3 More Days!

In just 3 more days my current challenge will be over. I'm really excited about the benefits I've gained from my regular yoga practice and isochronic meditation thus far. My goal right now is to add on at least 30 minutes of supplementary cardio to bolster my strength and flexibility and round out my exercise routine even more. It's amazing how my attitude about working out has morphed into a whole new animal. I'll have to say that I'm stronger and much more flexible then ever and it's incredible how calm I am under stressful situations that would normally either ruin my whole day or make me anxious. With a new month just around the corner, I am eager to make even more strides in my daily practice and to deepen my understanding of the way my mind and body works as a compliant unit. The more that they work together the better I can rejuvenate my entire spirit!

Yoga Addict

For some reason today I was obsessed with the correct form of of my poses. I would stop at random times during the day when I had a break and fall into an asana. My favorite pose of the day to get into was Triangle Pose. I was beginning to think I was a little absurd, but that certainly didn't stop me from trying out a not so graceful Standing Forward Bend, or getting up from my computer to stretch out my tired limbs strong and tall in Mountain Pose. Ahhhh my upper and mid-back thanked me all day long for that one. And when I wasn't off-handedly practicing poses, I was thinking about them. Saying to myself, 'I wonder if I'm my Cobbler's Pose was executed correctly during my practice this morning?' Or ' maybe I could've gotten just a little bit more extension out my downward facing dog?' Tomorrow I'll calm down and go back to normal, I promise myself. OK. Just one more Mountain Pose...

It's A New Day

I'll have to repeat the sentiments of an jazz band from the 80's and 90's Basia who have a song entitled New Day For You. That's exactly how I feel. Yes today it's overcast and the sky has a dreamy gray cast to it, but there's a patch of blue peeking through it and it's not raining anymore. I'm heading to the edge of my first goal and feeling the excitement. For those of you wondering what my new goal is, it will evolve EFT. For more information on what that is click here. On the horizon, I will be using positive thinking and the law of attraction to align my energies with bigger and better things that are even more wonderful. Will my blog still have plenty to say about yoga, meditation, chakras and other forms of energy work? You betcha! But my EFT challenge will deepen and enhance my practice by encouraging me to take the difficulties from when I'm on the mat and in everyday life and work through them, by releasing myself from all the negative vibes that come my way. Fear, anger, frustration, hopelessness, sadness, anguish, anxiety and their kin will all have to check themselves at the door to my personal temple. I'm dancing inside my temple and I don't need them to cramp my style. It's a new day!

Photo Credits: Federico Stevanin 

Yoga's The Best!

Somewhere deep inside of all the self-assurance and confidence, there's a little voice saying 'wow you're really doing it!' It's amazing to me that I've improved so much over the last few weeks. Of course the true test will be on April 1st when I test my chakras. Since practicing yoga, I've noticed that there is a profound sense of fulfillment and happiness bubbling up from deep within me. It's changing not only my body and increasing my energy level, but it's really changing my life and the way I look at things.This morning while the rain was pouring down outside and I was working through the challenges of Kundalini yoga, I noticed an subtle strength coming to the fore. Gurmukh was so right! There is a knowing and an understanding that comes with making yoga a regular part of your lifestyle. You know that 'when the going gets tough' you can carry on no matter what. I'm so sure that this is one of the best things that I could have ever done for myself!

Photo Credits: Jomphong

New Goals Ahead

Day 25. I salute Mr. Rodney Yee on the mat again for his easy -to-follow and challenging yoga routines. I'll admit that this started out as an experiment to see if I could keep a belated New Year's resolution to revive my ailing chakras and renew my commitment to fitness through yoga. But it is clear to me now that those goals were way to transitory in nature to satisfy my inner aspirations. And with each passing day, my resolve to make daily yoga a regular part of my life grows stronger and stronger. Now I'm planning to take my yoga teacher training in the summer of next year. I have my sites set on the Anamaya program. Located in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica; not only is Anamaya Resort an absolutely breath-taking get-a-way destination, but it's creditials as a yoga school and it's curriculum are down-right some of the best that I've seen. What do I have to do to get into Anamaya. Well just enroll as soon as they post next year's calender of classes. Anamaya also recommends that their students have been regularly practicing yoga for at least 1 year. Check that box. By next summer I will have at least 1 1/2 years of steady yoga experience under my mat. I imagine where I'll be with yoga in over a year's time and I tingle with excitement and anticipation for the journeys to come!

Pulling It Together

Day 24. Today's yoga practice was all about symmetry. I've finally pulled all the lessons I've learned -- patience, humility, acceptance, forgiveness, and will-power together to begin forming all the pieces of the puzzle. I'm really getting into the flow of things, moving through my days and learning from each asana. What I'm noticing more than anything is how empty the day would feel if I missed a practice. Honestly, I've gotten to the point where if I skipped a day it would feel completely wrong. This is just where I want to be. The sweet spot of still feeling the challenge, while finding my place in the midst of things. It's almost midnight, and I just had to post how truly grateful I am for what it is I am able to do. I have all my 4 arms and legs, and though my body isn't perfect, it's mine to enjoy the full range of movements inside of, and to breathe into. And that's something that I cannot
and will not take for granted. I'm going to take that gratitude and run with it for the long-haul. I'm gunning full-speed ahead!

Body Rhythm

I had a strange discovery during practice today. It was the innate rhythm of my body. And I don't mean the kind of rhythm that makes you dance to a beat. This was something more integral-- soul deep. One might liken it to a sort of trance, induced by the musicality that dwells within you, enhanced by the music that is playing during your yoga practice; or if you practice silently, inherent to the atmosphere around you. In other words, the cars outside your city street, the birds chirping near your rural home, the crickets of an evening summer practice, or that Enya on your mp3 become a tapestry that connects you to your own little corner of serenity. For me it was the sound of falling water that moved me to stretch my practice to another level. Rainstorms have hit the California terrain with a vengeance and this morning there was a virtual downpour. The strong spikes in wind only served to drive the water more strongly against my windows. In the small space of my room, I practiced Kundalini yoga with steady breathes, flowing into each change of movements with a fresh energy. The hypnotic sounds of the drumbeats, Gurmukh's serene instructions, and the strenuous exertion of every part of my body began to blend with falls of water. As I was wildly flailed my arms above my head taking deep fire breaths, I could feel my energy, power and strength increasing, and my body's gain seemed to mirror the out-pour of rain. Day 23 -- a practice I will remember for years to come. It has taught me the beauty that lay inside of my spirit, and with what ease my mind can overcome itself when I just stop thinking and let my body take over.Them moving through my morning practice will become more of a reflex like hunger or thirst, and will just be a part of being me.

Photo Credits: seaskylab