Home Base

Forgive me bloggers, for I have slacked...it has been almost 2 months since my last entry.

In the spirit of the world series, of which I admittedly did not watch, I thought I'd blog about "home base" and (try to) use the sport as an analogy for life.
     What makes home base so distinct from the others? A single is nice, a double better, a triple better still, yet a home run takes the cake every time. Reverting back to my softball days in grade school, there was always something about touching home base that made it so much more satisfying than any other. The idea of home base has transcribed into aspects of life outside baseball. "touching base", having a home base"...Home base to me means my foundation. That ineffable, safe place from which to start endeavors of all kinds. It is the root that makes sense of the other "bases", or areas of my life. From home base, I am able to see more clearly how to realize my intentions & gain perspective.
     In yoga, this essence is often viewed as the root chakra, or muladhara.  Associated with survival, individuality, and groundedness; muladhara is the foundation upon which all chakras flourish and are sustained.
   For me (especially when ruled by vata), it is all too easy to focus on where I want to go rather than where I am in the moment. The old saying, "how do you know where you're going if you don't know where you've been" proves true time and again. After the busy month of October, I found myself feeling out of touch with my home base; focusing on the future rather than the here & now. With the holiday season and exams (!) quickly approaching, there is no time like the present to dust off your home base & from that perspective take a look at life from a solid foundation. There are a few people I consider a "home base" in their own right who both naturally & unconsciously keep me centered and help keep my inner peace. Home bases can be anything: places, people, favorite pastimes (including baseball! & yoga!), journals...& most importantly, that omnipresent space inside you.
     What's your home base? Join me in showing those home bases some love & giving our best effort to hit a "home run" in the amazing game of life.

In light and love, Ainsley