Happy New Year!

I hope you all have a wonderful evening ringing in the New Year!

If you are out on the mountain tomorrow, look for Maddox, Beckett and me!

If you are not on the mountain, I look forward to seeing you in 2012 somewhere along the path!

The road may be uphill, rocky or hidden from view, but together we will make a difference. Support each other by sharing your endeavors on the blog. Support each other by sharing your practice in classes. Support each other with thoughts of loving kindness.

Looking forward to January's topic of shedding and letting go!

--Charry

Happy, Happy Holidays!

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." ~ Oren Arnold

During this holiday season, may you find time to enjoy life's simple blessings and the beauty of each moment with family and friends. May health, happiness and peace of mind great you in each day of the New Year.

Namaste,
Sandee

Pass it on...

Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on;
'Twas not given for thee alone,
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
'Til in Heaven the deed appears -
Pass it on.
~Henry Burton, Pass It On

While reflecting on the topic of kindness, I keep coming back to idea of passing it on. A friend shared with me the work of The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: (http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/)

Everyday people--Everyday Kindness. Check out the story of The Muffin Men. It will make you smile. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U7mtS5fd1E8

Be kind...pass it on!

Best
Sandee

so much!

There seems to be an outpouring of love and kindness around Hudson these days! I hope that everyone is feeling the vibe and getting in the mood to give (and receive!). Remember, what goes around, comes around. Now is the time to send your energy out. You will receive 10 fold, I promise! Practice random acts of kindness! They will not go unnoticed. You have the inner resources. Tap into them through meditation and the physical yoga practice. If you feel depleted when you leave, your practice may not be serving you. Ask questions, try a new approach, move into and out of poses with more attention and kindess, sit with more generosity. The yoga will work! It is working at the Yoga Lounge in Hudson, Ohio!!!! Keep it up everyone!

Get on the blog and share. Make it your journal for the day. Give to the group. The group will give back!

--Charry

Find Gratitude

I am grateful for Sandee's post last night... please go back a day if you haven't read it.

To be honest, I am feeling under the weather.  Yesterday, I played full-court basketball with a bunch of high school athletes.  Today, I woke up sore and feeling muscles that I haven't felt in years.  It's exam week and since I gave my exam last week, I had no classes to teach so I lingered in bed, feeling tired and a little old.  

At 8:30, I thought of yoga at 9:30 or grading exams, but neither appealed to me in my lethargy. Perhaps, it was the kindness theme :) that suggested I deserved a sleep in - I rarely do anymore. Therefore, I started a documentary on Netflix - Waiting for Superman.  I had wanted to see it a year ago or so when it was in theaters, yet like many movies now - I wait for Netflix. I love going to the movies, but the way life has been so busy... put me in a dark theater... it becomes a $10 nap.  

So it wasn't surprising when my underused Netflix account had the same somniferous effect.  Before falling asleep, however, I realized two things: I gained a better understanding of how and why America's public schools are terrible and failing children, and secondly, how spoiled I was to teach at a prestigious boarding school like WRA.  

When I think of WRA and Hudson, and failing public schools across the country, we can only be grateful.  Yes, there are challenges. But we are so fortunate. 

I am reminded that gratitude is a matter of perspective.  When we limit our perspective to our own little aches and pains and frustrations and fatigue...we feel sorry for ourselves like I did this morning.  

Now, it may be the extra sleep that helped, plus the delicious Bruegger's Green Mountain hazelnut coffee... but I am feeling much better.  I will get on my yoga mat later today and practice gratitude: for being able to still run with the boys, for teaching where I teach, for spending time with family over the generous holiday break ahead, for reading Sandee's post, and for sharing gratitude with this community.

And even gratitude for the exams that must be graded (the ones I have read thus far are quite good!). 

As I write this, I feel almost silly and guilty for my petty complaints here.  Again, gratitude is easy when things are good; when things are tough, we lose perspective, and we can lose hope.  Find gratitude.  And I write this humbly, since I lose perspective all the time.  Something in writing this post... I will reread and remember, again and again, find gratitude.  

Namaste, 

Kevin

For the trailer for Waiting for Superman.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTfaro96dg

Be Thankful

I saw this tonight and wanted to share it because the message of thankfulness resonated with me.

With gratitude,
Sandee


Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something...
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown

walking kindness

The 15 minute mark is a big step with the meditation. Once you start hitting the benchmark, you start to "get in shape" and it begins to get easier. Not every day, but more days seem easier.

It's like starting any good or bad habit. You have to reinforce the habit for it to become a habit!

This morning, it was so tempting to see the snow on the ground and feel the cold air and head in for hot cocoa instead of walking with the group before our yoga class. But, the kindness and generosity of the group brought me outside and got me going. Sometimes, that's what it takes to keep the good habit going- the strength of the community!

So, from the kindness of the group that got me up and at 'em this morning, I send you all the strength of the group. Sit. Find the time. 15 minutes. Form the habit. --Charry

Start with yourself

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”~Marcus Aurelius

I believe we are often our own worst enemies. We put pressure on ourselves to achieve more and as a result often overreact to stressful situations, because the stress clouds our judgement. I have been working to keep the same inner peace that I feel after a yoga class with me. I think that being kinder and more patient with myself allows me to also be kinder to those around me.
Focusing on my breath gives me a pause button to slow life down.

Best
Sandee

milestone

I'm getting there. sat 15 minutes today. actually set the timer for 10 and then reset. Felt much calmer afterwards.

Had been in a whirlwind about Christmas stuff. When I used to journal regularly, I think it was meditation without the breath focus.. Sometimes I would just sit and look out the window letting my mind freeze. I've been doing a 30 min fast walk almost every morning. so will try the meditation when I come in. Emy

Kevin

Kevin mentioned in class yesterday that you don't have to wait until January 1st to "start over" or "begin" something. You can do it right then, right now, today, December 16th! And, you know what, that is what beginner's mind is all about. That is what meditation is all about.

When we sit, the mind starts to wander and think. That is what the mind is built for- thinking! So, we need to keep restarting. We need to keep beginning. Coming back time and again to the breath. So simple, yet the most difficult thing in the world!

Once you get even the briefest of glimpses into the stillness or the pure breath awareness, you want more. You strive harder. Not a grit your teeth and bear down harder, but a more skilled efforting harder.

That is the moment that you begin to look forward to sitting. It is not the goal- there is no goal. It is the act, the action in and of itself of creating the space for yourself to witness and come back to your Self!

Keep starting and restarting. You don't have to wait until January 1st!

--Charry

Any luck?

How is everyone doing? Thinking of the group!--Charry

ugh

I think the rain was affecting my brain. I just couldn't settle. Must have been the plans to do all of the Christmas shopping in one day- today. Yowza. Not even close to getting all of that done. It will just have to wait. I will have to get back on the cushion tomorrow. All the craziness of the season makes the mind harder to control. The senses are going nuts!

Hope you are having more success with holiday preparations and sitting!:)--Charry

Sqeezing it all in

Life is getting crazier. It is much harder to find the time to practice, let alone meditate (are they the same?:)).

Traveling and working like crazy about to happen, plus holidays, visiting old friends, taking care of my dad,...

The litany of To Do items.

Where am I going to find the time???? Middle of the night? Early, early morning? It is not going to be easy, but, then again, life is not easy. Maybe I will find 5 minutes in the bathroom to myself. Aha! That's it! That's when I will find time to sit!:)

Keep us all posted how you are going to do it!--Charry

Mastering the mind

“If you go on a hike and only focus on the details, such as the rocks on the path, you will miss the beautiful view every single time. Similarly, if you only look out at the view and neglect the rocks, you could twist your ankle. Successful people balance the two and are able to keep the details in perspective while staying mindful of the bigger picture.”—Alissa Finerman

I saw the above quote and I thought it was a perfect tie-in to the topic of mastering the mind. My "active" mind is always thinking, recalculating, pondering. Focusing on my breath has enabled me to slow down and live better in the moment, rather than worrying about what has past and/or moving to the next moment.

Earlier today, I was in a shop that I visit frequently looking for some gifts. I noticed a ceramic tile that I had not seen in the shop before. The design caught my eye, the color of the glaze compelled me to inquire. When I asked if it was new, I was told that it was new, but the artist thought it was flawed, so she did not feel right selling it. To me it was perfect and I asked to buy it. It is all a matter of perspective. What a shame for this beautiful tile to have been discarded, because perhaps it was slightly imperfect.

