The “Dish on Mish”

"BE" What does that mean to you?

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 10:17:36 -0500

I’ve been sitting here for the past two days working on my website. It’s such tedious work and not what I want to be doing. BUT it must be done. I figured I’d take a little break and add a blog entry.

First let me say my last blog entry seems as if I was angry and frustrated. I was. We all have those days we wake up and it’s not quite so sunny. It was one of those days. I was going to delete it but then thought, this is me in all my glorious splendor. I don’t want to come off as this “life is wonderful” in every waking moment person. No, on the contrary, life is tough, life is stressful, life is sometimes unfair. But that is exactly what it is........LIFE!

When we realize that there is only so much control we have and that the rest is left up to the universe and our personal dharma, we come to learn that it’s OK to have days where we feel sad, days we are angry, days we are unmotivated. The “Aha” moment is when we learn to embrace whatever emotion we have in the moment (or day) and settle into that zone of “BE”.

What is it to just “BE”? We hear it so often in yoga classes, in quotes, from spiritual teachers, in movies........ What does it me to you to “BE”?

Does it mean to accept, be disconnected, be a passive observer? If so, is that realistic?

We know we should naturally be more loving, be more compassionate, be hopeful...... Yes, we know that. I’m not talking about those qualities we strive to be one with, to possess.

I’m talking about the action to just “BE”!

Life has it’s ups and downs. I am very skeptical when I meet someone who claims to be enlightened, is considered a guru or swami and acts like they don’t have a care in the world. Maybe they literally do not have a care in the world. I respect all who dedicate their life to a spiritual journey but how can someone who has chosen or been chosen that life give advice on how to just “BE”? Their life is very different from ours. They can advise us on technique but the experience is ours alone.

To just “BE” is very personal, which I’m sure would be described differently by every single person (actually, that would be a great documentary). It’s like asking “what is god”.

Sometimes, when I am seated in meditation and my mind is rambling, I find myself saying internally “just be” and them for some reason I can feel the tension in my body because I am trying to force something that can not be claimed, purchased, grabbed. It is a mindset. But yet I still don’t know exacty what it is.

Just maybe.........to “BE” is not thinking about action but to accept organically...to not think about it. I don’t really know what it is. I think it’s a concept. I’m sure I will go through these thought patterns for many more moons.

Just a little something to think about............

So with that in mind, I’m going to go “BE” something. I don’t know what but that’s OK with me.

Metta La mitraHs

Mishy

Getting “Unstuck”

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:01:47 -0500

OK......someone please tell me..........
How do I get unstuck?
I just can’t seem to “get UNSTUCK”.
I’m feeling a bit conflicted and jaded. And worst part, when this happens to me my creative juices seem to still, they take a meditative break.
I’m doing everything I physically and emotionally can to move forward to the best of my ability but yet I still feel like there is a brick wall that is blocking me from the next one big step forward.
Now hear me out.....this isn’t a cry about my life. Right now, at this very moment, my life is relatively calm.
This is about the Fashion Industry and government mandates.
Let’s forget the fact that taking MishogaWear to the next level will involve a six figure monetary investment. OK, that makes me nervous but what stunts my growth more is not being able to find someone to mentor me through the process.
We look at people and businesses from the outside, “what is plain to the eye”, but we never quite know what is the truth behind the facade.
Part of me would like to see MishogaWear grow and be availlable throughout the world. Another part of me really feels like maybe MishogaWear is meant to be special and exclusive.
Then....there’s a part of me that becomes upset that a huge company that sells Yogawear and retails their line for incredibly high prices when they are made in China is almost too big for themselves.
I have been told by many that it is virtually impossible to reproduce my line in the United States due to labor costs and regulations. They stated I would price myself right out of my target market. It seems to be the case.
But how is it possible that someone can make a simple Tee with a pretty nice graphic, made in the U.S.A. and retail it for $300.00? And they get it.

