Is personal transformation possible?

• Is it possible for you?
• How can we transform in just one yoga class?
• Can one poem of resounding truth change us completely?
• Is it possible to shift the state of our entire being in one meditation?
• Or…is a regular practice transformative?

As a Kripalu-trained yoga teacher and transformational workshop leader for many years, I found that poetry blended with a yoga practice was deeply powerful and transformative for me and my students/participants. I also discovered that asking questions aimed at myself, opened my mind to get answers from deep within. In spiritual retreats, journaling in a safe, stress-free space, paired with self-inquiry after yoga and meditation, was a way to reach my Higher Self or True Self. From there is where I could consciously choose to get my answers for life and living—even if the answers were jarring, challenging, and uncomfortable. It’s true that outside of our comfort zone is where we grow, and creating a sense of calm is a way to be and stay authentic.

After these poems, take the opportunity to begin what I call a “Transformational Journaling-Journey.” This is your “Call to Adventure.” This can be a sacred and special self-led pilgrimage to self, spirit, and soul. After each poem (meant to be read aloud and slowly) you get a chance to connect within. At the end, you will get some carefully crafted, thought-provoking questions to journal on. Take these writing prompts and explore when you see, “Suggested, Self-Reflection, Transformational-Journaling Assignments” after each poem.

To live with authenticity, we must discover the place within us that is separate from our thoughts, beliefs, trauma and other external influences. This is our inner compass. It has a voice. It’s a simple voice with incredible power. But sometimes it isn’t asked anything. It may be buried under years of doubt, conditioning, and loud outer noise. When we don’t purposefully get connected to our inner voice, when we are not in touch with this voice, we become painfully out of alignment and experience a sense of feeling completely lost and directionless. I go further to say that it can be dangerous to not be in-tune with our True Selves. Being disconnected, there’s the potential that we could start running our lives according to other people’s ideas, motives, and reasons—rather than our own deep knowing and truth. If we have fallen out of authenticity, we can rebuild our life from a place of full embodied listening, as we journal our answers to the suggested questions at the end and hear our own True Voice speak. We can then explore what it means to live a soulful life and follow that voice while gently rejecting any criticisms, fears, and doubts of the ego in the spirit of gratitude.