Abundance: Bringing it Forth

So, although it seems like the only thing that is overly abundant as of late is snow (oh and all of Aria’s toys that seem to be constantly underfoot or all over the floor for me to pick up), I know that abundance exists beyond what we can see. This morning I was baby-free so I took advantage of it by going to a yoga class at Living Yoga. The theme (my how I love my yoga lessons) had me thinking beyond the 75 minute class.

Abundance is something that’s been circling around my head lately. I recently watched on of Marie Forleo’s videos with guest Kate Northrop, both of whom I know and respect greatly. Their focus was abundance in finances and beyond, while this morning at yoga it was about a release of holding back or hoarding (whether energy or ideas or material possessions), and in turn allowing abundance to come forth.

In all, abundance really comes back to our energy, intention and faith in the renewal process. It’s this idea that when we give or empty out, abundance is right there behind us ready to fill in that space. The idea that there is plenty for all, and the Universe just needs us to release in order to give it right back to us, and our holding on to anything too tightly not only hinders that process, but in fact cuts us off from abundance in our lives. 

All great teachings from the Buddha to the Bible re-iterate this, and my experience in life has shown me it’s true. Yet, whether ego, “sense”, or fear of being without, there are still there are days I hold on too tightly and hamper the little voice within that knows better. So, today I appreciated being reminded of the abundance that exists when we let go and choose it. Abundance is ours…we just have to bring it forth.

Why I’m Moving Slow Like Molasses

It’s a wet rainy day here in NYC and I rushed through the rain to make it to Pure Yoga in time for my Vinyasa class. Scurrying up Amsterdam, I met the gaze a young girl just moseying down like she had no where to be, seemingly enjoying the grey skies and sound of drizzle on her umbrella. How odd, I thought to myself to see someone in NY who actually wasn’t in a hurry. Weird… but nice.

I, on the other hand arrived 3 minutes late to my class, but get the nod from the instructor, Kay Kay (my latest healthy crush) that it was still OK to come in join.  While moving into our first Warrior 1, she instructed us to “move like you’re moving through molasses”, meaning slowly and with intention, focusing and being precise to “pull the nourishment” out of the pose.

Perhaps it’s the lessons, and often the instant application to my life, that are the reason I love yoga. Immediately, I flashed back to the scene in the rain that started this post, and again was reminded that sometimes I need to just slow down.

Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t slowing down to get to class  (I don’t travel north of 14th for too much) but I did take the lesson to heart. Too often I am rushing– rushing though or rushing to, or if not actually moving, already thinking about the next thing I have to do or place I need to be. But, I know this is counter productive. Because in the calm, in the focus and in the present is  so often where the clarity, direction and real happiness come.

So today I will move slow. Slow like molasses.