Tag: power

Oh Wow!

September 28, 2011
Posted by Sharon
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It was raining, my husband’s cell phone wasn’t working, he was late to work and we pulled up to my son’s school just a minute before we were supposed to pick him up.  I, somewhat frazzled, jumped out of the car and put a bit of a spring in my step as I jogged towards the appropriate door of the school for kindergarten pick-up.  After I jogged a few steps, I heard this male voice beside me say, “Oh Wow!”.  I wasn’t sure what was so wonderful about a crowded elementary school pick-up scene on a rainy afternoon, but something about the tone of the male voice made me feel kind of uneasy.  It was a “Oh Wow” I’m looking at something kind of sexy “Oh Wow” (if you know what I mean).  But, I kept up my little jog until I heard the “Oh Wow” a little louder and a little closer to my body.  It felt even worse.  Then, I heard “Oh Wow, Oh Wow, Oh Wow watch them bounce.”  It was then that I realized that this man was referring to my breasts.

Yes, this man, on his way to pick up a child at an elementary school, was giving my 3-month postpartum boobies a very enthusiastic thumbs up in the jiggle category.  The tone was certainly not, “Oh wow, look at that powerful woman goddess who feeds her young through the miraculous production of liquid gold.”  The tone was more, “Oh wow, look at those boobs bounce.”  Not only was the tone ugly, but the idea that someone, a complete stranger,  could wield this power to render me flesh without power or personality was immediately repulsive.

Yet, I almost immediately started to feel that I could re-frame the experience.  Let’s be honest, my 3-month postpartum body is most definitely not “Oh Wow” by any measurement against what is currently considered attractive.  So, Mr. Creepy, I’ll take it as a complement that you find my lactating, postpartum self so very exciting that you felt the need to verbally express your feelings. And then I took it one step further as I came to realize that I am so VERY “OH WOW” right now.

I am the Oh Wow Goddess.

I am a woman who safely harbored a new life within the core of my body.  A new life that I nourished with meditation, chanting and energetic work for over 40-weeks.  A new life that I labored to greet and that I nourish now purely with golden liquid that I give and is received at my heart center.  I am the Oh Wow Goddess, a woman who juggles mothering two beautiful children, my marriage, my career and my obligations to my community while also managing to brush my teeth regularly and eat meals with one hand.  One day I might lose my Oh Wow Bounce, but I’ll always be the Oh Wow Goddess.

Here’s to every woman who has to shake hands with her fourth trimester body; a body that bears the evidence of her greatest power.  The power to create and sustain new life.  Here’s to every woman who jiggles and bounces in places where society has told us we ought to keep tight and in control.  Here’s to the newly conceived Oh Wow Goddess!  Jai, Jai, Jai!

Hey Dharmashakti, do you think you might write a new kirtan chant for the Oh Wow Goddess?  If so, be sure to give some credit to Mr. Creepy for it is not always our greatest admirer who inspires us to realize our greatness.  Sometimes, it is the vulgar voice in the background that asks us to step up and reveal the heroine.

Written by Sharon Rudyk, Owner and Director of Yoga Matrika and Matrika Prenatal in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Meditation for Haiti

January 15, 2010
Posted by Sharon
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SAFE and EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL DONATIONS to HAITI

My web home page is the New York Times, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that the images of injured children, devastation and large numbers of bodies being scooped and dumped by trucks have not taken their toll on my heart-mind.  This is a most challenging time for Haitians all over the world.  This is most likely an understatement and one that I may never, and definitely hope to never, understand the true depth of.  The New York Times has a list of organizations currently accepting donations and you can access it here: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/haiti-disaster-relief-how-to-contribute/?scp=12&sq=giving%20and%20haiti&st=cse

If you live in Pittsburgh, or even close, Quiet Storm, a local vegetarian and vegan restaurant, is hosting a benefit dinner:

HAITIAN MENU Jan 19

I want to offer Yoga Matrika blog readers some links to organizations that are accepting donations:

UNICEF
http://www.unicefusa.org/?gclid=CLzslMOfp58CFWkN5Qodrxrk1Q

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
http://doctorswithoutborders.org/

PARTNERS in HEALTH
http://www.pih.org/home.html

Obviously, there is GREAT need and money is a type of energy that we can send directly to these organizations who can make sure that care is provided to the almost 3 million survivors of this most terrible earthquake.

