Day 345 Intention ~ Keep Learning

Day 345 Intention ~ Keep Learning

There is so much going on in this world, in this life, that there is no reason to not keep learning through it all. It keeps life exciting and new and helps us from becoming stagnant. 

Besides, nobody likes a know it all anyhow!

In yoga, I am still always learning. I have been teaching for just about 4 years now, and practiced for years longer than that, but yet, I still learn something every class I take. It may not be about a pose, but often, it's something about myself. How I react to certain movements, what it brings out in my body and my mind...and, yes, no day is ever exactly the same. 

When I was in teacher training, I remember it being said at one point that as soon as you think you know it all, you know nothing. I have always tried to keep that in mind as I teach and as I take class. I think it's a great mantra for beyond the class too. 

As soon as we think we know everything, we start to close ourselves off in a way. We aren't open to new ideas, we are definitely never wrong and we slowly become all about the ego again. I, me, mine. We forget that we are all living and breathing as one, it may appear we are living separate existences, and from certain angles we are, but in the grand scope of the universe and life, we are all part of the same beating energy and breath. What I do effects you and vice versa and on and on. So, let's try to keep open. 

Breathe deep, lift your chest and your heart and open your arms to the universe and all it has to offer. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 158 Intention ~ Celebrate Love

Day 158 Intention ~ Celebrate Love

I am in love with love! It's true. Seeing people care for one another, whether it's romantic or just in a humankind sort of way, it always warms my heart.

Today, I am off to Indiana for a family wedding. This wedding is family on my husband's side. Two people marrying that I have never met, but I am excited to celebrate their love this evening and see others celebrate love. 

Life is full of so many cycles and although we try to make the best of each situation, when we get the chance to really enjoy a milestone and celebrate, we should open ourselves and our hearts to that! 

So today, I celebrate love & am going to try to share an open heart with all that I meet.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 87 Intention ~ Follow Your Dreams

Day 87 Intention ~ Follow Your Dreams

What do you really want to do with your life? 

It's a big question. 

The other big question: Are you doing it? 

If not, it's never too late to start! It may be a dream or vision you had of yourself when you were a child or maybe it just struck you yesterday, but why not make a move to do what you want to do and find happiness?!

When I was younger, I used to write all of the time. I actually looked at going into journalism at Ohio State. When I opted not to go to Ohio State, for whatever reason, I didn't write anything just for me...for 20 years! 

A studio that I used to teach at was having a 5-week workshop on making yourself happy through healthy eating, exercise, lifestyle, etc...you get the idea. We would have assignments each week. One week, we had to create something whether it be a drawing, a sculpture, or whatever, but create it. So, I wrote a poem. It felt really good. 

Since then, I now write for 3 websites and this blog :)

I have also written a couple articles for my friends neighborhood paper. 

My husband started to suggest that I write a book. I thought to myself, "Okay, I'll just whip one out." But, in reality, I liked the idea. I just have a fear of it not being good and what would I write about?!?! This started to become a bit of a secret obsession for me, wondering what to write a book about. 

Wednesday morning I was driving to one of my classes and was enjoying the scenery around me, and it was almost like a vision...the story started to unfold in my mind. So, today, I am going to outline my book and start my newest dream. Inspiration can come at any time in life, we just need to be present and allow it to come in. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 61 Intention ~ Enjoy Community

Day 61 Intention ~ Enjoy Community

In yoga, a group of like-minded individuals is called a satsang. As I scanned across the room in my class this afternoon, I noticed the people. All these beautiful faces, some familiar, some new, all in that space for that 75 minutes for yoga. There were 2 new to me students today that couldn't have been more different from each other, but their smiles resonated the same joy, the same openness, the same light that made them one. Now, I can't begin to know what each of their intentions for class were or what got them to make their way to class today, but they were all there, at the same time, to practice yoga. This is one thing we were all like-minded about, hence creating our own little satsang for that moment in time. It's an amazing thing to share that energy and breath with people that are so open to what you are saying and teaching. 

This evening, I am going out to see some live music. It will be a different sort of satsang I suppose. A group of people in my community, whether I know them or not, that share a love of music, and this band or this style of music. I am hoping to embrace everyone and feel like part of this musical satsang tonight. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

2013 Intentions

Happy New Year! 

As with each new year that passes, many new & grand resolutions will be made that tend to get thrown by the wayside as soon as the daily post holiday grind hits. Maybe they were too big, too grand...we all do it. Sure, this year I have a few grand "resolutions" that I would like to conquer over the course of 2013, but more importantly, I want to try to  set daily smaller intentions to keep me focused and present. 

Of course, one of my more grand resolutions is to post a blog each day right here regarding my small intention of that particular day. Now, finding time to write can be a struggle on a daily basis, so I am really seeing this as more of a habit change than a resolution (although I suppose most resolutions are habit changes.) You all will find out soon enough if this grand "resolution" loses steam or not. 

Some other larger resolutions this year are to actually practice yoga asana, pranayama & meditation every day of this year, to change my diet to a vegan diet...I am allowing myself a few weeks to make the conversion, only because I am going on vacation in a few days and am not sure if there will be vegan options where I am going, BUT if there are (beyond only salad), I will try to stick to it on vacation also. 

Setting a small intention each day is a great way to help keep focus on what is important. It can make us more present and conscious...today. I think that will allow for a little more appreciation of whatever is going on that day-good, bad, happy, sad, or non-eventful. I invite you to join me in this practice and perhaps start a new good habit to help you become more aware. Keep it simple. Maybe it is as simple as taking 10 deep breaths in and out before reacting if someone upsets you. Maybe it's to meditate each day, starting with 10 minutes and increasing once this behavior becomes part of your daily life. Maybe it's to smile at the first person you see each day. Your intention is yours & no intention is too small. Each intention is important. 

My intention for today is to greet the new year by practicing yoga asana, pranayama & meditation with an open mind and heart. 

So far, so good...

Shanti, 

Marcia

This practice of yoga does work

We contort ourselves, twist ourselves, turn ourselves upside down & back again.


People may think we're crazy, but we're fine tuning our body. Fine tuning our body leads us to a calm mind...to the breath. 


Take a deep breath in. 


Yoga does work. This action and practice on the mat leads us to different actions or reactions of the mat. We find that we are not so quick to react negatively or angrily to things. Our heart is more open to others, which in turn sets an example to others, shows them that there are positive, loving people out there. 


Ever notice an angry or upset person? Their breath is short, huffy & quick. 


Take a deep breath in. 


Create a chain reaction of love & openness and, eventually, that chain will make its way back to you, give you love, happiness and peace. 


An openness of spirit. A union of people in love and support. 


We are all worth it. 


This practice of yoga does work & each time we step on our mats, we open our body, we open our mind and we open our heart & spirit to love. 


Enjoy this blessing.


Hari om~om tat sat
Immerse yourself in unconditional love & saturate yourself in unlimited consciousness.

Namaste~Marcia