The Very Hungry Kate-o-pillar

It’s not always the easiest thing to do especially when we allow our knee jerk reactions to take over. 

There’s a misconception that yoga teachers are all perfectly calm and always kind. But the truth is we all have our habits and neurosis and we all have work to do in trying kindness... regardless of your profession. 

In the wake of hurt feelings, try kindness.

In the face of a confrontation, try kindness.

In your own worst days, try kindness.

Kindness towards others and kindness to yourself is huge and it is easy, if you let it.

We’ve just reached the half-way point in the yoga retreat and as with any half-way point it seems that time just speeds up from here on out.

Each day on the retreat, all the lovely peeps have been delving deeply into the topic of chakras while encouraged to explore their own inner dialogue through sharing circles. Each chakra corresponds to a certain “demon” (i.e. fear, guilt, shame, grief, lies, illusion and attachement) and each person will reflect and write what they are ready to start letting go of by writing it out. At the very end, only a few short days from now, we will have a fire ceremony to offer these up.

 

 One of my favourite images, Nataraja. The symbolism behind this is beautiful (and I encourage you to look up the meanings behind this inspiring portrayal of Shiva). I love it for what it stands for in terms of letting go and preparing for the new. 

Offering up the things you are ready to start letting go of so that there is room for new experiences, new friends and new lessons. It’s not such a bad thing, is it?

At some point, I will like to change the focus of this blog to reflect two passions I have in my life… Eating and yoga. The hungry yogi takes on the world.

As I write this entry, I am sat at La Esquina… a beautiful organic restaurant that is open to the elements with tonnes of palms growing everywhere. The chai is delicious and the carrot cake is moist and satisfying. Though I would have to say that the carrot cake back at home at Purple Perk is certainly one that takes the cake (no pun intended). But all in all, it’s wonderful to take in the sun while enjoying the rustle of the palms above. 

Chinese New Year is perhaps one of my favourite holidays… Not necessarily for the festivities but because families and friends draw together and have great feasts and enjoy each other’s company. 

It will be a little sad to spend it away from home but home is certainly where the heart is and with little sister coming down to Mexico (incidentally, born in the year of the rabbit), we will have a great time. :)

The Chinese New Year calls for us to reconcile old grudges and to genuinely hope for peace and happiness for everybody. Enjoy your life and be sure to show the ones you love that you truly do.