Learning To Enjoy The Journey August 31, 2011

I struggle from time, time with the desire for everything to be “perfect”.  I try to tell myself that I’m not a control freak.  And, I’m not when it comes to other people’s surrounding. However, the truth is I really am when it comes to my surroundings, and my personal life.  Last week my husband called with an unplanned invite to go to Colorado for the weekend.  I was thrilled.  I love Colorado, and all summer long everyone that I encountered seemed to be going to, or coming from this land of  inspirational beauty and calm.  I almost felt like it was my duty to go.  Afterall, the pose of the month was Mountain Pose! 

So, for once in my life without pause I said yes, and it felt right.  We were going to Colorado with a close family friend that was looking to purchase some land in the Spanish Peaks mountain range.  My mother is from Spain, which in my opinion was another sign from the universe that I should head West.  We packed, got food, made arrangements for the dog, gathered the kids, and set off on an unplanned, unscheduled journey to the mountains.

We arrived to our destination Friday evening.  We camped, hiked, explored and enjoyed all that mother nature offered.  We spent time as a family creating memories that might only matter to us, but that makes them even more precious.  It was also meaningful for me to bare witness to our family friend coming one step closer to capturing his dream of owning property in the Rocky Mountains. 

During our journey looking out over the mountains, and into the valleys it became clearer to me that life isn’t truly about striving for perfection.  In fact, I think the need to be perfect serves as a distraction from what life really should be.  It can become a stop gate that floods with excuses, after excuses trying to help explain why something didn’t get done, or why another opportunity may have slipped away. 

On the other hand, having a plan for life provides more opportunities for personal growth, personal experiences, and personal gains.  Bottom line, one doesn’t reach the mountain peak by worrying about new hiking boots that got dirty.  One reaches the peak by having a plan to kick off the mud step by step along the way.  They’re also willing to stay committed to the climb no matter the obstacles, or the challenges.  I guess it could be summed up by saying it’s all about the journey, and not the destination.

Our journey was short, but wonderful. I also gained a new perspective that it’s more important to have a working plan, rather than making sure the plan is perfect before putting it to work.  I hope you join me in working your plans along your journey….while leaving the drag-shoot known as “perfection” in the dirt!

Tadasana: Mountain Pose 3 August 23, 2011

As the month of August is winding down to an end I wanted to ask…have you been working your Mountain Pose?  Well, in our home it has caught on and my son, Darius insisted that I share his Tadasana with all of you.  How beautiful and how awesome to see him connecting with self.  As he practiced this asana he quickly discovered that he had to become aware of his actions.  He had to quiet his brain and let his body be the guide.  Lastly, he had to slow down and just breath.  Afterwards he stated; “Man this yoga stuff is hard, but I like it.”

His statement shows that in order to grow we have to find grace in the challenges of our lives.  If we pack up and run every time things get “too hard” we will not discover the strength that lies within us waiting to blossom.  We also have to turn our energy inward to explore the possibilities of self.  In the beginning of his practice, he wanted to simply mimic my actions which is perfectly fine, and natural.  However, the true growth of his Tadasana came when his energy began to turn inward.  By drawing our attention to self we find weakness and strength.  We can also find stiffness and flexibility.  Overtime these elements will find harmony given us  a greater appreciation for self.  In my opinion, this is the best gift of one’s yoga practice.

As we visit Tadasana for the last time this month here are a few tips to help you get the most from this asana.

1. Stand with your feet hip distance a part.  Draw your weight evenly between both feet and legs.  Feel your feet rooted deeply into the earth by keeping the heels firm and the toes extended.  As your balance improves bring your big toes and heels together.

2.  As you ground down in your feet, feel a line of energy from the ankles, to the knees, and the hips.  Begin to draw the leg muscle up and curl your tailbone forward.  As you move the tailbone forward feel the lower back, or lumbar spine lengthen.  Begin to gently draw your belly in, as well as up to support the lower back. 

3.  Let the arms extend along the sides of your body, with palms facing your thighs, and fingers pointing down.  Feel the neck lengthen away from your shoulders.  Continue to draw your shoulders back and down, as if you were going to place your shoulder blades in your back pockets.  Lift your sternum, or your heart center,  and broaden your chest.  Let your breath flow in and out normally.

4. As you stand in your Mountain Pose continue pressing down through the mounds of your toes and heels of the feet.  Feel yourself rooted in the lower body and yet light in your upper body.  Allow the breath to quiet the mind as you seek stillness and strength from within.  Hold the pose for 20-30 seconds.  Each time you practice your asana continue to come with a curiosity, and a willingnees to discover something new that lies within you.

(Reference:  B.K.S. Iyengar YOGA the Path to Holistic Health, p.68-69)

Sunday Inspiration 7 August 21, 2011

“The important work of  moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.”

George Eliot

Chuck’s Yummy Egg Surprise August 17, 2011

My husband is not a chef, and he doesn’t cook often, but when he does we’re usually in for a pretty good treat.  We were looking for something to kick up the excitement with our eggs, and I think he went above and beyond the task.  This recipe takes some time to chop veggies, but after all that work is complete it’s pretty simple.  I love simple, especially when it’s tempting to the eyes and belly.

