This article first appeared on the blog Socially Fit.

Meet Daniel Uy. A yogi by trade and fun-loving guy by nature. Very funny and honest. There is one thing that makes him stand out (other than his awesome personality), and that is the fact that he is HIV+. He has been living with the virus for fifteen years. Through yoga, fitness, and overall well-being he has reclaimed his life and here he is sharing his story.

I wasn’t an adult very long before HIV.  I was never the modicum of vitality.  I ate a lot and was extremely nervous.  I was going out to gay bars for the first time and had only recently began to drink and smoke.  It was a confusing, awkward, and uncomfortable time with a mouth as big as an ocean and an ego to match. Also with the frailties of one who feels unworthy.  Know what it’s like to be with someone who is afraid everyone is better than him so he tries so hard to put you down to lift themself up?  Yeah, I was that guy.  I was fun at parties, but only under the influence.

Once I found out that I was HIV+, it was a relief! I had been thinking about killing myself from a very young age and into my teens. It was good to know I had an end date and it was hopefully going to be soon.  I also remember watching my family doctor, that I’d been with since I was a teenager, who was the one who broke the news to me, cry in front of me.  He also said words that I have never forgotten “It doesn’t matter how this happened, we are just going to take care of it”. I am truly blessed to have surrounded myself with non-judgemental people in my life.  It was a mixed response.  He told me, “we’ll take care of it” and at the same time I was happy to know I might be dead soon. That should let you know where I was at that point in my life.

I really felt included when I began yoga. I have never been the model of physical health.  I was a fat kid growing up and actually did manage to lose a bunch of weight when I came out of the closet at 20 years old (going from 260-220 lbs). The only time I have ever been thin was when I was on the descent towards having full-blown AIDS at 27 and weighing in at 145 lbs. I felt safe in a yoga studio and in the practice room.  The postures themselves were not that difficult and you didn’t have to do them for long.  I started in hot yoga so you sweat, A LOT!  I remember standing in tree pose with my hands in prayer and sweat dripping down each elbow and looking at myself in the mirror and thinking “God!  I’m such an athlete!!”

The funny thing is I have just never really considered yoga to be a workout.  It was a spiritual journey and I had a lot of questions!  Somehow that made it easier to do.  Since it’s easy to do, maybe I could do it too and it grew from there. Postures evolved, sequences and poses have ballooned to include things that I think are beyond my human abilities but still in my mind, it doesn’t count as hard or impossible, just something in this journey I may not have figured out quite yet.  I really hope from now until the day I leave this plane of existence, there are still many postures that were on that list I was “working” towards.

Although it was the physical that brought me onto the mat, it was, in itself not enough to keep me there.  I started to “wake up”.  I became aware of things, and in the beginning, some of these revelations were so overwhelming that I couldn’t process them.

There was a family gathering about 4-5 months after I started yoga and there was an argument at the table. As it was happening I became incredibly aware of my breath. It was like it got louder in my head and the fight in front of me got quieter.  It was the first time that I can remember where I was calm in a heated discussion.  It felt like I had superpowers or something.  I wanted to know more about that.

Being HIV+ means that the veil and illusion that life will last forever is gone.  No fairy tales.  No make-believe world.  This sh*t is real!  Where I am today is where I am today.  It may not be like this ever again.  It could be gone, it could get better or worse. I am an optimist and most may not see this as optimistic, but there is an incredible beauty in that.

Right now I am the strongest and most fit that I have ever been in my entire existence in this physical shell.  There was a time when I was so weak and frail I could not stand or walk ten feet without fainting.  All we have is this one breath.  Right here.  Right now.  Inhale.  Exhale.  And being here right now, in this moment, is the best place that one can be.  Other problems and worries fade away when one stays grounded in this moment.  Close your eyes and take a full breath, in and out right now and savour it.  I can wait.

I would like to think that I am in a place now where I can make a positive impact on the HIV community at large.  I have never considered myself an activist.  I am more of a lazivist!  Up until last year, I had never “officially” stood out publicly as being HIV+.  Everyone in my family knew, friends knew, employers and co-workers knew, but never my students or the average person.  I remember when I was writing my bio for my website, www.danieluy.com, and I was sitting with the “how did I get into yoga” question and couldn’t avoid the HIV thing.  I remember going should I or shouldn’t I when it came to disclosing.  This was my question I was sitting with one week where I had made the decision that on Friday I would choose and that would be that.  That very week I met not one, but two other yoga teachers that are HIV+ and both fairly new in their diagnosis.  Hearing their stories it became quite apparent that the only question I was asking myself was “How could I not disclose it?”  This became much less about facing my fears and much more about helping to alleviate theirs.  If and when I ever question or doubt myself, I think of them and others right now suffering in silence.

