yoga and the art of retail shopping

"Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man during those instants when his mind is calm...The goal of yoga science is to calm the mind, that without distortion it may hear the infallible counsel of the Inner Voice" - Paramahansa Yogananda

Well, it has been another week of dazzling reflections on balancing career, deadlines, duties, wisdom, people and grace and how my Yoga practice sheds light on so many different areas, like a sunbeam....My last blog was so intense I thought, I would try to write about something "cool", "light", and cheerful.

I have seen a few blogs lately that talk about fashion, giving tips on what to buy, what to wear, how to wear it.  Hmm. Fun. Let's put on the lip gloss and head straight for all THAT.

Of course, as luck would have it, I found a store that sells "YOGA jeans".  Thinking I had entered nirvana already, I beamed at the salesgirl - "YOGA teacher" here, sign me up!  Started trying on....pair #1 -  too big, we both agreed, pair #2 - uh, so-so, pair - #3, I didn't think so.... I wasn't that comfortable bottom line.  I just knew they didn't maximise or minimise or whatever the rave was, it was not working on me.
Now, the salesgirl was good, and she may have honestly thought I looked great, but she may also have had a slight agenda. A couple of other stores had cute things, but I realised, as I side-stepped the snow and ice here in the Montreal/March, that the season was not yet upon me for sundresses.  I had a good time conserving money and chitchatting with people though.

Here's what I loved.  There are such great yoga lessons in retail shopping:

*Inward listening under pressure ! AUMMMM.
*Can we check in with ourselves honestly in the moment, or do we need a walk around the block or a day to think about it?
*Are we on budget, on resolution, and still focused on what the mission was for?
*Did you really need a blouse but you are buying pants instead?
*Are they a want or a need?
*Is it a JUST GO FOR IT day?
*Are you able to look in the mirror and love what you see, or is it all negative self-talk?

See, I think the beauty of the Yoga system is that it turns us into confident, strong people who make nourishing and positive choices.  Life, in this way, whatever you are doing, becomes an art form.  Buyer Be(a)ware...Enjoy!






om shanty shanty shanty
Rana