Can you believe it! Already nearing the end of 40 days This week's emphasis is only more of what we have been discussing from the start. Being present, working from your foundation, finding balance in your life style.
By now your yoga practice is becoming familiar,hopefully you are also finding it easier to flow from one pose to the next. These transitions build from your foundation, which requires you to be totally present in your body in order to meet the challenge of taking your poses to your next edge. Ya gotta know where your feet are....!
I am interested in hearing about how the 3 days of fruit was for you. As you begin to increase the variety of foods back into your diet, be careful to stay on the lighter side. Your system is not going to like it if you eat hard to digest foods.
I noticed that my meditation practice is coming easier. Although I am still having to begin again and again, the resistance is lessening. How is it going for you?
Love Sherry
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
WEEK 4: Restoration
The time to relax is when you don't have time for it!
"As we remove the rocks that block our wisdom and light, we find that we are able to set more and more time aside for the things that restore us: time spent in nature, solitude, meditation, intimacy, having heart to heart conservations that heal."
I had trouble recognizing the "Rocks". After some weeks of looking at my habitual way of thinking, I was able to see patterns of behavior that had very little to do with the present moment and much more to do with how I thought others perceived me, judged me or how I judged myself. Re- examining these judgements opened up another side of the issues. By seeing these, my patterns started to change. I spent less time avoiding things, because they weren't in the way anymore. More time for me!
This is the week we all have been looking forward to! Three days of fruit! Nothing but fruit, which will cleanse you from the inside out. Sounds simple. Hmmmm..... I do not find this to be simple. How many ways can I make fruit exciteing? Slice it, dice it, freeze it, blend it, soup it, grill it, try it! I can tell you that presentation is everything!
Continue to practice and meditate! See you in class.
Sherry
"As we remove the rocks that block our wisdom and light, we find that we are able to set more and more time aside for the things that restore us: time spent in nature, solitude, meditation, intimacy, having heart to heart conservations that heal."
I had trouble recognizing the "Rocks". After some weeks of looking at my habitual way of thinking, I was able to see patterns of behavior that had very little to do with the present moment and much more to do with how I thought others perceived me, judged me or how I judged myself. Re- examining these judgements opened up another side of the issues. By seeing these, my patterns started to change. I spent less time avoiding things, because they weren't in the way anymore. More time for me!
This is the week we all have been looking forward to! Three days of fruit! Nothing but fruit, which will cleanse you from the inside out. Sounds simple. Hmmmm..... I do not find this to be simple. How many ways can I make fruit exciteing? Slice it, dice it, freeze it, blend it, soup it, grill it, try it! I can tell you that presentation is everything!
Continue to practice and meditate! See you in class.
Sherry
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Week 3 Equanimity
"Equanimity is the art of meeting life as it meets you - calmly, without drama or fuss."
Congratulations! This puts you at one full hour daily of YOU TIME!
Week 3 asks you to look even more closely at your eating habits and portion sizes. You're asked to increase your meditation to 15 minutes and to extend your daily yoga practice to 45 minutes. I realize that your practice my include walking or some other activity. That's good! Just be sure you are putting aside the whole 45 minutes to do it in.
Law 7 Relax with what is. This law says it all to me. The other laws seem to reinforce this one. They all ask you to be present without judging or trying to control everything. Meditation helps with this. By being attentive to the present moment, those automatic responses can be replaced with space and time to react with clear view of what is real in this moment. Whether it's eating more than you need or reacting automaticly, being present to the reality frees you from the restraints of living in the confines of past memories and judgements.
Sometimes I am even a little deep for me!
How is it going? I'd like to hear from you.
As always, Sherry
Congratulations! This puts you at one full hour daily of YOU TIME!
Week 3 asks you to look even more closely at your eating habits and portion sizes. You're asked to increase your meditation to 15 minutes and to extend your daily yoga practice to 45 minutes. I realize that your practice my include walking or some other activity. That's good! Just be sure you are putting aside the whole 45 minutes to do it in.
Law 7 Relax with what is. This law says it all to me. The other laws seem to reinforce this one. They all ask you to be present without judging or trying to control everything. Meditation helps with this. By being attentive to the present moment, those automatic responses can be replaced with space and time to react with clear view of what is real in this moment. Whether it's eating more than you need or reacting automaticly, being present to the reality frees you from the restraints of living in the confines of past memories and judgements.
Sometimes I am even a little deep for me!
How is it going? I'd like to hear from you.
As always, Sherry
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Week 2 Vitality
Week 2 asks us to focus on the path our foods take to our mouths, literally. Food is grown, gathered then what? Our society places great emphasis on connivance. Prepared foods line the shelves of our stores and pantry's. Another way to look at these products is "partially digested". No it's true. Flour and sugar that is refined to the nice fine whiteness we are used to, is striped of it's natural casings. Much of the nutritional content is lost in this processing. Our bodies are not required to use our digestive systems to ready it for absorption. Products made with refined sugar and flour are already at the point of digestion where they are quickly absorbed as glucose. No wonder our society is so fat. I often have thought I don't have time to prepare my food from fresh ingredients. I like instant oatmeal. Here is a great example of my laziness. Instant oatmeal; open the package, pour in hot water. I get preservatives, refined sugar, dehydrated fruit, artificial flavor and color. And its not cheap. My other option is surprising. 1/2 cup regular oat meal, 1 cup water, microwave for 2 minutes, add fresh fruit, honey or raw sugar to taste. No artificial anything, great taste, less expense and only 2 minutes! I'm not saying you have to eat oatmeal, just look at what you already like. Consider the fresher options.
