Making the Best Out of 2014 by Getting Out of Your Own Way

It is great to be back in sunny Southern California!  There is something about the energy of LA that makes me skip.

I hope you spent New Years doing exactly what makes you skip.  I am going to share my New Years Eve with you as a source of inspiration.  As you know, I love learning through story, especially a story that is kinda out there.

I learned an amazing lesson of how releasing the tight grip on a situation allows the light to come through.  This is applicable to yoga, to the insanity of an airport (I missed my flight), to the tension in a boardroom and beyond.

Our family plans for New Years Eve changed drastically.  After 5 days of spending quality time with my family in Colorado, my father’s health continued to decline.  At first we related dad’s lack of energy to the high altitude.  Unfortunately things were not improving.  We decided to take dad to the ER.

After being in the ER for many hours, the doctors recommend dad be admitted to the hospital for further testing.

My dad flat out refused.  My mom and I begged dad to stay.  He had some serious complications.  The ER doctor even got the cardiologist on the phone to convince my dad to stay.  My dad kept refusing.

The ER nurse chimed in saying that if he were her dad, she would want him to stay.  “No Deal” my dad shouted.  I called my friend who is doctor to convince him.  My boyfriend called and tried to connive him.  “No, no, no, I am not staying in the hospital, I’m fine!” dad repeated.

After an entire team of folks tried and tried I was at my wits end.  The hospital even made my dad sign release forms stating that he was leaving the hospital against the physicians recommendations.  Dad signed eagerly and was ready to go.  All iv’s were out and a wheel chair was placed next to the bed.

This story may seem more about my dad but it’s not.  It’s about how I had to shift me energy.  This next part may seem woo woo however, I believe it’s important lesson in yoga and in life.  I decided to call on my cosmic buddies and a higher power for their assistance.  Clearly what I was doing was not working!  You, me, we cannot FORCE a situation or a yoga pose to go our way.

Finally, I just decided let go and try not to control the situation.  I released the outcome yet stayed course, hoping for the best outcome possible.

I released the ever so tight grip and trusted the process of the universe.  Sometimes we don’t know the HOW, we just need to be clear on the WHAT.

What happened after I let go was nothing short of a divine intervention.  I kid you not!  I witnessed my dad close his eyes and take about eight deep breaths (this is something I do not see him do normally).  Truthfully, I thought he may be ignoring us.  After a few minutes, he slowly opened his eyes.  Then he very calmly said, “I’ll stay.”

I thought to myself, really?  Wow.  Of course.

I am happy to announce, Dad is now out of the hospital.  I’ve already had to stop myself from getting anxious about what he chooses to do next.  I remind myself, it’s his life and it’s his journey.  I am not giving up.  Just the opposite.

If the grip on anything is too tight, there is no room for the light, the blessing, and the miracle to come through.  Clearly, Dad and I both had to get out of our OWN WAY and trust.

I urge you to do the same as you challenge yourself to accomplish your 2014 goals and aspirations.

What to do when you hit a wall –
1. CREATE SPACE by taking deep breaths (as many as you need).
2. If not driving CLOSE YOUR EYES.  This simple act will allow your mind to go within.  The external world can feel so overwhelming.
3. PRACTICE YOGA- The conscious movements will encourage your mind and body to stretch and strengthen on and off your yoga mat.

This leads me into an amazing workshop coming up soon.  One of my yoga instructors, Matt Schwartz is teaching a Shadow Yoga workshop January 25th at Blackdog Yoga Studio in Sherman Oaks.  Many of you know, Shadow Yoga is the style of yoga I love and appreciate.  Shadow Yoga breaks me open.  I learn something new each time I practice.  It inspires all of my classes.  Click here for more info, http://www.blackdogyoga.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ShadowYoga_Jan14_f_lr.pdf.  I know you will experience major shifts too.

I look forward to seeing you in class this week!

Cheers to Your Health,

Cindi E. Lee