Teaching in the snow and dreaming of friends.

I taught my last Thursday class of the term today with snow falling outside and warm kindness being kindled inside. Two friends were the only students who braved the weather today and they were such a joy to teach. We unfolded together and slowly released tension moment by moment.

I have such good feelings about 2009. I think we are in for many ups and possibly a few downs, but in the end, the world is still turning and we are all slowly evolving. What could be more natural?

I imagined last night that I was speaking to an old friend who passed away this year and she told me to trust myself and others in order to be healthy and well. This conversation was so detailed and clear that I don't ponder for a moment about whether it emanated from within me or from a more spiritual space. I only know for sure that it was real and worthy of my attention.

Following this, I opened my yoga mudra book today and it fell open to a mudra that I had never noticed or practiced before. The VAJRAPRADAMA MUDRA or the unshakeable trust mudra over heart.

To practice this hand gesture you simply loosely intertwine the fingers of the left hand with the right and then place the two hands onto the chest, palms facing inwards. Begin focusing on your breath while scanning the body from crown of head to soles of feet and then slowly back. Proceed to deepen your feelings of security, self-confidence, and trust with each breath. Visualize yourself walking down a well-lit path and everyone you know and love is standing on either side of the path cheering for you and for your success. You may linger momentarily with each supporter or slowly continue your journey down the path. Eventually come into a circle of light that is beaming down onto your head and bathing your whole body in a warm supportive glow. Carry this warmth and security with you into the rest of your day as you slowly release the mudra and come back to present.

I trust that this post will find you bathing in your own brilliant light with a willingness to try something new,

Namaste,

Jan