Day 183 Intention ~ Let The Vacation Begin

Day 183 Intention ~ Let The Vacation Begin

Although I have a laundry list of things to do before we leave for Virginia this evening, the vacation has begun! It has been pretty rainy and dreary here in Cleveland the last few days, but as I was heading home this morning, the sun burst through to give me that jolt of energy needed to get these somewhat tedious tasks finished so we can head out. 

This respite from work couldn't come at a better time. After teaching 20 classes in the last 8 days, I am fried. Also, after yesterday's fiasco with George, my shoulder is pretty out of whack and could use a few days rest. Now, just getting these tasks done, so that I can let my mind start vacation would be fantastic!

So, the next few days will be from the road! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 182 Intention ~ See The Bright Side

Day 182 Intention ~ See The Bright Side

Monday, Monday...sure it's cliche. But, man oh man, what a day so far. One of those days when things are just annoying and more difficult than those easy breezy days of Jupiter. I did see a friend post something about Mercury being retrograde. 

It started when I couldn't sleep last night...that usually starts it. Then my drive through the University Circle construction zone was a mess. And even though I kept asking myself, "Why are you letting this bug you?", I still felt crabby about it. Even when the radio played an old Aerosmith tune that I love and then right into The Stones. Surely it was the universe trying to tell me to just enjoy the ride with a side of some classic rock that I love.

Things started to look up. 

When I went home, I felt productivity take over me. Then, I tried to walk my beloved George. Now George is a powerful beast when he wants to get to something or to another dog. As we are walking, he takes care of his business. I bend down to pick it up and see a guy with a dog across the street. George starts to get excited and starts to drag me a bit. I try to stop him. Granted, I should have stood up at this point, but I thought he would stop. What the heck was I thinking?!?!?!

Next thing I know, I have been dragged through what I was trying to pick up and I'm still wondering if George may have pulled my already screwy shoulder out of its socket. Ugh. The guy then says, "He just wants to play." Arghhhh.

Needless to say, this is in the top 5 grossest and worst walk experiences George and I have ever had. As I moped all the way home, determined to be annoyed, George settled in next to me and gave me his unconditional love. And, I still wouldn't trade that love beast for any other dog in the world. 

So, there are worse things that could have happened. Sure, I'm a little embarrassed and my shoulder is a little, okay, very sore, but we are okay. And life is still good, Mercury retrograde Monday or not. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 181 Intention ~ Create Some Space

Day 181 Intention ~ Create Some Space

Last night I was trying to figure out what I wanted to teach this morning in a yoga basics class. I was at a loss. My husband and I were sitting out on the patio and I suddenly got the urge to start trimming and pulling the tremendous amount of weeds and other offspring of our trees and plants that had sprouted. As I cut and pulled, it just seemed like the plants now had more room to breathe and to grow.

I started to think about this with the yoga practice. We have to create space in the body to open up. Once we open the lungs, we can breathe a little deeper and create more space. Once we create space and length in the spine, we can reach our toes or reach a little bit higher into the sky. Once we let go of all of the nonsense or unnecessary concerns or worries in our minds, we can release and give not only our mind some space, but our hearts can open again. 

As I stopped trying to force a theme for class, it opened up to me. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 180 Intention ~ Put Myself In Another's Shoes

Day 180 Intention ~ Put Myself In Another's Shoes

Today marks the 16th class that I have taught since Monday. Exhausting to say the least. When I get to this point, the energy level starts to drop and rarely, but it can happen, I lose patience. 

As I dragged myself to class today, a new student was waiting for me at the door. She had many questions for me as I was trying to get her and myself set up with waivers, sign-in sheets, the pass book, and on and on. I could feel myself tensing up as I just needed about 2 minutes to get it together. And, luckily, realizing what was happening, I caught myself. I pulled the grumpy out of me and visualized myself in her shoes. I became empathetic to her concerns and needs rather than self-absorbed and childishly curt because I didn't get my pre-class "zen" time. It was her fault that I was running a few minutes behind my usual routine or that I had stayed up too late last night. 

The times that I have done this in the past throughout life, I always feel badly about it and beat myself up, feeling like a complete jerk. So, I am glad that I could stop it before I spoke today & saved any hurt feelings and possibly gained a new student from the situation.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 179 Intention ~ Listen To My Own Advice

Day 179 Intention ~ Listen To My Own Advice

So, one of the things I tell newer yoga teachers when they ask me about teaching is don't judge a student and how they are feeling by the look on their face. 

When we are asking people to twist and bend and move their bodies in all sorts of directions, people make some pretty funny faces. Whenever I used to see a student who was new to my class making strange faces or looking at me during class or sighing heavily, I would decide that they just hated me, hated my class and couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. 

More than once, actually several times, these folks would be the ones who came up to me after class and tell me how much they liked it or be very thankful for teaching them. 

Yet, flash to this morning. Granted, I have taught a lot of classes so far this week at this point (13 actually with 4 more to go) and this was a last minute addition, making the week's total 18! (BTW, this will NOT be happening anytime soon again.)  So, that being said, I was already a little loopy and tired and possibly misreading people because of my own weariness. But, one woman kept looking at me and doing the deep sigh and I felt like she was just hating the class, upset that I was there subbing and again, couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. Now, in this case, she did not come up to me afterwards and thank me or any of that stuff, but I can't believe I started building this scenario in my head. It then changes how I am teaching and effects the class. 

Why??? Why did I not listen to my own advice??? 

Anyhow, later I realized I was being silly. Not every teacher is for every student. And not every stare is a glare. Not every sigh is disgust. 

Now, to move on and continue with this crazy week...

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 177 Intention ~ Keep Counting The Blessings

Day 177 Intention ~ Keep Counting the Blessings...

It is always good to look at the things in life that are positive and good. Whether it is something personal or more universal. 

Today, I continue to count the blessings for having such a wonderful husband, dog, cat, family & so many wonderful friends. I am thankful that I get to do what I love to do for a living. I am thankful to have a home I love with food on the table and that we get to go have so much fun in this life. 

I am thankful for the downfall of DOMA today too so that others can share in some of the happiness and feel support in their equality in this life. 

We have this life (and maybe some more- ha ha) to be the best person we can be and live in love, harmony, peace and respect for all other living things. Let's not take these things for granted. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia