The Key to Happiness

"Success is not the key to Happiness, Happiness is the key to Success. If you love what you are doing, you will be Successful." -Buddha

I recently read this quote right after the New Year and it really reinforced my career choice. I, like many others, question if I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing in life. I sometimes ask myself when my business is slow should I have stayed in the corporate world to have more financial stability and structure? And almost immediately I remind myself that I am so much happier & healthier teaching yoga, dance & training then I ever was in my previous career. I've also come to realize that everything in life is temporary...the only thing that is consistent is inconsistency. So when I have slower weeks, I know longer sit and worry, I instead embrace the extra time to develop my own practice or to creating new sequences or exercises for my students & clients. I also take the time to network more and find new ways to build up my business. I know this is the power above's way of telling me I need a little rest before the next big wave of opportunties present themselves just like they did this month. I've added three new yoga classes & three new clients to my already steady schedule, but I welcome the business, because I love what I do and I know the added hours are only temporary. When I need a break, it will come and as long as I remain happy, so will success! :)

Namaste!
Kaleigh

Meditations From the Mat

Most of my family and friends know how much I enjoy reading, so I was delighted at Christmas to receive the book "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. There are 365 insightful & inspiring entries to reflect upon as you move through each day of 2011. Today's particular entry, "If you do what you did, you get what you got," really struck a chord because many of us, myself included, have just made New Year's Resolutions that require change and accountability. The quote reminded me that you must be accountable for your actions because there are always consequences, whether negative or positive. The entry goes on to describe how the Yoga Sutras (196 succinct lessons on the nature of humans and how they can reach their full potential) outline two aspects of spiritual practice: abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (non-attachment or renunciation). Renunciation, as the book states, cannot flourish without practice. And even if we do practice, it's not a substitute for renunciation. In other words, there must be an ending to whatever habit or behavior your trying to renounce and a new beginning must occur. You cannot use your yoga practice, or workout or any other feel good mechanism to temporarily stop or delay the habit or behavior, but you can use it to help commit yourself to changing and letting go! So if you have a New Year's Resolution, utilize abhyasa and vairagya to help yourself execute change! I guarantee you will be a happier, healthier YOU in 2011! :)

Good Luck!
-Kaleigh

New Teaching Schedule!

Hi Everyone -

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated my blog! One of my New Year's Resolutions is to do just that! :) I'm excited to announce I've added 3 new classes to my teaching schedule! I will be teaching at Yogis Anonymous in Santa Monica (on 2nd street between Wilshire & Arizona) The class is the only hip hop vinyasa flow class on the schedule AND it's donation-based! Can't get much better than that! Come check it out!

Yogis Anonymous
(www.yogisanonymous.com)

M/W/F: 2:30-4pm (All Levels)

And don't forgot my schedule at Maha...

Maha Yoga
(www.mahayoga.com)

M/W/F: 12:45-1:45pm (All Levels)

Tues/Thurs: 7:30-9pm (All Levels)

Namaste,
Kaleigh