November 2012 | Essential You Yoga

Inspirations

Just a short list of some media that’s inspired me to live more deeply and authentically. Please share what’s inspired you, what you’re reading now?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras were written some 2,000 years ago (yes, yogis, the date is debateable), and they were written in Sanskrit, a language of such subtlety that each syllable can have many possible meanings. The sutras speak to the human condition and the challenges we face as humans. These challenges remain the same whether you’re living in India 2,000 years ago or the United States today. Read these often, and choose many translations.

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An Offer I Couldn’t Refuse

When I returned from my first visit to Nicaragua, I connected with all my new friends via facebook. Facebook is a strong networking tool, and I like to use it as a way to keep in touch with interesting people I encounter in my travels in the hopes that we’ll connect again in the future. So there I was, back in Austin, posting info about all the fun yoga things that happen in Austin. Whoo, and there are a lot! Austin is a city that supports a strong and healthy yoga community.

One day, I received a short note from the owner of the yoga studio I’d visited here in Nicaragua mentioning that I made him wish he were in the States, what with all the fun yoga happenings occurring in Austin. I responded that my desire was to return to Nicaragua and explore the side of life available here. That’s when he made an offer I couldn’t refuse. Continue reading “An Offer I Couldn’t Refuse”

Two Weddings, Dos Bodas

Many events in our life have rituals to mark them, if we’re lucky. I was privileged to be a guest at my first Nicaraguan wedding last month. Shortly after, I returned to the States for a visit and to attend my cousin’s wedding there. The juxtaposition was interesting!

Nicaragua Wedding –

The happy couple stopped by our house the day before to inform us that they would be getting married the next day at 4. We had less than 24 hours notice.

US Wedding –

My cousin proposed 3 years ago, and the ensuing time was spent planning and saving for the perfect wedding. “Save the Date” invites went out last January.

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Una Muerte

The last three days of my life were spent in mourning. Mourning for a young soul I never met, but in mourning nonetheless. The phone rang early Monday morning to inform us that my boyfriend’s nephew had passed away. He had been living in Costa Rica for the last several years, so I never had an opportunity to meet him.

Families are sprawling in Nicaragua. I’m sure this is partially thanks to the Catholic church’s strong influence on the country. Thus, as we set off early Monday morning for the home of the grieving mother, I was under-prepared for the scene in store. At first, there were just a few people gathered outside under the shade of a tree, silently sitting while mom and abuela wept. Throughout the day the crowd grew. Neighbors came toting their own chairs, as the family didn’t have enough to seat all of the supporters. Coffee was made in small Styrofoam cups and passed around. Then pan, white bread served on plastic platters carried around by nieces and neighbors to keep all the mourners comfortable. The story of what happened was repeated time and again by momma.

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Working with an Inward Focus

Mercury went into Retrograde for the third time this year at the beginning of the month. I felt the effects early enough in the forms of difficulties in communication with friends and family that sometimes led to hurt feelings or a breakdown of plans. In case you’re not familiar with Mercury in Retrograde, it’s characterized by difficulties communicating, breakdowns of electronics used in communicating – phones, computers, fax machines, and a general ‘not working out’ of plans made. It’s a poor time to make any big decisions such as changing jobs, buying a house or a car, or for signing contracts.

This does not bode well for the job search which I started in earnest in October and continues through this month with growing intensity as I see the ‘green energy’ in my bank account dwindle. Continue reading “Working with an Inward Focus”

La Vuelta

It’s been a long 2 months away, Internet World. First, my trusty laptop finally gave up the fight — after working for 6 months held together by a wish, some shoestring, and duct tape. Then I went home to the States to visit some family. My visit was perfectly timed – I got there in time to see the amazing fall colors, spend Halloween with my little sister, and cower from Hurricane Sandy.

After so much time away, I have so much to write about!! My first adventure driving in Nicaragua, my first time being party to bribing a cop, or having my camera stolen by customs? Or my hunt for longer term work in Central America, the early stages of Mercury going retrograde, or the many revelations that come from spending time with family. Where is a girl to start?

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