A Brave New Year: Enjoy the Ride

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

You may or may not be able to change the world around you, but you can always change the world within you. As far as I can tell, the hard work is not going away any time soon. To the contrary, the hard work grows. 2014 fades into 2015. Dharma is relentless: the bills need to get paid; the kids need to be clothed and fed; the roof needs to keep the rain off; and the universe is hungry and must be fed. Just as the kids are sleeping till 8am, I am once again waking them up earlier for breakfast and the bike ride to school. My travel schedule resumes this week , and I will be on the road 40-50% of the time this year (go, frequent flier miles!). Ready or not, 2015 has arrived.

Jan 2015

In looking back, 2013 was "Seed Planting and Cultivation." 2014 was "Growth and Expansion." 2015 must be "Sustainability and Joy." This year is a year of stabilization of the growth and expansion of past years. I am bringing a reinvigorated focus to every aspect of life & business. Our 2014 YOGAMAZÉ initiatives continue; LA Classes, YOGAMAZÉ Teacher Trainings around the world, Online Courses, Noah's travel schedule, Rocky's travel schedule, etc. We are OPEN FOR CLASSES in L.A. and loving seeing you all so often. Our newest Online Course starts next month (join us for a very in-depth look at ANATOMY, with me and our learned and talented Emissary, Dr. Paula Gelbart.) It's still possible to join trainings in various places around the world , which are just getting underway, including Teacher Training with me here in L.A (we begin in February).

Jan 2015

My core 2015 resolution is ENJOY THE RIDE. I want more joy, more fun, more play.

Despite the busy-ness and the stress, I still have the power to choose the quality of my experience.

Jan 2015

My ways to work with my inner experience and attitude (in whatever the outer circumstances) are:

(1) Daily meditation practice; slow the world down. Even 5 minutes makes a difference. It doesn't need to be in the early morning. Anytime works. I often use this as a transition when I have a day of desk work to do; after I do my check-in routines, I sit for a few minutes to clear my mind of clutter and distraction, and then embark on a substantive project with focus and clarity.

(2) Daily asana practice; shape shift to state shift. This could be a longer practice, or a mini asana break in the day; ideally it is both. If I want energy, I do a handstand or a few sun salutations. If I want to de-stress, I do a forward bend, supported inversion or restorative posture.

Jan 2015

(3) Daily intention & goal setting; remember what's important. I have goals of what I want to get done, and I have a daily intention to anchor my inner world too.

What do you do?

I recommit to my daily meditation practice. I recommit to my daily yoga practice. I recommit to my green smoothies, green juices, and 8ish hours of sleep per night. I recommit to weekly (if not daily) hikes and bike rides. I recommit to date night. I recommit to laughter. I recommit to play. I recommit to healthy boundaries, vulnerability and intimacy. I recommit to studentship and learning. I recommit to clear business goals and increasing my economy and efficacy in my working days. #EveryDamnDay.

All of us at YOGAMAZÉ wish you great happiness and health in this New Year. We look forward to seeing you soon, online and in-person. May we laugh and cry together, raise each other up and carry on.