Detox and Self Care on Every Level

This is February and an excellent time to nourish ourselves lavishly.  Did I mention it’s February?  It’s that place in the middle.  Not quite the throes of deep winter and certainly not spring.  We are left adrift in this seemingly endless gray sky days and temps zipping up and hitting bottom.  In short it’s a difficult month to navigate without some type of negativity just slipping in and trying to take root.  I say no to that this year.  Let’s take February and make it a month to inspire and lavish ourselves in deep nourishment on every level.  Think healthy thoughts.  Do positive things for yourself and others.  Surround yourself in color – if ever there was a month for flamboyancy February is it.  For two weeks we will surround ourselves with ideas and notions for self care and good health.  And then it’s Valentine’s Day before you know it and we will have become so practiced in the art of lovingly caring for ourselves we will have no trouble lavishing our friends and special people with acts of kindness, chocolate and well, more chocolate…

How do we carry the notion of nourishment on the mat?  Easy.  How does a diet of twists and Tapas to help rid the body of toxins sound?  Or a handful of beautiful heart opening backbends to get the Self  love moving?  And then there is always the slowed down forward folds and hip openers to take the edge off.  Leave it the good people at Good Life Yoga to help you maintain your Good nature this February.  You are worth it.

To help inspire your acts of simple nourishment, I’ve put together a list of positives that you can incorporate into your daily life.  Simply choose two or three things from the many options below to do each day.  Shake your world up a bit and see what happens if you take on this challenge.  You might find that the first two weeks of February just slip by sweetly and you are happy, healthy and feel ‘full’ – on every level.  Join me!   I’ll have a basket at GLY with these ideas on small slips of paper.  Close your eyes and reach in, take two or three ideas and nourish yourself.

Food/Drink Nourishment:

Eat a dark green vegetable today.

Eat a handful of raw veggies today.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Savor one ounce of very dark chocolate with your eyes closed

Go for a low-sodium day – read all labels and no chips!

Severely limit or eliminate any sugar in your diet today.

Drink a hot cup of tea in silence

Prepare a plate of fresh food with three different colors of veggies.  Admire and eat by candlelight.

Make a soup from scratch.

Bake cookies.

Do not eat a thing after 8:00pm

Eat only plant based food today.

Eat a piece of fruit with dinner.

Drink a glass of room temperature water at every meal and an extra one after any caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you consume today

Chew each mouthful today 10 times before swallowing.

Self Care:

Three times today, remember to sit and breathe fully for one minute.

Enjoy an extra yoga class this week.  (I HAD to add this…)

Take a luxurious bath – soak for at least 12 min.

Chant Om for 3 minutes.  Sit still for 3 minutes and soak up the vibration.

Brush your teeth and tongue for at least 3 minutes – floss!

Climb into bed 30 minutes earlier than usual and read something inspirational.

Get up 30 minutes early and meditate.

Do “feet up the wall” pose for 5 minutes today.

Look in the mirror and say out loud three times– “You are beautiful today”

Sing a happy tune in the shower.

Buy flowers for yourself.

Buy flowers for a friend!

Take a 15 minute walk outside.

Put on a dance CD and dance to 2 songs.

Listen to a new radio station today for 30 minutes.

Buy a magazine on something you know nothing about – read , ponder and enjoy.

Put your pajamas on one hour before bedtime – relax.

Rub your feet with some great smelling lotion – take your time and love each toe…then put on snuggly socks and relax.

Connect:

Call a friend and talk for 10 minutes about all the great things in your life.  Then listen for 10 minutes as she/he tells you about the great things in their life.

Smile and say hello to 3 people you don’t know today.

Do a “random act of kindness” today – your choice

Do not buy anything today.

Give away your home baked goodies to friends and neighbors.

Pass along one great read to a friend today.

Place three of your favorite tea bags in a baggie and give to a friend to enjoy.

Choose to speak positively about EVERYTHING today.

List 15 things both small and large that you are grateful for.

Revisit your intention for the year.  Do one thing today that will aid that intention.

Forgive someone from your past by writing a letter releasing them and then burn or cut into tiny pieces

Send a “thinking of you” card to a friend.

Look in the mirror and say slowly out loud, “I Love My Body.”

Detox:

Give away or throw away 9 things you find lying around your home.  Repeat 3 times throughout the day.  You can also do this with your work space another day.

Listen to classical music for 30 minutes today.

