Day 365 Intention ~ Bid 2013 Adieu

Day 365 Intention ~ Bid 2013 Adieu

It has been quite a year! It flew by so quickly. There were laughs, tears, moments of clarity, moments of confusion, doubt, self-questioning. There were also many adventures by car, plane & ship. I have sadly lost a few family and friends, but have also made new friends.

The cycle of time and life.

We take the good with the bad and try to just keep going on no matter what's happening around us.

Cheers to you all and farewell 2013.

Here's to an even more wonderful 2014.

Namaste.

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 364 Intention ~ Explore New Ground

Day 364 Intention ~ Explore New Ground

Road trip! Not really the words expected in winter...from Cleveland, but that's how it is this year. Off for a new years adventure in Chicago. I have only driven through Chicago,  and never gotten the chance to explore and experience this city.

Seems like a great way to finish & start a new year. I hope that it is a foreshadowing to the upcoming year~ lots of adventure, exploring of new places, physically & on my inner journey.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 363 Intention ~ Check Back

Day 363 Intention ~ Check Back

 

We are drawing very close to the end of the year.

 

How are you feeling about it? If you look back at the resolutions or let's just call them goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of 2013, do you feel satisfied with how they have come along?

 

Looking back to January 1st, I decided not to set resolutions, but instead to set intentions each day. One of those intentions for the year was to write about them each day, right here on this blog to share with you. That has been a success (although one day I did miss the midnight deadline by I think 30 minutes or so-not too bad for 365 days!)

 

Other things that I wanted to do were to practice asana, meditation and pranayama everyday this year. I know teaching yoga doesn't really count, so no, I haven't practiced these everyday, but pretty darn close. And yes, I do count days when it was a shortened 20 minute practice. The pranayama beyond ujjayi breath during the physical practice needs to be done more...as does the meditation. But, I was much more disciplined with my physical practice.

 

Lastly, I took on a vegan diet this year. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The most difficult times have been going out to eat, but I have gotten that down to a routine now when I do go out and lately, during the holidays, it has been a struggle. I have found myself giving in to gatherings with people and eating some dairy here and there. I'll tell you what, I can feel it! I feel sluggish and heavy after the holidays and am looking forward to getting back to a normal routine. So, all in all, it was a positive experience. I felt so much happier and peaceful with myself and my choices. I wanted to try it for a year to see how it was and frankly, I can't imagine going back.

 

As for 2014, the intentions will keep coming, but perhaps not publicly.

 

Mainly, I want to remember to be present and enjoy this life and those in it while I am here.

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 362 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

Day 362 Intention ~ Stop Comparing

Keeping up with the Joneses, it's the American way. From the car we drive to our home or even our yoga pants, we compare ourselves to our neighbors, family, friends, sometimes the person on the mat next to us.

With all of this comparing, how can we ever keep up? There will always be someone richer, prettier, with fancier clothes and an a wheel pose that looks like one of the arches in St. Louis.

In time, over the years, I have let go of comparing my practice to others. The more recent struggle has been while taking class. I have a tendency to compare the teachers teaching to my own. Unfortunately, no matter how great I think their class is, with all of this comparing, I am not present for class.

Today, while in a wonderful class, I caught this comparing starting up. Luckily, I realized it & told myself to let go of it so that I could get the most out of the class. Once I let go of it, instead of losing self-confidence in my own teaching, I found inspiration from this teacher.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 361 Intention ~ Get Reinspired

Day 361 Intention ~ Get Reinspired

 

 

I suffer from end-of-the-year-itus right now. I am excited that I have only three more classes in 2013. There is this thought in my head that come next Thursday when I am back to teaching, that everything will be new again just at the turn of a calendar page.

 

Why wait?!

 

Well, much to my surprise, instead of leaving 2013 feeling burned out and wanting to just hole up and hide for a month, I am already feeling renewed.

 

How did this happen?

 

Well, inspiration can come in the simplest ways. I needed to drive my husband to work this morning because his car is in the shop. I don't have class til later this afternoon, so I decided to watch a yoga documentary this morning. As I listened to different yoga masters talk about yoga, I started to feel that spark inside again. I started to realize that yoga is so important, not only for me but for millions of people. It is such a healing and growth tool. It is simply transformational and amazing.

