Summertime Greetings!

Its now officially summer! 

As we have just crossed the summer solstice threshold, I am reminded of the intensity that summer brings to the table. If the equinoxes bring balance, the solstices bring on the extremes: extreme temperatures-hot/cold, extreme light-longer/shorter, extreme outdoor time/indoor time.

The solstices can also bring out the extremes in our behavior: over indulgent/lethargic, outwardly and playful/introspective and quiet, intense and powerful/calm and subtle.

Its a beautiful pendulum swing of extremes that Mother Nature has designed for us to experience at both polar solstices and then the gentle balancing equinoxes between the extremes.

As above, so below. This is one of the seven Hermetic Principles of natural law for self-mastery. The seasonal shifts allow us to get to know our own edges, our own limits, our own boundaries- both in the external world around us and the internal world of our consciousness.

So if the extreme intensity of summer solstice is the “above” energy for the collective right now-how does this correlate to the “below” energy of the individual self?

In other words, if our current external experiences are the long, hot days of heat, light, and outward bound energy-how does that translate to our inner world of consciousness? It means that we too are being encouraged to express our extreme selves! Just as the Sun is blasting its light for extended hours and is at its zenith. We too are being prodded to radiate our light in full expression at this time.

This is a time to do the daring thing you have been wanting to do. Climb that mountain, audition for that part, write that story, sing that song, call that person, have that conversation, take that training, travel to that country, wear that lipstick. Be extreme! Go big! Shine like the summer sun!

But here is the thing. Solstice means “when the sun stops”. Once we hit the solstice-at either end-summer or winter- the “sun stops” driving toward the direction of one extreme-and begins its sojourn to the other extreme-pausing for balance at the equinoxes in-between. So although we will may still be enjoying the long days of summer for awhile yet, we are now actually heading toward the darkest days.

So again, how does the as above, so below principle apply to us as individuals?

Didn’t I just say be extreme and do something daring? Go big and radiate like the sun? How are we suppose to do that and also start to move toward our introspective selves?

I believe the “sun stops” and moves back toward the other extreme so that we don’t go overboard. Just as the pendulum has a swing that goes to its amplitude, its restoring force will bring it through to its center point of gravity and then it passes the equilibrium point and oscillates to the the other extreme point of amplitude. And back and forth it goes.

That whole “above” way is leading by example. This is showing us a way to masterfully navigate our lives here on the “below”.

So right now- at the peak of the light-go full sail.

The Universe is supporting extremes right now.

But don’t be like Icarus and fly too close to the sun. Too much hubris and greed and gluttony will be your fall.

Remember-when the pendulum swings out to its maximum amplitude-it stops-and turns back towards its center.

Push out to the edge of extreme for you.

Allow yourself to be daring, adventurous, and radical.

Feel how essential it is to go all the way…

Then come back to center.

As above, So below.

Karma Yoga Center turned 15 years old on the Summer Solstice-June 20th

Happy Birthday to Karma!

Fifteen summer solstices ago today, I went to the extremes for me.

I opened Karma Yoga Center all by myself.

I wrote a business plan-which I had never heard of prior to applying for an SBA loan.

I applied for a business loan during a recession with no real business experience and no real collateral.

There were many who told me not to get my hopes up-it was too big of an ask.

I asked anyway -and they granted me a $50,000 loan and I opened Karma.

I took a risk. I followed my heart. I believed in my extreme passion for this project.

It was choppy at first but we made it. The restoring force of the pendulum swing brought us to a steady balance-

The first location was at Alameda and Franklin. But the landlord sold the building and we had to relocate.

Quickly.

It was around that time that Michael came into my life.

He joined the studio about a year before we had to move-Our spiritual hearts have known each other a very long time and we knew that we were reunited.

We joined forces and moved Karma to its current location and have been a loving and healthy community of sweet souls ever since.

I am so grateful and heart happy that Karma is a happy community of loving people.

Thank you all for supporting and caring and loving each other.

The studio and all its family: teachers, support staff, community members, neighbors -are a living testament that there are so many beautiful people in this world.

Thank you everyone for the reminder that the world has so much goodness to share.

Extreme goodness.

Jai Ma!

Katrina Marie