Today will be a big day for testing my Yoga skills off the Yoga mat.
For all those challenging poses, or balancing poses, or simply pushing my body when it really just wanted to be in Savasana, those skills will hopefully help me through the next few days.
5 years ago I was in a serious car accident that left my body and mental well-being in shambles. Yoga helped me deal with the physical pain through realigning my spine and joints and also helped me deal with emotional issues such as frustration and anger. My body and mind are in a constant state of recovery. However, I have also moved into a world of appreciation for what my body can do now as opposed to what it used to be able to do.
My "off the mat", real-life practice will begin today with 2 flights to get me to Calgary. I will use breathing techniques, and try to be in the moment, even if something goes wrong. Once in Calgary I will get myself ready for my first Examination from the opposing Lawyers from the car accident. I will have to muster up all the courage and strength I normally reserve for arm balances and srong warrior poses to face the lawyers and their questions. I will attempt to take a deep breath, avoid getting emotional and stay grounded. It just seems so much easier on a Yoga mat than in real life. My challenge over the next few days will be to stay grounded, focussed, and in the moment. I have been waiting 5 years to face the lawyers and talk about my car accident. Now is the time and I need to be ready. To get ready, I will go to my mat and practice.
My Yoga practice today will focus on deep yoga breathing for clarity, grounding poses, and a few challenging poses to build courage! Today's practice will include fluid Sun salutations with plenty of Warrior poses, Trikonasana and Reverse Trikonasana. I will also have some seated poses such as Badha Konasana, and Dandasasa and of course a long, restorative Savasana.
I hope all my years of practicing on my mat will prepare me for this "Off-the-mat" moment.
Unto the breach....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Getting Started
I am beginning my online journey into the world of technology.
This blog will be used to share my ongoing developments in the world of Yoga and beyond.
I am looking forward to sharing different practices both on the mat and in life with you.
Today was a peticularly reflective day at the lake with my greatest Yoga teacher of all, Yukon. Yukon is my beautiful, gentle and energetic black Labrador Retrievor. His teachings come to me in the most unexpected ways. Perhaps that is the purpose.
What I noticed about Yukon today is his persistence and seemingly lack of boredom of the same task. We spent 4 hours at the lake and Yukon was content to dive for rocks the entire time. I convinced Yukon to come for a swim with me, but as soon as we returned to the shore he was back on task, picking out rocks.
Watching Yukon allowed me a chance to reflect on being in the moment. Yukon lives his life in the moment. He certainly doesn't spend it hoping and wishing for things to come. Yukon doesn't say "If only I had another toy, then I'd be a happy dog." Yukon doesn't dwell in the past or harbour grudges (not that I know of, anyway). Yukon is simply content to play in the water, digging out rocks, diving deep to the bottom of the lake, and paddling around.
If only we could all live in the moment. Maybe just for a moment. Taking a moment out of each day, taking a breath, not reviewing the past events, or preparing for future activities, but simply being in the moment. When you get there, what does it feel like? Is it a hard thing to hold onto, or does it come easily?
For me being in the moment is a constant pendelum swing. I catch myself daydreaming, thinking, considering what needs to happen and when, planning, organizing, reviewing, and then taking that deep breath, returning to the moment. I find it easiest to come into the moment when in nature. Today, swimming in the lake, there was no effort in finding the moment. I didn't have to think, plan, organize, I just swam. I swam far in the lake with Yukon which felt blissful and smooth and I felt connected to my best friend.
Take some time to figure out where and when you can find your moment, when you can still your mind, take that deep breath and just be. Once you found that see if you can go to that place, imaginary or physical to return to the moment. Soon, finding the moment, being in the moment will come easier and easier, and the pendulum swing will find its balance!
Namaste
This blog will be used to share my ongoing developments in the world of Yoga and beyond.
I am looking forward to sharing different practices both on the mat and in life with you.
Today was a peticularly reflective day at the lake with my greatest Yoga teacher of all, Yukon. Yukon is my beautiful, gentle and energetic black Labrador Retrievor. His teachings come to me in the most unexpected ways. Perhaps that is the purpose.
What I noticed about Yukon today is his persistence and seemingly lack of boredom of the same task. We spent 4 hours at the lake and Yukon was content to dive for rocks the entire time. I convinced Yukon to come for a swim with me, but as soon as we returned to the shore he was back on task, picking out rocks.
Watching Yukon allowed me a chance to reflect on being in the moment. Yukon lives his life in the moment. He certainly doesn't spend it hoping and wishing for things to come. Yukon doesn't say "If only I had another toy, then I'd be a happy dog." Yukon doesn't dwell in the past or harbour grudges (not that I know of, anyway). Yukon is simply content to play in the water, digging out rocks, diving deep to the bottom of the lake, and paddling around.
If only we could all live in the moment. Maybe just for a moment. Taking a moment out of each day, taking a breath, not reviewing the past events, or preparing for future activities, but simply being in the moment. When you get there, what does it feel like? Is it a hard thing to hold onto, or does it come easily?
For me being in the moment is a constant pendelum swing. I catch myself daydreaming, thinking, considering what needs to happen and when, planning, organizing, reviewing, and then taking that deep breath, returning to the moment. I find it easiest to come into the moment when in nature. Today, swimming in the lake, there was no effort in finding the moment. I didn't have to think, plan, organize, I just swam. I swam far in the lake with Yukon which felt blissful and smooth and I felt connected to my best friend.
Take some time to figure out where and when you can find your moment, when you can still your mind, take that deep breath and just be. Once you found that see if you can go to that place, imaginary or physical to return to the moment. Soon, finding the moment, being in the moment will come easier and easier, and the pendulum swing will find its balance!
Namaste
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