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 275 Intention ~ Show Some Hometown Pride

Day 275 Intention ~ Show Some Hometown Pride

I live in Cleveland. The butt of many a joke. When my husband & I decided to move back here in 2007 from Colorado when the economy was at a very low point, especially for Cleveland, people kept asking us, "why?".

We always defended Cleveland, even then. We missed that Cleveland spirit. We loved Cleveland's losing sports teams...whether we liked that part of it or not. We loved being in a more diverse city with lots of older architecture and affordable housing. I could go on and on.

Something happened that first year we moved back. The Indians went to the playoffs. They beat the mighty Yankees. 

We were lucky enough to get to go to a number of those games. It was very exciting. 

This past week has been so exciting as the Indians play tonight in the Wild Card game to hopefully head to the playoffs. The Browns won last Sunday and play here tomorrow night. Heck, my fantasy team even jumped to 2nd place! 

There is a lot of new energy that has been building around this area since we moved back. People love this city and will make it work. Between hip new restaurants, breweries and night spots to more bike lanes & lots more yoga studios (my love of course!), medical mart, great healthcare and tons of fantastic artists around town~this is the place to be!! 

Love my CLE!!

Go Tribe! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 242 Intention ~ Keep It Personal

Day 242 Intention ~ Keep It Personal

There is a big yoga event going on this evening at the Rock Hall here in Cleveland. Believe in CLE is what they are calling it. An event sponsored by Lululemon with teachers from Inner Bliss leading the class. According to the event invite on Facebook, over 1000 people are going to go to this event. At first, I was excited at the idea of this event and the community building in the yoga spirit that it could bring, but now that the day is here, I just feel like laying low. 

Oftentimes, I try to avoid the "scene". Twenty years ago, I felt I always needed to be on the scene...these days, not so much. 

Although it's fun to practice with a bunch of people all breathing and sweating and flowing together, I tend to like my personal home practice a little bit more these days. So as cool as I think this event will be, I am going to lay low, keep my practice personal and spend the evening with my favorite beings, John, George & Stella. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 220 Intention ~ Get Hometown Proud

Day 220 Intention ~ Get Hometown Proud

It's one of my favorite times of year...football season! I do love my Cleveland Browns. As much as they lose and disappoint year after year, I still love them. And so do many people all over. With the largest group of backers in the country (don't quote me, but that used to be true I know!), I am not alone. 

Yoga is about creating connection and community & in it's own way, football, and other sports teams, create a bond and a community between people also. 

Especially in Cleveland. There have been many rough years in this rust belt city, not only with football, baseball & basketball. There have been years of population and job loss, run down buildings, business loss...c'mon we all have heard Cleveland jokes. 

But, these days, things are looking up here in Cleveland. Lots of new energy and businesses. Young people moving back into downtown. Many foodie chefs have come to sink their heels, or their forks, into this food city & have created a lot of buzz. 

There is a new excitement around this town and I am excited for it. 

And with the Browns pre-season starting tonight, it makes my Cleveland loving heart well up a little bit more. 

Til tomorrow...Go Browns! 

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 161 Intention ~ Enjoy Mamacita

Day 161 Intention ~ Enjoy Mamacita

Mamacita is what John & I call his mom. She has been visiting since Thursday for the wedding. Today is her last day here in Cleveland before heading back to Colorado, so I want to make the most of it. 

She is a fun, interesting lady. We have good conversations and read tarot cards and stuff like that. We don't get to see her that often, so it's special when she gets to visit or we get to head back to Colorado to visit. 

Family and loved ones are so important in our lives. We must appreciate and enjoy them while they are here with us and not wait til it's too late. I don't mean to sound morbid, and believe me, mamacita is not knocking on death's door or anything like that. I am just trying to be present and appreciative and remind myself to enjoy time spent with any of our loved ones each time. It truly is a blessing to be enjoyed. 

On that note...til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 160 Intention ~ Do Something New

Day 160 Intention ~ Do Something New

Lately, I feel like I've been a little more tamasic than sattvic or even rajasic. So, yes, a little bit of a funk. Not long funks, but they pop up more frequently than I like. I think that part of that is not switching up my routine. Always doing the same things and longing for something new and different. 

Granted, I was just out of town for 2 days in a relatively new place, meeting new people. But, to bring excitement back to Cleveland for me, I am going to do something new & different today. Not sure what, but something. 

Maybe a bike ride to somewhere different or head off to a place I've never been (I hear the botanical gardens are lovely & I've never seen them), I don't know, but something to shake it up. 

We'll see what today unfolds...

Til tomorrow.

