and beyond anyone’s control!  To worry over lost income, fruitless.  To allow the stress of being stuck inside to linger, pointless.  To worry about the expense of water, gas and electricity, useless.  The only worry I will give any credit to is the healthy sense of fear that kept me safe on the road.  Knowing that conditions were hazardous motivated me to drive slower, keep a greater distance between my car and others and the insight to know when to get out and when to stay home.  What lingers is  faith, that all is how it should be.

What I take away from my winter-cation is another lesson in surrender, simplicity and slowing down.  An experience that allowed me to relax indoors with my wonderful family and read, read and read some more.  I found myself one afternoon completely alone (thanks to my mom who lives down the street and took my son for several hours).   As a working mom with a young child I get very little alone time, something I had just mentioned last weekend at dinner with my husband and a friend.  What comes to mind in this moment, ask and you shall receive.  I envisioned alone time on a beach surrounded by ocean and I received a quiet house and time to relax with a book, do yoga and time to myself.

I am grateful for all of the extra time that came with being iced/snowed in.  I often express a need for more time and lament at how fast time does go by or how little of it have for doing more of what I love.    Hopefully this gave us all a little more time.   My hope for all in the Dallas area and those around the country forced indoors by inclement weather is more time to do what you love and more time to rest.   It may not look like what we initially envision and it may not be convenient or easy to accept.  However, it is important  to slow down, to rest, to be with family, to let go of our plans and worries and to just accept the experience given to us.  Trust and live in the present moment.  Allow yourself time to rest, to counter the stress of daily living, it’s a necessity.  Let this experience carry over into your future.  Slow down, simplify and relax more!  From my heart to your.

2011… A TURNING POINT…

Today – I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my direction is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purpose with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s Glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven. I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possession, position and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running with me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission focused so I cannot be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is Yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord – Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”

Bill Burch
The “Plus+Factor” Connection

With that said, it seems to me that many people make new years resolutions from a place of self loathing rather than self love.  They know or think they should or shouldn’t be doing something and because they dislike something about themselves they set out to change it.  Just to be clear I am all for positive change and people growing in a healthy, more loving and altogether better version of themselves.  I think instead of making changes because you look in the mirror, hate what you see and then finally decide to exercise and eat better is not necessarily the best way to move forward.  Why not go inside to that quiet place that is “you” and discover what is wonderful and amazing about you.  What are your gifts to the world, we have purpose, we are all here for a reason and that reason is here to serve others for the good of all.   And we all bring something unique to the world around us.  Why not start there from a place of love and acceptance for who you are and what you have to share and then set out to be the best version of you.

From a place of self love, rather than self loathing, changing old habits or adding new healthy habits will flow out naturally into your daily routine because it is motivated from your heart or spirit.  Because you know you have value and you treat valuable things (especially people) with love and respect.  It has been my experience that change for the better and honoring ourselves is not always the easy path.  It takes thoughtful reflection, it may take planning and rearranging your schedule, it will probably be uncomfortable at first because it is new and it may take setting boundaries (internally and externally).  Find sources of strength and inspiration to draw on.  A friend, an accountability partner, a mentor, a therapist, a teacher, a parent, a support group, a book or blog, music, a reward system, church, yoga, spiritual practices, meditation, the list could go on.  Let people help you!  When you feel better, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, the motivation will come from within, but it will likely take time, so be patient.  If you are anything like me, patience does not happen without effort.  Be kind to yourself and focus on the successes, rather than the set backs.  Just keep moving forward!

On a humorous note as I was sharing this motivational (hopefully) message with my yoga class last night one of my, long time, students (and friend) said, “So getting into my $300 ski pants in a month isn’t good reason to make a change?!”  We had a good laugh and it made me think, we are all motivated by different things and seasonally these motivations change.  I will still encourage her and everyone to first accept yourself where you are in any given moment, you can always buy new ski pants.  Listen to that quiet inner voice and follow your innate wisdom.  This may be your intuition talking, it may be the quiet still voice of God directing you, all I know is, that message is far more valuable then anything money can buy and will always lead you in the healthiest direction and to your true self.

I ‘m glad and so amazed about the benefits of practicing Yoga.  Your class has become such a blessing for me.  The lower back pain has gone since two months ago. I’m so happy!!

Thank you again, and we’ll see us next Wednesday.

Monica

what lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us … Marc Woolford

To go deeper one really needs to examine what their intentions are and what actions followed.  I have been focusing a lot on my intentions and where they originate.  As I reflect inward I wonder are they born from a place of honesty, love, integrity and meant for good or were my intentions and actions directed from a selfish, defensive, unloving place?  I do my best to answer these questions honestly.  It’s not easy and at times it’s humbling.

