Why do roses only bloom once a year?

Why do roses only bloom part of the year?

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Ok, so one of my favorite flowers is the Rose,
what's not to like right?
especially when you see the orangish/peachy
colored one in like a perfect bloom. 

Oh ya, and the scent, the sweet, subtle and sensual scent
of the rose is oh so yummy.

Now that I'm in this gorgeous new studio
I wanted to have a rose bush out in front of my house.
But I'm kind of in a pickle.
I mean if I get the rose bush and plant it I have to accept
that a lot of the time there will be thorns without blooms. 
Not lucious scents and soft petals all the time.

"So why is that a problem? " I ask myself.
Well, it's hard for me to see the thorns. 

I feel like a little kid crying to her mommy,
"I just want to smell the pretty rose!"

Hmmm, I ask myself again from my oh so spiritual state:
"What about the thorns without petals is so hard for you? "

 

And therein lies my teaching.

It's the barren part of the plant in the midst of the winter months
that is such a part of life.
It's representing more solitude, nothingness, it's also my reminder
of what is or isn't. 

I think I'm gonna do it! Dive it and get that rose bush,
get real comfortable with the thorns!
Then wait and enjoy the blossoms when they arrive.

The coming and the going, the opening and the closing,
moment by moment I am being asked to let go
and appreciate what is here and now!!!

Come on by and learn to be 

Like a Rose, learn to open and close effortlessly,  

gracefully, and embody all parts of life!

  

PremaYoga  
Teaches us to be free and access our wholeness! 

Like beautiful open flowers, as well as accept all of our thorns!  

"may you live like the lotus, at home on the banks of the muddy river."

Namaste,

Prema

The One Eyed Cat

The One Eyed Cat 

My daughter has been an animal activist since she could talk. It was very common for us to drive by telephone posts when she was a child with pictures of lost dogs where she would BEG me, “please stop the car”. She would cry until I would so she could get the information necessary to start her search for the lost animal.

For 5 years now she has been feeding a stray calico cat in her father’s neighborhood,  The only reason she hasn’t officially adopted it is because there are a few dogs in the house and the cat is too afraid to stay indoors.

The other day she called me begging please you have to help the calico something has attacked it and taken out its eye.  I shivered at the thought, the vet bills I knew were beyond me, but she would not let it go.

I also had to admit that the small little voice inside me was there to remind me that I had mentioned only a few weeks ago that I might want to get a cat.

She was right the cat’s eye was missing. Within a few short hours we were getting vet care, one of my dear cat lover and cat rescuer yoga students whom I’ve known for years came to mind as an ally. She actually offered to pay for vet services, (not my intention of calling her) 

With full surgery, repair fractures and sever damage, the vet also had to patch up the hole where the eye was missing.  It was quite dramatic.  It wasn’t easy, and I absolutely couldn’t help but take the cat in.  Ok, I fell in love with it pretty quickly after I said Yes, and my heart opened in a way that I hadn’t expected.

No kidding, as all of this was going on I opened up a magazine at the Vet’s office. The page I opened to was an advertisement for a book that was written, Titled Cats and Daughters.  Signs, Signs, and more Signs, pointed to Yes, Yes and Yes.

This poor calico cat had been either beaten by someone or hit by a car, not attacked by another animal like my daughter assumed. The angelic offering of Lucy Taylor, my dear Yoga student made it possible for Calico the One Eyed Cat to become my new pet.

I’m living in Gratitude for so many things right now. The studio I am renting on this property that has the healing energy of Hawaii, the new kitty to hold and care for, and the way in which people show up and give what they can when they can.

It happens. It’s the reminder of Life Works, rather than the opposite.

Our egos are so strong, they are so conditioned, they look to slip into the nooks and crannies even on our best days to tell us otherwise.

The ego goes on and on and on and on and wants us to strive for something other than what is now, for more, for struggle in any way shape or form, and the truth is it’s just not necessary.

I’m happy to be back here on the Central Coast. I’m grateful for anyone who took time to read this today! I’m excited to share the gifts the of Yoga & Mindfulness Practice

I'd love to hear from you!