Take a news fast – no internet, TV, or paper, or radio news

Set a timer for 15 minutes.  Declutter one drawer.  Stop when the buzzer sounds.

Throw away any foods in your kitchen that you will regret eating

Put all of your toxic cleaning supplies in one location.  Decide which three NEVER to buy again.

Add a plant to your home or office and enjoy the oxygen

Do a mini-declutter of your clothes closet.  Be ruthless for 30 minutes. Stop.  Give away or throw away whatever isn’t ‘you’ anymore.

Clean off one shelf.

Fix one thing that has been bugging you.  If it can’t be done in 30 minutes, or is beyond your skills, schedule more time or find someone to do it for you.

Give away or throw away something of your past that makes you sad, angry, guilty or ashamed

Detox guilt:  Give yourself permission to NEVER finish an unfinished project that you have laying around your life.  Give all parts of it away or discard completely with a satisfied smile.

Go to your least favorite room of your house.  Change one thing to make it more positive.

Step Back Into Loops: What’s Being Said at Good Life Yoga

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Land of Loops Continue…

We continue on with our rediscovery of these amazing loops of energy that create extension in our bodies.  When working with Loops your attention is focused on a small area of your body.  It is amazing that we can hold our awareness with such focus and yet continue to absorb all the vibration and alignment of the 5 Universal Principles of Alignment.  As if we are painting a beautiful picture, we have the vision/intention (UPA #1), structure (Muscle Energy) and creativity,(Inner Spiral) dedication (Outer Spiral) and desire to share our accomplishment (Organic Energy)and yet, we continue to look more closely, add a brush stroke here, a flash of red there, a quick touch up and a delightful twirl there.  And all the while we are enjoying the experience of observing the painting, being the painting and being the painter….whoa.  Are we getting too Loopy here?  Maybe, but I think not.

Loops simply take you to a deeper level of your practice.  And the deeper you go, the more you are delighted to find that you are infinitely fascinating.  Indeed the world is a fabulous place.  If you can go deeper; if you have the capacity to cultivate more refinement in life – then go for it.  Loops remind you to add flair to your world.  They remind you that sometimes great things can come in the details.  These small Loopy wonders illuminate the grandness of your structure and of your world.

Your Ankle Loop reminds you that you are worthy to stand on this earth.  Take account of yourself.

Your Shin Loop is a powerful sheath that proves even the smaller muscles of your leg delight in supporting you.  Look for support from all areas of yourself.

Your Thigh Loop takes you back so you can go forward with ease.  Take the best of you into the present.

Your Pelvic Loop confirms your existence on this earth.  You matter.

Kidney Loop affirms your individual power and keeps it connected with the Source.   There is true strength in Remembering…

Shoulder Loop frames and brightens the light in your heart.  You have so much to offer.

Skull Loop places your beautiful mind in line with the intention of your own sweet heart and the Universal flow of all things.   You are never alone, never isolated. You are Greatness itself.

And even as we savor these details that highlight all the intrinsic good, we never forget that these details, these Loops ride within the big energetic  flow of Organic Energy.  Indeed, we see that the edges of our painting are always expanding….

Go on, call me Loopy.  It won’t be the first time…

Anusara Loops – What’s Being Said at Good Life Yoga

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Anusara’s Loops

This week we turn our attention to the Anusara Loops.   Beyond the 5 Universal Principles of Alignment Loops are secondary flows of energy that help to create vertical extension in the body.  Loops are designed to bring sophisticated alignment to your poses.  They interact with one and other like interlocked gears and help to bring top notch optimal balance to all your stuff on the mat.  In short, you’ll fall in love with a Loop or two.  I’ve seen it happen.  “Kidney Loop changed my life…”

You’ve heard instruction for applying these loops in class even if I didn’t call them out by a name.  You’ve heard “lengthen your side ribs from your waist to your armpits, take the head of the arm bones back, move the shoulder blades deeper in toward your heart” Or “bow forward and look into your heart.” And of course, “from the back waistline, scoop your tailbone.”  The first being part of Shoulder Loop, the second, Kidney Loop and the third Pelvic Loop.

What are Loops?

Loops are circular flows of energy that rotate in a vertical direction and interconnect like gears.  Loops create extension in the body.

There are 7 loops in the body.  Ankle, Shin, Thigh, Pelvic, Kidney, Shoulder, Skull

Main concepts they all share:

1. Loops revolve vertically and create extension.
2. They rotate in opposite directions like gears movement of one clockwise causes the other to move counter-clockwise. (exception the pelvic/thigh)
3. Loops flow independently on the right and left sides of the body.
4. Loops may spin at different velocities.
5. All loops are initiated on the backside of the body.

