Happy New Year!

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's the last day of the year 2010! Pretty soon we will have a new year with new goals and new accomplishments. I have acheived so much this year! 2010 was the year I was accepted into the nursing program as well as the year I started working at the hospital. I have so much to be thankful for. As for new years resolutions, I don't have many. I want to practice Yoga more often and I want to pass all of my classes. I hope that the year 2011 will bring us all good things. May you all have a year of health, love and happiness.
Namaste

Little Dot...

What the heck. I'm just gonna write a random post. About what? I don't know. I suppose I just feel like writing. Maybe it's because I feel like a little black dot on a vast white wall. Do you get what I mean? Basically, I'm saying that I just feel a little out of place. Why's that? I don't know. I realize that maybe I am doing things the right way, but maybe not. A lot of times I think to myself that I'm really not having a whole lot of fun lately. And, I know I have a lot of school work and a job and all that. But where's the fun in life? I keep wondering what I'm going to do with myself when winter break comes around. I can't just sit in the house the whole time. I suppose I'll have to wait till the time comes. As for now, I'm going to try to be present, and get over this little emotional hump. I've got a full life ahead of me.
Namaste

Another Life Lesson

A few weeks ago I found myself in a bit of a ... situation. Well, the jist of it went like this. I was upset at work, said I hated someone, and it got back to that person. Well, there are a few lessons that can be learned from this. One, don't bitch about people when you are at work. Two, don't trust your coworkers. They may seem nice, but they can go behind your back and stab you twenty times without getting a scratch themselves. I knew I messed up. I was upset with one of the nurses at work, said more than I should have (ie I hate her, which I don't), she was told by a coworker who overheard me saying this. When I found out that she now knew what I had said, I knew I was in a hole. For the whole weekend afterwards I was upset. Thank goodness I don't work with her a lot. But I was dreading the day that I would be working with her. Well, that day was yesterday. I had no idea what to do about this situation, but I decided not to mention it. Not because I wanted to pretend that it never happened, but more because leaving something the way it is will spread a fire less. So, I left it. I was nice to her. I worked hard, I was happy to do anything she asked. That one day was just a very bad day for me. Nothing that I had said was meant, but you know, words hurt people. You can't take back a sentence. Once it's out there, it's out there. I found that this woman, that I was not very fond of is an extremely wonderful nurse who cares deeply for her patients. The reason she tells me to do things ALL the time (and although it can be annoying, MOST of the time she has a point) is because it is for the better for the patient. I guess she decided to get over the comment that I made or just act professional and brush it off, but she was very nice to me too. Things could have been much much worse that they were last night. We actually found that we work together very well. I don't dislike her in any way. She is a great nurse. I hope to be like her one day. I think she was more worried about what I thought of her, than being angry with what I had said. It made me feel really really bad. We live and we learn. I made a mistake, I didn't think before I spoke. After work last night I said goodbye to her and she told me how wonderful it was to work with me. That was something I was not expecting from her, but it was really nice to hear. There are a few lessons to learn from this. One, think before you speak. Two, people who you think you dislike may end up getting along with you the best. My dad said, "A lot of times the people you punch in the face end up being your best friend."
Think about it.
Namaste

Out of Practice, Out of Mind

We've all heard the well-known saying "Out of sight, out of mind." Well, this can also go with Yoga and the practice of Yoga. It's been a while since I've done Yoga (1 week is quite a long time in my mind), so I decided to stop by the yoga studio that I go to. I was half an hour late to my class but there was only my instructor in the room and she was doing her own practice. She said that I could join her for the last half hour that she had. So I did. Basically she did her thing, and I did mine and then follwed along with her. It was the first time I've done something like that, and it was very different. I honestly didn't know what to do with myself. It's been so long since I've actually done my OWN practice that I was confused as to what I should be doing. But I did it. When I say out of practice, out of mind, you probably know what I'm talking about. If we don't keep up our Yoga practice, or any practice at all, then we start to forget things. During this follow-along yoga practice, I did a wheel pose and then countered it with Fish Pose. Well, for a moment, I forgot how to even do fish pose. I eventually remembered, but I realized that I have to keep practicing. I need to retain that fluid movement, and I need to keep my body strong. I love my practice, and I don't want to give it up. I practiced for about half an hour, but I felt so good afterwards. Love. That's all that comes to mind at this moment.
Namaste

Isolation in Anger

Revenge? Revenge is weak. So why do people think that getting back at people will make then happy? I don't know? How do I know that revenge is wrong? Isaac Friedmann said "forgiveness is the sweetest revenge." And isn't it true? If the only person that can make you angry, or sad, or happy, is YOU, then of course it applies the same way for everyone else. Forgiveness is key. How do we find forgiveness? We must start with nonjudgement. I'm not saying that I'm perfect at this. I'm not even GOOD at it, but the first step is to be aware. If everyone thought like this, the world would be perfect, but its not. So how do we get by without strangling ourselves or someone else? We keep open minds. Anger is NEVER the answer. No matter how right it may seem in the moment, it will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Anger is something that one experiences alone. It's a cruel feeling that wears people down, makes them thin and old. If someone does something to spite you, to make you angry, should you spat back at them? Or maybe be the bigger person? Brush it off you're shoulders, move on. "The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive, but do not forget." -Thomas Szasz. This quote has a lot to say. Forgiveness doesn't mean that we need to go through the process again, we can learn from our situations. "Resentments are burdens we don't need to carry."

Namaste

What's in a Name?

I'll admit it. I tend to call people names. A lot. And I know I have to stop. I realized today that calling people names doesn't do anything. It really doesn't. So what's in a name? Why do we call people things that we ourselves wouldn't want to be called? I'm finished. I'm not going to do it anymore. And if I do, it will be out of habit. But this is a habit that I am going to try very hard to break. The greatest thing that we can ever do, the most powerful thing that we can ever do is to forgive. When we snap back at someone who is making us upset, we are just kindling the fire. Then a wild fire can arise and we will end up being the one getting hurt. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I don't like being called names, I don't like when people snap at me for no reason, so why do it myself. Approach a situation with love, empathy and understanding; the outcome will be better. If we can look at everyone in this world with compassion, compassion will come back to us.
Namaste

You Are the Observer of Your Mind

This may be a difficult concept to grasp, but it is something that I have discovered through meditations. You are not your thoughts, nor are you the thinker of those thoughts. In reality, you are the observer of your thoughts, the observer of your mind. I was sitting in meditation today when the thought came to me. Because when meditating, we observe our thoughts and then we let them pass. In our daily lives, we get so caught up with the things that people say and do to us. But in reality, those things are not affecting us at all. We are actually detached from our thoughts. My teacher told a group of us that "I think, therefore I am" is actually wrong. Our thoughts don't really make up who we are. We are only observers of those thoughts. This is a difficult concept to grasp. I'm even having a hard time with it. But this is what I have discovered thus far.
Namaste

Quotes by Famous People

I have this neat book called "The Book of Positive Quotations" Compiled and Arranged by John Cook. I love flipping through it and reading all the different quotes by such different people. I thought I would write a few on this blog to share with you.

