New Challenge

Posted on February 27, 2013 by csroth3

Winter is a difficult time for me physically, mentally and emotionally, so I try to find ways to challenge myself. In the past I could challenge the physical elements of snow and ice by just getting out there, shoveling, sledding, driving, photographing, whatever. Now I still try to do those things, but less than before because I have more physical challenges than in the past.

Challenges that limit us can weaken us mentally and emotionally. To strengthen myself I’ve given myself other positive challenges, like yoga. Since I started attending classes last October, I’ve been able to gradually, very gradually, build strength and health physically, mentally and emotionally. It has not been easy and my class attendance was not always consistent for the first couple months, but I have persisted. Now I’m attending classes twice a week and beginning to practice at home as well.

One thing that helped me with my yoga practice was following a beginners yoga challenge on yogajournal.com. I received daily written inspiration on will power, and a weekly video of yoga practice. It was quick, easy, motivational and free.

In March I will be starting a new challenge, and I invite you to join me if you wish. It is a free 21 day meditation course sponsored by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. I know that sounds kind of commercial, but it looks like it could be valuable. Of course, if you’re already a meditation master maybe you don’t need it. But if you are looking for some guidance to start meditating, some ideas on improving your mental or physical health, or just a little inspiration, then why not try it? It can’t hurt, it’s free, and it’s completely accessible at your own time, location, pace and comfort level.

Starts on March 11, 2013. Here’s the link if you care to join in. http://www.chopracentermeditation.com

Meditation Is the New Yoga: Bringing Mindfulness Into the Workplace (bigthink.com)
21 days of Meditation – with Deepak Chopra and Ms Oprah herself (pambustin.com)
Deepak Chopra (celebrationofnow.com)
Oprah Winfrey & Deepak Chopra (sebastianhalliwell.wordpress.com)

Yin Yoga

Posted on January 15, 2013 by csroth3

I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to practice yoga a few times a week consistently since discovering Yin Yoga. This type of yoga is very meditative and less active, which is good for me since I have some muscle weakness issues going on. Yin is concerned with relaxing the connective tissues, allowing for more flexibility, which is very helpful as we get older.

Yin consists of mostly floor poses, some with assistance of a wall, and the poses are held for 3 to 5 minutes. By committing to stillness in each posture, Yin prepares the body & mind for meditation. The breath and awareness of bodily sensations assists in relaxation and not over doing it. I sleep better after Yin Yoga so it must help with reducing stress. Here’s a little tip from Yoga Journal’s online magazine:

“Meditation is an incredibly powerful willpower booster—the practice of returning attention again and again to the breath kicks the prefrontal cortex (the decision-making center of the brain) into high gear and quiets the stress and craving centers of your brain. Every time you bring your attention away from a wandering thought and back to the breath, you strengthen self-awareness and boost self-control.”

If anyone feels they are not strong enough or flexible enough to do yoga, Yin is a good place to start. I have good days and bad days with my strength, so on a bad day I can still do Yin. I feel a little sore the day after, but some mild stretching and Traumeel (homeopathic anti-inflammatory) usually help me work that out.

Slow down the yoga way..try Yin Yoga! (timesunion.com)
Yin Yoga: Deep Stretching Of The Body’s Connective Tissues (casapalmera.com)

Weekly Photo Challenge – Resolved

Posted on January 5, 2013 by csroth3

How unresolved my life is right now! There are so many problems hanging in the air that I feel like I’ve fallen into a deep well in the woods. I am confronted with the results of my poor judgment in the past and my limitations in the present. The only thing I have resolved to do is to find gratitude in each day and take one step at a time.

I’m grateful that my kids keep pushing forward with a good heart, regardless of obstacles.

I’m grateful to know that spring & summer will come again. I’m grateful that even in difficult times we can experience love, hope and happiness.I’m grateful that I can still move and do things to improve my life, and that is what I have resolved to do …… to keep moving forward with life, love and gratitude that I can still do something to create change for the better.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/daily-prompt-resolved/

Interferance

Posted on December 10, 2012 by csroth3

This always seems to happen to my schedules, plans and attempts to create health, discipline and order in my life. Something comes up, someone needs something or I have to go somewhere. It’s a good thing that I have a flexible mind and attitude toward life.

I started Yoga classes in October, but then I had to go out of town for a couple weeks. Of course that was very important and I have no regrets about giving up yoga class to be with my mom before she passed away. It just follows with the pattern of life adjustments that I find myself always having to make. I just started getting back into my classes last week and last night my employer asked me if I could change my work schedule, which would require me to find different times and days for yoga classes.

I said it would be difficult, but I didn’t say no. It’s hard for me to say no; I tend to be very accommodating. Sometimes that is part of the problem, and sometimes it’s a beneficial attribute. I’m working on becoming more aware of when being accommodating is or is not beneficial.

It may work out to my benefit this time. As I reviewed the schedules and possibilities it looked problematic at first, but I determined that taking yoga classes was one of my top priorities at this time in my life. I can not work or live well if I am not healthy in mind and body. Yoga has been helping me mentally, physically and emotionally deal with this stage of life that I was not prepared for. I decided to accommodate myself this time and make it work.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once my priority was set and my mind was determined everything came into focus. The classes at the times that I needed appeared, and a new work schedule became possible. I will lose a few hours of work but I don’t really care. I am choosing to take care of myself, and it’s about time.

Create A Beautiful Life

The power within can transform everything.

Category Archives: Yoga Quest