“It doesn’t matter what you decide to do tomorrow as you go to sleep in your comfortable bed – what matters is what you do when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. It doesn’t matter what kind of diet you decide to begin when you stomach is full – what matters is what you do when you’re hungry and you are choosing what food to eat for your meal.” says Max Strom in A Life Worth Breathing. Finding consistency in your yoga practice can help you burn negative habits. “Personal transformation is, among other things, a system of burning our unwanted habits and replacing them with habits that are helpful to our aim of spiritual realization.”

It is not a simple task to get to yoga class 5-7 days a week, even for yoga instructors! One of the challenges I had after becoming a mom, with also work commitments, was giving up my daily yoga classes. I found myself feeling selfish for being disappointed for missing “my class,” (like I owned it). Eventually, I accepted the fact that I needed to change my approach to my own practice as the circumstances in my life had changed.

Following the advice of the great yogi, Theodore Roosevelt, who said: “Do what you can, with what you have, with where you are,” I cleared the rug from my home office, put together my puja and created a space to lay down my mat each morning. Some days the practice may be longer than an hour, and other days, it may last 20 minutes. Of course I attend class at the studio as often as my schedule permits, but having a special space for my regular home practice has become a great joy for me. It is amazing what you do when you get on your mat for a home practice. I either allow my body to guide me or use one of my favorite online classes. This has become such a powerful part of my daily schedule where my experiences vary from replenishment, clarity and focus, acceptance, a sense of calmness to renewed creativity.

So if you find it difficult to practice at least 4 days at week, my first suggestion is to schedule 10 minutes on your own calendar on Sunday to look at the week ahead. Schedule in the classes (at Uptown yoga preferably), that you know you can attend. Then, give it a try… create your space for yoga in your home or office. Committing to even 10 minutes each day will make a difference in how you feel when you return to the mat in class and will contribute to the steadiness and calmness throughout your day.

The photo is of my current puja: a sculpture in Vienna taken by a dear friend for me, a photo of my daughter, a chalkboard message and modern art piece from my son, a matroyshka doll from my children’s home country and two hearts… one representing my gratitude for family, friends and community and the second, representing the center of alignment… between the gut and the mind. A puja is an altar of sorts to use in creating your space. I picked up this practice from the wonderful instructor, Elena Brower…to build your own puja, gather a few meaningful items from those who inspire you, someone with whom you want to connect to or offer help and arrange them attentively. Change the puja around as much as you’d like depending on where you heart and focus are at that given time.

Big Love,
Holly
Uptown Yoga

Of course Holly ensured we had “greens” at the party…
CARMELIZED PEACH AND GOAT CHEESE ARUGULA SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 T honey
• 1 T balsamic vinegar
• 2 peaches, cut into wedges
• 1 lb baby arugula, washed & patted dry
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 c sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 bunch purple basil or regular, cut in thin strips
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled

For the dressing:

• 1/3 c plain nonfat yogurt
• 1/2 t lemon juice
• 1 t dijon mustard
• 2 T plus 2 t balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 c extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine honey and vinegar with a fork, add peaches and stir to coat. In a large nonstick pan, sear peaches over medium heat for about 2 1/2 minutes per side or until caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, and remaining honey and vinegary in a medium bowl or shake in a dressing shaker. Drizzle in oil, whisking or shaking constantly, season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, toss together peaches, arugula, shallot, almonds, basil, and 1/2 cup dressing and 1/2 of the goat cheese. Once served on a plate(s), garnish with goat cheese and more dressing, if needed

For more of Holly’s recipes, visit www.davawellness.com.

Borrowed from SweetGreen

Jenn Usherr made this nutritious dish that is a meal in and of itself… protein, whole grains, veggies and delicious-ness!

Arugula Quinoa Tabouli with Sundried Tomatoes

Happy Birthday Russ!

John Salisbury is coming to Uptown Yoga for the weekend of October 28-30. Learn a little more about his relationship with yoga here in this You Tube interview.

The first hour or so as a new family is time that can’t be replaced. So, no do-overs.  I’m a believer in encouraging couples to take these moments and treasure them.  Regardless of the birth environment, your home, birth center or a hospital,  many aspects of this time together define us as a family.