What else can be done?  We can meditate. 

There is a very important kind of Buddhist meditation that can be practiced by anyone, of any religion, any time, any place.  Human suffering in Haiti (you can read this Human Rights report to find out more) did not begin with this earthquake and there is suffering all around you—sadness, hunger, violence, inequity, pain.  While it is easy to focus on the pain and suffering that is shocking and remarkable, this meditation asks us to to focus on human suffering in general.  This meditation gives us power to acknowledge our own suffering, to wish something better for ourselves and to extend this wish to everyone, everywhere who is experiencing suffering. 

It can be overwhelming to accept that last week, before this earthquake, in Haiti, there were children being kidnapped (according to the Human Rights Watch report, as many as one kidnapping daily) and food riots as so many people were starving to the point of violence.  The United Nations estimated in 2008 that there were 170,000 children employed in domestic labor and only 50% of primary school aged children go to school with only 2% of the population finishing high school.  The reality is that there is great need and tremendous suffering in Haiti and around the world.  Rather than turn away, we have an opportunity and an obligation to face this pain and draw on the strength of our practice to build compassion and create peace and beautiful wishes for all living beings.

MAKING A WISH: Loving-Kindness Meditation for Haiti and all Living Beings

STEP 1: Sit quietly in a chair or on the floor (if this is comfortable for you)

STEP 2: Notice the quality of your breath and do a scan of your body from your toes through the crown of your head, just noticing how you feel, any sensations in your body and places that feel open or closed.

STEP 3: Make a sincere wish for your own safety, happiness, health and well-being.  You can use phrases such as: May I Be Free of Fear and Harm; May I Be Content as I Am; May I Be at Peace with What Comes.  Or, you can just make an honest wish for yourself in your own words that is meaningful to you.

STEP 4: Extend this wish gently to all living beings starting with the people that you care about the most, see them all bathed in the light of your sincere wish.  Then, extend this wish to all the people that you know, including neighbors, friends, colleagues, the person who serves your coffee in the morning.  Then, extend this wish to everyone in your city, state and country.  Take your time.  Be honest in your wish and sincere in your desire that everyone be granted this wish. 

Step 5:  Call into your mind’s eye Haiti and the world.  See the light and energy of your beautiful wish bathing Haiti and the entire world in a beautiful light.  Be sincere in your wish that all living beings in Haiti be granted peace, health and freedom from pain and suffering.

This is different from prayer in that you are sending energy not from a higher being, but from your own heart and mind to everyone who might need it.  Although our American culture has made a commitment to certain beliefs about time and space, this meditation teaches us that we are also humans with energy that knows no boundaries and we have power to release energy in ways that defy these artificial boundaries we have created or believe in.

To Haiti and to everyone in the world who is in pain, suffering, sad, lonely, thirsty, hungry or in need.  Please know that there is a little woman and a strong community of yogis here in Pittsburgh who sit in the quiet power of our minds and send you light, love and happiness.  May you receive our solemn wish for relief and may it give you comfort and strength as you move forward into life.

Written & Posted by Sharon Rudyk
Owner and Director of Yoga Matrika and Prenatal Yoga Pittsburgh
https://www.yogamatrika.com/
http://www.prenatalyogapittsburgh.com
http://www.sharonrudykyoga.info

Resolution Revolution

December 17, 2009
Posted by Sharon
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I’ve been frustrated lately and overwhelmed—-by my work, by my work relationships, by the fact that my husband has become obsessed with watching CSPAN and mostly by what I feel around me in the energetic field.  We are exhausted and want more from our leaders, our medical system, our businesses and banks.  We want people who have power to start using it in a way that is GOOD and GENEROUS and RIGHT. 

