Cultivate Loving Kindness

Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me. Last week's full moon reminded me that reflection is the gift of humanity. This week, I have been reflecting on kindness. How does it show up in my life? Am I being kind to myself and nurturing the quality of kindness in my actions of daily living? Can I hold compassion for all beings in the midst of the horrors of war and the thousands of souls being uprooted from their homeland forever? Can I remain peaceful and passionate while I witness this humanitarian catastrophe? Politicians speak of putting up walls to separate us and I wonder if this will embrace a kinder world?  Each one of us has a perspective on the situation, and yet, will walls be the solution to ease the suffering?

If I go inward and quiet my mind I practice pratipaksha bhavana - the practice of pausing and reflecting in an effort to feel from another's perspective. This practice allows me to clear my mind of limiting and learned habits so I can share in the gift of compassion. It starts with my willingness to go inward and be kind to my Self. In this way, love is more than a thought - it becomes the act of loving kindness.

Sometimes, I feel we are overheating the mind too much, causing so much animosity, fear and doubt that the heart gets frozen. Can we cool the mind and keep our hearts warm? As we move into fall, take time to pause and go inward to quiet the roaming mind. Meditation is the tool of a focused mind and an open heart. By cultivating a meditation practice you will focus the mind and experience stillness. This will allow kindness to become an intention for living with courage and to be more loving, especially to your Self.

I hope this season will inspire you to be gentle and nourish your heart; take down the walls of separation; and enjoy the incredible wonders of living a life of loving kindness as part of a heartfelt community. This month we are honored to host amazing teachers and workshops designed to cultivate loving kindness. I hope you take the time to share with us as we come together to raise the consciousness of the soul as we seek to make this world a kinder place to live.

Namaste!

Laura Jane

Yoga Among Friends turns 17!

On April 1st we celebrated our 17th anniversary! It's hard to believe that I am still just as passionate and inspired by yoga as I was when I opened the doors in 1998. Yoga has been the toolbox for my life and I am forever grateful to the amazing teachers, students, and community that have supported our presence in Downers Grove.

The teaching path of yoga is one of service. I often find myself struggling to balance the fact that I am running a business with the understanding that my true purpose is in teaching the sacred. I deeply appreciate you, our students, who understand that yoga is more than an exercise routine, and that Yoga Among Friends is so much more than a fitness center - it is a spiritual home.

It is my truest hope that we will continue to inspire you to see the beauty of your life's purpose and to be present with your True Self. May we continue to shine as a place of nourishment and sustain the integrity of our roots that allow for the well-being of these incredible teachings to thrive.

Namaste!

Laura Jane

Inner Knowing & Renewal

When root is linked to heart, we can feel a passion for life which motivates us to deepen our experiences. Rather than having the feeling of just "passing through", we become, not only voluntarily, but passionately, resident in our Life.
~ Laura Jane ~

The mind becomes dulled through the long nights and cold days of winter and we begin to doubt the possibility of life sustaining life. We become discouraged with our outer world and start linking our minds to thoughts of worry and fear. When we dedicate ourselves to going inward and stilling the mind of those outer senses, we reach the place of listening to our inner knowing. This intelligence is always moving in the direction of its True Nature.

I am forever reminded of this "knowing", when I see the first crocus push its green shoot of life up into the light. These roots have the integrity of intelligence to come back every Spring - to renew the sustained understanding that life is moving towards the space of light. Winter has lasted too long! But what a joy to see and smell and taste the air of this sweet new season.

Each Spring I honor this process and return to a sacred space for retreat to be reminded that the heart needs to be nourished in order to sustain the vitality of living. When we begin to care, not only for ourselves, but also set the intention as a community, then we restore this true and vibrant energy. I call this HOPE.

I invite you to join me April 16-19 for a magical experience at Gray Bear Lodge, a retreat center outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

For those souls wanting to go deeper in a practice of connecting, I promise you wonderful asanas, meditation, walks in the woods, music, chanting, and healthy delicious food. Not to mention a great group of like minded yogis longing for the fullness of LIFE.

Register today! Space is limited.
Contact Yoga Among Friends for more info.

Namaste,
Laura Jane