VERONICA LEE

In addition to the scientific studies about the benefits of laughter, we know laughter is good for us because we feel it in every cell of our being. Whether something spontaneous makes us laugh, we hear a joke or watch a comedy, we have plenty of opportunities to laugh.
  
And if we can't find any opportunities to laugh, we can make them!  

One of the easiest poses in yoga is called Laughing Baby. If you haven't tried it before, you may wonder why it's called Laughing Baby. If you have, you probably felt a bit silly doing it, especially if your yoga instructor encouraged you to start laughing once you got into the pose! Whether it's sillier to do it in a class full of other adults or alone in your living room (laughter included, of course), is your judgment call. Either way, it's a fun way to stretch your body while lifting your spirits!

To make your way to Laughing Baby pose:

1. Lie on your back on a yoga mat or soft carpet.
2. Bend your knees to your chest.
3. Open your knees, bringing them towards your armpits.
4. Make sure your ankles are directly over your knees, so that your shins are perpendicular to the floor.
5. Flex your feet.
6. Either old the outer edges of your feet as you draw the knees towards the floor, or hook your forefingers around your big toes.
7. Start laughing - as loudly as you can, and deep from your belly - as you enjoy the full experience of becoming a Laughing Baby!

​Imagine yourself as an infinite energy field of Love. Imagine moving freely through the universe – the movement of formlessness. Now notice an impulse. It is curious. You feel its pull into more curiosity. You follow the curiosity and begin to sense form. Another impulse of wonder and the pull toward form grows stronger.

As expressions of infinite Love energy, we are powerful beyond measure. Our Divine creation is both miraculous and exquisite. Miraculous because, as humans, we are filled with wonder about our being, our world and the universe, as if they are mysteries. Exquisite because at a cosmic level we know everything is in perfect order.

When we reconnect with the truth of being Divine Love energy experiencing form and consciousness, we open the door to the magnitude of our true power.

For thousands of years humanity has experienced countless examples of power and powerlessness. Playing out the polarities has become an addictive game of “good vs. evil.” Erroneous beliefs and endless abuses associated with power are passed down from one generation to the next, and our sense of power has become so shaded that we not only misunderstand it, we fear it.

At one end, we identify power with oppression and abuse and don’t want anything to do with it. At the other end, we have a clear sense of our incredible power, but are afraid it is too much for us or the world to handle. We worry that we will either hurt others or lose relationships if we step into our power.

Whether our fears about power stem from our life’s experiences, our collective beliefs, or are lodged deep in our cellular memories, in order to become completely free – including giving ourselves permission to live in unbounded joy – we must release our fears and align with our power.

Though it takes courage to face and transmute our fears, it takes an open and willing heart to reclaim our power with integrity. For some people, courage comes easily; they are natural warriors ready to take on any challenge with fervor. Yet, it is the open and willing heart which guides our authentic selves to emerge, and allows us to embrace our innate power with Love Consciousness.

Interestingly enough, pure freedom and joy may not sound so tantalizing to some. “Why ask for more when I have relative independence and suitable contentment? After all, I’m not miserable.” Many may not even believe in complete freedom or unbounded bliss, or perhaps they struggle with feelings of unworthiness.  

Where do you stand? Are you centered firmly in your powerful self, living freely and joyfully? 

We may feel fine and dandy basking in the warmth of tolerable with our very long tethers, but for many walking a spiritual path, the wisdom of our soul is now reminding us of the sacred agreements we made before birth. 

As conscious individuals, we came here to enlighten the world and mediocrity is no longer an option. 

We cannot raise our own frequency, the vibration of the planet or realize heaven on earth if we continue to squelch our inherent power which limits our joy. Our own restrictions will continue to tighten around us until we suffocate under their constraint or emerge into our true, powerful selves.

Though we are always at free will, our souls are hard-wired for expansion. We can slow down our progress, if we choose, but that can become a painful illusion. Whether our life force is depleted quietly, or our rug gets pulled out from beneath us, it is hard to ignore the urging of our soul to evolve and get back on course. Like our own birth, there comes a point when a process is impossible to stop. 

Regardless of due dates, suppressive drugs, or the availability of doctors, your birth was inevitable; your powerful will to be born was not prevented. You are here, now, and reading this for a reason. 

Are there any parts of your life to which you feel bound? Where in your life have you settled? Are you still withholding your gifts – or the amazing you – from the world?

Likely you are confident and generally happy, have loved ones in your life, enjoy your spiritual awareness and insights, and have harnessed a few fabulous gifts. What is also very likely is that you grapple with substandard compromises to which you feel obliged, habitually crash into resistant walls you’ve built, or experience ongoing frustrations or apathy about a particular area of your life. Perhaps you’ve closed the door on a dream. 

From your powerful spiritual essence to the will of your incarnation to the incredible gifts and consciousness you embody to the dreams dancing around the edge of your comfort zone, you are well on your way to full empowerment. It is now time to walk through the door and reclaim all of your power – unequivocally and without apology.  

Envision your life through the eyes of Love. Scan your health, money, relationships, work... Do you feel fully empowered? Do each of these areas resonate with joy? Is there something you wish to change or refine? Observe and notice with as much neutrality as possible. 

In what ways, subtle or obvious, do you relinquish your power?

• Are you working a job that isn’t fulfilling even though you’re making ends meet?
• Do you continue to maintain relationships with people that bring you down?
• Are you letting healthcare providers decide what is best for you?
• Do you live in a house, city or environment that doesn’t resonate?
• Are you unhappy with your body, eating habits, or food choices?
• Do emotions catch you off-guard and undermine your day or good intentions?
• Do you feel free and happy within your marriage/partnership?
• Are you a people pleaser?
• Do you seek spiritual gurus to tell you what to do or believe in order to evolve?
• Do you still struggle?

Reclaiming all of our power has many implications. First, by understanding what true power is and releasing false beliefs, we restore its essence within our own consciousness as well as the collective. By viewing power with a new perspective, we can let go of our resistance to aligning with it. Consciously connecting to our Source of power helps us stay energized and clear, and we learn to trust our guidance.  We learn to make peace with ourselves and become less critical. Owning our power allows us to  recognize our choices, take responsibility, and direct our energy to manifest the life and world we want. Our creativity grows exponentially, bringing more joy to our lives and the lives of others. By reclaiming all of our power, we anchor its pure frequency into the planet and become a living example of integrated love, power and joy.