How Can I Serve?

I sit here on a quite morning with a fire and my coffee enjoying the sun coming through the windows casting light across the room. I have had much to contemplate this week. This week begins the season of Lent, one of my favorite times of the year. Lent brings sacrifice and examination to the forefront of our lives. Now I have never truly stated my full beliefs to any one person when it comes to religion or spirituality because the truth is I don't know the best way to articulate it most of the time, and I'm either with my church friends or my yogi friends, and the beliefs run from Conservative Christianity to Agnosticism. For thirty nine years I have grown up in the Christian faith and it is and will always be the forefront of my life, I know the Bible well. Yet there are many things about the "Church" I don't' agree with. As Gandhi said "I like your Christ, it's your Christians I don't like." I'm often embarrassed by the stand many denominations take in the name of Christianity, yet I do realize some Christians may very well feel the same about me. Yet I believe in God and the Trinity, however I also believe in the tenants of Buddhism, as I see it as a philosophical path not a religious one, yet I know it is a religion for many people. The point of all this is to say that I will observe my faith by being reflective and examining my life deeply over the next few months as I always do during Lent.
Saturday I was studying the Bible to teach a lesson and I had to read a section of all the gospels on the last supper and Peter's denial of Jesus. I came upon the gospel reading that dealt with violence. In three separate parts of the Bible I found where it said paraphrased "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword." I get that, it's ahimsa. That is who I strive to be, a non violent person- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa. Growing up Methodist and now Presbyterian the focus on hell and damnation was never forefront in my life. I live life with the tenant of who God is as the focus as a Christian, as a yogi I observe the yama's and niyamas http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=2410 as these guidelines parallel the life of a Christian perfectly. The yoga Sutra's a writing of ancient Hindu text http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yogasutr.htm also give directions of how to live a life of moral and ethical life in line with that of the teaching of God in the Ten Commandments and the teaching of Jesus in the gospels. For me being a yogi and studying many ancient text is perfectly in line with my beliefs and my religion and relationship to God. If we study other religions and the philosophies, and core of the belief systems they observe we can assume that all living beings in many different religions can love and accept one another, and live nonviolent and loving lives towards one another with acceptation and mutual admiration and without judgment and condemnation (which to me seem to be the sword).

I had three funeral's this week. Five people died that I knew, one funeral encompassed three deaths. Some I was close to,others were acquaintances. It bought to the front of my mind how I want to live life. Often I am aware of my mission and then I get caught up in the day to day doing and forget my mission "How Can I Serve?" Happiness is found here, in serving. All we need are the basics, including love. Once our needs are met we can give freely.
The true Christian way is not to publicize your Lenten endeavors but to do it quietly, however I know this is going to be hard and I need support. So I have gathered a group to observe together, all for different reasons. Over Lent I will be following a forty day money fast http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123103495.html and The Compact http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-years-resolution.html . My hope is to have more time to focus on what's really important and focusing on what's in my own backyard my family, my home, and my work. My work of sharing the love of yoga with others and letting go of fear. I will be posting to both blogs regularly any insights or experience (good and bad) that I have. If you would like to participate with me email me cdb120@gmail.com

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Namaste (Peace for Body, Mind, and Spirit, The divine in me recognizes the divine in you),
Courtney

Graduation Jan. 2010

My wonderful graduation girls!!!

The End and A New Beginning

What a wonderful journey it's been. I am blessed to have you all as students but even more so as friends. Thank you for having the faith and trust in me to lead you through this process. You invested your time and dollars in me and I'm forever grateful.

A little follow up on Monday's schedule:

9:00 Arrival
9:15 to 10:15Shelby teaches
10:15 Break,Discussion
10:45-11:45Emmy teaches
11:45 Discussion
12:00 Potluck
1:00 Fill out Paperwork for Yoga Alliance
Ask Questions.
2:00 Graduation

*Prepare any questions you have for me for Monday.

Potluck: Bring a dish to share. I purchased today Pecan Cluster bites (those little snacks we have sometime), cubed cheese,& guacamole.

2:00 Graduation: Something Sweet, with Homemade Chai (this one is a little different than the usual)

*If anyone has any clear plastic cups that they would like to donate to the cause, I hate to buy plastic wear (environmental reasons) and I just plum forgot. Otherwise we can use our coffee cups.

Look forward to seeing you Monday.

Much Love and Gratitude,
Courtney

Being Present in January

Yogini's: Here is the final schedule. Please read carefully. I have a few test still out and I need them asap. Please put them in my mailbox or give them to me no later than the 11th. I need as many of your hours as possible by the 11th if you have not completed them as of yet. I cannot give out the certificates without the test.

I am teaching 6:30p.m T/Th and Wed.9:00a.m. at the YMCA. If weather is bad call first.

Jan. 7th -open practice, freestyle. GC Library Auditorium, weather permitting. 12-3 p.m.

