I guess I need to being to write. I don't know always what to write about but it happens naturally and pretty soon you are moving your fingers to the keyboard. My sister and I have always been writers. Melis is much better at it than I am. I am imaginative and creative in my writing. And I remember my Freshman English professor telling me that I was not a good writer at all. Actual words. But I got over that little time in my writing history and went on and on. Since, I have written through life. I write to express myself and I write to go through academia. I write to say something and at the same time to say nothing at all.

Sometimes I don't know what to write and when I go to bat (baseball anology), I write something and it comes out. There is a voice inside of me that says, "Sit back, let me take over for you. You just sit back and relax and I will do all the work." That is my spirit guide. This is the one that writes for me as I relax and watch what comes out. It is always a surprise to me. I think this is how life is. We can't get too far ahead of ourselves or too far behind ourselves. In the past, we are someone back there. In the future, we are someone front there. The point is-- We need to be right here now.

When I write, I feel like I am right here now. Sometimes I like going back there to reflect and that is okay. Sometimes I like to go front there is dream, and that is okay too. I like the dreaming part the most I suppose. I am a classic day dreamer and night dreamer. I think about wonderful, spiritual adventures of the future. If I had a million dollars, I would share it with all my friends and do all of God's work on earth. I would buy large plots of land to save it from development or abuse. I would be the Oprah Winfrey of Yoga. That is what I want to do!!! I want to be the Oprah Winfrey of the Yoga World! But not really Oprah Winfrey. Ana Hansen. (Don't I need a spiritual name?) Ana Hansen of the Yoga World??? That sounds goofy.

Day dreaming again. So when I write I sit back and wait for the next word to be typed, and there is always a next word. I like the surprise of the next word, next breathe, next step ahead. I pray that when I write I write with the grace of God. I speak with the grace of God. I step with grace of God. I know that this is to be so. So let it be. So let it be. So let it be. And it always is.

At my Thursday night yoga class, we laughed and laughed and laughed. We laughed so much that the Accupunturist from next door came in and asked what was happening. I think he wanted some of the laughter. Which made us laugh even more. We all can laugh everyday by doing our own laughing yoga. This is what you need: a room, an imagination, a good sense of humor, tissue, and self esteem. (When you do the laughing yoga, you may feel goofy at first.) I love feeling goofy. I don't think that we feel goofy enough on a daily basis.  I practice goofiness in my daily yoga practice. Sometimes I stick out my tongue, or I ride my bike like I am a kid. My all time goofy action is screaming "GO STEVE NASH" at the television and making a fist with my left hand like I am a protestor or cheerleader. I often say it in a goofy voice to add effect. My husband smiles at this. (I just watch the Suns for special time with my husband.) You may ask--What would be special about this? Well, if you are asking...We play a the 3-point kissing game during Sun's game. Haven't you played this game? Now, this game really only works for teams like the Sun's who are the top 3 point shooters in the NBA. It might be boring if you follow a team like the Lakers or Sonics. (No offense to those of you out there who like those teams.) Anywho, this is how is works: Everytime there is a 3 point scored, you kiss the person next to you. Make sure you are sitting next to your life partner, soul mate, lover. I remember one night, Steve Nash was on fire, my husband and I were kissing like every couple minutes. (Steve Nash is so in the zone. I think of him as a master of concentration and determination.) It is a fun game that you can alter with other sports, like football or baseball. (I don't recommend soccer.) My husband loves this game because he gets to see the game while snuggling with me.

April Wedding

My husband and I got married last year today. It is our anniversary. I feel like this year has been one of growth for both of us. We have known each other for 6 years. I can honestly say that everyday I am still learning something new about him. It doesn't matter how long we have known each other , we both have made a committment to grow and expand from the beginning. It hasn't always been easy, but we have changed our rigid way of thinking. And we still in the midst of changing our rigidity of ideas and beliefs, we recognize that there is a universal truth: We are all one.  

My husband has dedicated his life to serving children. This is his yoga. This is his daily sadhana practice of living his dharma. He doesn't call it this, because he comes from a different cultural background. In his dedication to children's education, he is serving God; the Great Ishwara. His actions are consistant and real. His fruit is plentiful and abundant in happiness, joy, and light.  When we met, he was on duty on the playground playing basketball with his 4th grade students. He came up to me and said, "You are my destiny". I was unsure of what to say.

