Day 240 Intention ~ Feel The Bliss!

Day 240 Intention ~ Feel the Bliss!

When I first started really getting serious about my yoga practice, often after asana practice I would have that "yoga high". These days, sure, I feel great, but not necessarily that bliss like I used to feel. Only certain teachers would inspire that reaction out of me. This week, in an effort to get back to my Ashtanga asana practice, I have practiced the Primary Series in full twice...so far. Both times, that bliss has returned. Both times it was just a home practice. 

So basically, I am just riding this "yoga high" while it's here and apparently, the Primary Series is opening up something in me that is bringing that feeling out, so after years and years of practice, I'll take it! 

Just goes to show, every day is different and new things still happen on the mat each time, no matter how long you've been doing it. 

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 138 Intention ~ Try Something New

Day 138 Intention ~ Try Something New

A couple days ago, my husband's horoscope said to go on an adventure. Try something new or go someplace you've never been. There are many ways to interpret this, but he wants to try a restaurant that he's never been to before. 

We were set to go on this adventure Thursday evening after my class. He dropped me off, he would pick me up afterwards and off we would go. 

By the time my class was over, he had lost his steam. So, being the 40 somethings that we are, we decided to reschedule for tonight. 

Although, the horoscope is really for him, we both are going someplace new. It's exciting to find some new and different stimulus and to check out places around town. Get a feel for other local places, meet new people and have some fun where we live...together. 

People get so bogged down in their daily lives that they sometimes need to reconnect. 

I am looking forward to trying something new & maybe even after all these years, discovering something new about my husband. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 103 Intention ~ Remember It's Still New...To You

Day 103 Intention ~ Remember it's still new...to you.

...or at least it's "new" to some students that come into class. 

Some days I feel like I have said the same things over and over so many times that I feel like I have become like a broken record. I forget that students don't hear it the 17 or more times I've said something that week & frankly, they need the reminder to lengthen the side body or bend their knee or even just to breathe. 

Although it is hard to keep things sounding fresh all the time or perhaps a teacher feels like they've taught the same pose so many times that they think that there is no way this is fresh, the student is the one the class is for, not the teacher. Believe me, I learn and get things out of teaching classes too, but it's not about me...it's about the student. 

Today in class, a student that I generally only see once a week asked me if we could practice janu sirsasana, seated head to knee pose. Now I teach that in almost every class I teach, and would think that this would be one of those poses that people could get bored with, but to have this student ask if we could practice it just brought it back to the forefront that it's fresh to them...and that's who matters. 

If you find yourself getting bored with what you are saying and can't find a way to make it exciting again, change the language, or look at the student and see if they are getting it and if that doesn't work, it may just be time for a vacation. :)

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