A group of British retirees (from left, Maggie Smith, Ronald Pickup, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Judi Dench) embark on a fresh start in India in the charming new comedy, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Photo by Ishika Mohan, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Facing the autumn of one’s life can be challenging in many ways. Coming to terms with the realities of having fewer, rather than more, years ahead, as well as the increasingly debilitating effects of age, are daunting enough. But what if the means to live out those remaining days in comfort are in peril, too? This combination of elements might seem deflating or overwhelming to some, but, with one’s independence, dignity and survival at stake, the more adventurous and innovative among us may elect to take some extraordinary, uncharacteristic or even drastic measures to make the most of those circumstances, as seen in the delightful new comedy, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

Newfound friends Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench, left), Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson, center) and Douglas Ainslie (Bill Nighy, right) explore the wonders of Jaipur, India, their new home, in director John Madden's "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Photo by Ishika Mohan, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

* For Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench), the golden years look a lot bleaker than she had once anticipated. The lifelong, recently widowed housewife is forced into selling her residence to pay a backlog of debts left by her deceased husband, saddling her with a very uncertain future.

* Retired housekeeper Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) needs hip replacement surgery but faces a six-month wait unless she’s willing to try something a little more radical – not an easy decision for someone very set in her ways and her outlooks.

* Bored with his career and his life, Judge Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) can no longer continue with an existence that leaves him unsatisfied and longing for something more fulfilling. His search for genuine happiness clearly requires more than what his current routine can provide.

* Career civil servants Jean and Douglas Ainslie (Penelope Wilton, Bill Nighy) approach retirement community living with mixed feelings. Jean believes she deserves something better than what’s on offer and doesn’t hesitate to make her dissatisfaction known. Douglas, meanwhile, tries to assuage her, agreeing to pursue other options if doing so will help keep the peace in their increasingly precarious relationship.

* Spunky skirt-chaser Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) feels like a spry 40-something, even if his chronological odometer indicates otherwise. Nevertheless, how he feels, and how others react to his advances, such as the actual 40-somethings he tries to court, are two entirely different matters. Maybe it’s time for Norman to turn his attention elsewhere.

* Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) loves her family, but she tires of the demands they regularly place on her time, such as frequent requests for babysitting her young grandchildren. As someone who wants to enjoy life more in her remaining years, she yearns to take off and be a free spirit while she can – something she just might do.

Given their prevailing circumstances, the retirees each decide they need to pursue alternate paths. In doing so, they all stumble upon advertising for what seems to be the perfect solution to their respective situations – the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful. The ads for this affordable but luxurious facility promise its guests grand accommodations in a classic setting in the lively, colorful Indian city of Jaipur. Everyone jumps at the opportunity, making reservations to move into this elegant pleasure palace. But there’s just one catch: the hotel is nothing like what’s in its promotional materials. In fact, the decrepit structure is not far from collapsing, its walls propped up by assorted forms of jerry-rigging and the infectious, if sometimes-unrealistic enthusiasm of hotelier Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel).

Sonny struggles incessantly to keep his faltering business afloat. He does all he can to appease his disgruntled guests, many of whom are ready to turn back upon arrival, and his overbearing mother (Lillette Dubey), who constantly criticizes Sonny, forever flaunting his brothers’ success in his face. He also strives to please his girlfriend, Sunaina (Tena Desae), an educated, upwardly mobile young woman whom he worries will leave him for someone more financially stable. It’s quite a full plate for the wily young entrepreneur.

But, thanks to a hefty dose of Sonny’s charm and the newfound friendships that spring up among the recent arrivals, the guests decide to stay. They thus embark on new journeys of personal discovery, some on their own and some by way of interactions with the hotel staff, the locals or each other. Their individual odysseys end up offering them possibilities for fresh starts unlike anything they could have possibly imagined before they left England.

At some point in our lives, fresh starts are welcome developments in the wake of unrelenting sameness, though, admittedly, embracing such changes can become more difficult for many of us as we age. As we allow the beliefs that shape our realities through the conscious creation process to settle in and become comfortable, we’re more likely to look askance at possible upheavals in our routines, summarily rejecting them even before examining what they have to offer. We might even try justifying our resistance with arguments like “we’re too old for this sort of thing.” But are fresh starts only meant to be the provenance of the young?

