Posts Tagged My practice
Reflecting on the past decade
Here we are, a decade behind us and a new year to look forward too. This past week I’ve been reflecting on the past ten years. What has transpired? Where is my life headed? What is left undone? I have a lot to be grateful for; I’ve never been so content with life as I am today. Even though the last decade had it’s roller coaster moments and even at times “how could this be happening” consumed my thoughts, I’m glad it all took place. It has made me the person I am; someone activity striving to be the best I can be.
I’m dedicating my free time the rest of the winter months to Svadhyaya, the yogic discipline of studying sacred text and studying oneself. Svadhyaya is part of Patanjali’s Eight Limbed path (Ashtanga Yoga) described in the Yoga Sutra. In brief, the eight limbs are steps and practices that will lead to enlightenment. Asana and pranayama are both limbs in this path. Through reading and researching yoga text, a better understanding of the Self (our true nature), as well as skills of self-observation that leads to yoga or union will present itself.
One of the best text I found helpful in understanding what yoga is all about, The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar. It’s well written, in simple terms without being over welling.
A great way to experience self study is in your yoga practice. Observe your thoughts, is your mind present? How does the movement/yoga posture feel in your body? What subject matter draws your mind away?
Add comment January 2, 2010
Weekend of rain
It was a lovely weekend of rain out here on the coast. Giving me lots of guilt-free time in the kitchen, baking. I was inspired to try a new recipe for pumpkin cookies. Pink Stripes, a blog I follow, was having pumpkin week, last week and shared a recipe for Pumpkin Nut and Chip cookies. This recipe reminds me of my mom’s good old chocolate chip cookies (minus the pumpkin, cinnamon and nuts) I knew I’d like them. I found they mixed up just the same, I couldn’t wait to try one right out of the oven.
I wasn’t able to find pumpkin pie spice, so I used all spice instead (hope that was a proper substitute). If you know where to get pumpkin pie spice please let me know. Also, I found pecans per-chopped in the bulk section, I want with them instead of walnuts.
Pumpkin Nut and Chip Cookies
1/2 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 t vanilla extract
2 1/2 C flour
2 t pumpkin pie spice
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 C milk chocolate chips
3/4 C walnuts, finely chopped
• Preheat oven to 350ºF
• Mix butter and sugar until creamy; add pumpkin, egg and vanilla, beating well after each addition
• Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl; gradually add to pumpkin mixture until well-blended
• Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts
• Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto lightly buttered cookie sheets
• Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until edges are golden brown
• Cool on wire racks and store in airtight container
Recipe courtesy of the California Milk Advisory Board
Mothers and Daughters
Today was also a first for me. I taught my first Mother and Daughter yoga class. A totally different dynamic than an adult class, the learning curve was steep tonight. I had a great time and some silly giggles too. It’s great to see children in Happy Baby, they don’t have to be told to move and explore the pose, I had happy babies rollin’ around the room enjoying themselves. Thanks to all the ladies coming out to the class.
Add comment October 26, 2009
Blogging tutorial
Pic from the Patricia website
Last night I went to the show with my good friend Kelly. We saw Julia and Julie, I know, your totally thinking that movie has been out of theatres forever. Popular demand brought it back to Powell River. If you are ever visiting Powell River, do take in a show at the Patricia Theatre. It’s the longest running movie theatre in Western Canada and had restored it’s beauty. The seats are a bit uncomfortable, but an intermission during the longer movies lets you stretch your legs and get some air.
What a funny movie, Meryl Streep was fabulous, and Amy Adams played such a likable character. I was most interested in seeing the film for the blogging aspects, hoping Julie would have the same reservation I’m having. Like Julie, I’m just not sure if I’m cut out for this; is there time to blog; who’s out there reading and interested in what I’m saying. I’m really fond of the idea of sharing ideas and life experiences, but the truth is when it comes down to it, I’d rather be a spectator. I’m going to face my fear and open up a little more.
Thanks for being out there and finding my blog interesting.
Namaste
Add comment October 3, 2009
Embrace life with back bends
Bending back and opening the chest also unlocks the spirit within. Practicing these postures takes you along previously untravelled paths, challenging you to overcome fear and frustration, teaching you to move with ease and grace and to live with an open heart and a passion for life and love.
(J Chapmen, Yoga for Inner Strength, p164).
In back bends I bring my awareness to the heart and open it as wide as I can, eager to send and receive what may come. I welcome back bends with an open mind and embrace the wonderful stretch through the front of my body; hips, abdomen, thighs, shoulders and chest, which from sitting at a computer all day is compresses. While all that stretching is taking place the legs, buttocks and spine are required to counter gravity, bringing energy, warmth and strength. After a back bend concentrated practice I tend to feel energized and refreshed.
Back bends stimulate the nervous system and metabolism. The abdominal organs are squeezed helping with digestion and giving yourself a mini detox.
If you have little experienced a back bends, do come into them slowly and gently. They can feel awkward or bring a fearful feeling because you are moving the spine in a direction it isn’t used to going, as well the heart is exposed which may be uncomfortable for some.
