A Shout Out to My Acharya KT

you visited me today.
you were a dragonfly.
you buzzed alongside me while i traveled along the road.
you spoke to me.
you said to stay awake.
you said there is beauty all around me.
you held me up in the sweeps of your wings.
your visit was unexpected.

along my way you said hello two more times
each time a new surprise
i saw green grass with yellow flowers
from one emerged a sun yellow butterfly

i looked beside me and there you were again and again and then once again
threading this wisdom upon me


tammie lf

Kate's Playground

Savannah Power Yoga opened its doors to the mind-blowing new space(!) on Monday, July 29th. The first class was at 6 a.m. There were six classes offered this most glorious day and I was signed up for all of them. I wanted to celebrate Kate and this joyous event, to support each of the powerful teachers teaching that day, and to also experiment with this friend of mine named Yoga.

What would it be like to practice 7 hours of power yoga? How would it feel? Could I do it? Was I crazy for wanting to practice power yoga for 7 hours in one day? Well...I did. This is what I love about yoga. I love exploring the ancient truths of this sacred practice. I love learning about yogic techniques and then experimenting with what I've learned and seeing if what is written in the texts is the result that I get. And so far, from my personal experience, it's all true. Yoga is said to cultivate energy and to not deplete. The magic is in the breath. I built my day's practice upon my good friend, Ujjayi Pranayama. She set the tone for all of the 7 hours. I have to say that after each consecutive practice on Monday, I felt more invigorated. I felt more deeply into my body and into my muscles. I dove deeper into my mind as my soul opened up discovering the truths that holds life's excitement and intrigue. I felt alive. Monday was an incredible day. In one regard, the day's worth of power yoga was no big deal, but in another, it was one of the most amazing days of my life that I won't soon forget.

I like Kate's playground a lot. It has, in one short week, become a sanctuary for me. I feel safe there and happy. I feel connected.

tammie lf

Let the Good Times Roll

Greetings! It's been awhile since my last post and so much has changed! I'm in this fantastic, life-transforming teacher training program at Savannah Power Yoga. My teacher's name is Kate Taylor and she is a remarkable and profound woman. She has inspired me on so many levels and has already, within a few months, polished the essence within me. She has helped me find my inner light and is empowering me through this journey. She has truly changed my life. Kate is the inspiration of today's Sea of Green Yoga blogspot poem. The poem is named "Kate".



Kate
she meditates
in the grass green with yellow flowers
the sun shines down on her buttery hair

she glows

    she floats

        she breezes on by

Kate
she meditates
on things that are good
things that are fine

       she encourages and supports   she loves and she hugs

Kate
she meditates
she shares her joys
is beautiful
and
coy

Kate
she meditates.


tammie lf

delicious he says

the day
the sky
the cloud
                s
                  s
                    s
the colour
 s
the green
 the blue
  the yellow shades too

swirled
warm
within
 a
cup delicate imbues

my soul with these thoughts
i look and see the winter skye
the clouds i see sweetly drift by
             i sit
     i savor
i breathe in the cool air
       i am
in this moment
           i am
        what i am

tl folkers
 having a sip of dr. seuss

Yoga Mat, Part Two: PICASSO MOON

Picasso Moon on my yoga mat

In the studio 

colours flash

Smiling faces glowing bright

We're all there to share delight

Class begins 

we're in our zone

moving together 

through our flows

the breath the body the mind and soul

going on a journey of varying tones

bright yellow 

warming pink

the cool of blue

white and orange and red and green hues

At the end we become a seed

A rebirth to start a moment anew

Picasso Moon 

I do love you

dazzling glimmering dancing

 drops of dew

on my yoga mat

 I discover you

When I am here 

it's where I'm at.

t  m     i

  a    m      e  l. folkers

 

Thank You Yoga Mat

Thank you yoga mat for being my friend

Always loyal when I'm in a bend

I have a longing for my mats of past

they carried my life stories both happy and sad

my new one is taking my journey from here

we're good friends

it's always near

Your offering is so very vast

So much gained

so much cast

Every moment with you is sacred and dear

Through you I see, I feel, I hear

Thank you yoga mat for being my friend

I will cherish you til our journeys' en
                                                           (d).


tammie l folkers

The Greatest Tool You Have Is To Listen

One of my current practices in life is to truly listen. Whether I'm on the phone or with someone face to face, I  oftentimes find myself drifting to another place in my mind. I may be pondering a past memory or thinking about what I'll be doing later on, or asking myself if I even want to be talking to this person. Whatever the thoughts may be, I discovered that I'm not fully listening, therefore I am not present.

Then I think this: How would I feel if I were conversing with another but they weren't truly there? I may be sharing something exciting and extraordinary or perhaps it could be something really sad and despairing. As I look at the person of whom I am speaking, there is a glazed, faraway look in their eyes. I receive a "mmmmhmmm" and a few nods of the head but no genuine response. I feel disappointed and let down. Between the both of us, the moment is lost. A wasted opportunity to share something special, be it simple or grand. We part ways and carry on into the next moment. And in the next moment? Perhaps I miss that as well. Each time I am going about my day moving through the motions of life, if I'm not fully immersed in that moment...smelling the flowers, breathing in the air, relishing in the blue, blue sky, warming another soul with a simple regard, recognizing the person I am in the company of, listening...I miss out. Understandingly, as people, our minds revolve every conscious moment. Thoughts enter and escape, agendas and responsibilities swim in our heads pervading our day.

But imagine this: During the times of each day when someone is reaching out to you, when someone is sharing conversation with you, stop. Breathe. Listen. Put aside all other thoughts and divert your full attention to that person. Really listen. Receive that moment of sharing life with another.

So this is my practice. I recognize that I fail a lot with my intention to be fully present and to fully listen. But I realize now that each new moment is a new opportunity to get it right. And with practice, I evolve. The depth of my growth varies from day to day, but as the days roll by, my practice deepens. My intention to listen becomes inherent. I develop an intentional characteristic. I am content.

Namaste,
tammie lf