The first breath is the “essential breath”. Donna Farhi hints at  this breath in one of her books. I often times will talk about reliving (or getting as close as we can to) this breath during pranayama. To explain better, take a nice deep breath, pause and then release the breath nice and slow. Allow as much of your reserve or tidal breath leave the body without too much force. Now a little pause and then open your mouth and let the air in. That is my interpretation of the first breath.  As a newborn there is a little more involved.
The baby must suddenly use his or her lungs. In order for this to happen the pulmonary and systemic circulations separate by closing the connections between them.

Hormones also play a role in this time. We know that oxytocin is present during all of labor. Studies show that oxytocin is also present during the first hours and beyond. This love hormone has at it’s highest  release just after baby is born and before placenta is delivered.  It seems to me that this love hormone flows like crazy during this time since we are looking at our sweet angels – falling in love!  Of course, oxytocin releases during sexual intercourse and lactation, but the level of release during these times is affected by environment factors. There is so much more to explain, but lets stop here and just say that both men and women release oxytocin and endorphins that attach us to each other and the same can be said for the mother-baby bond post delivery.

Behavior is often times interrupted in this first hour. If we were to delivery our babies alone in a warm, dark place the connection would not be broken. The delivery position might be better suited to see and or feel our babies upon delivery. And our need to see and hold baby would come to us slowly and gently. It becomes very necessary for a women to look into the eyes of her newborn. This connection binds them together.

As the baby adjust to his or her first time to not have the continuous flow of nutrients, rooting begins. If we were to allow babies to root around to find the source of nutrition, we would all be amazed at how instinctual breastfeeding is for both mother and baby. At this time, women are still hormonally balanced. It is a natural response.

There is more to talk about, but this is a great place to start. Remember that we know all this stuff. It is in our DNA – trust your instincts! There is always room for education, imitation and time to define techniques.

See you all in class. Namaste.

Cheryl Johnson

Uptown Yoga

PreNatal and Deep Stretch Instructor

What is that you say? We come to our practice day in and day out, unrolling our mats, putting in the work, and enjoy the multiple gifts that this practice gives us.  But, the Asana (physical practice) is just one small piece of the luscious yoga pie.  Patanjali, who is a sage considered to be the father of yoga, states that there are 8 limbs, or 8 pieces of the yoga pie. Yoga comes from the the word Yoke, meaning to join or union. So when we add in the other pieces of the pie, we find the yoke, the union between the body, mind, and spirit.

The 8 limbs according to Patanjali:

Yama- ethical standards
Niyama- inward, self- practices
Asana- physical postures
Pranayama- breath control
Pratyahara- sensory withdrawal
Dharana- single pointed concentration
Dhyana- meditation or contemplation
Samadhi- enlightenment or bliss

Let’s look at the first 2 limbs a little deeper. The Yama and Niyama, kind of the do’s and don’t of yoga are broken down into:
Yama:
Ahimsa- meaning non violence, this seems like a no-brainer, of course we know we shouldn’t hurt one another physically; but it also brings an awareness to our words and thoughts, towards others and to ourselves. Are we harming ourselves by engaging in a dangerous lifestyle, or filling our minds with toxic negative thoughts. Are we mindlessly  saying the first thing that pops into our head. Could  we step back, take a breath, and ask ourselves if our words are hurtful. We apply this in our practice by modifying when needed, and not pushing ourselves to the point of pain, or harm.

Satya- the yama of truthfulness, another no-brainer, right? We have been taught since childhood that we shouldn’t lie. But again, this allows us to explore ourselves and our actions a little deeper. Satya helps us to look at the root of intention of our actions.  Is this what I want, is this the best situation for me, am I taking this job to empower myself, or to fulfill someone else’s idea of me? Am I doing this yoga posture because it feels safe and right for me, or am I trying to please my teacher, or impress the yogi next to me?

Asteya- or non-stealing. Wow, I’ve got this down, I haven’t stole a thing in my life! Well, sure you have, at one moment or another, you have either stolen from your own joy, or someone else’s.  I am one of those annoying people who had trouble with taking compliments.  A friend once  said to me, “wow, you look great, you look fit and like you have lost weight.” So instead of thanking her for her nice compliment, I replied with “oh, not really, I’ve been eating bad, and feeling kinda blah.” It wasn’t until my husband pointed this out to me, that I realized what I had said and that in my response, I had stolen from her joy and my own.  We “steal” from the joy of our yoga practice, when we think that we need to be able to do a headstand, handstand, arm balance, etc. to be complete in our practice.