I am so determined to see MishogaWear retailing in the major Yoga Studios and Boutiques in the United States that I absolutely refuse to give up. The fact that there are so many obstacles only makes me more determined to make it happen. I know I will make many mistakes, spend and lose a lot of money and have some of my designs copied by competitors. I know this. I know this because all of these scenarios have happened. It is part of the job description. I’m not a dreamer.
I am a “Doer”! I will see this through!

So for all who sell Yogawear but do not practice anything that resembles a yogic lifestyle, I want you to know.....I AM HERE! MishogaWear isn’t going anywhere. MW is making it’s mark on Yogis all over the wold. If you want to steal my design....go ahead. I have a ton more in my head. If you want to take my money during a business transaction and have no moral or ethical practices within your business strategy...go ahead. I believe in karma. You should too.

This is my Dharma......a special gift from the universe for me and me alone. I will not abuse this wonderful gift.
I will however share this gift in the most honest way I can without hurting anyone, anything or our wonderful planet.
I speak my truth!
Sat Nam!

Change is Hiding around the Corner

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:32:28 -0400

Everything changes. Sometimes for the better, sometimes it’s the natural evolution of life and sometimes the change is not so welcome but can’t be avoided.
So many changes are going on in my personal and professional life. My boys are growing into men and not really needing me as much as they use to, except when they are hungry, GRRRRRRR.
My marital relationship is forever changing but starting to enter the empty nest syndrome. Professionally, MishogaWear is growing and expanding not only in the yoga/active wear market but in casual wear as well. If you didn’t know, we just launched our NEW MW Denim Couture Eco Friendly Vintage/Retro style clothing.
For me, I think the biggest change is the transitional stages of aging. I’m 47 and am starting to feel my body change. The physical symptoms of hot flashes, headaches, sensitivity of allergies, etc.....are not as bothersome as the the subtle changes of my body’s shape and size. The wrinkles are more pronounced, the grey hair is growing in faster. I actually hear myself groan when I get up from sitting on the floor for long periods. AND it’s actually harder for me to read without wearing my glasses. Loud music irritates me as does screaming teenagers on the block at 2:00 a.m. OMG, am I my mother? Probably but she’s alive, happy and healthy so I guess that’s not so bad.
In yoga philosophy we talk often about attachment and detachment (letting go). I think about this often as I struggle with this transitional phase of my life.
I remember when I was in my early 20s my uncle once said to me “OH Boy, are you going to have a hard time growing old”. Yeah well ya know how it is when you are twenty something. You don’t listen, couldn’t care less and think old age is 100 years away from you. I told him that was silly.
My biggest attachment issue is my hair. I love my hair but I don’t want to go through extreme measures to maintain this luscious mound of hair. My hair is very long and very thick. More often than not I have it tied back into a ponytail, especially when I am working. The last time I cut my hair was right before I married my husband and boy was I miserable. I vowed to never have short hair again. For 25+ years I have maintained coloring and streaking my hair because it looked good. Blond is nice and matches well with my skin tone but it is definitely high maintenance. And now that I am older, it’s even more time consuming and very costly to maintain that look. For so long I’ve wanted to return to my natural color which is very dark brown. I did it once about 8 years ago and everyone had negative remarks. When I say everyone, I mean everyone had an opinion about the color of my hair which I found funny because it was my natural color. I loved it but it seemed no one else agreed so I gave in and went back to lighter brown with blond streaks. I wonder where was my head at that time that I gave in to please others so quickly. I guess part of it was that I wanted my husband to be attracted to me.
Well, I have been thinking about it more and more and finally gave in. I went dark brown and already the comments from my loved ones are coming. My youngest said my hair is weird and even my mom said “OH, you went really dark”. Yes, I did and I like it. It will be easier to maintain. In general I don’t like excess in any area of my life. I want my luscious locks but not at the cost of time, money and being preoccupied with my outer looks. I want to look good just like everyone else but I don’t want that to consume my life. There are so many other issues that are more important than physical outer beauty. At least that is my opinion.
I was so vain, so self absorbed, so selfish and a bit coxcomical in my 20s. I don’t think I mellowed until my mid thirties, which I might add was a wonderful time for me and also the time I started to practice asana.
Now, here I am in my late 40s trying best as possible to embrace the natural changes I am going through. I don’t like the wrinkles. I don’t like the waist thickening. I don’t like it one bit. But as my bestie girlfriend would say, it’s better than not living. Yes....so true.
I watch all the hollywood movie stars with their slender bodies, their botox lips and all the artificial enhancements they undergo to hold onto their youthful appearance. I mean, come on, let’s face it, we can’t escape growing old.
Will it matter when (and if I am lucky) I am 70 years old that I have a tight tummy? Will it matter? Will people love me less if I look like a 70 year old woman? A grandmother?
I hope not. I hope the wrinkles around my eyes and mouth are a sign of smiling and laughing throughout the years.
So as I sit and meditate I will try to LOVE myself more. This seems to be my forever theme. I’m probably my harshest critic but in reality it doesn’t matter. And it wouldn’t matter if my health were to take a turn for the worst. The only thing that does matter is health and love. With these two in place, everything else will work out.
I think it’s sad how the young girls worry about their physical looks and will go to extremes to conform to an unrealistic perception of what beauty is and how the older are discarded or ignored. Why does our society place such importance on the physical outside? It’s just a shell we borrow for this time on this earth.
I guess this is the issue about Yoga Journal cover models too. All people are beautiful!
You are beautiful and I am beautiful.
Let that be our mantra today as we sit quietly and focus on “More Love” for ourselves, for others and for our beautiful planet.

