Chakras, literally  “wheels” in Sanskrit, are energy centers of the body. Though you can’t see them on an X-ray, the chakras are part of the yogic health system and also correspond to similar aspects of other eastern psycho-medical philosophies.

Each of the seven major chakras, located from the base of the spine to just above the head, can be the focus of a meditation.

If you sit quietly with eyes closed and bring your attention to light on each of these centers and the energy that they contain, you might get a sense of comfortable fullness or of lack and fear. Ask yourself – “Am I losing energy here? Is some fear drawing energy from this part of my body?”

The first chakra, at the base of the spine, is about belonging to the tribe of life, knowing the truth that all is one.

The second, located just above the tailbone, is about managing our power and creativity to realize the purpose of each person and event in our lives. The third, just below the navel, concerns the self, honoring one’s own dignity.

The fourth, at the heart center,  is about life’s pre-eminent love and compassion. The fifth, in the throat, is about judgment – the quality of thoughts and words we express about others.

The sixth chakra, at the third eye, concerns intuition and divine understanding. The seventh, a swirling energy wheel just above the crown of the head, is about being present in the moment to Grace.

In your meditation, relish any fullness! If there is a sense of energy seeping out of the “tire”, breath deeply and consciously pump it back up! The ride ahead will go much smoother.

~ Andrea O’Connor

There’s an ancient yogic text dating from 700 CE that actually describes and recommends this process. The Vijnana Bhairava, is a compilation of 112 practices that lead to samadhi or ecstasy.

Here’s what it says- “Go on walking and wandering, moving without any end. After moving and wandering for a considerable period, I don’t mean a half an hour, walking for about six hours without a stop, when your body aches, you want to lie down somewhere. And you do not reach home. Lie down on the ground at once. When the moving and perceiving is over, and you are aware, you will enter a state of open consciousness.”

With total fatigue and a complete letting go into rest, a new spirit of delight arises.

So if you are doing a sport or physical labor or perhaps just making your way through an exhausting day, relish your tiredness. Lie down at once! Let go. Be aware. Be at peace. It’s cheap bliss.

~ Andrea O’Connor

The moon-set was so rapid across the sky that I could almost feel myself whirling through space though the rock I sat on seemed stable enough. As a matter of fact, the latest astronomy calculations put the earth hurtling outward into the Universe at 360,000 mph, along with the rest of the Milky Way.

How limited are my perceptions of reality, though I can think they are so RIGHT!

Yoga philosophy tells me that there are four bodies that make up everything – the physical, mental, energetic, and the spacious void. Each sheath has it’s own ever changing realities to be revealed with conscious observation.

If I’m looking honestly, my physical state might reveal tiredness or soreness. The mental state could be confused or angry. Dropping deeper, I find the energetic state pulsing with life, steady as the breath. I use this energy to refresh my body and mind.

And the void. It’s a place within each of us that is empty, open, peaceful like the space at the bottom of the breath before the impulse to take another breath is present.

It’s one of the places that red moon dropped into when it left my sight.

~ Andrea

Bill and I had gotten there earlier to find the place radiant with morning light and a stunning view of Lake Champlain. We swept the stadium tiers and prepared to teach a yoga class to this group.

And so class theme and poses were designed to illustrate the powerful “being” energy, of the yoga god Shiva. And the joyful, creative energy of the goddess Shakti. How these two energies work together within each of us, and among us in relation to others.

How as a couple or as friends or siblings, one at times holds the ground of reality while the other adds the joy. And how in relationship we trade off in these roles, supporting each other, bringing out the best in one another. This dance of energy and action plays out thousands of times in a lifetime together.

And though the circumstances change constantly to keep the dance fresh, the message is always the same. Shiva shows us that all is well, if we can accept that. Shakti infuses the present moment with lightness and love, if we open up and let it in.

~ Andrea

During the meditative shoveling of several yards of soil and gravel, I  arrived at a plan for herbs in large containers, to one side of the new pathway. Perfect!

How can we experience our obligations and every day acts as freeing? By dissolving expectations, acting without guilt and being content with the results.

Every action then becomes sacred when we  see ourselves as a reflection of the Divine and therefore connected to all beings. We find deep empathy and imagination.

So counsels the sage Krishna, addressing the reluctant warrior Arjuna in the Bagavagita. That which seems to bind us; frees us.

~ Andrea

It is not necessary to change the world around us, Krishan advises, but step into the flow and add our actions to the Divine order. Our work is to shape ourselves to move in alignment with the forces of creation.

The discipline it takes to do this is less about restraining or pushing ourselves but acting  from our true self which is essentially synonymous with the Divine.

