About a week ago I pulled a card out from one of my favorite creativity authors, SARK, it said, "Love Imperfectly." This advice arrived at a time when I was quite frustrated with my significant other. I'm sure most of you can relate to being frustrated with your significant other at one time or another. This time it had to do with us having different perceptions on heating the house with wood (only wood). I don't need to elaborate for you to understand that we both felt like we were giving it our all and we each struggled to understand the other's perspective.
The advice on the back of the card is - "Make Lots of Mistakes." "Be Willing to Live Between Right & Wrong."
Fast Forward a week. I'm teaching yoga. The only way I can teach is Imperfectly. So that is what I do. I Make Lots of Mistakes. The challenge is being okay with the mistakes, moving forward anyway, and learning from myself and others as we move forward together.
My challenge to each of you is to Live Imperfectly. Make Lots of Mistakes. This is how we learn. We try things. We try other things. We try again. We stumble. We say the wrong thing. We fall. Somewhere along the way we learn that living imperfectly is the perfectly imperfect way to live.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Visvamitrasana
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| Visvamitrasana |
I've offered the pose to 3 classes this month and hadn't been able to complete the full expression of the asana myself, until yesterday. I took a 90 minute hip opener class and realized towards the end that there was a good chance my hips & thighs were open enough for the pose. They were, on one side. What fun!
I also had a major 'aha' with regard to the role of the Inner & Outer Sprirals, which I will address in an upcoming blog. For now, here are a couple prep asanas to get you moving towards Visvamitrasana:
Utthita Parsvakonasana ~ Extended Side Angle Pose
Vasisthasana ~ Side Plank Pose ~ http://whatsthatpose.blogspot.com/2008/11/vasisthasana.html
Wide Leg Forward Bend
Fire Log
Janu Sirsasana ~ Head to Knee Forward Bend ~ http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/476
More on Visvamitrasana soon!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Hello 2011!
The New Year brings the opportunity for New Year's Resolutions. Some people love them, others hate them. If the New Year inspires you with the idea of a fresh start, tweaking old habits, or creating new ones read on.
The definition according to Webster for Resolution: the quality of being resolute (firmly determined in purpose).
I like Webster's definition for Intention: a determination to act in a certain way.
One of the many reasons I love yoga is that the act of practicing yoga teaches me how to live my life with intention. It causes me to ask, "why?" To find the good in sometimes ugly situations. To remember to breathe. To not take myself to seriously. To be courageous and steadfast in living the life I desire. To love myself. To try to offer my most authentic self to the world.
Only you know what you want. You have the power, your own power to chooose what you want. Once you know what you want you can resolve to act with intention to create what you want or desire. Your skeptical side may wonder, "how?"
If there is a big enough "why" you will remain steady in your discipline or intention as you move towards what you want or desire.
"Act and unforseen forces will come to your aid." - Brian Tracy
The following is taken from the book Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain.
1. Set Your Goal.
2. Create a Clear Idea or Picture. "Think of it in the present tense as already existing the way you want it to be. Imagine yourself in the situation as you desire it, now."
For example,
4. Give it Positive Energy. "Make strong positive statements to yourself that it exists." Write it down. Tell someone you trust your intention. Tell everyone if you want. Draw it. Cut out images that support your intention/desire and put them on your fridge. Meditate on your desire.
Above all know that you have the power to create what you want in your life. Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Here is to our best year yet - Happy 2011.
The definition according to Webster for Resolution: the quality of being resolute (firmly determined in purpose).
I like Webster's definition for Intention: a determination to act in a certain way.
One of the many reasons I love yoga is that the act of practicing yoga teaches me how to live my life with intention. It causes me to ask, "why?" To find the good in sometimes ugly situations. To remember to breathe. To not take myself to seriously. To be courageous and steadfast in living the life I desire. To love myself. To try to offer my most authentic self to the world.
Only you know what you want. You have the power, your own power to chooose what you want. Once you know what you want you can resolve to act with intention to create what you want or desire. Your skeptical side may wonder, "how?"
If there is a big enough "why" you will remain steady in your discipline or intention as you move towards what you want or desire.
"Act and unforseen forces will come to your aid." - Brian Tracy
The following is taken from the book Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain.
1. Set Your Goal.
2. Create a Clear Idea or Picture. "Think of it in the present tense as already existing the way you want it to be. Imagine yourself in the situation as you desire it, now."
