Yoga leelee

A pathway to the heart

The practice of yoga, when done with intention and performed consistently, draws us away from the outward reactions that we use in the world around us to an inner state of quiet and stillness. A place where the soul speaks.

In this speedy-paced world, we struggle to find the time to relax into our own being, but the more we avoid interacting with our depths, the more we suffer. Four decades on this beautiful planet have taught me that the worst betrayal is self-betrayal.

Walking the path of the heart doesn't have to be a huge thing, it can start with a small step. A small step to liberation.

Home Studio Indooroopilly
www.yogaleelee.com/classes

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Inversions teach us by physical example and metaphor that there is another way to approach any situation.

It opens up constricted areas through the physical and mental stretch, calms the mind, stimulates the lymphatic system, and thus helps us detoxify the unnecessary.

As someone who suffers from recurrent low back pain due to disc bulges, I find it useful and very relieving. In the photo, two out of many ways to explore inversion in the studio.

To learn about classes go to:
https://www.yogaleelee.com/classes

Love, Lee

Come as you are ❤

Let go. Do not try to understand.
Nothing good will come out of this.

Let go of the effort.
Relax.
Sit silently on the riverbank and let life flow to your feet.
Do not participate. Just be.

At first, you may feel different emotions rising inside of you. Anger, confusion, frustration, remorse. Terrible noise.

From time to time, you'll be flooded by the desire to move: "I'm wasting time, there's so much to do." When that feeling comes up in you, sit a little longer.
Hold back the urge to get up and move.
Breathe.
Breathe deeply.
Slowly expand into the present moment.
Observe the beating of your heart.
Align your gaze with creation.

Put aside the pain for a while.
I know, it's not easy.
Try it anyway.
Do not hold on to the familiar.
Relinquish your grip.
You will always have the next moment to plunge into the pain.
Let go of it for now.


Look at the little child who still lives inside of you.
Look in his eyes.
He doesn't need much. He doesn't even care about tomorrow. Reach out your hand to touch his.
Sit there together, peacefully, on the riverbank.
Set him free.

And when you decide to jump back in the water, to dip yourself into the race of life again, remember!
The water may still be cold. But this is your responsibility to make sure your body doesn’t forget how it feels like to withdraw from the race into the riverbank of life.

..

When the chaos outside is impossible to bear, our inner world is an asset. A silent gaze within can evoke a moment of transformation. It can teach us how to balance strength and ease. How to walk the thin line between yesterday and tomorrow. Between sanity and madness.

Photo by: Anthony B

Once during my training, I asked my teacher: why do I need to keep practicing daily? Aren't I becoming dependent on it?

He smiled at me, his wise eyes for a moment seemed to mirror my greatest fear, the fear of devotion. He did not say a word. His silence alone spoke his strength and wisdom.

Later in the course, I heard him saying ‘’you need two wings to fly, one of the wisdom and the other of the practice”.
These words were beautiful, but my rebellious nature needed more at that time.

Today, with all that happened ever since, when that doubt arises again, I remind myself (always remembering that beautiful smile), that there is no-body that can hold steady when the waves of life hit. Even the strongest vessel cannot withstand the storm without an anchor.

The practice is like an anchor. It strengthens the flame, the faith, and the peace within.

Analogically I see the practice as a means to maintain the foundations of the bridge to liberation (moksha).

'I'm not flexible enough for yoga'

Every time I hear people saying 'I'm not flexible enough for yoga' I feel pain in my heart. Because even though I admire the determination to perform well, I feel that the real meaning of yoga has been misunderstood. From my point of view, the only flexibility required in the practice of yoga is the flexibility of the mind.

On the mat, we plant the seeds of transformation. We refine, we explore, we expand, we let go and we gradually shift perception.

Some will do that while splitting their legs while others seating with their legs crossed. Which of these postures is harder to perform?

..

New classes at the studio: https://www.yogaleelee.com/classes

Home Studio (long post...)