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing is at someone else; you're the one who gets burned."
~ Buddha

"All of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
~ Dale Carnegie

"Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have-so spend it wisely."
~ Kay Lyons

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."
~ Janis Joplin

"Don't take anyone else's definition of success as your own. (This is easier said than done.)"
~ Jacqueline Briskin



Namaste

Learn For Yourself, From Yourself

Has anybody ever told you that they just want to give up on life? That nothing makes them happy anymore, that it's hard to even get up in the morning. Do you find that you are that person? So many people go through life waiting for something to make them happy. They sit and wait for a better future, a better tomorrow. That's not the way that life is supposed to be lived, so when I say that there is no future, in a sense it's true. Yes, there is a future ahead of us, but we have no idea what it holds. The only thing that we KNOW, is the present moment. The only time we have is NOW. People get so hooked on the future and on the past. People remember what happy moments they had, and it makes them sad because they are clinging to their memories. Happiness is a choice, it is something that we cannot be waiting around for. It's something that we need to work at. We are the only ones who can make ourselves happy. It's our feelings that make us who we are. It's the way we feel about a person, place or thing, that makes us feel happy, angry, sad, resentful, etc. We have to power and opportunity to change our perspectives, to change our feelings. Yes, things happen that are out of our control. We get upset because we don't have control over everything in our lives. We don't have control over the way people act towards us, the way the weather is, the outcome of a situation. But what we do have is a choice in our perspective, a control in our reactions to the situations at hand. If someone blows you off, stands you up, cuts you off in the middle of the road, you have at least two choices. You can choose to become upset, swear, bang your fist, and cry, or you can shrug your shoulders, and let it go. The same goes for happiness. We don't always need a reason to be happy. So many times, people wait for something to come along to make their lives better (money is a prime example), but we need to realize that happiness is within us. Attachment to objects, people and places makes us tired, anxious, and upset if we cannot have what we want. So please, take time to breathe, be grateful for the fresh air in your lungs, the friends that you have and the food on your plate. Happiness comes from within. Find that place.
Namaste

Breathe

I have been so high strung lately. I've been extremely busy with school and work. So busy that I forget to just breathe. I can tell that I am out of sorts because when I'm driving, I have tunnel vision. I don't look at what is around me. I'm not used to being this way, and today I was thinking about how some people actually live like that their whole lives. Constantly being on the go may seem pretty cool and you may seem like you're on top of the world, but you are moving so fast that you are bound to trip and fall at some point. So, not that I am getting a bit used to the extreme work load of nursing classes and the difficult days of work, I am going to put more energy into having a healthier diet, excercising at least 20 minutes a day and making time to meditate each day. My meditation has gone down the drain. I am ashamed to say that. I love meditation, but I seem to have forgotten how important it is. That probably has to do with the reason I am so stressed out lately. So (Deep Breath), it's time for a change. Not so much stress. I need to take care of myself. You should too.
Namaste

Count Your Blessings

We are always told to count our blessings? But do we really do so? I try to thank God (or whatever the higher power that is out there) for the good things that happen to me. Even if it is being on time for work when I am running late. We have to try to think about how lucky we are. Good things happen to us every day. We don't even notice it half the time. I consider myself a pretty lucky person. No, I have never won the lottery, I haven't gotten a dream vacation to the bahamas, but there hasn't been too many bad things in my life, and I am still alive. I am always thankful. I am healthy, I have a kind and loving family. That's really all I need in the world. Unhappiness comes from wanting more and more out of life. I get upset sometimes because things aren't going exactly the way I want them to, but that OKAY. I am lucky that I have a job, that I get good health benefits, I am lucky that I have the resources to go to school and further my education. We should all be greatful for the good things in life. They outweigh the bad, even if we don't see it. Negative things can cloud our judgement and make us resentful. We need to get past that cloud, recognize the positive. If we keep doing that, life with be ten times better.
Namaste

We Don't Need Excuses, We Just Are

Why do so many people think that it takes something to make them happy. There has to be a reason that we are happy. We just got paid, we got a new house, a new Tv, a hot tub. Those things make us happy, but for how long? Then we keep buying things, because money buys happiness? We have all heard the saying "Money Doesn't Buy Happiness." Well, it doesn't. We make our own happiness. Happiness is not something that is a gift, its not something that comes around once in a while. It is there and it is there for the taking. We just have to work harder at being happier people. We as human being need to stop having excuses for being happy. We find so many reasons to be upset with others and with ourselves. Why not find the many reasons there are to be happy? Look at the positive, not the negative. Stop finding reasons to be unhappy. People always remember the negative things in life and tend to overlook all of the positive things that go on throughout the day. I challenge you to make a list of all the good things that happen to you in a day, big or small. Next to that, make a list of all the bad things that happen. Chances are, there will be a lot more good things than bad. Be grateful for the good things in life.
Namaste

"Never, never, never give up"

There are people in the world who accomplish great things. They become great people, inspirations to others. Many of us think that it must take a really really special person for them to get what they want out of life. That isn't the case. We can all get what we want. They say that if you want something bad enough, you will get it. Yes, you will, but don't think that its just going to take some really hard wishing, it will also include hard work. I have talked to so many people who told me that they can't become a nurse because they have kids, life is too hard. Those are excuses, anyone who wants to be a nurse, or anything else for that matter, can be what they want. It's just not going to always come easy. I know a nurse who told me that while she was in school she was working sixty hour weeks! But she made it, and she said the reason was because she always thought about the people who had it harder than her, the single moms with children and a full time job. People are accomplishing things everyday. If you are knocked down, pick yourself back up and keep working towards your goal. Like Winston Churchill said, "never, never, never give up." This is why I know that someday there will be a cure for cancer. There are people working so hard to find it. Think about all the wonderful things that have been invented. Where did the iPod come from? Someone had an idea in their mind and they never gave up on that idea. They made it work. I was reading an article about the actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (He plays in the movie Inception) and he was telling an interviewer how hard it was to make it in the acting business. He said that because he had been a child actor, people didn't want to hire him for roles. He said the even though people kept shooting him down, he would just keep going. Now he's famous, people love him as an actor. There are so many examples of people making it in this world. Success never came without a struggle. So, if you have to struggle, struggle hard, you will achieve your dreams!
Namaste

You want to fly? First learn to walk.