The very emergence of such manifestations indicates that there’s some part of us deep down inside that wants to usher change into our lives, no matter how old or young we are, but the more we resist those impulses, the more imposing, even threatening, they’re likely to appear in subsequent iterations. They may ultimately give rise to circumstances that appear as if change is being foisted upon us, with unwanted consequences and overwrought drama coming along for the ride.

Go-getter hotelier Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) welcomes his recently arrived English guests to their new Indian home in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Photo by Ishika Mohan, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

In many ways, this is where the guests of the Marigold Hotel find themselves at the film’s outset. They’re at the point where they’ve put off making change for so long that they now find themselves, metaphorically speaking, with their backs up against the proverbial wall. Their inner selves are telling them that change is imperative and that the only real decision they need to make is to choose how to react to the impending circumstances.

Many of us have come to fear change, that the disappearance of the familiar will leave us sad, disoriented or less well off than we’ve grown accustomed to being. But it need not be that way at all. Change just means doing something differently, and it doesn’t automatically equate to things being worse than they have been; it could indeed be the start of something far better than we could have possibly imagined but that we have not previously permitted to materialize. Allowing change of an especially positive nature can be truly life affirming, especially for those nearing the ends of their corporeal journeys. After all, as many of us have no doubt experienced, basking in the illuminated brilliance of sunny autumn days can be some of the most rewarding times of the year. The residents of the Marigold Hotel come to see this for themselves, once they’re willing to allow it to happen.

Recently widowed housewife Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench, left) and free-spirited grandmother Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie, right) take in the sights, sounds and sensations of Jaipur, India in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Photo by Ishika Mohan, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a charming release, full of life, vibrancy and gentle humor. Its exquisite cinematography and mesmerizing soundtrack combine to paint a lush portrait of an exotic land in all its beauty and all its challenges. The excellent ensemble cast blends well together, though the writing sometimes fails them when it comes to the degree of interaction the principal characters have with one another (even though they’re each following their own paths, it would have been nice to see those paths cross one another a little more than they do). The script also falls prey to a certain degree of predictability, but then that’s compensated for by an equal measure of surprise, offsetting that minor shortcoming.

The picture is already getting some Oscar buzz, though, realistically, I think it’s being released far too early in the year to be remembered by Academy voters later on. Nevertheless, if 2012 proves to be another weak year for movies, it could be a contender in some of the technical categories, as well as for some of the performances, particularly those turned in by Wilkinson, Nighy and, of course, Dench.

This picture serves as a valuable reminder that time passes in this life far faster than most of us often realize and that, because of that, we’d better make the most of it while we can, especially when the hourglass is running out. In life as in the movies, I’ve found that some of the most rewarding moments come toward the end of the picture. And to get the most out of them, it’s up to us to savor those times before the credits roll.

Copyright © 2012, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.

Retired housekeeper Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) attempts to adjust to her new surroundings while recovering from hip replacement surgery in the delightful new comedy, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Photo by Ishika Mohan, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

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This is a time of year for celebration and togetherness, a time to remember that we are all one. A time of gathering in, of spending time with loved ones and staying warm. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Hogmanay or something else, hopefully you are with people that you love.

It’s also a time of ritual; some religious, some social. For example, most of us will be enjoying at least one special meal with family and friends. Eating together is a core part of our society and it’s also an opportunity for mindfulness.

Many traditions encourage us to eat mindfully but I’d like to share with you five food contemplations for families from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Engaged Buddhism tradition. This is something we read before each family meal.

• This food is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, the sky, the rain and the sun.
• We thank the people who have made this food, especially the farmers, the people at the market and the cooks.
• We only put on our plate as much food as we can eat.
• We want to chew the food slowly so that we can enjoy it.
• We want to eat in a way that nurtures our compassion, protects other species and the environment and reverses global warming.
• This food gives us energy to practice being more loving and understanding.
• We eat this food in order to be healthy and happy and to love each other as a family.

Thich Nhat Hanh

You might like to try reading this before enjoying your meal. Eat each bite slowly and mindfully and try to be fully present to those who are sharing the meal. Just for fun, here’s a video of my own ‘little Buddha’ reading the contemplations.

The Five Family Food Contemplations

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and connection.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn has studied meditation and mindfulness in the Shambhala tradition and with Thich Nhat Hanh. She teaches Gentle Yoga, Chakra Flow Yoga, EMpower Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Power Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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I was lucky enough to see Prince in concert last weekend and the experience has profoundly affected my practice. So what has the Prince of Purple got to do with yoga, meditation and mindful living?