To move forward, to be the best version of ourselves, we must be willing to take an honest look at all aspects of ourselves.  To see what works and to change what doesn’t.  To acknowledge when we have hurt another person or ourselves and be willing to make wrongs right.  To look at the bigger picture, from all perspectives, and then act with compassion.  Again not always easy, but I think worth it.  If understanding ourselves and our actions better leads to loving intentions and actions in which we treat everyone with love and respect, what are we waiting for?

1. Drink Plenty of Water- It is possible to drink too much water. How do you know? When you are thirsty, choose water, and keep it simple. Too little may cause dehydration, headaches and muscle cramps.

2. Breath- Find time in your day to notice your breath. In the shower, at red lights, waiting in line, in times of emotional discomfort or when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Follow your breath. Inhale (through your nose) into your belly, out into your rib cage and up into your shoulders. Exhale from your mouth effortlessly.

3. Move Your Body-Walking, swimming and yoga are ideal exercises during pregnancy. Be sure to talk with your doctor or midwife before starting any new exercise routine.

4. Take Time For Yourself-Growing a baby takes energy! Find ways, you love and enjoy, to replenish your energy reserves and renew your spirit.

5. Listen to Your Body-Be present in your body to physical sensation and to your inner thoughts and intuition. Within us is an innate inner wisdom, let it guide you. Yoga can help, when we practice yoga we grow a deeper connection with every aspect of ourselves and learn to listen to our body.

The purpose of yoga is to ease suffering on all levels, physical, mental, emotion, chemical and spiritual and to still and quiet the restless or busy mind.  As individual suffering decreases happiness within and around that person increases.  Yoga encourages the practitioner to use what is learned on the mat and the growth that takes place within that person off the mat as a form of service.  It is not a selfish practice but a very generous practice.  Yoga is meant to take place in the present moment.  It is both the purpose and practice of freeing oneself of past holdings and future expectations.  Release and letting go is a great gift of the practice.  Freedom and liberation are at the very core of the practice. The yogic practices are suggestions, a means to an end, but the practitioner is free to pick and choose what practices to include.  Yoga is holistic, it involves the entire person, body, mind and spirit.

Religion is a belief system and may include beliefs regarding salvation, eternity, past lives, religious figures/people, worship, ceremony, traditions and more.

There are many similarities between the two.  Both (religion and yoga) are a way of life.  Both express a great need for more love, inward and out.  Speaking from a Christian back ground both involve the whole person, body, mind and soul.  Both acknowledge God and creation.  Both emphasize surrender and letting go.  Both clearly state moral and ethical practices.  Both are concerned with freedom and liberation.

Yoga and religion are not the same, but there are similarities.  Personally I need both, one alone is not enough.  My greatest freedom and sense of peace came when I surrendered to a much bigger God (one God) and trusted in him to take care of my every need.  My connection with God is part of my yoga practice but more than that it is through my walk with Jesus that I have come to know and understand God.  I have many to thank for helping me to know and understand that relationship.  For now what I want people to know is that the message and the life of Jesus is not one of judgment, but one of love.  The Greatest love!

More than that yoga is freedom and liberation.

In the words of Patanjali (yogic philosopher credited with writing the first yogic text), yoga is the stilling of the restlessness of the mind.

Yoga is peace, kindness, joy and gratitude.

Yoga is breath and movement.

Yoga is balance.

Yoga can be anything you want and need it to be, from the simple breath and doing nothing (but paying attention) to self study to meditation in motion to exercise and much, much more.

Yoga is everything and nothing.

Here are a few examples:

May I be filled with loving kindness

May I be peaceful and at ease

May I be well

May I be happy

Steven Cope, A Path Wtih Heart

May I feel protected and safe

May I feel contented and pleased

May my physical body support me with strength

May my life unfold smoothly with ease

Sylvia Boorstein

To practice sit or lie down quietly and repeat the affirmations mentally.  First directed towards self, then again towards loved ones, strangers, your local community, greater community, the world as a whole and towards your enemy’s.  This can be a powerful practice in concentration and transformation.  Transforming negative thoughts, healing emotional hurts, making space for forgiveness, awakening gratitude and healing a person on all levels of being.  It truly has the power to move a person forward to live a happier and more loving life.

May this simple practice touch the loves of many and connect them more deeply with the love within and around them.  Opening them to more easily give and receive love and kindness.