Hm, what to write, what to write. My best friend lectured me on keeping up with my blog the other day, so I am trying to get back to blogging everyday (or as much as I can). Don't get me wrong. I love to blog, but I think I worry too much about WHAT I am going to write. I know that people read this, at least two..., so I do want to keep this up. I would love it if more people followed my blog, but I guess it is a good thing that at least some people follow it. ^^ One thing that I haven't shared yet is that my Dad has started taking Yoga with me. I think it's a great thing. Yoga is such a healthy way of life, and it makes people more aware of the unhealthy things that they do. My dad has admitted to that one. He says that he is enjoying it a lot, and feels better after practicing. We go to a yoga class once a week. He drives to my mom's house and we walk to the studio together. It's not only beneficial for our health, but for our relationship as well. We get to do something one-on-one together once a week. My dad is a beginner yogi, so there are some poses that he is not ready for. I worry when he tries to push himself to do things that he shouldn't do. I wish that I could say something to him, but I don't want to offend him or hurt his feelings. If I were his Yoga instructor I would say something. One thing I want to point out is that in Yoga we should never push our limits. Yes, a challenge is okay, but take it step by step. Jumping the gun could end with an injury that could take weeks to heal. The same amount of time that it could take to master a pose. Patience is a key figure in yoga. I cannot stress this enough. I want so badly to learn the scorpion pose, but I know that before that, I have to master the headstand, the dolphin (one of my least favorite) and the peacock. Patience, patience, patience. There was one time that I pushed myself too hard, I slid right into Tortoise Pose (you can google it) with hardly any preparation and I was so excited that I did it two more times. I ended up having a horrible cramp that remained for about a month and a half. Was it really worth it? No. My leg was hurting so badly that I limped when I walked. I cannot stress enough! Patient preparation! It is so important!!! I know that it will take me a long time before I can do the Scorpion. But I am willing to wait. As for my Dad, I think I may have to have a talk with him about the same thing. Thank you for reading!
Namaste

Sleep Well

I may not be an expert on the subject of sleep, but I do have a thing or two to say about it. One, I sleep too much, but I think it's better than being an insomniac. I work in a hospital at night, so I know that there are a lot of people out there who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. I kow that there are a lot of people who rely on taking pills to get them to sleep. That includes not only the patients that I work with, but my co-workers. Does it not seem like taking a pill to knock you out is not really the healthiest idea? Taking sleeping pills can help people sleep for a while, but then they rely on those things. Let's say that someone gets admitted into the hospital. They go to their temporary room, lay in their temporary bed and toss and turn for an hour or two. They are in an unfamiliar place, they can't sleep next to someone who is snoring or moaning in their sleep. They ask for a sleeping pill. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to ask for a sleeping pill when it gets to that point. All I want to point out is that there are alternative methods to put oneself to sleep. There are many people who work at night and can't sleep during the day. The reason is because when they work at night their circadian rhythm is being messed with. For some reason I haven't had that problem. I consider myself lucky. For people who can't sleep during the day I have a couple things to suggest. Trick your mind into thinking its night. Splurge, buy blackout curtains, make your bedroom look like it does at night. Sleep in a quiet and disruptive environment if able. Try not to pop the pill. As for night sleepers who can't fall asleep or wake up in the wee hours of the morning, try excercising before bed, then take a hot bath with chamomile. Do not drink coffee or caffeinated tea. Do not watch Tv. I see too many patients telling me that the only way for them to fall asleep is by watching Tv. I always shake my head. What a bad bad habit to get into. Turn off the computer at least an hour and a half before bed. The computer is another factor that keeps people awake. Another thing that makes falling asleep easier is stretching. Do some Yoga poses, legs-up-the-wall pose is often recommended to help people get to sleep as well as supported seated forward bend. Meditation is another good way to fall asleep. Why do people fall asleep during savasana in Yoga class? Because it is so relaxing! It's meditation. I'm not saying that we should be falling asleep during meditation, but it can be used as a tool to fall asleep. Count your breath, use a mantra. Even counting sheep is also a meditation! So, if you're one of those insomniacs, why not give at least one of these points a shot. I did not invent these ideas, so I am not taking credit. These alternative methods have appeared in Yoga magazines countless times, so I want to spread the word. Hopefully it helps.
Namaste

Hello AGAIN!!!

I do believe that I am overdue for writing a new post. Sorry about that. I am starting the nursing program next month and I am super excited!!! Taking care of people is something that I love to do! I know that sounds really corny, but its true. I work at a hospital and I know from experience that nursing is a very rewarding experience!! So far I have been getting myself ready for the nursing program which is a two year thing. It will get me to an associates degree in nursing. I will be able to work as a nurse, but I will have to get a BSN within ten years. At least so I have heard. Anyway, I am super excited about it! I have been preparing for the program for two years and I am finally here! So right now I am at the last step of the application process before I am OFFICIALLY accepted into the program. I have a skills exam that tests me on basic nursing skills that I have already learned. I am doing some preparation for that because I really don't want to mess up. I have come this far! I feel bad because I have put yoga on the backburner. I go to my yoga class once a week, but that's about it. Shame on me. I really need to get practicing again. I'm sure that once school starts I am going to be wishing that I had more time for my practice. I really need to start practicing yoga every day again. I feel so bad. Well, thanks for reading my little ramble. :)
Namaste

