Zen Squirrel Blog
New Year Mindfulness
As we leave 2015 behind and enter 2016, many people will be creating New Year's Resolutions, things they intend to accomplish within the next year. I am not against setting intentionsor starting new projects, but I'm not writing another blog about resolutions either.
So much of our time is spent dwelling in the past, or worrying about/planning for the future. Why not take some time to be mindful, and just "be here now"? Unsure how to even start living in the present moment? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Put your phone/ipad/laptop down! How can you be in the present moment if you are busy becoming of one mind with an electronic device?
Find a quiet space and close your eyes. Listen to the sound of your breath, try to feel the thumping of your beating heart.
Try some yogic breath work (pranayama). My students are exposed to this during each and every class and their current favorite for stress relief is alternate nostril breath. I'm including a video link to the right.
Take a walk in nature. Smell the smells outside, listen to the sound of the wind blowing or the stream moving. Feel the fresh air on your face.
Quietly enjoy a cup of hot tea. Don't do anything but experience the smells, taste, and temperature of the tea.
Warm up with a quiet, hot bath or spend some time in front of a cozy fire.
Join a meditation group.
Now I will head out to gather food to mindfully prepare dinner. How can you fit a little more mindfulness into your life? How can you "be here now"?
Namaste - Beth
4 Ways to find the Magic in Your Yoga Practice
John came to my yoga wall class completely unaware that he was about to give me the biggest compliment ever. After class, I asked, "how do you feel?" He answered " it was challenging and relaxing at the same time." Best compliment to a yoga teacher ever!
The yoga that I have come to adore is far from the big, showy, hyper flexible photos. It is far from the sweaty workout based flows (although my teacher makes us work harder). The yoga that I love centers the mind. It is challenging and calming at the same time. It balances the sthyra sukham (Strength & Ease) of the Yoga Sutra (my favorite Yoga Sutra Ever). It holds both calm and challenge at the same time. This is part of the magic of a yoga practice. Here are a few ways that you can find the it in your practice.
- Hold the poses for a long time. It did take quite a long time for me to enjoy practicing this way. Maybe the poses aren't quite as big, or you may take a modification halfway through, but this will give you a chance to express the pose more fully.
- Concentrate on one key movement. Maybe you fully root into your hands and feet, taking the time to notice what actions in your legs and arms make a change in your connection to the earth. Maybe you concentrate on hinging at the hips, or keeping your abdominal locks engaged. This can take us out of our heads, and gives you a point of concentration during long holds.
- Use breathwork. Maybe you concentrate on Ujjayi breathing (sounds like Darth Vader) or taking long even breaths to a count of 6-8 in and out. You may play around with extending the pause at the end of the inhale and exhale. The sounds of the world can fade around you as your full focus moves toward your breath.
- Find your Drishti. Drishti, or focused gaze is the key to make balance more achievable and is soothing for the mind. It takes comparison out of the picture (you can't truly keep a focused gaze on one thing while comparing yourself to whoever is on the mat next to you). If you find your mind wandering, remember to find your drishti (find a focal point) .
It takes time and effort to practice in this way. Do not judge yourself if you find your mind wandering, because it happens to everyone. Try to return your attention to the practice. Using one or more of these ideas can help make that concentration a little more achievable. How do you find your focus when your mind wants to wander in class? Where do you find the subtle magic in your yoga practice?
Namaste - Beth