Let me start by saying that I am fortunate enough to know my purpose in life. It was one of the insights I uncovered during my 500 hour yoga teacher training with the help of Shasta Townsend. Through yoga and meditation my delight and passion is to help other people to stand in their own light. Aspiration: I am a powerful channel of Divine Light – fearless, intuitive and compassionate.

I am so convinced of this that I had it tattooed on my arm as a constant reminder. (On the other arm is my dharma name, Radiant Joy of the Heart.) Both of these tattoos represent aspirations and reminders for me to be the best possible version of myself.

My purpose is to get out of my own way and let my light shine in order to help others do the same. Whatever gifts I am fortunate enough to have shouldn’t be hidden behind fear of rejection or failure or any of the thousand other excuses that I have used throughout my life. By being brave enough to live like this I aspire to help others do the same.

As Marianne Williamson says,

‘…as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’

Where does Prince come into this? He is without doubt allowing his light to shine. Apparently a shy young man he made a decision to get over his shyness in order to let his talent shine, and wow he has a lot of talent. Whether you are a fan of his music or not I’d be surprised if you could see him perform live without being caught up in his energy. He is like a bright light, fearless and unafraid letting the gifts he has shine out without fear or apology.

This was a powerful reminder for me to let my own gifts come forth. I may not have glamorous talents like Prince but I can try to live my life as fearlessly as he does. Imagine a world where we all did the same.

What are your talents? What is your passion? What activities do you lose yourself in? That moment when your small self disappears and you are able to transcend ego, fear and limitations and just be in the moment.

It might be a creative pursuit, it might be teaching, it might be yoga, if you’re really lucky it might be your job. It is the thing that you love, paid or unpaid it brings you happiness and joy. My advice to you and to myself is to do more of that. The benefits will creep into the rest of your life and your relationships. Be who you were meant to be, the you that is truly you without fear, without barriers. The you that no one else can be, whoever that is. Try this…

• Sit or lie comfortably in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted.
• Spend some time contemplating the question ‘what is my passion?’ or ‘what is my unique gift?’ or even ‘what is my purpose?’
• Ask yourself the question over and over finding deeper and deeper layers of answers.
• Once you find your purpose, make an intention to spend more time doing the thing you love without fear or guilt.

Why not set some reminders? A reminder on the fridge or on your computer or perhaps in your diary or phone. Good luck, let your light shine.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you presence, peace and joy in every moment.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

CLICK VividLife.me for more inspiration for living you ultimate life!!!

Join me at our Uxbridge studio for ‘Presence and Presents’ on Friday, December 16 from 7:30  - 9.00 PM

The most wonderful time of the year? Perhaps. The most stressful time of the year? Probably. We all love our families but with sky high expectations, crowded malls and lumpy gravy the holidays can turn out to be more of a test of fortitude than a feast of fun. Prepare yourself with a yoga practice designed to help you stay true to the warm and loving person you are despite all the stress and provocation. With calming mindfulness techniques we’ll each leave with a set of tools to help us not only survive but enjoy the holidays and our families. $25 + HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn has studied meditation and mindfulness in the Shambhala tradition and with Thich Nhat Hanh. She teaches Gentle Yoga, Chakra Flow Yoga, EMpower Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Power Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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I was half-way through writing a blog about dealing mindfully with anger, and how it’s important to keep perspective and compassion at the front of our minds, when I got a phone call that put everything in perspective. Isn’t the Universe clever?

It reminded me of Dr Grant talking about the velociraptors in Jurassic Park,

‘And that’s when the attack comes. Not from the front, but from the side.’

A little levity is a good way to regain perspective in these situations, don’t you find?

I had been writing about how anger is a very real and unpleasant sensation. About how we’ve all been there and how we usually have very clear views about who is to blame.

Sometimes our anger is small and easy to deal with but sometimes there are more ‘hooks’ as Pema Chödrön calls them. This stronger anger gets it’s claws into us and sets of a chain reaction ingrained over years of practice.

How about this for a hook? The protectiveness you feel for your child or loved one? The phone call today called into question the safety and happiness of one of my children. In seconds a chain reaction began and there was a danger that I would become the velociraptor.

This is just another chapter in an ongoing situation where people are doing their best with the resources they have but unfortunately the problem is not going away.