Then, this morning, I woke up and I realised that we must have a REVOLUTION.  We must have a great social movement in which EVERY PERSON decides to live each day according to their highest self.  We must STOP violence against ourselves and open to the potential of every moment because it is in our collective pledge to make every moment, every decision and every interaction one that matters that true REVOLUTION will happen.  We will, collectively, create a joyful and responsible energy–an energy where anyone who suggests that not protecting the earth, our heath and our ability to protect and nurture our children will simply feel out of alignment with what is real and right and responsible.  And when I say “OUR” I don’t mean American “OUR”—-I mean the “OUR” of humanity and of all living things.

Dr. Seuss tells us this in Horton Hears a Who—-EVERYONE in Whoville had to make a great noise in order to be saved.  In this revolution, instead of noise, we will make the silent vibration of positive energy.  Energy that creates a force of peace and light and love that can not be ignored.  In this lifetime, we can make a lasting vibration for peace that will have an infinite impact on the entire world.  We may feel small and powerless, but this is a trick of the mind that we can reveal with yoga and meditation. 

Yoga provides us with the support and inspiration we need to make this way of creating peace, energy and connecting to our own higher power.  Yoga is not a class, it is a choice—-a choice to move through the world in accordance with our inner guidance.  This practice can be done by anyone with a body, even if you can’t move your body or struggle with physical or mental challenges.  The practice is not a religion and will only serve to enhance your commitment to any religious or spiritual practices that you are already committed to.  This year, in 2010, consider joining the revolution.

 

Yoga Matrika invites YOU to a YOGA CHALLENGE. 

We welcome everyone to become a part of this yoga-based resolution revolution!  You don’t have to live in Pittsburgh and we hope that EVERYONE will take advantage of this project that invites you to make yoga and meditation a part of EVERY day of your life in a gentle and flexible way. 

Most New Years’ resolutions are about fixing what is broken, making changes, and trying to be better, greater, more than what you are right now.  But what if, this year, you became a part of a RESOUTION REVOLUTION to:

PROMOTE PEACE and NON-VIOLENCE starting with YOURSELF
PROMOTE RESPECT for HUMAN LIFE starting with YOURSELF
HAVE NO FEAR by acting according to your HIGHEST SELF and INNER GUIDANCE

If we all do this, then our Resolution Revolution will cause ripples of hope, joy, gratitude and beauty through the entire Universe.  Stop “not having enough time” and MAKE TIME.  Stop, “being so worried about the economy” and MAKE ENERGY.  Stop, “being so mad about the wars” and CREATE PEACE.  Stop acting on your fears and INSIST on ACTING from YOUR HIGHEST SELF. 

Let’s walk on our own two feet, feel the earth beneath us,
reach for the stars and make 2010 the year we really LIVE!

You might lose weight, get a better job, stop fighting with your partner or screaming at your kids, really start practicing the oboe and get your finances in order—- or you might not.  But, I guarantee that if you make an honest pledge to the Resolution Revolution, this will be one of the best years of your life. 

Every revolution needs a text, but this revolution has TWO!  Our 2010 texts are:

1.  Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul by Deepak Chopra.  2009
2.  The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness by Youngey Mingyur Rinpoche.  2007

You don’t have to buy these books, but we think you’ll want to so you can read them again and again and again!—You can borrow them from the library, create a Resolution Revolution group with friends and collectively own one set of the texts, etc.  If you do buy them and you have a local book shop, please order it through them or ask them to carry these titles.  If not, then the book titles are linked to information that will help you purchase them online.

HOW THE RESOLUTION REVOLUTION WORKS

STEP 1:  Print out a Revolution Pledge Form, read the pledge and think about your level of commitment to the pledge.  If you would like to commit, keep one signed copy in a safe place for yourself and send one to Yoga Matrika in Pittsburgh, PA.  In this way, you set a public intention to commit to the pledge. 

STEP 2: Make a payment or donation in order to receive your WELCOME KIT and to start receiving monthly e-newsletters with a review of the readings for that month and some yoga tips and hints.  The monthly newsletter will inspire you to stick with the pledge and provide great tips for your yoga practice.

