Day 211 Intention ~ One Step At A Time

Day 211 Intention ~ One Step At A Time

Being the pisces that I am, I tend to live in a dream land sometimes...a.k.a. fantasy land. I dream big and sometimes lose the smaller steps to get that big dream to come true. Now, I'm not just talking about career goals, but everyday simple things that I would like done. 

For example, I get this vision of my back yard...finished how I would like it to be in my fantasy world. Reality...I've been ignoring it all summer because we've been away or too busy, etc. It became so overgrown that the thought of working out there was just too overwhelming. In my head, there was this bountiful garden growing and a hammock, the patio was clean and cleared off and there are garden candles and decorations, and on and on. A couple weeks ago, I put the candle stakes up and started pulling the weeds. Then...back out of town. Backyard ignored again. Today, the hammock went up and some plants actually went into the ground (finally!). 

And, although it may not be my fantasy garden/backyard. It feels great back there. One step at a time. 

Same with my writing. Instead of visualizing myself on a book tour, I have been writing down ideas for the book that still needs written. 

Instead of jumping right back into a full on hardcore yoga practice after hurting my shoulder, I have eased back in and finally today, started back on my forearm stand work. 

One step at a time. It takes the pressure off and it makes each small accomplishment more valuable. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 129 Intention ~ Practice Outside

Day 129 Intention ~ Practice Outside (finally!)

There is a little strip in my yard that my neighbors can't really see me when everything is in full bloom. My Rose of Sharon offer a lovely natural privacy wall, but they are not quite there yet. Regardless of that, it was wonderful to head over to my little strip this afternoon and practice. 

At the beginning of the year, I made an intention to myself to practice everyday this year, even if it is just a little bit. I've been pretty good about it, but have slacked a tad bit as of late for various reasons. So today, I am back! 

There is something special about breathing outdoors (even with all the pollen floating around thanks to my new spirulina regimen) and getting back in touch with nature. Sure the flow isn't quite as graceful on a lawn with different lumps and bumps all around, but it is what it is. Practicing arm balances become a little less frightening when you have soft smushy grass underneath you. I enjoyed letting birds and lawn mowers be my playlist as I flowed from pose to pose and even as I wasn't afraid to flip right over when attempting to stick pincha mayurasana (a.k.a. forearm stand). 

It's also just nice to change your "work" space sometimes. Even in yoga studios, students tend to always place their mat in the same spot...attaching themselves to that space. It's better to move around, be open, and it may even change your perspective on the class or on your practice. 

I hope that you all get to practice today & are having an amazingly beautiful day like we are here in good ol' Cleveland! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Face your fears...

I teach yoga, but when it comes to my own asana practice, I find that there are definite walls that I have put up when it comes to certain poses. My teacher always says, "You have to be willing to fall on your face." This mantra is one that I often repeat to my students now. It always gets a laugh and usually helps people forget their fears, somewhat, and give it a try. As much as I've said this and heard this, I feel like I am not willing. I have tried to face those fears.

In practicing forearm stand, I have collapsed into my shoulder more than once because of my elbow starting to wing out, causing me to have some shoulder issues on and off. For this reason, I definitely tend to stay away from this pose in more recent days.

Well, that is, until a couple weeks ago.

Some students in class one morning wanted some help working on forearm stand and handstand. I showed them step by step instructions on how to practice getting into these poses and encouraged them to try. While they were resettling on their mats, excited and invigorated from being upside down, one of my students asked if we could work on those types of things more in the new year.

That was when it hit me. My own fears had led me to skip over teaching these types of poses that make ME feel uncomfortable, even though my students may be eager to try them out!

That's no good. So, this week, I wrapped a strap around my arms just above the elbows to help keep my elbows and shoulders in line (which I should have been doing the whole time), and worked on forearm stand.

It felt good.

I tried getting up several times and when my shoulder started to ache, I stopped. But, I tried. That belt really helped.

I tried!!

That wall of fear is still there, but it's starting to crumble and it feels good.

I would like to thank all of my students who always inspire me and teach me every single time they come to class.