Bramacharya- Oh, they snuck in moderation on us. Yes, we knew it was coming, what’s the old quote, “all things are good in moderation.” When we apply moderation, we also have to remain present. When we are present, we can become satisfied with much less. I like to equate this practice with chocolate. Because, I love chocolate and it is so easy for me to zone out and eat a whole bag before I know it. Since I know I have this tendency, I have to actively make myself aware when I’m eating it; by igniting all my senses, noting the texture, the richness of the color, the sound it makes when I snap the bar, and then savor the taste. With this type of presence, you can be fulfilled with so much less. So back to Satya, sometimes I still eat the whole things, but hey, I try.

Aparigraha- Non-hoarding, non-possessiveness.  This reminds me of my dog.  I have a beautiful German Shepherd, but she is a bit of a hog.  She has her favorite orange ball (which she actually stole from another dog), and many other toys that she likes to play with.  She becomes so obsessed when another dog is around, that she hoards all of her toys in one spot (with the orange ball in her mouth), and stays their protecting them until the other dog leaves.  She is so attached to these toys that she cannot even play with the other dog, or get a drink of water due to the ball in her mouth. Like my dogs toys, often we become too attached to our possessions, and in turn they own us and our decisions, instead of vise versa.

Niyamas- our internal observances

Saucha- Cleanliness, of the body and the mind and purity of intention. The yogis used several methods to cleanse the body, including breathing techniques, neti-pots, etc. Cleaning our bodies after practice, also helps to remove the past energy  . You can also look at keeping your intentions pure and true. Again, asking the question, why am I doing this? We can also examine the food that we put into our body, and choose clean, fresh, and whole foods. We practice this in the studio, by not wearing shoes in the studio space, not allowing outside articles to pull from our attention, and by not talking. This helps to create a sacred place for our practice.

Santosa- A.K.A  contentment, this is one that I am constantly trying to work on! Santosa teaches us to be okay with the way things are, and to let go of that constant need /desire to control or change things. When we are constantly thinking that things should be a different way, we really steal the beauty of things the way they are. Growing up I was always very muscular and strong, but I was not happy, I thought that I needed to be tall and skinny.  Finally when I let go of the idea of what I should be, I was able to love what I am.  The same goes for our practice, we get so wrapped up in that pose that we think we should be achieving,  that we loose sight of what we have gained.

Tapas- Yes, tapas, turning up the heat.  Tapas is our practice of discipline. It’s that discipline that makes us get out of bed to show up to our practice, and to not leave when that crazy teacher has us holding a lunge for 10 breaths. Tapas also involve knowing when you need a break and to use than heat to “burn away” the ego that keeps us from doing so.  A big shout out to all of our students that completed the 30 for 30 challenge, what an amazing act of discipline that was!

Svadhyaya- The study of the self, to allow time for self-reflection. To become aware of our own personal needs and desires.  Some might study sacred scriptures from their religious, or spiritual preference and apply these to daily life. You can practice this in your asana practice by being aware, of where the minds go in certain poses. Ask your self why? Why am I in such a hurry to get to the next pose?  Having the awareness and the freedom from ego to modify and take breaks. Outside of yoga, we use Svadhyaya to look at our actions: Am I choosing this career path because if brings me joy, and allows me to make a positive change in my community? Or am I choosing this career path to please someone else?

Ishvara Pranidhana- “It is what it is”, Ishvara Pranidhana is our final Niyama this is the joyous and empowering surrender to what is. It’s such a relief to let go of our internal need to “fix,” or to “change” things. I cannot control the traffic I am sitting in, it is out of my power to make these cars move out of my way, so instead of being angry, yelling, and honking my horn, I will put on my favorite song, and enjoy time with myself.  In our practice we find the joy in where we are, let go of the need to find that perfect pose, and just enjoy the journey.

There you have it, the Yamas and the Niyamas, take the ones that resonate with you, apply them to your life, and practice and see what transpires!  These Yamas and Niyamas are practices, meaning that they do not always come naturally, sometimes we have to STOP, take a step back and Choose to apply them in our life situations.

The light within me honors the light within you,

Misty Miller

Uptown Yoga Instructor

If you find yourself mid-week staring blankly in your kitchen for what to eat, or better yet, if you go grocery shopping and the get home and feel like you have nothing to eat/cook – I’ve done a little advanced preparation for you… Recipes and Shopping List included.  www.davawellness.com

Veronica is a a Texas native girl with roots from Mexico and Portugal. She loves her friends and family and Dallas. “I love to be optimistic and enjoy great energy and spirits.” Follow her challenge journey here and on her Healthy Latinas Blog!

