Tuesday, July 31, 2012
August Newsletter - Meditation Tools, Breath and Booking / Cancelling Classes
I've posted my August newsletter: click here.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Week 30 Challenge - Letting it Rain
This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and
Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of
places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas
and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
and Happiness.
This week, I took my inspiration from a quote from Deborah Adele's book: "I am reminded of the wisdom of a 116 year old man, who, when asked the secret to his longevity, replied, 'When it rains, I let it.'"
This feels especially pertinent living in the Pacific Northwest. And even more so given our current weather. You see, it's been hot and sunny and while most complain about the rain, I take umbrage with the heat.
So, this week I worked on "letting it rain". This felt different than letting things go, which I also work on. In order to let things go, first I need to attach to them. Letting things go is, in that way, very reactionary.
Letting it rain was more preventative. I worked on not getting worked up about things in the first place. The heat, of course. But also all the little things that might cause me frustrations. Letting them be as they are. No need to worry, overthink or stress. Just let it be.
I loved it! Definitely a practice to keep. And a good reminder that I have no control over the weather or, for that matter, dozens of other things that happen outside the realm of my body. My primary concern is my thoughts, my actions; not those of everyone else. An easy thing to say, and such a challenging one to practice.
This week, I took my inspiration from a quote from Deborah Adele's book: "I am reminded of the wisdom of a 116 year old man, who, when asked the secret to his longevity, replied, 'When it rains, I let it.'"
This feels especially pertinent living in the Pacific Northwest. And even more so given our current weather. You see, it's been hot and sunny and while most complain about the rain, I take umbrage with the heat.
So, this week I worked on "letting it rain". This felt different than letting things go, which I also work on. In order to let things go, first I need to attach to them. Letting things go is, in that way, very reactionary.
Letting it rain was more preventative. I worked on not getting worked up about things in the first place. The heat, of course. But also all the little things that might cause me frustrations. Letting them be as they are. No need to worry, overthink or stress. Just let it be.
I loved it! Definitely a practice to keep. And a good reminder that I have no control over the weather or, for that matter, dozens of other things that happen outside the realm of my body. My primary concern is my thoughts, my actions; not those of everyone else. An easy thing to say, and such a challenging one to practice.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Club Med of Salvation
I found this really funny. And quite true. It's easy to look for a quick fix, but real progress is hard, honest work.
Club Med of Salvation
Club Med of Salvation
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Guest Post: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds - Yoga for Women
Enjoy this guest post from Carolyn of Full-On Fit!
In the mass array of celebrity exercise and diet trends, women are often bombarded by images that focus on a "stylized” version of fitness rather than a holistic embodiment of health. For women, finding an exercise practice that not only allows for them to develop strength, cardiovascular conditioning and overall body wellness can be confusing and overwhelming. However, adapting a safe yoga practice can ease women out of the chaos of trend and towards a journey of self-confidence and physical fitness.
On the whole, enabling women to learn to see themselves as both physically strong and mentally centered can provide a level of fitness that is often overlooked by various trends found in more traditional forms of exercise. Yoga provides women with an opportunity to clear a quiet space for themselves and adapt their bodies to the natural flow of movement, which in turn grants the participant an array of benefits. The flexibility training and posture progressions that yoga affords can assist with an increase in joint range of motion and musculoskeletal plasticity as well as relief from stiff joints and certain effects that come with conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. According to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Americans are nearly 100% likely to have an episode of knee pain at least once in their lifetime. Continued and devoted practice also helps to develop the core strength needed to support a healthy back and stable spine. Focus and attention on body alignment, increasing flexibility, endurance and keeping the mind uncluttered, all aid in providing a sustainable and enjoying yoga practice.
For women, it is vitally important that any exercise journey not focus on what needs to be “fixed” with the body, but rather what the body and the mind are capable of achieving if conditioned properly. With yoga, women are able to fully engage themselves in a practice that focuses on holistic health, not a shortcut to superior fitness. Such a practice forces the participant to slow themselves down, concentrate on both one’s internal and external strengths and channel such qualities into their everyday lives to help reduce stress and filter anxiety.
