Tree Prose

I started the first month yoga course at Agama Yoga just after the New Year. It was an intense introduction including morning meditation, 2-hour asana practice, another 2-hour, afternoon asana practice followed by an evening lecture…everyday, for a month. Over the course of the last month, I gained accurate information and practical experience regarding the chakras, yamas and niyamas, bhandas, mudras, kriyas and much more which i can’t possibly include in this blog…and this is just the beginning. This month has also been full of making new friends and becoming part of the community of strong, clear, vibrant, empowered men and women who support Swami Vivekananda’s work. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the school, can go to agamayoga.com.

Ironically the last day of the course and our final ceremony was on my birthday, February 3rd. I started the day with meditation and an inspired asana practice and was greeted by two friends at the end of class with a big bouquet of wild flowers and roses…beautiful. We went to my favorite restaurant, Big Mountain and feasted on chapati, hummus, salad, french fries, pizza, vegetable spring rolls and chai tea! yum! Then Ashley treated me to a pedicure and my toe nails went from dark purple, almost black, to gold! gold, I mean, what better color to celebrate with…I wish I had a picture…it was pretty then, but now…yikes.

I took her back to her home and picked up a bag full of homeade, raw chocolate, Bliss Balls…Ashley is an herbalist and specializes in aphrodisiacs:) I chomped down two of them by the time, Arnaud, a gorgeous, French man came to my door to pick me up for an afternoon at the herbal sauna. We met up with loads of yogis and bathed in the hot steam, chatted and drank herbal tea for several hours. Rushed home and got ready just in time to make it to the final ceremony. All dressed in white, an Agama tradition, I received my certificate and the first blessing of the night from Swami.

Immediately following the ceremony every month is a talent show where students read poetry, sing, play guitar, dance, do tai chi, tell jokes, etc…at the end of which, Ashley stood up and demanded that in the tradition of her friends and family at home, when it is your birthday everyone must place their hands somewhere on the birthday person and OM together. So more than 75 people gathered around me and blessed me with their voices and loving energy. It was so magical I didn’t have to breath and my voice was pure and clear from all of this love.

Just when I thought it was over, Swami reminded us that in Agama tradition, when it is someone’s birthday, they must come to the front of the room and receive a blessing. So then I had to stand in the front of the room while everyone, this time including Swami sent their loving energy my way…can you imagine how high I was feeling! Not to mention the Full Moon in the sky! What a day. What a blessed life.

So for all of you whose birthday’s I have forgotten this year and the years before, I am sending you, right now a special birthday wish full of love, light and laughter!

BIG kiss and hug,
love,
tiff