Day 1: Inhale long, exhale get slow

Wow! Oh What fun it is to….. yoga! Started my 30 day challenge with a Sunday Core class and I must say, the challenge is definitly on. I have always been up for a good “i dare you” , but this one is a little harder since my body and my mind are challenged almost at the same time and same levels. INTENSLY! I was always told energy follows thought, so I figured I would play that card and tell my head I can do this and hope my body would follow suit.

On Tuesday, day 3- I could not bring my thoughts to going and wanted to bail, but forcefully, I trotted in with an open mind and left with an open heart! Still sore, but enlightned and humbled to be submissive to the energy that is generated on the mat. Read more here: http://healthylatinasblog.blogspot.com/

Day 4- here I am at 5:30pm- headed to a work event (trying not to think about that 8pm class I have to do later tonight).  ahhh…did i mention decipline? will see where I go.

chat soon! V

Day 4: Consistency is the key, discipline is the door and struggle is the way through

WOW! Day 4- 8:00pm. DISCIPLINE was definitly the door I had to cross last night. I was tempted  not show up and stay on a patio and have a few drinks with friends. My mind was fighting and my heart won! This was the first time I was able to take a class with Yoga Teacher Misty- I must say I was definitly challenged! My body is still sore from the classes prior! but, I continue to build strength. I learned I could forward fold deeper!!!! That was a great feeling!!! I am determined to take as many studio classes as I can before I do my home training- I definitly think the energy in the room helps and makes a huge difference!

Starting the challenge has opened my awareness and has really made me think about what I am putting in my body. My diet has changed and I am back to drinking a gallon of water a day! I lost 4lbs in the last 4 days and can start to see definition in my body!!!

What a transformation!! I can only imagine what next week or even today will bring for day 5!

:::divine in me honors the divine in you::::

Veronica

Day 5: Cinco de Mayo! What a hard day. This week actually has been the toughest I have experienced. My mind is definitly fighting the good fight with my heart and my body. I have never been able to commit to something this long with out quiting and I can feel the defense. Classes are getting harder for me to focus- but my body is feeling so good. Everyday is a challenge and the rewards are far greater than I thought. I think this week I am learning what “humble warrior” truly means- on and off the mat.

Day 7: Morning Studio Class: I feel a habit coming on. Today was just ok- I am very tired, sore, and just more calmer than usual- nothing eventful- learned how I can feel emotional by doing the cow face pose.

Day 8..Mothers Day..My first time practicing at home. I must say, I thought it would be harder- but I followed an On demand TV flow for 15 minutes then I meditated for 10 minutes outside on my patio. The experience was very peaceful and I felt really close to the earth outside during meditation.

Day 9: Studio advanced flow. I am still finding it hard to focus, I feel very rushed in class. I started to get comfortable with poses and didnt challenge myself as much. It wasn’t until after class, Jen made a statement about how sometimes we need to get uncomfortable to grow. I knew that- but hearing her say that as I laid still was very profound. I called myself out and knew that I was not challenging myself as I should. I left that night thinking about all the things that I do everyday that are routine and comfortable. I find myself in comfortable relationships, friendships and situations that are limiting my growth as a person and reducing growth to becoming a healthy person inside and out.  I pushed myself to think about getting uncomfortable.

 I am learning so much about my body and how the defenses flare up and when I normally get bored and quit, my commitment to the challenge come to mind and I move forward. What a wonderful feeling it is to continue when i really don’t want to.  So much to learn.

Day 10: On the Road Again….

Today I started my week of travel. Houston to San Antonio to Austin then straight to Fort Lauderdale. All in one week. When I thought about doing Yoga, I thought for sure my true test of discpline would be this week! As soon as I made it to my hotel after a long day of travel and work- I decided to google local Yoga Studios in Houston. I knew that I didnt want to practice in my hotel room and I really needed some energy to flow.

I found a great little spot thanks to Yelp- what a feeling! An incredible flow and work out! I feel so good tonight after taking the extra effort to find a studio and practice with people I don’t know. I decided to do the same and find a studio in Austin, my next stop and make Day 11 a better day! I saw a posting on the wall that read: Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen! I have faith in  my desire to continue and make this commitment great and maybe bring a few people on the way.

