YOGA NAMASTACY

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HOW YOU THINK

When I began studying under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, founder of the Ashtanga Vinyasa method, I learned a foundational truth: in traditional yoga, agni — the heat that transforms the body — comes from within. It’s cultivated through rhythmic breathing, unwavering focus, and subtle energetic locks (bandhas) that generate warmth from the inside out.
Even in Mysore, India, where Jois taught, practice traditionally began in the cool, pre-dawn hours. The body’s warmth was earned through movement and breath, not given by the thermostat.

I could see he was seeking a deeper answer — one that made sense beyond the poses. Working at a resort, he witnessed countless western guests who, despite having material abundance, often seemed unhappy, stressed, or in conflict. It was clear he wanted to understand more.
I shared with him that many people believe their “home” is their house or their car — something external. But the only true home we ever have is our body.

    • A house can be lost and replaced.
    • A car can be taken and bought again.
    • But our body? It’s the only true home we are given.

As we come off the holiday high and dive into a New Year, I’d like to share a few thoughts  that help keep life in perspective.   (Edited from Baz Luhrmann – Everybody’s Free)

  • Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.  
  • Don’t worry about the future; The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.   
  •  Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
  • Do one thing everyday that scares you.   
  • Sing – Floss – Stretch – Travel. 
  • Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
  • Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.  
  • Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
  •  Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
  • Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.  
  • Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
  • Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.  
  • Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
  • Understand that friends come and go, but for a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.   
  • Respect your elders.  
  • Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
  • Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
  • Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.   ~Namaste~ Stacy
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