New improvements!

Hello everyone. Just an update here since it's been so long! I'm now renting the whole house and have updated the bedrooms. They now have beautiful, eco-friendly bamboo floors. I've also added a nice, nesty, sitting area in front of the kitchen window for journaling, enjoying coffee and contemplating the view. Had a view cut done recently as well to open up the view to the mountains. There are plans to update the kitchen soon as well!

Transitions

The ebb and flow of life brings a constant play of transitions. My sadhana is to simply harmonize with what is. Resistance brings unnecessary suffering. To view life as a play of consciousness, the Divine expressing herself in a myriad of ways, and not label or restrict the play with concepts, is the only way I've found to align with Oneness/Awareness.

Flat Creek Yoga Hostel has become a refuge for those in the midst of transition these last few years. From those deepening their spiritual practice, those who are transitioning out of relationships,those who simply need a nurturing, peaceful, healing environment, to those wanting to move to Asheville, and some who simply have found the path of yoga and want to be in a spiritually and energetically rich region to delve into the study. Whatever your intent, we welcome all visitors and can accommodate stays ranging from 2 days to several months.

The hostel stays busy, so please book ahead. We are full for July from Asheville Yoga Centers 23 day Yoga Intensive training.

Blessings on your path and may you synchronize with any transition you find yourself in.

Asheville Community Yoga-Free Class offerings to the community

I've finally found the time to take some classes over at the new Asheville Community Yoga. Wow, what a beautiful, thoughtfully designed space with an awesome selection of classes and teachers to choose from! We are so blessed to have such a great gathering space to come for yoga.

The teaching is strong, the space is incredible. If you get a chance to visit and practice there, I highly recommend it. It's wonderful that Micheal, the studio owner, has made yoga accessible to everyone, whether you have money in the bank or not. He's bringing the original intent and spirit of yoga back to where is was birthed from. It should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford the props and the ability to pay for classes. All spiritual disciples would benefit from this perspective. Spirituality should not be exclusive.

Blessings to you all during this Holiday season. May we acknowledge all blessings in our lives each day.

Inner Prompting

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not very disciplined at sitting meditation.

I have periods where I'm able to sit, usually in the early morning, out on my back deck, when the weather is agreeable.

In saying that, I'm a big believer in the power of mediation and silence.

It's a powerful way to connect with Spirit.

I've had to learn to compensate for my lack of discipline.

At times, I've felt I wasn't a good enough yogini for not having a daily sitting practice.

Having worked for 20+ yrs to shed the temptations of guilt and all its entrapments, I recognize it as a destructive quality of ego-mind. I desire not to go there any more.

I'm grateful for Erich Schiffmann's encouragement in teaching me to allow all things to be an expression of meditation. He inspires his students, when faced with a decision, any decision, however small, to "pause, ask and be courageous to act on inner prompting".

In my opinion, that is the essence of meditation. Being sensitive enough to Spirit's guidance that you feel, hear or simply perceive Divine inspiration from within.

I'm a loner by nature. The beauty of solitude is the time it affords for silence and contemplation. When working with my animals, playing with the horses, shaping dog behavior with my new pup Clover, or just hanging out with the cats, my practice is to be sensitive to what they have to offer energetically.

Often, I don't understand the inner prompting but simply go with it.

A recent example of acting on inner prompting is when I adopted Clover.

Driving back from the SC shelter, I asked her what her name was, (I had a list of names I was considering.) She showed me a mental picture of the word C.l.o.v.e.r. and a picture of a field of clover.

Not a name I would have chosen, but I went with it. When I called her name, she looked at me with an expression of "you got it!" and has since, always come to "Clover" when called.

Had I resisted the prompting, I would have missed an important communication.

In saying all of this, I encourage you to develop the practice to pause before making any decision. To use Erich's example, even when buying apples at the grocery. Stop and ask, which apples should I buy today? Then have the courage to act on your inner voice.

Practicing on a regular basis with the small stuff exercises your natural gift of intuition. Then it's sensitive when you need it in the big decisions.

It's a simple practice. One that affords access to a sea of consciousness more vast than the human mind can conceive and comprehend.

The hard part is not to resist when you don't understand why you're being prompted to do what might not make sense at the time.

