Planning ahead for a sane holiday season

It’s starting….Christmas music on the radio…red & green in the stores….last time I checked we hadn’t had Thanksgiving yet…but the holiday cycle seems to turn faster and faster.  This time of year it’s more important than ever to keep the things that keep you sane in your daily and weekly routine.  Maybe that’s yoga, maybe it’s a nightly walk with your furry friend or an early morning run.  Set those dates with yourself as non-negotiable and don’t let the frenzy of activity (thanksgiving dinner shopping, holiday to-do lists) take you off-course.

I had lunch today with my sister. It’s a monthly tradition that we started this past January as a way to make sure that despite the busyness of our lives, we would have an hour each month to reconnect and share a meal together.  Today was our 11th installment of our lunches and I do feel like we’re closer having had this focused, scheduled time.

The same is true of those dates with ourselves — the ones that fill you up, calm you and propel you forward.  More than any other time of year, these last two months are stressful!  We have more demands, more pressures, more activities and more expectations that are placed on us, or that we place on ourselves.  Here are some thoughts on how to keep the crazy out of your holiday season:

Re-think gifts – On my side of the family, we’ve decided to opt out of the gift exchange this year and instead just spend time together celebrating the holidays.  We might go to a Christmas program together or a funny movie…but we’re all at the age where we have all the stuff we need and what we don’t have we can purchase ourselves. Why not just spend some focused time together instead? Another option might be just buying for the kids…

Give back – We all have those melancholy, blue moments at holiday time.  There’s no better cure than to focus your attention on someone else’s need.  Whether you write a check or volunteer at a local shelter, shifting your focus to others can give you a sense of gratitude and peace.

Maintain at least 80% of your Jan-Oct schedule – I know we’re running out of shopping days, have to order the turkey, etc…but if you maintain 80% of your usual schedule of energizing and nurturing activities and rest, I know you’ll be better able to handle and even flourish in the buzz of the season.  So, go for the run,  take 10 minutes of quiet just for you, go to yoga class or boxing or pilates….so that you remain reasonably grounded and peaceful. We just have to be intentional about it…so that it doesn’t get lost…

Securing your mask first: Taking time to care for you

It’s Monday morning and I’ve just returned from a weekend retreat at a nearby monastery.  No agenda-filled women’s retreat or girls’ weekend….I just needed some time by myself to rest, reflect, pray, be still and listen….I immersed myself in my Bible and both classic and contemporary writer’s words. I took in the beauty of turning leaves, stained glass windows and the silence and comfort of an empty cathedral…

So….I’m a little rusty this morning finding the words to describe my experience…maybe they’ll come later or be reserved just for me…I’m still noodling on them, I suppose.

But  I did find a post at Yahweh Yoga that shares how we must get away and do the things we need to take care of ourselves before we can properly, joyfully care for others… Enjoy:

http://yahwehyoga.com/2009/09/04/secure-your-own-mask-first-before-assisting-others/

Real Yoga Stories: Yoga and Hiking

The following post is from one of my long-time yoga clients, Joe Potter.  On our summer trip to Estes Park, we had an opportunity to visit with Joe during his preparations for Long’s Peak. Take a look at his story:

I’ve been practicing yoga for about 5 years. I was 60 years old this year and my ambition was to climb Long’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. I hiked 83 miles in 10 hikes in the Park over a 3 week span this summer culminating in my successfully reaching the summit of Long’s.

I know my yoga practice helped me in several ways on my most challenging hikes. The terrain on my three hardest hikes, including Long’s, included large boulders. Keeping my balance was a challenge. I’ve noticed that even taking a week or two off from my regular weekly yoga can affect my balance. I know my yoga training helped me to keep my balance better as I climbed over large and sometimes unsteady boulders.

There’s one part of the Long’s hike that is called the “trough.” This section of the hike is a non-technical, but vertical climb of 1000 feet. The flexibility of my body, especially the flexibility of my hamstrings and calves were a great aid to me as I spanned the distance from one foothold and handhold to the next one. I was used to stretching that far with strength in our poses.

And finally I know I benefitted from the habit of centering that is such a key part of the yoga practice. Completing Long’s and the 3 other most difficult prepatory hikes were the hardest things I ever physically accomplished in my life. On each of those hikes, our rest stops were so important. And there were times, my body was just saying, no more. There’s no more fuel in the tank. But then I would center myself. I concentrated on my breathing and the present moment, again a technique practiced throughout every yoga class. I was able to touch a reserve of energy and focus that enabled me to take the next steps necessary. Beyond the physical help yoga gave me, this was the greatest benefit in helping me achieve my goal.

