Just back from Bonnaroo which has developed into a yearly trek for my husband and I. You can check out what Bonnaroo is at www.bonnaroo.com
It is a music fest. of over I don’t know, maybe 60 bands, where Bruce Springsteen headlined Saturday night. He also sang on stage with Phish Sunday. The festival lasts from Thursday until Sunday evening. It is very eclectic ranging this year from Merle Haggard to my favs the Beastie Boys (I always forget how much I LOVE them). So many bands to name but Nine Inch Nails, some heavy metal bands, Erica Badu… I honestly could go on & on… Every walk of life is there from those that have spiked died hair, to someone that looked like my grandma, and babies to those that were in their 80’s. Over 80,000 people!!
We camp there so it’s nice to be back in my own bed.
Bonnaroo always makes me reflect on yoga. Yoga has so many different meanings. If you ask someone what yoga means to them, it will mean something completely different to someone else. But to me it is a celebration of being alive. Brett Dennen (a musician) was also there – and his song “Blessed” is my weekly quote. When he started singing the song, I knew that was it – I really want to celebrate being alive.
Yes I am blessed to be living in this body in this life at this moment. How lucky am I and I need to share that with others.
After sleeping on a blow up mattress, walking over 10 miles/day, eating as healthy as I can there – practicing yoga on my mat very little there due to exhaustion (but I did get to go on stage for a yoga class Saturday morning w/ Basil Jones – www.yogaoutofbounds.com or www.basilyoga.com). I realize that giving myself that hour on the mat is a necessity. My body felt tremendously better after the class than before. My body hurts if I don’t stretch it. For everyone out there that does hurt physically/mentally/emotionally – give yourself the gift of one hour each day to move, to stretch, to breathe, to just connect to yourself, that is what I ask. You will notice substantial benefits. It hurts more not to do anything than it does to do something.
Break out of your habitual patterns, challenge yourself mentally and physically, but with love and respect for yourself. Work to find your body’s edge, not your ego’s edge – screw your ego – it has screwed you long enough – it’s gotten you where you are today – which is nowhere.
So step out of your comfort zone – celebrate being alive – move stretch – live – love – laugh!
So, thank you Brett Dennon! Thank you for reminding me to just Celebrate Being Alive!!
Om, Shanti
Love, Peace
Maureen