For now, until next time......
“LOVE MORE”

Metta La
Mishy

Going Within!

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:06:29 -0500

I think it’s so easy to get caught up in life that there are times in our yogic journey we step away from the mat, from our practice, whether it is a physical practice or meditative spiritual practice.
It’s amazing that when I am away from my state of bliss “Anand” everything seems to go crazy. My health is poor, my body is achey and my patience is very limited. My thoughts are far from yogic as the stress of life takes it’s toll on my physical and energetic body.
For those of us who do have a personal practice, we all fall off the wagon at certain times in our lives. There’s that inner knowing, that inner voice that tells us where we need to be, what we need to do yet sometimes it takes forever to just stop, sit and breathe. It’s really that simple. And truly, we don’t need 1, 2 or 3 hours to become one and centered.
People says “I don’t have the time”. Yes, I know, we are all busy and we all have stresses in our lives. No one is more important than another. Taking time for yourself makes you a better person for all. And realistically, sometimes it is hard to find the time. Ultimately it is our decision to force ourselves to STOP. Stop being busy, stop putting it off, stop relying upon someone or someplace for our practice to thrive and mature as it should.

I stepped away from my practice many times for numerous reasons. Some were the demands of motherhood, being a business owner, even lack of motivation and feeling uninspired. It never fails though that when I’m in the worst place I can possibly be emotionally, I know what is needed most. I roll out the mat, close my bedroom door and let the breath start to flow. It’s only a matter of minutes that I know I’ve made the right decision. Yes, I might have to rearrange my days events but for some reason I am better at managing my time. I have more energy and a much brighter outlook for the day. And even better, my sleeping patterns are consistent when I practice.

Now on the spiritual side, all the negative mind chatter disappears. Everything is soft, pure and beautiful as if I could accomplish anything my heart desires at that moment of connecting to my breath. At that moment, I am the most beautiful woman in the world wearing a pure white flowing gown, with the sun shining it’s beautiful glow upon me and warming me to my core. The sky is the bluest blue and all is possible. Everything is perfect as it should be.

Yes, my mind wanders but not so much as I am very comfortable in silence. I can easily sit and meditate for 30 minutes or more in complete stillness. My body doesn’t feel stiff or uncomfortable. I don’t have the desire to move at all. I feel like my energy is flowing abundantly through the nadis which gives me the sensation of Wonder Woman. It’s an amazing feeling. One that actually keeps me on the mat longer than I had intended.

