Spirituality has a different meaning for everyone for me it is our inner connection with the universe. I connect with my spirit and the universe through my daily meditation and yoga practice. I approach this subject with two friends who act as my spiritual guides.

The Questions

1. Define spirituality

2. How do you cultivate your spirituality?

3. What is your spiritual inspiration?

4. Advice for anyone taking his or her own spiritual path

Macha Einbender is a teacher helping people overcome negativity while hosting a weekly blog talk radio show called Spiritual Make- Over Artist check out her website at http://www.spiritualmakeoverartist.com/

1.Being at one with your soul. Being aware and awake.

2. I talk to myself and check in all day long. I pray I meditate; I put myself in other people’s shoes. All day everyday:)

3. Carrie, Buddha, archangel Michael

4. Start with self-love. Be of service to others, read books, meditate everyday even for 5 minutes. Ask for guidance.

Danielle Boonstra is a spiritual coach and writes a beautiful blog called Nourish Thyself at http://danielleboonstra.com/

Spirituality to me is all about knowing who I really am because who I really am is Spirit. So my spiritual practice is there to help me connect with that and remember that.

I cultivate that knowingness, that spirituality through meditation and through prayer. I meditate daily and while I used to have to remind myself to do it, through practice and connection with God, I now feel pulled to meditate at various times of the day. It’s become as important as eating or brushing my teeth. Prayer is also something that has evolved over the past few years for me. I used to ask, ask for love, for money, for more time. And now it’s more of a time of gratitude. I give thanks for all the love and blessings in my life and I trust that whatever does not seem to be working in my life or in the world is part of a bigger plan. I trust that Spirit is working in all situations.

I am inspired by different things, different people at various points in my life. I know that what is inspiring to me at any given moment in my life has shown up to serve me in some way, to help me grow. Right now I am reading A Course in Miracles and I can’t get enough! It’s all about forgiveness and beginning to see the world in a different way…in a way that, to me, is very healing. People always inspire me who live honestly and who serve others with their God-given gifts and talents.

To anyone starting on their own spiritual path I would say: say yes and pay attention to signs around you. If someone invites you to a lecture, say yes. If someone lends you a book, read it. If you’re guided to read various blogs, pay attention to the content. Notice what speaks to you, to what tugs at your soul. It’s all showing up for you because you’re beginning to open up to it. The more open you are, the more the opportunities for growth show up.

Besides these two ladies I receive inspiration from authors Gabrielle Bernstein at http://gabbyb.tv/ and Marianne Williamson at http://www.marianne.com/ I love their books especially “Add More ing To Your Life” and Return To Love. I also find reading, writing and sketching also helps me deepen my spiritual practice. All you need to do is to sit and listen to your heart it will take you on a journey of discovery, truth and love.

Prayer is traditionally seen as spirited mind orientated practice where you sit quietly in reflection. In the practice of yoga the body prayer is the active version of prayer of connecting to a higher spirit through movement connecting with the breath. The Idea is to make a connection with your heart because our spirit, love and truth is held in the heart. Yoga is more then a physical practice it is also a spiritual connection to your spirit within you and around you.
Enjoy my teacher Seane Corn demonstrating the body prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWfzDVT5Tmo

In my goal to get into the best shape of my life I decided to try a new yoga dvd to alternate
with my current Seane Corn dvd. I discovered Element Yoga for Weight Loss by Ashley Turner and fell in love with it.

Ashley Turner is a yoga instructor and a mind – body psychotherapist specializing in yoga psychology. She is a native of Illinois living in California. I had an opportunity to chat with Turner about yoga, weight loss and psychology.

Q: How did you get involved with yoga?
A: A friend took me to my first yoga class and I fell in love with it. I have taught yoga for 11 years then I decided to get my master’s in
counseling psychology from the Pacific Graduate Institute five years ago. (She did her thesis on integration psychology blending
eastern and western ideas.)
Q: What is the connection between yoga and psychology?
A:Through yoga we often experience powerful releases of emotions that psychology can help us understand.
Yoga psychology combines the study of mind with the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the body as a whole.
Q:What is the connection between yoga and weight loss?
A:Yoga takes the holistic approach to weight loss by looking at the mental blocks of weight loss such as lack of exercise such as over
eating and lack of exercise.
Q: What are your weight loss tips?
A:The key is to repattern your mind.
A. Making the inner change to accepting and loving your self
B. Having support in your in your journey to positive change
C. Keeping a daily journal of thoughts, emotions and daily affirmations.
Visit Ashley’s website at ashleyturner.org for her dvds, classes and retreats

Words can be very powerful and meaningful but they can also be hurtful and offensive to others. Yoga philosophy teaches us to speak the truth with love. The First thing to do is to be couscous about what we are saying. Then we must ask our self what is making us say this and how will it affect others. Before speaking ask your self three questions
Such as is this the truth? Is this kind? And is it necessary?
Most importantly always speak with your heart that symbolizes our loving self.

The English language has many words and phrases that are considered disrespectful and insulting to many. One example is the phrase “deaf, dumb and blind,” which is considered very degrading and hurtful. Some words are also considered outdated or politically incorrect such as the word handicapped.

One word that I absolutely hate is the word retarded. In the past the words retarded and mental retardation were used to refer to people with developmental disabilities. The word retarded also implies that people’s words and actions do not make sense. It can also mean foolishness and stupidity. Overall, the word retarded reflects negatively on people with developmental disabilities, affecting their identity, self-esteem and self-worth.
Many people really don’t realize how some words can be very hurtful to others and add to discrimination and stigmas. When we speak we should take the time to see and understand how our words affect others while making sure we are giving clear messages of respect.

The month of March is dedicated to the campaign called “Spread the Word To End the Word,” Their goal is to raise awareness of the dehumanizing effect or the word retarded by encouraging people to pledge to stop using the word where activities are focused around schools, organizations and communities where they encourage individuals to make a pledge to stop using the word retardation.The movement feels that respectful language is connected to the equal rights of people with disabilities.The is campaign taking pledges at

R-word

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