The yogis realized that all things in life are impermanent and the only constant is change. When we get "stuck" and resist change, we are in fundamental opposition to the natural flow of life. But we like things the way they are, the known, and it is hard for us to accept change. Anything that is new or different scares us. Even when the change is positive, it stresses us out! A new job, baby, marriage, etc are all high on the stress-meter. A great deal of our suffering is our inability to let go and move on; but avoiding change blocks us from growing and discovering the transformative opportunities that lie in the unknown.

>From the perspectives of most traditional healing modalities, including Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (the ancient Indian healing system), the transition between seasons requires a change in diet, sleep and other lifestyle habits to bring us into harmony with the new season. For spring, these changes are all about making space for new growth. Physically, we shed our winter baggage of heavier energy, heavier clothes, even heavier winter bodies! On an emotional level, we carry emotional baggage not only about recent events, but about things that happened YEARS ago that we have a hard time letting go of. Spring is the perfect time to explore letting some of this go.

So, here are some tips to help you make space, accept and stay open to the exciting possibilities awaiting you in your life:
• Use your yoga to practice letting go of your resistance, both physical and emotional, to the natural changing flow of life. In the asana practice, twists and inversions are a great way to learn how to move into new things and to change your perspective. Practicing mindfulness and becoming fully present in the moment will lessen your attachment to the past and your concerns about the future.
• Spring cleaning, inside and out! Rid yourself of not only physical, but also mental and emotional clutter by clearing out things you no longer need from material possessions to relationships, attitudes, belief systems or jobs.
• Lighten up! Shed those last winter blahs: initiate a spring diet with early spring vegetables and change your daily routines to fully open yourself up to the light, warmth and energy of spring. Even just adding a short daily walk or waking up a little earlier can change your awareness and connect you to spring's revitalizing force.

Let go of the old so you can bring in the new!!!

• MIDWEST YOGA CONFERENCE
Chicago, IL
May 31-June 5, 2006

Beverley will be assisting Yogiraj Alan Finger at MYC. Intensive sessions will cover:

Maithuna: Balancing Male and Female Energy
Principles of ISHTA Yoga
Shiva/Shakti: The Forces of Inspiration and Manifestation
Tantra

Many other well-known teachers will also be offering classes - it will be an amazing gathering! Visit midwestyoga.com to register or for more information.

• ISHTA MASTERCLASS WITH BEVERLEY MURPHY AND ALAN FINGER
Coming Soon to Yoga Works!

Join Beverley and ISHTA Yoga creator Alan Finger for a challenging, rejuvenating afternoon that will invigorate your asana practice and transform your mind! Explore your own unique yoga through the ISHTA practice of asana, pranayama, meditation and energetic flow and emerge with balance in body, mind and spirit. Come ready to play with two of ISHTA's leading teachers!

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All content (c) 2006 Beverley Murphy with editing and content contributed by Julie Blumenthal.