ONE SPIRIT COMMUNITY

By Erika Faith

Yoga is Creativity.

Creativity is a divine gift from God to humanity which anyone can access. Whether it is painting, ritual, music or movement we can all receive some type of benefit from creative expression. My on-going creative project is Yoga. How? Well…the simplest way for me to put it is: There are over 14,000 different postures (Asanas) and 50 different styles (Disciplines). A person can put together any routine for their own schedule or liking. Most styles involve some sort of relaxation. Whether a person is moving, breathing, or meditating, eventually there comes a time when the mind opens up and thoughts quiet down. This is where real insight and creativity happens. I don’t know HOW it happens. It just does. An exquisite mystery.

Yoga is Healing.

The ultimate goal of yoga is union with the All; it is to become completely aware of the Self or soul. The natural progression of practicing yoga leads one to: peace of mind and heart; power of will, love, and intellect; direct influence of the mind upon the body and the world outside the body; psychic abilities of various kinds; control of mind and better concentration; control of the emotions (removal of worry, pride, anger, fear, lust, and greed); bodily health, suppleness, beauty and longevity; and the prevention and removal of psychosomatic dangers and troubles. The Yoga Sutra’s Yamas (things to avoid) and Niyamas (things to do) are guidelines for living a life of integrity and truth. It is not necessary to obey these rules because these are just suggestions to live a happier, more fulfilled life. Yoga heals by allowing us to experience life in the continuous unfolding moment.

Yoga is Community.

Together, when people do yoga, something magical happens. There’s a wonderful feeling of togetherness, love, and camaraderie. This may manifest because each person starts to take responsibility for their life, beliefs, and experience. Yoga teaches that when the flow of the universe treats you kindly or harshly, you have control of your own attitude and outlook.The community of people studying and practicing yoga quickly becomes tight. I believe yoga brings people together in a magnetic sense; we want to share the bounty of its blessings with one another. A big group, focusing on transcending themselves, is a pretty incredible force of energy! As a teacher, I am excited to be able to share some of yoga’s power with my community.

Yoga is Committment.

Practice meditation (Dyana), breathing techniques (Pranayama), yoga postures (Asanas), and a deep relaxation (Savasana) at least three times a week. To really feel the essence of yoga, it is important to declare that yoga become part of your daily life. This is a committment that is only bound by your own will. Once you see the magic that yoga creates in your life, you will only want to continue with it.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be safe.

May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.

May all beings be free.

~ Metta Prayer

Erika Faith is a movement facilitator at One Spirit Weekend.  Her school, Cloud Nine Yoga, prides itself in being a community based, non dogmatic Yoga Education entity with a history of facilitating the awakening of many hearts and teaching freedom of the mind and body.  For more information about Erika please visit http://www.cloudnineyoga.com/

By Kerrie Dancing Butterfly

Yes you! Yes everyone!  Everyone has the potential to be a leader.  Especially now, all voices, all ideas, all perspectives, all talents, all skills, all resources and all hands are needed to dream and manifest new sustainable solutions into our collective reality.  Each of us will be called to lead in different ways.

What does leadership look like today? We may be using an outdated view of what it is to be a leader.  Many think that being a leader means to hold office, be a public speaker, a CEO, a best-selling author or be interviewed on CNN.   However, as times change, so too must our interpretation evolve as to what it is to be a leader.

As a parent, business owner, teacher, politician, author, craftsman, musician or coach, being a leader starts first with your leadership character.

Here are some simple ways you can lead by being a shining example for others in your family or community to emulate.

* Be in integrity with your word

*Be brave enough to choose the road less traveled or even pave a new path for yourself and others

*Follow your true heart’s passion

*Choose compassion over judgment in all situations

*Accept and honor the value of diversity in our world

*Live in harmony with the environment as you lighten your impring by reducing, reusing and recycling

*Exhibit random acts of kindness when least expected and without expectation

*Speak your perspective passionately and compassionately

*Speak kind words to others

*Express bold new ideas and solutions to old problems instead of complaining about them ~ break out of your comfort zone

*Choose Faith over fear

*Help those less fortunate

*Live financially within your means

*Live a balanced life honoring your health, spirituality, family and profession

*Take ownership for your choices and your reality

*Be loving and authentic in your personal and family relationships

How can you lead in your profession?

