Simple De-Stressing Movements to Practice throughout the Busy Holiday Season

Here are some simple movements we can all do to de-stress through the holidays.

The movements focus on our brain stem—which controls breathing, heart rate, stress response, and all the other automatic functions of the body—to help release tension and bring your mind to a relaxed, meditative state.

1. Breathe through your abdomen. Take deep breaths from your abdomen (your belly should rise as you inhale and sink as you exhale) to provide your body and brain with sufficient oxygen. This releases the spine’s tension, relaxes the central nervous system, fills the brain and body with vitality, facilitates digestion, and eases drowsiness.

2. Tap your brain. Using the index and middle fingers of both hands, start at the temple and very gently tap across the top of your skull, moving back to front and side to side randomly. This very simple and gentle move increases blood flow to the brain and almost immediately improves focus. (Caveat: It can also make some people slightly dizzy.)

3. Spread your arms. Sitting at your desk, your shoulders can become stiff and block the flow of energy through your body.

4. Rotate your neck. Neck and shoulder stiffness hinders the blood and oxygen flows to the brain, keeping you from having a clear head. By slowing rotating your neck, you refresh your neck and spine, and stimulate your central nervous system.

Ilchi Lee, founder of Dahn Yoga, and founder and president of the International Brain Education Association in Sedona, Ariz. (brainwavevibration.com) developed these moves to help people with stress. Check it out.

Exercise and Deep Breathing - Why they are important for people

Did you know that stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses in many individuals. Stress also affects the immune system, which protects us from many serious diseases. Tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the U.S. each year.

So, knowing that, we can each do what we can to reduce the stress in our lives by choosing healthy behaviors.

Exercise and learning to breathe deeply are two stress-busters that are known to combat the negative consequences of stress.

Endorphins are released in our bodies when we exercise. Endorphins consist of two parts: endo- and -orphin; these are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine, intended to mean "a morphine like substance originating from within the body." Releasing endorphins brings about a sense of well-being and helps us fight depression.

Relaxing and breathing deeply can help our bodies and minds rest and rejuvenate. These Breathing exercises are an ideal way to relieve stress in that they’re fast, simple, free, and can be performed by just about anyone. They can also be done anywhere and at virtually any time. This makes stress relief breathing exercises one of my most popular and convenient tension tamers.

By taking time for both - exercise and deep breathing we will reduce the stress and the pressure that we put on ourselves. Try it today!

Pigeon Pose Should Never Hurt Your Knee

While practicing yoga, any painful sensation in the knee joint should be taken very seriously. If you are feeling pressure in the front of the knee while in Pigeon Pose, it may mean your hips are tight.

Here are some poses that will help warm up the hip rotators and associated muscles before attempting pigeon.

Standing poses like Tree Pose and Warrior Pose I, II, and III are helpful.

Also, Bound Angle Pose will externally open the hip joint. Move into Half Lord of the Fishes Pose and increase the hip rotator stretch by drawing the top of the knee into your chest. Lastly, try Cow Face Pose, leaning forward to increase the action in the hips.

When you're ready to try the modified version of Pigeon, place a folded blanket under the hip of the front leg. Also, you will sometimes hear the instruction to pull the front heel away from the groin so the shin is parallel to the front of your mat. Instead, keep the front heel close to the groin. Both of these actions will reduce the amount of rotation required of the hip, which should lessen the chance of pinching the tissues in your knee.

Menopause and Therapeutic Poses for It.

Some women are years away from menopause. Others are staring it right in the face. There is perimenopause and postmenopause. You might want to take a look at the following article from YogaJournal.com and start adding some of these poses to your practice.

There are some pretty basic poses that will help with symptoms such as insomneia, headaches, mood swings, depression, and bone loss.

The site is: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/therapeutic_focus/t_menopause

The poses include several that we do in class on a regular basis including:

Big Toe Pose,

Triangle,

Standing Forward Bend,

And Seated Forward Bend.

It is never too late to start taking better care of yourself. Do it today!

Questions about Yoga that you may have

Practicing Yoga

How should I prepare for a practice session?
You should take care that you do not eat a heavy meal before practicing. You should wear comfortable clothes. Use a towel or yoga mat to help cushion and support your body.


Why do we need to be relaxed before beginning yoga?
Relaxation is one of the most enjoyable and beneficial parts of my yoga practice. It helps calm my mind and relieve the stress of daily living. Relaxation and prayer before you begin will help you get into the proper state of mind. Take a few minutes to relax between each series of postures to help re-center yourself and feel the benefits of the postures you've completed.


Do I need special equipments to practice yoga?
Your body is really the most important 'equipment' that you need. Practicing Yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, without special equipment, and by people of all ages. You basically do not need anything to Practice Yoga. The important thing is the attitude - a big heart and a small ego. There are some supplies that are basic and which can help you be more comfortable and safer in your practice.


What equipments or props do I need?
The most basic equipment for yoga is the yoga mat. Using a mat, or towel will provide support and added comfort when you do lying or sitting positions.

The beauty about having one's own mat is the fact that purely by laying it down on the studio floor, beach, back yard, park - or wherever - the intention to focus, become immersed and attuned to your yoga space in preparation for practice is signified. It sharpens the focus and awareness to what you are about to do and helps create just the right mental state for a session. A sticky mat is recommended highly as it helps to ensure that you're able to perform certain poses safely, with minimum risk of slipping.


Why do I need props?
The yoga props help you achieve the proper alignment, balance and make the pose a bit easier. The use of props also minimizes the strain and supports your muscles, thus allowing you to save your energy by exerting less effort on a pose. The props provide support, enabling you to do the poses that ailments or old age may prevent from doing.


What kind of clothes should I wear?
While practicing yoga it's recommended to wear loose or stretching clothes. In other words, yoga clothes you choose should be comfortable and functional and not distract you from your practice.

Natural fabrics, like cotton, are preferable, as your skin doesn't breathe well under lycra. This is especially important if you sweat a lot. If you wear a sweatshirt, wear a t-shirt underneath in case you become too warm. Wear comfortable shorts or leggings for supportive, yet unrestricted, movement. Practicing Yoga pants or shorts are a great idea.

