More than a Warrior

Yoga reconnects me to my strength… in body & mind. When I step off the mat (or log 😉) I am more confident in how I share and engage with others. And because my yoga practice was an exercise of self-validation I don't need others to fill the holes within me. Their support becomes a gift not a requirement.

Our on the mat practice is what we make it to be. My approach in practice and teaching Holistic Yoga is to integrate and create balance in mind, body, and breath. When we balance all three we feel good, and are better for our community.

Issue in one area and another will suffer. Too much in your head and your body may feel disconnected and weak. Too focused on building physical strength may lead to buried emotions, anxiety, digestive distress, and dis-ease.

Holistic Yoga = Whole Being Wellness

I invite you to join me in a practice that clears the path for living well and being of good service to our communities. Check out my latest newsletter for ideas to practice at home and with me. Time on the mat is an investment that provides a quick return off the mat for you and those around you.

Lynn Marie Nelson

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Alive Not Just Living

Go to that moment where you felt alive. Maybe it comes after a run, great conversation, sex, workout or meditation. Mentally take yourself to that experience. Feel the energy of life pulsating through your body. That electric sensation courses through your body, makes you feel alive, and fully in body.

Can you still feel it now after the activity has long past? It's inevitable that burst of energy into our system eventually slows. To be alive and not just living is to ride that electric pulse as it calms to a purr. I love exploring mindfulness and presence, but their path to trendiness has dulled their buzz. So when I read Mark Nepo's words, "When one with what we see, hear, and feel, we enter the secret kingdom of aliveness that is only secret when we remain separate," I was sparked.*

As I play with the ideas of presence, mindfulness, and aliveness, I've come to believe that they're all on the same team but have slightly different responsibilities. To be alive is to be intimately connected to the electricity of life, fully in the moment, and thoughtfully engaged. [tweet this] We are alive when we embrace our experience in all its glory without stifling the energetic purr. Caving into the temptation to numb a bad feeling cuts off our energetic connection to life and the good feelings too. We don't know happiness without sadness or excitement without boredom.

What amplifies the pulse of life within can ignite our drive to stay connected. It is how we respond to life after that that makes the difference in feeling alive and not just living through the tasks of life. I practice and teach others to dive into sensation of mind, body, and breath and respond with compassion. We train our awareness on the mat/cushion/trail/etc. so that when we step off we're intimately connected to the buzz of life within and empowered to make better choices. In practice and when we take the techniques into our day, we are alive and enjoying the Beauty of life.

As we encounter the ups and downs, may we maintain our connection to the electricity of life and thoughtfully engage with compassion. [tweet this]

Lynn Marie Nelson

*From The One Life We're Given by Mark Nepo. 

Befriend the Monsters of Self Doubt

Have you heard them? They creep in when you least expect it and take residence in your head. At first they whisper, telling you that other people are smarter and more accomplished than you. They grow louder as you look at social media reminding you that you're not unique. They like to tell you stories about how everyone has it figured out and your life is a mess.

You can't see them, but you can feel their presence. They feast on fear and insecurity. They influence your mind and lead you to believe the people around you are your competition. They convince you that the only way to survive is to flee (give up) or fight (defend or put-down). These are the Monsters of Self-Doubt.

A couple of nights ago, I caught a couple. They found a guest room within me. I was feeding them with screen-fulls of posts, videos, pictures… and they were loving life. I, however, was exhausted from their visit.

It dawned on me that I let them in and catered to their every beck and call. I chose what was in my feed and inbox. I chose the frequency I viewed updates and I chose how I processed the information I saw and heard. So I decided that's it. THAT'S IT. The monsters had to go. I told them their stay was over. Their room is being demolished and I'm renovating from the inside out.

My first notice of eviction was to starve those SOBs. Groom my feed to be more enjoyable, inspirational and less self-defeating. Create a list of those to check in on, but not follow consistently. Then adjust my behavior to use my downtime for more productive, relaxing or life giving activities such as deep breathing, reading, gentle movements… you get the idea.

I knew that starving them wouldn't be enough. Tending to the needs of my mind, body and spirit creates an undesirable home for those pesky monsters. With attention to what grounds me and asserts my innate goodness, I have found a little goes a long way. An intentional morning ritual creates a mindset that is supportive of me and my interaction with the world. The activities and length of time may vary, but the attention to balancing my whole being is consistent.

I’m convinced these monsters don't have control. Our strength lies in our whole being self-care practices. [Tweet This] By incorporating conscious attention to the present moment, without judgement or attachment, we catch them before they drive our actions, narratives, and relationships. Befriending the Monsters of Self-Doubt leads us to empathy, compassion, and forgiveness. [Tweet This]

What feeds your Monsters of Self-Doubt?
Do you need to make some changes to starve them?
What do you do to balance your being?
Having played with your own monsters of self-doubt, how can you express compassion for others?

Here's an intention to support... I am balanced in mind, body, and spirit.

Rise Up

On my walk to yoga class, I saw a yellow flower reaching for the sky. There was a shift inside me as I thought about rising up. Rising up isn't about being above or being the best. It's about standing tall and being confident in who we are. Rising up is about being our best.

Forgiving ourselves for making mistakes and recognizing the lesson it shares. It's having faith in the goodness of ourselves and the goodness of others. Rising up is taking the time to see the beauty that is around us. Sometimes the goodness and beauty seems hidden, but it's there. With a friend, book or other inspiration, treasures may be discovered with a little attention, objectivity, and reflection… aka presence.

Rise up.
Rise up to eliminate negative self talk.
Rise up and get out of the gossip.
Rise up to see a different perspective.
Rise up to loosen the grip of the past.
Rise up to welcome sweet new beginnings.
Rise up to make choices that support.
Rise up to see the beauty of life in all its ups and downs.
Rise up to lift others.
Rise up.