A Darker Setting

Okay, it has been a while since my last post. Sorry about that ^^" I guess its because I really don't have much to talk about. I have been doing a lot of thinking, but probably not the good kind of thinking that I should be doing. I am ashamed to say that I haven't been meditating for a while. Shame on me, shame on me. :( That's probably why my mind is so mixed up lately. There was one realization that I came to not too long ago. I was wondering why it is so hard for me to keep friends. It really is true. I can make friends easily enough, but keeping them is another story. My guess as to why is because I just push people away. I feel that they are getting to close and I get scared. It's not like I have been hurt by someone, or maybe I have and just don't remember. I am just naturally afraid that people will turn on me, or I just get uncomfortable with people liking me for who I am. I get uncomfortable and shake my head, distance myself from them, stop making plans, stop communicating. I have been that way for a long time. I don't know how I can fix it, because I know that it isn't right of me. I overthink things, look too far into the future and turn my back to it. I know that I just need to be around people I feel totally comfortable with, I need to stop overjudging and overanalyzing. I need to just relax, take people for who they are, they want to be around me. Why does that annoy me so much? I always see flaws in people and it ends up bothering me to the core. I let it sink into the deepest pits of my heart and let it sit there, metastasize until I just can't stand it. I end up usually hurting other people that way, and honestly, it hurts me too. I hate being that way. I want to stop but I really don't know how. Practicing non-judgment is something I try to do everyday. But that's not all, I have to do more. I know this may be a bit strange for this blog, but this is what is on my mind. I will work on it, I will find a way to be able to just relax and not jump to conclusions. Look on the bright side of things. But I always wonder if looking at the darker things that forwarn me will end up helping me or harming. I'm not sure.

Through My Eyes

When most people saw that the famed star, Lindsay Lohan, was sentenced to 90 days in Jail and 90 days of rehab, I assume they shook their heads, snorted, grumbled, laughed. But what I felt for her when I saw the news was compassion. It surprised me as much as it may surprise you. She partied too hard, thinks that she is above the law, thinks that she can break the rules. How can I feel compassion for a woman like that? I don't really know how to explain it. But when I watched a clip of the hearing on Tv, all I saw was a broken girl, suffering at her own hand. She has so much to learn. People think that she will learn her lesson in jail. I have to disagree, did Paris Hilton learn anything? I think it was necessary to put her in jail, but we shouldn't expect her to come out of it a completely different person. The rehabilitation may do her some good, maybe. But maybe people are taking the wrong approach to fixing this girl who has traveled so far from her beginning. Maybe what she needs is to change her lifestyle completely. People may read this and think that I am crazy, writing this about someone that I don't even know. But she is only 24 years old, she has a whole life ahead of her. There is still time for her to turn her life around, back to the way that is was when she was a little girl. What she needs is to eat healthy, to be around the right people, and to stay away from the parties. If that is the way that she can resist the temptation to make a fool of herself, then that is what she needs to do. We tend to be like the people that we are around. Think about it, if you have a family and friends who are well-educated, and have good morals, aren't you pretty much guaranteed to be the same way? We look up to our role models, may we pray that they are good ones. From what I read, Lindsay doesn't have a good relationship with her father, she had a terrible self esteem and ended up being bulimic. People's criticism and hateful words aren't going to help the girl recover from her illness. She needs support. We can choose to either laugh and celebrate the fact that she has gone to jail or we can support her, and wish her the best, hope that she will eventually recover. I know this may seem like a strange post, but I had to write about this. Because when I saw the pictures of her in the court room I wasn't laughing. I felt her pain. She is hiding behind this facade of partying, binging, and her notorious new name. I hope you read this post well, we cannot dislike people for their mistakes. We can only empathize with them and wish them the best.
Namaste

This Has No Title

Again, it has been a while since my last post. I apologize for always taking so long to write. It can be so difficult for me to summon the energy to do this. But I do enjoy writing my blog. Lately it seems like the days have been going by so slowly. I find myself just sitting in my room watching the clock. I know that there are things that I could be doing, but just sitting around makes me feel so tired. Today I am going to sit outside and just enjoy the fresh air and watch the clouds float by. I always feel like I should be doing something, but maybe I should just sit and stop thinking about doing something. It just gets me frustrated with myself. I have been getting frustrated about a lot of things lately, and to be honest I just feel out of balance. When we feel like we are out of balance, that means that something isn't right. So maybe I should stop thinking about the past and the future. Today I will just sit and pay attention to the present, because really that's all there is. Worrying about things is giving me a headache, and making me dizzy. Today I am just going to sit back and relax. I need a mental break. Do you?
Namaste

Step Outside

Last night, around 11 o'clock, I decided to sit outside for a while. Why? Well, just because. I don't really get to do it that often. I work at night, so it's dark when I go to my car and I always wish that I could just sit and look at the sky for longer than two seconds. Last night was my night off so I decided to go ahead and take the time to relax and enjoy the cool night air. It was wonderful. It brought back memories of sitting on the steps with my dad when I was younger. My dad is what I like to call a "step-sitter". A step-sitter is someone who sits on steps. Well, I can see the potential of becoming a step-sitter in myself. I felt so relaxed. I didn't have to think about what I was supposed to do, what my obligations are. I just sat and felt the breeze through my hair. The wind makes the most beautiful sound when it brushes through the leaves of a tree. I think it could be the most relaxing sound on earth. When I get my own place I am going to make sure I live somewhere with a lot of trees. Clouds were swimming through the air at their own pace. It was like they didn't have a care in the world, and I guess they don't. I wonder what it would be like to live like that, going at one's own pace. It must be nice. I am sure we could live like that if we wanted. When I was sitting outside, I realized how nice it can be to just sit and watch the clouds pass by overhead. I wasn't wearing my contacts last night, but it didn't matter. I wasn't missing anything. This is what beauty looks like.
Namaste

Food for Thought

I have always had a problem with eating my food too fast. In yoga, we learn to eat food slowly, to enjoy it more. I have a problem with this. I just gobble my food like there is no tomorrow. I need to start taking time to savor the flavor of the food in my mouth, otherwise, what enjoyment is there in eating? Sometimes I eat so fast that I don't even remember tasting the food. A few days ago I was really craving a hamburger. When I finally had one, I ate it so fast I could hardly remember that I had actually eaten a hamburger. And here I am again, I am eating oatmeal, but its not even hitting my tongue. Eating slowly is something that needs to be practiced. I know that I am not the only one who goes through this. Many people, especially in the USA are too busy to actually enjoy even one meal in their day. Many people are eating on the go, shoving food down their throats on the way from the drive-thru. They have a burger in one hand a the steering wheel in the other. Now is that REALLY the way to go? Some people may argue that they just don't have time to eat a proper meal. They are much to busy for that. Well, I say, MAKE TIME. Eating on the go like that, shoving food in our mouths isn't good for our agni (digestive fire). It's like you are just dumping food into your stomach. When you dump wood on a flame, you just put it out. Well, the same goes for your digestive fire. Learning to eat slowly, and enjoy our food is something that many of us need to teach ourselves. Eating is meant to be enjoyable, so next time you eat a meal, chew your food, let it roll around on your tongue. Enjoy your meal!
Namaste!

