Day 357 Intention ~ See Old Friends

Day 357 Intention ~ See Old Friends

 

It's a couple of days before Christmas and all through Cleveland, people were packing parking lots and driving like maniacs to pick up last minute gifts for the holidays. They were checking their phones (doesn't have to be a holiday for that) and distracted by their thoughts so much that they were cutting each other off and getting into accidents and honking their horns.

 

Happy holidays.

 

I drove down to Kent this morning to see some old friends that live in California now. It was my only chance to see them this holiday season, so I trekked down there even if it was for only 90 minutes. I will take what I can get. Seeing friends and family during the holidays is more important to me than anything else. So, I do what I can.

 

As I drove to and from, the cars were driving erratically and cutting each other off, not signaling or not turning their signals off long past switching lanes. The exit at Chagrin was backed up all the way to the highway. As people pulled up next to me, everyone looked so unhappy.

 

I couldn't help asking myself, why do we put ourselves through it each year!?!

 

So, in defiance of this holiday stress, I chose to remain calm in my vehicle and know that I would eventually move again. I would get home. And, I am still happy I drove all that way to see old friends for a few moments today.

 

A friend of mine has a bath towel in her bathroom that reads, "Friends are the best presents." Last weekend when we were all over at her house for a holiday gathering, we busted her chops a little bit on that towel and had a good laugh. But, today, when I think about it, it's true.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 335 Intention ~ Be Present & Content

Day 335 Intention ~ Be Present & Content

As the holiday weekend winds down, many of you may be dreading heading back to work tomorrow. For me, besides Thanksgiving day, I have been working all weekend long. So, as I wrapped up the two classes that I subbed this morning, I was so happy to not have any other obligations til tomorrow evening. 

I found myself sitting in the lazy boy chair, snuggled with a blanket and fire in the in the wood burning stove, watching the Browns (yes, I do love my Brownies still), I felt so content. So comfy, so happy, and relaxed. The best part to me besides feeling this way was realizing that I felt this way. In the moment. Ahhhhhhhhh. 

It's so great when we have these little moments. I hope that they happen often for you. Of course I feel like they could happen more often (at least the relaxed part), but I will take them when I get them.

Remember to breathe deep tomorrow & if you stay in the moment and think positively, you will have a great Monday back from a long weekend. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 320 Intention ~ Make Like A Turtle

Day 320 Intention ~ Make Like A Turtle

This time of year can be windy, stormy and honestly make people feel a little flighty. Finding solid ground is important to feel balanced. So instead of acting like hare today, trying to be fast and multitask...go go go, quick, quick, quick, I am taking the tortoise route, slow & steady to win the race. 

As always, as with everyone, there are things that need to be done. One at a time is the way. Keeping things calm, cool and collected is how I would like to handle today instead of rushing and stressing out. 

Things that can help with this are grounding poses in yoga.

Baddha konasana ~ bound angle pose: sitting on the floor with the outer edges of the feet together, knees open wide. Breathe in and sit up nice and tall, draw the shoulders down away from the ears. Keep that nice long spine and then fold forward. The chest draws towards the toes. For grounding, close the eyes to go a little bit deeper. Take 5 breaths here...if you are feeling particularly flighty, stay as long as you need. Inhale and come back up. 

Bheki ~ child's pose: start on your hands and knees. Bring the big toes to touch and spread the knees wide. Sink your hips back towards your heels and rest your forehead on the floor. Reach the arms forward. If you have knee issues, roll a blanket up like a burrito and place it right behind the knees to take some of the pressure off. If the shoulders are tight, bring the knees a bit closer together and reach the hands back towards the ankles rather than reaching forward. 

Supta baddha konasana ~ reclined bound angle pose: set your legs up just as in baddha konasana, but walk your hands behind you and mindfully lay onto your back. Rest one hand on your heart and one on your navel, or both on your navel. Let your eyes close and start to count your breath in. As you breathe out, try to find a longer count. Do this for several rounds. Slowing the breath down is a great way to calm the mind and the body, allowing us to relax and feel grounded again. 

