Day 3 Intention ~ To Go with the Flow

Day 3 Intention: To go with the flow (and take child's pose if necessary)

Didn't sleep well last night. I went to bed a little later than normal & when I arrived on my pillow, the mind started racing. Eventually, the breath work I used to calm my mind worked, but this morning I am tired. 

Today is my busiest day for classes, so I am just going to remain calm and do my best. Go with the flow. I thought to myself last night, that for my own yoga practice today, I would attempt the primary series again. Right now, that seems overwhelming, so I am going to go with the flow and accept however my practice is today and take child's pose when I need. This has immediately relieved some of the pressure I put on myself, which, of course, isn't a very yogic way of living anyhow. 

Everything in life happens for a reason. Not sleeping very well, even though it doesn't make me feel my best for today, helps me to realize that the world isn't going to collapse if I don't get every little thing checked off of my list today.

Just go with the flow & let life unfold as it will. 

Til a more rested tomorrow....

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 2 Intention ~ To Practice What I Preach

January 2, 2013. 

Today's intention is to practice what I preach (on and off the mat). 

Often in class, I find myself repeating certain things time and time again to my students:

• "Your practice is different each time, so do not judge yourself." 

• "Everyone's practice is their own and each of us are at a different place, so do not compare yourself to the person next to you."

• "Be present." 

• "Keep a calm, steady breath."

All of these can help us not only in our physical yoga practice, but also in how we deal with situations in our life off the mat. Most yogis who have a consistent practice will confirm that their reactions to different, especially trying, situations, has taken a calmer, more thoughtful approach since starting their regular yoga practice. I can attest to that too. 

Although I know all of this, it can still happen. Even though I may be sore from an intense practice the day before, I wish my shoulders weren't so tight while doing down dog, or I watch in amazement while someone in class floats effortlessly around their mat, when I feel like I am grunting and groaning through class. And there goes that presence and breath. While thinking about that person next to me, I've lost my focus on my practice hence losing my breath at the same time. 

So, for today, I intend to keep my practice steady, focused, non-judgmental, calm and my own...whatever it may be today. When I allow this for myself, it makes me more confident, calm and in general, much nicer to those I come in contact with for the rest of the day. 

Til tomorrow!

Shanti, 

Marcia

2013 Intentions

Happy New Year! 

As with each new year that passes, many new & grand resolutions will be made that tend to get thrown by the wayside as soon as the daily post holiday grind hits. Maybe they were too big, too grand...we all do it. Sure, this year I have a few grand "resolutions" that I would like to conquer over the course of 2013, but more importantly, I want to try to  set daily smaller intentions to keep me focused and present. 

Of course, one of my more grand resolutions is to post a blog each day right here regarding my small intention of that particular day. Now, finding time to write can be a struggle on a daily basis, so I am really seeing this as more of a habit change than a resolution (although I suppose most resolutions are habit changes.) You all will find out soon enough if this grand "resolution" loses steam or not. 

Some other larger resolutions this year are to actually practice yoga asana, pranayama & meditation every day of this year, to change my diet to a vegan diet...I am allowing myself a few weeks to make the conversion, only because I am going on vacation in a few days and am not sure if there will be vegan options where I am going, BUT if there are (beyond only salad), I will try to stick to it on vacation also. 

Setting a small intention each day is a great way to help keep focus on what is important. It can make us more present and conscious...today. I think that will allow for a little more appreciation of whatever is going on that day-good, bad, happy, sad, or non-eventful. I invite you to join me in this practice and perhaps start a new good habit to help you become more aware. Keep it simple. Maybe it is as simple as taking 10 deep breaths in and out before reacting if someone upsets you. Maybe it's to meditate each day, starting with 10 minutes and increasing once this behavior becomes part of your daily life. Maybe it's to smile at the first person you see each day. Your intention is yours & no intention is too small. Each intention is important. 

My intention for today is to greet the new year by practicing yoga asana, pranayama & meditation with an open mind and heart. 

So far, so good...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Be Present

As a yoga teacher, yep, you guessed it, I spend a lot of my time driving around town. 


Although much of my teaching time, I find myself repeatedly reminding students to focus on the breath, let outside thoughts go and be present, while driving around town, I go over check lists in my mind or do a self review of the class I just taught or wonder why a student was giving me a funny look and on and on....


Not being present in my daily life. Not being present just driving down the road or walking the dog or even at the grocery store. I've noticed this more recently as I have caught myself slamming on my brakes or almost missing an exit, or not noticing the 2 dogs on my neighbor's f lawns as George (my beloved black lab) and I trot right up to them or the many times that I've forgotten why I went to the store in the first place. 


Even in class. It does happen. There are those days when I'm more distracted than others-taking class and teaching class. But those days when I let the mind be free and focus on the breath, just enjoying being there, those are always the most fulfilling. 


