Love?

I found myself coming home tonight to a discussion with my roommate about love.  "Is there something wrong with me?  How can I have gone through life this far without having fallen in love?" she says.  Her dilemma, which I suppose must be all of ours at some point in life or another, comes at a time when questioning and change is on many a minds.  (Plus, the new moon occurred in scorpio yesterday, asking us to transform, hmmm....)  

She is coming off of about 5 days spent with someone from far away, with whom she connected intensely.  And then had discussions with previous love interests in the past day or two.  And continues to question the difficulty that lovely gals like us have in order to actually fall in love.  Many a connections have been had, sure.  But, love?  True, beautiful, romantic, deep, love?  Not so much.  What to do about this?  Not fret, my friend.  

So, I sat across the table from her exhausted after a day of teaching 4 classes, and I am no sage I tell you, but here's what my usually always optimistic self came up with:  

People have different paths in life.  Some people yearn for love too much (or think they know it but don't know what they need) and end up being stuck in something not great for them.  Some people find their life partner at a very young age and build on their love each year they are alive.  Some people are meant to have various loves and soul connectors throughout their life to guide them.  Some people have such tumultuous love that it's more of a curse.  

We, are young women who have been forging paths for other women.  How can we be heading into our late 20's and never been in love...when even our young sisters claim to be in love?  Well, their path is much, much different.  Ours is and has always been a path to seek higher ground.  This is not such a bad thing.  We have been independent, creative, reflective, soul-searching, and journey-seeking since our adolescent years.  Our path to find romantic love is not going to be easy.  Especially not in our society.  Gals like us have high standards and we're not gonna waste time (so we've learned) with those that aren't going to allow, respect, and love this path that we're on.  But even beyond that the words keep spilling out of my mouth to her and I realize something...

She and I have been and always will be so full of love that of course we've been in love.  Not romantic love yet, maybe.  But that could be why!  We have such love for the people in our life, for our families, our passions, the higher spirit power all around us, for all of life; and this abundance and wealth that we store up each and every day inside just keeps nourishing us on our path.  Maybe because of this, and having the unconscious knowledge of it, makes it hard to discover that that person could be and is there somewhere.  And maybe it's hard for that person to recognize it in us because we are already so full of love?  

I don't know.  I think now I'm just getting loopy.  Basically, I still believe in love.  And maybe haven't found the romantic version quite just yet.  But, it's really on the verge.  Every day we put ourselves out there and it's a possibility.  If I can feel love so immensely all around me from the yoga mat & beyond, from the wind, from musical notes to my ears, then I know it is there.  And lately I find myself smiling just because of...well, you never know.  And we just have to be ready for it.  So, cheers to you, Ms. NZ and our quest for it.   

Song about love for the night:

Frou Frou:  "It's Good to Be in Love"

"It's good to be in love...  I'm happier in love.  Because every color goes where you do."  

Awakening Autumn Playlist

You might notice a lot of the same artists continuously appearing on my playlists...I just like them and these songs have inspiring and/or fun messages.  Created this one for my "awakening" workshop this past weekend, which was very special and fun.  

