Its time to leave

Its time for me to go.  I want to thank everyone who ever stopped by to read a post or comment.  This has been a great pleasure, but It's time for me to move on.  I may blog again, but not on blogger and not at this time. If I do I'll put a quick post here, but that won't be for a long while.
Thank you so much,
Much love and light,
Shine on, Shine bright.
Miss. S

Time for a Break

 

Piles of Laundry (imsufyan.com)

I've been reading about Julia Child.  I do that when I need comfort, optimism and a happy injection of life drive.  I don't know what it is about her, but she always fills me with good feelings.  I notice I reach for her in times of spiritual need.  

There's a lot going on these days.  I acknowledge that perhaps my blog can be a bit frustrating.  I don't even give my actual name and if I do mention something that may be going on I talk about my feeling state, not what the actual matter is.  I'm sorry if I've frustrated anyone.  Partly I'm quite private and partly I always wanted it to be about the subject matter and the writing. 

I have been writing this blog for about five in a half years now.  Its been a real point of joy and I have run across amazing people through this process.  I've nothing but praise for this lovely experience, but right now I need to suspend my writing.  I think I need to journal offline, meditate quietly and speak freely in the privacy of my analyst's office. 

I do believe I will be back sometime before too long,  but if for some reason I am unable, well hey.... thank you, this has truly been a gift.

Hari Om, much love and light to all,

Thank you so much, it's been such a pleasure.

Nine More Weeks

This time of year is always a conflict.  Winter brings quiet, solitude, Yin yoga and an introspection which is always appreciated.  In my neck of the woods it's also cold, icy and the chill can be felt physically and emotionally.  Energy can become lackluster, and simple things like getting out of a warm bed to greet a frosty morning loose their appeal rather quickly.  Around this time of year I begin looking to when the sun sets and making some figures in my head as to when I can look forward to days a bit longer and brighter.  As the dogs and I walk through the woods I'm careful not to slip on the ice while I remind myself only nine more weeks.  Nine weeks isn't so long, I can do this for a little longer, and I suppose I can, but now's a good time to devise a strategy to make this period a little lighter and more joyful.  This time of year I enjoy lighting lots of candles in the studio when I'm teaching.  It brings a warm glow and makes the area cozy.  Hot steamy showers, lots of layers, many gentle and restorative classes and time spent in front of the fireplace are helpful as well.  I also make a sincere effort to avoid people who are offensive.  Everyone has to deal on a everyday manner with certain folks that will never get it together socially.  It's just not in their DNA in this lifetime.  I'm better able to handle these folks when I have a daily dose of vitamin D.  I'm far less patient in the dead of Winter.  My best strategy is vanquish these folks from my life completely and if not possible avoid at all possible costs. 

So here's to nine more weeks with a level head, a warm hearth and a happy heart.

A Salty 108

This year I elected to start the New Year off with 108 sun salutations.  This was a perfect jump start to 2013 and an auspicious beginning.   I haven't done 108 in a while.  In the fall for the global mala I have been doing 108 minutes of yoga which is far different.  After finishing my start to the new year I went cross country skiing.  I'm a bit sore all over today.  It's a good feeling though and the right kind of ache.

New years eve we decided to go out for dinner.  We both wanted a quiet night with an early evening. We have a lot going on these days and a good meal and an early evening seemed perfect  After pursuing some menus and reviews we made our selection.  Giant mistake.  As I enjoy a meatless lifestyle the "special new years menu" had nothing for me.  I did manage to piece together a few dishes and felt OK with my selections.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to enjoy any of it, as the chef bathed everything in salt.  I did try, but found myself gagging through most of it.   I got home and spent a good deal of time drinking water, lots and lots of water. A celebratory glass of champagne was out of the question.  The idea of alcohol made me cringe.  Yesterday while doing my 108. I was soaked and dripping in perspiration, as the salt came oozing out of my pores.  