Practicing Yoga is traditionally practiced bare foot- this gives you a sense of close contact with the ground and allows the muscles in you feet to operate freely. However, socks or soft-shoes can be put on.

Avoid wearing perfume or other scents.


Should I eat before or after Practicing Yoga?
You should avoid meals at least two hours before class. Snacks and light meals are okay. It is best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. It's best not to eat 1½ hours before class, mainly because it's uncomfortable to have food in the stomach when you're bending, twisting, and exerting yourself. If you need to eat before a class, give as much time as you can and eat lightly; yogurt and fruit for example.


Can I drink water during Practicing Yoga?
Yes, definitely. In fact, you should drink plenty of water before, during and after yoga practice. During your practice, your body will likely sweat and release toxins. Water is necessary to help you flush out the toxins and replenish any lost fluids. After your practice you will probably be thirsty, so cool, refreshing water will seem like a wonderful reward after all your hard work.



Can I listen to music?
Though music is found to have a relaxing effect on us, yoga in itself is a relaxing method. It is generally recommended to practice in a calm and serene environment.



Why do they always have savasana (final relaxation) in a yoga class?
Savasana is one of the most important poses. It's the reward for all the hard work you've done. It allows your breath to normalize and lets the oxygen flow through the relaxing body. Savasana lets prana (energy) to balance out throughout your body. Never skip your final relaxation!



What is the benefit of breathing during yoga?
The power of breathing practice or pranayama to change your state of mind is extremely strong. Also, you use your breath to heat your body from the inside out. Think of it as lubricating your muscles as you use them.

The Eyes of the Blind Shall be Opened

Today, in church, one of our ministers preached a sermon titled "A Leap in the Mud". The story from the Bible can be found in John 9:1-12. It's the story of the blind man who Jesus healed by taking his saliva and dirt and making mud. Jesus applied the mud to the blind man's eyes and then asked him to go the sea and wash the mud off. When the man did so, he could see perfectly. Jesus healed him. Why did Jesus not just cure the man straight away? Why did he ask the man to go to the river to wash off the mud? I wonder...

When I was in college at Mercer University, I was lucky enough to be in the college choir. Justine, one of the girls in our choir was blind. I would see her across campus leaning on a friend, walking with a cane, or being led by a guide dog and I felt so sorry for her. I wondered if she was always blind. I marveled at how she was able to take classes, get to church, and have a normal college life.

One Christmas, our Mercer choir performed Handel's Messiah at the Grand Opera House in Macon. The house was packed. When it came time for Justine to sing her solo, another choir member led her to the microphone. Justine looked so fragile and frail standing on that enormous stage. She stood there for a moment waiting. Every eye in the house was on her. I know I was holding my breath and imagine most everyone was right there with me.

She began to sing and it was as if an angel had descended from Heaven to deliver a message to us. We were mesmerized. I remember thinking, God gave Justine this beautiful voice so that people could see and feel His love. It was humbling for me. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I was and will be forever changed.

Since that time, I've had opportunities to see Handel's Messiah again and again. Every time I hear it, I close my eyes during the performance. It helps me remember Justine and the way I felt when I heard her sing. In my temporary blindness, I truly listen way down deep with my heart. Distractions fade away. I'm like the blind man walking to the river hoping that the mud applied to my eyes by Jesus might finally wash off my blindness.

In Isaiah 35:6, it says "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped." If we are able to see that God is perfect in his love for us, then haven't we opened our eyes to an all powerful, all knowing, and completely merciful God.

My days of college are long past, but the Justine moments remind me that I have the choice to be able to experience and see God's love every day. It makes me so joyful to think of His grace allowing the blinders to be removed from our eyes. Maybe Jesus put the mud on the man's eyes so he would have to travel to the sea trusting that God would show him the path. That God has the map and we just have to believe he will guide us to where we need to travel. Justine knew that when she sang her solo - she had to trust God to give her strength to live each day in complete darkness. Now, it is my turn to trust that He can lead me to where my eyes shall be opened.

That's a Great Question - Why do I teach Yoga in a Christian Church?

The other night, my husband and I were having a lovely dinner with another couple who had invited us over. The evening was wonderful - great food, lively conversation, and relaxation. The husband, a devoted Christian, was asking me how I got interested in yoga and more specifically in teaching yoga. He understood yoga to be rooted in Hinduism and Buddism and was trying to get his head around the fact that I taught yoga in a Christian church to Christians. How exactly does a Christian teach yoga he wondered?

The question begs an answer. Teaching yoga, for me, is not just an opportunity to teach others about the physical benefits of stretching and becoming stronger through the practice of yoga. Sure, that is a part of what I hope to accomplish. But more than that, is the opportunity for me to teach others to slow down and listen to our Father, to break out of the distractions and craziness of daily life, and prayerfully listen to His voice. You can't do that if your always distracted and busy. You need some carved out quiet time and that's what is carved out in class.

Prayer, and scripture from the Bible are in my classes. We focus on being grateful and joyful to God for our health and wellness. We practice glorifying Him, not ourselves when we give thanks for our accomplishments. It is amazing to me how much we take for granted, so we slow down and thank the Lord for his many blessings.

If we sit still, and we ask for God to come into our hearts, He will.

That's why I teach yoga - to offer people an opportunity to "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord"(Psalm 27:4). It's a discipline that starts and then grows daily with each time we open our hearts to His Word as we do our daily practice.

Also, because it's hard to know when to stop "doing" for everybody else, yoga class offers us to take a time out from the multi-tasking we sometimes call life. Yoga class for me reminds me of what the flight attendants say about putting on our oxygen masks before a commercial plane flight. "If oxygen levels are low, the mask above you will drop from the overhead. Make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others."

It isn't selfish if we think about it thoughtfully. We can't help anyone else if we can't breathe yourself. And from a perfectly practical point of view, it stands to reason that the healthier we are, the better we are able to serve others.

So, that's why I teach yoga.

Have we learned to be still in God's presence? Have we ceased our work long enough to receive God's gifts? How can we if we don't put the oxygen mask on once in awhile?

Prayers for Mothers - This is one that hit home with me.

I was looking around for a prayer for mothers and found the following prayer. It was published on the following site and no author is listed: http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Mothers/#Laundry

Prayer While Doing Laundry

I find you so close to me right here, dear Lord. Surrounded by the dirt and scattered clothing of my family, I find this an ideal spot to pray with you.