Namaste

Prema

premayoga108@gmail.com

Save Pluto and Pay It Forward

Save Pluto and Pay it Forward

Have you or anyone you know ever known bought a bumper sticker and put it on your bumper with the feeling that it didn’t quite fit?

Bumper stickers are super personal.

I know I’m supposed to like and want bumper stickers that say namaste, which I actually have one, or AUM.  Those like go with what I do, but if I’m going to be 100 percent honest with you there are only two bumper stickers I really have ever wanted.

SAVE PLUTO   and   PAY   IT   FORWARD!

When I first saw the bumper sticker save pluto my heart melted. It was like the feeling of wanting to save a lost puppy who needed a home. It also brought back memories of solar system elementary school lessons, which were actually my fav when it came to using time wisely in school.

I even did a report on Pluto, and have fond memories of that tiny planet, yes planet!

One year my kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I asked for the bumper sticker Save Pluto. They said they couldn’t find it.

The second bumper sticker that is like me in a nutshell is Pay It Forward.  That’s just kind of what happens naturally as I’m out and about.

I have a clear memory of my son telling me when he was about 8 years old, “hey mom, how come your like nice to everyone?”  I guess it was just kind of like Pay It Forward coming through.

I write this because it reminds me of what’s at the base of all our essences?

I feel like its this natural genuine, be kind to one another energy that is shared by all beings.

And yes, I’m an optimist in humanity at large!

Really letting go, really being and opening each day brings me into more vulnerable, more real ways of being in life. And things that you might not expect, like a bumper sticker with the words SAVE PLUTO bring in feelings of  compassion pop out of nowhere and remind me of my humanness.   

I feel so well, SAVE PLUTOISH here in San Francisco. Ok so it’s more like wow, save the homeless. The homeless are everywhere here, and I don’t understand how so many of them have gotten lost or are where they are. 

I know, I know there are tons of theories on this, but at the root, it seems that as a society to have so many of them on our streets is not in alignment with humanity’s natural goodness.

Ultimately We’re all in this together.

Hmmmm we’re just humans having a spiritual experience, or we’re spiritual beings having a human experience. Something like that right! I always get it confused.

Over the holidays I’m going to nudge myself to PAY IT FORWARD, in any way I can.

May your light shine brightly, so you may share it with all who you encounter.

Enjoy your life, you only have one!
Namaste

Prema

States of Gratitude came while riding the MUNI BUS! It was cold, and dark. 7:30 p.m. I was downtown in the heart of San Francisco. I have been totally surrendering to being here, and the biggest surrender is  NOT TO  I REPEAT... NOT TO DRIVE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!!! One of my friends said she had read that the car represents the ego.  Well if that's true I've been forced to surrender. The worst part about San Francisco is driving and parking, It makes no sense, to drive unless you have an empty garage waiting for you and the route you take has no one way streets which is virtually impossible here. My only solution has been to surrender! I find a spot to leave my car for the 6 days allotted before street cleaning grants a ticket.  I walk everywhere. This  comes with many compromises. One biggie is not going to the grocery stores I prefer unless I want to ride the bus.   So tonight I really wanted to go downtown to a class I love. I hadn't been in a month due to the parking and driving situation. Seriously it's that bad. I decided to bare all and take the Muni tonight. So here's what happened,,,,,,,,, something really wild, and yet not so wild when you think about spiritual development.  I got really open and relaxed in my class, and felt ahhh at peace with the world.  And then, there it was this like WOW I felt the oneness and felt the deep support of the Universe! LIGHTS FLASHING!  I felt the gratitude show up as deep Gratitude for the Muni Bus! I had this like ah ha of wow thank you bus drivers,  thank you roads, thank you crazy taxis, thank you the way everything actually works. And although so much of our time and what  we hear on the news and we witness speaks to us as This isnt' working, I have to say  that the MUNI, the Traffic, and the whole of the whole are working quite well together  I REAL EYES, REALIZED  how everything is here to support us.  I felt deep relaxation as I walked back to the Donut World, where I got back on the  MUNI to go uptown to my house.  Gratitude is a wild thing. When it authentically shows up,  in any moment, take it in  and REJOICE! It's different to feel it from the ground up, like right there in the belly,  than to muster it up and think about oh this is what I'm grateful for. OVER THE HOLIDAY, if you're so inclined... Take time to be alone, meditate, or listen, to what your truly in AWE  over, FEEL IT BREATHE IT AND LET IT FEED YOUR SOUL. For anyone who read this, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL, for sharing this simple yet meaningful experience.  The writing is a followed inspiration, and the intent is to wake up GRATITUDE in all. What's good for one is good for all. May we all live like the lotus, at home on the banks of the muddy rivers!   ENJOY YOUR LIFE! YOU ONLY HAVE ONE! Much Love, Prema  contact me