Let’s get to the YUM!  You will need the following ingredients:

3 egg whites

splash of non-fat milk

1/4 of a small red onion chopped

3-4 baby portabella mushrooms chopped

3-4 cherry tomatoes chopped

handful of baby spinach

feta cheese

salt and pepper

red pepper flakes

extra virgin olive oil

cooking spray

1 medium-sized ramekins

***ingredients are for an individual serving***

Drizzle a non-stick skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.  Cook the onions until they’re translucent.  Then add the chopped mushrooms and let them saute….the will shrink in size and caramelize a bit.  Last, add the chopped tomatoes.  Cook for 1-2 more minutes and set aside.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  If you like a little kick add some red pepper flakes.  A little goes a long way! 

Combine the egg whites and milk, then pour them into a ramekins that has been prepared with cooking spray. The milk with make the eggs fluffy.  Add the cooked veggies to the egg whites.  Place a handful of baby spinach on top of all ingredients.  Place the ramekins into the microwave and cook 1-2 minutes.  Keep an eye on the eggs, so it does not overflow.

Plate onto a dish and sprinkle with feta cheese.  So pretty, and oh so good! Once again have fun in your kitchen and experiment.  Switch the veggies, cheese and spices to see what egg surprise you might come up with.  Also, you could make a large batch and cook in prepared muffin tins in the oven.  Then store them in your fridge for the week to come.  This would allow for a real quick bite to start off any day during the week. Or, add some fresh fruit and have a pleasant brunch for the weekend.

Enjoy!

Tadasana: Mountain Pose 2 August 15, 2011

The word tada means “mountain” in sanskrit.  Or in my classes I like to say, “Tada….look I’m standing on both feet!”  Often as we go through our day we shift our weight from side to side, rather than being balanced betweeen the legs, and feet.

Next time your standing in a line, or at your kitchen sink take a moment and notice how your weight is being distributed between your legs, and feet.  You might find you’re sagging in one hip placing more of your weight on that leg.  This can create an imbalance in your posture.  The good news is just by bringing awareness you can begin to shift allowing yourself to feel more balanced, along with feeling more connected.

Mountain Pose is good for all!  If you have issues with your spine, or Parkinson’s disease you can practice this asana with your back against a wall.  Practicing Tadasana will help correct bad posture, as well as straighten the spine.  It counters the degenerative effects of aging on the spine, legs, and feet.  The most exciting benefit in my opinion is that it also tones the buttock muscles…..yeah for yoga! (B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga the Path to Holistic Health)

So takes this pose of the month and work it.  You don’t need a mat or a class to benefit from this basic asana.  Take the time to seek balance, and you’ll find yourself feeling more connected and grounded…just like the majestic mountains of nature.

(Photo created by www.flicker.com)

Sunday Inspiration 6 August 14, 2011

“If you do something good to others, do the good thing also to yourself.”

Dr. Louis Mann

 

Yeah For Yoga Apps August 8, 2011

I’ve stated earlier that I’m a paper and pencil loving girl.  I take my notebook with recycled paper with me everywhere jotting down little ideas as they pop up in my mind.  No matter how much I love my spiral bound paper… the reality is we live in a high-tech world that is always evolving with new ideas to keep us clicking and upgrading. 

So, yes even I get excited with technology ever once in a while too.  For example…Yoga Apps…what a great idea!  I love to use them as a resource for myself, classes, and my blog.  Here are a few that you might want to check out for yourself.

Yoga Deck version 1.2.2:  This application shares 70 poses that are broken into categories such a standing, seated, back bends, etc.  Each pose is wonderfully illustrated and named in English, as well as Sanskrit.  If tapped, the Sanskrit words become audible, so that proper pronunciation my be obtained.  There are instructions to perform each pose, along with benefits gained from practicing the pose.  This app is affordable at $2.99.

Yoga Journal iPractice:  This application offers 15 yoga sequences that can be practiced anywhere.   Select practice based on your mood, needs or interest.  Each sequence is accompanied with music, along with instruction from a certified yoga instructor.  Can you say yoga teacher in your pocket?  That’s just what this app offers at the cost of $2.99.  What a bargain!

Yoga MINDBODY:  Truly practice yoga anywhere.  This application helps you find yoga studios/classes no matter where you are in the country.  Yes, it’s a Yoga GPS.  Find out class times, class descriptions and locations of any studio.  I plan on putting this app to use on my next vacation, but it can also be a great resource in your home town to help locate a new studio, or discover new class offerings.  At the cost of FREE there isn’t any reason not to upload it to your phone. 

As I come across new apps that I enjoy I will continue to share them on my blog.  If there are any yoga apps you’re currently loving I would love to hear about them…please feel free to share!

Namaste

Sunday Inspiration 5 August 7, 2011

“Succeeding in one thing at a time and getting big in it is more important than struggling success in many things.”