As a teacher and a yoga practitioner for over 14 years, I can’t stress the importance of having your own personal practice. I’ve stated this over and over to my students. I especially emphasis that the practice is not and should not just be physical. What if something were to happen that prevented us from the full use of our physical body? Would our practice disappear? Not if we are familiar with stillness and more importantly, comfortable with stillness. We really don’t need the props to make our space just so. It’s nice when we do have the space to decorate and enhance the process but it’s not necessary. All that is needed is a willingness, readiness and awareness of intention.

Even more important (IMO) is that anyone who is a Yoga Teacher should be acquainted and very comfortable having a practice of their own that is independent of studio led classes. This is not to say that someone who consistently practices at a studio/studios/workshops is not living a yogic life. But as teachers, our job is to teach the student body awareness, proper alignment and to grown into their practice to eventually stand on their own. That blissful state of connectedness should not be dependent on outer circumstances.There is never a time when we can hear and feel more clearly than when we are completely alone. We can then listen intuitively and feel energetically what we need at that moment. True bliss comes from within.

I love attending classes and workshops tremendously but there is nothing that compares to my own personal practice. Sometimes it is vigorous, sometimes it’s gentle, sometimes it’s nothing. It is always what is needed. I am the guru. I am the nothingness in a vast expansion of possibility.

If you don’t have your own personal practice, ask yourself “what is stopping me from exploring the self?”. What is stopping you? Just do it. Believe me, you will not regret it. At first it might seem difficult. Asanas are difficult at first but we progress with it and are reaping the rewards of the physical practice that ripples out for our emotional well being. The same will happen when you start a personal practice. There is no golden rule you must adhere to. You can sit for 5 minutes and be done. Eventually you will condition your mind and body to be still and that time will lengthen organically. This is not a process that can be forced. Organic is the key word. Just stop, listen, breathe and observe. Let the practice open up naturally. Trust intuitively that your body will guide you to what it needs at that moment. You are the student and teacher on your mat! If you listen carefully you already know this. Believe this to be true. Believe in yourself. I believe in each and everyone of you.

It’s time for me to go plug into myself.
Love & Light to all beautiful beings who have crossed my path
Namaste
Mishy

Why not Recycle that old mat for a New Eco Mat?

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:38:03 -0500

I just had a very nice conversation with the owner of Yogawithstyle.com
Jennifer Tallini, and she mentioned that they are running this wonderful promotion. If you are in the market for a new Eco Friendly Yoga mat, why not consider trading in your mat for a Kulae Yoga Mat. Not only will you be purchasing a Eco-Friendly mat, you will receive a 20% discount off the purchase price by bringing in your old mat to recycle.
Yes, you get 20% off for dropping off your old mat for recycling towards the purchase of any new mat of your choice either in the store or online (online orders have to be placed via the store visit).
Their Boutique is located in
Esteem Wellness and Fitness
45a Broadway, Greenlawn, NY 11740
You can call to make an appointment
(866) 814-7122 Toll Free

The ultimate eco yoga mat! Outstanding support and comfort all in a 100% biodegradable yoga mat. At 72 inches long and 5mm thick, the Kulae tpECOmat™ Plus is four inches longer than a standard yoga mat and has been designed with all styles of yoga in mind. Constructed using closed cell technology (so germs, bacteria + odor cannot penetrate the mat surface) and weighing less than 2.5 pounds, this mat is revolutionary, and is the eco standard of yoga mats. 100% Biodegradable | 100% Recyclable | Ultra-Hygienic | PVC- and Latex-Free
Jennifer has joined forces with an incredible company that helps to keep the earth healthy by recycling old yoga mats. To learn more about this company and their intention please visit their website
RecycleYourMat
Be sure to visit their website as they offer some wonderful one-of-a-kind and unique yoga influenced gifts and apparel
www.yogawithstyle.com
In Love & Light
Mishy