Day 11: Still traveling in Austin, back to basics. Yoga on my own. Decided to go into the hotel gym and do some cardio and weight lifting and end with some great yoga stretching. It was an amazing to work yoga into a general work out. I did some core strengthening along with 20 sun salutations and ran through a great 10 minute flow. I feel great and I have gain a little more confidence with this out side the studio practice! I miss my mat at home, but felt some love here too.

Day 12: Long flight from Austin to Fort Laude dale. Landed in Florida at 11pm- washed my face, turned on my itunes yoga sequence and got the job done! Also did 200 crunches!!! I feel great, independent and sore. I think I am getting more joy from the commitment. Feels good to get uncomfortable sometimes. Tomorrow I am going to get up early and win my battles early so I don’t have to worry about it later in the day. :::::nameste::::

5/16/11 Her we are again…. returning from a business trip- feeling the need to Yoga with my group. I returned to the map at Uptown for class with Jenn.

The past two weeks have been the hardest the times. I felt very defensive and de-motivated. The classes seem to be a burden and made me tired- I really think my patience was challenged and my regular routine of quiting and jumping to something new was challenged. I took the Monday afternoon class (advanced class) and felt a sudden emotion of rejuvenation. I set my intent to go HARD and really take my practice to the intensification’s rather than the modifications. I didn’t chicken out on the crow poses or head stands. All of sudden my fears to try were no longer there. The messaging that Jenn gives during our cool down make more and more sense and I actually have an open heart to receive the energy in the room.

These past two week have taught me how to take in energy and not just give energy. what a light bulb moment for me.

Day 17:

Tuesday night. WOW! what a night. I continue to learn and learn to keep my spirit = even when I am around things that are negative and draining! I feel so good right now and I can see a huge difference in my build, my appetite! I LOVE water and everything good fresh!!! What a feeling!!! I’m in a great place and feel great! My next two weeks look really bright. I hope to meditate a little more and focus on being the bright light.

::::: resting light:::

Looking forward to Wonderlust festival in Dallas!!!

End of challenge:

I finally finished my challenge and I must say, the journey was incredible! I learned so much from the challenge and have seen great results phyiscally. I am going to continue to challenge myself and to commit to yoga 4-5 times a week.

Discpline was definitly something I struggled with along with patience. What a gift.

Britt has jumped in full force with a wide open heart to this challenge. Meet her here and follow her progress on this page:

I am about to turn 45 years old this May. I am a divorced mother with four gorgeous children ages 4, 10, 12, and 13.  I have been a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty for almost ten years and I also have a part time job as an Independant Consultant for Rodan+Fields Dermatologists.  I have recently discovered a love of riding my bike after more than 20 years of not being on a bike at all.  I love riding around White Rock Lake and have set a goal to train for the MS 100 ride for spring 2012.

I first tried yoga in 2005 when my I began to realize that my marriage was falling apart.  I found myself very emotional while on the mat and would often cry during my practice.  This was so odd to me as I did not know then that yoga was spiritual in nature.  I was there for the physical exercise.  I found yoga to be really challenging in many ways.  I came to the mat off and on for about a year at that time.  I took a year off and had my fourth baby in 2006  a huge surprise for my 40^th birthday. Then in  May of 2007 I bought myself a one month pass to the studio and made a deal with myself that if I was going to commit that money then I was also going to challenge myself to come to the studio as much as possible during that time.  I made it 28 times in 30 days.  I went from crying on the mat and feeling pretty much like the fattest and most out of shape person in the room, to someone that would put my mat in the front row and was able to get through each class feeling stronger and more connected to myself.  I had worked both physically and spiritually then.  I knew that yoga meant more to me than exercise. I lost 10 pounds and gained my own personal strength and spirit back. After that I kept coming to yoga for another year pretty regularly.  I began to know myself and trust myself again.

In October of 2007 I told my husband I wanted a divorce and it took until July 2009 for that to be final.  In mid 2008 I had to stop going to yoga because of financial reasons due to the divorce.  I was wiped out financially and emotionally by the time the divorce was over.  I came back to the mat in late 2009 and started over here at Uptown Yoga.  I was a regular for a while and then went through more emotional stuff which took me off the mat again for about 7 months.  It seems crazy to me to keep coming back and then leaving again.  But the wonderful thing is that my practice is still there waiting for me to return.  The peace I get from yoga is still there. The love I feel in the room is still there.  The struggles with myself are still there.