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 153 Intention ~ Rock the Park

Day 153 Intention ~ Rock the Park

In a yoga sort of way! Happy Sunday folks. This morning kicked off Cleveland's summer of Yoga Rocks the Park in Lincoln Park in my old neighborhood Tremont. 

Sometimes it's hard to get me motivated to leave the house, especially on a Sunday morning, but my fabulous teacher, Marni Task, was teaching this kick-off class & I really wanted to go. So, I motivated. 

So glad I did! Nothing compares to sunshine, birds singing, like-minded yogis practicing together with my amazing teacher and her kirtan band, The Enchanted Hearts, playing in the background. 

The connection to nature and Earth with the practice is just so much more potent when we can practice outside. It allows the awareness to expand to the bigger picture and feel so much more than when in a controlled studio environment (which, don't get me wrong, I love too.)

Ahhh, so much fun! Look for outdoor classes in your neighborhood, or just go to your backyard and experience this connection to the Earth for yourself.

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

Day 111 Intention ~ Appreciate the Road

Day 111 Intention ~ Appreciate the Road

As we drive back to Cleveland today, I will look back fondly on all the great music, people and moments at the Wanee Festival in Florida these past few days. 

Although the times were fun, road trips always make me appreciate home a little bit more. 

With a 14 hour drive ahead of us, I am just going to appreciate the road, and getting some rare alone time with my husband when there is no t.v., no other people around, and nothing to do, but drive, drive, drive.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 105 Intention ~ Ride My Bike

Day 105 Intention ~ Ride My Bike

It's really a pretty simple intention, straightforward. No life changing events here (although I suppose you never know). Just a nice little ride on a nice sunny Monday here in Cleveland. 

I was so excited to finally get my bike fixed after years of talk a few weeks back, just to have the weather turn cold, rainy, sometimes snowy, so today I will ride! 

So, in some ways I will change things by getting some fresh air, some exercise, not sitting on the couch eating junk food or watching t.v., but riding around my lovely city soaking it all in.

Sometimes it's nice to keep it simple, which I suppose could be considered yogic. :)

Happy Monday all! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 80 Intention ~ Find Santosha

Day 80 Intention ~ Find Santosha

Close your eyes, click your heels 3 times and repeat: "Find santosha, find santosha, find santosha." That is how I feel today. I know it's silly, but this winter has worn me out. Now, the 2nd day of spring and a winter weather advisory is out and it's snowy and just plain cold. Yes, it's Cleveland. Do I expect this? Yes, yes I do. But, for some reason, I'm struggling to find santosha today. 

Santosha is contentment or satisfaction with what you have. It is yoga 101. It is one of the niyamas, also known as a restraint or observance, in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and I am usually pretty good about it. Usually. But, old man winter weather has got me down today. 

Things to do to bring santosha back you ask? 

Well, the obvious and most costly is to book a quick trip to somewhere warm...Caribbean preferred, but anywhere would do. The smarter, wiser choice is to practice yoga asana and meditate. This is what I will do and what I can afford. 

If you are also struggling to find santosha in your day...no matter what is creating the block, yoga asana and meditation will help. Even if it is a short practice. Remember, meditation is a practice too. Start with a few minutes and build. Eventually the mind chatter will start to dissolve or at least give you a break for a few minutes. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 69 Intention ~ Realize the Blessings

Day 69 Intention ~ Realize the Blessings

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day in Cleveland, Ohio. In the 60's, sunny, gorgeous. This past couple weeks have been so stressed out, not only me, but my husband has been stressed and it seemed like those around me were all stressed or down at the cold, seemingly neverending winter.

But today brought back that lightness, that feeling of life and growth and excitement that happens every spring. It caused me to wax a little nostalgic and just think about fun times in the past with old friends and family. It made me think about the more recent past and all of the wonderful "new" people in my life. My conclusion? I am so blessed. What an amazing group of people that I have in my world. Some of them I don't get to see or speak to as much as I used to, but it doesn't make them any less important to me. 

Life is funny. It takes us down many roads with many people and experiences. I hope to just continue to grow and continue with all these blessings and appreciate them all of the time. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 33 Intention ~ Stay Motivated

Day 33 Intention ~ Stay motivated.

It is a cold, snowy day in Cleveland. The perfect day to snuggle up to the fire and watch a movie or read a book...and it's the weekend. Well, weekends don't necessarily mean a day off for me anyhow, and with writing assignments looming and "experts" for those articles not getting back to me, I must trudge forward and keep working at least a little bit. 

If you read last Sunday's post, then you know how much I love Sunday! Therefore, best to do this stuff now...the reward will be when I can hit up some friends Superbowl parties tomorrow night and not feel like I should be working. 

On that note, this one is short. No rest for the weary :)

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia