Effort and Ease

Effort and ease are ideas that I mention occasionally while leading yoga. I am always curious about the ways in which I hold myself back from actions or asanas due to fear or some faulty assumption or belief. For instance, a thought about injury in a particular pose always makes me wonder...am I being reasonable and appropriately cautious, or am I allowing worries and fears about getting hurt to hold me back from practicing fully "at my edge?"

I guess the problem in part for me is that I have been injured in yoga before. In some situations I am aware that I took things too far, or wasn't fully present at the time...but in other instances, small injuries have happened and I really cannot pinpoint why. As we age, our bodies get a bit less pliable, so some caution is necessary I suppose. Injury and ill health are a part of our existence, but as humans we always seem to be looking for ways to avoid pain and discomfort.

Effort and ease can be difficult to manage in daily life too. Sometimes, I know I am taking the easy way out of a situation rather than giving it my full attention and energy. At other times, I know I can get too intense and single-minded and then I have to work on finding ways to 'mellow out' and release my need to control outcomes.

In my yoga practice, I find myself returning to this idea of finding a middle ground, a place of balance between effort and ease. For me, it helps to take a deep breath and get grounded in the present rather than getting stuck in some old idea from the past that  I am trying to make right, or some outcome I am reaching for in the future. It's not a spot you arrive in and then are finished. It's a day to day, moment to moment practice to try to really "be there" and live life at just the right intensity, finding that balance of effort and ease.

Decisions, Decisions.....

Here it comes....yet another cold blast that is resulting in schools closing! Most of you know that I am not a big fan of winter, especially this bitter cold one! In these circumstances, I am finding my yoga practice to be a balm and an ever-so-soothing practice that grows more important with each wintery cold day that goes by!

I am hoping that many of you feel the same.....so as a result, I am not planning to cancel yoga class (Monday or Tuesday January 27/28th) at this time. If you are feeling that MN spirit that says the weather will not keep you from doing the things that bring you joy....know that class is ON and we will breathe, move, and enjoy each other's company and energy.

As always...take time to listen to your body and do what is truly best for you.

I hope to see you on the mat tomorrow!

Peace and warmth and good health!

No Yoga at All Saints Tonight!

Just a reminder that we do NOT have class tonight, as I have another commitment. (Turns out well, since it is bitter cold....again....and schools are closed today with people being encouraged to just stay in!)

Hopefully this frigid winter weather will be ending soon. Until then, breathe deeply and stay healthy and warm!

Peace!

Courage to act with conviction

Since it is Martin Luther King Jr Day, I am thinking about the ideas of conviction and standing up for what you believe in. Certainly MLK Jr was a man who was unafraid to challenge the status quo. He  encouraged others to speak their truth in ways that were bold, yet non-violent. MLK Jr could speak of injustice, but also dared us to be our best.

Good stuff to work on in a yoga class and in daily life...how to be bold, but kind and gentle at the same time.... How to stand tall and feel strength in stillness...how to feel shaky and weak...and still continue to act with focus and awareness.

In yoga tradition, the word Tapas refers to commitment and discipline. Being willing to make sacrifices and to move forward with 'fire' and conviction. Get in touch with what inspires and motivates you today and get started. Move forward with strength, determination and courage. Make it count.

Moving forward!

Gosh,
I hate canceling yoga classes! I hope it didn't inconvenience any of you when I cancelled class last Monday and Tuesday. Sometimes in Minnesota, you just have to adapt to the weather!
Anyway, Yoga Moodra classes for January 2014 are up and running...and it's not too late to join in!
See the class list on the left for details about class locations, times, etc.

Remember, if you have a number of conflicts with the class sessions as scheduled, you can still attend on a drop in basis and pay $10 per class (that also goes for newcomers that simply want to try the class before committing to the full session fee).

Here it is...the middle of January already! I hope to see you all soon.

Peace, happiness, and prosperity to all of you in 2014.

Still COLD!!! No Yoga on Tuesday Jan 7

Since many schools in the area will be closed again tomorrow (Tuesday January 7th), I will stay with my usual procedure, which is to cancel yoga class when schools are closed due to inclement weather.
If you were planning to attend my yoga class at Glendale United Methodist tomorrow, I will plan to start the new session of classes there next Tuesday, January 14th at 4:30pm.

Stay warm and safe!

Yoga Moodra Classes Monday January 6th are CANCELLED

Due to the forecast for extreme cold and school closings state-wide, I will NOT be holding yoga classes this Monday January 6th as scheduled.
The sessions set to begin on the 6th will start one week later on Monday January 13th.
Stay warm and safe!

Plenty of time....

As we look ahead to a brand new year, many of us make new year resolutions and set goals for how we will hope to behave and how we will spend our time.

Sadly, sometimes our healthy habits take a 'back seat' and are pushed aside by other demands on our time. Yet, we all realize that we have some choices about our behavior and how we decide to use our time. Let's make 2014 the year that we actively choose how we spend our time.

Here's a quote from an editorial by Brian Konkol from the Star Tribune today:
"...we do have time for the lives we wish to live, and we do have time to be that which we wish to become."

May we all breathe deeply....may we be focused and present...may we live the life we wish to live!