Week 3 Yoga November

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: are grouped in one because I don't have much to report on except my limitations are exposing themselves! My left side is very tense and is restricting my postures. I have discovered though, the body is mulitfacited. What I mean by that is there is always a way you just have to figure it out. It might not be the route you think it is. That a lot of the limitations are in your mind, either you're pushing a cart uphill, not really paying attention to your body or holding onto "stuff" this is where the detox is taking effect. Letting go of "stuff", frees up the meridians/ nadi's (energetic pathways in the body), which has an effect on the physicality. Self- discovery asana style. Besides this, happier than ever! Even if my sister is showing signs of "Bridezilla". . .

Thursday: Totally ungrounded today because it was brought to my attention, the 'Food Safety Modernization Act' an attempt at banning organic farming AND access to natural therapies and education in Europe. The link has the petition attached. If you value your rights to choose your own healthcare and your own NON GM food then please sign up and pass it on. Consequently, I felt pain in my back, plus the same niggly right hip flexor, which I had to work around. I made the time to "zen" and am using my HOMEOPATHIC anti-inflammatory for the pain- proudly! (in case you don't follow the link, they specifically want to ban homeopathy, herbs and nutritional supplements).
Besides that, looking at my salad and being grateful it is organic. Am starting to read an inspiring book "Authenticity Accelerator" by Robert Rabbin...

Friday: Ahh Friday again! I have a long day of clients, love my clients! Have I even mentioned that yet? I've been so caught up in my yogic transformation, I have never said just how much I appreciate these people. They are the reason I do, love, live and breathe my work. I thank each and every one of them : )
Another thing dawned on me, the silence consistent yoga practice is cultivating, brings much more clarity and confidence.

Saturday & Sunday: Totally sluggish from the yoga, feels like detox. Aches and pains, headaches, blah. Obviously the physical aspect of it is testing my body, muscles, ligaments but this feels deeper. Kefir making, organic shopping, yoga, sun, sister, reading, blogging, tree hugging and friend phone catch up. Just how I like it xx

Week 2 Yoga November



Couldn't resist  a picture of the sky.... beauiful day


Monday: Cutest thing happened! I was in the middle of my sun salutations and while in downward dog I noticed out the corner of my eye, the tiniest, bright green caterpillar! So small, I'm surprised he even caught my eye in the dim lighting. He's a lucky thing because I finished my yoga and took him outside where he belonged. Besides that I'm happy to be drama free this morning. Yoga keeps my feet firmly planted, while everything else seems to whizz by. Namaste.

Tuesday: A very therapeutic day for me. I started the day with Art Therapy. I hadn't had a session with my therapist for over a year and while reflecting my progress I realised I am a completely different person to who I was back then. 1.5 years ago, I was in a different place, my my how far we come and how much better do we get! Well, that's the plan  ;) One day I hope to do a course, just for myself...

I've been doing a lot of back bends, which naturally strengthen your lower back and I can feel some mild discomfort. I was thinking this morning "oh hmmm maybe I should hold back or something, I don't want to get arthritis". My lovely art therapist brought to my attention that since when does yoga do that?!? Crazy fear based thought. I guess I treat many people with lower back issues, likely from not ENOUGH yoga, or exercise for that matter.


Wednesday: It's getting easier to wake up in the mornings. After yoga I made an AMAZING new juice concoction. It's very simple but it works! I took a risk and juiced a big stalk of fresh aloe (the dark green variety), 1/2 a lemon, added a tablespoon of MSM (organic sulphur) powder and a shot of birch juice by Weleda (the Elixir range). It didn't look great but not the worst, I diluted it with water, contemplated adding stevia.... and sipped it slowly. Surprisingly very refreshing! A touch slimy because of the aloe but I'll keep this little ritual up for a while, see if I start turning green. Outdoor personal training session after lunch today.

Thursday: Recovery from the trainer! Mild yoga session, clearly my flexibility has been restricted! Taking it in my stride. I made another aloe juice and this time with mint and ginger added- eeek, it has to be good for me! The reward was a super yum blackberry- vanilla smoothie



Blackberry & Vanilla Smoothie

Smoothie...
Black berries (frozen organic)
Chia seed
Sun Warrior protein powder (I'm convinced is the BEST protein powder on the planet)
Handful of parsley (for extra green goodness)
Maca
Vanilla bean
Pinch of stevia
Water

My thought for the day... the restrictions and closed doors in life are as important as the progressions. Going with the flow is about allowing the stops as well as the starts; this to me Universal Divine Timing.

