Please click to see each photo by itself.

Where Children Sleep is a project by photographer James Mollison that shows children from around the world and where they sleep at night.

Where Children Sleep is available for purchase on Amazon as an art book; it gives an intimate perspective of these children. You can get a glimpse of what their lives are truly like (and how they are different from your own) by just looking at their personal bedrooms. Read more at: http://www.amazingoasis.org/2013/11/no-thats-not-just-old-dirty-couch-what.html

H/T Amazingoasis.org and PM

My dear cousin Bob is a deacon in NY, USA. Here’s a beautiful story Bob shared with me earlier today.
Here’s a true story that occurred yesterday:

After Mass, the Priest and Deacon usually go to the door of the church and greet those leaving. Yesterday, I was doing that when a family approached. Father, Mother, two daughters (about 8 and 5). I know the family.

I heard the Mother whisper to the 8-yr-old: “ask him.”

The girl looked shyly at me but said nothing. So the Mother said a bit more loudly “Go ahead, ask him.”

The girl looked at me and asked: “Are you a veteran?”

I replied, “I served in the Army but it wasn’t war-time. Does that make me a veteran”

The girl looked at her Mother questioningly and the Mother nodded her head “yes”.

The girl reached out her hand to me and said “Thank you.”

Thank you to all those who have served our country. Your sacrifice and dedication is incredible. At Lucid Practice, it’s our hope that this type of gratitude is present on all days, not just Veterans Day.

The Connection Between Ashtanga Yoga Student and Teacher

I had the fortune of being an Ashtanga Yoga student at Jois Yoga in Greenwich before it closed recently. Two aspects that stood out at Jois were:

• Universal respect for the traditional yoga practice
• High degree of respect/reverence for the teachers

Sarath and Saraswathi Jois at Jois Yoga in Greenwich, CT

Most of the practitioners I befriended seemed to be extremely dedicated and well read. They followed Krishnamacharya/Pattabhi Jois guidelines such as:

• Practice Mysore Style Ashtanga each day (ideally first thing in the AM) with practice beginning at the same time each day
• Practice asana every day except Saturdays
• Follow the eight limbed path, live by the yamas and niyamas
• Teacher Led Ashtanga Primary Series on Fridays
• No asana practice on Full Moon or New Moon Days (click here to find out why)
• Practice mostly with one teacher and form an intimate student/teacher bond

The final bullet point on the list stood out to me the most. One of the students made a gift in the form of a Sanskrit mantra on a slab of wood for her teacher.

The Sanskrit yoga mantra translates to read:

Let us together be protected

Let us together be nourished and blessed

Let us together join our mental forces in strength for the benefit of all

Let our efforts be luminous and joyful

May there be no discord between us

Let there be peace in all realms

This mantra comes from the Jois family and is featured in Sharath Jois’ book (see book review here). This gift from student to teacher speaks volumes to the impact that the teacher has had on her life.

It’s a touching piece that beautifully articulates the importance of a harmonious relationship between the student and the teacher. The mantra also speaks to peace (in the final line) in a broader context, which I think is a beautiful intention. If you identify with this mantra, you’ll probably enjoy this version of the Ashtanga Yoga Opening Mantra.

If there’s been an important yoga teacher that you’ve had in your life, consider reaching out to him or her and express your feelings. A gesture like this can go a long way.

Has there been a specific teacher in your life who has had a profound impact on you? We’d love to hear your story 🙂

Honoring those who have taken us to levels unimaginable.

We can bring more positive energy and gratitude into our lives by eliminating the phrase, “I have to” from our vocabularies. If you’d like to take this a step further, you can replace “I have to” with “I get to.” Our “self+talk” sends signals to our subconscious & affects the way we perceive life. This perception shapes our happiness and interaction w/ the world.

Let’s examine the difference:

“I have to go to work today.” (implies: “This is unfortunate,” “I’d rather be elsewhere,” “I’m being forced against my will.”)

“I am going to work today.” (implies: neutral feelings toward the activity)

“I get to go to work today.” (implies: “I’m fortunate,” “I’m going to create a great day,” “I have an opportunity that others would be grateful for,” “I’m blessed.”)

The simplest change in “self+talk” can transform a chore into a fun activity, a yoga practice into a lucid yoga practice, or a hardship into an opportunity.

Remember this quote:

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habit.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

It all starts with our thoughts and words. Next time you hear yourself say, “I have to _____,” try omitting that phrase or try changing it to “I get to ________.” You will soon reap the benefits of positive energy and gratitude.

Stay lucid!

~TR