Something for Monday

Enjoyment feeds my soul.

Judith Hanson Lasater

Tadagi Mudra

Tadagi Mudra

It's official! The holidays are upon on. There are all kinds of ways this merry little season can make life a challenge. Holiday get togethers, parties, big meals, and nibbles around the house and office can leave us feeling lackluster and bloated. Tadagi mudra is excellent for the digestive system, respiratory system, muscles of the pelvis and abdomen. It also has a good generalized effects on the organs and glands of the abdominal cavity by stimulating blood circulation.

Lean forward, grasp the big toes with the thumbs, index and second finger, head facing forward. Inhale expanding the abdomen to the fullest extent possible. retain the breath for a comfortable length of time( 5 count) then exhale slowly. Repeat 10 times, release the toes sitting upright. This is considered one round of tadagi mudra, complete 3 to 5 more.

This mudra should not be practiced under the following conditions intestinal ulcers, hernia, high blood pressure heart disease, glaucoma, menstruation, pregnancy.

Practice this mudra alone or before beginning your practice to stimulate the digestive energy in the abdomen.

Peace, love and Jai bhagwan everyone.

Thanksgiving hike

Burren Yoga, Galway Ireland

"There is nothing like walking to get the feel of the country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; It must be taken at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast. "

Paul Scott Mowrer

Thanksgiving

Gratitude

is at once

Beautiful

And

Fruitful.

Sri Chinmoy

The Good American

Julia Child

Appetite for Life by Noel Riley Fitch is a thoroughly absorbing biography portraying the professional home chef and educator Julia Child. Fitch captures this woman's essence, bringing forth a vivid picture of her tremendous life drive. Julia had energy to burn and a deep desire to leave an imprint. She felt she had something special to give the world but needed a little time and space to figure out exactly what that would be. Two areas really struck a cord while reading about her life; destiny and capacity for joy.

Julia Child grew up in a conservative Brahmin household. She was expected to marry well, make a good wife, and uphold the conservative traditions inherited from her class and family. Julia was all for it, but obstacles lay in her way, for starters she was over 6' feet tall and finding a suitable man at the time proved daunting. She remained single long past what was considered a marriageable age. This allowed her to travel, explore life and eventually meet Paul Child. Without Paul there would be no Julia Child. He introduced her to passion and encouraged her brilliance and creativity. Julia was educated at Smith and worked at a variety of jobs before entering the secret service. The OSS offered her the opportunity to travel the world. As you read this biography you begin to see how all these experience wove together and were essential components. A strong message that even though we do not always know why we are where we are, or why what we want has not occurred, there is a reason for it. Julia Child needed the skills she acquired along the way to do what she eventually would. Even though these activities seemed unrelated, in the end we see they were essential to her eventual success. If she had married early in life, which was her desire, we would not know her, as she would have never found her passion and - to quote Maslow- self actualized. It really brings the point home, everything happens for a reason.

Julia had an insatiable capacity for joy. She was a social animal by nature, loving people, groups, and community. She loved living life and found great pleasure in whatever was happening. This woman saw the cup half full to overflowing at all times. She was quintessentially American and embodied the American spirit and what is really good about us as a people. A powerful reminder to have confidence in your individuality and shine on.

Bravo Julia and thank you

Autumn

Autumn Movement

I CRIED over beautiful things knowing no beautiful thing lasts.

The Fields of Cornflower yellow is a scarf at the neck of the copper sunburned woman, the mother of the year, the taker of seeds

The Northwest wind comes and the yellow is torn full of holes, new beautiful things come in the first spit of snow on the Northwest wind, and the old things go, not one lasts.

Carl Sandburg

In loving memory of Jeff Beatrice.

Time of your life

( borrowed from Sarah at Do Restorative Yoga)

I'm on a quest to heal my rotator cuff, at least that's what I thought when I began this little self help journey. Its been a frustrating exploration and the internal ache persists. My practice continues on a slow trajectory and expectations have been revised repeatedly. I teach a restorative class but rarely give myself the time to do my own medicinal practice. I preach healthy lifestyles but do not place enough emphasis on the healthy in my own lifestyle. Day after day dashing about like chicken little with a cell phone in my ear, too much coffee in my system and half the continents of my purse falling out while I'm running to my next appointment does not align with what I teach or ask of others. I want to slow down but never have enough time to get it all done, I tell myself, " I'm going to slow down and have more time once this is finished." How many of us have said that but once the next project or obligation rolls around were more like Bart Simpson “I don't know! I don't know why I did it, I don't know why I enjoyed it, and I don't know why I'll do it again!”

The universe is telling me something important, so I've shifted things a little and am trying to be still and put my listening ears on so I can hear what's being said, its important, but its hard being such a small voice among a lot of loud clatter.

The rotator cuff is connected to the arm and thus associated with the 4th chakra called Anahata. The 4th chakra is located in our heart center. It governs our intuition and love. It is also known as the heart chakra. Among other things Anahata is associated with lack, loss, less than, never having enough or some way limited. This is really profound for me since I spend a great deal of my life wishing I had more time. I am in a constant race to find time to get things done. I constantly complaint that that I do not have enough time and lack the ability or energy to get it (whatever it is) done in the time I have. This summer my father was quite ill and I found myself in a state of rage that the universe would take him away from me. No more time.

I cannot change the things that I cannot change. Self help advocates say we should delete the things that are sucking all our time away and return to a simpler place. Unfortunately this solution is not the right one for me at this point in my life. I do not need to take away anything more in my life, this is what got me into this psychological and physical mess in the first place. It's time to add a few things like acceptance of my abilities, bringing a slower pace to my daily existence, allowing myself time to feel the joy and the love I experience in what I do each day, cherishing what time I have with my father while he decides to stay a while longer, and yes absolutely adding more blocks, pillows and blankets to my personal yoga practice. Oh yes, its time.

Wishing much peace to everyone

Jai Bhagwan

A kinder, gentler season

About a month ago I was walking one of my dogs and took a nasty little fall and ended up with a slight injury to my rotator cuff. Added to this I have had a bit of a chest cold which has left me feeling tired and wanting to crawl in my comfy bed with a good book. Gentle is the word of the day this season. Gentle, slow flow. After a month hiatus from yoga I'm starting back, dropping frequently into child's pose. As the season changes I feel a deep appreciation for the colder weather, happy to slow down watch the leaves turn color and fall to the ground. Slowing down, listening to my body and actively seeking more peaceful days has brought the realization I have not been listening to my own needs or following the rhythm of my body. Once again its time to step back, spend time in the kitchen, do more breath work, drink less coffee and spend more time being instead of doing.

Wishing everyone a passive gentle day.