Today a year ago, I said, "I do". During our vows, the sun appeared bright shining. We are on our journey together and I am grateful to God for all the patience, love, and understanding. Today, we celebrate.

Attention!

I have been substitute teaching in a middle school. On a daily basis, I am surprised and overwelmed (big deal) by the students I work with. I often describe them as confused, not knowing where is up and where is down. They can laugh and laugh and laugh, but they can not concentrate very easily. I know that ADD or ADHD is what causes some of this, but I am begining to feel like it is in the culture of the youth. Some people would say, "Oh, this is sad! What should we do?" I don't feel sorry for the youth and I think they have so much good to look forward to. What we can do is teach them how to manage thier energy. It is only a reflection of our own culture's inability to truly concentrate and be present to what is happening in the now.

The young people of America is crying out for attention. Have we lost our priorities? Do we turn our attention to money and television, instead of nurturing our children? This could be true perhaps. I feel like our young people are asking to be included, yearning for it. They want to be included in life, and everything that happens with the journey. Do they necessarily want religion? I don't know. Do they want structure? Do they want a relationship with God? Do they want their lives to have purpose? Yes and Yes and YES! Our youth want to live a life of purpose. They want to live a life of understanding and creativity. Are we giving that to them? I don't know. I remember when I was in elementary school during my 7th and 8th grade years.  These years seem to be a blur, except for one experience with a teacher. He was the best teacher ever. I remember the words on his wall:

DETERMINATION

DISCIPLINE

DEDICATION

He was the first teacher that inspired me and showed me that there is a purpose in school. My parents were always strict about school but I never really understood it.

Education of the mind and heart is both equally important. We must integrate the thoughts of the mind and the means to research and read and read well, with the skills of emotional intelligence. Hopefully, this is where yoga happens. When we start opening the thoughts and feeding the heart with food of inspiration, we are integrating the two together. Sometimes I wonder if I am able to do this when I teach elementary school. Who knows?

Old Friends

I had the pleasure of talking to a long lost friend yesterday. I smiled so hugely when she called me. I tried calling her about a month ago. She was a very good friend of mine during my undergraduate days. I loved her so much and still do. There was a group of us: five total. Now, we are spread around the country: one is Cali, one is Texas, one in New Mexico, and one in New York.  We used to dance salsa, merengue, and do college stuff. I remember days of intense study and then days of great fun. This group of women really showed me the love of dance. They are goddesses in the world. They weave a life of beauty and love for all of humanity. One is a women's rights activist in Cali. (I thought I would be the one.) Another is a researcher in a Texas university, and one is getting her training in Aurveda (my sis, like I needed to say anything). One is transitioning, going into the nursing program to become a RN. We all chose paths that put in a line of service for God.

Don't we all want a purpose-full life? Don't we want to serve God? Yes. We are not that different than those crazy (not so crazy) teenagers in my class. They can teach us a thing or too about laughing, and maybe we can teach them a thing or too about integrating into this world by reading and writing to make a difference in order to serve God. Isn't this wonderful? It doesn't matter what you are doing, God is always there with his compassion and love. It is always a win-win situation.

My friend that called me stated that she looked at her life a few years ago and asked the question: "What do I want my life to be?' I told her that I was so proud of her, because some people are too afraid to ask that question. Are you?

This week has been somewhat of a detox for me. I have slowed down my schedule enough to really see what is happening in terms of my mental and physical health. My pita was higher than usual. With the 90 degree weather in Phoenix, I still feel a little pita aggravated. Meliss- I am drinking aloa vera juice. This week I have been in a tired mood, and I have taken many naps. I think the go-go of the past 6 months have put me here. Today is the day I feel awake and optimistic. I feel hopeful about the future of all of us. And I am excited.

Yesterday, a Mr. Singh Yogi, came into the yoga studio and I was stunned by his presence. He is from Delhi, India, and in the United States. He saw the sign and thought to come in. I was right in the middle of teaching a class when he wanted to talk to me about my life. I felt honored and worried after we talked. I believe I need to get rid of my random sense of worry. It is like a disease and it appears whenever it wants to. Anywhos, I felt honored that he wanted to read my palm and tell me details about myself. Most of the things he talked about, I knew, but he said it in a way that was easier for me to understand. I am grateful for the encounter. For a moment, I felt like I was in a pool of magic and synchonicity.

