Bursting with Anticipation

 

This work year is quickly coming to a close and I'm more than ready for it.  Unlike last year where I was dealing with such heavy personal issues, I have space to make room for something knew.  I also started this process in the Fall, so I'm quite ready for completion and new beginnings as I've pathed the way for something else to come in.  Classes are ending, projects are due, and final meetings are being scheduled.  I am so thrilled to be completing this chapter of my life that the paperwork and ten zillion meetings aren't even getting to me this year.  Each week I hit another milestone and other project is completed and over.  So many wonderful things to look forward to, so many burdens I no longer have to carry,  I'm thrilled!

Spring Rain

Were having a good long soak here in the Northeast.  I'm glad, we need it that's for sure, but its hard to roll out of bed this Monday morning with the rain pouring outside and a snug dry bed lulling me back into dream land.  Last night I went to the airport to pick up the man.  Late flight, long delayed.  We didn't get back till the wee hours of the morning.  I'm the first one up this morning, everyone else in the house is still crashed.  I had the week off to organize and try to get some long overdue items off the check list.  I got a lot done, I have a lot left to do.  This time of year is always insanity, but this year there's more work than I have ever had.  Spring is a beautiful time to gather your self and regain strength and vitality for the coming warm months.  I'm looking forward to June and the end of this cycle, this chapter, but it he meantime I'm going to deliberately slow down and have some appreciation for the season.  Time to enjoy the beauty surrounding the change of season.

happy Monday everyone

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Restorative Action

The amazing
(Sudha Carolyn Lundeen)

Today I am going to take a restorative workshop to clear out toxins, release blocked energy, and get my chakras flowing synchronously. Spring is an excellent time to clear the system from Winter's deep sleep. Winter is a time of hibernation. Its a natural reaction to the season. The body naturally slows down to accommodate the season. The metabolism has slowed considerably and therefore elimination slows as well. It is necessary and healthy to clear out the system this time of year. If your diet does not include spices or savory, or you prefer cold foods you will find your body has a harder time breaking down intake and processes at a turtles pace in the Winter season. Early Spring can be a time when you notice constipation and general fatigue more than in the winter. This is a great time to include a few steps to clear your system from winters build up, release toxins stuck in the body and re-energize your system. Some simple techniques include adding fresh parsley at the end of your meal and drinking a tea with ginger, lemon and water. I also strongly recommended a restorative class at this time of year to help the body. Restorative yoga, help to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS is responsible for balancing the body and bringing its response system back into equilibrium.

One another note Restorative yoga is not the same as gentle yoga or Yin yoga. Restorative Yoga is a very gentle practice where postures are meant to be done fully supported by props such as blankets, bolsters, blocks and straps. Once set up in a pose, you should be able to release all the muscles in the body into a passive stretch. Poses are often held for 10 minutes each per side, and this practice should be considered safe for “all” participants. Yin targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine is not always done with props and is not recommended if you have had an injury or damage to the muscle or tissues. Gentle yoga are modified postures, with plenty of time to focus on breathing and repetition.

I was first introduced to restorative at Kipualu during my teaching training course my Sudha Carolyn Lundeen. An hour in a half class where we did no more than four poses. For lack of a better description I went into a very deep relaxation and passed out and had an extremely healing experience. It was absolutely amazing. Sudha Carolyn Lundeen is a genius. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend taking a class or studying with her.

Yoga for little ones

Going to a training in June. SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Baskets

As I dial in with clarity I see three baskets stand before me. I am grateful for the work I was pushed to do to have these choices in front of me. If circumstances were different I would not be looking at these choices as it would have never occurred to me to move beyond where I was standing. I'm grateful, these are all fine choices. For now, I really don't know which basket I will ultimately claim, two absolutely in the Fall and the third possibly when Summer changes to Autumn perhaps just a small bit later. Some baskets can be combined, others not at all. I don't want to say what's in them till the time comes, but for now at least I know to some degree where I'm headed.

One if not all of these will manifest and at that time I will have to make a decision. I'm ok with that, the really hard part is behind me. Although there's much work to do between now and the end of June, I know what I am focusing on and this brings a far less cluttered feeling state which eases my mind greatly. I've been reading a lot of Pema Chodron. She is an ordained Buddhist nun, author, and teacher. My analyst suggested I look into her work. Reading and listening to this women's teachings have been a revelation. I cant help but think of that old quote, when the student is ready the teacher will appear. I'm deeply grateful.

“It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space.
By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness
as well as fundamental spaciousness.

Pema Chodron, from When Things Fall Apart

Days to Come

It been a looooong year with lots of turmoil and big learning curves at every turn. Plans have been made only to evaporate at the last minute, bringing me back to figure it out, starting from square one, over and over again. I've been forced to search my soul and come up with the right move with no compromise available. I've stepped out of my comfort level and found new opportunity I hadn't thought previously possible. I have come to the realization that sometimes to move forward you have to leave what was behind or be stuck in quick sand till you drown. In the Fall I start an entirely new life. I have two possibilities, both will lead me to the eventual completion of my doctorate and both afford me an entirely new career path. There is no compromise, and no going back. I must do, what I must do. Thursday I put the wheels in motion. The flood of relief was overwhelming. I'm exhausted from this process and ready to put it behind me.

In the great upheaval that's been my life this year, my yoga practice has fallen to the wayside. If I can get on the mat once a week its a victory, but even that's been a challenge. Once a week has turned to once a month. I'm thankful I teach, it keeps me connected. A regular practice is an integral part of my well being and not being able to carve out 15 minutes a day is a many layered problem. I am fully aware pushing the envelope will only leave a shredded unusable piece of paper, so I resolve to understand this is not the moment to get back in the saddle and renew my daily practice. For now I am thankful for the few classes I can attend and will wait patiently. Summer is coming with it the sweet promise of renewal and healing of the soul and body.

My mat is mostly rolled up in the corner waiting patiently, always available, always in my life whispering softly, come lets begin again, and so we will, and so we will.