Acting on what you know…lessons from Colorado ducks…

It seems easy enough to trust what we know, learn from past mistakes, circumstances and apply that going forward?  But how many of us can look at our lives and see patterns –  maybe lessons that we needed to re-learn and re-learn before we actually got it?

We were in Estes Park, CO last week – resting, hiking and exploring the Rocky Mountains and we observed something at Sprague Lake that I thought I’d share.  We were walking around the lake; it’s gorgeous and we were looking for a spot to stop and take it in…the majesty of what was before us.  We saw a couple of rocks beside the path and took a seat…Before us were two ducks. One who was standing on a patch of grass, cleaning himself and the other was hiding in the tall, swamp-like grasses, paying little attention to us… We sat and watched them, enjoyed our view and then stood up to continue walking.  I glanced back to see that the hiding duck got out of the water and moved right up (very brave of him) to where we had  been seated, clearly looking around for food.  As we took this in, I felt very impressed by the duck – he obviously was acting on what he knew: where humans are, there tends to be food left behind…

So if the duck can do it…why can’t we?

What are the lessons in your life that keep repeating themselves? What’s speaking to you today…this week…this month? A great benefit from a regular yoga practice is awareness…Yoga teaches us to observe our breath…observe movements in our body…how we’re feeling….but it doesn’t have to stop on the yoga mat…The principles of yoga can extend beyond the mat…cultivating a greater awareness in our thoughts, our habits and in the lessons of our life that are speaking to us.

Frederick Buechner wrote, “All moments are key moments.”   What can we learn from our key moments? How can we better act on what we know?

It’s Never to Late to Move in a Better Direction…

I run into people all the time in classes and out and about, who express something about themselves with which they are not happy….maybe their eating habits,  fast-paced lifestyle, having no time to stretch or sleep or (you fill in the blank).

Several months ago, I started down one path with my business that seemed right.  Scratch that – it seemed good enough…But along the way, there was definitely a whisper over my shoulder saying, “You can do better…” or “Stop this – and start again in a new way…”  I continued to ignore the whisper, until it became a bullhorn shout…and then I acted.   I stopped,  stepped back, checked in with my “divine life coach” and set off in a new, better direction.

You can do this as well — with ANYTHING.   If you’re thinking that you don’t eat enough healthy foods, or don’t get enough exercise – don’t continue in the status quo of NOT doing what you know you want to do, and  continuing to tell others that you don’t do what you should…Stop the cycle…It’s never too late to stop moving in one direction, readjust and move forward in a better way…

As an example, think of  Tree pose…you’re standing on one leg and begin to feel that your standing ankle move, feeling a little vulnerable and underqualified for the pose at hand.  What would you do? I think you’d lower your balancing foot…stand in Mountain pose and breathe….and then try again…hmmmm…

This works in many circumstances (health, finances, relationships, work, parenting) …and with my own story of re-adjusting thought we might all need reminding…

Anybody want to share a lesson of examining, re-adjusting and moving in a better direction?

Human Trafficking Awareness Day – Jan 11th

Yesterday I attended an event here in Kansas City about human trafficking, an issue that I have a growing burden and heart for.  Most of us may think that human trafficking only happens in foreign countries or bigger U.S. cities.   Or that all the victims are foreign-born.  Sadly, these assumptions are not true.  Human trafficking incidents have been reported in all fifty states and is an issue that all of us should be aware of so that we can help fight this horrific crime.  Stats estimate that there are 27 million people in slavery today – more than any other time in history. Please take a moment to read, ponder, pray about the information below… We can all do something – even if it’s just becoming more informed and aware of what’s around us.

Here are some resources for you:

Red Flags – Signs of human trafficking:

• Evidence of being controlled
• Evidence of inability to leave job or move
• Excessive work hours
• Fear of speaking for themselves
• Rarely alone or seems to be under constant surveillance
• Insistence of one person providing all information to outsiders
• Isolated or cut off from family or friends
• Lives with co-workers and/or employer
• No passport or other identifying information
• Not able to take time off work
• Not paid well or paid very little
• Persistent fear, depression, anxiety or submissive, stupor-like behavior
• Poor living/working conditions
• Victim has bruises or other injuries
• Works “off books” in low paying jobs or in sex industry

If you believe someone is a victim of human trafficking, contact one or more of these:

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-3737-888

In Kansas City – Victims Assistance: 816-461-4673

Other resources:

www.sharedhope.org

www.love146.org

www.usdoj.gov

www.notforsalecampaign.org

New Year’s Tweaks?

