Namaste.

Namaste blogland,

This week I've been working on becoming a healthier version of me. My cousin Christine has been motivating me to get out there and like Nike says..Just do it. Whatever it is...just get out there and move. So Monday night, I decided to give up the MNF game and go to my favorite yoga class (that in itself was a huge break through- it is football season people!~).

I am so glad I went -- I just love this class. First of all, I love our teacher. She's young, fun, alumnae of FSU and most of all energetic and inspiring. And she's one of those people that are truly beautiful inside and out and I want to be just like her. Anyway, she makes the class so much more than just stretching and poses. It is a high octane power yoga class that incorporates the spirtuality and self awareness that is sometimes missing from power yoga. Let me tell you, this class is hard. You sweat, you hold for what feels like an eternity until your arms and legs feel like hot lava, you fall out of your pose, you push yourself beyond your self imposed limits and I love every minute of it.

Each week she teaches us a little bit more about yoga and the deeper meaning, correct way to do and move through asana (poses), why its important and the health benefits.

I'll just share a little of what I learned:

The gesture Namaste (hands touching in front of your heart and bow)represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra(I'll get to that another day but for now- it means your heart's energy). The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."... As my teacher put it best..."The light within me honors the light within you." Gosh, wouldn't the world be a better place if people really focused on that. Ok, so I guess I went a little John Lennon & Yoko on you- sorry but for a moment....Imagine. (it was too perfect...had to go for it).

I'm sure I will write more on my journey with yoga but I hope you will take this with you today...

"The light within me honors the light within you."

Namaste.

xoxo