Today I write you from a space of complete reliance on yoga. As I don’t quite know how to navigate the road ahead, all I can do is take refuge in the yoga. What comes to my aid in the rush of fear and negativity? Mantra. Be it Om, The Maja Mritunjaya mantra or a whisper of gratitude, this grace of freedom to fill up my mind, body and soul is a respite from all cares of the world.

As I am in the middle of a divorce, it’s very clear to me that I must master my experience of the situation and how I react to it emotionally and physically. The negativity that can creep up can consume you, body mind and soul. Only mindfulness of this spinning oneself in mud by giving into the “dark side,” can free one. So, as if my life depended on it, I catch the thought and cut its head off. (Thank you, Durga!) Because it really is just a thought. And my thoughts create reality. I’m quite a devotee of the Abraham series, and my dear father bought me a delightful book of their’s and I read its inspiration to quickly switch those negatives off and create my own fantastic feeling reality.

I intend here to give you an account of how well I do! I’m only human, but I completely believe in the power of yoga and storytelling. I will tell you my story, not only of my life but with what I am doing in my children’s classrooms and the other places I teach yoga and story to children. And I will fill you in on the amazing rolfing sessions I am doing with Super Yogini Jeanie Manchester. (I just got grounded in my feet!)

 I focus on this. I’m creating a beautiful reality. And I’m going to look at myself deeply and see what myths are playing out. I inquire deeply into my body using asana, and watch my mind with meditation and mantra. And of course there is lots of prayer. But what is this story? What eternal archetype is my dharma playing out in this field? Love, betrayal, hope and fear.  They all create a lot of great art to express this experience of being alive.

 I love the awe of life. It’s so mysterious. I connect to that mystery, as we are all a part of it. I realize that if you can accept the mystery, you can expect the miracle. I mean they just turned on over in Europe the super collider that may either reveal or consume our universe. Scientists still can’t determine where mass comes from. What is the source? It’s unknown, yet we have all of this complex creation.

I will focus on the present moment. I am present to my body sensations, whether it be typing at the keyboard here, hearing the tick of the clock, picking a zucchini from my garden to eat this evening, or reading with my daughter, or performing on stage.

I will let you know about the storytelling, yoga and follow-up creative writing visits I am doing in my son’s fifth grade class and daughter’s third grade at Creekside elementary. We start mid October. Also, I start Sept. 25 teaching 4th and fifth graders Mythic Yoga at Creekside after school program. I’m thrilled to be introducing new myths to this maturing group of divine youngsters. And we’re doing it in the library to boot!

New E-courses start up Sept. 21, as I lead new participants in their own Mythic Yoga. Our three-part e-course series tunes them into mythic time and space (eternity!) and discovering the power and healing of our own story and yoga.

So, join me here again. I’d love to hear your comments, or rather your stories! How do you use mindfulness in the difficulties and joys of your life?

Now I’m off to read my participants fairy tales they wrote.

Best wishes and many happy thoughts and experiences,

Sydney Solis