Love Yourself Unconditionally

For over a week now I have been having pain in both my knees. Its not the type of pain that is excruciating. I can still walk with no problem. But it is uncomfotable and I am afraid that it is going to get worse if I strain myself too much. So, I have been taking it easy. Maybe too easy... I missed both my yoga classes this week (tsk tsk). But I feel like I should take a rest for a while. Anyone who does any sort of excercising, whether it is running, biking, swimming, yoga, etc. should respect their body's limits. Our physical bodies can only do so much for us. I really hope I haven't learned the lesson too late. I think I may have been a little too ambitious in yoga and that is why my knees are hurting. This discomfort is my body telling me, "Nancy, take it easy. I'm not super-human." One lesson they teach us in yoga is not to hyperextend the knee. I think the same goes for bending the knees as well. Don't overbend them. The knee is a very week joint in the body because it is supporting all the weight in your upper body. Although I have been having this pain, I can still walk, I can still do yoga. I am thankful for that. I love my body. I know that I have pain in my back, my shoulders, one of my hips at times, and now my knees, but I still love my body. It is the transportation device of the soul. What would we do without our bodies? Where would we be? I want anyone who reads this blog to remember to be respectful towards your physical self. You're first priority in life is to take care of the body you are given. Feed it well, excercise it, keep it from harms way. So maybe when I'm doing tree pose I won't keep my leg as straight as a stick, and maybe I will take it easier in the full lotus. Thank you as always for reading.
Namaste.

Message in a Bag

The other day I was out with a friend. I wanted to go to Home Goods to get a toilet brush. While we were out I ended up not only buying a toilet brush, but a gift card (which I needed to buy), and three yoga DvDs. I felt pretty guilty when I got home. But I decided that I could use those yoga DvDs. There are days when I am at home with nothing to do and I try practicing yoga but can't find the imagination to make up my own sequence. So today I will try one of those DvDs. Anyway, when I got home I was digging through my purse, I think I was doing it just for the sake of having something to do. I found a little folded piece of paper, one that you get from a fortune cookie. On the paper was written, "You shouldn't overspend at the moment. Frugality is important." I had to laugh out loud. This message was deffinitly for me. It's funny how those things happen. They aren't coincidences. We get these little messages for a reason. Sometimes the messages that we recieve are so subtle that we don't even notice them. I stuck that little piece of paper where I would be able to see it every day. I'm looking at it right now. So, for the moment, like I had written in a previous post, I need to be frugal. I have to watch how much I spend. And as for these small "coincidences," I believe that all of us should believe in small miracles.
Namaste

Love the Rain

I was talking to a friend of mine today. She said that she hates the rain. I love it. I love the smell in the air after a good shower, I love the dark clouds in the sky, I love the feeling that there is actually something in the empty space around us. Rain is something that lulls many of us to sleep. And for all you other rain and thunder storm lovers maybe you understand. When I was younger I would sit on the front steps with my dad when there was a thunderstorm. We would watch the rain and wait for the lightning. We would point, "Did you see that one?" and wait for more bursts of lightning. I never found lightning or thunder scary. It is something that I actually like being woken up to. Lighting can remind us just how powerful nature can be. I love being in the rain. I walked home from my yoga class the other week and it was pouring rain. I didn't mind. I think of doing that kind of stuff as something that can build character. You have to do it. Otherwise what are you experiencing in life. Walk through the rain, dance in it. Water is essential for our bodies, enjoy its feeling on your skin. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it is something that nature is giving to us as a gift. Every bit of nature is beautiful, even those dark, gray clouds. Thank you for reading.
Namaste

It's Been a While

I know I haven't written in a while. I guess it's because I really have nothing to write about lately. All I have been doing really is working. On Thursday I went to the city with a friend of mine. We walked from the train station to the farmers market. The food there was delicious! I bought a small basket of fresh strawberries and I have to say, they were the best strawberries I have ever tasted! There is nothing like fresh food. It has a taste that cannot be found in store bought food. :) We then did a little shopping and I decided to splurge and get myself a cute top. After that we went to a park and walked around. The park has a beautiful garden. It was a nice and sunny day, so it was nice to walk around and look at the flowers. Sometimes it is nice to slow down and just look at the world around us. I feel like I don't do that enough. Nature can be so breathtaking and we don't always have to travel to places like the grand canyon to see it. Every flower and branch is perfect in its own unique way. No two blades of grass are exactly the same. There is beauty just outside our windows, even in the midst of a busy city. Why don't we take out shoes off and feel the fresh cool earth beneath our skin? Isn't it refreshing?
Namaste

A Different Take

Today was a pretty busy day for me. I had my friend over, and I taught her Yoga and Meditation. She is at a stressful point in her life and I know that it will do her well. It's funny to see how Yoga and Meditation can affect people. When we were finished with both, my friend looked so much more calm then when she had first stepped into the house. Today when I was teaching her to meditate I decided to try a different meditation than I normally do. Usually I do a So-Hum meditation which consists of silently repeating So Hum in one's mind. So on the inhale and Hum on the exhale. Well, today my friend and I decided we would use Om as the mantra. When using the syllable Om as a mantra, it is best to repeat it out loud. We inhaled to the count of four and on the exhale elongated the mantra OM. It was actually really nice, it almost felt like a trance. I enjoyed it. Saying a mantra out loud makes it a bit easier to concentrate. The goal of meditation is to still the mind. Mantras and concentration on the breath help with stilling the mind. Right now I am reading Patanjali's Yoga Sutras which talks a lot about meditation and stilling the mind. After my friend left I took a nap. And then went to a yoga class. This was my first time going to this particular yoga class. I get a bit nervous when I try new things but once I set my mat down on the floor and sat down I was fine. This class was a bit different from the other Yoga classes I have taken. It was my first time in a class where the instructor put music on. It was very relaxing instrumental music, it was nice. The instructor is a very enthusiastic woman with wild brown hair. She was very nice. The room was a little small, but the class managed to fit in. One thing I like about her class was that when we did the sun salutations she let us all go at our own pace instead of having to follow her pace. It was nice. The class was an hour and a half, which is long but I felt good afterwards. I am glad I decided to take this class. It is always good to see how different instructors teach the class. Ok, I am going to stop here. Thanks for reading!
Namaste!