No one comes near here so it is quiet, and it gives me a chance to reflect on the many blessings of my life.

As I pick up their clothing and sort it, I ask you to give each of them what is needed most in their lives.

I fill the washer with my husband's shirts and socks, and ask that you bless him as he wears them to work each day. Give him the grace to see that his work is holy and open his eyes to see the sacredness of each moment of life.

As I sort the tiny socks or the overalls of the children, I smile and remember how blessed I am to have them in my life.

I sort the larger teenage clothing and wonder at how fast these clothes have become larger sizes - and how quickly children grow up. I ask your help as I guide them through each new phase of their lives.

Give me a love that is endless, a heart that forgives them and the humility to ask for their forgiveness when that is right. Help me keep them from danger, and help me to let go and trust you when it is time to do that.

I try so hard to be perfect but lead me to remember that it is here in the smudged, disorganized and disheveled part of life that I find you the nearest.

Thank you, dearest Lord, for so much grace in my life!

Bow - for better posture

The pose Dhanurasana (Bow) extends the body back into the shape of a bow as the arms reach back straight and taut, forming the "string" of the asana. Done properly, Dhanurasana is a superb back strengthener that can help vanquish the postural enemy of rounded shoulders.

Arching the body backward opens the chest and provides a powerful stretch for the front of the shoulders and the quadriceps—a wonderful antidote to all the time we spend "crunched" forward in daily life. Regular practice of this pose helps keep the spine flexible and counters the tendency to slump forward.

Like all other backbends, Dhanurasana is dynamic and energizing—stretching the front body increases the flow of blood to the digestive tract and enhances the efficiency of the stomach, liver, and intestines, while contracting the back body stimulates the kidneys and adrenals. But it can be so invigorating that if you suffer from insomnia, you should not practice it late in the day.

Mind the Back
Dhanurasana enhances the back-strengthening and chest- and abdomen-stretching effects of the other prone (belly down) backbends—such as Bhujangasana (Cobra) and Salabhasana (Locust)—which are often used as preparatory poses.

Although catching the feet or ankles integrates the posture, it can also compress the back. For this reason, it's important to create space between the vertebrae and to stay as relaxed as possible while you're in the pose.

You can also modify Dhanurasana by reaching the arms back without catching the ankles or by using a strap. So start with the modified versions and stay with them as long as you need to. Don't worry about catching the ankles if this puts pressure on your knees or lower back.

The key to any yoga pose done properly are "steadiness" and "ease." If you don't feel steady and at ease in this pose, or any other, back off to easier versions until you do. Challenge yourself but don't strain. You do not have to catch your feet or ankles to gain great benefit.

Warm the Body
Since Dhanurasana provides an intense stretch of the shoulders, spine, and thighs, warm up these areas properly. Begin in Balasana (Child's Pose) with arms extended forward, and bring awareness to the lower back, breathing into your back ribs and dropping your hips toward your heels. Release head, arms, and shoulders. On an inhalation, come onto all fours. Then, on an exhalation, stretch back to Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose). Inhale back to all fours and exhale to Balasana, repeating this series of linked poses five or six times, synchronizing the movements with your breath.

Then move into Anjaneyasana (Crescent Pose) to open up the front of your thighs. From Downward Dog, step your right foot forward between your hands, with the toes in line with your fingertips. Bring your hands to your hips and drop your pelvis down so that your front knee bends forward, tracking directly over your toes. Add a shoulder stretch by clasping your hands behind your back—keep a "micro-bend" in the elbows—and bring your clasped hands up away from your tailbone. Then bring your hands back to the floor on either side of your foot, and step into Downward Dog. Repeat the lunge on the other side.

Serenity Prayer

When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed:


God, grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change;the courage to change the things I can;and the wisdom to know the difference.

Reinhold Niebuhr

How Can Yoga help me become a better Listening Leader?

Listening and Yoga have a lot in common.

Take a Deep Breath. Begin to slow your breath down, paying close attention to your inhale and your exhale. Become mindful of the present moment.

Listen to what is going on in your body.Quiet your mind and listen to the sound of your breath.
Accept your limitations. Let go of your ego.
Focus on a still point, balance on one one leg, concentrate. Flexibility is a benefit of yoga.
Strength is a benefit of yoga. Balance is a benefit of yoga.

In yesterday's class, it came into my mind that Listening is a lot like the practice of yoga
First, let me share some quotes on Listening provided by some very great minds:

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.
--Doug Larson


Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer
--Ed Cunningham


"An open ear is the only believable sign of an open heart." ---David Augsburger

"I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

--William Penn

"All children wear the sign: 'I want to be important NOW.' Many of our juvenile delinquency problems arise because nobody reads the sign."

--Dan Pursuit

Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf --Native American Proverb

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
– New Testament James 1:19

Here are the similiarities I've found with effective/empathetic listening and yoga.

With both practices we have to check our egos at the door, no autobiographical listening of any sort allowed.

To become effective listeners, we have to hold our tongues still.

In yoga, it helps to put our tongues on the roof of our mouths while we are holding a balance pose.

We will find that as we become more comfortable with being still and quiet in a yoga class, we can listen more outside of class and let distractions pass without holding onto them.
As we become more flexible in our listening habits, we learn not to pre-judge, jump to conclusions, or rush to provide the "right solution". Yoga class helps us be less judgmental, jump ahead, or rush ourselves into a pose.

Article about Weight Loss and Yoga - What's the Connection?

This article can be found in "Older Posts" . Scroll down and look at the very bottom of the page on the right side. Hope you enjoy this article. It helps explain the science behind yoga and weight loss.

Blessings,

Vickie

10 Top Reasons to Exercise

Ever since I was child, I have loved physical activity. If I don't exercise everyday, I get down in the dumps. Here are some reasons to exercise - If you just devote 10-15 minutes each day to stretching, walking, biking, or lifting weights, you will begin to feel better.