All too often women are “quarantined’ to the areas of a gym that include “women friendly” equipment and all too often because of this environment, women miss the fundamentals of exercise to improve health. A yoga practice can offer women an outlet that is both relaxed, self-paced and that provides the opportunity to focus on both the mind and the body’s progression in a well-rounded approach to fitness. For most women, finding the time to exercise is a constant battle. However, with the increased demand for more and more yoga-centered facilities, women have access to a wide array of venues to begin their practice. As with any new exercise program, it is vital that one is aware of their limitations, has done their research and sets realistic goals.
Carolyn Fallon is a 20-something year old with a passion for life, fitness and overall well being. She is an avid cycler, golfer and has been known to bust some serious moves on the dance floor. Check out Carolyn’s blog at http://fullonfit.blogspot.com!
In the mass array of celebrity exercise and diet trends, women are often bombarded by images that focus on a "stylized” version of fitness rather than a holistic embodiment of health. For women, finding an exercise practice that not only allows for them to develop strength, cardiovascular conditioning and overall body wellness can be confusing and overwhelming. However, adapting a safe yoga practice can ease women out of the chaos of trend and towards a journey of self-confidence and physical fitness.
On the whole, enabling women to learn to see themselves as both physically strong and mentally centered can provide a level of fitness that is often overlooked by various trends found in more traditional forms of exercise. Yoga provides women with an opportunity to clear a quiet space for themselves and adapt their bodies to the natural flow of movement, which in turn grants the participant an array of benefits. The flexibility training and posture progressions that yoga affords can assist with an increase in joint range of motion and musculoskeletal plasticity as well as relief from stiff joints and certain effects that come with conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. According to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Americans are nearly 100% likely to have an episode of knee pain at least once in their lifetime. Continued and devoted practice also helps to develop the core strength needed to support a healthy back and stable spine. Focus and attention on body alignment, increasing flexibility, endurance and keeping the mind uncluttered, all aid in providing a sustainable and enjoying yoga practice.
For women, it is vitally important that any exercise journey not focus on what needs to be “fixed” with the body, but rather what the body and the mind are capable of achieving if conditioned properly. With yoga, women are able to fully engage themselves in a practice that focuses on holistic health, not a shortcut to superior fitness. Such a practice forces the participant to slow themselves down, concentrate on both one’s internal and external strengths and channel such qualities into their everyday lives to help reduce stress and filter anxiety.
All too often women are “quarantined’ to the areas of a gym that include “women friendly” equipment and all too often because of this environment, women miss the fundamentals of exercise to improve health. A yoga practice can offer women an outlet that is both relaxed, self-paced and that provides the opportunity to focus on both the mind and the body’s progression in a well-rounded approach to fitness. For most women, finding the time to exercise is a constant battle. However, with the increased demand for more and more yoga-centered facilities, women have access to a wide array of venues to begin their practice. As with any new exercise program, it is vital that one is aware of their limitations, has done their research and sets realistic goals.
Carolyn Fallon is a 20-something year old with a passion for life, fitness and overall well being. She is an avid cycler, golfer and has been known to bust some serious moves on the dance floor. Check out Carolyn’s blog at http://fullonfit.blogspot.com!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Week 29 Challenge - Vegetarian
This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and
Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of
places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas
and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
and Happiness.
My philosophies and my tastes are often in contradiction. My heart wants me to be vegetarian (well, actually vegan, but that's another story). But, it's a challenge for me sometimes to want to be. In the past I've spent two 1.5 year periods vegetarian. And I've started off many a week with vegetarian ambitions, only to cave to my taste buds in moments of stress.
This week I decided to challenge myself to a week of vegetarianism. This way, if I wanted meat, I could know it was just for a week. I looked forward to this week with excitement and trepidation. I love veggie food, but I love meat too.
I had lots of yummy meals this week. I've re-discovered plenty of simple vegetarian favorites like cheese and veggie sandwiches. And I found that my favorite pizzeria makes a mean 3 Cheese Pizza. I struck a balance between eating in and eating out because I wanted to ensure that I explored options on both sides.
So what about next week? Given the success of this week, I'm feeling motivated to continue eating vegetarian for now, without committing myself to any specific time frame.
