Darlings,

In Lady Yoga fashion, it is my goal to look back in history to see where we have come from, find the yoga in the moments past to keep us rooted in the present and passionate about where we are going in the future.

On that note...

Nelson Mandela was born 18 July 1918 and served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the leader of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa but was arrested in 1962, convicted of charges that sentenced him to life in prison. He served 27 years and was released on 11 February 1990,

He received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize fighting non-violently for freedom and equality.

While in jail, his reputation grew and he became widely known as the most significant black leader in South Africa.

In our practice today whether on the mat or on the blog, let's use Nelson Mandela's words as a vehicle for liberation from our own ties that bind us to whatever is holding us back. Each time we decide to become more present, more aware of where we are, right now, we are able to fully decide each moment we take from then on. In consciousness, not neglect or multi-tasking, can we truly live our our potential. It's so easy to get distracted from a myriad of things from our iPhone to American Idol to our kids, boss, spouse wanting our attention. Until we can fully be present for ourselves, can we be super-present for everything else.

In inspiration....

Do not to dwell on the deep wounds of the past but move forward.

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

If there are dreams (about a beautiful South Africa), there are also roads that lead to that goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

It always seems impossible until its done.

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.

Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

There is no such thing as part freedom.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. –Long Walk to Freedom

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.

The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.- Autobiography

Freedom would be meaningless without security in the home and in the streets. - speech, April 27, 1995

For each - the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.- speech, May 10, 1994

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Autobiography

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. - Long Walk to Freedom

Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

bellowing the flame,

Lady