This restaurant was well reviewed and packed with many happy folks enjoying a night out.  I overheard the table on both sides of us comment on how much they liked the food.  I don't believe this was an issue of an over zealous chef with a salt love affair,  but a bigger issue with the American diet.  Americans like their salt, but large doses are detrimental to overall health and frankly mask the taste of food.  If the food is fresh and cooked with even minimal skill, you don't need to disguise the taste.

Salt in moderation is beneficial for the body but when overused leads to water retention, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.  If you feel you may have overindulged in saltiness this holiday season I recommend a little cleanse for the body. 

Three day salt flush:

• Drink 64 oz of spring water spread out in 8 oz glass of water.
• limit your salt intake.  Be mindful of what you are eating.
• Limit your carbohydrates to foods such as rice and oatmeal.  (no bread and butter)
• Exercise, choose activities that will allow you to sweat.  ( A little bikram yoga should do the trick!)
• Do not eat out, prepare all you meals at home. 

You'll feel better and your body and heart will love you for doing this.

Be well, eat mindfully and do your practice. ( and all is coming as Pattabhi Jois used to say) 

Happy New Year!

Warm Glow

 

In the midst of Winter,

I finally learned that there was in me 

an invincible summer.

Albert Camus

Winter Play

Winter has set in rather quickly.  Stormy, snowy, icy and cold with a bit of a hushed silence.  It's a fine time to turn off the sound machines and try a little meditation.  A labyrinth is a wonderful vehicle for helping us to slow down and look within.  Personally I find it nearly impossible to sit in quite contemplation draining the worry thoughts away while reaching for a silent bliss.  More than likely I am making mental lists, thinking about the day, or the week or my life and trying desperately not to let that little monkey of mine have a fun free spirited tromp, giggling away, while I politely and then with less finesse ask him to get out of my head for just five minutes.    

Labyrinths help tremendously with the process of meditation elevating some of the madding aspects which make mediation so difficult.  a labyrinth walk follows a man-made, spiral pattern path (traced on the ground, as in many cathedrals, or constructed in garden) to meditate, focus, and calm the mind. Not a maze, the path follows a number of circuits to the center of a circle and back out.   

The process leaves one feeling calm, centered and refreshed.   Its a wonderful winter activity and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family regardless of age.  Labyrinths are easy to find and rarely exclusive.  They can be found both inside buildings as well as outside in gardens.  I suggest looking for one with the World Wide Labyrinth Locator.  You'll be amazed how many are out there in your area.  

Enjoy, and happy meditations!

Tea Time!

Time for a cup of tea and a little relaxation..... well almost.  Saturday is my busiest day .  Clients all day, but with papers handed in and finals finished I am mentally ready to relax and move into the rest of the holiday season with some mental ease.  It's also time for a shift in our yoga practice.  Old man winter reminds us to slow down and and go deeper.  Winter is an excellent season for yin and restorative classes.  This season allows us space to go into areas which may have been neglected during the warmer weather.  Hips, shoulders, and back all need loving care and a slower deeper practice helps us heal neglected or injured areas which may have been overworked in the warmer season. 

Happy holidays and good health to all!

Contemplation

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.    Ruth Stout

12-12-12

Have a great one, send some love out there and let it come back and hug you a bit!

Words for a Sunday Afternoon

"I would say to young people a number of things, and I have only one minute. I would say, let them remember that there is a meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power, and that we can do — every one — our share to redeem the world despite of all absurdities and all the frustration and all disappointments. And above all, remember that the meaning of life is to live life as it if were a work of art. You're not a machine. When you are young, start working on this great work of art called your own existence."

Rabbi Hieschel

Sweet Dreams

 

This is the situation where I would like to involve myself.  Just crawl up and fall asleep, happily and sweetly.  Unfortunately I have little freedom for an activity of my choosing.  A mountain of work, hard deadlines, and absolutely no clue how I'm going to complete all this in a timely manner, keeps me rolling out of bed each morning with a slight cringe and a propensity to continually check my watch. Things are getting done and soon it will be all finished and I'll be free to dedicate my time to research only.  This means more family time, yoga, energy and household organization.  I don't like this amount of fretful busy.  After climbing out of my horrible work experience I have sworn never again, and never again is the only acceptable answer.  That said this is a short, hot little period and will be over quickly.  Occasional crunches I can handle, but not daily or long term.  I'd much rather grab my blanky and  and cuddle up for a snoozy, followed by a snack and playtime.  Much better, much nicer, far more preferable.