I've been searching for my path in the realms of the heart for ages. From a very young age I was reading ancient and modern texts of western philosophy, I was praying, I was practicing yoga, I was dancing, I was meditating. I've delved into the mysteries of Buddhism and even opened my heart to the controversial philosophy of Jewish mysticism to which I've resisted passionately in my younger years (I was brought up in Israel). I've walked the streets of India, traveled for years around this beautiful planet. The journey was glorious. No doubt. But I never felt at home. Something inside of me was constantly searching.

years forward...

Seven years ago, I met my teacher. Five minutes into his class and I knew it. This is what I was looking for my entire life. Five days into the teacher training course and I felt it. I felt at home. AT HOME!!! At last. My inner home. The place I was longing for so deeply resides inside of me and my teacher was there to help me unravel that with his wise words and beautiful heart. I've traveled far distance (5 hours) once a week for 12 months to join his classes. Paid fortune on flights and transportation. But it was worth every dime. That 'money' redeemed my soul.

When I started the teacher training I never imagined I would want to teach yoga to others. But something happened during those days. My heart broke into pieces so many times until it had to rebuild itself. To reborn. This time in the shape of me. In the shape of love. I felt a shift happening inside of me. I knew it would be scary, painful, even chaotic but I could not resist. Something inside of me whispered loudly, and when I wasn't listening, it was yelling at me: ''listen to your heart''. Eventually, I did (and I'm still learning how to do it). I submitted my Ph.D. as a marine biologist and left the academy behind. It was hard. Breaking through the walls of safety into the unknown is never easy. But I don't regret taking that turn.

My teacher gave me the tools to pass on the love and wisdom of this marvelous tradition and today I'm using those tools to share that beautiful tradition with others. A tradition with no religion, no nation, and no country. A pure message of love. I feel so blessed to have met him. He turned me into an eternal student of the spirit and to a teacher.

I am honored to share the path of the heart with people who desire to explore and experience the practice of yoga. My space is small but full of love and is open to everyone.

For more info about classes please check my website www.yogaleelee.com or contact me directly at 0481044193.

"Die before you die" - the art of letting go

The yoga tradition tells us that you cannot rebirth yourself as a divine-human and the most authentic version of your SELF unless you first experience the “death” of who you thought you were — a time of trial in which false ideals are shed...a time when love slowly emerge...

The immensity of life

To live with intensity is to experience all shades of pain, but just at the same immensity to feel a rainbow of love coloring your soul.

To live with intensity is to let all range of emotions sink deep into the core of your being, knowing firmly that there is no escape from the truth.

To live with intensity means to wake up every morning praising the privilege to be walking on this planet earth. And when I say walking on this planet I mean not only to exist but to actually feel alive.

Living with intensity is freeing yourself from enslavement to convenient superficiality. It is not to be defeated by the fear to stand alone in the face of rejection.

Living with intensity is to embrace the upheavals of this journey with gratitude and love because you know deep within that the weight of self-deception is unbearable.

You don't have to travel the world or dance with the wolves to have a powerful human experience. You don't need to be a philosopher, a poet, a fighter, or a drug addict. You can live peacefully and quietly in your little piece of heaven.

But you do need to have the courage to walk through the wilderness of loneliness and to hold onto the uncompromising faith in the mystery of life.

Integrating body-based therapy and traditional yoga practices: exploring the intelligent wisdom of body, mind, and soul.

Two additional weekly classes are offered at my home studio (up to four participants) in Indooroopilly:

Monday 09:15 - 10:30 am
Friday 09:15 - 10:30 am

The classes will commence after the school holidays (April 19th).

* Small and intimate studio
* Personal adjustments

In my classes, I incorporate all tools I have learned over the years; Ashtanga yoga vinyasa, meditation, pranayama, philosophy and therapeutic trauma-sensitive bodywork.
https://www.yogaleelee.com/

Please contact me (PM or call 0481044193) if you require further information.

Much love,
Lee

One spot left for the Wednesday 6 PM class in my Home Studio (www.yogaleelee.com).

Small and intimate studio.

Up to 4 practitioners.

Individual attention.

Please do not hesitate to contact me (PM or call 0481044193) if you require further information.

Lee