Being Connected

This past weekend was really one of fun and laughter. It was two of my good friend's birthdays so we celebrated by dancing for three nights straight! Rhiannon's birthday was Friday night and I got to explore break dancing for the first time, which was really a blast! We went to a club where we were the only forong (non Thia's) present, and not to mention the only people on the dance floor... I'm sure they had no idea what to make of our funny moves! Saturday night we went salsa dancing to celebrate my friend Sibyl's birthday, which was at a beautiful restaurant with a great deck and live music. There was a group of about 20 people from every corner of the world gathered around the same dinner table, all coming together to celebrate and laugh as one. Then on Sunday I got to hear live music again at a jazz bar, where we danced for hours. The musicians were really talented and clearly had studied their American jazz history because sometimes I would close my eyes and it really sounded like Ray Charles singing or on Louis Armstrong on sax. Three culturally diverse nights, with completely different styles of music, and yet there was a commonality running through it all. Music has the incredible capability of bringing people together from all walks of life, allowing us to feel connected by the same basic thread of humanity. Thai, Mexican, African, Italian, American, Canadian... it does not matter, we are all truly the same. Music creates that connection, and it's something we can not just talk about, but rather feel in our hearts. At the jazz bar I was so deeply connected to my Grandpa who passed away last year, feeling his entire being dancing with me and singing along to all of the songs. When I was out with the girls dancing to house music and playing around with break dancing moves, I felt like I was surrounded by all my amazing girlfriends from back home. And as I sat with huge global community listening to beautiful Spanish and English songs, all language barriers were lost and I felt completely surrounded by the loving energy of my friends and family. I love what music and dancing does to my soul, and this entire weekend was a great way for me to come back home to that place inside my own heart.

Now that the stuidos are back in full swing, I have started teaching a lot again. In addition to Wild Rose, I am teaching a few days a week at another studio in town called Namo. The yoga community is so small here that everyone knows each other and the studios support one another, which is really nice. Yoga means union, and just like music it has that power to bring people together as one. As always I am learning and growing as a teacher and student all the time, it's really humbling! Last week was my last class at Freedom House for a while since it is closing for a holiday break. The owner has been in the states for the past two months trying to fundraise for the school and has been having a really hard time. People are feeling financially strapped right now with the holidays and the economic situation, that charitable donations seem to have been put on the back burner for a bit. I am not sure if Freedom House will have the financial stability to stay open, and I just ask that everyone sends out their best intentions and prayers to this amazing organization. It has been an incredibly challenging, rewarding and beautiful experience working with these children. Right now I just hope they can continue to receive an education and feel encouraged to explore the inocense of their childhood.


With all the changes and shifts that are taking place here, I find that I'm thinking about you all back home more than ever. I know that it is a bitter sweet time of year, with immense amounts of fears and suffering, as well as tons of love and beautiful gatherings. My heart goes out for all those who have already or who may risk losing their jobs in our shifting economy. And I'm sending out so much love to all of my friends and family who are experiencing physical or emotional pain right now. It's hard to be across the world when loved ones are hurting back home, when all I really want to do is reach out and help. Right now I know that my role is sending out love and positive intentions, and having faith that you all will feel my heart back home. Since we really are so deeply connected, nothing that we face can be experienced alone. It's the support and love from everyone in the world that helps us through any difficulty. When one person feels pain, it ripples through all of existence. My heart goes out to you all right now back home, and I hope that you can feel all the love I'm sending during this holiday season!

Miss you all!
April