My favorite part of my yoga practice is doing sun salutations. They are the cores of a vinyasa yoga practice. It is traditionally done in the morning to greet the new day. Sun salutations are a series of 8 to 12 postures linked with the breath. It is a continuous flow repeated 2 to 5 times. The purpose is to warm up the body to add more poses to the practice. When I do my regular sun salutations I can feel the stiffness and tightness leaving my body leaving feeling energized, flexible and alive. I often do a quick sun salutation practice to wake up my body especially after an after noon of writing at my laptop because it is a great way to get your body moving.

My writing mentor and friend Kathryn Budig demonstrates the sun salutations beautifully at

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/yourbestsummerbody/here-comes-the-sun-and-bikinis-466588/

One of my favorite sayings is where there is a will there is a way, which means having the determination to accomplish a goal with a strong belief that a solution will be found. A perfect example would be the story of Jennifer Darmom a young lady who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2008. After getting engaged in 2010 she vowed to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. After years of physical therapy three times week for three hours Jennifer dream came true on her wedding day as she walk down the aisle wearing leg braces and being assisted by her father. Check out her amazing story at http://abcnews.go.com/US/paralzyed-bride-jennifer-darmon-walks-aisle/story?id=13399347
Anything is possible in this world with motivation, hard work and a strong belief based in positive power. A regular meditation and yoga practice can prepare our mind and body to handle anything that comes our way. It helps us to be strong, focused, and calmed. When we have faith fueled by love, peace and positive energy we can accomplish so much and make our dreams a reality.

I begin each day with meditation to help clear mind, set my intention for the day and to stay focus. During my practice I also manifest my goals, desires and dreams. It is the perfect tool to create and surround your self with positive energy. The first step is to state your desire then visualize the success. The third step is to embrace the feelings you have visualized before releasing it into the universe. If you have faith in the process anything is possible if you put your mind to it. This practice has helped me to become the woman I want to be while helping my spiritual growth.

A week ago several tornados ripped through Western Massachusetts leaving a path of destruction and chaos.
It is amazing to watch how life can change in a matter of minutes. Thankfully the area where I live was not affected by the tornados. But it was a reminder to take the time to be grateful for what we have and to reach out to those in need.
Another valuable lesson is to live in the present and savor each moment because we never know what will happen tomorrow. I find journaling, meditation and my yoga practice helps me stay in the moment every day.
So right take a few minutes to be grateful and enjoy what we have.

There are many different things that define us and help create our identities. Our roles vary from our profession to our personal lives. In the past people with disabilities have only been identified and classified as being disabled, and were often judged by their weakness and limitations leading to misconceptions. Just like everyone else, people with disabilities have interests, talents and strengths. Their disability is only part of their life and should not consume their lives. In recent years there has been in a shift in perception in seeing the person first with their disability as second. The main purpose of people first is to focus on strengths to help them create who they are, which will lead to higher self-esteem, self worth and a positive self-image. The key is to use the positive energy to make accommodations for any limitations. When we view a disability as a challenge to overcome this will defeat any frustrations or negative energy. We all have unique gifts to be shared and valued. I am proud of the roles that create my own identity, ranging from wife, yogini to columnist and activist. My disabilities are a positive influence to be compassionate, strong, and fearless and a fighter.

Spirituality has a different meaning for everyone for me it is our inner connection with the universe. I connect with my spirit and the universe through my daily meditation and yoga practice. I approach this subject with two friends who act as my spiritual guides.

The Questions

1. Define spirituality

2. How do you cultivate your spirituality?

3. What is your spiritual inspiration?

4. Advice for anyone taking his or her own spiritual path

Macha Einbender is a teacher helping people overcome negativity while hosting a weekly blog talk radio show called Spiritual Make- Over Artist check out her website at http://www.spiritualmakeoverartist.com/

1.Being at one with your soul. Being aware and awake.

2. I talk to myself and check in all day long. I pray I meditate; I put myself in other people’s shoes. All day everyday:)

3. Carrie, Buddha, archangel Michael

4. Start with self-love. Be of service to others, read books, meditate everyday even for 5 minutes. Ask for guidance.

Danielle Boonstra is a spiritual coach and writes a beautiful blog called Nourish Thyself at http://danielleboonstra.com/

Spirituality to me is all about knowing who I really am because who I really am is Spirit. So my spiritual practice is there to help me connect with that and remember that.

I cultivate that knowingness, that spirituality through meditation and through prayer. I meditate daily and while I used to have to remind myself to do it, through practice and connection with God, I now feel pulled to meditate at various times of the day. It’s become as important as eating or brushing my teeth. Prayer is also something that has evolved over the past few years for me. I used to ask, ask for love, for money, for more time. And now it’s more of a time of gratitude. I give thanks for all the love and blessings in my life and I trust that whatever does not seem to be working in my life or in the world is part of a bigger plan. I trust that Spirit is working in all situations.

