Liberty and Justice for All

Important things often come in small packages. My cousin's daughter, Justice, is one of those "things." Well, actually, she is a brilliant woman at such a young age. Her passion for life and her conviction in her beliefs is so apparent at such an early age...she is only 9.....(8 when this was filmed).

I would like to share with you one of the most impressive things I have ever seen from someone so young. Justice is truly a leader and a visionary...I can only imagine the woman she will grow into some day. She is wise beyond her years and a role model for me, 28 years her senior! And although this is more about human interest and saving lives, she is political as well. The daughter of politically conservative parents, Justice is a huge Obama supporter. When I was her age, I was "rooting" for whoever my parents were "rooting" for...(which happened to be Reagan)!

Justice wrote this letter to the president as a project for her second grade class. It was submitted to a national competition and she was then hand selected to read the letter on stage at a Spearhead concert. You can see the actual video at the end of the blog...

Dear President,

Hi President...how are you? Well, war kills people and a lot of people have died already. We learn to talk to each other to solve our problems in my second grade class. Can't presidents of countries do that too?

If you believe that we must have war, I was thinking that the people at war could use water guns, those really big ones. It would be better, and whoever gets soaked is out. The other team wins. I'm just thinking, and I'm still a kid....if you don't like the idea, that's fine with me. I will understand.

Maybe presidents could choose teams to help you and you guys could have a water gun fight. This would save a lot of people from being killed.

From a concerned citizen,

Justice (second grader)


If it were possible to just teach our children to have this level of interest and conviction at such a young age, maybe the future of our country and our universe has a fighting chance! Justice for President!

Justice is a featured in the real beauty is forum on http://www.realbeautyis.com/

Get to know yourself...

Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Chapter 33, Tao te Ching- translated by Stephen Mitchell

I am on my way to teach this morning and I felt inspired to write beforehand....it is interesting because I have been reading this passage in my classes on and off fo the past couple of weeks.

We have all been there, tying to figure out someone we are in some sort of relationship, whether it be a family relationship, a business relationship, a romantic relationship, even a friendship. Over time we feel as though we get to know these people really well. Often times, I find myself in situations where I am trying to figure out the motivation behind what someone is doing.....usually in a situation of conflict. When we are able to step back and take a look at ourselves and our reaction in the situation, often times if offers an opportunity for amazing growth and a deeper exploration of our true selves.

Getting to truly know yourself is a difficult process.....our ego always gets involved and our "monkey mind" often tells us lies. Through self exploration, breath and meditation we may find that we come closer to seeing our truth and who we really are....and what we all are???? Fantastic, brilliant beings, full of love and hope....and when you really connect with who you really are, the rest of the "stuff" seems to lose power and melt away!

Summer Yoga Schedule so far!

Hi Folks...here is my summer teaching schedule so far...starting with today. I am teaching a ton. For private lessons, you can always email me at tracy@tracymatthewsdesigns.com. All teaching is at Equinox locations around Manhattan. More July dates to certainly follow!

Every Wednesday Morning, Vinyasa (all Levels) 7:30 am to 8:30 am Soho Equinox

June 17th, Yoga basics, 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Columbus Circle

June 23rd, Mellow Vinyasa, 7 am- 8 am, Chelsea (17th and 10th)

June 24th, Yoga Basics, 5:30-6:30 pm, Columbus Circle

June 28th, Vinyasa, 10-11:30 am Tribeca
June 28th , Vinyasa, 11:30 am -1 pm, Tribeca

June 29th, Power Vinyasa, 5-6:30pm Soho

June 30th, Mellow Vinyasa, 7am-8am, Chelsea (17th and 10th)
June 30, Vinyasa Level 2, 7:30-8:45 pm, Greenwich Ave

July 2nd, Vinyasa, 6 pm- 7 pm, Brooklyn Heights

July 5th, Power Vinyasa, 9:30-11 am, Soho
July 5th, Vinyasa, 12-1:30, Brooklyn Heights

August 9th, Power Vinyasa, 9:30am to 11 am, Soho
August 9th, Vinyasa, 11:30-1 pm Chelsea

August 16th, Power Vinyasa, 9:30am to 11 am, Soho
August 16th, Vinyasa, 11:30-1 pm Chelsea

August 23rd, Power Vinyasa, 9:30am to 11 am, Soho
August 23rd, Vinyasa, 11:30-1 pm Chelsea

August 30th, Power Vinyasa, 9:30am to 11 am, Soho
August 30th, Vinyasa, 11:30-1 pm Chelsea

Feel Good Please!