Loops connect with the 5 principles:

1. Open to Grace helps establish Kidney loop
2. Muscle Energy helps initiate Shin/Shoulder loop
3. Inner spiral relates to Thigh loop
4. Outer spiral relates Pelvic loop
5. Organic helps initiate Ankle and Skull

Organic Energy Continues

Last week you were introduced to the technical aspects of Organic Energy and offered way to feel its power in the body.  We explored the differences between Organic and Muscle and shared in the revelation that each offered its own unique and powerful gifts.  We continue with the technical review of OE and then expand into the spiritual, emotional and mental affects of OE.  This very real energy is present in everything in the Universe.  As yogis, we tap into its power, assume it as ourselves and use it to our advantage.  Of course, in doing so, we become more capable, compassionate and creative individuals and the whole world benefits!

When Organic Energy is in balance we are courageous, fun-loving, free and creative.  We are gregarious, giggly and grateful.  I could go on and on – but come to class and see what OE has to offer you!

Organic Energy – What’s being said this week at Good Life Yoga

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January 7: 5th Universal Principal of Alignment

Organic Energy – Expand into 2012

This week and next we celebrate the fifth Universal Principal of Alignment for Anusara yoga with Organic Energy.

Technically, Organic Energy has 3 main directions of flow:

1. Focal Point out to the periphery along core lines.
2. Expands away from the midline.
3. Expands from core lines perpendicular to surface of extremities.

As you may notice, these are opposite in movement from Muscle Energy.  We’ve talked about the contraction of Muscle Energy and now we move to the expansion of Organic Energy.  Muscle and Organic Energy are what we call primary pulsations – the main flows of movement if you will.  With these two energies our bodies, hearts and spirits sing with the dance of the Universe.  While Muscle Energy offers us individual definition, Organic provides the reminder that we are part of the Universal and knowing this, we gracefully offer the entire dance back to its source.

We will explore the technical aspects of OE this week and next week work on how this Principle affects us on every level of our being.

Welcome to 2012 – let’s celebrate and expand into the New Year as powerful, awake beings.

Happy New Year! So begins 2012….

Fresh start, new beginnings, first time and brand new….these are our first steps into the New Year.   Today or this week you’ll be rockin’ the mat with your ‘first’ Down Dog, Triangle, Tree Pose and first Handstands of the year.  What else will be new for you this year?  Everything.  This is the fresh start you’ve been waiting for.

Whether you’re sitting here with a firm list of your affirmations, intentions, or resolutions ready for the New Year or whether that same list is merely a fragment of ideas floating around your head, the day has begun and it’s ‘go time.’   Settle into the support all around you for this most auspicious journey of life.  The deep pulsation of the Universe is drumming though your breath, body and heart.  It moves at the same time to remind you of your human existence; the solid nature of this reality and the expansive oneness – spirit – of connection to everything beyond this reality.  I remember, I forget.  I am me, I am You. It’s All Good.

This week we continue to explore the balance of Muscle Energy (ME) and Organic Energy (OE) on the mat to help you align, manifest and manage your dreams, hopes and goals for this year.  As many of you discovered last week, we all have certain tendencies toward one of these energies.  Learning to find skillful, balanced application of ME and OE is on the docket this week and continued discussion of your vision for 2012.

May life be filled with many, many good friends and family to celebrate all your triumphs and every tear of 2012.

2012: Resolutions/Affirmations (Balance of Muscle/Organic Energy)

This is it.  Days before 2011 fades away and 2012 bursts on the scene.  The inevitable ‘New Year’s Resolutions are at hand.  I never did like the word ‘resolutions.’  This suggests that you have identified a ‘problem’ and have decided to ‘resolve’ it.  We are all works in process.  The only problem you have is your ability to embrace your life fully.   So, what if anything is holding you back from experiencing yourself as amazing?  How do you want 2012 to look?  What are prepared to let go of?  What are you prepared to work for?  These are all good questions and they are meant to stimulate your creative juices, not overwhelm.

Let’s look at the tools you have for mapping out your 2012 plan:   Universal Principles of Alignment.  Not just good for your way around a yoga mat, they provide structure and expansion to every plan you might have.  Let’s take a look at how you might use the main pulsations of Muscle and Organic Energies to help you with your intentions this year.