It was also around this time that I happened to meet Brian Finch, Founder of PositiveLite.com, Canada’s Online HIV Magazine.  Since I had already been writing some things for my own website, I thought perhaps maybe I could share some information to others like myself.  I mentioned that I don’t know how professional I’d be.  It’s been ages since I’ve worked in a 9-5 business setting, but they wanted my voice and style as is. Since August 2011, I’ve had articles posted, about twice a month.  I have really come to love them.  Through that I have been able to make new connections within the HIV community and help, one on one, some guys and gals on this journey.  

A friend of mine reminded me a few months ago, people need to see that there is someone who has been going through this serious medical thing for 15 years, yet can still remain healthy and physically capable alongside some of the city’s best teachers despite it.  I had never thought of that before.  Sometimes it’s great to have someone on the outside remind me of what I really do.  My favourite quote is from Ghandi, “My life is my message.”  It’s that simple.  If you want to see what I’m passionate about and believe in, watch me and you’ll see it.

I could probably do more.  If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me! Recently I was speaking with a friend about the idea of trying to incorporate yoga fundamentals into a workshop style practice/meditation for people in the AIDS Community and AIDS Service Organizations (ASO’s for short).  I haven’t figured it all out completely but I really see it as being something that would have me travelling to different areas and communities as well as helping my brothers and sisters tap into something that I have been able to reach as well.

I think I have been fortunate to have been spared much of the insanity of the misconceptions and fears of others.  It’s either that or I have an incredibly short-term memory so I don’t recall much anymore.  It’s getting close to half my life living with HIV, so I forget.  Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between what is HIV and what is simply growing old.

I would be naive to say that the fears do not exist.  I have a friend that said they’re ok with me having it, but then later I learned that if they ever went on a date with someone who was, they wouldn’t see them again.  That hurts.  Because I know what that kind of rejection feels like.  It’s like you’re a leper – untouchable and unlovable.  And it can sting.  On the flip side, if the situation was reversed, I may possibly act in the same manner.  We’ll never really know.  One thing I do know is that if someone is on HIV meds and their Viral Load is undetectable, and sexual protection is used, the chances of passing it onto someone else are quite small. There’s a debate right now in the Supreme Court of Canada on Disclosure discussing this topic in great lengths.

As I mentioned, being who I am, and the size that I am, it has been quite rare that I have ever had to deal with overt judgement or discrimination based on my HIV status.  Having said that, there is one place I taught (I’m no longer there anymore by my own choice on a different matter) that had a meeting and seriously discussed firing me because I had mentioned I was HIV+ and they didn’t feel I would be capable as a hot yoga teacher.  It turned out I was the most popular teacher in that space until my departure. With the proper medication and lifestyle, the average life expectancy right now for someone who is HIV+ is now 75 years.  HIV- people’s life expectancy is 82.  We are not that different at all. 

Right now, I am currently starting each day reminding myself of the word “Enough”.  That I am enough and that there is enough.  I sometimes allow my fears to drive me into doing and saying things I normally wouldn’t because of not being good enough, having enough, making enough, or being strong enough.  Today, right now, I am enough and I have enough, period.

As for my future, I would like to get married.  Maybe write some more, perhaps a novel or series of short stories.  Physically, I want to get Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series nailed down and be on the Secondary Series by the end of 2012.  There I said it.  I hope my teachers read that because I’m going to need help!  I want to own a home in the city and hopefully get to a place in my career which allows me more freedom to practice and play in my other pursuits.  I would love to spend more time fire-spinning, learning to cook, learning to dance, or tea drink my afternoons away with good friends around me.  

Strength is something much more than a physical measurement.  It comes from someplace inside.  It fuels you even when your body is spent and everyone around you says you cannot go on and you are done.  Strength is not fighting and destroying everything you come up against.  Strength is standing unarmed in front of an army moving tanks and declaring that they cannot and will not go any further.  What are you willing to stand for?

Recently I wrote an article about my first time experience with practicing yoga. During this I had a great opportunity to get in contact with one of my first teachers, Jess Robertson.  Jess has been busy.  Not only is Jess the co-founder of Moksha Yoga, along with Ted Grand, and leading teacher training around the world with him, but Jess has still managed to keep her life simple.  Living not only as an example of this yoga way of life, but breathing those ideals and actions into the foundation of Moksha Yoga as well. 

