Hooked On A Feeling

Have you ever heard something that you have heard before but it was as if it was the very first time you’ve heard it? That happened to me this last week. I retook a Reiki Level II class with my teacher Andrea. During the class, we discussed how to use Reiki to manifest and empower our wishes. One of the students mentioned her goal to go to the gym more often. Andrea questioned the wish underneath her wish. How would she feel if she went to the gym more often?

She replied that she would feel stronger, healthier and fit. Andrea advised her to create that intention: “I am strong, healthy and fit.”

I’ve been mulling this concept in my mind ever since. Over and over and over. It’s not the first time I’ve heard to focus on the feeling underneath the desire. To use my friend’s example, if she focused on feeling strong, healthy and fit, she may decide to go to the gym more often, or make healthier food choices or go to bed earlier or….you get the idea. There are many, many ways for her to achieve her wish. It’s way more than just going to the gym more often.

I thought about how this related to my own wishes. I have been focused on attending the upcoming Yoga Journal Conference, Kripalu and Wanderlust. My wish underneath this wish is to feel part of a yoga community. I love practicing with a ton of other yogis. I love the energy, the vibe, and the feeling of joy that fills my heart.

I realized that I get that feeling when I’m practicing in the yoga classes that I take around town nearly every single day! I much prefer taking classes rather than a home practice because I love being surrounded by other yogis. When I realized that, everything changed. As long as I am aware and mindful of how I’m feeling when I take a yoga class, I am reminded that I am manifesting my wish. I’ve been doing that at every yoga class ever since my revelation. I can’t tell you what a difference it has made for me.

Last Fall I wrote about my wish to get published in a woman's national magazine. My wish underneath this desire was to get validation that I am a real writer. When I realized that, I laughed. I have gotten published in magazines and websites. Are those magazines and websites fake? Not valid? Of course not. Once that became clear, the wish lost its mojo. Yes, I would love it if that wish came true but it doesn't have the power over me as it did before since I know I am a writer. 

Of course I still really, really want to go to Kripalu. I still want to go to Wanderlust. Or maybe I will go to another, yet to be seen, yoga festival. But in the meantime, I’m very happy and quite content since my wish has already come true.

What about you? What is your wish underneath your wish?

Judie Hurtado is a Certified Kids Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Practitioner and a Health and Wellness Writer. She teaches a kids yoga class geared to yoginis age 3-7 years old most Wednesday afternoons at Shakti Yoga in Maplewood. 

You can read more about Judie at her website judiehurtado.com. She blogs about her yoga adventures at judiesjuice.wordpress.com. 

You can reach her at judie.hurtado@gmail.com.

Namaste.