It would be easy to blame the adults involved or even to blame the other child but the truth is much more complex than the black, white and red that anger allows us to see.

Of course, my first priority is the safety of my child, as it should be. That’s deep programming, that’s nature doing it’s job and me doing mine. But, does this mean that I have to lose my temper? Does this mean that I need to blame someone who is so clearly suffering? Will it help anyone if I shout at people who are doing their best in difficult circumstances?

No!

I need to support my child and keep him safe. The best way I can do that is with good common sense and my feet firmly on the ground. This I will try to do. That is my job right now.

The other issue, the source of my original anger, seems so petty and trivial now. Thank you Universe for reminding me, for giving me perspective. Thank you for not making the reminder more painful as it could so easily have been devastating.

Belly breathing is one practice I use to ground myself when life and situations seem to be taking flight. If you are experiencing strong emotions like anger, I hope you will find it as useful as I do.

• Lie down flat or with a pillow under your knees.
• Slow down your breath and begin to relax your body.
• Bring your hands onto your belly and feel it rise and fall as you breathe.
• With each breath soften your body and let go of any tension or holding.
• Let the earth support you as you relax.
• Visualize roots growing out of your back body, reaching down into the earth.
• Continue peacefully here, enjoying the sensation of your belly rising and falling until you feel calm, supported and grounded.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you presence, peace and joy in every moment.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Join me at our Uxbridge studio for  ‘Step Into Your Light’…

Step into Your Light – Friday, November 4 from 7:30– 9:00 PM

‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’  - Marianne Williamson.

Reveal your true beauty, radiance and light with this practice designed around Marianne Williamson’s incredible quote. Too often we shrink from stepping into our light because of a fear of rejection or of making others uncomfortable. You deserve to shine as brightly as you can. Cast aside your fears and step into your light, make your talents and gifts an offering to the world.

A flowing practice designed for everyone. $25 plus HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn has studied meditation and mindfulness in the Shambhala tradition and with Thich Nhat Hanh. She teaches Gentle Yoga, Chakra Flow Yoga, EMpower Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Power Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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Remind yourself to be grateful and see your day from a whole different perspective. See how this shift in thinking can help you to be happier and to attract more positive experiences into your life.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner so this is a great time of year to check our attitude and see how grateful we are for all the gifts and graces that we enjoy every day.

I’ve talked before about happiness being available in each and every moment and I believe that the same is true of gratitude. Not only that but I believe that they go hand in hand. The more grateful we are, the more things there are to be grateful for and the happier we are.

I believe that this is an innate skill but that we sometimes lose touch with it. Look around you and it’s easy to see why. I spend an afternoon in a mall recently. To put this in context: if there is such a thing as hell and if it’s true that we each have our own personal hell, a la Bill and Ted, then mine will look exactly like a mall. Let’s just say it’s not my natural environment.

One of the things I noticed there was that all of the advertising started with the words, ‘I want…’. Most were funny and designed to promote services on offer to visitors but what made me laugh was that the posters just said what the energy of the whole place was screaming. I want!

I realize that this might sound judgmental but I don’t mean it to be. I’m no more immune from ‘I want’ than anyone else. I suppose it was just interesting to me that the signs were, in a way, so honest. It is the attitude that we have been taught by our culture, to want, want, want. To notice the lack rather than the abundance. To see the things we don’t have and take for granted those that we do.

That day was challenging for me and I know that it would have been easy to be resentful and unhappy but that would only have made me unhappier. It would also have made it hard for those with me to have a good time. Instead, I tried to focus on being grateful, looking for things to water the seed of gratitude in me. I was…

• grateful that I had a healthy and strong body that I could enjoy walking around the mall.
• grateful that I was with people I loved.
• grateful that they were enjoying themselves.
• grateful to enjoy the beautiful eyes and smile of a young woman who helped us.
• grateful that I gave and received smiles as I walked around.

There are a lot of quotations on this subject but here’s one of my favorites.

It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness. – Confucius

This captures the attitude that I’m trying to foster. Just like everyone else I don’t always succeed but it’s my aspiration to see the positive, or to create a positive, rather than dwelling on the negative. Every day provides joyous opportunities to practice, don’t you find?

