Category Archives: practice

bright, early & gentle

journal, practice

Yesterday, in keeping with my goal, I woke up at 5:30am and went to a morning yoga class. Not only did I make it to yoga by 7am, but I made it out the door with my lunch in tow. This was day eight in my plan to create new habits.

The yoga teacher ended class by saying “Be gentle with yourself and others today”, so I took it to heart and did my best to remain gentle on the inside and out all day long. I love this notion of being gentle ~ instead of the usual empty offerings like “Don’t worry” or “Let it go”. Being gentle allowed for all kinds of emotions within it, yet reminded me to stay grounded and generous in the chaos.

I also had dinner with a dear friend and ex co-worker who probably epitomizes what it is to be gentle. Her wisdom and calm always has a way of making me feel better. I think she might be the best listener I’ve ever met ~ the kind of listener I strive to be. I really think listening is the best gift someone can give a friend. She listened to me for a long time and then asked me a question which allowed me to see things more clearly and which confirmed that my plan for change is the right thing to do.

So, because it has helped to keep me calm, I offer it to you also: Be gentle with yourself and others today.

habitual behavior

journal, practice, what's the meaning of the word

A yoga teacher said to me, “It takes 30 days for something to become habitual”…

habit: noun: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary

This past week I have taken a few steps toward creating new habits. I’ve attempted both new practices in the past and failed, but because of my current, desperate need for change {Yes I Can}, I was more successful this week than ever before and I feel better today than I have in awhile.

First, after today, I will have only eaten five meals out this week! You may remember my many attempts at making meals at home in the past, only to last about a day and a half before caving in. I was seriously going to Starbucks every day for something in the morning, out around my office for lunch and then out for dinner ~ every day. As you can imagine, this is not only expensive, but it doesn’t always lend itself to healthy choices. Seven days down, only 23 to go before this becomes a regular part of my life. Hooray! I am anxious to compare my food budget this month to past months and see if it really does save me money. Fingers crossed.

Second, I am going to yoga. I am going to yoga. I am going to yoga. I joined the somewhat corporate style yoga studio, Yoga Works, against my initial resistance. My yogi friends warned me against it for it’s somewhat detached style of teaching yoga {meaning: lacking in the deeper spiritual side to a yoga practice}, but I went to a beginner class on Friday evening and found it to be restful and very helpful with proper alignment. I can feel a little detachment, but I decided I can go to a smaller, more traditional yoga studio once per week for my dose of the spiritual. What I need right now is actually to re-learn the proper poses and get adjusted when necessary. Once I have the foundation back in my body, then perhaps I can find a class with a deeper connection, but the new student special was too good to pass up: $30 for 2 weeks of unlimited class, a free consultation with a yoga advisor to help create a personalized yoga practice and a year’s subscription to Yoga Journal magazine. I sort of couldn’t resist, because I’m making a plan for change. I’m very excited and guess what!? I feel motivated to make my plan come true…

I am grateful for the words of support and wisdom ~ thank you. Namaste.

how life plays with you

practice

In keeping with my new practice, I branched out to a new yoga studio last night and fell in love with the space, the teacher and the re-introduction to basic Hatha yoga. This studio, unlike my other one, has many different styles of class offerings, so I have decided to add this studio to my rotation. I drive by this studio on my way to and from work, so the location is rather wonderful. I also really like the name: Liberation Yoga. It fits in with my ultimate goal in starting a yoga practice for so many reasons.

Because I am excited about my goal (as I tend to be early on in the process), I decided to go to another class there this morning to try another teacher while continuing with my love of Anusara. I was so proud that I actually woke up easily, packed a lunch (whoa!), got myself showered and dressed, gathered a change of clothes and was out the door with time to make it to the 7am class.

But life played a little joke on me. Continue reading how life plays with you →