1. Arms & Sleepers-- Seems (If Ever)

2. Sigur Ros- Godan daginn

3. India.Arie- I See God in You

4. Andrew Hoover- Getting Out of Boxes

5. Stevie Wonder- Have a Talk with God

6. Ray LaMontagne- I Still Care for You

7. Jesse Dee- Still Here

8. Kate Nash- Pumpkin Soup

9. Amos Lee- Colors

10. India. Arie- Ready for Love

11. Ray LaMontagne- Words (without)

12. David Newman- Sita Ram

13. Sigur Ros- Takk

14. Sigur Ros- Glosoli

15. Arms & Sleepers- Butterflycatcher

16. Arms & Sleepers- 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance

Importance of Impermanence

It's been almost the perfect kind of day (completely perfect would have included a smoogle).  Perfect autumn temperature where you need to be wearing sleeves and a scarf but the sun makes it comfortable.  Classes this morning/early afternoon rejuvenated my spirit.  The past couple days of teaching have been emotional for me.  I seem to be feeling what everyone else is feeling...taking it on or away from whoever walks into class.  And sensing an overwhelming feeling of vulnerability to it.  Knowing that change is all around.  Every day is change.  We can either go with it or continue to be afraid and closed off to it.  This afternoon I chose to read a passage about impermanence.  It just kind of presented itself to the day.  Offering up the intentions that we can rise from the changes we feel in our minds, bodies, spirit and allow those changes to humble our hearts and understand the idea that all things are impermanent.  Then we can stop going after what we "think" will be the perfect thing/answer for us.  I see myself change constantly.  Usually in subtle ways...by reading new things, listening to new things, and staying open to love.  If I were permanently in the same frame of thought, imagine how boring I'd be?  

This week, I've been challenged with impatience having to keep a secret that a family member chose to spring on me.  I've been running on a thousand springs of ideas...choreography for a play, new yoga classes in Union Sq. (coming in a couple weeks), jewelry ideas, music...the list goes on.  My gals at Topaz have brought fun to the week and much-needed insight (reminding me that things change).  I've eaten home-cooked Danish food, northern African food with friends, heard moving new music (check out Qwill at Toad this Tuesday), and mostly been motivated and inspired by a new friend of mine who continues to strive for life's purpose based on the belief, magic, power, and strength of simply "wonder."   

And now that the weekend invites more opportunities for being open to change, I see the way life synchronizes as a constant cycle of change.  It happens all the time.  Reading a passage that someone in class has a strong connection to that day, thinking of someone and then running into them, contacting someone at the same time they contact you...it's the power of thoughts.  The trick is learning how to use them.  

Tomorrow is "Awakening Autumn" workshop at Karma and I can't wait!    

My Earth Spirit, and needing patience

"See how nature- trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence.  See the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls."  -Mother Teresa

I just watched the movie "The New World" last night.  It's directed by Terrence Malick, and was out a couple years back.  A good one to watch at this season.  It was beautiful.  The "story" of Pocahontas and John Smith.  Been wanting to watch it b/c I'm having a "moment" with my connections to Native American spirit.  I've always connected to the earth and have referenced the higher Divine as Mother for years now.  Last weekend, a friend of a friend who is an energy reader did a reading for me through all my chakras.  She saw a Native American Indian woman cultivating and loving the earth.  She kept seeing me with greens, conducting the sway of the flowers in a meadow, at a flowing well and riverside.  She saw me as someone with flowing energy.  A strong feminine energy of lightness and healing.  This was insight I know I already knew b/c I wouldn't otherwise be on the path that I'm on.  However it was a positive reminder to keep striving for that silence.  That stillness from the Mother that rejuvenates me so.  

And beyond that, my friends and I have been discussing our animal totems this week.  One of my friends has realized she has been strangely drawn to the octopus lately.  Another has discovered he is a passionate, powerful tiger.  My totems are the deer and the hawk...another connection to the spirit of native tribes.  Not sure what I'm getting at here, other than my need to continue to be nourished by nature and see what's in store for me next.  

On another note, I spoke in class today about being patient.  Something we can all use help with from time to time.  Also, being mindful about what you spend time dwelling on and thinking about.  Your thoughts are powerful and they can become things...so use them wisely.  

