Luminous Lotus~

"Gentle is the New Advanced." Yes!  Yes, it is!  I just finished watching a video that a wonderful friend of mine just posted on my Face Book page. And it feels like a window of understanding just opened for me.  In this short video, which I will include at the bottom of this post, this fellow yogi articulated what it is I have been trying to understand and convey through a couple great phrases and a phenomenal, connected practice.  All of the sudden,  I understand what it is my soul has been trying to tell me, and I feel such an ache of joy and an intense feeling of relief.  Really, truly,  I can't stop crying.  The tears just keep flowing and falling and, honestly,  it feels good.  It feels like "Ah,  finally!" "Slower is Stronger." For a while now,  I have felt an immense conflict within me and where it is that my yoga practice, path, and teaching seem to be taking me because it is so different and far apart from what ...

Since my last post, Lila has been to the dentist and had two teeth pulled and 5 teeth filled with resin.  She is doing great and does not seem bothered in the least.  The first few hours home were the hardest as her mouth was numb, which was a completely new sensation, and she was feeling a bit out of it on the drugs.  I think the hardest part of the day was signing the waiver for the anesthesiologist stating at the very end that "death" was a possible side effect. That part of the waiver definitely gave me pause.  Lila did really, really well as we had prepared for all of it.  I was prepared for the first part of the meet with the anesthesiologist but not for the rest of it. I did not like seeing her go under, and I had the most intense energetic experience.  As they gave Lila her shot and she began to feel the full effect of the drugs. I swear I felt like I had been given a shot  of drugs too.  It was like the energy of what she was fee...

I must have a lot on my mind if I am writing a second post in one month!  I usually post once a month, though,  I would like to post more.  I am not sure where this is going but will begin with what's been on my mind... I have been thinking a lot about teaching and having a teacher and being a student and feeling very much at the beginning in some ways, and yet finding myself in a more mature place than ever in my life, practice and teaching. What I mean is that I am really trusting myself and my own way doing things not just in teaching but in all areas of my life. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for this.   It's all been so strange since the dissolution of Anusara.   Now, I know that the Anusara method still exists and some amazing people are still out there sharing the best parts of this system of yoga, and I think that is incredible and brave. That said, it does not feel present to me anymore.  In fact, sometimes it feels like that time, ...

About a month ago I took Lila to see a pediatric dentist about her broken front tooth and received some shocking news.  The dentist told me that she had tooth decay on every single tooth and that every tooth in her mouth would have to be crowned.  I was more than shocked; I was completely stunned.  I think the only word I could utter at that time was "what?".  Tears welled up in my eyes and I had to work hard to keep myself sort-of together.  I left feeling worried and panicked.  All I could think of on the drive home was: how could this happen? After the initial shock wore off and I had gathered my thoughts and feelings back up,  I decided that the question of "how" did not matter so much as "what do I do next".  So the next thing I did was start asking friends for dentist recommendations.  I called 7 dentists and took Lila to see 4.  It's been quite a ride and I've learned that there is always more.  There's always another pe...

Good news... I've decided to take a step forward and put myself out there a bit more and step outside of the box.  In September I will be teaching a 2.5 hour workshop on yoga and writing.  I've not done this before but have always wanted to.  So, per a few students requests and one student's/friend's extra nudge, I am going to do something new.  I am excited for the opportunity to learn, share and grow through this experience.  The details are below: Writing, Movement, Wisdom with Marcia Tullous Writing, Movement, Wisdom with Marcia Tullous Saturday September 21, 2013 @ YogaOasis Central 1:00 - 3:30 pm Please Bring: Mat, pen and journal Rate: $49  (or $40 if paid by 9/1)  >>Register Now! Join Marcia for a two-and-a half-hour workshop of yoga and writing. Make your way onto your mat and allow yourself to be stretched in new ways by moving from your mind into your body, from your body into your heart, from yo...

I just got a text this morning for my mom that my Dad's coworker, whom he just visited in the hospital yesterday, passed away during the night.  I have never met this woman but am still saddened by this news because her passing happened so very fast. Two weeks ago, this woman found out she had cancer and in that time it spread throughout the whole of her body; now she is gone.  It's unbelievable how abrupt and harsh life can be. Last week I heard news of an old acquaintance, an individual I have not seen in 20 years, died  unexpectedly.  I don't know the details. What I do know is that his death has brought a lot of the old to life.  People that I have not seen or spoken to in a very long time I will be seeing again very soon in honor of this person's life.  We will join together to celebrate a life instead of mourning it. I think that's by far the best way to honor someone, to celebrate them and their time here. Then, the week before last, I heard ne...

This is little excerpt is from Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar's book, "Light On Life."   I shared this in class last night.  Enjoy! "The life of the householder is difficult, and it always has been.  Most of us encounter hardship and suffering, and many are plagued by physical and emotional pain,  stress, sadness, loneliness, and anxiety.  While we often think of these as the problems caused by the demands of modern life, human life has always had the same hardships and the same challenges---making a living, raising a family, and finding meaning and purpose. These have always and will always be the challenges that we humans face.  As animals, we walk the earth.  As bearers of a divine essence, we are among the stars.  As human beings, we are caught in the middle, seeking to reconcile the paradox of how to make our way upon the earth while striving for something more permanent and more profound.  So many seek this greater Truth in the heavens, b...