I hope you have a wonderful Saturday & try out these poses to help you feel grounded if you are feeling a little "windy" today. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 302 Intention ~ Calm Down

Day 302 Intention ~ Calm Down

Mercury is in retrograde. Take a deep breath. 

Things have not really gone as planned today. I had a surprise day off. It started out well, I walked the dog, made some muffins, even watched a scary movie that I love. 

Then, the laziness set in. Then the guilt. Then the stress. Lately I've been thinking that I need to get a new (or another) job. Being broke all the time is getting to me & the guilt of my husband covering for me all the time is really getting to me. 

As I start to get in that panic mode of "what am I going to do?!?", I look over to my good ol' African proverbs calendar.

Today it reads, "Worrying is like a rocking chair; it swings you back and forth and takes you nowhere." It's a Kenyan proverb. It's true. 

Panic mode & stress mode & guilt mode really do get you nowhere. It takes action. So, now I just need to calm down and figure out a plan. (But, remember, sign no papers until after Mercury is out of retrograde~I believe around November 10th!)

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 291 Intention ~ Take A Breath

Day 291 Intention ~ Take A Breath

When I woke up this morning, my mind immediately started going down the list of things I wanted to get done before this evening. Tonight is my husband's first art show in over 10 years and although I am really proud and excited for him, it means there are many tasks to accomplish beyond the norm. 

Preparing for the in-laws, ie: make our house not look like quite a mess was number 1. It was one of those mornings in which the internet wasn't working, I was dropping everything, things just didn't seem to go right no matter what I did. 

Then, I took a very short moment to do some yoga (I mean very short, but some is better than none!) Once I started to breathe and move, even if it was only for 20 minutes, my mind started to clear and I realized that it's up to me how I handle this day.

Now, I am excited again and not dreading all of the lead up. 

So, if that stress wells up again inside of me, I know to practice what I preach, step aside and breathe, even if it's only for a moment it will help. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 276 Intention ~ Plug Away Gracefully

Day 276 Intention ~ Plug Away Gracefully

Today is going to be nuts. Somehow, well I know how, I am teaching 6 classes. I do usually teach 5 on Thursdays, which is already too many. I think that 4 should be any teachers limit, but, of course, I have this one day that I teach 5. Today though, it is 6. Luckily, I have a few hours break in the middle of the day to regroup. 

My goal in these classes is to maintain grace as I teach and not start to get abrupt or lazy when I start getting tired. This will prove more of a challenge today as I have been suffering from horrible allergies all week, so I already don't feel myself. 

But, enough whining! I am just hoping to have the strength to compose all of my classes today with grace.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 233 Intention ~ Take Some Time to Regroup

Day 233 Intention ~ Take Some Time To Regroup

Having many different responsibilities and obligations seems to be either the American way or maybe just how life goes. 

Between teaching classes, writing, working for JAK, changing teaching schedules, meetings, cleaning, shopping, preparing meals, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, getting my own practice in and on and on, things can get jumbled in my head. 

Today, luckily, at least for the rest of summer, is one of my mellow weekdays. It allows me to stop and think and put things in order in my head. These days are important to have. If they didn't happen every once in awhile, I would turn into that frazzled, burned out yoga teacher from which no one would want to take a class. 

If this doesn't seem like a possibility in your coming days, even just taking 10 minutes in the morning, midday, or really, whenever you can and just meditating can help clear the mind. It can help to bring back focus and calm. 

Find a comfortable seat, sit up nice and tall and close your eyes. Focus on the 3rd eye and breathe. When outside thoughts float in, and believe me, they will, just acknowledge them and let them float right back out. It's unbelievable how just a short meditation can turn your mind and day around. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 226 Intention ~ Continue Learning

Day 226 Intention ~ Continue Learning

Keeping our brain working and learning new things throughout our lives helps us with preventing senility in old age. Teaching yoga is always a constant learning process. I learn from my students every class I teach. I try to learn new things to do in class to teach, but sometimes I get caught up in a rut and teach the same things over and over. 

This fall a new challenge is coming to me. I am putting together a meditation group at one of the venues that I teach. I have been doing tons of reading on the subject, which has made me feel more focused and calm just reading about it! 