At the start of May, yoga teachers, students from all walks of life, and the Moksha Yoga community at large will be taking part in a Living Your Moksha Challenge (LYM for short).  This is where each individual has an opportunity to challenge themselves in the seven pillars of what Moksha Yoga tries to embody:

• Be Healthy: We work to support lifelong health of the body and mind.
• Be Accessible: Make real the idea that yoga’s benefits are limitless and accessible to all.
• Live Green: Live to protect and serve our natural world
• Sangha Support: Believe in the power of community.
• Outreach: Use creativity and energy to help others locally and abroad.
• Live to Learn: Commit to always learning to stay humble, open, and inspired to serve.
• Be Peace: We offer the benefit of our practice to the benefit of all beings everywhere.

 (More information on the LYM challenge can be found here: )

I had a chance to ask Jess some questions before the start of this seven week long event and this is what she had to say.

What does yoga mean to you?

Yoga means union or oneness.  So for me union takes many forms - unifying what I feel or think about the world with what I do to manifest these thoughts/feelings.  To me, yoga is healing, it teaches me to live a happy life, even when things are difficult.  Yoga is my life however, so I could say a lot more about it...how long's this article!

Why Moksha yoga?

The Moksha is all about changing for the better through community.  Over the past century or so, with the loss of organized religion, the exodus away from rural communities into big cities, the ease of travel, the incredible health-giving support a community provides has been lost.  To me this is the best part of Moksha yoga, it is extant, living, breathing, fighting, loving, growing, evolving community at its best.  Moksha is part of my family.

What benefits are there to this practice?

For the muscles and joints we focus on opening the hips, toning and stretching all major muscle groups and lubricating the joints for long-term health of the knees, lower back, and entire spine.  Moksha is cardiovascular so it's great for the heart and lungs, and immune function.

If an HIV+ new yoga student was coming to your class, what information, if any, would you like to know?

I'd want to know everything they are able/willing to share.  The more a teacher knows about a student the more they can help.  Using HIV for an example - right after diagnosis the best thing yoga brings is anxiety relief. The yoga studio provides a safe and non judgemental place, period. This is often the best thing after a recent diagnosis. A place to rest and be. If someone is living with HIV for longer I would ask them about diet, addiction, goals so that I could help with their goals as much as possible.  

If you could say something right now to the HIV+ yoga student out there, what would it be?

Everything is already OK. This is actually the message of a yoga text from the Isha Upanishad.  I would however probably not 'say' it - I'd probably communicate it with a nice mid-class foot massage!  I would also say, you are welcome here, at the studio. And as usual - I'd remind them to AMPLIFY the benefits of practice by drinking at least 3L of water a day (not tea/coffee/juice/kombucha...water!). I would also say life is filled with challenges of varying degrees, and beyond the physical challenges and benefits, yoga gives practical tools that I have seen, and many yoga teachers have seen help with all forms of challenge.  We are all here in this world to serve, yoga helps take challenges - death in the family, cancer, HIV, poverty, abuse - and transform it into a way to give, to serve.  I believe in this stuff (can you tell) and hope you get to try it!  I would also say - start with doing the living your moksha challenge!

Thank-you so much Jess for sharing your thoughts with us.

If you wanted to try this style of yoga, and you live in Canada, there are ample locations to choose from. Check out: www.mokshayoga.ca and find a place near you. There are also locations in the US popping up all the time.  If you do go to a studio and check them out, tell them that Daniel Uy from Toronto says Hi.  Seriously!  We really are a close knit community!

 Metta

“Give up the battle of fighting and find freedom in the shackles of service.”

Lately I have been practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga in a Mysore-style setting six days a week, working out three times a week and teaching about 10-15 yoga classes a week, some in a heated environment and some not.  I love my life and my job, and the joy of being strong and active at this point in my life, HIV+ or otherwise.  It’s a real blessing.  But it’s physically challenging.  Work, love, joys all feel like chores sometimes – a big hassle – so much that it makes me want to rebel against my own great life.  But I have found a way to take some of the edge off.  And it’s not exactly what you’d think.

A year after I was diagnosed with HIV, I began what was to become my longest living relationship with another living thing - with my dog, Brenton - or more formally – Brenton Cornelius Ulysses Uy.

I have to be honest; I hated that dog for many years.  I happened to come by him accidentally through a series of events and now that I had him, I really didn’t want him.  I was never a dog person.  But here was this dog that needed food, and attention, and walks.  This living creature required my assistance daily just to poop. 