Best
Sandee

I did it

today on my hugger mugger cushion 14 minutes. almost made it to the timer.

Charry said she looks forward to it. that must be the key.

connecting to nature at this time of year I think that's another one.

easier for you out there in the snowy winter wonderland.

taking long walks every day.

the moon has been amazing.

thanks

Emy

No time...

like the present
for you
to lose
at all
for complacency


find the time. make the time. create the time.

make the practice the priority.

5 minutes to start. grow from there. take baby steps. be kind. you can do it.

--Charry

p.s. you can also blog. we want to hear what you have to say!

Be not afraid...

"All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears--of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before a Rotary Club, and of the words "Some Assembly Required."---- Dave Barry

I would offer a friendly edit addition to the above Dave Barry quote..."posting to the LY365 Blog":-)

Writing can be intimidating, posting to the Blog can be scary--what to say? was it too long, too short, just right? Just like yoga, writing gets easier with practice.

Through yoga, I have met so many people with great stories and experiences to share. In fact, sometimes my greatest take away occurs in an after class discussion. Think of this Blog as an natural extension of a conversation.

Don't let a fear of writing keep you from doing it.

Happy Sunday!

Sandee

Finding time

When to do my meditation? When I can find the time. I love to sit in the morning (before my brain kicks in and thoughts really start to race), but that is not always a possibility. Elena wakes up around 4:30/5am to sit.

I find that I can squeeze some time in right after I get the kids on the bus, before the day really begins.

I find that it is easiest to sit after I get the kids in bed at night.

I find that I have really started to look forward to sitting. It gives me a different perspective on time. I feel like it actually gives me time. It also gives me energy. It is so weird! Just tuning in, dropping, being kind and generous with this gift of 15 minutes a day makes all the difference.

It is one thing to think about sitting. It is another to actually put your body in place and sit. Even when the To Do list is incessently rumbling around, stay. See what transpires.

Find even 5 minutes. Sit in your car when you get to work. Turn inward. That is the practice.

Jump in and let us know what is working or not working for you.

Remember, it is a practice! Keep going. Start and restart. Sit, be kind, and breathe. Sounds so simple, but it is actually quite difficult. Make the effort. Make it again and again and again.

Have a great Sunday!--Charry

I actually find that I sometimes forget my Ujjayi breath on the inbreath.

Hey you know what it is? Why it's easier to write an email reply...it's because you don't have a blank screen in front of you. You have the email you are answering as a guide.

I love to breathe into areas of tightness, breathing in pure white light, brighter than the sun,
then exhaling white smoke back to the universe. I forget where I got this from, thank you whoever it was. It works for me.

Don't be shy!

Your thoughts are a gift to all of us! Please do not be shy! What is happening out there?

We will try to set up a meeting for the the Ohio contingency soon. It is free yoga day here at the Yoga Lounge today! Lots of new faces interested in the power of the practice. It is an awesome feeling to breathe as one breath with 30 people. Get into a class if you haven't yet today. Link your breath to those around you. As though you were part of a school of fish, move in unison with the group. Let go of your own practice and become part of something bigger. It is awesome!!! It is generous!!! It is kind!!!

TGIF!--Charry

snow!

Embrace the weather. Get outside. Go for a walk. Get refreshed. Breathe the fresh air and marvel.

Have a great Friday!--Charry

Breathe more!

"Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours." ~Swedish Proverb

This week has a full slate of "important" business/professional events for me. I have three presentations to prepare/present, a full schedule of team planning/organizational meetings, and whatever other surprises await.

I have recently been given the opportunity to lead the merger of three teams into one blended team. I am having to learn to evolve from scheduling time to achieve my personal contribution to the my team, to leading/coaching/guiding this blended team in transition. This process is both a time of excitement, but also anxiety for my team. I am trying to be alert to each person's evolution in this process.

My previous method of time management was to put my team member needs first and to compensate later with juggling my schedule to deliver my personal team commitments.I was so busy writing, editing, meeting, etc. that I had not allowed for time to think about breathing. To be honest, I think I took the breath for granted. But, as I started on my yoga journey, I found I no longer was comfortable compromising myself. I now know I am a better leader when I have taken care of me. Breathe more!