The 10 Best Reasons to Exercise
Weight Loss Motivation Tips That Keep You Slim and Trim
© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Oct 22, 2007

Some diets or weight loss plans work, but the most compelling fitness or weight loss motivation involves these exercise benefits. Here are the 10 best reasons to exercise
The best reasons to exercise revolve around health benefits. In fact, the single best reason to exercise is to get healthier. Research shows that if you exercise to stay healthy, strong and fit you’re more likely to stick with your exercise regime – and lose weight and stay healthy.

There is no such thing as easy weight loss, but there are some motivators that keep you fit and healthy. Here are the 10 best reasons to exercise, in no particular order.

The 10 Best Reasons to Exercise

Clear skin.
Regular physical activity promotes circulation and sends nutrients to your skin, making breakouts of acne less frequent. Plus, acne breakouts will clear up faster if you’re regularly sending oxygen to your skin. Healthy skin is one of the best reasons to exercise.

Better sleep.As long as you don’t exercise two hours before bed, you’ll get better, deeper sleep if you exercise regularly. A good night's sleep is a great reason to exercise.

Less stress. The more you exercise, the better you’ll cope with anxiety, stress and depression. You’ll enjoy more naturally induced happy, positive feelings (endorphins). That alone is a great reason to exercise.

Delicious food. If you exercise regularly, you can indulge in your favorite gourmet chocolates without feeling guilty. Healthy weight loss will happen if you exercise regularly – and you can enjoy yourself at the same time!

More brain cells. Exercise drives more oxygen to feed your brain, making you think quickly and clearly. Learning new physical activities such as dance or jazzercise builds new connections between your brain cells and helps clear environmental toxins.

More confidence. Not only will you have more confidence in yourself if you exercise regularly, you’ll be perceived as kinder, smarter and more confident. Feeling good about yourself is one of the best reasons to exercise.

Toned, defined muscles. The more you exercise, the stronger and healthier your muscles will become - and the better they'll serve you. It's not all about healthy weight loss: building healthy mass is also an exercise benefit. Feeling toned is a great reason to exercise.

Better sex. Physical activity sends more blood to all parts of your body, making you respond more quickly to sexual activity. You’ll enjoy sex more not only because you’re chasing healthy weight loss – you’re also more confident about your body. Getting satisfied sexually is one of the best reasons to exercise.

Stronger immune system. Regular exercise helps combat free radicals, and you sweat out the toxins that trigger disease and infections. The health benefits of exercise include lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol levels, and a lower heart rate.

More energy. Physical activity is not only an effective weight loss method, it’s also a great way to increase your energy levels. Having energy to enjoy life is probably the best reason to exercise!

The benefits of exercise don’t allow you to eat whatever you want whenever you want, and you’ll have to exercise regularly to maintain the benefits – but it’s worth it. These are good reasons to exercise that will help you the rest of your life.

This is Our Season, Lord

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the First United Methodist Church's Women's Retreat at the Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills. Everyone has "mountain top moments" they get to experience. For me, this weekend was a chance to rejuvenate my spiritual life and to encounter some incredible women who are facing the same fears and celebrating the same joys as we all are as women of faith. Lisa Sexton, a mother of a boy born with cerebal palsy was our key speaker and she spoke to my heart and changed me as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Also, because we had time for fellowship, I met women who will be mentors, women with which I find common ground, women who embrace life, and not fear it, women who play a mean game of Farkle - all women who I can count as friends. The women who planned the weekend, Lisa, Jayne Rideout, the Music Angels, and the Silent Auction and Lottery organizers all came together so that we would have time to pause and know that God is here, now, today, in the moment and love and cares deeply about each of us.

I wrote a poem/prayer about the experience because I wanted to always remember it and I wanted to share my Joy.

This is Our Season, Lord.

Lord, we recognize that you are the author of our stories.

We don't always want to pick up the rocks you ask us to carry up the hill.

Or, we put too many rocks in our wagons and exhaust ourselves.

We want to tackle our problems by ourselves priding on being Marthas.

We envy the Marys.

Sometimes, we let the jealousy in.

We have fears that the water is too rough,

that the paths are too narrow,

that we are too small and broken to matter.

But, Father you have taught us to trust You.

Your arms are long.

You know our unseen limps.

You see our strength when we kneel and when we serve.

We recognize that the time is now.

For us to wash our sisters' feet.

Help us Lord to serve each other with joy in our hearts.

Help us to find joy in the present moment.

Help us to count our curses as blessings.

As opportunities to shine and not to whine.

Teach us Lord, to be still and to know that you are God.

To start each day with you and to end each day with you.

This is our season, Lord

Commit to Slow Down

I was talking with a student today and she was telling me about her adult son. He is disciplined in his practice of quietly stretching every day. It is part of his routine. He wakes up. Then, he stretches. He has his coffee. He reads the paper. He has made it part of his life - every morning without fail.
It got me thinking. Why is it so hard for us to put our practice into our daily lives. Do we not realize that we have that discipline within us? All individuals have the responsibility to take care of themselves, right? We can’t think we cannot do it. We have that spark. We are fully equipped. We simply need to discipline ourselves.
We think negatively about discipline. We have a tendency to think of discipline as a prison. Discipline is simply practice.
And once we begin that practice, it will be a part of our day and our lives. Discipline means self-commitment. When we commit ourselves to our progress, then slowly we will find that the spark to continue is within us. The discipline you need to learn this, to slow down and be still is not a discipline you are taught. We’ve been taught to have discipline in areas of work, study, athletics, and competition. But, to follow the path to know God, to be enlightened, to be grounded is not a discipline of which we’ve had much practice.
When we want to go to the deeper levels of our being, stillness is important. In all other journeys you have to move. In this journey you do not have to move at all. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is a simple formula, but very difficult to apply. From your childhood onward you are taught to move. Nobody teaches you how to be still. You have to learn not to move. Since it is a completely new undertaking, it seems difficult.
Today, and the next, and the next, let’s take a baby step to “be still”. It will feel awkward at first, or maybe feel like we are wasting precious time. We could be cleaning, making a phone call, writing the next best-seller. But, if we took 14 minutes to stretch or 7 minutes to pray or 3 minutes to slow down, we would still get to work on time, and make the kids their breakfast. We’d have more appreciation for our time if we slowed down. Let’s have the discipline to take a breath, and be in our practice now.
Be Still and Know that I am God – Reflect and grow this thought.