The reality of my health situation was really starting to set in during this time. I wasn’t really working at my full potential and my thoughts were often of self-destruction. I wanted to get everything over with and move on because life wouldn’t be so grand and most likely painful – but there was this life that needed me.  The only thing I could fully commit myself to was keeping this innocent life alive.  And so it began.

I put up a picture on the fridge and the back of apartment door with a picture of his face and the caption that read “Do it for him.”  I also had one at my desk and in my wallet.  I needed the reminders.  It was in these darker times of life, that looking back, I had small rays of light.  Although I hated and loathed doing it, I trained that dog, kept him fed and well maintained to the best of my ability.

When I had full blown AIDS for the first time, I was living alone at 27yrs old in a bachelor apartment with just him.  There are days I would cry and scream and curse myself and him for being in my life.  But the mantra “Do it for him” kept me alive.  He kept me alive.  Even my mother will attest that if it wasn’t for his presence, I probably wouldn’t be here today. 

I haven’t thought about this for sometime but was made more aware of it over dinner recently with a good friend in talking about my daily routine.  Sure I am healthy and strong and not nearly as maniacal as I used to be, but this same intent exists.

In yoga, there’s a word in Sanskrit we use, sankalpa, which means "will, purpose, or determination." To make a sankalpa is to set an intention—it's akin to a New Year's resolution but deeper.  Recently, I posted an article about my sankalpa for this year on letting go.  But I have found this to be my daily one – service.  A lot of things I struggle through some days like everyone else.  I have mentioned my challenges with food and a bit of my daily regimen.  It’s not always easy to do.  My buddy Elias was pointing out to me recently about a few of my male colleagues and the work they do, and practice etc and reminded me of a very important point about myself - that I can stand alongside them at the same physical intensity despite 15yrs of being HIV+. 

I have never been an activist but I do believe I have a message.  The actions of my life are a reflection of it.  I honestly cannot do this by myself.  I find the work and effort daunting and some mornings I feel like I just want to lay in bed all day and sleep for five days.  But I get up.

In my morning practice, just after the morning mantra (chant), I whisper softly to myself “Do it for them.”  With my eyes closed, I think of my family, friends, students, people I’ve met or talked with.  Usually only a few images of people’s faces I’ve recently had connections with will come into the forefront of my mind and I lock them in place.  This practice is hard.  Facing each day is hard at times.  But it’s easier if I do it for others.  If I can keep myself in better shape, practice more, eat well and get enough sleep, then I can be at my maximum for when help is needed for others.  I’m just like a fireman, except without all the sirens, hoses, and 911 men! LOL! 

Does it really work? I don’t know. I’m still here right?  Perhaps there is something that has been a struggle to get through.  Some job or task or project that is hard to face on your own.  Is it possible that by doing it, there may be a benefit to someone else?  And isn’t it a really cool feeling when you can help someone else out, be it a stranger, or friend, or dear loved one?  Then dedicate the job or work to them.  Make that 9-5 grind be about that special loved one, be they human or non-human.  Even if you hate the idea of doing it, give it a try, it may surprise you.

Since someone else has said it better then me, I will leave you with his words:

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” –Ghandi

Metta.

Vegetarian or not.

I was on a subway recently with a friend and both headed Eastbound.  I was heading towards Donlands Station (editor’s note: in Toronto) – home of one of my favourite burger places – Square Boy.  I am not sure exactly what it is about their burgers that I enjoy so much.  Perhaps it’s the nostalgia.  The place has existed long before I was born and I have a vague recollection of my father taking me here as a child – since our family doctor’s office was just around the corner back then.  Perhaps I have an unconscious desire and attraction to older Greek men.  It’s completely possible.  Growing up in and around Greektown can do that to someone I suppose.  Have you even seen some of the statues of Zeus?  He’s a looker!  Ok sure he liked to get it on with people in various outfits and animal forms, but really he isn’t half bad.

I should mention though that I have never seen one of those statuesque forms here in the Square Boy though!  That’s part of the deal though, isn’t it?  It’s a greasy spoon – a food indulgent locale.  A place where one can just relax and be without consequence or judgement. Of course as I say this I think of the mid-30s man who works here with the light grey-coloured eyes who I catch myself gazing at too long and have to turn away, only to want to look back again a few seconds later.  The place is old.  It shows the wear of time.  So do the workers and many of the patrons.  Despite all of this, a part of me longs to return here.  I would love to judge this in some way, or explain that it’s awful and bad, or that I hardly ever do it.  But I love it. 

