March 15, 2013 | 11:02 am

Mindful Morning

Posted by Michelle Azar

Follow JewishJournal.com on

A friend gave me a little list of affirmations. I printed it out. Read the first one, and stopped. It was a simple notion about unconditional love. A phrase that always trips me up. For reasons I have spent great amounts of time and money figuring out. I thought how interesting that this phrase would be the first on the list, something that offers me such challenge. I made a mental note to think about that one later, and moved on to my emails.

The first one I read was from an old friend. I noticed immediately how my breathing changed.  Familiar feelings of inadequecy bombarded me so that I had to take a seat on the floor of my  small closet. The connection hit. Here was a trigger moment to give that first challenging affirmation a chance .

We are often granted opportunities rather than the actual things we think we want. I loved this idea- “OPPORTUNITIES ARE USUALLY DISGUISED AS HARD WORK, SO MOST PEOPLE DON’T RECOGNIZE THEM.” (Ann Landes)

I was lucky enough this morning to be given the gift of connection. Painful as it is sometimes to rehash and relearn, it is quite fulfilling to have those moments when the mind’s meanderings can come into the light and be investigated. I am grateful for the daily asana (posture) practice, as it has lead me deeper to an inner practice.

Hope you have a good couple weeks of inner practice. I will be gone from:

TUESDAY MARCH 19-SUNDAY MARCH 31.

In gratitude,

Michelle

March 8, 2013 | 2:04 pm

Password

Posted by Michelle Azar

“Mommy?” called my sweet seven-year old from her tuft of tulle. “Do you think I should have a password now to come into my bed?” She was nestled within the new pink canopy around her bed. It has been difficult for her to fall asleep, so we put up a little protection against the shadow forces of slumber.

“Absolutely, a password sounds like a good plan,” I told her not realizing it was now going to be my turn to guess. I hate guessing games, especially when bedtime is lurking.

Just as I was starting to get impatient, she giggled. “My password is I AM THE BEST!” I melted. What a smart way I thought to protect against that which scares us. Wrap yourself in pretty color and texture, and then further arm yourself with the simplest sentence of self-love.

My wish for myself and those around me this week is to reignite our own in the face of all that discourages us.

Practice this coming week remains in tact.

Next week however, WE WILL BE OFF from MARCH 19-MARCH 31

March 18        WE WILL MEET AS SCHEDULED FROM 9-10am

In peace and pink tulle,

Michelle

0 Comments — Leave your comment

March 4, 2013 | 1:03 pm

Yoga Schedule

Posted by Michelle Azar

Summer sun feels like its coming. Hopefully that heat can warm us up, opening our minds and bodies for a new asana or two (and if you don't know what asana means, get yourself to class!)

Lots of new times to practice! And please let me know if you would like the restorative class to come back, and at what times.

Our current schedule is as follows:

All classes at:

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

MONDAYS 10-11 AM
TUESDAYS 6:30 -7:45 PM
WEDNESDAYS 10-11 AM
THURSDAYS 9-10 AM

When it has been a while since practicing, the best way to get back in is offered by the shift in light, in temperature. Let that shift also shift your perspective, toward yourself and your goals.

See you soon!

0 Comments — Leave your comment