10 Reasons we Stop Exercising

Are you too busy to exercise? If so, you're not alone. Studies show that 60% of American adults don't get the recommended amount of physical activity, and over 25% of adults are not active at all. These statistics reflect the fact that many of us simply don't exercise.

Here are the top 10 reasons we stop.

10. You really hate to exercise.

The key to happiness is doing things you enjoy.

Find activities that match your personality. If you love the outdoors, go hiking or biking. Try things before you decide you don't like them.

People often quit because they schedule too many workouts, work too hard or don't give themselves enough rest days.

Just do whatever you can--you have to start where you are, not where you want to be.

9. You just hate to start because it seems so overwhelming.

Keep cardio light and schedule recovery days. Progress each week by adding a few more minutes to each workout.

8. You can't afford a gym membership

There's no reason you have to join a gym to exercise. You can walk or do yoga anytime, anywhere.

There are also an incredible number of workout videos available for the home exerciser.

7. You're not seeing any changes in your body

Not losing weight fast enough? Once you start exercising, give your body time to react. It could take up to 12 weeks before you start seeing some real changes in your body. In the meantime, try to enjoy the other benefits of exercise such as better moods, better sleep, more energy, and a more positive outlook.

6. You don't know how to exercise.

Try one of the many exercise books, DVD's, or websites that cover everything from cardio to stretching exercises. Hire a personal trainer at a gym if you want to learn more about exercises that will help you lose weight or gain strength

5. You want to exercise but you have to take care of your family.

You don't have to neglect your family to fit in exercise. Join a health club that has a daycare center or do a video while they nap. ^Take them with you on your daily walk. Show your family what it means to be healthy by giving them a good role model.

4. You can't seem to stay motivated to continue working out.

To combat boredom, change your routine every 4 to 6 weeks by trying something new or changing your intensity or time.

Remind yourself every day what your goals are and what you have to do to reach them. Reward yourself often (massages make great gifts).

3. Exercise HURTS!

You don't have to hurt yourself to reap the benefits of exercise. When doing your cardiovascular exercise, make sure you're in your target heart zone. You should be able to carry on a conversation, not huffing and puffing. Yoga should never hurt! If it does, stop immediately.

2. You can't make the commitment to stick to an exercise routine.

Start small - walk or lift weights. Over time, you can increase your workout time and try new things. For now, try making it a daily habit.

1. You don't have time!

Physically inactive people have just as much free time as exercisers, so you can chuck this excuse! Here's how to get past a busy schedule:
Schedule your exercise time. Start with 15 minutes a day. Exercise helps you have more, and the more energy you have, the more you'll get done each day.

Take good care of your body and it will take care of you.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years. Students with arthritis have shared with me that yoga is especially good because the disease tends to reduce confidence and yoga increases it.

It may be a little difficult at first, but the postures will make us realize how stiff we have become over the years. If we stick with it, we will eventually find ourselves feeling more limber and the pain in our joints will diminish.

At the end of classes, when we take our final rest, I hope you feel the entire day and all the stress it's caused melt away. I believe we sleep better, our attitudes are improved, and the more we do, the more we know we can do.

These basic Asanas are ones that we use in classes to help in dealing with Arthritis:

Easy Pose (Sukhasana)

This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and keeping your mind still.

Single Leg Raises

This Yoga Pose is performed in order to prepare the body for other exercises. It benefits the legs, lower back muscles, and abdominal area. In practicing the Single Leg Raise, one leg is raised while the other one stays on the floor.

Shoulder Stretches

Shoulder Stretches are great in relieving stress and tension on your shoulders, as well as your entire upper back. Practice them daily for several weeks and notice the changes.

Neck Exercises

Many people hold tension in their necks and shoulders, leading to stiffness, bad posture, and tension headaches. Yoga practice can ease tension, increase flexibility, and tone the muscles.

Standing Side Stretch

Standing Side Stretch is another Yoga Pose with two lines of energy radiating outward from your center. This is a simple Yoga Posture with a wonderful stretch in which one line of energy reaches upward from your belly and outward through the arm, and one line travels downward through the legs.

Hand Clenching

Hands and wrists are common body parts which are affected by Arthritis, especially Osteoarthritis. Take good care of your hands and joints and always keep them in 'good working condition' by performing the Hand Clenching Exercise.

Wrist Bending

Your wrists can also be affected by arthritis, specifically Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Take good care of your wrists through stretching and bending. Learn how to improve the range of motion of your wrists by doing the Wrist Bending Exercise.

Yoga Exercise - Final Corpse

For you to appreciate the benefits of relaxation, you should first be familiar on how it is to be tense. This is what happens when you do the Final Corpse.

Ankle Bending

Repeated strain or sprain in the ankles can contribute to the occurrence of Ankle Arthritis. Manage stress and keep your ankles in good condition through therapy, having enough rest, and

by doing the Ankle Bending Exercise.

Ankle Rotation

Pay attention to your ankles to avoid muscle or tendon strain due to too much training. Perform the Ankle Rotation Exercise and make your ankles more flexible.

Some Sound Advice for Taking Care of Ourselves

Live in rooms full of light.

Avoid heavy food.

Be moderate in the drinking of wine.

Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics.

Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water.

Change surroundings and take long journeys.

Strictly avoid frightening ideas.

Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements.

Listen to music.

