Word Three: Spirit #365 Yoga

I just spent a weekend with a group of wise, powerful and spiritual women at the Bona Fide Butterflies' Adirondack Women's Retreat. I was blessed to be able to co-facilitate the annual retreat with my fellow BFBs.

The third word I chose this year was spirit. The universe must have wanted me to get started on that right away when it brought together the women who came to the retreat. We had planned the weekend to help the women reconnect to their inner selves and rekindle their own spirits, but I failed to plan for the profound effect these women would have on my own inner spirit. As I rested in Balasana during our yoga and meditation time this morning, I felt humbled and honored to be in the presence of women who embody the divine feminine. Each was truly a Goddess.

My spirit has been neglected for a few years while I focused on more mundane matters, but during the second half of 2012 it demanded attention. Opportunities to reconnect to my spiritual practices appeared one after another. I found like-minded folks in unexpected places.

During 2013 I plan to continue what has already begun and stay open to new opportunities to explore and connect to spirit in all of its aspects. Besides some seventh Chakra work on and off my yoga mat and the monthly new moon and drumming circles at the yoga studio, I'll look for connections to spirit when I'm out in nature. Earth, air, fire and water are all abundant in the Adirondacks, manifesting in various forms.

And the Goddess is here, shining in her many aspects in my expanding tribe of sisters, mothers and friends.

Ishtar, Ceredwin, Hecate, Inanna, Isis, Artemis, Sophia, Athena, Coatilicue, Aphrodite, Mielikki, Astarte, Gaia, Saraswati, Kali, Pele, Paso Wee, Demeter, Parvati, Hera, Akewa, Diana, Nidaba, Chicomecoatl, Lilith, Shekhina, Morgana, Maya, Izanami, Shakti

Word Two: Adventure #365Yoga

On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit. (From the Hanuman Chalisa, as translated here.)

Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, is revered as a symbol of strength, perseverance and devotion. He embodies my second word for 2013: adventure. For what is adventure but seeking the luscious fruit of life, whatever it takes?

I am an adventurer. Maybe not in a "climb Mt. Everest" kind of way, but I find adventures all the time. I seek the juicy bits of life. Sometimes the day's adventure is on my yoga mat, sometimes on an Adirondack mountain, sometimes on the road in my running shoes, and sometimes it's in the pages of a good book.

Adventure is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about maintaining my physical health. My need for adventure, and places to find adventure, drives me to defend the environment and protect the sacred, natural places. Strength, perseverance and devotion are the keys to an adventurous life.

If you'd like to incorporate some adventure in your life this winter, check out 31 Winter Adventures by Expand Outdoors and WanderLydia. And unroll your yoga mat to explore what your body can do. I'll be doing both.

Original image here

Word One: Abundance #365Yoga

In addition to writing affirmations, I like to start off each year with a word. It's sort of a theme for the year. Last year's word was manifesting, and I did quite a bit of that in 2012.

This year I couldn't narrow my theme to one word, so I ended up with three. It's okay, since I'm thinking a little bit bigger this year anyway.

Word one is abundance. I've been struggling with feeling abundant lately. Although I am grateful for all that we have, which is more than many people in this world have, at times money is very tight. We have never gone without food or heat and we have a roof over our heads, but I nevertheless I feel fearful and lacking sometimes.

Like I'm standing on the edge of a fiscal cliff and it's a long way down. Except I can't raise my own credit limit.

Will this be the year I finally figure out how to make a budget and stick to it? Or will this be the year more revenue comes in? I'm not sure how abundance will play out in my life in 2013, but it will probably be a bit of both. And I'm sure I'll be standing at the edge of a few cliffs this year. But, wait, that's the next post...

Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha

Salutations to Lakshmi, the great goddess of abundance.