Day 256 Intention ~ Stay In

Day 256 Intention ~ Stay In

One nice thing about the weather getting a little cooler and at least today, rainy, is that it conjures up a nesting feeling in me. During the spring & summer months, all I want to do is be outside running around, socializing, and living a very energized lifestyle. Fall & winter bring us inside. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. It's a time to regroup and recoup some of the energy spent over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, I would still like to see some summer like days out there, but for today, I am okay with it. 

Many Friday nights this summer, if we were in town, my husband and I have be-bopped around our neighborhood having fun. Not always the easiest for me to deal with come Saturday when I have to teach, but okay. We had fun. We met people, we supported local businesses (although we usually do) and most importantly we bonded. 

But, this Friday night, tonight, we are staying in and I am thrilled. I am excited to just recoup, especially after last weekend's craziness and rest. And, I actually have a rare Saturday off tomorrow, which is a bonus! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 96 Intention ~ Get Some Fresh Air

Day 96 Intention ~ Get Some Fresh Air

Spring has finally sprung here in Cleveland...somewhat. The snow has melted (hopefully that is it for this year) and the temperatures are now in the 50's during the day, which after winter here, it feels warmer than that. It's time for folks to leave their stuffy cramped up cabins and breathe in the fresh air of the season. 

Ride your bike, take the dog for a walk, venture around town or just plain sit on the front porch. Getting some fresh air can clear our heads, a new season can give us new hope and we can get a fresh perspective on things after they may have gotten stale over the long cold winter. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 88 Intention ~ Celebrate Spring!

Day 88 Intention ~ Celebrate Spring!

Okay, so this picture may seem more like, celebrate summer, but I have a lot of excitement over this nice weather. 

Today in Cleveland, the sun is shining bright, it's 50 degrees out and it's supposed to be a beautiful weekend. Since Spring started, we have been hit by snow, after snow, after snow...none of it really sticking, but grey skies and snow do not a Spring-like day make. So, today, I celebrate! 

And apparently, others feel the same. Everywhere I have ventured today, there are people all over, walking around, riding bikes, chatting, laughing and most importantly, smiling. 

Amazing what a little sunshine can do for the spirit. I love all of the seasons, don't get me wrong, but there's just something about that bright sun after months of cloudy, grey , snowy days. 

On that note, have a great Friday. 

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 79 Intention ~ Keep That Rise & Shine Energy

Day 79 Intention ~ Keep That Rise & Shine Energy All Day

Wednesday morning, first day of spring, 6 a.m. Rise & Shine Power Vinyasa. Cleveland, Ohio...high of 30 degrees today with snow showers. This is the beginning of spring in Cleveland, no surprise. It is dark and cold. 

I leave to teach my class at 5:30 a.m. There is no one on the street, well very few...this part I do love. 

I arrive and there are actually 4 others joining me this morning. This is the 3rd week of this class and I know that once it is lighter earlier, and spring/summer really kick in, more people will be up and about. The first week, I had one student, the second week, I had two and this the third week, four. How exciting and energizing. We were laughing and working hard, preparing for the day. 

When we were done, we were all smiles and awake, ready to take the day on full force, no matter what comes up. And, the sun was even rising before I locked the door. 

It is a great feeling to get up and get going. Getting your yoga practice in first thing can really set the tone for your whole day. It can energize you and change your perspective on things. Now, don't get me wrong, practice at any time is beneficial. At night, it can calm you to ease out of your day also. But, there is just a different feeling when we get it in early. 

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 56 Intention ~ (Re)Freshen Up

Day 56 Intention ~ (Re)Freshen Up

I know it's only February, but the sun is out and it's a little bit warmer today, so it makes me think of Spring. Which makes me think of Spring cleaning and just finding a refreshing lift by switching things up in my life. So, today, I've been working on some new classes to start up and organizing and cleaning up some of my winter messes and blahs. 

People tend to think of themselves as starting anew in January, with the new year and resolutions. I like to think of Spring as more of the new year, when the sun comes up earlier in the day, plants start to bud and come back to life. People even start to come out of their winter hibernation mode and "pop" back to life. 

When Spring starts, it's a great time to look back at the resolutions made in January. What has stuck? What hasn't? What new changes or additions do you want to try now? Change things up a little bit. Perhaps try a new yoga class with a new teacher or at a different time than you are used to or a new activity of some sort. Try a new fruit or vegetable that you have never cooked with before...it could become your new favorite. It just may recharge you and help you to (re)freshen up also!

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia