by Kara-Leah Grant I've long been aware that I've had a particular way of operating in the world that doesn't serve me. I'm addicted to getting things done. To being productive. And it comes from being in my head, rather than from being. There are some big gains from this particular behaviour - like prodigal production. Given the limitations of my life, I have produced an extraordinary amount of output. Websites, articles, books, classes, workshops, retreats, videos. This on top of single … [Read more...]
On the Dilution of the Genuine Transmission of Yoga
by Kara-Leah Grant I was recently in a yoga class with yet another teacher who's not present, not teaching to the room, and not really teaching yoga. Oh, there were postures, and alignment cues, and by the end of the class as she'd come more into herself and some presence, offering some lovely phrases and suggestions. Other people enjoyed the class. They left feeling like they'd done a "good yoga class". They were happy. Content. And they'll keep coming back. Me, I was watching my … [Read more...]
How avoiding feelings avoids the present moment and avoids life
By Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat This morning, the wonderful woman who looks after Samuel four days a week while I work told me she's finishing up with PORSE (home-based early childhood education) on April 6. This is a big deal. I live in a small town with no kindergaten or other early childhood education facility. There is no other childcare available (right now). I'm also a single parent working from home and those childcare hours are my livelihood - not just for my business but … [Read more...]
I’ve fallen off the Yoga Practice Bandwagon
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat My practice has fallen by the wayside. Oh, something's happening every day, be it Yoga Nidra in bed before falling alseep, or a snatched moment of pranayama while my son watches a DVD, or a moment of standing backbends at the bench while doing the dishes. But rolling out a yoga mat, putting on yoga clothes, and doing a sustained practice? Twice a week. Maybe. I miss it. I yearn for it. I stop for a moment and tune into my breath and feel the … [Read more...]
Rolling with Gangaji and how she scuttled my boat Part 2
My first impression of Gangaji, the person in real life, left me a little surprised. On the YouTube clips, I remembered her being a wise and encompassing energy, a presence larger than life with a chameleon of hairstyles. When I opened my eyes as we finished our coming-together mediation, I saw the energy of a child sitting up on stage. She was calm and so innocent. Her distinctive locks of hair were pulled back into a neat librarian’s bun. This is Gangaji? Slowly her presence filled … [Read more...]
Rolling with Gangaji and how she scuttled my boat Part 1
You know, I’m often tempted to start many of the article I write with marveling at how synchronistic our world is. How missing out on one event meant that I turned up to another. How I ended up at the right place at the right time. So forgive me for overstating it right up front, but isn’t life’s timing perfect! In this instance, I am referring to Gangaji’s visit to Australasia late last year. Timing had it that I missed out on her New Zealand visit, something I really wanted to … [Read more...]