We think we know better but we really don't. My babushka always tells me of a story when the war ended and she was at a camp in Germany. As soon as the news was heard, thousands of people wanted to return and they did, only to be shot dead by their own for being "traitors" (even though it was the Germans that took them- go figure?!? Say no to crazy politicians). She had wanted to go so badly and had many reasons to, family, a child she left to her sister and she became so sick she was hospitalised and she missed her opportunity. My babushka, a Taurean, who survived war, starvation etc is no shrinking violet but she was ill and was so distraught over being held back. She is also religious and at that moment questioned why God would do that to her. Sometimes we really want something, sometimes we think it's for the best. My thought for the day is go with the flow more and allow life to guide you a little. Make choices, for sure but see which doors open and which ones shut. The easier you flow the less the shut doors will rock your ego.

Friday: Ouchy today, my hip flexors are tight. It seems to me strength training is counter productive to yoga. I feel I'm starting from the beginning again!

Saturday: Again rigid from training and traditionally I'm not supposed to do any yoga for a couple days (wink wink). So no inversions and focussing on restoration and flexibility because I seem to have taken a step backward. Happy it's Saturday : )

Sunday: Tired waking up today. Walked the dogs and started on my yoga except noticed my right hip flexor is quite painful. I wasn't able to do what I'd like to have and will finish the day off with lots of stretches and some meditation. Right now, I'm off to the Vegan Festival ...

Week 1 Yoga November

Monday: I havent started as fresh as I'd like to have... In my enthusiasm I decided to start early and with gusto. Too many inverted postures (Shoulderstand, Wheel, Downward Dog) left me with blood shot eyes and a dizzy feeling for the rest of the day. Still feeling flakey so yoga today is about restoration. I even copped a bruised, cut elbow and donk to the head. I'll be fine tomorow.

It only just occured to me (through a client, the best way to learn!) that I'm already detoxing. The foggy, cold feeling and bad sleep, vivid dreams etc are all signs of detox. The dreams could be part of the Halloween energy that just happened. Interesting start.

Tuesday: Feeling MUCH better though my yoga form wasn't so perfect. I started judging myself but accepted it as it was. My body has a long way to go! I looked at it and thought, so much potential! Why didn't I do this sooner?
Finished off with the 5 Tibetan Rites. These are 5 ancient Tibetan yoga exercises for anti aging and rejuvenation. You can download a free ebook via the link. I got onto these a couple years ago and I really like them. They are simple and effective and I use them daily. The story behind it is interesting.

Wednesday: Feeling even better today! I'm sore in all the right areas and yoga practice showed some progress. I noticed there is inbalance between the right and left sides of the body, this is normal but it's something I'd like to pay more attention to correcting. My left side needs more work and my core does too.
On a different level I'm noticing various thoughts, trying to deter me from my commitment.

Thursday: Starting to feel a lull again, the natural mid to late week lull. Yoga was very good again this morning, I notice I am better after a walk, first thing. It seems to flow better. A walk then yoga and then I start my day. All Ok though, feeling good about my yoga goal.

Friday: Always love Fridays! Today is no exception. My Tibetan Rites, a walk and my yoga practice, which again was succesful except I'm really noticing my left side. Also, I'm developing awareness of "stuff" that comes up (thoughts, images, feelings) during a posture, which normally I wouldn't notice. I think it's encourgaing more consistent awareness, so I'm now conscious of allowing myself to acknowledge this "stuff". Sometimes I listen and breathe through it and sometimes it's more stubborn. It fascinates me.

Saturday: The morning is better for standing postures and balancing and the evening is best for flexibility and meditation. This morning I was tired and I went to bed early, had good sleep but I felt I needed more. My body is "good" sore and no doubt healing.  Something else I'm noticing that daily yoga helps is regulate my sleep cycle. I have always been a light sleeper and I'm consistently restless before bed. My mind is quite active and prevents me from settling down. I've only had one restless night this week! Let's hope this continues. Besides that I was doing some reading on my comp and came across this girl's story . It's very sad, be grateful for everything you have, fate can be cruel sometimes.

Sunday: Meditation and yoga was again very good, I'm seeing natural progression. Wondering how I'll react to a plateau? I have a house visit for acupuncture treatment today. Had a couple pictures taken for curiosity's sake and I am critisizing myself! Not as much over fom etc but how I look! The dreaded comparison. I should be this way and look that way etc etc. Now I MUST post them if only to change my own perception and quiet the critical inner voice...




Ustrasana- Camel Pose 




Urdhva Dhanurasana- Upward Bow


 


Natarajasana- Dancer's Pose

 




Virabhadrasana I- Warrior Pose I (with back bend)

   
 Well that's week 1 done! Looking forward to week 2....