But the reality is, I am learning a lot about it. Different methods, different parts of ourselves and our lives that we can work with through meditation. It is pretty exciting. 

I encourage you to continue studying in this life, no matter what the topic. Learning really is fun if it is something you love. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 202 Intention ~ Listen to the Birds

Day 202 Intention ~ Listen to the Birds

Outdoor yoga. As much as I enjoy it, sometimes in a crowded park, it can be distracting. Granted, I realize that that is part of the lesson of yoga. Find focus in yourself, in your breathe, but when kids are yelling f-bombs while you are trying to attain bliss in savasana...it's difficult even for the most seasoned, enlightened yogi (no, I am not referring to me, in case you thought that I was!) 

So, with the madness going on around our little class on the grass, I just tried to listen to the birds instead of the conversations and loud discussions going on around me. 

Sometimes there aren't birds around when you find yourself getting distracted. In this type of a case, come back to the breath. Start to count the inhales and the exhales, either finding the same count for each or perhaps making the exhales longer. This is one way to bring the focus back in and let those pesky outside thoughts float away. 

This doesn't just help with your yoga practice, it can bring more focus to your life in general whether it's at work, when you are driving, playing a sport...whatever you do! 

Enjoy the day & if you find yourself getting distracted and stressed, listen to the birds.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 178 Intention ~ Relax In The Midst Of It All

Day 178 Intention ~ Relax in the midst of it all...

Today is a busy busy day for me, but with a break between the (yikes!) five classes that I am teaching today, I have found a chance to get back into teaching mode and not tired burned out mode. It's great to find little chances to take even a 5 minute break at times and allow your mind to let go of all the daily grind and concern that tends to make us wrinkle our faces, drink more coffee and stress out. 

Try this exercise next time you need a little break:

Sit in a comfortable seated position. It can be crossed legged or sitting on your heels. You can also use a blanket or block to get a little lift so that you don't dump down into your lower back. *This can even be done at your desk if getting away is not an option. 

Close your eyes. Relax your shoulders. Still sit up nice and tall. Rest your dominant hand in your less dominant hand and place them in your lap with your thumbs gently touching. 

Start to breathe in and out through the nose. Just the natural breath at first, just letting the body feel ease on the inhale and letting outside thoughts or stress flow out with the exhale. 

Start a mantra. Inhale, say to yourself, "relax" or "let". Exhale, say to yourself, "relax" or "go". If you have a mantra that puts you at ease besides relax or let go, feel free to use it. 

Once you feel more calm. Come back to the rest of your day. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 175 Intention ~ Put One Foot In Front Of The Other...

Day 175 Intention ~ Put one foot in front of the other...

Thinking about this week could overwhelm me, but just going step by step, I think will be the best way to go. 

With writing assignments and *gasp* 17 classes to teach, my uncle passing away, my wedding anniversary tomorrow, and trying to get things together for our vacation next week, yep, my head may fly off my body at some point. 

In an attempt to not get stressed about these things, I have decided to just put one foot in front of the other and only take one step at a time. Find organization and lots of breathing and meditation to help it all come together without me freaking out! 

At this point, my emotions are only allowing me to do one thing at a time anyhow, so it's a good lesson and start to this week. 

Pacing oneself and focusing on just one thing, gives us all a little more piece and peace of mind when we are busy and it just allows us to remain more calm. Stopping every once in awhile when you are stressed at work or at home and just taking 10 nice deep breaths can help change your perspective. 

That is all for this Monday! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 140 Intention ~ Think Before You Speak

Day 140 Intention ~ Think Before You Speak

One of the great things about yoga practice for me is that I have become much less reactionary. The breath work, the calmness, just living in a more connected way has helped me pause before just blurting out whatever is on my mind. 

Lots of times we say things we don't mean in a self-defense reactionary impulse. Often we hurt those we are speaking to when we really don't even mean what we are saying. When we take a moment to pause before making a statement (for a long or a short period of time), we can react calmly saying things in a clear manner that isn't hurtful. 