This 30 Day Yoga Challenge is perfect timing for me  it is again time for me to reconnect with the mat, the energy in the studio, my spirit and physical body. I know it will be tough to make it to the studio at least five times a week during the month. Making time for myself is a huge struggle, but one that I have learned is necessary for my peace.  I am looking forward to this challenge and the growth I will experience.  So bring on this month. I am going to change and grow!

Day 1: Back to the Mat

Ok. Day one of the 30 day challenge. I have not done yoga since about mid-March. I started today with Mike’s 4pm class at the Lakewood Studio. I have been in classes before with Mike as a student but not been with him as the teacher. WOW! That was hard and really powerful for me today. I found myself a teeny bit judgmental of myself when I first got there. I also had to put my mat down in a different spot than usual – out of my comfort zone. And the curtains were closed. So – a whole bunch of newness for me on my first day back on the mat. I have a pulled muscle in one leg – just happened this weekend so that is adding to my challenge. But I say BRING IT! One thing I have learned in the last few years of my journey on this planet has been that when I fear something or when things look different than I expect – the best thing for me to do is to lean into that and move forward towards it. That causes growth. And I will take growth over being stuck any day of the week! I also weighed myself today so I know where I am starting. And I plan to be a little lighter at the end of the month – on the scale but also in my heart! Peace+Love, Britt

Day 3: The challenge of pain

Day three presents a time challenge for me. I have only a few hours in between dropping off and picking up kids and then we have a full evening of scouts, homework, dinner, and chores. I will spend about 3 hours in the car today playing kid taxi. I also have to work. So – what to do? It occurred to me that I could go to the Uptown location and yes they have a noon class today. So that solves that for me.

I am really sore in my shoulders and my class last night was really hard. I am feeling the muscles pains from my first two days of this challenge. But I know that the pain will lead me to gain. I have learned that in all areas of my life. My journey towards freedom is an emotional and spiritual journey. I have had to walk through much pain to get this far. I always used to fear pain. I would avoid it at any cost. Stuffing feelings, avoiding confrontation and conflict, covering up my issues and focusing on taking care of others needs first – none of this served me well. The big thing I have learned about pain is that if you lean into it and discover what you are afraid of you will gain the knowledge and power to push through it and come out into an amazing freedom on the other side.

Freedom is what I seek. Freedom to live in truth and peace and love. The journey is sometimes painful, and sometimes I am afraid. But it is that pain and fear that causes growth. I am growing in my freedom and my truth every day. I am amazed and I am blessed. I am looking forward to pushing through the pain in class today! I say bring it! Peace+Love, Britt

Day 4: Outside the rulebook

Day four was awesome! Deviating from my comfort zone, I went to the Uptown location for the noon class again. I have always tried to structure my day with my exercise at the very beginning before the whole shower, hair, and makeup thing. Of course that is on the days I actually exercise. I am one of those people that start a new diet every Monday. Then by Wednesday I am back to my bad habits and disillusioned by my own lack of willpower. Well – at this point that describes the ‘old’ me. I am different now. Stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things out of the ordinary for me is exciting and confidence building. I wonder why I have spent so much time living within my own rulebook. Life is experienced outside that rulebook. I love this challenge and the changes that I am experiencing in order to make it happen for myself. In just four days I am already stronger on my mat. I am giving this my all and I totally lose myself on the mat. Being able to turn off my inner voices and come to the mat to breathe is a gift. I am finding already that I am able to take that gift beyond the mat for a bit. I’m dealing with stressful situations in a less reactive manner. The yoga-zone is staying with me and I can handle my daily ‘stuff’ a bit better than I did last week. For me, my time on the mat is breathing, peace, strength, confidence, play, courage, and love. And I want to take that with me off the mat and into my world. Yoga days are better days. Peace+Love

Day 5: I love my mat!

I love my mat. I love to get to yoga class early and spend some quality time on my mat in my own world. I am at peace there on that rubbery rectangle. I breathe there. I relax and feel my body. I am aware and present on my mat. The whole world stops while I am there. So I always schedule myself to arrive at class at least ten minutes early so I can spend time with my mat. This is reflection and prayer time for me. I had my eyes closed for almost the whole ten minutes today. When I first lay down I was one of three in the class, when I opened my eyes there were over 20 people in there. I didn’t notice them come in. My mat is safe. My mat feels like home. It is not glorious, or new, or fancy. It is a little place for me to breathe and be present. I love my mat. Peace+Love, Britt