Ego loves to meddle in an attempt to get you confused. The more you practice, the more you'll be quick to recognize ego's trickery.

Best wishes on your journey-

donna

Surrendering: The Ultimate challenge.

I just returned from an awesome weekend at the Mount Airy Fiddler's convention. A great time reconnecting with old friends whom way too many years have past since last visit.

I feel renewed and inspired.

After an ~15 yr. hiatus, I've taken up the fiddle again. This go 'round,Celtic fiddle style as opposed to Old Time. I've started lessons with an awesome fiddler/teacher in Asheville, who is very particular about technique etc. She's exactly what I was looking for in a teacher; one who will help nurture my innate talent, prevent me from developing bad habits and help me undo a few I've brought with me from so many years of playing guitar, all without being too forceful or intimidating.

My teacher has spent a lot of time with me on my bowing technique and the position of my pinky (or smallest) finger on my bowing hand. I tend to be tight, grasping the bow way harder than I need to, over extend my fingers etc. Common issues with a novice fiddler. Each week she reminds me how lightly I should hold the bow, no tension in my wrist, fingers, joints, arm, etc. It's a perfectly balanced dance, the bow and the strings, and the bow, a perfectly balance tool within itself. At this point, your probably wondering what the heck this has to do with yoga?

A lot. In an effort to keep a very deep subject short, here is a brief explanation:

Those of you familiar with Tantric philosophy and Anusara Yoga have probably heard about Shiva/Shakti energies and the play and dance between them. Shiva and Shakti are perfect Divine partners.

Shiva, represents the masculine energy. Latent, strong, solid, dependable, energy.

Shakti, also known as Kundalini Shakti, which becomes pranic energy (life force energy), is feminine in her nature. She takes on many forms, is playful, flowing, graceful, ever changing in form. There ultimately is no separation between Shiva and Shakti. They are the perfect expression of Divine play. Everything in this Universe is a play and dance between the two interwoven partners. One can't be without the other. Humans, in our purest form, are an expression of the divine cosmic dance of Shiva and Shakti.

In my fiddling learning curve, I'm finding my left hand (noting hand) is my softer side. My fingers dance along the finger board with good intonation, less effort. The left side is our Lunar or feminine side (Shakti side).

The right side is more masculine in it's nature a.k.a. the Solar side. Shiva-like in it's nature. The challenge is the sensitivity of the instrument I'm attempting to play. The fiddle, a very unforgiving instrument, directly resonates one's inner state. Tension comes out sounding harsh, no matter how perfect one's intonation is. The key is finding the balance of effort and surrender. To surrender to allow Grace to flow freely.

Once again, the Universe is trying to teach me softness and sensitivity, (seems to be a constant thread in my life.)

Ultimately, to surrender on a much deeper level, one has to be pliable, open, malleable like potter's clay, to play such a sensitive instrument such as the violin or fiddle and have it express the beauty and sensitivity that is possible. If I can let go, align with the Divine, beauty untapped is literally at my finger tips, fully expressed through the music. Get it?

It's not unlike working with my animals, the horses in particular. Everything, (especially animals and fiddles!), reflects ones inner tension immediately. It's up to us to recognize the reflection. They are mirrors to our souls. I believe that's one of the many lessons animals are here to help us learn, because they give us instant feedback, if we're open and willing to hear/see their guidance. Fortunately, I have thousands of opportunities each day to self-study with the help of the animals I live and work with.

When I take that concept deeper, to my human relationships, I realize, we too, are constantly reflecting one another's inner states.

90% of our communication is non-verbal. We're always in a play of energy exchanges with each other. What a lesson in mindfulness!

What I ask of myself is to BE, in a state of self-examination for as many moments that I'm able each day. When I'm tempted to judge, criticize or simply having an exchange with someone, what is it that I'm reflecting. What are they mirroring back?

Life is a dance of the ego and our efforts at surrender, as well as a dance of the Divine energies, all playing out simultaneously. I'm learning, the softer I become, how effortlessly Joy and Grace are able to flow in and through me.

Life gets lighter. Takes less energy.

I become the light I desire to reflect.

Funny how life continues to bring forth the lessons that are most imperative in our personal journey. It's fascinating how the Universe totally supports us and nurtures us along, not unlike the Canada goose I saw with her goslings crossing the road a few weeks ago at the Biltmore Estate. Momma goose marched with total confidence yet with exquisite gentleness and love, nurturing her babies out of harms way.

