Dear Yogis & Yoginis,
My grandkids are great source of inspiration for me. When they were much younger (they are now 9 and 8) they provided me with a constant pool of rich anecdotes related to our own life experiences. I rather miss those days when they were much more spontaneous in their behavior. Now that they are older, they no longer throw fits of emotional outbreaks that I actually admired and learned. However, they are not beyond teaching me even now.
On a weekly basis, I pick them up from school four days a week, and take them to school once a week when they spend the night. They are different each day after school. I can always tell, on a Monday, when they did not get a good night sleep the night before, as they slump on the seat, barely acknowledging my existence despite my attempt to engage them in conversation. Some days they are bubbly and talk non-stop because they had a good day at school or a good rest the previous night. It reminds me of our own disposition everyday depending on our own experiences. Some days I feel strong and focused and able to practice a good routine of yoga. Some days I cannot stand on one leg to save my life. I have to remind myself that each day is a new page of my life's journey and no two days are alike. We all like consistency and expect similar results for similar activities. But the old saying of "Nothing remains the same" holds true in all aspects of life, including the practice of yoga. When we step on the yoga mat, if we open our hearts to welcome whatever condition we are in and accept whatever we can do in each moment, then we are living the yoga life.
"Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace." --- Epictetus ---
Namaste,
Clarie
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Excuses, Excuses...
Dear Yogis & Yoginis,
I am back on Saipan and the practice of yoga. During my trip to the States, I realized how easy it was to put my practice on hold with various good reasons (excuses.) I was too busy; the weather was too cold and I didn't want to take my shoes and socks off; it's too hard to stretch and bend wearing several layers of clothing; etc. etc. I had planned to continue my practice throughout the trip, but it was so easy to find any excuse not to.
In the past, I always carried a traveling yoga mat whereever we went and I would faithfully spread the mat out even in small hotel rooms. But during winter months, it becomes a real challenge. For me, the cold weather, even though I am getting more used to it, is still a tough time to get motivated. It is especially difficult to get up when it is still dark and the thermometer is registered in the 30's and 40's. Eventually I did manage to attend several classes at a nearby yoga studio and thoroughly enjoyed them.
We all have our own challenges in getting a regular yoga practice. I know some of you probably set yoga practice as one of your New Year's resolutions. But daily busyness, at home, at work, at social activities, and at sporting events, often offer convenient excuses. I am not one to condemn anyone for not following their New Year's resolutions. But by knowing and recognizing the challenge you are facing on a daily basis, you can set priority in your daily activities.
Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga set Svadhyaya as "deligently studying of the scripture and of one self." If we study and know ourselves well enough to direct our attention to the right path, we will overcome some, if not many of the excuses facing us daily, not only in the practice of yogs, but also in other important aspects of our lives.
"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence."
---- Samuel Johnson ---
Namaste,
Clarie
I am back on Saipan and the practice of yoga. During my trip to the States, I realized how easy it was to put my practice on hold with various good reasons (excuses.) I was too busy; the weather was too cold and I didn't want to take my shoes and socks off; it's too hard to stretch and bend wearing several layers of clothing; etc. etc. I had planned to continue my practice throughout the trip, but it was so easy to find any excuse not to.
In the past, I always carried a traveling yoga mat whereever we went and I would faithfully spread the mat out even in small hotel rooms. But during winter months, it becomes a real challenge. For me, the cold weather, even though I am getting more used to it, is still a tough time to get motivated. It is especially difficult to get up when it is still dark and the thermometer is registered in the 30's and 40's. Eventually I did manage to attend several classes at a nearby yoga studio and thoroughly enjoyed them.
We all have our own challenges in getting a regular yoga practice. I know some of you probably set yoga practice as one of your New Year's resolutions. But daily busyness, at home, at work, at social activities, and at sporting events, often offer convenient excuses. I am not one to condemn anyone for not following their New Year's resolutions. But by knowing and recognizing the challenge you are facing on a daily basis, you can set priority in your daily activities.
Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga set Svadhyaya as "deligently studying of the scripture and of one self." If we study and know ourselves well enough to direct our attention to the right path, we will overcome some, if not many of the excuses facing us daily, not only in the practice of yogs, but also in other important aspects of our lives.
"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence."
---- Samuel Johnson ---
Namaste,
Clarie
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