{"id":223,"date":"2013-11-13T14:34:41","date_gmt":"2013-11-13T14:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fusionyoga.ie\/?page_id=223"},"modified":"2018-08-21T11:43:07","modified_gmt":"2018-08-21T11:43:07","slug":"poetry-writing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/?page_id=223","title":{"rendered":"Poetry"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Yoga Teacher\u2019s wish<\/strong><\/h1>\n

My wish for you
\nIs not that you will stand on one leg…
\n…With your foot behind your ear;
\nOr that you will bend down and touch your toes;
\nOr get your heels to the ground in down dog.<\/p>\n

My wish for you is that you will feel so safe;
\nThat you will lower the mask you wear,
\nThe protective shield between you and the world;
\nThat you will drop your baggage of stories and worries;
\nIf only for the duration of the practice;
\nAnd reveal your truth;
\nYour vulnerability;
\nYour shadow;
\nYour mess;
\nThe outstanding beauty of your heart and soul.<\/p>\n

My wish for you is not that you will master Ujjayi breathing;
\nOr relax so deeply in Savasana that you fall asleep ;-)…..
\nI do not mind whether you know the Sanskrit names for poses;
\nOr if you share my passion for yoga philosophy and spirituality.<\/p>\n

My wish for you is that you feel the miracle of this life
\nThat you you learn to savour each breath;
\nTo listen to your body and mind;
\nTo meet with your glorious self,
\nExactly as you are and not as you think you should be,
\nOr how others describe\u00a0 you.<\/p>\n

My wish for you is not that you will loose weight;
\nBecome more flexible and strong;
\nNot that you will get more definition in you upper arms;
\nAnd a pert, peachy\u00a0 bottom
\nAlthough all these things are possible…. with practice…;-)<\/p>\n

My wish for you is that your mat will become your mirror;
\nRevealing your patterns, your wisdom, your reality;
\nAnd that you will see all that you are, all that you can be;
\nAnd that you will love what you see;
\nAnd be free.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher ….<\/strong><\/h1>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nI’m not a saint;
\nGot my life sorted?
\nBelieve me I ain’t!<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nIt’s just an illusion;
\nThis mirage of perfection;
\nIs a ball of confusion.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nA spiritual Guru?
\nMore of a master;
\nOf cooking with Tofu.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nI’m good at Asana;
\nIf you’re looking for Politics;
\nGo ask Obama.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nA humbling experience;
\nFollowing my path;
\nLetting go of resistance.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nAnd when I can’t sleep;
\nI sometimes write poetry;
\nFor you to keep.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nPlease reduce expectations
\nI’m just doing my best;
\nWith my own imperfections.<\/p>\n

I am your Yoga Teacher….
\nOnly Human you see;
\nKeeping it simple;
\nBeing real, being me<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Musings on Spirituality<\/h1>\n

My Spiritual integrity is not demonstrated by what I say or how knowledgeable I appear;
\nIt has little to do with whether I practice Yoga, drink coconut water or eat meat;
\nMy Spiritual progress is about facing my truth.;
\nTaking responsibility for my life;
\nBeing authentic; fully, gloriously, messily me.<\/p>\n

My journey towards enlightenment cannot be copied or faked;
\nMy path is individually tailored, uniquely designed;
\nMy way is not the only way;
\nBut it is my only way;
\nYou may walk some of this journey with me but not all of it.<\/p>\n

You and I are here to teach each other;
\nNot by telling, judging, advising;
\nBut by being.
\nSimply being.
\nBeing exactly who we are;
\nA mirror to reflect each other\u2019s glory;
\nA trigger for each other\u2019s darkness;<\/p>\n

And once we begin to see the truth;
\nAllow ourselves to feel that first painful stab of awareness;
\nPiercing through the illusion of \u2018self\u2019 we\u2019ve held so tight;
\nThere is no way back.<\/p>\n

