"Holy Waters", in more ways than one

Taking/making time to practice today was evident from the barrage of messages I've been receiving from various sources.  Acquaintances, friends, family, co-workers, church leaders - everyone has seemed to be sending the same message in one form or another.  Could be I am seeking out the message to be affirmed by others in what I inherently know; none-the-less, I took and made the time to practice day 20 this afternoon.

Day 20: Yoga for the 5 Elements (Water) focused on the root chakra and the sacral chakra - the 'sacred waters' in our bodies.  I had not previously made the connection between the word 'sacrum' and 'sacred'.  The instructor spoke often about the sacredness of the water in our bodies and specifically of the water in the pelvic area of the body. (Toward the end, she was calling it a container - which is funny to think about but made sense during the practice!)  Taking time to tune in to specific areas of my body and notice what is happening - in areas other than my head stomach, and various points of recurring pain - needs to be higher on my priority list.  Okay, on my priority list.  I really had no idea of some of the imbalances I noticed when I began to pay attention.

Instructor Friedrichsen spoke to the healing properties of water and how so many of us will travel to the ocean or lake or a beach or 'holy waters', or even to a river or pond, in search of solace or reprieve or vacation.  My beardy man knows me well enough to tell me to go take a bath or shower when I am in need of calming water (and not always because I stink!).  I know enough about myself to recognize I have an affinity for water and, being a Pisces, the affinity is not too surprising.

Today at church (we go to a non-denominational church near our home) the pastor told the story of Moses and how he was placed in a hand-made raft onto the water as a baby (read the book of Exodus for more on that!) The story was about deliverance and how seemingly threatening circumstances can be for the greater good.  "I am always with you," was what God told people. How does this connect with my yoga practice today? The water (and energy, and chakras) are always with me - the 'sacred healing water' or healing energy or the Spirit of God is always with me.

Not to get too metaphysical or philosophical, but wow. That is pretty amazing. In a fairly average healthy person (me), I have energy and water and a Spirit that are powerful on their own; to have all of those in one 'packaged' human creature? Sheesh.

Oh, and today, I met a friend for a walk, and guess where we walked? Around a lake.  Sure, most of it was frozen on top (Minnesota) - but it was water, none-the-less :)


@CoachBurow #30for30 #yogachallenge #yogaeveryday  #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #healingwater 

Grounding Yoga Practice

Do you ever have days when you wake up an hour or more before your alarm goes off . . . and actually feel rested enough and awake enough to get out of bed? Such is a rare experience for me and when one occurs, I take advantage of the "extra" time in various ways.  This morning included a few minutes of conversation with my beardy man before he left for work, time to wash dishes, and time to either walk dogs or practice yoga.  Since the dogs were snoozing

I opted for yoga.  Great choice for me on a Friday morning after another energy-depleting week at work. (Please know I do enjoy my role at work and am typically energized by working within my strengths and passions! Lately, various shifts within our organizational structure and the decrease in staff/FTE has increased administrative workload for many of us.)  Anywho - a grounding and non-competitive practice was great for my mind and body this morning. Day 19: Yoga for the 5 Elements (Earth)

Already day 19 (for me) in this yoga challenge, I am seeing mini-changes in my perspective and appreciation of the slower and mindful pace and practice. As well, I am learning to accept 'listening to my body' in balance with following the instructor's cues to make the practice work for me.  Some ways I made the practice "my own" without realizing it until during or after:

• adding airplane and cactus poses during Warrior I
• closing my eyes at various points during balance poses
• using the TV in living room as a mirror to make changes in my posture to improve alignment!
• holding hands in prayer/at heart while in tadasana rather then fighting to keep my left arm by my side 

Starting my day with a grounding yoga practice = so far, so good. 

@CoachBurow #30for30 #yogachallenge #yogaeveryday  #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #grounding

Feel the Light, Wabi Sabi

Day 18: Practice of Light: "There is a light beyond pain and sorrow that lives in all of us. This practice uses gesture, movement, and visualization to help us connect to this inner light by bringing light from the outside in and from the crown of the head to our own heart. Enjoy an asana sequence that draws light into the body, followed by a pranayama practice visualizing light and finally a meditation on light in the heart."

Can you believe this being exactly what I needed today?  How common - or apparent - these 'theme' appears to be to me over the last couple of weeks.  (I haven't completed the meditation at the end of the practice but would like to come back to it either tonight or soon.  As I am at work, I was meant to attend another meeting which ended up being postponed after I stopped the practice. While I wait, I reflect.)