~A. Cornelius Celsus

Elementary Students relax for FCAT

Third-grade students at Dommerich are learning about stretching, taking deep breaths, and imagining positive mental images to better prepare them for the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Testing – known as FCAT. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the FCAT and many Florida educators have learned that relaxation is important for not only for emotional health and well being of students, but also for performance.
Mary Commins, a third grade teacher wanted her students to feel comfortable while taking the FCAT this week. In order to help them remember some strategies they could use if they did begin to feel anxious, she asked them to make name tags including the acronym R.O.C.K. The letters of R.O.C.K. stand for Relaxing, Oxygen, Calm, and Kind. The acronym was introduced by certified yoga teacher, Vickie Reedy, who taught yoga poses and relaxation techniques at Dommerich to third-grade classes during the month of February.
Reedy wanted something students could remember and feel ownership in so she let them each choose a special rock and taught them to remember to R.O.C.K - relax, breathe oxygen, calm themselves, and use kind words before and during the test. Students will keep their rocks in their desks, knowing they are near to help remind them of these self-calming strategies. “By managing our breathing, we are able control our reactions to anxiety – this is critical in test-taking,” stresses Mrs. Reedy.
Sally Crumley, Dommerich CHILL Counselor, recommended students practice deep breathing by taking a deep breath slowly and quietly, without disturbing neighbors, holding the breath by counting slowly to five and releasing the breath slowing through the mouth. She also stressed the importance of teaching children to choose positive self talk during stressful times. “I’ve studied and I can do it!” is one phrase a child might employ to help them stay calm and problem-solve.
Rachel Stanakis, a third-grader, thinks she and her classmates are ready for the test. “We have been preparing for the test with lots of practice and we are going to do our best!”
Fellow student Chris Turo agrees, adding, “The yoga and breathing we learned are going to help us not get stressed-out and keep us calm.” Cody Davis echoed him saying he thought the deep breathing would help keep his mind clear and focused.
Mary Commins believes parents can help by reminding their children to practice some of these relaxation techniques at home and reviewing with their child the students’ circle maps made the week before FCATs. The children brainstormed together in class all the “Reasons Why I Will Be Successful on the FCAT’s” and made their own personal circle map on neon colored paper to keep for the test.
“The beautiful thing about our making this circle map was that within minutes of brainstorming it was filled with reasons like ‘We practice yoga stretching to get our brains working’, ‘We use everything we have learned from pre-k to 3rd grade’, ‘We have practiced lots of reading and math strategies everyday’, and ‘We use relaxing breathing to help us not get stressed’.
“Putting the children in a positive frame of mind gives them that boost they need to help each child be successful!”

New Hatha Yoga Class Starting April 15-May 13th at 12:30 - 1:30 pm

For those of you who have morning commitments or work - check out my new class!

Starting April 15th, I will offer a 5-week Hatha Yoga class from 12:30-1:30 in Room 316 at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. This class is for students interested in the traditional Hatha yoga class. This is a comprehensive, balanced class, with a steady flow, relaxation between asanas, and guided instruction throughout. Hatha was designed to promote a healthy body and peaceful mind, through the practice of three main components: asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing practices), and concentration. The cost for the 5-week class is $60.00 or $15.00 per class. Mats are available. Nursery is also available with advance reservations. Please contact me at vickievickie@msn.com with any questions.

Sun Salutation

Start in Downward Facing Dog. Inhaling, lunging forward with right leg and lift arms to a Crescent Lunge. Exhale, lowering arms and letting your hands touch down on either side of the right foot, stepping back to Downward Facing Dog. Inhaling, shifting into Plank. Exhaling into Crocodile. Inhaling into Upward Facing Dog. Exhaling, ending in Downward Facing Dog. Repeating on the left.

Article about Weight Loss and Yoga - What's the Connection?

Yoga for Weight Loss?
It can help you find your bliss, and some say yoga may also help you shed those extra pounds.
By Colette Bouchez WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Feature
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
Jennifer Aniston does it. Reports are that Liv Tyler, Halle Berry, Madonna, David Duchovny and supermodel Christy Turlington do it, too. Many professional athletes are said to be doing it in an effort to improve their games.
Feel better about your body with mind-body workouts
Exercise your mind and body with tai chi
How to have a lifetime of fitness
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The "it" is yoga, a sophisticated mind-body exercise many believe can do everything from tighten your buns to change your outlook on life.
But can this no-strain, work-at-your-own-level exercise really help you lose weight?
It's true most types of yoga don't have anything near the calorie-burning power of aerobic exercise. A 150-pound person will burn 150 calories in an hour of doing regular yoga, compared to 311 calories for an hour of walking at 3 mph. But it is exercise, after all, and many practitioners believe yoga can indeed help people take off extra pounds.
"Yoga is a phenomenal way to put you in touch with your body the way nothing else can, and yes, it can help you lose weight," says instructor Dana Edison, director of Radius Yoga in North Redding, Mass., and a certified personal trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine.
Celebrity yoga trainers Ana Brett and Ravi Singh, who have worked with such hotties as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, also believe in yoga's weight-loss powers.
"We have seen it in ourselves, we have seen it in our clients – yoga can give you a real workout even if you are a beginner," says Brett, who, with Singh, created the best-selling DVD program Fat Free Yoga.
How Does It Work?
In 2005, medical researcher and practicing yogi Alan Kristal, DPH, MPH, set out to do a medical study on the weight-loss effects of yoga.
With funding from the National Cancer Institute, Kristal and colleagues at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle led a trial involving 15,500 healthy, middle-aged men and women. All completed a survey recalling their physical activity (including yoga) and their weight between the ages of 45 and 55. Researchers then analyzed the data, teasing out other factors that could influence weight change – such as diet or other forms of exercise.
The end result: They found yoga could indeed help people shed pounds, or at least keep them from gaining weight.
"Those practicing yoga who were overweight to start with lost about 5 pounds during the same time period those not practicing yoga gained 14 pounds," says Kristal.
For the study, he says, practicing yoga was defined as at least one 30-minute session per week for four or more years.
Kristal says it's not clear just how yoga might help people keep off the pounds, at least from a scientific standpoint. His own opinion is that the effects are subtle, and related to yoga's mind-body aspects.
"The buzzword here is mindfulness -- the ability to observe what is happening internally in a non-reactive fashion," he says. "That is what helps change the relationship of mind to body, and eventually to food and eating."
Adds Edison: "Yoga makes you more susceptible to influence for change – so if you are thinking you want to change your lifestyle, you want to change the way you think about food, you want to get over destructive eating patterns, yoga will help give you the spiritual connection to your body that can help you make those changes."
Another idea is that yoga forges a strong mind-body connection that ultimately helps make you more aware of what you eat and how it feels to be full.
"Essentially, in yoga you learn your body is not your enemy, and the conscious awareness of the body that you gain translates into better appetite control," Edison says.
Power Yoga: The New Attitude
While some say yoga is too tame for extreme weight loss, many devotees of the practice known as "power yoga" disagree.
Power yoga is an Americanized version of traditional Kundalini techniques. Instructors like Singh and Brett believe it can offer all the fat-burning potential – and heart benefits -- of an aerobic workout.
While traditional types of yoga are based on breathing techniques paired with static poses, Singh says, power yoga combines meditative breathing with faster, more active movements. The result, he says, is a workout that can be more aerobic than . . . aerobics!
"Aerobic means to exercise in the presence of oxygen, so when you are doing the traditional yoga breathing along with the more active exercises, you're doing exactly that," he says. "Our 'breath of fire' technique, for example, is one of many we use to help you burn calories while you breathe."
Edison concedes power yoga may help some people lose weight, but she questions whether it could work for the yoga novice, or the average out-of-shape dieter.
"Can yoga build muscle? Yes. Is a fast-paced, power class aerobic? Sometimes. And can you sweat out water weight in a 105-degree room? Sure. But can the average overweight person effectively shed pounds through a one-size-fits-all physical yoga practice? Not realistically or safely," Edison tells WebMD.
What about using power yoga to jump-start a weight loss plan? Kristal says even the most forceful power yoga techniques won't equal the health benefits of a cardiovascular workout -- nor will yoga ever burn calories quickly at a significant level.
"It's just not medically feasible – it's not going to happen," he says.
Still, Brett and Singh say they've seen firsthand that it can work, even for beginners.
"People come to yoga for many different reasons, but we have seen many success stories in terms of losing weight and learning to control weight," says Brett. "Active yoga, even for the novice, can change your body and your life."
Making Yoga Work for You
One thing all our experts agree on is that yoga can be a terrific introduction to the world of fitness. To help get you started, they offer these tips:

