DAY 21 – YOGA EVERYWHERE

This is a very unique time in our lives, one I’m sure many of us hope to never experience again.  But as we recover, rebuild, regroup – it’s important to remember that Yoga is everywhere.  It’s in your awareness and mindfulness as you clean the branches out of the yard.  It’s the breath you take, before you speak, so you can respond kindly instead of reacting harshly.  It’s the heartfelt smile you give, and eye-to-eye contact you make, as you hold a door for a stranger.

Practice Yoga everywhere, every day.

 

September 11, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 20 – ROCK YOUR ASANA OFF

I just finished up a fun practice at the gym, before my class begins!  The iPod was set to a nice, soothing playlist.  Suddenly, I thought, “I want some rock ‘n roll!”  Those of you who come to practice on Saturday mornings know exactly what I’m talking about!  Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent – ahhhhh……

Practice itself was really great, and as I moved into Pigeon (uh-oh) some emotions came up.  I started thinking about the last couple weeks – earthquake, hurricane, rains, flooding.  Sometimes I wonder if the Universe is somehow trying to remind us to come together as a community, and to stay together as a community.  Then I thought about the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  Maybe we should get to know our neighbors better.  Maybe we should embrace our families a little tighter.  Maybe we should try harder to strengthen our closest friendships and relationships.

Hope to see you on your mat this weekend, together in our Yoga community.

 

September 9, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 19 – BEST LAID PLANS

Sometimes a glitch in (what you think are) the best laid plans, evolve into the best laid plans.  I was up super early this morning, preparing for an early private yoga session.  But my client canceled at 7am – sigh.  I didn’t have to be anywhere else until 10:30.  Great time to throw down the mat!  I spent over an hour doing Seane Corn’s Detox Flow Yoga (did I mention how great this practice is?).  Oh my goodness, what a blessing that cancellation was!

 

September 8, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 18 – WHAT A RELEASE

Ok, I admit it….. I indulged in sleep this morning.  I changed the alarm from 6:45am to 9:00am and it felt GREAT!  But, it didn’t leave me much (or any) time for practice.  Instead, I opted to come to the gym early and practice before practice.  And since I believe that things happen for a reason, I’m glad I did.  I spent a lot of time breathing in Child’s Pose, feeling the pain and tightness in the front of my right hip.  It’s been bound up for a while and sometimes I can get it to release when I’m really focusing on the “why’s” of the tightness.  Man, oh man, did it release today.  Glad I was by myself, because just the sound of it releasing would’ve been enough to scare anyone in the room – a great, big POP and a great, big sigh of relief.  A long Shoulderstand with more emphasis on hip alignment.  An even longer Savasana to affirm the release.

Wow…..

Affirmation for meditation:  I give and receive an abundance of love.  Coincidence?  I think not. :)

 

September 7, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  5 Comments

DAY 17 – INSTEAD OF TAKING A NAP

For those of you who attended the Master Class a couple weekends ago, you’ll remember the very specific conversation we had about obstacles.  There will be days when we will try to find every excuse in the world not to practice – errands to run, work to do, don’t feel well, not enough time – and the list goes on and on.

Today was one of those days for me.  I pulled my affirmation first thing this morning, tried to meditate on it, but had a bad case of “monkey mind.”  Feeling agitated, a little unhappy, a little stressed.  So instead of getting frustrated with meditation, I stepped away from it.  I went about my morning, taught two classes (which were wonderful, by the way).  Afterwards all I could think about on such a rainy, dreary day was taking a nap.  But I realized that my reasoning for taking a nap was to just “escape.” Soooo…..I went to my room, got on my mat, did some (very necessary) hip openers and other restorative poses, and repeated my affirmation the entire time.

Do I feel better?  Yes.  I’m glad I chose not to escape.  I’m glad I didn’t give in to obstacles.  I’m glad I chose to take care of ME.

Affirmation for meditation:  I now let go of all negativity that rests in my mind and my body.

September 6, 2011   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment