I'll be Happy when.....

How often do you find yourself saying, "I'll be happy when I .... When I get this... or When I buy this or have this..... I will be happy." I, along with a large percentage of society share in this belief. Over and over again we tell ourselves that it only takes a new set of clothes, or a fresh new face, losing weight, or a big house to be happy. And, then when we obtain this treasure, we look to the next thing, or idea to strive for.

I am not saying that it is a bad thing to strive for, to want to challenge ourselves, to work towards a goal.  But, we need to rethink the goal when we believe that our happiness is based upon it. I remember as a teenager working so hard to lose weight, thinking to myself that when I did I would fit into clothes that we too tight months back, and my social life would grow finding myself attractive to the boys. Looking back, many years later, I still remember this feeling and how it stayed with me well into adulthood.

My life has evolved since then, but this feeling lingers. On my wrist I wear two bracelets which state my intentions for my life: acceptance and contentment. Acceptance of myself; who I am, what I am, where I am, and how I live. Contentment brings in acceptance; to accept what I have, who I am, and living my life from there.

Contentment or Santosha, according to Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, were created as a guide on how to live one's life. Santosha, the second of the Niyamas (which looks at five practices we can do for ourselves), "asks us to focus on contentment; to be grateful for what is."

(https://www.fivepillarsyoga.com/exploring-the-eight-limb-path-the-niyamas/)

Yoga and Meditation aid us in deeply listening to these stories that find their way into our minds. As we practice we begin to, "identify and familiarize yourself with our stories, and as a result we begin to see them for what they are, just stories." ( https://yogainternational.com/article/view/is-santosha-contentment-really-possible  As we listen we then can see the story for what it is and then look at what is in front of us. From this we can begin to take ourselves away from the story and to ourselves. Hopefully, we then can create a story that fits where we are in our lives. 

Take yourself through this sequence. As you do to keep yourself in the present; leaving the obstacles, the distractions aside, for they are not serving you. Practice non-attachment. Let go of certain things, situations, and ideas about life. Instead practice Santosha; to be content, to accept what has happened and learn from it. To be grateful.

PRACTICING PRESENCE

OPENING/BACK

Constructive Rest/Breath Work

Dead Bug

Bridge w/BLOCK

TABLETOP

CNC-Cobra

Hip Circles

SUN SALUTATIONS

Low Lunge w/BLOCKS

Low Lunge w/Twist

Low Lunge/Lizard w/BLOCKS

FF

REPEAT

STANDING

Chair

Crescent Prep/Hold

Warrior I

Pyramid w/ BLOCKS

Standing Needle

Chair

FLOW/REPEAT

BALANCE

Chair

Standing Figure 4

Knee up & Out

FLOW/REPEAT

GODDESS BREATH

C.P

FLOOR/SEATED/BOLSTER OR BLOCK

Seated Shoulder Work

Seated Twist

BACK

Bridge

Leg work w/STRAP Legs up the Wall

Knees In/Over

SAVASANA

" I accept myself for who I am."

I found this poem and its words resonated with the idea of Santosha. Read it before your practice and chose your Sankalpa (intention) from any stanza or a thought that comes from your reading.

Life Is a Flow: Relationships

Life is a flow…

A constant flux…

Relationships…

Are sometimes full of Sun,

And

Sometimes covered with Snow.

They sleep and wake as the Seasons do,

And a Thousand Times, we say ‘YES!’ and ‘SURE!’

And a Thousand Times, we say ‘NO!’

And our Absolutes and Bottom Lines

Define Us,

More than we know,

For wanting what we want, is not a Sin,

No more than NOT wanting what we DO NOT want, is…

And… ALWAYS!

The mix is different

And people come

And people go,

And… relationships…

Sleep, and wake, and drowse,

And sometimes we stretch the rubber band of Closeness and Expectations too far

And it loses its elasticity!

But usually,

We stretch-and-contract, stretch-and-contract,

Say ‘NO!’ to this, and ‘YES!’ to that…

And it’s all good!

O!  Heart!  Do not be troubled!

O!  Soul!  Be not afraid!

For everyone is doing the best that they can,

And sometimes, people die.

(One day, we’ll ALL be gone

And there is not a thing

We can do about it)

And Hope lies in Flexibility,

In not really expecting anything from anybody,

But being Grateful,

For whatever IS,

And whatever comes…

And the world is filled

With Gifts and Surprises,

If we only accept what IS,

And stop wanting, expecting, and needing Life

To always be other than it is!