We have that support, albeit, often unseen.

It's simply a matter of surrendering and knowing all will be well if we can just get out of our own way and allow Grace to shroud us in her Glory.

Saprema,

donna

Green, Green Mountains

It's hard to believe it's been since Feb. that I posted something on the blog. This year has been busy, busy so far here at the hostel and now it's time to settle into the lushness and bounty of summer.

I'm nearly finished with the little kitchen garden off the back deck and have a new little companion that helps me do everything around the hostel. Her name is Clover and I rescued her May 10th from death row at the Seneca, SC shelter. She exhibits the admiral qualities of loyalty and undying devotion. In retrospect, I should have considered naming her Hanuman! Hanuman, the Hindu deity, is an ardent devotee of Rama. She's so appreciative of me for rescuing her and has so much to teach me about unconditional love. It's that depth of love she imbibes. All the guest who have met her adore her!

I've completed a wonderful semester of teaching in the veterinary technology and P.E. depts. at AB Tech Community College. My yoga classes at the college this semester have been some of the best yet. The quality of students that are attending the classes are incredible and they teach me as much as I teach them. It was a bitter sweet departure knowing many of them are moving forward in their lives and careers and I won't have the pleasure of seeing them in classes any longer. What an honor for them to have yoga to select from as a PE credit at a community college!

The hostel is kicking strong this summer with guest staying for the myriad of workshops in the Asheville area. I currently have space for Asheville Yoga Center's 23 day intensives in June and July. Email or call me for individual weekend workshops. Some weekends are at full capacity while others have one room available.

I look forward to meeting new friends and seeing former guest return.

Blessings for a healthful summer!

Donna

It's February. I know the Sun will reveal herself.

Not much has changed weather-wise since I last wrote in January. Old man winter is still parked over the SouthEast like never before. We've had more winter wonder this year than in all 22 years I've lived in NC. The cold continues to provide ample opportunity to improve my physical, mental and spiritual bodies.

I'm teaching in AB Tech's veterinary medical program this semester and continue to teach yoga classes in the PE department. Three weeks ago we had a camelid lab., (camelid's are the genus that camels, llamas, and alpaca's belong to). I was charged and run into by a 700# male llama. It was a battle of dominance between he and the llama I was leading, which would have been fine, but I ended up in the line of attack and walked away with a injured left shoulder. The force of the impact was tremendous and initially I thought I may have separated my shoulder, but now feel it is a soft tissue injury.

So why am I sharing this with you? Fortunately, I have many hours in yoga therapy to rely on, having studied with my teacher John Friend since 2001. Drawing from my knowledge I have nearly healed my shoulder through gentle and effective yoga therapeutic techniques, strength training and good body mechanic awareness.

It's empowering to have a strong base of knowledge that an excellent yogic system like Anusara Yoga provides. From this system I have the know-how of what to do when I experience an injury. Aside from topical treatments such as ice, heat, woodlock oil, dmso, all of which I've used, I knew exactly what poses would increase mobility without further damaging the tissue. A strong awareness of shoulder loop has proved essential in the healing process as well as physical therapy poses at the wall. The wall poses engage all the muscles of the shoulder girdle, both strengthening and stretching them and placing them in correct anatomical position.

For those of students who've not experienced therapeutic yoga workshops, I strongly encourage you to do so. Of course, I can't say enough about Anusara , as it's the system that I'm steeped in and feel it's exceptional for not only therapetics but as a stellar yogic system in general. We have many wonderful Anusara instructors in our region. Joe Taft and Deidre Smith Gilmer are Asheville's certified instructors. Our yoga kula continues to grow strong. Many exceptional Anusara instructors can be found throughout the Carolinas.

In closing, the sun is concealed behind the clouds today and unveils itself periodically, revealing the Truth that it's always there. Injuries can be avenues in which we uncover the essential nature of our True Self. Injuries teach us lessons such as patience, compassion, persistence as well as providing opportunity to examine the ego. In what ways may you look inward and allow the Truth within yourself to be unveiled? Spend some time in silence each day and the Light with burst forth in ways unimaginable.

Blessings,
Donna