KI-THOUGHTS

2010-05-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years ago, my son was born. In addition to the birth of his older sister, this was one of the happiest days of my life. Nevertheless, as happy as I was, I also knew he had been born with a heart challenge called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. (HLHS). This challenge could only be corrected with three open heart surgeries. Before his third birthday all 3 had been performed successfully. The best medical attention along with a great deal of love and prayer gave us a miracle...Connor. Connor in gaelic means "fighting spirit", and a fighting spirit he is. He is a true warrior, authentic and pure of heart. Wisdom way beyond his years, a spirit much older than 15 years.

He is my sensei, my teacher and I am blessed to be able to hold him and feel him with all that I am.

I share this with you to remind you..... to remind me : always keep first things first.

as our days turn into weeks and weeks into months and months into years we sometimes forget to count our blessings, we forget our strength, we forget that there are things worth fighting for and things worth dying for...... we forget who we are and why we are.

As I prepare for Connor's annual cardiology visit he once again gently reminds me.

love

2009-05-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

An evening watching my daughter on stage. Seeing her filled with passion and present moments.

Feeling the passage of time as I watch my "little" girl perform in her high school play.

Knowing that the love I feel for her will last forever.

Knowing that love makes it all worthwhile.

have you loved today?

"It is love alone that gives worth to all things” St. Teresa of Avila.

in light and love,

isauro

Timeless Tobias

2008-10-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a very special wedding. The bride and groom were both in their late 60's. My aunt, the bride, had lost her husband to cancer close to 30 years ago. The bridegroom, a widower, had also lost his wife to the same disease. They had found each other, fallen in love and were excited about sharing their abundant joy and love with family and friends. Their passion and love for one another reminded me of love's timeless quality.

The reception was filled with dancing, laughter and light. When not on the dance floor myself, I would sit back and watch these two newlyweds. As they flowed with grace, clarity and abundance I noticed a much older man out on the dance floor. Slower than the rest, but filled with joy and enthusiasm, his moves were unique. Soon many fellow dancers began to dance with him as he freely shared his authentic expression of movement. He worked the dance floor, dancing with all those he encountered on his path.

Towards the end of the party I introduced myself. He told me his name was Tobias, but that I could call him Toby. He was 95 years old and had lived in this area all his life. "What is your secret dear friend?" I asked. He looked me in the eye and said, "......every day, dance alittle, laugh alittle and love alot..."

Tap into the timeless spirit within. Every day dance alittle, laugh alittle and love alot.

in-light,

Isauro

Their passion

The Power of Love

2008-09-07T05:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's class was packed, focused and energizing. My heart was on fire and exploding with emotion. I can truly say that I am in love with what I do. We must incorporate more awareness of love into our lives. My summer had been filled with a heightened awareness of this powerful force. A successful retreat in Spain, filled with yoga, hikes, meditations and connections. A glass of wine, a peaceful valley, breathtaking mountains and the song of a gentle breeze filled my soul once again with awareness of abundant love. Love of self, love of family....love of simply being.

Slowing down and appreciating the love that is all around us. Slowing down long enough to feel the power of something the mind can not understand. Being so present and absorbed in the moment that you lose yourself, but in the process find your self. You find self when you find the present moment and you fill that moment with energy when you fuel it with love.

what is it that you love to do? what fills your heart with fire? what simple heart felt moment can you take right now.

find love everywhere and watch your life transform.

con mucho carino,

Isauro

Nothing is Something

2008-06-22T09:47:00.001-07:00

Last week a student asked me the following question, "... how we can think of nothing?" The student posing the question was a special needs child that I have been fortunate enough to be working with for the past two years.

I looked at him and offered my standard answer of how we have to focus our minds on something specific like the sound of our breath in order to slowly silence our minds, and as he said "think of nothing." He accepted the answer, although as his teacher I struggle with that question and know that silencing my mind is easier said than done.

A few days later at Judo class wih my young son, I asked my Sensei the same question. My Sensei is a 70 year old Japanese master who has been my Judo teacher since I was 6. Under the word Zen in the dictionary you would probably find his picture. He looked at me, paused, and before I could think, I was in mid air. As soon as I hit the mat I got it. No mind, mushin..... how can we think of nothing?..... to be so total in the doing that there is no room for cluttered thoughts, to be so in the moment that all there is, is the moment. I knew this, but had to feel it again.

