Are you enjoying the sounds (not to mention the smells) of spring? The birds join together each day in glorious chorus, accompanied by frogs, mosquitoes, bees, dragonflies and other various insects. The wind becomes a backdrop of strings in this organic orchestra, and even humankind’s lawn mowers and weed eaters add their own unique harmony to nature’s symphony. As I absorb this feast of sound, I am struck by how the vibrations affect me. It is similar to the effect of listening to a favorite song that always stirs something within. The same notes are played in the same way each and every time that I listen, yet the music is so remarkably powerful and moving that it feels as though I am listening again for the first time.

I often experience this same phenomenon when practicing yoga. We do our asana over and over – repeating poses that have been practiced for thousands of years. Yet we can experience something new or different each and every time. The French author Marcel Proust wrote, “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” As we lift ourselves into yet one more downward facing dog, we come to discover that the pose at its core does not change – our eyes do.

It is said that one of the beauties of yoga is that it improves the art of observation – particularly observation of self. As we look inward with a more observant gaze, we discover “the Truth of who we are.”

Through this self-discovery, we ultimately affect positive change in our lives and in the lives of others. It is easy to become encumbered by the search so that we cannot see past our own surface, but in truth we are not our accomplishments and achievements, we are not our illnesses and limitations, we are not our labels, we are not our thoughts and emotions. We are beauty and grace and love. These are what lie within – “the Truth of who we are.” And with this realization, we are able to distribute and share our Truth with the world.

May Your Spirit Soar,

Margie

Good to Know

Every Saturday from 8:00 to noon, local farmers bring their fresh foods to the McKinney Farmers’ Market located in Chestnut Square. Grass fed beef, lamb and pork, as well as fresh eggs raised on organic pastures and fed organic grains are provided by Rehoboth Ranch. There are several farmers who bring their local fresh and/or organic produce and herbs. The delicious salads I have been enjoying all week are crispy and tasty with that “just picked yesterday” crunchiness and flavor (the farmers harvest on Friday and bring to market on Saturday – can’t beat it!)

Free Laughter Yoga Class in Finch Park, McKinney

Celebrate World Laughter day this Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. by attending a free Laughter Yoga class with Donnette Diehl.

Those of us who attended Donnette’s class at the studio this month know how delightful Donnette is and just how much fun this class truly is!

Laughter

Yoga

World Laughter Day May 4^th

1:30-2:30pm @Finch Park in McKinney – FREE!!!!

(Meet by the gazebo)

Come experience laughter as an exercise. Bring a friend, bring kids, even bring a dog! Must be able to laugh and breathe - no previous yoga experience needed!

Benefits:

•When we laugh our bodies release a cocktail of hormones & chemicals that have startling positive effects on our system• Blood and all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy • Blood pressure and pulse rate drops, circulation improves • Depression is lifted • High endorphin levels put us in a great mood and reduce many aches and pains • Lymphatic system is massaged • Self-confidence, communication and creativity are boosted • Stress-levels reduce by 75% or more and we become more stress-resistant in our day-to-day lives

About the facilitator:

Donnette Diehl 200RYT has been teaching yoga since 2003. At the beginning of 2008 she became certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader through The American School of Laughter Yoga. This new practice has unleashed her passion for fun and playfulness that is evident in her classes. She feels strongly that Laughter Yoga has a special place in the journey towards world peace.

T-Shirts for Sale

We have a limited number of Joyful Spirit Yoga T-shirts left from our anniversary celebration that we will be selling for $10.00. The shirts are 100% cotton, pre-shrunk. Call or come by the studio if you would like to purchase one. Thank you!

Studio Closed Sat, May 24

We will be closed Saturday, May 24 for the Memorial Day weekend.

Mudra of the Month (a mudra is a hand posture)

Surya Mudra is formed when the tip of the ring finger is joined to the base of the thumb, and the thumb, lying lightly on the ring finger, applies a gentle pressure to it, while the rest of the fingers are kept straight.

Surya mudra can provide immediate strength to the body. It also helps to balance the secretions in the thyroid gland, which regulates our body’s metabolism. This mudra eases physical and mental stress, and is also known to aid digestion. When surya mudra is practiced for 5-10 minutes, it can help relieve coughs, asthma, and sinus congestion.