STAYING CALM THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

Glistening lights, Jingle Bell runs, carols and singing, extra cookies in the office, "everything's on sale," fa la la la la, red and green, eggnog, family, Santa's naughty or nice list, nativity scenes, Christmas trees, more family, laughter, stress, gifts, memories, wishing...

Ah, the holidays are upon us. Around us. We can begin to appreciate the joy of the season, but be aware not to let our joy become depleted while we are in the season. Remember...3 deep breaths. Every morning is a fresh start. Listen to our bodies! Rest often. Laugh much. Sleep in. Give hugs. Recieve hugs. Keep doing yoga and let go of things that worry or stress us. We can only be in the very moment we are in so choose to ENJOY. Appreciate. Learn to say "no" when enough is enough (with food, committments, people...)

Our bodies are our treasures. Our gift to ourselves this season should be pure LOVE. For our health, for our many blessings, for family and friends and let go the need to buy. Accept the need to give (love, forgiveness, something creative from you, to charity, to this world).

And somewhere along our path, we will smile and make it through the holidays. Peacefully. Together....

Fresh Start with Each Breath

We are surrounded by change. The leaves are changing colors. We are all ready for a change in politics. It's October so we are at the edge each day with expectations of rain, but we are enjoying this nice "fall" weather for a "change." What changes are we experiencing within?

Each day is new. Though we may relive some features of a daily routine, we always have the choice to make change. Maybe today we let go of worry. Maybe today we smile at a stranger. Maybe today we forgive. Maybe today we are ready to accept who we are in this world instead of wishing to be someone or somewhere else. Maybe today we find solace in silence instead of rushing to the next thing on our "to do" list. Maybe today...we change.

In yoga, we remind ourselves to stay present with each breath. Each breath we take is a gift. It's an opportunity to move us forward into the next moment. We have the opportunity to take a fresh start with each breath. Remarkable.

In our yoga class today...10 of us at Gasworks Park...experienced change. Some of us decided to exercise at 2 p.m. (the mid-day slump) instead of lounging on the couch watching football or re-runs of a favorite show. Some of us decided to show up to take care of ourselves...the yoke of yoga...body/soul/mind connection. This change starts with a breath. A decision. A step into the flow of life...of yoga...of new experiences. New friends. What can we all decide to let go of at this moment to change for the better? What can we all decide to embrace within ourselves so we can change our attitudes about who we are so that we can love ourselves, love the world and love others that much better. This, my friends, is the beautiful transformation of change....like a butterfly descends from a cacoon...every day we can blossom, grow and change!

Outdoor Yoga Pleasure!

We definitely are blessed to live in a gorgeous city! 32 of my splendid yoga students soaked up the setting sun and rising moon with me at Gasworks Park on Tuesday, July 15th for a 90 minute vinyasa flow yoga experience! While breathing and moving to an original music compilation I had made for this special yoga adventure (music is magical), we witnessed sailboats passing by...people watching and respecting our practice....views of the water and Space Needle...and feeling freedom and peace together! With our evening centering around "pleasure," we kept letting go of expectations for our outdoor encounter and kept looking for pleasure in our movements...in the moment...in being with others who loved to practice yoga!

And, of course, at the end of our class...after releasing fully into 10 minutes of savassana (relaxation), I offered everyone to enjoy the pleasure of dark, organic chocolates from Theo chocolates. What a sweet way to end a lovely evening of yoga together. Thank you, my wonderful students, for trying something new with your practice. Keep looking for pleasure. It's all around you!

GRATITUDE

Is there anything more wonderful to experience than love and gratitude? For ourselves...for those in our families...for faith and hope and love...for friends who hold our hands through good and bad...for mercy & forgiveness...for new beginnings...for a rainbow after the storm...for dark chocolate & red wine...for hugs and laughter...for a really good book...for the stranger who smiles in our direction...for a kind word...to be a cheerful giver without expecting much in return...for the smell of home-cooked/baked food...for the touch of the river on a hot day...for angelic music...for moments of solitude and reflection...for acceptance...and, yes, for our yoga practice (which we can take everywhere).

YOGA OFF THE MAT: What does it look like for you?

Live life with an attitude of gratitude....

Jessie's passion for yoga practice

"I hope you dance" is a song that always makes me smile. If you have the ability to do something, why not try it! Yoga is something I feel so passionate about. To the average person who feels they are "not flexible," trying yoga may seem intimidating. However....not all yogis begin their practice as flexy-bendy people. We start as we are...over-stressed, over-busy, somewhat stiff but wishing for some release. Barefooted, we meet our mats. Vulnerable, we find ourselves surrounded by other people in a yoga class who are in all different places in their practice. But if we try...if we are honest with ourselves...we find the joy in....
just being present
just being
being.

Ahh....and then comes the rush of letting go physically, emotionally and within our soul. This is the practice of yoga. Breathe. Let go. Enjoy YOU....Enjoy life. This is yoga. The poses (asanas) are just "added bonuses" to get us deeper into our strength, stretching and health. If anything, practice self-acceptance and that is the best lesson in doing yoga. Live with passion and treat yourself well. We are the vehicles to go through this journey of life, so maintain your vehicle with humor, grace, forgiveness and love. Love your yoga practice...love yourself!