So – here we are – 2009…and it’s everywhere — new year’s resolutions, ways to look better, feel better, reinvent yourself…? I decided to take a different approach. These are my New Year’s Tweaks…not overhauling and becoming a new person…but tweaks to my way of life that are doable for 2009…have a look…and hopefully some of these will ring true for you too.

1) Spend more time doing the things I love: Notice I didn’t say do the things you like to do or should do…I mean those things that you love, that put a smile on your face that lasts until the next day… For me, that’s committing to my own yoga practice, playing with my adorable dog, spending time with friends & loved ones and really engaging with them, and spending time in stillness building my relationship with God. What about you? What do you love? Are you spending enough time enjoy those things?

2) Say no more often without feeling guilty about it:  I’m learning this more and more – if I’m going to do what I have a talent, burden and passion for and do it well, it means saying no to perfectly good things (and great people) – that just don’t fit me, my vision.  I’m naturally a “pleaser” and this is a tough one…but it’s so important.  What should you be saying “No” to, so that you can “Yes” to something that inspires and energizes you?

3) Embrace life right before me and live in today: I’m a planner and a fairly analytical mind, so I often think about the future and the past…with not enough time in the present…That’s my natural inclination…This may seem like an easy one for a yoga teacher…but it can be difficult to embrace what’s right before us. This is our life. It’s happening and unfolding right now.  We must choose: we can worry or pine about what it’s not, or we can embrace and trust what it is.  Yoga helps us become more aware when we’re not doing that, and can help us move in a better direction.

4) Keep exploring and learning: I remember learning lots of things in school to prepare for tests but thinking I would never use that stuff in real life. Sound familiar? As adults, we have the opportunity to choose the lessons and make them our own.  In 2009, I’m looking forward to learning more in my field, exploring new ways to pair yoga with therapeutic practices.  Personally, I intend to explore beautiful places, embark on things that scare me (a little), and challenge myself.  I intend to have a bit more quiet, still time — turning the exploration inward. What about you? What would you like to explore in 2009?

So…no new resolutions for me…just tweaks on recurring themes. Tweaks seem more attainable, more reasonable…something I’ll likely still be tweaking well into our new year.

Happy 2009!

Christian Yoga – An Introduction

I teach two types of yoga – Demystified Yoga(TM) and Christian Yoga. When I first began teaching yoga and wanting to offer these two complementary, yet different classes, I worried that this would be confusing to my clients and potential clients.   Will they think I’m duplicitous in my teaching?  A very wise friend offered me this piece of advice: If you genuinely present who you are, then the right people will come to you (or something like that – it sounded more Yoda-like than what I’m recalling here.)

There is actually a growing movement of other folks like me who are Christians and also greatly appreciate the many benefits yoga offers.  To learn more, check out www.christianspracticingyoga.com or google “Christian Yoga” to see other offerings.  Some think these two things – Christianity and Yoga –  cannot co-exist, but I’m hoping to share some thoughts that might offer an alternative view.

First, I can only speak to my own philosophies and beliefs, and comment on the Christian Yoga classes I teach and have taken. There are many out there – and I’m sure the variety of class format, doctrine and teachers are as different as the many traditional yoga styles offered today.

I retain the aspects of Yoga that are so beneficial to our health and well-being: the physical poses/exercises and the breathing & concentration exercises and I leave out everything else “Yoga”.  The mystical images, mythological gods and goddesses, sanskrit pose names, chanting in Sanskrit – all gone.  And instead our focus is on Christ.  Rather than looking inward to find a power or enlightenment within ourselves, we look inward to be still, and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).  We don’t clear our mind to empty – but we attempt to let go of worries, preoccupations, negative, destructive thoughts that block our connection, our intimacy with God.

Christian Yoga is just one tool to worship and draw near to God – there are many: labyrinth walks, bible studies, corporate worship, prayer time.  Once our body is relaxed from the gentle movement of the poses, we’re able to be still and relaxed – and allow God to work in us – instead of our constant striving, doing, thinking.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of allowing ourselves to get out of the way. Just being in silent stillness and letting go.

