Natasha Rizopoulos

Snow day! Great day to do a little home practice. In my pursuit of finding the right home practice I'm once again exploring a variety of yoga DVD's. Today I tried Yoga step by step session 2 and 3 with Natasha Rizopoulos. Session two is about twisting and three inversions. There is a lot of material on the disc but the actual practice is short, about 2o minutes. The instructor waste no time in getting into the postures. One quick tadasana and your off into sun salutations. I enjoyed disco two. It's short, sweet and to the point. Perfect for a morning or late afternoon practice when you have little time or energy. Session three is not my cup of tea. First of all if you don't have the time or space to re-arrange your furniture this is not the practice for you since a good part of the practice are inversions using the wall. This is absolutely not a beginner or intermediate practice and I highly caution trying these inversion without supervision especially if you are new to head and hand stands. The instructor is clear and moves at a comfortable rate. Demonstrations include modifications with use of blocks, blankets and straps. I give session two a thumbs up but proceed with caution if attempting session three.

Happy snow day!

Miss. S.

Sunday Prayer of Gratitude

Good Morning

Good morning world, I'm

stiff, but optimistic. Good

morning birds. They fly

around the feeder like seed-

seeking missiles. Good

morning breath. I feel the

rise and fall of chest, the

easy out and in that signals

relaxation. Good morning

mist. The low clouds shroud

the mountains, drift through

the yard like wisps of smoke.

Good morning heart. Its

slow rhythm keeps me

company. The day awoke

two hours ago, and I'm just

catching up. Senses take in

this morning like a sponge.

Thoughts not yet caught up

in things to do follow the

raucous calls of crows and

wonder who they've found

to scold. A clear sense of

oneness pervades it all.

Spirit infuses the dew that

clings to every blade of

grass; Spirit lifts the front

leg of the doe as she paws

the soft ground by the salt

lick; Spirit fills me with the

buoyant certainty that this

day was made for the sole

purpose of celebrating

everything.

Danna Faulds

One Soul More Poems From the Heart of Yoga

and now back to breathing

Good morning world. My A's are out of the way!!!! I will move on to the more more laborious B part of my academic work, but first a small respite. Time to breath. I have a stack of yoga DVD's and some yoga Nidra to check out. When things get hectic breathing usually goes the way of good nutrition and movement, at least for me. I've decided to take a little time off and concentrate on the home and hearth. Time to breath..... ah yes!

Have a great day everyone,

Miss.S.

Northern Winds

Let it Snow

Everything just seems

to be insignificant

right now-

All that really matters

the magic from the sky

Let it snow

Let it snow

Let it snow...

my first snow

Friendship Heights- Washington DC, US

December 3, 2005

Ave Lilik

New Year

All one's moments gather to a wave

Passing in a rolling swell of tears,

Passions too immense to name or save.

Yet New Year's is a crest on which to sing,

Now poised between the future and the past.

Each awaits what course the fates may bring,

Winds that never touch the things that last.

Years turn and turn with an hypnotic grace

Even as the depths of life lie still.

Although above one cannot silence face,

Remember that below the divers will.

anonymous

Holiday

Hannukkah Blessing verse I

Borukh Ato Adoynoy

Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom

Asher Kiddeshonu Be-mitsvoysov

Ve-tsivonu Lehadlik Neyr Shel khanuko

Bessings to everyone this season,

Peace.

Winter

Winter Solstice, is the time the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. It occurs the first day of Winter. On this day (December 21 or 22) in the northern hemisphere the sun is farthest south and the length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest of the year. In the pagan tradition the solstice is also know as Yuletide, Alban or the Arthanthis holiday and is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Traditionally one would light a Yule log. It's lighted on the eve of the solstice (it should light on the first try) and must be kept burning for twelve hours, for good luck. It should be made of ash. As time passed the Yule log was replaced by the Yule tree but, instead of burning it, burning candles were placed on it. Evergreen, holly, ivy and the mistletoe were important plants of the season, all symbolizing fertility and everlasting life. Mistletoe was especially venerated by the Celtic Druids, who cut it with a golden sickle on the sixth night of the moon, and believed it to be an aphrodisiac. (Magically -- not medicinally! It's highly toxic!) Other customs of the holiday include weaving 'Brigit's crosses' from straw or wheat to hang around the house for protection, performing rites of spiritual cleansing and purification, making 'Brigit's beds' to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body, if desired), and making Crowns of Light (i.e. of candles) for the High Priestess to wear for the Candlemas Circle, similar to those worn on St. Lucy's Day in Scandinavian countries.

Happy Solstice may your Winter be warmth of hearth and spirit.

Peace to all,

Miss. S.