Do you remember in a recent post when I talked about how I don’t like change?  I said I was a creature of habit and wasn’t one for surprises.  Well, in relation to that, I’m also one who prefers to stay inside her comfort zone.  I don’t like when I feel out of place and I don’t like when I’m caught off guard.  I guess it’s just that safe warm, feeling I enjoy and that I’ve gotten used to.  For that reason, when someone gives me a challenge or there’s a situation presented to me where my surroundings will be new or foreign to me, my first reaction is to shut down or to say no.  I know it’s really not the ‘healthiest’ way to conduct my life.  I realize that by living this way, I will miss out on many opportunities and for that reason, I decided this weekend to move as far away from my comfort zone as I possibly could.

My usual routine Sunday mornings is to get up at 6:15am for my early morning yoga class.  When I can’t go to class for whatever reason, I get that uneasy feeling inside.  It’s that feeling that arises when my routine gets broken and all of the sudden, I can’t expect the ‘norm’.  A few weeks ago, one of my yoga teachers, Chanel Luck, made an announcement after class about an event she was planning and leading that was going to take place on a Sunday morning.  It was Global Yoga Mala – Boston; a day where ‘the Boston area yoga community will gather for a day of yoga practices to bring awareness and raise consciousness for peace and Mother Earth‘.

The purpose of the Global Mala is to unite the global yoga community from every continent, school or approach to form a “mala around the earth” through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108 on Sept. 21st and 22nd, Fall Equinox as the yoga world’s offering to further the UN International Peace Day. Each center offers their form of a Yoga Mala according to their yoga tradition and inspiration:

* 108 Sun Salutations (or variations of 27, 56)
* 108 rounds of mantra such as the Gayatri or Maha Mrityanjaya
* 108 rounds of a kriya
* 108 minutes of meditation, kirtan, movement meditation

Proceeds from this event will go to a local and a global charity. (***Trees for the Future and the Food Project)

Chanel was inviting us to attend.  It sounded like a wonderful cause and something so unique and incredible.  However, it wasn’t like anything I had participated in before and was totally going to take me out of my norm.  I immediately told myself, “this isn’t something you’d want to do.  It’s not you.  You’ll feel out of place.”  And besides, how the heck would I ever do 108 sun salutations?

But the more Chanel talked about Global Mala, the more I became intrigued.  Something inside of me told me that this time, I needed to be forced out of my state of complacency and this time it was going to be totally worth it.  Man oh man, if that wasn’t the understatement of the year, I don’t know what is…!

Yesterday, I participated in an event so extraordinary, that I’m still beaming from all the excitement and energy.  I am proud to say that I was a part of Global Mala Boston 2009 (can’t you just feel my giddiness?)  My excitement (and a bit of nerves) started the night before.  I had to be at the Boston Common, where the event was being held, at 8:30am.  That meant I had to be out of bed by 7:15am (which meant I had an extra hour to sleep per my usual Sunday morning wake-up time) and out the door no later than 8:00am.  But for whatever reason, I just kept waking up in the middle of the night.  I kept thinking I was going to miss my alarm.  I kept dreaming of what the event was going to look like.  I kept wondering how the yoga teachers were going to demonstrate the 108 sun salutations.  And, I kept pondering if I was going to be able to keep up.  My nervous energy was at an all-time high, but because I made a commitment to attend this event, nothing was going to keep me from going.  And besides, the wonderful Patrick gave me a ride to the Common, so my morning was already starting off on the right foot (thanks Patrick!).

Getting ready for the big event…

The bare necessities (mat, Yogitoes towel, water and snacks)

Because I got to the Common in about 5 minutes, I was one of the first people to arrive.  Luckily, I found another early bird yogi and we became fast friends (it was fun hanging with you, Kerry!).  My nerves were pretty much put to rest once I saw Chanel and the other yogis started arriving.  Within a few minutes, the event started.  Because I was one of the first on the premises, I had the chance to get the front and center spot (literally).  At first, I was going to move my mat a bit farther back.  But because this was going to be my full immersion into my ‘dis-comfort zone’, I chose to stay.