 

Once the film was finished, I took George for a walk. As we walked through the snowy streets, I felt inspiration. Just being outside in the fresh air with a being who is so present there is no ignoring it.

 

I came home and started to write notes for an article that I have been struggling with conceptually for a long time now. I rolled out my mat and am warming up my little yoga room as I type this, and again, I am awed by the life I get to live and create and connect in.

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

 

 



Day 360 Intention ~ Find Routine

Day 360 Intention ~ Find Routine

Back to work today. It felt like it was 3 a.m. when the alarm went off this morning. My mind was in a fog, my body felt slow, sluggish...and full.

Ahhh, holiday family time. We seem to be eating every 20 minutes, rich foods that my body isn't used too. Long car rides and a lack of yoga quickly tightened my whole body up.

Today, it is back to salads, teaching & practicing yoga.

As tight and bloated we can get over the holidays or any time we are out of our normal routine, it really does not take that long to get back to our healthy selves. Get on your mat and practice. The longer you wait, the harder it will be.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 359 Intention ~ Enjoy Time With Family

Day 359 Intention ~ Enjoy Time With My Family

It's the holidays. I know it sounds cliche, but the thing that makes me happiest is to see my family and get some time with them. We are all spread out these days and rarely are we all in the same place at the same time (this year included), so it's nice to catch up with whoever I can.

My nieces & nephews are changing and growing up so fast that it's hard to keep up. My father will be 85 in 2014, so I know it really means a lot to him when we are all (or some) there.

So, as we drive back to Ohio to work tomorrow, I am so glad to have been able to live, share, laugh & love with my original satsang!

I wish you all the merriest and hope that you got to spend the holidays with your loved ones.

Namaste til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 358 Intention ~ Have Safe Travels

Day 358 Intention ~ Have Safe Travels

 

As we pack up to head to my parents for the holiday, I wish all of you safe travels on the road, whether it is by car, by plane, or people are headed to you this holiday.

 

Weather this time of year between Cleveland and Rochester, New York is iffy at best. As many wish for a white Christmas, I prefer not to drive in a big snowy mess. As I started packing the car, the snow started falling and hasn't stopped.

 

I will look forward to pulling in at my parents and warming up with some laughter, love and family for the holiday.

 

 

Again, I wish you all safe travels and if you celebrate this holiday, have a wonderful one.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 357 Intention ~ See Old Friends

Day 357 Intention ~ See Old Friends

 

It's a couple of days before Christmas and all through Cleveland, people were packing parking lots and driving like maniacs to pick up last minute gifts for the holidays. They were checking their phones (doesn't have to be a holiday for that) and distracted by their thoughts so much that they were cutting each other off and getting into accidents and honking their horns.

 

Happy holidays.

 

I drove down to Kent this morning to see some old friends that live in California now. It was my only chance to see them this holiday season, so I trekked down there even if it was for only 90 minutes. I will take what I can get. Seeing friends and family during the holidays is more important to me than anything else. So, I do what I can.

 

As I drove to and from, the cars were driving erratically and cutting each other off, not signaling or not turning their signals off long past switching lanes. The exit at Chagrin was backed up all the way to the highway. As people pulled up next to me, everyone looked so unhappy.

 

I couldn't help asking myself, why do we put ourselves through it each year!?!

 

So, in defiance of this holiday stress, I chose to remain calm in my vehicle and know that I would eventually move again. I would get home. And, I am still happy I drove all that way to see old friends for a few moments today.

 

A friend of mine has a bath towel in her bathroom that reads, "Friends are the best presents." Last weekend when we were all over at her house for a holiday gathering, we busted her chops a little bit on that towel and had a good laugh. But, today, when I think about it, it's true.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 356 Intention ~ Teach My Class

Day 356 Intention ~ Teach My Class

This morning I subbed a yoga basics class. I have a lot of respect for the regular teacher of this class and think she is a great teacher. I find teaching basics harder than other classes, so I like to sub this class to keep me on my game.

I teach this class differently than the regular teacher, but if I tried to teach just like her, it wouldn't feel natural. Although most of the students have actually been practicing for years, it is still a basics class.