After the class was over my son looked at me and told me that he now knew what nothing was. "Yes", I asked...
"nothing is something" he answered.

feel everything, force nothing,

Isauro

The Warrior Way Weekend Intensive

2007-12-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

Back in New York from a yoga weekend intensive on Miami Beach. It was a weekend filled with meditation, movement, mantras and metaphors. The small group of yogis that joined me on this inaugural Warrior Way Weekend filled their weekend with 5 two(2) hour yoga classes, massages, meditation, spa and water therapies, and of course delicious healthy food.

We focused on being present, and the clock literally stopped.

We focused on the power of intention and the size of the room changed.

We focused on being still and calm regardless of the circumstances, and while a tropical storm made its presence known, we rested outside by the bay in savasana.

Surrendering to something greater than ourselves, I believe we all uncovered a little more about ourselves.

Although our journey together was short ....it was heartfelt, true, authentic and empowering......in short, it was everything I knew the warrior way would be.

Feel everything, force nothing,

Isauro

Learn to Fall by Falling

2007-09-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

It is one thing to say that falling is a good thing..... It is quite something else to actually experience the fall, and know that falling is a good thing. In my experience, no one, including myself, likes to fall. During yesterday morning's vinyasa class, I had the opportunity to fall... not once or twice, but three times!! Once from handstand, a second time from forearm balance and a third time from a flying bakasana. My mind immediately judged my fall...."you can't do handstand...", "what kind of teacher falls..." "your not strong enough...", but I honored the moment, took a deep breath in and tried again. Afterwards, I rested in childs pose and came back to my breath.

Honor your journey by honoring the moment. Fill your moment with clarity and courage. Learn to fall by falling and when you find yourself heading down towards your mat or the floor, let go and know that falling is a good thing.

Isauro

A Sea of OMs

2007-09-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we ended our 90 minute vinyasa flow with a beautiful sea of OMs. I generally end the class with the chanting of a single OM. OM the vibrational sound of the universe. A single sound that represents the union of mind, body and spirit. A single sound that is at the heart of what yoga means to me: connection. Connection to something greater, connection to one's true self, connection to one's true essence.

It was a full house. We had journeyed together in what had been a very intense and challenging vinyasa flow. I felt the energy in the room and knew that we had arrived at a sacred place......our selves. The moment had arrived and we seized the moment with the beautiful chanting of OM. The air was filled with the magical vibration and power that can only be felt with the heart.

That Sea of OMs will be with me always. The connection that came through the chanting of a single, simple word is available to us all. That feeling of the heart flowing into spirit is real and empowering.

Add a chant to your daily life. Feel the vibration and feed your spirit.

I wish you peace, power and purpose,

Isauro

Places of Power

2007-07-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

As I prepare for my Spain yoga retreat, I realize how ready I am to spend and dedicate an entire week of my life to yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation. Of course, it doesn't hurt that this retreat is taking place in one of the most magical places I've ever connected with, Spain.

I have been visiting Spain since I was a little boy, spending summers there with my family. Every visit has been transformational. My grandparents are from a small village in the Southern region of Spain called Andalucia. This land is filled with majestic mountains, breathtaking valleys and mouthwatering aromas.

This part of the world can fill your breath with the present moment. It does mine.

In yoga practice we are constantly reminded to be present, to focus on our breath and be in the present moment. This awareness is a skill that can be taught by a consistent and dedicated practice.

One important way to enhance this practice of presence is to take your own retreat. It doesn't mean you have to go to Spain for a week, or spend one month in India or Italy. What it does mean is that you find a place, a setting, that fills you with awareness and breath just because it does. A power place. Maybe its short drive out of the city, perhaps a day at the beach or a weekend in the mountains. A place that fills you completely with feeling. Where you can immerse yourself with the moment and be in the moment.

A retreat is an opportunity to connect with all the magic and beauty that lies within us, by feeling, touching, tasting, smelling and breathing all the magic and beauty that is around us.

Find a part of the world that fills your breath with the present moment. Spend time and make time to experience your place of power.