Practice in a room without mirrors, and put the emphasis on your internal experience rather than your outer performance.
Learn to experience the sensation of movement, down to the tiniest micro movement.
Always try to find your "edge" -- the place where your body feels challenged, but not overwhelmed. When you achieve this, keep an open, accepting state of mind.
Give yourself permission to rest when you're tired.
Combine your yoga session with positive self-talk. Appreciate your efforts and praise your inner goodness.
Go to class faithfully. If you work out at home, set a specific day and time for your yoga session and stick to it.
Recognize that you are not only working on your body, but are also working to develop qualities like patience, discipline, wisdom, kindness and gratitude.
Look for a teacher (in a class or on video) who you feel offers a balance between gentleness and firmness, and who inspires you to practice.
Recognize that simply buying a yoga DVD or attending the class is a step toward creating a better you. Use it as momentum to keep going.
Realize your efforts are not just inspiring you, but also inspiring others as you become more attuned to who you are, inside and out.

Published July 21, 2006.
SOURCES: Kristal, A., Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, July/August, 2005. WebMD the Magazine article, Fitness Expert Rich Weil Explores Yoga's Real Health Benefits, September-October issue, 2005. WebMD Tool, Calorie Counter, Dana Edison, RYT, ACSM-CPT, author, Yoga Is Not One Size Fits All; director, Radius Yoga, North Redding, Mass. Alan R. Kristal, DrPH, MPH, associate head, cancer prevention program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Wash. Ana Brett, co-director, Raviana.com; co-creator, Fat Free Yoga; Yoga and Weight Control. Ravi Singh, co-director, Raviana.com; co-creator, Fat Free Yoga; Yoga and Weight Control.
©2006 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Spring Break - No Yoga Classes Scheduled

March 31-April 4 is Spring Break for Orange and Seminole Counties, so there will be no yoga classes during this time. We will start back up Wed. April 9th. Please take the time to let me know if a 9:30 a.m. start time is a better time for you or if you prefer to stick with the 9:15 a.m.

I will be suggesting asanas (poses) you can try throughout the week to keep you limber and flexible. Try to take a few minutes each day to quiet your mind and stretch your spine. Your body will thank you for it.

Namiste,

Vickie

Cat's Pose - Flexibility Tip

As we grow older, we lose our flexibility. But, that does not mean we can't have it again. Here is a pose that stregthens and tones the upper back, stretches the spine, and improves flexibility. It is called Cat's Pose. It is especially effective for stretching the spine, shoulders and neck and for counteracting the effects of poor posture.Step-By-StepGet on all fours, with your palms flat on the floor directly below your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Alignment is key!Inhale while contracting your abdominal muscles. Round your back, dropping your head toward the floor.Exhale while releasing your abdominal muscles, arching your spine, lifting your head and sticking your buttocks out and up. All of the arching and rounding of your spine should initiate from your pelvis.Repeat the pose 3 times.

Dhyana Meditation for when we are angry

Today, I found out that a person I trusted was not being honorable. It came as a shock and my first reaction was anger and despair. How could we have not seen the signs? Why would someone put their family through embarassment and pain? How could this happen?

After those initial thoughts, I tried to sit back and pray and I invite you to try this when you are faced with a similar situation. Dhyana is a meditation used when we are angry or upset.

Get into a comfortable, seated position, either in a chair with your legs uncrossed, or on the floor. Adjust your posture so that your spine is upright, yet your body feels relaxed. Rest your hands in your lap or on your thighs, with the palms facing up or down.

Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breathing. Take a few conscious and deep abdominal breaths. Let your exhalations carry out any tension or anxiety you're feeling now, and use them throughout your meditation to expel any tension or anxiety that comes up.

If it is helpful, you might pray "Father, Help me" on the in-breath and "be calm and relaxed" on the out-breath—to center yourself during this practice.

Bring your awareness to your heart. Allow your breaths to massage this area. Notice any specific feelings or thoughts you may have about yourself, the person or people with whom you are angry, or a particular event.

Cultivate a detached and nonjudgmental attitude to anything that comes up for you. Continue to focus on the heart area while doing the following:

Develop feelings of compassion and understanding for all those who suffer.

Be joyful in your thoughts about God. Know that He is in control and has a plan that we can not fully understand.

Maintain feelings of equanimity to anyone who has harmed you or anyone else. Don't get sucked into mean-spiritedness or harmful deeds.

To complete your meditation, take three to five deep abdominal breaths. Open your eyes and slowly get up.