I can get uber anxious just like everyone else.  Especially after been given news of something suprising and possibly that one is not ready to hear from someone (a sibling) they care so much about.  With something like that it can be hard to not think of it all the time.  It can be hard to look at the positive and remain true to simply love.  That's when turning to the yoga mat can be the strongest healing one can give yourself.  And I must say that seeing so much love around me from all my students and friends, can be the largest eye-opener to realizing that love you didn't think you had, is still in there.  I continue to bring intentions for love in all shapes and forms into my life daily.  And my hope for staying positive to it is what carries me through.  Add in some music and fun, and all will always be okay.  :>

August Mix '08

I made this playlist a couple months back, but played it this morning in class and lots of you all were into it, so here it is:

1. Arms & Sleepers- Arms/Sleepers                                    -ambient electronica, etc., local guys

2. worriedaboutsatan- The Butterfly Effect                       -more electronic interesting stuff, U.K

3. Arms & Sleepers- Beneath Bricks & Books

4. Amos Lee- Listen                                                              -you should definitely look up this guy

5. Natalie Walker- Now or Never                                       -beautiful voice, based in Philly

6. Leona Lewis- Bleeding Love                                           -U.K. hit from summer, can't not love it

7. John Mayer- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room       -emotional and random for this, but love it

8. Natalie Walker- Lost My Shadow

9. Andrew Hoover- Someday We Can All Be Free       -good lyrics in mind as we near elections

10. Amos Lee- What's Been Going On

11. Jamie Lidell- Green Light                                             -soulful, crazy, U.K./Berlin-based talent

12. Amos Lee- Ease Back                                                   -Amos is from Philly

13.       "      "  - Better Days                                                 -He's soul, roots, blues, and amazing

14. Natalie Walker- With You

15. Tim Fite- Big Mistake                                               -craziness from brooklyn, wacky but love it

16. worriedaboutsatan- Noise 01 (reprise)

17. Arms & Sleepers- Warm                                          -been obsessed with this song...

18.     "             "        -  Untitled

Shout Out to Iceland Artists

In honor of the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival that is taking place right now and into the weekend...I am posting some of my old playlists from the past year chalk full of Icelandic music.  

My Iceland Prep Mix, from April '08:

1. Amiina - Seoul

2. Bjork - Isobel Remix

3. Sigur Ros- Hafsol

4. Seabear- Cat Piano

5. Gus Gus- Purple

6. Bjork- Possibly Maybe Remix

7. Gus Gus- Barry

8. Sigur Ros- Refur

9. Seabear- I Sing I Swim

10. Mum- Green Grass of Tunnel

11. Sigur Ros- Rafmagnid Buid

12. Sigur Ros- Svo Hljott

13. Sigur Ros- O Fridur

14. Amiina- Glamur

SOS Mix from May '08:

1. Seabear- Hands Remember

2. Olafur Arnalds- Fok

3. Borko- Spoonstabberinn

4. Bloodgroup- Red Egypt

5. Borko- Continental Love

6. Bloodgroup- Hips Again

7. Bloodgroup- Rain

8. Mr. Silla & Mongoose- How Do You

9. "        "                   "        -Do Not Know

10.  "     "                  "         -Organ Deviltry

11. Borko- Dingdong Kingdom

12. Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun (live)

13.      "      "  -  Untitled #3

14.     "       "   - Andvari

More music lists to come...

Aries Full Moon Today

It's a new week after a beautiful New England long weekend...and there's much to be looking forward to.  

With all the challenges lately of staying positive amidst the state of our country's financial institutions, corporations, politics, culture...you may wonder what there is to look forward to?  Well, that's when I turn to what's around us already.  This lovely place we live in.  Wherever that may be that you read this from, we are all here on this earth.  We can't change that.  We are lucky to be alive and able to breathe in the moon's wisdom.  So today's Autumn "blood" moon takes us out of our selfish "me-first" nature, and into an awareness of how our lives and culture become out of balance.  Today we can take responsibility for looking deeper into ourselves and reminding one another of our interconnectedness.  We can become a part of a more loving world just by realizing more often that we're not alone.  Time to continue to strive for balance and fight the negative reactions in favor of more positive ones.  

And beyond that, I mean, the new Ray LaMontagne record came out today!  That is reason enough to make me happy.  After a weekend of friend's b-days, dinner parties, sunshine, and yoga, there's a new week led by a strong moon to proceed forth in the adventure.  Keep invoking your strength from wherever you get it.  I continue to count on Saraswati and the green Tara.  And finding stillness.  Sitting for just a couple minutes in our crazy world, to notice the wind or be in complete silence might just bring that dose of serenity, or spark of creativity one needs for the week.  