So when you are next facing challenges, large or small, try to see the things to be grateful for and notice how this shifts your attitude and your day.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you gratitude in each and every moment.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Join me at the Balanced Life Yoga studio in Uxbridge for a ‘Yogic Thanksgiving’…

Thanksgiving and Gratitude, Friday 14th October. (7.30 pm – 9.00 pm)

Celebrate Thanksgiving with your yoga family! A joyful gratitude practice designed to connect you to a sense of gratitude for all the gifts and graces in your life. Living from a place of gratitude allows us to drop our ‘victim’ story lines and rejoice in our good fortune. Connect to your Higher Self and the best in all those around you with this gentle flowing practice open to all. $25 plus HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn has studied meditation and mindfulness in the Shambhala tradition and with Thich Nhat Hanh. She teaches Gentle Yoga, Chakra Flow Yoga, Yoga for Women, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Power Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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Or…Why I Cut Off All My Hair

Is there a longing for change within you? Has it already happened? Have you told the world yet?

One of my colleagues posted this great quote on our facebook page today,

To change one’s life; Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions.

- William James

There isn’t a big enough ‘like’ button in the world for me to express how much I adore this notion. This story expresses what it means to me.

Last month I was fortunate enough to attend a week long retreat in Vancouver with Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen Buddhist Master. Eight hundred of us experienced this amazing man’s teachings of peace and mindfulness and I was profoundly changed by the experience.

Thay (‘teacher’ in his native Vietnamese) shares his message of inner peace through mindfulness all over the world and has done so since the 1960’s.  Over the course of the retreat I found myself truly slowing down, being comfortable with my own company and becoming present to each moment.

These are aspects of myself that I’ve been working on for the last few years but this perfect ‘mindfulness hot house’ enabled me to sustain these states for longer than I have ever experienced before.

I’m still processing the shifts that took place in me that week. I’m slowly learning to apply the techniques to my home and work life and I have a feeling that it is the work of a lifetime.

One change that I made as soon as I got back was to cut off all of my hair and I do mean all of it. My hair was mid-way down my back and now it is 3/8 of an inch long. So what the flip was that about? (As just about everyone has asked me.)

There are a few reasons: Firstly, the retreat was run by the most beautiful people I have ever met, monks and nuns who practice mindfulness all day, every day. They are shining beacons of peace, compassion and kindness and none of them have any hair. What better role models could I have?

Two, I was very clear that I wanted to be forever changed by this experience, I didn’t want to slip back into old habits and patterns. I wanted to draw a line for myself and others to see, a line that said, ‘as of now everything is different’. Now I have a reminder of those changes every time I touch my head or catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror.

Finally, I wanted to prove to myself that big changes are possible. After all, I am not my hairjust as I am not my thoughts and I am not my past. Sometimes we feel the weight of the past too heavily on us and we think we can’t change. Only when we bravely make a change do we see that it wasn’t that radical after all.

I wanted to start immediately, I wanted to be flamboyant and I didn’t want there to be any exceptions.

I can promise you that there’s something very freeing about cutting off all of your hair but I know it’s not for everyone. This was my way of expressing inner change. I invite you look deeply and see what changes you are ready to make then, honor them in your own way. Write them down, even if it’s only for you to see. Get rid of clutter that you don’t need. Wear a colour the old you would never wear.

Live mindfully, aware of the choices you are making. Whether they serve you well or not, make them consciously.

And your reminder doesn’t need to be your hair, why not return to your breath every time you hear a bell? Your phone, the doorbell, your inbox. Each time they ‘ring’ come home to your breath and remind yourself to be present and mindful. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Wishing you joy in each and every moment.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Join me at our Uxbridge studio for our Day of Mindfulness – Still Water retreat on Sunday 18th September. (11.00 am – 5.00 pm)

Immerse yourself in mindfulness practice for a day of yoga, meditation and sangha (community). Cultivate your natural ability to be present to each moment through seated breath meditation, yoga practice, discussion, walking meditation, mindful eating and noble silence. During this mini-retreat, based on the teachings of the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, we will practice, eat and walk together to find the true peace, joy and happiness in each moment. $65 plus HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn has studied meditation and mindfulness in the Shambhala tradition and with Thich Nhat Hanh. She teaches Gentle Yoga, Chakra Flow Yoga, Yoga for Women, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Power Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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This month I wanted to offer something different so I’ve recorded a guided meditation which you can use at any time. It’s about 7 minutes long and it’s designed to banish those judgmental inner voices and replace them with patient, accepting and loving encouragement.