Muscle Energy/Resolutions: Set the goal(s). Plan for Success. Monitor progress.

Organic Energy/Affirmations: Set the Intention. Surrender. See it already accomplished.

Both options have a chance to succeed. But as you may have already guessed, there are limitations to these singular methods and pitfalls when Muscle and Organic Energies move out of balance. In the first method with Muscle Energy there is little room for expansion beyond the goals; no room for something other or beyond the goal to materialize. You harden your ‘resolve’ and in fact limit yourself. And too much ME manifests into berating yourself when you don’t hit the marks, eventually spiraling down into, “I’m never going to get this, I have no discipline, I’m not good enough, I give up.”

In the second method with Organic Energy there is very little if any structure for your affirmation – it is firmly rooted in ‘air.’ You have freedom with your affirmation and no place to contain it. And too much OE looks like this: “If I want it badly enough then this would happen for me.” If I were more connected to the Big Energy this would happen. Spiraling into, “I don’t deserve this.” And – “oh, well it wasn’t meant to be, maybe next year.”

On the mat you know that you have to balance Muscle and Organic Energy to find the place in the middle where both strength and flexibility are optimized for success. So how do you apply this to your intentions? It’s obvious. You know the answer. Find the balance between the two energies. This sounds soooo easy. But it’s not. If it were you would be manifesting your intentions right and left. The fact is, you have tendencies toward Muscle or Organic Energy by nature and you figure if you just try harder with your own methodology it’ll work. Good thought. But it doesn’t have the best chance of success. It didn’t work before, and it won’t work now. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome…

Not this year. Let’s bring about our deepest desires for 2012 utilizing the tools of Anusara Yoga. Most of you have learned about the 5 Universal Principles of Alignment.

Let’s take a look at how they might look when applied to your intentions:

Resolution/Affirmation: In 2012 I am healthier in mind, body and spirit. (I chose this as you may find your intention centered around one of these.)

1. Open to Grace: May all that I think, act and say reflect my intention to be in better health in 2012. I open to the support of the Big Energy around and within for this intention. I am worthy to receive all the blessings necessary to see my intention into reality. I call to it right now. I see myself healthier. I am healthier. I notice the energy of good health in my body, mind and spirit. I assume it as myself. I remain connected and supported by this Big Energy no matter what the journey.
2. Muscle Energy: Specifically, it is my resolve to lose 15 pounds. I drink more water. I eat less between meals and after dinner. My mind is clear and calm. I meditate more regularly. I increase my daily activity level – more yoga, more walking, etc. I make all the necessary preventative medical appointments – from stem to stern. I know all my ‘numbers’ from blood pressure to cholesterol levels. My energy and strength is available to me to support all that I do.
3. Inner Spiral: I cook more creative, colorful and nutritious foods. I explore cooking a new cuisine. I am listening to soothing music. I challenge my mind with interesting intellectual material. I find fun, creative ways to incorporate exercise into my daily routine. The energy within me inspires me. I open to the Source of this great energy for continued support on this 12 month journey.
4. Outer Spiral: I have the power to commit to myself. I know that I am capable. I draw into my own power. I am resourceful. I can do this. I am healthier every minute. I draw to me information that supports and inspires my creative efforts to support my resolution.
5. Organic Energy: I celebrate my successes as they unfold. I offer it all back to the Source. Every attempt I make, however large or small does not go unnoted. There is great support for me, even when I slip up. I know that it just takes one breath to realign and step forward toward a successful outcome. I quickly let go of any self-defeating thoughts or actions. Through the many hours and days of 2012 I know that as I work, plan and sweetly hold my affirmation for a healthier self, I am also merely on a journey. I am grateful for my own power to proceed each day. I am grateful for the power that supports me along the way.

In formulating your intentions this way you have a better opportunity to monitor your use of both expansive energy (open to Grace, Inner Spiral, Organic Energy) and structured energy (Muscle Energy and Outer Spiral). You find a balance of Resolution and Affirmation. You’ll have the play of these two energies at your disposal for 2012. So here’s what your ‘dashboard’ might look like:

1. Open and Ask for Support
2. Set realistic doable goals that can be measured and monitored
3. Continue to create new ways to attain the intention
4. Support and commit to yourself and the intention
5. Offer the gift of this opportunity back to the Source with gratitude

This week and next we set our intentions/resolutions with all the support and surrender necessary for amazing success. And just think, on January 1, 2012 you’ll be all set to move forward into the New Year!