Carving Out Sacred Time: Lisa Jansen on the Value of a Yoga and Zen Workshop Series

Article by Jay Pennington, Sangha News Editor

To spend time deepening your practice—an appealing idea, and one that can often seem out of reach in a life full of commitments. Multi-day retreats are not always possible. But what about just three Saturday afternoons, each a month apart, on a solid theme? That’s exactly what is offered by Yoga, Zen and the Three Jewels, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, with the classes reflecting the themes of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Yoga teacher and intuitive healer Lisa Jansen leads the series, along with Zen teachers Connie Cummings (Class 1 and 3) and Judith Randall (Class 2). Although individual class sign-ups are still welcome in this series, I asked Lisa to share something about the particular benefits of committing to a short series.
Jay: In these upcoming classes, how will the different yoga styles or practices support exploring, even embodying, the three jewels?

Photo by Shundo David Haye

Lisa: Observing ourselves through our asana and pranayama practices, we awaken to our true nature and our conditions in both body and mind. The hatha yoga practice is designed to purify; ongoing practice serves as a purification process that ultimately turns us toward our own light, or awakens us to our full potential. With interest and commitment we can awaken.
The hatha and Yin Yoga combination is a balanced approach to practicing Yoga. Through hatha we release holding patterns; through Yin we turn inward and understand our conditioning. Together they prepare students for a fruitful meditation practice.
I love offering students opportunities to have longer practice sessions, such as this three-part series. When coming back together again in the same setting we develop a community or sangha. For every group that joins together there is benefit to all members. Setting aside time such as a series or a longer workshop, or going on retreat, creates a field in which we receive the teachings more deeply.
Jay: You have already begun an excellent answer to my next question, but can you say anything more directly about the value of attending all three classes?

“In order to . . . allow our Buddha-nature to shine bright, we need to carve out sacred time and commit to practice.”

Lisa: Consistency, discipline, setting aside regular practice times are all part of growing spiritually. In order to grow or advance in our spirituality, aka allow our Buddha-nature to shine bright, we need to carve out sacred time and commit to practice. I find that in these busy times not all can get away for five- or ten-day retreats. This is my way as a teacher of bringing mini-retreats to the students so that their lives may be enriched. It’s also great for students who have done a retreat and want to keep that energy alive.
Jay: You identify yourself as an intuitive healer and have trained in several different healing modalities. How does this affect the experience of the yoga student in a class setting?
Lisa: My training and experience as a craniosacral therapist, Reiki master and intuitive have taught me how to empty out so that I can listen from deep within and intuitively respond to each individual’s needs while in a classroom setting. The intention through the teaching is to energetically support students in attuning to the Universal Life Force Energy. The all-pervasive state of oneness or wholeness is always accessible; it’s just that we often have our attention elsewhere! Students in my classes, even with a large span of ages and abilities, will report having had their individual needs met.

Connie Cummings and Judith Randall

Jay: Is there anything you would like to add or highlight about this class series?
Lisa: I’m always excited to work with students and offer the teachings through the Zen Center. Yoga and Zen are so similar, such a complement. Working in harmony with the Zen Teachers is such a joy!
__________
For full class descriptions of this series, see Yoga, Zen and the Three Jewels, at ZaZEN Filbert Street. For more about Lisa Jansen, visit lisayoga.com.

Me, We, and Non Duality

Me, We, and Non duality

To really understand your true nature

you must first embrace the Me

Then open to the We

Thus discovering Non duality

  

 It's healthy to take care of yourself. In fact it's a 

must in order to have healthy relations. 