Lie back and allow it to wash over you, restoring your balance and self worth. I hope that you find this practice helpful and restorative. Simply click the link below to begin.

Loving kindness meditation

Offered with love,

jacquelyn

Join me at our Uxbridge studio on Friday 19th August for Elephant Power – Remover of Obstacles. (7.30 – 9.00 pm)

Ganesh the elephant headed Hindu deity is known around the world as the remover of obstacles. In this practice we will invoke Ganesh’s power to remove the obstacles in our own lives. If you feel ready to move past some of your perceived obstacles, join us for an inspiring evening. Leave feeling grounded and strong, ready to take your practice off the mat and into the real world. All welcome. $25 + HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn teaches Gentle Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yoga for Women, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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Most of us put off our biggest dislikes for as long as possible. They prey on our minds, gnawing away at our happiness even when we’re doing the things we do enjoy. They lurk just out of sight reminding us that we’ll have get round to them in the end.

For me it’s housework. I see the value of a clean house, I know that I’d enjoy living in a clean house but it’s getting to that point that’s the challenge.

I tried procrastination but the mess was always there, right in front of me, reminding me that I’d have to deal with it. When I did get round to it, I’d resent it. I’d be sullen and unhappy, thinking about all the other things I could be doing.

Then, during yet another re-watching of the movie of Gandhi’s life, I had a revelation. In one scene a rare flare up occurs between Gandhi and his wife over her refusal to take her turn cleaning the ashram latrines. Under duress she agrees to do it but as she turns to leave Gandhi stops her and shouts, ‘do it with joy or not at all’.

This has become a mantra in our house. Even the children are asked to do chores with a smile. Well we’re trying anyway. I’m not sure if the movie uses a direct quote but I do know that Gandhi said,

‘Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.’

Now that’s a way to live! Each day I try to live with this in mind. Rather than putting off the jobs I dislike, I make them an offering. It might be an offering to the Universe, to a loved one (maybe the loved one who made the mess) or an offering of gratitude for a grace received.

This immediately changes how I approach what I’m doing. Instead of being a resented burden, the task has a meaningful purpose.

Here’s a simple way to try this…

• When you are about to begin a task you dislike, sit quietly and breathe.
• Relax your body and mind.
• Think about the upcoming task and set an intention or dedication. For example, ‘I do this with love for my son’ or ‘I do this as an offering of gratitude for the blessing of good health’.
• When you’re ready, begin the task and work with dedication and focus, keeping your intention in mind.
• Once complete, sit quietly again and thank yourself for making this offering.

I hope that you find this practice helpful when dealing with your to do list today.

Wishing you a joyful life in each and every moment.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Join me at our Uxbridge studio on Friday 22nd July for Heart Joy Yoga. (7.30 – 9.00 pm)

A heart opening and joyous practice for all. This workshop will focus on unleashing the pure joy at our core as we connect to the infinite source of energy. This beautiful and joyful community experience will include gentle yoga postures, meditation and other ancient tools designed to open and expand your heart. Leave with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. All welcome. $25 + HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn teaches Gentle Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yoga for Women, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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Are you living an abundant life? Does everything you need flow to you with ease and almost magical timing? Or do you feel that you have to fight for every scrap, every resource, every little bit of recognition? Here’s my own simple way to connect to the flow and live a life of easeful abundance.

First let’s think about what an abundant life would look like. Abundance means plentifulness and implies that there’s enough for everyone. Enough of whatever you want; love, success, happiness, wealth, peace, joy and anything else you dream of. So how do we manifest this abundance in our own lives?

Wayne Dyer tells us that

‘Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.’

If that’s the case, how do we tune in to this flow of abundance? I believe that one of the main obstacles to living a life of abundance is fear. It could be fear of taking a risk, fear of success or even fear that we don’t deserve abundance and happiness.

These limiting beliefs trap us in a restricted perception of what our lives could or should be. If we can learn to act with courage despite our fears, we line up with the flow of our lives and the Universe will sweep in to help.

I have lived most of my life with crippling ideas about my own smallness. It was only when I began to work with yoga in depth that I realized that I deserved so much more.

I learned to rein in my fears by focussing on each moment one at a time. I learned that if I gave my best in this moment then the next moment and the thousands after it would take care of themselves. This was so freeing. No longer did I have to play a crazy chess game strategizing for every eventuality and worry.

