Shabbat! Shalom!

        This morning was a great “Shecheanu” moment for me.  I taught Jewish yoga to our training cohort today.  We each had a 10 minute assignment created especially for us.  The assignment was designed to both strengthen and challenge our yoga practice, to take us ‘to the edge’ and offer us an opportunity to take the seat of teacher.  

The theme of my teaching was based on the our Torah portion, D’varim--the beginning of Deuteronomy.  The book of Deuteronomy is a review of our time in the wilderness--our challenges, trials, tribulations, and the great moments as well!  

Deuteronomy begins with a  new generation of Israelites about to enter the land of Israel and Moses, our greatest teacher will not be entering into the Promised Land with them.  This is Moses last song to the people.  Moses teaches us that our life-lessons are in the Journey, and are not given in the Promised Land.  After all, Torah--revelation! liberation! Freedom! was given in the desert. Yes, in the dry, hot, barren wasteland, with no water or vegetation, our holiest moments occurred, our relationship with the Holy One, was sealed.   

On our yoga mat, we set a Kavanah, an intention, for the practice to remind us of the light within that guides us on the journey.  I was honored to take the seat of teacher and am also thrilled that those 10 minutes are not behind me.  

This afternoon, we will learn from more teachers and then later we will welcome in Shabbat beginning with candle lighting. I am looking foward to Shabbat.  We will usher in Shabbat tonight with Kirtan Rabbi and another group that is sharing the retreat center space with us.  I will be a member of the congregation tonight, soaking in the light, shalom and beauty of Shabbat.  May this Shabbat remind us of the great journey that we are on, that our light, our Torah, our

G-dliness is available to us anytime, any step along this blessed life that is ours.  

Shabbat Shalom!