June 2012 Theme: Allow

There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in –
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.
- Danna Faulds

If you haven’t noticed yet, it’s starting to heat up outside. Living in Arizona, we know that this is only the beginning and there is nothing (outside of leaving for the summer) we can do about it. This is the season of the sun in all its scorching glory. As we head deeper into the 100s, observe the changes that happen within you, physically, mentally and emotionally. Most of us tend to be a little on edge, a little exhausted at all times, and by September we’re all out frustrated. Understand that this burning sensation is a natural process that is meant to happen.
In Sanskrit tapasya literally means “heat”. Its derivative, “tapas”, is one of the niyamas in Patanjali’s yoga sutras and refers to the focused effort leading towards bodily purification and spiritual enlightenment. Yes, this natural time to sweat and heat up is part of our ongoing yoga practice. Struggle less, step fully into your practice and allow whatever needs to come up, to simply come up.

But there are some things that will make the heat more bearable, dare I say “more enjoyable”? There are a few basics we all know, but sometimes need to be reminded of: keep hydrated, wear sunscreen, be ok with being sweaty, cover your windshield with a sun screen and most of all…SMILE!

- Stefanie Schler