Practice Patience

It has been a while since I have blogged, mostly because I really have nothing to blog about. Yesterday I practiced Sirsasana (headstand). My younger sister is my assistant until I can get my feet to stay up without falling onto my back. But they say that you have to fall before you can stay up. So, I am being patient with this pose. My ultimate goal is to be able to do the scorpion pose. It looks like a pretty much impossible pose, and yes, sometimes Yoga does look like it does defy gravity. I was looking at pictures of people doing the scorpion and I felt a pang of jealousy. I thought, "why can't I do that?" But then I remembered that I haven't even been practicing Yoga for a year, what's the rush? And even though it would feel great to be able to do the Scorpion, Yoga is not ALL about how flexible we can be, or how strong. It's about stilling the mind, learning to be patient. I won't be able to do the scorpion, or the headstand for that matter without a lot of practice and patience. I need to accept that. Yoga instructors always say to respect your limitations, they have a point. If you rush into a pose, you can hurt yourself. So I must learn to be patient. I am not going to be able to stand on my head tomorrow, but with practice I can accomplish it one day. :)
Namaste

Slow Down. Literally.

Yesterday I was pulled over for the first time. My lead foot finally got the best of me. I was driving 22 mph over the limit!!! I couldn't believe it! I normally don't drive that fast! Thankfully the officer didn't give me a ticket, in fact, he didn't even give me a warning ticket. He was very nice. I really appreciate how kind he was, and I even though I don't know this man, I wish him the best. As for me, I am going to be more careful about the way I drive. I drive fast all the time, even though I am not even near being late. Not only is it dangerous for me, but for other drivers as well. Driving slowly will teach me to be more patient, especially with others. I get aggravated very easily when I am on the road. And why? There is no reason for me to be upset, just because people are driving the speed limit and I want to go faster. So from now on no more rushing around the roads. I learned something yesterday. I need to be more patient. I stress myself out when I speed. Why not just take it easy and just enjoy the ride?
Namaste

With the World Rushing Around Me...

I feel a great need to blog today. A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. It seems that that epiphany opened a flood gate in my mind. I find myself thinking so much these days that I can't keep track of every thought I have. I suppose I should start from the beginning. I am going to be very honest in this post, so I apologize if I offend anyone for any reason. I know that I am different from other people my age. Most twenty year olds are out partying, getting drunk until two in the morning. At that time, I am either working or asleep. Sometimes I go out, I'm not saying that I don't have a social life. But I have been wondering why at such a young age, do I already know that those pleasures (alcohol, sex, etc.) don't give the long-term happiness that everyone is looking for? I am searching for this through meditation, and I am trying to keep myself healthy with the foods I eat and my Yoga practice. But I do have to wonder, why is it that I never did drugs, smoked, or drank and I already know that these things won't do well by me? Most people learn from their mistakes. A lot of the time I already know before the mistake happens. Is it because I am afraid of getting hurt, or that my parents told me it was bad? Or was I born with a predisposed notion of how life really is. In the long run, those "simple" pleasures don't bring happiness.
Everyday I am learning more and more about myself and the world around me. It's as if having that one epiphany is causing more and more thoughts to come to me one after another. Never stopping. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by these thoughts that I feel like crying. I know this kinda sounds lame, but its true. What do I do with this knowledge I am recieving? I have realized so many things, and only in the past few weeks. I realized that I am only a small part of this world. The world doesn't revolve around me. It never did, it never will. This thought has knocked me down a few pegs, but that is a good thing. I can't be unhappy with people for no reason. Meaning, I can't get randomly annoyed with people just because they are being themselves. They will always be that, I just have to accept that. Sometimes I wonder if these thoughts are newfound wisdom and other times I wonder if its a load of BS that I am just making up in my mind. But where do these thoughts come from? They come from inside of me. They have always been there, it's just that now they are finally rearing their heads. These thoughts are within every human being on this planet. People just have to try and find it for themselves. I can tell you all this knowledge that I am gathering, but it is you who has to gain this knowledge from yourself for yourself. I am going to be a nurse, but I honestly believe that there is something more for me to do. There is a different sort of work for me to do in the world. Don't ask me what it is, because I don't know. I hardly know anything these days. Sometimes I wonder if I'm going crazy... I must say that I am greatful for these things I am learning everyday. No matter how overwhelming it is, I will take it head on!
Namaste

Be Still...

There is a certain kind of beauty and peace only found in stillness and silence. We have all experienced it, but have we all contemplated it? Yes, we all understand the joys and magic in art forms such as dance and music, those simplicties that tickle our senses. But what if we take a moment to sit down and look into the stillness all around us. It is there, you just may not have noticed it. We know its there in the deepest hours of the night, when the world is quiet. If we can look into the sky, at the bright moon, what can we see? There is beauty in everything, even in the smallest grain of sand. All things, creatures, people are part of a much bigger picture. In life there is so much to take in. But we get so caught up in the rush of life that we forget to stop and just enjoy the world. We think "do, do, do." Why not just stop and breathe? Absorb what we see, hear and feel? We can become the background. What do we see? We can find all aspects of life within ourselves. That silence, that stillness. We can cultivate that, bring it from the inside, out. We have so much potential and don't even know it.
Namaste

In the Zone

I am writing a blog today because I really need to start writing every day. I just don't want to write boring posts. I went to Yoga yesterday and it was great! For some reason it felt different from the previous classes. I think a lot of it had to do with the weather change. The air was more humid and the lights were off because we were able to get enough light from the windows. A lot of the practice consisted of downward facing dog and standing forward bend but it was good! I felt energized the whole way through, and the heat didn't bother me one bit (Well, it wasn't that hot...) It was quiet, everyone was in their zone. It was really cool. That's one thing I love about yoga. There is really different mood in the room when we are practicing. When I pushed my body into plow pose (and if you don't know what these poses look like I recommend you look them up) my neck didn't hurt at all. I was actually very comfortable. I have had a cold for over a week now, but when I was in yoga yesterday, the stuffed feeling in my nose actually went away. It was amazing. I thought to myself that maybe I should just do yoga all day so that my nasal passage can be clear! Then one of my classmates asked me if I was a yoga intructor. I had to laugh and say no. This isn't the first or second time that someone has asked me that question. So maybe I should go and get the certificate soon. Probably in two years. That may seem like a long time, but I have a feeling these two years will fly by.
Namaste

Ode to Frugality

I really shouldn't be spending money right now. I need to be saving up for school because I have to pay for it myself next semester. On top of that I have to buy books. So let the money saving begin! From now on I am going to be more frugal. I usually splurge when I go out. I end up spending too much money on myself. Now, that is probably the most unyogic thing I could do... So I am going to try this for the summer. I am going to work more and spend less. That means not going to starbucks and spending four bucks on a drink that is practically all ICE and not buying things for myself every time I go to the mall. For some reason, every time I go to the mall and see something I like, I buy it. This means that by not buying these things I can practice what is called non-attachment. These days most people are attached to the items that they own (ahem iPhone users...) Because I don't really need these things, I won't buy them. Although there is this really nice thow blanket at World Market that I saw a while ago, I wonder if its on sale... NO!!! I can't!!! I need to stop thinking about shopping!!! So please, wish me luck! Because I am going to need a lot of self control on the challenge.

