Alive in the fullness of the senses

The day began with my practice..I so needed some pranayama since the jet lag is causing havoc with my system..woke at 1:30am and by 5:00am, I was still battling my active and over-tired thoughts. I don't think 8 ever actually slept! Yet somehow was able to really make the best of this first full day of teaching..yes, I got to actually teach some of the students today. I have come to the conclusion that the universal problem or issue of illness arises out of a " disturbed mind" ..in other words..we are all suffering from anxiety which leads to the great collapse of the immune and leads to the "dullness" of the mind..depression. I marvel at how creating the focus and working with the different breath ratios and introducing a chosen chant can actually bring amazing relief to a student's pain..nothing better than seeing the joy meter go up when the session is over.I think it is just the need for humanity to restore the heart to heart connection... I saw five students today and feel that I am back into the groove..I was welcomed back as if no time has passed and I felt the pulse of this special place once again feeding my soul. I never tire of meeting new people and enjoying the magic of witnessing their True Self come out to play. Now the key is to get the student to do their given practice and be consistent with it..nothing changes unless something changes! Everywhere we want the goal..but effort made will be the gift..I don't know the outcome of this huge journey..but I do know the effort is there and it is filling my heart...Another year and still missing those fireworks!, Happy July 4th.


The KYM..students all over the world come to learn and to grow.I love to be the student and in the Grace of humility. The ego admitting, "I know nothing"..except I am here..





My practice place..love the light early in the morning..my room in India.


The contrast of the senses..ahh those smells..back in the sent of India..


Yet, the beauty of the smiles..light up the world. The eyes take in the vibrant colors
The heart takes in the touch of the air..so hot, so sweet..the ears fill with the traffic sounds..and the street noise of life..


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Location:My morning walk to the KYM. ..my path.

Finally back in MA India

Well after many hours of travel..left on Thrus.afternoon from O'hare and arrived in India early Mon. morning..wow, what a journey already. The blessings are endless...my luggage was also on the plane and arrived with me!! Nothing sweeter than seeing your bag come off the ramp after having been in a Frankfort airport holding space..miracle that with all the thousands traveling and changing and missing connections..the bag is not lost!! Having worn the same clothes for four days..I am in heaven to be reunited. Life offers moments of complete joy.
Another blessing, my driver was waiting for me when I came out of the airport at 2:00am..in a mass of confusing crowds..I saw the sweetest little sign...Laura Jane!!!
Seeing my name in lights could not compare to that special moment when I was greeted my a friendly stranger who was looking out for me..love the comfort of those connections that we get when traveling so far and so alone..
Exhaustion is nothing to the thrill of finally arriving back in this magical mayhem..I am home for now and will start my internship..but for now..ahh, some sleep and a cold shower..yes,hot water is not happening,but at this point..I am happy to just BE.



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Location:Cafe in Chennai

My sweet surrender

This is not Chennai!!!








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Location:Streets of Frankfort

Thank you United Airlines

Somewhere on an unexpected detour and enjoying the day in Germany!! I had a wonderful day walking the streets of Frankfort..one has to partake in the fine dining..the best sauerkraut and frank..and of course the beer. Yes, this is not India!! But a sweet rest and enjoyable day to reflect on all the blessings of my year.
This has been a rich year, a year full of growth..I will always treasure the beauty of meeting so many new friends this year; and hold the memory of being with my sweet mother on her passing. The various contrasts of emotions around the fullness of living each special day. Life is just one beautiful ride..and thanks to United Airlines, I get a mini rest to take it all in.
Tomorrow, I finally have a seat on the flight to Chennai..now let's hope the luggage makes it as well !!!
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Location:This is not India!!

Returning to random chaos

Just decided that the only way to travel to India is to go with the flow..yes,letting go of outcome is already the only way to fly!! I was an hour and half late leaving O 'Hare airport yesterday evening, and arrived in Frankfort, Germany only to find my connection to Chennai had departed..without me!! I soon found out that there were no other direct flights open today and tomorrow I could get on the afternoon flight to Mumbai, arriving at midnight with a 7 hour layover before the 7:00 am departure to Chennai!!! No way am I choosing that possible nightmare..so I surrendered to stay two days in this hub and fly direct on Sun.morning..so now the journey of practicing "Isvara Pranidhanai " begins..letting go of the outcome, but choosing the path that has the potential for less obstacles and prevent that which might cause future suffering. My favorite sutra, heyam duhkhamanagatam,(2-16).
Yes, nothing could be more upsetting right now than be stuck in Mumbai in the middle of the night with no sleep and in the chaos of that airport!! I will take United up on their voucher offer and stay in my air conditioned hotel,eat some good German food, and explore a city that awaits my curiosity. As I know, it could be worst..so I am grateful for life's unexpected detours and I will go with FLOW..
So after waiting in the long lines filled with tired,frustrated and irate travelers trying to secure new flights, I finally settled into my new digs by the airport..ahh, a comfortable bed and to just be horizontal!!