Use the breath to help bring calmness to your back bends, inhaling to lengthen the lower back and open the chest, exhale to soften, releasing deeper into the posture. Bring balance in the body by following a back bend with a forward fold.
Some great beginner back bends are: Bitilasana (Cow pose), Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Little bridge pose) and Supta Badda Konasana (Heartbed)
Other back bends: Urdha Mukha Svanasana (Upward facing dog pose), Natarajasana (Dancer), Ustrasana (Camel pose), Urdva Dhanurasana (Wheel pose)
Add comment September 30, 2009
take in a little GOOP
I am so excited to share this, I haven’t had that good of a look at the site myself, but I love Gwyneth Paltrow and how subtle she is. GOOP is her take on lifestyle and meaning. The site has a real simple and clean design, just as life should be. Do sign up for the newsletter. I received my first a few day ago and can’t wait to try the recipe for the chocolate cupcakes.
Add comment September 28, 2009
Forward bends teaches patience
Bending forward is a familiar action in our everyday lives, so why are forward bending asana so challenging? Our daily routine involves a lot of outward focus with the task at hand; bending down to pick up something, or hunching at our desks and computers while reading important emails.
A mindful forward bend, moved into with presence and awareness is calming and cooling. To maintain alignment in the spine your gaze is guided to look inward, into yourself. That may explain why I find my mind wonders in forward bends more then other asana, my ego is bored and wanting to move on, while my true nature is grasping for stillness in the mind and openness in the body – with practice and patience stillness with come.
The action of a forward bend curves the spine creating space between the vertebra, benefiting the nervous system and improving circulation around the spine. The abdominal organs that directly benefit from this action are the: intestines, pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen, stomach and gallbladder. Anatomically, the hamstrings and inner leg muscles are lengthened, the knees and front of the legs are strengthened and the back muscles are kept supple. Forward bends help with digestion, body temperature, menstruation and well being.
Examples: Uttanasana (Standing forward bend) Balasana (Child’s pose) Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend)
Add comment August 24, 2009
Hatha vs Vinyasa flow
For those out there that are unsure about what class to attend for the first time, I’ll explain some of the similarities and differences of the two types of classes I offer.
Hatha yoga and vinyasa flow yoga are similar by:
• they both unify the mind, body and soul
• increase strength and flexibility
• come from the same philosophy and standards
• both practices are preformed on a yoga mat (for the most part, in the west)
• they make use of the same asana
The differences between the two styles are:
• Hatha has been prevalent since the 15th century, also known as Hatha Vidya or the science of Hatha. Where, flow is derived from hatha. And most likely influenced by the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga yoga.
• Flow yoga links the poses together with breath which directly effects the cardiovascular system. Hatha yoga is a gentle and slower pace practice, becoming challenging physically when moving deeper and holding poses for longer periods of time.
• Hatha is perfect for beginners to gain experience and confidence. The time spent in positions allows the student to feel correct alignment and gain awareness in the body. Flow is considered a more advanced practice which is demanding on the systems of the body.
• Flow builds heat in the body every quickly by dynamic movements, the practice is the journey between the postures. The opposite is for hatha, poses are held for multiple breaths, the practice is the poses.
Add comment August 9, 2009
Starting a new habit
This morning I ran 5K, it’s been a while since I’ve ran a measured distance and 5K is a little further then I thought. It was the perfect morning for the challenge. Nice and warm, overcast, a slight sea breeze and when I rounded the first corner of the track there’s a view of the ocean through the trees. Throughout my run I was always coming back to myself and checking in.
I couldn’t help but think during the run how much my yoga practice helped me keep moving for the 35 minutes, 12.5 laps, and a handful of songs. When I needed that extra little breath I ballooned my lungs out and was surprised to feel air in areas of my chest I had not felt before. What an exhilarating experience to know I’m not using my body to it’s full potential… there’s room for growth.
You know that point in a run when you start telling yourself “that’s enough”? Yogi’s call this voice the “ego”, and sometimes it is enough, but most times the ego is saying “I know there’s more in the tank, but I’m just tired.” I find my ego saying things like, “at least you made it out”, “you could always go again tomorrow”, “look at them, they’re just walking”…. But today, I listened to my Self. I had set an intention to run the full 5K and just kept going.
I love having the body awareness that yoga has taught me. As I was tiring, about 2K in (which is the distance I now know my normal after work jogs are) the ego kicked in saying “walk just one lap”. I took a moment and focused on my breath, steady inhales and exhales. Brought my awareness to my legs and hips, my stride was a little short but hey, I’m going farther then I have in a long time. Walking wasn’t an option and then I rounded that first corner again and aaahhh the ocean view. And my mind was onto something else, tiredness forgotten.
When chatting with other runners, we talk about that tiring stage and knowing when you are done. The majority say either the lungs tire first or the legs do. For myself it’s the cardio that limits me. By the ninth lap I was feeling it in my right lower ribs but I was on the home stretch. So I slowed my pace for the last few laps, feeling great that I’d gone farther today than yesterday. Then I thought of the coffee I was going to have when I got home, found a rockin’ song on “Skip” (my iPod shuffle) and poured it on for the last 100 meters. It’s been a great day, 5K and it’s only 9 am.
2 comments July 18, 2009