For example,
- I own a 2007 Red Ford Taurus.
- I run 3 miles (30 minutes) 3 times/week.
- I am free from pain in my right hip.
- I bake bread once a week.
- I jump on a trampoline for 15 minutes once a week.
- My business generates $x amount/month or year.
- I took a two week vacation to Slovenia with my partner.
- I drink two 32 oz bottles of water a day.
4. Give it Positive Energy. "Make strong positive statements to yourself that it exists." Write it down. Tell someone you trust your intention. Tell everyone if you want. Draw it. Cut out images that support your intention/desire and put them on your fridge. Meditate on your desire.
Above all know that you have the power to create what you want in your life. Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Here is to our best year yet - Happy 2011.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Magic Minestrone
Yup, that is what it is called and that is what it feels like. This recipe was taken from Self Magazine, September 2001. I came across it recently - stuffed in one of my cookbooks. I've made it twice and I feel compelled to share because it has been bringing me loads of pleasure.
2 cloves garlic (I used 6 in my first batch and 0 in my second)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp olive oil
14.5 oz chicken broth (or veggie broth)
3 carrots, diced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (I used 2-3 cans: 2 fire roasted and at least 1 can preserved with hot green chiles - you could also dice fresh chiles or another pepper if you like it hot)
1 lb zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices
1/4 lb green beans, cut in 1 inch pieces
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 cup quick-cooking barley (I left this out but it sounds like a yummy addition)
1 15 oz can white beans
8 cups spinach leaves
I'm not very precise in recipes and this particular recipe allows for plenty of room to change it up. It is delicious, as is, or sprinkled with parmesan ~ served with a side of whole grain bread ~ better yet, whole grain bread grilled with a sharp cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
2 cloves garlic (I used 6 in my first batch and 0 in my second)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp olive oil
14.5 oz chicken broth (or veggie broth)
3 carrots, diced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (I used 2-3 cans: 2 fire roasted and at least 1 can preserved with hot green chiles - you could also dice fresh chiles or another pepper if you like it hot)
1 lb zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices
1/4 lb green beans, cut in 1 inch pieces
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 cup quick-cooking barley (I left this out but it sounds like a yummy addition)
1 15 oz can white beans
8 cups spinach leaves
I'm not very precise in recipes and this particular recipe allows for plenty of room to change it up. It is delicious, as is, or sprinkled with parmesan ~ served with a side of whole grain bread ~ better yet, whole grain bread grilled with a sharp cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Autumnal Equinox
This morning we woke up before dawn to take a special hike to a petroglyph panel with some friends that were visiting from out of town. They just happened to be visiting on the autumnal equinox. The petroglyph panel that we hiked to this morning tells a specific story with the sun's light on the vernal & autumnal equinox each year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox
Although the sun was hidden behind some clouds we were able to experience a small piece of the story as it worked it's way thru the rock and lit up a specific part of the panel. An extra treat was a local hiking guide, Rory Tyler, that has done a great deal of research on Rock Art in this area was at the site. He has been coming to the site for years and was kind enough to share his interpretation of the panel.
What I find so fasinating is the commitment it took to create this art. Also, the connection to the earth and universe. And, of course, that we are able to experience and interpret this ancient art & communication that has been preserved for over 1000 years.
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| Sun beginning to hit Seven Mile Rim. |
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| Rory sharing his interpretation |
What I find so fasinating is the commitment it took to create this art. Also, the connection to the earth and universe. And, of course, that we are able to experience and interpret this ancient art & communication that has been preserved for over 1000 years.
Anusara Grand Gathering in Estes Park - Autumn Equinox
In addition to outlining the Universal Principles of Alignment this video shares some interesting thoughts on the Autumn Equinox in relation to our practice.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Love Soup
It is still summer but I made an adapted version of the Winter Squash and Yam Soup with Poblano Peppers yesterday. This recipe, and what feels like a zillion (160 to be precise) other recipes for soup, exist in the cookbook, Love Soup by Anna Thomas.
I didn't roast the peppers, I sauteed them with the onion and I used a variety of peppers ~ oh, and only butternut squash, no yams.
Even if you don't make soup very often this is a cookbook you will want to own so you can peruse the pages and be inspired.
I didn't roast the peppers, I sauteed them with the onion and I used a variety of peppers ~ oh, and only butternut squash, no yams.
Even if you don't make soup very often this is a cookbook you will want to own so you can peruse the pages and be inspired.
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