Day 341 Intention ~ Lay Low

Day 341 Intention ~ Lay Low

I have the whole weekend off! We don't even have plans.  I've been feeling like I have been burning the candle at both ends lately, so I welcome a weekend to just lay low and stay in. Sleep, relax, read, walk tge dog, watch movies & hang with the hubby.

I am also limiting social media this weekend in an attempt to really "turn off" the outside world.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 336 Intention ~ Grant Permission

Day 336 Intention ~ Grant Permission

To myself...to be a little lazy today. I woke up with some congestion in my chest and a lack of energy and motivation. 

I have been lounging around all day pretty much, but can't shake feeling guilty about it. I always have stuff to take care of, but I need to grant myself permission to be a little lazy. Save my energy for the one class I have this evening. 

My body is asking for rest, so give it some! 

Why do we beat ourselves up for taking a break?!?!

So, sorry, lame post today, but I am off to lounge for a couple more hours before heading back off into the land of sun salutations and warrior series. 

Til tomorrow (when I have more energy)...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 286 Intention ~ Take Today With Ease

Day 286 Intention ~ Take Today With Ease

It is Sunday after all! It was a nice morning to sleep until I naturally woke up sans alarm (even George let us sleep in ~ good dog). Although there is always stuff to do, I love Sunday because it is the one day of the week that John & I have together that we don't have to, usually, go to work. 

Especially today when it's a little bit drizzly and football is on, it's nice to just hang out and chill. It is a great day to recoup and prepare for the coming week. 

So, I'm easy...like Sunday morning, even now that it's the evening :)

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 280 Intention ~ Back to Work

Day 280 Intention ~ Back to Work

Although it was great to spend a whole day napping and relaxing without a care in the world yesterday, today it is back to reality. Back to work. But, because of yesterday, I feel ready to take on the world. With so much stuff coming up, it is time to buckle down and put the nose to the grindstone...any other cliches I can throw in there?? ha ha ha

So, happy Monday everyone! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 274 Intention ~ Rest

Day 274 Intention ~ Rest

My body is reacting to the change of season...or ragweed, as someone told me 'tis the season. Either way, I feel drained and allergic. My nose is constantly running, which is making me spacey and tired. 

The body lets us know how it is feeling. Sure, I haven't exactly been eating that healthy, or sleeping enough and really burning the candle at both ends the past few weeks. I give in. I usually try to care for my allergies in natural ways, but this has become too much. 

Although I hate the over the counter meds, I am breaking down and taking a Benadryl. I know it will make me drowsy, but perhaps, it will help me sleep better. Rest is in order.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 262 Intention ~ Go Easy

Day 262 Intention ~ Go Easy

Trying to take it easy today, even with 5 classes to teach. Four down, one to go this evening. With the fall schedule coming into play, and the busier schedule upon me, I fear that I have run myself down a little bit. When I got home last night, I was worried that I was falling ill early in the season for me. 

In this yoga profession, having a cold is not an option. So, I am listening to the cues today and going easy on myself. 

Luckily, I have this break in the day to rest and get it together for class this evening. 

In yoga, we get to learn our bodies cues. We become so familiar with how our shoulders, arms, legs, back, etc. feel in poses and moving through the poses, that we know when something just isn't right. We learn to listen to what our body is telling us that day. How far it can go, push further or pull back a bit that day. The key is accepting and being okay with what your body is telling you any given day. 

Learning to apply these lessons in our regular life off the mat is helpful too. When to push for that promotion or raise, how to assess a situation and deal with it, how we handle stress, and even when to call in sick. Allow the body to rest and heal when it needs it. 

So, that is what is going to happen here this afternoon. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 183 Intention ~ Let The Vacation Begin

Day 183 Intention ~ Let The Vacation Begin

Although I have a laundry list of things to do before we leave for Virginia this evening, the vacation has begun! It has been pretty rainy and dreary here in Cleveland the last few days, but as I was heading home this morning, the sun burst through to give me that jolt of energy needed to get these somewhat tedious tasks finished so we can head out. 

