Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gratitude

Gratitude for the Body Meditation

Enjoy Thanksgiving Whenever You Want It - Simple ideas on how to celebrate Thanksgiving no matter the day.

Give Thanks - This article shares how cultivating gratitude can boost well-weing, and may help you sleep better.

Allow Another to Help

Union of mind, body & spirit... that is what yoga is. Often times a yoga practice is more than just poses. We learn many things on the mat that apply off. For example, on Sunday afternoon the idea of NOT doing and allowing someone else to help came up in preparation for Savasana. Within the movement or adjustment, the individual needed to stop (anticipating/moving) so that I could help her. If she did anything, I could not provide as much help and therefore give her more space for peace. Perhaps this Thanksgiving you can find an opportunity to stop and allow someone to help you.

You continue to enlighten my practice by sharing your experience and smile. It is with a soft heart that share my gratitude to you for inviting me to be a part of your journey.

I am thinking about offering a New Year's Retreat on January 2. Please drop me an email if you are interested in participating in a this refreshingly reflective and rejuvenating winter experience. I am also accepting reservations for Illuminate Challenge.

If you are unable to join tonight's free meditation practice (more details are below, I encourage you to explore Yoga Nidra on You Tube or the like. You are all invited to a Thanksgiving yoga practice at 7am or any other time this week. You can check out the November class schedule for times. Let me know if you plan to attend. Remember that a mat is always open to you even if you haven't seen it in a few months.

with a soft heart

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Misconceptions About Yoga

The most common reason I hear for not doing yoga is that "I am not flexible!" This would be like fearing to enroll for French lessons because "I don't know any French!"

There are many misconceptions about yoga. A woman came up to me after a recent talk I gave on yoga and said she had taken one yoga class in her life and had never gone back because everything happened so fast. No one explained how to do the poses and everyone was competing with each other.

I explained the other side of yoga. That Yoga was non-competitive and the use of props enabled people of all ages and levels of fitness to do the poses with correct alignment. I told her that holding the pose longer would enhance the opening or benefit. This also enabled her to find the correct alignment without being rushed. That is what changed her mind

Play

Reap the benefits of play with a game, dance or singing a silly song. You can go outside and toss a ball or stay indoors with a board game. With so many ways to play you are bound to find an activity that refreshes your spirit. Who knows you may even break into laughter and relieve some stress too.

This week I invite you to take the Illuminate Mini Challenge and go play.
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross


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Beginner's Mind

Fresh eyes, new perspective... or a beginner's mind.

When we approach things with a beginner's mind we open the door to a new experience. One free from expectation or fear. Often times we get stuck in habits no longer thinking about what we are choosing. We can even get lost in anticipation instead of enjoying the moment.

For anyone who wants to savor life more fully, approaching everyday activities with an open mind can reveal their hidden delights. This is not necessarily an easy task... so we practice. The mat welcomes this practice.

Release your ideas of what yoga entails and join me for class this November with a beginner's mind. By the way, I will accept registrations for tonight's Chakra meditation until 6pm.

This newsletter is full of ideas for you to explore. I am accepting registration's for the six week wellness program Illuminate Challenge. Never hesitate to give me a call or email with any questions you may have. The line is always open.

with joy