At this point, I know most of these students & I think they enjoy having a different teacher from time to time. I hope so anyhow.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 355 Intention ~ A Shout Out

Day 355 Intention ~ A Shout Out

It's hard to believe that there are only 10 more days this year! Today I want to send out a shout out to all of my yoga students that I am lucky enough to teach. You are all so unique, talented, smart, funny & beautiful. Everytime I have the pleasure of having you on your mat in my class, I learn something from you. And, let's face it, without you, I wouldn't be able to do this personal dream job for a living.

So, thank you.

Happy Holidays & I look forward to serving you in 2014!

Til tomorrow...namaste

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 354 Intention ~ Soften

Day 354 Intention ~ Soften

With the holidays upon us and lots of classes to be subbed, I have found myself feeling burned out and tense. My shoulders have gotten tighter & tighter over the last week making me feel hard as a rock. That is physically speaking.

Between money woes and holiday stress, my mind and emotional state has also hardened. There has been a minor pity party going on for myself the last few days making me unmotivated and uninspired in my "normal" life & in my classes.

Today, I have tried to lighten up a bit. As soon as I changed my mindset, my shoulders started to soften...then my heart.

What happened after that? Well, everything got a little bit brighter and better.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 353 Intention ~ Keep On Moving

Day 353 Intention ~ Keep On Moving

 

 

Today is one of those crazy days. I am teaching 6 classes. Not a normal day...and not necessarily a good idea if looking to keep one's sanity. :)

 

So, today's motto or mantra is to keep on moving. I fear if I sit and rest, I will then lose all energy and not make it back out of the house! With four down & two to go, I am on the flip side of it, but these are also the two classes that I am struggling the most with as far as motivation is concerned.

 

 

When I worked a regular desk job, I always found that if it was a busy day, then I seemed to get more done than if it were a light workday. Same is true now. Even with house work or "to do" lists. If I have nothing to do, then I really do nothing. But, the busier I am, not only do I get more done, but I am much more motivated.

 

So, keep on moving...especially this crazy time of year. It may just help you "do it all"!

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 352 Intention ~ Name Three Positive Things

Day 352 Intention ~ Name Three Positive Things

 

 

Reflection. It's that time of year. Some of us beat ourselves up because we thought we'd be so much further along at this point. To where, I'm not sure, but further....Some of us start to compare our lives to others and think that we don't measure up without taking into consideration that we have food on the table, we have a place to live, we have friends, family...etc.

 

 

It's easy to fall into these traps. But, what if you named three positive things that happened to you this past year? Surely, that can't be bad. It may even spark other good things...and your mood. Then, looking back, the year was a positive after all.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 351 Intention ~ Get The Holiday Spirit

Day 351 Intention ~ Get the Holiday Spirit

 

 

Interestingly enough, after yesterday's post and voicing out loud that I had the holiday blues, I almost immediately started to perk back up. I took the dog for a walk and went to start the old holiday shopping. It was as if I purged a little bit.

 

 

Today, I feel like a different person. I am ready to tackle this holiday madness and get in the spirit. Really, I feel the spirit of giving and love, peace, joy and happiness all year round. It's just this time of year when spending money that I don't necessarily have to spend that I can get a little bit down. But, it's once a year. It will be okay and it's not like I go too too nuts anyhow.

 

 

It's not really about the gift giving anyhow as we all know. It's about spending time with loved ones. No matter what you believe...for some it's about Jesus, for others, it's not. Most importantly, get together with people and spread some joy and peace. Laugh, love, and let's just enjoy some time together...as one.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

 

Shanti,

 

 

Marcia

Day 350 Intention ~ Accept the Ups & Downs

Day 350 Intention ~ Accept the Ups & Downs

 

 

Perhaps it's the holiday blues (or stress surrounding the holidays) or too much holiday cheer being injested, but this time of year tends to catch me in a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute, I love the ambiance created by the fire, Christmas lights and snow outside, the next moment, I am distraught over the money needed not only to pay my bills, but to buy gifts for all of my loved ones without breaking the bank.

 

 

Ups and downs. This time of year also creates reflection. It's normal and natural. I start questioning my choices wondering if I will ever stack up to the vision I have of how I am supposed to be at this age. I also wonder if I will ever be satisfied with that in years to come. So it goes. It's almost like a holiday ritual.

 

 

In reality, we need these up and downs to appreciate the good times. We move in cycles. Our being is made up of three doshas according to Ayurveda: vata, pitta & kapha. Very basically, when we have too much vata we tend to feel "windy", flighty, and hard to focus...ungrounded. Pitta is unbalanced when we feel firey...angry, hot headed, etc. And an unbalanced kapha creates laziness, sluggishness and even weight gain.

 

When balanced, these doshas are wonderful. They help us be creative and motivated, we find our way to be great leaders with a calm, serene spirit. We need each of these to balance the others out. When we feel ungrounded, we need the kapha influence to bring us back to Earth a bit, to slow us down. When we feel lazy, we need that vata wind to motivate us.

 

But, there are the cycles. They aren't always the same and there is no set time frame for how long you may be feeling more lazy or windy. Once you notice it, if you start to take steps to balance, it should even out more quickly. This cycle right now for me is definitely more of a kapha laziness, depressed cycle and now that I realize it, I accept it, but am searching for what will bring me out of it. Not sure what just yet, but hopefully this cycle is short lived.

 

 

Although, it could be considered a bit depressing, knowing that it is normal actually helps.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 349 Intention ~ Feel Lucky

Day 349 Intention ~ Feel Lucky

This weekend was chock full of gatherings. Every gathering was filled with friendly folks...old friends and new. I am feeling lucky to have these folks in my life, whether they are just passing through or if I have known them for 20 years.

I get by with a little help....

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 348 Intention ~ Compromise

Day 348 Intention ~ Compromise

 

 

It can't be my way all the time.

Not in a marriage. Not in a friendship. Not in life.

Ebbs and flows. Good and bad. Ups and downs.

It's fine.

 

Sometimes I get so caught up in what and how I think things should go or be, that I forget to consider what others may think about it. I am recognizing that fact today since I wasn't recognizing it yesterday. It's funny how something can become so clear that seemed so distorted just a day earlier.

 

When there is just one tunnel vision and bull headedness along with that vision, it's difficult to move forward. It's hard to open up to other visions, insights, ideas and each other.

Free your mind...sometimes with a compromise.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia



Day 347 Intention ~ Watch My Thoughts

Day 347 Intention ~ Watch My Thoughts

 

 

 

Sometimes we may not say negative things out loud for the sake of another's feelings and for various reasons. We are taught that if we don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all as children. It doesn't always take things being said out loud for us to feel hurt. When we think negatively about others and ourselves, we are not following the yogic moral code of ahimsa or non-harming.

 

 

I beat myself up all the time in my head about silly little things. I get frustrated by people's behaviors and rather than tell them, I think negatively about that behavior and so on. This can be just as harmful as saying them out loud.

 

Think positively. Think with an open mind and an open heart. I'm not saying be blind to things, but don't put a negative twist on everything either. Negativity breeds negativity. And guess what, positive thinking breeds, well, positive thinking.

 

 

Sure, a little less harm could be done by not saying something mean or negative to someone, but thinking it, one can usually sense it anyhow. Don't feed it.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 346 Intention ~ Let Love Rule

Day 346 Intention ~ Let Love Rule

 

 

This week I have been working on the anahata chakra, a.k.a. the heart chakra in my classes. This can involve backbending and chest opening that can make people feel vulnerable. Some of us guard our hearts so intently that once we try to open that area, it is a challenge.

 

Usually when this class is going on, people have such contorted faces and make noises to assure me of their discontent in attempting these positions. After a little while, as they start to warm up and even start to open up, things tend to settle down. People tend to quiet except for their breath. When the class is over, there is a new vibrant energy about the room and even many smiles.

 

 

When we can get the chest opening and that heart area opening, balancing the heart chakra, we start to find some space...for love. Not just self-love, but a love for others. A sense of community starts to form. We can start to see ourselves in each others hearts and vice-versa.

 

 

So ham, I am that. I am that I am.

 

Namaste, the divine in me sees and honors the divine in you.

 

Let love rule.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia