Greetings everyone,
My thought for this week is largely centered around eating meat or not eating meat. The reason is that is has been brought up in recent conversation with friends and in this link Why 'Meat Free Mondays' . So, I thought, being the educating yogini that I am, that I, too...should share some thoughts on the subject.
The idea of having one day a week designated as "Meat Free" for those meat eating readers out there, was promoted in a much broader sense through the above link, then that of coming from the perspective of being cruel to animals. It's not saying that we should all be vegetarian, but if you do eat meat, have you ever thought about making the conscious choice of not eating it one day a week?
The benefits for increasing our focus around a more plant-based diet are well supported in research. It's not only good for the health of our bodies, but for the health of our planet. It's also so much easier to find non-meat based foods than ever as our food availability is abundant.
I've been through a few different incarnations of vegetarianism for over 27-years. I did eat seafood and fish, but stopped doing so about two years ago...which technically made me a "pescatarian" for those years, not a vegetarian. The deeper I have gone into my yoga practice, the more I have practiced the first Yama-Ahimsa, often translated as "non-harming or non-violence". This refers to not harming ourselves, other beings or our planet...so many yoga practitioners become vegetarian for that reason.
My final thought on this matter in relationship to food choices is around consciousness. Know about the food you choose to nourish yourself with...where it comes from, how it's grown, how it's prepared...stuff like that. And of course, find a moment of gratitude for our fortunate situation in having so many fruits, vegetables, grains, soy products and nuts to choose from before chowing down!
Bon Appetit, Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Let's Get Physical
Greetings everyone,
My first yoga instructor in Australia, Murray, had a fantastic physique. I asked him what he did outside of yoga...was he lifting weight, doing cardio? "No", he said, "just yoga". I didn't believe him. I thought, how can you look like that and just be doing yoga?
It took many years to open my mind to the idea that the practice of yoga could be that good. Now, I believe his words...it works. I often write about how yoga is more than simply a physical practice. When the sage Patanjali penned the yoga sutras some 2,000 plus years ago and coined the term "Ashtaa-angha" yoga (eight-limbed path), only breath work (pranayama) and poses (asana) are physical in nature, the other six have to do with behavior and finding stillness and higher connection through a meditative path.
However, undertaking the physical path of yoga is the most familiar route in our culture and DOES have so many incredible benefits. When I recently flew to Nashville the next morning my brother and I attended a local Vinyasa class. I hadn't slept well the night before and my body was reflecting the plane seat posture. I was stiff and uncertain as to what the unfamiliar class had in store for me. But, alas, I was not disappointed. The class was great, I was able to connect as a student into the practice rather than as a teacher and my body felt revived. As a result, so did my spirit.
If you have no desire to learn about the philosophical aspect of yoga-so be it. You can still benefit from the extraordinary physical benefits the practice has to offer. It is a practice that offers so much that we have the option of choosing how deep we wish to dive. Here is a link to yoga as building our strength. Can Yoga Replace Strength Training? - Gaiam Life.
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
My first yoga instructor in Australia, Murray, had a fantastic physique. I asked him what he did outside of yoga...was he lifting weight, doing cardio? "No", he said, "just yoga". I didn't believe him. I thought, how can you look like that and just be doing yoga?
It took many years to open my mind to the idea that the practice of yoga could be that good. Now, I believe his words...it works. I often write about how yoga is more than simply a physical practice. When the sage Patanjali penned the yoga sutras some 2,000 plus years ago and coined the term "Ashtaa-angha" yoga (eight-limbed path), only breath work (pranayama) and poses (asana) are physical in nature, the other six have to do with behavior and finding stillness and higher connection through a meditative path.
However, undertaking the physical path of yoga is the most familiar route in our culture and DOES have so many incredible benefits. When I recently flew to Nashville the next morning my brother and I attended a local Vinyasa class. I hadn't slept well the night before and my body was reflecting the plane seat posture. I was stiff and uncertain as to what the unfamiliar class had in store for me. But, alas, I was not disappointed. The class was great, I was able to connect as a student into the practice rather than as a teacher and my body felt revived. As a result, so did my spirit.
If you have no desire to learn about the philosophical aspect of yoga-so be it. You can still benefit from the extraordinary physical benefits the practice has to offer. It is a practice that offers so much that we have the option of choosing how deep we wish to dive. Here is a link to yoga as building our strength. Can Yoga Replace Strength Training? - Gaiam Life.
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sometimes It Takes Courage
Greetings everyone,
This weeks post is a day later than usual as I have just returned from Music City, Nashville, TN where I spent 5-days visiting with my brother, Ken. I have such feelings of gratitude to have a relationship with my sibling that deepens and continues to grow as we get older.
Being in Tennessee and traveling to their State Park, Fall Creek Falls, it reminded me of how much variation exists between each of these United States. The local accent sounded so foreign to my ear that is tuned to Southern Californian wave lengths and intonations. The landscape alone had me reflecting on the seemingly fearlessness of explorer's who would of had to "whack" their way through such thickly wooded terrain and navigate rivers to unknown destinations. What courage must have been present in looking into the unknown.
