March 2005 Newsletter

Expansion and Growth

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”
John Ruskin

It’s early afternoon as I write this outside after finishing a hike this morning on the backside of Squaw Peak, where bursts of yellow, orange and purple flowers are popping up everywhere. The air is warm; nature begins her journey outward into beauty. My senses become enlivened as I feel a deeper connection to my Source. Winter’s inwardness begins to turn inside out and express itself by flowing outward, expanding. “March is the month of expectation” wrote Emily Dickinson. My life partner, on his path, works intimately with nature every day. I received an email yesterday from my friend Laura that said “give my best to Greg who is no doubt as happy as can be with all the seeds getting excited about spring.”

In winter we draw inward and plant seeds nurturing our innermost self much like the support of muscular energy in our yoga postures. In spring these seeds begin to sprout, they can’t help themselves; they long to grow upward towards the sunlight. This is organic energy, the power of growth and expansion itself. It’s the expression of your heart, your soul, that which makes your body and skin radiant and full of life in a posture. Without it, the pose appears mechanical, lifeless, without heart. It is the intrinsic balance of these two energies that breathes life and self-expression into the pose.

Yoga very closely honors and resembles nature. March is the month of balance. The month of the spring equinox, where on March 20th there is perfect balance between sunlight and darkness. John Miller said, “United are moon and sun, the lamps of night and day. Yin and Yang swim in a circle of unity, the deepest essence of each containing the seed of the other.” In this space anything is possible. Expect a masterpiece!

In love and light.

Mary

Here is what’s coming up:

• This Friday March 11 Restorative yoga practice at Arizona Yoga - 6 - 8pm $25 There are a few spaces left. Please pre register by calling 480.941.6855 or going to http://www.azyoga.net
• The Art and Science of Yoga, A 10 day training with Mary Bruce. For more information http://www.atoneyoga.com or come to the At One Yoga Phoenix location this Thursday March 10 at 1:30 pm for a question and answer session on the training.
• Anusara Workshop in Geneva, Switzerland June 3rd - 5th, 2005. For more information http://www.atelier-yoga.ch
• Yoga Retreat with Mary Bruce in Sabina, Italy - Only two spaces left! For more information http://www.marybruce.com/retreats.htm
• Last call for Umbria, Italy Retreat. Many of you have expressed interest in this retreat. We need your deposits within the next two weeks. Please contact Bonnie Lewis at http://www.painteddesert.com
• Yoga Nidra workshop at Arizona Yoga - Friday April 22nd, 6:00 to 8:00 pm - $25 prepaid, $30 at the door. More information to follow on their website soon. Please pre register by calling 480.941.6855 or going to http://www.azyoga.net