*Exhibit exceptional ethics in your business dealings

*Be on time and follow through with your commitments

*Switch out blame and gossip in the workplace for clear, positive communication

*Bring innovative and creative solutions to the challenges of the business

*Seek to implement sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches

Anyone in the community, in addition to parents, can exemplify leadership qualities for our youth.

*Model and teach your young ones how to respect others, exhibit moral values, honesty, sportsmanship, cooperation, tolerance, patience, accountability, exploration and compassion

*Give your youth stable environments, healthy structure and a strong foundation on which to establish their roots

*Give children a space to spread their individual wings and express their perspectives, feelings, creativity and passions

Leadership can be that simple and it starts with you and your own leadership character.  With impeccable leadership, you can go into any arena and make monumental change happen fast. If it is your calling to write a book, address the school board, be a member of the US Congress, or chair a new organization, these simple suggestions will help you lead in any situation, with integrity, and with the respect and support of your peers.  I invite you to look within and find your awakening leader; step up and make a difference today in your life, family and community.

If you would love support on your path as an awakening leader, join Kerrie Dancing Butterfly along with other world-renowned inspirational speakers at One Spirit Weekend in Sedona, October 2^nd-5^th.  Receive the latest information and proven strategies to help you accelerate your potential in the fields of prosperity, vibrant health, empowerment, spirituality, sustainability and conscious business.  Enjoy yoga, meditation, Earth Dance Ceremony & great community! For more information visit http://www.OneSpiritWeekend.com. For more on Kerrie Dancing Butterfly, her Shamanic healing practice, workshops & ceremonies visit http://www.JourneysfortheSoul.com

By Kerrie Dancing Butterfly

What is the health of your family relationships?  Love them, ignore them, tolerate each other or talk every day?  Does the prospect of spending time with your blood family excite you are agitate you?  Your family memories may likely be woven with laughter as well as tears, support as well as judgment. Over the years I have found that my family has in every way imaginable brought great wisdom, humility and joy to my life.  In my family we had immense laughter right along with intense hair pulling, hurtful name- calling followed by competitive Monopoly games, aggravated yelling as well as helpful math tutoring.  Every experience brought lessons to me that has transformed and evolved the core of my being.

The family bloodline that you were born into is perfectly tailored to assist you in your personal growth and evolution.  It doesn’t matter which story you have about your family, each member has a specific purpose in your life to teach you vital life lessons and train you for the trials and triumphs ahead. If you feel tense around any of your family members, than you have more to learn.  Maybe a bully in the family will teach you about boundaries, compassion and inner peace.  Perhaps having different lifestyle preferences in the family (Spiritual, health, diet, sexuality) brings forth the lessons of tolerance, self-respect and understanding the value of diversity.

Contrary to popular belief, our family is NOT here to provide everything we need nor give us all the love we desire. We as human beings are here to learn how to provide for ourselves, love & respect ourselves and learn how to unconditionally love those around us.  To come to this level of self-awareness and love embodiment, it will take some training. What better teachers than those that have chosen to be karmically linked to you this lifetime?  Family will provide much support, encouragement and love in various forms along your journey.  Different family members will choose to play the clown, villain or ally to create a certain dynamic to show you something deep that you need to see.  Some of the trials will be joyful and others will be difficult; family will be there until you get it right. You are coded to grow and expand, which is exactly why you cannot just walk away from family.  Giving up on a family member means you are giving up on developing an aspect of yourself.  You are bonded with them to learn lessons of how to truly love, how to know yourself and how to be compassionate and tolerant of other’s choices. Family is a tremendous gift and resource for awakening leaders.  If you can heal your family ties and allow the deep bonds to teach and liberate you, then you will know true love.  Open your heart and connect deeply with your family and the gifts you will receive will be better than any Christmas morning.