Flash Mob Meditation

This afternoon, my friend Rita organized a flash mob meditation scene in the middle of downtown South Orange. Last week I wrote how I have recommitted to my meditation practice. I have meditated every morning for 20 minutes. I have been able to get a second 20 minute meditation in a handful of times. Today was one of those afternoons.

I will admit I thought it was going to be challenging to mediate in public. And I was right! I had to let go of the outside sounds. I heard people walking by. I heard cars honking. I heard the construction workers with jackhammers a few feet away from us. I heard people approaching Rita and asking her what was going on. However, there were also moments when I was deep in meditation only to “come out” when a very loud noise awoke me.

As the minutes passed, these outside sounds became quiet. In fact, the sounds helped me go deeper in mediation. It’s “easy” to meditate in my quiet room on my cushion in front of my altar. Meditating outside in the midst of a busy afternoon is an entirely different experience.

Thank you Rita for creating this experience for myself and the other meditators. It was amazing to see people meditating for the first time in their lives.

The Letter

My friend Michele passed away two years ago. She left a 6 year old daughter, Rachel. Rachel and my youngest daughter Alessandra were in the same preschool class one year.

I sent Reiki (energy healing) to Michele dozens and dozens of times throughout her illness. I visited her at the hospital. I was there the evening Michele passed. I promised myself, and Michele’s sister Diane, that I would write a letter to Rachel. It’s been two freaking years and still no letter. Until this afternoon.

I’ve written the letter hundreds of times in my head. Over and over and over. But I could just not muster the ability to sit down and actually write it. Last week I emailed Diane, who is raising Rachel, to make sure they were at the same address.  She sent me photos of Rachel. She looks so gorgeous. Just like her Mom.

I don’t know what inspired me to sit down today to write the letter. Was it because yesterday was Mother’s Day? All I know is that I wrote 3 pages front and back to Rachel. I told her how much her mother loved her. How her mother worried about her and wanted to be there for her as she grew up. How I heard her mothers voice call “Rachel, Rachel, Rachel” as she was making her transition out of this realm.

I cried yesterday as I thought about Michele and Rachel. I missed my Mom on Mother’s Day and my heart ached for Michele and Rachel. I know Rachel is surrounded by her family who absolutely adore her and would climb over mountains (and trust me, they are) for her. I know this. My tears are for me and for them and for everyone who has left us too soon.

Just Do It

My meditation teacher was in town this past weekend. I first learned her meditation technique, which she calls Vedic Meditation, about two years ago. I was given a mantra and am supposed to meditate 20 minutes a day, twice a day, before breakfast and in the evening. I was into it for a few weeks, maybe longer, maybe less. I don’t really remember. But along the way, I lost my way. Granted, in the meantime, I did other forms of meditation, like japa meditation, where you use a mala to keep track of your mantra, sort of like rosary beads. Other times I simply sat in silence and focused on my breath. Other times, I gave myself Reiki and considered that my meditation.

However, I also thought that perhaps I would make better progress (I’m not sure exactly what sort of progress I’m talking about) if I picked one form of meditation and stuck with it longer than a week or two or 40 days.

My teacher held a meditation refresher course for her previous students. It was great to meditate with 12 others and it inspired me to resume this practice. And so, I begin anew. For the past three days, I have meditated for 20 minutes every morning. I have not yet been able to get in that second meditation. I suspect whoever came up with that practice was not raising two children. Or, maybe that’s just my excuse? I’m not going to beat myself up for it. While I can certainly see the benefit of mediating twice a day, I’m going to appreciate the fact that I’m doing it once a day.

Do you meditate? Do you follow a certain practice?  I’d love to hear about it.

ETA: I just did my second meditation of the day. In a waiting room surrounded by people. It was bizarre! I was a bit self conscious; I bet everyone thought I was sleeping! I would go into a trance of sorts and then I would hear a baby cry or someone talking near me and I would “wake up.” I managed to get to 17 minutes, 30 seconds until I had to go, but at least I got close!!

Read It and Believe It

A few weeks ago, I blogged about a group of kids that I teach. I think about these kids all the time. Honestly, I think about all the kids that I teach all the time. I spend a ton of time online, searching blogs and websites to get ideas and things to do in my yoga classes. I buy books and props to use in my classes. I’m always on the lookout on how I can best serve my students.

I am really enjoying the Nurture Affirmation cards. The kids love looking at the pictures and try to read the affirmations on their own. The other morning, my daughters and I picked out a card for ourselves. It was a fun way to start the day.

I told the creator of the cards, Roxanne, that she should create affirmation stickers to go along with the cards. I’ve been craving a way to give the kids a take away, something they can have for the rest of the day. This morning, as I was preparing to teach, I thought of purchasing tattoo markers.

I gave each child a card and we took turns reading each card out loud. Then I told them that I was going to write one word on their hand with a tattoo marker. As you can imagine, this was a big hit! I had only intended to write down one word that was on the card on each student, but then one child asked for two words, then three words, so I ended up writing three words on each child. I wrote words like love, helpful, and courage.