Karma yogis...look out for moon salutations and the like tonight!

New Playlist from 10/11/08

The "Getting Over Being Sick" Playlist:

1. Arms & Sleepers- Arms/Sleepers -from Cambridge, innovational

2. Jesse Dee- Yet to Come -also local, amazing voice live

3. The Watson Twins- How Am I to Be -L.A. twin sisters, saw them at TT's

4. James Morrison- Please Don't Stop the Rain -U.K. raw-voiced talent

5. Leona Naess- Swing Gently -U.K./NYC raw-voiced female talent

6. Andrew Hoover- Someday, Cecilia -Conn. bred, true voice and spirit

7. James Morrison- You Make it Real

8. Alicia Keys- The Thing About Love -think you know her

9. James Morrison- Dream on Hayley

10. Rachael Yamagata- Elephants (instrumental) -soulful, raspy singer/songwriter

11. Rachael Yamagata & Ray LaMontagne- Duet -just lovely

12. Olafur Arnalds - 0048/0729 -composer/amazing talent from Iceland

13. Olafur Arnalds - 0952

14. Olafur Arnalds - 1440

Vegan Apple Muffin Recipe

Hi Friends,

So after apple picking and getting my hands dirty all week concocting different apple recipes...I baked these lovely, light muffins for my yoga class!  The recipe upon request:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  

Mix: 2 1/4 c. whole wheat flour, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. cinnamon

Then mix: 2 c. soymilk (or almond, hemp, rice milk), 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla in a separate bowl.

Then pour liquid mix into dry mix, and mix in at least 1 apple that is peeled and chopped up.  Mix all together and then pour into muffin pan and bake until ready!  

The great thing is you can experiment...add chocolate chips, a different fruit, etc.  

Happy baking!

Latest Yoga Class Playlists

Autumn Equinox '08:

1.David Newman- Bajarang Bali       

2. Leona Naess- Shiny on the Inside

3. Sigur Ros- Saeglopur

4. Leona Naess- Un-Named

5. Sigur Ros- Hljmomalind

6. Leona Naess- Learning As We Go

7. Andrew Hoover- Never Have I Ever

8. Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun

9. Leona Naess- When Sharks Attack

10. Sigur Ros- Vidrar vel til loftarasa

11. Sigur Ros- Heysatan

12. David Newman- Shiva Bolo

13. David Newman- Shiva Om

*I've gotten to see each artist on the equinox mix perform within the last 3 weeks or so, which has been such a joy and inspiration to me.  I am grateful.  

David Newman performed at Global Mala Boston and it was beauty and peace radiating through each person that night.  

Sigur Ros played the BofA Pavilion on a really chilly night to an obnoxious Boston crowd, but they are beyond words my favorite band ever and the most powerful/emotional.  Nostalgia of Iceland swarmed all around in my body...

Andrew Hoover played a little bar in Watertown and he is on the verge.  Definitely watch him within the next year.  He's got soul beyond his years.  

Leona Naess opened for Ray LaMontagne at the Opera House.  Her music has gotten me through many years now and she is all I'd want to be if I were a singer/songwriter.  

October skies:

1. Isan- Ship

2. Sigur Ros- Med sudi eyrum

3. James Morrison- Fix the World up for You

4. Andrew Hoover- Get to Love You

5. Bran Van 3000- Everywhere

6. Frightened Rabbit- Head Rolls Off

7. Bliss- Wish U Were Here

8. Frightened Rabbit- Backwards Walk

9. James Morrison- Love is Hard

10. Leona Naess- Swing Gently

11. David Newman- Bhadra Kali/No Stranger

12. Arms & Sleepers- A Mission to Prague

13. Maneesh De Moor- Pure Essence