Simplicity

Simplicity has been my theme today, even before I realized it.

I am a relatively neat person, and I'm not fond of clutter. While picking up around the house today, I was thinking about the surfaces, and if they had too many things on them. Obviously, the concept of Aparigraha is sticking with me.

Then I opened the kitchen cabinets, and was struck by how many glasses I have. There are only two of us, and we've never had more than 6 guests at a time, so why do I have over 30 glasses? I certainly don't need that many. Time to clean out the cabinets, and donate.

Later, I was thinking about how I could really use some more streamlining in my organization, to keep it simple. It's not always an easy task, but once it's done, every day chores are easier.

I really do love simplicity. It makes me happy and content.

For my yoga practice, I chose Lunar Flow again, the Shiva Rea CD I recently purchased. It is one of the most simple practices I do, with a series of Lunar Salutations that repeat over and over and over. First with cues, then just with the mantra, and then just the music. As simple as it starts out, Shiva takes it a step further, stripping away one layer and then another, until it just you, your body, and the music. Simplicity.

Then I read my Meditations from the Mat entry. It started with Lynyrd Skynyrd lyrics, "All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied. And be a simple kind of man, someone you can love and understand..."

And that sums up my day, doesn't it? I want to lead a simple, satisfied life full of love and understanding. I think most people do, but not so many realize it. Even fewer know how to do it. Recognizing how much simplicity satisfies me is a step toward that goal for me.

Namaste

Lunar Flow

More goodies came in the mail today! Yay! My new Manduka mat, 2 cork blocks that are more stable than the foam one I had before, and a new CD "Drops of Nectar" which is a guided Lunar Flow practice with Shiva Rea.

I tried out the CD tonight, and marveled at the difference between Lunar Salutations and Solar Salutations. The poses are so similar, but with the rhythm so much slower, the outcome was very different.

At first, I had trouble keeping my breathing in line with the movements at that slow of a pace. But after the sixth or seventh series, I was getting better at it. I also found that moving so slow allowed me to pay more attention to my form coming out of Cobra and moving into Downward Dog.

I'm excited to have another tool in my Year of Yoga Toolbox!

Namaste

My arms are changing.

Seriously. My arms are changing, and I love it! I recognize that physical appearance should be one of the lesser concerns in my pursuit of yoga, but it does make me happy to see the physical changes right there in front of my face. It's 'proof in the pudding', and yes, my arms were about as hard as pudding before!

Probably, most people wouldn't notice the changes. But that's ok, because I do. My triceps are starting to have visible definition, and my biceps are getting firmer. Even the area often called 'armpit chest' is getting more toned, less soft.

I think all of this comes from chaturanga dandasana (push up position). So tonight, I went back to Solar Flow, because Shiva uses that pose alot, and encourages you to hover in it. By the end of practice, I was really feeling it in the arms, and I'm happy about it!

This is really reinforcing the fact that when something seems difficult, it's worth the extra attention and hard work to master it. I haven't come close to mastering chaturanga dandasana, but I've been putting so much effort into, and I know that's why I'm reaping these physical rewards.

Namaste

Somewhere in the middle

Tonight, I practiced with my favorite Yoga DVD - Shiva Rea's Solar Flow. I had a productive day today, and I felt like I had the energy for a challenge. And Solar Flow can definitely be challenging!

I used the Matrix feature on the DVD, focusing mainly on the balance poses flow. This DVD is awesome because it accommodates so many levels, and gives you so much to grow into. On most of the balance poses, I stay at the first phase. But I am proud to say that tonight, I managed a new phase in the split balance pose. While I still can't do the whole shebang, I am stoked that I am just one phase away. I surprised myself, and I am so happy about it.

What makes me happy about all of this is that I see that I'm somewhere in the middle, and making progress. I'm no expert by far, but I've come a long way from the beginner phase. And while most people would look at Shiva's amazing arm balances and think 'no way', I'm getting to a place where I'm thinking 'someday'. And hopefully someday soon!

I ended with a longer shivasana than usual after my hard work, complete with puppy kisses to tell me it was time to snap out of it. Now it's time to hit the sack, because I'm meeting a friend for Zumba in the morning. I've got a massage scheduled too, and I think I'm going to need it!

Namaste