  Congrats Peter Love
Those of you who have had the JOY of meeting and working with Peter over the years understand his being and how he radiates LOVE. Here at the Sanctuary we are eternally grateful for Peter and the gifts he selflessly shares with everyone who crosses his path on a daily basis. Today we celebrate and congratulate Peter for another step on his journey. The name chosen for him, is perfect... Here's what Peter has to share... "As many of you may know, I have embarked on a year long training called Acharya Intensive, a program which deepens my knowledge of yoga and integrates practices for healing. Together with my 11 other Acharya brothers and sisters guided by Devarshi Steven Hartman and Jovinna Chan (pictured with me above), we spent time in "Devine play" this past week. During this special time I received my Sanskrit name, Kamesh which means means lord of love. I'm honored and humbled to take on this name they have chosen for me.  Reclaiming JOY Speaks
Many of you have been kindly sharing with us your learning from Steph's book, Reclaiming JOY: Your 4 Step Guide to Happy, Healthy & Free:. We thank you!! Please keep it coming -- and if you have something to share, please write a review on Amazon. Here's what one reader had to say -- thank you Dana...pictured left, ENJOYING life!! "The foundations of joy really resonated with me. In a time of personal change and growth it's interesting how these foundations evolve. Being aware of the change around you and always resorting back to my definition of joy, helps me ease into the change and not be scared of it. As I looked at each foundation intensely, my health, my relationships, my career and my life purpose it made me realize how much I've changed over the years in a good way, which then led me to be open to who I may become." -Dana M.  Exits and Entries, by Stephanie Filardi
As the summer winds down, my body begins to feel this time of transition happening. Even though it's not a new year chronologically, for many of us, the school calendar is encoded in our being as a new year of sorts. I don't know about you-- for me, at times it feels unsettling. Other times it feels exhilarating-- as if another adventure has been taken with more to come. I often wonder why it is that I feel such a range of emotion from happy to sad. I feel happy for the memories...lazy bike rides, stunning sunsets, fun times with family & friends, the warm sun kissing my skin, a sense of slowing down and going with the flow. I feel sad as I notice myself clinging to what has been. And then I remember...I am also feeling the collective energy of those around me and the various exits and entries that are happening: for many of our children, summer jobs/internships, travel experiences are ending...and they are embarking on another school year, while some are entering the workforce...and still others are unsure of exactly where to be. In the midst of this, we too are experiencing our own exits and entries...perhaps our children moving away--or moving back-- and for some of us our jobs and/or relationships are shifting as we embrace a more conscious way of being. Wherever we find our self, may we remember that peace comes from within. We are responsible for creating our own peace. As we collectively ride the wave of emotions, my wish for all of us is that we find the JOY in all of it and enjoy the ride.  Turtle Medicine, by Stephanie Filardi Something magnificent happened last Friday morning. I don't usually get up early to be on the beach running before 6am. Today was different. I was up and out! Also, usually my sister Christine is on the beach before me with her dogs. Today she wasn't. It was only me and the surfers and... So... I was almost done with my run and I see a turtle. A turtle! Then I see it is caught in a tarp. I immediately panic. I start to cry. Gosh I am so sensitive! First thought is- where is my sister the animal whisperer (author and owner of BowMeowRaw) when I need her! Second thought is, I need to ask for help because I am frozen. I ask a lovely girl, Jessica, who was walking her dog to help me (Jessica is on the left in photo and Christine is on the right). As Jessica bravely began to investigate how we could set the turtle free, I called Christine and told her to bring scissors. Mind you Christine decided to sleep in. She was in bed. Needless to say, she was there in 10 minutes to help. I stood by and watched. It was magnificent. There are many lessons in what happened that day including what turtle medicine has to tell me about the connection with cosmos. Right now I'll say - we live on a beautiful earth and we are ONE. When we open our eyes , our hearts, and we look-- we will see it.   Zen In A Storm, by Peter
Some of you heard that last week I was in a head on collision. Since I am writing this, clearly I have an angel beside me. I'm not one who seeks the spotlight, or likes to have attention drawn to me. However, after an experience that could have resulted in serous bodily injury or death, I feel blessed to be in one piece. In re-counting the story to Stephanie, she encouraged me to share the details with you. Why? Well, as she always says, all experience is an opportunity for learning, especially the painful ones. And... if one person is more relaxed and mindful behind the wheel, well, you know, lives will be saved. My experience in the head on collision is yoga "off the mat"-- at its best. Here's what happened. I pulled up to the intersection, with my signal on to make a left turn. There was a car coming straight at me going very fast. The driver crossed over the double yellow line and slammed into my car (see picture). With no time to get out of the way, I realized I was going to be hit. The feeling was awful. Thankfully, all my years of yoga and meditation kicked in!!! I realized there was nowhere to go. I surrendered. In a split second, I had the presence of mind to make a choice to take my foot off the brake and my hands off the steering wheel. I knew if I did this, I would be relaxed enough to absorb the impact. My friends, a relaxed body will fare better on impact then a tense one, so that is what I did. I exhaled and relaxed. After the car crashed into me, with my morning Starbucks now in my lap, I realized what had just transpired. The first thing I did was an inventory check of my body. I had to make sure I had both of my feet, my legs, arms, and hands. I wanted to make sure I was still intact while I looked around for blood. All intact and no blood, I said to myself, "you seem OK". Next, I opened the car door, got out and automatically started doing yoga stretches!! Some of you know them-- yes, the 6 movements of the spine: back-bends, forward bends, lateral bends, spinal twists. You know Stephanie loved hearing this!!! When the police officer and ambulance personnel ran over to ask me if I was OK, I said I am fine and would like to stretch some more. They stood in awe that I was intact. Then they asked me what I do for a living. I handed them my business card!! I actually started laughing as they shook their heads with amazement. They were shocked that not only was I in one piece, I was calm and clear. Now more than a week later, I am sore and have a mild concussion. I don't yet feel myself. However, I am here, intact and grateful. So, what's the learning from this story? There are a few: 1. Practice awareness and gratitude daily. I feel blessed I am still here to walk this path with you. 2. Yoga saves lives, in more ways than one, on and off the mat. Let's all do more yoga on and off the mat -- and share the benefits with others. 3. Zen is possible in the midst of a storm when we practice it in our daily life. Our ability to stay calm and mindful in the midst of a storm affects the outcome in a positive way. Speaking of Zen... Yoga Classes - Start September 13th!! |
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