I feel as though I have been saying goodbye forever.  I have been “leaving” since January, at least that’s when I decided to go for it, pick up and start something new.

Here’s the funny thing.  Moving is not new to me.  I have moved many times.  In fact, so much that I have lived in four different states and one other country, temporarily.  I’ve always considered myself a bit of a nomad.  Wanting to travel, work, play and meet new people.  It was easier when I was younger.  I was more  easily mobile.  This time it’s been a longer transition, more time to say goodbye, tie up lose ends, finish sentences.  I have to admit, it’s been a harder move.  I will miss friends, students, colleagues and even the guy at 7-11 who thinks it’s funny that I fill my coffee halfway with water.

In any event I have ended up in the South Bay for the past 10 years now.  Funny, I moved here for one job and another job is what kept me here.  The other job I did not like at all and this “job” I’ve loved.  So much that it kept me here this long, by choice.  That’s saying something.  I have to say it has been the people I have met.  In this little bubble of beach town, Los Angeles I have been honored to meet people as yoga students, have them become my friends, continue as students, and stay friends.  That hardest part of me leaving is leaving these people.  The best part of leaving and going somewhere great is people want to visit.  It doesn’t make it so hard.  I’ll be seeing them again, but this time in Hawaii, or some other exotic location.

My memories of here are many and great.  Beautiful people, amazing teachers, the faces, the smiles, the post yoga class hugs, the post yoga class grub, and again,the people.

A hui ho, malama pono~ (Till we meet again) ~ Athena

Last night we had an earthquake and I felt alive.  Really alive, or more like awake.  When the earth quakes and rattles, rolling around I feel like it’s adjusting itself as we would in a yoga posture.  Energy freeing- apanasana.  Getting out all the kinks and tightness as it gets ready for resting-savasana.  Or so I like to think.

This morning I skipped yoga for a walk on the beach and came home to find out the Guruji Pattabhi Jois, the man who is responsible for the Astanga movement in the west passed away today.  Myself, like so many other yogis have been influenced immensely by this one person who has passed down generations of knowledge and wisdom for those on the path of yoga.  I feel a sense of sadness for even though I have never studied with or met Guruji, my life has been profoundly impacted by his existence.  I believe people come into our lives for so many reasons.  Some are here on the planet for a short period of time and have such an impact on our lives we are eternally grateful.  Others may be with us a lot longer and we are unable to see the shifts and changes that have occurred because of their influence and their presence in our everyday lives.  And then there are those we never meet but help to bend and shape who we are as people.

We all have a reason to be here.  We all affect someone, or lots of someones whether we know it or not.  We come into this world with an open mind, curiosity and excitement.  The intention is to keep all of these things.  As we grow we are able to take these gifts of openness, curiousness and sheer excitement and apply them into our everyday lives.  Open heart, open mind, open spirit, open eyes.