Breathe-Calm-Tell Dog to be Quiet-Breathe-Calm.......

All of my animals have always looked so relaxed, even down to my sweet little guinea pig Zeppo.  I try to figure out how they do it, how they can go into complete relaxation so easily.  I am going to guess it could be because they have less worry, and more time to play.

After almost three months of working on meditation, and some frustration during the process.  I had a break through today, I did!!  This is probably the silliest thing to discover, but the best thing.

So this week I decided to try a Shiva Rea yoga DVD from Netflix.  I wasn't for sure if I was ready for the yoga workout, but I need to give myself more credit.  I had a fantastic workout, and now feel amazing.  This week I was able to do plow (Hala-asana) and headstand (Salamba Sirsasana,) the King and Queen of asanas.  Yep, almost three months, and I am able to do the two big yoga poses, YAY ME!!!  I even held the Salamba Sirasana for 60 seconds. 

At the end of the Shiva Rea workout I did, she had us do several minutes of meditation.  Well between yelling at my dog for barking, and making sure my legs were not falling asleep.....I did it, I actually went into complete relaxation.  I had a visual, and felt so peaceful, and all the extra thoughts just passed by. 

So whenever I meditate, I end up meditating in a quiet space, no music.  I really struggled with the silence, but kept trying to find that happy place.  Well guess what?  Today on the DVD, there was some of the most relaxing, beautiful music being played.  AND with the music, I successfully went into a complete relaxed state.  YES!!! I am sooooo happy!!

There is a beautiful website called Spirit Voyage, they have amazing music on their site.  On Fridays they have free music downloads.  So I will be working on making a mix of music, and enjoying some lovely chants, while working on the most amazing form of relaxation.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Namaste
Terra

"Ganpathi Gayatri" {A mantra for success in achieving goals}

This last week has been a wonderful seven days! I started off feeling really sad, emotional, all that blah, blah stuff. Then I read a quote that was in a link shared by 365meditation, and that all changed.  See, you have to understand, I live my life always being positive.  People will even point out what a positive person I am, and are always shocked to discover I have weeks where I can be in a funk.  Yes, it really is possible, but I don't let my funk last for that long, that is for sure.  Here is the quote:

"If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace." ~Thich Nhat Hanh 

I love spending time with friends, and what better way than outside in the beautiful sunlight.  And hey, why not practice Nataraja (Dancer's pose.) 

So with all my positive juices flowing, I wanted to enjoy every moment.  I decided to try out a couple new yoga classes at a new studio, Arrichion Studio.  The one was a little too much for me, but the second one was fantastic!  It was a continuous vinyasa flow, with challenging poses.  I still cannot do the crow pose, but I will sooo get there someday.  I really try to incorporate yoga daily to help me conquer my day!  I am however very excited to report that my balance is so much better....AND that I was able to finally do Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose.)  What a lovely feeling to have when you can successfully do the pose, AND without falling, bonus!!!

I read all my fellow yogi's blogs, I also love reading many other yoga related sites, especially Elephant Journal.  I have learned so much, and grown from all the help shared on blogs, and websites.  Elephant Journal had a great article that really made me think, which could be scary, LOL!!! It was about a woman who took 13 years to learn the crow pose, but because she did not have a lot of guidance in the beginning.  13 YEARS, Holy Cats!!! Please, Please, don't let it take me 13 years, I really am impatient, and that is way too long! 

I also read TheDailyDownwarddog blog about Ganesha, the Hindu God of wisdom.

Source: Vani's Musings

 Reading TheDailyDownwardDog's blog really made me stop and think about a lot of thoughts I have been having.  

1. I want to achieve the crow pose now.

2. I want to be as good as all the other yogis around me.

3. I want to be able to meditate after yoga without any chatter present.

4. I am sure I have another one.............BUT

I realized with this blog, I need to stop "Breathe, Exhale", and stop saying, "I want, I want, I want."  Instead what I need to do is just enjoy the ride, every step of the way.  Especially because, whenever I achieve something new with yoga, I am sooooo excited!!! 

Thank you to all my fellow yogis, you know who you are!!!  I am going to go into month three of this beautiful journey with lots of wonderful, positive thoughts, and new outlooks!  

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Namaste

Terra 

It is all in the form!

It has been officially two months since I decided to start enjoying yoga again.  Two months, crazy how time flies when you are having fun.  AND for this journey, boy am I having fun.  I can not explain to you how happy yoga makes me feel.

I was a runner for several years, loved loved running, even ran a half marathon.  However, as much as I loved the sport, it truly messed up my feet and knees.  So it was time to find a workout that made me as happy as running.  It has seemed like FOREVER, but I am finally back at my happy place.  Now time to explore all I can about yoga, and enjoy every aspect of this beautiful sport.

 I do not know what pose I am supposed to be in here, our teacher had us doing some hard poses. 

I Enjoy a lot of yoga workouts at home,  sometimes it just works with my schedule.  I do enjoy going to different studios with friends, it is a wonderful way to socialize. About a week ago I went to a yoga class outside with the Charlotte Yoga Club.  WOW, that was so fun!!!

I don't have one specific studio yet that I have to go to, I am just exploring different ones.  My next type of yoga to try out is hot yoga, I hear positive and negative reviews so we will see.

I know how important it is to get the form correct on each pose. Which is why I really pay attention to how I position myself in each pose.  I even ask questions in class to make sure I am doing the pose right.  So for the last week I have been frustrated with what I call a "catch" in my shoulder blade.  I finally decided to ask my friend Nancy from Flying Yogini, from  the wonderful 365yoga community on twitter. 

Well I discovered why I had a catch, and what I need to be doing to help it.  She sent me a video to even help me see what she was discussing with me.  Guess what I was forgetting?????  WELLLL...I was adding in five Sun Salutations and practicing the Crow pose, with the normal workout.  BUT after the Sun Salutations I never went into Child's pose or Thread the Needle pose, to stretch out those muscles.  Silly me!!!! I know how important stretching is, so really what was I thinking? 

Here it a helpful video of the Thread the Needle Pose

Thread the Needle Yoga Pose: Side 1 -- powered by eHow.com

So from now on I will make sure to stretch, but I am also going to put off doing the Plank during the Sun Salutations until I go to a studio.  I want to check my form, I might be bringing my self down wrong, and that could be hurting my shoulder blade....

 So if you are new to yoga, be sure to get help with your poses.  In running I was used to muscle pain, and lots of it especially in the beginning.  With yoga you should NOT have continuous pain, and silly "Catches" in your shoulder blades. 

I love finding new yogi's, and their amazing blogs!  Go check out Flying Yogini, she is sharing her 365 days of yoga journey.  Nancy really is so inspiring!

Shanti Shanti Shanti
Namaste,
Terra