There is a belief that yogis - all yogis - for one reason or another are vegetarians.  Some are.  Some are vegan or raw-food vegans or will eat vegetables and eggs (since free-range chickens will lay eggs regardless).  Some do this out of religious/spiritual connotations, some out of moral or ethical reasons.  My personal take on this tends to come from the first of the eight components of yoga.  This being the Yamas – our attitude toward our environment.  I have chatted about a few already.  There are five yamas and the first one is Ahimsa.  Ahimsa has many translations but the one used more commonly is non-harming or non-violence.  It is through this avenue that many yogis believe that in order to move further down this path and be less harmful one must forgo eating meat. 

While this may work for many as a viable option, this may also be a daunting task for others.  I remember first learning about this almost 10 years ago at the beginning of this yoga journey and recalling how upset that made me.  For someone who can barely take care of themselves, keeping up with medications and doctors appointments and trying to eat around pill intakes was already a tough enough job, then radically shifting my diet in order to practice yoga and learn to meditate.  What I found was that these self-observances are essentially just that; things that work and/or may not work for each individual to decide.  Yogis are trying to live life in a reduction from harm both in cause and effect.  This may include the absence of meat.

Harm reduction in daily life

But non-harming is broader than this.  Where I think its greatest impact in the lives of us mere mortals is in judgement.  The words and phrases I use to communicate with you and about you are more devastating than the actions about which we talk about.  If yoga is truly about connection and drawing together and becoming more united and more whole, it cannot be accomplished at the sacrifice of my brothers and sisters.  Non-harming is first and foremost the number one practice a yogi begins.  It starts with self.  If there any actions, things in life going on right now that are causing you pain?  The way we work or sleep or play?  My suggestion would be to stop it.

It’s funny.  There is a pose I teach often called sleeping hero pose (Supta Virasana) that I warn students each time if there is any sharp pain in the ankles, knees or lower back, to back off from coming all the way down to the floor.  I have found various ways to say this over the years and many of my students laugh when I talk about it.  Each and every single class I have taught through the years though, there is one student who pushes themselves too far and ends up shooting right up out of the posture because they hurt themselves.  In yoga, if there is pain, there is no gain.  Yoga is about awareness.  And starting in our own bodies is a great beginning.

My words and thoughts have power (see article “Just two more Inches”).  How shall I use them today? Do I choose to destroy others with my thoughts and my words or do I choose to build them up?  Sometimes it’s justified, that to be completely open and honest one has to say some tough and mean things to people because they need to know the truth.  But I am reminded that, from a yogic perspective, Satya (truthfulness) comes second to Ahimsa – this means that it’s more important to not hurt someone’s feelings or burst their realities then it is to tell the truth.  As one of my spiritual guides likes to remind people, unsolicited advice is abuse.  And he’s right.  I do not have a place in telling someone else what is right or not right in their lives; nor does anyone else.   Each may choose for themselves based on their own path.  Not all will reach the same place in a path at the same time.  That’s the wonderful thing about journeys. 

After my first class of yoga I had a smoke (tasted amazing), grabbed some beer and ordered a meat-lover pizza and applauded myself for my wonderful commitment to practice.  Through the years as I became more aware of what worked for me and my life in those times and places, things changed.  Some things came and went and others came back in again and left.  It became a practice of what worked for me and what didn’t.  Of what is harming me and what wasn’t.  And so I say grab that burger for all you are worth and chow down!  I love them.  As funny as life is, of course, as this present time, the last burger I had tore through my body like nobody’s business.  And as I write this I pause and ponder if I need to make new changes in my life that will cause me less harm.  I hope you take the time out to do the same.  Namaste. 

 

I love that I am involved and connected into a radical group of people who believe in spiritual pursuits through physical movement and interconnection for greater peace, love, joy and freedom to all people – even our enemies.

Having said all that, I would also like to say we’re like a bag full of organic granola – filled with fruits, flakes and nuts!

Here is a copy of my top three current favourite yoga YouTube videos that I hope go viral cause they show the ridiculousness of me and my peers completely.

Number Three – Yoga Police

This is a clip taken from the television show Gravity which is about a group of people who are all suicide survivors.  This is the main scene from the second episode.  Saying too much will give it away.  Enjoy!

Number Two - Yoga Girl (shown below)

It’s a hilarious music video about a straight guy trying to hit on a yogini.  I have to say after seeing this and showing a good friend of mine, I told him never act like him.  For the record, I have seen men like this in class.  Too funny.

