Thus the Yogi becomes omniscient – having the power to know what to do, and omnipotent – having the power to do what you know.  When the outer manifestation is in direct alignment with the inner truth, inner knowing and personal Dharma, we have longer and longer periods of joy, contentment and peace because we are living from our heart, we are who we want to be, we are Being rather than becoming.  With complete attention, awareness and quality of conscious action, coupled with the understanding of full responsibility, a very deep level of acceptance arises.

Not only that, but the Yogi sees how she is a co-creator in her own life.  Thus, the Yogi is one with their choices and the present moment.  With this realization and inner fullness, the seeking of personal ambition naturally subsides, although some continue pursuits for the pure joy of doing them, for the benefit of others or for the experience.  These are done with such a level of detachment that suffering cannot occur because the Yogi knows the outcome may not meet expectation.  In fact, expectation ceases and some joy is found in the simple curiosity of what the result may be.

Thus the Yogi is a clear conduit, an open vessel that is able to be fully receptive to the needs of the moment.  Service, in its many forms is the natural progression in and of the fact that there is a channel through you, ready to serve and meet whatever need arises.  From this, the manifest world is drawn to the Yogi, to that which holds the space in service to the needs of the present moment.  For one who has lived this path to their fullest, their outside examples may resemble a projected idea of perfection but rather than perfection it is really a refinement of mind, body, action, word and deed.  That refinement is not permanent, it is not a guarantee, it is not as if you’ve reached it and therefore are done.  No, that refinement must be sustained through practice to the end of your days.  Although the practice itself changes, the focus remains the same, that being to keep the lens clean.  If the mind (aka lens), is clean and clear then all that can been seen and be sent in and out of you is simply the light that is you, that is your true Self.

First, I must say that the old cliché that meditation is the key to unlocking our fullest potential has also proven its worth to me.  Practice all the Asana you like but I have never met an Asana junkie with the same level of clarity as those I know with a daily meditation practice.  In fact, the outside life and body of the Asana junkie absolutely pleases my mind as it fits neatly into my perceived image of perfection but a closer look effortlessly reveals similar life situations and upheavals as those with no practice at all.  Those with a meditation practice are quite different.  Externally, I may glance their way and immediately think their life is in ruins.  They rarely meet my mind’s highest of high expectations.  They certainly never have the latest fashion attire.  Yet have a simple conversation with them and the light in me immediately recognizes and is drawn to the light in them.  All I have to say is Namaste people.  There is something special there.  The funny thing is that they aren’t proclaiming it.  Meditation humbles us.  Therefore, in order to start choosing love you have, have, have to start a daily meditation practice.

My second mode of recognition is space.  This is quite hard for one born in the Sun sign, under the fire signs with Pitta predominance.  However, on the rare occasion that I can actually pull my passion and fire back from explosion and take some time before I make a decision or choice, space grants me the ability to not react.  Reactions are learned habits, tendencies and impressions.  I don’t know about you but my learning was mostly rooted in fear.  On the contrary, actions are taken from the heart.  An action is independent of habitual patterning and therefore, love has the rare chance to influence the choice and overrule the fear.

Finally, my last shot at conscious choosing comes from the feelings in my body.  Now this is dangerous territory to enter.  Most of us are so disconnected to the sensations in our bodies that venturing into them feels like backpacking a foreign country (in your 50’s).  If you have been lucky enough to avoid the typical and society-encouraged anesticizing through drugs, alcohol, food, TV, aspirin and other modes of numbing, you may actually know what I am talking about.  Inside there are sensations that arise when you ponder certain choices.  There may be the initial punch to the gut, the heart-wrenching emptiness, the tight upper back, clenching of jaw, or in some cases the overall body shakes to clue you in to your true feelings about the decision.  Likewise, you may find that choice make you relax more, makes you feel good about trust, makes you feel free.  To feel these we first have to clean our bodies, this is one thing Yoga Asana is good for.  The next is we have to start watching and be willing to sit in the uncomfortablness so that we can recognize it next time it arises.

So there is my concoction for choosing love.  I want to love so badly, in all of my decisions but I have to admit, I am still scared.  The wounds of when loving didn’t work out in my favor still burn in my mind and send warnings off in my body.  This is when we go back to the one guarantee, the breath.  Take a breath and remember, that was then and this is now.  Love Now Today.

Raja Kapotanasana aka King Pigeon is good for creating flexibility in the back and hips while stretching the sides of the body. Bring one leg forward to a lunge, walk the foot to the outside of the opposite hand, allow the knee to slide to the floor and foot to come to the floor.  Bend the back leg and hold the foot with the hands.  With more flexibility, the foot can slide to the crease of the elbow.  Keep the shoulders down, biceps by your ears and heart lifting forward to avoid dumping weight into the low back.  This pose increases space in the chest and opens the lungs and heart for deep breathing.  It increases Prana and Udana Vayu.

Virabhadrasana I, it is a standing pose that strengthens the legs and streaches the arms and shoulders. This pose was named after the mythic warrior Vibabhadra, it is ment to promote a feeling of stregnth and power.