Everything is just as it should be...

Recently after 25 years of employment, I lost my job. The company I worked for decided it was time to close down, for a host of reasons. At first I was really scared... what would I do for money? How would I make up the shortage? My husband is working, but we also depend on my income. I felt, in a way, that I was letting my family down. After a while, I realized that as much as I loved the ability to work and the ability to have money to help support my family (not to mention the awesome health insurance benefits), that really, I didn't like my job! I would have quit my job, but who the heck does that when they have a nice income and benefits? I mean, even if you don't like what you're doing, do you really throw it away just because you don't like it? And just because you don't like your job about 15 years into it... aren't you supposed to stay? Who cares if you're following your life dream or if your life dream changes?

Well, apparently it does matter. I have come to the conclusion that I never would have quit my job. I never would have left on my own. I was not following my life's dream - I wasn't following my own path and now that I have been forced to do so, it's really great! I am able to pursue ideas I have had and never pursued. I have been able to spend some time with my son who is still young enough to want me to spend time with him. I have been able to study yoga and get my certification to teach it. I have been able to start some other studies that will enable me (once certified) to teach those topics to others. If I hadn't lost my job, I would not have met all the wonderful people I have met in the past few months nor would I have learned all the fascinating things they have taught me. I would not have been available to offer assistance to my aging parents who need that attention from time-to-time.

They say things happen for a reason - that all of our life is planned out for us when we are born. Sometimes when you are living your life, you forget these ideas that things do happen for a reason. Sometimes when we are going through some rough times we think "why me?" Because of my job loss, I have been able to follow some dreams I have had but wasn't able to before. I feel like this is exactly what was suppose to happen for me. I feel like this path I am on right now is just what I need in my life right now. Even though I have been walking along this path for many, many years, now I am walking on the path because I should be. Maybe I was preparing for this path all those years and now I am better able to understand or accept the ideas that have been within me for years. All I know is that this is the right place for me at this time. Everything is just as it should be...

What I Love About Yoga!

I have always been a fan of yoga and it's benefits and recently I was certified to teach it. Although I am not as young as I used to be (who is?), I think this is the time in my life when I should be practicing yoga.

What I love about yoga the most is the fact that it takes me inside. I connect so well with my body, mind and breath and that connection stays with me longer and longer throughout my day as I continue my practice day after day. My yoga teacher says even if you practice yoga for a few minutes a day... you are still practicing yoga. I try to remember that if I am only able to squeeze in a few Sun Salutations in the morning upon rising.

I also love that yoga is strengthening, lengthening and toning my muscles; it improves my flexibility; it helps with my posture and keeps my spine flexible (a young spine is a younger body!). I love how yoga keeps my joints and tendons lubricated; that it massages my internal organs; that it helps to rid toxins from my body; I love how it increases my energy and blood circulation; how it helps with my balance; it helps every system in my body including the endocrine, digestive and circulatory. I love how yoga calms my breath and helps me to practice mindfulness (have you ever tried to do a balance pose while not focusing on what your doing along with your breathing... no time to think about other stuff!) I love yoga because it helps me to be more conscious of me and what I am doing - not just during my practice, but throughout my day! I love yoga because it is so pure, it is what I make of it, it is my practice and it has no judgment. And I really love yoga because it has really helped me to love myself more.

Be well and Namaste....

If you are interested in taking a yoga class, please contact me at jasmindoula@aol.com for times and locations of classes I am teaching or go to Yogafinder.com