Squirrels can do yoga, too…

Roberto Lim, co-founder Global Mala Boston

The message of the day…

Image Credits – omgal.blogspot.com

Yup, that’s Healthy Chow sitting in the front row…

Words cannot describe the energy and power that filled the Common yesterday.  The smiles on both the teachers’ and the yogis’ faces were enough to illuminate the darkest of skies.  Even though it was a rather chilly morning, the spirits were high and the fire in our hearts were enough to keep us warm.  It was awe-inspiring to be surrounded by so many individuals who were all so inviting and friendly and who were all there supporting the same cause – peace.  And to know that close to 400 Mala events were occurring in 35 countries around the world on the same weekend, made me feel even more special and grateful for this opportunity of which I made the most.

Chanel welcomed us and briefly gave some opening words.  What struck me the hardest was what she said at the end.  Chanel said that there were going to be different teachers leading us and that each had their own way of teaching and that it may not be what we are used to.  But instead of having a closed mind, we should be open to the differences and welcome the change.   Hello?  I felt as if she was speaking directly to me!

Yogis gettin’ their stretch on…

Where’s the sun?

Chanel Luck, co-founder Global Mala Boston

Our goal was to complete 108 sun salutations, meaning each of the nine yoga teachers were going to lead us through a series of 12 sun salutations.  I thought that things would be a tad repetitious, considering we were doing so many of the same thing.  I was so wrong! Each teacher had their own style, personality and charm and truly excelled at leading us through our practice.  It was if they were honored to be guiding us.  They were all so grateful for being able to be a part of the Global Mala and just wanted us to share in that compassion.  The mood was so uplifting and the atmosphere was so inspiring.  We practiced yoga yesterday morning as if we could solve all the world’s problems as that moment.  And when it was time to dance and skip around the Common (something Healthy Chow could never previously picture herself doing), we laughed and smiled as if it were the last day of school. I didn’t get an official headcount, but I am guessing there were over 100 attendees.  However, on Sunday, we were acting as one and breathing as one.  We were united by this one cause and although we all were unique in appearance and came from different backgrounds, we were all the same that morning.

Chanel and Rebecca

As we saluted the sun, the sun began rising over the tall buildings and tree tops.  It greeted us with its warmth and we certainly welcomed it.  I’ve always thought that one of the best feelings is to have the sun shining on your face; yesterday was definitely not an exception!  We had onlookers stroll by and watch us throughout the three hours and they too, could feel our power.  Just being able to see their smiles along with their admiration and intrigue in us, empowered me to make it to the end of the 108 (Healthy Chow’s arms and shoulders were getting a bit tired, you know what I mean?).

Image Credits – omgal.blogspot.com

Saluting the sun…

Finally, Chanel took center stage (or mat) again and led us through the last sun salutation.  I couldn’t believe it had gone by so quickly.  Being able to gaze at the sky, the green grass and trees and of course, the sun, made me feel as if I was practicing something I had never done before.  My senses were completely wide open and I was open to receiving anything and everything.  Gone were my fears of being able to keep up.  I no longer had my nervous energy.  I didn’t want to shy away from my discomfort, I welcomed it.  Giving myself the chance to experience this event was something I never thought I would do.  But seeing how amazing I felt during and after the event, makes me realize that perhaps my comfort zone shouldn’t be so comforting.  By playing it safe and never wanting to change my routine, I’m really just being a danger to myself.

When Rebecca Pacheco guided us through the first sun salutation, she told us a quote that resonated with me and it was something that stuck in my mind during the event and throughout the day.  She said to us, “when you were born, a possibility was born.  And that possibility will stay alive as long as you are alive.”  We have the possibility and the ability to be and to do whatever we want in life.  It could be as huge as creating peace on Earth, or as small as finding peace from within our minds and souls.

So how do we look after completing 108 sun salutations?

Healthy Chow’s t-shirt and souvenir from the event – love that burnout embellishment!

Tom Lena and musicians leading us through kirtan

Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits jammin’ out

Peaceful…

What an amazing day!

Have you ever participated in a Global Mala or an event for peace?  If so, how did it make you feel?  If not, would you ever consider it?

Namasté,
Nicole