My philosophies and my tastes are often in contradiction. My heart wants me to be vegetarian (well, actually vegan, but that's another story). But, it's a challenge for me sometimes to want to be. In the past I've spent two 1.5 year periods vegetarian. And I've started off many a week with vegetarian ambitions, only to cave to my taste buds in moments of stress.
This week I decided to challenge myself to a week of vegetarianism. This way, if I wanted meat, I could know it was just for a week. I looked forward to this week with excitement and trepidation. I love veggie food, but I love meat too.
I had lots of yummy meals this week. I've re-discovered plenty of simple vegetarian favorites like cheese and veggie sandwiches. And I found that my favorite pizzeria makes a mean 3 Cheese Pizza. I struck a balance between eating in and eating out because I wanted to ensure that I explored options on both sides.
So what about next week? Given the success of this week, I'm feeling motivated to continue eating vegetarian for now, without committing myself to any specific time frame.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Great Magnet Sign
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I wanted to thank MagnetsOnTheCheap for my awesome new sign. They provided me with the above sign free of charge, in exchange for this post. It is actually a sign for the side of the car. Since I don't have a car (but can use this on the one I borrow), it is residing most of the time on the front door of my house (where my studio is).
I found it easy to navigate their website for designing my magnet. It shipped quickly and without any hassle from the States. And I'm quite happy with the results. It was a fantastic replacement for my previous sign for my front door (ordered elsewhere). That was corrugated plastic, which I used adhesive magnets to attach. However, the morning sun and the black door kept consipiring to melt the adhesive and drop my sign to the ground. I've had no problems since I got my lovely MagnetsOnTheCheap sign!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
July Love List
20 things I'm loving right now:
- Plans with my mom to go play mini-golf tomorrow and look at the sandcastles.
- The new pizza place in our neighbourhood.
- The shade (because it sure ain't the sun).
- Walking part-way to work (working on the whole way).
- My new desk setup at the office.
- PB and Banana sandwiches on Utopia's multigrain bread.
- Season 5 episodes of Supernatural (catching up).
- A new Janet Evanovich book waiting for me to start it.
- Local raspberries.
- My new meditation bench.
- Eating vegetarian this week.
- Personal Yoga and meditation time.
- Fresh peas from the farmer's market.
- Hanging with my cat on the Yoga mat.
- Birds splashing in the birdbath.
- Carrot greens in my morning juice.
- Movies from the library.
- My cotton Yoga mat.
- Tim Horton's frozen lemonade with added lemon juice.
- The Emily series, by L. M. Montgomery.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Week 28 Challenge - Where Do I Feel Connected
This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and
Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of
places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas
and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
and Happiness.
This week I was contemplating where I feel connected to Universal Energy. There are two main locations where I feel this connection:
This week I was contemplating where I feel connected to Universal Energy. There are two main locations where I feel this connection:
- Anytime I'm in nature, I can feel a strong connection to the natural world (plants, animals, water, earth). I can feel it in my backyard. I feel it even more strongly in more "wilderness" type areas, especially ones with water (lake or river).
- I also feel a strong connection when I'm in locations of a spiritual nature: chapels, churches, etc. It doesn't matter what the religion is, but I feel a connection to both Universal Energy and to my spritual ancestors.
I am trying to find a place that combines both for me, where I can feel the connection to nature, but also to my spiritual ancestors.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Yoga Teacher Barbie
I was reading this post from Spoiled Yogi on the new Yoga Teacher Barbie.
On the awesome side: you know Yoga has gone mainstream when Barbie is doing it! While Yoga going mainstream has its downfalls and in some cases causes Yoga to lose some of its depth, I generally consider more exposure to the general public a good thing.
The less than awesome side: [roll of the eyes] This is exactly why many of my students were hesitant to try Yoga. They have seen the Lululemon ads, the Yoga Journal covers and have the impression that Yoga is for thin, young women. Now you can add Barbie to the list. Don't get me wrong. Yoga is for thin, young women, but it's also for every other size, age and gender.
On the awesome side: you know Yoga has gone mainstream when Barbie is doing it! While Yoga going mainstream has its downfalls and in some cases causes Yoga to lose some of its depth, I generally consider more exposure to the general public a good thing.
