Day 61 Intention ~ Enjoy Community

Day 61 Intention ~ Enjoy Community

In yoga, a group of like-minded individuals is called a satsang. As I scanned across the room in my class this afternoon, I noticed the people. All these beautiful faces, some familiar, some new, all in that space for that 75 minutes for yoga. There were 2 new to me students today that couldn't have been more different from each other, but their smiles resonated the same joy, the same openness, the same light that made them one. Now, I can't begin to know what each of their intentions for class were or what got them to make their way to class today, but they were all there, at the same time, to practice yoga. This is one thing we were all like-minded about, hence creating our own little satsang for that moment in time. It's an amazing thing to share that energy and breath with people that are so open to what you are saying and teaching. 

This evening, I am going out to see some live music. It will be a different sort of satsang I suppose. A group of people in my community, whether I know them or not, that share a love of music, and this band or this style of music. I am hoping to embrace everyone and feel like part of this musical satsang tonight. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 60 Intention ~ Take a Walk

Day 60 Intention ~ Take A Walk

March in Cleveland. The beginning of the month starts just as cold and snowy as the rest of winter usually, but for most people, myself included, the winter doldrums have set in. Long passed are those feelings of excitement over the first snow or how pretty everything looks with the holiday lights on the houses outside. The excitement of a new year. Now, I'm dreaming of Spring and a little bit of warmth on my shoulders. 

What tends to go along with the winter doldrums is a feeling a just tiredness, stiffness, and exhaustion. Thanks to my beloved dog, George, he gets me out of the house each day (well, almost everyday) to take him on a walk. George doesn't get the winter doldrums. He loves the snow. And, as I drag my feet putting my boots back on, wrapping my scarf around my neck, getting bundled up for our journey, I let out a sigh and we go. But, as we walk outside in the brisk air, I start to perk up. I feel motivation return and my mind start to clear again. My breath deepens and I feel energized. Doing the complete opposite of how I was feeling inside has given me more energy to conquer the rest of my day! 

Amazing what a little exercise, Mother Nature and a persistent loving Lab can do to one's day.

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 58 Intention ~ Release Tension in My Shoulders

Day 58 Intention ~ Release Some Tension in My Shoulders

Tension. We all feel it at different times in our lives. How we feel it and how we deal with it are individual. Some of us get angry and snappy to those around us, some of us drop out of situations (not dealing with it), some of us overeat, some can't sleep, the list goes on and on....

Where we hold it in our bodies also differs from person to person. Back pain, tight hips and tense shoulders and necks are common areas to let our tensions reside. 

For me, it's a struggle between sleep, grinding my teeth during sleep and tight shoulders. Today, is one of those days. Between due dates, my tax appointment this evening and my laundry list of things to get done, my body and unconscious mind are reacting. During the day, I feel like my cheery, go with the flow self, but the last couple nights, the grinding teeth and tossing and turning have told a completely different story. So with my shoulders jacked up to my ears, today's intention may seem simple, but believe me, it will make a huge difference in my body and my mindset. Huge difference. 

Some of my favorite shoulder openers include: 

• Gomukhasana arms (cow-face pose)~ as pictured above, lifting one arm overhead and bringing the heel of the hand to the back of the neck, with the other arm behind you, try to clasp fingers. You can also use a blanket, strap, or just grab your shirt to get a grip. Try to draw the lifted bicep in towards the ear and bring the shoulder blades together. Switch sides.
• Binding in poses~ students who have taken my class, know that I love to bind the arms. Whether it is in extended side angle, bird of paradise or a seated posture, bringing the arm behind the back and letting the chest and shoulder open, is a fantastic way to get that area to release some tension and open. Students moan sometimes during the binding, but almost always say how much better their shoulders and chest feel afterwards. 
• Crossing the arms on the floor~ I actually don't know the name of this pose, but it was recently introduced to me by one of my favorite teachers, and it is now one of my favorite poses. Laying on the floor on the stomach, cross your arms, trying to walk the hands as far apart from each other as you can. The palms face down and you will feel the shoulder blades separate, allowing that middle upper back open. Rest your chin on your upper arm, or wherever it will rest when you practice and breathe. You can hold this for 3 to 5 minutes or as long as you like, but be sure to switch sides and hold it evenly on each side, so that you are balanced. 

There are many more amazing shoulder openers out there, but these are just of few of my favorites. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 57 Intention ~ Get Motivated

Day 57 Intention~ Get Motivated

Well, I should say, get motivated again! The day started out highly motivated. I woke up and went spinning at 6 a.m. It's true! After that, I felt like I could conquer the day. After my morning class, a nice respite on the couch with the dog felt more appropriate. 

I finally forced myself to the computer to work on my writing assignments. In an hour or so, I have to go sub a class. I don't even feel like moving. It's rainy and windy and I am cozy with my blanket. 

One of those days...I know once I am there and out the door, it will all be fine, but this lack of motivation almost depresses me a bit. I try to just listen to my body. Maybe I need to have a lazy day and relax a little bit...or, maybe I'm just lazy! 

Either way, I still need to motivate to get out of the house and teach class in a little bit. 

Wish me luck! 

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

Day 55 Intention ~ Release Some of that Fire

Day 55 Intention ~ Release Some of that Fire

I was just reading about the manipura chakra, the navel or solar plexus chakra, and discovered that one of the characteristics if it is excessive is perfectionism. Looking back to how I have been feeling lately and this new type-A trait that I've been displaying, I think my 3rd chakra is out of whack. Over the past few months, I have been a little obsessive about core work in my yoga practice. All of this core work has had positive effects on my physical practice, but now, I think it's time to cool it off a bit for my mental practice. 

What to do? Well, if you find that you are feeling anger, stress or perfectionism taking over your life, you may have too much fire in the belly also. Try some nice gentle backbends to release some of that fire. A restorative bridge either on a block or bolster should do the trick. Hold it for several minutes or if on a block, do a few rounds. 

This can go the other way too, if you are feeling a lack of motivation or feeling insecure, or perhaps you are having some digestive issues (another thing this chakra governs), you may be lacking in this chakra. Working the core in navasana (boat pose) or performing some twists to stimulate the digestive system can help you regain some energy and confidence. 

So, I'm off to get a hold of my manipura chakra...til a more relaxed tomorrow....

Shanti, 

Marcia