There's soooooooooooooo many books to read! 

There's the SELF HELP section, or as we call it now MOTIVATION..... where I spent a lot of my teens and 20's mooching around in. But I was there earnestly! Trying so hard to work out a strategy to deal with one very sticky and tricky human, whom I loved. One that I couldn't in my conscience, distance myself from. So I spent a lot of my time (and money cause books aint cheap!!), trying on new ways, new angles, and really..... did it help the relationship? Nope. But it served me, the words supported and inspired me to keep going, maybe even motivated me. 

Then there's the ANCIENT WISDOM section (usually tucked away near Religion) up the back corner of the bookstore. I found this section through my love of Yoga, which goes way back to my Revlon days. "Hello, Revlon customer service, how may I help you?". From the pain of a favourite shade of coral lipstick being discontinued to the elation of Top Speed Nail Colour launching....I was there. 

However I found the most comfort and the most practical wisdom and teachings in the Vedic Texts. They felt like home, like I had landed in a familiar place. 

I fell in love with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,
I crushed big time on the Radiance Sutras (aka The Vijnana Bhairava Trantra)
then I swooned on the Bhagavad Gita ... 

and that's pretty much where I've been hanging out for the last few years, with Arjuna and Krishna.

Why would a modern woman, who loves stars on her sneakers, sweet lipsticks and cute scarves ... well why would she love this ancient wisdom? Good question. 

SO, these texts, these ancient books, they inspire motivate and comfort me BIG TIME!! They are full of the most beautiful characters, of drama, fall outs, panic attacks, passion, purpose, integrity and really the list goes on. But, they illustrate in so many ways the pain and beauty of life, from thousands of years ago. The old Rishi's and Sages, they had problems too. And they worked out strategies for dealing with these issues! How many times does Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras suggest ways to meditate!! Oh my gosh, there's so many suggestions.

Which now that "modern science" has validated that Mediation actually works (OMG!!) can help so many human beings. . 

If your passionate about Yoga, you must take that feeling and read some of these texts! I would suggest you start with The Yoga Sutras. You must do the practice some justice by diving in a little deeper than asanas. Phlease. 

The Bhagavad Gita, the "Song of the Lord" is the most jam packed text on relationships, on purpose, on strength and integrity. It will challenge you, it will push you, it will wake you and shake you up! This book is my Jam/Nutella/Peanut Butter sauce right now. It has expanded my way of thinking and feeling, it has strengthened me, and it continues to be my little companion for inspiration and to be my True North. 

Here's two of my favourite points, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do: 

Chapter 3, sloka 35: "It is better to do your own dharma (calling) even imperfectly, than someone else's dharma perfectly". (BE TRUE, BE YOU). Your dharma is what your truly called to do! Yes, you have a calling, you have a certain something that the world needs (more coming on that later). You have gifts, inclinations, talents and they are yours to bring and weave into this lifetime. 

AND: 

Chapter 2, sloka 40: "In these practices, no effort made is lost. Even a little practice of this dharma protects one from great fear". (So, walk toward, stretch into your goals, even effort in this direction will keep you inspired & happier than if you didn't). 

There's more coming in this space on dharma, passion, purpose and I hope that you enjoy it. 

Om Tat Sat (a wish to live in truth and integrity). 

​xx

* The Living Gita by Sri Swami Satchidananda was book I referred to for the above points. 

There's so much Yoga in Travel, and so much Travel in Yoga! 

Bear with me. 

Here's a little glimpse through the Gunas, the constant interplay of energy: 

Rajas - The take off! The excitement, the getting ready, making plans, googling places, scheming, and the very upward feel of energy. Its the climb and the first few days of the holiday! 

Tamas - The Arrived. A bit tired, a little weary, a tad worn out. Think: the reside from the first few days of exciting travel, of new smells, maybe the food is a little different,  jet lag, rhythms maybe even seasons also contrasting from where you've been. 

Sattva - The Return. A coming home to a sense and feel, of internal balance. The tending of one's self. Looking at yourself through the lens of Ayurveda you could use your own wisdom and sense of "knowing" what you need to restore you. I think here of: good sleep, Oils (Essential or an oil for some Abhyangha), Meditation, reading and for me ... quiet time. These are little but powerful ways of restoring balance and equanimity to one's soul. A balm to the soul if you will.

Essentially, Yoga encourages us to get to know ourselves. We do this through Asana, Mediation, Mantra, (there's plenty more here) and Ayurveda. When we do this, we have sovereignty over our self, and we become wise to know and feel what it is we need.... through our wisdom body, our Vijnanamaya Kosha! 

Here's a few notes of the Yoga I got up to on my 3 week Vacay: 

- On Board. I try to find little areas to stretch, usually its near where the food is prepped. So its quick! Arms up, stretching from finger tips to toes, taking this then into a side stretch. And then usually a forward bend. Careful of turbulence! Oh, speaking of turbulence which I'm not a fan of (who even is!!), Pranayama is my antidote. Its the most tangible way for me to calm my jitters, just the time to notice my breath, release my tight belly, and softly breathe is quite the medicine. On the ship, my SIL and I went and did some lovely Yoga together in the gym, beside people doing kick boxing, ab crunching etc. 

- Theme Parks. So lately I've started to get really nauseous on rides, which isn't great if your family are really into it and you have a 4 day pass! With the simulated rides, I just closed my eyes. I felt into my sit bones on the seat, my thighs in contact with the seat and that seemed to help a bit. So a bit of sensory adjustment there, thank you to Pratyahara for helping me out there. 

- People. So many people, queues, heat, noise. My antidote here is to find quiet. And sometimes that looks like I'm being antisocial, but its more self preservation. I need that quiet time to digest the day. And for me that looked like sinking into the couch on one particular night, and watching Eat, Pray, Love and on quite a few nights, an early night.

I love that this is underpinned by wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita, "no effort here is every wasted, even a little of this practice will shelter you from great sorrow". 

Little moments, simple solutions, provide us with the art of taking care of our selves.