This weeks meditation is 10 minutes twice a day. Here we identify the "Tapes" we play over and over in our heads. The victim...., The worrier..... the People-Pleaser, I call that one the Fixer...and The Blame Tapes. As you sit in your meditation notice if the thoughts that come up fit any of these labels. See them with an open heart not judgement. Then come back to the present moment, bringing your attention to your base, your body, your breath and the sounds around you.
Your Yoga practice asks you to stay in your poses for 5 breaths. Remember that the transitions from one to the next is connected to your breath. Inhales are openings like Sweep up and opening to Warrior 2. Exhales are closings like Low Push Up and Fold.
Remember to answer the Excavation Questions on page 122.
See you in class!
Sherry
This weeks meditation is 10 minutes twice a day. Here we identify the "Tapes" we play over and over in our heads. The victim...., The worrier..... the People-Pleaser, I call that one the Fixer...and The Blame Tapes. As you sit in your meditation notice if the thoughts that come up fit any of these labels. See them with an open heart not judgement. Then come back to the present moment, bringing your attention to your base, your body, your breath and the sounds around you.
Your Yoga practice asks you to stay in your poses for 5 breaths. Remember that the transitions from one to the next is connected to your breath. Inhales are openings like Sweep up and opening to Warrior 2. Exhales are closings like Low Push Up and Fold.
Remember to answer the Excavation Questions on page 122.
See you in class!
Sherry
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Week One
Hi Everyone,
How's it going? I am having a little trouble focusing on my goal this week. Simply being present is a lot harder than you would think! Each morning I have started with 5 minutes of meditation. My alarm goes off at 6. I sit up, hit the snooze button and begin to meditate. I start by congratulating myself on such a good intention.... then I remember.... set my attention on my hands, my head says did I set up the coffee maker? then I remember.... set my attention on my base, my toes are tangled in the sheets, do I need to cut my toe nails?.... then I remember....set my attention on my breath, in and out, in and out, I need to blow my nose, wheres that tissue box?.... then I remember.... set my attention to the inner wall of my forehead.... is it almost time yet?.... Did I turn the alarm off?.... then I remember...set my attention on the sounds around me...... BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 5 minutes is up!
The point is I kept starting over, again and again. This over and over is how we begin to meditate. Please do not scold yourself for the chatter in your mind. Just remember to begin again. It may seem impossible, but eventually your mind will get sick of being redirected to the present, and it will allow you to rest there.
How about food? During this first week we are asked to identify our needs for cooling, heating, building, and cleansing. I find that I am out of balance here. I like to be warm and I do not need to gain weight. I'd like to loose some. What I need are foods that heat and cleanse. Here, I am struggling with "habit" food choices. Being present, considering my options and my goal often enables me to make a healthier and satisfying choice.
If you choose to believe the voice in your head, your daily yoga practice may seem like a chore. "My knees hurt, I'm too tired...." no matter what excuses your mind comes up with, just do it, just show up. I am always surprised by the truth of my practice once I get started. "My knees can take it, I'll sleep later"
Keep to the moment,
Love Sherry
How's it going? I am having a little trouble focusing on my goal this week. Simply being present is a lot harder than you would think! Each morning I have started with 5 minutes of meditation. My alarm goes off at 6. I sit up, hit the snooze button and begin to meditate. I start by congratulating myself on such a good intention.... then I remember.... set my attention on my hands, my head says did I set up the coffee maker? then I remember.... set my attention on my base, my toes are tangled in the sheets, do I need to cut my toe nails?.... then I remember....set my attention on my breath, in and out, in and out, I need to blow my nose, wheres that tissue box?.... then I remember.... set my attention to the inner wall of my forehead.... is it almost time yet?.... Did I turn the alarm off?.... then I remember...set my attention on the sounds around me...... BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 5 minutes is up!
The point is I kept starting over, again and again. This over and over is how we begin to meditate. Please do not scold yourself for the chatter in your mind. Just remember to begin again. It may seem impossible, but eventually your mind will get sick of being redirected to the present, and it will allow you to rest there.
How about food? During this first week we are asked to identify our needs for cooling, heating, building, and cleansing. I find that I am out of balance here. I like to be warm and I do not need to gain weight. I'd like to loose some. What I need are foods that heat and cleanse. Here, I am struggling with "habit" food choices. Being present, considering my options and my goal often enables me to make a healthier and satisfying choice.
If you choose to believe the voice in your head, your daily yoga practice may seem like a chore. "My knees hurt, I'm too tired...." no matter what excuses your mind comes up with, just do it, just show up. I am always surprised by the truth of my practice once I get started. "My knees can take it, I'll sleep later"
Keep to the moment,
Love Sherry
ps, 2/2/2010 these are from the first class at Richmond senior center. 26 students!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