O!  And THEN, there is LOVE!

And THAT is MYSTERY!

                                                            Love to hear from you. Thanks: Debra 

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Have we let our hectic life diminish our ability to listen deeply?

Today, in a yoga class I was attending, the teacher (thank you Jennifer @ Perennial Yoga), began with a question: Do we deeply listen to ourselves? We may listen, but do we truly "deeply listen?" We become so preoccupied with accomplishing that our body may speak to us, but we put it aside to finish; always working to finish the next task at the detriment to ourselves. In order to respond, we have to have listened to what was said.

I remember, as a teacher in the classroom, often telling my students that there was a difference between "listening" and "actively listening." To actively listen was to put all else aside, look at the person, and listen to what was being said. To watch the person's expressions and listen to the tone of their voice. Using this skill two people (or more) could have a meaningful conversation with another. This skill could also be done within oneself. We can cultivate "deep listening"; if we are will to do the work.

As you go through your day pay attention to what your body is telling you. LISTEN, to the messages it may send you; and most importantly, don't set them aside to accomplish.

As you take yourself through this Mindful Yoga Sequence truly work to listen to what your body is telling you. Be compassionate with yourself. Listen and adjust accordingly. Be patient with yourself; don't rush and force your body to do something it is not prepared to do.

PROPS: Mat, Blanket, Blocks, Bolster

MINDFUL YOGA SEQUENCE VII

OPENING

Arms Up

Pelvic Tilt

Both

TABLE TOP

CNC/Movement

BACK

Dead Bug Series

Block between Knees/Oppos. Twist

Toe Taps

Bridge w/Block

SUN SALUTATIONS

½ SS

Side Bend 

STANDING

Chair Squat

Feet Staggered/Knee up & Twist ®

3 Step Heel Touch: front/side/back ®

Squeeze Block Hands/Press out

STANDING

Warrior I

Warrior II

Side Angle

REPEAT

BELLY

Cobra/Turn Head

BLOCK behind Head/Cobra

½ Bow

Windshield Wipers

SEATED

Sukhasana w/Bolster/Twist

Wide Legged FF/Bolster

BACK

Supine Twist

Legs up Wall/Block

Happy Baby

SAVASANA

                                        Love to hear from you. Thanks: Debra 

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When Someone Deeply Listens to You

When someone deeply listens to you

it is like holding out a dented cup

you’ve had since childhood

and watching it fill up with

cold, fresh water.

When it balances on top of the brim,

you are understood.

When it overflows and touches your skin,

You are loved.

When someone deeply listens to you,

the room where you stay

starts a new life

and the place where you wrote

your first poem

begins to glow in your mind’s eye.

It is as if gold has been discovered!

When someone deeply listens to you,

your bare feet are on the earth

and a beloved land that seemed distant

is now at home within you.

by John Fox

Resources:

Cup of Water: https://jesusunboxed.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/cup-of-cold-water-mark-938-41/

Photo of feet: https://cauldronsandcupcakes.com/2013/02/25/my-favourite-crystals-for-grounding/

Bringing Santosha to the Holiday Season

 Santosha, the second niyama, is the practice of cultivating contentment. Practicing contentment means we appreciate the blessings we already enjoy rather than wishing for something we think we lack. Santosha helps us recognize our inherent completeness, just as we are. Contentment leads to a quiet, satisfied mind, a mind that celebrates the perfection of each moment.

She recommends a pranayama practice called the * “Resurrection Breath”  that she often teaches her clients to help them shift their attention from focusing on the past, or worrying about the future, to the present moment.  

How To Practice Resurrection Breath

1. Sitting comfortably with your head facing forward, inhale through your nose.
2. Turning your head to look over your left shoulder, double exhale out of your mouth, making a “haa haa” sound.
3. As you inhale, bring your head back to the center.
4. On your next exhale, turn your head over your right shoulder and blow out through pursed lips.
5. Inhale and return your head to the center.
6. Exhale and bow your chin to your heart center, allowing yourself to connect to the present moment.

                                                         Love to hear from you. Thanks: Debra 

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Email Address 

Resources:
https://www.yogauonline.com/yogau-wellness-blog/contributor-posts-holiday-yoga-practice-how-santosha-can-bring-magic-back