Number One - Shit Yogis Say (also shown below)

It’s another remake of that very popular title that is going around right now.  I have to admit that I have said several of these things, and not just once.  It’s a part of my daily life language.  Just the other day I was telling a friend and fellow teacher I was going to me late for lunch because the moon day caught me up and made me late.  I have a thirst for coconut water and my hips ARE so open right now.  But the most important line from all of this is:  You WANT to see where I can put my leg.

 

At the end of every year and start of a new one I become reminded of cleaning.  Perhaps it’s the holiday mess that accumulates because of going out more and/or having more company around the home.  I definitely am reminded of it when it comes to taking down the decorations – which for me is one long string of techno-Christmas lights weaved in and through my curtains that hang on my large one wall of windows.  More than that though, I become aware of how messy my closet and special junk drawer “space” have become. I have a table in my apartment that, upon entering the home, I come in and dump everything onto and then walk away.  Sometimes I am quick at transporting these things to alternative homes but many times I am not.  Eventually I have to get another bag or box to sweep everything from the table into it and put that in the closet so the table would be clean when company comes over with the intention of cleaning it up again, but never get to it and so in the closet it remains.  I have done that three times now.  Has this ever happened to you?

There is all the intention in the world to get this stuff put away but it gets to a point where we’re not exactly sure why specifically we are keeping these things to begin with.  At some point in our own histories they might have been treasured memories or pieces of significant achievement, but now they are sealed in bags and boxes like skeletons in coffins packing our closet to the point of overcrowding - especially when the clothes don’t actually fit inside anymore.  Or maybe, the clothes are part of the problem too!

Looking into the New Year is like viewing a new home from the front door of the old one - all the possibilities that new space and life can create are untapped potential.  Looking beyond the material, I remind myself of what has taken place this past year that can stay in 2011 and not journey with me to 2012.  A year is like a trip, or a move to a new home, not everything needs to come with you.  Some things you give away.  Some you sell off.  And some you simply discard.

Aparigraha is the absence of avarice.  It is the fifth Yama (self-observance) a yogi endeavours to live by - non-grasping.  It’s the open palm approach to life and living.  In some areas of life, it’s incredibly hard to do.  Is there anything in your life that you are white-knuckling through?  It’s a tough question to ask one’s self.  Is there unwanted material, physical, and/or meta-physical junk that has been acquired in our storage areas of existence that has you feeling crowded or blocked up inside?  Perhaps now is a great opportunity to let it go?

Sometimes seeing the extremes of why it’s important is helpful too.  Two characters of fiction come to mind – Gollum from Lord of the Rings and, since Michael Burtch is a fan of DC Comics, Larfleeze, who possesses the Orange Power Ring – which is fuelled by the emotion avarice. These extreme looks at characters depict individuals, though honestly good intentioned, have now become burdened with an insatiable hunger that can never be quelled.  Even in death, Golem is clutching his precious and cherishing it.  Larfleeze has horded everything to himself to the point that all his closest friends and allies are energy constructs of dead people.  People he’s killed.  Sounds like a happy life.

So maybe there is something to this letting go.  I try to look at this releasing process in several areas at once: material, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.  Start by cleaning out that space or place, or person that isn’t right for you anymore.  That ex you keep talking about, the job you hated that you’re no longer at.  It’s time to leave them and the old ideas surrounding them where they are.

My favourite song right now is Let it Go, by Carlos Gallardo and Peyton, one of the lyrics states, “You gotta let it go.  Close your eyes and you will see, you’re just a child playing God in a Universe of possibilities.”  And perhaps it’s true.

I have made a decision.  I am letting go of the idea that I am sick or unhealthy.  I am completely embracing the fact that I’m a fit and healthy person.  It’s not denying my status, but merely releasing the burden I have placed on it.  I’m opening up to the possibility of life.  I release the mental idea that there is only one way for me to live life – letting go of yoga – my practice and my profession.  Everything is packaged into little compartments that I rebel against it and live on this flip-flop imbalance of life.  I choose to allow spontaneity and creativity to have a say in my existence.  Life isn’t much fun for me without it.  And ofcourse, I’m opening the closet doors and facing those bags and boxes of whatever and letting them come out,  opening them up, looking in, and discarding what isn’t needed anymore.

 Perhaps it’s time to let go - to release the unwanted.  To open your hands wide and allow the winds of destiny to carry away that which is no longer needed and to make room for that which is to come.  Jai!