Robin Afinowich

I have been hearing all of the new years buzz;  the things people want to change about themselves and their relationships;  the things people want to do and attain,  and it is all inspiring and yet somehow exhausting for me as my plate is already incredibly full with the goals I have created in the previous 32 years of my life. I think,  for me,  this year is about embodying what and who I already am. Learning to fully step into my self,  my history,  my imperfections,  my lessons,  my wisdom and my life in the now and apply deeply the mindful and healing practices I honor so much. The older I get,  the quicker life seems to move,  and a year is simply not enough time to truly live our resolutions,  but rather a culmination of the years,  a lifetime of dedication,  persistence and intention.

I thought it would be fun to create a reflective list of some of my most imperfect,  idiosyncratic characteristics that I RESOLUTE NOT to change or deny,  but rather aspects of my character I come to accept and have the courage to share. I thought it would also be interesting to create a list of focus words that I will use to help encourage my embodiment of Self. This was a practice that allowed me to establish a balance between the ‘me then’,  and the ‘me to come’….interestingly,  in the middle rests the ME NOW….the full acceptance of Self as it is revealed through presence…and that is where the true personal work lies.

I embrace 20 of my imperfections. So much hype, particularly in the yoga community, about being perfect and infinitely blissful….well,  news flash,  none of us are and if you can’t embrace the funny,  goofy,  raw things about yourself,  you are missing one of life’s best practices.

1. 90% of the time I am afraid of the dark.
2. When I was a kid I wanted to be on Broadway,  and an under-cover agent and cure Cancer…all at the same time.
3. Some of my favorite adjectives are four letter words.
4. I like them big,  hot and dirty…… I am talking about my Chi Tea’s of course…what’s the matter with you!
5. I talk in my sleep,  “ask the green aliens to turn the overhead compartment light on and then go separate the frogs and goats because they aren’t playing nicely.”
6. I’d rather know that you are imperfect and honest,  than perfect and dishonest.
7. I think that good parenting is a lost art,  and I aspire to be a Master Mom more than any other practice.
8. George Carlin is brilliant,  my first Hollywood heart throb was a young Paul Newman,  and if I could,  I would dress like Rita Hayworth in Gilda.
9. I used to be depressed,  unhealthy and I smoked and drank….a lot…thank goodness for yoga,  meditation and a resilient  soul.
10. I envision my retirement to be on a wide mountain landscape,  by the water,  in a tepee,  with a Tempur-pedic mattress.
11. The first time I got pulled over it was for ‘borrowing’ a car,  not just any car,  but a 1969 Chevelle,  to go drag racing. The last time I got pulled over was for driving too slow after yoga.
12. I am such a nerd at heart, maybe someday I’ll be on my favorite show, Jeopardy. “I’ll take real life, Alex, for a thousand.”
13. If I could sing,  the first song I would cover would be Bobby Mc Gee,  by Janis Joplin. My son once caught me belting out her soulful lyrics,  he said, “Now I know what they mean when they say,  don’t quit your day job.”
14. Though I carry peace in my heart,  I’ve been trained by a Federal Agent how to take a person out.
15. I don’ think I will ever say I am enlightened,  I think it would be my ego speaking.
16. I can belch the ABC’s,  and box like a mad-man;  did I mention I was a tom-boy.
17. I go to bed very early,  and finally understand my grandmothers 7pm bed time.
18. I have social anxiety.
19. I once had an ‘I heart Yoga’ sticker on my car,  I decided it would be best to remove it after I gave someone the double FU finger and yelled profanities….not really practicing the ethical limbs,  but in my defense I was expressing my truth and he was drunk and careless,  and yes,  I tailed him and called the cops.
20. I need to laugh more.

Stepping into 12 Self Powers:

Because there is always need for improvement and growth, I find that ‘resolutions’ are really an every day practice, a demonstration of deep commitment to our best Self…..always.


1. Practice
2. Patience
3. Presence
4. Parenting
5. Purpose
6. Peace
7. Perception
8. Partnership
9. Possibility
10. Project
11. Ponder
12. Prayer