The less than awesome side: [roll of the eyes] This is exactly why many of my students were hesitant to try Yoga. They have seen the Lululemon ads, the Yoga Journal covers and have the impression that Yoga is for thin, young women. Now you can add Barbie to the list. Don't get me wrong. Yoga is for thin, young women, but it's also for every other size, age and gender.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
New Meditation Bench
Sometimes things just fall together in the right way. I've wanted a meditation bench for almost 3 years.
On Sunday, my mom and I were at the Cedar Farmers Market. As we walked by a booth full of various benches and other wooden items, I commented to my mom that he could probably make me a great meditation bench (just an offhand comment). My mom asked what the difference was between a meditation bench and ones he had. I stopped to show her how his benches had a cross piece where a meditation bench wouldn't. I shared my earlier comment with the owner about how he could probably make me a great meditation bench. And he showed me a spot in the corner where he had a couple.
And, voila! I now have a fantastic meditation bench for about half of what I've seen them for elsewhere. If you are in the Nanaimo area and looking for a bench you can get in touch with T. Tony Cevik of Handy Stools at handystools@gmail.com or 250-797-3958.
On Sunday, my mom and I were at the Cedar Farmers Market. As we walked by a booth full of various benches and other wooden items, I commented to my mom that he could probably make me a great meditation bench (just an offhand comment). My mom asked what the difference was between a meditation bench and ones he had. I stopped to show her how his benches had a cross piece where a meditation bench wouldn't. I shared my earlier comment with the owner about how he could probably make me a great meditation bench. And he showed me a spot in the corner where he had a couple.
And, voila! I now have a fantastic meditation bench for about half of what I've seen them for elsewhere. If you are in the Nanaimo area and looking for a bench you can get in touch with T. Tony Cevik of Handy Stools at handystools@gmail.com or 250-797-3958.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Week 27 Challenge - Listening to the Lesson
This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and
Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of
places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas
and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
and Happiness.
I've been on vacation for the past week. Even in a context of being back in my home Province, visiting family and friends, I kept my inner ears open.
What do I mean? I find lessons in everything. What did I learn on this vacation?
The first has to do with my vacations next year. Before going I had some ideas of going to California for both vacation and retreat time. However, I listened to my body complain about the heat in Saskatchewan and recognized that California might not be the best locale for me. I also listened to my heart sing as we flew over The Rockies. No matter what other mountains I encounter, I always have a deep ache in my heart for The Rockies. So, for now (plans can change), I am thinking of a trip to Jasper for my vacation next year and a retreat in the Pacific Northwest (since I absolutely adore our lovely area of the world).
I also knew when I was going to Regina that I would visit the University. And there was a particular spot I was compelled to visit as I had seen myself there several times in recent years. I went and waited. I could feel the energy in that space and knew there was something for me to discover there. Eventually, I understood the lesson had to do with Sacred Space, and finding my own out here. And another place I visited during my travels guided me to where that Sacred Space might be (we'll save that for a later post).
While I may have stepped away from much of my daily practice over the course of my vacation, my awareness was with me and kept me connected to my inner wisdom and a larger Universal wisdom that connects us all. Are you listening for the lesson?
I've been on vacation for the past week. Even in a context of being back in my home Province, visiting family and friends, I kept my inner ears open.
What do I mean? I find lessons in everything. What did I learn on this vacation?
The first has to do with my vacations next year. Before going I had some ideas of going to California for both vacation and retreat time. However, I listened to my body complain about the heat in Saskatchewan and recognized that California might not be the best locale for me. I also listened to my heart sing as we flew over The Rockies. No matter what other mountains I encounter, I always have a deep ache in my heart for The Rockies. So, for now (plans can change), I am thinking of a trip to Jasper for my vacation next year and a retreat in the Pacific Northwest (since I absolutely adore our lovely area of the world).
I also knew when I was going to Regina that I would visit the University. And there was a particular spot I was compelled to visit as I had seen myself there several times in recent years. I went and waited. I could feel the energy in that space and knew there was something for me to discover there. Eventually, I understood the lesson had to do with Sacred Space, and finding my own out here. And another place I visited during my travels guided me to where that Sacred Space might be (we'll save that for a later post).
While I may have stepped away from much of my daily practice over the course of my vacation, my awareness was with me and kept me connected to my inner wisdom and a larger Universal wisdom that connects us all. Are you listening for the lesson?
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