I myself was sitting at the water’s edge catching a few rays of sunshine.  When I turned around. I saw an elderly woman that had stopped along the path and she said something to me.  I asked her to wait so that I could go up to her and hear what she said.

When I reached the path, the first words and only words she said were, “You…. are….. great!” She spoke slowly and with great emphasis.

I can’t remember anyone saying that to me.  I mean.  people will say you are great and be referring to something you did but out of the blue… “You…. are…. great!”?  Never.

I looked at her kindly and said, “YOU… are… great!”  With the emphasis on the YOU!  I added, “You must have been a fashion model!”  She started to laugh.  I meant it most sincerely. She was dressed impeccably and with great taste.  “Look at you!  The lines in your socks match your beautiful jacket!” I pointed to my hiking boots and nondescript wool socks and added, “I, on the other hand, am not a fashion model!”  We had a good laugh and then went on our separate ways.

It was a perfect moment between two strangers.  A beautiful connection.

(Thank you for allowing me to ramble on.)

But this moment inspired me for the theme of WEEK 1 at DOWNdog: Yoga to connect.

Yoga has changed my life in many ways, and it has definitely made me feel a stronger connection to myself and to everyone I meet.

Dr. Jake’s words of wisdom for week 1?

“Greet everyone with enthusiasm!” I know Jake has a little too much enthusiasm sometimes, especially around children,  but one thing that is certain, he will put a smile on your face.