The good life

Too often, when we think of living 'the good life' images of wealth and luxury come to mind. In a recent conversation with a friend, I was reminded again that life is fragile and unpredictable and many people seem to have more than their share of suffering.

What does the good life look like to you? For me, it involves good health and accepting both my bodies limitations and strengths. There is an the old cliche that states "if you don't have your health, you don't have anything". When we face illess or accidents, we come face to face with the understanding that we often take our health and physical abilities for granted. Taking time to feed our bodies well, get good rest, and taking time for exercise and movement are all important to maintaining good health. Yet, even with good habits, we will still face illness. Be as healthy as you can be today, and don't put off happiness or enjoying life until you reach some arbitrary goal.  If we spend too much of our time dwelling on the past, or too much time worrying about the future, we miss the opportunity to live fully in the moment.

The good life is also about relationships with others. What would our quality of life be like without personal connections, a sense of belonging, and people that we know are there for us in times of trouble? Take time to listen, take time to make a new friend, take a minute to call someone that you have not talked with in awhile. Invest some time and energy in creating and maintaining personal connections.

Nurture both your own health and your personal relationships. Spend less time thinking about accumulating wealth and "stuff" and more time really and truly living each day. Live a good life!

Props!

In many yoga studios, you will find props like blankets, bolsters, straps, and blocks. All of these tools are meant to help you find a healthy and safe expression in various yoga postures. For example, propping the hips a bit by sitting on a folded blanket will help you to sit tall, and as a result, may help you find a deeper spinal twist than you can do if your back is collapsed or rounded. Props are for beginners and advanced practitioners alike, so don't be afraid to try them out.
Another lovely prop is an eye pillow...which will allow you to withdraw a bit more from your surroundings and limit visual distractions, enabling you to focus on the breath and releasing more deeply during final relaxation. They are also a great way to ease tension in the forehead that we may not even be aware of.
So....next time a prop is suggested or available...try it out! Let go of your ego that is telling you "I can do the pose without that!" and simply be open to using the prop and observing the body.

Mudras

In yoga, mudras (hand gestures or seals) are used to manage and gain awareness of energy in the body. For example, when we bring our hands together in Anjali mudra (hands to heart center) we can feel the energy of the body between the hands and we can bring energy and attention to our heart center.
Next time you practice yoga, pay attention to your energy. Try to move deliberately and with great attention. Use your yoga practice to focus and use your energy in a way that is deliberate and purposeful. Then...see if you can carry that deliberate use of energy with you off of the mat! Be more intentional with your words, your actions, and how you use your energy in daily life.

Fall Schedules

Now that Labor Day weekend has come and gone, it is time to look ahead at fall calendars and activities. I hope that many of you will consider adding or continuing a yoga practice in your new fall schedule. Let me know if you have questions about class or ideas for new sessions and locations!
I have 2 fall yoga sessions beginning in the next week, and would love to see you "on the mat"!
Have a peaceful day!