Category Archives: poetry

Student Yoga Poem

oh my heart is exploding with love!

Last night, I had the honor to speak at American University at a session for the TRANSFORMATIONS course sponsored by the LEAP Program which is supported, created and inspired by the fabulous author, Iris Krasnow.  Iris is an engaging, thoughtful, loving supporter of WOMEN and our stories, our voices, our growth and our lives. I adore her spunk, character and authenticity.

I presented an “Intro to Yoga & Meditation”  and think we had a really wonderful conversation exploring these topics and HOW THESE TRADITIONS RELATE TO OUR MODERN, BUSY, WONDERFUL lives.

One of the students, Lynne Foltz,  wrote this poem about our time together.

I could not be more honored that she embraced and integrated the principles into a creative piece to express her self and what she learned.

 

Lessons from Pleasance on LEAP Day

Explore yoga

   in my own way

Choose an image

   to energize the spirit

Find a leader

   and share community

Relax

   and love myself

Touch my chest

   take a deep breath

Fill the diaphragm

   with fresh air

Exhale slowly

   stress will fly away

Relax

   and love myself

Shake one hand

   then one shoulder

A little

   then a lot

Anchor barefeet

   to the ground

Relax

and love myself

Hands down

   to center or

Palms up

   to surrender

Focus in,

   not out

Relax

   and love myself

Tame the

   monkey mind

Consider wisdom

   of Buddha

Send blessings

   to all beings

Relax

   and love myself

Respect

   the life force

Find enlightenment

   and renewal in nature

Let go

   of attachment

I am precious

   in this brief moment of time.

by Lynne Foltz

 

A lil omm poem by Leah Musico.

Ode to Lil’ Omm on its 5 Year Anniversary

The time has come to celebrate

A studio called Lil’ Omm.

Where every person across all ages

Is welcomed to call home.

Male or female, gay or straight,

Big or very small.

All kinds of folks from all generations,

At Lil’ Omm, we want you all!

Sad to say, but it is true,

It’s special and very rare

To find a place where all can be

And truly feel the care.

Five years ago, a seed was planted

(Since, DC hasn’t been the same)

A beautiful community began with one woman

And Pleasance is her name.

With vision, intention, and lots of love,

She opened in Palisades

A place where children, moms and dads

Could connect, inspire, and engage.

Word got out and people came.

They realized what was growing.

Much different than other studios,

A community Pleasance was sowing.

Classes for asana, yes it’s true,

But so much more than that.

Mindfulness, connection, family bonding –

Lil’ Omm is where it’s at!

People came and people stayed

When they found Pleasance’s community.

Parents want a place, you see

Where their kids can learn about unity.

Just a short while later,

A new space we were to have

When the perfect spot in Tenleytown

Became our home on Wisconsin Ave.

Now yoga classes and tons of workshops

Help our community thrive.

Prenatal training, infant massage,

Dance parties – we are alive!

Curvy, yin, playtime, and labs.

Prenatal, itsy bitsy, baby and me.

Mommy meet-ups, stroller fit, gentle, and flow.

And so much more, you see!

So come one, come all, to join in the fun

In this beautiful space Pleasance made.

Bring your family and all your friends

(And remember, we offer financial aid!)

Happy birthday, Lil’ Omm.

We feel your love to our very core.

Thank you, Pleasance, for five wonderful years.

And here’s to many more!

Leah Musico

come out to play

you weren’t invited with such a bold invitation.

today Is not the day you all want to come out and play.

too cold. too wet. too empty. too barren.

perfect. I will come and sit with you. I will lay down with your glory and hold you as you are. 

you dont frighten me. you intrigue. 

i love you bare& naked. 

you heal my heart. you make it real.

i love you whole and sad. 

i am distracted by your presence. 

Its not a day others have come to play in your glory or spot your sparkle- but I see it.  its always there- your rawness yours willingness to accept me just as I am.  when will I do the same? 

   

   

wild & precious life

many times a week I ask myself, ” what is it you plan to do with your one wild &precious life?”

I stop & breathe.

Do I want to increase my commitments?

Do I want to start a new business? Open another studio?

Do I want to write a book?

What will I do NEXT?

Right now, this is what I know to be true.

with this wild & precious life I want to LIVE with joy & laughter.

I want millions of snuggles with my two insanely wonderful children.

I want to pet my dog without feeling like I should be anywhere else.

I want to do GOOD WORK in this world. I want to make a difference, in my community. I want to share my story & here yours.

I want deep connections, meaningful relationships & to not feel alone.

I want love. love, every.damn.day.

I want healthy food, delicious wine & kisses from my husband.

I NEED to stretch & breathe& sweat daily…

I want to inspire freedom in others, to be creative, to hold a hand, to listen.

I want to learn, to ask, to not know, to feel.

And I want to keep asking the question..until my last breath- ” What is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?”

A reminder..

The Summer Day

Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?