Monday was a day of juggling. Perhaps I had been overly optimistic in my scheduling, perhaps there were too many interruptions from unplanned events, perhaps, perhaps. Where did the day go? The office cleared for the day and there was quiet. I closed my eyes and found my breath. Previously, I would have settled in for a power work catch-up session, instead I was drawn to leave the office and for my yoga mat and breathing by 6:45PM. Breathe more!

After yoga, I returned home and intended to work on my presentations. I was greeted by my husband and pups and I decided what we all needed most was some family time. Breathe more!

Tuesday, I decided what I needed most was some AM yoga. After a morning meeting, I escaped for an hour for me. I enjoyed the change to take in a class in the day, rather than my evening routine. I headed to the office refreshed and focused, but arrived to chaos and spent the rest of the day and evening juggling and triaging. I arrived home flustered with a bit of anxiety about my pending presentations and where I stood on the preparation side. I decided I needed some meditation time, so I settled in to reconnect. Feeling much better, I proceeded with a plan and started writing. I made enough progress, that I treated myself to some reflective time to post to the Blog and research some topics of interest. Breathe more!

Today I woke early and attacked my day -- meeting, phone calls, prep, presentation one delivered, presentation two finished, meeting, coaching time and presentation three finished. I feel great, not because of the completion of the tasks, but for the inner peace of knowing that I am prepared and finished. I have been told that 90%of failures comes from two things: 1.) Not starting; or 2.) Quitting too soon.

Start breathing more...don't stop!

Namaste,
Sandee

Love!

It is never all bliss, all love, all kindness. It is just endeavoring. We are human. Anger, rage, anxiety, fear, happiness, elation, joy... the whole range. What is is just as it should be. Can we stay in the center, move from a place of kindness toward ourselves and others and engage peacefully? This is the way of the spiritual warrior (more on that theme later in the year).

Enjoy your practice.

When you don't think you can carve out the time to sit and meditate wake up 15 minutes earlier or go to bed 15 minutes later. Increase your will power and put your body there. You will never regret the effort. With each effort you plant a seed. With each seed there is possibility.

Don't sit expecting anything in return. Don't sit expecting "results" or a "zen mind", just sit. Explore. Be there, right where you need to be.

Thinking of you all!--Charry

Let it begin with me...

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."
~Mother Teresa

Reading this quote tonight brought me a flashback to taking piano lessons as a child. "Let There be Peace on Earth" was one of my recital songs. I am sure it was not very peaceful for my parents to listen to me pound the chords of this song, or remind me to practice:-) But, I do recall being taken with the lyrics of this song "let it begin with me..."

A good message for all!

Namaste,
Sandee

P.S. The song "Let There be Peace on Earth" has an interesting history, for more check out http://www.jan-leemusic.com/Site/History.html

So this is... Christmas...no, this is blogging!

Forgive me in advance, I am a rookie blogger - and a bit excited.

I posted a comment last week, talking of my travails in transitioning back-to-school after a busy holiday - and how I turned to meditation - and had a very good day!

In fact, a great couple days, so I kept meditating.  And each day, I gained momentum and found a modicum of peace in the morning which would eventually send ripples throughout my day.

If I didn't have fifteen minutes in the morning, I would try to sneak at least five minutes before teaching my English classes - so that I'd "Be Present" - in order to listen closely and discuss with my students rather than nod and share my answer or pose another question.  I gently pressed students to clarify and elaborate on their responses.  I cajoled them into responding to one another - to at least echo what a classmate had said before sharing their own particular view.  I listened with greater awareness as did my students and I felt a shift in the energy - they had taken ownership of the conversation.

In the afternoons, I'd sneak in a full fifteen minute meditation, allowing the dust to settle after a hectic school day.  These meditations would renew me more than a nap, because my mind stepped of the treadmill of "Do this. Do that!"  And allow me to check in with a simple mantra: "First things first."

In the evenings, outside of class, I held writing conferences that were meaningful exchanges with students about their writing.  We talked about the process of writing and the process behind their words on the page.  Candid conversations about effort and time invested were shared.  We talked about form and structure, using examples with analysis, but ultimately, it was about finding a voice and translating their ideas and thoughts into words on a page with clarity - indeed, a meditation in writing!

I could go on with this meditation on teaching, yet these are merely examples of how meditation leads to empathic teaching.