My First Buddhist Celebration

I drove with two friends for an hour to get to a small unitarian church where a Buddhist celebration was being held. When we finally got to our destination I saw two Buddhist Monks standing outside of the church. I began to feel very nervous. I had no idea what they would think, was I underdressed? Was I too white? But when the three of us got to the stairs, the monks gave us nothing but welcoming smiles. I smiled back at them, and said "hello," cheerfully. I could tell that within these walls there was no judgment. We walked in and found a seat in the back of the small church. It fit the three of us in comfortably. There was a long alter where many monks sat. I couldn't believe such a scene. I had never before seen so many monks. It was absolutely beautiful! the first thing that we saw was a beautiful dance. It was almost like Yoga in the way the dancer's body was alligned and the poses that she danced. It really was a spectacle. After the dance an older monk gave a Dharma Talk which is a teaching. He talked about how we are all ignorant beings. I didn't understand very much of what he was talking about, but I do understand that we are ignorant. Then he started talking about other things which don't really remember... oh well. After the dharma talk there were two more dances and then we listened to a chant. The chant was called the Maha Prajna Paramita in english it is known as the English Heart Sutra. We listened to it in Sanskrit and then recited it in English. A friend of my sister's joined us in the middle of the program. When we were reciting the Sutra , I swear, our little group was the most into the whole thing out of the audience. We chanted loudly, without care. And why would we care? We were in a place where this kind of stuff is the norm. So why not sing it loud? Be proud of who you are! I loved every moment of it. After the chanting we did a loving kindness meditation. It was truely wonderful. The monk who was leading the meditation told us to tell ourselves that we are happy, well and peaceful. We silently repeated this to ourselves. After a few moments of silence, the group of monk began chanting in Sanskrit. It was one of the most rivoting things I have ever experienced. The monks chanted for the rest of the meditation. When we were finished, I felt so elated, so calm. It is something that is too difficult for me to put into words. After the meditation we walked around the town and chanted carrying lanterns and flags. The whole thing was a wonderful experience. I look forward to going next year. I wish I could describe it all in detail but it would take me forever to write and be too long.

Namaste

The Joys of Cooking

A passion that I have just recently discovered within myself is cooking. I love it because I love the process of cooking, and I love the outcome of cooking. When I cook it is as if time doesn't matter anymore. Like Yoga, it teaches me patience. In cooking, there is also Yoga. When we cook, we shouldn't rush, just like in Hatha Yoga. If we rush, we make mistakes in cooking. The same applies to Hatha Yoga, if we rush in or out of a pose, we can hurt ourselves. Cooking is like another form of Yoga, it is calming and warming to the heart. If we think of cooking in a Yogic way, we can all learn from our actions. As a friend of mine said when she was teaching me how to make indian curry, if we add too much water to the curry it will alter the taste. We should add our ingrediants one bit at a time. Just like in Yoga. When we are practicing difficult Asanas, we should not just jump into the pose. We need to practice the starters one bit at a time until we are fully prepared for the final step. If we are not careful, we can cause ourselves injury (Not the Yoga instructer who told us to slowly come in and out of a pose carefully). When I cook it gives me time to be in the moment. I am fully in the present moment, enjoying the smells and sounds of my creations. Food always tastes better when we make it ourselves, we know what we put in it, we love the outcome because it was our effort. A few days ago my younger sister and I made two delicious peach pies. It took us about three and a half hours to finish making them, but the effort was worth it because afterwards we were able to eat it and everyone who ate it loved it. it always makes me happy to see people eating and enjoying my food. One day I made a sweet corn and onion soup. It was absolutely delicious. Everyone loved it, and seeing everyone enjoying my food brought me so much joy. Cooking is a wonderful process from the beggining of the prearation to when the bowls and plates are empty. If I can see Yoga in cooking, I think it is a sign that Yoga is in everything we do in life. I just have to search for it.

On My Way

This summer I have a lot of plans for myself. It includes working a lot, because I need to make a lot of money, studying nursing stuff to prepare myself for next semester, and practicing Yoga and meditation. I will be carrying myself along the path towards enlightenment. This is a journey that doesn't really have much of a time table. I don't know when I will become enlightened, but I know it will not be for a while. The epiphany that I had a couple weeks ago was just the beginning. I know that I must keep reading Yogic texts and meditating daily and practicing Yoga. Right now I am reading The Bhagavad Gita. It is a famous Hindu poem about a conversation between Lord Krishna and the warrior Prince Arjuna. So far I am on chapter 2 of this text and it is very hard to wrap my head around. I understand that Arjuna does not want to fight in a battle that is that morning, Lord Krishna tells him that he must not be afraid, that it is his dharma (purpose in life). Krishna says that there is no reason to fear death, that it will happen to all of us eventually. That makes sense doesn't it? And I have been thinking about that lately. When death does eventually come knocking at my door I will not be afraid. There is no point in the fear of it. It happens to everyone. I am sorry if this is too morbid for you to read. In a quote from the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, "Death is inevitable for the living; birth is inevitable for the dead. Since these are unavoidable, you should not sorrow."
Okay, so maybe I should have named this post "death" or something. Thanks for reading.

Bad Day

Yesterday I had so many plans for my day. I was going to go to the mall with a group of friends, talk to my sister, and go to my Yoga class with my dad (he has never been to a Yoga class). But the night before I woke up around three in the morning, I could hardly breath and my throat was hurting terribly! I spent most of the day trying to get better, then I went to bed early only to sleep terribly. I was upset because I did get to go to my Yoga class. Another week that I have skipped, those people probably think that there is something wrong with me. I seem to not go every other week. I hope to get better soon. Because being sick is never fun.

