For me 2012 started on a rather sad note. A wonderful woman by the name of Ozge, a bright, beautiful and amazingly spiritual soul, who touched the world with the brightest light and the most infectious laugh, passed away very suddenly whilst on a yoga retreat in India on New Years Day. It was a total shock to everyone that knew her.
Oz was one of the most dedicated, talented and wonderful Ashtanga Yoga instructors you could possibly meet and she will obviously be very sadly missed by all of her students and colleagues at Still Point Yoga London, where she was Co Director. The light of her teachings and her being as a whole, however will continue shine on brightly indefinitely.
The news of her passing sent me into a space of total reflection. My heart felt really heavy, and yet I knew if I could hear Oz's voice from different realms, she would be telling me to be still, to breathe deeply and to open my heart to the teachings the whole event was offering me. I spent much time meditating and asking for guidance.
Yesterday I came across this video, everything about it is beautiful. As I watched the girl awaken her body and soul to the glory of the day, through her dedicated yoga practice, I felt inspired, touched and at total peace. This is how Oz viewed yoga and the world as a whole.
She was a talented writer and you can read her blog here www.bubbleofhappiness.com, it will give you a little insight to the kind of person she was. Her love and dedication for yoga, opened up an amazingly special and loving space for others to come and share what her own yoga practice had taught her about herself, her journey and most importantly, how yoga could inspire others on so many different levels. She was passionate about sharing how regular practice can literally, change your life. Her Facebook page is now full of beautifully inspiring messages from all the people she touched over the years, messages from people from literally all over the world. The effect she had on everyone is awe inspiring, she walked with the softest steps and tried to guide others how they could do the same.
Oz's passing has brought me the gift of opening my heart to the understanding that, continuing to embrace love, compassion, patience, reflection and most importantly being true to ones self, can in fact bring the same level of understanding and clarity to others. Enabling them to open their own hearts to the series of lessons and teachings their own life path may bring them. The smallest act of kindness can in fact have the biggest effect. These small acts of kindness, experienced in union, then actually begin to make a real difference to our existence.
Thanks to Oz, I have dedicated 2012 to really advancing my own yoga practice, I want to spend more time learning to understand it on the deepest levels. Her passion and love for the practice has touched me in a way I cannot describe. I know it's also time for me to find a better work life balance (and for a workaholic that's a bit of a challenge). Life is a precious gift and it's here to be enjoyed, just like Oz, who was a precious gift to the world.
In both mine and Oz's belief system, Oz hasn't gone, but has simply returned to the light she once came. Her journey isn't over, it's actually just begun.
So shine brightly sweet Oz, the love and wisdom you were so passionate about sharing will continue to grow and grow as you had always wished. We all know that your special journey will continue, where ever you may be.
Om shanti xxx
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