Fresh

Welcome, 2012!  Did another year really just come to a close?  It seems like yesterday it was 2011 - and what a wonderful year it turned out to be.


I started 2012 with a detox yoga workshop and it felt great!  Rather than make resolutions we set our intentions for the coming year - I love this!  I'm also creating a vision board for 2012... more to come.

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."  [Galileo Galilei]

Speaking of discoveries, I found these vibrant "sunburst tangerines".  Have you seen these before?  I love their dramatic coloring... and they're tasty, too!

Udaipur [India]

"Udaipur is gorgeous - the lake city!  We took a walk into the city where we passed a large city garden and stopped at an artist's gallery to get a demonstration of miniature paintings.  I got a tiny peacock drawn on my nail!"

"We visited the city palace and it was truly beautiful with vistas of the cityscape and the lake.  The breeze felt so nice and the atmosphere so peaceful despite all the tour groups.  I'm so glad we visited."

"We spent the evening on a boat ride around the lake and enjoyed the peace away from the bustle of the city.  Just as the sun was going down the sky turned purple and the buildings pink... After enjoying drinks on a rooftop bar we saw a cultural show with wonderful dancers and musicians!"

"I spent our second morning in Udaipur practicing yoga with a local instructor.  I can now say I've practiced yoga around the world!  And for the rest of the day we shopped - I really am in shopping heaven here..."

Happy Friday

"You are what your deep, driving desire is.  As your desire is so is your will.  As your will is, so is your deed.  As your deed is, so is your destiny." 


[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]

Last weekend I went to my first Bikram (hot) yoga class and it was a great physical and emotional challenge.  Tonight I am giving it another try and am determined to keep an open mind - my practice is my own.  Yoga is my saving grace!


With an open heart, I am looking forward to this weekend filled with yoga, the homecoming football game at our alma mater, sushi, Halloween preparations, peace, and restoration.


Happy Friday!

Yoga!

(Re)Practicing yoga turned out to be a sweet surprise.  I'm so glad I gave it a second chance!  Goodbye stress and anxiety and hello peace and quiet. 

My number one requirement:  comfortable clothing that is not too loose fitting.  You want to be able to move around without restrictions but without having to constantly adjust either.  Flip flops are a must as most studios require you to remove your shoes upon entering.  Also, I always wear/bring a comfortable wrap sweater to cover up before, after, or during my practice.  (This is especially wonderful for the Restorative sessions).

Finally, the MAT!  I'm in the market for a Manduka mat and I love the green one shown above. 

Even with all the wonderful clothing and accessories, what is most important in one's practice is an open heart and mind. 

Namaste!

Spring Detox

"Blessed are the seeds waiting in the darkness for the call of Spring."

Spring brings the green leaves and blooming flowers, cool mornings and warm afternoons, and a sense of anticipation for the sunny days of summer.  I think Spring is also a time of new beginnings and a time for cleansing.  Yesterday I attended a Yoga Detox class and purged my body, mind, and spirit of toxins.  It was great and I left feeling renewed and refreshed.  We began our practice with a quiet time of reflection on what we wish for the coming seasons:

Dear Universe:

Where will my dreams take me?  I am thankful for my health, family, and well-being and am excited for the future.  What is my true path and how can I let go of my fear of failure, disappointment, and self criticisms along the way?

I want to have a full, happy life.  I wish to reduce the amounts of self doubt, worry, stress, fear, and anxiety.  I know I am capable of this.  I wish to be calm, confident, happy, excited, and most of all inspired.  Will my dreams take me there?

Happy Spring!

Meditations

Phew.  It's Friday and tonight James and I are going to my yoga studio for a guided meditation class.  I am very much looking forward to the time on my mat where I can be present and focus on myself and in the meantime relax and refresh before a busy (and fun-filled) weekend with friends.

This picture of the Pitons from St. Lucia (April 2009) is so peaceful and clean.  If only I could unroll my mat in this very place and have this view to take in and this air to breathe.  I will imagine it tonight!

What are your weekend plans?

Happy Friday and a very happy weekend to you!

Bring on the Wonder

Last night's yoga class marked two months of continuous practice!  In early December I decided to give yoga another try.  I'd tried it only once before and I felt I needed to give it another go and to devote myself more fully.  Even though it's only been a short two months, I'm already feeling such a connection and devotion to my practice.  


My yoga practice gives me the time my soul needs to rejuvenate and RELAX!  It's tough for me (and everyone else, right?) to take time away from my often-times hectic, overstimulated, noisy, frustrating, days to be still, quiet, mindful, and introspective.


Tonight I left class with a smile on my face!


"...bring on the wonder, bring on the song, I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long..."  
-Performed by Sarah McLachlan (Bring on the Wonder, from Laws of Illusion), written by Susan Enan

[These photos are of our Amaryllis bulbs that have finally bloomed!  They're commonly referred to as "the Christmas flower".  It may not be Christmas but they're still gorgeous!]

Yoga Recap

Last night I completed my yoga class.... and.... I enjoyed it!  I'm so happy I stuck with it for the month because I realized it's not so bad after all.


It's a great time to relax and be present, to stretch and exercise, and to focus on yourself.  I'm looking forward to exploring some other classes - I've found a few that should help with my stress levels during tax season.


Merry Christmas!

Yoga Schmoga?

I signed up for a month-long beginner's yoga class and tonight is our first meeting.  This is my second try at yoga and I'm hoping I can benefit from the class!  Or, at the very least, it will be a welcome relief after months of frazzled, wedding'd out nerves.  The last yoga/meditation class I took was so relaxing I fell asleep.  Oops!  Let's hope for a better night tonight!


The watercolor by Chris Carter can be found at Chris Carter's Yoga Art.