A whole new vista expands in front of us
\nTerrifying yet liberating
\nChallenging and rewarding
\nTougher, more courageous than anything we\u2019ve ever done
\nEmpowering beyond belief!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Are you in my tribe?<\/h1>\n

Are you willing to be faithful to yourself?
\nTo live your truth, To be seen;
\nTo find your own way through the brambles and thorns, paving your own path?
\nAre you able to say Yes by saying No?
\nConfident enough to admit you don\u2019t know?
\nHumble enough to listen even when you do?
\nThen you\u2019re in my tribe.<\/p>\n

Are you strong enough to show your vulnerability?
\nBrave enough to be afraid?
\nCourageous enough to be happy?
\nHealed enough to be broken?
\nOpen hearted enough to feel pain?
\nResourceful enough to ask for help?
\nThen you\u2019re in my tribe.<\/p>\n

Can you sit alone with yourself?
\nAnd seek to understand who you really are?
\nDo you feel your pain, the mess, the glory?
\nWith delighted curiosity, playful humour, self acceptance;
\nNurturing, soothing, caring kindness?
\nThen you\u2019re in my tribe.<\/p>\n

Are you able to see divinity
\nIn each and every soul you meet?
\nAnd when you are triggered…. as I often am
\nDo you seek not to blame, not to judge
\nBut with compassion to ask
\nWhat does this person need from me?
\nWhat can I give them? How can I love them?
\nWhat can I learn?
\nThen you\u2019re in my tribe.<\/p>\n

Are you grateful unconditionally for this life?
\nFor all that it brings?
\nDo you see… more and more…
\nThe gifts in simplicity, in breath, in friendship, in mistakes, in pain;
\nIn opening your eyes every morning to a fresh new day?<\/p>\n

Sounds like you\u2019re in my tribe
\nLet\u2019s go on an adventure….;-)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ode to my Ford Focus \ud83d\ude09<\/h1>\n

As I wait
\nLike a nervous parent in a Doctors surgery
\nFor news of your health
\nYour annual check up
\nYour NCT
\nI realise your value…<\/p>\n

You may not be flash, new or shiny
\nYou may be anonymously silver
\nYou may have a quirky, sometimes annoying rattle when I turn your key in the morning,
\nAnd squeak like a mouse in protest for the first 5 km of every journey
\nYour CD player may have died some time ago and your AC is fading fast<\/p>\n

Yet, reliably
\n(If we forget about the little airport incident a few years ago)
\nWithout maintenance
\n(If we overlook the new starter motor in July)
\nYou have been transporting me
\nSupporting me as I built my business
\nAs I changed my life<\/p>\n

Your were there for me as I transitioned from dependency to independence
\nTwice!
\nWithout drama
\nWithout fuss
\nWithout demanding attention that I didn’t have to give<\/p>\n

As I continue to travel on this amazing journey called life
\nI take a moment, to bow in gratitude to my loyal and trusted Ford Focus
\nThank you for another year of trouble free motoring
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Back in the real World….?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I always find coming back from Yoga retreat a little tricky.<\/p>\n

After a week in what is often described as the \u2018Yoga bubble\u2019;<\/p>\n

A week of great food and sunshine;<\/p>\n

Open expression of emotion; smiles, laughter, tears, love;<\/p>\n

Where I am free to be myself;<\/p>\n

Fully and simply me;<\/p>\n

I am cautious and careful about settling back into the \u2018real\u2019 World.<\/p>\n

But what is this \u2018real\u2019 World?<\/p>\n

Is it the World where we are encouraged to wear a mask, to be a person we think others want to see?<\/p>\n

Where we are told what to think, how to behave, how to dress appropriately for our age and body?<\/p>\n

Is this real World where external validation, status and approval are considered more valuable than self-love and acceptance?<\/p>\n

Where money and material possessions are the main measure of worth.?<\/p>\n

Is it the World where we have to conform to a bunch of rules many of which make no sense?<\/p>\n

Where competition is regarded as healthy and collaboration weak?<\/p>\n

Where fear is the predominant emotion?<\/p>\n

This World doesn\u2019t feel so real to me any more…<\/p>\n

So yes I\u2019m back in the (un)real World…. and beware!….<\/p>\n

This time I\u2019ve brought the real me back…. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

I Dare You<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I dare you to dream<\/p>\n

I dare you to imagine a life of fun, fulfillment and love<\/p>\n

I dare you to follow that path, even if it is alone, the twists the turns, bumps and knocks, the blind unexpected corners followed by the brilliant awe inspiring views;<\/p>\n

I dare you to swim against the tide and keep swimming… refusing to be swept along by a wave of consensus;<\/p>\n

I dare you to be lost, broken, hopeless;<\/p>\n

I dare you to be disappointed, hurt, rejected;<\/p>\n

And at the same time keep your heart open, expanding, vulnerable;<\/p>\n

I dare you to change your mind, often;<\/p>\n

To let go of your pride, be wrong, fail, make mistakes;<\/p>\n

I dare you to love, wholeheartedly and uncontrollably, falling headlong…;<\/p>\n

I know you feel fear, paralysing gripping terror;<\/p>\n

And I dare you to keep walking…<\/p>\n

I dare to you dream,<\/p>\n

I dare you to live<\/p>\n

I dare you<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Surrender<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I surrender to the sea of life;<\/p>\n

Her shifting currents of constant change;<\/p>\n

A swelling tide of emotions;<\/p>\n

Overflowing, full, powerful, deep;<\/p>\n

Her majestic waves cleanse me;<\/p>\n

Great wings of bubbling froth;<\/p>\n

Sometimes crashing, violent, strong;<\/p>\n

Sweeping me along in uncontrollable terror;<\/p>\n

Sometimes gently massaging, nurturing;<\/p>\n

Basking in their healing embrace;<\/p>\n

I breathe in, I breathe out with the ebb and the flow;<\/p>\n

Harmonious, rhythmic, undulating;<\/p>\n

Free.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sometimes<\/strong>;<\/h2>\n

Someone;<\/p>\n

Finds a switch to the light in your heart.<\/p>\n

Uninvited;<\/p>\n

Unaware;<\/p>\n

They flick that switch.<\/p>\n

Beaming, bright light radiates;<\/p>\n

Smiling, hot, creative passion;<\/p>\n

Devine, beautiful light.<\/p>\n

And when they leave;<\/p>\n

The glow remains;<\/p>\n

A warmth;<\/p>\n

That smile;<\/p>\n

Hungry for more;<\/p>\n

Grateful for less;<\/p>\n

Sometimes…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If my body parts could speak…<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My muscles would say- Please continue to yoga me every day, but sometimes go a little easier.<\/p>\n

My lungs ask – Please breathe as deeply off the mat as you do on the mat.\u00a0 More fresh outside air!!<\/p>\n

My hair informs – Trying to control me aint gonna work!<\/p>\n

My eyes invite – Look deeply into the eyes of another.\u00a0 See that place where no words are needed.\u00a0 That place where real communication takes place.\u00a0 Oh, and please wear your reading glasses<\/p>\n

My digestive system begs – Slow down! Chew, taste, enjoy.\u00a0 Drink more water!<\/p>\n

My heart smiles – Keep loving but keep me safe. And take me off your sleeve.\u00a0 Some things are just between us<\/p>\n

My mind admonishes – Weird woman talking to yourself will you please get off\u00a0 facebook and get on with writing your CD scripts for this afternoon\u2019s studio session?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Faithfully Me x<\/strong><\/p>\n

+353 (0)86 669 8588<\/strong><\/p>\n

faithfullyalison@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

FaceBook: \u00a0Faithfully Alison<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Yoga Teacher\u2019s wish My wish for you Is not that you will stand on one leg… …With your foot behind your ear; Or that you will bend down and touch your toes; Or get your heels to the ground in down dog. My wish for you is that you will feel so safe; That … Continue reading Poetry<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=223"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":815,"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions\/815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/faithfullyalison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}