This respite from work couldn't come at a better time. After teaching 20 classes in the last 8 days, I am fried. Also, after yesterday's fiasco with George, my shoulder is pretty out of whack and could use a few days rest. Now, just getting these tasks done, so that I can let my mind start vacation would be fantastic!

So, the next few days will be from the road! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 148 Intention ~ Work, Rest, Work, Rest...

Day 148 Intention ~ Work, Rest, Work, Rest...

Apparently I am pretty exhausted from all the excitement of the holiday weekend & am finding that I've needed to switch from work to rest, back to work and then rest again all day long. 

I suppose this could lead into a discussion about balance in one's life or listening to what my body is requesting, but the reality is, I have work to do, but I'm tired. Therefore, instead of work and play, today, it is work and rest...in short shifts for each. 

Sorry, but that is it for today! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 131 Intention ~ Be Okay With It

Day 131 Intention ~ Be Okay With It

I'll admit, today I am tired. Today's intention is about me being okay with having a lazy day...including in this blog. 

I often feel guilty if I am not being productive or doing something all of the time, but the reality is, it is more important to listen to what my body, mind & spirit are telling me. Today, that is to chill out.

Tomorrow, we can contemplate the niyamas and bringing them to our lives, but for this chilly evening, I am going to enjoy my family and watch a movie, snuggled on the couch. 

Namaste.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 112 Intention ~ Rest

Day 112 Intention ~ Rest.

Rest and rejuvenation are what is on the schedule for today. 

As much fun as it can be to go, go, go, it's time to listen to the body and let it recuperate after a long weekend of walking all over, camping, dancing and driving. 

Give yourself a break when you need it. Your body will be a much happier shell if you do. 

Til tomorrow...zzzzzzzzzzzz

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 101 Intention ~ Remember to listen to my body.

Day 101 Intention ~ Remember to listen to my body.

One of the great things about the physical practice of yoga is that you learn how to tune into your body. Although, I try to practice everyday and teach 15 classes a week, I still get surprised when I feel sore. Not that I practice the classes I teach, but you do find yourself getting into positions to demonstrate or in even more awkward positions to adjust students, so it's not strange that I get sore sometimes. The last few days, my left side has been so so sore...more than usual. Hip, glute, thigh, shoulder...ugh. 

So, today when I have 4 classes (5 today because of an emergency sub situation), I am listening to my body and allowing myself to rest the body as much as I can between classes. 

Just as with other exercises, you can overwork the body and cause strain. I am hoping this is all this is :)

So, listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs. Today, mine needs rest. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 74 Intention ~ Listen to Signs from the Universe

Day 74 Intention ~ Listen to signs from the Universe

Okay, this one may sound silly, but it's true. Yesterday morning I woke up feeling really congested and not very good. I had to go teach a class though and ended up practicing with the owner of the studio where I was teaching. I felt a lot better afterwards. In fact, my congestion felt cleared up and all was good!

I went to my second class and as I was pulling out, my check engine light came on and my car barely made it as it sputtered over to my mechanic. I walked to my next class, about a mile from my mechanic's and then another 3 miles home afterwards. 

Luckily, my husband came home in time to drive me to and from my last class. When I got home, all of my congestion came back. 

No car, congestion...stay home the universe called out. So, I found a sub for my afternoon class today which is 20 miles away. I don't feel well, but I am resting. I am listening. 

I often feel guilty if I am not working and just laying around, but how often does that really happen!! So, I give in universe. Thank you for the break. 

Back to my couch & cheesy movie...til tomorrow. 

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 23 Intention ~ To Allow Myself Some Rest

Day 23 Intention ~ To allow myself some rest. 

Well, I must've jinxed myself with yesterday's post. Today, the cold that had been teasing me the last few days blossomed into full swing. Ugh. 

Lots of times when I am sick, I shrug it off and still try to do a bunch of chores and all of that good stuff. Not this time. Although I did take care of a few things, other than that, I am on the couch resting. Our bodies are talking to us when these things happen, so for once, I am listening. 

On that note...til tomorrow.

Shanti, 

Marcia