It's beginning to look alot like...

So, I am feeling so thankful for many things. Today, I am so happy for family and friends. They are the warmth that protects us from freezing.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

year end

Well...there goes another year. Gone.

I think that I learned a lot this year. I learned that you cannot take time for granted. Someone may be here one day and gone the next day. It is out of your control. This year, I have tried to live every day to the fullest and to take it one day at a time. I also learned that I do not have to be defined by what others think of me and I am not here to only serve others. I think that this year I have grown to learn how to do what is best for me...not to do things that will harm me just because others ask me to. Every year I think I learn more about myself. Imagine how self aware I will be at the end of my life! I was reminded that the world is living and breathing and fragile and connected. Everything I do will affect the world and everyone whether good or bad. We are all connected!

Finally, I hope that I can send some happiness and goodness your way as I gather it to myself.

Weaving energy into something good…

Here is another article I wrote for the Valley Voice... enjoy!

I found a wonderful quote.

When I read it,

my heart swelled with love...

“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that- it lights the whole world. “ –Hafiz

Everything we do can bring positive or negative energy back into our lives and into the lives of others.

Everyday we are faced with decisions that can make life better; for us and others. Simple acts such as holding a door open for someone to smiling when making eye contact can cause a chain reaction of bliss that will come back to you. Sending the positive action or energy into the world not only fills the world with love, but rights the wrongs of others and ourselves. The laws of karma are taught in different ways to all of us at some time. The hard part is doing good things while expecting nothing in return. This does not mean that the goodness does not return, it means that we do not tag the good act before we send it out.

To turn inwards, grab bliss and send it out into the world can be hard. A simple yoga pose to help us approach this action is Ardha Chandasana or Half Moon pose. Start in standing Mountain Pose and move into Triangle pose. From here, with one hand on the floor or a block, lift your top hand to the sky and then lift your top leg, opening your hip. While in this pose, your chest is open, your top arm and leg reach out. Send the energy and bliss through your arm and out the tips of your fingers into the world. This pose will open your heart and soul.

the plants are taking over my house...

So.
Our 50 tomato plants are growing so fast, I am afraid that I can't keep up with turning the trays to make sure that they grow straight as they perch on the window sill in my kitchen! They are about 6 inches tall in some cases.

Today, they will be embarking on a new journey...they will be introduced to the warm sun and soft breeze!

is it really spring???

I am so scared that it will snow again.
The tulips in my garden are out and about 5 inches tall already! They have survived the last few months so I guess they will be fine. The garlic sprouts are about 3 inches high and growing. My tomato plants are on the window sill enjoying the brightness and trying to stretch towards the outside. I have planted yellow, plum and beefsteak tomatoes. I am starting a white bean plant too. (I had planted 3 beans and only one grew) I have 9 little red hot chilli peppers too. They are taking their time. It just goes to show how amazing mother nature is! She will allow us to start seeds when we need them and does her best to help them grow.

listen to your world

In my April article for the valley voice I mentioned that when I was a child, my dad had a poster (at least I think it was a poster...maybe an album cover) that he displayed right above his stereo. At the time I think he had a stereo that included one of those double reel tape systems. Could have been around 1974 or so. One of my earliest memories is seeing that image. He took a photo of the stereo system and the sign and I still have that photo today. It was like he was telling me something even before I could read. It was in my memory even though I could not understand it at the time. Later when I could read, and found the photograph, I discovered that it said, "listen to your world." Still I was unsure about what it meant. The photo was put away but the memory of the sign was evolving in my mind. Much later, almost recently, I found the photo again. This time when I read the sign, it meant a lot more to me. I had evolved and the photo had remained a snapshot in time. The meaning was still the same as it was in 1974 and as it was in 2008. To the adult me, it spoke directly to my spirit, relating to yoga, meditation and my strong environmental convictions. Funny how it was present through all my life and a piece of me. It is like a reminder throught the stages of my life. What will it mean to the old aged me?

Listen to your world...

