Thursday, September 29, 2011

great life lesson...

I see this day as a positive new beginning (it's never too late to have a new beginning)

Today and tomorrow can be very different from yesterday if you can let yesterday go and focus on today.

Today and tomorrow are about your NOW vibration, and you give complete control over that.

Look for things to feel good about, and watch how everything in your life will unfold to reflect that good-feeling vibration.

Source: Abraham Hicks

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

bend it like bikram!


So after all these years of practicing yoga, I finally tried my first Bikram class! I was skeptical at first since I heard so many negative comments about it, but I wanted to experience it first hand and go with an open mind. To all Bikram teachers and practitioners out there, I salute you, because it was a class soooo different than what I was used to. I am not bashing the practice, but my beliefs and the beliefs of bikram yoga are complete opposites.

As I lay in the room of over 100F, my mind racing with anxiousness, I began to bring my awareness to my breath. Since the class was 90mins long, I had to brace myself for the poses to come and let my body take in the heat. Immediately this got interrupted and I was blinded by the bright lights.  The instructor had the thickest accent, and was speaking so fast, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. There was not a single moment of silence to soak up the poses and all I kept hearing was “push, push, push your body and lock, lock, lock your knees” –Two things you are NEVER supposed to do in any practice. 
  
By the halfway mark, I was ready to leave. Doing 26 poses twice seems like an easy task, but the heat just became too overwhelming and I found myself repeatedly going into child’s pose or savasana (corpse pose).  I give credit for those that lasted, because my ego got the best of me and I completely gave up.

Floor dripping with sweat and fingers all pruney, the class was finally over. On a positive note, I did feel really good afterwards. There is a reason why we do those poses, which are linked to many health benefits. Tons of people give credit to bikram yoga for helping them cure any pain or suffering they may have. So keep at it if it helps, but branch out and do a downward dog! 

photo source: http://vegangrrlseattle.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 15, 2011

pose of the week: lord of the dance (dancer's pose)

Natarajasana
How to do it:

1. Standing tall, begin to shift your weight over to your left foot.
2. Bend your leg back and grab the inside or outside of your foot.
3. On an inhale, raise your left arm by your ear. As you exhale, push your foot in your hand and kick your leg away from your body.
4. Keep your chest lifted and your hips squared. Stretch your right arm forward, in front of your torso and keep it parallel to the floor.

Hold for 5-10 breaths, then slowly release and repeat on the other side. 

Benefits:
  • Stretches the thighs, groins and abdomen
  • Strengthens the legs and ankles
  • Improves balance and focus

Sunday, September 11, 2011

back from reality, back to life


I am officially back!!! After taking three weeks off, my mind, my body and my soul are ready to get back on track with the daily grind. The break was much needed as I got to explore the beauty of life in the Philippines. Here, I take so much for granted. From the moment I stepped out of the plane, the air, the smell, the weather, and people was a lot to take in. I am so happy I got to experience the culture full on and live like a true local. I can write a novel for the amount of things that happened; the memories will always stay in my heart and thank you to my wonderful family for treating me with such kindness and love and overall…dealing with me ;)  

See you on the mat!