The children told me they were never going to wash their hands or arms. One child said he wanted to keep the words on his arm to remember me. I just hope they  know and feel love, helpful and courage.

 

It’s All Energy

I

I’ve been studying a different form of energy healing for the past few weeks. It’s Kundalini Reiki, although my teacher trademarked  Practical Reiki to make it more “user friendly” (my words, not hers). I thought it would be a nice compliment to my Usui Reiki Master education.

I’ve been interested in energy work ever since I was a child. I loved writing down my wishes, writing letters to my future self, crystals and more. It’s funny. Even though I’m not sure if there is a God or karma or what, I do believe in energy. I believe because this is something that I experience myself. When I have received Reiki or other forms of energy work, I have felt things.  When I give sessions, I feel things and many times the person receiving the session has felt things. Also, many times I also see things and hear things during the session. Again, most times, the person receiving the session can validate what I say.

Where do these messages come from??? Who knows. I’m trying to stop trying to figure it out because I suspect there just isn’t a way to figure it out. All I know is that I really, really love giving Reiki sessions. I may love it even more than teaching kids yoga, although I teach way more than the amount of Reiki sessions that I give. It also seems that my clients love receiving sessions based on the feedback that I’ve received.

This weekend, my meditation teacher Jennifer is coming to town. In addition to teaching meditation, she also does a form of energy healing called Sunpoint. My first session with Jennifer was unlike anything I had ever experienced  I’m going to get attuned to Sunpoint too. The more energy, the better, right?

Do You Listen To Your Body?

When I woke up yesterday, I wanted to move my body. I needed to exercise. But I didn’t feel like taking a yoga class or going to the gym. I also didn’t want to stay home and not do anything. I sat down and thought about what I wanted to do. I decided to take a walk around my neighborhood. I threw on my sneakers and my hand weights (I did want to get my heart pumping). It felt great to be outside. I loved looking at the blooming trees, tulips and flowers. (Side note: I didn’t even realize it was Earth Day until after I got home).

Along my walk, I thought about my intuition and how it’s how it’s so important  to take time to slow down and listen to what my gut is telling me. I recently was offered a yoga teaching opportunity. In the past, I would have immediately said yes. This time, I did immediately write back to say that I would need a few days to think about it and that I would get back to them as soon as possible. I reached out to a few friends to get their perspective. I also happened to read an article that gave me an idea. The more I thought about this situation, the more ideas came to me. After a few days I was able to respond in a way that made me feel good. It was all about slowing down and paying attention.

I’ve recently been studying a new form of energy healing called Kundalini Reiki. It’s all about your intention and then paying attention to sensations. It’s been a good practice for me.

I think we’ve all been in that position where we’re faced with a decision and our gut is screaming NO! NO! NO! yet our mind takes over and we say yes because it sounds like a good idea, we need the money or it would be good for our career. You say yes and you later realize it wasn’t the best decision.

Maybe it’s time to stop and smell the flowers. Slow down, take time to listen to your body and then act.

 

More Than Words

I’ve been teaching yoga to children for nearly two years. I never imagined myself in this position and yet here I am, doing my best to serve my students. My intention when I teach kids is to get them to smile. It sounds easy, doesn’t it?  But that’s not always the case.

I teach four classes a week to children who have suffered trauma and now demonstrate severe emotional and behavioral issues. Most, if not all, do not live with both of their biological parents. Some are adopted but aren’t aware of that. Some have one or both of their parents incarnated. Some have been expelled or suspended from school at age 5. Most of my kids can’t sit still. They will tell me “Miss Judie, I can’t help myself. I can’t stop moving.” Of course sweetheart, I think, this is not your fault.

I do my best to introduce props, songs, books, whatever I can to brighten their day. I bring in my Tibetan healing bowl. I bring in essential oils and crystals. I give out coloring sheets and stickers.

I recently entered a contest to win a deck of Nurture Cards: Affirmation Cards for Children. OMazing Kids is an AMAZING website with fabulous resources for anyone who works with children. OMazing Kids offers contests on what seems like on a daily basis. I am so grateful to them!!!

I was SO HAPPY to have won the contest. Even though the cards were shipped from Australia, they arrived very quickly. I was able to use them in my classes this afternoon. I put a card on each mat. Most of the kids do not know how to read but the ones that did took pride in reading the affirmations. I read every single affirmation. As I expected, the kids loved the cards.

Some of the affirmations were “I love myself for all that I am” and “I enjoy doing my very best in all that I do” and “I am happy to forgive the people that I love.” When one of the students got that card, we spoke about forgiveness. It was such a sweet conversation.

I wish I could show you every card! I especially love how the cards feature faces of all different skin tones. I have used yoga cards with these kids before and they once asked me how come none of the kids in the cards had brown skin. Hmm, good question! Now I specifically search for cards that have all skin colorings.

Thank you Angela at OMazing Kids and Roxanne from Nurture Cards. The world is a better place because of you.