When I was a child, my father had a poster that had only those words on it. As soon as I could read, I started on a journey to figure out what those words meant. Every thing on earth has a sound and vibration. Shakespeare once said, "the earth has music for those who listen."

A yoga pose that calms the mind to help us listen better is Upavistha Konasana. The name of this pose translates into ‘seated angle’ pose. Sit comfortably on the floor and open your legs out as wide and comfortably as you can. If you feel discomfort in the low back, place a pillow under your seat. Position your knees and toes pointing upward. Inhale deeply, then exhale, place your hands on the floor in front of you. With straight arms, walk your hands as far as you feel comfortable while hinging in the hips. Hold the pose for a minute or so and tune into your breath. Close your eyes and turn your ears on.

Whether it is in our favorite pose or in meditation, really listen to the world around you. Listen for the collective universal sound. Listen for your own sound with in the universe. Listen to your world. What does it say?

march article for the valley voice

Here is the article that I wrote for the valley voice for the march publication...

the magazine is growing more and more every month and I am so proud of my good friend for single handedly developing this great mag! She is expecting twins in a month so it is a great feat indeed! She inspired me to write this one...

A new beginning

As the day grow longer and the weather gets warmer, spring brings signs of new life and a chance to start anew.

When we practise yoga, every pose can represent a new beginning. Every time we move into a pose, the body and mind responds and remembers the pose. As well, we have a chance to move further into the physical and mental aspects of the pose.

New beginnings include bringing new life into the world. Specialized prenatal yoga is a wonderful way to increase flexibility, help to control stress and strengthen focus during pregnancy. Certain poses are best during certain trimesters. Overall, a pregnant student should only do poses that feel good because intuition is the best indicator for any student. Not only physically beneficial, yoga can be a good way for an expecting mother to connect with her child while in the womb.

A basic prenatal yoga exercise is as simple as sitting in a quiet and comfortable place while breathing deeply. Make sure that the breath is long and steady. As you begin to relax, turn your mind inwards towards the baby. With each inhale, visualize strong love and warm light filling your body. As you exhale, move the warm love down to the baby. Feel connected to your breath and the baby. Imagine the baby feeling the love and becoming enclosed in the warmth and light. Continue as long as you feel comfortable. This exercise can be beneficial to all yoga practitioners and can be used to create a connection with your inner self instead.
Here’s to a new beginning this spring!

the yoga teacher goes to yoga class

Well...today at lunch, I went to a yoga class with my manager. She is such a great influence on me! We walked over to the Yoga Plus studio at Yonge and Eglinton. The class was in the Anusura yoga style which is a type of Hatha yoga focusing on proper alignment. Anusara means 'flowing with grace' and Anusara yoga was founded in 1997 by John Friend. (see http://www.anusara.com/ for more) So, the teacher was very intuitive and helpful. She walked around the room and applied her knowledge by adjusting students as they needed. I was nervous going into the class because I recently hurt my shoulder while diving in Costa Rica. I left feeling relaxed and my shoulder hasn't felt better in a week! I can't believe how great I feel. Actually, I can because I know that yoga is magic. I will be back next week for sure. It seems that as a teacher, I still need my own yoga practise.

http://www.yogaplustoronto.com/

the nights are long...

So. They say that February can be the darkest and most depressing month for many people. I personally don't feel more depressed in February, but I do grow tired of the dark mornings and the cold.
I wanted to post my January/February article for the Voice. It speaks to the fact that yoga can help us feel better when we feel down and dark. It can lift your spirits and lighten your mood!