I am inspired by different things, different people at various points in my life. I know that what is inspiring to me at any given moment in my life has shown up to serve me in some way, to help me grow. Right now I am reading A Course in Miracles and I can’t get enough! It’s all about forgiveness and beginning to see the world in a different way…in a way that, to me, is very healing. People always inspire me who live honestly and who serve others with their God-given gifts and talents.

To anyone starting on their own spiritual path I would say: say yes and pay attention to signs around you. If someone invites you to a lecture, say yes. If someone lends you a book, read it. If you’re guided to read various blogs, pay attention to the content. Notice what speaks to you, to what tugs at your soul. It’s all showing up for you because you’re beginning to open up to it. The more open you are, the more the opportunities for growth show up.

Besides these two ladies I receive inspiration from authors Gabrielle Bernstein at http://gabbyb.tv/ and Marianne Williamson at http://www.marianne.com/ I love their books especially “Add More ing To Your Life” and Return To Love. I also find reading, writing and sketching also helps me deepen my spiritual practice. All you need to do is to sit and listen to your heart it will take you on a journey of discovery, truth and love.

Prayer is traditionally seen as spirited mind orientated practice where you sit quietly in reflection. In the practice of yoga the body prayer is the active version of prayer of connecting to a higher spirit through movement connecting with the breath. The Idea is to make a connection with your heart because our spirit, love and truth is held in the heart. Yoga is more then a physical practice it is also a spiritual connection to your spirit within you and around you.
Enjoy my teacher Seane Corn demonstrating the body prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWfzDVT5Tmo

In my goal to get into the best shape of my life I decided to try a new yoga dvd to alternate
with my current Seane Corn dvd. I discovered Element Yoga for Weight Loss by Ashley Turner and fell in love with it.

Ashley Turner is a yoga instructor and a mind – body psychotherapist specializing in yoga psychology. She is a native of Illinois living in California. I had an opportunity to chat with Turner about yoga, weight loss and psychology.

Q: How did you get involved with yoga?
A: A friend took me to my first yoga class and I fell in love with it. I have taught yoga for 11 years then I decided to get my master’s in
counseling psychology from the Pacific Graduate Institute five years ago. (She did her thesis on integration psychology blending
eastern and western ideas.)
Q: What is the connection between yoga and psychology?
A:Through yoga we often experience powerful releases of emotions that psychology can help us understand.
Yoga psychology combines the study of mind with the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the body as a whole.
Q:What is the connection between yoga and weight loss?
A:Yoga takes the holistic approach to weight loss by looking at the mental blocks of weight loss such as lack of exercise such as over
eating and lack of exercise.
Q: What are your weight loss tips?
A:The key is to repattern your mind.
A. Making the inner change to accepting and loving your self
B. Having support in your in your journey to positive change
C. Keeping a daily journal of thoughts, emotions and daily affirmations.
Visit Ashley’s website at ashleyturner.org for her dvds, classes and retreats

Words can be very powerful and meaningful but they can also be hurtful and offensive to others. Yoga philosophy teaches us to speak the truth with love. The First thing to do is to be couscous about what we are saying. Then we must ask our self what is making us say this and how will it affect others. Before speaking ask your self three questions
Such as is this the truth? Is this kind? And is it necessary?
Most importantly always speak with your heart that symbolizes our loving self.

The English language has many words and phrases that are considered disrespectful and insulting to many. One example is the phrase “deaf, dumb and blind,” which is considered very degrading and hurtful. Some words are also considered outdated or politically incorrect such as the word handicapped.

One word that I absolutely hate is the word retarded. In the past the words retarded and mental retardation were used to refer to people with developmental disabilities. The word retarded also implies that people’s words and actions do not make sense. It can also mean foolishness and stupidity. Overall, the word retarded reflects negatively on people with developmental disabilities, affecting their identity, self-esteem and self-worth.
Many people really don’t realize how some words can be very hurtful to others and add to discrimination and stigmas. When we speak we should take the time to see and understand how our words affect others while making sure we are giving clear messages of respect.

The month of March is dedicated to the campaign called “Spread the Word To End the Word,” Their goal is to raise awareness of the dehumanizing effect or the word retarded by encouraging people to pledge to stop using the word where activities are focused around schools, organizations and communities where they encourage individuals to make a pledge to stop using the word retardation.The movement feels that respectful language is connected to the equal rights of people with disabilities.The is campaign taking pledges at

R-word

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