Yoga at OM
101 Bridge St N K0L1Y0 Hastings, ON, Canada

Tonight is a blue moon; not literally blue, but a rare moon. A rare full moon, because it isn't too often we see a full moon twice in one month. If you celebrate it, today is Halloween (Samhain). If you live in certain regions, today the time falls back. But no matter where, or who, you are, the moon is full. No matter who, or where, you are, we all collectively experience a special phenomena tonight.... The full moon represents release, and is associated with water. And, just as the moon may influence the ocean tides, it may influence us, as well. After all, we are but beings of water. The moon ripens with abundance, waxes, wanes, leaves our sight, and day by day, little by little, eventually returns to it's fullness -- as do humans. We go through phases, changes, crises, and highs continually over and over throughout our physical living cycle (and perhaps even thereafter). We are, by nature, fluid creatures. We are creatures granted with consciousness, and challenged with egotism. As such, sometimes we lose fluidity. We become rigid; stuck. We resist the tides. When we resist the tides, we become unable to adapt; unable to accept. When we become rigid, and life beckons us to move in a certain direction, we say no. We fight the present. We may become depressed. We may grip to material desires, egocentricity may dominate. From all this we may find ourselves on a scale of negative mental and physical experience: exhaustion, anger, pain, sadness, hopelessness... But, what about apathy? What happens when we become so fed up with the life experience, that we stop caring? We may develop a "devil may care" attitude, and fight the tide to the point of self-harm, and harm to others. Tonight, take a look up at the sky. Whether the moon is a clear sight, or not, acknowledge the countless lives cohabitating beneath it with you. All these lives, facing change, facing the tides. Remember ahimsa (non-harming) . Remember that there is action in inaction. By choosing not to act, apathy or ego over altruism, we cause harm to our fellow beings. If tonight you find yourself in a safe place, acknowledge this blessing and find space in your heart for those who are not so fortunate. We will not always feel joy. But the full moon reminds us to stay fluid; release what "should" be, because it is not so. Do not fight the tides. Accept them. Move with them. We are all moving in these rhythms together. The veil between the physical and the ethereal may be thin for tonight, but the veil between ourselves and the rest of life is non-existent. We are one. With love in Yoga, Jillian Mangala Mantra svasti prajabhyah paripalayantam nyayena margena mahim mahisah, gobrahmanebhyah subhamastu nityam lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu. "May all people be well. May great masters protect the earth properly and justly. May one be eternally fortunate with cows (wealth) and wise ones. May all worlds be happy."

I participated in my Yoga teacher's monthly Bhagavad-Gita study group last night. This verse came up, referring to the Hindu belief of reincarnation of course; but regardless, it stood out to me in the moment. Maybe it's because the rare Blue Moon is nearing; renewal is on my mind... The methodology of renewal differs. Sometimes it's intentional, ritualistic even. Other times transformation happens without notice. And sometimes, it just HAS to happen. A lot of questions came ...up from yesterday; can we practice devotion with no guru? What about a polytheistic outlook -- for those with no one God, or perhaps no higher transcendental being whatsoever believed in? What do we surrender our Self to? Are we still capable of Bhakti? For most of us, life has taken a turn inward. We are in our homes, and in our heads. Many of us pain to grasp what feels like a loss of control in/of our lives. I sense a struggle with this among humanity near and far every day. But, I also sense widespread devotion: People sacrificing their own needs and desires in order to benefit the wellbeing of their loved ones, and communities. Caregivers making sacrifice to create the best possible environment to nurture children. Empathetic hearts recognizing the vulnerability in their elders & unwell Earthly companions, and making stride and sacrifice to protect them. -- This may not be Bhakti in the traditional sense, but it is a way of devotion that we can all understand and practice universally, and without constraint from our beliefs. We can all practice compassion. We all have the chance to conciously transform the space in our hearts... if we have not spontaneously done so already. And so, why I love v. 2.2 of The Gita (in this translation, by Georg Feuerstein & Brenda Feuerstein) is the wording -- discarding worn out bodies, & worn out garments. In this modern time of material chaos and and muddled perceptions, may we find the ability to discard attachments, and expectations. May we surrender to each moment; surrender fighting change, accept what is & choose to live this reality with moral responsibility for all of our fellow beings and Mother Earth. May we devote ourselves to love. See more

A workshop being offered by my teacher Brenda L. Feuerstein This is perfectly timed for what is a challenging seasonal shift for many of us (never mind in a pandemic!) This workshop requires no prerequisite (or knowledge of Yoga) Anyone and everyone are welcome Brenda is the the kind of person who just lifts your spirit; a sincerely compassionate human with an immpecable breadth of knowledge. If anyone is looking to add some true, solid self care to their schedule right now, I couldn't reccomend something better!

Last night my 6 year old told me he made the studio a logo, and handed me this