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Tag: ENERGY
9 Ways to be Your Own Guide

9 Ways to be Your Own Guide

I want to share this with you because while I spent two weeks in mentally in a not-so-great-place, I moved through it with my most amazing husband by my side, using techniques that are simple and effective. I taught my usual classes, made dinners for the family, and acted like a normal human who wasn’t freaking out on the inside…here are my takeaways that I hope will help you too, if you are faced with something similar. (From Jennifer’s Perspectives article Unexpected Clarity)

Unexpected Clarity

Unexpected Clarity

Usually I find clarity in stillness-meditation, being outside in nature, or being on the boat in the water someplace. But recently I got a heavy dose of clarity wrapped in a very unexpected package-my routine mammogram. I will start this story at the end, letting you know I’m ok. And I know now that no matter the outcome, I would’ve been ok, but the eventual biopsy was negative for cancer. The lesson was positive, though, and it’s why I want to share it.
The beginning of the school year always means one thing for me-my annual mammogram appointment. I always go right away, wait for results, and I’m in and out in record time, no issues. This appointment was different, and to be honest I had an uneasy feeling that morning when I drove in. I had the first scans & sat to wait for results, only they came to tell me they needed more pictures. Then more. Then just one more. Then an ultrasound, where the radiologist came in, put her hand on my arm and quietly said, “I’m so sorry”.

This Is Yoga

This Is Yoga

In yoga, we settle the mind by moving the body though the “8 limbs” of practice: asana (physical practice), pranayama (breath practice), yamas & niyamas (inner and outer observances) among other simple yet complex practices (pratyahara, dharana, dyana, samadhi). But “yoga” doesn’t have to include all of them, all the time. I taught a yoga nidra class (deep relaxation and meditation) recently and someone asked when we would “do the yoga part”. It’s a common misconception that it’s not yoga if you’re not in a warrior 2 position at some point. Sometimes your yoga can be the mindfulness you espouse during the day. Mindful of your thoughts, what you eat, how you interact with people…taking your yoga off the mat is more important to me than if you can bend yourself into a pretzel in the studio.