This is not to say that I always manage to stay on my path but I have learned to recognize when I stray through fear or laziness. I also don’t waste my energy by being in competition with other people. I trust that there’s plenty to go around and that their success doesn’t mean that I can’t be successful too.

To do this sit quietly and focus on the task at hand, give it your wholehearted attention and your best effort. Let go of the past and the future and just focus on now. Stay with your breath in the present moment creating space for yourself without the distraction of worry. In time, this practice will bring you clarity and calm; helping you to stay on your path and in the flow of abundance.

This mindful approach to each moment in life gives a sense of purpose and ease to your activities. You will be amazed how quickly the Universe jumps in to aid you and help you on your way. All the wishing and worrying you did before seems small in comparison to the opportunities and resources that open up to you when you make room for them in your life. You deserve it.

Wishing you an abundant life.

Namaste,

jacquelyn

Join me at our Uxbridge studio on Friday 24th June for Universal Abundance. (7.30 – 9.00 pm)

Learn to trust in the abundance of the universe. – Embrace the concept of abundance and feel confident that the Universe has enough for everyone. Let go of your limiting beliefs and refocus your energy, releasing negative thoughts as you trust in universal abundance. Be open to giving and receiving love, compassion, financial success and all the things you seek. A gentle flowing practice which includes breath work and meditation. All welcome. $25 + HST

http://www.balancedlifeyoga.ca/home-pages/retreats/uxbridge-workshops/

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Level Two practitioner. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn teaches Gentle Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yoga for Women, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

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For example, what if we were to measure a day by the number of smiles we send and receive?

Am I really the only person who makes involuntary facial expressions when writing an email? The person I’m talking to can’t see me but here I sit smiling, looking concerned, frowning, showing whatever I’m feeling on my face.

So what if we reverse this, what if we use our facial expressions to change how we feel? What if we smile to lift us up out of the doldrums until we actually feel like smiling. If nothing else we’ll brighten the days of those around us. As I said in my last blog a smile is generally met with a smile, maybe a slightly confused one, but a smile nonetheless. You add to someone else’s day and they add to yours. Perhaps even on a ‘bad day’ these reflected smiles will help you to really feel like smiling.

There’s now scientific evidence that smiling can extend your life. Please enjoy this wonderful and short TED Talk from Ron Gutman called The Hidden Power of Smiling. I promise you it will give you food for thought, it might even change your day.

This meditation is from Thich Nhat Hanh’s wonderful book ‘Peace is Every Step’. Recite this short poem to bring a smile to your face and calm to your body.

Sit comfortably with an upright spine and gradually slow your breath. As you breath mindfully in and out say these words to yourself.

‘Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment.

I know this is a wonderful moment.’

I hope that this practice will bring more smiles to your face and to the faces of those around you. As Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’

Wishing you joy, love and an easeful life.

Namaste,

jacquelyn (smiling)

Jacquelyn is a 500 hour RYT and Reiki Level Two practitioner teaching at Balanced Life Yoga in Uxbridge. Yoga has helped her to overcome paralyzing fears and chronic pain and find her true purpose in life. Her focus is on encouraging those around her to have patience, kindness and compassion for themselves and the courage to stand, fearless, in their own light. Jacquelyn teaches Gentle Yoga, Flow Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Seniors Yoga, Learn to Meditate and a variety of workshops.

www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

Technorati Tags: abundance, ajax yoga, balanced, balanced life yoga, beginner yoga, Breathe, calm, chair yoga, chakras, Change, chanting, community, community yoga, compassion, deep rest, durham yoga, Emotions, energy, Energy Healing, equanimity, flow yoga, freedom friday, Fun, ganesh, gentle yoga, Goethe, hatha yoga, healing, Heart Opening, heart yoga, Intention, jacquelyn o’brien, Journey, joy, just be, kindness, laughter yoga, lead, live, love, love yoga, Loving, lunar flow, meditate, Meditation, mindfulness, movement, negative emotions, now, om, open, patience, peace, potential, power yoga, private yoga, reactions, Reiki, reiki and restorative, response, retreat, senior yoga, shakti energy, Shasta Townsend, shiva, smile, smile yoga, stress, teacher, teacher training, Transform, transformation, Uxbridge Studio, uxbridge yoga, vinyasa, we are one, wisdom, Wisdom Wednesdays, Workshop, yoga, yoga classes, yoga for all, yoga nidra, yoga therapy Posted in Ajax Studio