Will it be difficult? Probably, at first. But, try it. Forgiveness is a powerful tool and one that is necessary for growth. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

Also, letting people know that you are in prayer for those caught up in the turmoil is healing for both you and them. Showing them you support them will help bring people together, not tear them apart.
Posted by Vickie Reedy at 8:28 AM

Downward Facing Dog - A Pose for What Ails You

Downward Facing Dog is one of the most therapeutic yoga poses. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the pose:

Come onto the floor on your hands and knees. Set your knees directly below your hips and your hands slightly forward of your shoulders. Spread your palms, index fingers parallel or slightly turned out, and turn your toes under.

Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. At first keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your pelvis and press it lightly toward the pubis. Against this resistance, lift the sitting bones toward the ceiling, and from your inner ankles draw the inner legs up into the groins.

Then with an exhalation, push your top thighs back and stretch your heels onto or down toward the floor. Straighten your knees but be sure not to lock them. Firm the outer thighs and roll the upper thighs inward slightly. Narrow the front of the pelvis.

Firm the outer arms and press the bases of the index fingers actively into the floor. From these two points lift along your inner arms from the wrists to the tops of the shoulders. Firm your shoulder blades against your back, then widen them and draw them toward the tailbone. Keep the head between the upper arms; don't let it hang.

This pose is one of the poses in the traditional Sun Salutation sequence. It's also an excellent yoga asana all on its own. Stay in this pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes. Then bend your knees to the floor with an exhalation and rest in Child's Pose.

Benefits
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Energizes the body
Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
Strengthens the arms and legs
Helps relieve the symptons of menopause
Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported
Helps prevent osteoporosis
Improves digestion
Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue
Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis

Info. retrieved from Yoga Journal.com/poses

Tennis and Yoga - Getting into the zone

Many of my students are tennis players. If they practice yoga, they can strengthen their injury-prone joints. Problems with their knees, ankles, shoulders, hips, and wrists are common. But a disciplined yoga practice can help with flexibility and also help a player prepare for a match mentally.

Tennis magazine suggests four asanas for tennis players:
1. Tree pose (vrksasana) to strengthen the legs, open the hips, and improve balance and coordination.
2. Triangle pose (trikonasana) to strengthen and stretch the hamstrings, open the chest, and promote balance.
3. Warrior II pose (virabhadrasana II) to strengthen quads, calves, and Achilles' tendons; expand range of motion; and teach you to move from the hips.
4. Spinal twist pose (ardha matsyendransana) to limber hips and shoulder joints and tone and stretch the lumbar spine.

In its May/June 2000 issue, Yoga Journal noted that yoga silences the "inner chatter" and helps
stenghten injury-prone joints.
It highlighted these asanas for courtside yogis:

1. Warrior II pose (virabhadrasana II) to develop strength and balance.
2. Chair pose (utkatasana) to create space throughout the ankle and knee joint; lengthen the Achilles' tendons, calves, and spinal column; and firm the abdomen.
3. Bridge pose (setu bandha) to develop a supple back and torso.
4. Handstand (adho mukha vrksana) to build mental and physical focus and agility. (I do not recommend this pose for beginners).

Yoga also helps you prepare mentally for the game of tennis. Former tennis pro Jena Marcovicci says, "Research shows the discipline required for yoga can take you to a state of meditation. It releases endorphins, calms your pulse, and slows your nervous system. That's the zone you want to be in as you walk on the court."

Full Circle Announces Tripsichore Performance - June 20, 7:30

Tripsichore Performance
Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.
This stunning troupe from London has been amazing audiences with the beauty and fluidity of their choreographed yoga performances for 15 years. You don't want to miss this. Yoga Journal has called Tripsichore "Yoga's answer to Cirque du Soleil". You can buy tickets online by phone at 1-877-7-ALT TIX (1-877-725-8849). For more information about this six-person troupe and their performance (including cost), click on to: http://www.fullcircleyoga.com/ or call the studio at (407) 644-3288.

Tripsichore Weekend Workshop (2 sessions)
June 21 and 22 (Saturday and Sunday)
London’s Tripsichore company has been amazing audiences with the beauty and fluidity of their choreographed yoga performances for 15 years. They are presenting two workshops, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. You will learn techniques that will bring grace, strength, and alignment to your yoga practice (whatever style of yoga you practice), and you will have fun in the process, moving in ways you probably never have before while doing yoga. Click on: http://www.fullcircleyoga.com/ or call the studio at (407) 644-3288.

Deep Peace through Final Relaxation Pose

Lie on your back (supine). Allow your arms to relax with your palms up. Let your feet naturally splay open. Close your eyes. Relax deeply, inhale and exhale. Release stress and tension, find peace and calm. Remember where the mind goes, the body will follow. Try it - you'll be glad you did.

Modifications: With those with low back concerns, bend your knees or place a towel or pillow under your extended legs at the knee joint and/or behind the head.

Can We Give Breathing (and Just Being) a Chance?

I had a great conversation with two students of mine after class. Both students are funny, smart, mature and terrific listeners. We were talking about our 20's and even our 30's when we would work out daily and wouldn't consider it a good workout unless our muscles were screaming and sweat was pouring from our every pour. No pain, no gain. I'd like to say, yoga has taught me in my 40's to be kinder to my body and pay attention to my wellness overall. Why I wondered is it so difficult for us to have our yoga practice feel hard to be challenging. What is it about approaching yoga that way that puffs up the ego, while a quiet, focused practice feels wimpy or more like a cop-out. The more I got to thinking about that, the more it seemed appropriate to ask about anyone's practice. To ask about anyone's approach to life, for that matter. Why does it need to be hard and crazy and jam-packed to seem like it "counts." Why can't it be fun or simple or enjoyable? Why can't the to-do list be short enough to actually finish? I know I'm guilty of such thoughts with myself, even though I find it so frustrating when students think nothing is happening in an "easy" class. Sometimes, I hear, "I liked your class, but I need to feel sore the next day to know it's made a difference." Is it the Puritan heritage of America that makes us think this way? Working hard for salvation? Idle hands are the devil's workshop? A clear mind is scary? Whatever it is, I think just taking a moment to ask "Why of the urge to add more to an over-scheduled plate is a good idea?" Wouldn't it be great if we could stop the ego dead in its tracks and give ourselves a chance to just breathe. I'll bet nothing bad will happen. I'll bet it will actually be kind of nice.