I learned more at Ignite Your Power teacher training with Baron Baptiste and Elizabeth Corley than I have probably ever learned at any other training; however, the context of my learning was not in yoga asana, it was about becoming the witness of myself.

It was actually my idea to jump out of a plane. I can’t pretend I was coerced into it in any way, shape, or form.

The following is a letter from our dear friend and talented massage therapist, Luzmaria Lopez, who was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Her story is an eloquent and potent testament to the power of yoga.

Just be. That’s a lot easier said than done. But as I sat with those words, I saw that “trying” rather than “being” came up a lot in my life. I was always trying to accomplish something, trying to meet what I thought were other’s expectations of me, trying to practice my yoga better. Why couldn’t I just be?

There is nothing like looking at someone you love and knowing they do not have much time, to bring you ever so present with them.

I had the pleasure of spending five days in the Hudson Valley last month at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. I attended a five day workshop called Off the Mat, Into the World with Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzanne Sterling.

I challenge you to have a transformation in your relationship to what you think you know. The Baptiste Methodology is about opening up to inquiry. One inquiry Baron poses is to consider that you don’t know the whole truth about anyone or anything.

To paraphrase Cheryl Richardson, being the “good girl will rob you of your life.” Living that way keeps us within the limiting lines that we’ve drawn for ourselves. It is time to participate fully in your life because you are the creator and sole author.

It never ceases to amaze me that although I have arrived in so many aspects of my life, I am never finished.

Today I found the notes for an exercise I had created to use at a yoga teacher training about a year ago. We did not use this particular activity, but creating this exercise changed my life.

I recently returned from an advanced training with Baron Baptiste, co-faciliated with Elizabeth Corley, in Hilo Hawaii called Ignite Your Power. This was my ninth bootcamp with Baron and was truly the most amazing training yet.

I always believed that I live my life to the fullest. I have fun, step out of the box, and live a life that doesn’t look like anyone else’s. But after attending Foundations in Action with Baron Baptiste in Boston last month, I realized that I’ve been setting expectations for myself that are limiting me.

My Dad says “if it weren’t one thing after another it wouldn’t be life.” It is so true; it is always something isn’t it?

As I look out over the bay and take a breath full of salty, fresh air, I feel gratitude to be alive. With a world in constant movement it can be easy to check out of realty and check into mental chaos.

Contrary to the belief that certain people are artists while others are not, we are all artists in life. The concepts of art are the same concepts we use in our everyday living.

Why wait for a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or holiday to celebrate the gift of life? Everyday is an opportunity to rejoice in all the blessings and miracles that are available to us.

Creativity is a key component to our spiritual health and is accessible at every moment. It sometimes seems we are waiting for a muse or an exotic swoosh of energy to burst into our lives throwing our skirts overhead and giving us an inspired, new perspective. An unexpected inspiration may happen, but often times it is our ability to press the pause button on the replaying movie of our life.

Every New Year I think about what I can let go of from the previous year that did not serve my highest intentions and that is holding me back to move forward into 2011 with a clean slate, whether it is a conflict I had with someone that is still hanging over the relationship, something I did that I am not proud of that I haven’t yet forgiven myself for, or fear and hurt that I am still hanging onto.

In preparation to lead the 40 Days to Personal Revolution program, I’ve been reviewing my personal journal from my own first 40 Days experience in March 2009. I’ve realized that my own journey has been a remarkable transformation. I see how much my life has changed for the better since then.

If your experience of the holiday season seems to be more frantic than festive, take solace in knowing you are not alone. Across many religions, traditions and families, stress has become an all too familiar accompaniment to end-of-the-year celebrations.