Today, my goal is to remember that pause. Think before I speak and be sure to not blurt out things that I don't mean...especially if it is something hurtful. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 127 Intention ~ Take a Quiet Moment

Day 127 Intention ~ Take a Quiet Moment

...for yourself. We all can get so wrapped up in doing the 3000 things on our "to do" list, that we forget to take a few moments to ourselves. Turn off, okay, maybe just step away from, the phone, turn off the radio, computer, television and any other outside distractions and just sit for a few moments. 

It's unbelievable how just this small action can help one feel rejuvenated and a bit fresher. Ready to tackle the next things on the list. 

Sit and listen to the birds or close your eyes and use your sense of smell. Maybe there is coffee brewing or you can smell the lilacs that are in bloom. 

Just breathing is another great refresher. Try to clear the mind and take a small meditation. Focus on your ajna chakra, or third eye, as you breathe in and out. The mind will start to clear and you will actually feel like you got a short rest when you are through. 

If we allow ourselves some moments to ourselves, especially when we spend much of our day taking care of tasks generally for others, we will find that we are calmer, have a clearer mind and even more energy. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 114 Intention ~ Stay Productive

Day 114 Intention ~ Stay Productive

I've been in vacation mode ever since we got back to Cleveland at 3 a.m. Monday morning. Luckily for me, I've only had a few classes and work that I can do at home since we returned. But today, I am kicked back into full gear and need to stay productive to get it all done. 

I used to just go into a frenzy whenever I had a long laundry list of things I needed to get done. Now, I think of the tortoise and the hare. Slow & steady win the race. 

As with our asana practice, keeping the breath slow & steady gives us strength and a more calming meditative effect to our poses. If we breathe into each pose whether it's vinyasa flow or just when holding a pose, we find that the body starts to open, tense muscles start to release and we discover new spaces and strength in ourselves. We also notice the mind starts to focus and remain calm. 

When we are stressed out, the breath becomes shortened, if not, barely there. This leads the body to react and tense up. Muscles strain, the mind becomes fuzzy and unclear and we may feel hopeless. Stop here. Try to notice when this is happening, and stop. Take (at least) 10 nice slow calm breaths and regroup. If you can keep this breath throughout your day, no matter what is going on around you, you will find that you will be able to get more done and stay productive. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 102 Intention ~ Ask For An Extension

Day 102 Intention ~ Ask for an extension

Or, you could say, give up control. One of the websites that I write for requires experts in the field in which I am writing assignments. Unfortunately, this doesn't always let me make my deadlines. When I first started writing for them, I would get so tense and stressed out because people may accept your invitation to be interviewed and be sincere, but even with the best intentions, people get sidetracked. They may eventually answer my questions, but not always in a timely deadline focused manner. 

Nowadays, I try to let it go. My editor is pretty reasonable and usually gives me an extension if necessary. Realizing that I cannot control others actions and admitting that I can't pull a rabbit out of a hat has made me a much more relaxed reporter. 

Learning this in other aspects of life is good too. Yesterday when my body was screaming for me to take a break, I listened. I am still not physically feeling 100%, but I do feel better than yesterday. 

Same with relationships with other people, either socially or in a work environment. People have their own things going on and they may not respond how you would or how you would like them to. It's okay, this is what makes the world go round. So long as you remind yourself that you cannot control others and their feelings and reactions, you may find a little more peace in your feelings and reactions. This will cause a much smoother and calmer day.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 99 Intention ~ Enjoy the Quiet

Day 99 Intention ~ Enjoy the Quiet

Even if it is only for a moment...and perhaps not all that quiet. Sure, I can hear the birds or cars passing by outside, the hum of the computer's hard drive, but just for a few moments it seems so peaceful. 

No music blasting or television blaring. No one talking in my ear...just "quiet". As yogis, we are supposed to be able to find stillness in any situation. Although, sometimes this is possible, it's just more clearing & calming for me (and I am sure others) when it's a little bit quieter around me. I can focus on the breathe, my mind can relax a little more and I feel more peaceful. Sure, I strive to find calmness in any crazy situation going on, but I guess I'm not that enlightened yet...maybe someday! 

