The White Rose

In Celebration of our dear sweet Marilyn, today's 4pm class was held in her honor. The love and energy flowed throughout the studio in the most angelic & gentle way. A pink mat with a single white rose laid amongst us. Our invitation for her presence to be with us was very strong. She was with us, and always will be.


White roses symbolize innocence, purity, new beginnings, honor and reverence. We began and ended the practice circling around the white rose linked together in hand & heart...being mindful of love, light and gratitude. Letting each breath serve as a peaceful reminder to be within this very moment.


The room was filled with students, teachers, friends, and a friend of her's that had not been to the studio, but wanted to be apart of her celebration by doing what had been so therapeutic to Marilyn...yoga.  Just absolutely beautiful in every way. 


One of the focuses of class was Virabhadrasana, or Warrior pose, variations. Warrior meaning triumph of spirit. It is a fierce posture, and can best be described as having warrior energy without aggression.  Finding balance of effort & ease even with strong postures is continuously challenging, but softness within a pose is possible. The asana Marilyn chose for her pictures was Reverse Warrior...we also visited it during the practice.

The last few asanas were restorative postures, a way to 'sink in' to postures & props allowing the body to stretch, calm, and relax without giving any muscular effort. On Monday evenings after Marilyn taught her class, she participated in Peggy's Restorative Class.  I'd like to extend a warm Thank You to Peggy for bringing this class to the studio...it truly was a blessing for Marilyn in so many ways.


I'd like to share the quotations I read during the class....


The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
~Atisha

Breath in, I know I'm breathing in.
Breathing out, I know
As the in-breath grows deep, 
The out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out makes me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile.
With the out-breath, I release.
Breathing in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.
~Thich Nhat Hanh


When we decided to hold this class In Celebration of Marilyn, I knew one thing was for sure. I wanted to include a song that is dear to my heart, and was introduced to me during the most stressful time of my life. Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin. As we stood in hand & heart circling the White Rose, we listened, smiled, weeped, and celebrated the life of our sweet Angel. 

NEVER FAR FROM OUR MINDS~ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS

Thank you to everyone that came to the studio today! Thank you to everyone for your support, love and joy of Marilyn!


If you'd like to share a message with Marilyn's friends & family, please email
thoughtsformarilyn@heifer.org

Love & Hugs,

xoox

Breezy