I'm Baaackkkk.....I took a long hiatus from writing...my bad, but I am back and writing again...hopefully much more frequently than that past few months!

I sometimes wonder why I continually torture myself doing something/ anything that does not make me feel good. We call them necessary evils....paying bills, revolved triangle pose and the necessary dealings with difficult people....OK so I guess we SOMETIMES have to do things that we don't like and that don't make us feel good....

I got a marketing newsletter in my inbox this morning that spoke about how most of our income is generated from 20 percent of our work/ stores/ accounts/ collection, etc. and that the tendency for most of us is to spend most of our time focusing on the 80 percent (see division above) that is NOT going right. Well, I think that a lot of us do that with things that don't make us feel good either....it is almost like self torture....the dwelling on the negative thoughts in our head....the anxiety over paying the bills....my sciatic nerve and tight right hip in revolved triangle pose (it was a tough one this morning! Thanks Adam!)...and the unpleasant customer who is so draining.....

A friend of mine said to me years and years ago when I was going through a divorce...."all any of us want is to be happy anyway, right?" Although this comment is taken slightly out of context...isolated it is what should all be aiming for and practicing. I think about that moment often in different circumstances, especially because so much of my energy at that time....probably MORE than 80 percent, was focused on something that did not make me feel good at all....

Here is the thought for the day.....deal with the difficult stuff (my sister is on my arse everyday about this), but focus on what makes you feel good..... go have fun, makeout, eat ice cream, sing a song....so much fun! I bet you anything you will be happy if you do! OK, so revolved triangle....I'll give you a try again tomorrow!

I Know This Much is True...

I have spoken about living your truth before.....and I have always found that sometimes finding your truth and living truthfully to yourself...are 2 different things...

Yesterday, I asked my yoga students to find the truth in their breath...vague..I know...but by breaking down truth to the fundamentals of physiology....breathing, we are able to take a step back and connect what is ultimately our truth and inner self. Deep breathing and pranayama is cleansing and can help anyone focus and remove the fog that is clouding truth.

Recently, I was faced with a situation where I felt disrespected. By continuing on the path that I was traveling, I was not aligning my situation with my truth or my values. It took a moment to step back and realize what had happened, but by fine tuning what is important to me and realizing that this was not my truth or what I wanted, I was able to be honest with myself and move forward. At times, it is easy get lost in the details of a situation without have the ability to see these details as part of a big picture scenario and vice versa....but...by defining your truth and knowing what is important at your ultimate core, it is much easier to live your truth...and breath.

Shoot for the Stars

Goals Goals Goals....we here about it all the time...how are you to ever reach your expectations of you don't have goals, otherwise known as a vision, to focus on. We have all heard about it...envisioning what you want....but how do we create the path to actually get there????? Herein lies the question.

I have spent my life creating goals, often without focus or vision....typical Gemini and creative/ Type A personality. I have known what I want in life since I was younger and I think it is hilarious that even after all this time I still want the same thing, but just in a different way. My paths have wavered and I have often shifted off course....but have found that shooting for the stars has always been the thing that has kept me going.

Shoot for the stars or the moon or your goals....keep it going and things will shift. Create a plan, stay the course and your goals will be achieved! the life of your dreams is just around the corner...now if I could just implement this...

Reinvention

When you find yourself inspired by some great purpose or
some extraordinary project
all your thoughts break their bonds
your mind transcends limitations
you consciousness expands in every direction
and you find yourself to be in a great new wonderful place.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive
and you find yourself to be a greater person by far then you ever dreamed yourself to be.


-Patanjali

I love this passage by Patanjali...it always reminds me that when I am stuck, there is always a possibility for rebirth and renewal. It is so fantastic to get on the other side...we have all been there....Get inspired and get unstuck....the opportunities for reinvention are always around the horizon, but most times, right in front of you!