My Pool

There is a pool of magic that is happening all the time. The key is to be present. I know that sometimes I fail at being present and the more I am present the more I am happy. There is no opportunity for worry or doubt to enter into my energy. Children are perpetually in the pool of magic. They are able to play and make fun and imagine. There is a part of me that can do this very plainly, but there is another part of me that strives to be serious. I want to be serious like everyone else.  I think I need to find that balance of child-like wonder and agent wisdom and walk in that journey. There is a lot more fun out there to be experienced. There is a lot more adventure to be had. There is a lot of imagination within us.

Easter Egg

Happy Easter. Eric asked me this morning what Easter means to me. It means to me that we are everlasting in spirit and soul. That there is no such thing as death. When we die in the flesh, we are reborn in enlightenment. I hope this Easter finds you in good health and happiness.
Namaste

As I write, the sun is rising. It is easy and slow. I don't see any push or pull. I see the gradual rise of light, organic, yellow, burst of energy, father-inspired. I used to write poetry when I was in college. I miss that avenue of expression and hope to recapture it in my blogs here. I am reading a wonderful book; The Power of Now. It is fine tuning my thoughts and every experience. I have heard myself say and write many times the phrase: fine tuning. What does that really mean? I think I am just refining my thought process. The wise observer watches as the thoughts play out and the wisdom observer rises like the sun outside my window right now. (The Power of Now).

Everyday, I return to the inward journey of the wisdom observer or witness or gatekeeper. I return to the journey of me. I realized more and more that I can not let my outer world determine who I am and how I am and what I am. I can not let material, externalities make or break me. We all must stand grounded here so we can experience the sunrise of our spirit and soul. The slow, sweet happiness. The perfection of God and creation.

Can we sit in this space? I truly experienced "holding space" the other day.  Can we sit in the center or hold space from this perspective of the wise observer? This means that we do not judge a person, place or thing. We sit in the space without holding the criticism. Once we do this, the person, place, and thing is whatever we judge it to be whether that is the reality or not. Ah. Perspective. The Sutras talk about this.

When the sunsets, the moon rises. And another inspired moment of God. We see the light within the holy darkness. When I am in a place of darkness, the light is more magical. So thank you darkness and light for your play in my life. When my husband and I speak tenderly, we experience the reciprocity of love. This happens too when we disagree on something; when we argue of silliness. Both experiences are opportunities for great research of the wise observer. Take the opportunity to listen to your wise observer.

Words in the sunrise, quiet and secret

Attract to me the day's wealth of love

I will write your name in my book

Like a treasure from above

Say to me light

Say to me darkness

Forever say to me the words of Her

That the tenderness of all

Be written on the poses, words, spirit, soul of the sacred

Every One

Well, I have been thinking of the concept of work and how we view it as a society and culture. I think our work should be fun, right? Should we enjoy our work? Yes, we should love it like we love our mother and father. We should be happy while we are working and before and after. Whether this is the case or not, work is natural. Is work and dharma the same? I think when we are doing something we do not enjoy and we work it, then maybe the intention is different. When we are in our dharma, we do not see the difference between night and day. We allow the time to pass by and it doesn't even bother us. We don't even acknowledge that there is such a thing as work. Can we work to get somewhere? Are we already there and waiting to remember that we are already perfect in our work? Any which way, work is service. We are placed here to serve God in a way that is beyond what our mind could comprehend. Our mind can not grasp the concept of dharma. It is sometimes difficult for me to explain this concept to people because it is packed with meaning and vibration. My hope is that they feel it when they are in it---that is dharma.

Prayers and blessings to you.

Good night and namaste.

Ana

Embody Yoga

This is to tell you a a little bit about the yoga studio. We are having our Grand Opening on February 23-25. We will be having a kirtan on February 23 with Prema Rupa. I hear they are really good. They chant at the Self Realization Fellowship in Phoenix also. On February 24, we are having a talk on Angels. On February 25, we are having a yoga dance party. I am delighted to have started Embody Yoga with the help of God. It is a dream of mine to provide affordable yoga ($6). I hope that you check us out. I am pretty new at blogging so I will keep this short and sweet. Today is a kapha day in phoenix and it feels pretty good.

Namaste