Yesterday after work I took a train ride(1hr) to go visit some high school friends, for dinner and a movie. Now usually on the train I keep my myself busy with crosswords, a book and or some music. But after about ten minutes, I just put everything away and just sat there, as if I was in a meditative state. Reflecting on everything..how long I have been friends with these people, going back to my High School town, how I was back in Canada, what I'm doing with my life, where to I want to be in the next year etc. etc..
Now reflections of this kind are a good preparation for mediation. IN fact, for most people, meditation is more like a reflection.
The mind is like a wild horse, It takes continuous effort to keep it quiet and free from distractions for any period of time. It becomes more and more obvious how thoughts have their own effect on the body and in turn affects the mind. Yoga demands that all intrusions from mind's interpretation of the input from the senses be dealt with.
But there is simply NO magical formula that will bring results without effort
The body is material but the mind is immaterial and intangible. Asana's are a discipline of the body, but they are not without and effect on the mind, and in turn the mind affects the body.
Having an Asana practice or Meditation practice is extremely important, it allows insights to emerge that did not have a chance before, because the space was "too crowded". Allowing changes to be made in life, by a conscious decision on the basis of will and self-analysis.
So as 2009 comes to a close, have fun, but also take some time for yourself, being free from any disturubances. Saying goodbye to all the things that does not serve your purpose and Live every moment of your life for the realization of your ideal and goal.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Something Sweet...mmmm
A favorite when I lived at Yoga Ranch. I use to make this for special occasions and since it's New Year's Eve if you need something to make for the occassion this takes less than an hour.
ENJOY!!
Blondies
2 1/2 cups
All purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Soft Unsalted butter
1 1/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Dark brown sugar
2 Large eggs(I used egg replacer)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
One 12 ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips
Butter a 10 by 15 1 inch pan and line with buttered parchment or foil. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour salt and baking soda and stir well to mix. Beat the butter with the sugars until combined, then beat in the eggs(egg replacer with 1/4 cup hot water) , and then the vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture, the nuts and chips. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until well risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the pan on a rack. After cooling, invert to a cutting board and peel away the paper. Cut into 2-inch squares. Yield: 3 dozen
You can also add other sweet ingredients if you like, like coconut
ENJOY!!
Blondies
2 1/2 cups
All purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Soft Unsalted butter
1 1/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Dark brown sugar
2 Large eggs(I used egg replacer)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
One 12 ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips
Butter a 10 by 15 1 inch pan and line with buttered parchment or foil. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour salt and baking soda and stir well to mix. Beat the butter with the sugars until combined, then beat in the eggs(egg replacer with 1/4 cup hot water) , and then the vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture, the nuts and chips. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until well risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the pan on a rack. After cooling, invert to a cutting board and peel away the paper. Cut into 2-inch squares. Yield: 3 dozen
You can also add other sweet ingredients if you like, like coconut
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sun Salutations
"Regardless of one’s purpose or intentions, carving out the time and space to practice independently can be very challenging".
This thought has been circling in my head for the last few weeks when I realised one week that I had practice more in that week then I had in a month..In the summer I did some damage to my knee, so much so that I had to relax it for awhile. So after years of a daily practice, I had no practice..but after having some Physio on my knee for a few months, getting back into my practice was not happening, and I was starting to feel the effects..so a few days ago I started it up again, but this morning I wasn't feeling so well and I didn't have that much time, and I was thinking 'why bother' just lie in bed for a little bit longer. Then the blog came into mind and the reason for it, to give myself some inspiration. And I remembered what I use to say to my students in courses and trainings..."that even if you have only 10 minutes in your day, do the Sun Salutations, it's an important pracice."
The Sun Salutation is a sequence of twelve positions performed as one continuous exercise. Each position counteracts the one before, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing. Practiced daily it will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints, It limbers up the whole body.
The Rig Veda declares that "Surya is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings". The Sun Salutation originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally, it is performed at dawn, facing the rising sun. In time, each of the twelve positions came to have its own mantra, celebrating aspects of the sun's divinity.
So Yes I did do the Sun Salutations and even a little bit more....
This thought has been circling in my head for the last few weeks when I realised one week that I had practice more in that week then I had in a month..In the summer I did some damage to my knee, so much so that I had to relax it for awhile. So after years of a daily practice, I had no practice..but after having some Physio on my knee for a few months, getting back into my practice was not happening, and I was starting to feel the effects..so a few days ago I started it up again, but this morning I wasn't feeling so well and I didn't have that much time, and I was thinking 'why bother' just lie in bed for a little bit longer. Then the blog came into mind and the reason for it, to give myself some inspiration. And I remembered what I use to say to my students in courses and trainings..."that even if you have only 10 minutes in your day, do the Sun Salutations, it's an important pracice."
The Sun Salutation is a sequence of twelve positions performed as one continuous exercise. Each position counteracts the one before, stretching the body in a different way and alternately expanding and contracting the chest to regulate the breathing. Practiced daily it will bring great flexibility to your spine and joints, It limbers up the whole body.
The Rig Veda declares that "Surya is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings". The Sun Salutation originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally, it is performed at dawn, facing the rising sun. In time, each of the twelve positions came to have its own mantra, celebrating aspects of the sun's divinity.
So Yes I did do the Sun Salutations and even a little bit more....
Monday, December 28, 2009
the process of blogging
OM Om om....
starting this blog came about as a way of inspiring myself, so using my knowledge of yoga, I decided to share it and at the same time give myself some inspiration....after years of living in a 'yogic community' and now being on the outside world, or "another reality" as I like to say. I find that I need ways of inspiring myself and keeping on track with my Sadhana(spiritual practice). As one of my teachers use to say, "once you learn something, repeat it, teach it"...so I decide to blog on what I know best, YOGA!, also nutrition, (sharing some vegetarian recipes.....once a meat eater, learning how to eat and cook vegetarian was a process), and yogic philosophy.
So Welcome to My Blog, where I plan to write something daily, whether it's a quote, a recipe or a focus.
But since this is a new process for me, have patience with me as I learn the in's and out's of blogging
so today I leave you with my favorite quote..
"trust that everything you need is already within you and do not be afraid to go looking for it."
starting this blog came about as a way of inspiring myself, so using my knowledge of yoga, I decided to share it and at the same time give myself some inspiration....after years of living in a 'yogic community' and now being on the outside world, or "another reality" as I like to say. I find that I need ways of inspiring myself and keeping on track with my Sadhana(spiritual practice). As one of my teachers use to say, "once you learn something, repeat it, teach it"...so I decide to blog on what I know best, YOGA!, also nutrition, (sharing some vegetarian recipes.....once a meat eater, learning how to eat and cook vegetarian was a process), and yogic philosophy.
So Welcome to My Blog, where I plan to write something daily, whether it's a quote, a recipe or a focus.
But since this is a new process for me, have patience with me as I learn the in's and out's of blogging
so today I leave you with my favorite quote..
"trust that everything you need is already within you and do not be afraid to go looking for it."
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