In a typical Christian Yoga class, we breathe, move and stretch.  Each week, I read about 6 scripture verses interwoven throughout the class based on a particular theme.  Hope, Waiting on God, Love, Perseverance are examples of themes. At the end of class, during Relaxation Time, I read a longer passage and invite participants to reflect on the verses read and what it means to them that day, that moment.  Or, sometimes I read a brief verse several times and invite the class to meditate on the words, and focus their hearts and minds on God.

If you have questions about Christian Yoga or would like to tell us about a Christian Yoga class you’ve experienced/enjoyed in your area, leave us a line.

YogaXoga Shares: Love146.org & Child Sex Trafficking

In the last several months, I’ve been researching an issue that is so disturbing and horrific – Human Trafficking. I’ve spent many hours looking at government reports, browsing international, national and local organizations’ website working to fight this horrible issue. When we think about slavery, we think about history books – at least I did – an awful chapter of our history as Americans. But, slavery exists today – and in overwhelmingly higher numbers than our history books tell us.

Take a look at these staggering statistics:

• It’s estimated that 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world — that’s more than double the Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) now believes that the number of children trafficked annually is around 1.2 million. (2006)

• It is estimated that two children per minute are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

In my research, I’ve found many reputable organizations, coalitions, alliances doing good work in the areas of education/awareness, rescuing and restoring these victims and prevention. Hearing the stories of those young girls have so stirred my heart that now that I know this, I can’t ignore it, I know I must do something – even if it’s through seemingly small steps, we must do something to fight Human Trafficking. Today, I’m highlighting one organization that really stood out to me that I wanted to share with you.

Beginning September 1 thru the end of 2008, 10% of every YogaXoga Demystified Yoga DVD purchase (whether on www.yogaxoga.com/dvd, on amazon.com or in person) will go to this organization – Love146. Read on to learn more about them.

Love146 works toward the abolition of child sex trafficking and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. Love146 trains aftercare workers, multiplies safehomes, aids socioeconomic development programs in high risk communities and provides a voice for these victims of modern-day slavery.

Learn more about Love146:

http://www.youtube.com Search on ‘love146′ to view story…

Love146 Website

For those of you in the Kansas City area, the founder of Love146, Rob Morris is speaking at Church of the Resurrection, September 20th at the Justice Jam. We’re planning to attend and hope to see you there. Here are the details on the event: www.justicejam.com

You may be saying to yourself, “I thought this was a yoga blog…” and it is, but today I’m using my one small voice to tell you about something I don’t think we can ignore any longer… once we know, we have to do something.

Learning to Rest, part two

So my last post was about resting…given the time between then and now, you’d think I’ve been kicking back with a cup of tea and an eye pillow (maybe not together), perfecting this resting? Well…I wish that were true. I am happy to report that I’m finding my summer rhythm – fewer classes, more pockets of time where I’m able to do other things besides yoga – time for me, time with those I care about, time just to explore and learn.

When I first started my yoga business, everything in my life was integrated – business, home, family… so I’d teach a class, stop by the store for groceries, throw in a load of laundry when I got home and scratch off more to-do’s for my business, etc. While that might seem efficient, for someone who tends to always be thinking, planning, analyzing – it was too much! I was ALWAYS on, always thinking…

So, I’m trying something new – I’m adding structure, you might say… I’m very fortunate that with my class schedule this summer, I’ll have more active “work” days and less active “me” days…I know that doesn’t work for everyone – but for me, it’s freeing — instead of having this load of to-do’s, should do’s, should have already done’s in my head – I address what I need to for today and move the rest to the appropriate day in the future…

In yoga, you might think of it as focusing on fewer poses – spending more time in those – enjoying them, being completely focused on the pose you’re in. Slowing down, breathing…knowing that the “easy”, more restorative poses – are not so easy – as our mind wanders and resists being still & quiet.

As I’m trying this new weekly routine…what’s happening is that I’m left with space, actual pockets of free time – which I don’t always know what to do with…but that’s a good thing…my hope is to spend the summer – enjoying those free spaces of time – and resisting filling them up with more activity…it’s not easy…but I really believe it’s in those spaces – those quiet, still times that we’re rejuvenated, strengthened, inspired.

What about you? Share with us your stories of rest…