Honouring what was in 2012

In our Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy groups there is a theme we explore that I feel is appropriate for this time of year. The theme is Flow, which means that really there is never a conclusion, that the beginning of one thing rests in the end of the thing before it.

"Consider that there is a metaphorical birth and death process to living, where old ways of being in the world, that use to serve us very well, no longer do, so we make the choice to let them die, so that something new, a new way of being in the world, new belief about ourselves can be born and tried on in day-to-day life."Elissa Cobb - PRYT CD

Looking back at the year 2012, your road travelled, notice all the things that have served you well. To what extent can you honour what was? Notice what has earned the right to die, to be let go.

Shedding old skin can sometimes make you feel all shiny and new. It can also leave you feeling raw and vulnerable. Neither is better or best. It is helpful to notice what's happening for you so that you can move forward with choices that serve you best.

As you make your New Year resolutions, consider what it would be like to wear a new skin, a new way of being, even if there's an edge around it. What would serve you best in 2012? What would you like to explore, experience, receive?

What we call the beginning is often the end, and to make an end is to make a beginning, the end is where we start from. T.S. Eliot

Happy New Year everyone!

#1 Stress Reducer: Breathing!

photo source: shawnzrossi, Flickr, creative commons

To what extent are you able to connect with your breath, right now, in this moment? What does your breath have to say about the state of your being right now?

Obviously we are constantly breathing, but are we consciously breathing? Taking a few moments to connect with the rythmn of your breath can almost instantly calm your nervous system. A little breath awareness goes a long way!

Elizabeth Scott explores the question: "Is it possible to effectively relieve stress by just changing one thing?"

The answer is YES! Just breathe!

Learning stress relief breathing may just be my number-one stress reducer recommendation, because it can be used quickly and easily by just about anyone, at any time and in any place. You can use stress-relief breathing when you’re still in the middle of a stressful situation, and in doing so you can reverse your stress response and change your whole experience of a stressful situation. You can also do breathing exercises at any time during the day when you realize that you’re stressed, and calm your body right then and there.

Read full blog here: Breathing As Stress Reducer

My favourite breath exercise, used in PRYT, is the Falling-Out Breath.
So simple! Stop what you're doing. Take a big breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth like a sigh. Haaaaaaa... Much better!

A brand new day, a brand new way of being with myself

Today is the day before a brand new day, a brand new way of being with myself, no matter what the outcome.
To all of those who have stood by me, in the flesh or through the ethers, thank-you. I'm taking a piece of your beautiful wisdom in my little pocket as I walk down the path of healing. Life is amazing! The light always shows up, even in the darkest places. We are that light.

The Early Bird gets more than just the worm

Photo Source: Bruce McKay~YSP, Flicker, Creative Commons

4 weeks ago, I put out an Early Bird Yoga challenge. Students came to Yoga class 4 days a week for a month, early in the morning (7am-9am). For most of them this means coming in just before work. The results of this challenge have been more than I could have ever hoped for.

All of the participants expressed how it has changed their outlook on work and life in general. They feel more awake, more focused, less rushed and more capable of dealing with the stresses that show up in their day.

Apparently this in not an isolated case:

University of Bristol researchers found that employees who enjoyed a workout before going to work - or exercised during lunchbreaks - were better equipped to handle whatever the day threw at them.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1095783/People-exercise-work-days-happier-suffer-stress-productive.html#ixzz1dRcxAN1k

Just your luck! The Early Bird Challenge continues in January! Contact Mountain Waters for more info.

Yoga + Breakdance = Awesome!

I love it when the body movement arts jam together. This video shows a beautiful marriage between yoga and breakdancing.

Break ton Neck from Alex Yde on Vimeo.

Awesome! Anyone wanna try?

Message from the Hopi Elders

Photo Source: rob's lensonlife, Flickr, Creative Commons

We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour

Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour

And there are things to be considered.

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your truth

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold on to the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, and push off the river,

Keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.

See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally,

least of all ourselves.

For the moment that we do,

our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word "struggle" from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that you do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we have been waiting for...

--- THE ELDERS, Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona, June 8, 2000

Taken from Karuna Erickson's book, Heart Yoga (page 7)

15 Minute Yoga Practice

Photo Source: Orange42, Flickr, Creative Commons

No more excuses of not having enough time to practice. You can get the stress reducing effects of a Yoga practice in just 15 minutes!

What I hear the most often from my students is that they "just can't find the time" to practice at home. Sometimes I feel that this is the result of holding an unrealistic pre-conceived idea of what a Yoga practice should look like.

Micheal Lee, founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, describes a 15 minute Yoga practice that, given the opportunity, could create a little bliss in your day. Read the whole blog "15 minutes Stress Prevention".

Try it out! All you have to lose is a little stress!