My thought of the week is that of courage. When we step more deeply into our yoga practice, we can be met with many challenges. Some physical, some emotional and spiritual. As we look a bit deeper into our own selves with increased awareness, paying attention to our reaction without judging, we often need to have courage to see what is present.
Yoga teaches us to just "be" with whatever is facing us in that moment. It may be change, fear, dissatisfaction, love or any other emotion. By recognizing WHAT it is we are feeling, we can teach ourselves to not react to it. Take a deep breath and turn inward. Feel that you're heart can remain open and steady even if it gets a bit scary!
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
This weeks post is a day later than usual as I have just returned from Music City, Nashville, TN where I spent 5-days visiting with my brother, Ken. I have such feelings of gratitude to have a relationship with my sibling that deepens and continues to grow as we get older.
Being in Tennessee and traveling to their State Park, Fall Creek Falls, it reminded me of how much variation exists between each of these United States. The local accent sounded so foreign to my ear that is tuned to Southern Californian wave lengths and intonations. The landscape alone had me reflecting on the seemingly fearlessness of explorer's who would of had to "whack" their way through such thickly wooded terrain and navigate rivers to unknown destinations. What courage must have been present in looking into the unknown.
My thought of the week is that of courage. When we step more deeply into our yoga practice, we can be met with many challenges. Some physical, some emotional and spiritual. As we look a bit deeper into our own selves with increased awareness, paying attention to our reaction without judging, we often need to have courage to see what is present.
Yoga teaches us to just "be" with whatever is facing us in that moment. It may be change, fear, dissatisfaction, love or any other emotion. By recognizing WHAT it is we are feeling, we can teach ourselves to not react to it. Take a deep breath and turn inward. Feel that you're heart can remain open and steady even if it gets a bit scary!
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Tree Hugger
Greetings everyone,
Yesterday, on the 4th of July (Independence Day here in the USA), I was watching a National Geographic show on Yosemite National Park. What struck me yet again, was the stunning beauty of not only the park, but the giant Sequoias that are indigenous to the area. I sat watching this program with a compelling feeling in my chest and as I observed my physical reaction to this show, I realized that the feeling was one of pure beauty.
I have been to Yosemite many times and stood as close as possible to giant sequoias. In having that as a past experience, I could ellicit the same visceral reaction through seeing the images on TV, even though I wasn't physically there...I felt as though I were. It was grounding and wonderful and yet again, I felt awestruck.
One of the teaching cues I give during a yoga class is to "spread your arms out wide as though you're hugging a giant sequoia". As I say this to my class, I get a feeling of my heart pressing into the bark of these giant living things. I feel connected to them, as though their 3,000 years of being on this planet can teach me something and if I open my heart directly to the tree...maybe some of that wisdom will seep into me!
What really blew me away was the comment during the program of some of these sequoias being around when Cleopatra ruled...CLEOPATRA! That was enough to throw things into perspective. It made me reflect that our current time on this planet is limited and goes by so very quickly. That I need to reach out, open my heart, allow wisdom of other beings to be part of my own growth and to enjoy the present moment.
My thought for this week is to ask you to take a moment to visualize being in the presence of something that has been around for 3,000 years. Perhaps, like me, you will feel humbled by that and all is has seen.
Australia Retreat: Deposits are now being received for the upcoming Yoga Retreat to Australia. Visit www.desertyogatherapy.com/retreats.htm for more details and information. We are on the cusp of having a viable interest and are looking for commitment to attending. Please let me know if you would like to go!
Now...go hug a tree!
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
Yesterday, on the 4th of July (Independence Day here in the USA), I was watching a National Geographic show on Yosemite National Park. What struck me yet again, was the stunning beauty of not only the park, but the giant Sequoias that are indigenous to the area. I sat watching this program with a compelling feeling in my chest and as I observed my physical reaction to this show, I realized that the feeling was one of pure beauty.
I have been to Yosemite many times and stood as close as possible to giant sequoias. In having that as a past experience, I could ellicit the same visceral reaction through seeing the images on TV, even though I wasn't physically there...I felt as though I were. It was grounding and wonderful and yet again, I felt awestruck.
One of the teaching cues I give during a yoga class is to "spread your arms out wide as though you're hugging a giant sequoia". As I say this to my class, I get a feeling of my heart pressing into the bark of these giant living things. I feel connected to them, as though their 3,000 years of being on this planet can teach me something and if I open my heart directly to the tree...maybe some of that wisdom will seep into me!
What really blew me away was the comment during the program of some of these sequoias being around when Cleopatra ruled...CLEOPATRA! That was enough to throw things into perspective. It made me reflect that our current time on this planet is limited and goes by so very quickly. That I need to reach out, open my heart, allow wisdom of other beings to be part of my own growth and to enjoy the present moment.
My thought for this week is to ask you to take a moment to visualize being in the presence of something that has been around for 3,000 years. Perhaps, like me, you will feel humbled by that and all is has seen.
Australia Retreat: Deposits are now being received for the upcoming Yoga Retreat to Australia. Visit www.desertyogatherapy.com/retreats.htm for more details and information. We are on the cusp of having a viable interest and are looking for commitment to attending. Please let me know if you would like to go!
Now...go hug a tree!
Peace and Namaste',
Jayne
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