Take my dog, Robi, this morning out in the backyard in the sun. I have small flower beds surrounding the yard and ferns and lily of the valley under the lilacs. She can lie ANYWHERE except in the flower beds or on the ferns.

She could be so happy on the cool grass but no, she wants only to lie in the flower beds! If only she would step into the flow of the backyard and accept a little discipline rather than try to change the natural law. Then she could have so much freedom!

Should I send her out to talk with Krishna? ~Andrea

Krisha is not easy on the anguished and pitiable Arjuna. Dare to desire more! the guide thunders at the quaking warrior. Think beyond the discomfort, the uncertainty, even the outcome of the battle. Turn your attention to the freedom that engagement brings.

Look within and see that this life is more than acquiring and keeping objects or power. There is something MORE here that you are fighting for. It is not just trivial life that you are playing at, it is spiritual reality.

If I’m faint-hearted at dawn about my day, I could listen to Krishna’s booming voice in my heart.

DESIRE MORE than just going through another day. Reach for the delight that today’s right action can bring.

To be added to the list to receive further Anusara Moments on the Gita, email me directly. ~Andrea

Amidst all this tumult of battle preparation, a great, clairvoyant sage chooses to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place in this chariot in the field.

I’ll keep you posted on what the sage overhears!

The sage’s choice is symbolic of our power to choose what is vitally important in life. We must learn to listen to and focus on what is essential even amidst chaos and change. We have the opportunity to look for life meaning wherever, whenever and however it is presented to us.

This can be difficult. In daily life, we are bombarded by tons of information. Very little of that is actually knowledge. And even less is wisdom.

Only the wisdom is essential.

~ Andrea

SATURDAY, April 30th from 4 pm to 6 pm Susan Cline Lucey

Calling All Young Yogis At Heart – Bringing Yoga into Your Family

DISCUSSION & ASANA WORKSHOP: Calling all teachers, aunts, uncles, friends of kids, moms and dads! Do you wish you knew more fun and active ways to engage kids? This workshop is for anyone wanting to learn practical tools, games and songs to connect with children through yoga poses as well as yogic themes of compassion, love and blissful play. We will spend some time exploring the myriad of reasons why introducing yoga into a child’s life is valuable – building connections and community, instilling confidence, creating loving and lighthearted interactions, establishing respect for self and others, and developing a sense of gratitude and love for all that is living. The bulk of the workshop will be spent learning practical tools/activities/games to create the most effective connection with children in a variety of situations and for a variety of ages. We will roar like lions, grow like flowers, sing, shake, sway, try partner yoga poses, breathe, meditate, and feel good – all of which come into play when doing yoga with children. No experience with children necessary! Just a willingness to have fun.

SUNDAY, May 1st from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm Andrea O’Connor

The Light of Awareness

LUNCH LECTURE: The light of your awareness is a serious gift from the Universe.
It is your protection, your guide, your wealth, your liberation. When you lose an object in the dark you can find it with a candle or a flashlight or you can turn on a lamp. When you lose your intentions, ideas, or goals, you can find them with the Light of Awareness! In this workshop, you’ll be guided in two separate 20-minute guided meditations focusing on the light or the capacity of Consciousness to illumine and reveal, to make things appear and manifest.

SUNDAY, May 1st from 1 pm to 3 pm Janet Carscadden

The Anatomy of a Backbend – Unlock Your Full Potential

DISCUSSION & ASANA WORKSHOP: Learn the components of your body essential for a full backbend. Learn anatomy of the shoulders, spine and hips through experiential exploration on the mat and with partners. Discover the areas of your body that may need to be opened to unlock the fullest potential of your backbend. Learn to recognize when too much movement is occurring that may potentially overload one area of your body.

It would be so simple for the Kaurava to maintain his supremacy yet compromise and avoid the certain bloodbath that awaits both sides of the family.

And this is the point. He chooses discontent though it doesn’t make sense. It is narcissism beyond belief and yet it has hold of him like a deep tap root. Freeing himself of this discontent would be a choice for a future of peace, justice and social order. But he won’t do it!

How many times in each day do we have an opportunity to choose contentment which garners peace? Or do we choose discontentment that leads to all different kinds of trouble?

The Bagavad Gita is a Hindu text that is considered among the most important in the history of literature and philosophy. Insights hidden in the story form no less than a manual for mankind, according to such great thinkers as Gandi, Emerson and Jung.

I will be focusing a number of class themes around this great work.

To be added to the list to receive further Anusara Moments on the Gita, email me directly. ~ Andrea