Yoga during the dark days or happy new year

During the darker months at the beginning of the year, some of us feel like we have the blues. During this time, we need to stay positive and light hearted. Yoga can help us do this. Among the many poses in yoga, my favourite Standing Forward Bend or Uttanasana, can help to calm us, relieve stress, reduce depression and improve sleep. Stand tall in Mountain Pose or Tadasana, arms at your sides; chin level with the floor, straight spine. Once you feel centered, inhale through your nose and reach your hands up to the sky. Turn your gaze upward, lift your heart and smile! Exhale, hinge at your hips and fold forward. As you fold, reach away; engage your legs for strength and support. As you move further, allow your back to release. Lower your head and allow your arms to hang towards the floor. If you feel tightness in the back of your legs, bend your knees slightly. Those with back injury can walk hands down a wall for support, only until arms are parallel with the floor. Become aware of your body releasing during the exhale. Hold the pose for 10 breaths. When you are ready, it is important to come out very slowly. Place your hands on your hips and start to inhale up. Keep your legs strong to support your lower back. Close your eyes and take a few moments to regulate your breathing. Please refrain from practising the Standing Forward Bend if you suffer from irregular blood pressure. By practising Utanasana, we can start the new year off by reaching for the stars, opening our hearts and letting go!

sit down already

So...as you know, I love http://www.yogajournal.com/. I receive daily e-mails from yoga journal and recently, I opened one that had a really interesting article written by someone who abandoned her regular seat at work for the floor! I loved the article and wanted to share it. Can you imagine how coworkers would react if you did this too? Anyways, this year, I am going to try to sit on the floor even more than I do know. Currently, I bet I sit on the floor one hour a day already. In yoga, we sometimes start our classes seated and at the end we return to our seated easy pose. At the beginning of our lives, when we were children we sat on the floor all the time and now later in life we are trying to get back to the floor. Now we often find sitting on the floor during class difficult. Sitting on the floor is probably the easiest pose to attempt but one that we spend the least time in. Sitting cross leg on the floor is often called Easy Pose or in sanskrit Sukhasana. (go to http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2481 for more info on Easy Pose)

Here is an exert from the e-mail and I have given you the link to the article below.

"As it turns out, spending more time on the floor in your daily life can have some real benefits. People living in floor cultures have more supple joints and stronger backs, not to mention far better posture.
Try spending some time today on the floor—squatting, kneeling, or just sitting. It might seem uncomfortable and awkward at first, but if you spend a little time doing this each day (try a little reading or office work on the floor), you'll find your joints begin to loosen, squatting will become more comfortable, and you'll see your yoga practice improve. Maybe some day you'll ditch the desk and chair altogether!"

http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1228?utm_source=DailyInsight&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=b&utm_campaign=DI_2009-01-02

"the breath" - December Article for the Voice

Breathing is something we share with the earth. Trees, oceans and all living things on the earth breathe.
When I was a child, I would spend long periods of time trying to hold my breath. Through my yoga practice I learned to breathe again. From this renewed discovery, I learned that I could control my life if I could control my breathing. If anxiety gripped me, it was the breath that got me through. While learning to speak in front of a large group, it was the breath that kept me focused. Learning to control your breath not only causes a distraction, but also allows the body to regain composure and to relax. I welcome breath, I love it. It can take me where I need to go and is a constant comfort to me.
Fighting the need to breathe is something that we do everyday. The body reacts to stresses in life and we find our selves shortened on breath, while some of us do not breathe at all. Let’s look at the breath of a child. You will usually see a breath that is deep, a belly that moves to the breath and a fearless and primitive reaction in the need to feed the body oxygen.
The next time you are faced with a difficult situation, stop and take a moment to tune into your breath. Is it rapid? Erratic? Retained? Forget your situation and start from the basic inhale. Take your awareness to the depth of your belly and down into the root. Begin a deep inhale through your nose, imagining the breath filling your belly with calm and strength. Continue your inhale, slowly filling your belly and then your lungs with air. Once you have a full breath, begin the exhalation. As you exhale through your nose, become aware of the anxiety and the stress leaving your body. Watch it go. Continue this breathing until you feel a greater feeling of calm.
I use this technique almost everyday, effective at work or in my personal life.
When visiting the ocean, I am reminded that my breath is one with nature and the earth. A very simple way to see this clearly is to listen to the ebb and flow of the ocean. Become aware of the movement and match your own breath to that of the ocean. As the tide retreats, you inhale. As the tide moves into shore, you exhale. The tide’s repetitive movement is mesmerizing and relaxing, the awareness of the constant ebb and flow of your own breath can be relaxing as well.