I was recently asked to contribute over at the diet blog, Diets In Review. I was honoured as there is heaps of information and it was a pleasure offering a little insight on the power of meditation, a subject near and dear to my heart. I take on the power of meditation in battling stress as well as weight loss, so check it out!
Take a read, and while you’re over there be sure to peruse some of the other information on health and fitness.
Wow!It’s been quite some time since I announced I’d be back NEXT WEEK!!
So next week came next year….
Anyways, after the turn of a new year… and the turn of a new decade, I turned 40 last month, and in the last months and years leading up to this milestone birthday I have come to better embrace the ebb and flow that is my creativity, my motivation and my progress. Basically, my life. That isn’t to say during certain points I can be found lolling endlessly on the sofa until the flow kicks in… no. I just know that there is an ease that can be found and luxuriated in at times and at others, things come with a little more difficulty and can’t be forced.
That said, as we settle into 2009 and back into our homeschool winter, I am also in the face of some exciting challenges professionally and need to look to yoga and meditation as a means to best approach and overcome these challenges helping me to meet my goals. I am leaving a period of relative ebb into a wonderful flow, where I want to be able to access the inspired, the creative and the most productive in me.
I know a regular practice to be, in times of busy-ness and a little craziness, an effective tool but also a welcome respite, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
To keep me from losing my mind.
Look… I take help where I can get it. And where I got it- where I needed to get it- was from my old stand-by when motivation is hiding somewhere under the carpet, Baron. Baron and his Bootcamp in a Box.
I did not intend to rely on a CD. However, I know myself… which is why I carry the Box with me– on most every trip! Anyways, I never did get up early. Husband was off golfing. It was lunch time. I set the kids up- yes, in front of the tube- so I could get an uninterrupted half hour. While, perhaps not entirely uninterrupted, Baron’s 20 minute Core Flow CD followed by his guided meditation was what I needed.
Understand this is no paid plug. While not a true devotee, I am partial to my own practice… when I do it, I do love his style of yoga and the way he teaches.
I also enjoy his guided meditation. It’s only 10 minutes and perhaps tomorrow I will try to extend it on my own. I swear, today I saw colours through my third eye this afternoon. Colours, I say! And tingly fingers….
OMG… One of my favourite postures. I can stand in Tree Pose for (insert ValleyGirl accent here) like, forever.
From Mountain Pose, the trusty and so very foundational, Tadasana… I’m presuming toes are already spread, three points engaged, arches drawing up, with big ol’ quadriceps pulling kneecaps heaven-ly… bring weight to left foot. With the help of a hand, bring the right foot up, sole of foot to inside of thigh. Thanks to a ‘bit’ of lovely inner thigh flesh, I am able to bring my foot right below my crotch, to rest… ‘thank you’ inner thigh flesh.
I like to bring my attention to the energy between foot and thigh to establish a secure, steady posture. In pressing one against the other with each responding in kind, there’s a fantastic and stabilizing force that helps to ensure the steady… as well, eyes relaxed, gaze fixed- read:blurred- down the length of the nose. Shoulder blades are drawing down either side of the spine towards the tail bone, which is drawing towards the floor.
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh… Hands to Namaste. When you feel a good stability, one where you might just feel like staying there all day, bring arms up overhead. Conscious of shoulder blades drawing down and long.
Don’t forget to breathe, of course. A nice ujayii. Relaxed, yet engaged. After a count of however many makes for a thorough appreciation for the posture for you, gently bring foot down. Rest, breathe in Tadasana, and regain your stable foundation.
Repeat on other side.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.
I love this posture. In it I feel strong. Everything is active. While I have a natural sense of balance I love the confirmation this posture gives me.
