On Flexibility

Yoga means, “yoke” as in “join,” or “tie together” and refers to the way the practice brings one into connection with God. It is about connecting the body and the spiritual and is in fact considered a devotional practice in its origins. Physically, on the other hand, yoga is all about flexibility in the spine. Having that flexibility is considered the essence of health and well-being. At one time, I had a very flexible spine indeed. I hope to return to the yoga practice I once had, but my young children seem to make other plans for me at the moment. Still, flexibility is something I value. Right now, my practice is more about flexibility of the mind, however. As humans we seem to want to define and categorize, assign meaning and decide things. However, rigid thinking may not serve us any better than stiff muscles and calcified joints. How does one cultivate elasticity in thought?

I am thinking lately about how easy it is to stay stiff and calcified in old perceptions of self, form entrenched world views, become bound in thought patterns that restrict. As in the practice of yoga, stretching those mental models proves challenging and useful. One can almost feel the tiny tears one makes as neural paths are redesigned. But this is how strength is achieved, as with muscles that must tear a little to grow stronger. It is commonly thought that yoga is a pastime about stretching and relaxation. However I found it to be primarily about strength. It takes great strength to support that level of flexibility. And it takes great mental strength to get our thinking to bend deeply. How do we know when we are being stiff and stuck? I think because it hurts. Some mental pain may be a good clue we are in need of a stretch. In yoga, the first pathway to flexibility is breath. So I am encouraging myself to take deep mental breathes, to slow down, and get stronger even as I begin to move more freely and loosely. If we bend our perceptions, stretch our imaginations, and strengthen our resolve, perhaps there is hope of achieving a mental place of well-being that is deeply connected, strong and free.

TALIA EISEN’S

GET ORGANIZED FOR TAX SEASON

SEMINAR

EASY TAX PREP THAT LASTS!

Come get your taxes in order, for this year and every year!

I worked for more than ten years as a professional organizer, specializing in financial organizing, and helping my clients prepare for tax season.  I can help you too!

In this seminar you will:

• Collect all the things you need to track throughout the year

• Collect all the things that come in the mail at the end of the year

• Record information so it can be zapped together quickly

• Transition from last year’s to this year’s record-keeping

If you can do these four things, you will have an easy time, every year, getting your tax information ready for your accountant, yourself or whoever does your taxes!

Saturday, March 15^th 9:30am – 12:30pm

$85.00

Location: Sebastopol Community Cultural Center

Bring your files/data/laptop. We will be working directly with your data, so you’ll want whatever is relevant with you. Each person should bring one cardboard box to work with. Load it up with your data and whatever supplies you use: pencil, calculator, ledger, files, labels, sticky notes, sharpie, highlighters, laptop with data manager such as quicken, if relevant. Some additional supplies will be on hand.

Each person will get some individual time to be coached on their own particular needs. Each person will have the opportunity to work on their preparation and leave with their taxes in more readiness, more order, and on the way to Easy--this year and every year.

Register by emailing taliaeisen@earthlink.net to reserve a spot. You will need to send a check for $85 to confirm your registration. Mailing info will be provided when you sign up. Space is limited.

BONUS: Registration fee also gets you an addition one hour of individual tax prep coaching from Talia, valued at $75. Before the seminar, go over your personal tax situation with Talia for ½ hour, and after the seminar, you will be entitled to an additional ½ hr follow-up to help you complete your tax prep system. (Times to be scheduled as available).