Wishing you passion, power and purpose,

Isauro

Father's Day

2007-06-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

A hot vinyasa yoga class in the morning........teaching my little guy how to B-B-Q the chicken just right in the afternoon.......getting a green case for my ipod from my precious little girl in the evening. She told me she had picked the color green because that is the color of the heart chakra.

A perfect moment.....a perfect day.....a perfect life...............................
count and feel your blessings

Namaste,

Isauro

A Little Bit Every Day

2007-04-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am blessed with the opportunity to give private lessons during the course of the week. One of my private students is a teenager who has special needs. His parents bring him to the private lesson every week without fail. He loves the martial arts and his parents love the focus and confidence it brings him.

During one of our lessons this past week, he turned to me and said, "....step by step, day by day, doing a little bit every day."

A simple, yet powerful truth. His words reminded me that all to often in my life I get caught up in accomplishing the "big goal". Getting caught up in the frustration that comes when things do not happen as fast as I want them to.

His words reminded me that you cannot control the date you arrive at that big goal. However, you can connect and commit to the step, to the day and to doing a little bit every day.

Peace,

Isauro

Connect

2007-04-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

My son and I went to see Meet the Robinsons this weekend. Although only a child, he is an expert at the computer and makes his own movies on his pc. He wants to be a film director when he grows up and was excited to see this particular movie because it was being offered in Disney Digital 3-D. I knew nothing about Disney Digital 3-D nor had I any real desire to see a cartoon movie, but I did want to spend time with my son.

I enjoyed the movie and loved its message. Nevertheless, as good as the movie was, deeper were the connections made. To connect with the passion that my little boy has was transformational. To connect with the way he sees the world and not try to control it, was a blessing and a new beginning.

Every day and every moment is an opportunity to connect to something deeper. Most of us spend our days trying to control circumstances, outcomes and situations. Instead of trying to control, let go and connect. Every person you meet, conversation you have, book you read, movie you see and situation or relationship you are in, is pointing you to something deeper.

The opportunity is here...right now...let go and connect.

Namaste,

Isauro

The best way to do....

2007-03-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

"The best way to do.... is to be," - Lao Tzu

A quote I often come back too. Thinking about what it means, practicing what it says, and sometimes being blessed enough to actually live it..feel it... be it.....This can happen in a moment or series of moments.

Teaching a 3 hour Master Vinyasa Class for the benefit of a charity that helps children born with heart defects was one of those moments. Time stopped, love entered and a powerful presence and awareness touched all.

Recently attending a friend's wake was another of those moments. He was an older man who had lived a long life serving others through his teaching and love of Judo. Many fellow Judo players came. I had not seen many in years and none of us knew what to say. Nevertheless, the spirit of our departed gentle warrior brought us together. Time stopped, love entered and a powerful presence and awareness touched all.

Practicing martial art mudras with my young son early this morning was yet another of those moments. His focus and willingness to learn brought us both to the moment. Time stopped, love entered and a powerful presence and awareness touched us.

Your moments are there for the taking. We are always "doing" something. So consumed with the bus-i-ness of life we forget the moments of life .

Take your moments as an opportunity to "be". Let time stop and love enter. The powerful presence and awareness you feel will transform your life.

Light and Love,

Isauro

Awareness

2007-02-13T04:31:00.000-08:00

Teaching a powerful hot vinyasa class to the sounds of rock -n-roll music is an experience I have loved from the very first time I was in Down Dog. Listening to U2 or Bruce Springsteen while engaged in a Sun Salutation flow enhances my connection to spirit and inspires me to go deeper into my practice.

Last night the sound system at the studio I teach in was being upgraded and as a result there was no music for the class. My students first reaction was the same as mine, "what...no music, but we love to flow with music." Before the class started, I felt the low energy of a room filled with breathless mind chatter.

The stage was set. The opportunity to transform was there for all of us to take.... and take it we did. Bringing focus and mindfulness to every movement we made was facilitated by our loud ujjayi breath. Throughout the entire class we focused on paying attention, reminding ourselves over and over again to breath and feel, to look and feel, to simply be. The class was transformational. On her way out one student had shared that it was the best class she had every experienced.