What I notice while reflecting:

• Breath regulation seemed to not be very difficult during the practice
• I do breathe slowly in relation to some; for today's instructor I moved a slight bit faster through the poses to partner with my breath rather than her cues.
• "Feel the light in your heart" gained my attention
• I did this practice as a necessary break at work today (by 2:30pm and after several meetings, I was in need of some balance)
• I notice I'm not any more physically energized after the practice than I was before (and I acknowledge I was hoping for some invigoration to teach fitness classes and groups this afternoon)
• I noticed my left arm isn't as "wonky" as it has been - i.e. I am able to lay it closer to my body in savasana and can let it hang by my side more often/for a longer duration in standing positions
• Practicing repetitive movements can be grounding, calming, and although my brain sometimes thinks it wants something new or faster, the slower and repetitive sequence offers calming to my central nervous system.
• I am still exhausted, physically and mentally. I could take a nap *right now*.
• Bringing light (energy?) to my crown and heart aligns with healing touch practice

I also had a moment to read the Wabi Sabi article from Experience Life magazine.  An excerpt:

"Wabi sabi prizes authenticity. The cracks in the old teacup are seen as assets rather than flaws. “Wabi sabi is a different kind of looking, a different kind of mindset,” explains Robyn Griggs Lawrence, author of Simply Imperfect: Revisiting the Wabi-Sabi House (New Society Publishers, 2011). “It’s the true acceptance of finding beauty in things as they are.”

Yet wabi sabi is more than a way of looking at things. It is “a way of life that appreciates and accepts complexity while at the same time values simplicity,” writes Richard Powell in Wabi Sabi Simple (Adams Media, 2004). He says it acknowledges three simple realities: “Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.” 

• Timing. Amazes me every day.
• Mind-body health.
• I can use some self-compassion.

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge  #compassion

Grace for Self - I'm not perfect! Day 13 on Day 16

On the 'true' day 13 (Jan 13th) I gave myself another grace-pass to postpone my practice when I had a very energy-draining day at work to come home and eat dinner and go directly to bed - do not pass computer, do not do yoga, just give my mind and body rest.

Unfortunately, as days and weeks do, they ran together and the 14th was another energy-draining day physically, mentally, and emotionally. I spent the hour-and-a-half when I came home hugging kids goodnight, eating a meal, chatting with my beardy man, and put myself to bed again.

Yesterday? Not sure. I suppose inertia. I am an object that was at yoga-rest.  I knew it would be beneficial, yet all I wanted to do was lay down and read for 30-minutes before sleep.  One more day behind. I'm okay. I will be okay. I do not have to be perfect.

I resolved today at work to be sure I practiced at least one of the last several days.  Although I could easily be overwhelmed by animals that had been kenneled all workday and tired, hungry children, I would find time to practice and reflect.  So easily my mind and emotions want to act out in frustration or anger when the kids are not focused on eating their dinner or are doing their chores sooooo slowly. . . but then taking a moment to say to myself, "Hey! These boys are enjoying their meal and having engaging conversation with each other and me;" and "Nicole, one of the kids is picking up his room unattended while the other helps rinse dishes. This isn't so bad!" I took a breath and decided to calm down and not rush.

Tonight - amidst barking loudmouth dogs and two little boys who wanted to use their well-earned screentime to play 30-minutes of kindle games, I chose to bring my yoga mat into the living room ruckus and just do my practice.  The boys will see me following through on my practice, I will be in the same room with them for quality time, and although I won't be completely focused (answering "how do I turn the volume down?" and "can I let the dogs out/in/out/in" and "bark-bark-bark/wrestle/growl") I could still benefit in some way.  Day 13: Wake Up Morning Yoga to Start Your Day was an end of day practice and offered twists (yum), half moon and side angle (ahhhh) which were delightful and delicious. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #selfcare #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge #dynamicwellness

Playing Catch-up: Yoga 30 for 30 Challenge, Days 6 & 7

Am I on the wrong day? No.  I did not participate in yoga day 6 on the scheduled day due to illness.  What did I experience in attempting to 'let go' of the expectations, self-criticism, not to mention battling feelings of physical parody, but guilt for not practicing yoga!  I brazenly chastised myself several fleeting moments, which was followed by thoughts of, 'Why are you mentally accosting yourself? Take the evening off (from what appeared to be inverted and balance poses) and get some rest."

I did.  But then today, as I stayed home from work to rest and recover, I intermittently thought about falling behind in this 30 day challenge.  I recognized how easy it would be to 'skip' another day and 'blame' it on illness recovery.  I then considered how difficult it may be to regain momentum - would I let the entire 30-day commitment wash away with my dissolve?

