June 2018's Theme : IT'S ALL RELATIVE!

June's 2018's Theme: IT'S ALL RELATIVE...

Princeton's Albert Einstein gave us many scientific insights that changed the scope of how we think. Perhaps one of his greatest achievements is the Theory of Relativity. In a nutshell, Einstein's theory states that gravity is a curving or warping of space and, in that, it attracts objects to one another and that the more massive an object is, the more it warps the space around it....or what about this: 

In explaining relativity, Einstein said, "When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity." 

For us, lets bring up the topic of moral relativism. When you ponder anything more deeply, your life experiences and accumulated knowledge help you form judgments. But does that make what you think correct? Not according to Einstein's theory. If you've ever said, "To each her own," then you understand moral relativity. While certain values usually are universally accepted, there are no absolutes. So therefore, we should acknowledge that our judgments are meaningless. We like to think of it in a Socrates sort of way of knowing that we know nothing, and this humbling of the ego allows for a deeper level of compassion for all beings to arise. And with compassion comes healing. And that is certainly something that we can all use a bigger dose of...relatively speaking!

Here are some yogic avenues for working with It's All Relative this month:

 

Chant: The Gayatri Mantra: 

OM Bhur-Bhuvah-Svaha, Tat-Savitur-Varenyam.

Bhargo-Devasya-Dheemahi, Dhiyo-Yo-Nah-Prachodayaata.

Translation: Let us meditate upon the glory of Ishwar, who has created this universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten our intellect.

	The Spiral Symbol is found everywhere in nature

Postures: The mandala sequence of postures is perfectly suited for relativity because it forces you to move around the mat, facing different directions, and noticing things from a different perspective. This can be done as simply as standing in Mountain pose, stepping to one side into a 5-pointed star, then to the back in Mountain, to the other side in 5-pointed star and back to the front in Mountain. Or, you can create many fun transitions and playful postures to incorporate as you move around. Don't forget to go the other way too!

Meditation: Find a picture of the sacred spiral symbol or a seashell like the one above representing this sacred geometric pattern. Focus with a diffused gaze on the symbol while breathing deeply and calming the mind. When we focus on this ancient symbol found everywhere in nature, we are reminded that everything changes and evolves in the journey of life and that we are a part of this infinite force of the universe.

In Love, Service & Wisdom, Tracey and the One Yoga Center Teachers.

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Special Message from Tracey for June

It is all relative, indeed! Having just passed a milestone 50th birthday, I've been thinking a lot about that number and the adages like, "you are only as old as you feel" and "age is just a number." I truly agree. I have met some 50 year olds that feel like they're seventy and I know some that still act like they're twenty. Some people love to celebrate their day of birth while others run from it. I myself like to celebrate life and to find a reason every day to be grateful. And after pondering the age questions for some time I can honestly say that I have no idea what fifty is supposed to feel or be like. It's just different for each one of us. It is all relative.

I love this month's theme and really hope that you will all take some time to evaluate your judgments and make space that there could be another reality entirely that is true or also true. I believe this world needs a huge dose of humility and an opening of the heart to realize that there are many paths on this journey and that as long as we are living in integrity and love, then someone else's path, although entirely different than yours, may be just as right. I even thought about the theory that it has to be in integrity and love to be true...I decided that I was correct (insert the cracking up smiley-face). 

Oh, and then with a pun on words, there are those actual relatives of ours. The ones that we grew up living in the same house with that somehow seem to have whole different realities than we do. Who is right? Neither? Both? This is where you want to say 'me.' But think about it for a moment or more. And if this goes for those closest to us, then perhaps it also goes to those in cultures who are the furthest away. 

It's all relative, for sure. Maybe the next time we are about to argue our point about something we can pause and consider listening to the other side...or letting it go entirely. I don't have the answer and certainly every situation is different. I'm just offering something to ponder this month.

In Love & Light,

Tracey L. Ulshafer, Founder, One Yoga & Wellness Center LLC, Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher 500 hours (E-RYT500), RYS, CMT, Energy Worker, 11:11 True One.

If you would like to meet for private yoga, spiritual counseling or mentoring, contact Tracey at (609) 918-0963 or Info@oneyogacenter.net