Awareness will enhance your connection to spirit and inspire you to go deeper into your practice. The class, the teacher,having or not having music, are all outside of our control. What is in our control and what we can learn through practice is to cultivate minfulness. Mindfulness is being awake, being aware. Bringing awareness to the present moment and reminding ourselves to be ourselves. Feel everything and simply be. Awareness will enhance your connection to spirit and inspire you to go deeper into your practice.

Only the day dawns to which we are awake.
---HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Namaste,

Isauro

Stay in the Game

2007-01-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

Watching my daughter play basketball last night was a moment in time that I will keep forever. Seeing her run up and down the court with intensity, enthusiasm and determination brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. She was living the moment. Focused and relaxed she was doing something she loved and doing it well. She fell a few times, missed some baskets and even received an elbow shot to her mouth, nevertheless her enthusiasm and smile never wavered as she stayed in the game.

Her enthusiasm and smile reminded me of how easy it is for us to drop out of our game. We have all fallen down, missed baskets and suffered injuries. Sometimes all at the same time. It happens so often that some of us drop out of our"game." My little girl's attitude inspired me to stay in my game. To stay the course with enthusiasm and joy.

What is your game? What do you love to do? What do you do well? Once you find your game, stay in it.....stay in it with enthusiasm and joy. Sure there will be setbacks, but that is part of the game.

The ball is in your court.

Namaste,

Isauro

Early to Rise

2007-01-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

I recently listened to a podcast from Robin Sharma, author of The Monk who sold his Ferrarri where he spoke of ways to develop a Will of Iron. He listed four steps: Step 1: Get up at 5:00am, Step 2: Finish what you start, Step 3: Do what makes you uncomfortable and Step 4: Celebrate the small victories.

Except for Step 1, this short list seemed like a reasonable guide to personal success. Getting up at 5:00am however was not something I was used to nor was it something I wanted to do. Nevertheless I decided to go for it. The first morning was challenging, but I was able to get up and begin my day with some tea, readings, a morning meditation and some journal writing. Letting go of my pillow on the second day was tougher than the first day, nevertheless, I did manage to get up and again begin my day with some tea, readings, a morning meditation and some journal writing.

I know that by waking earlier you do find time to work on yourself. I also know that I will not get up at 5:00 am every day. I believe the key is to get up earlier than you already do. Whatever that time is for you. Getting up alittle earlier so you can meditate for 10 minutes, write in your journal or read 15 minutes from an inspirational source. Finding stillness and setting your tone for the day is a great way to manage and harness your ki, your life force.

By being compassionate with yourself and simultaneously finding the discipline to follow through in creating a new early morning habit, you will find your days filled with more focus and personal power.

Namaste,

Isauro

Experience the Magic

2007-01-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

Having been away from the practice of yoga during the holidays, my body was craving the opportunity to move and sweat in an all out, full contact, hot power vinyasa class. The studio where I normally practice was closed for the holidays so I decided to go to a local studio where I had never taken a class. The class said hot vinyasa...I signed up and set up my mat. I was ready for an intense asana flow.

What followed instead was a gentle 90 minute vinyasa flow. During the first few minutes of the class my ego was busy trying to convince me that this was not what I had signed up for.

Fortunately, I didn't listen. This wonderful teacher guided me back to my breath and back to my yoga. This class restored and healed my holiday-worn body and mind. It transformed my body leaving me loose, relaxed and still.

This had been exactly what I had signed up for.....my ego just didn't know this fact: Yoga gives you everything you need....when you need it.........you just need to get out of the way long enough to experience the magic.

To a New Year filled with magic,

Isauro

A Simple Gift

2006-12-26T23:21:00.000-08:00

My sister spent some time with me this Christmas day. She gave me a little box wrapped in red paper. I waited for a while before I opened it, savoring the possibilities of what this little box held. Irene always blessed me with simple yet powerful gifts.

This Christmas proved no different. In the box, engraved on a thin sheet of metal were the words: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail.

What a great question to ask yourself everyday. I spent some time this morning journaling answers to this question. There are many things I would do if I knew I wouldn't fail. Take some time this week and ask yourself this question. Write down the answers............like me, you know them all.

Isauro