No.  After feeling physically healthier throughout the span of the day (several rests and naps, many cups of tea, and some soup and a smoothie later!), I decided I would make an attempt at yesterday's practice without any pressure to complete today (day 7) if I felt ill.  I'm so thankful I have the commitment to self and to this blog, as well as a minor splash of resolve, to complete something I've started, even with obstacles.  Right now, I am taking time between two practices to write a few words about my 'day 6' practice.

Wouldn't you know, Day 6: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Svadhishthana, brought balance poses, chakra 2 (emotional center!), rigidity and fluidity, and the topic of 'guilt'.  How fitting.  And may I say, I want to keep instructor Amy Pearce-Hayden for my daily practice? (Yes, that fits right along with the 7 day klesha practice and I recognize the attachment, thank you very much!) What I noticed:

• my right hip seems 'bound'
• again moving the hip (while in bridge position) to one side changes the physical feeling and energetic flow when moving into a twist (I want to remember this for my own practice and for when I work with clients)
• when supine in the first twist, my right side body seems 'shorter' and my right shoulder had more difficultly staying grounded
• I find myself wanting to come out of a twist early - then Amy (instructor) noted how she prefers not to stay in these twists and that we can liken the resistance or challenge to when [in life] we do not want to move through [something] and how we can imagine water (element associated with chakra 2) moving around the rocks (obstacles!) in a stream

*sigh* I was reminded/made aware of the difference in energy flow on the two sides of my body. . .and how I can take short amounts of time and use slow, mindful movements to recenter, ground, and stabilize.  I feel good both mentally and physically!  If I keep writing, I will not get to 'day 7', so excuse me a few moments...

Miss me? :-) Day 7: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Manipura was equal parts blissful and challenging.  As this 30 for 30 practice takes me/us through the chakras, I easily recognize connections between the physical symptoms I have been experiencing and the connection to the chakras. Manipura = gemmed center = navel center = my stomach has been acting up for over a month. Additionally, chakra two is "associated with the element 'fire' and with ego or sense of identity and, if energy here is deficient, with feelings of shame. (Day 6 = chakra 2 = emotional center, element of water, fluidity/rigidity, guilt). Yowsa to both chakras - that really hits home for me right now!  What I noticed during the practice:

• my right hip seems to have more difficulty or resistance with realignment
• hamstrings are tight
• my patience in the 3 poses was limited and I found myself moving out of poses early
• part of moving out of poses also seemed to be connected to a slight feeling of dizziness or shortness of breath, likely part of not feeling well. I was mindful not to berate myself for this and moved into and out of poses as it worked for me.)

Huge revelation to self: I want to practice yoga every day. Not only do I think it is beneficial for mind, body, and spirit - right now my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self(selves?) are craving this daily practice. What's more, I was honestly expecting a more intense practice in terms of a physical/hatha yoga flow (not that I am an expert in yoga practices); I have been very pleased with the slow and purposeful alignment and education that has accompanied the 30 for 30 challenge. Yay! Looking forward to more :)

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge

Balance of Strength and Relaxation - in the Pink Room

I'm truly amazed how this 30-minutes of yoga practice each day is already becoming 'normal'.  Yay! I have had some version of a 'consistent yoga practice' on my vision board(s) for a few years.

Occasionally, I have snippets of concern that pop up regarding an evening practice: 'Should' I be doing this in the morning? Will I be too tired or come up with an excuse not to follow through at night? So far, due to accountability of writing here, I am keeping up. Four days in a row - woohoo!  What I also like is how I am motivated to progress on other small tasks immediately after the session or practice.  

Admittedly, there are moments during the day when I want to go do the practice to 'check it off my to-do list' and some obstacle presents itself (ex. laptop battery expired, riding in vehicle, just ate breakfast).  If the time and space allows, maybe I will. So far, the time and space hasn't matched the availability of technology to complete the practice at any time other than evening.

I digress.

Today, I spent time with Day 4: Yoga to Prepare for Pranayama in the 'pink room'!

"Pink Room" aka office aka crafting room aka short-term storage space.

This evening, I caught myself many times thinking about topics outside of the immediate practice. My feet were cold. Beardy-man not feeling well. How much I want to fix up this room. Will I remember to write that [thought] in my blog? (followed by) Why am I worried about what I will remember to write in the blog? - that isn't the point of this practice.Thoughts I have verbalized that are more in line with my expectations than others' when maybe I could 'let it go' and detach. (See Kleshas blog.) My feet are reeeeeally cold. I like that exercise and want to remember it to share with a client at work. 

Breathe in. Exhale.  Activation and expansion. OoO, I like. Energy work through purposeful movements and awareness. I like that, too! Okay, yoga. You continue to show me how beneficial this is for mind, body, and soul.  #grateful

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth