Compassion is the finest weapon and best defense.
If you would establish harmony,
Compassion must surround you like a fortress.
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, verse 68
No matter our specific motivations or particular needs at any one time, growth into wholeness is the essence and highest possibility of Yoga. Each new year affords us and opportunity for reflection on how we are doing on our path.
This can be the starting point toward expanding upon the aspects of our lives that serve us and adjusting or releasing these aspects that do not. Sometimes when things aren’t going well old unhelpful habits of thinking may guide this process.
This can be a difficult and painful thing to way to approach our healing process. From day one and throughout the process of learning and practicing Yoga and Meditation, non-judgmental awareness and deep self-forgiveness are job one. For many this can be the most challenging Yoga to practice even as it can bring the most joy. By working on ourselves with these values at the center we may see more clearly our deeper and more abiding needs, hopes and desires. Shedding struggles and self-negation allows our actions to best reflect the most life affirming parts of ourselves. It has been said that with true compassion comes invulnerability.
My wish for you as you begin the new year and look for new beginnings is that you place compassion at the forefront. With compassion at the center of our inquiry we can look inward with fearlessness, allowing all your insights and intentions to allow adjustments along the way to spring from a place of peace and empowerment. In this way we can embody true compassion for others.
As the sage Lao Tzu has written:
**“Simplicity, patience, compassion.**
**These three are your greatest treasures.**
**Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.**
**Patient with both friends and enemies,**
**you accord with the way things are.**
**Compassionate toward yourself,**
**you reconcile all beings in the world.” **
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, verse 67
One-on-one lessons are beneficial in many situations. I teach both individual and group Yoga classes in the Guilford, Madison, Branford and New Haven and Woodbridge areas. In addition, I specialize in employing yoga therapy and other powerful energetic, meditative and corrective movement practices that offer non medical way to help with stress management, mitigating the effects of long term stress, developing physical and mental balance and resolving movement difficulties and chronic pain. For a free, no-risk consultation on which services may best meet your needs please call me at (203)488-1700.