One Step at a Time

With the transition to a more academic life I have found the biggest struggle is grounding myself into a writing and research schedule and sticking to it.  As the weeks pass into months it has been easier to zone in on what I need to do and make realistic deadlines and stick to them.  That is until the past few weeks.  Between the holiday and the looming end of the semester deadlines I have found myself with more  work than I have time.  The next month is going to be a frenzy of writing, late nights and some finger crossing.  It's all new and each day is somewhat of a learning curve.  One step at a time.... one step at a time!  Wish my luck.

Goodness in the Kitchen

Wonderful Thanksgiving!  This year we had our own feast with many friends on Saturday.  Wonderful noon meal with lots of good food and good conversation.  As promised I am reporting back on the recipes I decided to try from old yoga journal magazines.  To begin, I once again tried a few recipes from a book called Thanksgiving, that I found a few years ago at the library and decided to purchase.  There are some great ideas in this cookbook, but none have translated (at least in my kitchen) into good eating.  Four different dishes all horrible.  I am donating the book away, perhaps someone else will have better luck with it.  As for the Yoga Journal dishes, the pumpkin pie and the cranberry relish  were the best I have ever made.   I'm sold and will be trying a lot more in the future.  I am so incredibly thankful this year for where my life is, and the direction its heading.  A good place, a good head space, and much gratitude.  

Wishing everyone well with much peace.

Jai

Meghan Currie

Full moon madness!

Sunday Morning

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves
with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, 
are as crisp as autumn air.

  Eric Sloane

Overflowing with Goodness

It's holiday time!  I have an array of cookbooks, magazines and printed recipes spread out on the dining room table.  I've ordered the turkey and the shopping list is nearly completed.  Tomorrow, armed with my reusable grocery bags I'll make my way to the big market where I'll insert myself in  the endless  throng of others all doing there holiday grocery shopping as well.   Every other year our little home has two Thanksgiving feasts.  One on thanksgiving, and one the following Saturday, this is because logistically we travel in different directions for the holiday.  We enjoy a good home cooked holiday feast so this is our compromise.  It tricky and consist of a lot of meal planning, shopping and cooking.  Added into the mix, I don't eat meat, so the vegetable dishes, at least for me, are the most interesting part.  I can't stand Tofurkey.  I have tried it on several occasions and I just don't like it and either does anyone in our house, so its better to have a nice selection of vegetable dishes.  I have a few new recipes I am looking forward to trying out, including a cranberry relish from December 2008 and a vegan pumpkin pie, November 2011 Yoga Journal Magazine!  I'll let you know how it taste.  So here's to holiday madness but with a celebratory tone as things are much more peaceful and grounded this year.  Many blessing, much to be thankful for this year.  

Jai, peace and love to all!

Fall and Foward bends

 

This Autumn I have been deliberate and careful in my energy expenditure.  Every year around this time I begin to feel worn down, fatigued and usually take to my bed with a thermometer and box of Kleenex.  As Summer faded to Autumn I began to see tell tail signs, the leaves began to fall off the trees, peoples movements became a little more harried and the sneezing and sniffling has started all around me.  My calendar has been filling up fast and I'm feeling a little tired and overwhelmed.  

I have no intention of repeating last years fiasco of a life.  I'm all about self preservation these days, but even with the best of intention, deadlines approach and projects must be completed.  Added to change of season madness is the fact I am still working on some of the things I let go for so long.  I have made vast inroads in organization and ticking things off the list, but there's still stuff lingering  while embarking on new deadlines brought on by a thesis, and at the moment boatloads of papers to write. 

