An Inspiring Book.
This post is from a book that impressed me. The words are exactly how I try to live. But I could never convey them as well as, the book “Blossom,” by Michelle Merrifield. The author is a beautiful lady from the Gold Coast, Queensland, which accounts for her love of surfing. The sample below may prompt you to read to the book.
“Blossom.”
The words are Michelle’s but the photos are mine.
I always say that, as a teacher I am merely a messenger passing along what I have learnt from all the incredible gurus I have been blessed to work with.
Breath, bend, blossom is my humble interpretation of what they have taught me over the years and how I have come to apply lessons of yoga in my life;
That it starts with the breath, the life-force, the union between our individual spirits and the divine universal energy.
That our body is the temple that houses the spirit, so we bend and stretch and twist and fold to keep that temple healthy and strong;
It is only when we have trained the body, mind and soul that we can truly blossom and use the lessons of yoga to make the world a more beautiful and peaceful place.
The first thing we do when we are borne is inhale. Last thing we do is exhale. In-between is life.
Like a find tuned woodwind instrument, our bodies need oxygen in order to sing and play. You will find the sweeter the quality of the breath the sweeter the harmony in our lives.
If you desire to live your life in a state of peace and serenity take control of your breath and inhale slowly, deeply, with deliberate conscious thought.
Notice too all the emotions associated with fast breathing, stress, anger, fear, uncertainty and panic.
The quality of your breath is directly related to the quality of your posture. By lengthening of the spine you naturally lengthen the breath. By rolling your shoulders back and down opens a clear passage to inhalation.
Maintaining good posture takes concentration and self-awareness at first, in time it becomes natural.
Every breath is a connection with the universal life force. The air we inhale has been purified by trees and vegetation. We breathe out all the toxins and negative waste.
Living meditation is about being totally president in everything I do and making it a sacred experience. When eating a meal focus on smell, flavour, texture and savour every morsel. Imagine how your life would change, if you could just be aware and present in every moment. Breathe in the sweet fresh air. Smell the perfume of flowers. Hear the birds sing. Look up to the clouds. Let go of thoughts and just breathe.