Since the last time I slammed on my brakes, I have made a pact with myself to become more present in my life. In yoga class and not in yoga class. And...it works!


One of my favorite feelings after teaching a class is wondering where the time went, feeling like, even as the teacher, I got a break from my outside concerns. When I get that feeling after a class, it's my way of recognizing and knowing that I was present with my students. Believe me, the students can feel that too and it definitely feels better to them!


Today while walking George, right on my neighbor's lawn, right here in Cleveland Heights, there was a deer. Just hanging out and I am so glad that I was present enough to notice. 


So, my advice is to soak it all in. Enjoy & celebrate each moment. We can't change the past and the future is unknown, and the present, well, it is a gift. Breathe it in and enjoy, it's one thing that we can know for sure. 

Namaste~Marcia

Competitive Yoga

When I found yoga many, many years ago - I was surrounded by no one. With the help of VHS taps and a few books I practiced at home, alone, at least once a day. I would day dream of the day I could go to a "real" studio and study under a live teacher. It was the dream, and one I couldn't wait to fulfill.

Now it's many years later and if you walk down the street of any major (or minor) city you will find yoga everywhere. In studios, in ashrams, in gyms, in apartment complexes - yoga is main stream. If we lived in India I can guess accurately it would be very different, but here in the old United States it has become the "it" exercise to do.

Do you yoga?
Where do you yoga?
What are you wearing when you yoga?
Who do you yoga with?

I like to call this "Competitive Yoga."

I am 100% against competitive yoga, or competitiveness in general. Just like I can guess accurately without ever have visiting India that the yoga scene is very different than here - I can guess accurately that when being competitive in a practice like yoga - you are setting yourself up for failure.

If you MUST be competitive, complete only with yourself.

The practice of yoga exists to help you connect with yourself - the word translates as "to yoke". Combining the breath with the movement of your body and the chaos of your mind - it brings all of your frayed parts back together and units you as one person. By challenging yourself, you can open up new avenues into your life, release past baggage, and expand your wings.

By competing with others you set yourself up for frustration, the need for approval and a long bout of life where you will be angry, aggravated and most certainly - never happy.

Don't be fooled by the glitz and glamor of this over saturated yoga market - be pulled in by the teachers who care and want to help guide you on to your path to find your true self. Let go of the "who, where, why, when, how" and concentrate on the you.

There is no judgement in yoga - only release.

Yoga Gives Me a Sense of Control

Yoga Gives Me a Sense of Control

By April

It is hard to believe that it has been almost three months since I lost the baby I so desperately wanted.
At first, I complained about having to wait three months before trying to conceive again. Now that the
time has passed, I realize that I really did need to heal physically and emotionally.

As we prepare to start trying again, I’m worried about losing another baby or it taking almost another
year before we even get pregnant. The past year has been such a roller coaster that I can’t help but
expect the worse. There are two things that have kept me sane throughout this process: writing and
practicing yoga.

Writing gives me a place to explore and discuss my concerns and fears and struggles. There aren’t many people who know or understand my miscarriage, so writing is like my free therapist.

Yoga, on the other hand, has given me control over my body. For the past year, I’ve felt like my
hormones were so out of whack. I almost didn’t even recognize myself anymore. I gained weight and
started breaking out like a teenager. Yoga keeps me from feeling helpless.

When I practice every day, I remember that while I can’t control when or if I have a baby, I can control
how I treat my body. I can make myself as healthy as possible for the child I hope to bear, and I can keep my mind calm and focused. I don’t have to feel out of control.

I don’t know what will happen in the next few months, but I know I am strong enough to handle
whatever life throws my life. Let’s just hope it’s a healthy pregnancy.

This practice of yoga does work

We contort ourselves, twist ourselves, turn ourselves upside down & back again.


People may think we're crazy, but we're fine tuning our body. Fine tuning our body leads us to a calm mind...to the breath. 


Take a deep breath in. 


Yoga does work. This action and practice on the mat leads us to different actions or reactions of the mat. We find that we are not so quick to react negatively or angrily to things. Our heart is more open to others, which in turn sets an example to others, shows them that there are positive, loving people out there. 


Ever notice an angry or upset person? Their breath is short, huffy & quick. 


Take a deep breath in. 


Create a chain reaction of love & openness and, eventually, that chain will make its way back to you, give you love, happiness and peace. 


An openness of spirit. A union of people in love and support. 


We are all worth it. 


This practice of yoga does work & each time we step on our mats, we open our body, we open our mind and we open our heart & spirit to love. 


Enjoy this blessing.


Hari om~om tat sat
Immerse yourself in unconditional love & saturate yourself in unlimited consciousness.

Namaste~Marcia