If the dark day of the soul, those particularly trying and seemingly bleak and black days, was just a day..it might be bearable. However, the term 'the dark day' is a figure of speech which usually is in 'soul years' and can mean two, five even up to ten years where a person hibernates in the pain, wallows in the scudge and thrashes about without any direction.

Some people call this a 'mid life crisis', 'a change of life', others might term it depression or even some kind of disorder. We always will try as intellectual beings to classify, sort, understand and quantify everything, so the fact that it has 100 names is of no real help or consequence. You are in it...

When you enter 'a dark day'...(I say 'a' because you can have more than one in a lifetime), you will do almost anything to get out of it. It is like falling into a big hole while out hiking and you are completely powerless to extricate yourself. Most of us will thrash, scream, fight, try to organize an escape plan, distract, ingest, move, dump loved ones, lose our minds (temporarily or permanently) and finally...only once all other attempts have been executed...finally....we might surrender.

At this point surrender feels more like giving up. We are so close to the big edge, the giant precipice called death (though it is only emotional and spiritual pain and the body is fine) that we invite the termination of the pain and suffering created by life circumstances that push us out of our happy safe and perfectly manufactured lives. The truth is we create perfect little picturesque lives that make us feel like all is cool. We feel strong, intelligent, capable, efficient and our egos are completely distracted with the chimera of this life. The illusion, like The Matrix, that all is good and great and I am well and doing what I should be doing is shattered.

Then the shit show begins. One event at a time your manufactured life undergoes a dismantling. The best part is you are a witness..not a participant. This is the dark first day....then many follow.

Now the soul could give two flying doughnuts what your 'life' looks like. Its only interest is in your evolution, your growth, your manifestation into the amazing being you already are yet have forgotten. Your career, partners, financial status and eye color and body measurements do not interest the soul. It wants results!

When the soul decides it is time for the game to end, your whole world changes. Everything you valued and hung on to to make you feel ok, even great...shifts, changes, morphs or disappears. There you are... naked. Sometimes alone. Sometimes completely broke and broken. This is the dark day of the soul. But it is actually the best day for the soul. Now that it has your full undivided attention, the transformation from the illusion to the real begins. The real story starts...before hand we were simply 'playing house'.

The 'Dark Day of the Soul' is really the nightmare of the ego and the renewal of the soul and its primary importance in all aspects of our lives. At the time it feels like we are dying... and we are... in a sense. Your ego is getting a demotion. The soul takes its rightful place at the helm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Clothing Swap & Munches, Saturday, Sept. 25th, 3:00 – 5:00pm at Lion’s Breath
A clothing swap is the most earth-loving way to recycle things that are nice, clean and in good condition (but that you are totally sick of!!!) to someone who might find them as nice, new and lovely as you once did. Bring any clothes that you are willing to part with and see if you can find a happy place for them. If they sit in your drawers or closet for more than a year, they are needing a change. Bring healthy munchables or snacky food and let's touch base before winter.

Sadie Nardini, founder of Core Strength Vinyasa, is here from New York for one day only!
Do not miss this opportunity! She will be teaching two workshops, Core Power and the Deep Core Lines and Learning to Fly from the Core. See below for details.

RE:Cycle Environmental Initiative
Buy any pass and honestly commit to cycling, walking or boarding (yes I know winter is coming) for the duration of your pass and receive a private 30 minute session with Dawn.*
* drop-in pass for one class does not apply

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Kettle Bell Workshop for Men & Ladies
Date: Sunday Sept. 12th, 2010
Time: 1:30 – 4:30pm
Price: $75 +GST
Instructor: Lance

Kettlebell Workshop Level II, Double Trouble
Date: Sunday Sept. 26th, 2010
Time: 1:30 – 4:30pm
Price: $75 +GST
Instructor: Lance

Core Power and the Deep Core Lines
Date: Tuesday Sept. 28th, 2010
Time: 2:3o – 6:30pm
Price: $125
Instructor: Sadie Nardini

Learning to Fly from the Core
Date: Tuesday Sept. 28th, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Price: $40 +GST
Instructor: Sadie Nardini

Lake O'Hara Snowshoe and Yoga Weekend
Date: Thursday November 11th-14th, 2010
Price: $230
Instructor: Dawn

Trek with us to the stunning Lake O'Hara by snowshoe. Stay at a heated yet rustic bunked hut and enjoy great company, back country peacefulness, natural beauty and a warm fireside yoga practice. These trips are not to be missed! Price includes three nights stay, yoga, meditation, and meals. Does not include snacks or transportation costs. We usually car pool as many together as possible, minimizing foot print. If you would like to make your own food, cost for the trip is $180+ GST.

More information online at www.lionsbreath.ca/workshops.

YOGA & PILATES TEACHER TRAINING

Lion's Breath is proud to offer two distinct Teacher Training Programs in both Yoga and Pilates.

KSHATRIYA YOGA YEAR LONG PROGRAM 2011
Kshatriya is designed for those wishing to teach yoga and those wishing to deepen their study of yoga. However, the emphasis of our program is direct, hands on experience as a teacher and finding your own authentic style. Students will have ample opportunity to implement their newfound knowledge into practical application in a class room setting.

Course Dates for 2011
January 22-24; February 19-21: March 5-7: April 16-18; May 14-16; June 11-13; July 9-11; Aug 20-22; Sept 17-19; Oct 29-31; Nov 26-28; Dec 10-12
Click Here for more info.

THE PEAK PILATESYSTEM (PPS) LEVEL I FOR PILATES INSTRUCTION
Would you like to become a Certified Pilates Professional? Join us for our Level 1 Peak Pilates Teacher Training from October of 2010 through January 2011.

Peak Pilates offers a full range of the highest quality Pilates equipment and educational products for Pilates studios, fitness facilities and the serious home practioner.

PPS1 is the foundational program in the series. It is designed for the busy student/professional who seeks authentic yet progressive Pilates education in a highly integrated format.

PPS1 Course Dates for Fall/Winter 2010-2011
October 15-17, 2010
November 19-21,2010
December 17-19,2010
January 28-30, 2011

All trainings take place Friday from 2:00 - 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 3:00pm.

For questions and further details, please contact Marti Boyle, Trainer, at (780) 909-3539 or email: martib2003@yahoo.com.