But, if we find these little moments of stillness or quiet each day, even if it's just a short moment to start, it can make the rest of our day a little bit more calm. Eventually those moments of quiet become longer and perhaps even stretch into those other less quiet moments. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 77 Intention ~ Stay Strong & Keep Calm

Day 77 Intention ~ Stay Strong & Keep Calm

Everything seems to happen all at once. Assignments, classes, bills, car trouble, illness, appointments, and on and on. How do you handle it? That is the question. I am trying to stay strong and keep calm through it all. 

Sometimes I stress out for sure. Sometimes I hide from it all...avoidance. And sometimes when I'm feeling a bit more balanced about things, I just keep plugging away. Why freak out?! It seems like it is always all or nothing around here. Usually all or all unless I am on vacation, so just keep on rolling and going. So long as I can remember that there are worse scenarios to be in and that I've actually got it good and that there are always choices in this world, I can just roll with it without stressing out. 

So for now, I am strong and calm. Hopefully tomorrow too :)

Til then...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 70 Intention ~ Stay Cool Under Pressure

Day 70 Intention ~ Stay Cool Under Pressure

Working a deadline and trying to get everything else together for classes in the evening can make me start to feel the pressure some days. Today, I refuse to let it effect me. 

My goal is to keep it cool. Keep breathing and know that it'll all come together if I just keep plugging away. This way of reacting to pressure is much nicer on not only my psyche, but on those around me. Stressing out about things you can't control is not worth it. So just breathe through it and let the cards unfold as they may. Have faith that things will fall into place however the universe means for them to fall. 

This isn't always easy & I know that if you've been reading these entries all year, you know that I can blow my top and stress out, but I am learning. Keep the faith. It's much better for you physically too. When we are stressed out our body tightens up (for me it's the shoulders), we may lose some sleep and then it can become emotional and reactionary. 

Try to keep breathing, get exercise, meditate, sleep, eat healthy and we'll all be okay. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 59 Intention ~ Withdraw the Senses

Day 59 Intention ~ Withdraw the Senses

Withdraw the senses for just a few moments. In yoga it is called pratyahara. When we cover our eyes, plug our ears and nose, and try not to taste or feel, we can go inward. Our mind can clear and allow us to look at that inner self a little bit more. Discover what is going on inside rather than in the material world. 

We are constantly bombarded with outside stimuli. The television, radio, cars driving by, other people, animals, work, computers, email, telephones, eating, drinking, smells and on and on and on; allowing ourselves to remove our senses from these distractions can feel like taking a bath for our mind and our soul. Doing some inner cleansing so that we can personally and spiritually go deeper. 

It is also great for the rest of your day. It makes your material decisions and thoughts more coherent, your behavior calmer and more pleasant and your heart may just feel more open too. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 25 Intention ~ Find Ease and Breath

Day 25 Intention ~ Find Ease & Breath

Maybe it should be find ease and breathe, both work. My African proverb calendar for today offers up a Kenyan proverb that reads, "The bird which flaps its wings too much will drop its feathers." Bringing this to my Westernized world, I read it two ways. The first as flapping one's mouth or talking too much or perhaps talking about others or even just plain complaining about things. Well, it happens. Not gonna lie, I already talked a little sh*t today, so maybe my feathers are going to drop. I hope not. But, I won't do it anymore :)

The other way I interrupt this is to just calm down. Period. Let the mind relax and just become focused and present. Lose the mind chatter. It's #2 in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: "Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah"...yoga happens when the mind-stuff (or chatter) ceases. This will let the other things in life fall into place. Breath work is a great way to calm the mind and find focus. Practicing meditation is another wonderful way to find this focus, or concentration that eventually will lead to real meditation where there are no thoughts and one can enter samadhi, also known as bliss. 

For today, as the snow continues to fall in Cleveland, leaving road conditions less than ideal, I am going to try to use the calm and the breath to allow me to take it easy on my drive to Berea (@ 45 minutes away) and focus on the road and getting there and back safely. Deep breaths...deep breaths....

Til tomorrow.

Shanti, 

Marcia