I'm not entirely sure what the best game plan is for keeping sane and healthy but I am working on a plan for some type of  healthy living schedule.  In the meantime I have a few ideas what I can do now to help me out and perhaps increase energy levels a little.

Neti Pot:  I find the neti is an excellent defense against cold and flu season. 

Echinacea golden seal:I have been using echinacea since I was a graduate student.  Echinacea bolsters the immune system and pushes out whatever might be trying to invade the system.  This one is full proof if I use it over the course of several days. 

Emergen-c:  It's a vitamin mix in powder form.  This is a popular one in the winter in our house.  I like to put it in hot water and have it as tea. Others pour it into water and drink it throughout the day.  I think of it as a little energy drink to help with boost levels throughout the day. kind of healthy alternative to Red Bull.

Vitamin C : There's very little proof vitamin C helps with the common cold, but I find it useful.

Paschimottasna or forward bend: Seated forward bend  can calm the brain and help relieve stress and mild depression. Paschimottanasana is also touted for soothing headaches, reducing anxiety and lessening fatigue.  It's an excellent asana for change of season and when the weather cools down. 

Other important tips include staying hydrated, slowing down, getting to bed earlier and staying warm. 

Be well and good health!

Kates Mystery Book Store and The City Life Left

My Dad loved mystery books.  Kate's was a funky, funky mystery book shop located on the first floor of an old Victorian house.  Birthdays and holidays I would rumble around looking for something unique and interesting he might enjoy.  later when his old lion eyes needed a little help, I would go to Kate's and dig through old piles of books looking for large print mysteries, which she sold to me cheaply in generous portion. Kate was good people.

Quirky and a lot of fun, she had a thousand cat chachkas placed happily around her book store.  There was probably a real cat or two padding about somewhere, but I don't remember and I definitely didn't see any real felines the last time I was there.  On my way to a seminar today I passed her old Victorian which has been sold and she herself has moved on to a new life somewhere far away from the madding crowd.  I last saw her a couple of years ago.  It was the holiday season and she looked a bit tired with a diminished life drive. I must say we were in a similar place.  My Dad was very ill and I too was tired and had zero interest in celebrating the holidays.  She and I spoke briefly, I knew she had been trying to sell her old Victorian and my gut told me this was our last visit.   She talked about not feeling present in her urban living environment. She was not going out exploring restaurants, or attending social or cultural events. As she put it she wasn't taking advantage of what the city has to offer.  She packed up her life and moved away shortly after.  I myself moved out shortly thereafter, having found myself with zero interest for all things urban.  As I drove past the sign, which has been neatly painted over and now blank, I began to think about what I knew as a city when I lived there and what city meant to me.  Partly it meant what every city means, crowded, expensive and always moving.  But then there were individual aspects that were perhaps generational.  Things whose time has come and gone but made the urban experience special and fun. Places like this little book shop, or a Wiccan store I used to find herbs and esoteric books,  the acupuncturist whose office was in a funky old arcade next to a sex shop, the guy who rewrote my resume for a fee on an old typewriter when I was a newly minted undergraduate, the big all Latino grocery market, the lady who rented a room to one of my graduate students who supported herself teaching tap dance classes.  All special, all gone.  I don't need to list them all, but just as an example, the Latino grocery market is a whole foods store now.  I think that about says it all in a nut shell and perhaps explains in part why I have moved on. 

Snowy Day

 

It's a snowy day this morning.  Time to pack up summer clothes, beach blankets and flip flops and take out the Winter coat, hat, mittens and scarfs.  Although its going to warm up later this week we're on a trajectory toward Winter so I suppose it's time to embrace it.  Time for hot herbal tea in the afternoon, sun salutations, inversions and grounding poses, and longer meditation.  New season, new discoveries to be made.

 Jai bhagwan and be well.

Vote!

It's time to vote!  Every vote counts, Every vote matters!  Tuesday November 6th is election day, a fine time to get out and meet your neighbors.  Head on down to your local voting pole and make your opinion official!