Namaste

"The right means are just as important as the end in view."

- B.K.S. Iyengar Light on Yoga

Ten years ago I walked into a room with no concept of yoga and was introduced to the Iyengar style and methods.  I would be hard pressed to express in just a few lines how grateful I am for that class and that moment of pause during a time of storm.  Rest well, Mr. Iyengar.  Thank you.

OM is where the ART is

GBC P@1ge recommended Where in the OM Am I by Sara DiVello for my booklist.  I always take her suggestions anyway, but as an added bonus this book was published the same day I decided to learn to water ski.  (I think I uttered similar words after taking a header into the lake on my first try.)  I especially like the odd coincidence and the few things I expect to have in common with Ms DiVello based on the book description so this read will be next up in the queue.  

Yoga-to Believe

"The yogic journey guides us from our periphery, the body, to the center of our being, the soul.  The aim is to integrate the various layers so that the inner divinity shines out as through clear glass"

                    - B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life, p3.

Congrats to our GBC P@1ge for achieving her Iyengar yoga certification.  We are so proud of your journey!

Namaste.

Why and What

In addition to attending GBC Kim's final defense Friday, I made an excursion to our downtown Main library. I had received an email the day prior that a requested book had become available and was being held for me. When I opened the email, I did not recognize the title and wondered what would have made me wish to read this book. So, I did what anyone would do and (instead of just going to pick up the book), I researched why I had wanted this book.

I checked my handy book spreadsheet and the title was there, but alas, there were no comments. (Note to self: add column for "how I learned about book"). Nearby titles jogged my memory and I was next in search of my travel notebook. Soon, all became clear as the San Francisco Bay! This was among the list of books I had noted while in The Booksmith with my sister last May; as I recall, it was listed as an employee's choice. I had requested it from the library upon my return in June and joined the list of fifteen or so other potential readers and patiently waited through the queue, so patiently in fact, that I had forgotten the book.

So when I arrived Friday, Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein was awaiting my attention near the front of the building. Not satisfied with checking out only one book, I made a trek to the third floor in search of Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. (I also was reminded that a call number that begins with "B" is a biography; I really should use call numbers more frequently so I would remember these types of things.) Finally, I picked up another third floor selection: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Three is a good number.

Since Nudge focuses a bit on our poor choices, I decided to start with Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Mid-October Muse

I have been in no rush to start a new book. I think this delay is, in part, due to the fact that I have a very special knitting project in the works, and I cannot read and knit at the same time...yet. Secondarily, well, the reason may soon become clear.

My non social-media serious reading (NSMSR) the last two days has been limited to: news items, a sewing machine instruction book (the bottom bobbin is tricky!), and random selections from Light on Yoga before falling asleep. One quotation from the text that has stayed with me this last few days is "The yogi's life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths." For me, this meant, take a pause, so I am.

Hopefully this weekend you will discover (or rediscover) something that gives you reason for reflection, and you will find joy in the pause.