Through listening to the breath, we cultivate a practice of listening to others without judgment or expectation, but presence and openness, resulting in true kindness.

So I thank Charry and Elena for Living Yoga 365- and for the daily reminder: make the time to breathe.

In sharing on this blog, we create community - and send a message to a community far beyond our respective locales -  sending ripples that eventually reach distant shores.

Cheers to sending ripples,

Kevin

P.S. All this talk of ripples, couldn't resist...a little Grateful Dead... Jerry Garcia sings "Ripple" - click for lyrics.

Now, I meditate - best before lunch :)

On the breath

Slow down. Take a breath. We all need to remind each other and help each other to breathe right now!

Enjoy your Monday!!!!--Charry

One week and beyond....

Thinking about kindness, brought me to thoughts of the Golden Rule and led me to find this post:
http://zenhabits.net/18-practical-tips-for-living-the-golden-rule/

I previously thought of the Golden Rule with respect to interaction with others. The LY365 posts the past couple of days also made me think about how the Golden Rule relates to interaction with myself.

With life's demands coming from many different directions -- family, business, professional, charitable, etc., I found that I typically put kindness for myself at the end of the list. My yoga journey has provided a start to the path to make sure that each and every day that I make care for myself a priority. Not only do I feel better, but I know I respond better to the events of the day and I feel a sense of peace in being less reactive.

Spread the kindness! I invite you to join me in spending the next week trying Cheri Huber's suggestion of saying kind, caring things to yourself.

"Here is my wish for you and every other child, woman, and man on the face of the earth: Spend one week saying only kind, caring things to yourself. Say thank you at least ten times an hour, direct five toward yourself and five to the world at large. Compliment yourself (and others) each time an effort is made. Notice all the wonderful qualities and characteristics about yourself and those around you. One week. You will never go back. And your whole life will be a glorious meditation." ~Cheri Huber

Namaste,

Sandee

Loving Kindness

Hello!

May I be happy
May I be healthy
May I be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

(Loved one)
May they be happy
May they be healthy
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering

(Enemy)
May they be happy
May they be healthy
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering

(All beings everywhere)
May they be happy
May they be healthy
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering

Have a great weekend!--Charry

Be Kind

Sometimes kindness comes from going to bed early and getting up early. Sometimes, kindness comes from celebrating with family and friends well into the night and then resting the next day. Being ok with the rhythm of the moments is part of growing. Go with the flow.

I went walking at dawn this morning with some yoga friends before 6am class. Building a community of support around me has been a cornerstone to the transition from Vail to Hudson. I am grateful to the kindness and acceptance of the yoga community here.

Build your own support system. Use it when you need to. Reach out and ask for help when and if you need it. Use your resources. Having difficulty receiving is a form of self-aggression. Open up. Receive. That is my goal!

-Charry

Come join the fun!

For any NE Ohio thrillseekers looking for a great way to start your Friday, please join us for a brisk AM walk at 5:10AM and then the world famous Charry Yoga Stretch class at the Yoga Lounge at 6AM. We will depart from the YL parking lot at 5:10 AM.

Hope to see you there!

Namaste
Sandee

P.S. 0% precipitation in the forecast, so no rain/snow excuses allowed:-)

Sunshine!

Blue skies here. The change in my mood is palatable. Amazing what a little sunshine can do for a person's mood. It could also have been the yoga class this morning, or the cup of coffee, or the nice conversation with my husband, or the phone call from a friend,...or maybe my moods are, like my thoughts, constantly changing. Instead of getting down for being down, maybe I should try to ride the wave knowing that only change is constant. On the backside of being down is coming up and being up. Instead of attaching myself to these cycles of mood swings, how can I step back and witness the changes without getting so wrapped up in them? Add the pressure of everyone around us and their moods... Whoa! No wonder there is suffering.

Stay tethered with the breath. When you struggle to get out of bed, breathe. When a wave of anxiety and dread hits you like a hammer, breathe. Do what you can, without judgement. With full compassion and kindness. Life is not easy. It is not going to get any easier. But hopefully, our practice will keep us sane through the insane times we encounter.

Maybe, just maybe, we will become the peace we want to see in the world. Like Ghandi, can we become so ensconced in our practice of peace that the person next to us becomes peaceful simply by being with us? Now, that is something to work for!

Have a great, sunny, first day of December!