STEP 3:  Keep your pledge.  Practice daily.

STEP 4: Provide feedback and ask for support.  Starting in September 2010, we will begin to publish an online journal for the pledge that incorporates the feedback, thoughts, ideas and reflections of participants.

 

WELCOME KIT

When you make a pledge to the Resolution Revolution, you will receive a reading schedule & monthly email newsletter with a discussion and review of the readings and yoga and meditation exercises that support that month’s topic.  You will also receive instructions on a meditation and yoga series that you will commit to doing 5-days EVERY week.  This meditation and yoga series takes 15-20 minutes and can be done by EVERYONE.  Even if you are not able to move your body or if you are confined to bed, you can DO THIS series with simple modifications that are included in the instructions.

 Although the greatest benefit will come from starting on January 1st, you can make the pledge at ANY TIME!  You will receive all of the previous e-mail newsletters and the yoga practice so you can “catch up”.

We will also be documenting the REVOLUTION and invite you to submit ideas, thoughts, reflections and personal stories to inspire more participation and to encourage anyone who has “taken a break” from their pledge.  You will receive information about this in your WELCOME KIT!

 

FEES 

The cost of the e-mail newsletters and year of yoga practice is $24–$2 per month to change your life and change the world.  If you do not have $24, but would like to make this pledge.  We honor your current financial situation and offer a DONATION option that allows  you to choose an amount that works with your budget.  Your purchase supports the costs associated with the administration of the revolution including, but not limited to: web fees, e-newsletter subscription costs and professional fees.

New Location

March 31, 2009
Posted by Sharon
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Yoga Matrika will be opening a second location at 6520 Wilkins Avenue in mid-May.  For some of you, this is a very welcome change.  For many others, you might be concerned that the warm feeling of the current studio as a home for your practice might be lost in the move.  I have complete confidence that this second location will just bring you more of what you love about Yoga Matrika and less of what you could do without (unpredictable schedule, crowded classes and tripping over that metal plate in the doorway to the back hall—-I know, I stubb my toe on it weekly too!).

Yoga Matrika is a community-based studio.  What does this mean?  It means that the space isn’t as important as the people who gather there—wherever “there” happens to be.   This is not a community defined by the neighborhood you live in.  We welcome everyone at Yoga Matrika!  This is a community defined by intention.  What do we intend?  We intend to practice with our full hearts, safely and intelligently.  We intend to be inclusive and offer support and kindness to everyone we share our practice with.  We intend to acknowledge that sharing the energy of our practice with one another is a gift that we give to one another.  We intend to learn more and expand our practice so that, in good times and bad, our practice becomes a source of calm and an oasis in these challenging times. 

A community studio also provides opportunities to support everyone in that community—families with young children, older adults, mothers, fathers, adults and children with special needs—everyone!  We must recognize that we are all connected through our humanity and acknowledge that our yoga practice has profound power in our own bodies and lives, but also in the lives of everyone we meet and those we may never meet.  This type of power needs to be created and supported by community. Sure, you can grab a class at your gym or drop-in and have an anonymous experience–but when you actively participate in a yoga community then you are really taking responsibility for the power of your yoga.   It’s not just a class you take–it’s a choice that you make!

The current location will become “The Annex.”  The Matrika Annex will be used for small-group classes, private sessions, children’s yoga classes, prenatal and postnatal classes and meditation.  In addition to a full schedule of drop-in yoga and pilates classes, Yoga Matrika will also start to offer advanced yoga training (advanced meaning anyone who has practiced yoga for 6-months or more) and a variety of teacher training programs.  Yoga Matrika instructors are some of the best trained in the city and continuing education keeps us creative and safe.  Yoga Matrika will also continue to offer regular Karmic Salon events so that we can have an opportunity to enjoy the creative efforts of our community and gather together “off mat.” 

Pittsburgh has many wonderful yoga studios and instructors.  We are so fortunate to have these resources here in the city and I am honored to be a part of this team of people and communities that support great yoga in Pittsburgh.