Harder than I thought

Yesterday, my family, best friend and I all went to the airport with Olga to see her off. As I saw watched her walk through the gates I started bawling my eyes out. I couldn't help it. It was really hard to say goodbye to her. When she went to Poland for five months it felt like forever, and not even a year later she is going back to stay for FOUR YEARS. Maybe even possibly for good? Those four years could either pass by in a flash or they could take an eternity. I know that Olga will be safe and happy in Poland, so I feel nothing but happiness for her. But I also feel that if she isn't under my watch she is in danger. I have felt this way since we were very small, like I am here to protect her from bad things. I know this isn't true, because Olga is a very independent young woman. But that doesn't stop me from constantly worrying about her. I miss you Olga!!! Okay, I promise that this blog won't be all about how much I miss my sister. It is just a very big change for me and everyone else. :)

Difficult Farewells

Tomorrow my beloved twin sister, Olga, is leaving the United States to begin her new life in Poland. I have know this day was coming for a long time, but now that it is just around the corner I feel like there wasn't enough time spent together enjoying the small things in life. She will be going to school there which means that she will be gone for at least four years. Four years... after for years she could decide that she wants to live there for the rest of her life! A lot can happen in four years.
I also wonder what it will be like between the two of us after such a long time. I am sure we will still be very close, but things will have changed, and we will both be living totally different lives. I understand that it will never be the same.
I know that I am feeling sorry for myself, but I am very happy for her, because she will soon be accomplishing her dreams. I love my sister to the bottom of my heart and I only wish her the best. I will try to visit her whenever I can, but I know that isn't probably isn't going to be for at least a year. We will be skyping each other and writing on facebook and sending personal letters. It won't be the same as seeing her everyday, but it will have to do. :) I know that she is nervous about starting this new life, but it is such an exciting thing! A blank page, a new chapter in her wonderful life.
I pray that her she has a safe trip there and that she is always watched over when she is in her new home. I love you Olga. <3

An Epiphany

I have been practicing meditation for about six months now. The main reason was because it helps me feel less stressed and more in tune with myself.

A few days ago, I was just sitting on my bed thinking about nothing in particular, when a thought just came to me.

That thought told me that I can never hate again, I can never use the word hate, and I cannot harbor that feeling towards anyone. I do not hate anybody, I cannot hate anybody. No matter how mean they are to me, no matter if they are jerks, no matter how jealous I am of them. Hate is no longer part of my dictionary, I am now mentally throwing the word out the window.

I can never say that I hate myself because it shouldn't be news that I am going to have to live with myself forever. I must love myself unconditionally, I must love my body the way it is, I must love my mind for the way it thinks, I must love my personality, no matter how many glitches it has.

I will not hate others no matter how mean they are, because whatever faults others have stem from a root. I must love the people I care about and I must not judge the people I do not know. For people who are mean to me, I must understand. I must understand that they are the way they are, if they are making me unhappy, then I must change my view on the situation. I can let their nasty words and unkind looks pass through me with no affect. Because if I let something get to me, then it is me who is making myself unhappy.

I could hate the pain that I am in, or I could understand that it is my teacher, it is there to teach me to be careful with my body. I could hate the way that I am, but I have to live with myself for the entirety of my life, why would I want to live so long with someone that I hated? I could be angry and resentful towards those who make me unhappy, or I could understand them and love them to the best of my ability.

So, the lesson of the day, is not to harbor hate, because really, the only person we are hurting is ourselves. Whenever we find ourselves feeling anger, jealousy, hatred, etc. we should not be angry with ourselves. We should understand that this is a part of us, and forgive ourselves for having those feelings. We are only human. When we are harboring any of those feelings we must remember love, patience and kindness. Hatred isn't healthy and it doesn't do anyone any good. As the Buddha says, "Hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love-this is an old rule."

The Beginning of a Journey...

Okay, this is my first blog, and I have been worrying about what to write. I think I'm just going to wing it and just write whatever comes to mind. The purpose of this blog is to sort of document my journey with Yoga, and of course, life. This is kind of a place for me to write whatever thoughts I have and share them with you.
I started my Yoga practice in August of 2009. Before then, I was a total blob. I would only excercise (100 or so crunches every few weeks) if I felt like I was becoming too much of a blob. I was extremely irritable and angry, all the time. I don't think it's too far fetched a phrase to say that YOGA CHANGED MY LIFE.
When I stepped into my first Yoga class at the junior college I attend, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. To me, it was a door to hope that my back pain would end, and I would be excercising twice a week. My yoga instructor informed the class of mostly college-aged students that Yoga means union. Union of the body, mind and spirit. I sat on my first Yoga mat and wondered what the heck I was getting myself into. Union? Of the Body, Mind, and Spirit? What? Maybe this is too weird for me. My instructor informed the class, that not only would we be working on excercise, but we would learn to watch what we eat, and learn meditation.
During the first practice, the instructor took us through basic asanas (poses), I LOVED it.
I ended up not just practicing during class, but at home as well.
Yoga has helped me become a healthier and happier person. I don't get upset as easily as I used to, which, if you were my twin sister, you would understand that it is a relief.
I am currently taking a class, which I have been taking since December, about fifteen minutes walk from my house. I love the class because it is small (usually consisting of about 5 to 6 students) so there is more of a personal touch to it. I make a point of walking to the class, whether it rain, sleet or shine out. I don't see the point of driving to a class that is such a short walk away. I have walked to and from that class when it was raining, and through snow storms. You might call me crazy for doing so, but walking through a snow storm is a beautiful and refreshing experience. Besides, its only fifteen minutes, who cares if my boots are soaked and my hair is completely white for fifteen minutes. Walking those fifteen minutes, enjoying whatever mother nature throws at me is all a part of my Yoga. :)
Last night I went to my Yoga class, it was a great practice. I was able to, for the first time, do Shirsasana (headstand) with my feet away from the wall. It was only about three seconds, but I felt triumphant. After the class, it was raining a little bit, but I just tucked my ear buds into my ears, turned on Sting's (who, btw, practices Yoga too ^^) song Send Your Love.
I always tell people about how much I love Yoga, and if they do not practice Yoga themselves, they usually say, "That's nice," and smile. But I want to shake them and yell, "You should do it too!!! It's an essential part of LIFE!!! And you don't even know it!" But that wouldn't be very "Yogic," would it?
I think that's all I will write for today. Thank you so much for reading this!