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Location:Delayed in Frankfort!

Sharing some personal moments

I have struggled for weeks since returning home asking myself if or should I share some of the insights and revelations of my trip. I always say.." do what is presented "..after listening deeply I heard.. Funny how then, I am given the answer when someone comes up to me..and asks, " are you going to talk about your trip? I would love to hear about it". I often hold Yoga Among Friends as a group endeavor..my job is to clear the space for others to do workshops and events..when bringing attention to me..in a strange way, I feel too visible, too much about my small self and awkward in making it about me. Is this truly for the good of something bigger? I never want to make the center," the Laura Mellencamp method,". I always ask to be the messenger,not the object of the attention. Very difficult in a world attached so much to form and ego, and hard to do when you have a large personality. I question why I stay in this role of yoga teacher, since the world has way too many great teachers and everyone has a voice..is this where I am supposed to me?
So after, getting out of my face, I felt the pulse of letting the story take it's own direction,and it has become a way to let you into my heart even more. I went to my dear friend and brilliant artist helping me to create a vehicle in which to begin sharing the qualities of the experiences. I wanted a way to present an understanding, that my story is only about what was awaken in my senses..not externally but internally..the brilliance of being absorbed in sensation and consciousness as it awaken deeper in me..this is only sharing my experiences, but hopefully to inspire your deeper commitment to live in the subtle beauty of life. Brilliance arises from the willingness to experience the internal senses and then live with them as expressions of your authentic Self. I am free falling into love.
So if you have some empty space and time in your busy day...perhaps you can share with me..I will be at Yoga Among Friends on Sunday afternoon and look forward to seeing what magic awaits..perhaps we can laugh together..and do what I love to do best, HOST a happening!!




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Back home and holding the space of Love..

It has been weeks since I returned from India..and still processing the experience. I have wanted to sit down and share my heart and soul and yet, I needed to be still, to digest, assimilate, absorb, and allow the wisdom to be imprinted in my soul. I still struggle for words to explain how my heart expanded and my passion was restored. I am more in love with life...and yet,my mind cannot grasp that mental phrase.
I struggle daily to let go of my agitation over the world' gripping mind..and it's collected fear of future possibility. Life is constant uncertainty. The certainty is in the daily commitment to be present to it's beauty. When my eyes see that beauty..I can share in the excitement and joy of the living. Now, I can see clearly, and it only took a shift of perspective. That is what yoga practice offers when we are the witness to our thoughts..do I feed my fear mind or the soul's ability to perceive the abundance of light? This is a choice I am able to make in the moment of clarity..this is freedom..I can choose to feel peace today, I can choose to feel love today, and only I can choose to let go and be here NOW.
I am writing this on the morning of 9/11..ten years ago,I was in the moment of preparation to go to Vietnam to bring Colby home..many of you know and held me during that long process to be a mom..my true svadharma..in an instant those plans got shifted..I was holding grief for friends and love ones that I knew were at ground zero,( my brother-in-law, worked there), at the same moment wondering how am I to get to Hanoi and honor the vow I made to my infant daughter..I prayed for the highest good for all..and let go of how..but knew at the deepest layer of my being..I was going to make the effort. With angels on my shoulder,and faith guiding the journey..we left on the first flights that were opened. A miracle of destiny, we got seats..and after four days of travel, we arrived. That was a labor..of love....
Now, ten years later, I am witnessing my sweet mother in her greatest work of letting go..she is in the divine dance between the spaces of light..her body is growing smaller yet, her soul gets bigger..soon, I will no longer be able to hug her,kiss her or smell the delicious scent of "mommy". Ten years ago, I became someone's mother, and now I am loosing being someone's daughter; book-ends marking transitions in time and space. Endings are beginnings,beginnings are endings..and they happen every moment. I just want to be awake enough to experience the beauty of such Grace..only a given identity of form, a label of the mind. Everything is impermanent. Change is the only constant, and we have to embrace this Truth. If we fight it, we only prevent the miracles to be revealed..I so trust in this journey..and in love with the possibilities that are just waiting to be invoked.
So today, I say prayers for all the souls that are struggling and still gripping at the concept of defending,winning,and killing..the thoughts that keep feeding the suffering of our world..and with forgiveness..I embrace the beauty and wonder and Awe that surrounds us ..I choose to focus on the Gratitude of this sacred day to remember that all life has a purpose...and all death is just the grace of transformation..stay open,stay in love today..





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