It's human nature to want deep heart felt connection.

Connecting on a daily basis is really all we're after.  

               Daily Heart Felt Connection

We can access that from within and throughout.

First take the time to open to your Me.

The part of yourself that wants to feel

unconditionally, without judgement.

Take time to meet your own needs so you

can be there unconditionally for someone else.

An Unhealthy Me is when the ego  

sabotages and sends conditioned messages,

brings back old negative feelings,

keeps you from having joy and an open state

of satisfaction. When sabotaging

memories, thoughts, projections 

convolute your healthy me connection

 Remember to disregard them.

Allow those egoic thoughts to

breeze right through, don't grab onto

them, *the ego will trick you into 

maintaining that relationship.*

            Don't Let it!!!!

Simply feel where the egoic thoughts

come from, where they sit in the body/mind

and feel them pass through you like water

passing through a sieve.

  

In nature the We, and the Me can be seen

as the tree and the soil. They are separate 

yet they are one.  So here it is.  You can 

stay completely connected to the Me, and

also have a full relationship with the We.

Once this is established there is the Whole

also called Non-dualtiy.  This space is neither

one nor the other, both are there. 

"From form to emptiness, and emptiness to form."

used by Zen Masters to describe this state.

Practice the meditation that I've listed below

to move from me, to we, and all that is. 

And back again! Not to lose yourself in one

 for the other, knowing all things, are one. 

Fulfillment,  and fulfilling your spiritual self requires practice, willingness and thus attuning to this state of oneness. 

                         It's Possible!

      

Non duality Meditation

 Try this:  Sit comfortably. Attune to the space beside

 you to the right. Stay awhile. Not the right side of the body,

 but the space to the right of you.

Now attune to the space to the left of you body.  

Now access both spaces at once.

Next, attune to the space behind you, the space behind your

body. Wait awhile. Now attune to the space in front of your 

body.  Access both the space in front of you and behind you 

at the same time. 

Sitting, feel you whole vertical channel, feel yourself centered 

and  practice attuning to all 4 spaces at once. 

Balance your mind to attune to the 4 spaces at once 

while you sit still and quietly.  

We can achieve perfect balance. Learning to attune 

our minds to spaciousness from within and throughout. 

Not to lose one for the other! 

Practicing regularly creates a reality, rather than 

a practice.

I hope you enjoy these practices. 

May they support you in your life.

feedback welcome!

 with practice, patience, and perseverance you are awakening~ 

Contact Lisa

Prema-dove

Lisa Jansen

ERYT, SRT, CST

****************************************************************************

Prema offers...

 Private Alternative Healing

Embodiment

Fundamental Consciousness

Spiritual Emotional Psychological Healing

Loving Attention

Safe Sacred Space

Personal Evolution

Free from pain body

Free from conditioned mind

Accessing Higher States of Consciousness

*Balance

*Personal Integration

*Self Realization

Over the past 17

 I've been integrating several healing modalities. 

I trust that while working privately 

I will be guided to offer you 

exactly just what you need.

I listen from that heartfelt space

from deep within

attuning to your whole self

the highest form 

and offer a space 

where you can receive

Transformation!

 contact me here.

email me  

805 709 6437

pricing and more information about the  modalities 

I integrate can be found here

lisayoga.com

A little Creative Voice Snuck into my Consciousness While I was sleeping.... IT SAID: SHARE THIS E M B O D I M E N T 4 Ways of Bringing It Home! Embodied You Embodied Consciousness Embodied Movement Embodied We  offerings... EMBODIED YOU a private session in Halcyon EMBODIED CONSCIOUSNESS learn to use meditation EMBODIED MOVEMENT Yoga with Embodiment Included EMBODIED WE Learn to Share your gifts through intensive CALL TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO GET STARTED!  805 709 64378 or email me  May Your Day Be Filled With Love, Prema aka lisa

FREE CLASS!!! Just mention this ad and you can take a FREE CLASS in May.  CLasses at Branch Mill Organic Farm on Wednesdays, or Tuesdays at Peaceful Point.   Get Class Updates Here: lisayoga.com