Add "I" to the front of those statements and you've got an intention to support you in being your best today.

I rise up and hope you will join me.

Always a Yogi,

Lynn Marie

Brave & Courageous

This past year my day job presented many challenges to my values of putting people first and being authentic. My friend sent a simple email, "I saw the attached and thought of you. You are BRAVE!" and included the image to the right.

It wasn't until I received this note that I began to think about how wholehearted living is meant for the brave and courageous and how little we acknowledge those attributes in each other. It takes courage to share our most authentic selves. Furthermore, we must be brave to speak our truth and live fully without being stifled by stereotypes, opinions, doubts, and unspoken rules.

At times I found my path to be lonely. Not for lack of friends, family or supportive people but for the decisions and times of effort I had to pull from my inner strength. I could lean on others, but I found the choice to move forward, to make a difference, to honor my values and be 100% myself was always mine and mine alone. Each choice took courage.

Some of life's challenges we bulldoze through and others we view as if it is a mountain too steep to climb. Yet, we don't talk about bravery and courage as often as we exhibit it and see it in others. Being recognized as brave was an element of support I found truly helpful as I met the challenge to honor my needs and travel uncharted territory.

I imagine you or someone you know are being faced with something, be it big or small, and have the choice to defer, deflect, or avoid all together. You also have the choice to be your best self and honor your needs. I am confident that you are brave and courageous. Let's affirm this in ourselves and encourage each other to be brave and do good in the world.

Always a Yogi,

Lynn Marie

My Thoughts On... Yoga Mats Our Magic Carpet

Ah the mat... it's like a magic carpet.  It's where our yoga journey begins.  We are given the opportunity to explore our potential both physically and mentally.  It is no wonder we treat our mats and those of our neighbors with respect.  It is very rare for someone to step on another's mat.  This mat etiquette is a nod to the honor we bestow on the practice on our magic carpet.

With this in mind, I share with you my thoughts on yoga mats.  Yoga mats come in various thicknesses.  A mat too thick may lead to balance challenges.  A mat too thin will not provide a supportive cushion for positions on your back or knees.  I find that Goldilocks... I mean most yoga practitioners, including myself, enjoy a 5mm thick mat.

I recommend you invest in a mat made from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).  Due to its non-porous nature it resists moisture and prevents bacterial and fungal growth. This material is PVC/latex-free, takes less energy to manufacture than standard yoga mats, and will biodegrade in a landfill.  In this link you'll find products I recommend including yoga mats.

Please be aware that the inexpensive mats you find at any local store are typically made of PVC. The main ingredient in PVC is vinyl chloride, which is a known carcinogen. Other eco-friendly and health friendly mats would include those made of jute and rubber. I have found that jute mats are too thin and show wear and tear quickly. Rubber mats emit a smell that never seems to go away despite the claims to the contrary.

Oh and one more thing... this yoga mat for sale ad on Craig's list gives me a giggle every time I read it.

May you enjoy the ride of your magic carpet!

My Divorce... Apologies Not Needed

I am divorcing my husband of five years.  My marriage was wonderful in so many ways.  For me, divorce meant failure.  I have not failed and neither did my relationship.  A once life-giving relationship has come to a respectful end.  This part of my journey has redefined divorce.  Divorce now means a closing, ending and a death of sorts.

A relationship, my relationship has concluded presenting the opportunity for transformation and exploration - new life, rebirth, space and freedom.  This divorce... my divorce is a release of all that has held me back.  I let go of limiting beliefs and emotional baggage, giving myself the independence and freedom to explore, to be and to do.

In life, we experience an ebb and flow - life, death and rebirth.  I have mourned this loss, the death of my marriage.  I choose to honor the present moment.  I am embracing the beauty that surrounds me everyday and exploring new depths of love and friendship.  I flow with the current of life... surf the waves of joy and endure those of sorrow.  I am Always a Yogi and will continue to play with the balance in my life.

With my divorce, I take back my name - Lynn Marie Cunningham, initials LMC.  (There is no coincidence that my name has "ham" in it.)  When I share I am in the midst of a divorce, it is inevitable the first thing said is, "I'm sorry".  This is said even after I share my joy with my current situation.  I am grateful for the undying support of my friends, family and teachers, but when we talk next, don't apologize for my going through a divorce.  Feel free to acknowledge my situation; but please remember apologies not needed.  I am well and enjoying the journey of life.

My Thoughts On... Yoga Videos

Let me clarify my opinion about practicing yoga with videos. I believe yoga should take into account your body's abilities, limitations and experiences. Videos do not necessarily address everyone's needs and weaknesses. However, a video is useful when the practitioner or viewer has enough basic knowledge of yoga and their body to make adaptations or variations according to his or her needs. So long as the yoga practitioner or viewer listens to his or her body, a video or CD may prove to be helpful.

Unfortunately, I have found individuals that have used yoga videos are discouraged. There are so many types yoga and teaching methods that it is costly to sample yoga DVDs. People end up throwing in the hat before finding a video or series they enjoy.

If you do find a video or CD that you enjoy and meets your needs, remember to find balance in your practice.  Even though yoga is about balance... doing the same practice, the same way over and over again will create or further current imbalances.  Mix it up and have fun with your practice.

As always I encourage you to practice yoga by checking in with your body to see what is congested or uncomfortable. Allow your practice to unfold releasing congestion by practicing one or more poses from the different categories - forward bend, backbend, inversion, standing, balance, twists, etc.  Don't hesitate to pause the video or CD to add your own pose or sequence.  Feel free to substitute poses for what it is suggesting.

Remember it is YOUR practice.  Ultimately honor your needs.