Ralph C. Smedley

Be Mindful Of Your Knees Please August 6, 2011

The largest joint in our body is the knee.  This hinge joint connects the thigh to the lower leg allowing for flexion and extension.  The knee is the junction point of many ligaments and tendons to keep the bones, and muscles connected.  It also contains shock absorbers known as the meniscus which prevent bones from rubbing on one another. However, if the knee is forcefully rotated or bent it can be cracked or torn (en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee).  The knees play a large role in our mobility, and it’s important that we be mindful of their role in our yoga practice.   

5 Ways to be Mindful of the Knees during Your Practice:

1.  Align your knee with the ankle in leg bending poses.  If you’re in Chair Pose think of pushing your sitting bones behind you, as you fold from the hips drawing your knees over the ankles.  Look down, if you see the top of your leg instead of your toes continue to push the sitting bones back.  A mirror is a wonderful tool to check for knee over ankle alignment.

2.  Track your knee in the same direction of your toes.  In Warrior II the front leg works towards a 90 degree angle while the back leg extends with feet turned in about 45 degrees.  Often the front knee will roll inward, or outward depending on your flexibility in the hips.  Simply correct this alignment by tracking your knee the direction your toes are pointing.  As you get more comfortable with this task, begin to track the knee with the second toe for even better alignment. 

3.  Slighty bend the knees in straight leg poses.  While working towards Forward Fold  it’s more important to focus on lifting your sitting bones, so the stretch may be felt more in the belly of your hamstring not the back of your knee.  Remember there aren’t any knee opening poses in yoga!  While you’re working towards straight legs in your practice, know that it’s perfectly fine to have a slight bend in the knees.  Your knees and hamstrings will be grateful for your kindness. 

4.  Lift the knee caps in standing poses.  This simply means draw your thigh muscles up as if you were sucking them into the bones of your leg.  This action will help to build strength and stabilization overtime, and practice.  Mountain pose is the easiest pose to practice this action.  Eventually with awareness you can begin to incorporate lifting your knee caps in all poses where the leg is extended.  You can also try Mountain Pose lying down with your feet against the wall.  As you press your feet into the wall feeling yourself grounded, begin to lift the thigh muscles drawing them up and into your thigh bones.  Take a moment and notice any sensations you may experience. 

5. The knees face up with the toes in seated poses.  Often times in seated poses such as Staff Pose, where your legs extended straight out in front of you, it’s common to allow the knees and toes to roll out losing all awareness.  Remember, in seated poses the legs can be just as active as they are in standing poses.  So, face your toes up along with your knees.  Engage the muscle of the thighs and feel a line of energy radiating from the crown of your head through the heels of your feet.  Practicing such alignment cues without bearing weight will be easier, and will give your body the opportunity to practice awareness.  In time, these actions will translate more easily into your standing poses.

The next time you roll out your mat for your practice take these tips with you.  Be playful and curious….just explore what your body’s abilities are today.  Take pride in knowing that with your knowledge you’ll be protecting your knees, as well as building healthy habits for yourself, along with your yoga practice for years to come.

Namaste

(Photo created by bayswater.ca)

Connecting With Self On… And Off The Mat August 3, 2011

Have you ever been in a yoga class where the instructor invites you to draw your energy inward?  To let go of all external things, focusing on yourself, and becoming more aware of how you feel in the present moment.  In a class setting with lights low, quiet music playing, and your eyes closed it seems almost like such an invite is possible.  With time and practice the invite becomes easier and easier to accept.  In fact, as a student and teacher this is the part of class that I enjoy the most.

For me, it’s a time when I can truly unplug from the world with its demands and responsibilities.  As an instructor I enjoy the energy that is created from a group engaging in the same goal.  It becomes a tangible moment of serenity.  Why is it that once the lights come on, the music stops and our eyes open it becomes a foreign concept to put ourselves first?  We rush back to our social labels of spouse, parent, business owner, teacher, etc……..forgetting that we’re at the core of these descriptive words.

Often times we’ll mask feelings, or thoughts trying to keep the good face forward.  Don’t miss understand, I agree that there is a time when such actions are necessary.  However, I become concerned that we can move through each day never truly connecting to our true emotions, or our true selves.  Is this how we want to spend our lives?  I would think not, or at least I would hope not. 

So, how can we incorporate more of our true selves into our daily lives? I don’t think drastic measures need to be taken, but rather carving out small moments of time to draw our energy inward. For example, instead of rushing out of bed in the morning take the time to acknowledge the breath.  Rest the hands on the stomach.  Enjoy the rising and falling action of the belly while being filled with gratitude to meet a new day. 

Take a walk and leave the Ipod behind.  While walking take in the sounds of nature.  We might find as we listen to our enviroment,  we’ll also notice more of the beauty that surrounds us each day.  Try walking into the local coffee shop, instead of rushing through the pick up window.  Lets indulge ourselves a bit, and enjoy every moment of our special treat.  These are some ideas that just might allow us the opportunity to reconnect with self.  In doing so we’ll become more aware of how we feel each present moment….bringing our yoga practice into our daily lives.

How else could we create time for self?  I would love to share in your ideas.