Toni Kuhn

By Mac Anderson- Beliefnet, Inspired faith

“YOU HAVE TO BE, before you do, to have lasting inner peace.” In other words, making a living is not the same as making a life. Find what makes your heart sing and create your own music.

Many people work all their lives and dislike what they do for a living. In fact, I was astounded to see a recent USA Today survey that said 53 percent of people in the American workplace are unhappy with their jobs.

Loving what you do is one of the most important keys to maintaining a positive attitude.

You can’t fake passion. It is the fuel that drives any dream and makes you happy to be alive. However, to love what you do, the first step is to self-analyze, to simply know what you love.

We all have unique talents and interests, and one of life’s greatest challenges is to match these talents with career opportunities that bring out the best in us. It’s not easy – and sometimes we can only find it through trial and error – but it’s worth the effort.

Ray Kroc, for example, found his passion when he founded McDonald’s at the age of 52. He never “worked” another day of his life.

John James Audubon was unsuccessful for most of his life. He was a terrible businessman. No matter how many times he changed locations, changed partners, or changed businesses, he still failed miserably.

Not until he understood that he must change himself did he have any shot at success.

And what changes did Audubon make? He followed his passion. He always loved the outdoors and was an excellent hunter. In addition, he was a good artist and as a hobby would draw local birds.

Once he stopped trying to be a businessman and started doing what he loved to do, his life turned around. He traveled the country observing and drawing birds, and his art ultimately was collected in a book titled Audubon’s Birds of America. The book earned him a place in history as the greatest wildlife artist ever. But more importantly, the work made him happy and provided the peace of mind he’d been seeking all his life.
How do you find your purpose in life? There are no easy answers, but here are two practical tips that can help:

1. Discover Your Gifts – We’re all unique and each of us has our own special gifts. Make a list of what you consider your strengths and your weaknesses. Next, don’t just assume your assumptions are correct. Get feedback from what Ken Blanchard calls “trusted truth-tellers” – friends and family members who won’t just tell you what you want to hear but who will share their true opinions. With their help you can get a realistic perspective of your gifts.

2. Discover What Moves You – Find your passion and strive to live your life around it. Make your list. Do your homework. There is this caution, however…have patience. Your purpose in life probably won’t surface overnight, but like love, it will find you when you least expect it.

Finding your reason for being brings a positive attitude that can be unstoppable.

I had my very first interview with Lindsay Schlick from Schlick Art photography. It was fun and easy to open up to Lindsay. She has a way of making people feel very comfortable.

Lindsay is an amazing photographer and she is a local here in Santa Clarita! She is patient, encouraging, and really knows how to shoot her subjects. Go to  her website to see some of her amazing photos and my interview.

http://theschlickartblog.com/post/38387370371/toni-kuhn-yoga-post-122012-schlickart#notes

•  Additionally, I wanted to let you know that I am still offering 10% off all private yoga lessons with me. This includes package deals and the offer is good through January 31, 2013. Lessons must be used within six months of  purchase. I have gift certificates too if you are looking to give the gift of yoga to someone special. You can contact me for pricing and schedule from the tab “private yoga  lessons” at the top of the screen.

Happy Holidays!

Meditating Santa

“We could say that meditation doesn’t have a reason or doesn’t have a purpose. In this respect it’s unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing. When we make music we don’t do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point. And exactly the same thing is true in meditation. Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment”- Alan Watts

• Find a quite spot.
• Sit comfortably with blankets or even a chair.
• Close your eyes and find your breath.
• Allow your exhale to be twice as long as your inhale; use a natural breath between cycles.
• After a few cycles of breath work, just allow your breathing to be effortless.
• Imagine your favorite place to be and see it with your mind’s eye.
• Stay here for 3-5 minutes.
• Open your eyes and feel renewed and ready to face the day.

Vrksasana ( Tree Pose)

During this busy time of the year we may feel a little scattered and pulled in many directions; therefore  practicing some balance poses will help center you. Additionally, Balance poses help to calm us, bring us clarity, build strength, and help us focus. Next time you are feeling the pressures of the world or over whelmed with the amount of things you need to get done, pause, breathe, and take a tree pose.

Here are some teaching tips:

• Begin in mountain pose.
• Bend your right knee and turn turn leg out to the right.
• Press down with the mound of toe on your left leg.
• Engage your left thigh and firm your buttocks.
• Place your right foot on your leg and continue to firm your hips.
• Press your palms together and relax your shoulders.
• Let your eye gaze become soft.
• Hold 5 breaths.
• Repeat on the left side.

Yoga Gingerbread Men

A friend of mine sent this picture to me on Facebook. It made me smile so I had to share it with all of you! Hopefully this will remind of you of yoga while you bake your cookies!

Remember to make time for yourself during this busy season. Come take one of my classes or schedule a private lesson with me. I am offering 10% off on all of my rates, including package deals.

“Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.”- Buddha

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of Fish Pose)

This week we will be focusing on twisting poses. Twists provide a “squeeze and soak” action that aids in digestion and in spinal mobility. They also assist the lymphatic system, strengthen the back, improve energy levels, and facilitate letting go and bringing in the new.  Just perfect for the holiday season.

 Here are some teaching tips:

• Start sitting on the floor with your legs straight out.
• Bend your right knee and place your foot over the left leg.
• Lean over to the left as you fold your leg knee and bring your foot around.
• Sit up tall with your hands above your head.
• Inhale and twist over your left leg.
• Place your right elbow on your knee and right fingers on the floor.
• Keep extended your spine as you gently revolve the torso.
• Hold five breaths.
• Unwind the body slowly and repeat the pose on the opposite side.

autumn mediation by Cornelia Kopp

 “Spend some time alone every day”- Dali Lama

 Spending some time alone every day can help you achieve a new perspective on your life. Being alone for even just a few minutes a day can calm you down, ease your stress, and let you enjoy all the good things in your life.

Here are a few techniques to help you gain perspective during the day.

•  Go for a walk
• Make a list of things you are grateful for
• Ask yourself- “will it matter in five years”?
• Sit or lie down with your eyes closed for a few minutes
• Listen to your favorite song without any distractions
• Meditate