Despite sleeping at around 3:00am today, I woke up bright and early to go downtown with my two besties. But twas no ordinary city-dwelling event.
We went to the park at Fort York, got some free stuff, and rolled out our yellow mats to start the Lolë yoga session!
Close your eyes.
After a bit of struggling with my hair, my friends helped me wrestle my layers and strands into a neat braid. With my bangs secured out of my face with the yellow headband Lole provided, my white tank top, and my comfy leggings, and one friend on either side of me, I was ready to surrender to the peaceful atmosphere. No more thoughts of prom, the after party, doctor who, my favourite book series, or even the fantastic discussions of last night's conjured salon in the gardener museum and the delectable "undercover" gyros and baklava from a greek restaurant on the Danforth. The harp is playing and with the music and the people dressed in white all around me I close my eyes and stretch.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
As the first words were spoken by the instructor the raindrops fell from the sky in little trickles.
Stretch. Expand your heart and reach for the sky.
The rain gathers on my mat and with my dirty feet, the mat becomes muddy.
I try not to fall as I strain to keep my balance for the yoga poses.
Metaphorically, I think to myself, the muddy water threatening to upset my efforts to follow the yoga session may represent all the filth of human wrongs. All the gossip and judging, all the barriers of awkwardness, all the resentment and reproach, fall away when the rain comes down to cleanse my body.
Feel the ground where your feet and hands may be firmly rooted. Feel the earth and the sky. Feel the rain on your skin as the heavens pour open.
We join hands in a balancing act.
We join in the "ooommmms".
And we close our eyes to the world and open our imagination to what the instructor says.
Think of a person who you love, who has always been there for you and will care for you under all circumstances. This is usually your mother.
She, like you and I, and everyone, has known suffering and difficulties of all kinds.
Image you envelop her in your kindness and the spirit that you may extend from your hearts now, putting a smile on their face.
Think of a person you don't necessarily know too well, but you see everyday. It could be the person you buy coffee from, or a co-worker that you pass by everyday, or a neighbour.
Envision your hand extended to them, sharing your love and happiness with them.
Think of a person, in your mind, of whom you hate. Or think you hate.
They too, have had felt anger, frustration, worries, and anxieties. They've felt pain and gone through difficulties like you and I, and everyone.
Shed your hatred and glow with love. And extend to them your kindness, so that they may also feel happy.
By this time the rain is really pouring.
Eyes closed, I take in the surrounding downpour.
My lips quiver because I'm so moved by the whole ceremony.
I feel the raindrops streaking down my face.
But I taste a little salty warm water on my lips.
I realize that intermingled with the rain are my tears slipping down my cheeks.
With a final "ooohmm" we finish, roll up our mats, and rise to leave in tranquility and peace.
It was beautiful!
It was beautiful!
Source for this picture
To learn more
about
Lolë and
their free yoga sessions visit
http://www.lolewomen.com/ca/en/
On a side note: Prom was great and the significant amount of bow ties was FANTASTIC!
What can I say? Bow ties are cool.
Oops. Sorry, Tennant.
You gotta admit, though...
normal ties are so last year.
normal ties are so last year.
Aha. But you will always be loved <3