Jan. 11th:
9:00 to 10:00 Mi Mi
11:00 to 12:00 Sherry
12:00 to 1:00 Lunch
1:45 to 2:45 Jennifer (gentle class)

Jan. 18th
9:00 to 10:00 Shelby
11:00 to 12:00Emmy
12:00 to 1:00 Lunch
1:00 Fill out paperwork for Yoga Alliance
2:00 Graduation (in addition to tea, I will provide Chai,something sweet (Surprise) & salty. You can invite anyone you would like.

This is the time to make a list of any questions or concerns you have, & get with me between practice teaching time.

Much Love to you all. I'm not ready for this to be over, but I'm so proud and happy for each of you!!!!

Courtney

December

Hello Ladies,
Well we are wrapping up, and I can't believe it's almost over. What a fun day Monday: Thank you for the wonderful teaching Golden,Lucy, and Carol!

This coming week we meet at Jackson House at 9:45. We will split between the kitchen and the thrift store. We will switch midway through so everyone has a chance to see how both are run. I would like everyone to get a chance to work the window in pairs. I don't need to do it so from 12-1 I will pair you up so you can serve food.

Remember to bring a side item for the potluck at Golden's following our trip to JH.

Here is the recipe for the candy I made:

2 bags of good chocolate (I think 12 oz)
3 cups Mixed nuts, seeds, pistachios, and dried fruit if you like

Melt down chocolate in double broiler, or two pans stacked: one has water in the bottom on a light boil, the top pan holds the choc.

Line 2 rimmed pans: 9 by 13 with wax paper.
Pour hot choc. in pan
Sprinkle nuts on top (divided by two pans)
Cool in fridge one hour or freezer for 40 mins.
Take out and break apart.

EASY!

Namaste,
Courtney

Nov. 30th and Dec.7th

Great Job today teaching today Sherry, Emmy,& Golden!

Your homework is to finish your thoughts on Isvara Pranidhana (Surrendering to God)

If you haven't turned in your first two pages of the test I need them by Monday. Also I need your test by Dec. 21st done in full.

Write down 10 places you would like to share your yoga/teach from the basic to the outrageous: Let your imagination guide you!

I have gone over your hours; Those who are complete early are scheduled to teach first, those that came on a little later will teach later.
Dec. 7th 9:30 to 10:30 Kathryn
1:30 to 2:30 Daniela

Dec. 14th 9:00-10:00 Golden
11:00to 12:00 Lucy
1:45 to 2:45 Golden

Test are due in by the 21st
Dec. 21st 9:45Jackson House and Party at Golden's


Jan. 11th 9:00 to 10:00 Mi Mi
11:00 to 12:00 Sherry
1:45 to 2:45 Jennifer

Jan. 18th 9:00 to 10:00 Shelby
11:00 to 12:00Emmy
1:00 Fill out paperwork for Yoga Alliance
2:00 Graduation

Be prepared to discuss the homework, practice Vinyasa's, have your test, and teach next week. Thank you!

Namaste,
Courtney

Nov 23rd and 30th

How blessed I feel to have such a wonderful group of women in the Yoga School.
You all are doing a great job teaching. Mary did a wonderful job teaching Sanskrit, I especially enjoyed the chanting.
Cindee will be covering the Chakra's on Monday the 30th.
Remember to journal and be ready to share on: (Cited from Yoga Journal,Judith Lasiter.)
Isvara Pranidhana (Surrendering to God)

Patanjali defines "isvara" as "Lord," and the word "pranidhana" conveys the sense of "throwing down" or "giving up." Thus, isvara pranidhana can be translated as "giving up or surrendering the fruits of all our actions to God."

Many people are confused by this niyama, in part because yoga is seldom presented as a theistic philosophy (even though Patanjali states in the 23rd verse of the Yoga Sutra that devotion to the Lord is one of the main avenues to enlightenment).

In fact, some yoga traditions have interpreted isvara pranidhana as requiring devotion to a particular deity or representation of God, while others have taken "isvara" to refer to a more abstract concept of the divine (much as Twelve Step programs allow participants to define "Higher Power" in their own way).

In either case, the essence of isvara pranidhana is acting as best we can, and then relinquishing all attachment to the outcome of our actions. Only by releasing our fears and hopes for the future can we really be in union with the present moment.

Paradoxically, this surrender requires tremendous strength. To surrender the fruits of our actions to God requires that we give up our egotistical illusion that we know best, and instead accept that the way life unfolds may be part of a pattern too complex to understand. This surrender, however, is anything but passive inactivity. Isvara pranidhana requires not just that we surrender, but also that we act.

Patanjali's teachings demand much of us. He asks us to walk into the unknown, but he does not abandon us. Instead, he offers practices like the niyamas to guide us back home to ourselves—a journey that transforms us and all with whom we come in contact.
Judith Lasater, Ph.D., P.T., author of Relax and Renew (Rodmell, 1995) and Living Your Yoga (Rodmell, 2000) has taught yoga internationally since 1971.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Courtney