Rumi Quote

I shared this Rumi quote a few weeks ago in some of my yoga classes...here it is again:

Raise your words, not your voice.
It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

More about inner beauty!

Did you see the news coverage last week about Dove's "study" on beauty? They gave women patches to wear on their skin and explained that they contained ingredients that would promote beauty and help them feel more beautiful. In a true example of the placebo effect or a 'self-fulfilling prophecy' all the women reported feeling more beautiful while wearing the patch. The participants cited examples where others were suddenly complimenting them. They reported personally feeling more energetic and relaxed. After finding out that there was nothing in the patch, the realization set in for the women that each of us create our own beauty based on our thinking and perceptions.

Our culture has some pretty deliberate ways of going about getting us to feel inadequate (mostly so that we will then buy a product that will restore us somehow). This is especially true for women, but men are experiencing a pressure to look a certain way as well. We have become obsessed with what is wrong with our looks and our physicality, instead of honoring our bodies and treating them with respect and care.

Instead of spending energy this week on berating yourself or being self-critical, be deliberate about being the very best YOU that you can be. Yoga teaches us that each moment and each breath is a new start....so use your time well. Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of praise....think on these things!

You just never know.....

First of all, I am writing this after my Thursday evening class and it is windy and snowing out.  I am so proud of all you "fierce yogis!!" I mean fierce not in terms of anger or aggression, but fierce as in determined, dedicated and consistent! I am so lucky to be your teacher. In all of my classes during this seemingly endless and brutal winter (even early April is feeling pretty wintery!) I have been so impressed by the dedication and commitment that you all have when it comes to showing up for your yoga practice.

So, in honor of all of my students...I will be doing a little promo....that only those of you who check in with my blog will be able to participate in....leave a comment or some sign that you have been reading...and you just never know...you may be the lucky one to receive a discounted session, a yoga prop, or maybe a bit of chocolate. Small tokens of my love and gratitude for all of you!

Spring will be here soon....in the meantime, enjoy the beauty of YOU and look for beauty all around you!

New Habit....day 8!

I wrote last week that I was going to try to re-establish a new meditation practice. I have successfully "sat" on my meditation cushion for the last 8 days! I have tried to make this as easy and accessible as possible: by setting out my meditation cushion and timer and telling myself that the only requirement is to sit quietly and breathe for a minimum of 2 minutes! Not a long time, and it sounds easy, but I am hoping to first build the habit of meditating each day, and then as I get comfortable, adding time to each "sit."
So, that's my progress so far. I hope that by sharing my efforts that I will inspire all of you to try one new healthy habit this spring. Breathe deep....take a moment to see the beauty in today.
Peace,

New Late Spring Yoga Sessions will start in April!

Here's some information about class dates/times and places to try out some yoga!

Classes offered:

Monday:

Dynamic Journey Massage and Wellness (1103 W Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville) from 12-1pm.  $55 for 6 weeks. Class dates: April 21-June 2 (no class Memorial Day 5/26).

Monday:

Advent United Methodist (3945 Lexington Ave, Eagan).  April 21-June 2 (No class Memorial Day 5/26). Class time is 4:30-5:30pm. Session cost is $50.

Tuesday:

Glendale United Methodist Church ( 13550 Glendale Rd, Savage). Class meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Class dates: April 22-May 27. Cost is $50.

Thursday:

All Saints Lutheran Church (3810 Lexington Ave, Eagan). Class time is 7-8pm and class dates are: April 24-May 29. Cost is $50.

*Classes held at church sites include a short bible verse/devotional as part of final relaxation time.

 Have specific concerns or questions? Contact Karen: karenyogam@gmail.com or 651-681-1672

My new habit

Yesterday I wrote about the idea of giving a new healthy habit a try as spring approaches. I figure I need to practice what I preach, so in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you all now that my new habit will be an effort to get a daily meditation practice started. I made a rather feeble attempt to begin daily meditation in January, but the effort didn't seem to stick. I am hoping that by declaring it a bit more publicly that I will renew my dedication to establishing this new habit and daily practice.

I am going to track my efforts on a calendar as well so that I can see my progress and get back on track if things start to slip. I'll give an update later to let you all know how it is going......

Feel free to share with me if you decide to start a new healthy habit. We can support one another on the path to better well-being!

Peace!

Feel Good

We have just over one week remaining in the month of March and Spring has arrived, at least according to the calendar. Why not use the upcoming change of season to start a new healthy habit?? Maybe it'll be something small like drinking more water or trying a new fruit or vegetable that you've never tasted. Maybe you'll get back to walking regularly outdoors or getting more sleep at night.

Decide that the Spring of 2014 will be your time to put health and wellness at the top of your to-do list. Make an effort to treat your body with the kindness and respect it deserves and then pay attention as you begin to enjoy feeling better than ever. You deserve to live with a sense of vitality and wholeness. You deserve to feel good physically and mentally. Do some things now to improve your well being. You'll be so glad that you did!